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Rare and unique WWII linked documents and photos - Edvard Benes, president of the Czechoslovakian government in exile from Hitler’s regime in London and Mrs. Jaraslave Kavale-ova, a staff member of the Czechoslovakian Embassy in London

A fascinating bundle of ephemera originally belonging to a lady called Mrs. Jaraslave Kavale-ova, who was on the staff of the Czechoslovakian Embassy in London (her husband was killed in action in France 1944) who would have been present to witness the visits of Czech dignitaries and have access to official photographs. A spin-off from her story relates to Edvard Benes, president of Czechoslovakia from 1935 to 1938 and from 1939, president of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile in the UK throughout WWII. It was the political wrangling over Hitler's claim to the German-speaking Sudetenland which created the crisis causing the resignation of the Czech government. A skilled diplomat, Benes worked tirelessly for his country particularly throughout WWII having close links with Churchill and MI6 and shared information with them obtained from a Czech underground movement with links to a high ranking officer in German military intelligence. He was also on friendly terms with Joseph Stalin and closely cooperated with Soviet intelligence before the war. Sadly before Edvard Benes’ death in September 1948, fierce post-war political wrangling sparked the Soviet and Czechoslovak media’s campaign of vilification against him, and this combined with poor health left him a broken man.

Before going into exile in October 1938, Edvard Benes directed General Jan Syrovy to head a national unity government and as Prime Minister, Syrovy was forced to accept the terms of the Munich agreement. Despite being under Gestapo surveillance and clandestinely supporting the Czech resistance movement, he was arrested after the war on charges of treason, found guilty and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in harsh conditions.

NB. In April 2024, the High Court in Prague announced that the case would be reopened after new facts have emerged questioning the previous ruling. This follows efforts by Jan Syrovy's descendants to clear his name.

The original photographs are relevant as follows:

Top left - Group of six men, seated on the left is Jan Syrovy wearing his eye-patch. He lost his right eye at the Battle of Zborov in 1917, the last Russian offensive of WWI. Official ink stamp plus a hand written caption on the reverse clearly acknowledges the presence of J. Syrovy, the other gentlemen have not been identified. W:25.5 x H:21.5cm.

Top right - Edvard Benes at a reception in London. Typewritten caption roughly translates as: Trustees and editors of the K.P.R. at the reception by Mr. President on 28/X/1943. This has been signed in ink by Benes and signatures of others who were also present can be found on the reverse. W:21 x H:16.4cm.

Bottom - a group of dignitaries (Edvard Benes front centre) and military personnel, possibly at the Cenotaph. Ink stamp to reverse: Central Press Photos Ltd. Fleet Street. This photograph must not be used for reproduction. W:21.2 x H:15.9cm.

The larger of the two letters (prominent watermark - EXCELSIOR) was issued by the Czechoslovak Embassy, Air and Military Attache and roughly translated is in effect a death certificate confirming that Jan Kavale, born on December 15 in Macicich, district of Susice, belonging to Vojnice, district of Strakonice in CSR, died as a lieutenant of the Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade on November 5th, 1944, in the battles near Dunkirk in France. This confirmation is issued as a document for the issuance of a certificate of citizenship and the issuance of a travel passport to his wife, Mrs. Jaroslava Kavale-ova.

Issued in London on 12th April, 1948 Signed on behalf of the Military and Air Attache CSR

NB. The Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade consisting of expatriate Czechoslovaks were organised and equipped in the UK in September 1943 with a wide variety of tanks including the Cromwell and 17-pounder Shermans (Firefly). They landed in Normandy in August 1944 with the task of holding down the German-held port of Dunkirk for the duration of the war in Europe which resulted in fierce exchanges until the garrison eventually surrendered on 9th May 1945 The Czechs captured over 15,000 German troops and three U-boats.

During the siege of Dunkirk, the Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade suffered 668 casualties; 167 dead, 461 wounded, and 40 missing. On the list (Ref: Armoureconflicts.com) was a young Brigade Staff Officer, Lieutenant Jan Kavale, killed just a few weeks before his 30th birthday while clearing a damaged tank near Ghyvelde.

The smaller letter, again issued by the Czechoslovak Embassy later the same month reads as follows:

CZECHOSLOVAK EMBASSY AIR AND MILITARY ATTACHE 53 CADOGAN GARDENS S.W.3

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

This is to certify that Mrs. Jaroslava KAVALE-ova, a Czechoslovak national, is a member of the staff at the Czechoslovak Embassy, Office of the Military and Air Attache in London.

Signature and official stamp over Lt. Colonel Z. Hrncir. Deputy Military and Air Attache 29th April, 1948.

The CSR (Czechoslovak Republic) passport valid for all countries of the world issued in August 1944 and subsequently renewed as required to Mrs. Jaroslava KAVALE-ova who was born in London on 28th October 1913. Each page has the letters CSR top right created by holes drilled through the paper. Staples are corroded and detached from the board cover but all pages are firmly held together and remain connected to the cover boards via a fine multi-coloured cord attached to the inner cover by a small square of officially overstamped adhesive paper. Otherwise excellent condition.

