Eighty-one years ago, on May 27, 1942, an audacious assassination attempt took place in Prague during World War II. Jozef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš, Czechoslovakian soldiers trained by the British, targeted Reinhard Heydrich, the acting Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia. The event, which would have significant consequences for both the Czechoslovak resistance and the Nazi regime, is captured in a collection of rare photos that provide a glimpse into the operation with no possibility of return.

The assassination attempt on Heydrich was meticulously planned and carried out by Gabčík and Kubiš, who were parachuted into Czechoslovakia as part of Operation Anthropoid. Armed with submachine guns and grenades, the two soldiers ambushed Heydrich’s car as it passed through a curve in the road near the Troja bridge. However, fate dealt them a cruel blow as Gabčík’s weapon jammed, and the bomb thrown at the vehicle only managed to injure Heydrich with a small splinter.

Despite the failed attempt, the consequences of the operation were far-reaching. Heydrich’s injuries worsened, and he succumbed to infection a week later. The Nazis unleashed a brutal wave of reprisals, conducting mass executions and razing the village of Lidice as a punishment for harboring the assassins. Gabčík and Kubiš sought refuge in the crypt of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Prague, where they made their last stand against the Nazi forces.

The rare photos from the operation offer a glimpse into the tense moments leading up to the attack and the aftermath that followed. They capture the determination and bravery of Gabčík and Kubiš, who knew the risks involved in their mission. Despite their weapons malfunctioning and the ultimate failure of the assassination attempt, their actions served as a powerful symbol of Czech resistance against the Nazi occupation.

These photos serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals who fought against tyranny and oppression during World War II. They offer a poignant reflection on a pivotal moment in Czech history and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable odds.