Czech in RAF

[Hans Nauta]

Dear all,

F/Lt J. K. Kucera (103533 RAF) and F/O O. A. Filip (102529) served as a pilot/navigator team with 544 Squadron during 1944/1945.

I'm looking for their full first names and hope someone has these on file.

Thanks in advance,
Hans Nauta

[Peter Kassak]

Hi

The best would be to contact Pavel Vancata via his web page
http://cz-raf.hyperlink.cz/
he has huge knowledge about Chechs in RAF...

[Leendert]

Hans,

Name is Jiri Kucera.

Groet,

Leendert

[Jan Gazda]

Hi,

the full names of the flyers are F/Lt Jiří Kučera and F/Lt Oldřich Filip. I do not know what their middle initials stand for. In todays Czech society the middle names are very rarely used and it was very similar 60 years ago (however, Kučera is often listed with the middle initial in literature ).

Kučera served as a fighter pilot before being posted to 544.Sq. and took part in the battles over France and Britain with claims for 5 destroyed and 2+1 shared damaged. He had logged 378 operational hours as a fighter.

Filip had previously served with 311.Sq. as a navigator and logged 56,05 operational hours before being posted to 544.Sq.

Greetings

Jan

[Hans Nauta]

Hello Peter, Leendert and Jan,

Thank you all for the additional information!

Have a joyful Sylvester,

Hans Nauta

[cz_raf]

Hi all,

unfortunately I also have only initials for middle names. But in my books Kucera is mentioned as "Jiri V. Kucera" instead of "Jiri K. Kucera".

@Jan: what is your source for Filip? Mine from Prague archive has 5 sorties with Coastal Command 49.36 hrs between 25/08/1943 and 16/09/1943.

@Hans: If I will ever found the initial, I will let you know and if you are making a project on Kucera please contact me off board - I am sure I may have something interesting for you.

Pavel

[Jan Gazda]

Hello Pavel,

the source is Rajlich´s Na nebi hrdého Albionu VI, page 107. Mayby some of the flight time was not classified as operational, I do not know.

Jan

[cz_raf]

Thanks Jan.

It depends which list Mr. Rajlich used for his book as there are several list of operations and sometimes with different times. Anyway the total flying time from the Squadron ORB is also 49.36 if someone needs the exact time.

Pavel