Otto Špacek
Encyclopedia
Otto Špaček was a Czechoslovakian World War II fighter pilot who fought against Nazi Germany
in Great Britain and France.
Špaček was born in Brzice
in Bohemia
. His parents were teachers. He served an apprenticeship as an electrician. After flying school, he joined the Czechoslovak Air Force
in the 1930s.
He fled to Poland after the Nazi invasion in June 1939, and then escaped to France, where he served with French Air Force
in 1940. After the fall of France, he moved to Britain and joined the Royal Air Force
as a fighter pilot in June 1940. Špaček initially joined No. 312 Squadron RAF
, but moved to No. 313 Squadron RAF
in 1941, flying Spitfire
s with many other exiled Czech and Slovak pilots.
Špaček was injured in 1940 and survived three air crashes during World War II. Špaček took part in close air support for the D-Day
invasion
of Normandy
in 1944. He was credited with shooting down 3 German aircraft during the war, and won 5 Czechoslovak War Crosses, the Czechoslovak Bravery Medal
and the French Croix de Guerre
.
Špaček returned to Czechoslovakia after the end of World War II, but was expelled from the army when the Communists took power in Czechoslovakia in 1948. He once again left Czechoslovakia in 1949 and took his family into exile in Canada, where he operated a petrol station.
Špaček remained in exile until the fall of the Communist government of Czechoslovakia
in 1989. He returned to the Czech Republic from Canada in 1993, and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He resided in the Czech Republic for the rest of his life, were he remarried, his first wife having died in Canada.
Otto Špaček died at the age of 89. His funeral took place in Prague
.
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
in Great Britain and France.
Špaček was born in Brzice
Brzice
Brzice is a village and municipality in Náchod District in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. -References:...
in Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
. His parents were teachers. He served an apprenticeship as an electrician. After flying school, he joined the Czechoslovak Air Force
Czechoslovak Air Force
The Czechoslovak Air Force was the air force branch of the military of Czechoslovakia. It was known as the Czechoslovak Army Air Force from 1918–1939...
in the 1930s.
He fled to Poland after the Nazi invasion in June 1939, and then escaped to France, where he served with French Air Force
French Air Force
The French Air Force , literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, then was made an independent military arm in 1933...
in 1940. After the fall of France, he moved to Britain and joined the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
as a fighter pilot in June 1940. Špaček initially joined No. 312 Squadron RAF
No. 312 Squadron RAF
No. 312 Squadron RAF was a Czechoslovakian-manned fighter squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.It was first formed at Duxford in July 1940, equipped with Hurricane I fighters and crewed mostly by escaped Czechslovakian pilots. Its first victory was a Junkers Ju 88 above...
, but moved to No. 313 Squadron RAF
No. 313 Squadron RAF
No. 313 Squadron RAF was a Czechoslovakian-manned fighter squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.It was first formed at Catterick on 10 May 1941, equipped with Spitfire I fighters and crewed mostly by escaped Czechslovakian pilots...
in 1941, flying Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
s with many other exiled Czech and Slovak pilots.
Špaček was injured in 1940 and survived three air crashes during World War II. Špaček took part in close air support for the D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
invasion
Invasion
An invasion is a military offensive consisting of all, or large parts of the armed forces of one geopolitical entity aggressively entering territory controlled by another such entity, generally with the objective of either conquering, liberating or re-establishing control or authority over a...
of Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
in 1944. He was credited with shooting down 3 German aircraft during the war, and won 5 Czechoslovak War Crosses, the Czechoslovak Bravery Medal
Bravery Medal
The Bravery Medal is a bravery decoration awarded to Australians. It is awarded for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances. The BM was created in February 1975. The decorations recognise acts of bravery by members of the community. They selflessly put themselves in jeopardy to protect the...
and the French Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
.
Špaček returned to Czechoslovakia after the end of World War II, but was expelled from the army when the Communists took power in Czechoslovakia in 1948. He once again left Czechoslovakia in 1949 and took his family into exile in Canada, where he operated a petrol station.
Špaček remained in exile until the fall of the Communist government of Czechoslovakia
Government structure of Communist Czechoslovakia
The government of Czechoslovakia under communism was in theory a democratic one directed by the proletariat. In practice, it was a one-party dictatorship run by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, the KSC....
in 1989. He returned to the Czech Republic from Canada in 1993, and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He resided in the Czech Republic for the rest of his life, were he remarried, his first wife having died in Canada.
Otto Špaček died at the age of 89. His funeral took place in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
.
Honours and awards
- Czechoslovak War Cross (five times)
- Czechoslovak Medal for Bravery
- Czechoslovak Medal for Merit, Grade I
- Croix de GuerreCroix de guerreThe Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
with two palms (France) - 1939-1945 Star, Atlantic Clasp (United Kingdom)
- Air Crew Europe StarAir Crew Europe StarThe Air Crew Europe Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II. Specifically, the medal was awarded to Commonwealth aircrew who participated in operational flights over Europe, from UK bases....
(United Kingdom) - Defence Medal (United Kingdom)
- War Medal 1939–1945War Medal 1939–1945The War Medal 1939–1945 was a British decoration awarded to those who had served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy full-time for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. In the Merchant Navy, the 28 days must have been served at sea...
(United Kingdom)
External links
- http://www.chesterfieldarmament.com/bailey/coastal_conflict/coastal.php