Otakar Jaroš: Difference between revisions
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During the [[Third Battle of Kharkov|German counteroffensive]] in February 1943 the Czechoslovak battalion was ordered to defend the frozen river in the direction to [[Kharkov]]. Jaroš's strengthened 1st company took position in front of the river in the village of Sokolovo, the rest of the battalion and supporting soviet units stayed behind the river. On the afternoon of [[March 8]], German armored troops with at least 14 tanks launched two attacks on Sokolovo. In the ensuing battle the 1st company was almost annihilated and Jaroš was killed. They were ordered to remain until reinforcements could arrive, but the supporting tanks could not cross the thawing river (the battalion's commander neglected recognition of the terrain). Not until late that night were the remnants of the 1st company ordered to retreat, the further defence of Sokolovo having lost any value as the unfrozen river no longer provided an avenue for the Germans to advance. |
During the [[Third Battle of Kharkov|German counteroffensive]] in February 1943 the Czechoslovak battalion was ordered to defend the frozen river in the direction to [[Kharkov]]. Jaroš's strengthened 1st company took position in front of the river in the village of Sokolovo, the rest of the battalion and supporting soviet units stayed behind the river. On the afternoon of [[March 8]], German armored troops with at least 14 tanks launched two attacks on Sokolovo. In the ensuing battle the 1st company was almost annihilated and Jaroš was killed. They were ordered to remain until reinforcements could arrive, but the supporting tanks could not cross the thawing river (the battalion's commander neglected recognition of the terrain). Not until late that night were the remnants of the 1st company ordered to retreat, the further defence of Sokolovo having lost any value as the unfrozen river no longer provided an avenue for the Germans to advance. |
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For his heroism Otakar Jaroš was |
For his heroism Otakar Jaroš was posthumously promoted to captain and in [[April 17]], [[1943]] decorated with the Gold Star of the [[Hero of the Soviet Union]].<ref name="hornicek">[http://www.fronta.cz/titul-hrdina-sovetskeho-svazu Titul Hrdina Sovětského svazu]</ref> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 19:40, 9 February 2007
Otakar Jaroš | |
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| File:OtakarJaros.jpg | |
| Years of service | 1937-9 1942-3 |
| Rank | Lieutenant (1937-9; Czechoslovak Army); First Lieutenant (1942-3; First Czechoslovak independent field battalion); Captain (in memoriam) |
| Commands | Commander of signal platoon in Prešov (1937-9), Commander of the First Company, First Czechoslovak independent field battalion (1942-3) |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Sokolovo |
| Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union |
Otakar Jaroš ['otakar 'jaroʃ] (1 August 1912 - 8 March 1943) was a Czech officer in Czechoslovak army in Soviet Union. He was killed in the Battle of Sokolovo and became the first Czechoslovak decorated with the highest Soviet decoration Hero of the Soviet Union.[1]
Life
Otakar Jaroš was born in Louny, to the family of a Czech railway engineer. When he was nine months old his father was transferred to Mělník and his family followed him. In Mělník Jaroš spent his childhood and joined the Sokol and Scout organisations. These two organisations formed his physical skills and later fighting spirit.[2]
Military career
He studied on the grammar school but he left and attended highschool of electrotechnics. After graduation he was drafted and served his basic military service in the Third Signals Brigade in Trnava. He attended the non-commisioned officers school for a year and finished as a corporal. Then he attended school for reserve officers in Turnov.[2] Following the advice of his uncle, colonel František Konopásek, and Otakar entered the Military academy in Hranice. On 29 August 1937 he was appointed to the rank of lieutenant. He served as the commander of a signals platoon in Prešov for a year.
Protectorate
After the Munich Agreement Czechoslovakia was disunited. Otakar Jaroš returned to Mělník where the municipal office asked him to be the chief of police, which he refused. He worked on the post office in Náchod.
Germans are here, I would have to work against them and that would not end good.
— Otakar Jaroš when refusing job of police chief.[2]
World War Two
He did not accept German occupation of Czechoslovakia and in the summer 1939 escaped to Poland where he joined Czechoslovak legion in Krakow under commandement of lieutenant-colonel Ludvík Svoboda. When Poland was defeated by Nazis and its eastern parts were occupied by Soviet Union the legion fell, on 17 September, to the Soviet captivity.
After the German assault of the Soviet Union the situation was radically changed. Otakar Jaroš together with other Czech officers became constituent member of the First Czechoslovak independent field battalion in Buzuluk since 1942. He became the First Lieutenant and was in command of the first company.
Death
During the German counteroffensive in February 1943 the Czechoslovak battalion was ordered to defend the frozen river in the direction to Kharkov. Jaroš's strengthened 1st company took position in front of the river in the village of Sokolovo, the rest of the battalion and supporting soviet units stayed behind the river. On the afternoon of March 8, German armored troops with at least 14 tanks launched two attacks on Sokolovo. In the ensuing battle the 1st company was almost annihilated and Jaroš was killed. They were ordered to remain until reinforcements could arrive, but the supporting tanks could not cross the thawing river (the battalion's commander neglected recognition of the terrain). Not until late that night were the remnants of the 1st company ordered to retreat, the further defence of Sokolovo having lost any value as the unfrozen river no longer provided an avenue for the Germans to advance.
For his heroism Otakar Jaroš was posthumously promoted to captain and in April 17, 1943 decorated with the Gold Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union.[3]