Tag Archives: France

Letters from General Lev Prchala, 1958

Here are more letters from General Lev Prchala to Dr. Pavel Fabry (Vlado’s father) from 1958. I have also included duplicates of letters from Pavel. Thank you to Miroslav Kamenik for translating many of the letters here!

From Lev Prchala, 29.3.58

Vážený pane doktore, drahý příteli,

již dlouho jsem Vám nepsal. Byl jsem dosti vážně churav a ještě dnes nejsem ve své kůži. Trpím rheumatickými bolestmi svalstva a rychlým úbytkem váhy. Není vyloučeno, že je to ve spojení se zdejším podnebím, je však také možné, že jde současně o neuralgii způsobenou celkovým stavem mých nervů. Nebylo by divu, povážím-li co jsem za svého života musel unésti. Právě nejnověji mému zdravotnímu stavu a nervovému systému neprospěl dopis Regierungspräsidenta z Köllnu, jehož opis přikládám.

Byl bych Vám velmi povděčen, kdybyste mi laskavě co nejdříve oznámil svůj názor a poradil, co dále dělat. Doufám, vážený pane doktore, že jste alespoň Vy zdráv v lepším švýcarském klimatu a jsem se srdečným pozdravem

Váš oddaný

Prchala

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Dear Doctor, dear friend,

I have not written to you for a long time. I have been quite seriously ill and am still not myself today (in my senses?). I suffer from rheumatic muscle pains and rapid weight loss. It is not impossible that this is connected with the local climate, but it is also possible that it is at the same time neuralgia caused by the general condition of my nerves. It would not be surprising, considering what I have had to endure in my lifetime. Most recently, my health and nervous system have not benefited from the letter from the Regierungspräsident of Köln (Cologne, Germany), a copy of which I enclose.

I should be very grateful if you would kindly let me know your opinion as soon as possible and advise me what to do next. I hope, dear Doctor, that you at least are well in the better climate of Switzerland, and I am with cordial regards

Your devoted

Prchala

[Translation: Miroslav Kamenik / 17.4.2025]

From Pavel Fábry, 5.mája 1958 (5 May)

Typewritten in Slovak language

Vysokovážený pán Generál,

Vzácný Priateľu!

S netrpezlivosťou očakávate moje oznámené riadky. Chápem velmi dobře situáciu. Ale ako z priloženého záznamu napamäť vidíte, nelením, ale na každom mieste a kroku sa starám, aby sa otázka riešila. Tým referentom je nie kuzávidieniu. Na jednej strane státisíc žiadostí a na druhej strane denne dostávajú úpravy a úpravy, ako prísne vposudzovaní pokračovať. Žialbohu sú medzi nimi aj rôzne elementy, ktoré sa cítia v minulosti dotčení, keď sa oprenasledovaní nácistmi jedná. Ťažko o tom písať.

Tendencia, aby sa pokračovalo nie na odškodnění z politických dôvodov, ale z dovodu národnosti má svoje úspornépozadie, lebo tam sú odškodnenia veľmi nízke.

Preto musíme držať líniu politického dovodu. Nuž veď politický minister bol pre politické smýšlania prenásledovaný. Veď Bundestagsabgerdneter Wenzel Jaksch v jeho objemnej knihe /520 strán/ Vás viackráť spomína a posledná spomienka je na Vašu politickú činnost a úlohu na Východe Republiky.

Velmi by bylo záhodné, aby sme sa sišli. Viem, že sú to veľké náklady – ale myslím že do Paríža by to nebol veľký výdavok. Prípadne v Bonne / dačím by som aj ja preddávkove prispel/ a prebrali by sme to v rámci mojho memoranda – v ktorom Ste medzi šiestimi – a prehovorili s Prezidentom Wiedergutmachungs Kommission des Bundestages a samým poslancom Jakschom. Prosím Vás mne v tomto smere podať Váš náhľad a dobu, kedy by sme sa mohli stretnúť. Nemajtežiadne pochybnosti že odškodnenie dostanete.

Pri tejto príležitosti by som chcel aj žiadost Rückerstattungu podať – mám ju pripravenú, len chcem niektoré otázky prehovoriť.

Očekávajúc Vaše vzácné zprávy a pokyny zdravím Vás čo najsrdečnejšie do skorého videnia

Váš (not signed Fábry)

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Highly Exalted General,

Dear Friend!

You eagerly await my announced lines. I understand the situation very well. But as you can see from the enclosed memoir, I am not lying, but at every place and step I am making sure that the issue is addressed. Those clerks are not to be envied. On the one hand, hundreds of thousands of applications and on the other hand, they receive daily adjustments and modifications as to how strictly to proceed in the assessment. Unfortunately, there are various elements among them who feel aggrieved by the Nazi persecution in the past. Hard to write about it.

The tendency to continue not on reparations on political grounds but on grounds of nationality has its economical background, for there the reparations are very low.

Therefore, we must hold the line on political grounds. Well, after all, a political Minister has been persecuted for his political views. After all, Bundestagsabgeordneter (MK – member of Parliament) Wenzel Jaksch mentions you several times in his voluminous book /520 pages/ and the last memory is of your political activity and role in the East of the Republic.

