Prague, the Bulhar crossing

The space between Orebitská Street and the present Seifertova Street was crucial for the Žižkov rebels. If the German troops had managed to break through the defence in Husitská Street and Seifertova Street (from Karlín), they could have attacked the Pražačka defenders from behind or proceed through Italská Street towards the Radio building. On the night of 5 to 6 May 1945, the rebel sub-section was commanded by Staff Captain Rudolf Smrčka. Given the importance of the sub-section, command was taken by Colonel Jaroslav Žilka from the headquarters of Prague–East on 7 May 1945. In the evening of 5 May, virtually the entire section was captured by the rebels. The Germans remained at Wilson Station and in buildings of the museum and pantheon of the Liberation Monument at Vítkov. An improvised German armoured train was operating on the route to the tunnel under Vítkov. On the night of 5 to 6 May, this sub-section was fortified by barricades. There were shootings throughout 6 and 7 May. In the evening of 7 May, six German armoured vehicles first tried to break into Husitská Street and then into Seifertova Street. With the help of the reserves of the neighbouring sub-sections, the rebels repulsed them. Early in the morning on 8 May the German tanks, under the protection of human shields from Czech civilians, managed to overcome the first barricades in Husitská Street, but they were repulsed at the level of Orebitská Street. It was also at Bulhar that the German infantry broke through to Chodská Street, but it was also repulsed. There was a tense ceasefire during 8 May, and in the evening, after the signing of the surrender, the Germans disappeared. The rebels seized the buildings of the Liberation Monument and the Wilson Station.