Messages posted by: Gordon Hughes

[quote=Martin S.]Thank you Geoff!

I appreciate your answer.
I am sorry to say I already know both sources, you introduced above.
As you wrote, the book bringing the basic information about the 8 Czechs in X-Troop, is Ian Dears excellent seminal work "Ten Commando". All later studies (Including Osprays etc..) are inspired by this perfect book. However, there are no more informations about the CZECHOSLOVAKIA badge and so on.

It is a great loss, that most of the archive materials about Czechs in Cdo units was (as I.Dear wrote) destroyed in 1946.

But I am still searching and looking for living witnesses because hope dies last.

M. I am a little late catching up with this subject however if you type Robert Matula's name onto the internet you will find a true war hero who was from 1939 thro to 1945 a member of the Czech forces who later joined Czech division of French Foriegn Legion,and after escape to England Sgt Rbt Matula joined Czech Army then volunteered to SOE was parachuted into Moravia,near village of Ostrava,he lost amember of party[killed the radio operater was captured and did not survive,however Rbt went on to control Resistance fighters and is the hero of Ostrava,He has received several delegations from Czech Republic,many decorations including Kings commendation for bravery,Czech Presidents Gold Cross etc,I count myself a good friend and have organized and represented as Legion M.C. all of Rbts tributes and presentations.[Promoted to Brig General on last Czech visit]
Unfortunatly Rbt is now in a Care Home in Victoria,Vancouver Island >B.C. Canada,a very frail and very sick man,his mind however is sharp and memory fantastic. My e-mail is [email protected],I am also a member of this organization[/quote]Gordon Hughes