Jul 07, 1953 - Czech refugees capture army recognition-car and crash Czech-German border: On 25...

Jul 07, 1953 - Czech refugees capture army recognition-car and crash Czech-German border: On 25 July 1953 at approximately 0430 hours in the morning, eight Czech civilians succeeded in escaping from behind the Iron Curtain, when they broke thru the frontier with an army reconnaissance because they had captured by themselves. The crew of the car were two Czech soldiers, two Czech civilians, two women and two children. The refugees asked for asylum - for political reasons. At approximately 0430 hours on 25 July 1953, Bavarian Frontier Police watched a Czech army recognition-car breaking thru the barbed-wire fence, at Haselbach, rural district Waldnuenchen (Bavarian Forest). Alarmed Czech guards on duty made an all-out effort to stop the car but they failed, owing to the high speed the car attained once it had crossed the frontier. The Bavarian frontier police alarmed the US Military Police, and in less than 30 minutes mechanized M.P. ' s were around, picked up both refugees and car, and sequestrated the car immediately. Afternoon-reports issued by wire from the US-High Command stated” that the refugees are in US hands. Already at 2200 hour the military authorities stationed in Regensburg, Upper Bavaria, allowed German press reporters a conference held in Regensburg. Photo shows (from left to right): - Ohlik, Vaclav; Cloude, Libuse; and Pisarek, Joseph's - three of the escaped Czech refugees - seen during the press conference in Regenburg, yesterday, at 2200 hours in Regensburg.