Born in 1922 in a town near Tbilisi, where his father was imprisoned during WWI, Otto Smik's family returned to Slovakia in 1934. Sensitive to the political changes in the country, Smik left six years later in March during the celebration of Slovak independence. He crossed the Hungarian border and reached France through the then still independent Yugoslavia. Soon after, when the Germans took France, Smik sailed to England. On the boat he met a Czech officer who later helped him meet British pilots. Between 1940 and 1943, Smik shot down nine German Messerschmidts and Fockewulfs, and three V-1 rockets, making him the fifth most successful combatant among the Czechoslovaks fighting in the West in WWII. In 1943, British King George VI, the father of Elizabeth II, awarded Smik the highest pilots' decoration, the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Soon after, the British named the 21-year-old Smik leader of the 127th British squadron. Only two other foreigners received such an honourThe designs of Rescue military fashion house from the Czech Republic are available in the UK at Flightstore. Famous UK and Europan pilots and from WW2 battles are distinctively and creatively depicted on these 100% cotton shirts and supplied in smart Wear the Story Gift Box Available in Blue or Black Sizes Medium to 2XL 100% Cotton Supplied in smart Wear the Story Gift Box
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