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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 383

A remarkable group of twenty-three awarded to Major K. V. Tichy, Czech Forces, a veteran of both World Wars who was decorated by the British, French and Belgians through the course of his distinguished career - a Czechoslovakian Legionnaire in the Great War he is known to have worked with the Czech Resistance in Prague during the Second World War

Tichy was responsible for the destruction of a train in 1943 and given his position in the resistance it seems possible he had a hand in 'Operation Anthropoid' - the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich in Prague in June 1942


Czechoslovakia, Order of Charles IV, Medal for Loyal Service 1918-19; Order of Charles IV, Type II, Commanders Decoration, gilt and enamel; 1918 War Cross; Revolution Cross 1918; Volunteer Cross 1918-19; War Cross 1939 (3); Bravery Medal 1939; National Resistance Medal 1918-38, with device upon riband; Cross 1938; Prague Resistance 1939-45, clasp, Masarykovy Lany; Resistance Medal 1939-45; Liberated Political Prisoner Cross 1939-45; Vela Medal, silver; United Kingdom, Military Medal, G.V.R., unnamed as issued to foreign recipient's, upon original investiture brooch; France, Republic, Resistance Medal 1939-45; Belgium, Kingdom, Victory Medal 1914-18; Czech Commemorative War Awards (5), generally very fine and better (23)

Sold together with five of Major Karel V. Tichy's insignia and rank Badges, besides a remarkable album containing the following documents, citations and award Certificates. These are offered with the following translations and identifications:

1.
Czechoslovak War Cross 1939 for fighting in the liberation.

2.
Document stating:

This is to confirm that I have personally given the order to Mr Karel V. Tichy, Head Director of Rehabilitation centre, now in Prague, Kral. Vinohrady, Stalinova 7, on 23 April 1945. Without any conditions and under no matter what circumstances he went to find out where the launching station of the railway bridge that had mines secreted underneath is located, on the tracks between Celakovice and Lysa and Labem over the river Labe and try to demolish this launching station.

Mr Karel V. Tichy, Head Director, announced to me on Tuesday 25 April 1945 that he managed locate this station and then afterwards he advised on 28 April 1945 (Friday morning) that this station had been destroyed. This took place under the strict supervision of German guards and they tried to at the last minute prevent criminals fleeing by shooting.

On the day when revolution started 5 May 1945, I and other officers and Narodni vybor in Celakovice saw that the station was destroyed and therefore there was no risk to the railway bridge.

I am confirming this upon request of Mr K. V. Tichy, as an evidence for this application to the Unit of National Revolution.

3.
Homeland Security minister awarding a commemorative Medal of Second National Resistance.

4.
13/12/1946 (Confirmation)

On the day of 23 October 1942 at 23:30 on the track Celakovice -Mstetice on 9 3/4 km underneath a moving train No.816 blew up a mine. The explosion took place under the 8th coach of 3-1060 machine which had the floor and ceiling damaged. Although full of passengers, no one was injured. In two other carriages, windows were broken and the engine was damaged too. The operation was suspended from 23.30 until 2:35 am next day. Following the explosion there were trains delayed. The attack was originally planned for a tank train which had been cancelled.

5.
Czechoslovak Legionnaire association - unit Pilsen - awarding a silver Commemorative Medal for serving his country by voluntarily joining the army in 1918-1919 - in 30th anniversary of those years and establishing the 4th regiment of 'Guard of Freedom' in Pilsen.

6.
13/12/1946 (Confirmation)

Headquarters of Unit of National Security in Celakovice confirms that it is known to them that in 1942 on the track Celakovice-Mstetice an attack on train No.816 took place on 24 April 1942 at 23:30 by using destructive means, that had considerable impact, confirmed by German authorities investigation.

HQ of Unit of National Security was advised that this destruction was carried out by Destruction Unit of partisan organization under General Dr Koutnak lead by Mr Karel Tichy. Signed HQ of Unit of National Security - Commandery Celakovice.

7.
French award

8.
Confirmation of Local National Committee Celakovice - that there was an attack on train 816 on 24 April 1942 at 23:30 on the route Celakovice - Mstetice, using explosives put under rails which caused massive explosion and damage of carriages. This partisan action was expect by a group under Head Director K. Tichy - personally involved as he announced on 25 April 1942 when Gestapo started arresting all railway officers and helped to cover the attack and managed to release all the arrested using lies and various interventions. Even the Head Railway officer at Celakovice was released without any conviction. (Signed) Celakovice 29 May 1945 - Colonel Josef Kvapil.

