Пилот
06-03-2013, 07:14
After town of Prijedor (today in Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina) was liberated in May 1942. Yugoslav partizans capture damaged Potez airplane and give their best to make it operable, but it got destroyed soon after, without battle use.
On May 23rd pilot Franjo Kluz deflects from Independent State of Croatia (NDH) Airforce to partizan airport Urije near Prijedor. He flew over Potez XXV (Jupiter engine, serial number 5007), cargoed with 7 rifles, 2 cases of ammunition and canned food) - airplanes stationed in vicinity of Banja Luka supplyied garrisons in Sanski Most, Ključ and nearby villages.
Search after him began on the same day, because was not confirmed neither deflected, nor shot down/crashed. In the meantime Kluz flew to improvised aerodrome near village Medjuvodja, but at Urije field Potez XXV model was made and provisionally camouflaged. On may in one attack model was destroyed, and the plane then was armed wit german MG 42. By then it was armed only with plumbing tubes scratch-built bombs, made by partizans in Ljubija mine workshop. Franjo Kluz left his airplane marked wit Croatian insignia, wich helped him during one encounter with enemy airplane.
On June 4th pilot Kluz and mechanic-gunner Ivica Mitrešić (according to some sources: Mitrešić) in their Potez XXV bombed Orahovo and Ustashe column marching to Medjedje and returned to the airfield.
On June 7th people gathered to see the partizan airplane, and after Kluz' speech insisted that Kluz make a sortie. It was made. According to Kluz' report, they thrown anti-fascist propaganda fliers over Croatian Dubica and Bosnian Dubica. Over Bosanki Novi and Dvor they also thrown three bombs on enemy, and after that, fliers. After being hit by ground fire, they strafed ground objectives.
Airfield became compromised, so Kluz was ordered to fly to Jalašinovačko polje in vicinity of Lušci Palanka near Sanski Most. They dropped fliers again, and after that bombed and strafed enemy columns advancing to Kozara mountain.
Independent State of Croatia Airforce formed fighter squadron equipped with R-100 and Avia BH-33 airplanes in order to seek and destroy partizan airplane, but with no succes. Following some information, on June 24th they send one Caproni Ca 311 directed to Lušci Palanka. It bombed some villages an Lušci Palanka, but didn't discover partizan airplane.
Units of 1. Krajina Detachment and 1. Krajina Shock Brigade planned night attack on Bosanski Novi. Potez XXV was to join to the attack. In the meantime order was changed, and attack should begin on July 6th at 10:00. In 09:30 Potez was ready for sortie, but suddenly German FW 58 Weihe piloted by pilot Bumb appeared and, after few strafing and bombing attacks destroeyed Partizan Potez XXV. Being first partizan pilot and good aviator he was Squadron's commander, major Luka Miletić's, wingman executed first Squadrons battle sortie on August 18th 1944. Since then, from base in Italy he executed several sorties, attacking enemy in Dalmatia and parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and supporting partizan and ally airplanes.
On September 14th 1944, leading group of 4 Spitfire, attacking Adriatic port Omiš, Franjo Kluz was shot down by enemy AA fire and killed.
Posthumously, on May 14th 1948, Kluz was awarded highest military medal, Orden narodnog heroja (People's Hero Order, issued for bravery in war, and awarded to 1322 Yugoslavs and 22 foreigners).
1) Franjo Kluz
2) Ivica Metrečić
3) Potez XXV with Independent State of Croatia insignia
4) FW 58 Weihe (Bulb)
5) Bulb's kill mark, for destroying Kluz' Potez XXV. Bulb was also awarded a medal for this.
92322
92320
92321
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On May 23rd pilot Franjo Kluz deflects from Independent State of Croatia (NDH) Airforce to partizan airport Urije near Prijedor. He flew over Potez XXV (Jupiter engine, serial number 5007), cargoed with 7 rifles, 2 cases of ammunition and canned food) - airplanes stationed in vicinity of Banja Luka supplyied garrisons in Sanski Most, Ključ and nearby villages.
Search after him began on the same day, because was not confirmed neither deflected, nor shot down/crashed. In the meantime Kluz flew to improvised aerodrome near village Medjuvodja, but at Urije field Potez XXV model was made and provisionally camouflaged. On may in one attack model was destroyed, and the plane then was armed wit german MG 42. By then it was armed only with plumbing tubes scratch-built bombs, made by partizans in Ljubija mine workshop. Franjo Kluz left his airplane marked wit Croatian insignia, wich helped him during one encounter with enemy airplane.
On June 4th pilot Kluz and mechanic-gunner Ivica Mitrešić (according to some sources: Mitrešić) in their Potez XXV bombed Orahovo and Ustashe column marching to Medjedje and returned to the airfield.
On June 7th people gathered to see the partizan airplane, and after Kluz' speech insisted that Kluz make a sortie. It was made. According to Kluz' report, they thrown anti-fascist propaganda fliers over Croatian Dubica and Bosnian Dubica. Over Bosanki Novi and Dvor they also thrown three bombs on enemy, and after that, fliers. After being hit by ground fire, they strafed ground objectives.
Airfield became compromised, so Kluz was ordered to fly to Jalašinovačko polje in vicinity of Lušci Palanka near Sanski Most. They dropped fliers again, and after that bombed and strafed enemy columns advancing to Kozara mountain.
Independent State of Croatia Airforce formed fighter squadron equipped with R-100 and Avia BH-33 airplanes in order to seek and destroy partizan airplane, but with no succes. Following some information, on June 24th they send one Caproni Ca 311 directed to Lušci Palanka. It bombed some villages an Lušci Palanka, but didn't discover partizan airplane.
Units of 1. Krajina Detachment and 1. Krajina Shock Brigade planned night attack on Bosanski Novi. Potez XXV was to join to the attack. In the meantime order was changed, and attack should begin on July 6th at 10:00. In 09:30 Potez was ready for sortie, but suddenly German FW 58 Weihe piloted by pilot Bumb appeared and, after few strafing and bombing attacks destroeyed Partizan Potez XXV. Being first partizan pilot and good aviator he was Squadron's commander, major Luka Miletić's, wingman executed first Squadrons battle sortie on August 18th 1944. Since then, from base in Italy he executed several sorties, attacking enemy in Dalmatia and parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and supporting partizan and ally airplanes.
On September 14th 1944, leading group of 4 Spitfire, attacking Adriatic port Omiš, Franjo Kluz was shot down by enemy AA fire and killed.
Posthumously, on May 14th 1948, Kluz was awarded highest military medal, Orden narodnog heroja (People's Hero Order, issued for bravery in war, and awarded to 1322 Yugoslavs and 22 foreigners).
1) Franjo Kluz
2) Ivica Metrečić
3) Potez XXV with Independent State of Croatia insignia
4) FW 58 Weihe (Bulb)
5) Bulb's kill mark, for destroying Kluz' Potez XXV. Bulb was also awarded a medal for this.
92322
92320
92321
92319
92318