Aviation monument seen on holidays

upnorth · August 07, 2021, 12:39:18 AM

Hello all,

My girlfriend and I have been on holidays the past couple of weeks and we spent some of the time in the south central and south west parts of the Czech Republic.

One day, I took a solo day trip to České Budějovice and came upon this memorial to local men who were among the Czechoslovaks who joined the RAF in WWII.

I've seen a lot of monuments to those men around the country, but this is easily one of the best thought out and presented ones I've seen to date.

NARSES2 · August 07, 2021, 01:16:12 AM

That's really fitting. Thanks for posting

Mossie · August 07, 2021, 01:25:43 AM

The torn wing makes it all the more poignant. Is it describing a particular incident?

su27rules · August 07, 2021, 01:38:20 AM

Nice!!

Nick · August 07, 2021, 02:05:44 AM

I recognise the first name, Marek Frantisek, from the Battle of Britain Memorial across the river from my office. Turns out he is buried in Dagenham near where he crashed.

Are the aircraft in the pavement one of each type flown by the Czechs in exile?

upnorth · August 07, 2021, 02:06:58 AM

Quote from: Mossie on August 07, 2021, 01:25:43 AM
The torn wing makes it all the more poignant. Is it describing a particular incident?

From what I can find, the monument was installed in September of 2015 on the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The torn wing is some reference to František Marek, who participated in the Battle of Britain and was the first local man lost in the period of the battle.

It seems he was lost due to technical difficulties during a patrol rather than in actual combat:
https://fcafa.com/2019/09/14/frantisek-marek-one-of-the-few/

upnorth · August 07, 2021, 02:08:10 AM

Quote from: Nick on August 07, 2021, 02:05:44 AM
Are the aircraft in the pavement one of each type flown by the Czechs in exile?

That's the general idea, though a few of them are a bit difficult to recognize.

Steel Penguin · August 07, 2021, 02:45:18 AM

thank you for the photos, both striking and poignant, the other types on the approach make it all the more so.

Old Wombat · August 07, 2021, 04:38:26 AM

It's much nicer than the official vilification & persecution that so many survivors received from the Communists after the war.

kerick · August 07, 2021, 09:28:51 AM

That's a great monument you found and a great story.

Glenn Gilbertson · August 07, 2021, 09:41:35 AM

What a superb & moving monument - thank you for posting.

The Rat · August 07, 2021, 11:32:59 AM

Nicely done. Salute.