I have an original and unissued Czechoslovak shoulder flash belonging to my Uncle who served in the RAF 311 Squadron in WW2. It was among the items sent home after he was killed. I have not seen any of these around, are they in demand at all? Can post pics if desired. Thanks all!
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Czechoslovakia shoulder flash RAF
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Dawes
yes please...
I’d love to see a scan of the Czech shoulder title, I’ve seen the Army one’s, red on khaki, but never an airforce one.
There seems to be quite a big collecting scene for Free Polish insignia and even more interest in Free French but as far as I can tell not the same interest in Czech stuff, who knows, maybe I’m just moving in the wrong circles and there are some Czech insignia collectors out there!
Do you know where 311 Squadron were based?
P.S. This is the only bit of Czech WWII airforce bits I’ve managed to pic up - just got it in a swap at the weekend from Mickey Hughes in Ayrshire, been lighting ma fags with it since then...Attached Files
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311 (Czech) Sqn.
311 Czech Squadron were initially a Bomber Command unit. Formed at RAF Honington - near Bury St. Edmund's, Suffolk as part of 3 Group on 29th July, 1940. It used Wellington Ia aircraft, re-equipping with Mk Ic's a month later. They moved to East Wretham, Norfolk on the 16th September of that year.
311 transferred to Coastal Command on 28th April, 1942 as part of 15 Group at Aldergrove, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. By this time they had re-equipped with Liberators. Two months later, they transferred to 19 Group and relocated to Talbenny, Pembrokeshire on 1st June, 1942.
A further move on 1st May, 1943 saw the squadron move to Beaulieu, Hampshire, as part of 16 Group. They received uprated Liberator V's in June, 1943, before being transferred back to 19 Group at Predannack, Cornwall on 1st February, 1944.
The squadron remained there for over a year, re-equipping with Liberator Mk VI's in February of 1945, until being relocated at Milltown, Cumbria on 25th June, 1945 under 15 Group. The squadron disbanded on 15th February, 1946.
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Thankyou gentlemen very much, it really is difficult finding information out about the Czech airmen of the RAF, although in the past several years there has been more of a desire, especially in the Czech Republic. I will get some pics up ASAP, I have all that was returned to my Grandfather after his death in June 1944, including pics, some odds and ends and his Czech Cross. Most touching were the letters sent by the CO to my Grandfather.
Tony, thankyou once again also, you have responded to my requests before on this issue. Pics coming up.
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311 sqn gallery
I can't remember whether I've linked this site before, but I'll do it again anyhow, for others' perusal.
311 GalleryAttached Files
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Here are only a few pics (sorry my scanner is on the blink) of what was sent home. He was lastly, as Tony stated, stationed in Predannack, and was killed 29/06/44. He was flying as a navigator/gunner in a Liberator J- BZ754. It crashed in England and he is buried in Helston, Cornwall. A pic below is of my Dad who was serving in the Canadian Army at the time, standing over his grave. Sadly they had made plans to meet in London but it wasn't to be. Have tried to get more information on the crash site, details, ect over the years for my Dad but it's pretty difficult. Not even sure where the crash occured.
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