It would be very convenient for us to get together. I know it’s a big expense – but I don’t think it would be a big expense to go to Paris. Possibly in Bonn / I would also make a contribution in advance / and we would discuss it within the framework of my memorandum – in which you are one of the six – and talk to the President of the Wiedergutmachungs Kommission of the Bundestags and to the Member Jaksch himself. I would ask you to give me your insight in this regard and a time when we could meet. Have no doubt that you will receive compensation.

I would also like to take this opportunity to make a request to the Rückerstattung – I have it ready, but I just want to ask a few questions.

In anticipation of your kind messages and instructions I greet you most cordially until I see you soon

Yours (not signed Fábry)

[Translation: Miroslav Kamenik / 17.4.2025]

From Lev Prchala, 14.V.1958

66, St. George’s Drive, London SW1

Vysoce vážený pane doktore, drahý příteli!

Srdečný dík za Váš dopis ze dne 5.V. t.r. (MK – 5. května tohoto roku). Plně s Vámi souhlasím, že se musíme držet politických důvodů v mé záležitosti. Souhlasím také s Vámi, že je nutné, abychom se sešli. Domnívám se, že nejlepší místo pro nai schůzku by byl Bonn. Byl jsem totiž pozván do Stuttgartu na Sudetskoněmecký sjezd a mám již volnou letenku do Stuttgartu. Jedná se nyní o to, kdy bonnský parlament bude zasedat, abychom tam našli Jaksche a Frenzla – zda to bude v posledním týdnu květnovém anebo v prvním týdnu v červnu. Snažil jsem se to již vypátrat, ale ani na telegram, ani na telefon nedostalo se mi odpovědi. Proto navrhuji: až se to dozvím ve Stuttgartu, zaslal bych Vám okamžitě o tom telegrafickou zprávu, v níž bych také navrhl den naší schůzky v Bonnu. Můj telegram můžete očekávat dne 23.V. t.r. – Vás bych pak, Vážený pane doktore prosil, abyste mi telegraficky sdělil, zda s mým návrhem souhlasíte.

Dnes se uvidím s Dr. Paulinym a budu jej informovat o Vašem dopisu.

Očekávaje Vaši laskavou odpověď ještě do Londýna,

jsem se srdečným pozdravem

Váš oddaný

Prchala

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Highly respected doctor, dear friend!

Sincere thanks for your letter of 5.V. this year (MK – 5 May this year). I fully agree with you that we must stick to political considerations in my matter. I also agree with you that it is imperative that we meet. I believe that the best place to meet would be Bonn. I have been invited to Stuttgart for the Sudeten German Congress and I already have a free ticket to Stuttgart. The question now is when the Bonn parliament will meet so that we can find Jaksch and Frenzel there – whether it will be in the last week of May or the first week of June. I have already tried to find out, but neither the telegram nor the telephone has been answered. I therefore suggest that when I hear about this in Stuttgart, I should send you a telegraphic message immediately, in which I would also suggest a date for our meeting in Bonn. You can expect my telegram on the 23rd of May – I would then ask you, Dear Doctor, to tell me by telegraph whether you agree with my proposal.

I shall see Dr. Pauliny today and inform him of your letter.

Expecting your kind reply still to London,

I am your devoted

Prchala

[Translation: Miroslav Kamenik / 17.4.2025]

From Lev Prchala, 19.6.1958

t.č. Rieneck 235 bei Gemünden am Main

Vysoce vážený pane doktore, drahý příteli,

přijměte, prosím, ještě jednou můj srdečný dík za Vaši obětavou a přátelskou pomoc. Můj krátký pobyt v Bonnuve společnosti Vaší milostivé paní choti a Vaší mně zůstane ještě dlouho milou vzpomínkou na vzácné lidi a krásné Slovensko. V příloze dovoluji si zaslati 6 mnou podepsaných formulářů a jsem s ruky políbením a se srdečným pozdravem

Váš

Prchala

PS: 27. t.m. budu již zpět v Londýně, 2 Cleve Rd., NW6

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(at that time) Rieneck 235 bei Gemünden am Main (Germany)

Dear Doctor, dear friend,

please accept once again my heartfelt thanks for your dedicated and friendly help. My short stay in Bonn in the company of your gracious wife and your [daughter – TB] will remain for a long time a pleasant memory of the precious people and beautiful Slovakia. Enclosed I take the liberty of sending you 6 forms signed by me and with my hand kisses and warm regards

Yours

Prchala

PS: I shall be back in London, 2 Cleve Rd., NW6 on the 27th of this month.

[Translation: Miroslav Kamenik / 17.4.2025]

no date – Karlspreis / Sudetendeutscher Tag Stuttgart, 25.5.1958???

(Reichsbahn-Hotel & Bahnhof-Turmhotel Stuttgart, Hans Loeble)

Vysoce vážený pane doktore, drahý příteli,

vracím Vám tímto mnou podepsanou kopii (zázrkami?). Lituji, že jste nebyl přítomen na dnešní evropské oslavě, která se mimo každé očekávání skvěle vydařila. Mluvil jsem s poslancem Frenzelem a smluvil s ním schůzku na 10.6.1958 v Bonnském parlamentě. Jakše jsem nestihl, poněvadž odjel na pohřeb svého bratra, který prý náhle zemřel. Těším se na shledanou s Vámi v Bonnu a to dne 10.6.1958. Budu bydlet v hotelu Krone (?) naproti hlavnímu nádraží.

