Was a bomber pilot in the Czech Air Force when the German came in 1939.
Fled to Poland, then France, where he learnt to fly the French way in Marsailles. Piloted bombers against German forces before escaping with refugees through Bordeaux when France fell.
Reached England in June 1940 and joined the RAF, learning English. Posted to 311 (Czech) Sqn in Honington, Suffolk. Flew 52 ops, mostly against heavily defended targets, with some narrow escapes - the last op of his tour was to Bremen, where his Wellington was badly hit and lost an engine. Nursed it back to England and crash-landed in own airfield.
Took instructors course and started training young Czech pilots, before taking part in first 1000 bomber raid on Cologne.

Returned to Czechoslovakia after the war and was one of many Czechs kicked out of the armed services in 1948 for fighting with the British during the war. Refused permission to return to Britain and an attempt to leave illegally failed, resulting in a charge of high treason and imprisonment.

After many appeals, he was freed in 1954, eventually returning to Britain in 1957 and being met by his wife at Victoria Station.

Died of a heart attack and was buried in Easton, Norfolk.