State Secretary Majer pays tribute to the Battle of the Dukla Pass heroes

Top Defence leaders from the SVK Government and SVK military officials, led by State Secretary Marian Majer and Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko, gathered to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Battle of the Dukla Pass, known as the “Carpatho-Dukla Operation” in Slovakia. In ceremonies held at the Dukla Czechoslovak Army Corps Memorial and at other focal points of commemoration in Svidník, they paid tribute to the heroes who fought in one of the toughest mountain campaigns throughout the Second World War.

Speaking at the Dukla Memorial, State Secretary Marian Majer said: “Engaging in heavy fighting across the Dukla Pass, our predecessors endured the scourge of inhuman suffering with admirable resilience. To bring freedom and peace from behind the Carpathians for future generations and to defend their country, they were ready to make the ultimate sacrifice. We will, therefore, be their debtors forever.”

After this commemoration, the MOD delegation took part in another two silent wreath-laying ceremonies, one at the Army General Ludvík Svoboda Statue and one at the Soviet Army Memorial in Svidník.

The Battle of the Dukla Pass, conducted as part of the East Carpathian Offensive from 8 September to 28 October 1944, was aimed at breaking through the German Army positions in the Carpathian Mountains, to allow rapid movement of reinforcements across the Carpathians into Slovakia and to support the Slovak National Uprising (SNP). The 1st Guard Army's right flank units were the first to reach the Polish-Slovak border on 20 September. By 6 October, the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps units had finally crossed into Slovak territory. After fighting their way south of the Dukla Pass, their advance was, however, halted.

This was the toughest operation to have taken place in Slovakia in WW2, as evidenced by the heavy losses on both sides of the front line. Casualties in the 38th Soviet Army were assessed to include 13,264 fallen, dead and missing, while another 48,750 were rendered incapable of fighting due to wounds or serious illnesses. In addition, the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps, led by Army General Ludvík Svoboda, reported 1,630 fallen, dead and missing, and another 4,069 were wounded. The estimated number of enemy losses stands at 52,000 killed and wounded.