Operation: Training
Date: 13th September 1942 (Sunday)
Unit: No. 68 Squadron (motto: Vždy připraven - 'Always ready')
Type: Bristol Beaufighter IF
Serial: X7703
Base: RAF Coltishall, Norfolk.
Location: On the perimeter track at the base RAF Coltishall
Pilot: F/O. Frantisek Glauder 120078 RAFVR Age 32. Killed
Nav: Sgt. Frantisek Vasata 787053 RAFVR Age 31. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Not much information on this loss. F/O. Glauder and his Navigator, Sgt. Vasata were killed when their Beaufighter crashed on the perimeter track at Coltishall after taking part in a searchlight co-operation exercise. It is understood that the pilot may have been blinded during the approach to land when they hit the ground. They were buried at Scottow on the 16th of September 1942.
Beaufighters from 404 Squadron - taken in 1945
F/O. Frantisek Glauder. Scottow Cemetery, Norfolk. Grave 279. Next of Kin details not currently available. Born on 23rd October 1910 in Czechoslovakia. Fought with the Free French Air Force, having 3 confirmed kills. Survived an earlier accident in 1941 flying a Tiger Moth T7227 (1) as an instructor. The accident happened at Bourton, Berkshire. His pupil, L.A.C. Jan Hadravek (2) 787356 also escaped with no injuries.
Sgt. Frantisek Vasata. Scottow Cemetery, Norfolk. Grave 288. Next of Kin details not currently available. Born on 11th June 1911 in Czechoslovakia.
(1) Survived the war and sold as G-ALWU to Air Service Training Ltd. Sold again to someone in Australia for crop dusting (Air Mist Ltd), registered as VH-BTC when it was destroyed near Urana New South Wales in September 1965.
(2) P/O. Jan Hadravek was killed on the 7th August 1943 flying with 111 OTU at Nassau, Bahamas. See page here.
Researched for relatives of these crews with thanks for additional information to Flight Safety Foundation, Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
