Hobby Master Archive

On September 1, 1943 the 1st Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade Group (CIABG) was formed. Delays with gathering vehicles and supplies delayed their departure to France until August 30, 1944. On October 6, 1944 the brigade moved north to Dunkirk that was held by German forces and under siege by British troops. The CIABG used strong armoured reconnaissance using M5A1 Stuart and Cromwells, artillery, aerial bombardment and propaganda. On May 9, 1945 the 15,500 German troops surrendered. On May 1, 1945 a symbolic 140 man unit of the CIABG raised the Czechoslovak flag at their homeland border. With the capture of Dunkirk completed the entire CIABG moved east and on May 18, 1945 they marched into Prague.