Food for Fighting: What Was Cooked Behind the Barricades

A report prepared by Staff Captain Josef Matějka, who used the code name Studnička for his resistance activities, illustrates the command of the Prague Uprising. An important coordination line for the insurgents’ activities was managed from the headquarters of the Prague Protectorate Police in Bartolomějská Street, which sent instructions to individual police districts. District no. 21 was located in Holešovice. However, it was necessary for them to act independently and respond operationally to the rapidly changing situations.

It was crucial to ensure that the fighters on the barricades received meals and at least a minimum amount of rest. The night from 5 to 6 May was particularly rainy and cold; therefore, providing warm meals to the fighters staying outside with arms in hand was significant support. The tone of the report reflects the extensive experience of its author, a military supply officer who successfully fulfilled his task: providing food for the fighters. It was a great advantage that the insurgents managed to acquire a substantial supply of food from the warehouses at the Holešovice river port.

Food for Fighting: What Was Cooked Behind the Barricades

Bojovníci v povstání nedaleko železniční zastávky Holešovice, autor neznámy, MMP