P/O FECHTNER Emil

Rajlich J.: 310. stihaci perut

Official No.: 81 887 Date and place of birth: 16th September, Praha Date and place of death: 29th October, Whittlesford

War Service

Unit	Since	To	Rank
310	12.07.1940	29.10.1940	P/O

He passed retraining on Hurricane at No. 310 Czechoslovak Fighter Squadron at Duxford. On 26th August he became the leader of Green Section. Since 26th August to 7th September he shot down altogether 4 enemy planes, 1 probably and 1damaged. (See personal Combat Report from 3rd September.) For his excellent duty he was on 28th October 1940 awarded by Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). On 29th October 1940 during took off to patrol over Maidstone was his Hurricane I P3889 (NN-S) late. At the height of 600 metres he wanted to marschal into formation and he begin to climb. He didn't know that his plane was too close to other Hurricane piloted by F/Lt Jaroslav Maly. At 13.55 the propeller of F/Lt Maly's Hurricane cut off rudder of his plane which immediately turned on his back and crashed near Whittlesford. (F/Lt Maly made crash landing on field near base with damaged propeller and he was wounded on his head and on one arm.) He was burried on Brookwood Military Cemetery.