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Freedom Guard Union
Czechoslovak paramilitary organization From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Freedom Guard Union (Czech: Svaz stráže svobody; Slovak: Zväz stráže slobody) was a Czechoslovak organization that existed from 1932 to 1939, which acted as paramilitary wing of the Czechoslovak National Socialist Party (ČSNS). Organization was named after Freedom Guard Regiments (PSS), volunteer units originally recruited from the Sokol movement, which mobilized for independence from Austria-Hungary and participated during formation of Czechoslovakia in 1918.
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Foundation
Initiative for the creation of the ogranization came from party leadership in 1932, especially from party leader Václav Klofáč, former Minister of National Defence. Among main purposes of the organization was self-defense during party events and meetings, military education of the youth as preparation for military service and organizing of various cultural events. The emergence of the organization was accompanied by the atmosphere of increasing imminent danger from Nazi Germany, where Nazi Party took power in 1933. Organization was named after Freedom Guards that participated during the establishment of Czechoslovakia and created foundation for the units of the Czechoslovak Army, that subsequently also participated in the Hungarian–Czechoslovak War from 1918 to 1919.[1]
Organization was officially approved by the Czechoslovak Ministry of the Interior on 11 August 1933.[2] First constituent congress of the organization took place on 13 October 1933 at Žofín Palace in Prague. Congress elected Jaroslav Motyčka as President and Josef Nestával as Main Chief of the organization.[3]
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Activities
Freedom Guard Union formed local organizational network throughout the country, while most of the local organizations were situated to the border areas with strong German minority presence. Soon after the formation, 126 local divisions were created in Bohemia, 14 in Moravia, 15 in Silesia, 19 in Slovakia and 3 in the Subcarpathian Rus'. Units of the organization used iconic grey uniforms. Organization had also membership branches for women, which were uncommon for organizations connected with military environment at that time. Organization cooperated with other organizations of the party, such as youth wing, trade unions or scouting organization Freedom Scouts, loosely associated with nation-wide Junák.[4] In 1937 units of the Freedom Guard Union participated among others at the state funeral of Tomáš Masaryk, when they took part of the guard of honor and paid tribute to the remains of the President and founding father of Czechoslovakia. On 21 September 1937 units saluted the funeral procession in front of the Melantrich Publishing House of the Czechoslovak National Socialist Party at the Wenceslas Square in Prague.[5]
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Dissolution
In September 1938 members of the organization from border areas of Czechoslovakia participated along with the military in the Sudeten German uprising in defence of the country from Sudeten German rebels. After Munich Agreement and occupation of the German areas by Nazi Germany and establishment of the Second Republic, Czechoslovak National Socialist Party ceased to operate and most of the party merged into the Party of National Unity. Freedom Guard Union then existed as independent association. After German occupation of the remaining territory of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, organization was banned.[6][7]
Legacy
During the German occupation of Czechoslovakia after March 1939, many former members of the organization participated in the resistance against German occupation. Former Chief of the organization Josef Nestával was arrested for participation in underground resistance and cooperation with illegal organization Obrana národa in July 1940 by Gestapo and remained imprisoned until 1945. After Communists took power in 1948 Czechoslovak coup d'état, Josef Nestával participated in the anti-communist resistance. He was arrested in 1949 and in 1950 he was sentenced in a show trial along with Milada Horáková for life-imprisonement. He was conditionally released in 1963 and died in 1976 in Prague.[8]
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References
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