Václav Stehlík

retired railway worker · ANTHROPOID’s first helper in the Plzeň region

died 28 May 1942

A retired Rokycany railway worker, Stehlík provided Kubiš and Gabčík’s first safe base in the Plzeň region and arranged a doctor for Gabčík. His household later received other parachutists. The day after the attack, the Nazis murdered Stehlík and other family members in Plzeň-Lobzy.

First help in western Bohemia

Both ANTHROPOID members reached Stehlík’s contact address after travelling from Nehvizdy. He arranged medical treatment for the injured Gabčík.

An address for other teams

In late April 1942 the Stehlíks also hid Ludvík Cupal of TIN and Vojtěch Lukaštík of INTRANSITIVE. The house was more than a one-off refuge for ANTHROPOID.

Execution in Lobzy

The Gestapo arrested the family shortly before the attack. Czech Radio describes an earlier denunciation connected with Stehlík’s son-in-law as the probable trigger. What is certain is that the arrests preceded Čurda’s later testimony. Václav Stehlík, his wife and other family members were shot in Plzeň-Lobzy on 28 May 1942.

Explore further

• The Stehlík home

  his home and the place of first assistance

• Nehvizdy

  a contact after the mistaken landing