Hi there,
I am the grand nephew of F/Lt František Radina, pilot at 311-th Czechoslowak Bomber Squadron. I would like to know more about his life before WW2, his service during WW2 and life after. As I know he died in UK in 1968, five years before I was born.
Thank you for these websites and for any info you can have.
Best regards
Martin Radina
Mark W. Teply
wrote on 14 February 2025 at 4:11 am
Musim podekovat za skvelou praci.
Babicka pred valkou chodila s Karlem Danihelkou, Wellington KX-A Z1167, bohuzel zemrel pri naletu nad Emden.
Zajimam se o historii a tak sem i na vasich strankach. jeste jednou dik.
Apologies for long delay with reply....
yes Stanislav Trucalek was my natural father., I came with my mother in late 1945 to Prerov ,we stayed for almost a year before returning to England .
stanislav and I were reunited in 1990 in Brno.
kind regards
Thank you for your reply . Apologies for the long delay with an answer.
Yes Stanislav Trucalek was my natural father ....
Do you have any information on him......
. We were reunited in 1990. in Brno..
best regards ......
My birth father Frantisek Fencl served in the 311 Czech squadron of the RAF before his death in 1943. We would really love to find out more about his family; his parents were Josef and Ludmila (nee Vimrova) Fencl. He was born in Dominikalni Paseky, and was the forth child, having 3 older sisters (Maria, Anna and Bozena ). They moved to Namencka Paseky, today Kardave.
I would love to find out more about the family is anyone knows anything.
Thank you.
I would like to thank you VERY MUCH for establishing and maintaining this website, commemorating the heroism of the Czech and Slovak men and women during the WW2.
Die Wahrheit /wird siegen) siegt, der Ausspruch Masaryks, wird von seinem
Schlußsatz seiner Ansprache beim Ausrufen der Tschechoslowakei im Oktober 1918 lautete: Ruhe bewahren, geht nach Hause und stehlt nicht!
Gewußt?
Ein Deutschösterreicher südmährischer Herkunft!
Viele Tschechen bzw. Mährer hatten deutsche Namen, umgekehrt genauso,
Baus ist ein Beispiel, Prochaska bei Sudetendeutschen das andere, ned wohr?
Darja Novotna
wrote on 16 December 2022 at 5:37 pm
Hi Kate,
A family member of mine named Karel Novotny flew many missions with your grandfather between 1941-1942 as an air gunner. I am hoping that you may have some information or pictures that may help me find out a little bit more about my great uncle - and the other way round.
Many Thanks
Darja
Nigel Spitzer-Brummel
wrote on 18 November 2021 at 6:24 am
Thank you for this site.
I have very little other info. about my father Sgt. Rolf Spitzer (initially enrolled in the Czechoslovak Army in Exile after failing to find his family in Brno (transported to the death-camps) and then fleeing Vienna where he was studying Law and Political Science, he reached England. He then joined the Czechoslovak Army in Exile and subsequently one of the C-S squadrons of the R.A.F.
Anyone with any pictures or info., especially on ground-crew, please let me know.
I cannot get anything out of the RAF, unfortunately. Thanks so much.
Nigel Spitzer-Brummel
Dear Mr. Kravec, I am History student from Slovakia, I am doing school projekt about your father John Alois Kravec, would you be so kind to contact me. Thank you very much in advance.
Paula
Thank you for this wonderful website. My father was F/O Josef Baus. He escaped in 1949 and thereafter lived and died in South Africa always and first a great Czech at heart. He would be so moved by the monument Na Klarove for the reason of Pravda Vitezi alone and that the wrong has been made right. Dekuju!
I’ve often looked online for Jan Masat but this is the first time I’ve uncovered his name. I was a spotty 18 year old airman in 1965 on my first tour in ATC at RAF West Raynham and Jan was my Sergeant. I well remember his beret was always askew and he smoked roll up cigarettes, he had a wonderful gentle smile and at the time drove a Beetle car.
In later years I went on to become a commissioned controller and served at RAF West Drayton; I was delighted to meet Jan again. He’d retired from the Airforce and was working for NATS as an assistant, still with his dead roll-up in his mouth.
It was a privilege to have known him. Wish I knew about his history.
