 Air
Vic Marshall Frantisek Perina
Frantisek Perina was born in a small
Moravian village in Czechoslovakia. By 1929 he had enrolled
in a flying school in Prostejov, where he graduated in 1932.
His distinguished career as a fighter pilot began in 1937.
At this time he was considered the best pilot and marksman
in the Czech Air Force.
After the German occupation of Czechoclovakia
in 1939, he fled to Poland and then to France. There, he flew
the Curtiss Hawk 75A, shooting down 14 enemy aircraft in a
spectacular short interval. His most successful day was May
10th, 1940, when he gunned down two Ju-88's and two others
damaged, plus four Dornier 17's that were shared victories.
As France came under German occupation, he fled to Great Britain
in July of 1940.
By September he had founded the 312th.
Czechoslovak fighter squadron, RAF. He participated in many
fighter sweeps across the channel during the summer of 1941.
While escorting Boston bombers against Cherbourg on June 3,
1942, he shot down two Fw-190's.
Until he had also been working as a member
of the Air Defense Ministry in London. In August he returned
to Czechoslovakia where he taught air gunnery before leaving
when Russians invaded. In 1989 he again returned and retired
as Air-vice Marshall. Decorations include: 4 Czechoslovak
War Crosses 1939, 3 Medals of Bravery, 2 Silver Stars, French
Croix de la Guerre with two Palms, and Knight of the Legion
of Honor.
 Wing
Commander Frantisek Fajtl
escaped to Great Britain after the
defeat of France and flew Hawker Hurricanes in the Battle
of Britain in the 17th Squadron. Later in the 313th Czechoslovak
F.S. he flew Spitfires, then took over 122nd (Bombay) F.S.
He was shot down over France but again escaped back to England.
He has 4 victories, including a Do-17, Do-215, and two Me-109's.
He has the DFC and other decorations.
 F/O
Otto Spacek
was born in Brzice. After Czechoslavakia
was occupied by the Germans, he flew combat in France before
escaping to England, where he flew the Hurricane and Spitfire
in 313th Squadron. He has 3 victories. Decorations include
5 Czech Crosses, Bravery Medal and Croix de Guere.
 F/Lt.
Miroslav Standera
was born in Prague. By 1940 he was
a Sergeant in the RAF with the 312th Squadron. Types flown
are Spitfire, Hurricane, Mosquito and Blenheim. He also flew
the Beaufighteron night missions. After the war ended and
the communists invaded Czechoslovakia, he escaped to Germany.
Decorations include 3 Czech War Crosses. He flew the Cherbourg
action on June 3, 1942, with F/Lt. Perina.
 W/O
Jaroslav Hofrichter
was born in Plzen, Czechoslovakia.
With 311 Squadron, RAF, he flew B-24 Liberators and Wellingtons
and has 680 operational hours. Decorations include 3 War Crosses,
Honor Medal and 5 British decorations.
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 Unteroffizier
Heinz Zimmer
was born in Chemnitz and flew the
Me-109 with JG-26. He has 120 missions to his credit and 3
victories.
 Gefreiter
Hans Klecha
was born in Erzgebirge, Germany.
He flew the Focke Wulf 190 with JG11/3 based in Holland, and
has 5 victories on that type.
Unteroffizier Horst
Schubert
joined the Luftwaffe in 1941. He
trained as a pilot at Stolp and Stargard, flying the Me109.
He joined Jagdgeschwader 3 (Udet), where he successfully accomplished
his first combat missions on the western front. He parachuted
twice and was once shot down by a P-38 Lightning and severely
wounded. After seven months in a hospital he joined a combat
unit on the eastern front, before being a P.O.W.
Leutnant Theo
Nau
joined the Luftwaffe in 1943. His
first missions were with home defense (JG-11) and he then
flew in the Ardennes Offensive and Operation Bodenplatte.
Later, he was with JG-77 in Czechoslovakia. He saw action
in both the FW-190 and the Me-109.
Unteroffizier Fritz
Wiener
joined the Luftwaffe in 1942 at the
age of 17. He was briefly with Jagdgruppe 200 during the Normandy
Invasion and was with JG-11 during the Battle of the Bulge
and participated in Operation Bodenplatte. By January of 1945
he was re-deployed to Berlin/Straussberg to fight advancing
Soviet forces.
Feldwebel Heckhold
Ewald
flew the Me-109 and Focke Wulf 190.
During his more than 100 missions, he shot down two B-17 Flying
Fortresses and a P-47 Thunderbolt. He was with JG-1 (11) Jagdstaffel.
He holds the Iron Cross 1st. Class and 2nd. Class.
F/Sgt. Emil
Bocek was born in Brno. As
the Germans occupied Europe he had many adventures escaping
through various countries, including Slovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia,
Greece, Turkey and Syria. After the fall of France he was
on the last boat to England, where he was with 312th and 310th
Squadrons. He has 25 operational sorties of Germany flying
Spitfires. Decorations include Czech Crosses and 39 - 45 Star.
Lt. Colonel Jiri
Benda
was with the 312th Squadron RAF and
served with distiction in England during the war, servicing
the fighter aircraft.
Leutnant Klaus
Vollgold
was born in Zwickau and flew the
Me-109 with JG-52, II Gruppe, 5 Staffel. He has 3 victories
during his 30 operational missions.
L/Colonel Vladimir
Palececk
was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
He flew on B-24 Liberators with 311 Squadron, Coastal Command,
RAF.
Feldwebel Hans
Bachmann
flew with JG-52, III Gruppe, 9 Staffel
on the Me-109 type. He has 5 victories from his 60 operational
missions.
Lt. Colonel Alois
Dubec
was born in Vlach Lhota and was originally
a mechanic with 311 Squadron.
W/O Jaroslav
Vyhnis
was born in Plzert and after joining
the RAF, flew Hurricane, Spitfire and P-51 Mustang. He flew
20 missions and has 5 victories. |
