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Jan Zelenka-Hajský

teacher · Sokol resistance member · support-network coordinator

3 March 1895–17 June 1942

Jan Zelenka-Hajský was a teacher, Sokol organizer and one of ANTHROPOID’s principal Prague supporters. From his apartment in Biskupcova Street, in the building shared with the Růts’ first Prague refuge, he helped find contacts and further support. After the attack he arranged the church refuge. He took his own life during the raid on 17 June 1942.

A borderland teacher and Sokol member

Before the war, Zelenka was head teacher in Dolní Háj near Duchcov, the place behind his cover name Hajský. After the borderlands were annexed, his family moved to Žižkov. He drew on old Sokol connections and helped create the Říjen resistance group after the Nazi crackdown known as Operation Sokol.

From one apartment to a network

Kubiš and Gabčík first stayed with the Růts in the same building. Reconstructions differ on exactly when they contacted Zelenka. His organizational assistance does not prove an overnight stay in his own apartment: Atentát and VHÚ record one, while Janík’s ÚSTR study does not substantiate it. Zelenka helped turn the first contacts into a wider Prague support system.

He found apartments, people and information. Documented assistance included residence registrations, employment and food documents, and supplies. This everyday infrastructure enabled the parachutists to live in the Protectorate and prepare their operation.

The route to the church

On 28 May he asked chaplain Vladimír Petřek to shelter the wanted men. Once they moved to Resslova Street, he and Petřek bore much of the responsibility for food and other necessities, with help from Marie Moravcová and Liboslava Fafková.

The family during the raid

The Gestapo raided Zelenka’s apartment on 17 June. Jan poisoned himself; his son Jan Milíč took his own life in Záběhlice that day. Františka was arrested and later murdered in Mauthausen. Two days later the Gestapo arrested the Růts from the other apartment.

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Sources

  • Atentát: Operace Anthropoid 1941–1942 · Michal Burian, Aleš Knížek, Jiří Rajlich, Eduard Stehlík · VHÚ Praha

    Original citations and evidence accompany the underlying accepted claims; especially relevant are PDF/printed pages 48–65, 76–80 and 90–93.

    This link leads to information about the publication. Chrona does not host a scan of the book.

  • Operace Anthropoid · Vojenský historický ústav Praha · výstavní panely

    PDF pages 20–28 (preparation, domestic network, flight and landing), 32–36 (attack, repression and refuge), 40–42 (battle and aftermath).

  • Nepostradatelná úloha domácích podporovatelů operace Anthropoid · Martin Jindra · Paměť a dějiny 2/2012 · ÚSTR

    PDF pages 1–6 (establishing the refuge, arrivals, Zelenka, the Moravec family and supplies), 10–15 (discovery, trial, executions and the Fafek family).

  • Zelenkovi a Růtovi · Český rozhlas Radiožurnál

    Introduction and the section Důležité kontakty na odbojové skupiny.

  • ATENTÁT 80: Leden 1942 – sokolové proti Heydrichovi · Vojenský historický ústav Praha; Michal Burian

    Sections headed Štěstí v neštěstí, Skupina Říjen and Oběť nejvyšší; web lines 11–18, 31–39, 49–54.

  • Příběh rodiny Růtových: První pražský úkryt parašutistů z Anthropoidu · Ústav pro studium totalitních režimů, Paměť a dějiny 2016/02; Vlastislav Janík

    Printed pages 79–82, 86–88; web PDF pages P0–P3 and P7–P9.