Category Archives: Into exile

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 →

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To Poland

Posted on 20 May 2012 by

Czechoslovakia 15 March 1939 Československo 15. března 1939 Dr Emil Hácha, The Czechoslovak President, under pressure and threats from Hitler and Mussolini, at 03:55 that morning, had ceded his country to Hitlers demands; he felt it was now the only … Continue reading →

Posted in Into exile, Poland | 2 Comments

Escape from Prague

Posted on 21 April 2012 by

. . Escape Flight from Prague by Capt. E.M. Prchal . . My story begins in February 1948, when I landed at Prague aerodrome after a three-week flight to and from India. I was returning to a country griped by … Continue reading →

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Jaroslav Nyc

Posted on 16 April 2012 by

. A Brief Biography of W/O Jaroslav Nýč (Formerly of 311 (Czechoslovakian) Sqn RAF) Adapted from an article in ‘The Roundel’ – the station magazine of RAF Bahrain (Sept’ 1963) As a boy Jaroslav Nýč always wanted to fly and … Continue reading →

Posted in 311 Sqd, Biography, Into exile, POW, Victim of Communism | 1 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

Prague Pimpernel

Posted on 10 March 2012 by

. . Prague Pimpernel by Joe Doubek . . . From a steady humdrum career as a young accountant, Joe Doubek was suddenly pitchforked into a life of danger, adventure and high drama by Adolf Hitler’s brutal seizure of Czechoslovakia … Continue reading →

Posted in 311 Sqd, Autobiography, Books, Into exile, Victim of Communism | Leave a comment

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

Eduard Prchal – One of the Few

Posted on 1 February 2012 by

Eduard Prchal Jeden z hrstky ………………………..* 1 January 1911 ………………………..† 4 December 1984 Eduard Maximilian Prchal was born 1 January 1911 at Dolní Břežany, near, Prague. His father, František, was at that time a cabinet maker and his mother Božena … Continue reading →

Posted in 310 Sqd, Battle of Britain, Biography, Into exile | 7 Comments

Communist take-over February 1948

Posted on 23 January 2012 by

. On returning to his homeland in 1945 Karel Machaček, an ex-311 Sqn Doctor, served in the Czechoslovak Air Force HQ, at Prague. Initially with the rank of Major and by January 1948 he held the rank of Brigadier General. … Continue reading →

Posted in 311 Sqd, Into exile | 1 Comment

Flight to Freedom – Karel Stastny

Posted on 12 August 2011 by

. FLIGHT TO FREEDOM – Karel Šťastný’s airborne escape to England on 14 June 1948: At the time, late in January, 1948 that the new Government was set up under Communist Leadership, Karel was stationed at Bratislava and thus separated … Continue reading →

Posted in 311 Sqd, Autobiography, Into exile, Victim of Communism | 1 Comment