Operation Danube - Warsaw Pact invaded Czechoslovakia

[2RHPZ]

Today, 21Aug04, is 36th anniversary of attack of Warsaw Pact, led by Soviets, on Czechoslovakia. Following occupation put my country to the darkness for long 21 years. More then 250,000 Soviet troops were stationed over there. The military invasion was started by VDV forces. Unfortunately there are not too many relevant informations on English available at this moment. I have not time time to do research, so I want to ask you to help me with that. Especialy my Polish brothers - their fathers contributed to this attack with some regiments ( ). Take care all, I´m looking forward to a time when I post daily my usual amount of stuff.

The invasion of Czechoslovakia was designated Operation Danube. The Soviet Army formed a Strategic Direction composed of three Fronts (Central, Carpathian and Southern) and the VDV mobilised two of its divisions, of which the 103rd Guards Desant Division was to deliver the coup de main against Prague, with elements of the Polish 6th Airborne Division designated to take the airfield at Pardubice. On the evening of the 20th August 1968, an unscheduled Aeotte An-24 aircraft made an unscheduled landing at Ruzyme Airport at around 2030 hrs, and was soon followed by an aircraft from Lvov in the Ukraine at about midnight, which unloaded a number of Soviet 'civilians' who talked with Czech officials and then departed. As the troops of the three Fronts crossed the Czech border, the 'civilians' took up positions around the airport. At around 0200 hrs, two An-12 aircraft, escorted by MiG-21 fighters, landed at the airport, and two companies of desantniki (about 180 men) were disgorged and took over from the 'civilians'. After the airfield was secured, the command An-24, which had been the first aircraft to arrive, ordered the rest of the 103rd Guards Desant Division to start landing. This contained a number of ASU-85s and armoured personnel carriers, and a special assault group was to take the presidential palace, with the rest of the division seizing key points around the city. Not long after, the lead elements of the Central Front, the 6th Guards and 35th Motor Rifle Divisions entered Prague.

http://library.thinkquest.org/C00115....htm?tqskip1=1

[mack pl]

Especialy my Polish brothers - their fathers contributed to this attack with some regiments ( )

well, my father was 15yrs old at this time and he was in Air Force few yrs later but, few of his older collegues were in Army, so they had "visited" your country

anyway, Im guess first polish soldiers who were sended to "action" were commandos from 1st Independent Assault Battalion (Lubliniec)[1 Samodzielny Batalion Szturmowy].

well, one special group attack some "border checkpoint" of Czechoslovakian border guard(our soldiers used SKOT APC). This action was very important for our 10th Armoured Division.

another special group, "working" for 11th Armoured Division. They foud some route in the forrests at border(so, they were like "pathfinders").

other special groups were "working" ahead of our divisions, they were sended to action by APC SKOT or helos Mi 8 .

uff, well, Ive read some article about it some time ago(3-4 yrs ago), so Im writing from memory

sorry for gramma

Zdarec mate

[Herrmannek]

1:0 For POland jk

But don't blame us blame "them", My dad also didn't take part in that event... If I remember well you also failed to do anticomunization and those succkers who took part still are part of your/our public life... Damn they all should be hung on the higest tree in tha hood... I hope our soldiers weren't cruel or sumthing...

[perdurabo]

1:0 For POland jk

But don't blame us blame "them", My dad also didn't take part in that event... If I remember well you also failed to do anticomunization and those succkers who took part still are part of your/our public life... Damn they all should be hung on the higest tree in tha hood... I hope our soldiers weren't cruel or sumthing...

no there is 2:2 remember about Cieszyn
afther WW1 it was comissioned to Poland but when we fought with Soviets Czechs took it and then in 38 when Hitler took it we grabbed Cieszyn back but afther WW2 it was comissioned to Czechs... so we are equal we don't owe you nothing

[Brzeczyszczykiewicz]

The Polish invasion force- 2nd Army- was ca. 25,000 men strong, it had 647 tanks and 566 APCs. Their main tasks were to disarm the Czech Army, secure the terrain and spread communist propaganda (almost 5,000 000 leaflets were printed).
Our soldiers weren't brutal or cruel, they knew that they were Moscow's puppet ( Poland could be next to recieve USSR's 'help') and weren't especially eager to use violence.
The only shameful incident happened when a drunk soldier from 11th Armoured Div. guarding a checkpoint shot two Czech civilians. He was later sentenced tfor life inprisonment.

