Jan Syrový (24 January 1888 – 17 October 1970) was a Czechoslovak

general A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry. In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...

who was the prime minister of Czechoslovakia during the Munich Crisis.

Early life and military career

Jan Syrový studied building at a technical school. Following his graduation in 1906, he became a

one-year volunteer A one-year volunteer, short EF (German language, de: ''Einjährig-Freiwilliger''), was, in a number of national armed forces, a Conscription, conscript who agreed to pay his own costs for the procurement of equipment, food and clothing, in return ...

in the Austro-Hungarian army. After that, he studied at a technical college in

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. During

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, he fought in the Czechoslovak Legions of the Russian Army and lost his right eye at the Battle of Zborov. By the end of the war, he commanded the Legions and the anti-Bolshevik forces on the Trans-Siberian railway. A well-known veteran commander, he served as

Chief of Staff The title chief of staff (or head of staff) identifies the leader of a complex organization such as the armed forces, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a principal staff officer (PSO), who is the coordinator of the supportin ...

of the Czechoslovak Army from 1926 to 1933 and as its general inspector from 1933 to 1938. Vojenské osobnosti-Jan Syrový
/ref> He helped to prepare the Czechoslovak Air Force with the help of Jan Antonín Baťa and moved military personnel and materials away from Nazi Germany.

Munich Crisis

When Milan Hodža's government resigned on 23 September 1938, President

Edvard Beneš Edvard Beneš (; 28 May 1884 – 3 September 1948) was a Czech politician and statesman who served as the president of Czechoslovakia from 1935 to 1938, and again from 1939 to 1948. During the first six years of his second stint, he led the Czec ...

appointed Syrový to head a national unity government. Syrový demurred at first by insisting that he was just a soldier, not a politician, and that he lacked the qualifications and the relevant experience for such an important post. Beneš told Syrový that the nation needed him and added that as a soldier, Syrový should consider it not as an offer but an order. With some reluctance, Syrový accepted and took the defence portfolio as well. Barely a week after becoming Prime Minister, he was forced to accept the terms of the

Munich Agreement The Munich Agreement was reached in Munich on 30 September 1938, by Nazi Germany, the United Kingdom, the French Third Republic, French Republic, and the Kingdom of Italy. The agreement provided for the Occupation of Czechoslovakia (1938–194 ...

on 30 September. Announcing the acceptance of the agreement in a nationwide radio address, he stated that Czechoslovakia was not in a position to turn the agreement down because without British or French support, the country was outnumbered and any conflict would result in severe casualties. "We were abandoned", he said. "We stand alone". After the resignation of Beneš on 5 October, Syrový assumed most presidential duties, in accord with the Czechoslovak Constitution until Emil Hácha was duly elected President on 30 November 1938. He resigned the premiership on 1 December 1938 and remained as Minister of National Defence until 27 April 1939. He did not join the anti-German resistance since he was too well-known a figure for his involvement to be anything other than a liability. However, he arranged the transfer of substantial sums from a Legionary relief fund to assist the resistance and the people facing persecution.

Later life

On 14 May 1945, in the immediate aftermath of the war, Syrový was arrested and charged with

collaboration Collaboration (from Latin ''com-'' "with" + ''laborare'' "to labor", "to work") is the process of two or more people, entities or organizations working together to complete a task or achieve a goal. Collaboration is similar to cooperation. The ...

although he had consciously steered clear of that as far as his office allowed. In a

show trial A show trial is a public trial in which the guilt (law), guilt or innocence of the defendant has already been determined. The purpose of holding a show trial is to present both accusation and verdict to the public, serving as an example and a d ...

of alleged collaborators in 1947, the National Court found him guilty, along with Rudolf Beran, and sentenced him to 20 years of imprisonment in severe conditions. Released in 1960 by Antonín Novotný's amnesty, Syrový was left with no pension or any means of maintenance, and the communist regime barred him from employment. Eventually, he was allowed to work as a nightwatchman, guarding Luděk Marold's panorama of the Battle of Lipany. Not until late 1967 would the regime grant him a limited retirement pension. Syrový was deeply wounded by the verdict of the National Court and remained so for the rest of his life. His own conscience was clear, and he never came to terms with the apparent injustice of the decision. He reviewed his trial in an interview for the Report Magazine in 1968 and stated that there were three critical pieces of evidence laid against him. The first was a snapshot of himself shaking hands with

Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler (20 April 1889 – 30 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 until Death of Adolf Hitler, his suicide in 1945. Adolf Hitler's rise to power, He rose to power as the lea ...

during a meeting that he was obliged to attend at the Prague Castle. Hitler had made a speech of reassurance as to Czechoslovakia's future under the 'protection' of the

Reich ( ; ) is a German word whose meaning is analogous to the English word " realm". The terms and are respectively used in German in reference to empires and kingdoms. In English usage, the term " Reich" often refers to Nazi Germany, also ca ...

and then held out his hand to Syrový, and the photographers immediately took a picture. Another photograph provided the second piece of evidence, which was taken at a government banquet that showed Syrový sitting alongside Konrad Henlein. Syrový stated that the picture was taken out of context, to be used for

Nazi propaganda Propaganda was a tool of the Nazi Party in Germany from its earliest days to the end of the regime in May 1945 at the end of World War II. As the party gained power, the scope and efficacy of its propaganda grew and permeated an increasing amou ...

