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Hovudpersonen

The Good Soldier Švejk

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Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie leave the Sarajevo Town Hall on 28 June 1914, five minutes before the assassination.

The Good Soldier Švejk is a novel with an unusually rich array of characters. In addition to the many who directly form part of the plot, a large number of fictional and real people (and animals) are mentioned; either through the narrative, Švejk's anecdotes, or indirectly through words and expressions.

This web page contains short write-ups on the people/animals that the novel refers to; from Napoléon in the introduction to Hauptmann Ságner in the last few lines of the unfinished Part Four. The list is sorted in the order of which the names first appear. The chapter headlines are from Zenny Sadlon's recent translation (1999-2008) and will in most cases differ from Cecil Parrott's version from 1973. In January 2024 there were still around twenty entries to be added.

The quotes in Czech are copied from the on-line version of The Good Soldier Švejk: provided by Jaroslav Šerák and contain links to the relevant chapter. The toolbar has links for direct access to Wikipedia, Google maps, Google search, svejkmuseum.cz and the novel on-line.

The names are coloured according to their role in the novel, illustrated by the following examples:

  • Dr. Grünstein as a fictional character who is directly involved in the plot.
  • Fähnrich Dauerling as a fictional character who is not part of the plot.
  • Heinrich Heine as a historical person.

Note that a number of seemingly fictional characters are inspired by living persons. Examples are Oberleutnant Lukáš, Major Wenzl and many others.

Titles and ranks have until 2020 largely been missing on this web page. Senior Lieutenant Lukáš has, for instance, only been known as Lukáš. This weakness is now (24 Desember 2020) slowly being addressed. Military ranks and other titles related to Austrian officialdom will appear in German, and in line with the terms used at the time. This means that Captain Ságner is still referred to as Hauptmann although the term is now obsolete, having been replaced by Kapitän. Civilian titles denoting profession etc. are in general translated into English.

People index of people, mythical figures, animals ... (587) Show all
I. In the rear
II. At the front
III. The famous thrashing
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

Introduction

Napoléon Bonapartenn flag
*15.8.1769 Ajaccio - †5.5.1821 St.Helena
Wikipedia czdeenfrnnno Search
napoleon.jpg

Napoleon

D.S. Merežkovskij (Д.С. Мережко́вский), 1929

napoleon1.jpg

Sur le champ de bataille de Slavkov

Alois Slovák,1923

Napoléon is mentioned 9 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Napoléon has the honour of being the first person to be mentioned in the novel. He is also mentioned in [I.1], and later in the novel he appears several times.

Švejk mentions that Napoléon was five minutes late at Waterloo and his whole reputation subsequently went down the toilet. This was when the train stopped before Tábor in [II.1]. At the end of this chapter his retreat from Moscow is mentioned.

Background

Napoléon was emperor of France from 18 May 1804 to 6 April 1814. He had gradually assembled power in the aftermath of the French Revolution, aided by his unique military talent and many successes on the battlefield. He conquered and ruled over most of western and central Europe and for a couple of years also held power in Egypt. A failed campaign in Russia in 1812 weakened his position, and laid the foundations for his ultimate defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

Several battles that took place during the Napoleonic wars are mentioned in The Good Soldier Švejk: Leipzig, Aspern and Waterloo. Napoléon emerged victorious from the only major battle he was involved in on Czech territory. By Austerlitz (now Slavkov u Brna) Napoleon's army defeated Austrian and Russian forces on 2 Desember 1805. This battle is by many historians regarded as his greatest military achievement ever.

Quote(s) from the novel
[Úvod] Velká doba žádá velké lidi. Jsou nepoznaní hrdinové, skromní, bez slávy a historie Napoleona. Rozbor jejich povahy zastínil by slávu Alexandra Macedonského. Dnes můžete potkat v pražských ulicích ošumělého muže, který sám ani neví, co vlastně znamená v historii nové velké doby.
[I.1] Palivec byl známý sprosťák, každé jeho druhé slovo byla zadnice nebo hovno. Přitom byl ale sečtělý a upozorňoval každého, aby si přečetl, co napsal o posledním předmětě Victor Hugo, když líčil poslední odpověď' staré gardy Napoleonovy Angličanům v bitvě u Waterloo.
[I.10] A tak slova Napoleonova "Na vojně se mění situace každým okamžikem" došla i zde svého úplného potvrzení.
[I.14.2] Každý z nich je Napoleonem: "Povídal jsem našemu obrstovi, aby telefonoval do štábu, že už to může začít".
[II.1] Napoleon se u Waterloo vopozdil vo pět minut, a byl v hajzlu s celou svou slávou..."
[II.1] Šel sněhy silnice, ve mraze, zahalen v svůj vojenský plášť, jako poslední z gardy Napoleonovy vracející se z výpravy na Moskvu, s tím toliko rozdílem,...
[II.2] Ta napolionská, potom, jak nám vypravovávali, švédský vojny, sedmiletý vojny
[II.2] Tak se pánbůh na ně rozhněval pro tu jejich pejchu a voni zas přijdou k sobě, až budou si vařit lebedu, jako to bejvalo za napolionský vojny.
[II.3] Dělali to Švédové a Španělé za třicetileté války, Francouzi za Napoleona a teď v budějovickém kraji budou to dělat zase Madaři a nebude to spojeno s hrubým znásilňováním.
Alexander the Greatnn flag
*20.6.356 BC Pella - †10.6.323 BC Babylon
Wikipedia czdeennnno Search
alexander.jpg

Alexander the Great is introduced by the author as someone that Švejk exceeds the reputation of!

Alexander re-appears several times later in the novel, including in the author's reflections on the officer servant occupation in [I.14]. Here it is revealed that even Alexander had his own Putzfleck.

Background

Alexander the Great was king of Macedonia. The Greek city states had already been united by his father, Philip II of Macedon. Alexander conquered Persia, Egypt and a number of other kingdoms and reached northern India. The conquests led to a rapid spread of Greek culture on the Eurasian continent. Thus he played a major part in the future extending of Greek culture and language.

Quote(s) from the novel
[Úvod] Velká doba žádá velké lidi. Jsou nepoznaní hrdinové, skromní, bez slávy a historie Napoleona. Rozbor jejich povahy zastínil by slávu Alexandra Macedonského. Dnes můžete potkat v pražských ulicích ošumělého muže, který sám ani neví, co vlastně znamená v historii nové velké doby.
[I.14.2] Instituce důstojnických sluhů je prastarého původu. Zdá se, že již Alexandr Macedonský měl svého pucfleka.

Also written:Alexandr Macedonský Hašek Alexandr Veliký cz Alexander der Große de Mégas Aléxandros gr

Švejk, Josefnn flag
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obalka.png

Josef Lada's first drawing of Švejk, 1921

svejk.jpg

© Josef Lada, 1955

Švejk is mentioned 2001 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Švejk is mentioned in the first paragraph of the introduction and he is obviously the main character of the novel. He was a dog trader from Prague, who lived by selling bastard animals that he falsified the pedigrees of. Švejk was unmarried and spent a great deal of time in the pubs of the Bohemian capital.

Švejk possessed considerable oral skills, but his mental horizon is still under debate. It is known that he was dismissed from the army due to idiocy, but it is unclear if this was feigned or not. He certainly had a good memory and had read a lot, which indicates that his limited mental abilities may have been stage-play. In the epilogue to Part One, the author explicitly states that he never meant Švejk to be feeble-minded, so that issue should be clear.

Politically, he was the apparently not very active, only brief passages reveal that he was hostile to Austria and the Catholic Church, although he mostly said exactly the opposite. Švejk was occasionally both deceitful and a thief, but in other cases he showed moral substance, particularly towards the end of the novel. He could at times appear detached and cynical - perhaps this was a defence mechanism in the unforgiving surroundings he found himself in.

Švejk came through the war unhurt, but what happened to him at the front is unclear as the novel was never completed. His first name Josef is first used in his confession at c.k. policejní ředitelství in the second chapter. In the course of the novel the main character is mentioned more than 2,000 times in a novel of slightly more than 200,000 words.

Personal information

The author provides little biographical information on his hero, but some details can be read or deduced from the novel.

Very early on the reader is told that the soldier suffers from rheumatism, and made a living by trading dogs. Later it is revealed that his father was Prokop Švejk and the mother Mrs. Antonie Švejková and the soldier seems to have been born in Dražov by Strakonice. At the outbreak of war he must have lived close to U kalicha in Praha II.. Through anecdotes we know that he some years back worked in Moravská Ostrava. Still many years back he was wandering/travelling around and got as far as Bremen. Furthermore he had once lived in Opatovická ulice. We know that he 20 Desember 1914 served Oberleutnant Lukáš in Prague. As a soldier he had served with in Budějovice, and it was this regiment he rejoined some time after the outbreak of war, probably in early 1915. Švejk had also served as a conscript in Trient (Trento), and this city is a theme that appears in all the three versions of The Good Soldier Švejk (1911, 1917, 1921).

The good soldier's age

At first sight it seems that Švejk's age at the outbreak of war was between 31 and 36 and he was a so called Landsturm-mann (reservist). This can be deduced from the circumstances around the draft at Střelecký ostrov and is also in line with Jaroslav Hašek's own entry into the army. This is however inconsistent with what he himself says in his anecdote about supák Schreiter where it is revealed that he served in the army in late 1912. He could thus at the earliest have started his military service in 1909, and would thus have been born between 1888 and 1891, leaving him aged from 24 to 27 in 1915.

Superarbitrated soldier on manoeuvres?

As the reader of The Good Soldier Švejk would know Švejk was years ago dismissed from the army due to idiocy, but then follows a logical short-circuit: he still took part in military exercises, and several of them: in Tábor, Písek, Velké Meziříčí, and Veszprém. His manoeuvres in South Bohemia may have been inspired by the experiences of Zdeněk Matěj Kuděj, the others rather inspired by news items picked up and memorised by the avid newspaper reader Hašek. That he took part in exercises in 1910 means that he at most could have been 32 that year, so he could not have been born before 1878.

Background

The figure of Švejk is in the end a product of the author's literary creativity, but as with several of the other characters in the plot, he clearly has real-life models. The most obvious of these is the writer himself; he lends several personal qualities and biographical details to his hero. See Jaroslav Hašek for more on this theme.

A borrowed name

The name Josef Švejk itself is by near certainty borrowed from a real person. A young man of that name is registered with home address next to U kalicha from June 1912, and may have lived there also when Jaroslav Hašek invented his good soldier in May 1911. It is quite likely that Jaroslav Hašek knew this man (or knew about him), particularly since they from 1916 both served in České legie. That said he seems to have borrowed little more than the name from him.

Another Josef Švejk that the author surely knew about was MP for the Agrarian Party, and this person is much more likely to have lent the good soldier his name in 1911. The young Josef is however a good candidate for having caused the rebirth of The Good Soldier Švejk in 1917 and not the least in 1921 (it is only now that Švejk is connected to U kalicha). See Josef Švejk for more on this theme.

Offiser's servant Strašlipka

Another often touted inspiration is František Strašlipka, the servant of Oberleutnant Rudolf Lukas from the outbreak of war until the formers capture on 24 September 1915. Apart from his position in the nomenclature of IR. 91, Strašlipka is also believed to have inspired Švejk's incessant story-telling.

Otherwise Švejk's and Strašlipka's biographies differ greatly. Strašlipka was the Putzfleck of Rudolf Lukas from the very start of the war and joined him in the field immediately. Švejk for his part was originally a Landsturm reservist and to judge by his call-up date he was 10 years older than Strašlipka. He was drafted several months later and didn't serve only Oberleutnant Lukáš. Strašlipka was unlike Švejk never super-arbitrated and Švejk also served as a messenger, a role the former never had.

Zdeněk Matěj Kuděj

Last but not least some elements from the experiences of Hašek's good friend Zdeněk Matěj Kuděj (1881 - 1955) can be recognised in The Good Soldier Švejk. This is particularly evident in Part One where the plot is set in civilian life and few of the chapters have any obvious links to the author's own time-line during the early months of the war.

Quote(s) from the novel
[Úvod] Velká doba žádá velké lidi. Jsou nepoznaní hrdinové, skromní, bez slávy a historie Napoleona. Rozbor jejich povahy zastínil by slávu Alexandra Macedonského. Dnes můžete potkat v pražských ulicích ošumělého muže, který sám ani neví, co vlastně znamená v historii nové velké doby. Jde skromně svou cestou, neobtěžuje nikoho, a není též obtěžován žurnalisty, kteří by ho prosili o interview. Kdybyste se ho otázali, jak se jmenuje, odpověděl by vám prostince a skromně: „Já jsem Švejk…“

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Jaroslav Šerák, Jan Morávek, Jan Prchal

Literature
Artemisnn flag
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
artemis.jpg

Mythologie Řekův a Římanův,1908

Artemis is mentioned indirectly by the author through the expression "the temple of the goddess in Ephesus". See Temple of Artemis.

Background

Artemis was a Greek goddess, daughter of Zeus and sister of Apollo. Artemis was the virgin moon goddess for hunting, healing, chastity and child birth. She was also protector of wild animals and the wilderness. She was often revered as a goddess of fertility. Her Roman equivalent was Diana.

Her named had already appeared directly in an article by Jaroslav Hašek in Čechoslovan on 29 January 1917, but in the Roman version of Diana.

Když se zametá

A náš redaktor chtěl se dostat do dějin. Stejně jako Hérostratés, když zapálil chrám bohyně Diany, právě v tu noc, kdy se narodil Alexandr Veliký. Jenže Hérostratos měl před ním tu výhodu, že nebyl osobní.

Quote(s) from the novel
[Úvod] Mám velice rád tohoto dobrého vojáka Švejka, a podávaje jeho osudy za světové války, jsem přesvědčen, že vy všichni budete sympatizovat s tím skromným, nepoznaným hrdinou. On nezapálil chrám bohyně v Efesu, jako to udělal ten hlupák Herostrates, aby se dostal do novin a školních čítanek.

Sources: wikipedia.no

Also written:Ἄρτεμις gr

Herostratusnn flag
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
herostratos.jpg

© GreeceHighDefinition

Herostratus is ridiculed as being exactly the opposite of the unassuming hero of this novel. Herostratus is described as the fool who set fire to the temple in Ephesus in order to get his name in newspapers and text books.

Background

Herostratus (also called Herostrates) set fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus in 356 BC in order to become known, cf Herostratic fame. He was executed the same year.

This was not the first time Jaroslav Hašek wrote about Herostratus. In a stinging article in Čechoslovan on 29 January 1917 a similar imagery appears. The target is easy to identify although no names are mentioned: Bohdan Pavlů, editor of the competing weekly Čechoslovák in Petrograd.

Sergey Soloukh (2017) also points out the parallel to the story Cena slávy from 1913. The author mixes up the name with Efialtes but it is without doubt Herostrates, Ephesus and the temple of the goddess Diana he has in mind.

Když se zametá

A náš redaktor chtěl se dostat do dějin. Stejně jako Hérostratés, když zapálil chrám bohyně Diany, právě v tu noc, kdy se narodil Alexandr Veliký. Jenže Hérostratos měl před ním tu výhodu, že nebyl osobní.

Cena slavý

Ve starověku žil v Řecku muž jménem Efialtes, jehož jedinou tužbou bylo, aby se stal slavným a aby se o něm mluvilo. Aby toho dosáhl, šel a zapálil nádherný chrám bohyně Diany v Efesu, jeden ze sedmi divů světa.

Quote(s) from the novel
[Úvod] Mám velice rád tohoto dobrého vojáka Švejka, a podávaje jeho osudy za světové války, jsem přesvědčen, že vy všichni budete sympatizovat s tím skromným, nepoznaným hrdinou. On nezapálil chrám bohyně v Efesu, jako to udělal ten hlupák Herostrates, aby se dostal do novin a školních čítanek.

Also written:Herostrates Hašek Herostratos cz

Literature
Hašek, Jaroslav Matěj Františeknn flag
*30.4.1883 Praha - †3.1.1923 Lipnice nad Sázavou
Wikipedia czdeennnruuk Search
hasek.jpg

O životě Jaroslava Haška, Zdena Ančík, 1953

hasek_epitafy.png

Kopřivy,10.9.1914

Hašek is referred to five times in the novel. He signs the introduction as "The author". Then he briefly appears as "I" in the narrative in [I.14] when re-tells his experiences with officer servants. Finally he signs the epilogue to Part I, using his full name.

Background

Hašek was a Czech writer, best known for the unfinished satirical novel The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Švejk During the World War. He wrote around 1,500 short stories, six collections of short stories, was the co-author of a poetry book, and also contributed to a few plays and cabarets. Jaroslav Hašek is considered a prominent satirist, and The Good Soldier Švejk, being translated into 54 languages[a] (59 if variations are counted)[1], and is probably the most translated book written in Czech ever.

The novel about Švejk is closely linked to the author's own experiences in k.u.k. Heer in 1915, and also contains numerous autobiographical elements from other periods in his life. For more information on the connection between The Good Soldier Švejk and his author, see Jaroslav Hašek in the 'Who is Who' section.

Quote(s) from the novel
[Úvod] On nezapálil chrám bohyně v Efesu, jako to udělal ten hlupák Herostrates, aby se dostal do novin a školních čítanek. A to stačí.

Autor
[I.14.2] U 91. pluku znal jsem jich několik. Jeden pucflek dostal velkou stříbrnou proto, že uměl báječně péct husy, které kradl...
[I.14.2] Viděl jsem jednoho zajatého důstojnického sluhu, který od Dubna šel s druhými pěšky až do Dárnice za Kyjevem...
[I.14.2] Nikdy nezapomenu toho člověka, který se tak mořil s tím přes celou Ukrajinu...
[I.16] Stane-li se však slovo Švejk novou nadávkou v květnatém věnci spílání, musím se spokojit s tímto obohacením českého jazyka.

Jaroslav Hašek.

Also written:Ярослав Гашек ru Ярослав Гашек ua

Notes
1. The number 54 also includes translations that are partial, e.g. Latin and Irish. Not included are language variants: English(2), Spanish(3), Portuguese(2) and German(2). If these are counted the number is 59.
Literature
References
aPřeklady Osudů do jednotlivých jazykůComenius-bibl.wz.cz - Bibliografie2020
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

1. The good soldier Švejk acts to intervene in the world war

Erzherzog Franz Ferdinandnn flag
*18.12.1863 Graz - †28.6.1914 Sarajevo
Wikipedia czdeenhuno Search Švejkův slovník
franzferdinand.jpg

The Crown Prince and Princess shortly before the unsuccessful attempt by Čabrinović (this first attempt was made with a bomb).

Ratni album,1926

franzferdinand.png

Franz Ferdinand's last army order

Neue Freie Presse,28.6.1914

Franz Ferdinand was the Ferdinand Švejk did not know. The novel starts with Mrs. Müllerová telling Švejk that "they have killed our Ferdinand". Švejk knows two Ferdinands; one is a servant at a chemists and another one collects dog turds. Not until Müllerová reveals that it is the fat religious one from Konopiště do we understand that she is a talking about the fateful assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo.

Background

Franz Ferdinand was a nephew of Kaiser Franz Joseph I. and from 1896 to 1914 heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. He was murdered in Sarajevo 28 June 1914 together with his wife Herzogin Sophie, an event that eventually led to the outbreak of World War I. His full name was Franz Ferdinand Carl Ludwig Joseph Maria von Österreich-Este. He owned Konopiště castle where the family spent much of their time.

Franz Ferdinand's political views where relatively liberal; he opposed preventive warfare against Serbia and he advocated making Austria-Hungary a three-pillar federal state where the Slav nations were put on an equal footing with Germans and Hungarians.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] „Tak nám zabili Ferdinanda,“ řekla posluhovačka panu Švejkovi, který opustiv před léty vojenskou službu, když byl definitivně prohlášen vojenskou lékařskou komisí za blba, živil se prodejem psů, ošklivých nečistokrevných oblud, kterým padělal rodokmeny.

Also written:Ferdinand Hašek František Ferdinand cz Ferenc Ferdinánd hu

Literature
Mrs. Müllerovánn flag
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mullerova.jpg

České slovo, 11.11.1923

Müllerová is mentioned 45 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Müllerová was a servant in the house where Švejk lived. The first dialogue in the novel is between the two, they discuss the news of the shots in Sarajevo where Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand and his wife were murdered by Serbian nationalists. She had read about the shootings in the paper so the conversation surely took place on 29 June 1914 (the evening papers from the previous day were printed before the news had arrived).

Mrs. Müllerová is subsequently not mentioned again until Švejk was set free in [I.6]. Then his room had already rented out to someone else.

The next chapter boasts the famous scene where old Mrs. Müllerová pushes Švejk to the military in a wheelchair. The last time the good soldier is at home [I.10] he discovers that the poor old lady had been arrested the very evening she had rolled him off to the draft board and she was now in the concentration camp at Steinhof.

Information about the person Mrs. Müllerová is scarce. It is only revealed that she is/was married, is somewhat elderly, and she is from Nusle. She was the cousin of Mrs. Kejřová.

Background

mullerova.png

Jaroslav Hašek doma, Václav Menger, 1935

kalinova.png

"Adresář města Král. Vinohradů", 1912

Mrs. Müller does not have any obvious prototype so several theories have been proposed through the years. The strongest candidate is put forward by Václav Menger who in his book Jaroslav Hašek doma (1935) stated that a Mrs. Müllerová was a domestic servant in where Hašek's mother lived and where the author often slept over. This was in Velehradská 1411/20 on Vinohrady where his mother lived from 20 May 1908. Jaroslav and his brother Bohuslav were also registered here, Jaroslav until 9 February 1909, and Bohuslav at least until 1912 when their mother died. So whoever was servant her: Hašek would have known her well.

There were at least two female home servants registered att this addess in 1911 but none of them were named Mrs. Müllerová. The two were Marie Kalinová and Josefa Smolčíková. That said the house servant didn't necessarily live at the address where she worked, although this was the most common arrangement.

Radko Pytlík suggests that the name was borrowed from Marie Müllerová, a friend of editor Michal Kacha, one of Hašek's companions from the anarchist movement. Jan Berwid-Buquoy claims that Marie Müllerová was madam at the brothel next door to U kalicha and that Hašek borrowed the name from her.

These are only three of the possibilities but there were many Müller's living in Prague at the time (7537 entries in the police registers between 1850 og 1914, of them 531 on Marie alone), so there is ample scope for further speculation.

Mrs. Müllerová does not figure in the two early versions of The Good Soldier Švejk, but in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí her role is partly taken by Švejk's servant Bohuslav who pushes his master off to the draft board in a wheelchair. This indicates that Müllerová is little more than a name assigned to a literary role.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] „Tak nám zabili Ferdinanda,“ řekla posluhovačka panu Švejkovi, který opustiv před léty vojenskou službu, když byl definitivně prohlášen vojenskou lékařskou komisí za blba, živil se prodejem psů, ošklivých nečistokrevných oblud, kterým padělal rodokmeny. Kromě tohoto zaměstnání byl stižen rheumatismem a mazal si právě kolena opodeldokem. „Kerýho Ferdinanda, paní Müllerová?“ otázal se Švejk, nepřestávaje si masírovat kolena, „já znám dva Ferdinandy.

Sources: Václav Menger, Radko Pytlík, Jaroslav Šerák, Jan Berwid-Buquoy

Sluha u Průši Ferdinandnn flag
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ferdinand.jpg

Ferdinand was a servant at drogerie Průša and drank a bottle of hair oil by mistake. He was the first Ferdinand that Švejk knew. See drogerie Kokoška.

Background

Ferdinand is probably modelled on a colleague of the author from his time as a chemist's apprentice in 1898 and 1899. He frequently mentions a Ferdinand in his collection of stories "From the old pharmacy". In these stories the owner of the pharmacy is a certain Kološka, not drogista Průša. See drogerie Kokoška.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] „Kerýho Ferdinanda, paní Müllerová?“ otázal se Švejk, nepřestávaje si masírovat kolena, „já znám dva Ferdinandy. Jednoho, ten je sluhou u drogisty Průši a vypil mu tam jednou omylem láhev nějakého mazání na vlasy, a potom znám ještě Ferdinanda Kokošku, co sbírá ty psí hovínka. Vobou není žádná škoda.“
Literature
Drogista Průša, Františeknn flag
*Votice 17.10.1862 - †Král. Vinohrady 22.5.1915
Search Švejkův slovník
prusa2.png

Národní politika, 27.9.1902

prusa1.png

Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy, 1910

Průša was the owner of the chemist's store where sluha u Průši Ferdinand was an assistant.

Background

Průša was the owner of drogerie Průša at Tylovo náměstí in Vinohrady. Jaroslav Hašek worked here as an apprentice from March 1898 (or later) until September 1899. Exactly when he started is not known, but it happened after he had been dismissed at drogerie Kokoška.

The pharmacist was born in Votice in 1862, was married to Mathilde (b. 1872) and they had the son Rudolf. The family moved to Vinohrady in 1893. Otherwise we know little about him but newspaper adverts reveal that his store existed at least until 1915, the year Průša died. In 1916 Čech reported that his widow had been the victim of fraud, but that the culprit had been arrested and sentenced to 5 months in prison. From the death protocols it transpires that Průša died from a brain stroke, that he suffered from diabetes and lived at Vinohrady čp. 603 when he passed away.

Adverts from a chemist's Fr. Průsa appeared already in 1890 but then from Kamenice nad Lipou. That said there is no doubt that this Průša is the same person as police registers reveal that the son Rudolf was born in the very Kamenice in 1893.

Průša is the first of countless examples of how the author pulled in fragments from his own experiences to create the backdrop for the novel. Even Průša who appears to be a fictional person, is drawn from real life. This is probably the case with most of the apparently fictional figures in the novel. Their role might have been distorted or mystified but the names were rarely thought up.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Jednoho, ten je sluhou u drogisty Průši a vypil mu tam jednou omylem láhev nějakého mazání na vlasy, a potom znám ještě Ferdinanda Kokošku, co sbírá ty psí hovínka. Vobou není žádná škoda.“

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Jaroslav Šerák

Also written:Pruscha de

Literature
Kokoška, Ferdinandnn flag
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Ferdinand Kokoška collected dog turds. He was the second Ferdinand that Švejk knew.

Background

This name is surely inspired by the identically named Mr. Kokoška, the author's boss at drogerie Kokoška in 1898. Hašek was reportedly dismissed here after repainting the face of a cow so it resembled the proprietor. Here the author makes further fun of him by letting him collect dog turds.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Jednoho, ten je sluhou u drogisty Průši a vypil mu tam jednou omylem láhev nějakého mazání na vlasy, a potom znám ještě Ferdinanda Kokošku, co sbírá ty psí hovínka. Vobou není žádná škoda.“

Sources: Václav Menger

Herzogin Sophie Chotek von Chotkowann flag
*1.3.1868 Stuttgart - †28.6.1914 Sarajevo
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chotek.jpg

Sophie Chotek, 1868

Sophie is never mentioned by name in the novel, just referred to as "the archduchess who was riding in an automobile i Sarajevo with her archduke". Švejk was obviously not aware that she also had been killed as he talks about her as the widow who will have to find another archduke, an even fatter one. Švejk also "promotes" her to archduchess whereas her title was duchess.

Background

Sophie was a Bohemian noble lady, married to the heir to the Austrian and Hungarian thrones, Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand. She was killed in Sarajevo together with her husband. Sophie was never accepted by the Habsburg imperial family due to her non-royal background. The children of Sophie and Franz Ferdinand therefore had no rights in succession to the throne.

Her full name was Sophie Maria Josephine Albina Gräfin Chotek von Chotkowa und Wognin.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] „Práskli ho v Sarajevu, milostpane, z revolveru, vědí. Jel tam s tou svou arcikněžnou v automobilu.“ „Tak se podívejme, paní Müllerová, v automobilu. Jó, takovej pán si to může dovolit, a ani nepomyslí, jak taková jízda automobilem může nešťastně skončit.

Also written:Žofie Chotková cz Sophie Chotek von Chotkowa de Chotek Zsófia hu

Literature
Godnn flag
Wikipedia czdeennnno Search
gud.jpg

God as Michelangelo imagined him.

God is mentioned 200 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

God is first referred to by Švejk when he states to Mrs. Müllerová that Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand now rests with God, obviously referring to the Christian God.

God is mentioned directly or indirectly around 200 times in The Good Soldier Švejk, mostly through common expression like "My God", "God's will", "Good Lord" etc. Very common in the word pánbůh, literally "Mr. God", in German "Herr Gott".

The pious field chaplain in [I.12] mentions the Lord an impressive three times in the same breath, albeit under the influence of alcohol.

Background

God is a mythical figure from the Bible and the Qur'an and is the most important symbol in the three monotheistic world religions of Semitic origin: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The word "God" can also have a more general meaning, including polytheistic religions like the old Nordic Ásatrú.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] „Tak se podívejme, paní Müllerová, v automobilu. Jó, takovej pán si to může dovolit, a ani nepomyslí, jak taková jízda automobilem může nešťastně skončit. A v Sarajevu k tomu, to je v Bosně, paní Müllerová. To asi udělali Turci. My holt jsme jim tu Bosnu a Hercegovinu neměli brát. Tak vida, paní Müllerová. On je tedy pan arcivévoda už na pravdě boží. Trápil se dlouho?“
[I.12] "Já mám pánaboha rád," ozval se nábožný polní kurát, začínaje škytat, "moc ho mám rád. Dejte mně trochu vína. - Já si pánaboha vážím," pokračoval potom, "moc si ho vážím a ctím. Nikoho si tak nevážím jako jeho." Uhodil pěstí do stolu, až láhve poskočily: "Bůh je vznešená povaha, cosi nadpozemského.

