Born on Aug 9, 1905 in Prague as a younger son. His character-building was influenced by his membership in the Sokol Organization, death of his mother prior his 15th birthday and his uncle Antonin Husnik. Czech Aviatics was pioneered by the latter. Joseph´s favourite subjects as at an Elementary Boy School as at the Czech Comprehensive one were physics, maths and technical ones. Despite this gift Joe played the violin. Made by his father´s wish Joe Duda applied for the Military Academy in Hranice. He was posted there from No 1 Reserve Company of No 9 Inf Bat. On Oct 5, 1923. Joseph was alotted to an Artillery Branch. He was comissioned on Aug 15, 1925. Postings at Kosice, then Olomouc due to undergoing an Artillery advanced course. It was completed on July 15, 1926 by him. Back in Kosice with No 111 Artillery Reg but Joe uncle´s example played its role. Mr Husnik was one of three founders of the ´Cz Club of Aviatics in the Kingdom of Bohemia established in Prague. Joseph applied for the Air Force early 1928. In April he was posted to the town of Cheb. In the May 16 – July 31 time frame Joe underwent an observer course of Inf Artillery and Cavalry. On May 30 he was flown for the first time in an Aero aircraft designed by Mr Husnik. From Aug Joseph served with No 7 Observer Flight of No 3 Air Reg stationed in Kosice. On Dec 1, 1928 he was appointed an Artillery Observer – Flier. On Oct 1, 1929 Liet Duda commenced doing a course of Artillery Field Observers with No 2 Aeronautical School Section of the Prostejov Aeronautical Military Academy´s No 16 Observer School. Completed by him on July 21, 1930. Then posted to No 7 Observer Flight and later to No 63 Recce one stationed in Olomouc.
From Mar 1 to Apr 30, 1932 F/O Joseph Duda underwent a photo course at Letnany nr Prague. Coming back to Olomouc he was deployed to a Photo Company. From Aug 1, 1932 to Feb 1, 1933 he acted as an Aeronautical Engineering aide of No 2 Reg. Further steps were taken in preparing him for commanding posts. F/O Duda did a course of Engineering for officers of the Air Force from Jan 30 to Mar 31, 1933. Science about aircraft, engines, aerodynamics, mechanics, technology of aircraft stuff and instruments, on administration and special training.
On Apr 1, 1933 was F/O Duda again at the Prostejov Aeronautical Military Academy. Two days later he was flown dual control on a Smolik S 118 biplane of an Pilot Elementary School. First solo flight on May 17. This school was completed by him on June 13. Afterwards Pilot Advanced Flying School till Aug 30. The first solo not before July 20 at the controls of an Aero 125 biplane. On Sep 4 was a pilot – flier F/O Duda at the Cheb Pilot Fighter School. His first solo flight on Sep 19 - a BH-10 monoplane. Having experienced an engine failure he landed unscathed ten days later. Flying a BH-22 type he had a defect twice and acted accordingly. On Nov 16, 1933 passed a final exam performing free aerobatics at the controls of a Ba-33 fighter plane. F/O Duda was posted to Olomouc on the next day but mid Dec he was ordered to act as an instructor at the Prostejov Military Aviation Academy. His first flight on Dec 15, 1933 flying with his cadet an Ab-11 biplane. He flew even six times a day. Late May was F/O Duda appointed a field pilot – flier. He asked for posting to a field flight. He left the Academy on July 30, 1935 and went to No 38 Flight of No 3 Air Reg stationed at the Vajnory air base in Slovakia. He was a Sqn CO´s adjutant. On Oct 1, 1935 F/O Duda was promoted to a F/Lt. He served at Vajnory till mid April 1936. Then posted to No 38 Training Flight at Piestany. As an youngest pilot he commanded No 64 Recce Flight till Jan 14, 1937. Afterwards he was No 37 Fighter Flight´s CO stationed at Vajnory. From Feb F/O Duda acted as an instructor at Nitra. Then back to Vajnory to take over No 37 Fighter Flight´ s command. He served there till late Jan 1938. On April 1 promoted to Staff Cpt. He was the Piestany Pilot School´s CO till May 21.