The relevance of the newspaper cutting remains a mystery. It appears to be from The New Times of Burma - incorporating the Rangoon Liberator (deduced from partial wording overleaf). NB. The formal handover of power from colonial authorities to the newly formed government of Burma was commemorated at the lawn of the grandiose Government House, Rangoon on 4th January 1948.

£135.00 + £6.00 P&P UK

WWII German stamped envelope with hand written letter and photograph

Four page letter addressed to Frau Clara Engel in Rodener Strasse, Wiesbaden, written on 11.4.43 and posted a day later in Dresden utilising a 12-PfennIg stamp with the head of Hitler.

Translation as follows.

Dear Clara and Rudi, I have arrived safely in Dresden Thursday morning at 8 o' clock. I departed by train Wednesday night at 11.30pm. Hope you arrived safely at home. I am comfortable here. I cannot talk to Inge, she is not right in her head.

I am not bothered about her any more. Everyday I see mother. I have already seen my sisters-in-law, they were very happy. It is very peaceful here and I can forget everything. People can sleep here in peace, it seems Dresden isn’t as easy to find. (Allied bombers?). The weather is not so nice, as I left home everything was flowering and here it is cold. Hope you are feeling better again. I have trouble with my heart. Next week Tuesday I return home. Hope the weather improves. My older sister-in-law Frieda is here with her young son. He cries like a young bird. The child is already so old but not yet christened. I don't know what is wrong with the youth today. Your mother has no interest in the child and gives it to strangers to look after it. In 3 weeks he will be at his grandmother. The mother can't be bothered. Now all the best and greetings to Rudi and to you. Your sister, Greetings from Frieda and Inge

An interesting insight into everyday life in Germany during the height of the war. Wiesbaden suffered its first air raid in May, 1941 and was subsequently bombed hundreds of times by both British and American planes. Dresden escaped the attention of the Allies until February 1945 when multiple air raids resulted in the infamous firestorm and destruction of the city.

The photograph (9 x 6cm) was with the letter inside the envelope - no doubt a farewell snap - details unknown.

All in good condition.

£14.00 P&P UK £2.80

WWII Wehrpass and Ausmusterungsschein (certificate of rejection) both issued the same day - Fritz Schweiniger

WWII photographs - Heer (German Army) interest

Two related photos - one with a young NCO lying on the grass with his pet dachshund (one man and his dog), holding the lead in his left hand - the second photo this time with his girlfriend? who is holding the dog. Both are slightly bowed but in good clean condition. Printed on the reverse of both is the Agfa Lupex logo of the German photographic company that became known as Agfa post-war.

The third unassociated photo, again a (wounded and recovering) NCO who seems to be in very high spirits, no doubt encouraged by his female companion. Also in good condition with the words Junker H857 Koblenz printed on the reverse.

Two photos at: 9 x 6cm. One at 6 x 6cm.

£8.00 + £0.89 P&P UK

WWII Red Cross Message Bureau - message to Nazi occupied Guernsey, 1942

A brief message to her parents from Mrs. L. Rouget ⁹(Bunty) and addressed to Mrs. G. Beeson, “Wytham”, Rosaire Avenue, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, C.I. with their reply on the reverse. Red Cross Message Bureau headstamp 501, Watlington House, Reading.

This message sheet has survived in great condition considering the flimsiness of the paper. Red Cross and British authority 'PASSED' ink stamps faded but the blue Deutsches Rotes Kreuz letter stamp is quite clear. Two insignificant fold marks, some minor creasing and edge nicks do not detract from this intimate insight into family life during Germany's occupation of the Channel Islands.

The only British territory to be occupied - the Nazi invasion of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark began in June 1940, and they would remain there until the end of the war in Europe in 1945. Hitler regarded the islands as a potential springboard for the invasion of mainland Britain. The British government on the other hand regarded the islands as having little strategic value and were reluctant to invest money and resources in their defence. The islands were demilitarised in secret and some of the population were evacuated to the mainland, including around 80% of school-age children, many being separated from their parents. Initially, the Nazi rule over the islands followed a policy of non-threatening presence, but with the passage of time the reality of the brutal Nazi ideology became obvious. There is much information in books and online about the fate of the Channel Islands during WWII, a unique period of great complexity with a series of associated events that can form the basis of a lifetime of interest.

H:22.5 x W:14.5cm £22.00 + £2.80 P&P UK

Die Deutsche Arbeitsfront Mitgliedsbuch, WWII DAF membership book to Hermann Schmidt - bricklayer

Interesting group of associated items comprising membership book with stamps to confirm dues paid (August 1935 to December 1944), a solicitor's letter confirming the signing of a house purchase contract and a Feldpost letter with a tantilising admission "I was with Ingrid alone in the cinema". The last two documents associated with a Paul Stolze.

When the Nazis came to power in 1933, the free trade unions were dissolved and their members were absorbed into the newly created DAF - Deutsche Arbeitsfront (German Labor front). The aims were to create a national community of professional and manual labourers, and to educate them in National Socialist principles. Membership benefits included entertainment, sport, and travel opportunities provided by the attached KdF - "Kraft durch Freude" (Strength through Joy), welfare organization.

£25.00 + £2.45 P&P UK