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 (
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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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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.
The story of Viktor Popelka, DFC, (* 7.6.1918, Laškov u Prostejova, † 13.3.1971, Londýn) follows conventional paths with some unconventional detours, such that his life history is unusual, if not unique. His life was abruptly changed as a young man of 22 working towards a career, to be propelled into action upon the occupation of his country by the Nazis. He lived the majority of his relatively short life away from his home country. He eventually joined the RAF as a Czech Squadron fighter pilot until repatriation to Czechoslovakia in August 1945. His life on return to his home country was tormented by the rise and then occupation by the communist regime in 1948. He chose to escape to the West by participating in the infamous triple airliner hijacking known as the ‘Flight to Erding’. Following a short period in West Germany, undertaking covert flying activities for the CIA, he returned to England and re-enlisted in the RAF. His second tour of duty finished in 1957. He was never able to return to Czechoslovakia and it is possible that he was concerned about Czech agents in England and back home, presenting a threat to him and his family.
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The memorial plaque is mounted next to the entrance door at Základní škola Laškov (the Laškov Elementary School), which Viktor had attended as a boy.
Plaque Inscription:
Tuto školu navštevoval
plukovník Viktor POPELKA, DFC
pilot 310. a 312. stíhací perute RAF,
držitel britského záslužného kríže DFC
trojnásobný držitel "Cs. válecného kríže 1939"
a trojnásobný držitel vyznamenání "Za chrabrost".
Narodil se v Laškove 7.6.1918 v Laškove.
Zemrel 5.3.1971 v Londýne.
CEST JEHO PAMÁTCE:
Pametní desku venovala OBEC LAŠKOV u príležitosti
70. výrocí ukoncení 2. svetové války.
V Laškove 8.5.2015