Josef František
| Josef František | |
|---|---|
František, in RAF uniform, wearing a "Poland" nationality title
|
|
| Born |
7 October 1914 Otaslavice, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | 8 October 1940 (aged 26) Ewell, England |
| Allegiance | Czechoslovakia Poland France United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
Czechoslovak Air Force Polish Air Force French Air Force Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1934–1940 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 303 Polish Squadron |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Distinguished Flying Medal & Bar Croix de guerre Virtuti Militari 5th class Cross of Valour (3) |
Josef František DFM & Bar (7 October 1914 – 8 October 1940) was a Czech fighter pilot and World War II flying ace who flew for the air forces of Czechoslovakia, Poland and the United Kingdom. He is famous as being one of the highest scoring Allied aces in the Battle of Britain.
Born in Otaslavice in 1913, Josef František joined the Czechoslovak Air Force in 1934. After basic training he joined the Czechoslovak Air Force Air Regiment 2. In 1935 he was a corporal in Air Regiment 1 and returned to Air Regiment 2 as a sergeant in 1937. In June 1938 he became a fighter pilot serving in the 40th squadron in Prague flying the Avia B-534 and Bk-534 fighter. After Czechoslovakia fell under German occupation (15 March 1939), like many other Czechoslovak airmen, he escaped to Poland. Most Czechoslovak airmen then left Poland for France before the start of the Second World War, though František decided to stay and serve with the Polish Air Force.
During the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, František initially evacuated training aircraft from the air base at Dęblin. From 7 September he flew reconnaissance missions in an unarmed training plane, a RWD-8. On 19–20 September he attacked enemy columns near Kamionka Strumiłowa, throwing hand grenades on the troops below. On 20 September he was shot down near Złoczów, but was saved by a Polish crew that landed nearby. On 22 September František's unit was ordered to withdraw with their remaining aircraft to Romania. František managed to abscond from an internment camp in Romania and reached France via North Africa in October 1939.
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