Czechast: Prague, Patton, and the price of peace in May 1945
In May 1945, World War II came to an end in Czechoslovakia with scenes of liberation and chaos. While most of western Bohemia was freed by the American army under General George S. Patton, Soviet forces took control of Prague and much of the rest of the country.
The days leading up to the German surrender were marked by the Prague Uprising and violent retribution against German soldiers and civilians.
In this episode of Czechast, we speak with historian Vít Smetana about how the war ended on Czechoslovak territory, the roles of the Allies, and the legacy of liberation that still shapes Czech memory and identity.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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80 years ago: How did WWII end in the Czech lands?
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Czechast, Radio Prague International
Czechast is a regular RPI podcast about Czech and Moravian culture, history, and economy.
