Josef Šnejdárek

Josef Šnejdárek

Šnejdárek in uniform of the French Foreign Legion
Born (1875-04-02)2 April 1875
Napajedla, Moravia, Austria-Hungary
Died 13 May 1945(1945-05-13) (aged 70)
Casablanca, French Morocco
Buried at Casablanca (until 1996), Napajedla (since 1996)
Allegiance Austria-Hungary Austria-Hungary
France France
Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia
Service/branch  French Foreign Legion
 Czechoslovak Army
Years of service 1895–1935; 1940
Rank General of the army
Battles/wars Second Franco-Moroccan War
World War I
Poland–Czechoslovakia war
World War II
Awards

Josef Šnejdárek (2 April 1875 in Napajedla – 13 May 1945 in Casablanca) was a Czech soldier. He served 28 years in the French Foreign Legion, before joined Czechoslovak Army. 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.

Early life and French Foreign Legion

Šnejdárek was born into a miller'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 African 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. According to his memoirs, he never lost - neither battle nor duel, of which he had scores.

Czechoslovak Army

In the Czechoslovak Army Šnejdárek was promoted to General and was the army commander in Slovakia. In 1932 he gave orders to fortify Petržalka with concrete bunkers, 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 Germany he went to North Africa, where he died. In 1996 his remnants were transferred from Casablanca to the family grave in Napajedla.

Life timeline

Decorations

Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with Palm
Croix de guerre TOE
Colonial Medal with Algeria and Sahara Clasps
Morocco commemorative medal
Tunisian Order of Glory IV. Class
Legion of Honour, Knight
Insignia for the Military Wounded
Czechoslovak War Cross 1918 with Oak Leaves
Legion of Honour, Officer
World War I Victory Medal
Czechoslovakian Revolutionary Medal
Order of St Michael and St George, III. Class
Order of the Crown of Italy III. Class - Commander
Order of St. Sava, II. Class
Order of the Star of Romania, I. Class with Swords
Order of Ouissam Alaouite, II. Class
Verdun Medal
Legion of Honour, Commander
Romanian Order of the Crown, I. Class with Swords

Works

In 1939 Šnejdárek published his autobiography, Co jsem prožil ("What I Lived Through"). It was published again in 1994 under the name Pochoduj, nebo zemři! ("March or Die!").

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References

  1. ↑ Šnejdárek, Josef (1994). Pochoduj, nebo zemři (in Czech). Most: Elka Press.
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