Together with the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United Kingdom, Václav Bartuška, the Minister laid a wreath at a memorial plaque dedicated to navigator Otto Mandler and radio operator Zdeněk Launer, members of the 311th Czechoslovak Bomber Squadron of the RAF, who lost their lives in service in 1945. The commemorative ceremony took place at Golders Green Crematorium in London.

The ceremony was also attended by Mrs. Milada Kuttelwascherová, niece of the legendary RAF fighter pilot Brigadier General Karel Kuttelwascher, the most successful Czechoslovak airman in British service.

“Freedom, which we often take for granted today, rests upon the courage of those who were not afraid to stand up to evil – often in a foreign uniform, but always with a Czech heart,” said Minister Černochová.