Largest flood anniversary

State Secretary of the SVK MOD Miloš Koterec commemorated the 50th anniversary of the largest and most catastrophic flood affecting the Danube River in 1965. The then Czechoslovak Army, especially sappers, played a significant role in helping with the restoration of waterworks and roads, and provided transport for civilians. The soldiers risked their own lives to protect citizens and their property, and to prevent large-scale damage from occurring along the Danube. Approximately 4,000 houses were destroyed by the flood and 6,000 were damaged. 250km of roads and 70km of railway tracks were overflown with flood water. It destroyed crops on the fields with an area of 94,000ha, as well as 300,000 fruit trees.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the flood, Miloš Koterec awarded Lt Gen Jiří Brychta, former Czechoslovak National Army Engineer Commander, with the SVK Chief of the General Staff Medal, 3rd Class, and 14 war veterans and sappers with the “Hands of Sappers” commemorative medals.