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.
Plaque Inscription:
Rakovnictí
ve službách
R.A.F.
Bartfeld/Bradác Maxmilián Ing. AC 2 voj.
787711, Ground staff
nar. 15.8.1901 Krakov
Donda Zdenek por./R/plk.
787824/131536/312 Sqdn. pilot
nar. 15.8.1921 Rakovník, zem. 31.12.1944 pri nouzovém pristání
Eichelman Zdenek des.
mechanik
nar. 11.4.1919 Rynholec zem. 24.4.1940 Toulouse, zasažen vrtulí do hlavy
Falbr Richard rtn./R/plk.
788252, 312 Sqdn. CPL Armourer
nar. 21.8.1912 Rakovník, zem. 26.11.1977
Fuchs Pavel Sgt. WOP/AG
788411 111 OTU
nar. 29.5.1916 Rakovník, zem. 23.11.1943 pri cvicném letu
Hartel František Ing. W/O ppor./R/mjr.
787728, 311 Sqdn. Equip officer
nar. 17.2.1905 Lubná, zem. 28.7.1984
Herschmann Arnold des.
788333, 311 Sqdn. Flight mech. E.
nar. 3.8.1908 Mutejovice
Janderka Jan AC 2 rtm. Depond rtm.
788616, pilot trainee
nar. 3.11.1916 Rakovník, zem. 19.9.1988 Brno
Krejza František LAC cet./R/plk.
787475, 313 Sqdn. ACH/GD
nar. 17.9.1901 Vašírov
Partyk Jaroslav P/O npor./R/plk.
82626, 311 Sqdn. navigátor
nar. 16.12.1916 Rakovník, zem. 19.7.1941 pri náletu na Hannover
Pošta Josef F/Sgt. rtm./R/mjr.
787060, 310 Sqdn. Fitter E
nar. 29.1.1915 Ždáry, zem.16.4.2001 v Anglii
Schneider Bedrich S/Ldr. npor.
RAF Driffeild, Interpretor adjutant
nar. 11.11.1910 Jesenice, zem. 19.3.2002 v Anglii
Slípka Hugo Jindrich F/O npor./R/plk.
124204, 311 Sqdn. Education officer
nar. 1. 5. 1905 Rakovník, zem. 19. 4. 1982 Toronto, Kanada
Šimandl Josef F/O npor./R/pplk.
138871, 111 OTU Navigator train
nar. 8. 10. 1914 Ceské Budejovice
zem. 23. 11. 1943 pri cvicném letu se Sgt. Fuchsem
uveden na pomníku v Petrovicích kde žil
Zelenka Josef Sgt. rtm.
787238, 311 Sqdn. Wireless Mechanik
nar. 29. 8. 1909 Nové Strašecí, zem. 29. 8. 2003 Praha
PODLE NÁVRHU PREDSEDY KLUBU VOJENSKÉ HISTORIE Ing. JIRÍHO SVOBODY,
ZHOTOVIL LADISLAV HUMPÁL KAMENICTVÍ RAKOVNÍK V ROCE 2015