Josef Šnejdárek
Encyclopedia
Josef Šnejdárek was a Czech soldier. He served 43 years in the French Foreign Legion
and later was a military officer for Czechoslovakia
. He saw service in World War I
, the Poland–Czechoslovakia war over Cieszyn Silesia
and in the war with the Hungarian Soviet Republic
over territories in today's Slovakia
.
's family. After graduating from the cadet school he entered the Austro-Hungarian Army
and served in Budapest
and Innsbruck
. He left the Austro-Hungarian Army and joined the French Foreign Legion
. During his service there he took a part in North Africa
n battles.
In World War I
Šnejdárek fought on the Western Front
, was wounded several times and awarded. He served then in the Czechoslovak Legion in France
.
In 1919 Šnejdárek returned to Czechoslovakia (as a French citizen). He became the commander of Czechoslovak forces operating in Cieszyn Silesia
and led his forces in a short conflict with Poland. He later became the divisional commander in battles against the Hungarian Soviet Republic
in nowadays Slovakia, where he was victorious in the battle of Zvolen
. It was not until 1927 that Šnejdárek formally left the French Army
and joined the Czechoslovak Army.
and was the army commander in Slovakia. In 1932 he gave orders to fortify Petržalka
with concrete bunker
s, nine of which were built.
he went to North Africa, where he died. In 1996 his remnants were transferred from Casablanca
to the family grave in Napajedla
.
French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
and later was a military officer for Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. He saw service in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the Poland–Czechoslovakia war over Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia or Těšín Silesia or Teschen Silesia is a historical region in south-eastern Silesia, centered around the towns of Cieszyn and Český Těšín and bisected by the Olza River. Since 1920 it has been divided between Poland and Czechoslovakia, and later the Czech Republic...
and in the war with the Hungarian Soviet Republic
Hungarian Soviet Republic
The Hungarian Soviet Republic or Soviet Republic of Hungary was a short-lived Communist state established in Hungary in the aftermath of World War I....
over territories in today's Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
.
Early life and French Foreign Legion
Šnejdárek was born into a millerMiller
A miller usually refers to a person who operates a mill, a machine to grind a cereal crop to make flour. Milling is among the oldest of human occupations. "Miller", "Milne" and other variants are common surnames, as are their equivalents in other languages around the world...
's family. After graduating from the cadet school he entered the Austro-Hungarian Army
Austro-Hungarian Army
The Austro-Hungarian Army was the ground force of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy from 1867 to 1918. It was composed of three parts: the joint army , the Austrian Landwehr , and the Hungarian Honvédség .In the wake of fighting between the...
and served in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
and Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
. He left the Austro-Hungarian Army and joined the French Foreign Legion
French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
. During his service there he took a part in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
n battles.
In World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Šnejdárek fought on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
, was wounded several times and awarded. He served then in the Czechoslovak Legion in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
In 1919 Šnejdárek returned to Czechoslovakia (as a French citizen). He became the commander of Czechoslovak forces operating in Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia or Těšín Silesia or Teschen Silesia is a historical region in south-eastern Silesia, centered around the towns of Cieszyn and Český Těšín and bisected by the Olza River. Since 1920 it has been divided between Poland and Czechoslovakia, and later the Czech Republic...
and led his forces in a short conflict with Poland. He later became the divisional commander in battles against the Hungarian Soviet Republic
Hungarian Soviet Republic
The Hungarian Soviet Republic or Soviet Republic of Hungary was a short-lived Communist state established in Hungary in the aftermath of World War I....
in nowadays Slovakia, where he was victorious in the battle of Zvolen
Zvolen
Zvolen |Slatina]] rivers, close to Banská Bystrica. With its ancient castle, the town has a historical center, which represents the seat of an okres .-History:...
. It was not until 1927 that Šnejdárek formally left the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
and joined the Czechoslovak Army.