Cz Fighter Flights were put on readiness on that day. St Cpt Duda took over No 45 Fighter Flight´s command here till July 15. The MoD decided to appoint him a CO both No II Pilot School and No 45 Flight stationed at the Spisska Nova Ves air base. During the Sep 1938 Allert was St Cpt Duda sent to the Fighter HQ at Olomouc. Though a posting for a G/Cpt, St Cpt Duda commanded No III/2 Sqn till Sep 30 there. On that day the Cz gvt accepted the terms of the Munich Agreement signed by Hitler, Mussolini, Chamberlain and Daladier. The Sudety lands were ceded to Germany.
From Oct 1 to Nov 10 St Cpt Duda again acted as a commander as an instructor at the Spisska Nova Ves Pilot School. Simultanously he commanded No 45 Flight too. He was very strict and capable to get the matters organized and keep the men disciplined. He was unpopular for seeing to complying with the regulations. Those who followed Duda´s instructions survived. Early Nov 1938 the school moved to Nitra then back to Spisska Nova Ves. There was one of his cadets Jan Reznak who later was a member of No 11 Fighter Flight of the Slovakian State´s AF. Flying a Messerschmitt 109 in the Eastern front he downed thirty two Soviet planes plus three probably 1942 - 1943.
St Cpt Duda amassed 4700 bumps of 1240 hrs duration till Mar 14, 1939. Independence of the so called Slovakian State from the gvt in Prague was declared. German troops occupied the rest of Bohemian and Moravian lands a day later. St Cpt Duda returned to Prague and from Mar 28 got involved in the resistance within the Sokol Organization. Provided with information by the Nation´s Defence underground organization he left for Ostrava on June 4. Fighter pilots Stanislav Fejfar and Otakar Hruby joined him. Joseph Hudec entrained in Pardubice. Their way to France is detailed in the ´Rebel in clouds´ book. On June 8 they were lead by Mrs Mary Petrosova towards the brook Lucina bordering on Poland. Later their guide was caught and executed. On June 20 St Cpt Duda and forty three airmen disembarked the Sobieski at Bolougne-sur-Mer. They slept in a cloister on the ground. Next day they went by train to Paris put up at the Ballard barracks. Duda´s Cz rank was not taken into account by the French. He was ordered to command all the Cz airmen arriving in France in following days. He did so till Aug 29, 1939. On Sep 1 St Cpt Duda departed for No 6 Fighter School stationed at Chartres. His task was not only to organize arrival of Cz pilots. He was one of senior officers who lead their training too. On May 18 was St Cpt Duda deployed to No II/5 Fighter Sqn belonging to the Escadrille de La Fayette. Stationed at Toul-Croix-du-Metz. Flying Curtiss H75s enemy planes were not spotted by them some days. On another ones they were not scrambled at all. Three days after French requesting for peace terms – June 20 – the unit ferried from La Salanque to Maison Blanche in Alger. Cpt. Duda amassed 142 flights of 80 hrs duration from Sep 10, 1939 to June 22, 1940 during the French campaign. Fourty ops of 39 hrs 35 min duration in action from May 18 to June 22, 1940. On that day GCII/5 ferried to Saint Dennis du Sug. He was awarded Croix de Guerre with two Gold Stars and Palm. He left for Oran to get information for transport. On July 3 these Cz pilot went by train to Casablanka. Six day later the embarked Royal Scotsman. From July 10 to 16 they were in Gibraltar. A day later they moved to a David Livingstone collier. Convoyed with other nineteen freighters they set out for UK on June 21. On Aug 5 they arrived at Cardiff.
On the following day this group came to the Cholmondeley Park. On Aug 10 Cz St Cpt Duda left for the Cosford Cz Depot staying there till Aug 16. On the next day he enrooled in the RAFVR ranked P/O and was alotted the Service No of 83224. On Sep 6, 1940 P/O Duda flew a Miles Master advanced trainer dual control for the first time with S/Ldr Frank Tyson. The former flew Hurricane on the same day. From Sep 5 P/O Duda commanded A Flight of a newly formed No 312 Fighter Sqn. That reason for he was temporarily ranked F/Lt. The unit moved to the Speke air base nr Liverpool on Sep 26. F/Lt Duda made fifteen flights of 8hrs 25 min duration in the Sep 5 – Nov 17 time frame.
