This year, the traditional military-historical event took place in Pilsen for the thirty-fourth time. “For us, the celebration is a symbol of peace, freedom and gratitude. No city celebrates the end of World War II every year in that format.” said the mayor of Pilsen, Roman Zarzycký, who stated that while veterans would not be visiting Pilsen this year, they would be replaced by their relatives. “Guests from the US who have pledged to attend include Dale Rieb – son-in-law of George E. Thompson, Kathleen Lemmons Hoffman – daughter of the late Veteran Charles R. Lemmons, Tom Duncan – son of the late James H. Duncan and others,” inform the mayor.

“Independence celebrations will be a little different this year, as the health and condition of the veterans does not allow them to fly to us, nor do we expect it in the coming years. We will face an imaginary milestone when we have to recreate the Festival of Freedom in some way. We will try to preserve this tradition for the people of Pilsen.” said the mayor of Pilsen.

This year, visitors can look forward to a rich program. Not only military camps and musical performances are planned, but also charity and sports events. “Monday’s program will outline where we want to go for the Independence Celebration. We want to focus on the witnesses, on the Pilsen folklore. We’ve linked with Post Bellum, we’ve added a bit of sport and on Monday the Run for the Memory of the Nation will be carried out,” said Jana Komišová, head of the Marketing Department of the City of Pilsen. You will find much more Here.

Independence convoy and fighter jets

Of course, the popular Liberty Convoy will be part of the Independence Celebrations. It will be held on Sunday, May 7th. The parade of historic military vehicles with current and period army aircraft flyovers will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the departure of the convoy from Sukova Street. 12:30 is expected to arrive at náměstí Republiky. “I can express that we can look forward to at least 280 vehicles,” said Jana Komišová. “The Liberty Convoy will be commented on. The public can hear expert commentary during the convoy on the Independence Celebration or Pilsen City Facebook pages. he added.

Weather permitting, this year’s Liberty Convoy will be enriched with an unusual aerial parade, and visitors will witness flyovers Pilsen has yet to remember. “Three waves are planned. In the first wave, the Czech Republic Army air force will present two JAS 39 Grippen aircraft, two L-159 Alca aircraft, and one Casa C-295M twin-engine military transport aircraft. In addition, United States Army Air Force aircraft will be presented, namely the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and F-22 fighter jets.” named Jiří Horák from Classic Trainers Líně.

“The plane will fly over Klatovská třída from the south. Czech soldiers plan to fly once, American soldiers several times,” said Jiří Horák.

The aircraft will also be accompanied by a historic Classic Coach from the airport in Línich. “North American P-51 Mustangs, personnel carrier AT 19 Stinson, B 75 Stearman training biplane and British two-seat Tiger Month training biplane will fly over Pilsen for the first time,” Horak added.

Vintage American Campground

Traditionally, the program will be complemented by military camps and period realities. The Křižíkovy Sady and Proluka locations will be filled by the Pilsen 1945 project program, which will show visitors to the Freedom Celebration vivid images of the American military camps and May Street from 1945, as happens every year. The 16th Armored Division military history club will showcase soldier life, heavy and light armored vehicles, service cars, low-loading tractors, transport equipment, and the only operational Sherman tank in the Czech Republic from Friday to Monday in the park- garden in military camp. “We will occupy the entire park, there will be about 160 of us and up to 50 pieces of historical military equipment will be on display,” says Pavel Rogl, from the Military History Club – 16th Armored Division.

The military camp staff will commemorate members of the famous US 2nd Infantry Division and the US Army’s 109th Evacuation Hospital. It will present the daily life of an American soldier during the liberation of Czechoslovakia, daily arrivals, maintenance of equipment and technology.

Czechoslovak Army and RAF behind the Plaza

A special program is also set up in the park behind the OC Plzeň Plaza, soldiers of the Czechoslovak Independent Armored Brigade and the British Royal Air Force RAF will camp there. RAF camp including aviator equipment and gear behind the Plaza to be demonstrated by members of the 276th Sqdn Military History Club. (reenact) RAF. There will also be women, members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), who, since 1939, have been primarily involved in packing parachutes, maintaining radar and aircraft, or operating telephones and telegraphs. The camp will offer, for example, the usual flag-raising procedures or regular training and guided tours. An RAF marked jeep will be available at the camp,​​and nearby will be a 1:1 scale replica of a Spitfire fighter with the markings of the RAF 312th Fighter Squadron and the legend of Otta Smik, which was loaned to Pilsen by the aviation history association Czech Spitfire Club .

“There are also rides for those who are interested and competitions for children. We’ll have about 20 pieces of period technology in there, of course it’s genuine.” added Stanislav Smolík of the Military History and Technology Club in the Czech Republic Army.

The combined section and the Military History and Technology Club at the AČR behind the Plaza will present period hospital equipment, equipment, weapons or field kitchens belonging to the Czechoslovak Army. separate armored brigade. Among the military equipment included Austin K2/Y ambulances, Austin and Morris limousines, Matchless and BSA motorcycles and British trucks such as the Bedford QL. New this year will be the legendary Leyland Hippo.

Current Czech and American soldiers

The Czech Republic Army will be stationed behind the Plaza Plzeň Shopping Center with demonstrations of military equipment, presentations of ground units and military police, and dynamic MUSADO training demonstrations. Military equipment will be represented, for example, by the Pandur vehicle, the Tatra T-815 armored car, the Dana self-propelled howitzer, the POP 2 mobile locker room with crane, or the Arthur artillery radar.

In collaboration with the US Embassy in the Czech Republic, during the Czech Republic Army presentation, there will be a static demonstration of the United States Army Stryker eight-wheeled armored vehicle of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment from Vilseck. A JTF (Joint Task Force) Raiders military history club camp will be set up in front of the Peklo cultural center with an exhibit on American infantry. It will present the current US military with a detailed description of equipment, weaponry and equipment.

Patton Memorial Pilsen

Open all year round, the Patton Memorial Museum Plzeň, run by the contributing organization Plzeň-TURISMUS, charts the journey of the Allies from the Normandy landings through the Battle of the Bulge to the liberation of the western Czech, explaining war events and showing artifacts from the end of the war in western Bohemia, equipment parts and items personal effects of American soldiers, donations from the family of General George S. Patton and American and Belgian veterans. Visitors to the 2023 Independence Celebration can visit the museum during extended opening hours from 09.00 to 18.00 and purchase souvenirs and souvenirs.

The post-war years of freedom

The celebration will also include an exhibition entitled Postwar years of freedom at Smetanovy Sady, where visitors can remember what happened in the postwar period during the stay of American soldiers.

A rich cultural program will take place on stage at náměstí Republiky and in the amphitheater behind OC Plzeň Plaza. An overview of the program, including warning actions, is available at www.slavnostisvobody.cz.

Photo illustration by Milan Svoboda, QAP