Commemorative ceremony pays tribute to heroes of Dukla Pass Operation

Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová and Army Chief of Staff Karel Řehka on Sunday paid tribute to the soldiers who fought in the so-called Dukla Pass Operation during the Second World War. A commemorative ceremony took place at the National Memorial at Vítkov on the 80th anniversary of the battle for control over the Dukla Pass on the border between Poland and Slovakia on the Eastern Front. The defence minister said the heroes of Dukla Pass should not be distinguished by their nationality or ideological orientation. They were united by the idea of freedom and bravery, Černochová said. This year, the Ministry of Defence managed to trace the names of 668 soldiers who died on the Polish side of the Dukla Pass.