Mila Daso, hezky clanek o vasi rodine, kterou jsem prostrednictvym patrne zmineneho Frantiska Kroutila, kde v te Mototechne v Opletalce pracovala mamka a Tvuj otec tam byl zrejme castym hostem. My jsme se jako zvolna dospivajici poznali pri navstevach u vas ve Zvole. Ja uz temer 40 let zije v Zürichu. Az budes mit cestu kolem zavolej 0041 79 510 73 18, docela by potesilo. At se dari. George Hertl
Miroslav Eisenhammer
wrote on 28 January 2020 at 7:01 pm
I can give you informations about the life of Federman´s family in Pilsen before WWII - I am an archivist and I am looking for the stories of Pilsen pre-war boy scouts who joined the Czechoslovak foreign army after 1939 and fought for the freedom of their country. And I would be very happy to know a bit more about the war story of Herbert Federmann - you wrote that he served with your late father in the Mediterranean (Greek Islands) - it means Herbert served in British army, not in Czechoslovak exile troops....?
My late father Miklos Mayer (Mikuláš Majer) was a mechanic in 311 squadron. He told us little about his life during the war. I am trying to find out a bit more - any contact or information would be great.
Peter Mayer
I think you are looking at the artist but read Red Sky at Night by Jo Capka to give you a "feel" for those men. I knew him an what a pleasure to know gentle kind and generous.
My birth father Frantisek Fencl served in the 311 Czech squadron of the RAF before his death in 1943. We would really love to find out more about his family; his parents were Josef and Ludmila (nee Vimrova) Fencl. He was born in Dominikalni Paseky, and was the forth child, having 3 older sisters (Maria, Anna and Bozena ). They moved to Namencka Paseky, today Kardave.
I would love to find out more about the family is anyone knows anything.
I would like to thank you VERY MUCH for establishing and maintaining this website, commemorating the heroism of the Czech and Slovak men and women during the WW2.
I have very little other info. about my father Sgt. Rolf Spitzer (initially enrolled in the Czechoslovak Army in Exile after failing to find his family in Brno (transported to the death-camps) and then fleeing Vienna where he was studying Law and Political Science, he reached England. He then joined the Czechoslovak Army in Exile and subsequently one of the C-S squadrons of the R.A.F.
Anyone with any pictures or info., especially on ground-crew, please let me know.
I cannot get anything out of the RAF, unfortunately. Thanks so much.
Thank you for this wonderful website. My father was F/O Josef Baus. He escaped in 1949 and thereafter lived and died in South Africa always and first a great Czech at heart. He would be so moved by the monument Na Klarove for the reason of Pravda Vitezi alone and that the wrong has been made right. Dekuju!
Die Wahrheit /wird siegen) siegt, der Ausspruch Masaryks, wird von seinem
Schlußsatz seiner Ansprache beim Ausrufen der Tschechoslowakei im Oktober 1918 lautete: Ruhe bewahren, geht nach Hause und stehlt nicht!
Gewußt?
Ein Deutschösterreicher südmährischer Herkunft!
Viele Tschechen bzw. Mährer hatten deutsche Namen, umgekehrt genauso,
Baus ist ein Beispiel, Prochaska bei Sudetendeutschen das andere, ned wohr?
I’ve often looked online for Jan Masat but this is the first time I’ve uncovered his name. I was a spotty 18 year old airman in 1965 on my first tour in ATC at RAF West Raynham and Jan was my Sergeant. I well remember his beret was always askew and he smoked roll up cigarettes, he had a wonderful gentle smile and at the time drove a Beetle car.
In later years I went on to become a commissioned controller and served at RAF West Drayton; I was delighted to meet Jan again. He’d retired from the Airforce and was working for NATS as an assistant, still with his dead roll-up in his mouth.
It was a privilege to have known him. Wish I knew about his history.
Dear Mr. Kravec, I am History student from Slovakia, I am doing school projekt about your father John Alois Kravec, would you be so kind to contact me. Thank you very much in advance.
My late father Miklos Mayer (Mikuláš Majer) was a mechanic in 311 squadron. He told us little about his life during the war. I am trying to find out a bit more – any contact or information would be great.
Peter Mayer
I feel so proud and privileged to have just witnessed “The Loch Doon” Aircraft being unveiled at the Dumfries Aviation Museum, and what a brilliant job they have made of bringing this Aircraft back to it’s former self, I have to say, the people involved in restoring it have done not only the Aircraft proud, but Lt. Frantisek Hekl proud as well, his Spitfire now stands on it’s wheels again
This is a wonderful website. My great uncle was Czech. I served in the RAF with Alois Hochmal and Vaclav Raba. Two wonderful men. I also knew Joe Bernat. Alois was like a father to me. Everyone praises the Poles for their contribution but few Czechoslovaks are mentioned.