Milostivé paní ruku líbám, Vás srdečně zdraví Váš oddaný

Prchala

PS: Přeji Vám i Vaší milostivé paní chotišťastnou cestu.

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Highly respected doctor, dear friend,

I hereby return to you a copy signed by me (by miracles?). I regret that you were not present at today’s European celebration, which, beyond all expectations, was a great success. I have spoken to MEP Frenzel and arranged a meeting with him on 10 June 1958 in the Bonn Parliament. I was unable to meet Jakš because he had gone to attend the funeral of his brother, who is said to have died suddenly. I look forward to seeing you in Bonn on 10.6.1958. I will be staying at the Hotel Krone (?) opposite the main station.

I kiss your gracious lady’s hand and send you my heartfelt greetings from your devoted

Prchala

PS: I wish you and your gracious lady a happy journey

[Translation: Miroslav Kamenik / 17.4.2025]

From Lev Prchala, 2.7.1958

Vážený pane doktore, drahý příteli,

srdečný dík za Váš ctěný dopis z 28.6.1958, jakož i za přílohu, kterou Vám přiloženě vracím. Děkuji také za lístek z Gemünden, který mi zaslala Vaše milostivá paní choť do Rienecku. Nyní jsem opět v tom zaplakaném Londýně a marně vzpomínám na krásné chvíle, které jsem v Bonnu prožil va Vaší a Vaší milostivé paní společnosti. Dejž Bože, aby páni v Kölnu moji žádost příznivě posoudili. Pak bych měl po starostech a letěl bych rovnou do Ženevy, abych Vám, vážený pane doktore, osobně poděkoval a milostivé paní složil svou poklonu. V Německu jsem obdržel také dopis od svého přítele Dr. Hönigera, bývalého majora justiční služby v Košicích, v němž mi sděluje, že chce s Vámi navázat spojení a dát své služby k Vaší disposici. Je to velmi čestný chlap, sportovec, který po Mnichově vydržel v armádě až do posledního okamžiku a nechal se pak pensionovat. Rozhodně nepatřil k těm Němcům, kteří v neštěstí ??? opouštěli potápějící se loď.

Milostivé paní ruku líbá, Vás srdečně zdraví, Váš oddaný

Prchala

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Dear Doctor, dear friend,

my heartfelt thanks for your esteemed letter of 28.6.1958, as well as for the enclosure which I am returning to you. Thank you also for the note from Gemünden, which your kind wife sent me in Rieneck. I am now back in that weepy London and I am vainly recalling the beautiful moments I spent in Bonn in your and your gracious wife’s company. God grant that the gentlemen in Cologne may consider my application favourably. Then my worries would be over, and I would fly straight to Geneva to thank you personally and to pay my respects to your ladyship. In Germany I also received a letter from my friend Dr. Höniger, a former major in the judicial service in Košice, in which he tells me that he wishes to make contact with you and place his services at your disposal. He is a very honest man, a sportsman, who after Munich lasted in the army until the last moment and then retired. He certainly wasn’t one of those Germans who abandoned a sinking ship in a disaster.

I kiss the hand of the gracious lady, I greet you warmly, your devoted

Prchala

[Translation: Miroslav Kamenik / 17.4.2025]

From Lev Prchala, 22.VIII.1958

2, Cleve Rd. London NW6

Vážený pane doktore, drahý příteli!

Srdečný dík za lístek z Bonnu a za Váš ctěný dopis ze dne 17. t.m. ze Ženevy. Je mi opravdu líto, že došlo k nedorozumění ohledně mého zastoupení. Došlo k tomu tak, že po Vašem odjezdu ze Stuttgartu mne navštívil Dr. Höniger, jejž jsem požádal o svědectví ve věci mého pronásledování z politických důvodů. Dr. Höniger byl totiž majorem justiční služby v Košcích a může býti důležitým svědkem v mé věci.

Bohužel Dr. Höniger, který je nyní sám advokátem v Západním Německu (bydlí v blízkosti Stuttgartu), učinil více – ve saze mně prospět. Než jsem od něho žádal. Ukázal jsem mu při osobním setkání odpověď kolínského presidenta a tu Dr. Höniger – ač jsem jej výslovně upozornil, že Vy jste mým právním zástupcem a požádal, aby se s Vámi přími dorozuměl – napsal přímo Regierungspresidentovi dopis z 12.6.1958 o prodloužení lhůty. Při tom – patrně, aby svou intervenci blíže odůvodnil, užil – jak z opisu vidno – rčení, že jsem jej „pověřil péčí o mé zájmy“.

Není pochyby, že tak učinil v nejlepším úmyslu v obavě, aby nebyla promeškána lhůta. Bylo by mně velmi líto, kdybyste se z toho důvodu rozhněval na mne nebo na Dr. Hönigera. Sám Vás prosím, abyste mi laskavě prominul, jestliže jsem snad věc „zbabral“, ale současně, abyste se na Dr. Hönigera nezlobil, že Vám hned nenapsal, jak bylo jeho povinností a oč jsem jej také požádal. Na druhé straně by však bylo opravdu škoda, nepoužít jeho služeb a rozsáhlých styků, které mi nabídl ochotně ze staré známosti. Ostatně si vzpomínám, že po návratu do Londýna jsem se Vám zmínil o Dr. Hönigerovi v dopise, který jsem Vám hned napsal. Nyní napíši Dr. Hönigerovi do Winnenden znovu, aby neopomenul přímo s Vámi se dorozumět o meritu věci. Byl bych opravdu šťasten, kdybyste se dohodli o spolupráci a společném postupu.