Czechoslovak Army
In the Czechoslovak Army Šnejdárek was promoted to GeneralGeneral
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
and was the army commander in Slovakia. In 1932 he gave orders to fortify Petržalka
Petržalka
Petržalka ) is the largest borough of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Situated on the right bank of the river Danube, it is home to approximately 150,000 people.-History:Historical records of Petržalka exist from 1225...
with concrete bunker
Bunker
A military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
s, nine of which were built.
Later life
Šnejdárek retired in the 1930s. In 1939 he went in exile to France. When France was defeated by Nazi GermanyNazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
he went to North Africa, where he died. In 1996 his remnants were transferred from Casablanca
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
to the family grave in Napajedla
Napajedla
Napajedla is a town in the Zlín Region, Czech Republic. It has about 7,500 inhabitants.- Born there :* Countess Sofija Jelačić , wife of the Croatian ban and general Josip Jelačić von Bužim...
.
Life timeline
- 2 April 1875: Born in Napajedla
- 18 August 1895:: After graduating a cadet school in PraguePraguePrague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, he is accepted as cadetCadetA cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...
to Austro-Hungarian ArmyAustro-Hungarian ArmyThe Austro-Hungarian Army was the ground force of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy from 1867 to 1918. It was composed of three parts: the joint army , the Austrian Landwehr , and the Hungarian Honvédség .In the wake of fighting between the...
. He is detached to the headquarters of 2nd Rear Regiment in BudapestBudapestBudapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
. - 1 November 1895: Promoted to LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
and transferred to 14th Rear Battalion in InnsbruckInnsbruck- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
. Later, during leave, for a couple of days he volunteers to serve the Turkish Army, which was defending PrevezaPrevezaPreveza is a town in the region of Epirus, northwestern Greece, located at the mouth of the Ambracian Gulf. It is the capital of the regional unit of Preveza, which is part of the region of Epirus. An immersed tunnel, completed in 2002 which runs between Preveza and Actium, connects the town...
against the Greeks. He shoots two or three foes, while an injury leaves a scar on his head. Later he spends 30 days in an Austrian Army prison for the engagement. - 1 October 1896: On his own request Šnejdárek leaves the Austro-Hungarian Army. After this, he travels around the Mediterranean BasinMediterranean BasinIn biogeography, the Mediterranean Basin refers to the lands around the Mediterranean Sea that have a Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers, which supports characteristic Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub vegetation...
, North AfricaNorth AfricaNorth Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
and Central AfricaCentral AfricaCentral Africa is a core region of the African continent which includes Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda....
for about two years. - 24 January 1899: Šnejdárek voluntarily enters the French Foreign LegionFrench Foreign LegionThe French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
as a privatePrivate (rank)A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
, 2nd Class - 10 May 1900: Enters his first military campaign in the SaharaSaharaThe Sahara is the world's second largest desert, after Antarctica. At over , it covers most of Northern Africa, making it almost as large as Europe or the United States. The Sahara stretches from the Red Sea, including parts of the Mediterranean coasts, to the outskirts of the Atlantic Ocean...
- 19 May 1900: First wounds in a fight against the BedouinBedouinThe Bedouin are a part of a predominantly desert-dwelling Arab ethnic group traditionally divided into tribes or clans, known in Arabic as ..-Etymology:...
- 26 September 1900: Promoted to CorporalCorporalCorporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
- 1 March 1901: Promoted to SergeantSergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
- 1 April 1906: Promoted to Sergeant majorSergeant MajorSergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers...
