Tag: World War II

A photo of Karlovo Namesti - Prague, Czechia

The Allied bombing of Prague

During World War II, Prague wasn't as affected by bombing as many other European cities were. This was because planes didn’t have the range to reach Prague, and also because the Allies had more important targets in mind. This article describes the few Allied bombings of Prague, which happened towards the end of the war.
A photo of world leaders at the signing of the Munich agreement

Preserving Malta’s money supply

European geopolitics in the 1930s caused plenty of uncertainty. The British worried about riots in the Middle East, and the possibility of another major war with Germany. They hatched a secret plan to reinforce Malta’s money supply in case of war.
A photo of one of the side roads in Zlaté Hory - Olomouc, Czechia

The World War II Death Marches

While travelling overland across Europe, it’s easy to enjoy the scenery and hospitality without a second thought to horrific acts which took place over the centuries. We often don’t realise how special our generation is to live in a Europe where there hasn’t been a major war in over 70 years.
A photo of world leaders at the signing of the Munich agreement

The truth behind the Sudetenland

Before living in Prague I thought I knew about the Sudetenland and how Hitler annexed it before World War II. There’s a lot I’ve learnt about the nuances of history in the region/s that carry this name. This article is my attempt at straightening out the facts from the commonly-held myths.
A photo of Milada Horáková at her trial

Milada Horáková: Czech resistance fighter

People who speak out against a regime ? are targeted. We think this happens in dictatorships but a democratic society can face the wrath of an angry administration. Under communist rule, Czechoslovakia targeted the resistance fighter Milada Horáková as brutally as possible.
A photo of the plaque commemorating the SAS - Ghent, Belgium

For people interested in World War II stories

There's a plaque on the wall in the castle in Ghent, Belgium, thanking the city for the symbolic establishment of the SAS. In Belgium. The SAS? Symbolic establishment? I started digging deeper to find out what this was all about.
A photo of the view on Bezděz castle - Liberec, Czechia

How to see a quarter of Bohemia in one go

About an hour's drive north-east of Prague, the Gothic Bezděz castle watches over the region of Liberec. The view from the top of the Devil's Tower is such that you can see one-eighth of the entire country!
A photo of Via Rasella - Rome, Italy

Shock, Terror and War – Bombing Via Rasella

Wherever you are in Europe, it is safe to say that you are no more than a stone's throw away from the location of some key historical event. Rome is no different and while the ruins of the old Empire are obvious, there are many more recent stories to be told.