Bachelor Vilém Kodíček

“I don’t recall the exact date, but it was some time before Christmas (ed.: 1980). For two weeks, we were on alert, waiting dressed in our camo suits. In fact, we were only allowed to occasionally take off our boots. The vehicles at our disposal were of the type: BMP-1, OT-62 TOPAS, OT-65 ‘Fugina’ and others, all of it packed with live ammunition. We were ready to go at the blow of a whistle.”

“The whole trip (the “Krkonoše 1980” exercise) lasted for about a week. We set out for the night and drove only at night. The first night ride was fine. But on the second night, there were already problems. Some of the drivers of the ‘BVPs’ were beginning to fall asleep. For example, one drove his vehicle into a ditch and the second, who followed his tail lights, rear ended him. In the morning, we usually parked at some barracks, I’d have a hard time recalling all the towns that we passed through. However, we ended up in Pardubice. There, we were handed out fresh shirts, boots, pants... Everything that we needed to feel that we had the very best equipment available. In Pardubice, we also learned that we wouldn’t be sent to Poland. There had been reports about the Austrians and Germans moving their troops towards our borders, so had to return. The return trip was trouble free. On the way back, we could see how much military equipment was actually deployed into action. We could judge this from all the military vehicles that had been left scattered on the roadsides. Many vehicles had bogged down in a ditch and it was necessary to deploy recovery equipment, so that they could be towed. During these ensuing rescue operations, even the professional soldiers were much more humble, knowing that all the vehicles were crammed with live ammunition. They were aware that even a trivial traffic accident might lead to great disaster. A few days after we had returned, Christmas came and we were are all relieved that we stayed at home.”