. The third piece of critical evidence was an arms contract with the Nazis. Syrový stated the weapons sold had been obsolete items from the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, which were no longer of any use to Czechoslovakia, and that the weapons had been sold to German private companies. He also stated that the decision to sell was made ultimately not by him alone but by the government as a whole. Syrový felt that if the Czechoslovak allies had offered their promised help, he would never have had to accept the Munich Agreement, but under the circumstances, the Czechoslovak Army had no chance of success on its own.
, Interview in the Report Magazine Syrový died on 17 October 1970.

Decorations

Awarded by Belgium: : BEL Kroonorde Grootofficier BAR

Order of the Crown (Belgium), Order of the Crown, in the grade of: Grand Officer : BEL Croix de Guerre WW1 ribbon

Croix de Guerre 1914-18 Awarded by Czechoslovakia: : Czechoslovak War Cross 1918: with four linden branches : Ribbon Czechoslovak Order of the Hawk

Order of the Falcon: with swords : TCH CS revolucni medaile BAR

Czechoslovak Revolutionary Medal 1914–18 with clasps: "Č.D.", "Zborov" and numbers "1", "2" : Ribbon Czechoslovak Victory Medal 1918

Czechoslovak Medal of Victory 1918 Awarded by Estonia: : EST Order of the Cross of the Eagle 1st Class BAR

Military Order of the Cross of the Eagle, for the Protection of the Country: I. class Awarded by France: : Legion Honneur GO ribbon

Légion d'honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour ( ), formerly the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour (), is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit, both military and Civil society, civil. Currently consisting of five cl ...

, in the grade of: Grand Officier ::::Légion d'honneur, in the grade of: Commandeur ::::Légion d'honneur, in the grade of: Officier ::::Légion d'honneur, in the grade of: Chevalier

night Night, or nighttime, is the period of darkness when the Sun is below the horizon. Sunlight illuminates one side of the Earth, leaving the other in darkness. The opposite of nighttime is daytime. Earth's rotation causes the appearance of ...

Croix de Guerre 1914-18: with palme Awarded by Italy: : Grande ufficiale OCI Kingdom BAR

Order of the Italian Crown: II. class : Croce di guerra al merito BAR

War Merit Cross Awarded by Japan: : Het lint van de Orde van de Schat Japan Order of the Sacred Treasure

Order of the Sacred Treasure: II. class Awarded by Yugoslavia: : Order of Saint Sava - Ribbon bar

Order of St. Sava: I. class : SRB Orden Belog Orla BAR

Order of the White Eagle: I. class ::::Order of the White Eagle: II. class : Order of the Karađorđe's Star with Swords : II. class Awarded by Lithuania: : Vytautas komandoro didysis kryzius Ribbon

Vytautas komandoro didysis kryzius Ribbon

Order of Vytis Cross: Cross, II. class Awarded by Latvia: : Lacplesis Military Order Ribbon

Order of Lāčplēsis: II. class : Order of the Three Stars: II. class Awarded by Morocco: : Nischan el Quissam Alaouite: I. class Awarded by Poland: : POL Polonia Restituta Komandorski ZG BAR

POL Polonia Restituta Komandorski ZG BAR

Order of Polonia Restituta The Order of Polonia Restituta (, ) is a Polish state decoration, state Order (decoration), order established 4 February 1921. It is conferred on both military and civilians as well as on alien (law), foreigners for outstanding achievements in ...

: II. class Awarded by Romania: : Order of the Star of Romania - Ribbon bar

Order of the Star of Romania: I. class : ROM Order of the Crown of Romania 1881 Knight BAR

Order of the Crown: II. class : Order of Faithful Service: I. class : Commemorative Cross 1916-19: with the clasp: "Siberia" Awarded by Imperial Russia: : Order of St. Vladimir: IV. class : Order of Saint Anna ribbon bar

Order of St. Anne: IV. class : Order of Saint Stanislaus (Imperial House of Romanov): III. class : RUS Order of Saint George 4th class ribbon 2000

Cross of St. George: IV. class Awarded by Greece: : GRE Order of the Phoenix - Grand Cross BAR

Order of the Phoenix: I. class : Greek Medal of Military merit ribbon

Medal of Military Merit Awarded by Tunisia: : Order of Nischan el Iftikchar: I. class Awarded by Great Britain: :

Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by King George I of Great Britain, George I on 18 May 1725. Recipients of the Order are usually senior British Armed Forces, military officers or senior Civil Service ...

, in the grade of: Knight Commander CB

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