[Catch22]

Personally I feel ashamed that our army took part in this action. "Prague spring" of '68 shed a light of hope for the communist bloc and it was quickly put out by the Soviet tyranny. I know that we, as Poles had little if any choice - I remember what happened back in '56, what happend to Hungary... When later in winter 81' martial law was introduced in Poland there were DDR (East German) and Russian Tanks already heating their engines at our borders.

What is probably incompherensible for Americans and generally "westerners" here is that feeling of constant paranoia during the Cold War era. You could easily become object of "friendly intervention" if you dont follow Moscow orders quickly enough. Worse even - each of the neighbours were to be invaded in such case by the others under the auspices of Warsaw Pact (and russian military) - and that literally ruined friendly relationships and trust between us - Czechs, Poles, Slovakians, Hungarians.

At least speaking for myself - I'm deeply sorry for what happend in 1968.

[Herrmannek]

At least speaking for myself - I'm deeply sorry for what happend in 1968.

x2, but I'm more sorry that people who lead that crap are still going free enjoying all libertys for stolen from us money....

[2RHPZ]

Thank you very much to all for your contribution, I appreciate it indeed. If I get some time for it I will translate some Czech stuff on that, there is plenty of it ... especially about preparation of 7th SFG(A) based in Holesov for geurilla warfare against Soviets. It, by the way, led to disbanding this unit and apprehending commanding officers later in 1968. I also reminded this story about drunken Polish soldier. In fact, there were not many complains on them.

Herrmanek, I agree with your words on them who participated in these events and are still free. First (!) Czech communist, in 1968 top five in goverment, Commrade Hoffman went to prison in his 86. He got 4 years. There were some voices, even from the president, demanding let him go due to his age. I´m glad that he is in jail ... it´s a message for his followers and commrades. I do hope that this is not last trial.

[Herrmannek]

Herrmanek, I agree with your words on them who participated in these events and are still free. First (!) Czech communist, in 1968 top five in goverment, Commrade Hoffman went to prison in his 86. He got 4 years. There were some voices, even from the president, demanding let him go due to his age. I´m glad that he is in jail ... it´s a message for his followers and commrades. I do hope that this is not last trial.

You've got at least one... Jaruzelski and CO. still is going free and even gaining popularity as our national media "owned" by post "aparat" people made them good press...

[mack pl]

Jaruzelski and CO. still is going free and even gaining popularity as our national media "owned" by post "aparat" people made them good press...

blah blah blah, yeah sure, general Jaruzelski and general Kiszczaak are all fukin day in polish TV, every talk-show, news program, even in "Ziarno"

****, its so OT ....stop please.....or, use PM, If you wan't blabling about bad commies.....

@CAG147-I know you hate communists, no problem for me, but this thread should be military, not political(coz everyone here agree that commies were bad etc.)

Zdarec mate

[Herrmannek]

edited

[mack pl]

edited

[Herrmannek]

Lets say politics are very important part of that event...

[mack pl]

let say politic sucks

[RBull]

I know that we, as Poles had little if any choice - I remember what happened back in '56, what happend to Hungary... When later in winter 81' martial law was introduced in Poland there were DDR (East German) and Russian Tanks already heating their engines at our borders.

True, there was no choice really, because all commie governments in WP countries were put in place under Moscow directive (well, Causescu in Romania went bit astray with his agenda though), they were true puppets whos strings were pulled from Kremlin. Czechoslovak gvt. supported the 1956 intervention in Hungary by labeling the movement "terrorist contrarevolution" and recognizing Janos Kadar as new legitimate leader, something the Hungarians did not forget for long time. And, according to ppl who served in Czechoslovak army in 1981, the army was on high alert, waiting how the things up in Poland will develop. There was an article in our press few years back, where guy recalled how his recce unit was stationed in the forest close to Polish borders, expecting "go" order anyminute.

Regarding Polish forces in Czechoslovakia in 1968, by irony, the same armored corps which liberated Melnik and other cities in 1945 was sent in, in 1968. There were few sporadic incidents, when Polish soldier opened fire on civilians (2, or 3 cases), causing fatalities.