CZECH SPITFIRE CLUB at two major events in May

More than 45,000 visitors came to Čáslav on the Open Door Day 20th May 2017

May Saturday attracted aviation enthusiasts, as well as military technique admirers to the airport of Čáslav. After two years, the gates have opened to the public again. This traditional event, which is focused not only on the presentation of the Čáslav base, was also attended by a number of the Czech Republic army units.

This aviation holiday is also commemorating the sixty-year anniversary of the establishment of the 22nd fighter regiment in the Čáslav crew. In addition to a number of important guests, the Air Force Commander, Major General  Jaromír Šebesta and Minister of Defence Martin Stropnický were also present. The Minister mentioned in his speech in the first place the strategic position of the base and the importance of the squadron for the defence of the Czech airspace.

There were dozens  items of aviation technique from the Czech Republic, other armies and partners, as well as dozens of pieces of ground equipment, including the Pandurs, the T72-M4CZ, a workplace for chemical  decontamination and many other attractions.

“On this day we remembered the heroism of our pilots during World War II, namely General Perina, the honourable commander of the 212th Tactical Squadron. In his honour, One hundred and fifty-nine (L-159 ALCA) in the colours of the British Spitfire was introduced,” said Colonel Tomanek.

In the static exposition, the aircraft had an honourable place next to the Supermarine Spitfire Mk composite model. IXc at a scale of 1: 1, presented at the event by the Aviation History Association – Czech Spitfire Club. “We believe that by displaying the legendary Spitfire we contribute to commemorating the memory of our heroes, which our nation can and should be proud of,” says Zdeněk Sadecký, the chairman of the club.

Prague 8 remembered the Operation Anthropoid on Saturday, May 27th

This year; we remember the 75th anniversary of the military operation against the Reich Protector Heydrich.

On May 27, 1942 at 10.35 am two soldiers of the Czechoslovak foreign resistance, paratroopers Jan Kubiš and Jozef Gabčík, attacked in the Kobylisy bend under Vychovatelna a passing car with the acting Reich protector on board. Mortally wounded Heydrich died of his injuries in the Bulovka hospital 8 days later. It was a heroic act that had no parallel in any of the Nazi occupied countries. Heydrich was the third high-rank man of the Greater Germany Reich, and his elimination was the greatest success of the resistance against such a high-ranking official. In fact, Anthropoid was the only successful assassination of a senior Nazi leader during World War II.

After 75 years, we want to honour the heroic act of the both paratroopers and their supporters from the domestic population, many of whom have paid for their help with their lives and with the lives of their loved ones. The Municipal District of Prague 8 prepared a series of events on Friday and Saturday, May 26 and 27, 2017, to commemorate the events that took place then on its territory.

Saturday afternoon was dedicated to an accompanying program, which reminded of the time not only in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, but also in the Czechoslovak squadrons in Great Britain. One of the big sites was the camp of the Czechoslovak squadrons in RAF and an improvised airport where the Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXc aircraft could be seen.  The guided tours led by the chairman of the Czech Spitfire Club, Mr. Zdeněk Sadecký, took place at the camp.

The atmosphere was very retro and the camp of Czechoslovak RAF units, together with the airplane, has generated a great public interest.

Pictures of both events can be seen in the gallery. You can also see the short report HERE.

Pavel Hanuš

General Manager