Czech Pilot Josef Frantisek - What Medals?

[FZ1FZ1FZ1]

Thanks again Michal.

Jon

[Frank Olynyk]

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

Frank.

[Michal]

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.

[FZ1FZ1FZ1]

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

[jiri]

A book about Sgt Josef Frantisek, DFM and bar just published (in English)
Title:Hurricane Ace Josef František: The True StoryAuthor:Jiří RajlichPublisherMushroom Model PublicationsPrice£13.99Reviewer:Scott Van AkenNotes:7109 in the blue series, 144 pages
ISBN 978-83-89450-71-5

http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/bo.../frantisek.htm

[FZ1FZ1FZ1]

Thanks Jiri, I've been waiting for this book for ages so I'm glad that its now in print!

Jon

[jiri]

Josef Frantisek was awarded by following medals:

Distinguished Flying Medal - gazetted 1 Oct 1940 but not received personally as he was killied in accident on 8 Oct 1940 (members of No 303 Sqdn were decorated by previously gazetted RAF decorations during Dec 1940).
Distinguished Medal and Bar - 28 Oct 1940
Krzyz Walecznych (Polish War Cross) - posthum 1 July 1941
Virtuti Militari V. kl. - Krzyz Srebrny (Silver Cross of the Order "To Military Valour", a Poland's highest military decoration for courage in the face of the enemy) - awarded 17 Sept 1940, a sole award which was personaly decorated during his life (by General Sikorski, Northolt 18 Sept 1940)
Ceskoslovensky valecny kriz (Czechoslovak War Cross) - posthum 25 Nov 1940

All of these decorations were send to family after the WW2.

Many secondary sources also states that he was awarded also by French Croix de Guerre. According French sources (Journal Officiel - "French London Gazette") there are no trace about any French decoration to Frantisek.