KOPECKÝ, Milan: Volské přípřeže u dělostřelectva 1. čs. armádního sboru na jaře 1945

Vypublikované: 13. Júl 2026

KOPECKÝ, Milan: Ox Teams in the Artillery of the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps in Spring 1945.

Autor: KOPECKÝ, Milan

KOPECKÝ, Milan: Ox Teams in the Artillery of the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps in Spring 1945.

Vojenská história, 2, 30, 2026, pp 121-134, Bratislava.

In late March and early April 1945, units of the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps faced a shortage of transport assets, compounded by difficulties on the lines of communication between the unloading station at Humenné and the front-line sector near Liptovský Svätý Mikuláš. It was also clear that in the planned offensive along the Váh River, part of the Czechoslovak artillery would have to cross the ridges of the Great and Little Fatra, solely via mountain trails. Consequently, on the orders of the corps commander, rear-service officers very quickly mobilised approximately 200 ox teams (auxiliary draught animals). Thanks to the efforts of these draught animals and their civilian handlers, dozens of 76mm anti-tank guns and 120mm mortars could be transported to elevations exceeding 1,400 metres above sea level. The mobilisation of such a large number of animals and civilian personnel created difficulties in supplying them with fodder and food, which had to be addressed by the rear-service officers of the corps and brigades. Exhausted and sick animals also frequently had to be replaced. After the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps began its advance into Moravia, all the animals and their handlers were released from military service. This work is based on a synthesis of documents from the Military Central Archive–Military Historical Archive in Prague and several other sources.

Keywords: 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps, ox teams, artillery; Little Fatra and Great Fatra;

Liptovský Svätý Mikuláš.

DOI https://doi.org/10.69809/vojhist.2026.30.2.6

Ročník: 30 | Číslo: 2/2026 | Stránky: 121-134