Josef Jan Hanuš

Josef Jan Hanuš DFC (13 September 1911 – 21 April 1992) was a Czechoslovak fighter pilot who served in first the French Air Force and then the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) in the Second World War.

In 1945 after the Second World War, Hanuš returned to Czechoslovakia, but after the 1948 Czechoslovak coup d'état, he escaped back to the United Kingdom and rejoined the Royal Air Force, with which he served until 1968.

Hanuš then had a civilian career with International Computers Limited until his retirement in 1977. He died in England in 1992.

Early life Hanuš was born in Dolní Štěpanice in northern Bohemia. His father was a metal-worker. He went to school in nearby Jilemnice, passed his Matura and in 1931 went on to study at nearby Jestřebí.

Czechoslovak Air Force In 1932, Hanuš joined the Czechoslovak Air Force. He was briefly with the 2nd Observation Squadron of the 1st Air Regiment "Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk" at Prague-Kbely and then was posted to the school for air force officers at Prostějov in Moravia. From June to September 1933, he was with the 1st Air Regiment's 4th Observation Squadron at Cheb in western Bohemia. He trained at the military academy, passed out as a poruchik on 2 July 1935 and returned to the 4th Observation Squadron. He continued to serve in Malta, the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Italian Campaign.

One source claims that Hanuš was then released without charge.

Second escape from Czechoslovakia de Havilland Mosquito night fighter with nose radome for AI Mk. VIII radar On 8 July 1948, Hanuš escaped from Czechoslovakia to the American zone of occupied Germany. He went from Bavaria via Wiesbaden airbase to Britain, where he rejoined the RAF.

On 1 December, Czechoslovakia dismissed Hanuš from the air force in absentia. He flew de Havilland Mosquito night fighters, first with No. 23 Squadron RAF and then with No. 141 Squadron RAF, until June 1951. He also flew Gloster Meteors which triggered his deafness which gradually deteriorated through the rest of his life. He continued his RAF career in non-flying duties, initially as an Air Traffic Controller and then as an Equipment Officer until 19 September 1968, when he retired. He then had a civilian career with International Computers Limited until he retired in 1977.

Rehabilitation In November and December 1989, the Velvet Revolution ended Communist rule in Czechoslovakia. On 10 September 1991, the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic promoted Hanuš to colonel. In March 1992, it promoted him again, to major general.

But by then Hanuš was seriously ill. He died in England on 21 April.

Honours and awards

60px Československá medaile za zásluhy, 1. stupně ("Medal of Merit, First Class")