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87 entries.
Hi. I've really enjoyed browsing this site; it's a credit to the brave men to whom it is dedicated, and to the loyal and devoted family members who have created it, researched it and preserved the memory.
Vaclav Bergman, a pilot in 310 squadron during the Battle of Britain and then in 1944 commander of 313 squadron, was my uncle, and a great example of the fortitude, fighting spirit and humanity of these men.
According to Czech archival sources (crash investigation protocols), there was no training mission but an unauthorised test flight and the reason of crash was, unfortunately, flying indiscipline of your uncle (air combat maneuvers /tonneau/ at very low altitude: when his plane began to lose altitude and speed, apparently your uncle opened the throttle too sharply and pulled his pilot stick back (in order to increase speed and altitude). Due to very sharp opening the throttle, the left engine lost its power (it became flooded with fuel) and the right one (running at full power on the contrary) overturned the plane to its uncontrolled fall from about 30 m of hight level to the ground. After falldown, the plane burst into flames and burnt completely (two-member-crew /the other crew member was ppor. MUDr. František VOTRUBA as an observer/ had no chance to escape).
Your uncle is burried at the military cementry in Olomouc (see
http://www.vojenskyhrbitov-cernovir.estranky.cz/fotoalbum/identifikace-hrobu/nektere-zachovane-hroby/vratislav-liska.html) and his picture from war time can be seen at
http://www.vojenskyhrbitov-cernovir.estranky.cz/fotoalbum/kpt.-vratislav-liska/kpt.-liska-vratislav-.html
Dear Lyn,
your uncle npor. Vratislav LIŠKA (a deputy commander of a flight, No.25 Air Regiment of the Czechoslovak Air Force) fatally crashed near Kuří Village (about 16 km south-east of Prague Downtown) on 11 Oct 1948 piloting a De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.VI (s/n HR 255, code unknown) Fighter Bomber.
In 1948, he could not return to the Czech Republic because it is declared on 1 Jan 1993 !!!!!!! He returned to Czechoslovakia for sure.
As well as keep carefully semantic diference between adjectives "Czechoslovak" and "Czech" in general (this is the same case like diference between British and English /and/or Scottish, Welsh, Irish, etc/): e.g. there was no Czech Air Force by 1 Oct 1936 but only the Czechoslovak Air Force, etc..
Found information for my research on Pembrey Airport on the first day. A detailed report of the action leading up to the capture of the FW190A-3 at Pembrey.
Very informative web site
Parádní web, díky!
[Moderators translation: Awesome site, thanks!]
my wife has just found out that her father, vaclav jan spitz, was an air gunner in 311 squadron he has never seen him since she was about 5 years old she has no photos or any other information about him and would love to hear from anyone who has dave.
My grandad Jan Smejkal served in the Free Czechoslovak Air Force during World War 2, after escaping the Nazis. He enlisted in the Czech Air Force on the 1st October 1936. When the German invaded, he was put into a forced labour camp. He managed to escape from Germany under a train back to Prague. He then managed to escape to Poland. In 1938 he again fled from Poland through Danzig and skirting Germany in a Swedish boat to Calais. He then joined the French Foreign Legion. When France was occupied in 1940, he then managed to escape in a British destoyer from Bordeaux to Gibraltar. He then made it to Liverpool and joined the Free Czech Air Force until he was demobilised in 1946. In 1948, he returned to the Czech Republic with my grandmother, my dad and my aunt and uncle. They stayed there for a few months but it was too dangerous for them as he was treated as a traitor by the new Communist regime and faced serving a prison sentence. As a result, they had no choice but to return to the UK. He died in 1989 never having returned to his homeland. I recently went to visit Cisarov, the village where my grandad came from and visited my great grandmother's grave. I would love to find out more about my grandad's family!
Thanks for all the information about Czech RAF airmen. Otto Smik, pilot, was during the occupation
of the germans for some time hide in a house in Ginneken (Breda, Holland), Oct. 1944, after shot down.. Our liberation by the Polish Forces on 29th of Oct., he went back to his Squadron in England. One month later he died by an attack on a bridge near Deventer in Holland. on nov. 28th 1944. = Frank de Leeuw.