Dr. Locherovi jsem vyřídil Vaše vzkazy. Byl však v posledních týdnech opět churav srdeční chorobou, vzniklou z loňského úrazu. Slíbil však, že Vám napíše přímo, jakmile zdravotní stav mu dovolí.

Ještě jednou Vám děkuji za Vaši neúnavnou péči a obětavou činnost za nás všechny a jsem s rukypolíbením milostivé paní

Váš oddaný

Prchala

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Dear Doctor, dear friend!

My sincere thanks for the note from Bonn and for your esteemed letter of the 17th of this month from Geneva. I am really sorry that there has been a misunderstanding about my representation. It happened that after your departure from Stuttgart I was visited by Dr. Höniger, whom I asked to give evidence on the matter of my persecution for political reasons. Dr. Höniger was a major in the judicial service in Košice and can be an important witness in my case.

Unfortunately, Dr. Höniger, who is now himself a lawyer in West Germany (he lives near Stuttgart), has done more – in an effort to benefit me. than I had asked of him. I showed him in a personal meeting the reply of the President of Cologne, and here Dr. Höniger – although I had expressly informed him that you were my attorney and asked him to communicate with you directly – wrote a letter dated 12.6.1958 directly to the Regierungspresident for an extension of time. In doing so, apparently in order to further justify his intervention, he used – as can be seen from the description – the phrase that I had ‘entrusted him to look after my interests’.

There is no doubt that he did so with the best of intentions, fearing that the deadline would be missed. I should be very sorry if you were angry with me or Dr. Höniger for that reason. I would ask you to forgive me if I have perhaps “botched” the matter, but at the same time not to be angry with Dr. Höniger for not writing to you immediately, as was his duty and as I had asked him to do. On the other hand, however, it would be a real pity not to use his services and the extensive contacts which he has offered me willingly out of old acquaintance. Incidentally, I remember that on my return to London I mentioned Dr. Höniger to you in a letter which I wrote to you at once. I shall now write to Dr. Höniger in Winnenden again, so that he may not fail to communicate directly with you on the merits of the matter. I would be very happy if you could agree on cooperation and joint action.

I have conveyed your messages to Dr. Locher. However, he has been sick again in recent weeks with a heart condition arising from an accident last year. But he has promised to write to you directly as soon as his health permits.

I thank you again for your untiring care and dedication on behalf of us all, and I am hand in hand with the gracious lady

Your devoted

Prchala

[Translation: Miroslav Kamenik / 17.4.2025]

From Lev Prchala, 21.X.1958

Velevážený pane doktore, drahý příteli,

srdečně děkuji za Váš ctěný dopis z 20.X.1958, jakož i letecký lístek, který přiloženě vracím. Velmi lituji, že nemohu vyhovět Vašemu přání a přiletět do Paříže. Jsem opravdu churav a kromě toho zabraňují tomu i jiné překážky. Promiňte!

Milostivé paní uctivě ruku líbá, Vás srdečně zdraví Váš oddaný

Prchala

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Dear Doctor, dear friend,

I thank you very much for your esteemed letter of 20.X.1958, as well as the air ticket (MK – air ticket), which I enclose. I regret very much that I am unable to comply with your wish and come to Paris. I am really sick and there are other obstacles preventing it. Excuse me!

Gracious ladies respectful hand kisses, I greet you cordially

Your devoted

Prchala

[Translation: Miroslav Kamenik / 17.4.2025]

From Lev Prchala, 16.XI.1958 (viditelná změna v rukopisu, těžko čitelný / hard to read handwriting)

L.Prchala

2, Cleve Rd.

London NW6

Vážený pane doktore a drahý příteli,

srdečně Vám, drahý příteli, děkuji za Váš dopis z 13. t.m., jakož i za přiložený šek na Ł100 (GBP), 20 dollarů a 50 swiss francs v bankovkách.

Nevím, čím jsem si tuto Vaši laskavost zasloužil a jak za ni poděkovat. I když tyto peníze považujete za zálohu na eventuální rentu (?) a doplatky, nemohu přece než prozatím upřímně děkovat a obdivovat Vaši důvěru k mé osobě a Vaše dobré opravdu křesťanské srdce.

Snad Bůh se nade mnou smiluje a dopřeje mi, abych se Vám mohl odvděčiti za Vaši laskavost a za Vaši namáhavou a obětavou práci, kterou si dáváte s mou záležitostí. Jsem přesvědčen, že bude korunována úspěchem.

Věřte, že bych se rád byl dostavil do Paříže, ale zaprvé selhalo moje zdraví a zadruhé že to moje sociální závislost na Czech Refugee Trust Fund a na maličké penzi, kterou týdně pobírám, které téměř neumožňují každé moje cestování. Penzi (Ł 2-7-0) bych musel před odjezdem na čas mé nepřítomnosti z V.Br. Vypovědět a Cz.R.T.F., v jehož domě bydlíme, musel by k cestě dáti svůj souhlas. To je moje situace, jež je kromě toho tím komplikovanější, poněvadž mám ženu, která na těchto soc. podporách je závislá stejně jako já. (?) pomoc by byla renta z Německa, která by nám poskytla možnost slušnější existence a trochu větší svobody.

