Sgt FRANTISEK Josef

Ambroz M.:Josef Frantisek

Official No.: 723 451 Date and place of birth: 7th October 1913, Otaslavice Date and place of death: 8th October 1940, Ewell

War Service

Unit	Since	To	Rank
303	20.07.1940	08.10.1940	Sgt

Immediately after his arrival to France he had a conflict with one Czechoslovak commanding officer, after this incident he didn't entered into Czechoslovak Foreign Army and he joined the Polish Air Force in France. On 20th June he came to Great Britain with Polish airmen and he stayed with them during retraining on Hurricane, so after it he was on 20th July posted to No. 303 Polish Squadron to Northolt. On 8th August 1940 during return from training flight he make belly landing with Hurricane I V7245 and on 16th August he was for first time included into readiness. On 2nd September he claimed his first victory in the Battle of Britain. On 5th September he returned from the dogfight with Bf109 over Rochford with damaged Hurricane I R4175 (RF-R). One day later he returned again with damaged Hurricane R4175. On 9th September he was shot down by Bf 109 during the dogfight over Beachy Head against group of Ju 88 and He 111 escorted by Bf 109 and Bf 110. He made crash landing with heavily damaged Hurricane I P3975 (RF-U) on the field at farm near Falmer. On 27th September he was awarded by the hightest Polish decoration, Virtuti Military Order, Krzyzem Walecnych and by British Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM). On 8th October 1940, one day after his 27th birthday, his Hurricane I R4175 (RF-R) touched down in high speed and crashed on the end of airfield in Cuddington Way at Ewell. He was blowed from the cockpit and he died by unclear causes. On 28th October he got bar to his DFM in memoriam. During 28 days he claimed 17 victories and 1 probably victory. With this score he became the best RAF fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain. This place he kept till his death. When the Battle of Britain finished on 31st October, he was on the fourth place between th best RAF fighter pilots. List of Sgt Franisek's victories: 02/09 1 Bf 109 03/09 1 Bf 109 05/09 1 Ju 88 & 1 Bf 109 06/09 1 Bf 109 09/09 1 Bf 109 & 1 He 111 11/09 2 Bf 109 & 1 He 111 15/09 2 Bf 110 18/09 1 Bf 109 26/09 2 He 111 27/09 1 He 111 & 1 Bf 110 30/09 1 Bf 109 & 1 Bf 109 probably For more deatils about these victories see Victoires page.