Was František Taiber a hero? This plaque commemorates a remarkable man. It stands here in Prague 6, at Pod Baštami 276/3. This is where František Taiber lived from 1946 until his death in 1973.
Let’s delve into the life of František Taiber. He was born in Bartošovice in the Orlické hory in 1909. Taiber died in Prague in 1973. He was a Czechoslovak pilot. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II.
Taiber’s story is one of courage. It is also a story of resilience. He came from a mixed family. His mother was Czech. His father was German.
Taiber’s military career began in 1929. He studied at the military aviation school in Prostějov. He later became a test pilot. This was at the VTLÚ in Prague.
Testing aircraft was dangerous work. In 1935, Taiber had to bail out of a Letov Š-328 prototype. The plane had a design flaw. He escaped unharmed but the aircraft was destroyed.
Before the war, Taiber was a civilian pilot. He flew for ČSA from Prague Ruzyně Airport. He flew both domestic and international routes.
When Czechoslovakia was occupied, Taiber fled. He joined the Czech army in Poland. Later, he joined the French Foreign Legion.
After France fell, Taiber joined the Royal Air Force. He served with the 311th Czechoslovak Bomber Squadron. He flew Wellington bombers.
Taiber participated in the first operational flight of the 311th Squadron. The target was a railway station in Brussels. The mission was successful. It marked the first time Czech forces engaged the enemy on their own territory.
Taiber served as a pilot and instructor. He flew many transport missions. This included flights to the Middle East and India.
After the war, Taiber returned home. He joined the newly formed Air Transport Group. He became commander of the 1st Air Transport Regiment.
However, his service was cut short. In 1950, the communist regime dismissed him. He was forced to work as a manual laborer.
Later, his name was cleared. In 1991, he was posthumously promoted to Colonel.
This František Taiber plaque was unveiled on November 11, 2015. The ceremony included veterans of the 311th Squadron. The Rebel Pipers, a Scottish bagpipe band, played music. It was a fitting tribute.
The František Taiber Plaque reminds us of his service. It also reminds us of his dedication. Taiber flew almost 5,000 hours. He flew over 85 types of aircraft. This plaque ensures his story will not be forgotten.