František Fajtl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
František Fajtl
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| Born | 20 August 1912 Donín, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | 4 October 2006 (aged 94) Prague, Czech Republic |
| Allegiance |  Czech Republic |
| Service/ |
 Czechoslovak Air Force Armée de l'Air Royal Air Force Soviet Air Force |
| Years of service | 1935–1948 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | 1st Czechoslovak Independent Fighter Air Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War II
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| Awards |
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| Other work | Author |
František Fajtl (born August 20, 1912 – died October 4, 2006) was a brave Czech pilot who flew planes during World War II. He became a leader in the British Royal Air Force (RAF). He also led a group of pilots from Czechoslovakia who helped in the Slovak National Uprising in 1944.
After the war, when the Communists took control in 1948, he was put in prison for a year and a half. He was only fully cleared and honored again after the Velvet Revolution in 1989. František Fajtl wrote many books about his experiences during the war. His story even inspired the 2001 movie Dark Blue World.
Contents
František Fajtl's Early Life and Training
František Fajtl was born in a place called Donín. This area was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire when he was born. After World War I, it became part of Czechoslovakia. Today, it is in the Czech Republic.
In 1933, he started studying at the Military Academy in Hranice. He finished his training in 1935 and became a Pilot Officer. He then joined the Czechoslovak Air Force. He flew observation planes, which were biplanes (planes with two sets of wings). These planes included the Aero A.100 and Aero A.101. He was part of No. 63 Squadron, based in Olomouc and Přerov.
František Fajtl and World War II
Escape to Fight for Freedom (1939–1940)
In 1939, Germany took over Czechoslovakia. Many Czech and Slovak soldiers, including Fajtl, escaped to other countries to keep fighting. He first went through Poland to France.
In France, Fajtl joined the Armée de l'Air. He was a sergeant and flew fighter planes like the Bloch MB-152 and Morane-Saulnier M.S.406. He fought in battles near Lyon and Paris. When France was defeated, he escaped again. He traveled through North Africa and Gibraltar to reach Great Britain. There, he joined the Royal Air Force.
Joining the RAF and the Battle of Britain (1940–1942)
As a pilot in the Royal Air Force, František Fajtl took part in the famous Battle of Britain. This was a huge air battle where British pilots defended their country from German attacks. He flew Hawker Hurricane planes with No. 1 Squadron and then No. 17 Squadron.
Later, he moved to No. 313 Squadron. This squadron was special because it was made up of pilots from Czechoslovakia. They flew fast Spitfire planes. His squadron helped protect bombers attacking targets in France. Even though he was a foreign pilot, his leadership skills were noticed. He was promoted to squadron leader and commanded No. 122 Squadron in 1942.
A Daring Escape Across Europe (1942)
On May 5, 1942, Fajtl's Spitfire plane was shot down over northern France. He had been protecting bombers attacking the city of Lille. His plane crashed near Hazebrouck, in an area heavily guarded by the Germans.
But Fajtl managed to avoid being captured! He traveled secretly through German-occupied France and then through "free" Vichy France. He crossed the Pyrenees mountains into Spain. However, he was eventually caught and put in a prison camp called Miranda de Ebro. Luckily, the British government stepped in to help. After a few weeks, Fajtl was released. He returned to his squadron in England, again traveling through Gibraltar.
Leading as a Wing Commander (1942–1943)
After his amazing escape, Fajtl became an officer who helped connect different groups. In November 1942, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, a very important award for bravery in the air. He was also promoted to wing commander. This meant he was in charge of an entire fighter air base in the Orkney Islands.
But he really wanted to fly and lead pilots directly. So, he chose to go down a rank to command No. 313 Squadron again. He flew Spitfires from RAF Ibsley.
Supporting the Slovak National Uprising (1944)
In January 1944, František Fajtl was given a new and very important mission. He was chosen to lead a group of 20 Czechoslovak pilots. They formed the 1st Czechoslovak Independent Fighter Air Regiment. This group was sent to the Soviet Union.
The goal was to support a rebellion happening in occupied Czechoslovakia. This rebellion became known as the Slovak National Uprising. It started on August 29, 1944, in Banská Bystrica.
On September 17, 1944, Fajtl and his regiment landed their planes at Zolná airport near Zvolen. From there, and also from Tri Duby airport, they used their Lavochkin La-5FN fighters to help the uprising. Their air group was very powerful and surprised the Germans, who didn't know a fighter group was in the area. When the uprising was stopped in October 1944, the air regiment returned to a Soviet airbase in Poland. His last military job was during the Ostrava Operation in 1945.
Soon after World War II ended, František Fajtl received many awards and medals. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Czechoslovak Army.
Life After the War: Persecution and Rehabilitation
Difficult Times Under Communist Rule (1948–1989)
When František Fajtl returned to Prague in 1945, he was seen as a hero. However, things changed when the Communists took power in February 1948. Because of his connections to Britain, he was removed from the Czechoslovak Air Force.
In 1950, the Communist government arrested him. He spent 17 months in a labour camp at Mírov. For many years after that, he was forced to live outside Prague. He also faced many other restrictions on his life. He started to get some of his rights back in 1968 during a period called the Prague Spring. But he was only fully restored to his military rank and honored again after the Velvet Revolution in 1989.
Honored Again (1989–2006)
After the Velvet Revolution, František Fajtl became the chairman of the Czech Airmen Association. He was also promoted to lieutenant general, which is the second highest rank in the Czech Army. On September 28, 2004, he received the highest award in the Czech Republic: the Order of the White Lion.
František Fajtl passed away on October 4, 2006, in Prague. He was survived by his wife, Hana, and their two daughters.
Medals and Honours
František Fajtl received many important awards for his bravery and service:
- Order of The White Lion 3rd class military (Czech Republic)
- Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
- Grand-Croix of the French Légion d'Honneur (France)
- Order of The White Lion "For Victory" (Czechoslovakia)
- Czechoslovak Military Cross (Czechoslovakia) – awarded 4 times
- Order of The Slovak National Uprising, 1st class (Czechoslovakia)
- Order of M.R.Štefánik (Czech and Slovak Federative Republic)
