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A commemorative day in Brookwood in memory of our soldiers

Yesterday, as part of the Never forgotten project, Ambassador Libor Sečka visited the Brookwood Military Cemetery to lay roses at the graves of 49 Czechoslovak soldiers. He also took part in a ceremony for the victims of the tragic crash of the Liberator plane, which crashed near Blackbushe Airport on 5 October 1945. 23 Czechoslovaks, returning to their homeland after the war, sadly died during the incident.

Brookwood is the place with the largest number of Czechoslovak graves in the United Kingdom. There is also a large and beautiful Czechoslovak monument, which also appeared in the opening scene of the legendary film "Nebeští jezdci – Riders in the Sky".

The Memorial Association for Free Czechoslovak Veterans takes care of this very reverent place, and our special thanks go to its chairman, Mrs. Gerry Manolas, who takes great care of the legacy of the Czechoslovak Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. We were very pleased that during the ceremonies she proudly wore the "Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic", which was awarded to her two weeks ago at our embassy.

Equally, very important thanks also go to the volunteers around Brookwood Cemetery and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who regularly visit and renovate our plot at the cemetery. Ambassador Sečka had the pleasure of getting to know part of the logistics team and personally thanked them for their efforts, which we greatly appreciate.

It is of historical interest that two soldiers with ties to Czechoslovakia - Ernst Hoffman and Otto Pichl - are also listed on the nearby British memorial to soldiers and pilots who did not return from their missions. These are Sudeten Germans who worked for the Czechoslovak Armed Forces and in 1944, as specially trained agents, they were secretly landed in the Protectorate - unfortunately both lost their lives during their mission. Ambassador Sečka, together with Gerry Manolas and John Polak from MAFCV, laid flowers at the memorial to these two heroes.

The programme also included a ceremony in the civilian part of the cemetery, as well as ceremonies for the victims of the tragic loss of the Liberator plane, which crashed near Blackbushe Airport on October 5, 1945, leaving 23 dead Czechoslovaks who were returning to their homeland after the war. Ambassador Sečka laid wreaths also here with his Slovak counterpart, Ambassador L´ubomír Rehák, and military attachés from both countries.

Thanks again to the MAFCV for their exemplary cooperation and we look forward to even more joint events dedicated to our heroes!

For more information about the Never Forgotten project, please follow this link.

More photos from the ceremonies are accessible at our Facebook profile HERE.

At the memorial to soldiers and airmen who did not return from their missions ...

At the memorial to soldiers and airmen who did not return from their missions ...

 

Wreath laying ceremony at the Czechoslovak memorial in Brookwood

Wreath laying ceremony at the Czechoslovak memorial in Brookwood