Prague, Sept 24 (CTK) – Some 300 concrete bunkers in the Czech and Slovak borderland will be lit from 20:00 and 20:30 CEST yesterday to remember the 1938 mobilisation in protection against Hitlerite Germany within an event launched by enthusiasts from northern Moravia who want to start a new tradition.
The Czechoslovak military wanted to build almost 17,000 heavy and light bunkers in protection of the First Republic (1918-38). About 10,000 of them were built before the Munich Agreement on cessation of the Czechoslovak borderland to Germany was signed on September 29, 1938.
The mobilisation was declared on September 23, 1938, and three quarters of called-up reserves reported to a majority of the military units within 24 hours.
A similar event was held in May 1945 on the occasion of the liberation of the country. Some 200 bunkers were lit up then.
Some owners and administrators of the bunkers have prepared tours of the fortresses and other accompanying events for yesterday.
ms/dr
