Burning of Ploština: Nazi revenge on Moravian Wallachian settlements
In the final years of the Second World War, the Moravian Wallachian hill settlements served as a haven for the partisan resistance movement. These freedom fighters aimed to disrupt Nazi control over the occupied Czech lands. The inhabitants of Ploština, Prlov, and Vařákovy Paseky provided material support and shelter, making them targets of brutal retaliation.
Betrayal and the Burning of the Settlements
The secret of the partisan activities reached the Gestapo through paid informants. On April 19, 1945, Nazi SS units stormed Ploština. Under the influence of alcohol, they looted, destroyed, and carried out mass executions. Only one man survived—Jan Machů, who escaped through a window. Similar horrors took place just days later in Prlov and then in Vařákovy Paseky.
The Perpetrators Escaped Justice
The bloody operations were led by SS commanders who escaped justice after the war. Josef Pawlofski, a former teacher and philosopher, lived out his life peacefully in Munich without ever standing trial. Erich Wienecke, another key figure, was never held accountable for his crimes. Perhaps the most intriguing fate was that of Sergeant Tutter—a former Abwehr member who, after the war, cooperated with the Communist State Security.
A Tragedy Remembered in Literature and Film
The horror of Ploština was captured in the autobiographical novel Death Is Called Engelchen by Ladislav Mňačko, who himself fought as a partisan in the region. The book was adapted into a film in 1963 and remains a treasure of Czechoslovak cinema. Directors Kadár and Klos worked on the film with Božena Húšťová, a survivor of the tragedy, who was sixteen at the time. Her brother was burned alive, along with nine other men, in a barn in Ploština.
Remembering Ploština and Commemorative Events
The story of Ploština is not forgotten. The Museum of Southeastern Moravia has prepared a program titled Ploština 80 for the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, featuring educational, cultural, and sporting events. The memorial site has undergone a 151-million-crown renovation and now hosts a new exhibition detailing the tragic events. Its minimalist concrete interior reflects the gravity of the tragedy. Visitors can learn about each victim—Josef Zvonek, František Machů, Bedřich Rak, Anastázie Zichová, and more—through evocative light columns. On April 13, a traditional commemorative ceremony will take place, featuring expert lectures, concerts, and theatrical performances.
- In April 1945, the Nazis burned the heart of the hill settlement of Ploština near Drnovice in the Zlín region and massacred its inhabitants.
- The Nazis tortured the settlers, drove them into burning homes, and shot those who resisted.
- More than twenty people lost their lives, not only from Ploština but also from nearby areas.
- The massacre was an act of revenge for supporting a partisan group based in Ploština.
- Writer Ladislav Mňačko, a future author, was a member of that partisan unit.
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