Co se týče doplnění mé žádosti o náhradu za ztracený majetek jsem Vám rád k dispozici, prozatím bohužel jen zde v Anglii. Jsem šťasten, že spojenými silami se nám podařilo zmařit intriky sl. J. (Jenček?). Správně jsme odhadli již v Bonnu, kdo se za (?) touto ….ou skrývá a čas potvrdil náš posudek. Je to lekce pro p. presidenta v Kolíně, ale bohužel i pro Vás, jemuž za dobrotu a šlechetnost se odplatilo strašným nevděkem.

Doufám, že jste se přes tuto nemilou a bolestivou příhodu již šťastně přenesl a že Vaše zdraví tím příliš neutrpělo.

Modlím se za Vás a za Vaši vzácnou pani manželku, za Vaše zdraví a štěstí a jsem

Váš oddaný

Prchala

PS: Žena děkuje a upřímně za Váš milý pozdrav a posílá srdečné pozdravy Vaší choti a Vám, drahý pane doktore a příteli.

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Dear Doctor and dear friend,

I thank you most heartily for your letter of the 13th instant, and for the enclosed cheque for £100 (GBP), 20 dollars and 50 swiss francs in notes.

I do not know what I have done to deserve this kindness and how to thank you for it. Even if you consider this money as a deposit for the eventual annuity (?) and supplementary payments, I cannot but for the present sincerely thank and admire your confidence in my person and your good truly Christian heart.

May God have mercy on me and grant that I may repay you for your kindness and for the laborious and devoted work you are putting into my cause. I am confident that it will be crowned with success.

Believe me, I would have liked to have come to Paris, but firstly my health has failed and secondly it is my social dependence on the Czech Refugee Trust Fund and the tiny pension I receive weekly that make any travel almost impossible. The pension (£2-7-0) would have to be paid to me before I could leave for the time of my absence from Great Britain. I would have to give notice and Cz.R.T.F., in whose house we live, would have to give his consent to the journey. This is my situation, which is all the more complicated because I have a wife who is as dependent on these social benefits as I am. (?) Help would be an annuity from Germany, which would give us the possibility of a moredecent existence and a little more freedom.

I am happy to be of service to you regarding the completion of my application for compensation for lost property, unfortunately for the time being only here in England. I am happy that by joining forces we have been able to thwart Ms. J. (?) intrigues. We correctly guessed back in Bonn who was behind … (not legible) and time has confirmed our assessment. It is a lesson for Mr. President in Cologne, but unfortunately also for you, whose kindness and generosity have been repaid with terrible ingratitude.

I hope that you have got over this unpleasant and painful episode happily, and that your health has not suffered much.

I pray for you and for your precious wife, for your health and happiness and am

your devoted

Prchala

PS: My wife thanks and sincerely for your kind greetings and sends her heartfelt regards to your wife and to you, dear doctor and friend.

[Translation: Miroslav Kamenik / 17.4.2025]

Eye On the News

With thanks to journalist and author Maurin Picard for passing on a recent interview with Madame Monique Rime, who was Vlado’s personal secretary in the Congo in 1961; published in La Liberte (Switzerland), written by Kessava Packiry. Maurin has just published a new book called “Katanga! The forgotten war of Francafrique against the UN”, I look forward to read it! Thanks to Hynrich Wieschhoff for passing on an English translation of Madame Rime’s interview, and for sharing the latest Hammarskjold investigation news that “Chief Justice Othman has delivered his report to Secretary-General Guterres. It will be made available to the public on October 18.” We continue to urge the US and UK to cooperate fully with the investigation.

From Packiry’s interview with Madame Rime:

Does it still hurt to talk about Africa again?
The year 1961 was intense with many dramas. When I left ONUC in December 1961, I didn’t want to hear about Africa anymore, it was like that for decades. I think I was too young, ill-prepared for all that and even now, these painful memories are deeply embedded in my memory.
The UN was intent on continuing with its Secretary-General’s mission. A few days after his death, Monique Rime found herself in a delegation flying to Ndola. “I had been assigned to this mission because I knew all the files. As we approached the airport, we flew over the wreck of the Albertina (the nickname of the Swedish DC-6 chartered by the UN, editor’s note), which had crashed in the forest. That image is still in my head.

*Update: 18 October 2024, Eminent Person’s report A/78/1006

Last Images of Vlado: Stills from Jacques Poujoulat 16MM Film from N’djili, 17 September 1961

S-G Dag Hammarskjold center(in dark sunglasses), Sture Linner on his left, smiling Vlado right behind Dag, and Heinrich A. Wieschhoff. At N’djili airport, former Leopoldville, now Kinshasa, DR Congo.

To the right of Hammarskjold is Sture Linner (Vlado hidden behind Linner), Heinrich A. Wieschhoff, and the very photographer who took the last photo of Vlad and Dag that I have.

Whenever I think of Vlado, I smile. He looks back once…

…one last backward glance before heading into the unknown, but he was so hopeful and happy! There is Alice Lalande, in a cheerful flower print dress, right behind a UN security guard – so brave!

Excerpt from Maurin Picard’s interview with Madame Rime, Vlado’s secretary in Leopoldville:

* Sunday 17 September 1961

At the Hotel Le Royal, we had an office adjacent to the one occupied by Sture Linnér.

