Matěj Pavlovič – Memorial plaque unveiled, 02.09.23.

On 2nd September, the fourth memorial plaque for the ‘Český čtyřlístek’ – the Czech four leaf clover – Josef Balejka, Josef František, Matěj Pavlovič and Vilém [Košař. This time the plaque was unveiled at Vlkonice, a small town about 100km South_West of Prague, which was the birth town of Matěj Pavlovič.

It was a well attended ceremony with military representatives, local dignitaries, well-wishers and supported by the Czech Spitfire Club, who brought their replica Spitfire to the event. A flypast by two Czech Air Force Griffen fighters were included in the events program.

After speeches, numerous wreaths were then laid, including by the Klub Vojenské Historie at Otaslavice, the instigators of this series of memorial plaques and Vladimír Ambros, their Chairman, laid a bouquet on behalf of FCAFA.

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During the short Polish campaign of 1939 four Czechoslovak pilots: Josef Balejka, Josef František , Vilém Košař and Matěj Pavlovič, fought with distinction in that campaign and had become known as ‘Český čtyřlístek’ – the Czech four leaf clover.

After their evacuation from Poland, with Polish Forces, they were evacuated to France and later, when France capitulated to England where they remained with the Polish Air Force and where Josef František and Vilém Košař flew in the Battle of Britain with 303 Sqn. Balejka and Pavlovič, were unable to complete their conversion to Hurricanes before the Battle finished on 31 October 1940.

Of the four, only Josef Balejka was to survive the war:

Josef František, † 08/10/40, aged 26

Vilém Košař, † 08/11/40, aged 32

Matěj Pavlovič, † 20/04/41, aged 26

A biography on Josef Balejka here.

A biography on Josef František here.

A biography on Vilém Košař here.

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