Imperial War Museum Duxford this week took delivery of an important set of medals that reveal the story of the vital contribution mad by Czech fighter pilots in the RAF during World War Two.
The war medals of Wing Commander G D M Blackwood (above), a former Commander of 310 Squadron, a Czech unit based at Duxford, were presented to the Museum by his daughter Miss Maureen Blackwood and son, Mr Michael Blackwood.
Miss Maureen Blackwood and Mr Michael Blackwood present the medals to Stephen Woolford, Head of Interpretation and Collections. © IWM
Stephen Woolford, Head of Interpretation and Collections at Imperial War Museum Duxford explained the significance of the acquisition.
“The medals represent his personal story but also illustrate the wider story of how the Czechs and other people from occupied Europe flew and fought in the Battle of Britain,” he said. “They will have pride of place in Historic Duxford, the new exhibition which will tell the story of Duxford's history."
Following the fall of France, several Czechoslovakian pilots and ground crew who had escaped the German occupation of their country, arrived at RAF Duxford.
They had seen a great deal of combat, having fought their way up from the middle of France, and risked life and limb to reach England in order to continue to fight against Nazi Germany.
The medals will be on show as part of this spring's exhibition showing life at Duxford during World War Two. © IWM
Wing Commander Blackwood was posted to Duxford in late June 1940 to form 310 Squadron, the first completely Czech fighter squadron. Whilst not being able to communicate in the English language, the Czech pilots were tremendously skilled and eager to enter combat.
The squadron became operational on 17 August 1940 and on 26 August Blackwood claimed the destruction of a Dornier 17. His aircraft was shot down by return fire and he bailed out, unhurt, when his Hurricane P3887 crashed at Maldon.
He ended the Second World War as Wing Commander commanding the Czech Fighter Wing in the RAF Second Tactical Air Force. He was decorated with the Czech War Cross and Czech Military Medal and was presented with the Czech Medal of George of Podebrady in 1993.
The medal collection includes the 1939/45 Defence Medal, the 1939/45 GeorgeStar with Battle of Britain bar, the Aircrew Europe Star and the two Czech medals.
Find out more about Duxford's preparations to commemorate the Battle of Britain.
Keep up to speed with the latest news about the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary at www.culture24.org.uk/battle-of-britain.
