The attack at the Libeň bend
27 May 1942
The car would have to slow at the bend. Gabčík’s gun failure changed the attack’s course; Kubiš’s bomb wounded Heydrich and the attacker himself.
Kubiš and Gabčík chose the bend below Vychovatelna on Heydrich’s route into Prague. His car had to slow there. The domestic resistance warned of extensive consequences, but the operation continued.
Sources, licences and acknowledgements
Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1972-039-44 · photographer unknown · Original · CC BY-SA 3.0 DE
Uses the Commons version with earlier cropping and contrast adjustment; Chrona variants are resized and compressed. Derived images retain CC BY-SA 3.0 DE.
As the car slowed, Gabčík’s STEN failed. Kubiš threw a modified bomb that exploded beside the rear of the car and wounded Heydrich. The attackers escaped separately. Gabčík shot and wounded the pursuing driver, Johannes Klein.
Heydrich was taken to Bulovka Hospital, where he died on 4 June. Kubiš was also wounded and needed help. German authorities had already begun searches and executions after the attack; repression did not begin only with Heydrich’s death.
Places
- The bend below Vychovatelna — the attack on Heydrich
The attack site.
- Bulovka — a hospital, Heydrich’s treatment and wartime resistance
Heydrich’s hospital treatment after the attack.
Kubiš turned to people who had already helped with preparations. His route continued from the Nováks to the Piskáčeks.