Also written:Bůh cz Gott de

Kaiser Franz Joseph I.nn flag
*18.8.1830 Wien - †21.11.1916 Wien
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franzjoseph.jpg

Franz Joseph soiled by flies. The picture is a personal gift from John Rocarek, Zenny Sadlon, and Mary Keenan Sadlon. Cedar Rapids (Iowa), 30 August 2014.

Franz Joseph I. is mentioned in the first chapter, referred to as "His Imperial Highness" but is crops up several times later in the novel with his real name. He was the theme of the discussion at U kalicha after pubkeeper Palivec revealed that the flies had soiled his portrait.

Background

Franz Joseph I. was emperor of Austria and from Ausgleich in 1867 also crowned king of Hungary. His reign lasted from 1848 to 1916 and is the fourth longest in European history. He ascended the throne when he was 18 years old, after the revolution of 1848. He was regarded as very conservative during his first period in power. The young emperor was initially unpopular and in 1853 he survived an attempt on his life. The next year he married his cousin, Kaiserin Elisabeth (Sisi). They had four children.

The emperor/king suffered a number of personal tragedies: the oldest daughter died when she was two, his brother Maximilian was executed in Mexico, his son and heir Crown Prince Rudolf committed suicide, Sisi was murdered, and in 1914 his nephew Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand was shot in Sarajevo. The emperor was quite unpopular amongst Czechs as he refused to be crowned as king of Bohemia.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí is mentioned several times and Švejk has a picture of him hanging on the wall in his cobbler's shop at Vinohrady. The theme about Švejk wanting to serve his emperor until he is torn to pieces is even more prominent than in the novel. Moreover, the monarch on a few occations appears in Švejk's dreams. The author also dedicates som paragraphs to the emperor's mental and physical condition.[1]

V duchu opustil hradčanský vojenský soud a mysl jeho zaletěla na Vinohrady do malého krámku, svezla se po obraze Františka Josefa a vyhledala pod starou postelí dvě morčata.

A u Františka Josefa nebylo to opět nic jiného než zděděný kretenismus, kterým trpí potomci Habsburků.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] V duchu opustil hradčanský vojenský soud a mysl jeho zaletěla na Vinohrady do malého krámku, svezla se po obraze Františka Josefa a vyhledala pod starou postelí dvě morčata.
[I.1] A u Františka Josefa nebylo to opět nic jiného než zděděný kretenismus, kterým trpí potomci Habsburků.
[I.1] „To se samo sebou rozumí, paní Müllerová,“ řekl Švejk, konče masírování kolen, „kdybyste chtěla zabít pana arcivévodu, nebo císaře pána, tak byste se jistě s někým poradila.
[I.15] Rozebereme-li jeho duševní schopnosti, dojdeme k přesvědčení, že nebyly o nic lepší těch, které proslavily otlemeného Habsburka Františka Josefa jako notorického idiota.
[II.3] I kdyby se k nám chtěl přidat císař pán, tak jste to nesměl dovolit.
[III.1] Potom Švejk počal mluvit o známých rozkazech, které jim byly přečteny před vstoupením do vlaku. Jeden byl armádní rozkaz podepsaný Františkem Josefem a druhý byl rozkaz arcivévody Josefa Ferdinanda, vrchního velitele východní armády a skupiny, kteréž oba týkaly se událostí na Dukelském průsmyku dne 3. dubna 1915, kdy přešly dva batalióny 28. pluku i s důstojníky k Rusům za zvuků plukovní kapely.
[III.1]

Armádní rozkaz ze dne 17. dubna 1915:

Přeplněn bolestí nařizuji, aby c. k. pěší pluk čís. 28 pro zbabělost a velezrádu byl vymazán z mého vojska. Plukovní prapor budiž zneuctěnému pluku odebrán a odevzdán do vojenského musea. Dnešním dnem přestává existovat pluk, který, otráven mravně z domova, vytáhl do pole, aby se dopustil velezrády. František Josef I.

Also written:Francis Joseph I Parrott František Josef I/Franz Josef I Sadlon František Josef I. cz Franjo Josip I. hr I. Ferenc József hu Francesco Giuseppe I it Franciszek Józef I pl Franz Josef I ro František Jozef I. sk Franc Jožef I. sl Франц Йосиф I ua

Literature
References
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Mr. Lucheni, Luiginn flag
*22.4.1873 Paris - †19.10.1910 Genève
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lucheni.jpg

Lucheni is mentioned by Švejk in conversations with Mrs. Müllerová when he reveals his knowledge on royal murders.

Background

Lucheni was a French-born anarchist of Italian descent who lived most of his life in Switzerland. He murdered Kaiserin Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary in Geneva in 1898. He was given a life sentence (Switzerland had abolished the death penalty) and later committed suicide in prison. The name is often written Luccheni, which is also used by Hašek.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Hlavní věcí je vyčíhat na ten moment, až takovej pán jede kolem. Jako, jestli se pamatujou, na toho pana Luccheniho, co probod naši nebožku Alžbětu tím pilníkem. Procházel se s ní.

Also written:Luccheni Hašek

Kaiserin Elisabethnn flag
*24.12.1837 München - †10.9.1898 Genève
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sissi.jpg

Zlatá Praha, 16.9.1898

sissi1.png

Kourier an der Donau, 1.1.1838

sissi.png

Journal de Genève, 11.9.1898

Elisabeth is mentioned by Švejk when he reels off for Mrs. Müllerová his list of royal assassinations.

Background

Elisabeth was empress of Austria, queen of Hungary, also called Sisi (later Sissi), and married to Kaiser Franz Joseph I.. Her full name was Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie, Herzogin in Bayern.

Elisabeth was the second eldest daughter of duke Maximilian Joseph av Bayern of the royal Bavarian Wittelsbach dynasty, one of eight siblings. Only 17 years old she married her cousin Kaiser Franz Joseph I. in what could be described as a dynastically arranged marriage. The couple had four children, but mostly lived separate lives. After Ausgleich she was crowned queen of Hungary on 8 June 1867.

The empress/queen was very popular and has over the years acquired a status as a legend. She has been the focus of countless books, films, plays, and animations.

Murdered

The event that Švejk refers to happened on 10 September 1898 in Genève. The young anarchist Mr. Lucheni (who originally intended to murder the Duke of Orleans) stabbed her with a sharpened file at 12:40 PM and at 3:50 PM she was declared dead. The murder was reported in the Vienna newspapers already the next day[a] and caused great consternation all over the world. The killer was arrested and identified the same evening.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Hlavní věcí je vyčíhat na ten moment, až takovej pán jede kolem. Jako, jestli se pamatujou, na toho pana Luccheniho, co probod naši nebožku Alžbětu tím pilníkem. Procházel se s ní.

Also written:Alžběta cz Erzsébet hu

Literature
References
aDie Ermordung der KaiserinNeues Wiener Journal11.9.1898
Tsar Nicholas IInn flag
*18.5.1868 Sankt-Peterburg - †17.7.1918 Jekaterinburg
Wikipedia czdeennnru Search Švejkův slovník
nikolaj2.jpg
nikolaj1.png

Národní listy,18.3.1917

Nicholas II is mentioned by Švejk when he is reeling off for Mrs. Müllerová his list of royal murders, and says it may even happen to the Tsar and the Tsarevna.

Background

Nicholas was a tsar (emperor) of the Romanov dynasty and the last monarch of Russia. His reign lasted from 1894 to 1917 when he was forced to step down after the February Revolution (March 15). He was from September 1915 commander-in-chief of Russia's armed forces after replacing his cousin Nicholas Nikolaevich. On 17 July 1918 he and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks, an event which is regarded as one of the most significant political murders in recent history.

Nicholas was regarded a weak and inept ruler, but has since 1990 seen a certain post-mortem rehabilitation. He was officially buried in 1998 and in 2000 he was declared a saint by the Russian-Orthodox church.

A paradox is that Jaroslav Hašek in 1916 and 1917 advocated czarist rule and even proposed that a Romanov prince ascend the Czech throne after the foreseen victory in the war and the subsequent break-up of Austria-Hungary.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] A vono to čeká ještě moc osob. A uvidějí, paní Müllerová, že se dostanou i na toho cara s carevnou, a může být, nedej pánbůh, i na císaře pána, když už to začli s jeho strýcem. Von má, starej pán, moc nepřátel.

Also written:Mikuláš II. cz Nikolaus II de Николай II ru

Literature
Tsaritsa Alexandrann flag
*6.6.1872 Darmstadt - †17.7.1918 Jekaterinburg
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alexandra.jpg

Alexandra is mentioned indirectly by Švejk when he is reeling off for Mrs. Müllerová his list of royal murders, and says it may even happen to the Tsar and the Tsarevna. The good soldier's prophecy was proven true little more than three years later.

Background

Alexandra was empress of Russia from 1894 to 1917, married to Tsar Nicholas II. She was executed together with her family in Yekaterinburg (Екатеринбу́рг) on 17 July 1918.

Geboren: Victoria Alix Helena Louise Beatrice von Hessen und bei Rhein.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] A vono to čeká ještě moc osob. A uvidějí, paní Müllerová, že se dostanou i na toho cara s carevnou, a může být, nedej pánbůh, i na císaře pána, když už to začli s jeho strýcem. Von má, starej pán, moc nepřátel.

Also written:Alix de Александра ru

Browning, John Mosesnn flag
*21.1.1855 Ogden - †26.11.1926 Liège
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browning.jpg

The weapon that killed Franz Ferdinand.

Browning is indirectly mentioned through his pistol-brand when Švejk explains for Mrs. Müllerová what he would have used if he was to kill an archduke.

Background

Browning was an American firearms designer. He made pistols, rifles, shotguns and machine-guns. Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand was killed with a Belgian-made Browning semi-automatic pistol (FN Model 1910).

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] „To jde náramně rychle, paní Müllerová, strašně rychle. Já bych si na takovou věc koupil brovnink. Vypadá to jako hračka, ale můžete s tím za dvě minuty postřílet dvacet arcivévodů, hubenejch nebo tlustejch.
King Carlos I.nn flag
*28.9.1863 Lisboa - †1.2.1908 Lisboa
Wikipedia czdeennopt Search Švejkův slovník
carlos1.jpg

Světozor, , 14.2.1908

Carlos I. is mentioned indirectly by Švejk when he explains for Mrs. Müllerová what he would have used if he was to kill an archduke. To kill a fat dignitary like the king of Portugal, a good weapon like a Browning was needed.

Background

Even though his name is not mentioned directly there is no doubt that Švejk had King Carlos I. in mind. He was king of Portugal from 1889 until he was murdered by republican activists in 1908[a]. The Portuguese state went bankrupt twice during his lifetime, including once during his reign, in 1902.

The king had indeed, as Švejk said, become quite fat in his later years. He was however killed by rifle shots, and not with a Browning as the good soldier claimed.

Nome completo: Carlos Fernando Luís Maria Vítor Miguel Rafael Gabriel Gonzaga Xavier Francisco de Assis José Simão de Bragança Sabóia Bourbon Saxe-Coburgo-Gotha.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Ačkoliv, mezi námi řečeno, paní Müllerová, že do tlustýho arcivévody se trefíte jistějc než do hubenýho. Jestli se pamatujou, jak tenkrát v Portugalsku si postříleli toho svýho krále. Byl taky takovej tlustej. To víte, že král nebude přece hubenej.
References
aKrvavý atentát v LissaboněSvětozor7.2.1908
Princip, Gavrilonn flag
*25.7.1894 Obljaj - †28.4.1918 Terezín
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princip.jpg
princip.png

Die Neue Zeitung,14.10.1914

Gavrilo Princip is mentioned indirectly by Švejk and Mrs. Müllerová when they discuss those who carried out the killings in Sarajevo.

Background

Gavrilo Princip was one of the assassins who took part in the plot to kill Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on June 28 1914. Princip and his accomplices were trained by and acted on orders from the Serbian nationalist group The Black Hand, a group that had it's origin in the Serbian armed forces. Their principal goal was to join all Serb-populated territories in a greater Serbia.

It was Gavrilo Princip who fired the lethal bullets after several attempts had failed in the preceding minutes. Princip unsuccessfully tried to commit suicide and was immediately arrested.

The trial started in Sarajevo on 12 Oktober 1914 and on the 28th the verdict fell. Some of the conspirators were handed death sentences but Gavrilo Princip was convicted to life imprisonment as he was to young for capital punishment.

He died in jail in Terezín already in 1918. Thus he never lived to see the greater Serbia that Yugoslavia in many ways became.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Já si představuju, že se pan arcivévoda Ferdinand také v tom Sarajevu zmejlil v tom člověkovi, co ho střelil. Viděl nějakého pána a myslil si: To je nějakej pořádnej člověk, když mně volá slávu. A zatím ho ten pán bouch. Dal mu jednu nebo několik?“

Also written:Гаврило Принцип sr

Literature
Detective Bretschneidernn flag
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bretschneider.jpg

České slovo,11.11.1923

masek.jpg

Čechoslovan,21.8.1916

Bretschneider is mentioned 44 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Bretschneider was an undercover agent working for the state police. He met Švejk at U kalicha and tried to trick him and the host pubkeeper Palivec into compromising themselves in connection with the Sarajevo murders. He succeeded in both cases.

Bretschneider is part of the plot for the last time in [I.6] when Švejk has been released after his arrest. This time he did not get anyone on the hook, and the author sends him out of the story in the most miserable manner by revealing that the detective was devoured by the very dogs he had bought from Švejk. Bretschneider is the only person taking part in the plot who explicitly gets killed.

In the epilogue to Part One the author mentions the now deceased detective and adds that people like him wander about even in Czechoslovakia and are very interested in what people are talking about.

Background

Bretschneider seems to be modelled on a real person in Staatspolizei in Prague. Jaroslav Hašek was kept an eye on due to his connection with the anarchist movement and he knew many in the police force. Emil Artur Longen claims that the real Bretschneider was a certain Vincenc Španda, and that he and Hašek had met in Berlin in 1920 (unlikely). In Longen's book the connection is explained in detail.

The name Bretschneider may have several sources. The policeman Josef Brettschneider lived in Košíře at the same time as Hašek, and according to Milan Báča he emigrated in 1919 and took the name Wenzel Spanda[a]. A certain Karel Bretschneider was a policeman who lived in Kinského tř. 31 Smíchov in 1891, but the start and end of his active duty is not known.

One person that Hašek definitely knew was the sculptor Vladimír Bretschneider (1886-1951). The two fell out and the use of the name may well have been an act of revenge.

The agent Mašek

Another possible inspiration is Hynek Mašek, an agent provocateur who tried to infiltrate the anarchist movement and also Česká strana národně sociální on several occasions between 1906 and 1909. He was explicitly named in Hašek's story Po stopách státní policie v Praze, printed in Čechoslovan on 21 August 1916. Here Hašek claims that Mašek was an Austrian spy operating amongst the Czechs in Russia, and the article eventually led to Mašek's arrest. When České legie hastily had to leave Ukraine in February 1918 he was shot. Perhaps Jaroslav Hašek alludes to Mašek's fate when he lets Bretschneider be eaten by his own dogs?

Radko Pytlík: Kniha o Švejkovi, s.146

Policejní strážník Josef Brettschneider, uveden ve statu pražské policie roku 1910, bydlel v Košířích č. 177, tedy v rajónu Světa zvířat; sochař Vladimír Bretschneider byl jedním z blízkých Haškových kamarádů.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] V hospodě „U kalicha“ seděl jen jeden host. Byl to civilní strážník Bretschneider, stojící ve službách státní policie.
[I.6] A to byl konec slavného detektiva Bretschneidra. Když měl již ve svém bytě sedm takových ohav, uzavřel se s nimi v zadním pokoji a nedal jim tak dlouho nic jíst, dokud ho nesežraly.
[I.16] Lidí typu nebožtíka Bretschneidera, státního detektiva starého Rakouska, potlouká se i dnes velice mnoho v republice. Neobyčejně se zajímají o to, co kdo mluví.

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Břetislav Hůla, Milan Báča

Literature
References
aLiterární toulkySvitavský deníkMilan Báča9.9.2012
Pubkeeper Palivecnn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
palivec.jpg

České slovo,11.11.1923

Palivec is mentioned 24 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Palivec was pub landlord at U kalicha and known for his foul mouth. He was also a man who had read a lot without this having refined his language the slightest. He was arrested by detective Bretschneider, having uttered an unfortunate sentence about flies defiling a portrait of the Emperor. For this he got 10 years hard labour.

The epilogue to Part One reveals that he served his sentence until the end of the war. In the same epilogue the author presents Palivec as a symbol of his right to reproduce tales as they were spoken, without having to embellish it to placate the more sensitive part of the readership, or to satisfy the demands for decent language in literature.

On biographical details it is revealed that Palivec was married and his wife worked in the bar, that he had served with the army in Bosnia, and that he sympathised with the organisation Volná myšlenka (Free Thought).

Background

Palivec quite probably has a real-life model. In his book Die Abenteuer des gar nicht so braven Humoristen Jaroslav Hašek (1989) Jan Berwid-Buquoy claimed that this person was Václav Šmíd who is reported to have been landlord at U kalicha in 1914 and was known for his rough language. The same source claims that a Josef Palivec was a waiter there at the time.

Radko Pytlík finds it more likely that a certain Josef Šolc was the inspiration for Palivec. Šolc was landlord at a pub nearby, on the corner of Sokolská ulice and Fügnerovo nám. and as opposed to U kalicha it was a place the author decidedly frequented.

Vilém Juris
juris1.png

What is beyond dispute is that the landlord at U kalicha from 1908 and at least until 1913 was Vilém Juris, and that two Václav Šmíd's were landlords elsewhere in the city. In another book published in 2011 Berwid-Buquoy changed the landlord's name to Josef Šmída, and added that he ran the pub together with Vilém Jurisch, who allegedly died in the spring of 1914. Police registers reveal 180 entries on Palivec from 1850 to 1914 so there are plenty of candidates.

Juris was according to the city's population registers born 10 June 1871 in Velké Lipno, was married to Blahoslava (nee 1877) and they registered at the address of U kalicha 18 July 1908[a]. In an article in Prager Presse 5 Desember 1929 Maximilian Huppert claimed that the former landlord at U kalicha, Ferdinand Juris, was still alive[b]. Whether this is a mix-up with another person is not known.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] V hospodě „U kalicha“ seděl jen jeden host. Byl to civilní strážník Bretschneider, stojící ve službách státní policie. Hostinský Palivec myl tácky a Bretschneider se marně snažil navázat s ním vážný rozhovor. Palivec byl známý sprosťák, každé jeho druhé slovo byla zadnice nebo hovno. Přitom byl ale sečtělý a upozorňoval každého, aby si přečetl, co napsal o posledním předmětě Victor Hugo, když líčil poslední odpověď staré gardy Napoleona Angličanům v bitvě u Waterloo.
[I.16] Od hostinského Palivce nemůžeme žádati, aby mluvil tak jemně jako pí Laudová
[I.16] Při této příležitosti upozorňuji, že hostinský Palivec je naživu. Přečkal válku, kterou proseděl v žaláři, a zůstal stále týmž, jako když měl tu aféru s obrazem císaře Františka Josefa.
References
aSoupis pražského obyvatelstvaAHMP1830 - 1910
bHistorisches vom ŠvejkPrager Presse5.12.1929
Hugo, Victornn flag
*28.2.1802 Besançon - †22.5.1885 Paris
Wikipedia czdeenfrnnno Search Švejkův slovník
hugo.jpg

Victor Hugo was an author pubkeeper Palivec had read and liked to quote. Palivec put forward Victor Hugo in defence of his vulgar language. Indirectly he referred to a passage in Les Misérables where the famous mot de Cambronne, which is connected to Napoléon's old guard in the battle of Waterloo, is quoted.

General Cambronne is said to have given this simple answer to General Colville when the latter insisted he surrender: Merde!.

Background

Victor Hugo was a French author and politician who published poetry, drama and novels. In France he is regarded as one of the country's leading poets. His most famous novel is probably "Les Misérables". Victor Hugo was also a political activist and was forced into exile for a number of years. After his return in 1870 he was elected member of the Senate. He was also known as an advocate of human rights.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Palivec byl známý sprosťák, každé jeho druhé slovo byla zadnice nebo hovno. Přitom byl ale sečtělý a upozorňoval každého, aby si přečetl, co napsal o posledním předmětě Victor Hugo, když líčil poslední odpověď staré gardy Napoleona Angličanům v bitvě u Waterloo.
Lazarusnn flag
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lasarus.jpg

Lazarus was mentioned in a dialogue when Švejk told detective Bretschneider that he was tied up like Lazarus for two days after having got arrested with 20 buttons missing on his uniform.

Background

Lazarus was the name of two persons from the new testament. One of them was a pauper in St. Lucas' gospel, mentioned in a parable. The second one was Lazarus of Bethany, brother of Martha and Mary and who was very close to Jesus. It was this Lazarus that Jesus resurrected, and almost certainly the one Švejk had in mind.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Jednou se pamatuji, že mně scházelo při takové přehlídce dvacet knoflíků u munduru a že mě zavřeli za to na čtrnáct dní do ajnclíku a dva dni jsem ležel jako lazar, svázanej do kozelce.

Also written:Lazar cz Lazarus de

Oberleutnant Makovecnn flag
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Makovec was one of Švejk's superiors when he did national service. Švejk refers to him as "obrlajtnant Makovec" (senior lieutenant) and portrays him as a nasty brute and a fanatic disciplinarian. One of the best known quotes from the novel stems from Makovec: "Discipline must be enforced, you stupid boys".

Background

There is no sign of any Makovec in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 (or even in the entire k.u.k. Heer) at the time when Švejk might have done his military service.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Náš obrlajtnant Makovec, ten nám vždycky říkal: ,Disciplina, vy kluci pitomí, musí bejt, jinak byste lezli jako vopice po stromech, ale vojna z vás udělá lidi, vy blbouni pitomí? A není to pravda? Představte si park, řekněme na Karláku, a na každým stromě jeden voják bez discipliny. Z toho jsem vždycky měl největší strach.“
Ludvík, Břetislavnn flag
*31.7.1882 Praha - †6.12.1956 Praha
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ludvik.jpg

Břetislav Ludvík was a cattle trader who, according to one of Švejk's numerous and long anecdotes, was stabbed on the square in Budějovice. This story associated cattle traders with the imperial family and contributed greatly to Švejk's arrest by detective Bretschneider.

Background

The name is borrowed from a journalist and multi-artist, in police records from 1913 registered as "Schauspieler" (actor)[a]. He was one of Hašek's childhood friends, and in 1946 he published a short book Kdo je Jaroslav Hašek in the series Who is. Here he admits to being angry with the way his name was abused and also that he briefly met Jaroslav Hašek in 1922.

Borrowing a name

Ludvík is a good example of how the author borrowed names from a person that has nothing in common with the corresponding literary character.

Hašek and Mussolini

One of the more imaginative claims in Ludvík's book is that Hašek met Benito Mussolini in Trento in 1906. The story is inherited from Václav Menger and his book Jaroslav Hašek doma, 1935, but Menger adds that this is a legend that Hašek himself told his friends.[1]

The historian Renzo de Felice even suggests that this meeting inspired the latter's interest in Hus, also suggested in Menger's book. As recently as 2013 the Mussolini theme appeared in the film Toulavé house by Vít Olmer.

Talk on Hašek
ludvik.png

Břetislav Hůla, 22.2.1949

© LA-PNP

In 1949 Břetislav Hůla noted that Ludvík once held a talk on Hašek in the pub U Brindů, but adds that he was simply reading aloud from his book, "with all the contained errors and inaccuracies". There was however no damage done as only around 20 people attended and they were charged 8 crowns each!

Pavel Helan

Mussolini and Hašek both visited Switzerland and Trentino, but never at the same time. The information about contacts between the two may be found in Břetislav Ludvík’s Kdo je Jaroslav Hašek (Prague, 1946) 15-16, but the source is unreliable, even if Hašek himself was the informant. This tenuous account reached de Felice in a telephone conversation from Claudio Poeta, an Italian student in Prague in the mid-1970s, as Poeta told me in 1999.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] U nás před léty v Budějovicích probodli na trhu v nějaké takové malé hádce jednoho obchodníka s dobytkem, nějakého Břetislava Ludvíka.

Sources: Pavel Helan

Notes
1. In an updated revision of the book from 1946 the information that allegedly was spread by Hašek himself was removed. Menger had by now presumably concluded that they were unreliable.
Literature
References
aPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
Ludvík, Bohuslavnn flag
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bludvik.png

Police registration 1911

Bohuslav Ludvík was the son of Břetislav Ludvík in Švejk's anecdote about cattle traders. He committed suicide by jumping in the Vltava from a bridge. See Most v Krumlově.

Background

Only one single person carried this name according to the Prague police registers (1850 to 1914). He was born in 1883 and resident in Nusle in 1904. He was the same age as Jaroslav Hašek, and the author knew the area well but there exists no knowledge of any contact between the two.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] U nás před léty v Budějovicích probodli na trhu v nějaké takové malé hádce jednoho obchodníka s dobytkem, nějakého Břetislava Ludvíka. Ten měl syna Bohuslava, a kam přišel prodávat prasata, nikdo od něj nic nekoupil a každý říkal: ,To je syn toho probodnutýho, to bude asi také pěknej lump.’ Musel skočit v Krumlově s toho mostu do Vltavy a museli ho vytáhnout, museli ho křísit, museli z něho pumpovat vodu a von jim musel skonat v náručí lékaře, když mu dal nějakou injekci.“
Literature
Pinďournn flag
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pindour.jpg

A typical gamekeeper from Zliv

Pinďour was a game keeper from Zliv. He figured in an inappropriate anecdote that Švejk told detective Bretschneider in U kalicha. In this story water bailiffs and pig gelders are subtly compared to the imperial family. Pinďour was shot by poachers. He had an ugly name according to Švejk. The name actually means "little dick" but this is for obvious reasons not directly stated in the novel. The gamekeeper was shot by poachers and left behind the very widow who this anecdote is constructed around.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] To byl ve Zlivi u Hluboké před léty jeden hajný, měl takové ošklivé jméno Pinďour.

Also written:Pinscher Reiner

Šavel, Pepíknn flag
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Pepík Šavel was a gamekeeper from Mydlovary in the anecdote Švejk told at U kalicha (see Pinďour). He got married to the widow of Pinďour, and was like him shot by poachers. The analogy towards the killings of Sarajevo didn't serve Švejk well at all.

Background

Pepík is a Czech nickname for Josef.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] To byl ve Zlivi u Hluboké před léty jeden hajný, měl takové ošklivé jméno Pinďour. Zastřelili ho pytláci a zůstala po něm vdova s dvěma dítkami a vzala si za rok opět hajného, Pepíka Šavlovic z Mydlovar. A zastřelili jí ho taky.

Also written:Pepi Schawlowitz Reiner Rohwolt (2001) Schewla-Pepi Reiner (Aufbau 2009)

The prince at Hlubokánn flag
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adolfjosephschwarzenberg.jpg

Adolf Joseph Schwarzenberg, 1907

The prince at Hluboká is mentioned in Švejk's anecdote about the widow of the gamekeepers who turns up at the prince's office at Hluboká to ask for advice.

Background

The prince at Hluboká probably refers to Adolf Joseph Schwarzenberg (1832-1914), the 8th Prince of Schwarzenberg and a major landowner in South Bohemia. Another candidate is his son Johann II (1860-1938) as both were alive at the time the event is said to have taken place ("years ago"). They also held the title Duke of Krumlov, another of the Schwarzenberg estates. See Fürst Schwarzenberg (st.).

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] To se ví, že jí ho zas zastřelili, a to už měla s těmi hajnými šest dětí dohromady. Byla až v kanceláři knížete pána na Hluboké a stěžovala si, že má s těmi hajnými trápení.

Also written:Kníže na Hluboké cz Der Fürst in Hluboká de

Literature
Pondwarden Jarešnn flag
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basta.png
jares.png

Národní listy,2.10.1889

Jareš was a pond warden from ražická bašta in a story Švejk told at U kalicha. He was married to the widow of Pinďour and Pepík Šavel but drowned when fishing empty a pond. The widow finally married a pig gelder from Vodňany but was killed by him. The pig gelder uttered the most unsavoury phrases about the Emperor as he was hung in Písek. This anecdote surely contributed to Švejk's arrest.

Background

Antonín Jareš (1806-1889) was the grandfather of Jaroslav Hašek and a pond warden by Ražice. The name is re-used on three occasions later in the novel; once in Švejk's conversation with Oberst Kraus's maid, and twice in an anecdote told at Švarcenberský ovčín.

Grandfather Jareš lived the last few years of his life with his daughter's family in Prague, and here he got to know his famous-to-be grandson. There is no doubt that he inspired both the names in this novel, as well as the seven stories centred around ražická bašta that were published before the war[a].

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Tak jí odporučili porybnýho Jareše ražické bašty. A co byste řekli, utopili jí ho při lovení rybníka, a měla s ním dvě děti.
Literature
References
aHistorky z ražické baštyVeselá PrahaJaroslav Hašek1908
Crown Prince Rudolfnn flag
*21.08.1858 Laxenburg - †30.01.1889 Mayerling
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rudolf.jpg

Rudolf was mentioned by Švejk as he in front of detective Bretschneider reeled off the personal tragedies the Emperor had suffered in his lifetime.

Background

Rudolf was crown prince and heir to the thrones of Austria-Hungary and the only son of Kaiser Franz Joseph I. and Kaiserin Elisabeth. He committed suicide together with his lover Maria Vetsera at Mayerling castle outside Vienna.

Rudolf suffered from severe mood changes and there is still some debate over whether it really was suicide. The death certificate mentions "spiritual confusion." The drama of Mayerling has been filmed many times, including in a French/British production from 1968 with Omar Sharif in the role as Rudolf.

