Yesterday afternoon I planed with my friends, virtual pilots from 1stCL squad to drink some beers in Wings Club. For us, Czech virtual pilots, it is such centre where we are making our meetings. (It is not advertisment, but I must recommend for you if you will visit Prague.) http://www.wingsclub.cz/index_gb.html But often there is possible to encounter true pilots. Yesterday our Czech RAF ace from 312.sqd general Peřina was there. He is very old man. But as Bear wrote in one of his post, age is depending on hearth. And hearth of Mr.general is really very young still. And he can fantastically tell.
Something more about him:
The second most successful Czechoslovak fighter pilot of the battle over France. Being an outstanding pilot and equally excellent gunner he was the first Czech pilot to reach “ace status”. He volunteered and in 1929 - 1931 graduated from Pilot School in Prostějov.
As an alumnus of fighter pilot training school he fist joined the 34th and later the 36th Flight. At that time he already appeared to be a very talented pilot and therefore he was selected to represent Czechoslovakia at the 4th International meeting of Aviation in Zurich. He won three medals,for second, third and forth place in three events. After occupation in 1939 he escaped via Poland to France. In December 1939 he was one of the first twenty pilots to be sent to the Western front where he managed to shoot down 10 enemy aircraft (2 unconfirmed) within just three weeks of the French campaign. However, on 3rd of June 1940 being hit by an enemy plane and consequently downed he bailed out seriously injured and was admitted to hospital. As soon
as possible he fled the country to North Africa, and then to Great Britain after escaping from the hospital. He joined the RAF and took part in the battle of Britain and later in offensive sweeps over the continent.
When having returned to Czechoslovakia in 1945, despite being an extraordinary pilot he decided to leave his country in April 1949 to escape from Communist terror. Peřina joined the RAF again before retiring in 1955.
He then moved to Canada followed by the USA, and finally he returned to his motherland in 1989.
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb, AD572, DU-C. Czech 312. sqd. 1942 F/O František Peřina (flying this Spit he shooted down one FW190 and one damaged)
10.5.1940 Do-17Z (U5+KP) II./KG2 Minaucourt H.75C.1 GC I./5
10.5.1940 Do-17Z III./KG2 N from Suippes H.75C.1 GC I./5
10.5.1940 Do-17Z III./KG2 Villers a Dun-sur-Meuse H.75C.1 GC I./5
10.5.1940 Do-17Z III./KG2 Dun-sur-Meuse H.75C.1 GC I./5
11.5.1940 He-111H I./KG53 Souilly H.75C.1 GC I./5
12.5.1940 Ju-87B I./St.G 76 Bourru St. Rémy H.75C.1 GC I./5
12.5.1940 Ju-87B I./St.G 76 E from Bouillonu H.75C.1 GC I./5
12.5.1940 Ju-87B I./St.G 76 unconfirmed Sedan-Bouillon H.75C.1 GC I./5
12.5.1940 Ju-87B I./St.G 76 unconfirmed Sedan-Bouillon H.75C.1 GC I./5
18.5.1940 14:45 He-111P I./KG55 E from Soissonsu H.75C.1 GC I./5
19.5.1940 He-111 Hesse H.75C.1 GC I./5
26.5.1940 He-111P I./KG55 Tannay H.75C.1 GC I./5
1.6.1940 He-111H I./KG53 Vesoul H.75C.1 GC I./5
3.6.1942 15:29 Fw-190A III./JG2 l La Manche u Cherbourgu Spitfire Mk.VB (AD572,DU-C) 312. Sq.
3.6.1942 15:29 Fw-190A III./JG2 damaged La Manche u Cherbourgu Spitfire Mk.VB (AD572,DU-C) 312. Sq.
Army units:
Armée De l’Air:
CIC No. 6 Chartres ( - 1.12.39 )
Groupe de Chasse I./5 ( 1.12.39 - 5.7.40 )
Royal Air Force:
Československé depo ( - 5.9.40 )
312. fighter group ( 5.9.40 - 25.12.42 )
Central Gunnery School - Sutton Bridge ( 8.1942)
— No. 9 Pilots Gunnery Course
Sector Gunnery Instructor - Exeter ( 25.12.42 - 18.8.43 )
Sector Gunnery Leader - Ibsley ( 18.8.43 - 16.11.43 )
Sector Gunnery Leader - Turnhouse ( 16.11.43 - 2.3.43 )
Sector Gunnery Leader - Coltishall ( 2.3.43 - 1944 )
lieutenant of commander of Czechoslovak group in Fighter Command headquarters staff( 1944 - 1945 )
Planes:
Morane Saulnier M.S.230 ET.2,
Potez XXV TOE/A.2,
Curtis Hawk H.75C.1,
Hawker Hurricane Mk.I,
Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIA,
Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIB,
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIA,
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIB,
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VB (AD572,DU-C),
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VC,
Miles Magister Mk.I (R1918)
decorations:
Czech:
4x Czechoslovak War Cross 1939,
3x Czechoslovak medal for bravery
White Lion medal (1997)
…
French:
Croix de Guerre with four palms, two gold and two silver starsi,
Medal Legion d’Honneur (Chevalier and Officier),
GB:
The 1939-1945 Star (with Battle of Britain Claps),
Air Crew Europe Star,
War Medal
