Remembering 1st Czechoslovak Division's anti-Nazi resistance efforts in France
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- Date: 09.10.2021
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Throughout WW2, France became a centre of anti-Nazi resistance groups. These also included Czechoslovak Army units. The SVK Ministry of Defence delegation to France, led by Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď, paused to remember their actions at the Czechoslovak Army Memorial Plaque in the city of Agde, southern France.
Speaking after a moment of silent remembrance in memory of the 1st Czechoslovak Division soldiers in France and all military personnel fallen in WW2, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Love for their country, operations against the Nazis, and a bitter defeat – yet fighting was far from over. These words describe the heroism of the Slovak and Czech soldiers who were involved in restoring the Czechoslovak Army in France. Neither the distance from their home nor their determination to struggle for the timeless values of freedom and democracy weakened their patriotism. These were the great sons of small nations.”
Referencing the Agreement to Restore the Czechoslovak Army in France between Czechoslovak Ambassador Štefan Osuský and Prime Minister of France Édouard Daladier, Director of the Institute of Military History Col Miloslav Čaplovič said: “The training camp for the restored Czechoslovak Army in France was based right here, in the town of Agde. Thanks to the Agreement, the 1st Czechoslovak Foot Division, led by Div Gen Rudolf Viest of Slovakia, was formed in 1940. Over time, the total strength of the division was at 11,400. Of them, 4,641 were Slovak and other ethnic minority personnel from Slovakia.”
Following the remembrance ceremony in Agde, the SVK MOD delegation members visited the village of Paulhan where they paid tribute to the memory of General M. R. Štefánik. Speaking at the General M. R. Štefánik Statue, Minister Naď extended his sincere Thank You to the village authorities and residents, for looking after this monument and presented them with the SNP 75th Anniversary and End of WW2 Medal.
On this occasion, Mr Naď posthumously awarded WW1 pilot Isidor August Marie Louis Paulhan, French Flight Leader, for saving the life of seriously ill Gen Štefánik by flying him from Serbia's Prizren to Albania's port of Vlorë on 22 November 1915. His action entered history as probably the first patient air evacuation mission.
For more information on the 1st Czechoslovak Division in France, go to the website of the Institute of Military History
Speaking after a moment of silent remembrance in memory of the 1st Czechoslovak Division soldiers in France and all military personnel fallen in WW2, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Love for their country, operations against the Nazis, and a bitter defeat – yet fighting was far from over. These words describe the heroism of the Slovak and Czech soldiers who were involved in restoring the Czechoslovak Army in France. Neither the distance from their home nor their determination to struggle for the timeless values of freedom and democracy weakened their patriotism. These were the great sons of small nations.”
Referencing the Agreement to Restore the Czechoslovak Army in France between Czechoslovak Ambassador Štefan Osuský and Prime Minister of France Édouard Daladier, Director of the Institute of Military History Col Miloslav Čaplovič said: “The training camp for the restored Czechoslovak Army in France was based right here, in the town of Agde. Thanks to the Agreement, the 1st Czechoslovak Foot Division, led by Div Gen Rudolf Viest of Slovakia, was formed in 1940. Over time, the total strength of the division was at 11,400. Of them, 4,641 were Slovak and other ethnic minority personnel from Slovakia.”
Following the remembrance ceremony in Agde, the SVK MOD delegation members visited the village of Paulhan where they paid tribute to the memory of General M. R. Štefánik. Speaking at the General M. R. Štefánik Statue, Minister Naď extended his sincere Thank You to the village authorities and residents, for looking after this monument and presented them with the SNP 75th Anniversary and End of WW2 Medal.
On this occasion, Mr Naď posthumously awarded WW1 pilot Isidor August Marie Louis Paulhan, French Flight Leader, for saving the life of seriously ill Gen Štefánik by flying him from Serbia's Prizren to Albania's port of Vlorë on 22 November 1915. His action entered history as probably the first patient air evacuation mission.
For more information on the 1st Czechoslovak Division in France, go to the website of the Institute of Military History
