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Operation Anthropoid Events, Prague, Czech Republic June 17th and 18th 2017 – review

18 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by bugadvisor in Sightseeing, Travel News & Tips

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17 June, 18 June, 75th, Anniversary, Anthropoid, Commemorate, Czech, Czech Republic, Events, Heydrich, Karlovo náměstí, Operation, Prague

Operation Anthropoid was the code name for the assassination of SS-Obergruppenführer and General der Polizei Reinhard Heydrich.

I previously wrote about the events to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Anthropoid in Prague on May 27th. I then wrote about my visit to the event. I thought that was it as the date had passed. But then another group organised an event this weekend of Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th of June.

We aimed to visit Karlovo náměstí at 15:00 to see shots fired from a canon at 15:10. But we missed the tram and arrived at 15:12. I don’t think the canon shots were that loud as we weren’t far away and didn’t hear anything.

We then walked around what the organisers call:
A period camp of the Czechoslovak Brigade in Great Britain showcasing a number of period techniques and historical artifacts.

 

This man looked like a Nazi spy using a futuristic communication device:

Past the camp were some vintage military vehicles:

And some people in costume:

But there weren’t many people in civilian costume as the previous Anthropoid event, the majority were soldiers.

There were a few tents selling beer (slightly over-priced at 40Kc and food:

It was all interesting enough, but really only took 20 minutes to look around and we were ready for the 15:40 – Rehearsal for attack on Heydrich’s car. This wasn’t a reconstruction of the actual attack, but a demonstration of how the soldiers trained for various scenarios; shooting, grenade.

The first attempt was reasonably successful, although one soldier’s gun didn’t fire:

The second attempt was a complete fail when the grenade failed to explode:

The event continues today and you still have time to see:

12:40 – Rehearsal for attack on Heydrich’s car – hopefully more successful than yesterday!
14:00 – 16:00 training demonstrations
15:10 – shots fired from a canon
15:40 – Rehearsal for attack on Heydrich’s car – last chance

All events are free.

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More Operation Anthropoid Events in Prague – 17th and 18th June

31 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by bugadvisor in Travel News & Tips

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Tags

17 June, 18 June, 75th, Anniversary, Anthropoid, Commemorate, Czech, Czech Republic, Events, Heydrich, Karlovo náměstí, Operation, Prague

Operation Anthropoid was the code name for the assassination of SS-Obergruppenführer and General der Polizei Reinhard Heydrich.

I previously wrote about the events to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Anthropoid in Prague on May 27th. I then wrote about my visit to the event. I thought that was it as the date had passed. But now it looks like another group are organising an event on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th of June.

The location is Karlovo náměstí – the largest square in the Czech Republic. Karlovo náměstí is in Prague 2, but is really close to the centre. There are plenty of trams running through and also a metro station.

The organisers call themselves ‘Czechoslovak Legionnaire and Rota Nazdar’ – they have a Facebook page (in Czech). They describe the event as follows:
A period camp of the Czechoslovak Brigade in Great Britain showcasing a number of period techniques and historical artifacts. One of the demonstrations will be devoted to training for possible variants of attacks on Reinhard Heydrich’s moving car.

The schedule is as follows:

Saturday 17. 6. 2017
9:30 – camp opens
10:00 – 12:00 training demonstrations
11:10 – shots fired from a canon
11:40 – Rehearsal for attack on Heydrich’s car
13:00 – 14:00 – Unveiling of a plaque on nearby Resslově street
15:10 – shots fired from a canon
15:40 – Rehearsal for attack on Heydrich’s car

Sunday 18. 6. 2017
9:00 – camp opens
11:30 – opening ceremony
11:45 – artillery training
11:50 – shots fired from a canon
12:00 – 13:00 training demonstrations
12:40 – Rehearsal for attack on Heydrich’s car
14:00 – 16:00 training demonstrations
15:10 – shots fired from a canon
15:40 – Rehearsal for attack on Heydrich’s car

All events are free.

In the evening of both days, you can watch a series of movies about Operation Anthropoid at the nearby MAT cinema for just 99 Kč admission:

Saturday 17. 6.2017
18:15 Anthropoid (2016, 120 minutes, directed by Sean Ellis)
20:30 ATENTÁT (1964, 100 minutes, directed by Jiří Sequens)

Sunday 18. 6.2017
16:00 VYŠŠÍ PRINCIP (1960, 102 minutes, directed by Jiří Krejčík)
18:00 Lidice (2011, 126 minutes, directed by Petr Nikolaev)
20:30 SMRTIHLAV (2017, 119 minutes, directed by Cédric Jimenez)

Anthropoid is the only English language film although that might be dubbed into Czech. The Facebook page isn’t clear about languages and sub-titles.

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May 27th 2017 Events in Prague to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Anthropoid – Review

28 Sunday May 2017

Posted by bugadvisor in Sightseeing, Travel News & Tips

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75th, Anniversary, Anthropoid, Commemorate, Czech, Czech Republic, Events, Heydrich, May 27th 2017, Operation, Prague

31st May 2017 update: There is a new event planned for weekend of 17th and 18th June.

I previously wrote about the events to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Anthropoid in Prague. Operation Anthropoid was the code name for the assassination of SS-Obergruppenführer and General der Polizei Reinhard Heydrich.

I went on May 27th for the 14:15 sequence of events. I didn’t go for the morning plaque unveiling, nor the reconstruction of the military attack on Heydrich, although I did get off the tram at U kříže where the reconstruction occurred.

