Operation Velvetta

Supermarine Spitfire purchased by Israel from Czechoslovakia in the Israeli Air Force museum

Operation Velvetta (Hebrew: מבצע ולווטה, Mivtza Velvetta; also known as Operation Alabama) was the name of an Israeli mission in 1948. This operation was instituted to provide fighter planes, specifically Supermarine Spitfires, for protecting Israel's borders, after Israel bought all of the remaining Avia S-199s in their inventory.

The fighter planes were purchased from Czechoslovakia at $23,000 per plane. Arrangements were also made with the Yugoslavian leader Josip Broz Tito to use the city of Nikšić (an abandoned Luftwaffe airbase) as a waystation for 60 purchased Spitfires (codenamed ("Yoram"). The first of the two legs of the journey was from Kunovice,^{[disambiguation needed ]} Czechoslovakia to Nikšić (codenamed "Alabama"). The second leg was more difficult, and it crossed 2,250 km of open water from Nikšić to Israel.

Secrecy

This operation was of high secrecy, as this opposed the English and the Soviets. The Israelis were not allowed to talk with the Yugoslavian soldiers or citizens to preserve secrecy. The Israelis were given permission to use the base at Nikšić and repaint their aircraft roundels with the Yugoslavian roundels for the ride to Israel so the shipment would not arouse any suspicions. After landing in Israel, the roundels were removed to uncover hidden Israeli roundels.

Velvetta 1

From Yugoslavia to Czechoslovakia

The first leg of the journey took place on September 24. This section, which took an hour and a half, went well for the most part. Blau's landing gear failed to deploy, and although he was fine, the aircraft was severely damaged.

From Czechoslovakia to Israel

The second part of the mission was much more difficult. This was a non-stop, five hour long flight over 2,500 miles of open water - quite a feat for the Spitfire. Sam Pomerance, the mechanic-in-chief at Czechoslovakia suggested to make the planes as light and efficient as possible, the places should be fitted with extra fuel tanks and the nonessential, such as radios and guns, should be removed. Walkie-talkies were used to talk during the flight. If forced to land in Greece or Albania on the way to Czechoslovakia, the pilots decided to say that they were flying to Israel^[1]. The mission was successful and helped support the Israelis during the War of Independence. On September 27th, 5 planes left for Israel. Alon and Senior ran out of fuel and had to make an emergency landing in Rhodes. They were arrested and interrogated, but did not reveal the flight path. The rest of the Spitfires successfully landed in Ramat David. On October 3rd, Israel sent an envoy to Greece and they were returned.

Velvetta 2

Pomerance returned to Czechoslovakia and made 15 more flights to Israel and divided the pilots into two formations. The planes left on December 15 and yet again on the December 18, but both times were forced to return due to rain and other weather conditions.

Bill and Sam Pomerance were lost in flight, and it was later found out that Bill made an emergency landing 160 miles north of the Yoram airfield and Sam was killed when his plane crashed into the mountains.

On December 19, 12 more Spitfires were flown to Israel. One plane was disabled due to technical issues. On December 22, the first 5-formation of planes flew to Israel; one plane turned back due to an engine failure. On December 26, the second 6-plane formation successfully arrived in Israel. A Skymaster was sent to Czechoslovakia to retrieve the guns and other parts that were stripped from the aircraft.

Members

The following is a list of people known who participated in the operation:^[2][3][4]

• Modi Alon
• Rudy Augarten
• Tuxie Blau
• Jack Cohen
• Syd Cohen
• Geoff Cooper
• Bob Dawn
• Jack Doyle
• Red Finkel
• Sandy Jacobs
• Mordechai Hod
• Tim McElhaw
• John McElroy
• Leo Nomis
• William (Bill) Pomerance
• Sam Pomerance
• Bill Schroeder
• Boris Senior
• Gideon (Geda) Shochat
• Lee Sinclair
• Albert Solsberg
• Ted Stern

References

1. ^ "אתר חיל-האוויר". Iaf.org.il. 1948-09-27. http://www.iaf.org.il/3203-7607-he/IAF.aspx. Retrieved 2011-10-04. 
2. ^ "Spitfires". 101squadron.com. http://101squadron.com/101real/spitfires.html. Retrieved 2011-10-04. 
3. ^ "The Israeli Air Force". Iaf.org.il. 2003-06-29. http://www.iaf.org.il/2564-30168-en/IAF.aspx. Retrieved 2011-10-04. 
4. ^ http://www.saskatoon.uscjhost.net/files/MarApr2011.pdf

External links

• http://www.haaretz.com/news/montenegro-air-base-that-played-role-in-israel-s-birth-under-threat-1.236959
• http://www.iaf.org.il/3203-7607-he/IAF.aspx