The free-thinking crown price lived a dissolute life, got dependent on morphine after treatment for VD and infected his wife with gonorrhoea, which made her sterile. Rudolf was politically liberal and associated with the organisation Free Thought (see Volná myšlenka). His political views prevented him from being included in the influential circles of the court, his father keeping him at distance.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Syna Rudolfa ztratil v útlém věku, v plné mužské síle.
Orth, Johannnn flag
*25.11.1852 Firenze - †12.7.1890 (?) Cabo tres Puntas
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orth.jpg

Johann Orth was mentioned by Švejk when he listed the tragedies that had hit the emperor during his lifetime.

Background

Johann Orth was archduke of the house of Habsburg and prince of Tuscany. His real name was Johann Salvator, but he took the common name Johann Orth in 1889 after having reneged on his imperial privileges. This happened after a conflict with the court as Salvator wanted to marry the dancer Ludmilla Schubel, a lady well below his rank. He took the new name after a castle he owned in Salzkammergut. Orth was a good friend of crown prince Crown Prince Rudolf and shared his liberal political views. After breaking with the court he was forced to leave the country. Already having obtained a ship captain's certificate he tried his luck in merchant shipping. In 1890 he left for London where he bought a cargo vessel and embarked on a freight mission to Argentina and Chile. Around 12 July 1890 the ship went missing near Cabo Tres Puntas.

His full name was Giovanni Nepomuceno Salvatore Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Ferdinando Baldassares Lodovico Carlo Zenobio Antonino d'Asburgo-Lorena.

Speculations

What really happened is still unclear but rumours that he survived have regularly surfaced. He was officially declared dead in 1911, but in 1945 a certain Alexander Victor Hugo Köhler from Kristiansand claimed on his death-bed that he was Johann Orth. The case appeared in Norwegian courts in 1945 and 2007 and raised attention also in Austria. Still researchers at the university of Bergen see little reason to believe the claims of Köhler and his descendants.

Drill oder Erziehung
drill2.png

Drill oder Erziehung, page 11. When the intelligent soldier feigns dutifulness.

drill.png

Concluding Drill oder Erziehung

In the novel there is yet another reference Johann Orth, albeit obscure and indirect. It was first pointed out by Sergey Soloukh in 2012. In Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's description of Fähnrich Dauerling in [II.3] he mentions a book Drill oder Erziehung where it according to Marek is stated that "terror is fundamental in training of soldiers and that successful training is proportional to the degree of terror". This booklet of 22 pages exists but the content does not fit the description Marek gives and could certainly not have inspired Dauerling's inhuman methods. It is a reprint of a lecture Orth (at the time still Erzherzog Johann) held on 3 November 1883 in Militär-Wissenschaftlichen Vereine zu Wien and was published by the same association. The above-mentioned quote can not be found in the booklet, and it was exactly this type of brutal exercise Erzherzog Johann spoke out against. Nor is Marek's claim that k.u.k. Kriegsministerium was the publisher of the book correct as the publisher was L. W Seidel & Sohn. In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí the booklet is even described as a "military textboook".

Drill oder Erziehung is a sharp attack on the practices within k.u.k. Wehrmacht to emphasize drill at the expense of education in military training. The lecture caused considerable resentment and harmed the already strained relation between the liberal-minded archduke and the military establishment. Johann already carried a certain weight besides being a member of the Habsburg-family: he was a professional soldier and commander of 25. Infanteriedivision and had participated in the occupation of Bosnia-Hercegovina in 1878. At the time he presented his provicative lecture the 41 year old archduke had already obtained the rank of Feldmarschall-Leutnant.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Manželku Alžbětu mu propíchli pilníkem, potom se mu ztratil Jan Orth; bratra, císaře mexického, mu zastřelili v nějaké pevnosti u nějaké zdi.

Also written:Jan Orth cz Orth János hu Giovanni Orth it

Literature
Emperor Maximiliano I.nn flag
*6.6.1832 Wien - †19.6.1867 Santiago de Querétaro
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maximillian.jpg

Emperor of Mexiko, by Mathew Brady, around 1864.

Maximiliano I. is referred to by Švejk as the Emperor of Mexico when he tells detective Bretschneider about all the tragedies that had hit Kaiser Franz Joseph I. He was executed by some wall in some fortress in Mexico according to Švejk.

Background

was an archduke of the house of Habsburg, and brother of Kaiser Franz Joseph I. He was installed as emperor of Mexico by the French in 1863, but was executed in 1867 at Cerro de las Campanas in Querétaro after a rebellion led by the liberal Benito Juárez.

His full name was Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph von Österreich.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] Manželku Alžbětu mu propíchli pilníkem, potom se mu ztratil Jan Orth; bratra, císaře mexického, mu zastřelili v nějaké pevnosti u nějaké zdi.
Mrs. Palivcovánn flag
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palivcova.jpg

České slovo,11.11.1923

Palivcová is mentioned 9 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Palivcová was left crying in U kalicha at the end of [I.1] when her husband, pubkeeper Palivec, was escorted out by detective Bretschneider. Her husband consoled her and told that she need not fear the police just because some flies had shitted on a portrait of the Emperor.

Mrs. Palivec reappears in [I.6] after Švejk was released from prison and drops by U kalicha. In [I.11] she refuses to serve Švejk because she thinks he is a deserter. This is the last time we hear of her.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.1] A zatímco vedli Švejka do přijímací kanceláře, „U kalicha“ předával pan Palivec hospodu své plačící ženě, těše ji svým zvláštním způsobem: „Neplač, neřvi, co mně mohou udělat kvůli posranýmu obrazu císaře pána?“

Also written:Mrs. Palivec en Frau Palivec de Fru Palivec no

Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

2. The good soldier Švejk at police headquarters

Detective Brixinn flag
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brixi.png

Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních (1907)

Brixi was a policeman who arrested an unusually fat paper merchant who had paid for to Serbian students at U Brejšky and had been observed drunk with them at Café Montmartre. The owner of the paper shop was one of Švejk's fellow prisoners at c.k. policejní ředitelství.

Background

This detective may well have had a model from real life but the surname Brixi (including the variant Briksi) was relatively rare in Prague. At most ten people carrying this name were alive at the time and none of them are listed with professions that seem related to the police.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.2] Výjimku dělal neobyčejně tlustý pán s brýlemi, s uplakanýma očima, který byl zatčen doma ve svém bytě, poněvadž dva dny před atentátem v Sarajevu platil „U Brejšky“ za dva srbské studenty, techniky, útratu a detektivem Brixim byl spatřen v jejich společnosti opilý v „Montmartru“ v Řetězové ulici, kde, jak již v protokole potvrdil svým podpisem, též za ně platil.
Columbus, Cristoforonn flag
*1451(?) Genova(?) - †20.5.1506 Valladolid
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colombus.jpg

Columbus breaking the egg

Columbus is mentioned indirectly through the description of the event who led to the arrest of one of Švejk's fellow prisoners. Švejk's fellow inmate was a teacher of history who concluded his analysis of various assassinations with the words: The idea of an assassination is as easy as Columbus' egg.

Background

Columbus was a discoverer and merchant og Italian origin, known for the European "discovery" of America in 1492.

Columbus' egg describes a brilliant idea or discovery that seems simple or easy after the fact. The expression refers to a popular story of how Christopher Columbus, having been told that discovering the Americas was no great accomplishment, challenged his critics to make an egg stand on its tip; and, after they gave up, he did it himself by tapping the egg on the table so as to flatten its tip.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.2] Malý pán, kterému se to stalo ve vinárně, byl profesorem dějepisu a vykládal vinárníkovi dějiny různých atentátů. Byl zatčen právě v okamžiku, když končil psychologický rozbor každého atentátu slovy: „Myšlenka atentátu je tak jednoduchá jako, Kolumbovo vejce’.“

Also written:Kolumbus cz Kolumbus de Cristóbal Colón es Columbus nn

Jesus Christnn flag
*4 f.kr(?) Betlehem - †30(?) Jersusalem
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kristus.jpg

As seen by El Greco

Jesus Christ is mentioned 38 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Jesus Christ is referred to by Švejk as "Kristus Pán", literally "Christ the Lord". This is when he tells his fellow prisoners about their hopeless situation. "Christ the Lord was also innocent" are the discouraging words they hear. Jesus is mentioned more peripherally in the first chapter, through the expression Ježíšmarjá that Švejk used when he heard about the killings in Sarajevo. Jesus is mentioned at various stages through the novel, mostly in common expressions. The words used are Ježíš or Kristus/Krist. There are also rare occurences of the German Jesus and the Hungarian Krizstus.

Background

Jesus Christ was a central figure in the Bible. He laid the foundations of the Christian faith. He was crucified for instigating rebellion in the year of 33 during the period of Roman rule. His birth and death dates are most uncertain. According to the Cristian faith and his own claims he was the Son of God and Messiah the Saviour. Jesus was also an important prophet in islam but this religion credits him with a less important role. The Jewish religion regards him as a false Messiah.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.2] „Já jsem nevinnej, já jsem nevinnej,“ opakoval zježený muž. „Kristus Pán byl taky nevinnej,“ řekl Švejk, „a taky ho ukřižovali. Nikde nikdy nikomu na nějakým nevinným člověku nezáleželo. Maul halten und weiter dienen!, jako říkávali nám na vojně. To je to nejlepší a nejkrásnější.“
[I.15] "Co s ním udělám?" mihlo se hlavou nadporučíkovi, "má, prokristapána, takový pitomý výraz."
[I.15] "Švejku, ježíšmarjá, himlhergot, já vás zastřelím, vy hovado, vy dobytku, vy vole, vy hajzle jeden. Jste tak blbej?"
[II.3] "Ježíšmarjá", vzdychl pro sebe desátník, vida, že po důkladném loku zmizelo půl láhve.
[II.3] "Mají to tady pěkně zařízený, dokonce dva deštníky na věšáku, a ten vobraz toho Pána Krista taky není špatnej."
[II.3] "Baszom az anyát, baszom az istenet, baszom a Krizstus Márját, baszom az atyádot, baszom a világot!"
[II.4] "Pochválen Pán Ježíš Kristus," řekl vstupuje, načež Švejk za všechny odpověděl: "Až na věky amen."
[II.4] Po pravé straně na stole stál krucifix z napodobené slonoviny, se zaprášeným Kristem, který se zoufale díval na podstavec svého kříže, na kterém byl popel a oharky z cigaret.

Also written:Ježíš Kristus cz

Lombroso, Cesarenn flag
*6.11.1835 Verona - †19.10.1909 Torino
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lombroso.jpg

Lombroso is referred to in connection with the book L'uomo delinquente where the author describes the interrogator at c.k. policejní ředitelství. He looked like a criminal type described by Lombroso in this particular book.

Background

Lombroso was an Italian criminologist, anthropologist and lawyer. He was a pioneer of anthropological criminology which promoted the claim that criminality was inherited. Lombroso rejected the hitherto classical view that the criminal instinct was part of human nature. His V(political anthropology criminology) maintained that criminal behaviour is in the genes and could be enhanced by physical defects. The physical shape could indicate whether a person was a criminal, which he gave many examples of in the illustrations in his books. Lombroso was of Jewish origin and baptised Ezechia Marco Lombroso.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.2] „Dobrý večer přeju, pánové, všem vespolek.“ Místo odpovědi dloubl ho někdo pod žebra a postavil před stůl, za kterým seděl pán chladné úřední tváře s rysy zvířecké ukrutnosti, jako by právě vypadl z Lombrosovy knihy „O typech zločinných“. Podíval se krvežíznivě na Švejka a řekl: „Netvařte se tak blbě.“
Literature
Jan Nepomuckýnn flag
*1345(?) Nepomuk - †20.3.1391 Praha
Wikipedia czdeen Search Švejkův slovník
nepomuk.jpg

Statue in Třeboň, 2011.

Jan Nepomucký was by Švejk held as an example of how badly prisoners were treated before, compared to the good treatment Švejk and his fellow inmates got these July days in 1914. Our hero falsely claimed that Nepomuk was drowned from Eliščin most. He appears again in the anecdote about Šic in [II.5].

Background

Jan Nepomucký was a Czech priest and martyr who was blinded, tortured, and drowned in the Vltava. Today there is a statue of him at the point at Karlův most where he was thrown off. He was canonized in 1729 and is now a patron saint. He is buried in Saint Vitus Cathedral in Prague.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.2] Nebo mu dali nohy do španělský boty a natáhli ho na žebřík, když se nechtěl přiznat, nebo mu pálili boky hasičskou pochodní, jako to udělali svatému Janu Nepomuckému.

Also written:John of Nepomuk en Johannes Nepomuk de Johan Nepomuk no

Literature
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

3. Švejk before the court physicians

Mr. Demartininn flag
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demartini.png

Demartini was the fat head of the guards for the prisoners in custody at the c.k. zemský co trestní soud.

Background

The chief prison guard has perhaps been inspired by the very real police high commisioner in Prague, Rudolf Demartini (1866-1919), who lived in Vinohrady (1906). This is a person Jaroslav Hašek surely knew or knew about. Little is known about him except for that he had three daughters and is buried at Olšany in Žižkov.

It has not been confirmed if he really was the chief guard in the remand arrest at c.k. zemský co trestní soud in 1914. He is not listed as an employee of the criminal court in the address books of 1907 and 1912 and it seems strange that someone with such a high rank is employed as the head of the prison guards. Therefore this is probably a borrowed name and not much more.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.3] Čisté, útulné pokojíky zemského „co trestního soudu“ učinily na Švejka nejpříznivější dojem. Vybílené stěny, černě natřené mříže i tlustý pan Demartini, vrchní dozorce ve vyšetřovací vazbě s fialovými výložky i obrubou na erární čepici. Fialová barva je předepsána nejen zde, nýbrž i při náboženských obřadech na Popeleční středu i Veliký pátek.
Literature
Murderer Valeš, Aloisnn flag
*19.5.1861 Mšecké Žehrovice - †18.12.1908 Nusle (Pankrác)
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vales.jpg

Krvavá tragedie v Krči, Adolf Synek,1904

vales.png

Matrika zemřelých

© AHMP

vales1.png

Národní politika,20.12.1908

Valeš was a well knwn murderer who some years earlier had been interrogated by the same good-natured man who questioned Švejk at c.k. zemský co trestní soud.

Background

Valeš and his wife Ludmila committed a brutal double murder in April 1902 in the villa "Vilém" in Horní Krč where he was employed as a gardener. The victims were the young Slovak/Hungarian couple Matilda Hanzely and József Takács. They were planning to emigrate to America and therefore had a lot of money at hand. murderer Valeš hid the corpses in the garden and the crime was not discovered until October 1904. In February 1905 the couple was sentenced to death but the term was converted to life imprisonment by Kaiser Franz Joseph I..

Interrogation

Amongst those who interrogated murderer Valeš in 1905 were Karel Křikava and Václav Olič. They were police officers that Jaroslav Hašek knew and one of them may well have served as models for the good-natured interrogator. Egon Erwin Kisch mentions the Valeš-case briefly in the story Polizeimuseum, where he reveals that the murderer's weapon is on exhibition.

The villa owner

At the time of the discovery of the murder the owner of the villa was Alois Bauer, a merchant who lived in Smíchov. When the trial took place (January 1905) he was under administration and the villa was sold. In 1909 Bauer committed suicide by jumping into the Vltava near Střelecký ostrov [a].

E.E. Kisch: Polizeimuseum

Eine ganze Vitrine weist die Instrumente auf, mit denen das wurdige Ehepaar Valeš zu Krtsch das Liebespaar Takasz-Hanzely im Schlafe umgebracht hatte: ein Jagdgewehr, ein Strick, ein Revolver, ein Beil.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.3] Starší pán dobromyslného vzezření, který kdysi, vyšetřuje známého vraha Valeše, nikdy neopomenul jemu říci: „Račte si sednout, pane Valeš, právě je zde jedna prázdná židle.“

Sources: Milan Hodík, Jaroslav Šerák

Literature
References
aKonec majitele villyVenkov25.4.1909
Pontius Pilatenn flag
*? - †?
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pilatus.jpg

Pontius Pilate is written about by the author when he describes those of the examining magistrates who were most obsessed with the letter of the law as "the Pilates of the new era".

Background

Pontius Pilate was Roman prefect of Judea in the period 26 to 36 AD and oviously plays a central part in the Bible as the Roman official who sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.3] Vracela se slavná historie římského panství nad Jerusalemem. Vězně vyváděli i představovali je před Piláty roku 1914tého dolů do přízemku. A vyšetřující soudcové, Piláti nové doby, místo aby si čestně myli ruce, posílali si pro papriku a plzeňské pivo k Teissigovi a odevzdávali nové a nové žaloby na státní návladnictví.

Also written:Pilát Pontský cz

Prokop Švejknn flag
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Prokop Švejk is here at c.k. zemský co trestní soud mentioned in passing by Švejk when referring to his parents. They are mentioned again in [II.5], and it is only then their full names are revealed and it transpires that they are from Dražov.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.3] „Já myslím,“ odpověděl Švejk, „že jím musím být, poněvadž i můj tatínek byl Švejk a maminka paní Švejková. Já jim nemohu udělat takovou hanbu, abych zapíral svoje jméno.“
[II.5] Jakmile jsem ho poznal, šel jsem k němu na plošinu a dal jsem se s ním do hovoru, že jsme oba z Dražova. On se ale na mne rozkřik, abych ho neobtěžoval, že prý mne nezná. Já jsem mu to začal vysvětlovat, aby se jen upamatoval, že jsem jako malej hoch k němu chodil s matkou, která se jmenovala Antonie, otec že se jmenoval Prokop a byl šafářem. Ani potom nechtěl nic vědět o tom, že se známe. Tak jsem mu ještě řekl bližší podrobnosti, že v Dražově byli dva Novotní, Tonda a Josef.
Mrs. Antonie Švejkovánn flag
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Antonie Švejková is mentioned in passing by Švejk when referring to his parents in a conversation at c.k. zemský co trestní soud.

The parents are mentioned again in [II.5], and it is only then that their full names are revealed and it transpires that they are from Dražov.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.3] „Já myslím,“ odpověděl Švejk, „že jím musím být, poněvadž i můj tatínek byl Švejk a maminka paní Švejková. Já jim nemohu udělat takovou hanbu, abych zapíral svoje jméno.“
[II.5] Jakmile jsem ho poznal, šel jsem k němu na plošinu a dal jsem se s ním do hovoru, že jsme oba z Dražova. On se ale na mne rozkřik, abych ho neobtěžoval, že prý mne nezná. Já jsem mu to začal vysvětlovat, aby se jen upamatoval, že jsem jako malej hoch k němu chodil s matkou, která se jmenovala Antonie, otec že se jmenoval Prokop a byl šafářem.
Doctor Heveroch, Antonínnn flag
*29.1.1869 Minice - †2.3.1927 Praha
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heveroch.jpg

Heveroch was mentioned in a story by one of Švejk's fellow detainees who had gone to a lecture by Heveroch to learn to fake madness. He drank from the ink pot and performed his bodily needs in front of the legal commission. The only mistake he made was to bite a psychiatrist in the right foot, a procedure which was not described by Dr. Heveroch. One of the doctors of the commission that examined Švejk was a follower of Dr. Heveroch's psychiatric teaching.

Background

Heveroch was a notable Czech psychiatrist and neurologist who was, amongst other things, known for his studies on dyslexia and epilepsy. His book „O podivínech a lidech nápadných“ (On Freaks and Striking People) (1901) was according to František Langer amongsts Jaroslav Hašek's favourites.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.3] „Já těm soudním lékařům nic nevěřím,“ poznamenal muž inteligentního vzezření. „Když jsem jednou padělal směnky, pro všechen případ chodil jsem na přednášky k doktoru Heverochovi, a když mě chytili, simuloval jsem paralytika právě tak, jak ho vyličoval pan doktor Heveroch.
Literature
Rittmeister Rotter, Theodor Franz Adalbertnn flag
*28.3.1873 Krumlov - †1944 ?
Wikipedia cz Search Švejkův slovník
rotter.png

Rotter in the middle.

Svět zvířat,15.9.1909

rotter_psu.png

Za císáře pána,Michal Dlouhý

rotter2.png

Schematismus der k. k. Landwehr und der k. k. Gendarmerie,1910

Rotter is mentioned 4 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Rotter was a well known police chief in Kladno who trained his dogs by experimenting with them on tramps in the district. This is according to a story Švejk tells his fellow prisoners at c.k. zemský co trestní soud.

The policeman is mentioned again in [II.2] during Švejk's wanderings around Písek. This story is almost identical, but is now told by a tramp.

Background

Rotter was a renowned dog breeder and policeman, stationed in Kladno in 1909 and 1910. During his period of service here he became the first ever to introduce police dogs in k.k. Gendarmerie.

Career

Rotter was born in 1873 in Krumlov with Heimatrecht Budějovice [a], son of brewmaster Theodor Rotter and Rosalie. In his younger years he served as an active (professional) officer in k.u.k. Heer, first as a cadet in Infanterieregiment Nr. 11 (Písek) from 1 September 1893 until 1895[d]. He was then promoted to Leutnant on 1 May 1895 and this year he was also transferred to Infanterieregiment Nr. 56 (Kraków). In 1901 he left the army and continued his career in the police[f].

He carried the rank lieutenant into the police and was promoted to Oberleutnant on 1 November 1902. First he led the gendarmerie in Trutnov until 1906 when he was posted to Chomutov. In 1909 he was subsequently transferred to Kladno where he 1 November 1909 was promoted to Rittmeister. It was during his term in Kladno that his name was first noticed in connection with police dogs [g] and he was at time mentioned in the newspapers several times.

His stay in Kladno was brief because already in 1910 his career path continued to Písek where he became commander of Gendarmerieabteilungskommando Nr. 14, an assignment that lasted at least until 1916. The census records reveal that he was registered on 16 August 1910, lived at the department station in Pražská ulice č.p. 261 with his wife Hedwiga and 5 year old son Franz[j]. Here they had a flat at their disposal where also a servant and a female cook lived. He reported Czech as his mother tongue whereas his wife and his son reported German. In 1911 Rotter published the booklet Anleitung zur Dressur von Polizeihunden. Towards the end of the war he was stationed in Djakova in occupied Montenegro as Bezirkskommandant. He was promoted to Oberstleutnant on 1 August 1918[e].

Hašek and Rotter
wolfin.jpg

Svět zvířat,1.11.1909

In 1909, when he was still Oberleutnant at k.k. Gendarmerie in Kladno, Rotter bought two German Shepherds from Saarbrücken, where he had been on a course the previous year. He trained the dogs Wolf and Wölfin for service purposes and in Svět zvířat appeared a picture of the latter "catching" a runaway. The magazine also printed a couple of photos with Rotter present, and in 1910 he also wrote some articles for them, signed T. R.

Jaroslav Hašek knew Rotter personally from his time as editor of Svět zvířat and in 1909 the magazine printed a photo of Rotter together with his dogs. The animals feature on several more photos in this publication throughout the year.

Hašek seems to have kept in touch with Rotter because Josef Lada wrote that he and Hašek on 28 June 1914 visited Rotter in Kladno[b]. This does however seem strange, considering that Rotter had moved to Písek already in 1910.

Czechoslovakia

Rotter continued in the police in Czechoslovakia after the war and newspaper articles reveal that he was promoted to plukovník (Colonel) and was still considered a prominent dog expert. Otherwise it is not known where he lived. In 1939 it was revealed that he had retired[h], he was by now 67.

In his advanced years he wrote several books on dog breeding, the latest of which was published in 1938.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.3] Taky vám dám příklad, jak se na Kladně zmejlil jeden policejní pes, vlčák toho známého rytmistra Rottera. Rytmistr Rotter pěstoval ty psy a dělal pokusy s vandráky, až se Kladensku počali všichni vandráci vyhejbat.
[II.2] "....Jó, dneska mají právo četníci." "Voní ho měli i dřív," ozval se vandrák, "já pamatuju, že na Kladně bejval četnickým rytmistrem nějakej pan Rotter. Von vám najednou začal pěstovat tyhlety, jak jim říkají, policejní psy tý vlčí povahy, že všechno vyslídějí, když jsou vyučení. A měl ten pan rytmistr na Kladně těch svejch psích učeníků plnou prdel...."

Sources: Petr Netopil, Josef Lada, Michal Dlouhý, Radko Pytlík

Literature
References
aMatrikaSOkA Český Krumlov
bToulavé houseRadko Pytlík1971
cSchematismus der k.k. Land­wehr (s. 548)Ministerium für Landesverteidigung1911
dSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 349)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1894
eVerordnungsblatt für die kaiserlich-königliche LandwehrK.k. Ministerium für Landesverteidigung13.8.1918
fVerordnungsblatt für die kaiserlich-königliche GendarmerieK.k. Ministerium für Landesverteidigung26.10.1901
gPolizeihunde für die Gendarmerie in BöhmenArbeiterwille18.8.1909
hMinistr vnitra generál Josef Ježek v jižních Čechách.Jihočeské listy5.8.1939
iKladenský rytmistrMichal Dlouhý
jSčitání lidu 1910SOkA Písek
Wölfinnn flag
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wolfin.jpg

Svět zvířat,1.11.1909

Wölfin (Vlčka) was most probably the name of the police dog that is mentioned in connection with Rittmeister Rotter's experiments in Kladno where he lets police dogs chase tramps. In the novel the dog is referred to as a police dog and wolf-dog.

Background

Wölfin was a female police dog that Rittmeister Rotter reportedly brought in from Saarbrücken together with the male Wolf in 1909. It was probably one of those dogs Švejk had in mind when he told his anecdote. The author knew Rotter well and had surely been aware of and seen both dogs.

Wölfin was moreover bred at the kennel of Václav Fuchs a Klamovka, next to the villa where Svět zvířat had their editorial offices and where Jaroslav Hašek worked as an editor. He would therefore have known the female dog well and in an article in the magazine 1 November 1909 it is stated that her training took place here at Klamovka.

On 16 Oktober 1909 Rittmeister Rotter showed off the skills of Wölfin and a Doberman Pinscher called Petar on the premises of c.k. policejní ředitelství. The whole leadership of police HQ was present, amongst them Polizeikommissar Drašner and Ladislav Adamička (the brother of Josef Adamička). The article also states that Wölfin was bought from the kennel at Klamovka earlier in the year.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.3] Taky vám dám příklad, jak se na Kladně zmejlil jeden policejní pes, vlčák toho známého rytmistra Rottera. Rytmistr Rotter pěstoval ty psy a dělal pokusy s vandráky, až se Kladensku počali všichni vandráci vyhejbat.

Sources: Petr Netopil, Michal Dlouhý

Literature
Doctor Kallersonnn flag
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Hůla is of the opinion that Hašek invented the names Kallerson and Weiking

Kallerson is mentioned together with the psychiatrists Doctor Heveroch and Doctor Weiking as someone who had founded a school within the discipline.

Background

Kallerson was according to The Good Soldier Švejk a psychiatrist but there is no information available apart from what is stated in the novel. Břetislav Hůla assumed that the name is an invention as he was unable to verify the existence of any well known psychiatrist Kallerson.

If the psychiatrist isn't invented it is probably a case of a distorted name. In one of Hašek's stories a Karl Larsson features, a name that is phonetically similar. This person was however not a psychiatrist, he was head of the Czechoslovak Salvation Army[a].

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.3] Věc byla úplně jasnou. Spontánním projevem Švejkovým odpadla celá řada otázek a zůstaly jen některé nejdůležitější, aby s odpovědí potvrzeno bylo prvé mínění o Švejkovi na základě systému doktora psychiatrie Kallersona, doktora Heverocha i Angličana Weikinga.
References
aZápas z Armádou spasyJaroslav Hašek1921
Doctor Weikingnn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
kallerson.png

Hůla is of the opinion that Hašek invented the names Kallerson and Weiking

Weiking is an Englishman mentioned together with the psychiatrists Doctor Heveroch and Doctor Kallerson. He had allegedly founded a certain school within the discipline of psychiatry.

Background

Weiking is supposed to have been an English psychiatrist but there is no information available apart from what is stated in The Good Soldier Švejk. The name doesn't sound partucularly English. Břetislav Hůla assumes that the names Doctor Kallerson and Weiking are inventions. Alternatively it is a distortion of the name of a real psychologist.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.3] Věc byla úplně jasnou. Spontánním projevem Švejkovým odpadla celá řada otázek a zůstaly jen některé nejdůležitější, aby s odpovědí potvrzeno bylo prvé mínění o Švejkovi na základě systému doktora psychiatrie Kallersona, doktora Heverocha i Angličana Weikinga.
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

4. They threw Švejk out of the madhouse

Virgin Marynn flag
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maria.jpg

Icon of Mary in Vladimir, Russia

Virgin Mary is mentioned 33 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Virgin Mary was someone the inmates of the lunatic asylum could pretend to be. Otherwise she is already mentioned through the common Czech expression Ježíšmarjá. This is exclaimed by Švejk already in the first dialogue of the novel, when he hears the news about the assassination of Sarajevo and repeats itself 15 times. Her name is directly invoked several times, as both Marie and Maria.

Background

Virgin Mary was the mother of Christ and the principal saint of the Catholic Church. In the New Testament she is featured in the gospels and in the deeds of the Apostles. At the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in 431, the Council Fathers bestowed here the title Theotokos, 'Mother of God'. The Quran portrays here as selected by God above all women in the world; she is mentioned in seven chapters in the Quran, one of them with her name as the title. She features in numerous works of art, where she is usually just called 'Madonna' - 'Our Lady'.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.4] Člověk se tam může vydávat za pánaboha nebo za panenku Marii, nebo za papeže, nebo za anglickýho krále, nebo za císaře pána, nebo za sv. Václava, ačkoliv ten poslední byl pořád svázanej a nahej a ležel v isolaci.
[II.4] Tak například na otázku, proč se nepřizná, odpověděl dle protokolu: "Já jsem zrovna v takový situaci, jako se voctnul jednou kvůli néjakejm obrazům Panny Marie sluha akademického malíře Panušky.

