Naval History by Country : ROYAL NAVY US NAVY GERMAN NAVY FRENCH NAVY MORE PAGES

J. Frantisek

Name : J. Frantisek Died : 8th August 1940 Service Number : 793451 Air Victories : 1.00 Awards : Croix de Guerre Distinguished Flying Medal

Sergeant Joseph Frantisek a Czech, joined the Armee de l'Air, and later received the Croix de Guerre for an air-to-air victory. When France fell he then went to England and joined the RAF, Frantisek was a founding member of No 303 (Polish) Squadron. In the space of a month, he shot down 17 aircraft and was awarded the D.F.M. Sgt J.Frantisek was killed when his Hurricane I (R4175) crashed on the 8th of October 1940, the cause was unknown.

COMBAT REPORTS

303 Squadron Operational Record Book – 8 October 1940 09:00 hours 12 Hurricanes left Northolt 09:00 hours. Landed 09:55 hours. No contact made. Sgt Frantiszek crashed at Ewell, near Sutton and was killed. 303 Squadron Operational Record Book – 30 September 1940 16:40 hours Combat at Brooklands at 16:50 hours. 10 Hurricanes left Northolt at 16:40 hours…Squadron was ordered to patrol base and then to join number 1 Canadian Squadron at 229 Squadron who had taken off 15 minutes earlier. Climbed at full boost and Flights became separated but neither could join the wing. A Flight was broken up by Me109s of which FO Urbanowicz destroyed one. In this area were 150 to 200 Me109s and 110s and odds were too great. Cloud cover alone saved heavy casualties. B Flight made towards bombers going SE near Croydon. Sgt Belc broke away to protect Hurricane, pilot baled out and being attacked by Mes and after seeing him safe never rejoined Flight. Remaining 4 were dived upon by Me109s when 4 to 5 miles from bombers. Sgt Frantiszek broke off upwards in order to cover flight from enemy attack. He caught one Me on the turn and destroyed it and in subsequent fight with 6 probably destroyed another. He escaped with great difficulty in cloud. Rest of Flight tried to continue toward bombers but were broken up by Me109s. 303 Squadron Operational Record Book – 3 September 14:15 hours Patrol – Maidstone/Dover. Sgt Frantiszek, Green 2 rearguard, descended from 22,000 feet to investigate aircraft above cloud and found Spitfires, then below cloud saw solitary He 113 over sea. He dived and closed to 100yds firing 2 seconds into cockpit. Enemy aircraft dived slowly and disappeared into sea mid channel from Dover. 303 Squadron Operational Record Book: 2 September 1940 17:30 hours About 10 Me 109s dived out of sun onto squadron near Dover at 19,000 ft…Sgt Frantiszek pursued one 109 over French coast. Enemy aircraft damaged in engine and fuselage, escaped smoking.

Known Service Details :
Squadron	Rank	Start of Service	End of Service	Known Dates	Aircraft	Airframes	Notes
No.303 Sqn RAF	Sergeant	unknown	8th October 1940	02nd September 1940 03rd September 1940 09th September 1940 30th September 1940	Hurricane	P3975	Killed in Action

Aircraft for : J. Frantisek
A list of all aircraft associated with J. Frantisek. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
Hurricane Click the name above to see prints featuring Hurricane aircraft. Manufacturer : Hawker Production Began : 1936 Number Built : 14533	Hurricane Royal Air Force Fighter, the Hawker Hurricane had a top speed of 320mph, at 18,200 feet and 340mph at 17,500, ceiling of 34,200 and a range of 935 miles. The Hurricane was armed with eight fixed wing mounted .303 browning machine guns in the Mark I and twelve .303 browning's in the MKIIB in the Hurricane MKIIC it had four 20mm cannon. All time classic fighter the Hurricane was designed in 1933-1934, the first prototype flew in June 1936 and a contract for 600 for the Royal Air Force was placed. The first production model flew ion the 12th October 1937 and 111 squadron of the Royal Air Force received the first Hurricanes in January 1938. By the outbreak of World war two the Royal Air Force had 18 operational squadrons of Hurricanes. During the Battle of Britain a total of 1715 Hurricanes took part, (which was more than the rest of the aircraft of the Royal air force put together) and almost 75% of the Victories during the Battle of Britain went to hurricane pilots. The Hawker Hurricane was used in all theatres during World war two, and in many roles. in total 14,533 Hurricanes were built.

Return to Aviation Directory Search Home

Contact Details Shipping Info Terms and Conditions Cookie Policy Privacy Policy		Sign Up To Our Newsletter! Stay up to date with all our latest offers, deals and events as well as new releases and exclusive subscriber content! This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts.  Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269.  Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com

Return to Home Page