September 29, 1938

Munich Agreement

Under an agreement signed by Germany, Italy, France, and Britain, Czechoslovakia ceded its border territories to Germany in October 1938.

December 25, 1938

Karel Čapek passed away.

March 15, 1939

Germany occupied the remaining parts of Czechoslovakia. The Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia was established, and some Czechoslovak soldiers went abroad to fight against Nazi Germany.

September 1, 1939

Outbreak of World War II. Germany invaded Poland. Most Czechoslovak soldiers relocated to France, and after its defeat in 1940, they moved to Britain.

Spring–Autumn 1941

Selected Czechoslovak soldiers underwent specialized courses in Britain, including intensive training in offensive combat and parachute operations.

December 29, 1941

Paratroopers from Anthropoid, Silver A, and Silver B groups, were successfully dropped into occupied Czechoslovakia. Other operations, such as Out Distance, Bivouac, Bioscop, and Zinc, followed shortly after.

May 27, 1942

The Anthropoid group, consisting of Jan Kubiš and Josef Gabčík, carried out a successful attack on acting Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich, who died of his injuries on June 4, 1942. In response, a state of emergency was declared from May 27 to July 3, 1942, during which the Nazis initiated a campaign of extreme terror.

June 18, 1942

Following the betrayal of Karel Čurda, Czechoslovak paratroopers were located in the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius in Prague. All seven men died during a fierce battle with German forces inside the church.