Partisans in Svratka

A partisan group called “Vpřed,” (“Forward”) ,was planned to be landed in the area of Jihlava – Telč. However, during the flight over the frontline, the pilot changed the course, and the landing eventually took place in the area of Křižánky – Svratka – Herálec on the night of 26 March 1945. Fortunately, the group commander Nikolaj J. Melničuk, called “Eagle,”was able to quickly orient himself and made contacts with the local inhabitants, who helped him gather other members of the group scattered around the region. The partisans stayed at courageous people from Svratka and the neighbouring villages. The radio operator Tamara Rybakova was hiding in the house of Jaroslav Preisler located only 50 meters from the former school, which served as the residence for the German garrison. None of the parachutists was captured despite a thorough investigation by the Gestapo, who were informed about the landing. Until the May uprising, the members of the group Vpřed carried out various sabotage actions ,(destroying railway tracks in particular), in which they engaged the local inhabitants and other partisan groups. (Source: Lukáš Mašek: The Second resistance in the Svratka district).