F/Lt KOPRIVA Josef

Rajlich J.: 310. stihaci perut

Official No.: 104 395 (787 382) Date and place of birth: 9th August 1912, Vlkanec Date and place of death: 23rd June 1976, Great Britain

War Service

Unit	Since	To	Rank
310	06.08.1940	03.09.1940	Sgt
310	01.10.1940	13.12.1940	Sgt
19	13.12.1940	16.06.1941	Sgt, P/O
255	12.08.1941	15.09.1941	P/O
68	15.09.1941	01.06.1942	P/O
CIG	01.06.1942	1945	P/O - F/Lt

To No. 310 Czechoslovak Fighter Squadron to Duxford he came on 6th August 1940, there he passed retraining on Huricane and he became operational pilot. He was wounded on 3rd September 1940 during dogfight over Essex. His Hurricane I P8811 was shot down at 10.00 by Bf 110 from I/ZG 2 over Chelmsford. He bale out from burning plane over Herford successfuly and he landed with light burns. After short stay in hospital he returned to No. 310 Squadron on 1st October 1940. On 13th December 1940 he was transfered to No. 19 Squadron where he starteded to fly Spitfire. Since 16th June till 12th August 1941 he passed retraining for night fighter pilot at No. 54 O.T.U. at Church Fenton. Together with him were there trained his radar operator Sgt Kovanda and other Czechoslovak crew - F/Sgt Prchal & Sgt Husar. On 3rd August 1941 (antoher source from the same author say 12th August) were both crew transfered to No. 255 Squadron to Hibaldstow where they stayed only till 15th September 1941 when they were relocated to No. 68 Night Fighter Squadron. There he served till the end of May 1942. On 1st June 1942 he was transfered for non-operational duty to Czechoslovak Inspectorate General to London where he worked in Personnel Department till the end of war. After 1948 before he could be persecutioned by Communist regime he escape and returned to Great Britain. He died on 23rd June 1976 in Great Britain.