Also written:Panenka Marie Hašek Panna Maria cz Jungfrau Maria de

The Popenn flag
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paven.jpg

Pius X, Wiener Bilder, 23.8.1914

Wiener Bilder,23.8.1914

The Pope was one of the persons the inmates of the lunatic asylum could pretend to be.

Background

The Pope is bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church, based in the Vatican. Pope from 1904 until 20 August 1914 was Pius X, who was succeeded by Benedict XV. Hence Pius still occupied the seat at the time Švejk was in the asylum (July 1914).

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.4] Člověk se tam může vydávat za pánaboha nebo za panenku Marii, nebo za papeže, nebo za anglickýho krále, nebo za císaře pána, nebo za sv. Václava, ačkoliv ten poslední byl pořád svázanej a nahej a ležel v isolaci.

Also written:Papež cz Der Pabst de

Literature
King of Englandnn flag
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
george5.jpg

George V before the war

King of England was as one of the persons the patients at the lunatic asylum could pretend to be, and that without repercussions.

Background

seems to refer more to the king as a title and is not necessarily a reference to George V who was king of Great Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth from 1910 to 1936. The title king of England hadn't formally existed since 1707, but then as now it was common to interchange the terms England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

King George belonged to the House of Saxe-Coburg, a noble family originating from Germany. He was cousin of both Kaiser Wilhelm II. and Tsar Nicholas II. He bore considerable physical resemblance to the Russian tsar. In 1917 the Royal House was renamed House of Windsor, one of several examples of politically motivated name changes during World War I.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.4] Člověk se tam může vydávat za pánaboha nebo za panenku Marii, nebo za papeže, nebo za anglickýho krále, nebo za císaře pána, nebo za sv. Václava, ačkoliv ten poslední byl pořád svázanej a nahej a ležel v isolaci.

Also written:Anglický král cz Kongen av England nn

Literature
Saint Wenceslausnn flag
*907 Praha - †28.9.35 Stará Boleslav
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stvaclav.jpg

Saint Wenceslaus is mentioned during Švejk's staty at Blazinec (the madhouse) when the author lists various persons or objects the inmates pretended to be.

He reappears in the anecdote about the chamberpot in Poděbrady which was claimed to be the helmet of Saint Wenceslaus.

Background

Saint Wenceslaus was prince (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 until his death. He was murdered by his brother Bohuslav, was canonised after his death and was eventually to become the Czech patron saint. Wenceslaus is still the patron saint of the Czech people and Czechia. His feast day is 28 September and is also a Czech national holiday.

Václavské náměstí is named after him and in 1912 a big equestrian statue of him was unveiled at the southern end of the street, in front of Museum. Václav is still today one of the most common Czech male names.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.4] A von mu ten jeho kamarád napsal takovej fejton vo takovým jednom sběrateli, jak našel v písku na břehu Labe starej nočník plechovej a myslel, že to přilbice svatýho Václava, a udělal s tím takovej rozruch, že se tam na to přijel podívat biskup Brynych z Hradce s procesím a s korouhvema.
[III.3] A von mu ten jeho kamarád napsal takovej fejton vo takovým jednom sběrateli, jak našel v písku na břehu Labe starej nočník plechovej a myslel, že to přilbice svatýho Václava, a udělal s tím takovej rozruch, že se tam na to přijel podívat biskup Brynych z Hradce s procesím a s korouhvema.

Also written:Svatý Václav cz Heiliger Wenzel de

Archbishopnn flag
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arcibiskup.jpg

Lev Skrbenský z Hříště, Zlatá Praha, 1899

Archbishop is referred to when one of the patients at Blázinec claims that he is archbishop. In [I.9] he is mentioned again because he received Feldkurat Katz and seemingly supported the latter in his attempt to join the priest's seminary. See Seminář.

Background

may arguably refer to the Roman-catholic archbishop of Prague although the text doesn't indicate any particular archbishop, and is rather used as a generic term. In [I.9] there is however no doubt that the author writes about the archbishop of Prague.

In office at the time was Lev Skrbenský z Hříště (1863-1938) who held the seat from 1899 to 1916. He was a Czech cleric and nobleman who before becoming archbishop had served for 10 years as field chaplain in k.u.k. Heer.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.4] Byl tam taky jeden, kterej křičel, že je arcibiskupem, ale ten nic jiného nedělal, než jen žral a ještě něco dělal, s odpuštěním, víte, jak se to může rýmovat, ale tam se žádnej za to nestydí. Jeden se tam dokonce vydával za svatýho Cyrila a Metoděje, aby dostával dvě porce.

Also written:Arcibiskup cz Erzbischof de Erkebiskopen nn

Literature
Saint Cyrilnn flag
*827 Solun (Thessaloniki) - †869 Roma
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kyrillos.jpg

Cyril in Olomouc

Saint Cyril was mentioned when Švejk told about his stay in the lunatic asylum. One of the inmates claimed to be Saints Cyril and Methodius in order to get two portions.

Background

Saint Cyril was a Greek missionary, later to become a saint, who together with his brother Methodius startet the christianisation of the Slavic peoples. The Cyrillic alphabet is named after him. During his lifetime he was known as Constantin.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.4] Jeden se tam dokonce vydával za svatýho Cyrila a Metoděje, aby dostával dvě porce.

Also written:Svatý Cyril cz Sankt Kyrill de

Saint Methodiusnn flag
*815 Solun (Thessaloniki) - †6.4.885 Mähren
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
methodios.jpg

Methodius in Olomouc

Saint Methodius was mentioned when Švejk told about his stay in the lunatic asylum. One of the inmates claimed to be Saints Cyril and Methodius in order to get two portions.

Background

Saint Methodius was a Greek missionary, later to become a saint, who together with his younger brother Cyril startet the christianisation of the Slavic peoples. During his lifetime he was known as Michael. The two brothers are often referred to as the "Apostles to the Slavs". They translated the Bible to what is now called Old Church Slavonic.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.4] Jeden se tam dokonce vydával za svatýho Cyrila a Metoděje, aby dostával dvě porce.

Also written:Svatý Metoděj cz Sankt Method de

Publisher Otto, Jannn flag
*8.11.1841 Přibyslav - †29.5.1916 Praha
Wikipedia czdeen Search Švejkův slovník
otto.jpg

Otto was indirectly mentioned in connection with the mental patient who claimed to be the 16th part of Otto's Encyclopaedia.

Background

Otto was a Czech publisher best known for publishing Ottův slovník naučný. He also published literature, text books and magazines. Amongst the latter were Zlatá Praha and Světozor which Jaroslav Hašek contributed to. The head office of the publishing house J. Otto was located at Karlovo náměstí No. 34 and they also had a branch office in Vienna.

Otto's son studied at Obchodní akademie at the same time as Jaroslav Hašek (1899-1902). Otto also ran a foundation to support poor students at the academy.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.4] Nejzuřivější byl jeden pán, kerej se vydával za 16. díl Ottova slovníku naučného a každého prosil, aby ho otevřel a našel heslo ,Kartonážní šička’, jinak že je ztracenej.

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Marek Šimoňák

Literature
General Windischgrätznn flag
*11.5.1787 Brussel - †21.3.1862 Wien
Wikipedia czdeensv Search Švejkův slovník
windischgraetz.jpg

Alfred Füsrt zu Windisch-Graetz

wind_hula.png

Břetislav Hůla, 1951

© LA-PNP

wind_dead.png

Oberst Fürst Windischgrätz, commander of IR. 35 reported dead, 24 June 1859

Oesterreichischer Soldatenfreund,2.7.1859

Windischgrätz is first only referred to as a song which Švejk mentions when one of the court doctors asks him which songs he knows.

In [I.7] he sings parts of the song in bed, stricken by rheumatism and fortified by patriotic fervour, just before he is carted off to war in a wheelchair by Mrs. Müllerová.

Background

Windischgrätz and who the song refers to is somewhat unclear. It has long been believed that the person in question was general Alfred I. Fürst zu Windisch-Graetz (ref. Břetislav Hůla, 1951). He was a famous commander who brutally suppressed the revolutions of 1848, both in Prague and Vienna.

The song in question however refers to events during the second Italian war of independence in 1859, and on this occasion the old field marshal was not involved. On the other hand, his nephew and son-in-law was on duty: Karl Vinzenz (1821-1859), colonel and commander of Infanterieregiment Nr. 35 (Pilsen), and he even fell at Solferino 25 June 1859. On 18 July his body was brought back to Prague, and the event received extensive press coverage.

Conflicting notes

The latest German translation of The Good Soldier Švejk (Antonín Brousek, Reclam Verlag, 2014) provides extensive Anmerkungen (annotations). Both persons are mentioned, but at the first occurrence of the name it claims that Alfred I. is the person in question. On the next mention it is Karl Vinzenz, despite the indisputable fact that Švejk refers to the same song on both occasions. Only a thorough investigation of the etymology behind the song may shed proper light on these contradictions.

The song in question is also quoted in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí and in a context that is very similar[a].

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.4] A také to dál neumím,“ vzdychl Švejk. „Znám ještě první sloku z ,Kde domov můj’ a potom ,Jenerál Windischgrätz a vojenští páni od východu slunce vojnu započali’ a ještě pár takových národních písniček jako ,Zachovej nám, Hospodine’ a ,Když jsme táhli k Jaroměři’ a ,Tisíckrát pozdravujeme Tebe’...“
[I.7] Jenerál Windischgrätz a vojenští páni od východu slunce vojnu započali, hop, hop, hop!

Vojnu započali, takto jsou zvolali: „Pomoz nám Kristus pán s panenkou Marií, hop, hop, hop!“

Sources: Antonín Brousek, Militär-Zeitung

Literature
References
aDobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

5. Švejk at the district police station in Salmova street

Inspektor Braunnn flag
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fahoun.png

Police report, 5 January 1909

Braun was a sadistic inspector at Salmova ulice police station. The author compared him to Emperor Nero. His abrupt order when Švejk entered was: "put him behind bars!".

Background

If Braun was inspired any particular person it was most likely Karel Fahoun who was chief inspector at Policejní komisařství Salmova ulice at least from 1906 until 1910. From 1903 to 1912 Jaroslav Hašek was repeatedly in touch with this police station due to public order offences and Fahoun signed documents that directly implicated the author. Fahoun had moved on to Vinohrady by 1911, and in 1917 he had become head of c.k. policejní ředitelství.

It has also been claimed that the police inspector and the author were personal friends, but this is categorically refuted by Břetislav Hůla. It is easy to imagine that Hašek's many appearances at this police station served as inspiration for Švejk's stay there, albeit displaced in time. There is no known records that connect the author with this police station after outbreak of war.

Another possible inspiration is the policeman Friedrich Brauner who held a similar post at the police station in Nusle. Jaroslav Hašek also knew this district, not the least from his time in the Anarchist movment. There is however no record of him having been detained here.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.5] Po krásných slunných dnech v blázinci přišly na Švejka hodiny plné pronásledování. Policejní inspektor Braun aranžoval scénu setkání se Švejkem s krutostí římských pochopů doby roztomilého císaře Nerona. Tvrdě, jako tenkrát, když oni říkali: „Hoďte toho lumpa křesťana lvům,“ řekl inspektor Braun: „Dejte ho za katr!“ Ani o slovíčko více, ani méně. Jenom oči pana policejního inspektora Brauna zasvítily přitom zvláštní, perversní rozkoší.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

Emperor Neronn flag
*15.12.37 Antium (no Anzio) - †9.6.68 Roma
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nero.jpg

Nero is mentioned when the author compares him unfavourably with police inspector Inspektor Braun.

Background

Nero was Roman emperor from 54 AD. The chronicles portray Nero as a tyrant and libertarian and he is known as the Emperor who "played while Rome was on fire", and an early persecutor of Christians. These stories originate from Tacitus, Svetonius and Cassius Dio. But other contemporary sources claim that Nero really was very popular in his lifetime. The first part of his time as Emperor was characterized by stability and prosperity, much thanks to his advisers, amongst them the philosopher Seneca. But Nero initiate many expensive building projects which eventually led to an economic crisis.

In 66 AD Nero added the title of "Imperator" to his name. The empire experienced insurgencies because of the economic problems. After the people had rebelled in 68 AD he was deposed by the senate. Nero though that the Senate would execute him, so he took his own life.

As Emperor he used the official name Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, but was born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.5] Policejní inspektor Braun aranžoval scénu setkání se Švejkem s krutostí římských pochopů doby roztomilého císaře Nerona. Tvrdě, jako tenkrát, když oni říkali: „Hoďte toho lumpa křesťana lvům,“ řekl inspektor Braun: „Dejte ho za katr!“

Sources: Wikipedia

Also written:Neron Hašek Nerone it

Mareček, Josefnn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
marecek.png

Josef Mareček was a merchant from Vršovice who had been in Švejk's cell at Salmova ulice police station the previous year. He had written his name, the date of 5 June 1913, and his profession on the cell wall. Nothing more is revealed about him.

Background

Josef Mareček may have borrowed the name (or more) from a real person, although the facts about the people listed in the address book from 1910 do not quite correspond to the information about the man who wrote on the cell wall. Of the five Marečeks listed in the address book a grocery merchant from Vinohrady seems the likeliest candidate.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.5] Jiný opět prostě konstatoval fakt: „Seděl jsem zde 5. června 1913 a bylo se mnou slušně zacházeno. Josef Mareček, obchodník s Vršovic.“
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

6. Švejk at home again, having broken through the vicious circle

The Devilnn flag
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devil.jpg

© Josef Lada

The Devil is mentioned 42 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

The Devil name is first invoked when the interrogator at c.k. policejní ředitelství gets uptight about Švejks reassurance that his exclamation: "Long live the Emperor, we'll win this war!" was not meant ironically. His name occurs repeatedly, mostly in the form of Czech and German swear words.

Background

The Devil is a mythological figure in numerous religions; symbolising evil. Alternative names are Satan, Lucifer, Mephistopheles and Beelzebub. In monotheist religions, the Devil is generally considered the opposite of God. He presides in Hell as opposed to God who rules in Heaven. The Devil has a bad name, he is invoked whenever one seeks to convey a negative association, typically uttered through so-called swearwords. As a symbolical expression, the word devil through it's many variations, may be one of the most used ever.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.6] Vem vás čert, Švejku,“ řekla nakonec úřední brada, „jestli se sem ještě jednou dostanete,tak se vás vůbec nebudu na nic ptát a poputujete přímo k vojenskému soudu na Hradčany. Rozuměl jste?
[I.14.6] Zatímco Švejk koupal Maxa, plukovník, bývalý jeho majitel, strašně doma láteřil a vyhrožoval, že postaví toho, kdo mu psa ukradl, před válečný soud, že ho dá zastřelit, pověsit, zavřít na dvacet let a rozsekat. „Der Teufel soll den Kerl buserieren,“ ozývalo se v bytě plukovníka, až se třásla okna, „mit solchem Meuchelmördern werde ich bald fertig.“

Also written:Čert cz Der Teufel de

Čimperann flag
Search Švejkova cesta Švejkův slovník
cimpera.png

"Encyklopedie pro milovníky Švejka". Milan Hodík

Čimpera owned a piece of land in Straškov no.5 that he advertised for sale in a newspaper found at U kalicha. Švejk read the advert out loud to demonstrate his total lack of interest in the attention of detective Bretschneider who again sought to trap him.

Background

A Václav Čimpera actually lived in Straškov no. 5 in 1910 . This is information from Encyklopedie pro milovníky Švejka, II., Hodík a Landa, 1999. The document is from 22 February 1910. It is not known why (or whether) Čimpera later sold the property.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.6] Švejk sňal s věšáku nějaké noviny a prohlížeje si zadní stranu inserátů, ozval se: „Tak vida, tenhle Čimpera v Straškově č. 5, p. Račiněves, prodá hospodářství s třinácti korci vlastních polí, škola a dráha na místě.“ Bretschneider nervosně zabubnoval prsty a obraceje se k Švejkovi řekl: „To se divím, proč vás to hospodářství zajímá, pane Švejku.“

Sources: Milan Hodík, Jaroslav Šerák

Miss Mařenann flag
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Mařena was a woman who the porter at the nigh café Mimosa had brought home. This happened when Švejk got back from his time in custody and discovered that Mrs. Müllerová had rented his room out, and that in his bed slept the night porter and the mentioned woman. Mařenay contributed to the novel with a single utterance when she dressed down Švejk with the select words: "you son of an Archbishop!"

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.6] „Já jsem chtěl spát do osmi večer,“ zaraženě ozval se portýr, navlékaje kalhoty, „já platím denně z postele dvě koruny té paní a můžu si sem vodit slečny z kavárny. Mařeno, vstávej!“
Detective Kalousnn flag
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kalous.png

Kalous was police agent who, like detective Bretschneider, bought dogs from Švejk in order to lure something compromising out of him. He got nowhere and soon disappeared from the plot.

Background

The detective may have been inspired by Josef Kalous, a policeman in Nusle who is listed in the address book of 1910.

In 1913 Karikatury printed a story by Jaroslav Hašek called The detective Mr. Kalous[a]. It was signed Richard Mayer, one of the many pseudonyms that Hašek used.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.6] Pak tam šel koupit psa detektiv Kalous a vrátil se s vyjevenou potvorou, připomínající hyenu skvrnitou, s hřívou škotského ovčáka, a v položkách tajného fondu přibyla nová: D...90 K.
Literature
References
aPan Kalous detektivemKarikaturyRichard Mayer10.3.1913
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

7. Švejk goes in the military

Doctor Páveknn flag
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pavek.png

Doctors in 1910

Pávek was a medical doctor from Vinohrady who prescribed Švejk bromium against his rheumatism, belligerance and exaggerated patriotism.

Background

The address book of Prague (1910) does not show up any doktor Pávek. This also goes for the address book of Vinohrady (1912).

The surname Pávek also shows up in the story How Mr. Cetlička voted from 1913, but here there is no question of a doctor.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] A tak byl probuzen obtloustlým pánem, který mu chvíli držel ruku na čele a říkal: „Nebojte se, já jsem doktor Pávek z Vinohrad - ukažte ruku - tenhle teploměr si dejte pod paždí... Tak - ukažte jazyk - ještě víc - držte jazyk - na co zemřel váš pan otec a vaše matka?“ A tak v době, kdy Vídeň si přála, aby všichni národové Rakousko-Uherska dávali nejskvělejší příklady věrnosti a oddanosti, předepsal doktor Pávek Švejkovi proti jeho vlasteneckému nadšení brom a doporučoval statečnému a hodnému vojínu Švejkovi, aby nemyslil na vojnu.
Literature
Mucius Scaevolann flag
Wikipedia deenlano Search
scaevola.jpg

Scaevola and king Porsena by Bernardo Cavellino

scaevola.png

Die Neue Zeitung,13.6.1915

Mucius Scaevola is mentioned in an article in Pražské úřední novinty and compared to Švejk in the news about the incident where Švejk gets pushed off to the draft commission in a wheel-chair. The headline reads: "The patriotism of a cripple".

Background

Mucius Scaevola was a known figure from ancient Rome who through his bravery is supposed to have saved the city during the Ethruschian siege of 508 BC. He was send to the enemy's camp to murder king Porsena but was captured. To show the king how little physical sufferings meant to a Roman soldier he held his hand in the fire without showing any signs of pain. The king released Mucius and offered peace. It has not be established if this story has a factual background but is in any cased based on the writing of Roman historian Titus Livius.

Symbol in stories of war heroism

Mucius and his burnt hand often appears as symbolism in stories about heroic deeds that the press of the Dual Monarchy printed during the war, particularly during the summer of 1915. References can also be found in the Czech press, even before the war. Amongst the papers who printed these stories in 1915 were Neue Freie Presse and Pester Lloyd. One such story appeared in June 1915 and was printed in several newspapers, including Pester Lloyd. It refers to an attack on Italian coastal defences by Porto Corsini on 24 May 1915, led by admiral Miklos Horthy. The admiral is better known as the inter-war and World War II Hungarian dictator who led his country to war as an allied of Nazi Germany.

Reuse of themes

Many themes from the novel have earlier appeared in short stories by Jaroslav Hašek, so also Mucius: Jak se Baluška naučil lhát (How Baluška learned to lie), first printed in Právo lidu, Dělnická besídka, 2 March 1913.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] O celé této události objevil se v „Pražských úředních novinách“ tento článek:
[I.7] Vlastenectví mrzáka: Včera dopoledne byli chodci na hlavních pražských třídách svědky scény, která krásně mluví o tom, že v této veliké a vážné době i synové našeho národa mohou dáti nejskvělejší příklady věrnosti a oddanosti k trůnu stařičkého mocnáře. Zdá se nám, že se vrátily doby starých Řeků a Římanů, kdy Mucius Scaevola dal se odvésti do boje, nedbaje své upálené ruky.
Literature
Lynch, Williamnn flag
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
lynch.png

Dunkle Geschichten aus dem Alten Österreich

Lynch is mentioned indirectly by the term "lycnhing". It is Prager Tagblatt who report that Czech agents of the Entente tried to lynch the cripple Švejk as he was wheeled to Odvodní komise in a wheelchair. The brave cripple was protected by Germans.

Background

Lynch (Charles or William) are both the probable candidates for the etymological origin of the term "lynching". Both lived in the 18th century, were judges and the circumstance was the American war of independence (1776-1783). In the US the term was later mostly used in connection with abuses directed against blacks. Austrian newspapers used the term "Lynchjustiz" already before 1840, mostly in connection with cases in the US (but not exclusively there).

It has not been possible to find anything in Prager Tagblatt that relates to the quote from the novel and fatal lynching was unusual amongst civilians in Austria-Hungary, even during the war. Arbitrary justice was however widespread at the front. It was used against both the enemy population and own subjects who were suspected of co-operating with the enemy. The victims were mostly Ukrainians and South Slavs.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Ve stejném smyslu psal i Prager Tagblatt, který končil. svůj článek slovy, že mrzáka dobrovolce vyprovázel zástup Němců, kteří ho svými těly chránili před lynčováním ze strany českých agentů známé Dohody.
Doctor Bautzenn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
bautze.jpg
halbhuber1.png

Jaroslav R. Veselý, Květy, 7.9.1968

halbhuber2.png

Pester Lloyd,24.10.1914

Bautze was head officer at the medical examination board at Střelecký ostrov. He exposed all malingerers in the most efficient and ruthless manner. He is the man behind one of the most famous quotes from Švejk: Das ganze tschechische Volk ist eine Simulantenbande (the whole Czech nation is a pack of malingerers). Švejk suffered the same fate as the other 11,000 malingerers Bautze had smoked out during his ten weeks in service.

Background

Bautze has no obvious model but we know with near certainty that Jaroslav Hašek in mid December 1914 appeared before the Landsturm draft commission at Střelecký ostrov. He would have known who examined him, and might have borrowed traits for his literary figure from this person. Still no dr. Bautze is found in the address books of Prague from the years before the war.

In an article in Květy from 7 September 1968 Jaroslav R. Veselý claimed that some Dr. Halbhuber examined Josef Švejk at Střelecký ostrov, and his claim at first sight seems worth investigating. Dr. Franz Halbhuber was indeed an army doctor and by all accounts extremely cruel to the soldiers who were unlucky enough to get within his reach. He sent hundreds of ill and crippled soldiers back to the front and was also known as a German chauvinist, all this making him very unpopular amongst the Czech population.

There are however many reasons to doubt the veracity of Veselý's account. Halbhuber served in Prague only from late 1916 to 1918. He was "Oberstabsarzt" at Vojenská nemocnice na Karlově náměstí, and before that he had been in the same function in Košice and Litoměřice. That he was involved with the Landsturm draft commission (see Odvodní komise) in 1914 as Veselý claims, is difficult to believe, particularly in view of a news item from Pester Lloyd 24 Oktober 1914 that says Halbhuber at the time, in Košice, was receiving a delegation led by Hungarian prime minister Count Tisza. October 1914 was precisely when Josef Švejk and others who were born in 1892 would have appeared before the commission (Josef was by all accounts to appear on the 20th, that is if the story about him being "superarbitrated" is true at all ...). Some temporary assignment can obviously not be ruled out, but for this to be verified, Halbhuber's military records would need to be consulted.

Still it is quite possible that Halbhuber and other brutal medics may have inspired the author to create the characters Bautze and Doctor Grünstein. Halbhuber had a number of similarities with both of them, for instance treating seriously ill people as malingerers and sending them to the front. In addition he was notoriously infamous so Hašek surely knew about him.

Halbhuber's predecessor as "Oberstabsarzt", MUDr. Jaromír Pečírka, may be the person who examined Hašek at Střelecký ostrov in 1914, or at least led the draft commission. But that he in any way served as model for those very German medics appears improbable. Pečírka was Czech and his obituary contradicts any suggestion that he in any way had anything in common with the two obnoxious doctors that Švejk encountered.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Zejména ne vrchní vojenský lékař Bautze. Byl to muž neúprosný, který ve všem viděl podvodný pokus uniknout vojně, frontě, kulce a šrapnelům. Známý jest jeho výrok: „Das ganze tschechische Volk ist eine Simulantenbande.“ Za deset týdnů své činnosti vymýtil z 11.000 civilistů 10.999 simulantů a byl by se dostal na kobylku i tomu jedenáctitisícímu, kdyby nebyla toho šťastného člověka právě v tom okamžiku, když na něho zařval „Kehrt euch!“ ranila mrtvice. „Odneste toho simulanta,“ řekl Bautze, když zjistil, že je muž mrtev.
Literature
Marschall Radetzky, Johann Joseph Wenzelnn flag
*2.11.1776 Třebnice - †5.1.1858 Milano
Wikipedia czdeenno Search Švejkova cesta Švejkův slovník
radecky.jpg

Radetzky, 1857

radetzky_tot.png

Bohemia, 6.1.1858

radecky1.jpg
radetzky_1919.png

Národní listy,23.4.1919

Radetzky is mentioned 13 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Radetzky is mentioned when Švejk is led past a statue of him on the way to the garrison prison at Hradčany. Švejk obviously honoured him by saluting.

Radetzky is mentioned several times later in the novel. He appears in the article that deputy Barabás wrote in Pester Lloyd and claims centre stage during the field mass that Feldoberkurat Ibl serves in Királyhida before the march battalion's departure to the front.

The Radetzky march is mentioned directly in [IV.1] Dobromil where the not very sober interrogator/interpreter hums it but adds his own lyrics.

Background

Radetzky was a famous Czech nobleman and Austrian field marshal. He was Austria's most prominent commander in the first half of the 19th century and distinguished himself during the war in Italy in 1848/49 where his armies emerged victorious in the battles of Custoza, Santa Lucia and Novara. He served in Austria's army for 72 years, under five emperors, participated in 17 field operations, and was decorated 146 times.

In 1848 Johann Strauss the Elder composed the famous Radetzky march which even today is played at the end of the Vienna New Year Concerts.

The statue

The statue that is mentioned in the novel stood at Malostranské náměstí in and was removed in 1919. It is now stored in the Lapidárium in Holešovice, a subsidiary of the National Museum.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Bajonety svítily v záři slunce a na Malé Straně obrátil se Švejk před pomníkem Radeckého k zástupu, který je vyprovázel: „Na Bělehrad! Na Bělehrad!“ A maršálek Radecký snivě se díval ze svého pomníku za vzdalujícím se dobrým vojákem Švejkem s rekrutskou kytkou na kabátě, kulhajícím na starých berlích, zatímco sděloval nějaký vážný pán lidem kolem, že vedou desentéra.
[II.4] ... o čemž svědčí celá řada vynikajících českých vojevůdců, z nichž vzpomínáme slavné postavy maršálka Radeckého a jiných obranců rakousko-uherského mocnářství.

Also written:Radecký cz

Literature
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

8. Švejk as a malingerer

Bruno, Giordanonn flag
*1548 Nola - †17.2.1600 Roma
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bruno.jpg

Giordano Bruno is mentioned by a prisoner at Vojenská nemocnice Hradčany who attempts to feign insanity by yelling day and night: "Giordano Bruno's fire is still smouldering, renew the process against Galileo!"

Background

Giordano Bruno was an Italian astronomer and philosopher who was burned as a heretic in 1600. Finally, in the year 2000 the Papal Cultural Council and a theological commission declared his execution as illegal.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Nejlepší,“ mínil jeden ze simulantů, „dá se simulovat šílenství. Z našeho učitelského sboru jsou vedle v cimře dva, jeden neustále křičí dnem i nocí: ,Hranice Giordana Bruna ještě dýmá, obnovte proces Galileův!’ a ten druhý štěká, napřed třikrát pomalu: haf - haf - haf, potom pětkrát rychle za sebou: hafhafhafhafhaf, a zas pomalu, a tak to jde neustále.
Galilei, Galileonn flag
*15.2.1564 Pisa - †8.1.1642 Arcetri
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galileo.jpg

Galilée devant le Saint-Office au Vatican. Joseph-Nicolas Robert-Fleury, 1847

galileo.png

Galileo is mentioned because a recruit at Vojenská nemocnice Hradčany was simulating madness by shouting day after day: "Giordano Giordano Bruno's fire is still smouldering, renew the process against Galileo!"

In Putim in [II.2] he is mentioned again when Švejk's explains his anabasis to Wachtmeister Flanderka. Here the author quotes an expression that is attributed to Galieo.

Background

Galileo was an Italian scientist, best known for his work in the fields of astronomy and physics. He is regarded as the founder of experimental natural sciences.

