Slovak partisans
Slovak partisans were fighters in irregular military groups participating in the Slovak resistance movement, including against Nazi Germany and collaborationism during World War II.
Begining
Slovak partisans were a anti-fascist militia formed immediately the creation of the First Slovak Republic in 1939 they fought against Nazi’s and their collaborators. Men and women both fought in the ranks of partisan units as well as Jews and Christians. Slovak partisans had mixed loyalties as many were deeply nationalistic and wanted a to maintain a free Slovak Republic free of fascism, than there were Socialist partisans who supported the communist regime and were forging strong links with the Soviet Union and Soviet partisans. The partisan ranks were usually made up of either civilians or supporters of non-fascist political factions, both Slovaks and Jews fought side by side against fascism and its collaborators no matter whether followers of the Jewish faith or Christian they all called each other “comrade”. They mainly took part in sabotage missions. They’re largest anti-Nazi military engagement was the Slovak National Uprising in 1944 were the Slovak partisans were aided by the Slovak Army and Soviet partisan contingents. Jan Golian and Rudolf Viest generals of the Slovak Army led the uprising that was eventually crushed by the Germans and their Hungarian and Polish collaborators. The most famous Slovak partisan brigade was the M.R.Stefanik brigade led by the Slovak partisan hero Viliam Zingor, it was also the largest partisan brigade with 1300 members, they were the most popular as they were fiercely nationalistic and religiously tolerant as they had over 300 Jewish members. After the war this brigade and especially there leader fell into disfavour of the Czechoslovak Communist politicians as they accused Gustav Husak of being a traitor to the Slovak nation and people and Zingor was eventually executed by Husak and the communist government on the 18.12.1950. Another famous Slovak brigade was the Janosik brigade, not much is known about them other than they fought in the Tatra’s and Orava.
Jewish Brigade’s
Slovak Jewish partisans also made outstanding accomplishments as members of all-Jewish groups. The most famous Slovak Jewish partisan units the Novaky Brigade, formed from the inmates of Novaky concentration camp. The Novaky brigade benefited from the strategic locale as the camp was in a region populated by miners and farmers who had no sympathy for the pro-Nazi government. With the help of these friendly locals, the Novaky brigade made contacts with other partisans, and arranged to receive aid and weapons in the event of an armed uprising. In honor of their service to their country, 166 Jewish partisans were awarded the Order of the Slovak Uprising.
Famous partisans
There were many famous Slovak partisans but none more famous than the famous Jan Nalepka, and Viliam Zingor.
- Jan Nalepka
- Viliam Zingor
- Emil Perko
- Karol Adler
- Marta (Chaviva) Reikova
- Ludovit Kukorelli
- Jan Fedak
- Viola Valachova
- Katarina Chutkova
- Jan Kovac
- Zelma Steinerova
- Egon Roth
- Jan Usiak
- Michal Pavlovic
- Milos Uher
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In Memoriam Chaviva Reikova Slovvak-Jewish partisan
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In Memoriam Viola Valachova partisan
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Ján Nálepka, Partisan