On Nov 17, 1940 again P/O Duda was posted to FPP Kemble. On Dec 12 promoted to F/O. From Feb 2, 1941 he served with No 2 MU. Six day later posted to No 55 OTU. F/O Duda was a flying instructor at Ushwort. On Mar 1, 1941 promoted to F/Lt. From Feb 14 to mid Sep he acted as a flying instructor with FIS at Bristol flying Proctor trainers. Afterwards he served for short time with No 32 MU and again with FIS. Posted from he was promoted to S/Ldr on Dec 15, 1941. On Oct 28 promoted to the Cz AF´s Major. S/Ldr Joseph Duda served with the Cz Inspectorate in London from Dec 15, 1941 to June 1942 as No III Study Dpt´s Head. On June 22, 1942 he was temporarily promoted to W/Cdr due to his new post. He was to be CO of the Cz Reserve and Training Unit at the St Athan Cz Depot. From June 15, 1943 at the Cz Inspectorate, ranked S/Ldr again. Now as a HQFC – ADGB Liasion Officer. He commanded so called study group simultanously. These experts and specialists prepared organizing Allied campaigns with Cz Nos 310, 312 and 313 Fighter Sqns in action. On Jan 6, 1944 promoted to W/Cdr. A day later awarded Cz Memory Medal with Silver Clasp on FR GB ribbon Taking over the Cz Fghter Command he was promoted G/Cpt. On Nov 22 awarded Cz Merit Medal 1st Class. In 1944 his son was born in England. His mother was a WRNS member Miss Miriam. On Feb 5, 1945 awarded The Star 1939 – 1945 with BoB Clasp. G/Cpt was with FC till Mar 7, 1945. Two days later he was released from the RAFVR and transferred to the Cz MoD´s Reserve Pool. On May 17 he boarded a Dakota at Croydon and flew to Prague via Brussels and Bory AB nr Pilsen.
As his brother as father survived their period behind bars. Incarerated at the Brno Kounic Dorm Svatoborice and Plana upon Luznice internment camps respectively. On May 19, 1945 was Lt Col Joseph Duda deployed to the HQ MoD´s Air Force Command. But two members of the Communist party had been in command there. On June 1 was Lt Col Duda posted to Prostejov as an acting CO of the local Military Aviation Academy. He was in charge in three Pilot Schools – at Prostejov, Stichovice and Olomouc. On Aug 1 he was promoted to Col. Offered post of a Prostejov Flying Club´s Head. On Mar 1, 1946 he was awarded Cz medal for Valour. Consecutive changes of political situation were proven by his Jan 1 – Sep 30, 1946 assessment signed by gen Bocek – good. On Dec 6 Col Duda became the Prostejov garrison´s CO. On Jan 6, 1947 he was told on awarding CBE – Military Section by HM George VI. Two days later the ribbons to the Defence Medal 1939 – 1945 a The War Medal 1939 – 1945 were delivered to him. Both the awards were passed to the Duda´s family by the British Military Attaché in 80s. On Jan 15 Col Duda launched undergoing a course for selected generals and senior officers. Completed by him on Mar 31 assessed ´excellent´. Afterwards his post of the Academy´s CO was made definite. On May 10, 1947 Col Duda banned political indoctrination within the premises and later whiped the Comminist agitators out of the Academy. On June 6 he was awarded Yugoslav ´Nation Merit Medal 2nd Class´. On Aug 5, 1947 he got married. The political situation was going from bad to worse. This fact was proven by his assessment during the Oct 1, 1946 – Sep 30, 1947 time frame. Staff Head Gen Hanus branded him a man with anti-progressive views. Assessed ´good´ He was to do pilot training under supervision only ! Duda´s son was born late Jan 1948.
