Liberation80: Trnavska Posadka Warns People Never to Forget Horrors of War

Trnava, April 9 (TASR) - The Trnavska Posadka Military History Club (KVH) through its activities strives to remind people not to forget the horrors of the past, focusing primarily on events related to the present territory of Slovakia during the interwar period, WWII, the liberation struggles and the period shortly after the war, KVH chair Martin Ostrovsky has told TASR. The club's name carries a reference to an infantry unit that was active in Trnava for decades and actively participated in the Slovak National Uprising. Historical sources speak of more than 3,000 fighters from this unit. "However, only a smaller number of them arrived in the area of the Uprising, as some withdrew during the transfer," explained Ostrovsky. During the Slovak National Uprising, the Trnava garrison was primarily active in the Zarnovica area. "After the suppression of the Uprising, the unit split into smaller groups, which operated in individual insurgence brigades," he added, noting that this took place mainly in central Slovakia, while individuals from Trnava and the surrounding area also operated in the Small Carpathians. When KVH Trnavska Posadka was formally established more than eight years ago, it adopted the name of the former infantry unit. Currently, the club has 12 active members. Among other activities, they focus on research, publishing and presentations of historical content. "We also collaborate with other people and associations, complementing each other at various events," said Ostrovsky. The club primarily focuses on infantry and owns light infantry weapons, uniforms of the Slovak State troops, the guerilla army, the interwar Czechoslovak army and the Red Army. "We also have a field kitchen, field camp, field hospital and clothing for Slovak Red Cross nurses. The Red Cross worked with the army, both on the Eastern Front and during the Slovak National Uprising and liberation," he noted. According to Ostrovsky, acquiring uniforms, pieces of equipment and other items is quite challenging in terms of time, finances and availability. "We also use original items, as not everything can be reproduced. If it's possible to make a copy, we try to preserve the original items so that they won't become damaged through use," he pointed out, adding that, for example, uniforms have been re-sown. The club regularly participates in various memorial events, lectures and exhibitions each year. "We strive to depict historical events as faithfully as possible. We want to send a message to people not to forget their own history, to be aware of it, because history constantly repeats itself, albeit in different times," added Ostrovsky. mf/df