Re: 8 October 1940 - Daylight raid on London
 

I believe that his death was attributed to an accident when his Hurricane hit a tree and crashed at Cuddington Way, Ewell, Surrey. He was on a patrol and was seen to dive away. No records of any German aircraft and not mentioned in the Northolt Polish War diary

Re: 8 October 1940 - Daylight raid on London
 

Hello Mr. Goss,

I have same data from Czech or Polish source.

But I can imagine that this undisciplined but excellent pilot spotted a German airplane and disconnected from the squadron formation - and unhappily crashed when he was chasing enemy plane ...

But it is just theory .....

Faenor

Re: 8 October 1940 - Daylight raid on London
 

No German aircraft were seen during the patrol and it has been suggested it was oxygen failure

Re: 8 October 1940 - Daylight raid on London
 

Hello Mr. Goss,

theory of the oxygen failure is new for me.....in Czech and Polish literature is most often mentioned reason for this crash:
- aerobatic figures to impress his girlfriend or
- result of battle fatigue and physical exhaustion

https://fcafa.com/2010/07/24/josef-frantisek/

I would like to say that Josef František perished the day after his birthday - and because he was not "a Saint" - maybe his death is combination of these factors .....pilots in this time fight fast and they live fast .....

Faenor

Re: 8 October 1940 - Daylight raid on London
 

Would I be correct in thinking that a Bf109E based at St-Omer, flying via Dungeness, could reach London in about 30 mins (including time taken to climb to operational height)?

Forgive me if I've over-simplified the question.

Brian