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1. Flying Officer / Nadporučík; No. 310 (Czechoslovak) Sqn. RAF, RAFVR
Foreign aircrews serving ex-patria in the RAF wore standard No.1 SD with additional nationality patch, badge and decorations from their original air forces. In this example a Czechoslovak volunteer wore stamped metal pilot's badge of the Československé letectvo (Czechoslovak army air force) on his right breast pocket. Pilot badge had golden coloured wings and silver wreath while the observer badge was identical with the colours reversed. Mounted on his jacket lapels were VR badges which indicate his service within RAF Volunteer Reserve. Ribbons mounted under his RAF wing were: War Cross 1939, Medal for Valour, Military Medal of Merit, DFC, AFC, and DSC
2. Flight Sergeant / Starszy Sierżant; No. 303 (Polish) Sqn. RAF
Unlike the Czech counterpart, Siły Powietrzne (Polish air force) wing worn on left breast replacing the RAF pilot wing, although some displayed the PAF wing worn on top of the RAF wing. In addition to RAF sleeve rank of three chevron and crown which indicate a Flight Sergeant, he also wore PAF collar rank of Starszy Sierżant. Embroidered on his left breast pocket is a badge of PAF eagle. Instead of wearing regulation neck tie he wore a cravat under his wedgwood shirt collar which some pilot found much more comfortable. His ribbon bar consisted of DFM, Polish Valor Cross and Silver Merit Cross
3. Flight Lieutenant / Capitaine; No. 340 (Free French) Sqn. RAF / GC IV/2 'Ile de France' FAFL
During the first half of World War II ex-Armeé de L'Air (French air force) aircrews were discouraged to join the RAF and join the FAFL (Free French air force) under General de Gaulle instead. However, many who had joined the RAF stayed despite the threat of court martial under desertion charge, many were incorporated into regular RAF squadron
This French pilot wore both AdA and RAF wings on his jacket with pilot badge mounted on right breast pocket (not shown). His status as an officer indicated by braided passant on his shoulder, which carried over from his French uniform, and his rank of Flight Lieutenant indicated by two stripes on his cuff. His ribbons were: DFC and Bar, AFC, DSC and Croix de Guerre
Quick lineart, i did the Polish pilot in the middle first, then added the two other one for each next day in Osprey MAA series style
Foreign aircrews serving ex-patria in the RAF wore standard No.1 SD with additional nationality patch, badge and decorations from their original air forces. In this example a Czechoslovak volunteer wore stamped metal pilot's badge of the Československé letectvo (Czechoslovak army air force) on his right breast pocket. Pilot badge had golden coloured wings and silver wreath while the observer badge was identical with the colours reversed. Mounted on his jacket lapels were VR badges which indicate his service within RAF Volunteer Reserve. Ribbons mounted under his RAF wing were: War Cross 1939, Medal for Valour, Military Medal of Merit, DFC, AFC, and DSC
2. Flight Sergeant / Starszy Sierżant; No. 303 (Polish) Sqn. RAF
Unlike the Czech counterpart, Siły Powietrzne (Polish air force) wing worn on left breast replacing the RAF pilot wing, although some displayed the PAF wing worn on top of the RAF wing. In addition to RAF sleeve rank of three chevron and crown which indicate a Flight Sergeant, he also wore PAF collar rank of Starszy Sierżant. Embroidered on his left breast pocket is a badge of PAF eagle. Instead of wearing regulation neck tie he wore a cravat under his wedgwood shirt collar which some pilot found much more comfortable. His ribbon bar consisted of DFM, Polish Valor Cross and Silver Merit Cross
3. Flight Lieutenant / Capitaine; No. 340 (Free French) Sqn. RAF / GC IV/2 'Ile de France' FAFL
During the first half of World War II ex-Armeé de L'Air (French air force) aircrews were discouraged to join the RAF and join the FAFL (Free French air force) under General de Gaulle instead. However, many who had joined the RAF stayed despite the threat of court martial under desertion charge, many were incorporated into regular RAF squadron
This French pilot wore both AdA and RAF wings on his jacket with pilot badge mounted on right breast pocket (not shown). His status as an officer indicated by braided passant on his shoulder, which carried over from his French uniform, and his rank of Flight Lieutenant indicated by two stripes on his cuff. His ribbons were: DFC and Bar, AFC, DSC and Croix de Guerre
Quick lineart, i did the Polish pilot in the middle first, then added the two other one for each next day in Osprey MAA series style
Category Artwork (Traditional) / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 1280 x 961px
File Size 223.5 kB
He's a Polish hunting dog actually https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_Hunting_Dog
bit hard to distinguish without colour, but thanks
bit hard to distinguish without colour, but thanks
The Czechoslovaks also shares their fate, and ironically ex-RAF pilots who had fought for their freedom got the worst blow
from http://www.rogerdarlington.me.uk
In February 1948, the Communists staged a political coup in Czechoslovakia and took over control of the government and the other instruments of state. As far as the new regime was concerned, anyone who fought with the western allies was at best suspect and at worst a traitor. Within days of the coup, leading figures were arrested and tried. The head of the Czechoslovak Inspectorate for the wartime RAF Karel Janoušek spent 15 years in jail.
Many other airmen were immediately dismissed and all of them were victimised. For the next 40 or so years, their record was virtually unknown in their own country. By the time I made my first visit to Czechoslovakia in 1988, the authorities had turned a blind eye to weekly reunions of a small group of pilots which took place in a pub called “Plzensky dvur” in Prague.
But it was not until the ‘velvet revolution’ of 1989 that official recognition was given to these men. By then, of course, many of them were – to use the phraseology of one of my contacts – “flying with angels”. Those who were still alive were in their 70s and 80s. Overnight everyone wanted to hear their stories, so the uniforms and medals came out and visits were made to schools and societies. For a time, they were feted. But these days their numbers are fewer and fewer and many young Czechs are perhaps more interested in hospoda than history.
from http://www.rogerdarlington.me.uk
In February 1948, the Communists staged a political coup in Czechoslovakia and took over control of the government and the other instruments of state. As far as the new regime was concerned, anyone who fought with the western allies was at best suspect and at worst a traitor. Within days of the coup, leading figures were arrested and tried. The head of the Czechoslovak Inspectorate for the wartime RAF Karel Janoušek spent 15 years in jail.
Many other airmen were immediately dismissed and all of them were victimised. For the next 40 or so years, their record was virtually unknown in their own country. By the time I made my first visit to Czechoslovakia in 1988, the authorities had turned a blind eye to weekly reunions of a small group of pilots which took place in a pub called “Plzensky dvur” in Prague.
But it was not until the ‘velvet revolution’ of 1989 that official recognition was given to these men. By then, of course, many of them were – to use the phraseology of one of my contacts – “flying with angels”. Those who were still alive were in their 70s and 80s. Overnight everyone wanted to hear their stories, so the uniforms and medals came out and visits were made to schools and societies. For a time, they were feted. But these days their numbers are fewer and fewer and many young Czechs are perhaps more interested in hospoda than history.
Wonderful piece, as always! I'm always taken aback by how well young Czechs and Slovaks today know the history of their squadrons in the RAF. It's a part of their history as well as ours, and it's a part that they hold very dear to this day. In fact, the last time I was in Brno, there was an exhibition to the Czechoslovak squadrons at the national museum in the city.
And I too approve of the Sabaton reference. ^__^
And I too approve of the Sabaton reference. ^__^
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