POLNAR, Stanislav – PROKOP, Bronislav: Plukovník Vladimír Řehák, Memorandum 68 a únos letadla

POLNAR, Stanislav – PROKOP, Bronislav: Colonel Vladimír Řehák, Memorandum 68 and the Hijacking of an Aeroplane.

Autor: POLNAR, Stanislav

This paper is dedicated to the life and intellectual legacy of Colonel doc. Vladimír Řehák, CSc., a distinguished military scientist, reformer, and co-author of Memorandum 68. The aim of this text is to systematically document his intellectual development, which culminated in his independent formulation of Part 5 of Memorandum 68, subtitled A Systematic Approach and the Use of Modern Research Methods. This exceptional and comprehensive document defined Czechoslovak interests in the military sphere (a proposed military doctrine). Řehák’s fundamental requirement was the scientific development of the armed forces’ capabilities, based on a systems approach and the effective utilisation of the state’s economic potential. Vladimír Řehák was also one of many Czechoslovak citizens who left their homeland following the August occupation by Warsaw Pact troops. The manner in which he did so, however, was also extraordinary. Along with his two sons, he hijacked a civilian aeroplane on a scheduled flight between Prague and Bratislava. Řehák’s theoretical development is presented in the context of his life events.

Keywords: Prague Spring military reform, command and control in the Army, systematic

analysis, Klement Gottwald Military Political Academy, Czechoslovak military affairs.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.69809/vojhist.2025.29.4.4

Ročník: 29 | Číslo: 4/2025 | Stránky: 74-105