The Mašín Brothers: A Tale of Resistance and Escape

The Genesis of Rebellion

In the shadow of World War II's end, two brothers born in Prague, Ctirad Mašín (August 11, 1930 – August 13, 2011) and Josef Mašín (born March 8, 1932), found themselves at the center of a burgeoning resistance against the oppressive communist regime that had gripped Czechoslovakia. Their father, the late general Josef Mašín, had instilled in them a legacy of defiance and courage. By the early 1950s, the Mašín brothers, along with a select group of friends, embarked on a perilous journey of armed resistance, driven by the hope that American forces would soon liberate their country from communist rule.

The Formation of the Resistance Group

The Mašín brothers' resistance was more than just a reaction to the political climate; it was deeply personal. After witnessing the public execution of Milada Horáková, a family friend and victim of the regime's brutal show trials, the brothers were galvanized into action. Horáková's tragic fate was a stark reminder of the regime's ruthlessness, and it fueled the brothers' resolve to fight back.

Their resistance group, which included their uncle Ctibor Novák, a former Secret Service Officer, was shrouded in secrecy. Novák, who outwardly appeared to have accepted communist rule, played a dual role. Publicly, he claimed to be a moderating influence on his nephews, yet privately, he encouraged their daring exploits. This clandestine group, lacking a formal name, had a singular objective: to undermine the regime through calculated acts of sabotage and resistance.

Acts of Defiance

The group's activities were nothing short of audacious. In 1951, they raided two police stations, securing weapons and ammunition in the process. The operations resulted in the deaths of two policemen, one of whom was subdued with chloroform and handcuffed before being killed. Each action heightened the risk, compelling the brothers to consider fleeing westward to receive training in partisan warfare from the Americans.

Their initial escape attempt was thwarted when a CIC agent, who was to guide them, was arrested and named Ctirad Mašín under duress. This led to the arrest and torture of the Mašín brothers and Novák by the Czechoslovak Secret Service, known as the StB. Unaware that they held the perpetrators of the police station raids, the StB eventually released Josef and his uncle. Ctirad, however, was sentenced to two years of forced labor in the perilous uranium mines near Jáchymov—a punishment that only hardened his resolve.

Upon Ctirad's release, the group resumed their activities with renewed vigor. They orchestrated a daring payroll heist, seizing 846,000 Czechoslovak crowns, and later stole 100 kilograms of donarit explosives, contemplating attacks on uranium trains or even President Klement Gottwald's personal train. Their most incendiary action came during the "Night of Great Fires," a protest against the socialist collectivization of agriculture, where straw stacks in Moravian villages were set ablaze, causing economic and psychological damage.

The Great Escape

By October 1953, the brothers and their comrades, Václav Švéda, Zbyněk Janata, and Milan Paumer, embarked on a second escape attempt toward West Berlin. Radio Free Europe's broadcasts had fueled their belief in an impending World War III, and they intended to join the anticipated invasion against the Communist bloc.

Under the cover of night, they crossed into East Germany near Hora Svaté Kateřiny, navigating the porous border that had yet to be sealed by the Berlin Wall. However, their journey was fraught with peril. A failed car hijacking and a miscalculated train ride drew the attention of the East German police, who soon labeled them "five armed foreigners."

A deadly confrontation ensued at Uckro station, resulting in the death of a policeman and injuries to two others. The incident triggered a massive manhunt involving the East German Volkspolizei and even Soviet forces. Overwhelmed by the scale of the pursuit, the group found themselves encircled near Waldow. Despite the odds, they managed to break through the encirclement under the cover of darkness.

Consequences and Legacy

The escape did not come without cost. Václav Švéda was captured after being wounded and was executed in Czechoslovakia in 1955. Back home, associates of the Mašíns faced severe reprisals. Zbyněk Janata and Ctibor Novák were also executed, their bodies interred in unmarked graves. The Mašíns' mother, Zdena Mašínová, perished in prison in 1956, a victim of the regime's merciless system, while their sister Zdena was imprisoned, later becoming a symbol of the Czech anti-Communist movement.

Meanwhile, the Mašín brothers and Paumer found refuge in the United States, where they served in the U.S. Army Special Forces. Josef Mašín settled in West Germany during the 1960s, evading several assassination attempts by the Czechoslovak Security Service. Despite their new lives, the brothers refused to return to Czech soil without full rehabilitation—a demand that remained unmet.

The Story Retold

The Mašín brothers' saga has been immortalized in numerous books and documentaries, each offering a unique perspective. While some portray them as reckless individuals, others celebrate their courage and tenacity against tyranny. Notably, Ota Rambousek's "Jenom ne strach" and Radio Free Europe's interviews with Ctirad Mašín provided firsthand accounts from the brothers themselves. The narratives, however, are not without inaccuracies, a reflection of the complex and often contradictory nature of historical memory.

In East Germany, the manhunt was initially buried in secrecy, only to be revisited by true crime writer Wolfgang Mittmann after the fall of the Berlin Wall. His investigations revealed the extent of the chaos and misinformation surrounding the pursuit, highlighting the brothers’ strategic brilliance and the regime's desperation.

Conclusion

The Mašín brothers' story is a testament to the enduring struggle against oppression. It is a narrative of audacity, sacrifice, and the unyielding pursuit of freedom against an overwhelming adversary. Their legacy continues to inspire those who dare to challenge tyranny, reminding us that the fight for liberty often comes at a profound personal cost.

Sources

For a comprehensive account of the Mašín brothers' story, visit the original Wikipedia page: Josef and Ctirad Mašín