The process that is mentioned in The Good Soldier Švejk was a trial that was conducted in 1633 as a result of Galileo's book Dialogo sopra i due massimi sistemi del mondo (Dialogue concerning the two chief World Systems). The systems being discussed in the book is the heliocentric (Copernicus) and the geocentric (Ptolemy).

The book caused anger in clerical circles and Galileo was put before a papal court. Here he withdrew his theories and thus avoided being sentenced to death by burning. He was found guilty of heresy and abjurium, sentenced to life imprisonment, albeit soon converted to house arrest. During interrogation when he was forced to retract his heliocentrical world view, he allegedly said about the earth: "and yet it moves" (Eppur si muove)[a]. It is this statement that the author refers to in connection with Švejk being arrested by Wachtmeister Flanderka in Putim.

Only in 1835 did the Catholic Church withdraw the ban of the book, but the final rehabilitation of the author only followed in 1992.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Nejlepší,“ mínil jeden ze simulantů, „dá se simulovat šílenství. Z našeho učitelského sboru jsou vedle v cimře dva, jeden neustále křičí dnem i nocí: ,Hranice Giordana Bruna ještě dýmá, obnovte proces Galileův!’ a ten druhý štěká, napřed třikrát pomalu: haf - haf - haf, potom pětkrát rychle za sebou: hafhafhafhafhaf, a zas pomalu, a tak to jde neustále.
[II.2] Strážmistr podíval se laskavě na Švejka, který klidně a důstojně řekl: „A přece jdu do Budějovic.“ Bylo to víc než Galileovo: „A přece se točí!“ Poněvadž ten to musel říct patrně asi hodně vztekle.
References
aDid Galileo Truly Say, ‘And Yet It Moves’? A Modern Detective StoryScientific AmericanMario Livio6.5.2020
Henčlů, Frantann flag
Search Švejkův slovník

Franta Henčlů (František Henčl) was a soldier from Hluboká who was given two years in prison after having informed members of parliament about maltreatment of soldiers. This is revealed in an anecdote Švejk tells his fellow malingerers at the military hospital at Hradčany. The episode happened during Švejk's period of national service and it is revealed that he at the time served in 11. Kompanie.

Background

This story surely has some connection to real events, but attempts to pinpoint it directly have so far proved futile. Before the war there were several reports in the press about mistreatment of soldiers, and at least one involving IR. 91.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Nějakej ministr poslal k nám komisi, aby to vyšetřila, a nějakej Franta Henčlů ze Hluboký dostal potom dva roky, poněvadž to byl ten, co se vobrátil do Vídně k poslancům kvůli tý facce, kerou dostal na cvičišti od pana obršta.
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grunstein.jpg
grunstein2.png

Military head doctors in 1906.

Grünstein is mentioned 18 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Grünstein was head doctor at the garrison at Hradčany where the malingerers were undergoing treatment. Doctor Grünstein made sure they got the demon of sabotage exorcised by medical means like quinine, aspirin, enema, stomach pumping and a strict diet. See Vojenská nemocnice Hradčany.

Background

Grünstein doesn't have an obvious model from real life. Although Jaroslav Hašek was admitted to a military hospital in 1915, this was in Budějovice so any person that may have served as inspiration for Grünstein may better be looked for there and not in Prague.

Dr. Halbhuber

That said, Hašek may also have been inspired by people he had only heard of or read about. We know that the head medic at Hradčany in 1916 was Dr. Josef Krejčí, and that his superior at the main military hospital at Karlovo náměstí was the infamous and hated Dr. Franz Halbhuber. The latter was well known and Hašek probably knew about him. As such Halbhuber may well have lent his dubious qualities to both Grünstein and Doctor Bautze.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Přiblížila se doba odpolední visity. Vojenský lékař Grünstein chodil od postele k posteli a za ním sanitní poddůstojník se zápisní knihou. „Macuna?“ „Zde!“ „Klystýr a aspirin! - Pokorný?!“ „Zde!“ „Vypláchnout žaludek a chinin! - Kovařík?!“
Literature
Macunann flag
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Macuna was one of the malingerer who was called up for treatment by Doctor Grünstein. He was treated with anema and aspirin. See Vojenská nemocnice Hradčany.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Přiblížila se doba odpolední visity. Vojenský lékař Grünstein chodil od postele k posteli a za ním sanitní poddůstojník se zápisní knihou. „Macuna?“ „Zde!“ „Klystýr a aspirin! - Pokorný?!“ „Zde!“ „Vypláchnout žaludek a chinin! - Kovařík?!“
Pokornýnn flag
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Pokorný was one of the malingerer who was called up for treatment by Doctor Grünstein. He was treated with stomach pumping and quinine. See Vojenská nemocnice Hradčany.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Přiblížila se doba odpolední visity. Vojenský lékař Grünstein chodil od postele k posteli a za ním sanitní poddůstojník se zápisní knihou. „Macuna?“ „Zde!“ „Klystýr a aspirin! - Pokorný?!“ „Zde!“ „Vypláchnout žaludek a chinin! - Kovařík?!“
Kovaříknn flag
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Kovařík was one of the malingerer who was called up for treatment by Doctor Grünstein. He was given enema and aspirin. But soon after he quietly, from his bed by the window, he suddenly reported fit for duty, and Grünstein awarded him with an enema for the road. See Vojenská nemocnice Hradčany.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] „Vypláchnout žaludek a chinin! - Kovařík?!“ „Zde!“ „Klystýr a aspirin!
[I.8] "Poslušně hlásím, pane obrarct," ozvalo se tiše od postele u okna, "já už jsem zdravej, já už v noci pozoroval, že mne záducha přešla." "Jmenujete se?" "Kovařík, poslušně hlásím, mám dostat klystýr:" "Dobře, klystýr dostanete ještě na cestu," rozhodl dr. Grünstein, "abyste si nestěžoval, že jsme vás tady neléčili".
Koťátkonn flag
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Koťátko was one of the malingerer who was called up for treatment by Doctor Grünstein. He was treated with stomach pumping and quinine. See Vojenská nemocnice Hradčany.

Background

There is no evidence to suggest that the inspiration for this character is anything more than a borrowed surname. See Fähnrich Koťátko for further information.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] „Vypláchnout žaludek a chinin! - Kovařík?!“ „Zde!“ „Klystýr a aspirin! - Koťátko?!“ „Zde!“ „Vypláchnout žaludek a chinin!“ A tak to šlo, jeden za druhým, bez milosti, mechanicky, řízně.
Socratesnn flag
*4.6.469 f.kr Aten - †399 f.kr Aten
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La mort de Socrate, Jacques-Louis David, 1787

Socrates is mentioned because not even he emptied the poison chalice with such calm as Švejk drank quinine.

Background

Socrates was a Greek philosopher, one of the all time greats, and regarded as one of the founders of Western philosophy. The outspoken philosopher was late is his life accused and convicted of impiety and having corrupted the youth. He was sentenced to either exile from Athens or to take his own life by a method of his own choice. He chose the latter by emptying a chalice of poison.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Ani Sokrates nepil svou číši bolehlavu s takovým klidem jako chinin Švejk, na kterém vyzkoušel dr Grünstein všechny stupně trápení.

Also written:Sókratés cz

Baronesse von Botzenheimnn flag
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The baroness watches Švejk devour his gifts

České slovo,8.12.1923

Von Botzenheim was the widow of an infantry general. She had read about Švejk's exploits in Bohemia. The editors had urged readers to collect money for the brave cripple, who brimming with patriotism was pushed to mustering in a wheelchair. The baroness brought splendid gifts for Švejk, amongst them a bottle of war liquor with the inscription Gott Strafe England! The author mocks the poor Czech of the German-speaking baroness and her visit ranks amongst the most famous episodes of the novel.

Background

Botzenheim is a surname that is impossible to find in name databases and is surely an invention. Needless to say no such noble family existed[a] and there is no trace of any Botzenheim (general or other) in Schematismus or other military records. Nor does the surname reflect any known geographical entity.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] V té době měla vdova po generálovi pěchoty baronka von Botzenheim velice mnoho starostí, aby vypátrala toho vojáka, o kterém uveřejnila nedávno Bohemie zprávu, jak se dal vozit, on, mrzák, na vozíku pro nemocné a křičel: „Na Bělehrad!“, kterýž vlastenecký projev dal původ redakci „Bohemie“ k vyzvání čtenářů, aby konali sbírky ve prospěch loyálního hrdiny-mrzáka.
References
aBaronka von BotzenheimJaroslav Šerák2018 - 2023
Editor Filip, Otakarnn flag
*1.7.1874 Praha - †10.4.1931 Praha
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filip3.png

Národní politika,18.8.1915

ofilip.png

On his 50th birthday

Národní listy, 1.7.1924

cesrep.png

Národní listy,11.4.1931

Filip was probably the person the narrator had in mind as, quote: author of Stories from the life of our monarch and editor in chief of Československá Republika.

Background

Otakar Filip was a Czech journalist. author, and illustrator, and long time editor of local news in official newspapers that were published in Prague both under Austria-Hungary and Czechoslovakia. The book that is referred to he actually wrote, albeit with a title that differs somewhat from the one given in the novel. It was published in 1910 and contained 242 pages. That he was editor in chief of Československá Republika isn't entirely true, he was one of the board of editors. Filip specialised in reports and literature about Prague and published several books. See also Pražské úřední noviny.

The full title of the book Jaroslav Hašek refers to was: Osmdesátiletý mocnář: Význačné události a zajímavé obrazy ze života jeho veličenstva císaře a krále Františka Josefa I. Translated: The eighy year old monarch: significant events and interesting pictures from the life of His Majesty Emperor and King Franz Josef I.

On 18 August 1915, ironically on the very day that Jaroslav Hašek was awarded the small silver medal for bravery, an advert for a patriotic book appeared in his home town. It was titled The supreme protector of Czech children, His Highness Emperor and King Franz Josef I. and written by none other than our editor Filip!

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Vše elegantně rozložila na prázdnou postel vedle Švejka, kam přibyla ještě pěkně vázaná kniha „Příběhy ze života našeho mocnáře“, kterou napsal nynější zasloužilý šéfredaktor naší úřední „Československé republiky“, který se ve starém Frantíkovi viděl.
Literature
Shrapnel, Henrynn flag
*3.6.1761 Bradford-on-Avon - †13.3.1842 Southampton
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shrapnel.jpg

Shrapnel is mentioned indirectly through the term shrapnel as Baronesse von Botzenheim and her entourage enter the sick-ward of the malingerers at Hradčany. As the novel progresses his name, or rather his invention, crops up several times in various stories from the fighting.

Background

Shrapnel was a British officer and inventor who is famous for having invented the shrapnel shell, a shell filled with metal fragments. It turned out to be an effective anti-personnel weapon. The method was in use from the Napoleonic wars until the end of World War I.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Zejména ne vrchní vojenský lékař Bautze. Byl to muž neúprosný, který ve všem viděl podvodný pokus uniknout vojně, frontě, kulce a šrapnelům.
[I.8] Ani arcikněžna nemohla tak vážně vejít, jako to udělala baronka von Botzenheim. Za ní valil se celý průvod, ve kterém nescházel ani účetní šikovatel při nemocnici, který v tom všem viděl tajemnou ruku revise, která ho od tučného žlabu v týlu hodí napospas šrapnelům někam pod drátěné překážky posic.
[I.8] Na krabici byl obrázek, jak praská šrapnel a nějaký člověk v šišáku se žene s bodákem kupředu.
[I.9] Střílet do nepřítele a zabíjet na druhé straně šrapnely a granáty stejné takové nešťastné suplenty, matematiky, považoval za blbost.
[I.13] Na obzoru hoří vesnice a praskají šrapnely a v popředí leží umírající voják s utrženou nohou, nad kterým se sklání anděl a přináší mu věnec s nápisem na stuze: "Ještě dnes budeš se mnou v ráji." A umírající se blaženě usmívá, jako by mu nesli zmrzlinu.
[I.13] Starý rezervista podíval se na zelenáčka a řekl: "Pěkný doufání, že ti šrapnel utrhne hlavu.
[I.14.2] V tom okamžiku zapomínal, že sviští mu nad hlavou granáty a šrapnely, a probíral se neúnavně se zavazadly ke štábu, kde stálo vozatajstvo.
[II.1] Von si tu hůl přendal do druhý ruky, zařval, že jim to nevodpustí, a bůhví jak by to s ním dopadlo, kdyby ho byl šrapnel za chvilku definitivně nezamordoval.
[II.3] Tady se jedná vo mizerný dvě zlatky, a já bych vás rád viděl, kdybyste měl vobětovat život za svýho vojenskýho představenýho, kdyby von ležel raněnej někde na nepřátelskej linii a vy jste ho měl zachránit a vodnest na svejch rukách a voni by stříleli po vás šrapnely a vším možným." "Vy byste se podělal," bránil se desátník, "vy jedna fajfko."
[II.3] Já ho chytnu za krk a shodím ho z prvního poschodí dolů po schodech, že poletí jako šrapnel.
Literature
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České slovo,8.12.1923

Johann was the servant of Baronesse von Botzenheim and looked like the murderer Babinský.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Ja čist všekno f nófiny, já vám přinest pápat, kousat, kuřit, cucat, cešky fójak, toprá fójak. Johann, kommen Sie her!„ Komorník, připomínající svými ježatými licousy Babinského, přitáhl objemný koš k posteli, zatímco společnice staré baronky, vysoká dáma s uplakanou tváří, sedla si na Švejkovu postel a urovnávala mu slaměný polštář pod záda, s fixní myšlenkou, že se to patří dělat nemocným hrdinům.
Babinský, Václavnn flag
*20.8.1792 Pokratice u Litoměřic - †1.8.1879 Řepy u Prahy
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Babinský is mentioned because footman Johann, the servant of Baronesse von Botzenheim, looked like him.

Background

Babinský was a Czech criminal, sentenced for a series of murders and a number of other crimes. He is one of the best known Czech criminals ever and Egon Erwin Kisch devotes a whole chapter to him in his Die Abenteuer in Prag. A lot of space was devoted to him in the police museum.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Komorník, připomínající svými ježatými licousy Babinského, přitáhl objemný koš k posteli, zatímco společnice staré baronky, vysoká dáma s uplakanou tváří, sedla si na Švejkovu postel a urovnávala mu slaměný polštář pod záda, s fixní myšlenkou, že se to patří dělat nemocným hrdinům.
Literature
Kaiser Wilhelm II.nn flag
*27.1.1859 Berlin - †4.6.1941 Doorn
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Wilhelm II. is mentioned first time when Baronesse von Botzenheim visits Vojenská nemocnice Hradčany. She gave Švejk a bottle of Kriegslikör where the label depicted Kaiser Franz Joseph I. holding hands with Wilhelm. On the other side of the bottle was written Gott strafe England.

The second mention of the German emperor is equally fleeting. Švejk browses a newspaper and notes that the Sultan has decorated emperor Wilhelm with a war medal whereas he himself so far had not even been awarded a small silver medal.

Wilhelm is mentioned twice thereafter. He was reportedly called an "animal" by the drunk gendarme Wachtmeister Flanderka in Putin, and together with Kaiser Franz Joseph I. he appears on a picture that decorates the wall at k.u.k. Gottes Hauptquartier in Kadett Biegler's pungent dream on the way to Budapest.

Background

Wilhelm II. was emperor of Germany and king of Prussia from 1888 until 1918, member of the house Hohenzollern. Forced to abdicate in 1918 after the defeat in World War I, he lived the rest of his life in the Netherlands. Tsar Nicholas II and the king of England were both his cousins. He was also related to the royal houses of Spain, Norway, Romania and Greece.

Kriegslikör
likor.jpg

Der neue Bezirksbote,23.5.1915

It has not been possible to verify that bottles of Kriegslikör with labels where Kaiser Franz Joseph I. and Wilhelm hold hands existed, but in any case similar propaganda material abounded. A colour post-card with this theme was actually printed and had the title In Treue fest[1]. The postcard was in circulation in 1916 and perhaps already in 1914.

Gott strafe England was likewise a common slogan from the end of 1914 onwards, so even if the bottle that Švejk was given is not hundred per cent pinpointed, similar items that may have inspired the author were plentiful.

The war medal
imtiaz.png

Neue Freie Presse,10.3.1915

The context of this sequence of the novel strongly indicates that the decoration of Wilhelm that Švejk refers to took place in March 1915. Already on the ninth the official Turkish news agency Agence Milli reported that the Sultan had telegraphed emperor Wilhelm and congratulated him on the great victories in the east. In the same telegramme it is revealed that the emperor was offered the Imtiaz war medal as an expression of the sultan's admiration.

25 March 1915 Milli reported that Goltz Paşa had travelled to Berlin in order to personally decorate the emperor. The war medal was even specially made for Wilhelm.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí the German emperor is simply classed as brain-damaged.[1]

Nebo vezměme si případ císaře Viléma. Každé malé dítě dnes ví, že císař Vilém trpí úbytkem mozku. Ve dvorních kruzích jeho žvásty a plány považují však za geniálnost.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Nebo vezměme si případ císaře Viléma. Každé malé dítě dnes ví, že císař Vilém trpí úbytkem mozku. Ve dvorních kruzích jeho žvásty a plány považují však za geniálnost.
[I.8] Baronka zatím vytahovala dárky z koše. Tucet pečených kuřat, zabalených do růžového hedvábného papíru a ovázaných černožlutou hedvábnou stužkou, dvě láhve nějakého válečného likéru s etiketou „Gott strafe England!“ Na druhé straně byl na etiketě František Josef s Vilémem, jak se drží za ruce, jakoby si chtěli hrát hru „Králíček v své jamce seděl sám, ubožátko, co je ti, že nemůžeš skákati“.
[I.14.3] „Tak vida,“ řekl pro sebe Švejk, sleduje se zájmem přehled denních událostí, „sultán vyznamenal císaře Viléma válečnou medalií, a já nemám dosud ani malou stříbrnou.“
[II.2] ...že je císař pán nemocný dědek a že co nejdřív natáhne brka, že je císař Vilém zvíře, že mu budete do vězení posílat peníze na přilepšenou a ještě víc takových řečí...
[III.1] Uprostřed pokoje, ve kterém po stěnách visely podobizny Františka Josefa a Viléma, následníka trůnu Karla Františka Josefa, generála Viktora Dankla, arcivévody Bedřicha a šéfa generálního štábu Konráda z Hötzendorfu, stál pán bůh.

Also written:Vilém II. cz

Notes
1. "In Treue Fest" (firm in loyalty) was the motto of the Kingdom of Bavaria.
Literature
References
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Prince Eugen von Savoyennn flag
*18.10.1663 Paris - †24.4.1736 Wien
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eugen.jpg
eugen2.png

Eugen is mentioned by a young doctor who attempts a rousing speech to the malingerers and points to prince Eugen and Marschall Radetzky as glorious military role models.

Eugen also appears at the end of [II.2] in the song that Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek and Švejk sing in the cell at Mariánská kasárna (Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter).

Moreover the song is partly quoted in [III.1] when soldiers from the march battalion of the Deutschmeister regiment sing it on their way through Győr. See Zemun.

Background

Eugen was an Austrian prince and field commander. He gets most of the credit for the successful military operations against the Ottomans from the siege of Vienna in 1683 to the peace treaty of Sremski Karlovci in 1699.

The song however refers to an event that took place much later: the siege of Belgrade in 1717. The full name of the French born prince was Eugène-François de Savoie.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.8] Mluvil dlouho o tom, že každý z těch, kteří opouští nemocnici, aby odešli ke svým plukům do pole, musí být vítězem i rytířem. On že jest přesvědčen, že budou zruční ve zbrani, na bojišti i čestní ve všech záležitostech válečných i soukromých. Že budou nepřemožitelnými válečníky, pamětlivými na slávu Radeckého i prince Eugena Savojského.
[I.12] V zápalu a v řečnickém rozmachu vydával polní kurát i prince Evžena Savojského za světce, který je bude chránit, až budou dělat mosty přes řeky.
[II.2] Večer z arestu ozývalo se vždy „Zachovej nám, Hospodine“ a „Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter“.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

Also written:Eugene of Savoy en Evžen Savojský cz Eugène de Savoie fr Eugene av Savoia no

Literature
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

9. Švejk in the garrison prison

Mr. Klíma, Jaroslavnn flag
*13.2.1879 Kostelec nad Černými lesy - †5.5 1927 Menton
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klima2.png

Moravská orlice, 8.5.1927

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Rovnost, 13.7.1923

klima.png

Information from 1906

Klíma is mentioned by the author when he writes about policemen in the Austrian power structure who kept their positions in the new Czechoslovakia.

Background

Klíma was a lawyer and high commissioner in Staatspolizei whose career was very similar to that of Mr. Slavíček. According to Václav Menger he was the policeman who interrogated Jaroslav Hašek after the famous incident at U Valšů in November 1914, where Hašek pretended to be a trader from Russia.

In Czechoslovakia he continued to serve in the police but was like his colleague "exiled" to Slovakia. In 1927 he fell ill with complications from the Spanish flu, was sent abroad for recuperation, but died soon after, at the age of 48. He was succeeded as Bratislava police chief by Mr. Slavíček.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

Klíma also features in the story Kolik kdo má kolem krku[a]. In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí he also has a more prominent position than in the novel as he personally leads the interrogation of Švejk at c.k. policejní ředitelství.[1]

Za pět minut nato Švejk, sedě na vozíku, byl s učedníkem jediným civilistou mezi mořem policejních uniforem. Právě se setkal u jeho vozíčku policejní komisař Klima s inspektorem jízdní policie Klausem. "Dobrý lov," pozdravil Klima. "Dobrý lov," odpověděl Klaus.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Za pět minut nato Švejk, sedě na vozíku, byl s učedníkem jediným civilistou mezi mořem policejních uniforem. Právě se setkal u jeho vozíčku policejní komisař Klima s inspektorem jízdní policie Klausem. "Dobrý lov," pozdravil Klima. "Dobrý lov," odpověděl Klaus.
[I.9] Státní policie dodávala také na garnison materiál, pánové Klíma, Slavíček & Comp. Vojenská censura dopravovala sem autory korespondence mezi frontou a těmi, které doma zanechali v zoufalství. Sem vodili četníci i staré výměnkáře, kteří posílali psaní na frontu, a vojenský soud házel jim na krk za jich slova útěchy a líčení bídy domácí po dvanácti letech.
Literature
References
aKolik kdo má kolem krkuČechoslovanJaroslav Hašek19.2.1917
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Mr. Slavíček, Karelnn flag
*23.1.1874 Vodňany - †21.10.1929 Bratislava
Search Švejkův slovník
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Expres,21.10.1929

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Čechoslovan,19.2.1917

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Sebrané spisy Jaroslava Haška,1925

Slavíček is mentioned when the author informs that Mr. Klíma and Slavíček were still working for the state police in the new Czechoslovak Republic.

Background

Slavíček was a police officer, lawyer and civil servant in Staatspolizei where he was employed from 1900 until 1918. He held a degree in law from Universita Karlova and joined the police when he was 26. His career progressed rapidly within the security police where he also came across Jaroslav Hašek, for instance after the famous episode at U Valšů on 24 November 1914. He was promoted to commissioner in 1909, to high commissioner in 1913 and in 1915 he succeeded Viktor Chum as head of the state police in Prague.

Slavíček was married to Bohumila (born Vaníčková in 1884) and in 1912 the couple had one child, Karel (born in 1905).

Serving Czechoslovakia

Slavíček was investigated by the new Czechoslovak authorities in 1919, but was allowed to continue in the police, albeit in "exile" in Bratislava. Here he played a major part in organising and "demagyarizing" the police in Slovakia. From 1923 he was stationed in Košice. From 1927 he was back in Bratislava as Police Director (head of the police). Two years later he suddenly died from a stroke, at the age of 55.

Changed spelling

In the story Kolik kdo má kolem krku Slavíček and Mr. Klíma arrested Kramář and Klofáč and sent them on to Vienna. The author additionally relates from his own encounter with them during a house search at the end of 1914. When this story appeared in Sebrane spisy in 1925 Slavíček had been renamed Klabíček and Klima became Slíva. But in the original printed in Čechoslovan on 19 February 1917 the author used their real names!

It appears obvious that publisher Adolf Synek or editor Antonín Dolenský didn't want to offend the two policemen who were still alive and held important positions in the police in Slovakia. Perhaps they feared a law-suit? In Spisy Jaroslava Haška from 1973 the rewritten names are still not corrected, so the editors had obviously not read Čechoslovan too closely. A certain commissioner Knotek was renamed Snopek.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

Slavíček is given a more prominent place in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí where he interrogates Švejk in person. The author also dishes out a thinly veiled death threat: he knows that Slavíček and Mr. Klíma live near Riegrové sady and that in this park there are trees with branches strong enough to carry their weight.[1]

Za pět minut nato Švejk, sedě na vozíku, byl s učedníkem jediným civilistou mezi mořem policejních uniforem. Právě se setkal u jeho vozíčku policejní komisař Klima s inspektorem jízdní policie Klausem. "Dobrý lov," pozdravil Klima. "Dobrý lov," odpověděl Klaus.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Za pět minut nato Švejk, sedě na vozíku, byl s učedníkem jediným civilistou mezi mořem policejních uniforem. Právě se setkal u jeho vozíčku policejní komisař Klima s inspektorem jízdní policie Klausem. "Dobrý lov," pozdravil Klima. "Dobrý lov," odpověděl Klaus.
[I.9] Státní policie dodávala také na garnison materiál, pánové Klíma, Slavíček & Comp. Vojenská censura dopravovala sem autory korespondence mezi frontou a těmi, které doma zanechali v zoufalství. Sem vodili četníci i staré výměnkáře, kteří posílali psaní na frontu, a vojenský soud házel jim na krk za jich slova útěchy a líčení bídy domácí po dvanácti letech.>

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Zdeněk Kárník

Literature
References
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Stabsprofus Slavíknn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
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České slovo, 16.12.1923

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Naše revoluce,23.10.1936

Slavík was a brutal "stabsprofus" (staff guard) at the garrison jail at Hradčany. He was the first who received Švejk in the prison and was also present at the Holy Mess in the jail chapel, served by Feldkurat Katz for the prisoners. Slavík was imprisoned for theft after the war.

Background

Slavík is described as a real person, but it has not been possible to determine who the author had in mind. In 1906 there were two "stabsprofus" at the prison: Jan Frkal and Josef Bureš. Otherwise Slavík is a very common surname, and amongst the many entries in the address books from 1907, 1910 and 1924 there is no obvious candidate.

Josef Slavík

In the book Sokolské rolničky by dr. Josef Slavík, member of Sokol and later the Legions, it is revealed that he personally met Jaroslav Hašek i Volhynia while serving in the company of Oberleutnant Lukáš (sic)[a]. It is suggested that it was from him that HASborrowed the name, but the only thing that is certain is that he had nothing to do with the brutal prison guard. Logically speaking such a meeting could only have occured in September 1915.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

The name Slavík appears also in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí, but here assigned to a court medic at c.k. zemský co trestní soud. This medic is easily identifiable from the address book of 1907 as MUDR. Vladimír Slavík, a university professor from Vinohrady.[1]

Dr. Slavík hájil názor, že člověk může náhle zblbnout a že není přitom vědom svých činů. "To mohu říci sám ze zkušenosti," pravil, "po své dlouholeté soudní praxi." Pak přinesli soudním lékařům od Brejšky snídani a lékaři při smažených kotletách se usnesli, že v případě Švejkově jde opravdu o těžký případ vleklé poruchy mysli. Dr. Slavík chtěl ještě něco říci, pak si to ale rozmyslil a objednal si ještě čtvrtku vína a podepsal též soudní nález lékařský.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Dr. Slavík hájil názor, že člověk může náhle zblbnout a že není přitom vědom svých činů. "To mohu říci sám ze zkušenosti," pravil, "po své dlouholeté soudní praxi." Pak přinesli soudním lékařům od Brejšky snídani a lékaři při smažených kotletách se usnesli, že v případě Švejkově jde opravdu o těžký případ vleklé poruchy mysli. Dr. Slavík chtěl ještě něco říci, pak si to ale rozmyslil a objednal si ještě čtvrtku vína a podepsal též soudní nález lékařský.
[I.9] Je úplně přirozené, že štábní profous Slavík, když přejímal Švejka, vrhl na něho pohled plný němé výčitky:„I ty máš porouchanou pověst, že jsi se dostal až sem mezi nás? My ti, chlapečku, pobyt zde osladíme, jako všem, kteří upadli v naše ruce, a ty naše ruce nejsou nějaké dámské ručky.“ Aby pak dodal váhy svému pohledu, přiložil svou svalnatou, tlustou pěst Švejkovi pod nos a řekl: „Čichni si, lumpe!“ Švejk si čichl a poznamenal: „S tou bych nechtěl dostat do nosu, to voní hřbitovem.“
Literature
References
aJosef SlavíkNaše revoluce23.10.1936
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Feldwebel Řepann flag
Search Švejkův slovník

Řepa was a sergeant at Posádková věznice (the garrison jail) - a torturer with many lives on his conscience. His specialty was breaking the ribs of prisoners by jumping on them. He was also called "the executioner". Feldwebel Řepa returned to his profession as bricklayer after the war and the author suggests that he may even be a member of some patriotic society.

Background

It has not been possible to pin-point any real life individual that might have inspired the author's creation of this character.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] A v garnisoně trojice: štábní profous Slavík, hejtman Linhart a šikovatel Řepa, přezdívaný též „kat“, vykonávali již svou úlohu. Kolik jich umlátili v samovazbě!
[I.9] Řepa se vrátil do civilu a vykonává dál své zaměstnání zednického mistra. Může být, že je členem vlasteneckých spolků v republice.
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Linhart was a captain at Posádková věznice (the garrison prison), but little involved in the plot apart from a less than cordial phone conversation with Auditor Bernis about Švejk's documents.

