Talks

Between 1989-2007 I had the priviledge to met plenty of former Czechoslovak airmen serving in the RAF in 1940-1945. Personal visits and attendance at public lectures and another meetings allowed me to learn a lot of stories and information about their war service. This was the very first impulse why I have started to write articles, later books and why I have started my original website to remind those brave Czechoslovaks to the present and next generations.

As the possibility to meet our veterans at air shows and lectures faded away I am happy time to time attend a conference or commemorative event to give a talk about our airmen serving in the RAF. My particular scope is No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Bomber Squadron and airmen serving with this unit.

Photos from some of my talks

28.9.2022

Municipal authority, Ostrov near Chrudim - plaque unveiling + talk

Theme: Vladimír Šponar, No. 311 Squadron Pilot

Plaque to 311 Squadron pilot Vladimir Sponar has been unveiled and my talk about this pilot has been part of the programme.

(3x foto obec Ostrov)

18.6.2022

The Municipal Museum, Čelákovice

Theme: Alois Vašátko and Vladislav Hnilička, airmen from Čelákovice

Memorial talk about Alois Vašátko, native of Čelákovice, fighter pilot of 312 Squadron and the first CO of Czechoslovak Fighter Wing. The talk was given at the 80th anniversary of his death od 23. 6. 1942. This time I have added also the lifestory of Vladislav/Valter/Walter Hnilička, wireless operator/air gunner of 311 Squadron who got killed in an air acciden on 4. 12. 1944.

After the talk the Hurricane piloted by Radim Vojta made several passes over Čelákovice.

(2x foto Město Čelákovice)

22.9.2020

Jiří Mahen Library, Brno

Theme: W/Cdr Josef Ocelka DFC, 311 Squadron Commanding Officer

Memorial talk about Josef Ocleka, the third 311 (Czechoslovak) Bomber Squadron RAF Commanding Officer, his wife Marie Alexandra Ocelková and his brother W/O Antonín Ocelka, fighter pilot with 312 (Czechoslovak) Fighter Squadron RAF. The talk was given on the occasion of book "Vocelovej" launch.

Memorial talk about Otakar Janůj, former wireless operator of 311 (Czechoslovak) Bomber Squadron RAF. The talk was given on the occasion of book "Poslední let Wellingtonu T2624" release.

Read more: https://cz-raf.webnode.cz/books/talks/

24.1.2019

Czech Aerospace Society at Faculty of Transportation Sciences, Praha

Theme: Sgt Otakar Janůj, 311 Squadron wireless operator

Memorial talk about Otakar Janůj, former wireless operator of 311 (Czechoslovak) Bomber Squadron RAF.

15.11.2018

Municipal Library of Prague, Opatov Branch

Theme: Sgt Otakar Janůj, 311 Squadron wireless operator

Memorial talk about Otakar Janůj, former wireless operator of 311 (Czechoslovak) Bomber Squadron RAF. The talk was given on the occasion of book "Poslední let Wellingtonu T2624" release.

(2 x foto Milan Vančata, 1x foto Lukáš Šereda)

23.11.2017

Czech Aerospace Society at Faculty of Transportation Sciences, Praha

Theme: Adolf Pravislav Zelený MBE, 311 Squadron navigator

Memorial talk about Adolf Zelený MBE, former navigator of 311 (Czechoslovak) Bomber Squadron RAF. The talk was given on the occasion of book "Říkali mu Zeke" release.

7.10.2017

The Municipal Offices, Rožná

Theme: "Říkali mu Zeke" - plk. let. v.v Adolf Pravislav Zelený MBE

Memorial talk about Adolf Zelený MBE, native of Rožná, former navigator of 311 (Czechoslovak) Bomber Squadron RAF. The talk was given at the event commemorating his 103rd birthday anniversary.

More photos from the commemorative event and the talk can be found in this gallery.

11.5.2017

The Municipal Museum, Čelákovice

Theme: Pilot Alois Vašátko, native of Čelákovice

Memorial talk about Alois Vašátko, native of Čelákovice, fighter pilot of 312 Squadron and the first CO of Czechoslovak Fighter Wing. The talk was given at the 75th anniversary of his death od 23. 6. 1942.

25.10.2016

Piarist Monastry, Příbor

Theme: Oldřich Helma, No. 311 Squadron pilot

Memorial talk about Oldřich Helma, native of Příbor, captain of 311 Squadron Wellington shot down by RAF night fighter by error, for secondary school students.