Rudolf Roháček

Flight Lieutenant Rudolf Roháček — First Czechoslovak Airman

In April 1942, St. Hilary, Killay, witnessed the first burial of a Czechoslovak airman. Two men from No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, RAF, would ultimately find their final resting place in the churchyard.

312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron

312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron

The squadron was formed at RAF Duxford, Cambridgeshire, on 29^th August 1940, largely composed of Czechoslovak pilots who had escaped Nazi occupation. Initially equipped with Hawker Hurricane Mk I fighters, it soon moved to RAF Speke, Liverpool, where it took part in the defence of Merseyside.

From March 1941, the squadron operated from RAF Valley, Anglesey, flying convoy patrols over the Irish Sea, before moving briefly to RAF Jurby, Isle of Man. By May 1941, it had reequipped with Hurricane Mk II aircraft. Later that summer, it was posted to RAF Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, and then RAF Heathfield, Ayrshire.

In October 1941, the squadron transitioned to the Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIA, and by December to the Spitfire Mk Vb. At the start of 1942, it was based at RAF Fairwood Common, near Swansea, before moving to RAF Angle, Pembrokeshire, and returning once again to Fairwood in April. At this time, the unit’s main duties were coastal patrols and shipping reconnaissance flights.

In August 1942, the squadron would later distinguish itself by providing air cover for the ill-fated Operation Jubilee raid on Dieppe.

Early Life

Rudolf Roháček

Rudolf Roháček was born in November 1914 at Mariánské Hory, a small village near Ostrava in eastern Czechoslovakia. He studied engineering, graduating in 1934, but during his studies, he developed a strong interest in aviation. In October 1934, he applied for admission to the Air Force Reserve Officers School at Prostějov, where he began military training.

In 1935, Rudolf qualified as an aerial observer and, by 1937, was selected for pilot training, again at Prostějov. He completed his training in 1938, graduating as a fully qualified fighter pilot with more than 230 hours of flying experience.

His career, however, was abruptly disrupted in March 1939, when Germany occupied Czechoslovakia and dissolved the national air force. Pilots were dismissed, forced to enlist with the Luftwaffe, or pushed into civil aviation. Rudolf refused and soon sought escape.

Escape from Occupied Europe

With the help of Obrana národa (Defence of the Nation) and the Svaz letců (Airmen’s Union), Rudolf crossed into Poland on 28^th June 1939. However, Polish authorities showed little interest in forming Czechoslovak military units. Eventually, France agreed to accept 4,000 Czechoslovak volunteers into the French Foreign Legion on condition of a five-year enlistment, though many—including Rudolf—expected to transfer to the French Air Force once war began.

In July 1939, Rudolf and other Czechoslovak airmen left Poland aboard a Polish passenger ship, arriving in Boulogne on 31 July.

When Germany invaded France on 10^th May 1940, Rudolf had already completed flying training at Chartres and had begun transfer to Cazaux Airbase. Instead, he was quickly assigned to l’Armée de l’Air at Dugny, holding the rank of Sergeant. With France’s defeat imminent, he escaped to Bordeaux and was evacuated to Britain during Operation Aerial in June 1940.

Service with the RAF

On arrival in Britain, Rudolf reported to RAF Innsworth, Gloucestershire, for vetting and was accepted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve with the rank of Pilot Officer. On 12 July 1940, he was posted to the newly formed No. 310 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, becoming one of its founding members.

He later undertook conversion training at No. 6 Operational Training Unit before being posted to No. 601 (County of London) Squadron at Exeter in September 1940, flying the Hurricane Mk I during the later stages of the Battle of Britain. He achieved combat success but also survived a crash-landing in Dorset in November 1940.

In April 1941, he transferred to 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, then at Jurby, Isle of Man. By January 1942, now promoted to Flight Lieutenant, he was serving at RAF Fairwood Common.

Death and Burial

Spitfire Mk Vb

On 27^th April 1942, Rudolf was scrambled from Fairwood with fellow pilots to intercept a German Ju 88 reconnaissance aircraft flying a meteorological mission over the Bath area. Flying a Spitfire Mk Vb, Rudolf climbed to 15,000 feet. Tragically, a faulty oxygen system is believed to have caused him to lose consciousness. His aircraft plummeted to the ground and burst into flames on impact. He was just 27 years old.

Rudolf Rohacek
St. Hillary Church, Killay
credit - findagrave

Rudolf was laid to rest at St. Hilary, Killay, on 1^st May 1942.

Legacy

Flight Lieutenant Rudolf Roháček’s story embodies the resilience of the Czechoslovak pilots who refused to accept their country’s occupation. He trained in his homeland, escaped through Poland and France, fought in the Battle of Britain, and continued to serve until his untimely death in Wales.

His grave at St. Hilary stands as a symbol of international sacrifice — a Czechoslovak pilot buried in Wales, far from the land he longed to liberate, but remembered with honour among comrades from across the world.

Czechoslovak airmen played a vital part in the Battle of Britain, with nearly 90 confirmed victories credited to them during the summer of 1940. Two dedicated squadrons, Nos. 310 and 312, were formed entirely of Czech pilots, while others flew with British and Polish units. Their courage and skill were widely recognised, with men such as Josef František among the most celebrated aces of the campaign. Rudolf’s service, from the defence of Britain to his final patrol in Wales, stands within this proud tradition.