On Feb 25 the Comminist Party seized the power in Czechoslovakia. In five days was Col Duda sent message from Gen Hanus to abandon the academy instantly. He was ousted from his post. Members of the Prostejov Flying Club named after Gen Vicherek requested his resignation as its Head. On Mar 9 was Col Duda placed on ´waiting´ leave. On Aug 24 he was sacked from the Forces and made a reservist on Sep 1, 1949. In compliance with the Act dated Feb 22, 1949 he was demoted to a private. Dwelling Association of the Prostejov National Commitee requested vacating the flat used by Col Duda, but he appealed. His old parents had to move from Prague. Joseph Duda´s finding a job was difficult. The longest period was spent by him in the Iron Works Co at Prostejov. He worked in the Transport Dpt in a garage together with a Czech German from so called Sudeten Lands. Pranks were played by co-workers on Duda and this former soldier of the Wehrmacht due to their similar fate. But this teasing was ignored by both. Duda drove a Tatra 52 and later Skoda Tudor bringing supplies. In 1955 Duda´s wife divorced from him and sued for the son´s custody. The Iron Works Co treated him fairly again providing him with a small room in Sadky St. Joseph asked for both military and civil rehabilitation several times but in vain.
A memorial badge was also offered to Joseph Duda on the occasion of 50th anniversary of Czechoslovakia ie 1968. By the same people who made his life hell. He refused to accept that in person. He used to meet former RAF pilots, most often Rudolf Zima, Karel Vildomec and Joseph Hnatek. From 1972 Joseph Duda visited the British Military Attaché at the British Embassy in Prague on the BoB anniversary. He went to Prague on the All Saints´ Day too. He died alone in his tiny room early Dec 1977. The exact day of his death can be only guessed. Police was brought in by his next door neihbour Mr Kacerovsky due to strange smell in the corridor. Not only RAF veterans took part in Gen Duda´s funeral held on Dec 14. The British Military Attaché also came. Service was held on the same on his honour in the Holy Cross Church. He was rehabilitated neither militarily nor civilly during his life time.
On Dec 9, 1986 the CBE was passed to Duda´s nephew at the British Embassy. Requested by Mr Zbynek Duda his uncle was promoted to his original rank on Aug 9, 1990. Promoted to Brigadier posthumously. Gen Duda was awarded Army Merit Medal 1st Class too. Brig Joseph Duda CBE was awarded the White Lion Order 3rd Class by the President Havel on Oct 28, 2002. Requested by Mr Zbynek Duda on Dec 11, 2008 a plaque dedicated to his uncle was unveiled on the house he had died. A new street was named after Gen Duda a year later. It is situated near the new hospital. On Aug 7, 2015 at 10 00 hrs a wreath was laid on Gen Duda´s grave by the Mayor of Prostejov Mr Pistak.
The pictures taken by Joseph Duda not only in France 1939 – 1940 can be seen in the ´Valecna ohlednuti´ Book. Published by the Nase vojsko Co in 1995.
Joseph Duda can be seen in Nos 127 and 678 http://www.svazletcu.cz/images of the ´Wings of Victory´ Exhibition – the ´VK´ Subsection of the ´Exhibits´ Section. The excerpts are below below tha last caption of Nos 11 – 15 and 46 – 50 panels respectively. They are also seen in the ´Wings of Victory´ Subsecton of the ´Documentaries´ Section.
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L : 6 Sadky St Prostejov R : Gen Duda´s and his mother-in-law´s gravestone
R&R :
Velitel stíhacího letectva ie The Fighter Command´s CO by Zbynek M. Duda – The Nase vojsko Publ. 2005
Rebel v oblacich ie The Rebel in Clouds by Josef Havel – The OFTIS Publ. 2012
Ceskoslovensti letci ve Francii 1939 – 1940 ie
The Cz airmen in 1939 – 1940 French campaign by Joseph Vana and Jan Rail – The MoD´s AVIS Publ. 2005
Recalls of Mr Oldrich Valach and three former employees of the Iron Works Co ie Zelezarny Prostejov