Otto Smik

Otto Smik
Otto Smik
	Monument to Otto Smik in Sliač, Slovakia
Born	20 January 1922; Borjomi, Georgian SSSR
Died	28 November 1944 (aged 22); Ittersum, Netherlands
Buried	Bratislava
Allegiance	Czechoslovakia; France; United Kingdom
Branch	Czechoslovak Army; Royal Air Force
Service years	1940–44
Rank	Squadron Leader
Service number	130678
Unit	No. 312 Squadron RAF; No. 310 Squadron RAF; No. 131 Squadron RAF; No. 122 Squadron RAF; No. 222 Squadron RAF; No. 127 Squadron RAF
Commands	"B" Flight, No. 312 Sqn RAF No. 127 Squadron RAF
Conflicts	Second World War Operation Overlord; ;
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross; ; 1939–1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939–1945; Czechoslovak War Cross 1939–1945 five times; Československá medaile Za chrabrost před nepřítelem; Pamětní medaile československé armády v zahraničí; Croix de guerre 1939–1945 avec palme;

Otto Smik DFC (20 January 1922 – 28 November 1944) was a Czechoslovak pilot of Slovak-Russian Jew origin who became a fighter ace in the Royal Air Force. He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in July 1940 and was in training until the end of 1942. Between March 1943 and June 1944 he shot down 13 Luftwaffe fighter aircraft probably shot down one more and shared in the shooting down of two others. In July 1944 he shot down three V-1 flying bombs. He became the highest-scoring Slovak fighter ace in the RAF.

In October 1944 Smik survived being shot down behind enemy lines in the Netherlands, successfully evaded capture and returned to Allied-held territory. In November 1944 the RAF promoted him to Squadron Leader and put him in command of No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF. On 28 November he was shot down again over the German-held territory in the Netherlands and was killed.