A great tribute to our Battle of Dukla Pass heroes
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- Date: 06.10.2024
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The Ministry of Defence along with the Armed Forces, members of the public, and other distinguished guests commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Dukla Pass – one of the fiercest mountain warfare engagements throughout the Second World War – in a heartfelt tribute to the heroes of the Battle of the Dukla Pass at the Czechoslovak Army Corps Memorial at Dukla and at the Museum of Military History in Svidník. The anniversary celebrations took place in the presence of President and Commander-in-Chief Peter Pellegrini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák, and other top government officials. Throughout the day, the commemoration events attracted around 7,000 visitors to the Dukla Memorial and some 10,000 people to the Museum of Military History in Svidník.
The ceremonial programme at the Dukla Czechoslovak Army Corps Memorial began in the afternoon with a flypast from Slovak Air Force helicopters, a wreath-laying ceremony, a one-minute silence, and the playing of the national anthem, and continued with speeches from President Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Peter Žiga, combined with musical performances. President Pellegrini and Minister Kaliňák then presented commemorative medals to WW2 veterans. The atmosphere was filled with reflection. Military history clubs were present with stands presenting the Dukla battlefield.
Speaking of the significance of the anniversary celebrations, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák said: “We want to honour the heroes who passed through this difficult battlefield and lost what was most valuable to them – their own lives. Personally speaking, these celebrations of the heroic operation are, above all else, about the Slovak people preserving their very own tradition, which is specific to Slovakia.”
In his keynote address, President and Commander-in-Chief Peter Pellegrini said: “War is the materialisation of evil and, as always, it most affects those who are most innocent. Laying down one’s life in the fight for freedom is the ultimate sacrifice one can make for his country. So, let us stand in silent remembrance for all the victims and look in the eyes and thank those who were lucky to survive. Let us admire what they have given to our country – their heroism – which so much reflects the natural human desire for freedom.”
In his remarks, Prime Minister Robert Fico said: “What we have come to celebrate here is neither war, nor suffering, nor death. We have come here because we want to celebrate peace. The Battle of the Dukla Pass diverted large chunks of German forces away from the Slovak National Uprising, which they would have otherwise drowned in blood in just a few days. Indeed, we cannot exactly estimate how many people lived to see and experience freedom in Slovakia. And this is precisely because so many people died, were injured or carried horrific trauma for the rest of their lives. Today we can say that the decision to launch this operation was a decision that saved a large number of lives in Slovakia, although it brought heavy battles and heavy losses at this part of the front.”
At the same time, there was a rich cultural and educational programme at the Museum of Military History in Svidník, including musical performances from Magic Spurs Band, Kandráč Band, and Šarišan Folk Ensemble, a demonstration of hand-to-hand combat, a presentation of military working dogs (MWDs), a Slovak Armed Forces Guard of Honour (GOH) show, displays of Army combat vehicles and weaponry, and educational activities for the youngest ones.
The ceremonial programme at the Dukla Czechoslovak Army Corps Memorial began in the afternoon with a flypast from Slovak Air Force helicopters, a wreath-laying ceremony, a one-minute silence, and the playing of the national anthem, and continued with speeches from President Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Peter Žiga, combined with musical performances. President Pellegrini and Minister Kaliňák then presented commemorative medals to WW2 veterans. The atmosphere was filled with reflection. Military history clubs were present with stands presenting the Dukla battlefield.
Speaking of the significance of the anniversary celebrations, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák said: “We want to honour the heroes who passed through this difficult battlefield and lost what was most valuable to them – their own lives. Personally speaking, these celebrations of the heroic operation are, above all else, about the Slovak people preserving their very own tradition, which is specific to Slovakia.”
In his keynote address, President and Commander-in-Chief Peter Pellegrini said: “War is the materialisation of evil and, as always, it most affects those who are most innocent. Laying down one’s life in the fight for freedom is the ultimate sacrifice one can make for his country. So, let us stand in silent remembrance for all the victims and look in the eyes and thank those who were lucky to survive. Let us admire what they have given to our country – their heroism – which so much reflects the natural human desire for freedom.”
In his remarks, Prime Minister Robert Fico said: “What we have come to celebrate here is neither war, nor suffering, nor death. We have come here because we want to celebrate peace. The Battle of the Dukla Pass diverted large chunks of German forces away from the Slovak National Uprising, which they would have otherwise drowned in blood in just a few days. Indeed, we cannot exactly estimate how many people lived to see and experience freedom in Slovakia. And this is precisely because so many people died, were injured or carried horrific trauma for the rest of their lives. Today we can say that the decision to launch this operation was a decision that saved a large number of lives in Slovakia, although it brought heavy battles and heavy losses at this part of the front.”
At the same time, there was a rich cultural and educational programme at the Museum of Military History in Svidník, including musical performances from Magic Spurs Band, Kandráč Band, and Šarišan Folk Ensemble, a demonstration of hand-to-hand combat, a presentation of military working dogs (MWDs), a Slovak Armed Forces Guard of Honour (GOH) show, displays of Army combat vehicles and weaponry, and educational activities for the youngest ones.
