Josef Mašín

Josef Mašín was born March 8, 1932 in Lošany, near Kolín, as the second son of Josef Mašín, a legionnaire and hero of the resistance movement during WWII. He was brought up in the spirit of patriotism and traditions. After the communist coup d'état in 1948 the Mašín brothers decided to declare war on the new totalitarian regime --they formed a small resistance group which was to take part in the anticipated anti-communist uprising. The group soon began working on sabotage activities, with the aim to harm the socialist state economy and the morale of the members of the Communist Party and the public. The group's members obtained weapons and explosives from various sources, but produced some on their own as well. Several people, however, became victims to their assaults, through the groups plans to obtain weapons and money. Josef, himself, shot two people to death. In October, 1951 both brothers were arrested together with their uncle Ctibor Novák, in the evening before their first planned escape. Josef spent several weeks in custody. In 1953 the group's members made the final decision to leave the country. They wanted to join the American army in the West and fight an armed fight against communism. In October they crossed the border to East Germany and after 29 days of being chased by the East German army and police, three of the five refugees arrived in the American sector of Berlin. Josef Mašín then served in the U. S. Army for five years. He also lived in Köln, Germany for some time, married, and with his wife Eva, had two daughters. In 1980 the family moved to Santa Barbara, California.

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