Background

This is another character without an identifiable real life model. One Karel Linhart served in the police in Smíchov (Jaroslav Hašek lived here in 1910-11) but the connection to the literary figure is difficult to established although it is likely that Hašek knew or knew about him. Linhart was a very common name in Prague and the author may have known about several of them. Another Linhart was active in the Czech indepence movement during World War I. This was a person Hašek would have been aware of and may have borrowed the surname from.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] A v garnisoně trojice: štábní profous Slavík, hejtman Linhart a šikovatel Řepa, přezdívaný též „kat“, vykonávali již svou úlohu. Kolik jich umlátili v samovazbě!
Feldkurat Katz, Ottonn flag
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katz.jpg
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A. Sauer a J. Čermák, 1921

Katz is mentioned 42 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Katz was a field chaplain at the garrison in Prague and no doubt one of the most famous characters in the novel. He was of Jewish origin but converted to the Roman-Catholic church. Otto Katz was a notorious drunkard and with questionable moral, but a colourful and intelligent person who the author clearly has some sympathy for.

Katz is the only one of Švejk's superiors who never shouts or swears at him. The field chaplain plays a pivotal role in this ([I.10]) and the next four chapters. He saved Švejk from the garrison prison by taking him on as an officer's servant and the soldier largely enjoyed good times when serving Katz. Together they served field masses, provided the last rites, took part on the same side in a religious debate, and consumed whatever alcohol they could get their hands on. This blissful existence ended miserably in [I.14] where Katz gambled away his servant to obrjlajtnant Oberleutnant Lukáš in a game of cards.

The author provides a number of biographical details on Otto Katz. It is revealed that he had studied at some commercial academy, served in k.u.k. Heer as a one-year volunteer, inherited his father's trading company Katz a spol., and drove it to bankruptcy within a year. His father settled with the creditors behind closed doors and emigrated to North America leaving his son with nothing to inherit.

Thus Otto Katz saw no other option but to enlist in the army as a professional. Before that he had the brilliant idea to convert to the Roman-Catholic church, and was baptised by páter Alban (páter Albán) in Emauzský klášter. His entry exam as an officer was successful, so he continued in the army and even planned to enlist in a staff course.

But one sunny day he got drunk and exchanged the sword with the cassock. He studied for priest at the Archbishop's seminary (see Seminář) and was ordained. After completing his studies and being ordained, he turned back to the amrmy. At his old regiment he obtained the rank that eventually made him famous.

As a field chaplain he worked in Prague and lived in Královská třída in Karlín. It is not known at which unit he served as the author merely informs that he was assigned to one regiment. He bought a horse, lived a debaucherous life with card games, drink and prostitutes, often on borrowed money that he never intended to pay back. Amongst the officers in his regiment he was known as "Holy Father".

Otto Katz disappears from the story after the disastrous gambling event, but is mentioned by the author in the epilogue to Part One. Here it is revealed that he had lived through the war unhurt, had left the church after the war, and had become a "prokurista" (agent) at a paint factory in North Bohemia. He wrote the author an angry and threatening letter after having read about himself in the translation of one of the chapters in a certain German newspaper. The two still met, were reconciled, and it turned out that his drinking habits of the former field chaplain hadn't changed one bit.

During the remainder of the novel his name reappears a few times, but now in the stories that Švejk entertains his fellow soldiers with.

Background

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Any obvious model fro Otto Katz has so far been impossible to pinpoint. At least four persons with this name lived in Prague in 1910 and are possible inspirations, but notably in his role as namesake, Jew and trader, but not as a field chaplain. At least three of them ran their own companies during Hašek's lifetime and were also Jews, so we are going to limit the investigation to these.

To find a prototype for Katz has on the other hand been futile. Not a single person with the surname Katz is listed as a cleric in k.u.k. Heer in 1914, so if any real field chaplain has inspired the author he must have carried a very different name.[a]

Augustin Knesl's research
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Augustin Knesl, Večerní Praha, 1983

In the series Josef Švejk a ti druzí, published in Večerní Praha in 1983, Augustin Knesl identifies an Otto Katz who he claims was the inspiration for Hašek's Katz. This person was born in 1864 in Prague, son of Leopold. He studied at the Obchodní akademie and Knesl provides many details about his years at the academy, including his marks who his teachers were.

Then the years after Otto Katz graduated in 1881 and until 1920 are left blank apart from the "literary facts" that Knesl without reservations borrows from the novel. His next step are some adverts for a firm in Celetná ulice 14, Staré město. These were printed in České slovo in 1920 and 1921. Knesl also notes that the firm appeared to have closed down in January 1923. Combining this with the information from the novel, he concludes that Katz went bankrupt twice. He has obviously not considered that there could have been more than one firm named Otto Katz in Prague.

Rapeseed oil in Libeň
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Adresář Praha, 1910

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The house where Otto was born

Recent investigations in newspapers and police records reveal that a certain Otto Katz was the co-owner of a company that manufactured oil from vegetables. This enterprise was located in Královská třída in Libeň and operated from 1893 until at least 1899. By 1902 the company was not listed anymore but Otto Katz still owned the premises. A curious link to the novel is the street where the firm was located. The literary field chaplain and the real life factory owner both lived in Královská třída, albeit at opposite ends.

It can now be concluded that the oil manufacturer in Libeň (in some documents named Otta) was indeed identical to the man Knesl mentioned[b]. He was born 6 Desember 1864 in Prague, of Jewish confession, son of Leopold and Matylda. He married Marie Moravetz in 1894, which rules out that he ever was a Catholic priest.

On 1 March 1893 he and Josef Gross from Karlín registered the company Grossmann a Katz, manufacturer of rapeseed oil. In 1896 Otto Katz is listed as the sole proprietor and in 1899 an advert confirms the existence of the firm. The advert is however not for oil, but for some furniture, so it might have been a closing down sale. In 1902 Otto Katz is listed as the owner of the same property (Královská třída 358) but there is no mention of any firm or factory anymore. This year he lives in Podskalská ul. in Praha II., indeed very close to the Obchodní akademie where Jaroslav Hašek studied from 1899 to 1902.

In the 1910 address book he is listed again, now as "disponent" and house owner. He is also chairman of the Association of Czech rapeseed oil producers. His address is now Hybernská 40 and he had lived here at least since 1905. In 1915 Katz was still married, and still recorded with "Israelite confession", so as opposed to his literary counterpart he never converted. As late as 1932 he still owned the property in Libeň. Katz died on 16 June 1935 and his wife Marie was in 1942 deported by the Nazis and murdered in Treblinka (Jaroslav Šerák).

Leopold Katz

According to the novel Katz's father was the owner of a trading company. The real Leopold Katz, born in Poděbrady in 1831, died 22 April 1909, indeed ran his own firm, but traded in leather. He passed away in Prague so it is unlikely that he ever emigrated to North America. Nor is there any trace of any Leopold Katz from Prague in the passenger lists for New York arrivals. Moreover we have seen no evidence that his son Otto ever inherited the company or that it went broke. When Otto Katz was born the family lived at Pořící (Praha II., č.p.1071).

Sewing and embroidery

The address book from 1910 lists another Otto Katz who ran his own company. By comparing police records and address books we know that one Otto Katz from Sedlec lived in Ferdinandova tř. 25 in 1910, and ran a sewing and embroidery enterprise. He was married to Božena who converted to Jewish confession when they married. In 1913 he is registered in Staré město No. 387 (Provaznická 2). His name appears here as late as 1916.

A flood of adverts
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Budweiser Zeitung, 7.2.1919

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Národní politika,27.2.1921

The third firm was a weaver and linen manufacturer in Celetná ulice 14 and is no doubt the firm that Knesl refers to in regards to the adverts in 1920. It existed at least from January 1918 when it advertised aprons in Lidové noviny, and may have operated already in 1916, but in Josefovská ulice in Josefov (this address also appears in adverts from 1918).

From 1918 the firm often advertised in the newspapers, particularly in 1920 and 1921, including during spring and summer 1921 when the author introduced Otto Katz for his readers. Jaroslav Hašek may well have noticed these as he eagerly read newspapers, including the adverts. Otto Katz advertised in regional and national newspapers, and even abroad. They were also seen in German-language newspapers like Budweiser Zeitung and Dorfsbote, and in Slovenia's Maribor Zeitung. Prager Tagblatt reported on 28 November 1922 that a fire damaged the store on the 2nd floor and in a note in Lidové noviny 25 January 1923 it is revealed that the firm had gone broke, information that fits well with Knesl's version. In 1924 the firms property was auctioned off.

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Prager Presse,13.6.1924

The identity of this Otto Katz is somewhat unclear. At first glance he seems to have been born in 1870 in Sedlec (link B). He specialised in embroidery, also on an industrial scale, but the information from the address book entry from 1924 shows him and the factory owner in Celetná ul. as different people (it might be an error in the address book). Several others named Otto Katz lived in Prague, some of them potential factory owners by 1918. One of them was born in 1886 and is listed as obchodník (trader) in 1915 and lived in Praha I./čp. 920.

Fraudster in uniform
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Národní listy, 7.4.1915

In April 1915 newspapers reported on a certain Otto Katz from Plzeň who defrauded a number of hotels while dressed in the uniform of a Fähnrich. That Jaroslav Hašek read the story is quite likely as he was marod (ill) in Budějovice at the time (and he was an avid newspaper reader). We also know that snippets from newspaper from this period appear elsewhere in the novel. The story may thus have lent drops of inspiration to Otto Katz (negligence of financial duties and visit to brothels), but this is mere speculation.

"Field chaplain" Mojžíš
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A most unlikely model for Katz

In Jaroslav Hašek und sein „braver Soldat“ Schwejk, (2011) Jan Berwid-Buquoy claims that the model of Katz was Lev Mojžíš, "a cleric from Břevnov and notorious drunkard". His servant in Prague towards the end of the war was allegedly Zdeněk Matěj Kuděj, one of Jaroslav Hašek's closest friends.

That the chaplain Leo Josef Mojžíš actually lived is beyond dispute. He was born in Česká Skalice on 1 April 1863, served at Břevnovský klášter from 1888 until 1920, and at the parish at Bílá Hora from 1924 to 1948. Newspaper clips during the war always refer to him as a priest from Břevnov, but never as a military chaplain. Apart from the name there is no indication that he was of Jewish origin and he survived the Nazi occupation (died 1 May 1948). One point from Berwid-Buquoy's book is however worth recognising: that Zdeněk Matěj Kuděj from his experiences with Militärgeistlichkeit may have inspired Hašek when he created his military chaplains.

Mojžíš is not mentioned in the unpublished memoirs from Kuděj, who never mentions serving any field chaplain in Prague. He did however served at Militärgeistlichkeit, but not as an officer's servant. In 1918 he worked in the offices the field bishop in Vienna, writing death certificates. Here he simulated a nervous breakdown after a serious clash with a superior. He then returned to his regiment in Beroun and Rumburk, and was in Litoměřice around 25 July 1918 given a year's sick leave. He returned to Praha but fell ill for real and spent three months in hospital in the clinic of Dr Thomayer. The information from Jan Berwid-Buquoy that Kuděj served "field chaplain Mojžíš" in Praha can therefore not be true and appears to be based on hearsay

Considering his age it is unlikely that Mojžíš was drafted as a field chaplain, and Schematismus from 1914 can confirm that he didn't serve in k.u.k. Heer and he doesn't even appear in the list of reserve field chaplains. Schematismus does however list another reserve field chaplain with a Jewish sounding surname: Jan Mojžíš. This one actually served in Budějovice and Jaroslav Hašek is likely to have been aware of him so he could, at least in theory, have lent a trait or two to Katz.

An unclear picture
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Feldkurat Stephan Dean had a disciplinary record that would have made Otto Katz proud.

© ÖStA

As opposed to his colleagues Feldoberkurat Lacina and to a lesser extent Feldoberkurat Ibl, Katz has no obvious real life prototype. Otto Katz as a Jewish merchant may have a few plausible models, Katz as an army cleric no-one that springs to mind. In 1914 there was, according to Schematismus[a], not a single army cleric called Katz in k.u.k. Heer.

Some of the field chaplain's less admirable traits may even hail from the author himself: cynicism, drunkenness and a tendency to shirk financial obligations. It is obvious that Katz is Hašek's main instrument in his mocking of the Catholic church and military clergy, and that inspiration has been drawn from many sources (including the author's vivid imagination) to create this grotesque but interesting figure.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Potom ještě to kázání, ta zábava a legrace. Polní kurát Otto Katz byl přece jen roztomilý člověk. Jeho kázání byla neobyčejně poutavá, legračná, osvěžující tu nudu garnisonu. Uměl tak krásně žvanit o neskonalé milosti boží, sílit zpustlé vězně a muže zneuctěné. Uměl tak krásně vynadat od kazatelny i od oltáře. Uměl tak báječně řvát u oltáře své: „Ite, missa est“, celé bohoslužby provést originelním způsobem a přeházet celý pořádek mše svaté, vymyslit, si, když už byl hodně opilý, úplně nové modlitby a novou mši svatou, svůj ritus, něco, co zde ještě nebylo.
[I.16] Potom je Otto Katz je též na živu. Je to skutečná figurka polního kuráta. Hodil to všechno po převratě na hřebík, vystoupil z církve, dělá dnes prokuristu v jedné továrně na bronz a barviva v severních Čechách. Psal mi dlouhý dopis, ve kterém vyhrožuje, že si to se mnou spořádá. Jeden německý list přinesl totiž překlad jedné kapitoly, kde je vylíčen, jak skutečně vypadal. Navštívil jsem ho tedy a dopadlo to s ním velice dobře. Ve dvě hodiny v noci nemohl stát na nohou, ale kázal a říkal: „Já jsem Otto Katz, polní kurát, vy gypsové hlavy.“ště to kázání, ta zábava a legrace.
[II.3] Já jsem sloužil u feldkuráta Katze a ten by byl propil nos mezi očima.
[II.3] Můj feldkurát Katz, ten když se vožral, tak se ve spaní necítil. Jednou vám..." A Švejk počal vypravovat své zkušenosti s polním kurátem Otto Katzem tak podrobné a zajímavě, že ani nepozorovali, že se vlak hnul.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Augustin Knesl, Václav Petera, Jan Berwid-Buquoy

Literature
References
aSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 181)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1914
b69 - 1864 - Katz OttoSoupis pražských domovských příslušníků 1830-1910
Archbishop Kohn, Theodornn flag
*22.3.1845 Březnice - †3.12.1915 Ehrenhausen
Wikipedia czde Search Švejkův slovník
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Das interessante Blatt,16.12.1915

kohn1.png

Národní politika,9.11.1892

kohntot.png

Wiener Zeitung,4.12.1915

Kohn is given as an example of someone who was a Jew like Feldkurat Katz, but that this in itself was not very important. The author also adds that Kohn even was a friend of Machar. Moreover he informs that Katz had an even more colourful past than the famous archbishop.

Background

Kohn was professor of church law and theology, and between 1892 and 1904 archbishop of Olomouc. He was of Jewish descent but his grandfather had converted to Catholicism. The family were Czech-speaking and of humble origins but thanks to grants the gifted and diligent young man got a good education and we was consecrated as a priest in 1871. After serving in various parishes, holding positions at the university of Olomouc and at the city's archdiocese, he was finally elected archbishop in 1892. He was the first non-noble holding the seat for 300 years, and his election was therefore popular amongst the population, particularly the Czechs.

Kohn gradually fell out with parts of the Catholic church hierarchy, he was for instance not well thought of in Vienna due to his common and Jewish background. Kohn notes in his autobiography that Eduard Taaffe, the Minister-President in Cisleithanien made the following comment about his election as archbishop: Und hat er sich schon getauft lassen? (and has he already had himself baptised?)

Kohn was a capable administrator and the economy of the archdiocese improved, but soon revealed himself as headstrong and even despotic, and often took disciplinary measures against those he believed undermined him. He was increasingly criticised, also in the press, and after the so-called Rectus affair in 1903 he was called to Rome for a consultation with the Pope. The case even appeared in Reichsrat, see Parlament. In this particular controversy Kohn had sued a man based on a critical anonymous letter to the newspaper Rectus, but it soon became obvious that he had accused the wrong person.

He was summoned to Rome and the Pope asked Kohn to give up his position and in 1904 he bowed to the pressure, and moved to the castle Ehrenhausen in Styria. Here he spent the rest of his life and dedicated his time to scientific studies. In his will the left parts of his fortune to the Czech university in Brno.

Support from J. S. Machar

It was at the height of this affair that Kohn received support from an unexpected direction - from the strongly anti-clerical writer Machar. On 5 May 1903 he wrote a long article that was printed in Die Zeit, a newspaper in Vienna that already had written about Kohn. In 1909 the two were involved in another controversy: Kohn received a visit from the above mentioned Machar in Ehrenhausen and the news caused a stir despite attempts by the former archbishop to be discrete about the visit.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Polní kurát Otto Katz, nejdokonalejší vojenský kněz, byl žid. To ostatně není nic divného. Arcibiskup Kohn byl také žid a ještě dokonce Macharův kamarád. Polní kurát Otto Katz měl ještě pestřejší minulost než slavný arcibiskup Kohn.

Sources: Jitka Jonová

Literature
Machar, Josef Svatopluknn flag
*29.2.1864 Kolín - †17.3.1942 Praha
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machar.jpg

Český svět, 14.10.1910

kohnpucflek.png

Machar is mentioned by Jaroslav Hašek as a friend of archbishop Archbishop Kohn.

Background

Machar was a Czech poet and satirist. He was like Jaroslav Hašek strongly anti-Austrian, anti-clerical and a master in the use of colloquial Czech. He was for a while one of the favourites of Professor Masaryk, member of his Realist Party and contributed to the party newspaper Čas. After the war he fell out with the president and oriented himself towards the political far right.

The friendship with Archbishop Kohn that the author refers to is probably based on events in 1903 at the height of so-called Rectus affair when controversy around Kohn reached a critical point. Machar defended the archbishop in a newspaper article in Die Zeit, printed on 5 May 1903. He also visited the now deposed Kohn in Ehrenhausen in 1909. Both these events were widely reported in the press and Jaroslav Hašek would surely have been well informed about the case.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Polní kurát Otto Katz, nejdokonalejší vojenský kněz, byl žid. To ostatně není nic divného. Arcibiskup Kohn byl také žid a ještě dokonce Macharův kamarád. Polní kurát Otto Katz měl ještě pestřejší minulost než slavný arcibiskup Kohn.

Sources: Jitka Jonová

Literature
Father Schachleiter, Albannn flag
*20.1.1861 Mainz - †20.6.1937 Feilnbach
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alban.jpg

© Langhans Praha

alban2.png

Národní politika,7.11.1908

alban.png

Národní listy,5.12.1918

schachleiter.jpg
schachleiter1.png

Národní listy,21.6.1937

Páter Albán was the priest who baptised Feldkurat Katz after the latter's conversion from Judaism. In the novel referred to as páter Albán, he ceremoniously dipped Katz in the baptismal font in Emauzský klášter.

Background

Páter Albán (born Johann Jakob Schachleiter) was a German Benedictine monk and from 1908 abbot at Emauzský klášter. In 1886 he was ordained as a priest, and he was associated with the monastery in various roles from 1892 to 1918. He was very involved in church music, played the organ himself and was also an expert on the instrument. He was also involved in politics, and was for instance one of the leaders of the German nationalistic Los-von-Rom-Bewegung that worked for closer links with Germany both religiously and politically.

Schachleiter was an affluent man - in 1908 he bought a sumptuous car from Laurin a Klement, the firm that was later to become Škoda. In August 1914 he converted the work-shop of the monastery into a hospital that could receive up to 50 patients. Due to his German nationalism Pater Alban was unpopular amongst the Czech part of the population and despite his many years in Prague he never bothered to learn Czech. The population register shows that his home address was the very monastery (1902) but in 1915 he was not registered as a resident of Prague anymore.

The new state

In the tense situation after the collapse of Austria-Hungary and the creation of Czechoslovakia 28 Oktober 1918, Schachleiter was from part of the Czech press subjected to accusations, one of them being espionage. Already on 31 October a delegation named by the newly created National Committee appeared to investigate the claims but let itself be convinced that they were without substance. The Emaus monastery still became a victim of the fervent moods that prevailed these days. It was surrounded by crowds, occupied and guarded by Sokol and the so-called Academic League (students).

To refute the claims he had a proclamation printed (dated 5 November) in Národní politika, Prager Tagblatt and Bohemia. This made scant impressions and the abbot was confined to his house and in the hostile environment he chose to leave the country as the National Committee couldn't guarantee his safety. When leaving on 9 December he was recognised in Benešov and arrested. On intervention from higher authorities he was released and could continue to Linz where he arrived on 10 Desember 1918. It turned out that the abbot had left the country for good and in 1920 he resigned his position at the monastery. All the German monks likewise left the Emaus monastery and emigrated.

He was never taken to court and there is no indication that any proofs were ever put on the table. Schachleiter himself claimed that members of the atheist organisation Volná myšlenka were behind the smear campaign, and also emphasised the that the Czechoslovak authorities were not directly involved in the harassment of him and Emauzský klášter.

Nazi association

Schachleiter settled in Bavaria and if he had been a German nationalist in Prague, he soon took it a bit further. For posterity he has become notorious due to his open co-operation with the Nazis and Adolf Hitler personally, a connection that had been established as early as 1923. On several pictures he is seen shaking hands with Der Führer. His political involvement led him into direct conflict with the Catholic church and he was briefly suspended. On his 74th birthday Schachleiter received personal greetings from Adolf Hitler, Rudolf Hess and several others from the NSDAP hierarchy and in 1937 he was honoured with a state funeral.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Křtili ho slavnostně v Emauzích. Sám páter Albán ho na máčel do křtitelnice. Byla to nádherná podívaná, byl u toho jeden nábožný major od pluku, kde Otto Katz sloužil, jedna stará panna z ústavu šlechtičen na Hradčanech a nějaký otlemený zástupce konsistoře, který mu dělal kmotra.

Also written:Páter Albán Hašek

Literature
François de Salesnn flag
*21.8.1567 Chateau de Sales - †28.12.1622 Lyon
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sales.jpg
sales.png

Wiener allgemeine Literatur-Zeitung,11.10.1816

François de Sales had his portrait displayed on the wall of the sacristy of the garrison chapel at Hradčany. He even witnesses Švejk's first conversation with Feldkurat Katz. See also Vězeňské kaple.

Background

François de Sales was a French bishop and theologian, later to be canonised. He was a distinguished counter-reformist, notable for his stand against Calvinism. He is the patron saint of the deaf, writers and journalists.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Seskočil se stolu a cukaje Švejkovi za rameno křičel pod velkým, zasmušilým obrazem Františka Sáleského: „Přiznej se, lumpe, žes brečel jen tak kvůli legraci?!“ A František Sáleský díval se tázavě z obrazu na Švejka.

Also written:Francis de Sales en František Saleský cz Franz von Sales de Frans av Sales no

Literature
Auditor Bernisnn flag
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Bernis is mentioned 16 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Bernis was judge advocate at k.u.k. Militärgericht Prag (military court) at Hradčany. He was a libertine who had his focus anywhere but in court. He mislaid most court documents and often had to invent accusations to get the trials done.

Background

The name Bernis does not exist in address books from Prague or any military records so it's a mystery where Hašek got the name from. Known persons with this surname did exist, but they were from a French noble family. Still the name at times appeared in the press in Austria-Hungary so Hašek may well have picked it up there.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí the miltary court at Hradčany is also part of the plot and to a higher degree than in the novel. Also here an auditor handles Švejk's case but his name is not mentioned.[1]

Veselý auditor, který v německém kasíně bavil vždy celou společnost, vypravoval, jak dnes české čarodějnici dali pět let. A před tohoto veselého auditora přišel Švejk k výslechu. Jak tu stál, po obou stranách vojáka s bajonetem, jeho milé dobré oči bloudily po celé místnosti a zdály se burcovati svědomí celého okolí. Auditora, akta, skříň v rohu i provázející ho vojáky.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Veselý auditor, který v německém kasíně bavil vždy celou společnost, vypravoval, jak dnes české čarodějnici dali pět let. A před tohoto veselého auditora přišel Švejk k výslechu. Jak tu stál, po obou stranách vojáka s bajonetem, jeho milé dobré oči bloudily po celé místnosti a zdály se burcovati svědomí celého okolí. Auditora, akta, skříň v rohu i provázející ho vojáky.
[I.9] Vyšetřující auditor Bernis byl muž společnosti, půvabný tanečník a mravní zpustlík, který se zde strašně nudil a psal německé verše do památníků, aby měl pohotově vždy nějakou zásobu. Byl nejdůležitější složkou celého aparátu vojenského soudu, poněvadž měl tak hrozné množství restů a spletených akt, že uváděl v respekt celý vojenský soud na Hradčanech. Ztrácel obžalovací materiál a byl nucen vymýšlet si nový.
References
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Korporal Říhann flag
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riha1.png

Jaroslav Hašek, 1921

© LA-PNP

riha2.png

A. Sauer a J. Čermák, 1921

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Vydavatelstvo ROH, 1955

Říha was employed at Posádková věznice (the garrison prison). He is mentioned briefly in an anecdote that one of the prisoners in cell 16 relates (from his stay in cell number 12).

Background

Also in this case there is no obvious link to any living person although people with the surname Korporal Říha were quite a few in Prague at the time. He was probably not an active soldier, so looking for him in pre-war address books (military perons) yields no results. In 1915 several soldiers with the surname Říha served in IR. 91, so the name may have been borrowed from one of these.

In post World War II editions of The Good Soldier Švejk Korporal Říha is simply replaced by Feldwebel Řepa in his role. The editors must have thought that the author really meant the latter and corrected the "error" (which it probably was). More than one hundred minor changes were done to the text in the early nineteen-fifties: removing "russisisms", adapting to modern Czech and Hungarian orthography, and on at least one occasion spelling mistakes in German were corrected.

This revising of the novel meant that Korporal Říha was absent in both post-war English translations, as well as most other modern translations, and even some that were done in the inter-war years but have been revised since then. In the most recent German translation (2014) Říha has however resurfaced.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Tak tam hned přilítli, zavolali štábního profousa a kaprála Říhu;. My všichni jeden jako druhý říkáme, že se zbláznil, že včera i dlouho do noci žral a že to všechno sežral.
Literature
Koudela, Josefnn flag
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Adresář hl. města Prahy..., 1910

Josef Koudela was an inmate at Posádková věznice (garrison prison) who fell victim to Auditor Bernis' disorderliness. The latter had swapped his acts with those of Švejk. Documents found after the war indicated that this Koudela was executed.

Background

Koudela is a common Czech surname and many lived in Prague in 1910, amongst them at least five carrying the first name Josef. A number of others are listed in the loss lists from World War I, and there lived also one well-known person named Josef Koudela. He was a politician from the Catholic-National Party. Still it has not been possible to identify any particular Josef Koudela who fits the description from the garrison prison.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Spisy byly zastrčeny do spisů týkajících se jakéhosi Josefa Koudely. Na obálce byl křížek a pod ním „Vyřízeno“ a datum.
Literature
Infanterist Maixnernn flag
Wikipedia cz Search Švejkův slovník
maixner.png

Adresář hl. města Prahy...,1910

maixner.jpg

Český svět,9.11.1917

Maixner was an infantryman who stood accused at the same time as Švejk. This is revealed in a telegram Auditor Bernis receives from c.k. policejní ředitelství just when Švejk was to be in his office for interrogation.

Background

Maixner and Meixner were common surnames in Prague at the time and obviously many of them served in k.u.k. Wehrmacht. It has however not been possible to identify anyone that fits the description from the novel. It is therefore probably a case of a borrowed name and nothing more.

Dr. Maixner

Maixner is a name that also briefly appears in the story Střed Evropy that Jaroslav Hašek had printed in Národní obzor in 1912, so in the case of name-borrowing he is an obvious candidate. In this story the person Maixner is no doubt real. Hašek writes in negative terms about Dr. Emerich Maixner (1847-1920), owner of a large estate and also a well known medical doctor who eventually was named Hofrat. For a period he was also the main editor of Ottův slovník naučný.

Jaroslav Hašek: Střed Evropy

Chlumecké panství rozesílá do kraje své pivo, na velkostatcích se lidi dřou do úmoru, ve Velkých Kňovicích má velkostatek pan dr. Maixner, a jestli si tohoto povšimne, tak si přečte, že právě na jeho velkostatku jsou mzdové poměry velice bídné. Jedině co v tom kraji tak bije do očí, jest poctivost.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.9] Po odchodu polního kuráta dal si auditor Bernis předvésti Švejk a nechal ho stát u dveří, poněvadž právě dostal telefonogram od policejního ředitelství, že vyžadovaný materiál k obžalovacímu spisu čís. 7267, týkající se pěšáka Maixnera, byl přijat v kanceláři čís. 1 s podpisem hejtmana Linharta.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

Literature
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

10. Švejk as a military servant to the field chaplain

Odysseusnn flag
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odyssevs.png

Odysseus offering the cyclops wine

Nordisk Familjebok 1914

Odysseus is indirectly mentioned through the term odyssey that the author uses to describe Švejk's legendary trip from Posádková věznice (the garrison prison) at Hradčany to Feldkurat Katz in Karlín.

Background

Odysseus is a character from Greek mythology, best known through Homer's epic tales, the Odyssey and the Iliad.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.1] Znovu počíná jeho odyssea pod čestným průvodem dvou vojáků s bajonety, kteří ho měli dopravit k polnímu kurátovi.