, awarded French citizenship and starts studying - 1 April 1907: After graduating from military school in Saint-MaixantSaint-MaixantSaint-Maixant is the name of 2 communes in France:* Saint-Maixant, Creuse, in the Creuse département* Saint-Maixant, Gironde, in the Gironde département-See also:* Saint-Maixent, in the Sarthe département...
he is promoted to Second LieutenantSecond LieutenantSecond lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
and transferred to the 1st Regiment of Algerian Gunners - 1 April 1909: Promoted to LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
- 25 September 1911: Transfers to 4th Regiment of Algerian Gunners
- 4 June 1912: Marries Cathérine de Constantin
- 24 June 1912: Starts military expedition in MoroccoMoroccoMorocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
- 15 April 1913: Transferred to 4th Regiment of the Colonial Infantry
- 11 July 1913: Sent for recuperative leave to TunisiaTunisiaTunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
- 2 August 1914: Reaches German-French frontline as a secondary troop commander
- 21 September 1914: Wounded in First Battle of the AisneFirst Battle of the AisneThe First Battle of the Aisne was the Allied follow-up offensive against the right wing of the German First Army & Second Army as they retreated after the First Battle of the Marne earlier in September 1914...
- 25 September 1914: Promoted to Captain and cited in the army report for bravery
- 12 February 1915: After recovery returns to the frontline
- 16 June 1915: Wounded in Battle of ArrasBattle of Arras (1914)The Battle of Arras , which began on 1 October 1914, was an attempt by the French Army to outflank the German Army to prevent its movement towards the English Channel during the Race to the Sea....
- 1 August 1915: Daughter Miriam was born
- 17 November 1917: Transferred as Liaison officerLiaison officerA liaison officer or LNO is a person that liaises between two organizations to communicate and coordinate their activities. Generally, they are used to achieve the best utilization of resources or employment of services of one organization by another. In the military, liaison officers may...
to Czechoslovak Army in France - 21 January 1918: Designated the position of adjutantAdjutantAdjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
of commander of Czechoslovak 21st Regiment of Gunners - 13 December 1918: Promoted to MajorMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
and designated the position of temporary commander of the Czechoslovak 21st Regiment of Gunners - 4 January 1919: Returns to Czechoslovakia
- 15 January 1919: Appointed to be commander of the Army Inspectorate of Moravian OstravaOstravaOstrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
(at the time the city was divided into Silesian and Moravia parts) - 17 January 1919: Promoted to Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
and appointed to be commander of armies in the Cieszyn SilesiaCieszyn SilesiaCieszyn Silesia or Těšín Silesia or Teschen Silesia is a historical region in south-eastern Silesia, centered around the towns of Cieszyn and Český Těšín and bisected by the Olza River. Since 1920 it has been divided between Poland and Czechoslovakia, and later the Czech Republic...
region - 23 January 1919: Starts military operation against Polish units in Cieszyn Silesia, starting the Polish–Czechoslovak WarPolish–Czechoslovak WarThe Poland–Czechoslovakia war, also known mostly in Czech sources as the Seven-day war was a military confrontation between Czechoslovakia and Poland over the territory of Cieszyn Silesia in 1919....
- 30 January 1919: Prepares for the battle of SkoczówSkoczówSkoczów is a town and the seat of Gmina Skoczów in Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland with 14,783 inhabitants . It lies in the historical region of Cieszyn Silesia....
- 31 January 1919: The Polish–Czechoslovak WarPolish–Czechoslovak WarThe Poland–Czechoslovakia war, also known mostly in Czech sources as the Seven-day war was a military confrontation between Czechoslovakia and Poland over the territory of Cieszyn Silesia in 1919....
ends by the command of Czechoslovak Minister of Defence, Šnejdárek's units stand down - 23 February 1919: Promoted to ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and appointed to position of Czechoslovak delegate to The EntenteAllies of World War IThe Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
Commission in WarsawWarsawWarsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most... - 31 May 1919: Appointed to position of commander of 2nd infantry division, which was at the time fighting in Central SlovakiaSlovakiaThe Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
against Hungarian Soviet RepublicHungarian Soviet RepublicThe Hungarian Soviet Republic or Soviet Republic of Hungary was a short-lived Communist state established in Hungary in the aftermath of World War I....
