 313 Squadron, flying Spitfires from RAF Ibsley.In January 1944, František Fajtl was assigned to command a group of 20 Czechoslovak pilots, forming the 1st Czechoslovak Independent Fighter Air Regiment, in the Soviet Union as result of negotiations between the London-based Czechoslovak Government-in-Exile and the Military Mission in the Soviet Union.The Air Regiment was part of the 1st Czechoslovak Army corps, but was under the command of the Soviet Air Force.