Category Archives: France

Josef Frantisek – Top-scoring Battle of Britain Pilot

Posted on 2 October 2018 by

Peter Sharpe and Chris John examine the brief but fiery career of the top-scoring Battle of Britain pilot. AMONG HIS CZECH countrymen, known for their sober and mannerly temperament, Josef František was the exception who proved the rule. He should … Continue reading →

Posted in Ace, Battle of Britain, Biography, France, Poland | 1 Comment

Josef Stehlik – 100th Anniversary

Posted on 18 March 2015 by

On Saturday, March 28 2015 at 10:00 am the Municipal of Slavičín, the Slavičín Library and the Historical Club of Slavičín invite you to the unveiling of a memorial plaque to Col. Josef Stehlik to commemorate the 100th anniversary of … Continue reading →

Posted in 312 Sqd, Events, Forthcoming Events, France, Russia | 1 Comment

A short history of the Czechoslovak Air Force in WW2 and the Post-War Period

Posted on 18 September 2014 by

by Marcel Ludikar In 1938 the Czechoslovak Army Air Force was one of the most modern Air Forces of Europe, determined to fight in the threatened conflict for the freedom and integrity of its country. However, the morale of its … Continue reading →

Posted in 310 Sqd, 311 Sqd, 312 Sqd, 313 Sqd, 68 Sqd, France, Information, Poland, Victim of Communism | 1 Comment

Moliens remembers Josef Bendl

Posted on 20 November 2013 by

Josef Bendl est l’un des premiers pilotes tchécoslovaques tués au combat en France en 1940. Lors de la commémoration du 11 novembre 2013, les élèves des classes de CE1 et CE2/CM1 de l’école élémentaire de Moliens ont présenté un travail … Continue reading →

Posted in Ceremony, France, Not Forgotton | Leave a comment

Karel Stastny – to the RAF

Posted on 2 July 2012 by

The story of W/O Karel Šťastný’s escape from his homeland in 1939 and his road to England, via Poland and France to England where joined the RAF and served as a pilot with 311 Sqn, by M. Vincent: Příběh W/A … Continue reading →

Posted in 311 Sqd, Biography, France, Into exile, Poland | Leave a comment

La Bataille de France Volume XV: Les Tcheques

Posted on 9 June 2012 by

. An interesting French publication giving a detailed French perspective about the Czechoslovak airmen who served in l’Arme d’Air in France and fought in the fierce, but brief, Battle of France until the French capitulation in June 1940. The publication … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, France | Leave a comment

Ladislav Svetlik

Posted on 23 March 2012 by

Odešlo poslední československé stíhací eso. In memoriam Ladislav Svetlik 1917-2008 ‘SVETLIK Ladislav (Larry). Ex-Czech Air Force; Ex-French Air Force, Lafayette; R.A.F., Czech Squadron 312, Service No. 117371, FLT LIEUT WWII. On July 27, 2008; In his 92nd year, dearly loved … Continue reading →

Posted in 312 Sqd, Biography, France, Into exile, Victim of Communism | 3 Comments

Arnost Mrtvy – to Poland and France

Posted on 19 February 2012 by

. When Germany occupied Czechoslovakia on 15 March 1939, Arnošt Mrtvý was serving in the Czechoslovak Air Force. Within days of the occupation the Air Force was disbanded. Arnošt, like many other of his fellow Air Force collegues, decided to … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Into exile, Poland | 2 Comments

Josef Balejka

Posted on 4 December 2011 by

Josef Balejka ………………………..* 4 March 1914 ………………………..† 7 July 2004 Josef Alois Balejka se narodil 4. března 1917 na Moravě v městečku Valašské Klobouky, ležícím v údolí Bílých Karpat na moravsko-slovenském pomezí. Jeho rodiče byli nemajetní, kteří stejně jako většina … Continue reading →

Posted in 311 Sqd, Biography, France, Poland | 7 Comments

Not Forgotten – France

Posted on 19 September 2011 by

Map key: Cemetery: Town: 1 Pihen-les-Guines Communal Cemetery Pas de Calais 2 Calais Canadian War Cemetery Pas de Calais 3 Boulogne Eastern Cemetery Boulogne 4 Etaples Military Cemetery Etaples 5 La Targette Pas de Calais 6 St. Valery-en-Caux Franco-British Cemetery … Continue reading →

Posted in Cemetries, France, Not Forgotton | 2 Comments