On the day Dag Hammarskjöld took off from Leopoldville, that Sunday, I was not supposed to work.

But, as Fabry’s secretary, and since he only worked with me, they sent some military staff in a Jeep to pick me up and bring me back to Le Royal.

They found me sitting at a cafe terrace, since I believe they always kept an eye on us for safety.

I went back to my office and worked all afternoon, until the plane departed.

* Vladimir Fabry

That day, when I arrived at my office, Vladimir Fabry immediately requested to dictate some telegrams. I spent the whole afternoon doing that: typing messages, then bringing them to the « Chiffre » for them to be coded accordingly with the recipient’s identity.

By the time I was finished, they were getting ready to leave for the airport.

Before leaving, Vladimir Fabry was so thrilled.

Happy as a kid who was just offered a new toy.

Albeit a very reserved character, he was practically jumping on his feet.

He came into my office and said excitingly:

« Monique, I am leaving with the Secretary-General! I am trusting you with my car keys! »

He had to be very happy, for he would never have done such a thing otherwise.

His car was an official UN vehicle.

He told me I could use all the time during his absence.

God knows Leopoldville is a very large town, with great distances between the various locations.

I used the car until, of course, I handed it back to the UN, since Fabry never returned.

I remember seeing their cars leaving Le Royal in convoy.

I went through these events with an innocent mind as I could only partially grasp what was going.

I would mostly type messages dictated by Fabry, messages that were generally meant for New York.

The last message I typed from them was dictated by M. Hammarskjöld himself. The recipient was Paul-Henri Spaak.

(nota: the Belgian Foreign Minister)

But I cannot remember its content (nota: requesting Belgian assistance to put an end to the criminal deeds of a mercenary pilot named « van Riessenghem »).

I was so intimidated that I must have skipped two or three words he dictated.

I had never met Hammarskjöld and I was so young then (nota : she was 24).

I saw Dag Hammarskjöld every day between 13 and 17 September 1961, since he occupied Sture Linnér’s office.

“One-Man Brain Trust”

Newspaper clippings from 1961: NYT, DIE WELT, Tribune De Lausanne.

From New York Times, 24 September 1961, “U.N. BRACES FOR ITS CONGO TASK”:

[…]”On the fateful Wednesday morning, Sept. 13, the United Nations did little more than try to recoup the terrain it had given up voluntarily two weeks earlier. Then the explosion came.

The moment and place of the explosion, it now seems, was chosen by the handful of French, Belgian and other officers who were still in Katanga in defiance of their government’s orders. These mercenaries had made plans for effective military resistance.

One must assume they had drawn a defense line and had, in advance, made a decision, that they would strike if the United Nations troops crossed this line.

One must further assume that the United Nations troops, when they moved against the Post Office and radio station, crossed this line without realizing it and thus tripped the mechanism that touched off the explosion.

Then came Mr. Hammarskjold’s death.

Dr. Sture C. Linner, the head of the United Nations mission, lost a close friend, a man he had worshipped almost as a father. He lost his private secretary and, in Dr. Vladimir Fabri[sic] he lost what he had once called his “one-man brain trust.” Dr. [Fabry], officially the legal councilor[sic], had in fact been the mission’s thinker who analyzed events and suggested decision.”

From Tribune De Lausanne, 17 October 1961, “Mr. Hammarskjold’s Plane Was Allegedly Fired Upon”:

“Information from the Congo from a private source to the United Nations indicates that the investigators on the spot have proof that Hammarskjold’s plane was fired upon, writes L’hebdomadaire “News Week”. Several African countries, they added, intend to ask for full light to be shed on this matter.”

Interview with Madame Rime, Vlado’s secretary in Leopoldville, 1961

This is the full interview of Monique Cégel (now Madame Rime) sent to me in May 2020 by Maurin Picard, journalist and author of “Ils Ont Tue Monsieur H”; a portion of this interview was published here back in September 2020, “Vlado and the Mercenaries: Operation Rum Punch“, but I feel the whole interview deserves attention.

You can hear more interviews with Madame Rime about her experiences in the Congo working for the United Nations, with journalist David Glaser, reporter at GeneveMonde.ch.

Many thanks to Madame Rime, and to Maurin Picard for this interview and supporting the Hammarskjold investigation, and to David Glaser for promoting this blog and the life of Vlado Fabry – merci beaucoup to all who have contributed to this site!

Interview with Monique Rime Cégel

3 May 2020

Switzerland

Summary

– Monique Cégel, 83, was Vladimir Fabry’s secretary in Leopoldville in 1961

– She worked at the Hotel Le Royal between December 1960 and January 1962

– She knew Alice Lalande and Harold Julien very well

– She was working extra hours on 17 September 1961

– She typed Dag Hammarskjöld’s last message to Paul Henri Spaak, requesting Belgium to stop « van Riessenghem »

– She remembers there were serious doubts about UN communications being intercepted

– Vladimir Fabry did most of the research regarding Katanga mercenaries during the summer of 1961

– She remembers Dag Hammarskjöld’s collaborators tried to deter him from flying unescorted

– She does not think Sture Linnér was intended to fly along, as he had to stay in Leopoldville to liaise and work proper transmissions

– She flew to Ndola with Mahmoud Khiary on 19 September 1961 to type the ceasefire agreement with Moise Tshombe

– She saw the crash site right above her plane window prior to landing and was horrified

– She recalls smoldering debris and the « long line » of burnt forest

– She found a very hostile atmosphere in Northern Rhodesia

– She met a very disdainful Lord Alport

– She was not allowed to join Mahmoud Khiary at the hospital to visit Harold Julien

* * *

I was Vladimir Fabry’s secretary, at the Hotel Le Royal, Leopoldville (Congo).

