elle72 Posted 3 August , 2008 Share Posted 3 August , 2008 Hi there, From what I can tell prior to 1918, Czechoslovakia was part of the Bohemian Empire under Austrian-Hungarian control and was made up of the lands of Bohemia, Moravia, Lusatia, Silesia and Brandenburg. After the war, the first Czech Republic was formed and I have read that it was the only Eastern European country under democratic rule. What I would like to know is what part it played during WW1......as part of the Austrian-Hungarian empire was it an ally of Germany and did its citizens fight in the German army? If someone could point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it. Cheers, Elle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 3 August , 2008 Share Posted 3 August , 2008 Czechs and Slovaks were enlisted into the Austrian army. However, contingents of Czechs and Poles managed to find their way into the French army. There are memorials to them on the road from Arras to Souchez. A bit of info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czechoslovak_...gions_in_France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elle72 Posted 3 August , 2008 Author Share Posted 3 August , 2008 Thanks for that info Chris, thats really interesting......I wonder why some of them decided to fight for the French? Or were they already in France to begin with? Were any of them taken POW? If so, I imagine they would have received quite harsh treatment......is there any record of this occurring? Cheers, Elle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elle72 Posted 3 August , 2008 Author Share Posted 3 August , 2008 Actually, I think the answer was mentioned in that Wikipedia article from Chris....'the Sokol movement'....I had not heard of this before but am fascinated to discover that there is a link between gymnastics and WW1....who would have thought. Im still interested in the POW bit though if anyone has information about this. Cheers, Elle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthergw Posted 3 August , 2008 Share Posted 3 August , 2008 Thanks for that info Chris, thats really interesting......I wonder why some of them decided to fight for the French? Or were they already in France to begin with? Were any of them taken POW? If so, I imagine they would have received quite harsh treatment......is there any record of this occurring? Cheers, Elle When citizens of Alsace Lorraine managed to enlist in the French forces, I believe they were described as French in their papers to cope with that eventuality. It may be that these Czechs and Poles would be treated in the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwin astill Posted 3 August , 2008 Share Posted 3 August , 2008 At the moment I am re-reading "The Good Soldier Svejk" so know all about the Czech army!! I think it is one of the best books on WW1. Mine is an unabridged 1980 Penguin version Edwin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rflory Posted 3 August , 2008 Share Posted 3 August , 2008 There was also a Czechoslovakian Legion that fought in Russia from 1917 to 1921, especially along the Trans-Siberian Railroad. See Edwin P. Hoyt's The Army Without a Country. Dick Flory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1052 Posted 3 August , 2008 Share Posted 3 August , 2008 Click here for information on the confused situation in Siberia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceebee Posted 4 August , 2008 Share Posted 4 August , 2008 A few more links about the Czech involvement in WW 1. This one on the Czech Army website. A post I started with the aim of identifying Czech medals.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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