Franti�ek Fajtl (20. 8. 1912 - 4. 10. 2006) - Czech fighter pilot, a participant in the Battle of Britain and fights over occupied Europe, a writer. During World War II he served in the French, British and Czechoslovak Air Force in the USSR. He was the holder of many Czech and foreign awards.

Franti�ek Fajtl was born in Don�n in the district. After graduating from the Business Academy in Teplice military academy in the borders, which was phased out in 1935 as an Air Force lieutenant - pilot. Until mobilization worked at II. Aviation Regiment in Olomouc and.

After breaking up of Czechoslovakia by the Nazis in October 1939 left the country. Despite Poland got to France, where fighters Bloch MB-152 and Morane Saulnier MS-406-fought invading German army. After the French capitulation fled to North Africa, where over Gibraltar to England. As a member of the 17th Fighter Squadron at Hawker Hurricane participated in the Battle of Britain. Later, he switched to a more modern fighter Spitfire. In 1941 he was appointed as commander of the 313th Czechoslovak Fighter Squadron and 28 April 1942 he became commander of the 122nd Squadron of the British. In just a few days, however, was a combat operation when shot down over France. Followed adventurous escape from the siege and crossing the Pyrenees. In Spain, he was captured and placed in a concentration camp in Miranda de Ebro, but thanks to the diplomatic efforts of the British side over Gibraltar could once again return to England.

In 1944 he went to the Soviet Union, where he helped organize the 1st Czechoslovak Fighter Regiment in the USSR, with whom he worked as his commander flew to assist the Slovak National Uprising. In the van, which formed a four-member squad, landed at Three Oaks September 15, 1944, two days later the rest of the regiment arrived at the airstrip Zoln� in Zvolen.

The very next day struck eight powerful fighters La-5 FN focused on German aircraft at the airport in Piestany. The attack was so fierce that the base was decommissioned. Then, the regiment took part in other battles in support of the rebels.

Total Slovak operated twenty-one fighters Lavochkin led Czechoslovak pilots. The regiment also participated Francis Fajtl Ostrava operation. The end of the war he was in the rank of Major. After studying at the University of war in Prague was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1948 where he began working as a lecturer. In early 1950 he was arrested and taken to prison M�rov, where he was released on June 1, 1951. He then worked in civilian occupations. Partial rehabilitation was finished in 1964, the total after the Velvet Revolution. In 1990 he was promoted to the rank of Major General. Francis Fajtl was literarily active and wrote several books on war themes. Shot down its famous title is inspired by the film Dark Blue World.

Francis Fajtl was honored many times, for example, became the bearer of the Czech Order of the White Lion, British air Merit Cross (Distinguished Flying Cross), the Soviet Order of Victory Order or MR. He was also a Knight of the French Legion of Honour.