Last fight of Heydrich's killers

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K.Kocjancic
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Last fight of Heydrich's killers

#1

Post by K.Kocjancic » 07 Sep 2003, 23:44

They were stationed in Church, when they were betrayed. 7 SOE-men died in the fight.

I would like to know, which German unit was fighting against them.

According to Piekalkiewicz, there were men from SD and Sturm-Kmp. from SS-Div. "Deutschland" (probably SS-Rgt.). Is this true?

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Benoit Douville
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#2

Post by Benoit Douville » 08 Sep 2003, 01:45

Kocjo,

In the Battle in the church, the troops of SS-Brigadeführer Karl Von Truenfeld were involved in the 6 hour Battle. Over 750 soldiers of wich 14 were killed and 21 wonded. The German Police also fought in that Battle.

Sources: Reinhard Heydrich Assasination by Cowdery & Vodenka

Hope this help
Regards


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sylvieK4
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#3

Post by sylvieK4 » 08 Sep 2003, 18:59

Two of the assassins, Jan Kubis and Jozef Gabcik.

http://www.gfh.org.il/
Image

http://www.gfh.org.il/
Image
The church on Reslova Street in Prague to which the assassins of Reinhard Heydrich escaped, and where they met their deaths. On the wall is a memorial plaque. There is an opening in the wall through which the Germans surrounding the church inserted gas bombs to make the assassins surrender.

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K.Kocjancic
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#4

Post by K.Kocjancic » 08 Sep 2003, 19:01

Any info on that SS unit?

Photo of this SS unit is in "Spione, Agenten, Soldaten".

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Alfred Naujocks
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#5

Post by Alfred Naujocks » 09 Sep 2003, 01:23

Calling them killers and assassins doesn't sit right with me. They fit my definition of freedom fighters.

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sylvieK4
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#6

Post by sylvieK4 » 09 Sep 2003, 15:20

Calling them killers and assassins doesn't sit right with me. They fit my definition of freedom fighters.
Freedom fighters with selective targets? :)

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K.Kocjancic
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#7

Post by K.Kocjancic » 09 Sep 2003, 15:29

Alfred Naujocks wrote:Calling them killers and assassins doesn't sit right with me. They fit my definition of freedom fighters.
Killer -> the man, who kills someone/something. Didn't they kill Heydrich?
Assassination is the right word; they came to Prag with an intention to kill him.

But you're right. They were just fighting against occupators of their country.

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Mauser K98k
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#8

Post by Mauser K98k » 09 Sep 2003, 22:17

"One man's Patriot is another man's Traitor"

or words to that effect.

JodelFlieger
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#9

Post by JodelFlieger » 07 Jan 2008, 23:53

How on earth could you regard them as traitors? They killed their enemy and then gamely fought on until there was no way out.Beyond brave.
regards
JF

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Grisu
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#10

Post by Grisu » 08 Jan 2008, 00:18

As far as I understand the whole debate, Mauser did not call the two assassins "traitors" at all. He was just referring to the basic problem when it comes to differentiating between "terrorists" and "freedom fighters". They may be responsible for exactly the same deeds, but - bluntly speaking - it's only determined by one's point of view how you call them. If you tend to side with them, they're likely to be seen as "freedom fighters" or "heroes", if you oppose their goals, they're referred to as "terrorists". So, in a nutshell, they're "one man's patriot and another man's traitor".

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Glynwed
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#11

Post by Glynwed » 08 Jan 2008, 01:06

Czech translate of German document abouth fight at church against Czech paras:
http://www.fronta.cz/dokument/zpravy-ss ... ervna-1942

...and some photos from church crypt:
http://www.fronta.cz/fotogalerie/kostel ... a-metodeje

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AQUILIFER
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#12

Post by AQUILIFER » 08 Jan 2008, 14:09

Calling them killers and assassins doesn't sit right with me. They fit my definition of freedom fighters.
I'm sorry, but I couldn't help smiling a bit, this coming from someone who calls himself Alfred Naujocks in the forum.

(Unless its your real name in which case i apologies :) )

AQUILIFER

repcom50
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Re: Last fight of Heydrich's killers

#13

Post by repcom50 » 27 Apr 2018, 04:45

It is a myth that so many Germans were KIA and WIA. Makes great hollywood but bad history. The official SS report about the fight mentioned only five wounded SS soldiers. ( Karl von Treuenfeld: Report about the employment of Waffen-SS) The men in the church had only small-caliber pistols, they did not have SMGs or LMGs. After all they were on the run and expecting to be taken out of the city. SMGs and MGs would have slowed their escape. Please remember that their one use of a STEN gun was a failure and who would want to keep it.

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