The mysterious Marcomanni
I’ve often heard about the Marcomanni tribe when researching information about Czechia. References are always fleeting and there’s never enough information about them. I decided to look into this oddly-named Germanic tribe.
Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories
During World War II, the USA and UK plotted to place France under Allied administration after the war, instead of restoring the French government. Why would they consider this, and how different would the world today be if this had gone through?
This article examines the political context and the personalities behind what happened.
The bombing of RAF Kalafrana
On 9 May 1942, at the tail end of the Siege of Malta, an unexpected switch in Axis tactics led to loss of life at one of Malta's airfields. This article describes the situation at that point, and the details of the men who lost their lives that day.
From a Duchy to a Kingdom
In the 12th century, Otakar I was the Duke of Bohemia. Through wily politics, he elevated his duchy to a kingdom, forever enhancing Bohemia in the process.
This article explains the political situation at the time and how Otakar pulled this off.
RAF hijacking in Prague
In 1950, three ex-RAF pilots, persecuted by the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, coordinated the hijacking of three flights, leading to a daring escape to the West.
The Samo Empire
Samo, a French arms dealer, became king after leading a Slavic federation to victory against the Turks. He established the first Slavic state, which dissolved after his death in 658.
The fake and fatal border crossing
The way a communist state handles border control is key to handling internal dissidents. It's always about tracking who goes out, as well as who goes in. Operation Border Stone in Czechoslovakia took this policy to another level.
Air Battle over the Ore Mountains
On 11 September 1944, a massive, intense air battle took place over the mountains between Germany and what was then Czechoslovakia. The memory of this battle is still alive today.
The German expulsion
I've written lots about how Germany and German influences affected Bohemia and Czechia. This is what led to a backlash after World War II.
This article explores the little-known story of how Czechoslovakia expelled Germans after the war.
The Czech-German tri-point
Accidents of geography have determined as much of world history and culture as anything else. Rivers and mountains became natural, then political, borders. The Czech town of Hranice used to be a meeting point between 3 countries.