Early Life and Service with Western Allies
František Chábera was born in 1912 in Landsberg, Germany. Following his evacuation, he served with the French Air Force, joining Groupe de Chasse II./5 from December 1, 1939, to July 4, 1940.
In September 1940, he began his service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). Initially, he was part of the 312th Czechoslovak Squadron, later transferring to the 96th and 68th Squadrons. From May to August 1942, he held a staff position at the Czechoslovak Aviation Inspectorate in London, before returning to the 312th Czechoslovak Squadron.
Eastern Front Service and Squadron Command
From February 1944, Chábera moved to the Soviet Union, where he commanded a squadron in the 1st Czechoslovak Fighter Aviation Regiment. He remained in this position until the very end of the war, demonstrating his leadership and combat expertise.
Aircraft Flown and Aerial Victories
Throughout his distinguished career, Chábera piloted a variety of combat aircraft. These included the Curtis Hawk H.75C.1 (including No.140 “white 11”, No.67, No.129, No.59, No.46), the Hawker Hurricane Mk.I, Hawker Defiant Mk.I, Beaufighter Mk.IF, and the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VB and Mk.VC.
He also flew Soviet aircraft such as the Lavochkin La-5FN UTI, La-5FN (“white 99”), and La-7. During the war, Chábera shot down a total of 3 enemy aircraft personally and 2 in a group, with 3 additional victories considered probable.
His known victories include an He-111 (shared) and a Bf-110 on May 11 and May 14, 1940, respectively, while flying an H.75C.1. Also, a Bf-109E (shared) and a Bf-109 on June 5 and June 8, 1940, again in an H.75C.1. Later, on June 8, 1940, he downed an Hs-126 in the same aircraft type, and a probable victory against a Ju-88 on October 18, 1944, in an La-5FN.
Decorations and Legacy
František Chábera was highly decorated for his bravery and service. He received four Czechoslovak War Crosses of 1939, the Czechoslovak Medal for Bravery, and the Czechoslovak Medal for Merit 1st and 2nd class, among other Czechoslovak decorations.
He was also recognized by France with the Croix de Guerre with four palms and a gold star, the Médaille Militaire, and the Médaille Commémorative des Services Volontaires dans la France Libre. From the United Kingdom, he received The 1939-1945 Star (with Battle of Britain Clasp) and Air Crew Europe Star, and from the Soviet Union, the “For Victory” Medal.
František Chábera passed away in 1999 at the age of 87 in Lidoměřice, Czech Republic, leaving behind a legacy as a remarkable World War II flying ace.