F/Lt Josef Koukal - Luze, Czech Republic
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member ToRo61
N 49° 53.583 E 016° 01.741
33U E 573909 N 5527247
Josef Koukal, DFC, was a Czech pilot, a member of No. 310 and No. 312 Squadron RAF
Waymark Code: WM1054W
Location: Pardubický kraj, Czechia
Date Posted: 02/28/2019
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member silverquill
Views: 10

About Czechoslovak pilots during WWII
On 15 March 1939 Germany occupied Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic), the Luftwaffe confiscated all Czechoslovak Air Force aircraft. Emigration was strictly controlled and former air force personnel were not allowed to leave the country Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (visit link) . But many Czechoslovak airmen got themselves smuggled into Poland. Of these a few joined the Polish Air Force but most continued to France. (visit link)

After France capitulated to Germany on 22 June 1940, many Czechoslovak airmen escaped to the United Kingdom. The RAF quickly created new squadrons formed of Czechoslovak pilots. The first fighter unit was No. 310 Squadron RAF (visit link) and immediately joined in the Battle of Britain (visit link) . A bomber unit, No. 311 Squadron RAF (visit link) a further Czechoslovak fighter units No. 312 Squadron (visit link) and No. 313 Squadron (visit link) soon followed.

Many of the Czechoslovak pilots died during WWII. Their memorials are located in many places in Western Europe, but also in Czech Republic. The monuments have different shapes and sizes. One of the typical forms is the memorial plaque located on the houses where the pilot was born or where they lived for some time.

Plaque Inscription:
V tomto dome žil v letech 1945 - 1980
plukovník letectva JOSEF KOUKAL D.F.C.
úcastník odboje, jako válecný pilot
Cs. 310. stíhací perute RAF


Josef Koukal (* 5/6/1912, Jenišovice - † 2/23/1980, Luže), DFC, was a Czech pilot, a member of No. 310 and No. 312 Squadron RAF.


The memorial plaque is located on the wall of home of Josef Koukal.

See also: (visit link) (visit link)

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Josef Koukal (6. kvetna 1912 Jenišovice – 23. února 1980 Luže) byl ceský dopravní a stíhací pilot. Behem druhé svetové války se zúcastnil bitvy o Británii. Byl clenem Guinea Pig Clubu, organizace pro piloty, kterí behem akce utrpeli popáleniny a Caterpillar Clubu, sdružujícího piloty, kterí se z letounu neschopného letu dostali pomocí padáku.
Website pertaining to the memorial: [Web Link]

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Entrance fees (if it applies): free

Type of memorial: Plaque

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