SOE operations in occupied Czechoslovakia came to a head in 1942 with the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, deputy to SS leader Heinrich Himmler and the governor of Bohemia and Moravia.
Two Czech SOE agents who had trained in Britain, Jan Kubis and Josef Gabcik, ambushed Heydrich as he drove through Prague in an open car. When Gabcik’s weapon failed to fire, Kubis threw a grenade which wounded Heydrich who climbed from the car to chase his would-be assassins on foot before collapsing from shock. Heydrich died from scepticemia a week later.
In investigation ordered by Himmler incorrectly linked the SOE mission to the villages of Lidice and Lezaky. All adult male occupants were murdered and the villages burnt to the ground. Around 13,000 Czechoslovakians were imprisoned, deported or murdered as part of the Nazis’ revenge. MORE HERE
This action was later made into the amazing, and heartbreaking film Operation Daybreak
In the face of all that assails us, spare a thought for those who did what they had to, purely because they had to. So that we too could have our chance to mould the world in our image. Today, if you have a moment, have a drink with me, the toast is Gabcik and Kubis.
More soon
SBW
PS the wikipedia page has some interesting detail
This action was later made into the amazing, and heartbreaking film Operation Daybreak
In the face of all that assails us, spare a thought for those who did what they had to, purely because they had to. So that we too could have our chance to mould the world in our image. Today, if you have a moment, have a drink with me, the toast is Gabcik and Kubis.
"May you live in interesting times, and choose to be a part of them"
More soon
SBW
PS the wikipedia page has some interesting detail
Excellent post. Too many Americans and Europeans alike take for granted the relatively free societies they live in. Perhaps if they better knew the cost, they'd try harder to preserve it.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I did know about the SOE. I have read quite a bit about WWII, from the USA historical standpoint. My dad is a WWII vet. Look forward to me from your posts.
ReplyDeleteWendy and I have a annual tradition. On the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we start watching the "Band of Brothers" movie series. It follows "Easy Company" through the war. As veterans, we both really appreciate the sacrifice made by all of the men and women who served. I look forward to seeing the companion series, "The Pacific".
ReplyDeleteWe, as a society, tend to be so complacent and have such short memories. Thank you for honoring those efforts, too. I'll be checking out the link, now.
Gorges
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more, to me the sad thing is the apathy that lets the power mad control freaks decide how we live. Hence 'the Spirit of Resistance'
SBW
Motoroz
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to comment always nice to hear from readers.
I only have one good family war story from WW2 - i'll post it sometime
SBW
Deus Ex Machina
ReplyDeleteThey were a generation for whom JFDI was a way of life. I could learn from that. LOL
Regards to Wendy
SBW