Czechoslovakia Loses One of its Last RAF Heros... - Aircraft of World War II

Pisis · 10-05-2006, 03:57 AM

After a legendary fighter ace František Peřina, who died a few Months ago, Czechoslovakia loses another of its significant heros. The legendary WW2 RAF pilot, writer and a freedom fighter, František Fajtl, passed away yesterady in Prague, at the age of 94.

He was hospitalized for several Months because of his high age.

František Fajtl earend the highest state award, the Order of the White Lion in 2004. He was also a member of the French Legion de l'Honneur.

František Fajtl was born in 1912in Donín, Austrio-Hungaria. His fate is similar to many others of his pilot comrades, who fled the occupied Czechoslovakia in March 1939. He went through Poland to France, where he had served as a fighter pilot along with the French airmen. After the fall of France, he escaped via North Africa to the Great Britian, that greatly needed and thankfully accepted all capable and experienced pilots.

He fought with No. 1, No. 17 and Czechoslovak No. 310 Squadrons RAF. He participated on the famous Battle of Britian. Later, he led the Czechoslovak No. 313 Squadron.

In 1942, he was shot down over the French coast but he managed to escape from a German siege and after that, thanks to the French ressistance, he crossed the Pyrenees to Spain, where he was imprisoned in a labour camp. The RAF managed to drag him back to England, where he became the very first foreigner to command a British squadron. He overall shot down 4 German planes and damaged several others.

In 1944, he led a group of Czechoslovak pilots who went to the USSR to fly under the Soviet Air Force. Their goal was to join the Slovak National Uprising. From there, he returned to the liberated country.

In 1949, František Fajtl, was sacked from the air force, a year after he was arrested and as a "people's enemy" sent to a labour camp in Mírov. He was released after 17 Months, that he spent with whom he fought against - Nazis and SS-men. He later worked as a labour worker, warehouser and a clerk. Fajtl was partially rehabilitated in 1964, when he was promoted to a Colonel rsv.

His gained his full acknowledgements, like all of the other WW2 heros, after the fall of Communism in 1989. In 1990, he was promoted to a Major-General rtd. and awareded the M. R. Štefánik Order. In 2002 he gained the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Overall, he is credited with 4 confirmed airborne kills. He was four times awarded with a Czechoslovak Cross 1939, a British Distinguished Flying Cross and with a Soviet Victory Order. He wrote over 10 books about WW2 flying.

I had the honour to meet this great man several times, he also signed his books for me. I think that now the very last RAF veteran is Mr. Jan Wiener.

I SALUTE YOU, SIR. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR MY COUNTRY. MAY YOUR LAST FLIGHT BE PLEASANT AND WITHOUT CLOUDS. S!

ČEST JEHO PAMÁTCE!

Wurger · 10-05-2006, 05:10 AM

BTW It seems there are pilots' badges from other countries on his uniform.I can see The Polish one called "gapa".

Pisis · 10-05-2006, 05:19 AM

Yes, they wore RAF, Czech, French and probably VVS and Polskie Sily badges.

v2 · 10-05-2006, 05:33 AM

ČEST JEHO PAMÁTCE!

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 10-06-2006, 12:38 PM

Gnomey · 10-06-2006, 01:00 PM

FLYBOYJ · 10-06-2006, 01:48 PM

evangilder · 10-07-2006, 02:09 AM

I posted his obituary in the obituary section a couple of days ago also.

ndicki · 10-11-2006, 04:03 PM

It is always a sad thing to lose people of his stature.

Bf109_g · 10-13-2006, 06:40 PM

mkloby · 10-13-2006, 09:16 PM

Sleep soldier boy sleep on

Dazed · 10-14-2006, 03:17 PM

May he rest in peace.

Propwash · 10-15-2006, 01:54 AM

Soon there will be none left. My grandad passed away a few years ago. He flew 9 missions in B-17's.

