Category Archives: Into exile

Escapes of Karel Stastny

Karel Šťastný was a 311 (Czechoslovak) Sqn pilot who was born at Hošťálková, Czechoslovakia on 3 August 1918. Pre-WW2 he was a pilot, at the rank of Kapitan, in the Czechoslovak Air Force. When the Germans occupied Czechoslovakia, on 15 … Continue reading

Posted in 311 Sqd, Aircraft, Biography, France, Into exile, Poland, POW, Victim of Communism | 1 Comment

Frantisek Bernard – One of the Few

František BERNARD One of the Few Jeden z hrstky …………….* 23.07.1914, Starý Ehrenberky. …………….† 17.06.1980, New Zealand. Pre WW2: Před 2. světovou válkou: František Antonín Bernard was born on 23 July 1914 in the village of Starý Ehrenberky, formerly Alt … Continue reading

Posted in 310 Sqd, 313 Sqd, Battle of Britain, Biography, Into exile, Not Forgotton, Other RAF Squadrons, Victim of Communism | 1 Comment

Jiri Hartman – My First Escape

The recollections of S/Ldr Jiří Hartman DFC of his escape from German occupied Czechoslovakia to Poland on 15 June 1939. ______________________________________________________________ As the Nazis became more and more oppressive; arresting and torturing any suspected of anti-German views, the initial reluctant … Continue reading

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Vladimir Kopecek

F/Lt Vladimír Julius Kopeček …………….* 09.08.1917, Kyjov. …………….† 10.11.1955, Rostrup, West Germany. Early years: Raná léta: Born on 9 August, 1917, Vladimír’s birth certificate gives his name as Ladimír though he was always known as Vladimír, Lad’a or Vlád’a. Vladimír … Continue reading

Posted in 312 Sqd, Biography, Into exile, Not Forgotton, Other RAF Squadrons | 6 Comments

Josef Jaske – One of the Few

Josef JAŠKE One of the Few Jeden z hrstky …………….* 30.01.1913, Nymburk. …………….† 20.06.2001, Oxford, UK. Pre WW2 / Před 2. svět. válkou: Josef Antonín Jaške was born on 30 January 1913 in Nymburk, a town about 30 km from … Continue reading

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Returning Home August 1945 – Victory Parade

With the Czechoslovak airmen from the three fighter units – 310, 312 and 313 squadrons who returned home on 13 August 1945 and 311 Sqn airmen returning two days later, a Victory Parade was held for them in Prague. S … Continue reading

Posted in 310 Sqd, 311 Sqd, 312 Sqd, 313 Sqd, 68 Sqd, Ceremony, Into exile, Not Forgotton, Victim of Communism | 1 Comment

Vaclav Cukr – one of the Few

 Václav CUKR – One of the Few jeden z hrstky …………….* 16.10.1914. Prague. …………….† 24.10.89. Palmerston, New Zealand. Pre WW2 / Před 2. světovou válkou: Václav Cukr was born on 16 October 1913 in Prague, the son of Václav, … Continue reading

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RAF Rehabilitation Ceremony – 13.09.91.

Slavnostní akt Rehabilitace letců RAF – 13.9.1991 On 13 September 1991 a ceremony to ‘morally and politically rehabilitate the Czechoslovak men and women was held at the Palace of Culture, Prague. Rehabilitation awards for the suffering caused by the Communist … Continue reading

Posted in 310 Sqd, 311 Sqd, 312 Sqd, 313 Sqd, 68 Sqd, Ceremony, Into exile, No longer with us, Not Forgotton, Victim of Communism | 6 Comments

Karel Seda – My Journey to War

Karel Šeda – Moje cesta do války. The German occupation of Czechoslovakia on 15 March 1939, meant that the Bohemia and Moravia regions of the country were now the Reich Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (Protektorat Böhmen und Mähren), while … Continue reading

Posted in 310 Sqd, 68 Sqd, Battle of Britain, Into exile, Poland | 2 Comments

Jan Kaucky – One of the Few

Jan KAUCKÝ – Jeden z hrstky …………….* 23.01.1907., Satalice, Prague. …………….† 23.08.1970., Putney, UK. Pre WW2 Před 2. svět. válkou Jan Kaucky was born on 23 January 1907 in Satalice, a town in the north-east outskirts of Prague, Czechoslovakia. After … Continue reading

Posted in 310 Sqd, Battle of Britain, Biography, Into exile, Not Forgotton, Victim of Communism | 1 Comment