9.
Head of Junak - awarding Junak Cross 'for the motherland' - silver level on 28 October 1945.

10.
Polish - veteran association welcoming him and thanking as he joined - Warsaw 31 May 1950.

11.
11 April 1952 - Czechoslovak association for protection of peace - thanking him for his help to achieve their goals at their Congress and hoping for his support in future.

12.
28 October 1945 Command of Czechoslovak National Riflemen & Guards - awarding a commemorative badge for his service in 1938 during military emergency in the country.

13.
Barricade-men Union 'Big Prague' - branch Prague 11 - on 9 May 1945 military HQ & national-revolutionary Committee award for fulfilling the tasks given to him during the Prague revolution between 5-8 May - commemorative Badge 1945.

14.
Barricade-men Badge of Honor - awarded for fighting in Prague 5-9 May 1945 to save the city (issued 6 October 1946).

15.
Czechoslovak correspondent group Mamut (Mammoth) awarding a commemorative Medal to Major Karel Tichy - Commander of Boehm Group for his reporting services in this group.

16.
Liberational National Resistance 'White Rose' in Prague awarding a commemorative Badge for his service in liberation of Czech nation and his cooperation in National Resistance.

17.
Association of Czechoslovak National Riflemen & Guards - awarding him with a title: First Captain of Association of Czechoslovak - for his input during occupation.

18.
Weidmann Cross - 1. class/grade - issued by Weidmann Group of National Resistance in Pilsen, 27 June 1946 - for his service during occupation by Germans.

19.
Weidmann Cross - 2. class/grade - issued by Weidmann Group of National Resistance in Pilsen, 27 June 1946 - for his service during occupation by Germans.

20.
Gold Medal of Charles IV - for his loyal service - issued in 30th anniversary of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1948 (6 April 1948).

21.
Honourable Applause awarded by 'Illegal resistance Group Josef-Josef' , Group Alex, group Bartos, Reporting Intelligence Group KAT (K Tichy was head of this group) and he was involved in fights on barricade in Prague 5-10 May 1945.

22.
Military Ability Association - awarding a Gold Honourable Badge of Charles IV for his merit - 1 class/grade - 20 April 1949.

23.
Military Ability Association - awarding a Gold Honourable Badge of Charles IV for his merit - Commander's 2 class/grade with a silver star - 20 April 1949.

24.
Military Ability Association - awarding a Gold Honourable Badge of Charles IV for building military abilities - 16 April 1949.

25.
Certificate - born 27 March 1895 in Novy Bydzov, living in Prague now, was member of ground-based forces of People's Army 'Vela' for Eastern Moravia and Silesia fulfilling his duty with honour and excellence.

26.
Partizan Organization Vela - Decree - awarding him a silver medal for bravery on red-white ribbon 'Vela 1945' - 1 January 1947.

27.
Partizan Organization Vela - Decree - awarding him a Silver Medal for Bravery on blue ribbon 'Vela 1945' - 1 January 1947.

28.
Partizan Organization Vela - Decree - awarding him a silver Medal for Bravery on red ribbon 'Vela 1945' - 1 January 1947.

29.
Committee of Commanders of Illegal Army Organization 1939-1945 of National revolutionary Army awarding a Commemorative Badge NRA for K. Tichy - member of Vela partizan group , in Brno 28 October 1945.

30.
Partizan Winter Brigade, Commander of Vela Partizan Group - diploma with thanks.

31.
Liberational National Resistance 'White Rose' in Prague awarding a commemorative Badge for his service in liberation of Czech nation and his cooperation in national resistance.

32.
Badge of Honour from Committee of Soldiers and Workers , 28 October 1946.

33.
Committee of National Revolution - Masaryk Lany branch - awarding a Commemorative Medal - 1. class - 28 October1946.

34.
Association of Fighters for Freedom - Honouring 1027 brigade hours in a 1st year of Gottwald 5-year plan.

35.
Local Firebrigade awarding a diploma for help in fire protection - 2 March 1957.

36.
Ditto - Firebrigade appreciation - 10 September 1957.



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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£950