Happy birthday to Czechoslovak politician and Army General Lev Prchala, born on 23 March 1892! He sent this handwritten letter and his Curriculum Vitae to Pavel Fabry in 1956 from London, where he was living in exile. I have included the typewritten response from Pavel confirming that he will represent General Prchala for “Compensation for Persecution”.

*Update 14 May 2025: This post has been moved to the top of the page, the previous post was deleted. My sincere appreciation to Miroslav Kamenik, who kindly sent me his translation of Gen. Prchala’s letter and C.V., which I have transcribed here – thank you!

“11 Oct 1956
Dear Doctor,
First of all, let me kindly thank you for your warm greetings forwarded to me by our friend Dr. Pauliny-Toth. He also stated you were ready to take care about my case by West-German offices. As you know, it is about a compensation for losses suffered in my property, service pension [MK – soldier], health of myself and my wife and possible some kind of pension.
Attached is my CV as well, let me kindly ask you about the estimated costs related with my case. My personal circumstances are not such that I could send you the usual fee and advance payment for expenses. Of course, I am ready to cover your fee and all costs when the result of my case will be positive [MK – i.e. from future profit].
Awaiting your kind reply,
Yours faithfully,
Prchala”

“C.V.

*23 March 1892 [born] in Polska Ostrava, Frydek area, Silesia [MK – Empire of Austria-Hungary]

Roman Catholic, married with Lucie Seebode *9 August 1901 Kuokkala Finland, resident in St. Petersburg (Russia), evangelical

Children – son Ladislav Vladimir *5 Feb 1920 in Batarejnaja, Siberia (Russia), now resident in Buenos Aires, Argentina; daughter Lucie Marie *29 July 1921, died 9 Oct 1936 in Kosice [MK – Slovakia today]

Education – Gymnazium [MK – classic high school] with exam; 4 semesters of Law in Vienna; Military school in Paris 1921-23

April 1914 – activated in Inf. Regiment 13 in Krakow [MK – Cracovia, Poland today], sergeant.

August 1914 till June 1916 in the field/ eastern front of WWI

Since June 1916 in Russian captivity, in rank of lieutenant

June 1917 till August 1920 in Czechoslovak legion in Russia (or Siberia), then returned to newly established Czechoslovakia in rank of Colonel, as the commander of the III. Czechoslovak division in Russia [MK – in charge of retreating battles, towards to Vladivostok]

Autumn 1923 till autumn 1925 commander of the 1st mountain brigade in Ruzomberok [MK – Slovakia today], since autumn 1924 in rank of Brigade General

1925 till 1931 Commander of the XII. Inf. Division in Uzhorad [MK – or Uzhhorod, in Ruthenia/Subcarpathian Ukraine/Russia in Czechoslovak times, now part of Ukraine], since 1927 in rank of Division General

Autumn 1931 till autumn 1933 Deputy Chief of Staff in Prague

Nov 1933 till 1938 Army Commander in Kosice [MK – Provincial/Land’s military commander in Slovakia +Ruthenia], since January 1935 in rank of Army General [MK – highest rank]

September 1938 Commander of IV. Army in Brno in time of Munich [MK – expected attack from 3rd Reich, Prchala in the area of most expected fights]

Since 5 October 1938 till till 19 January 1939 Commander of Army in Slovakia

19 Jan 1939 appointed minister of the II. Czechoslovak Republic for Subcarpathia [MK – 1 of 3 ministers of this part of CZ]

16 March 1939, after 15th when Czechoslovakia had been occupied by Germans, Lev Prchala turns back to Prague to newly established so-called Protektorat Bohmen und Mahren and has been forced into retirement. It is prohibited to leave the Protektorat, possible only with special approval by German Military office.

25 May 1939 fled secretly to Poland, with wife and son, where he organized the Czechoslovak Legion for the fight against Hitler.

17 September 1939 arrested by Soviets in eatern Galicia [MK – most probably Zalishchyky in todays Ukraine, history was not very kind in/to this area…], then released and passed to Romania.

27 October 1939 till June 1940 in France, in June fled to England – since 26 June 1940 in UK, living in London [MK – next words not fully legible, probably meaning “stateless, on state support”, this corresponds with the date of Prchala’s naturalization officially done by UK in 1961]

Army general had to escape from Protektorat in May 1939 in order to avoid capture/avoid death by execution, because he was the only General of Czechoslovak army strongly against the capitulation to Hitler, well known to the people of Czech lands, and Gestapo as well. Many personal damages and harm are connected to the escape. He left all his belongings which he had acquired and saved in 20 years, and was exposed to persecution and harassment by the Czechoslovak capitulators like Dr. Benes and his followers, even in friendly foreign countries. The result is not only material but also in the matter of the failing health, including his wife. She had to pass two operations and suffers nervous disease [MK-?], he suffers from angina pectoris.

Material losses: Four room flat + kitchen + office equipment: furniture, carpets, clothes, silver, porcelain, glass incl. Crystal glass, piano, paintings, books, 6 Persian carpets – 150,000Kc [MK – Czechoslovak Crowns in 1938 prices] and 40,000Kc in shares and cash.

Losses due to the forced retirement between May 1939 and May 1945 about 600,000Kc [MK – other potential losses unknown, not legible]

Lev Prchala, London, 11 Oct 1956″

Translation: Miroslav Kamenik/10.4.2025