Prague 2: Unveiling of the commemorative plaque, dedicated to col. to Karl Janšt
09.12.2022 14:51 | Press Release
Yesterday, a commemorative plaque dedicated to colonel was unveiled in Prague 2. to Karl Janšt. A member of the 311th Czechoslovak Bomber Squadron RAF lived in the house at Žitná Street No. 32 for many years until his death. Prominent personalities gathered at the place of worship on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of his birth.
The ceremonial unveiling of the commemorative plaque was attended by the Ministry of Defense Jana Černochová, Prague 2 Councilor for Culture Jaroslav Šolc and other important guests. The invitation was also accepted by the Commander of the Air Force of the ACR, Brig. gene. Petr Čepelka, director of VHÚ Prague brig. gene. Aleš Knížek, director of the department for war veterans of the Ministry of Defense, col. Robert Speychal, representative of the Czechoslovak legionary community and other guests. The daughter of Colonel Janšta, Mrs. Jana Zachová, and the author of the commemorative plaques, the academic sculptor Petr Císařovský, were also present.
“Our part of the city can boast dozens of heroes, names that have been unjustly neglected for years have long been highlighted. Among them is another important Czechoslovak member of the RAF, colonel in memoriam Karel Janšta, who lived here for many years in this house, where, unfortunately, he also died in oblivion. Unfortunately, Colonel Janšta belongs to the majority of “raffles” who did not live to see the fall of the regime and their rehabilitation. And I am therefore grateful to my colleagues from the City Hall of Prague 2 that together we completed the placement of this commemorative plaque. Thanks to this, today we can symbolically right the great wrong that our nation has committed against heroes, such as Colonel Janšta undoubtedly was,” said Jana Černochová of the Ministry of Defense, among others, in her speech at the ceremonial unveiling of the commemorative plaques.
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“Prague 2 is without a doubt a district that is small in size but very important. Many personalities and war heroes were born here and lived their lives. And Colonel Karel Janšta is right now among them. His life story of courage and bravery should not be forgotten. That’s why I thank my predecessor and the current Ministry of Defense, Jana Černochová, for initiating this dignified commemoration, and I and my colleagues from the town hall respectfully realized this idea,” said the mayor of Prague 2, Alexandra Udženija, on today’s occasion.
Karel Janšta was born on December 9, 1912. He lived for many years until his death in a functionalist house in Žitná Street, No. 2055/32. During the First Republic, he was in the Airmen’s Union of the Czechoslovak Republic. After completing his aviation education, on 1 July 1936 he was assigned to the 71st Aviation Regiment 6 at Prague Airport as a field aerial gunner-radio operator.
After the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, she went illegally through Poland and France to England, where she joined the foreign army. From September 10, 1940, he was already involved in the first air combat tasks of the 311th Bombardment Squadron RAF. He flew the prescribed rotation of 200 hours and led the training of new crews in shooting as an instructor. In the RAF he reached the rank of F/Lt. and held the position of Gunnery Leader.
In 1943, the president of the government-in-exile, Edvard Beneš, appointed him a member of the Czech Republic. Council of State in London. As the only representative of a foreign army, he held the position of chairman of the defense committee, until the new return to the homeland and the creation of the parliament. Until the Communist takeover, he was considered for a higher position in the new post-war government. In London, he was also a member and main organizer of the Štefánik Fund Society for survivors of the Czechoslovak Republic. airmen, he provided funds for this fund between flights, he was also a full member of the Czechoslovak Social Democracy and a full member of the Sokol London gymnasium.
He was drafted from the army in 1952, after which he worked manually as an asphalt and tiler, like many others who participated in the fighting abroad. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the fall of communism. In 1991, he was rehabilitated and promoted to colonel of the air force by President V. Havel.
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author: PV