10-05-2006, 03:57 AM	#1
Pisis Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Praga Mater Urbium Posts: 5,859	Czechoslovakia Loses One of its Last RAF Heros... After a legendary fighter ace František Peřina, who died a few Months ago, Czechoslovakia loses another of its significant heros. The legendary WW2 RAF pilot, writer and a freedom fighter, František Fajtl, passed away yesterady in Prague, at the age of 94. He was hospitalized for several Months because of his high age. František Fajtl earend the highest state award, the Order of the White Lion in 2004. He was also a member of the French Legion de l'Honneur. František Fajtl was born in 1912in Donín, Austrio-Hungaria. His fate is similar to many others of his pilot comrades, who fled the occupied Czechoslovakia in March 1939. He went through Poland to France, where he had served as a fighter pilot along with the French airmen. After the fall of France, he escaped via North Africa to the Great Britian, that greatly needed and thankfully accepted all capable and experienced pilots. He fought with No. 1, No. 17 and Czechoslovak No. 310 Squadrons RAF. He participated on the famous Battle of Britian. Later, he led the Czechoslovak No. 313 Squadron. In 1942, he was shot down over the French coast but he managed to escape from a German siege and after that, thanks to the French ressistance, he crossed the Pyrenees to Spain, where he was imprisoned in a labour camp. The RAF managed to drag him back to England, where he became the very first foreigner to command a British squadron. He overall shot down 4 German planes and damaged several others. In 1944, he led a group of Czechoslovak pilots who went to the USSR to fly under the Soviet Air Force. Their goal was to join the Slovak National Uprising. From there, he returned to the liberated country. In 1949, František Fajtl, was sacked from the air force, a year after he was arrested and as a "people's enemy" sent to a labour camp in Mírov. He was released after 17 Months, that he spent with whom he fought against - Nazis and SS-men. He later worked as a labour worker, warehouser and a clerk. Fajtl was partially rehabilitated in 1964, when he was promoted to a Colonel rsv. His gained his full acknowledgements, like all of the other WW2 heros, after the fall of Communism in 1989. In 1990, he was promoted to a Major-General rtd. and awareded the M. R. Štefánik Order. In 2002 he gained the rank of Lieutenant-General. Overall, he is credited with 4 confirmed airborne kills. He was four times awarded with a Czechoslovak Cross 1939, a British Distinguished Flying Cross and with a Soviet Victory Order. He wrote over 10 books about WW2 flying. I had the honour to meet this great man several times, he also signed his books for me. I think that now the very last RAF veteran is Mr. Jan Wiener. I SALUTE YOU, SIR. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR MY COUNTRY. MAY YOUR LAST FLIGHT BE PLEASANT AND WITHOUT CLOUDS. S! ČEST JEHO PAMÁTCE! __________________ "He's a menace to himself and everything else in the air... yes, birds too." - Airplane! Memory of Nation Why Did Hitler Want Czechoslovakia WW2 Was A War That Had To Be Fought! What Really Happened in Israel? Children of Hamas Last edited by Pisis; 10-05-2006 at 04:06 AM.

10-05-2006, 05:19 AM	#3
Pisis Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Praga Mater Urbium Posts: 5,859	Yes, they wore RAF, Czech, French and probably VVS and Polskie Sily badges. __________________ "He's a menace to himself and everything else in the air... yes, birds too." - Airplane! Memory of Nation Why Did Hitler Want Czechoslovakia WW2 Was A War That Had To Be Fought! What Really Happened in Israel? Children of Hamas

10-05-2006, 05:33 AM	#4
v2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cracow Posts: 4,207	ČEST JEHO PAMÁTCE! __________________ "A good fighter pilot, like a good boxer, should have a knockout punch..... You will find one attack you prefer to all others. Work on it till you can do it to perfection... then use it whenever possible." - Captain Reade Tilley, USAAF 7 Victories, WW-II -

10-06-2006, 12:38 PM	#5
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 33,152	__________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"[/I]

10-06-2006, 01:00 PM	#6
Gnomey "World Traveller" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Royal Deeside/St Andrews, Scotland, UK Posts: 15,224	__________________ "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts" Sir Winston Churchill "To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today" Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London WW2 Talk: A WW2 Discussion Forum My Photo Collections on Flickr

10-06-2006, 01:48 PM	#7
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,050	__________________ "IF ITS RED OR DUSTY, DON'T TOUCH IT"

10-07-2006, 02:09 AM	#8
evangilder "Shooter" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 14,807	I posted his obituary in the obituary section a couple of days ago also. __________________ http://www.vg-photo.com For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo Da Vinci

10-11-2006, 04:03 PM	#9
ndicki Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 777	It is always a sad thing to lose people of his stature. __________________ BATTLE OF FRANCE PROJECT for Combat Flight Simulator 3

10-13-2006, 06:40 PM	#10
Bf109_g Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 634	__________________

10-13-2006, 09:16 PM	#11
mkloby Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 3,562	Sleep soldier boy sleep on __________________ If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines

10-14-2006, 03:17 PM	#12
Dazed Banned Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 15	May he rest in peace.

10-15-2006, 01:54 AM	#13
Propwash Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 9	Soon there will be none left. My grandad passed away a few years ago. He flew 9 missions in B-17's.

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