Czechoslovak Traces in the UK

Visit to the Friends of the New Forest Airfields Heritage Centre

Remembering the Czechoslovak RAF squadrons who flew from the New Forest during WWII.

Czechoslovak RAF squadrons in the New Forest

On Saturday 23rd May we visited another important Czechoslovak trace in the UK in the beautiful New Forest, where several Czechoslovak RAF squadrons operated during WWII.

During the war there were 12 airfields across the New Forest area supporting Allied operations. The area became an important base for fighter, bomber and coastal command activity.

Czechoslovak squadrons 310, 312 and 313 flew mainly from RAF Ibsley, while 311 Czechoslovak Bomber Squadron moved to RAF Beaulieu on 26 May 1943 and remained there until 23 February 1944.

Thousands of Czechoslovak airmen served in the RAF after escaping occupied Czechoslovakia following the Nazi invasion in 1939. Their contribution formed an important part of the Allied war effort and remains a significant chapter in both Czech and Slovak history in Britain.

Friends of the New Forest Airfields Heritage Centre

We were honoured to visit the Heritage Centre run by the Friends of the New Forest Airfields (FONFA), who opened especially for us for a private viewing and discussion.

The Heritage Centre was opened in 2016 and is dedicated to preserving the history of the wartime New Forest airfields and the people who served there. The collection includes aircraft artefacts, uniforms, models, dioramas, pilot stories and interactive displays.

FONFA also cares for the New Forest Airfields Memorial and works to preserve the memory of Allied airmen and women connected with the area.

We were warmly welcomed by current chair Sam Ruddy, past chair Henry Goodall, Paul Moores and other members of the volunteer team including Richard Grycz, Corina Ruddy and Lindsay Asquith.

Making history personal

A particularly special moment for the children was meeting Paul Moores, who was eight years old when Czechoslovak pilots flew from the New Forest airfields.

He shared his memories of that time and helped bring this history to life in a very personal and meaningful way.

The children also enjoyed completing activity booklets prepared by Lindsay Asquith, searching the museum for answers and building their own small airplanes afterwards.

New Forest Airfields Memorial

During our visit we also stopped at the New Forest Airfields Memorial to pay our respects to all those who served. Places like these help preserve not only military history, but also the personal stories and sacrifices behind it.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone at FONFA for such a warm welcome and for the incredible work you do preserving and sharing this important history with future generations.

); }

Sam Ruddy, FONFA chair

Paul Moores, eyewitness

Henry Goodall,  FONFA president