Recall of History

Here one can see a crumbled stonewall foundation of a farmhouse. That is all that remains from the former community of Rosendorf (Růžov), which was originally called Rosengarten (Rose Garden). In April 2006, a commemorative plaque plate was unveiled during a ceremony honoring the tragic loss of life of two American soldiers killed here during the liberation of Czechoslovakia at the very end of WW2 in Europe. During sunny weather it is very nice to be here, during the fog and rain the scenery assumes a sad look of gloom. Perhaps the roses cultivated here in the past gave name to this place and surely fit to express our thanks to those soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the cause of liberty. In these days, the only flowers one can see here are those waved in laurels decorating the commemorative plaque. Any loss of life is a tragedy multiplied even more by the war, no matter on what side. However, from the Czech people’s point of view, the American soldiers were killed in action bringing back freedom to their country enslaved by Nazi Germany.

In the year 1938, the Treaty of Munich separated the near border area of Český Les Mountains from Czechoslovakia and under the name of Sudetenland made it an integral part of the Great German Empire. Following the end of the war, the German inhabitants were moved out under the terms of the Treaty of Potsdam. Hundreds of villages of the former Sudetenland life practically ceased to exist. This process culminated by the rising of the Iron Curtain. All communities close to the border were declared as belonging to the No Entry Zone and were systematically destroyed. However, Rosendorf somehow escaped the direct destruction. The village was founded in 1735 along the road at the edge of the forest. During the 1930s, the German population living in 15 farmhouses reached 89. On Radbuza River a mill and a small chapel once stood. However, following 1946 and the ensuing years of the Cold War, the deserted and neglected buildings slowly deteriorated and were used only as a source of building materials to finish the houses of the Czech colonists coming from the interior. Leaving only the remains of these structures foundations in this wooded area today.

In the closing days of WW2 the American soldiers came here to liberate our country and risked their lives in the process. They arrived and fought not only in the vicinity of Hostouň, but in Chodský Forest, Folmava, Všeruby, Svatá Kateřina, and other places throughout the former Czechoslovakia region. Along the forested road leading to Rosendorf, one of these encounters took place. On April 30,1945, American and German Army forces clashed here in bitter combat. On that day, Capt. Carter N. Catlett of “The Ghosts of Patton”, Troop A, 42^nd Reconnaissance Cavalry Squadron, the Commander of the Hostouň garrison drove with his radio man in his jeep to the Squadron Headquarters which was located just inside the Czechoslovakian border near Eslarn, Germany to receive additional instructions. While entering the village they encountered a roadblock blocking the passage. At this road a German sentry opened fire without warning. The crew took cover in the nearest house and the radio man called out for reinforcements. Immediately, the “Ghosts” left Hostouň in several APCs heading for the village. The firefight lasted for five hours and in the end, more reinforcements from the main American line, namely from the 387^th Infantry Regiment, 97^th Infantry Division were called in. When the battle finally fell silent and the German garrison surrendered, the Germans had to count their dead and wounded. The Americans took 100 POWs. S/Sgt. Fred R. Foyles and his friends Tech 5 Malcolm E. Rhodes, Cpl. Samuel W. Fletscher, and Tech 5 Owen W. Sutton were taken by ambulance to the dispensary. Unfortunately, PFC Raymond Manz was not as lucky. Although intitially wounded, PFC Manz continued fighting and ultimately became the last 42^nd Squadron soldier killed in direct combat. On May 1^st, following his evacuation to a military hospital in Germany, Owen Sutton died of the wounds suffered in the same combat. Therefore, his name is engraved on the commemorative plate as well to honor his personal sacrifice and valor in battle.The described event is just a small fragment of the combat history that the “Ghosts of Patton” are credited from therir arrival in France and their push through Europe to the liberation of Czechoslovakia.

More information is available on the information panel located near the memorial honoring the combat casualties of WW2 recently unveiled in Bělá nad Radbuzou. There one can learn more details of the operation “Cowboy” which became a top priority mission of the 42^nd Cavalry Squadron while operating in the area of Bělá. These actions taken by this U.S. Army, Cavalry unit was unparalleled in the history of WW2 in helping to save 150 Allied POWs being interned here by German Wehrmacht while at the same time saving the lives of 670 horses taken from many European nations including 250 Lipizzan Horse breeding stock of the Spanish Riding Academy in Vienna, Austria.

The City of Bělá nad Radbuzou, represented by the City Mayor, engineer Libor Picka, Mr. Patrick Biddy, representing the 2^nd Cavalry Association, The Military Car Club Plzeň, represented by Rudolf Bayer, G.Jerry Toole, Richard Praus, Jan Salzmann and Mr. Václav Tauer, representing the Bohemia Daily of Domažlice, and distinguished themselves by helping to turn this monument to reality.