Also written:Odysseus cz Odysseus de Ὀδυσσεύς gr

Toníknn flag
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Toník was one of the two soldiers who escorted Švejk to Feldkurat Katz. It appears from the dialogue that he is a Czech patriot and regards Švejk likewise. Toník is mosly referred to as Čahoun, a nickname for a long and lanky person. Toník is short for Antonín.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.1] „Nejsi národní socialista?“ Nyní počal být malý tlustý opatrným. Vmísil se do toho. „Co je nám do toho,“ řekl, „je všude plno lidí a pozorujou nás. Aspoň kdybychom někde v průjezdu mohli sundat bodla, aby to tak nevypadalo. Neutečeš nám? My bychom měli z toho nepříjemnosti. Nemám pravdu, Toníku?“ obrátil se k čahounovi, který potichu řekl: „Bodla bychom mohli sundat. Je to přece náš člověk.“
Pubkeeper Serabonann flag
*15.5.1864 Panenské Březany - †26.5.1931 Praha
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serabona.jpg
srpa.png

Svět zvířat,15.11.1910

serabona.png

Venkov,26.9.1918

Serabona was according to Švejk landlord at Na Kuklíku, member of Sokol and therefore to be trusted.

Background

Serabona is a name which origin is unclear but the connection to the mentioned pub is obvious. Landlord at Na Kuklíku from 1901 was Vilém Srp, and there is even a picture of him on a postcard from 1906. Here the pub is called U Serabono and the address confirms that it is the same place as Kuklík.

It is possible that Serabono was a former owner; pubs were often named after the original owners. It may hypothetically even be a nickname of Vilém Srp, or the name could have an entirely different origin.

Vilém Srp

Vilém Srp (sometimes written Srb) was born in 1864 in Panenské Březany east of Prague. In 1897 he married Marie Nováková with whom he already had the daughter Božena. From 1901 and until 1928, when the building that housed Na Kuklíku was demolished, he owned and managed the named hostelry. In 1916 it appears that the pub closed for a period, and in 1918 the name U Miláčka appeared in an advert[a], just as on the mentioned post card. Srp lived in the building next to the restaurant and he died on 26 May 1931. So far it has not been possible to confirm the author's assertion that "Serabona" was a member of Sokol.

As a curiosity it could be added the Srp subscribed to Svět zvířat and he even wrote to them at the end of 1910, praising the magazine and confirmed that he had paid the subscription for the next year[b].

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.1] „Pojďme na ,Kuklík’,“ vybízel Švejk, „kvéry si dáte do kuchyně, hostinský Serabona je Sokol, toho se nemusíte bát.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, M. Smreček

Literature
References
aKde je veselo a živo?Venkov26.9.1918
bSlavné redakci "Světa zvířat" v Praze!Svět zvířatVilém Srpa15.11.1910
Mařkann flag
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Mařka was a prostitute who frequented Na Kuklíku and who went to U Valšů with a soldier. The name is a short variation of Marie.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.1] U hudby hádali se dva, že nějakou Mařku včera lízla patrola. Jeden to viděl na vlastní oči a druhý tvrdil, že šla s nějakým vojákem se vyspat k „Valšům“ do hotelu.
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Franta was a wounded soldier who had taken part in the campaign in Serbia. He was drinking at Kuklík when Švejk and his entourage dropped by. Franta is short for František.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.1]Franto,“ volali na raněného vojáka, když přezpívali, zahlušivše „Osiřelé dítě“, „nech už je bejt a pojď si k nám sednout. Vykašli se už na ně a pošli sem cigarety! Budeš je bavit, nádivy!“
Polizeikommissar Drašner, Ladislavnn flag
*6.3.1877 Nový Bydžov - †19xx Praha (?)
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drasner.jpg

© Milan Hodík

drasner1.png

"Meldebuch", 1904

Pobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelství1851 - 1914

drasner.png

Venkov,11.4.1916

Drašner is mentioned 6 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Drašner was a police commissioner who once before the war had raided Na Kuklíku looking for prostitutes just when Švejk dropped by. He is also mentioned in a song. See Mařena. Later he appears in the story about Mestek.

Background

Drašner was a policeman at IV. department by c.k. policejní ředitelství in Prague. He was employed in the police force at least from 1902 and records shows that he held the mentioned position in 1913. Čech informs that he had been promoted already in 1911. By 1918 he had been promoted to head commissioner. He continued to serve in the 4th department also in Czechoslovakia.

A photo from Milan Hodík confirms that Drašner was alive as late as 1937. This is confirmed by newspaper articles from January 1939 that also indicate that he had recently retired.

In 7 November 1948 Břetislav Hůla noted that he planned to visit Drašner to ask for advise in navigating police archives, indicating that the pensioned policeman was still alive.

Newspapers reveal that he was very active in controlling prostitution in Prague and he also investigated cases of human trafficking. He was a well known figure amongst the prostitutes and was in general held in high esteem by them although some also feared him.

Drašner was married to Cecilie (b. 1880), and in 1905 their first child was born. The girl however died already in 1909. In 1913 no further children are registered in the police protocols.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.1] Švejk vžil se ve vzpomínky, když tu často sedával do vojny. Jak sem chodil policejní komisař Drašner na policejní prohlídku a prostitutky jak se ho bály a skládaly na něho písničky s obsahem opačným.
[I.10.1]
Za pana Drašnera 
stala se tu mela, 
Mařena byla vožralá 
a Drašnera se nebála.

Sources: Milan Hodík, Jaroslav Šerák

Literature
Mařenann flag
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marena1.jpg

"Mařena, ta byla vožrala"

Patrola Šlapeto, 1994

marena1.png

Břevnov čp. 47, restaurant "U zelené brány"

Mařena (nickname for Marie) was a prostitute who is mentioned is a song that Švejk remembers was performed at Na Kuklíku before the war. The main character in the song was police commissioner Polizeikommissar Drašner who was inspecting the premises. She should not be confused with Mařena from [I.6].

Background

Písen o Mařeně (The song about Mařena) is a Czech folk song, but only a fragment from it is mentioned in the novel. Who wrote it and when it first appeared is not clear, but because Polizeikommissar Drašner features it must have been after 1900 and probably before World War I.

The song is set in the restaurant U Vonásků behind Pohořelec at Břevnov Bělohorská tř. 47 and the theme is the arrival of police commissioner Polizeikommissar Drašner his colleague Malaska on an inspection. The latter, Norbert Malaška, was also a real person, born 4 August 1868 in Horká na Moravě by Olomouc. He is listed in the police registers as a civilian clothes patrol-man.

U Vonásků still exists (2019) but under the name U zelené brány. Address books confirms that this was the official name already in 1907, and František Smrtka was landlord.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.1]
Za pana Drašnera 
stala se tu mela, 
Mařena byla vožralá 
a Drašnera se nebála.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

Literature
Epicurusnn flag
*341 f.kr Samos - †270 f.kr Athen
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epikur.jpg

Epicurus is referred to when the author maintains that small and fat people have the same philosophical attitude as Epicurus: get as much pleasure as possible, the less pain the better.

Background

Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who maintained that the connection between good and evil is equvalent to the physical sensation of pleasure and pain. A well-known quote: "Do not fear death because when you exist death does not and when death does you do not". This laid the foundation of the Epicurian philisophical school: obtain maximum pleasure when you still can.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.1] První z nich, který našel zde úplného uspokojení, byl malý tlustý, neboť tací lidé, kromě svého optimismu, mají velký sklon být epikurejci.

Also written:Epikúros cz

Literature
Oberleutnant Feldhubernn flag
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Feldhuber was a senior lieutenant from whom Feldkurat Katz had borrowed a previous servant. The latter was a teetotaller and this did not suit Katz at all.

Background

No officer carrying this surname can be identified from the address books of Prague (1906, 1910, 1913). Nor was there any Feldhuber in the police domicile records during the period so this must have been a rare surname. Nor does it appear in the Verlustliste from the war or Schematismus for k.u.k. Heer and k.k. Landwehr from 1914.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.1] „Dobře, podívejte se tady na toho vojáka. Toho jsem si vypůjčil na dnešek od obrlajtnanta Feldhubra, je to jeho pucflek. A ten nic nepije, je ab-ab-abstinent, a proto půjde s marškou. Po-poněvadž takového člověka nemohu potřebovat. To není pucflek, to je kráva. Ta pije taky jenom vodu a bučí jako vůl.
Oberleutnant Helmichnn flag
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helmich.jpg

Adresář města Prahy 1907

helmich.png

Adresář města Prahy 1910

Helmich was a senior lieutenant who arranged a party that Feldkurat Katz took part in. The field chaplain was in the end thrown out and had to be picked up by Švejk. Their trip back from Helmich is an in-depth study in drunken drivel.

Background

A certain senior lieutenant Alfred Helmich (born 1872, Vienna) actually served in Prague in 1906 and 1910, in 8. Korpsartillerieregiment that was headquartered at Hradčany with the men garrisoned at Bruska. Whether or not the author knew or knew about this person is mere guesswork, but can't be entirely ruled out. In the address book from 1912 he is not listed with this unit.

If this is the person who inspired the character in the novel, it is logical that Feldkurat Katz needed a cab back to Karlín. Helmich lived at Hradčany (1906) and Malá Strana (1910).

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.2] Již třetí den byl Švejk sluhou polního kuráta Otto Katze a ta dobu viděl ho jen jednou. Třetího dne přišel vojenský sluha od nadporučíka Helmicha, aby si Švejk přišel pro polního kuráta.
Literature
Oberst Justnn flag
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Just was a colonel in Infanterieregiment Nr. 75 who Feldkurat Katz got Švejk mixed up with, being inebriated on the way back from Oberleutnant Helmich.

Background

This is a person that has so far never been linked to any real-life model. Moreover Infanterieregiment Nr. 75 was not stationed in Prague in 1914, they had been moved away from the city already in 1909.

Schematismus for 1914[a] lists several officers with the surname Just but none of them held ranks as high as colonels, and none of them served in Infanterieregiment Nr. 75.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.2] Švejk ho vzbudil a za pomoci drožkáře dopravil do drožky. V drožce polní kurát upadl v úplnou otupělost a považoval Švejka za plukovníka Justa od 75. pěšího pluku a několikrát za sebou opakoval: „Nehněvej se, kamaráde, že ti tykám. Jsem prase.“
References
aSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 433)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1914
Doctor Batěk, Alexandr Sommernn flag
*15.6.1874 Prádlo u Nepomuku - †6.4.1944 Praha
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Národní politika,30.10.1920

Batěk is mentioned when Feldkurat Katz, with a heavy hangover sounds like a lecture by Batěk.

Background

Batěk was a Czech doctor of chemistry and very prominent in the fight against the twin demons of alcohol and tobacco. He was also a vegetarian, sci-fi writer, scout-activist, YMCA-activist and pacifist. For a long period in 1919 he held (almost) daily lectures at Staroměstské náměstí so it is probably these the novel refers to.

More than 100 of the lectures featured in a collection of installments printed by publisher Kočí in 1919. His Sto jisker ethických (One hundred sparks of ethics) is included in the collection but the timing indicates that Otto Katz could hardly have known about them at the time so here the author has mixed in contemporary elements and moved them back into history by six years. Batěk also published the mentioned lecture as a separate 16-page pamphlet. He was very productive; the catalogue of the Czech national library lists more than 500 items under his name. The other pamphlet mentioned, "Let's declare a life and death struggle against the demon of alcohol ...", is not listed in the catalogue.

He also lectured for the Czechoslovak abstinent's association, together with Pavla Moudrá a.o.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.3] Polní kurát byl stižen dokonalou kočkou a naprostou depresí. V tom okamžiku, kdo by ho slyšel, musil by být přesvědčen, že chodí na přednášky dra Alexandra Baťka „Vypovězme válku na život a na smrt démonu alkoholu, jenž nám vraždí muže nejlepší“ a že čte jeho „Sto jisker ethických“.

Sources: Milan Hodík, Wikipedia (cz)

Also written:Alexandr Batěk Hašek

Literature
Hauptmann Šnáblnn flag
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schnabl.png

Šnábl was a captain at the Bruska barracks who according to Feldkurat Katz had good ořechovka (nut spirits). The field chaplain also sent Švejk there to borrow one hundred crowns. The captain was a monster according to Švejk. The good soldier had to kneel in front of him and the matter was only resolved when he told the captain that money was needed for child support.

Background

This character has no prototype as far as we know. Bruska was used by Infanterieregiment Nr. 28 but the address books from 1906 and 1913 list no officer with this name neither here nor at other barracks in Prague. There were many people with the surname Šnábl, Schnabl or Schnabel in Praha at the time, but the address book from 1907 has none of them listed as belonging to the army.

Jaroslav Hašek has surely known or known about people with this surname and could in his usual manner have borrowed it. Curiously one Hynek Schnabl lived at Na Bojišti 1732/14 in 1907, and U kalicha was actually located in the same house!

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.3] Když ukazoval tři sta korun, vrátiv se čestně z výpravy, byl polní kurát, který se zatím umyl a převlékl, velmi překvapen. „Já to vzal najednou,“ řekl Švejk, „abychom se nemuseli zejtra nebo pozejtří starat znova o peníze. Šlo to dost hladce, ale před hejtmanem Šnáblem jsem si musel kleknout na kolena. Je to nějaká potvora. Ale když jsem mu řek, že máme platit alimenty...“

Also written:Snábl Bang-Hansen Schnabl Reiner

Oberleutnant Mahlernn flag
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Mahler an officer at Vršovice kasárna. He was one of the three officers to whom Švejk was sent to by Feldkurat Katz to borrow money.

Background

No trace of any Mahler can be found by IR73 or Traindivision Nr. 8, the largest military units that were garrisoned in Vršovice. In fact there was not a single Mahler registered in any of the Prague garrisons in 1907. Presumably the name of this rather peripheral figure was picked fairly at random.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.3] Jestli tam nepochodíte, tak půjdete do Vršovic, do kasáren k nadporučíkovi Mahlerovi.
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Fišer was a captain at Hradčany. He was one of the three to whom Švejk was sent by Feldkurat Katz to borrow money.

Background

It is unlikely that this peripheral figure has any real-life model. At Hradčany there were several barracks, amongst them artillery and k.k. Landwehr, but in 1906 no officer with this name was listed in the address book.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.3] Nezdaří-li se to tam, půjdete na Hradčany k hejtmanovi Fišerovi. Tomu řeknete, že musím platit futráž pro koně, kterou jsem propil.
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kejrova_np.png

Národní politika,28.3.1915

Kejřová was the cousin of Mrs. Müllerová and was present in Švejk's flat when he visited his home for the last time. She had received a letter from Müllerová who was now locked up in the Steinhof concentration camp. The arrest had taken place the very evening she had pushed Švejk to the military in a wheel-chair. The letter is quoted in the novel, complete but words removed by the sensors. The letter reveals that Müllerová believes that Švejk already has fallen in battle or been executed.

Background

This could be a name the author borrowed from an advert in Národní politika on 28 March 1915. If this is the case, she was owner of a cookery school, author of cook-books and teacher of cookery from Hradec Králové. It is not inconceivable that the author already knew about her. On the other hand: according to police records there were 313 carriers of the name Kejř/Kejřová in Prague at the time so who (if any) Hašek used as a prototype is debatable. What we do know is that the author made use of several fragments from newspapers published late March/early April 1915, so this could be another example. See Marschall Liman von Sanders.

Narozena 1874 v Kralupech nad Vltavou, zemřela 16.9.1926 v Praze. Učitelka vaření, autorka kuchařských knih. Napsala: Cukrovinky na vánoční stromek, Dělnická kuchařka se sřetelem na malé dělnické domácnosti, Dělnická kuchařka, Kniha vzorné domácnosti, Minutové večeře, příležitostné hostiny, Úsporná kuchařka, Úsporná válečná kuchařka, Zdravotní polovegetariánská kuchařka, Zlatá kuchařka s rozpočty, Návod k přípravě pečiva s použitím výrobků "Kveta", Česká vegetariánská kuchařka Anuše Kejřové,České moučníky Anuše Kejřové, Naše ryby a jich vhodná úprava, ... - Zdroj Česká národní bibliografie.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.10.4] „To je náramně žertovné,“ řekl Švejk, „to se mně báječně líbí. Tak aby věděli, paní Kejřová, mají ouplnou pravdu, že jsem se dostal ven. Ale to jsem musel zabít patnáct vachmistrů a feldweblů. Ale neříkají to nikomu...“.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

Literature
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

11. Švejk rides with the field chaplain to serve a field mass

Saint Adalbertnn flag
*956 Libice nad Cidlinou - †23.4.997 Truso
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adalbert.jpg

Saint Adalbert in Prague, Václavské náměstí.

Saint Adalbert is by the author mentioned as a crook who used the cross in one hand and the sword in the other to murder and exterminate the Baltic Slavs. The theme in this context is the institution of Field Mass.

Background

Saint Adalbert was Czech marthyr and saint who spread Christianity in several countries. He suffered death as a martyr in his attempt to converts the Balts and later became a patron saint of Bohemia, Poland, Hungary og Prussia.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.11.1] Nic se nezměnilo od té doby, kdy loupežník Vojtěch, kterému přezděli „svatý“, účinkoval s mečem v jedné a křížem v druhé ruce při vraždění a vyhubení pobaltických Slovanů.

Also written:Svatý Vojěch cz

Guillotin, Joseph-Ignacenn flag
*1770 Paris - †1823 Paris
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guillotin.jpg

Exécution de Marie Antoinette le 16 octobre 1793

Guillotin (or rather the execution apparatus that carry his name) is mentioned by the author in connection with his description of execution- and field mass rituals.

Background

Guillotin was a French doctor and politician who on 10 Oktober 1789 in the National Assembly proposed a reform of capital punishment; applying the same method regardless of class, that the purpose was to end life quickly rather than torture etc. The result of the proposal was that development of a falling axe apparatus was started. From 1792 it was in regular use and led to a much quicker and less painful execution process, a great progress from the previously barbarous methods.

The guillotine is best known from the French Revolution where many prominent heads rolled. The apparatus was also used in Switzerland, and notoriously in Nazi Germany and occupied territories. In Austria-Hungary the official method of execution was hanging in Würgegalgen.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.11.1] V Prusku vodil pastor ubožáka pod sekyru, v Rakousku katolický kněz k šibenici, ve Francii pod guilotinu, v Americe kněz na elektrickou stolici, ve Španělsku na židli, kde byl důmyslným způsobem uškrcen, a v Rusku bradatý pop revolucionáře atd.
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Kolařík - Katz - Švejk

Kolařík was a pious retired teacher from Vršovice who had bought a couch from Feldkurat Katz and had given away the field altar that was hidden inside. He had believed that the altar was a divine gift which obliged him to donate it to the local parish. Katz and Švejk pointed out that the alter was military property and that handling it in such a dubious manner could have grave consequences. See Vršovice kostel.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.11.2] Ve Vršovicích v bytě pana učitele, starého nábožného pána, čekalo je nemilé překvapení. Naleznuv polní oltář v pohovce, starý pán domníval se, že je to nějaké řízení boží a daroval jej místnímu vršovickému kostelu do sakristie, vyhradiv si na druhé straně skládacího oltáře nápis: „Darováno ku cti a chvále boží p. Kolaříkem, učitelem v. v. Léta Páně 1914.“ Zastižen jsa ve spodním prádle, jevil velké rozpaky.
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Svět zvířat,15.1.1910

Pivoňka was a man from Chotěboř who had got his hands on state property and subsequently suffered a grim fate. Švejk found it appropriate to relate this fact to the pious teacher Kolařík who had donated the field altar to the local parish. The fear-stricken old man finally grasped the gravity of the situation.

Background

Pivoňka is a name that appears in at least one of the short stories of Jaroslav Hašek. One of them was a Salvation Army captain who visited Pardubice, mentioned in Zápas s Armádou spásy[a]. Inspiration may also stem from the author's visit to Chotěboř in 1912, the outcome of which was the story Zrádce národa v Chotěboři.

Radko Pytlík writes in Data, fakta, dokumenty (2013) that Pivoňka was a secretary at the tax collector's office in Chotěboř. He met Hašek in 1912 and the two visited a number of pubs together. The source of this assertion is however unknown, and Jaroslav Šerák adds that no Pivoňka is registered in the birth and death records of Chotěboř between 1880 and 1929. He may of course have moved here, but that would be a theme for further research.

Svět zvířat

Pivoňka seems to be a name that Hašek employed several times because it appears at least once in Svět zvířat during his period as editor of the magazine. One example is a joke under the header The Merry Corner where some Pivoňka is the butt of the joke[b].

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.11.2] „Na útraty vojenského eráru, to se rozumí,“ řekl tvrdě a drsně Švejk, „zaplaťpánbůh za takový boží řízení. Nějakej Pivoňka z Chotěboře považoval jednou také za boží řízení, když se mu do rukou připletla ohlávka s cizí krávou.“

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Jaroslav Šerák

Literature
References
aZápas s Armádou spásyKopřivyJaroslav Hašek26.1.1921
bVeselý koutekSvět zvířat15.1.1910
Oberleutnant Witingernn flag
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Schematismus für das k.u.k. Heer ... 1914

Schematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 995)1914

Witinger was a senior lieutenant from Infanterieregiment Nr. 75 who had won the trophy that Feldkurat Katz borrowed for use as a chalice when giving field mass. The trophy was won by the officer years ago when he ran for Sport-Favorit. He was a good runner and boasted that he had run the 40 kilometre Vienna - Mödling stretch in 1 hour 48 minutes.

Background

Witinger is said to have belonged to Infanterieregiment Nr. 75, a unit that was located in Salzburg and Jindřichův Hradec in 1914. It would therefore have been rare to encounter officers from this regiment in Prague at the time. See Oberst Just.

The facts given in the novel with regards to distance and duration of his running are also way off. If Witinger's version was correct his time would have been much better than the current Marathon world record. See Mödling.

Witinger was not a common name in Prague at the time of our soldier, but the almost identical Wittinger was. Any inspiration for the name is therefore likely to be found amongst these.

No traces in k.u.k. Heer

There was no officer named Witinger in k.u.k. Heer in 1914, and only one Wittinger. He was a reserve lieutenant, Edmund Wittinger, enrolled in Traindivision Nr. 4 in Budapest. That this person had anything to do with the figure in the novel is improbabable.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.11.2] Tak dostaneme sportovní pohár od nadporučíka Witingra od 75. pluku. On kdysi před lety běhal o závod a vyhrál jej za ,Sport-Favorit’. Byl to dobrý běžec. Dělal čtyřicet kilometrů Vídeň-Mödling za 1 hodinu 48 minut, jak se nám vždycky chlubí. Jsem hovado, že všechno odkládám na poslední chvíli. Proč jsem se, trouba, nepodíval do té pohovky.“
Dalton, Johnnn flag
*6.9.1766 Eaglesfield - †27.7.1844 Manchester
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dalton.jpg

Dalton is mentioned indirectly through the term daltonist (a person who suffers from colour blindness) when Feldkurat Katz's gory field altar is vividly described by the author.

Background

was a distinguished British scientist in physics and chemistry, also known for his research into colour blindness, which he suffered from. Daltonism has even become a byword for it in some languages, notably French and Spanish. It has also become a synonym in many more, amongst them Czech and English. Dalton spent almost his entire life in Manchester.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.11.2] Oltář skládal se ze tří dílů, opatřených hodně falešným pozlátkem, jako celá sláva církve svaté. Nebylo také možno zjistit bez fantasie, co vlastně představují obrazy namalované na těch třech dílech. Jisto je, že to byl oltář, kterého by mohli stejně používat nějací pohani na Zambezi či šamáni Burjatů i Mongolů. Opatřen řvavými barvami, vypadal zdáli jako barevné tabule určené pro zkoumání daltonistů na železné dráze.

Sources: Wikipedia (en)

Literature
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

12. A religious debate

Heine, Heinrichnn flag
*13.12.1797 Düsseldorf - †17.2.1856 Paris
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heine-001.png

Sterne der Satire Nummer 79.

Heine is quoted by Feldkurat Katz in a poetic moment after a long and cheerful day.

Background

Heine (born Harry, later christened Christian Johann Heinrich), was one of the most important German poets and journalists in the of the 19th century. He is often referred to as the last romantic poet and one who also survived the era. As a critical and politically engaged journalist and satirist, he was as much admired as feared. His Jewish background also underlined his role as an Aussenseiter (outsider) with many enemies.

Sterne der Satire

On 15 September 2015 Heine posthumously shared an unlikely stage with Jaroslav Hašek. Both were on this day inducted in the memory plaque gallery of Sterne der Satire in Mainz, as stars no. 78 and 79. respectively. Present on the occasion was Richard Hašek (grandson of the author) and several notabilities from German political and cultural life. The 80th and final star in the series was awarded to the comedian Dieter Hallervorden.

Die Lore-Ley

His most famous poem was Die Lore-Ley (1824). In [4.1] the first two lines are quoted by the drunk sergeant who interrogates Švejk in Dobromil.

Ich weiß nicht was soll es bedeuten, Dass ich so traurig bin; Ein Märchen aus alten Zeiten, Das kommt mir nicht aus dem Sinn.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12] Polní kurát rozděloval své povinnosti s hýřením a přicházíval velice zřídka domů, umazaný, nemytý, jako kocour, když se mrňouká a dělá své výlety po střechách. Při návratu, mohl-li se vyjadřovat, hovoříval ještě se Švejkem, než usnul, o vznešených cílech, o zápale, o radosti z myšlení. Někdy se také pokoušel mluvit ve verších, citovat Heina.
Literature
Susanna in the bathnn flag
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Painted by Lovis Corinth in 1890.

susanna2.png

Humoristické listy,25.8.1911

susanna1.png

Národní listy,22.9.1911

susanna3.png

Kinematographische Rundschau,4.1.1914

Susanna in the bath decorates the wall above the bed of Feldkurat Katz and this is pointed to the pious field chaplain by when he complains there are no crucifixes in the room.

Background

Susanna in the bath was a biblical character from the Book of Daniel. This part of the book is so-called "apochrypal" (of disputed origin) and not included in Protestant bibles. Susanna has been painted by many artists - Rembrandt, Rubens og van Dyck being amongst them. She is also the theme of a composition by Händel. Several theatre plays base on the theme have been performed over the years, some of them considered quite daring at the time.

The story revolves around Susanna, the beautiful wife of Joachim. Two elders (judges) get infatuated with her and try to blackmail her to have sex with them. One day when she is taking a bath they carry out the threat but she rejects their advances. They subsequently accuse her of infidelity and report her. She is given a death sentence but after prayers by Susanna God intervenes, informs the prophet Daniel about the real situation, and the case is reopened. The two elders are now interrogated separately and their explanations turn out to differ. The result is that Susanna is cleared and her two tormentors executed.

Jaroslav Hašek surely knew this story very well. One of his friends from Strana mírného pokroku v mezích zákona (Quodo Maria Vyskočil) for instance penned a story called "Miss Susanna in the Bath". It was published by publisher Vilímek in 1911. Around the same time a theatre play based on Susanna was performed in Smíchov.

Hašek also wrote the story Biblický případ koupající se Zuzany v novém světle that was never published during his lifetime. It is set in Samara and presumingly it was written after the author's return from Russia, i.e. in 1921 or 1922.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12] Dnes přišel svého kolegu Katze uvésti na pravou cestu a promluvit mu do duše, což začal tím, že poznamenal: „Divím se, že u vás nevisí krucifix. Kde se modlíte breviář? Ani jeden obrázek svatých nezdobí stěny vašeho pokoje. Co to máte nad postelí?“ Katz se usmál: „To je ,Zuzana v lázni’ a ta nahá ženská pod tím je moje stará známost.

Also written:Zuzana v lázni cz Susanna im Bade de

Literature
Papin, Denisnn flag
*22.6.1647 Blos - †1712 London(?)
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Blätter für literarische Unterhaltung, 21.4.1838

Papin is mentioned indirectly by Feldkurat Katz in his description of the modern hell where pressure-boilers play a part in inflicting sufferings on the damned.

Background

Papin was a French physicist, mathematician and inventor who is best known for having invented the pressure-boiler (machine à vapeur). It is this device that is mentioned in the novel and it was invented in 1769 in London (Papin had left France in 1675).

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12] To jest místo obyčejných kotlů se sírou pro ubohé hříšníky papinské hrnce, kotle s velkou atmosférou, hříšníci se smaží na margarinu, rožně s elektrickým pohonem, po miliony let přejíždějí přes hříšníky stoje na válcování silnic, skřípání zubů obstarávají dentisti zvláštními přístroji, kvílení se zachycuje do gramofonů a desky se posílají nahoru do ráje k obveselení spravedlivých.
Brahms, Johannesnn flag
*7.5.1833 Hamburg - †3.4.1897 Wien
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Světozor, , 30.4.1897

brahms2.png

Světozor, , 30.4.1897

brahms.png

Agramer Zeitung, 3.4.1897

Agramer Zeitung,3.4.1897

Brahms was, according to Feldkurat Katz, played so frequently in paradise that the righteous in the end wanted a transfer to hell.

Background

Brahms was a German composer, conductor and pianist. He was discovered in 1853 by Robert Schumann who wrote a an ecstatic article about the young musical genius.

His big breakthrough happened in 1868 with Ein deutsches Requiem. Brahms spent 20 years on his first symphony but eventually more were produced. From 1872 until his death he lived in Vienna.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12] To jest místo obyčejných kotlů se sírou pro ubohé hříšníky papinské hrnce, kotle s velkou atmosférou, hříšníci se smaží na margarinu, rožně s elektrickým pohonem, po miliony let přejíždějí přes hříšníky stoje na válcování silnic, skřípání zubů obstarávají dentisti zvláštními přístroji, kvílení se zachycuje do gramofonů a desky se posílají nahoru do ráje k obveselení spravedlivých. V ráji účinkují rozprašovače kolínské vody a filharmonie hraje tak dlouho Brahmsa, že raději dáte přednost peklu a očistci.
Literature
Saint Augustinenn flag
*13.11.354 Souq Ahras(Aghaste) - †28.8.430 Annaba(Hippo Regius)
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augustin.jpg

Augustine in Australia.

