Josef František
Czech fighter ace / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Josef František DFM & Bar (7 October 1914 – 8 October 1940) was a Czechoslovak fighter pilot and Second World War fighter ace who flew for the air forces of Czechoslovakia, Poland, France, and the United Kingdom. He was the highest-scoring non-British Allied ace in the Battle of Britain, with 17 confirmed victories and one probable, all gained in a period of four weeks in September 1940.
Born | (1914-10-07)7 October 1914 Otaslavice, Austria-Hungary |
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Died | 8 October 1940(1940-10-08) (aged 26) Ewell, Surrey, England |
Buried | |
Allegiance | Czechoslovakia Poland France United Kingdom |
Service/ | Czechoslovak Air Force Polish Air Force French Foreign Legion Armée de l'Air Royal Air Force |
Years of service | 1934–1940 |
Rank | Sergeant |
Service number | 793451 |
Unit | No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron |
Battles/wars | Second World War |
Awards | Distinguished Flying Medal & Bar Croix de guerre Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari Cross of Valour (3) |
František was a brilliant pilot and combatant but frequently breached air force discipline first in Czechoslovakia, in France and Britain. The RAF found it best to let him patrol alone, a role in which he was highly successful. He was killed in a crash in October 1940 in the final week of the Battle of Britain.