Czech Pilot Josef Frantisek - What Medals?
 

Hello again,

Another question!

I'm trying to find a definitive answer to the above question, i.e. what medals and awards did Sgt Josef Frantisek have?

The DFM & Bar and 39-45 star with the BoB clasp are the easy bit, along with the Virtuti Militari 5th Class. However, there are also reports of him having won the Polish Valour Cross with three bars and the French Croix De Guerre. I also read somewhere on the net that he won several Czech awards from the Czech Government in Exile, but I can't get a definitive answer.

Please can anyone answer this one for me please or at least point me at a source that can help?

Many thanks,

Jon

Re: Czech Pilot Josef Frantisek - What Medals?
 

Hello,

just use google:

http://www.epsomandewellhistoryexplo...Frantisek.html
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Franti%C5%A1ek

It seems that you will find more at:
Jiří Rajlich: "Josef František" w: Lotnictwo Wojskowe nr 2/1999, s. 49

regards

Re: Czech Pilot Josef Frantisek - What Medals?
 

Thanks very much for the links.

I found the first link when I did my own trawl, but it seems to be incomplete compared to other sources. However, the Polish Wikipedia seems to have more info.

The other site I found (which lists even more awards) is this one.
http://www.cieldegloire.com/002t_frantisek_j.php

As you can see, there seem to be a few differing opinions, hence my request for a definitive source!

Regards,

Jon

Re: Czech Pilot Josef Frantisek - What Medals?
 

Československý válečný kříž (25.11.1940)
Virtuti Militari 5th Class (18.9.1940)
three times Krzyz Waleczny (21.9.1939, 18.9.1940, 1.2.1941)
Croix de Guerre (unconfirmed)
DFM and bar (11.9.1940, 4.10.1940)
The 1939-1945 Star with Battle of Britain Clasp

Re: Czech Pilot Josef Frantisek - What Medals?
 

Thank you very much for this info Michal. Please can you tell me the source?

Many thanks,

Jon

Re: Czech Pilot Josef Frantisek - What Medals?
 

Re: Czech Pilot Josef Frantisek - What Medals?
 

Thanks again Michal.

Jon

Re: Czech Pilot Josef Frantisek - What Medals?
 

Michel,
How can one obtain a copy of the book? Do any bookstores with an Internet presence carry it?

Frank.

Re: Czech Pilot Josef Frantisek - What Medals?
 

As far as I know the book is (was) distributed free of charge. The book is not in any bookstore and could be ordered only directly from (for example) Military Historical Institute Prague (see http://www.vhu.cz/en/). The book is both in printing version and on CD. I have got a CD version. And I am not sure if this book is not totally out. Maybe Jiri from TOCH could tell you more.

Re: Czech Pilot Josef Frantisek - What Medals?
 

Hello again.

Sorry to drag-up my old post, but I'm having a bit of trouble with this one!

I orginally said "The DFM & Bar and 39-45 star with the BoB clasp are the easy bit" but now I'm not so sure!

Frantisek's DFM is easy to find in the London Gazette http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34958/pages/5791 on 1 Oct 1940 but I can't find his alleged bar to the DFM anywhere in the Gazette.

I know that the search feature isn't too good on the Gazette site, but I've looked at all the alleged dates of the award that I can find, but no joy.

Can anyone help with this one please?

Thanks,

Jon