Jan Kubiš
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- This article is about the Czechoslovakian resistance fighter. For the Slovak diplomat, see Ján Kubiš.
Jan Kubiš (June 24, 1913 – June 18, 1942) was one of a team of Czechoslovak British-trained agents sent to assassinate one of the most important Nazis, Reinhard Heydrich, in 1942 as part of Operation Anthropoid. Heydrich was mortally wounded by Kubiš´s anti-tank grenade.
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[edit] Heydrich
Heydrich was the chief of RSHA, an organization that included the Gestapo (Secret Police), SD (Security Agency) and Criminal police. He was the key planner in removing all Hitler's opponents, as well as (later) the key planner of Jew genocide. By Hitler he was considered his possible successor. Due to his abilities and power he was feared by almost all Nazi generals. Since 1941 Heydrich was in command of Prague and Bohemia and his savagery and ruthlessness in suppressing the population earned him the nickname "The Butcher of Prague".
[edit] Background
In 1941 Nazi Germany was on its zenith of power. It controlled all of continental Europe and was approaching Moscow. Kubiš (and Gabčík) knew they were probably going to die.
Other members of the team to assassinate him were Jozef Gabčík and Josef Valčík. Valčík was the lookout while Gabčík and Kubiš were planned to attack Heydrich's car.
[edit] The assassination in Prague
See the main article Operation Anthropoid.
[edit] Capture of the assassins
Kubiš and his group were found on June 18, and after a brief but fierce gun battle in one of Prague's churches, committed suicide to avoid capture.
