NAME LISTS OF CZECHOSLOVAKS
Links
to lists of names of Czechoslovaks in Britain during WW2. Although most of the lists, and
links to them, are available elsewhere on this site, they are gathered together here to
provide easier searching for specific persons. Entries on the lists total just under
20,000.BCRC AND CRTF - CIVILIAN REFUGEES
After
the Munich Agreement and the German occupation of the 'Sudetenland', part of
Czechoslovakia, refugees left for the unoccupied remnant and fled even further. The
British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia (BCRC) and the Czech Refugee Trust Fund
(CRTF) had their origins in the voluntary movement which developed in Britain to help
those in fear of their lives.
VÚA-VHA DATABASES AND MILITARY
RECORDS
The "Vojenský ústřední
archiv - Vojenský historický archiv" (VÚA-VHA = Military Central Archive
- Military Historical Archive) in Prague has online access to databases with
basic information about Czechoslovak military personnel. It also, of
course, holds original personnel documents relating to these individuals.
WANTED: SPECIAL SEARCH LIST GB
After
the fall of France in the summer of 1940 the Germans were poised to invade Britain. A
handbook was prepared, ready for distribution to the 'occupying' forces, which included a
list of people for immediate arrest. Many of these had Czechoslovak connections.
EVACUATION FROM FRANCE
With
the collapse of the front, most of the Czechoslovak Division located east of Paris
retreated southwards towards the Mediteranean coast and their HQ at Beziers and depot at
Agde, others heading to Bay of Biscay ports. Only about a quarter chose to continue the
fight and be evacuated to Britain.
'MUTINY' AT CHOLMONDELEY CASTLE
The
Czechoslovak soldiers evacuated from France to Britain were sent to Cholmondeley, but more
than 500 were unhappy with the military and political leadership recognised by the British
and were unwilling to serve in Czechoslovak units.
CZECHOSLOVAKS IN THE PIONEER CORPS
Most
of those unwilling to serve in Czechoslovak units were, after being interned for a short
time, enlisted in the Pioneer Corps, part of the British Army.
THE CZECHOSLOVAK BRIGADE
The
majority of the soldiers evacuated from France formed the new Czechoslovak Brigade, which
spent the next 4 years in Britain employed on anti-invasion duties and training. In late
summer of 1944 it was transferred to northern France and used to lay siege to the isolated
German garrison in Dunkirk. It remained there until a few days after the end of
hostilities in May 1945, then travelled across Germany to Czechoslovakia.
TOKEN FORCE or Kombinovaný oddíl
With
American forces approaching the Czechoslovak border in the spring of 1945, the
Czechoslovaks wanted the whole Brigade transferred from Dunkirk to take part in the
fighting in Germany and then on to their homeland. The British and Americans did not
permit this, but allowed a small unit to accompany American troops.
MEDAL TYPES
Images and details of common
Czechoslovak and British medal
types awarded to Czechoslovaks serving during WW2.
BADGES
There were a considerable number of
commemorative badges manufactured relating to the Czechoslovak forces in
France and Britain.
WAR GRAVES
Locations
and details of just a few of the Czechoslovak sevicemen buried in Britain.
CZECHOSLOVAKS IN LONDON
Archive
and literary sources have shown a large number of Czechoslovak related addresses in
London.
CURIOSITY ABOUT AN OLD 'CZECH' BOOK
Several
years ago I bought an old second-hand book with connections to Czechoslovaks in Britain
during the Second World War.
SOURCES
Details of web sites, archives and a list of books I have on the
subject.
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