TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Pipa, Josef

Date of birth:
October 13th, 1915 (Lukov)
Date of death:
January 2nd, 1977 (Swindon, United Kingdom)
Service number:
787510 (RAF)
Nationality:
Czechoslovakian (1918 - 1948, Republic)

Biography

Josef Pipa was an apprentice for the Bata Shoe Company until 1937 when he went to the Elementary Flying School at Oloumoc, and later transferred to the Fighter Pilot School in Prague in 1938. Pipa shared in the destruction of a number of Ju88 reconnaissance bombers as well as the destruction of a Do. 17 and the probable destruction os a Do. 215 bomber. On September 13th, Pipa was returning froma a mission saw a Mustang shot down into the sea. Pipa circled over the plane and threw out his dinghy to the downed pilot who succeeded in wrapping the dinghy around his tail. The pilot was found and rescued. On two other occasions Pipa threw out his dinghy to downed airman. On July 19th, 1944, he shot down a V1 rocket near Folkstone, Kent.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Groupe de Chasse 1/1, Armée de l'air
Awarded on:
October 7th, 1940
For previous services in the French Air Force
Ceskoslovenská medaile
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Groupe de Chasse 1/1, Armée de l'air
Awarded on:
October 28th, 1940
for his service with the French Air Force in May and June 1940.
Ceskoslovenský válecný kríž 1939
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
No. 43 (The Fighting Cocks) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
1941
Awarded for an action on the 14th November when Pipa was leading Blue Section on an operational patrol over the North Sea, 10 miles east of Blyth.
Ceskoslovenský válecný kríž 1939
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
1942

Presented on 26 September 1942.
Ceskoslovenská medaile
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Unit:
No. 313 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
May 5th, 1943
Ceskoslovenská medaile
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Groupe de Chasse 1/1, Armée de l'air
Awarded on:
June 10th, 1943
Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flying Officer
Awarded on:
August 7th, 1944
Ceskoslovenská vojenská pametni medaile 1939-1945
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flying Officer
Awarded on:
December 31st, 1944

With "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" clasp.
1939-1945 Star
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
March 22nd, 1945
Ceskoslovenský válecný kríž 1939
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
April 9th, 1945
Ceskoslovenský válecný kríž 1939
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
March 6th, 1946
Ceskoslovenská vojenská medaile
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With "FRANCE AND GERMANY" clasp.
Air Crew Europe Star
Pilot Badge

Sources

Photo