page_title: Josef Jan Hanuš
section_title: Night fighter pilot
hierarchical_section_title: Josef Jan Hanuš / Royal Air Force / Night fighter pilot
context_page_description: Josef Jan Hanuš, DFC was a Czechoslovak fighter pilot who served in first the French Air Force and then the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in the Second World War.
  In 1945 after the Second World War, Hanuš returned to Czechoslovakia, but after the 1948 Czechoslovak coup d'état, he escaped back to the United Kingdom and rejoined the Royal Air Force, with which he served until 1968.
  Hanuš then had a civilian career with International Computers Limited until his retirement in 1977. He died in England in 1992.
context_section_description: From June 1941, Hanuš flew with British-manned squadrons. He was with No. 32 Squadron RAF until 18 September, then No. 245 Squadron RAF until 1 April 1942. From 5 to 21 February 1942, he received a fortnight's training in night flying at No. 54 Operational Training Unit. From April 1942, he flew twin-engined, twin-seat Bristol Beaufighter night fighters equipped with AI Mk IV airborne interception radar. He spent the first half of April with No. 600 Squadron RAF and the second half with No. 125 Squadron RAF, before returning to 600 Squadron on 30 April.
  On 1 September 1942, Hanuš was posted to No. 68 Squadron RAF, a Beaufighter night-fighter squadron whose "B" Flight consisted overwhelmingly of Czechoslovak airmen. But Hanuš got on badly with the flight commander, Squadron Leader Vlastimil Veselý. On 10 January 1943 Hanuš and his radar operator, Pilot Officer Ernest Eyles, were posted to take part in the North African Campaign. Later Hanuš had a different radar operator, Flying Officer H. Finlay.
  On 13 May, the remaining German and Italian forces in North Africa surrendered. On 20 May 1943, Hanuš was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He continued to serve in Malta, the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Italian Campaign.
  In his service in North Africa, Malta and Italy, Hanuš flew 79 combat sorties and amassed 225 flying hours. He shot down four Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 88 aircraft and damaged a Dornier Do 217. On 23 October, he was promoted to squadron leader and on 1 November he was given command of "A" Flight.
caption: In 1943 in North Africa, Malta and Italy, Hanuš shot down four Junkers Ju 88 aircraft.
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