With the participation of the families of American and Belgian veterans who liberated Pilsen in 1945, the biggest celebrations of the end of World War II in western Bohemia began on Friday. The center of the city was occupied by historical military equipment, period military camps with a field kitchen or a hospital.
Military history clubs have set up their camps in several places in Pilsen.
| Video: Diary/Pavel Bouda
The opening ceremony itself was an experience. The audience was first excited by the impressive performance of the American student marching band Stuttgart Legacy Drumline and the cadets from the American garrison in Ansbach, Germany, who showed the audience their exhibition with a weapon. The descendants of the veterans then took to the main stage to thank the people of Pilsen for not forgetting their liberators. Representatives of military history clubs also arrived at Republic Square in their vehicles, and the festive evening culminated in a Big Band concert with the excellent singer and entertainer Chuck Wansley.
Throughout the weekend, lovers of military equipment can head to Šafařík Gardens to see examples of the equipment and life of RAF pilots, including a replica Spitfire fighter jet in real size, and to Křižík Gardens, where the 16th Armored Division and the 2nd Infantry Division had their camps. There, the deservedly legendary Sherman tank attracts the most attention of visitors.
Source: Diary/Pavel Bouda
“We were here with him for the first time four years ago. He is originally from America and has also been through the Belgian, American, French and Argentinian armies. There are a total of four Shermans in the Czech Republic, but only ours is mobile,” explains Jan Šulc from the Military History Club of the 16th Armored Division.
On Sunday, the traditional Convoy of Liberty with military historical vehicles, including jeeps and relatives of American and Belgian veterans who directly participated in the liberation of western Bohemia 79 years ago, will travel along Klatovská třída to Náměstí Republiky.
A severed human head was found in the Radbuze river in the center of Pilsen
Jan Zemanec, a collector of historical military equipment and a regular participant in the celebrations, came to Pilsen with his jeep from Bakov nad Jizerou.
“An American Jeep was always my childhood dream, but under the old regime it was understandably impossible to have one. I only bought it about twenty years ago from an acquaintance of mine in Belgium. A lot of them remained in France and Belgium after the war, because the Americans did not take the equipment back, but sold it to countries in Europe for a symbolic price. I’ve only done an engine and transmission overhaul and I’ve been to Normandy twice with it, this year I’m going for a third. I’ve been coming here to Pilsen for celebrations regularly for the past twenty years,” says Jan Zemanec.
Source: Diary/Pavel Bouda
Celebrations of freedom also took place on cultural scenes, in addition to Republiky Square, in Pobřežní street or on a scene called LIBÉ RTY in Kopecky sady, intended mainly for young people.
The celebrations will culminate on Monday, May 6, with the main commemorative gathering at the Thank You, America! with a flyover of L-39 Alca and JAS-39 Gripen aircraft, which is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Tags: freedom celebrations grand start Thousands people filled center Pilsen
