Poledník Lookout Tower – Then and Now

This wooden lookout tower in the mountains is known as Poledník. It is a Cold War secret surveillance tower which was used to spy on radio communications. An odd structure, right? The Poledník lookout tower is situated in the Šumava National Park near the Czech-German border, approximately 5 kilometers southeast of Prášily. Today, the lookout...

Czech Republic, PLACES

June 25, 2019

Watch This: Swingtime – StB – A False State Border Within the Republic

Imagine it… The StB – A false state border within the republic – and a fictional story of people who have crossed it. This is the theme of the the 2006 film Swingtime. It focuses on the so-called akce Kámen (Stone action), during which State Security agents deliberately mystified the citizens of the Czechoslovak Republic. Especially...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

July 2, 2018

The Letov L-290 Orel Maneuvering Through Prague

Imagine walking down the sidewalk in Prague when suddenly the larger than life body of an airplane moves past you. That is exactly what happened just a few months after the end of WWII with the plane that would be known as the Letov L-290 Orel. LETOV is an aircraft company located in Prague –...

History, Time Warp

June 25, 2018

Martha Gellhorn Reports on Czechoslovakia in 1938

Today we are looking at Martha Gellhorn’s report on Czechoslovakia in 1938. Martha Ellis Gellhorn (November 8, 1908 – February 15, 1998) was an American novelist, travel writer, and journalist who is considered one of the great war correspondents of the 20th century. She reported on virtually every major world conflict that took place during...

History, Periodicals

June 10, 2018

Memorial to Lidice by Bohuslav Martinů

On an unforgettable night in June 1942, the peaceful village of Lidice, Czechoslovakia, ceased to exist. It was neither earthquake nor flood that wiped this town from the verdant hills west of Prague; it was the dark evil of man’s nature. Nazi troops swept through the village as it slept, killing the men, deporting the...

Czech Republic, History

May 27, 2018

Resistance Has a Code Name: Operation Anthropoid

Being May 27th, we are looking at an evil monster from history known as the Butcher of Prague and the various films made about Operation Anthropoid, the plot to kill him in Czechoslovakia. Operation Anthropoid, with its course and consequences, is the most heroic and tragic story in the modern Czech history. Warrant Officer Jozef Gabčík (Slovak)...

History, Movies

May 4, 2018

1945 Soviet Propaganda Posters for the Liberation of Czechoslovakia

Today we are looking at 1945 Soviet propaganda posters for the liberation of Czechoslovakia as well as learning a bit about the Prague Uprising (aka Pražské povstání), an attempt by the Czech resistance to liberate the city of Prague from German occupation during World War II. “This is Prague! Americans and English, help us” We need guns....

History, LIFESTYLE, NOSTALGIA

January 30, 2018

Watch This: Dark Blue World or Tmavomodrý Svět

Coming from famous Czech director Jan Svěrák who also directed the film Kolya, comes Dark Blue World (2001). This is a historic action movie about a group of fighter pilots training to fight for their country which has been invaded by the Nazis in 1939. The plot follows two pilots in particular (Ondrej Vetchý and Krystof Hádekwho) who...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

October 31, 2017

An Abandoned Haunted Mansion of Nazi Torture

In the spirit of Halloween, we wanted to post something scary and sinister like an abandoned haunted mansion. Little did we know what a horrible and hideous hidden history we’d uncover when we came across the Pfaffenhof Mansion. Known as Fafák, or Veveří, the Pfaffenhof Mansion has an interesting history linking it to the SS Nazis,...

History, NOSTALGIA

October 25, 2017

Czechoslovak Armored Car from WWII Skoda Panzerwagen II Turtle

Czech Master Kits, more commonly known as CMK, has been one of the Czech Republic’s contributions to modeling since the mid-1990s. Originally it focused on production of resin cast kits but later production expanded and a range of resin detail accessories, detail sets, white metal accessories together with modelers’ tools and aids was introduced. In...

History, NOSTALGIA

August 17, 2017

Czechoslovakian Handguns From 1918 to 1964

As a direct result of the first World War, the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy was divided into a number of states including the Czechoslovakian Republic which was born on Oct. 28, 1918. This was also the beginning of the Czechoslovakian small arms industry. Today we are looking at the principal models of Czechoslovakian hand guns made since...

History, NOSTALGIA

July 24, 2017

Memorial Day Czech Style – Liberation Festival Pilsen

We appeal to you to be vigilant and not let anyone, under any pretense to take your liberty and freedom. –American Veteran Earl Ingram, Lieutenant 2nd Infantry Division I received an email the other day which contained much of the following. It’s one of those emails that are shared from mailbox to mailbox and no...

History, NOSTALGIA

July 16, 2017

Czechoslovakian Soldier’s Watch from the 1940s

Today we’re looking at the Military Watch Collection – Czechoslovakian Soldier’s Watch from the 1940s. The Czechoslovakian soldier’s watch has many of the features that are important to troops in combat situations, such as large, luminous hands and markers and a clear, Arabic font to aid legibility. Finished with a brown leatherette strap. Each watch...

LIFESTYLE, Shopping

July 3, 2017

Vintage Czech Military Motorcycle Gloves Brown Leather circa 1968

Do you ever find yourself looking through very old things and finding yourself lucky to find a treasure you feel is suited just for you? I do. The other day I happened upon these Czech military motorcycle gloves. They are a size 9, which would be a larger medium mans size. Even though they are...

NOSTALGIA, Retro Chic