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. (
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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 (
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visit link) . A bomber unit, No. 311 Squadron RAF (
visit link) a further Czechoslovak fighter units No. 312 Squadron (
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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:
Turnovský rodák, puvodní profesí strojní zámecník, všestranný sportovec a vynikající
hokejista, který pred druhou svetovou válkou hrál za LTC Turnov. V roce 1939 dobrovolne
odešel pres Polsko a Francii do Velké Británie, kde se stal pilotem 311. ceskoslovenské
bombardovací perute. Tam také položil svuj život v boji proti nepríteli jako verný syn své zeme
a statecný obhájce našich spolecných ideálu a svobody. Ctyrikrát obdržel Ceskoslovenský
válecný kríž 1939, byl nositelem Ceskoslovenské medaile Za chrabrost pred neprítelem a
britského odznaku Good Conduck Badge. Na jeho pocest se v Turnove v letech 1947-1952
hrával Koškuv hokejový turnaj.
The native of Turnov, a former machine fitter, a versatile athlete and excellent hockey player
that used to play for LTC Turnov before World War II. In 1939 he voluntarily left for Great Britain
over Poland and France to become a pilot of 311th Czechoslovak Bomber Squadron. There he
laid his life in the fight against the enemy as a devoted son of his nation and courageous
supporter of our common ideals and freedom. He received the Czechoslovak War Cross 1939
four times, was honored the Czechoslovak Medals of Military Valour and the British Good
Conduct Badge. In his honor, betwenn 1947-1952 Košeks Hockey Toumament was held in
Turnov.
This plaque is located on the wall of Ludvík Kosek Stadium.
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Ludvík Košek - plukovník in memoriam
* 10.12.1916 (Turnov)
† 13.7.1944 (Malborough Village, Devon, Velká Británie)
- puvodní profesí strojní zámecník, všestranný sportovec a vynikající hokejista, pred druhou svetovou válkou hrál za LTC Turnov.
- v roce 1939 dobrovolne odešel pres Polsko do Francie
- odveden 2.10.1939, Paríž, desátník dsl. cs.
- odchod do Velké Británie, kde se stal pilotem 311. ceskoslovenské bombardovací perute.
- zahynul pri havárii behem návratu z operacního letu, Liberator BZ717 (L)
- pohrben na Weston Hill Cemetery, Plymouth, hrob c. 18046.
Vyznamenání:
4 x Ceskoslovenský válecný kríž 1939
Ceskoslovenská medaile Za chrabrost pred neprítelem
britský odznak Good Conduct Badge
na jeho pocest se v Turnove v letech 1947 – 1952 a 1969 hrával Koškuv hokejový turnaj.