No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron

By Tomas Polak with Jiri Rajlich
RAF in Combat, ©2008
ISBN 978-295-26-3815-9
Softbound, 98 Pages
Available from RAF in Combat for 20 Euros

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

A new publisher in the aviation history arena, RAF in Combat has started out with unit history books, the first of which is on No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron. This unit was the well-known Czechoslovak squadron, formed in August 1940 with several former Czech AF pilots. This book provides a detailed operational history of 312 Squadron between 1940 and 1945, detailing the pilots and the aircraft.

The book begins with the operational record. This section follows the unit chronologically and details the various fields and aircraft 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron used (mainly Hurricanes and Spitfires). There are many sidebars included in this section that provide additional information, such as the origins of the stork emblem and issues involving recruitment. Following the history comes several pages of tabular data, including operational data, known individual letters cross-referenced to serial numbers, and squadron bases. A list of kills is also included (a total of 22.5 for the squadron), as well as a loss record. Rounding out the text are several pages with biographies of the pilots of the unit. Complementing the thorough research presented here are many excellent photographs and a handful of color profile illustrations. These do an outstanding job of highlighting the varied camouflage and markings, as well as the aircraft types flown.

The history of 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron is an interesting one, and this book does an outstanding job of telling that story. I look forward to future titles in this series, as the publisher knows how to put together a great reference. My thanks to RAF in Combat for the review copy. Visit their website for more information.