Liberation80: Anthropoid Club Named After Eponymous WWII Operation

Myto pod Dumbierom/Bratislava, April 18 (TASR) - The CSLA Anthropoid Military History Club (KVH) in Myto pod Dumbierom (Banska Bystrica region) is named after the famous WWII military operation in which the 'Butcher of the Czech Nation', Acting Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich, was assassinated. The assassination in 1942 was carried out by two paratroopers, Slovak Jozef Gabcik and his Czech comrade-in-arms Jan Kubis, and it was an expression of resistance by the Czechoslovak people against Nazism, the club's vice-chair Michaela Budajova explained to TASR. The club was founded in 2012 by her father Michal Budaj, who serves as chairman. KVH commemorates the military history of the renowned Czechoslovak People's Army (CSLA) via a planned exhibition of renovated period military equipment at the former barracks in Brezno, as well as through various cultural and social events, memorial activities related to the military history of Slovakia and the former Czechoslovakia. "Many people have been members of KVH, although some eventually ended their involvement. University studies, weddings, health and other life events over the years have affected the number of people in the club. Currently, KVH is a purely family-based club, but it has various supporters, about ten, and two honorary members who actively contribute to its activities. Of course, we also have several dozen sympathizers and people who volunteer for KVH. We announce the recruitment of new members through social media," said Budajova, adding that the club currently has two women members. KVH CSLA Anthropoid owns several dozen military vehicles from the CSLA era, most of which were acquired by the club chairman. They restore and repair them and other historical military equipment. "Some of the equipment was also donated by the armed forces of the Slovak Republic for the purpose of restoration and promoting the history of the CSLA. The club finances restoration with its own resources, although one of our major supporters has helped significantly by providing spare parts for vehicle repairs. As the prices of original spare parts needed for restoration are high, the total cost of individual vehicles can reach tens of thousands of euros. All KVH vehicles that undergo complete restoration will look just as they did when they served in CSLA units," stated Budajova, adding that they are currently restoring a Tatra 813 Kolos vehicle along with other equipment. mf/df