Operation B (1947)

The Operation B was a name for Czechoslovak military operation aimed against members of Ukrainian Insurgent Army who entered Czechoslovak territory.^[2]

Operation B
Part of the anti-communist insurgencies in Central and Eastern Europe
Date 10 June – 17 November 1947[1] Location Czechoslovakia Result See § Aftermath
Belligerents
Czechoslovakia	Ukrainian Insurgent Army
Commanders and leaders
Jan Heřman[2] Július Nosko[3]	Volodymyr Shchyhelskyi (POW) Mykhailo Duda (WIA)
Strength
13,500[4]–15,340[5] men	400–500[4]
Casualties and losses
39–68 killed[a] 81 wounded 5 missing[5]	61 killed 289 captured[6] (Perhaps exaggerating)[7]
50 Czechoslovak civilians killed[8]

Prelude

UPA was tasked with conducting raids into Czechoslovak territory. In particular, the goal was to analyze internal political situation of Czechoslovakia. UPA leadership believed that "Bolshevization" of Czechoslovakia was proceeding more slowly than in other Eastern states, so it was the best place to spread OUN propaganda.^[9] In September 1945, UPA fighters tasked with the raids were given training, in particular "to strengthen political education work in the departments raiding foreign lands".^[10] On 8 August, 1945, insurgents completed their final preparations for the raid.^[11] First members of Ukrainian Insurgent Army entered Czechoslovakia on 13 August, 1945, near the villages of Spišská Stará Ves and Medzilaborce. There were reports of other groups attacking robbing villages near border with Poland. Czechoslovakia sent more units to the area that pushed Ukrainian insurgents back to Poland.^[12] Czechoslovak units were commanded by Colonel Jan Heřman.^[2]

Polish army launched offensive against Ukrainian Insurgent Army in January 1946. Czechoslovakia reacted by sending more units near borders expecting more insurgents trying to enter Czechoslovakia.^[13] Ukrainian Insurgent Army became more active near Polish border with Slovakia and more units entered Czechoslovak territory there. In April 1946 units led by Colonel Heřman launched offensive against insurgents pushing them back to Poland. During late 1946, situation in Slovakia became calmer.^[6]

Operation

During early 1947, insurgents led some raids to Czechoslovak territory and during summer 1947 launched their largest attack to Czechoslovakia trying to reach western Europe through its territory. Some groups even entered Moravia and South Bohemia.^[13] The bloodiest clash occurred on 5 August, 1947, at Partizánská Ľupča which resulted in death of 6 members of Czechoslovak security forces. Czechoslovak units were gradually destroying Ukrainian insurgents, and fights concluded on 17 November, 1947, when the last forces of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army were pushed out.^[8] Members of OUN captured 33 villages in Czechoslovakia.^[8]

Aftermath

Teplice Production Association dated October 3, 1947 No. 70 stated that the movement of UPA units to the territory of the Czechoslovak Republic was definitively stopped. After 17 days, the last 82nd order of this unit was issued, declaring its complete disbandment. According to the Czechoslovak Ministry of the Interior, as a result of the operation “Action B”, 59 Bandera members were killed, 39 were captured and wounded, 217 people were taken prisoner and 29 people surrendered voluntarily. On the Czechoslovak side, 24 soldiers and state security officers were killed. Only 1/5 of the original composition – 97 people – reached the American occupation zone. However, for a long time (until the autumn of 1949) groups of Ukrainian rebels who had lost contact with the command, or members of the OUN civilian network who came with special tasks to maintain contact, arrived in West Germany. In total, according to information from Stepan Bandera, about 300 UPA fighters and members of the OUN civilian network arrived in Germany during the years 1947-1949.^[14]

Popular culture

1951 Czechoslovak film Operation B focuses on Czechoslovaks participating in military operations against Ukrainian Insurgent Army.^[15]

1975 episode of Thirty Cases of Major Zeman called Ruby Crosses was inspired by Ukrainian Insurgent Army activities in Czechoslovakia.

The 1978 film Shadows of a Hot Summer focuses on a family taken hostage by Ukrainian Insurgent Army.^[16]

The 1984 film Pasáček z doliny depicts members of Ukrainian Insurgent Army who entered Czechoslovakia.

See also

• Operation Vistula
• Operation Barium

Notes

1. 20^[5] to 49 killed^[4]
   19 deaths in accidents^[5]