I am the daughter of my late father, Frantisek J Hradil a crew member of 311 sq he was a mechanic also gunner and radar operator – I have been searching for his war record for many years. Or indeed for any photograph’s that may be available as he had but a few in his possession.
I am a docent at the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, Washington State, USA. Here we have a Spitfire Mk. VC (5c) (AR614) that was flown by Flying Officer Tomas Vybiral of the 312 Squadron, RAF. It is flown every summer and kept in pristine condition. It can also be seen on the FHC website at http://www.flyingheritage.com
I am an American born just at the end of WWII. I collect and exhibit material by Vojtěch Kubašta and have acquired an ex libris card designed by Kubašta for Ilja Hruśák who I’ve just learned was in the 311 RAF Squadron. This article has been most helpful in my understanding the sacrifice of these brave Czech fliers. In my exhibits of Kubašta’s work, I stress the times in which this artist worked, first under the Nazis followed by the Soviets. He died in 1992 never to live in a free CR.
I would love to know more about this brave airman. http://www.popuplady.com http://www.ncsml.org/exhibits/pop-ups-from-prague/
I think you are looking at the artist but read Red Sky at Night by Jo Capka to give you a “feel” for those men. I knew him an what a pleasure to know gentle kind and generous.
Looking for relative/decendants of.
Federman Hanus (Jhon George), Flight Lt.,(later colonel in the R. A. F.
married to Margaret-Lillian.
Brother to Eva Federman married to the Zdaneck familly ( moved to the U.S.A in late 1947).
Brother of Herbert (Shmuel) Federman -killed in action in 1943 in the Greek Islands.
Son of Ziegfried and Ellinor Federman.
My late father, recently deceised was a friend of Herbert(Shmuel) Federman and was with him up until he fell in battle.
Any contact or information will be welcome/
Ron Javin
I can give you informations about the life of Federman´s family in Pilsen before WWII – I am an archivist and I am looking for the stories of Pilsen pre-war boy scouts who joined the Czechoslovak foreign army after 1939 and fought for the freedom of their country. And I would be very happy to know a bit more about the war story of Herbert Federmann – you wrote that he served with your late father in the Mediterranean (Greek Islands) – it means Herbert served in British army, not in Czechoslovak exile troops….?
Musim podekovat za skvelou praci.
Babicka pred valkou chodila s Karlem Danihelkou, Wellington KX-A Z1167, bohuzel zemrel pri naletu nad Emden.
Zajimam se o historii a tak sem i na vasich strankach. jeste jednou dik.
My birth father Frantisek Fencl served in the 311 Czech squadron of the RAF before his death in 1943. We would really love to find out more about his family; his parents were Josef and Ludmila (nee Vimrova) Fencl. He was born in Dominikalni Paseky, and was the forth child, having 3 older sisters (Maria, Anna and Bozena ). They moved to Namencka Paseky, today Kardave.
I would love to find out more about the family is anyone knows anything.
Thank you.
I would like to thank you VERY MUCH for establishing and maintaining this website, commemorating the heroism of the Czech and Slovak men and women during the WW2.
Thank you for this site.
I have very little other info. about my father Sgt. Rolf Spitzer (initially enrolled in the Czechoslovak Army in Exile after failing to find his family in Brno (transported to the death-camps) and then fleeing Vienna where he was studying Law and Political Science, he reached England. He then joined the Czechoslovak Army in Exile and subsequently one of the C-S squadrons of the R.A.F.
Anyone with any pictures or info., especially on ground-crew, please let me know.
I cannot get anything out of the RAF, unfortunately. Thanks so much.
Nigel Spitzer-Brummel
Thank you for this wonderful website. My father was F/O Josef Baus. He escaped in 1949 and thereafter lived and died in South Africa always and first a great Czech at heart. He would be so moved by the monument Na Klarove for the reason of Pravda Vitezi alone and that the wrong has been made right. Dekuju!
Die Wahrheit /wird siegen) siegt, der Ausspruch Masaryks, wird von seinem
Schlußsatz seiner Ansprache beim Ausrufen der Tschechoslowakei im Oktober 1918 lautete: Ruhe bewahren, geht nach Hause und stehlt nicht!
Gewußt?
Ein Deutschösterreicher südmährischer Herkunft!
Viele Tschechen bzw. Mährer hatten deutsche Namen, umgekehrt genauso,
Baus ist ein Beispiel, Prochaska bei Sudetendeutschen das andere, ned wohr?
Remembering Jan Masat, air traffic controller RAF West Raynham. A gentleman & great bloke.
