Veteran fighter pilot Emil Šneberg, participant in the Prague Uprising, dies at 94

Emil Šneberg, a veteran fighter pilot and one of the last living participants in the Prague Uprising at the end of the Second World War, died on Wednesday at the age of 94. His death was confirmed by the Freedom Fighters’ Union, where Šneberg served for many years as vice-chair.

Born in Prague, Šneberg followed in the footsteps of his father, a First World War veteran and former Austro-Hungarian airman. During the Prague Uprising, they took part in the final clashes with German troops and helped build local barricades.

For their bravery, both were awarded the Czechoslovak War Cross by President Edvard Beneš. After the war, Šneberg joined the army, graduated from the Air Force Academy and served as a fighter pilot. He ended his career as chief of staff of the Air Force in Prague, a post he held until his retirement.