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Pilot Officer Karel Mrazek who during patrol with 46 Squadron claimed two shot down Italian CR.42s on 11 November 1940. Later in the war he was promoted to Squadron Leader and took command over 313 (Czechoslovak) Squadron. Later still he served as Wing Commander of the whole Czechoslovak Wing. Mrazek was awarded with both the DFC and the DSO during the war. He returned to Czechoslovakia after the war as a Group Commander and lived in the town of Jablonec. Mrazek passed away on 5 December 1998. |
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Sgt. P.Roger E. de Cannart d'Hamale Born on 08-22-1919 at St Gilles (Bruxelles), son of François and Madeleine-Hélène de Castres. In 1938 he joined the Aéronautique Militaire Belge. He obtained his elementary pilot’s wings on 15 May 39 and his military brevet 3 days later. He was posted to 3rd regiment of Aéronautique. During the campaign of 12 May 1940, he took part to a mission on Liege & Namur area. On 18 May 40, the squadron received orders to move to St-Omer (France) by road and Roger drove a small car with several other pilots. After the surrender of France, he decided to join Great Britain to pursue the fight. He arrived in Plymouth on 20 Jun 40 with a group of Polish troops. He was the first Belgian to land in England. On the 12th of July, he enlists in the RAFVR. With his perfect English, he is assimilated very quickly and, one month after his enlistment, he joined 226 Squadron equipped with Spitfires; very soon afterwards he is trained on Hurricane and was posted to No 46 Squadron. He baled out of his Hurricane I (VB6549) unhurt on the 11 Sep 40 at 15:30hrs. He had been in combat over Bodiam. Kent. On 17 Oct 40 a low cloud base meant he was unable to find his base on the first patrol, and force landed at FYFIELD, some three miles North of CHIPPING ONGAR, Essex. The pilot was unhurt, but the undercarriage was damaged. |
