REMARKABLE ADVENTURER

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20785, 21 April 1939, Page 2

REMARKABLE ADVENTURER

CZECH FUEHRER TREACHERY AND REBELLION LONDON, March 16 General Rudolf Gajda, leader (under Hitler) of the Czech people, is one of the most remarkable adventurers of the century, says (he Daily Herald. He is 48. When he was in his twenties, he organised the Czech legion of prisoners and deserters in Russia, and led it against the Soviet forces as one wing of the White Army of Admiral Koltc-hak. When Koltchak’s army broke up, Gajda fought his way through Siberia to the Far East, whence his legionaries were brought home to Europe. Then he looked around for congenial employment and offered his sword to his Soviet ex-enemies. He said he would gladly command one of their corps against the Poles. They laughed at him. After studying at a military college in France, he insisted upon being examined for proficiency by a board of generals, on the ground that he had been a general, and could not be examined by colonels. His military status confirmed, he went home to Prague, and was soon made a corps-commander. In a year or so he was Chief of General Staff. In December, 1927, Gajda appeared before a court-martial accused of offering military secrets for sale. He was reduced to the rank of a private soldier and deprived of a quarter of his pension. In 1933 he organised a revolt, but was detected and sentenced to six months’ hard labour. Last Saturday he was given back his rank of General.