Emil Bocek, Final Czech RAF Pilot Throughout WWII, Dies at 100

PRAGUE (AP) — Emil Bocek, the final dwelling Czech pilot who fought the Nazis whereas serving with Britain’s Royal Air Power throughout World Battle II, has died at age 100.

A group heart for warfare veterans within the Czech Republic metropolis of Brno, his hometown, mentioned Bocek died on Saturday. The Czech Protection Ministry confirmed his demise. No additional particulars got.

“Common Bocek was preventing for our nation to be democratic, free and impartial,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala mentioned.

Born Feb 25, 1923, Bocek fled Czechoslovakia in 1939 at age 16 following the nation’s occupation by Germany.

He fought the Nazis in France after which moved to Britain, the place he served as a technician within the air drive’s No. 312 Squadron earlier than becoming a member of the RAF’s No. 310 Squadron as a pilot in 1944. Each fighter squadrons had Czechoslovak pilots.

“A Spitfire … it was a carriage,” Bocek instructed Czech public radio in regards to the iconic British fight plane in 2016. “An unbelievable airplane, an ideal airplane.”

Bocek made 26 operational flights. He acquired a number of decorations in each his homeland and in Britain. from the Czech and British governments.

Britain’s King Charles III was amongst those that congratulated him on his a hundredth birthday final month.

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