Bernard Frantisek was born in 1914 in Starý Ehrenberg, Czechoslovakia. At the outbreak of World War II, he was serving with the French Air Force. From May 13 to June 21, 1940, he was part of Groupe de Chasse II./2.
Service with the RAF and Czechoslovak Squadrons
Starting in August 1940, Frantisek relocated to Britain, where he flew with several RAF squadrons, including the 310th Czechoslovak, the 601st, 238th, and 32nd squadrons. From June 22, 1943, he took on staff duties in London. In May 1944, he returned to flying service with the 313th and 310th Czechoslovak squadrons, leading “B” flight in the latter.
Aircraft Flown and Aerial Victories
Throughout his career, Bernard Frantisek piloted a variety of combat aircraft. These included the Morane Saulnier M.S.406C.1, various Hawker Hurricane variants (Mk.I, Mk.IIA, Mk.IIB, Mk.IIC), and multiple Supermarine Spitfire models (Mk.VB, Mk.VC, Mk.IXC, Mk.IXE). During the war, he was credited with two shared aerial victories.
His recorded victories include shooting down a Ju-88A from II./KG77 on March 23, 1941, while flying a Hurricane Mk.I, and an He-111H from 1./Wekusta51 on June 10, 1941, in a Hurricane Mk.IIB.
After the war, he emigrated to New Zealand, where he passed away in 1980 at the age of 66.