I'm long overdue, but at last I have just come across your excellent Czech Air Force web site and I am delighted to see you have my description of the Czech boys at RAF Sutton Bridge. I wrote that back in 1996 in my first book 'Combat Ready!'. A lot of water has passed under the bridge (literally!) since researching that first book and it brings back fond memories. It is now out of print but maybe one day I might get around to updating it and see if it could be re-published. I am very happy to see the story put to good use, though. Good Luck.
Hello again,
Just wanted to say that I am really getting to appreciate this site and the work under-taken to provide the information here. Congratulations to the team.
Cheers
MT
I never appreciated how brave my dad was as a young man, to join the war effort (311 Squadron) until he passed on and I read his writings, which he undertook with a spring of enthusiasm in his last couple of years - it seemed to bring back memories for him as he wrote. He hardly ever spoke about the war. It was only at my insistence that he write down his memoirs that he started. (His name, Jan F Gazdarica)
Thank you very much for your website.
My Uncle, Flt/Lt. Vratislav Liska, served with No 312 Czech Fighter Squadron, but returned to Cz after the war and was killed when his 'plane crashed during training, possibly due to sand in the fuel line.
We have a framed official composite photo of this squadron with all men identified on their individual pictures.
If interested, I could attempt to photo it for you - a loupe is needed to read the names.
Thank you for your very informative website regarding this extrordinary airman. We at Tangmere Military Aviation Museum have a section dedicated to Karel "The Night Reaper", but this helps to fill in some of the gaps.
Děkuji za skvělé stránky věnované nejen pilotům,ale i z leteckému personálu.Všem těm kteří šli jakýmkoliv způsobem bojovat za správnou věc.Navigátor RAF 311. bombardovací perutě Karel Rybníček z Kozlova byl bratranec mé babičky,5. října 1945 na letišti Blackbuche havaroval po startu jejich Liberator,celá posádka zahynula.
[Moderators translation: Thank you for brilliant pages dedicated not only to the pilots, but also to the airmen (flight personnel). To all, who went to fight - in whichever manner - for the right cause. Karel Rybnicek, navigator of RAF 311 Sqn from Kozlov was my grandma' s cousin. Their Liberator had an accident after the take off at Blackbushe airfield on 5th Oct 1945 and the whole crew perished.]
Well done! An extremely useful and attractive site that does honor to those who served their country - and the world - in the desperate and (often) lonely fight against fascism. Layout models the best in traditionally clean Czech typography, and the photographs and information well worth the having. Although long a student of RAF, Battle of Britain and friend of Czechoslovakia (and Czech Republic - Charles University, 1972 - 1992), I came to this good work thanks to UK scholar and enthusiast, Roger Darlington, whose book on his father-in-law, the remarkable Flt Lt K M Kuttelwascher, I hope to see in the Czech edition before too long. Agree with the suggestion for a donation "button."
Dr George Abbott White (Boston, USA)
Thank you for creating this informative website. I know there are several of us looking for information on our relatives that served in WWII. It would be great is some blog could be set up that might help us find additional information from others who find this site. My father was Frantisek Josef Pohlodek that served as a Flight Office in Squadron 311. He passed away when I was 10 years old and I am having difficulty locating any information or pictures of him that I'm sure other may have in their photo albumns. Thank you, Jirinka Pohlodek
Zdravím a děkuji za obrovskou práci kterou jste si dali na památku statečných chlapů které nikdo
nenutil a kteří svou přísahu vlasti beze zbytku splnili. Pilot RAF 311 Rudolf Pancíř z Petříkova u Jílovic byl bratranec mého otce a zůstal v Biskaji.
[Moderators translation: Greetings and thank you for great work you've done in remembrance of the valiant blokes, who were not forced (to do it) yet who fulfilled their oath to the last dot. RAF pilot Rudolf Pancíř from Petříkov near Jílovice was my father' s cousin and remained in the Bay of Biscay.]
Thankyou for taking the time and trouble to put together all this information. My grandfather Milan Stehno was a wireless operator with 311 Sqn. I am immensely proud of him and never fail to be moved by the ammount of young Czech men who volunteered to fight, never knowing wether they'd see their homeland again.
This is an excellent website dedicated to the memory of the Czechoslovak Air Force flying as well as ground support personnel who served at the RAF Czechoslovak units as well as to individuals serving at other Allies units during the WW II.
I wish you all the best for your work.
Miro(slav)
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
Hello Hank.
I am very interested in the log book. Any chance of a copy?
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….?