Post by Registrar on Oct 14, 2014 19:03:39 GMT 8
From the Facebook of Jan Vytopil
This last weekend a group of Czech diplomats and businessmen marched the 102 km of the Bataan Death March 72 years after the fall of Bataan. For this tribute, the Czech nationals now living in Manila trudged across the 102 kilometre historical path which stretches from Marivelles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga. In 1942, the same path was taken by around 76,000 captured soldiers—Philippine, American and Czechs. The demanding walk serves as a commemoration of the Czech community sacrifice during the World War II. The Czechs living in the Philippines were the only other national community which volunteered en masse to fight alongside Philippine and US Armies against the advancing Japanese invasion. The heroism of Bataan defenders is nowadays reminded by 3 national memorials in Capas, Tarlac – The Philippine, US and – Czech on the location of former prisoner Camp o’ Donnel.
Km 00 - Starting point of the Czech Defenders of Bataan March - 2nd year - 2014 — with Janka Vytopilova Homolova in Bataan, Philippines.
The distances between km 20 and 23 seem to be a bit flexible. We were quite happy to find this one! — in Bataan, Philippines.
The best of the best did 70 km the first day (Saturday), being stopped only by a heavy rain. They reached the final destination (102 km marker) early Sunday. Photo by Hana Rosůlková — in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Karel ASTER, the last living Czech veteran from the Battle of the Philippines has received Gratias Agit - the highest award of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic on June 6, 2014. The Czechs living in the Philippines before the WWII were the only national group which volunteered en masse to fight the advancing Japanese army alongside Philippine and US soldiers.