Operation: Transit flight

Date: 19th June 1941 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 257 Squadron

Type: Tiger Moth I

Serial: N6835

Base: RAF Coltishall

Location: North Sea off Southwold, Suffolk

Pilot: Sgt. Vaclav Brejcha 787506 RAFVR Age 26. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

A successful pilot having shot down a Do17 on the 4th February 1941 near Gt. Yarmouth, Norfolk and had taken part in the Battle of Britain with 43 Squadron. Details below.

En route from Farnborough to Coltishall. The reason for the Tiger Moth entering a spin and crashing into the North sea off Southwold was never established. His body was not recovered until the following month on the 18th July. With the funeral a few days later on the 27th July.

The village of Zivotice in the Czech republic celebrates his service at a memorial every year.

Sgt. Vaclav Brejcha standing extreme right of photo with Mae West

Earlier he was credited with a Dornier 17 off the cost of Great Yarmouth in Norfplk. On the 04th February 1941 Do-17 Z-2 "U5 + LM" Werknr 11322 was hitby anti-aircraft then finished off by Sgt Brejcha flying Hurricane I P3075. Two crew were captured but one died later, Fw. W. Blaschyk was the only survivor. (Kracker Archive)

Burial Details:

Sgt. Vaclav Brejcha. Scottow Cemetery, Norfolk. Grave 247. Also remembered in the Remembrance book at St Vitus Cathedral, Hradčany, Prague. He is named on the Memorial for the fallen Czechoslovak airmen of 1939-1945, at Dejvice, Prague 6. He is commemorated on the War Memorial at Klatovy-Chaloupky . He is commemorated on the War Memorial at Životice, his birth village. Václav Brejcha is commemorated, along with the other 2940 Battle of Britain aircrew, on the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall at the National Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, Kent. Václav is remembered on the Czechoslovak Battle of Britain pilots memorial at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum at Hawkinge, Kent. It was unveiled on 28 October 2025, to commemorate the 88 Czechoslovaks who flew in that battle. He is also commemorated on the London Battle of Britain Memorial. Václav Brejcha is remembered in the Remembrance book at St Clements Danes Church, London. He is remembered on the Memorial Plaque at the Bohemia House, he former Czechoslovak National House, at West Hampstead, London.

Born in Zivotice, Czechoslovakia on April 13th 1915. N.o.K. Details not currently available.. Prior to outbreak of WW2 he was already serving in the Czech Air Force, escaping to Poland after the Germans invaded his country. Following the invasion of Poland escaped again to France and then on to England. Converted to flying Hurricanes with 6 O.T.U at Sutton Bridge prior to joining 43 Squadron at Usworth before finally, 257 Squadron at Coltishall on 27th November 1940.

Researched for relatives of the pilot. With thanks to the residents of the village of Zivotice in the Czech republic for photographs and information. Christian Konig for Ludtwaffa crew identification. Kracker Luftwaffe Archives. ee Czechoslovak Air Force Associates.

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