I worked there for the UN mission in Congo from December 1960 to January 1962, as secretary detached from the Atomic Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.

I kept working for the UN in Geneva until 1976, mostly through freelancing contracts. Then my husband and I moved to the city of Bulle.

I met my husband in 1961 in Congo!

He was a representative for major Swiss companies of the time, including Schindler and Vega, and was selling chemical products to the university of Lovanium.

I became a Swiss citizen, after getting married with him.

I was French (and I still am), and was born in Paris.

* Sunday 17 September 1961

At the Hotel Le Royal, we had an office adjacent to the one occupied by Sture Linnér.

On the day Dag Hammarskjöld took off from Leopoldville, that Sunday, I was not supposed to work.

But, as Fabry’s secretary, and since he only worked with me, they sent some military staff in a Jeep to pick me up and bring me back to Le Royal.

They found me sitting at a cafe terrace, since I believe they always kept an eye on us for safety.

I went back to my office and worked all afternoon, until the plane departed.

* Vladimir Fabry

By the time I was finished, they were getting ready to leave for the airport.

Before leaving, Vladimir Fabry was so thrilled.

Happy as a kid who was just offered a new toy.

Albeit a very reserved character, he was practically jumping on his feet.

He came into my office and said excitingly:

« Monique, I am leaving with the Secretary-General! I am trusting you with my car keys! »

He had to be very happy, for he would never have done such a thing otherwise.

His car was an official UN vehicle.

He told me I could use all the time during his absence.

God knows Leopoldville is a very large town, with great distances between the various locations.

I used the car until, of course, I handed it back to the UN, since Fabry never returned.

I remember seeing their cars leaving Le Royal in convoy.

I went through these events with an innocent mind as I could only partially grasp what was going.

I would mostly type messages dictated by Fabry, messages that were generally meant for New York.

The last message I typed from them was dictated by M. Hammarskjöld himself. The recipient was Paul-Henri Spaak.

(nota: the Belgian Foreign Minister)

But I cannot remember its content (nota: requesting Belgian assistance to put an end to the criminal deeds of a mercenary pilot named « van Riessenghem »).

I was so intimidated that I must have skipped two or three words he dictated.

I had never met Hammarskjöld and I was so young then (nota : she was 24).

I saw Dag Hammarskjöld every day between 13 and 17 September 1961, since he occupied Sture Linnér’s office.

* Can you recall Hammarskjöld’s state of mind?

I remember he was not very agreeable. He seemed really sad, not at all in a communicative mood. « You do this, this has to be done ». We were in the midst of a serious crisis with Katanga, obviously.

* Were there long sleepless nights at Le Royal?

I did not spend those ones with them, but I had a similar experience during the previous months. When you are assigned to someone high ranking, you did not count your days and your nights. With all the crises we went through, there were many sleepless nights at Le Royal.

* Harold Julien

I knew Harold Julien very well, as he was the Chief Security Officer in Leopoldville. Being M. Fabry’s secretary, I was granted the use of a car.

This in turn created some serious trouble, because we were taken hostage with a Swiss colleague of mine by Mobutu’s troops for 24 hours. The time was around end January or early February 1961.

They had spotted my car, I believe, due to the UN flags on it, and surrounded our house with two small armoured cars. There were rumors that the UN was bent on disarming the Congolese National Army. And we had been poorly inspired to move in a house across the street from Mobutu’s barracks along the river – a magnificent location, it was indeed.

Then the witchhunt began against all UN staff.

This is the only time in my life I was really scared.

I called the French embassy asking for their help, as I was a French citizen. Their answer was very … kind: « you work for the UN, hence you are no longer considered as a French citizen for us. There is nothing we can do for you ».

Since my colleague was Swiss, she called the Swiss embassy and they immediately answered. « Yes of course, we will come and rescue you ».

They arranged for a motorized convoy of Swiss people, with friends and colleagues of my future husband, led by the Red Cross delegate M. Olivet, who was killed another day.

(nota: Georges Olivet, 34, was killed in an ambulance on 12 December 1961, amidst heavy fighting in Elisabethville, Katanga)

They parlayed with Mobutu’s soldiers, who pretty quickly removed their blockade and let us go free.

* Saturday 16 September, Lord Lansdowne meets Dag Hammarskjöld. Did you get word of a stormy exchange?

No, I do not remember that gentleman.

I did not hear anything, although I was there that day and was working in the nearby room. If there had been loud voices, a shouting match,

I would have heard something.

But it does not mean it did not take place, as my memory could be failing me.

There were indeed many high ranking visitors in Sture Linnér’s office, and I did not always necessarily get a look at them.

* Did Dag Hammarskjöld’s collaborators try to deter him from flying unescorted?

That is true, since I remember I heard about it.

They did try to deter him.

There were rumors that they were « waiting » for him in Katanga. There were Tshombe’s two Fougas.

(nota: in September 1961, the UN still believed two remaining Fouga were operational, as there was actually only one left, « 93 », the other one bing grounded awaiting spare parts)

When we heard about the crash, we immediately thought: « Tshombe’s Fougas did it ».

