Skydiving, worship and pieta: Prague remembered fallen paratroopers, Mayor Hrib nowhere.
Seven Czechoslovak paratroopers, who died in the church on June 18, 1942 after a long battle with multiple superiority, first recalled the jump of three paratroopers from the headquarters of the Czech Air Force in Zítkovy sady.
Three paratroopers jumped from a helicopter from a height of 1000 meters before half past nine in the morning. After a five-second free fall, they parachuted the parachutes and flags of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Great Britain.
After a few moments, experienced paratroopers jumped to the marked place in Zítkovy sady. The event was also attended by the Ministry of Defense Černochová (ODS) and the Prague representative Alexandra Udženija.
Jana Černochová and the Prague representative Alexandra Udženija took part in the reverential event.
With the participation of politicians, including Prime Minister Petra Fiala (ODS), a service was subsequently held in the church, in the crypt of which the Gestapo found the shelter of seven paratroopers 80 years ago after the betrayal of another paratrooper, Karel Čurda.
People prayed for “the souls of fallen soldiers, learned members of the anti-Nazi resistance, and all the victims of the Heydrichiad.”
In addition to the politicians already mentioned, House Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová (TOP 09), the Ministry of Culture Martin Baxa (ODS), the Director of the Security Information Service Michal Koudelka and other officials also listened to the services and lit candles for the paratroopers.
“These include the incredibly brave struggle of the Czechoslovak paratroopers, who 80 years ago bravely defended themselves against the Nazis in the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius until the last moment. Their immense courage is forever etched in the memory of our nation. Honor to their memory, “ introduced Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
Reverential actions for fallen paratroopers
Immediately after the service, representatives of the government, the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, the Prague City Hall, the army and other security forces moved in front of the church, where an act of reverence was found.
Jana Černochová and the Prague representative Alexandra Udženija took part in the reverential event.
On this day, the participants place wreaths and flowers at the opening in the crypt, where traces of which the Nazis tried to destroy Czechoslovak soldiers are still visible.
President Miloš Zeman was represented at the ceremony by Rudolf Jindrák, director of the Foreign Department of Prague Castle.
Reverential actions for fallen paratroopers
The German ambassador to the Czech Republic also took part in the memorial service for the first time. The current ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Andreas Künne, praised the gesture on Twitter.
“To do what is right, even if it can mean the ultimate sacrifice. The paratroopers who successfully attacked Heydrich had such courage. Their act in 1942 was a light in the darkness of the Nazi dictatorship. “ Künne wrote after laying a wreath with a ribbon in German colors next to the crypt.
“I am grateful for the gesture that the German ambassador was able to attend the memorial service in front of the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius for the first time,” the ambassador added.
Reverential actions for fallen paratroopers
Paratroopers Jan Hrubý, Jaroslav Švarc, Josef Valčík, Jozef Gabčík, Adolf Opálka, Jan Kubiš and Josef Bublík died 80 years ago in a church in Prague’s Resslova Street. Most of them chose voluntary death in a hopeless situation.
The paratroopers, who were sent from London to help the domestic resistance, entered the territory of the protectorate at the end of 1941.
The assassination was carried out by Kubiš and Gabčík from Operation Anthropoid. Heydrich, who was sent to Prague to break the domestic anti-Nazi resistance and prepare plans to liquidate the entire Czech nation, was attacked on May 27, 1942.
One of the highest-ranking members of the Nazi regime died as a result of the June 4 assassination.