World War II US veteran visits Plzeň

Plzeň,  German and English: Pilsen, is a city in the Czech republic  about 90 kilometres west of capital Praha and it is the fourth most populated city in in the Czech Republic with about 170,000 inhabitants. 

On 6 May 1945, in the final days before the end of WWII in Europe, Plzeň was liberated from the Nazis by the 16th armored division of General George  Pattons's 3rd Army. 

During the commemorative act held today 6th May 2022 was also present US veteran George Thompson, 97 years old. He was interviewed by Czech TV on this occasion and said he will drink Pilsner Urquell beer and due two long travelling by plane he does not plan to come next year.

 Very difficult... 10 hours on plane.

Ooohh ... Pilsner beer

 Memorial in Pilsen

The 16th armored division of the United States Army was an American military unit during World War II from 1943 to 1945. In May 1945, it took part in the liberation of southwestern Bohemia and was directly involved in the liberation of the city of Pilsen.

The arriving soldiers were enthusiastically welcomed by the population of Pilsen, but after stopping the vehicles in the center on Republic Square, the shooting of hidden German fanatics began here, as well as in other places in the city. The vast majority of the German garrison of the city was already evening 5th May withdrew to the barracks and surrendered after the arrival of the Americans. US soldiers  removed the last shooters, who mostly hid in attic rooms. The shooting was conducted even from the tower of the Church of St. Bartholomew on Republic Square.

Gen.George Patton was ready and determined to liberate also the capital of Prague, but commander-in-chief Eisenhower did not receive political support for this operation from Washington.

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                                                              Margaret