The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. A Zavoral

Antonin Zavoral was born at Trebechovice pod Orebem, Czechoslovakia on 14th January 1917. After completing his military service he trained as a pilot at the flying school at Prostejov.

His first posting was to the 4th Aviation Regiment. When the Germans took over Czechoslovakia in March 1939 he made his way through Romania and Poland to France and joined l'Armee de 1'Air.

He was sent to the flying school at Chartres, arriving on 16th May. On 11th June 1940, flying a MS406, he claimed a Do17 destroyed over Ablis.

As the French campaign ended he made his way to England, the circumstances are currently undocumented. He was processed into the RAF and sent to the Czech depot at Cosford, from where he was posted to 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 28th September to convert to Hurricanes.

His first posting, on 14th October, was to No. 1 Squadron at Wittering.

Zavoral later served with 312 Squadron at Kenley.

On 31st October 1941, he was flying in Hurricane IIb BE403 of 607 Squadron on a Ramrod to the Dunkirk area.

He was shot down by flak, his body was not recovered.

Zavoral is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 55.