Das Monument von Tschechoslowakischen Legien: War Diary of Legionary Josef Krulich
War Diary of Legionary Josef Krulich
This diary includes a lot of interesting information. It is written in archaic Czech language with many spelling and stylistic errors. During his longstaying in Russia, J. Krulich has been starting to use more and more Russian words. In addition, he had only minimal education in those times, which he increased only after the war. Therefore, I have prepared a modified version of his diary - you can choose. I hope the time spent by reading this text will bring you understanding and respect for those men, who almost a century ago fought and suffered for the freedom of Czechoslovakia.
Author of modified version and grandson of the author of the Diary, Dalibor Filáček
CURRICULUM VITAE
Josef Krulich was born 12/19/1895 in Lukavice, (region Rychnov n. Kněžnou). After four-year primary school, he worked as a barber. He has been working as a barber until Great War. In 1915, he was conscripted to 18. Infantry Regiment (of Austro-Hungarian Army) and in May he arrived to Russian front. In September he passed voluntarily to captivity. He spent some time in POW camps in Luck, Dárnice near Kiev, Murom and Nizhnyi Novgorod and in July, 1916 he entered Czechoslovak Army in Russia. After some basic training, he has been assigned to 2nd Infantry Regiment. With this Regiment, he served in all the battles: Pinska Marshes, Manievytsha, Zboriv, Tarnopol retreat, Kiev, Trans-Siberian Railway (Marianovka, Simbirsk, Shadrinsk, Kazan, Celjabinsk, Zlatoust, Troick, Nizhnyi Tagil). With this Regiment, he came back to Czechoslovakia on 4/8/1920. He was demobilisated on 11/11/1920.
- 3/1/1921: re-mobilization (garrisoned in Josefov, sergeant)
- 1921: school for non-commissioned officers in Josef (4th Infantry Regiment)
- 1921-1928: sergeant, garrisoned in Podkarpatska Rus (Carpathian Ruthenia) (Hust, Sovljus, Marmarosská Solotvina)
- 1922: married Anna Frantiska Hejclová
- 1923: course for communication specialist in Kutna Hora
- 1926: staff sergeant
- 1928: warrant officer
- 1932-1939: Kostelec nad Orlici, warrant officer
During German occupation (1939 - 1945) he worked illegaly against it: After 1943 he was intelligent and organization worker in Kostelec nad Orlici with a group "Ch" of "DE" battalion.
From 5th to 9th May, 1945 (Prague uprising) he was in command of platoon of civilist, which occupied barracks in Kostelec on 5/8/1945 and served in the city as a guard.
- 5/5/1945 mobilized (staff warrant officer)
- 1945-1946: Jihlava
- 1946-1947: Vyskov, Bruntal, Vysoke Myto, Rokytnice, Zilina (warrant officer)
- 1948: captain
- 1951: left army as staff captain
Josef Krulich died on September 20th, 1970.
Download:
War Diary of Josefa Krulicha - original version (Czech language)
War diary of Josefa Krulicha - modified version (Czech language)