. He immediately turns the course of war in favour of Czechoslovakia - 10 June 1919: Starts offensive against Hungarian BolshevikBolshevikThe Bolsheviks, originally also Bolshevists , derived from bol'shinstvo, "majority") were a faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party which split apart from the Menshevik faction at the Second Party Congress in 1903....
s at his part of the front - 13 June 1919: Prevails in Battle of ZvolenZvolenZvolen |Slatina]] rivers, close to Banská Bystrica. With its ancient castle, the town has a historical center, which represents the seat of an okres .-History:...
- 17 September 1919: Appointed to be commander of Prague garrison, eliminates leftist guerilla bands
- 30 December 1919: Included in French Army mission in Czechoslovakia
- 11 July 1920: Son Jiří is born
- 19 November 1920: Promoted to Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
- 29 December 1920: Appointed to be commander of 9th Infantry Division in TrnavaTrnavaTrnava is a city in western Slovakia, 47 km to the north-east of Bratislava, on the Trnávka river. It is the capital of a kraj and of an okres . It was the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishopric . The city has a historic center...
- 24 November 1921: During Czechoslovak mobilisation appointed to be commander of the Danube sector
- 31 January 1923: Appointed to be the commander of 7th Infantry Division in OlomoucOlomoucOlomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city is located on the Morava river and is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Nowadays, it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic...
- 1 December 1924: Appointed to be the commander of 11th Infantry Division in KošiceKošiceKošice is a city in eastern Slovakia. It is situated on the river Hornád at the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains, near the border with Hungary...
- 10 February 1925 Promoted to Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
- 15 September 1925: Appointed to be the army commander in KošiceKošiceKošice is a city in eastern Slovakia. It is situated on the river Hornád at the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains, near the border with Hungary...
- 7 June 1926: Promoted to Lieutenant GeneralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
- 5 January 1927: Following his own request retires from French ArmyFrench ArmyThe French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
- 15 February 1927: Cleared from duties to the French Army
- 16 February 1927: Submits Czechoslovak citizenship certificate and is accepted into the Czechoslovak Army
- 13 November 1930: Promoted to GeneralArmy GeneralFor the army rank of General, as opposed to the specific rank of Army General, see General officer.Army General is a title used in many countries to denote the rank of General nominally commanding an army in the field...
- 31 December 1932: Appointed to be the army commander in BratislavaBratislavaBratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
- 30 September 1933: Receives annual evaluation beyond praise from general Jan SyrovýJan SyrovýJan Syrový was a Czechoslovak Army four star general and the prime minister during the Munich Crisis.-Early life and military career:...
(chief staff officer) - 30 September 1934: Receives negative annual evaluation from general Krejčí (new chief staff officer)
- 11 October 1934: Chief-of-staff wants Šnejdárek to retire
- 2 April 1935: Takes leave before retirement
- 28 June 1935: Handed retirement notice
- 1 July 1935: Retires, lives in Bratislava
- 20 November 1938: Appointed the commander of National Gunners Guards
- 14 March 1939: As he lives in Bratislava, he receives citizenship of the Slovak Fascist State
- 31 March 1939: Relieved from position of commander of the National Gunners Guards
- 2 June 1939: Goes into exile
- 1 March 1940: Temporarily resumes active duty in Czechoslovak Exile ArmyCzechoslovak government-in-exileThe Czechoslovak government-in-exile was an informal title conferred upon the Czechoslovak National Liberation Committee, initially by British diplomatic recognition. The name came to be used by other World War II Allies as they subsequently recognized it...
in France - 5 November 1940: Following the fall of France leaves for Northern French AfricaFrench colonial empireThe French colonial empire was the set of territories outside Europe that were under French rule primarily from the 17th century to the late 1960s. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the colonial empire of France was the second-largest in the world behind the British Empire. The French colonial empire...
- 13 May 1945: Dies in CasablancaCasablancaCasablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
- 1996: His remains are relocated to his hometown of NapajedlaNapajedlaNapajedla is a town in the Zlín Region, Czech Republic. It has about 7,500 inhabitants.- Born there :* Countess Sofija Jelačić , wife of the Croatian ban and general Josip Jelačić von Bužim...
, Czech Republic