Personnally, I just could not imagine such a thing: who would want to shoot down the UN Secretary General?

I really thought this was just an accident, at least until after I left Congo early 1962.

If I had known … I was so scared in the air. I could never have boarded a plane.

But since I had no clue of what happened, I departed very easily when told to, without any further stress.

* Was Sture Linnér supposed to join the mission and fly along with Dag Hammarskjöld, as he later commented?

I was not at Ndjili airport but I would be surprised if he was intending to fly with them. It was logical for him to stay in Leo and liaise. That would be surprising if true.

Alice Lalande, she had to be part of the travelling party, since she was in charge of sensitive equipments, these Enigma machines. Besides, the Secretary-General needed an assistant like her. In her daily job, Alice was handing over paperwork to all the secretaries. She was a perfectly bilingual Canadian.

* Did Dag Hammarskjöld know that UN communications were intercepted?

I do not know, but it was a serious question for everyone in Leopoldville.

I had worked for weeks with Vladimir Fabry on the issue of the « frightfuls », these mercenaries.

I made dozens of photocopies from these documents that had been somehow collected and that had to do with these mercenaries. Vladimir Fabry worked a great deal on this issue. We did an extensive research on these documents. I am sorry that I did not have enough political awareness, to show an interest in the content of these documents.

* Monday 18 September 1961

Personnally, I did not get word of the crash when I arrived at the office on the next day. The other secretaries were doing a funny face, which was a bit intriguing. I made it late to the office due my long working hours on Sunday. I thought there was a dreadful atmosphere, but nobody told me anything. They did not dare tell me what had happened, probably because I was working so closely with M. Fabry. I only found out the same evening when I came home and my future husband told me: « did you hear what happened to Hammarskjöld ? »

* The crash site

When Mahmoud Khiary took off for Ndola, I came along.

(nota: on Tuesday 19 September 1961, in order to negotiate a ceasefire with Moïse Tshombé, as it was theoretically the case for Dag Hammarskjöld two days earlier)

I boarded the plane with him. If I had known the crash was foul play, I would never have come along with Khiary. This was so sudden, that I did not have the time to bring any equipment, not even a typing machine, as Alice Lalande had done.

We departed for Ndola. Prior to landing, while flying low over the forest, we managed to see the crash site from up close

(nota: the whole area was forested back then)

This memory will stay with me forever.

We spotted the wreckage, these scattered debris of an aircraft, what was left of it. This long line of burnt forest. It was terrible. I am still emotional about it, as I speak. I happened to realize the people I knew so well were only charred remains by now.

Alice Lalande, to begin with, who was basically my boss.

The security officers, such as Harold Julien.

I remember Alice’s dress with the flowery design. It sent cold shivers down my spine when I realized the plane had crashed and burnt that way. I though My God, she must have burnt so quickly. It was terrifying.

* Ndola, 19 September 1961

When we arrived in Ndola, there was this man, Lord Alport, welcoming us – so to say – at the airport. He was very cold. An extremely disagreeable character, very full of himself and every inch a British aristocrat. Still he invited our delegation for lunch in his home. I was just a secretary sitting at the end of the table with the security officers, but I found him disdainful towards us .

(nota : Khiary was not particularly welcome, since Tshombe had notified Linnér he agreed to negotiate a ceasefire with anyone but Khiary, whom he deemed responsible for launching Operation Morthor on 13 September 1961 – which is at least partially true)

Our mission was not very welcome.

Then we headed for the actual ceasefire negotiations with Moïse Tshombe, but I did not directly take part in the negotiations. The British mission there lent me a typing machine, whose keyboards had none of the French accents, which made my task very dfficult. I did however type all the ceasefire documents.

We stayed two or three days in Ndola.

Mahmoud Khiary and the delegation visited Harold Julien in the hospital. I was not allowed to join them.

1961 was a terrible year in my life. Annus horribilis, as the Queen Mother would say.

There was my being taken hostage, then Hammarskjöld’s crash, then the murder of 13 Italian air crew.

(nota: massacred by the crowd who mistook them with Belgian paratroopers in Kindu on 11 or 12 November 1961)

One of them was 25 and a very good friend of mine.

He had been at my wedding two weeks before, on 28 October 1961, along with Sture Linnér’s wife, whom I called Madame Linnér, of course, and also Jacques Poujoulat.

This day of September 1961, this Sunday the 17th. In my old age, I still cannot fathom what unfolded that day. It is still with me. It will stay with me until my last breath.

Demand for Justice

Reading old letters from 1961, I learned Vlado’s personal request at his death was for his eyes to be donated, and for his ashes to be scattered over Mont Blanc. He was not able to donate his eyes, but it makes me happy knowing he is high up in the mountains he loved so much. Rest in peace, dear Vlado.

60 years ago today, Vlado, and everyone on board the Albertina with him, were shot out of the sky, hunted down and murdered by white supremacist mercenaries. There were so many people that wanted them dead. Our family demands that all stonewalling nations connected to this crash, the CIA, the NSA, all spy agencies, groups and organizations, including the United Nations, open up their archives and declassify all records NOW. The only way to break the chains of racism, handed down from our ancestors, is to hold our past to the light and examine it without reservations, so we can learn from our mistakes and not keep repeating them, this is true wisdom and maturity!