F/O CHABERA Frantisek

Rajlich J., Sehnal J.: Kocici oci

Official No.: 787 698 (115 117) Date and place of birth: 5th January 1912, Lansberg (Germany) Date and place of death: 21st October 1999, Praha

War Service

Unit	Since	To	Rank
312	05.09.1940	24.03.1941	Sgt, F/Sgt
96	24.03.1941	20.09.1941	F/Sgt
68	20.09.1941	26.05.1942	F/Sgt, P/O
CGI	26.05.1942	01.08.1942	P/O
312	01.08.1942	15.06.1943	P/O, F/O
312	26.06.1943	01.02.1944	F/O
1.CSSLP	01.02.1944	14.05.1945	por., npor.

On 5th September 1940 he came to No. 312 Czechoslovak Fighter Squadron to Duxford and there he was retrained on Hurricane. On 24th March 1941 he became the night fighter pilot at No. 96 Night Fighter Squadron which was equiped by Boulton-Paul Defiant. At first he flew with British air gunner and from 14th May with Czech air gunner Sgt Karel Bednarik. On 20th September 1941 he was with his air gunner Sgt Bednarik transfered to No. 68 Night Fighter Squadron where he passed retraining on Bristol Beaufighter and Sgt Bednarik became Radar Operator. Crew P/O Chabera and W/O Bednarik stayed at No. 68 Squadron for eight months but during this time they didn't claim any victory. On 26th May 1942 he left this unit and he moved to the Czechoslovak Inspectorate General (CGI) in London for non-operational service. For operational duty he returned to No. 312 Squadron on 1th August 1942 and except the short rest from 15th to 26th June 1943 he served at this unit till 1st February 1944. In February 1944 he left RAF VR and sailed to the Soviet Union in the group of 21 Czechoslovaks who were the foundation of first Czechoslovak air unit in the Soviet Union. There he served as the leader of 2nd Squadron and later of 1st Squadron of 1. CSSLP (1st Czechoslovak Fighter Air Regiment ). This unit operated with Soviet fighters Lavockin La-5FN and later La-7. On 18th October 1944 he probably shot down one Junkers Ju 88 on Lavockin La- 5FN "99" After 1948 he was discriminated and fired out from Czechoslovak Air Force. He died on 21st October 1999 in Praha.