I’ve often looked online for Jan Masat but this is the first time I’ve uncovered his name. I was a spotty 18 year old airman in 1965 on my first tour in ATC at RAF West Raynham and Jan was my Sergeant. I well remember his beret was always askew and he smoked roll up cigarettes, he had a wonderful gentle smile and at the time drove a Beetle car.
In later years I went on to become a commissioned controller and served at RAF West Drayton; I was delighted to meet Jan again. He’d retired from the Airforce and was working for NATS as an assistant, still with his dead roll-up in his mouth.
It was a privilege to have known him. Wish I knew about his history.
My father, John Alois Kravec, was a pilot with the 310 Squadron. I have a copy of his flight logbook and many pictures if anyone is interested.
Dear Mr. Kravec, I am History student from Slovakia, I am doing school projekt about your father John Alois Kravec, would you be so kind to contact me. Thank you very much in advance.
Paula
Hi Hank.
I would be very interested in a copy of the log book as I reearch Hurricane and Spitfire pilots in detail using log books and unit diaries.
Kind regards
John Engelsted
Denmark
Hello Henk.
I would be very interested in a copy of your father’s log book for my research into Hurricane and Spitfire pilots.
Kind regards
John Engelsted
Denmark
My late father Miklos Mayer (Mikuláš Majer) was a mechanic in 311 squadron. He told us little about his life during the war. I am trying to find out a bit more – any contact or information would be great.
Peter Mayer
Děkuji za tyto stránky. Skvělá práce!
Wonderful website and was great to find my uncle William Lesile Frost mentioned in the British points from East Tilbury Bata factory
I feel so proud and privileged to have just witnessed “The Loch Doon” Aircraft being unveiled at the Dumfries Aviation Museum, and what a brilliant job they have made of bringing this Aircraft back to it’s former self, I have to say, the people involved in restoring it have done not only the Aircraft proud, but Lt. Frantisek Hekl proud as well, his Spitfire now stands on it’s wheels again
Skvele zpracovane stranky! Diky!
This is a wonderful website. My great uncle was Czech. I served in the RAF with Alois Hochmal and Vaclav Raba. Two wonderful men. I also knew Joe Bernat. Alois was like a father to me. Everyone praises the Poles for their contribution but few Czechoslovaks are mentioned.
I am the daughter of my late father, Frantisek J Hradil a crew member of 311 sq he was a mechanic also gunner and radar operator – I have been searching for his war record for many years. Or indeed for any photograph’s that may be available as he had but a few in his possession.
I am a docent at the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, Washington State, USA. Here we have a Spitfire Mk. VC (5c) (AR614) that was flown by Flying Officer Tomas Vybiral of the 312 Squadron, RAF. It is flown every summer and kept in pristine condition. It can also be seen on the FHC website at http://www.flyingheritage.com
I am an American born just at the end of WWII. I collect and exhibit material by Vojtěch Kubašta and have acquired an ex libris card designed by Kubašta for Ilja Hruśák who I’ve just learned was in the 311 RAF Squadron. This article has been most helpful in my understanding the sacrifice of these brave Czech fliers. In my exhibits of Kubašta’s work, I stress the times in which this artist worked, first under the Nazis followed by the Soviets. He died in 1992 never to live in a free CR.
I would love to know more about this brave airman.
http://www.popuplady.com
http://www.ncsml.org/exhibits/pop-ups-from-prague/
I think you are looking at the artist but read Red Sky at Night by Jo Capka to give you a “feel” for those men. I knew him an what a pleasure to know gentle kind and generous.
Looking for relative/decendants of.
Federman Hanus (Jhon George), Flight Lt.,(later colonel in the R. A. F.
married to Margaret-Lillian.
Brother to Eva Federman married to the Zdaneck familly ( moved to the U.S.A in late 1947).
Brother of Herbert (Shmuel) Federman -killed in action in 1943 in the Greek Islands.
Son of Ziegfried and Ellinor Federman.
My late father, recently deceised was a friend of Herbert(Shmuel) Federman and was with him up until he fell in battle.
Any contact or information will be welcome/
Ron Javin
I can give you informations about the life of Federman´s family in Pilsen before WWII – I am an archivist and I am looking for the stories of Pilsen pre-war boy scouts who joined the Czechoslovak foreign army after 1939 and fought for the freedom of their country. And I would be very happy to know a bit more about the war story of Herbert Federmann – you wrote that he served with your late father in the Mediterranean (Greek Islands) – it means Herbert served in British army, not in Czechoslovak exile troops….?