Doubravka honoured fallen RAF pilots

A memorial act in honour of the three fallen RAF airmen took place on 30 April at Habrmann Square. Dozens of people came to honour the memory of the Doubravka airmen.

Sergeant Karel Pavlík, Sergeant Václav Šindelář and Lt. Alois Záleský joined the Czechoslovak resistance abroad before the outbreak of the Second World War. Karel Pavlík, Václav Šindelář and Alois Záleský from Doubravka were united not only by friendship, but also by their love for flying and patriotism. They passed the necessary tests in the then West Bohemian Aero Club in Pilsen and became sport pilots. "It is especially important to commemorate this event at a time when the biggest combat conflict since the Second World War is taking place in our area. I am glad that so many people came and we could together remember the three Doubrava natives who did not hesitate to give their lives for freedom," said the mayor of the Pilsen 4 Municipal District Tomáš Soukup.

They left their home and through Poland and France gradually made their way to the British Royal Air Force (RAF). Their common destiny became the Spitfire fighter. Karel Pavlik escorted ships and bombers over French territory. His Spitfire was shot down on 5 May 1942. Václav Šindelář lived to see his dream of becoming a pilot fulfilled in 1941. Two years later, however, he died in a Spitfire during the last phase of training. Three months before the end of the war, Alois Záleský, who, like Karel Pavlík, was active in the RAF, also found his death in a Spitfire.

The commemorative act is regularly attended by representatives of the fourth district of Pilsen, the Regional Authority of the Pilsen Region, the City of Pilsen, representatives of the Pilsen Aviation History Club, the Czech Aviation Association - Plzeň Airmen, the Regional Military Headquarters Pilsen, the Pilsen City Police, relatives of members of the Czechoslovak Resistance and other guests. The commemorative act is organised by the Fourth District of Pilsen in cooperation with the Aviation History Club Pilsen and the Czech Aviation Association - Airmen Pilsen. This year, before the opening of the commemoration, a Zlín 42 aircraft from the Plzeň Letkov Aeroclub flew over Habrmann Square. The musical accompaniment was traditionally provided by the Junior Orchestra of the Bedřich Smetana Primary School of Art.

This year, for the second time, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the memorial plaque in Habrmann Park. Next year, the plaque should return to a dignified place on the building of the former primary school, which is now being reconstructed and will now house the Office of the Pilsen 4 Municipal District.

During the commemorative ceremony, the participants also paid tribute to Václav Toman, a promoter of aviation history, founder and long-time chairman of the Plzeň Aviation History Club and member of the Plzeň-Czech Aviation Association, who died last year. It was he who passed on the legacy of the Czechoslovak airmen who fought in the ranks of the British Royal Air Force (RAF). He regularly participated in the commemorations at Habrmann Square and co-authored several publications. He was also instrumental in the establishment of a number of memorial plaques to RAF members.

Information and photo source: https://umo4.plzen.eu/