There was nothing at U kříže to show where to go. Luckily I was able to ask someone and they directed me.

The actual location was a small area in front of the Municipal Authority of Prague 8 building on U Meteoru 6. There was a stage area with audience seating; alongside that a few tents selling beer, noodles, cakes and Czech sausages. Behind the seating were several historic vehicles and a 1:1 replica of a Spitfire.

The Scottish bagpipe band performance started and although I wouldn’t listen to recorded bagpipe music, live bagpipes do add an atmosphere to military events.

Here’s the view from the other side of the stage, with an Austin 8 car and Spitfire plane in the foreground.

There was a board that could have been from 1945 or may have been produced for the event.

A Chevrolet C15 truck.

A Vauxhall staff Limousine.

What I think was a Jeep.

What I know was a Jeep.

There was a cameraman and presenter from the Czech news channel CT24. I asked if they’d filmed the recreation of the assassination and she said yes and that it would be online – I posted that near the end of this article.

Then there was a demonstration by the Čsl. Independent Armoured Brigade. It was all in Czech and so I wandered around and tried to find the reconstruction of street scenes of occupied Prague. The Operation Anthropoid poster promised; streets and buildings will be themed; posters, tailors shop, newsagent, post-raid civil defence office of auxiliary of the German Red Cross. I suppose I was expecting too much, having been on movie sets where the budget allows for an entire street to be themed; each building with a façade.

In reality, there were a few posters, a wooden kiosk made to look like a news/tobacco shop and an entrance with some red cross theming. Also directly in front of this was a modern car, covered in a brown tarpaulin – I’ve no idea why this wasn’t moved. I was pretty disappointed. However, there were lots of people in costume they really brought the place to life:

Just past the red cross was an SS Volkswagen Kubelwagen:

At 15:30 the costumed players began acting out scenes from life during the German occupation. There was a constant and, in my view unnecessary, commentary throughout – but the actors did a really good job:

You can see how that modern car completely trashes the scene. Here are two more videos – note that there is some simulated violence in both.

I didn’t have the memory space on my phone to film the entire sequences – I planned to find the CT24 film and share it, but I couldn’t find it. I’ll update this page if I find something.

I did find a CT24 video of the reconstruction of the military attack on Heydrich at U kříže – again an unnecessary commentary throughout:

Here is a news video that tells the history:

Lastly a picture of the Rebel Pipers taking a break:

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May 27th 2017 Events in Prague to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Operation Anthropoid

23 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by bugadvisor in Travel News & Tips

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

75th, Anniversary, Anthropoid, Commemorate, Czech, Czech Republic, Events, May 27th 2017, Operation, Prague

31st May 2017 update: There is a new event planned for weekend of 17th and 18th June.

Operation Anthropoid was the code name for the assassination of Schutzstaffel (SS)-Obergruppenführer and General der Polizei Reinhard Heydrich, head of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (Reich Main Security Office, RSHA), the combined security services of Nazi Germany, and acting Reichsprotektor of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. The operation was performed in Prague on 27 May 1942 after having been prepared by the British Special Operations Executive with the approval of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile. Wounded in the attack, Heydrich died of his injuries on 4 June 1942. His death led to a wave of merciless reprisals by German SS troops, including the destruction of villages and the killing of civilians. Anthropoid was the only successful assassination of a senior Nazi leader during World War II.

Saturday 27th May 2017 is the 75th Anniversary of Operation Anthropoid and a whole day of events is planned in the Prague 8 district. All events are free.

09:30
Unveiling a commemorative plaque
Gabčíkova 1224/4 (nearest tram looks like Vychovatelna which is on the 24 route.

It’s about a 30 minute walk to the next venue (Tram stop U kříže). The 24 goes there but could be diverted because of the event. Nearest metro, I think is Palmovka and then a 10 minute walk.

From 10.25 to 10.45
Reconstruction of a military attack on Heydrich
The original location has been redeveloped, so the reconstruction will happen at the tram stop U kříže, which is similar to the original.

There will be some vintage trams and other vehicles to add authenticity.

11.30 to 19.00 – Program in front of the Municipal Authority of Prague 8, U Meteoru 6 – it’s only a five-minute walk to here from U kříže

12.15, 14:15 and 16:15
Scottish bagpipe band performance: The Rebel Pipers

12.30, 14:30 and 16:30
Training demo by the  Čsl. Independent Armoured Brigade

13.00, 15:00 and 17:00
Guided tour of Camp Democrat by RAF units. The Camp Democrat features:
Genuine Vauxhall staff Limousine 14hp 1939
Military Supplies Austin Tilly in 1943
Two small British trucks (Bedford)
Small staff car Austin 8 in RAF colours
Chevrolet C15 truck
Two American Jeeps
A 1:1 scale model of a Spitfire MK.IXc

 

13.30, 15:30 and 17:30
Reconstruction of street scenes of occupied Prague. Streets and buildings will be themed; posters, tailors shop, newsagent, post-raid civil defence office of auxiliary of the German Red Cross.

18.00 to 19.00 – concert by country-music band Taxmeni

May 26th at 21:00: There is also a free screening of the Czech movie ATENTÁT (1964, director Jiří Sequens) in the courtyard of Libeňského zámku, projekce Kinobusu Dopravního podniku – although I’d guess only in Czech and without subtitles.

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