Saint Augustine is mentioned in the anecdote of Švejk about the church servant from Vlašim who, like Augustine, did not believe in the Antipodes. The quote in question was: "damned is he who believes in the Antipodes". The target of the anecdote was the pious filed chaplain who unannounced arrived at the door of his colleague Feldkurat Katz to have a stern word him.

Background

Saint Augustine was a Church father and philosopher from North Africa and one of the greatest of the ancient theologians. He was regarded a saint soon after his death. In "De civitate Dei" he reveals his scepticism about the Antipodes:

Quod vero et Antipodes esse fabulantur, id est, homines a contraria parte terrae, ubi sol oritur, quando occidit nobis, adversa perdibus nostris calcare vestigia, nulla ratione credendum est ...

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12] „U Vlašimě byl, poslušně hlásím, pane feldkurát,“ řekl Švejk, „jeden děkan a ten měl, když mu jeho stará hospodyně utekla s klukem i s penězi, posluhovačku. A ten děkan na stará kolena dal se do studování svatýho Augustina, kterýmu říkají, že patří mezi svaté otce, a dočet se tam, že kdo věří v protinožce, má bejt prokletej.

Also written:Svatý Augustin cz Sankt Augustin de

Literature
John the Baptistnn flag
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doyparen.jpg

From Hagia Sofia in Istanbul

John the Baptist is mentioned when the pious field chaplain asks Feldkurat Katz if he believes that the thumb of John the Baptist is kept U Piaristů and if he believes in God at all.

Background

John the Baptist is a character from the New Testament who baptised Jesus Christ in the river Jordan. He was also a martyr, having been executed at the order of herodes.

He also plays a role as a prophet in Islam, Judaism and the Bahai-relegion.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12] Mžouraje očima, otázal se Katze: „Vy nevěříte v neposkvrněné početí panny Marie, nevěříte, že palec sv. Jana Křtitele, který se chrání u piaristů, je pravý? Věříte vůbec v pána boha? A když nevěříte, proč jste polním kurátem?“

Also written:Jan Křtitel cz Johannes der Täufer de Jochanan ben Sacharja hb

Literature
Saint Josephnn flag
Wikipedia czdeennn Search
josef.jpg

Guido Reni, 1635

Saint Joseph is invoked by the religious field chaplain when he after several potent swigs bangs his fist on the table and proclaims that he regards Joseph a saint.

Later on in the novel, in Medzilaborce [III.3], his name is invoked by the repenting sinner Offiziersdiener Baloun. In this context Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek proclaims Joseph the patron saint of all deserters.

Background

Saint Joseph is a figure from the New Testament who was married to the Virgin Mary and thus served the role as father of Jesus Christ. He is regarded a saint in Orthodox, Catholic and Anglican Christianity.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12] Uhodil pěstí do stolu, až láhve poskočily: „Bůh je vznešená povaha, cosi nadpozemského. Je čestný ve svých záležitostech. Je to slunný zjev, to mně nikdo nevyvrátí. I sv. Josefa si vážím, všechněch svatých si vážím, až na sv. Serapiona. Má takové ošklivé jméno.“

Also written:Sankt Josef cz

Literature
Saint Serapionnn flag
*1179 London - †14.11.1240 Alger
Wikipedia deenes Search
serapion.jpg

Saint Serapion was not held in esteem as a saint by the religious field chaplain because he had such a repulsive name.

Background

Saint Serapion was a monk and soldier from the age of the Crusades who suffered martyrdom at the hands of the Moors and was later canonized. He was a member of the Mercedarian Order for Redemption of Captives which goal was to release Christian prisoners in Moslem captivity. The background for this martyrdom was that he offered himself as a hostage in Alger in a prisoner exchange deal, but when the Moslem captives were not released in time he was mutilated and killed. Serapion was of British origin, probably born in London.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12] Uhodil pěstí do stolu, až láhve poskočily: „Bůh je vznešená povaha, cosi nadpozemského. Je čestný ve svých záležitostech. Je to slunný zjev, to mně nikdo nevyvrátí. I sv. Josefa si vážím, všechněch svatých si vážím, až na sv. Serapiona. Má takové ošklivé jméno.“

Also written:Svatý Serapion cz San Serapio es

Literature
Saint Ludmilann flag
*860(?) Mělník - †15.9.921 Tetín
Wikipedia czdeen Search
ludmila.jpg

Zlatá Praha, 31.10.1884

ludmila.png

From Hašek's marriage certificate,
signed 28 December 1911

Saint Ludmila is also mentioned by the pious field chaplain during the religious debate with Feldkurat Katz.

Background

Saint Ludmila was, according to legend, a Czech princess and married to the first Christian ruler of Bohemia, Bořivoj I of the Přemysl dynasty. She was the grandmother and custodian of Saint Wenceslaus. Ludmila is said to have been murdered on orders from her daughter-in-law, and became the first Czech saint.

Ludmila is an important person in the borderland between Czech mythology and history. Antonín Dvořák composed an oratorio to her honour, lyrics provided by Vrchlický. A red wine from Mělník is also named after her.

Ludmila also had a church in Vinohrady named after her: Kostel sv. Ludmily at Purkyňově náměstí (now Náměstí míru). It was here that Jaroslav Hašek married Jarmila Mayerová on 23 May 1910.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12]Sv. Ludmilu mám rád, i sv. Bernardina,“ pokračoval bývalý katecheta, „ten zachránil moc poutníků ve sv. Gotthardě. Má na krku láhev s koňakem a vyhledává zapadlé sněhem.“

Also written:Svatá Ludmila cz Sankt Ludmilla de

Literature
Saint Bernhardnn flag
*996 ? Aosta - †15.6.1081? Novara
Wikipedia czdeenfrit Search
bernardin.jpg

Saint Bernhard was held in high esteem by the religious field chaplain. Here he is called St. Bernardin but there is little doubt that the field chaplain refers to Saint Bernhard because he saved many pilgrims by Sankt Gotthard.

Background

Saint Bernhard (Bernard of Aosta, Bernard of Menthon or Bernard of Mont-Joux) was a French missionary who operated in the Alpine region. He is the patron saint of Alpine dwellers and mountaineers. The chronological details of his life are unclear, including year of birth and death.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12] „Sv. Ludmilu mám rád, i sv. Bernardina“, pokračoval bývalý katecheta, „ten zachránil moc poutníků ve sv. Gotthardě. Má na krku láhev s koňakem a vyhledává zapadlé sněhem.“

Also written:Svatý Bernard cz Bernardo di Mentone it

Literature
Herodnn flag
*73 f.kr Ashkelon ? - †4 .e.kr Jericho
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
herodes.jpg
herodes.png

Večery, 23.12.1911

Herod appears in the story through unkind words uttered by the God-fearing field chaplain who hates him.

Background

Herod was a Roman vassal king of Judea, Galilee, Samara and the surrounding areas. Many historians regard him as an effective ruler who completed several large building projects, but he was also known as ruthless and tyrannical. He had several members of his family executed, amongst them one of his wives.

In the New Testament

Herod is best known through the Bible and the role he played after the birth of Jesus Christ. According to Matthew's gospel he gave the order to murder all boys in Betlehem of less than two years age. This was after the newly born Jesus, his perceived rival as "king of the Jews", had been brought into safety by his father Saint Joseph.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12] Zábava dostala jiný směr. Nábožný polní kurát počal mluvit páté přes deváté: „Mláďátek si ctím, mají svátek 28. prosince. Herodesa nenávidím.

Also written:Herodes cz

Boccaccio, Giovanninn flag
*Certaldo 16.6 1313 - †Certaldo 21.12 1375
Wikipedia czdeenitnn Search
bocaccio.jpg
dekameron1.png

Josef Lada, 1955

dekameron.png

J.J. Benešovský-Veselý, 1897

dekameron2.png

© Det norske samlaget, 1996

Boccaccio is mentioned because Švejk put Bocaccio's Decameron in the hand of the pious field chaplain who was legless and had fallen asleep. The soldier found the book on the night table of Feldkurat Katz.

Background

Boccaccio was an Italian writer and poet. He is best known as author of the The Decameron, the book that is mentioned here. He is regarded as one of the all time greats of Italian literature.

The Decameron

This book was by some distance Boccaccio's most famous work. The plot is set during the times of the Black Death (1348) in the surroundings of Florence. It is a collection of 100 short stories, told by 10 people who have fled the city due to the plague. Each tell one story a day over 10 days, some of them very daring for their time. This was partly due to sexually explicit content, moreover satire directed at the church and it's institutions.

The Decameron is considered a key work in European literature, inspiring, amongst others, Geoffrey Chaucer and later Miguel de Cervantes and Lope de Vega.

The book was banned and censored on several occasions during medieval times, but more surprisingly the US postal services were from 1873 required by law not to ship it. The ban was lifted as late as 1926.

Translations

The novel has been translated into numerous languages, English translations abound. The first known was in 1620, and the first complete version was published in 1886 (translated by John Payne), and the most recent one appeared as late as 2013. The first Czech translation was published in 1881 (translated by Josef Fl. Karafiát), and in 1897 a new one followed.

Hašek and the Decameron

There are some striking similarities between Jaroslav Hašek's novel and Decameron. They are both satirical books, have been banned, and are fragmented in their composition. Another curious similarity is the large number of facts that are embedded: the Decameron mentions numerous places, people and institutions, just like Hašek's novel does.

Fifty years after Hašek's death three volumes of his short stories were published, exploiting the name of Boccaccio's famous book: Dekameron humoru a satiry (1968), Druhý Dekameron (1979) and Třetí dekameron: Reelní podnik (1977).

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.12] Nakonec ho uložili do postele. Než usnul, prohlásil, vztyčuje k přísaze pravici: „Věřím v boha otce, syna i ducha svatého. Přineste mně breviář!“ Švejk mu strčil do ruky nějakou knihu ležící na nočním stolku, a tak nábožný polní kurát usnul s „Decameronem“ G. Boccaccia v ruce.
Literature
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

13. Švejk goes to provide the last rites

Němcová, Boženann flag
*4.2.1820 Wien - †21.1.1862 Praha
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
nemcova1.png

Pestrý týden,19.1.1927

nemcova2.png

České národní báchorky a pověsti, Díl I

nemcova.png

Moravské noviny,24.1.1862

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Das Vaterland,26.1.1862

Božena Němcová is mentioned when Švejk tells Feldkurat Katz that finding oil consecrated by a bishop is worse than finding the water of life in tales by Božena Němcová.

Background

Božena Němcová was a prominent Czech writer who wrote short stories, poems and fairytales. Her best known work is however a novel: Babička (Grandmother), regarded as one of the classics of Czech literature. The well known film Three nuts for Cinderella (1973) is based on one her fairytale from 1845 called O Popelce (About Cinderella).

Water of life

One of the tales that Švejk refers to is surely About the talking bird, the water of life and the three golden apple trees. It was first printed in 1846 and has since been included in many compilations.[a]

Life

Božena Němcová was born Barbara Pankl in Vienna but the family moved to Bohemia when she was a year old. Her father was a German (Austrian) coach driver, her mother a Czech maid. Němcová grew up in Ratibořice by Náchod and married the 15 year older civil servant Josef Němec when she was 17. The marriage was a result of pressure from her parents. The couple had four children but the marriage was an unhappy one, and Němcová had a number of extra-marital affairs.

In 1842 the family moved to Prague where she came in contact with leading figures in the Czech national revival movement. She started to write and in 1844 her first tales were published. Around this time she changed her first name to the more typical Czech Božena.

The family moved frequently and Božena Němcová suffered from poverty and illness during her last years. She was only 42 years old when she died on 21 January 1862. The funeral that took place three days later, and was a stark contrast to the penury of her later years. It was attended by a big crowd; amongst them were a number of Czech notabilities from literary and political circles. She was buried at Vyšehrad and her tomb is still there.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.13] Švejk vypravil se tedy na cestu za olejem posvěceným od biskupa. Taková věc je horší než hledání živé vody v pohádkách Boženy Němcové.
Literature
References
aO mluvícím ptáku, živé vodě a třech zlatých jabloníchBožena Němcová
Mr. Tauchennn flag
Search Švejkův slovník

Tauchen was the shop clerk at Firma Polák. It was from him that Švejk purchased Hamp seed oil Nr.3 that was to be used by Feldkurat Katz for the last rites at Vojenská nemocnice na Karlově náměstí. It was required that the oil was consecrated by a bishop.

Background

Tauchen is a name that also appears later in the novel when Švejk tells Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk about his apprenticeship at drogerie Kokoška. This second Tauchen is also a chemists assistant. Tauchen (in the slightly chnaged form Tauben) had alreday in 1909 played a part in stories by Jaroslav Hašek; he was an assistant at Kološka (read Kokoška) in the eight stories "From the old chemists" in Veselá Praha. It is very likely that these three varieties of Tauchen are inspired by the author's time as a chemists apprentice in 1898-99. To this day (2017) it has not been possible to find out who the real Tauchen was.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.13] Když Švejk přišel a přál si za deset korun olej posvěcený od biskupa, řekl šéf k příručímu: „Nalejou mu, pane Tauchen, deset deka konopného oleje čís. 3.“
Literature
Saint John Chrysostomnn flag
*347 Antiokia - †14.9.407 Komana Pontika
Wikipedia czdeennnno Search Švejkův slovník
gullmunn.jpg
gullmunn.png

Kniha sw. Jana Zlatoustého,1828

Saint John Chrysostom was quoted by Feldkurat Katz when addressing the persistent money lender: "He who honours the priest, honours Christ. He who persecutes the priest, persecutes Christ the Lord, whose representative happens to be that very priest".

Background

Saint John Chrysostom was a Greek Church Father who was proclaimed a saint with 13 September as his memorial day. He was famous for his rhetorical capabilities. The name of Chrysostom, which is Greek for 'golden mouth', refers to this ability.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.13] „Vidíte, Švejku, jak to dopadá s takovým člověkem, který nectí kněze,“ usmál se polní kurát. „sv. Jan Zlatoústý řekl: ,Kdo ctí kněze, ctí Krista, kdo příkoří činí knězi, činí příkoří Kristu pánu, jehož zástupcem právě kněz jest.’

Also written:Sv. Jan Zlatoústý cz

Boušeknn flag
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bousek.png

Adresář obce libeňské,1896

Boušek was a man from Libeň who was impossible to get rid of at U Exnerů. In one of his aptly chosen analogies Švejk compared him to the ever persisting money lender who pestered Feldkurat Katz.

Background

There is no person carrying this name in the address book of Libeň from 1896, but on the other hand a couple of Bouček are listed. Nor in the police registers is there any trace of Boušek.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.13] „Poslušně hlásím, pane feldkurát,“ poznamenal Švejk, „že je to hotovej nezmar, jako nějakej Boušek z Libně. Vosumnáctkrát za večer ho vyhodili od ,Exnerů’, a vždycky se jim tam vrátil, že tam zapomněl fajfku.
Oberleutnant Janatann flag
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janata.png

Verlustliste Nr. 85,23.12.1914

Janata was a senior lieutenant who fell by the Drina without having paid the 700 crowns he owed the moneylender who pestered Feldkurat Katz.

Background

The name Janata appears several times in the list of casualties throughout the war. The database of fallen soldiers from the current Czech and Slovak republic contains 21 names[a], but none of them appear to have died by the Drina or even had the rank of senior lieutenant. Schematismus reveals only one Janata and he served in the navy[b]. Otherwise this surname is quite common in Czechia with almost 1000 bearing the name[c].

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.13] Vytáhl zápisník z kapsy a pokračoval: „Mám to všechno zapsáno. Nadporučík Janata dluhoval mně 700 korun a odvážil se padnout na Drině.
Literature
References
aDatabáze padlých v 1. sv. válceVÚA
bSchematismus für das kaiserliche und königliche Heer ...K.u.k. Kriegsministerium1914
cPříjmení: 'Janata', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
Leutnant Prášeknn flag
Search Švejkův slovník

Prášek was a lieutenant who was captured by the Russian without having paid his debts to the money lender.

Background

Many soldiers named Prášek were taken prisoner at the Russian front and some of them eventually joined the Legions. Still, there is not indication that any of them held the rank of lieutenant when they were captured[a]. This is no surprise as in the entire k.u.k. Heer served only one Prášek in 1914 and he was a Fähnrich in Bosnisch-hercegovinisches Infanterieregiment Nr. 3[b]. That Hašek knew this person is almost ruled out and the name is probably borrowed pretty much at random.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.13] Poručík Prášek upadl na ruské frontě do zajetí, a je mně dlužen na 2000 korun.
Literature
References
aDatabáze legionářůVÚA
bSchematismus für das kaiserliche und königliche Heer ...K.u.k. Kriegsministerium1914
Hauptmann Wichterlenn flag
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wuchterle.jpg

Josef Wuchterle: did Hašek borrow the name of the Czechoslovak national hero?

Adolf Zeman,1927

Wichterle was a captain who let himself get killed by his own soldiers at Rawa Ruska without having settled his debts to the money-lender.

Background

No Wichterle is listed in the database of fallen from World War I (soldiers from the current Czech and Slovak republics). Nor is the name found in Verlustliste or in Schematismus from 1914. The only item that appears on searches for Wichterle at the time is a tools manufacturer in Prostějov. In Czechia live only 30 persons with this surname[a]. Even rarer is the similar Wuchterle.

Wuchterle

With this name lived a person who Hašek definitely had heard of and probably also knew in person. This man was Josef Boris Wuchterle (1891-1923), a high ranking officer in the Legions and a national hero in Czechoslovakia. He was one of the very first who joined the Česká Družina in 1914. He commanded one of the companies of the 1st rifle regiment (where Hašek also served) and was severely wounded during the battle of Zborów in 1917. After the battale he was promoted to captain[b]. The small difference between Wichterle and Wuchterle is well within the margin of errors in The Good Soldier Švejk and it could even be that Hašek deliberately changed the letter to avoid controversies.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.13] Hejtman Wichterle, dluhující mně stejný obnos, dal se zabít pod Ruskou Ravou vlastními vojáky.
Literature
References
aPříjmení: 'Wichterle', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bWuchterle Josef BorisDomažlický dějepisAlexej Petrašovský
Oberleutnant Macheknn flag
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machek.png

Schematismus ...,1914

machek1.png

Nachrichten über Verwundete und Verletzte, 21.1.1915

Nachricthen über Verwundete und Kranke,21.1.1915

machek2.png

Národní listy,10.2.1915

Machek was a senior lieutenant who was a prisoner of war in Serbia despite his unpaid debts of 1500 crowns.

Background

In Schematismus from 1914 one Oberleutnant Viktor Machek is actually listed. That year he served at 3. Tyroler Kaiserjägerregiment. On 1 July 1915 he was promoted to captain and was still enlisted with the same regiment.

From the list of wounded 21 January 1915 it is evident that Machek was hospitalised in Vienna after having been shot in the lungs. It is also mentioned that he was born in Prague in 1886. In Verlustliste Nr. 116 from 29 January he is correspondingly listed as "Verwundet". The Czech version is however confusing. In Čech and Národní listy it may be interpreted as if he was captured. Národní politika however makes it clear that when nothing else is noted, the soldier mentioned in the list is wounded.

The rank fits, Machek was born in Prague and from Czech newspapers it's not entirely clear whether he was wounded or captured. Moreover his family lived in Vinohrady, a place Jaroslav Hašek knew very well. This indicates that the author may perhaps have linked his literary figure with the real Viktor Machek.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.13] Nadporučík Machek zajat v Srbsku, dluhuje mně 1500 korun. Je zde víc takových lidí.
Literature
Feldkurat Matyášnn flag
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matyas.png

Schematismus für das kaiserliche und königliche Heer..., 1914

Matyáš was a field chaplain from Brno who died in isolation hospital, he never got round to paying his debts before he pegged out.

Background

A field chaplain Miklos Mátyás actually served in k.u.k. Heer in 1914 (as a reserve). The field chaplain was Hungarian and Hašek spells the name slightly differently (but phonetically correct). Whether he was from Brno or died there is not known. There is apparently no evidence in military documents about him being killed, captured or injured although several others with this name appear (but none of them were field chaplains).

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.13] Přistrčil polnímu kurátovi svůj zápisník pod nos. „Vidíte: Polní kurát Matyáš v Brně, zemřel v isolační nemocnici před týdnem. Já bych si rval vlasy. Nezaplatil mně 1800 korun, a jde do cholerového baráku zaopatřovat nějakého člověka, po kterém mu nic nebylo.“
Literature
Professor Zenger, Karel Václav Bedřichnn flag
*17.12.1830 Chomutov - †22.1.1908 Praha
Wikipedia cz Search
zenger.jpg

Karel V. Zenger

zenger.png

Národní politika,2.10.1902

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Le Figaro,6.7.1902

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Lidové noviny,23.1.1908

Zenger is mentioned indirectly as "one professor" when Švejk reveals his mishaps relating to sunspots. He claimed that when "that time the volcano Mount Pelée destroyed the entire island of Martinique a professor had written in Národní politika that he well in advance had warned about a big sunspot".

Background

Zenger is by near certainty the professor that Švejk refers to in the conversation at Vojenská nemocnice na Karlově náměstí. It can however not be verified that Zenger wrote any article similar to the one Švejk mentions, but his studies of the connection between sunspots and seismic activity on earth makes him an obvious inspiration for the professor in the novel.

Zenger was a distinguished physician and meteroroloist and towards the end of his life he was even awarded the title "Hofrat". He published widely; in Czech, German and even French. He was particularly well known in French academic circles, but his name also appears in newspapers like Bergens Tidende (Norway).

He taught at the technical high school Česká technika (now ČVUT) in Prague and Jaroslav Hašek mixed a great deal with it's students and has surely been aware of professor Zenger and his theories.

Zenger observed an approximate ten year cycle on volcanic eruptions, and linked this to a corresponding cycle of high solar activity. The first eruption that was included in the statistics happened in 1732, and with only two exceptions there were repeated eruptions in years that ended in two. The two remaining happened in years that ended in three, amongst these were Krakatoa in 1883.

Národní politika

Some months after the disaster at Martinique an article was printed in the very Národní politika where Zenger's theories were linked to the mentioned eruption. The article quotes the newspaper L'Opinion from Martinique, but also other French newspapers wrote about Zenger and his theories.

Many years earlier Zenger had investigated the connection between solar activity and its effect on the earth. He coined the term "sun climate" and was an international capacity within this research. For instance he provided some statistic that indicate a link between low sun spot activity and seismic events on earth, and it may well be that Švejk had noticed this.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.13] Když tenkrát ta sopka Mont-Pellé zničila celý ostrov Martinique, jeden profesor psal v ,Národní politice’, že už dávno upozorňoval čtenáře na velkou skvrnu na slunci.
Literature
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

14. Švejk as military servant to senior lieutenant Lukáš

Oberleutnant Lukáš, Jindřichnn flag
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lukas.jpg
lukas.png

The author on Lukáš. © LA-PNP

lukas1.jpg

A fateful encounter

lukas2.jpg

Lukáš is mentioned 315 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Lukáš first appears when Feldkurat Katz loses Švejk to him in a game of cards "twenty-one". Thus the good soldier becomes the servant of Oberleutnant Lukáš who from now onwards becomes one of the most important characters in the novel, and apart from Švejk the only one who figures in all four parts. He is also the only officer who is generally described in a sympathetic manner.

Švejk subjects Oberleutnant Lukáš to a number of ordeals during the time as an officer's servant. Amongst those is the theft of Fox (Max) that causes the transfer to the front, the mishap with the emergency brake by Tábor and the affair with Mr. Kakonyi in Királyhida.

From the moment when the good soldier is promoted to messenger their relationship improves and Oberleutnant Lukáš grows fond of his servant, although he is still irritated by the endless anecdotes. Švejk all the time reveals his loyalty and on a few occasions he even puts himself on the line for his superior. One example is when he devours the compromising letter to Etelka Kakonyi and then he downs a bottle of "cognac" in Humenné to protect Lukáš.

Introduced by the author

Jaroslav Hašek actually spends a couple of pages on introducing the reader to Oberleutnant Lukáš. This is an honour that no-one else apart from Feldkurat Katz benefits from, and to a much lesser degree. The other officers in the novel are only introduced through dialogues and the plot itself. The author informs us that Lukáš was Czech, born in a village in the south of Bohemia. In nationality questions he sympathises with the Czech cause but is careful to not express it publicly. One of his statements are: "let us be Czechs but non-one needs to know about it. I am also Czech".

He is portrayed as an amphibian who speaks German in society but reads Czech books. He treats his men strictly but fairly, he may raise his voice, but he never shouts at them. He is fearless and direct towards his superiors and this may even have cost him promotion to captain. He is well liked by his men, makes sure they are quartered properly during manoeuvres and also treats them with beer and appreciates that they sing when marching. He also knows how to put brutal lower rank officers in their place.

Otherwise he has over time been unfortunate with his servants who he hates and frequently replaces. Oberleutnant Lukáš is also fond of animals and keeps a canary bird and a cat. It is indirectly revealed that he has served for a while in Prague and that he teaches at a school for one-year volunteers (see Prager Einjährig-Freiwilligenschule). In the author's introduction it is not revealed which unit he served with in Prague.

Further information

As the novel progresses more details about Oberleutnant Lukáš are revealed. He was a friend of the ladies, a fact that is graphically illustrated through the encounters with Katy Wendler and Etelka Kakonyi. He was an instructor at a reserve officer's school in Vršovice, therefore probably serving with IR73. It is however unclear where he lived, but as he was walking the dog Max at the corner of Panská ulice and Na Příkopě he surely lived fairly centrally in Prague. This is however contradicted by the fact that Blahník handed over the stolen dog in Vršovice. He held his farewell party in Nekázanka ulice, very close to where he was caught with the stolen dog. Perhaps this was where he lived?

A fateful encounter

The affair with the stolen dog caused his transfer to IR. 91, an important event as it leads the entire plot of the novel onto a track that in major parts runs in parallel to the author's own career in k.u.k. Heer. On the train to Budějovice where he has to answer Generalmajor von Schwarzburg it is revealed that he was educated at Prager Infanteriekadettenschule. During the conversation between Hauptmann Ságner and Bahnhofskommandant Zykán at the railway station in Győr it becomes clear that Oberleutnant Lukáš attended cadet school with Ságner. Lukáš is interested in culture and arts, and the other officers berate him that he doesn't want to mingle with them in his spare time. He detests the brutality he witnesses on the journey to the front. It culminates in Humenné where he gets an urge to get drunk to alleviate the painful feelings.

Oberleutnant Lukáš is part of the novel until the final scene in the uncompleted Part Four. Švejk is the officers servant of Lukáš in the first two books - in Part Three and four he serves Lukáš as his company messenger. Their relationship is often tense due to Švejk's repeated mishaps but deep down the soldier is very loyal to Lukáš and the officer slowly gets to like his subordinate, which is clear by the end of the novel. Before departure from Királyhida, Lukáš becomes commander of the 11th march company. Švejk is promoted to company orderly, and Offiziersdiener Baloun replaces him as putzfleck for Lukáš.

Background

There is no doubt that the main prototype for Oberleutnant Lukáš was Rudolf Lukas, an Austrian, later Czechoslovak officer. Still he can't have been the only one as there is little in Part One where Lukáš has anything in common with his real-life counterpart. There is for instance every reason to believe that the author attached both biographical details and personal traits from the real life captain Čeněk Sagner to his fictional Lukáš.

Oberleutnant Lukáš is also mentioned in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí but plays a minor role. Some of the incidents that the novel connects to Lukáš were then related to Fähnrich Dauerling (the dog theft and the Mr. Kakonyi affair).

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.1] Štěstí Švejkovo nemělo dlouhého trvání. Nelítostný osud přerval přátelský poměr mezi ním a polním kurátem. Jestli polní kurát až do té události byl osobou sympatickou, to, co nyní provedl, je s to strhnout s něho sympatickou tvářnost. Polní kurát prodal Švejka nadporučíkovi Lukášovi, lépe řečeno, prohrál ho v kartách. Tak dřív prodávali na Rusi nevolníky. Přišlo to tak znenadání. Byla pěkná společnost u nadporučíka Lukáše a hrálo se „jednadvacet“.
[II.4] Jest rozhodně povinností úřadů vyšetřiti tento zločin a optati se vojenského velitelství, které jistě již se touto affairou zabývá, jakou úlohu v tom bezpříkladném štvaní proti příslušníkům Uherského království hraje nadporučík Lukasch, jehož jméno uvádí se po městě ve spojitosti s událostmi posledních dnů, jak nám bylo sděleno naším místním dopisovatelem, který sebral již bohatý materiál o celé aféře, která v dnešní vážné době přímo křičí.
[II.4] Jest to známý český šovinista Lükáš, o jehož řádění bude podána interpelace naším poslancem Gézou Savanyú, který zastupuje okres királyhidský.“
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Vejvoda is mentioned 18 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Vejvoda was a plumber from the street Na Zderaze in Prague who always played "mariáš" in a pub behind Stoletá kavárna. According to an interminable anecdote by Švejk he won such an amount at cards that he had to seek police protection. In the story the main character is mentioned no fewer than sixteen times and this is arguably the longest anecdote in the whole novel. See also Hospoda za Stoletou kavárnou.

The story was told by Švejk to console Feldkurat Katz who had just played away the money Švejk had lent him so that he (Katz) could buy Švejk back from Oberleutnant Lukáš. This was after the field chaplain initially had gambled away his servant at a card game.

Background

It has not been possible to link the story and Vejvoda himself to any real event. In the address book from 1907 there is no Vejvoda listed at Na Zderaze, nor is there any plumber with this name in entire Prague. The same goes for older address books.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.1] Na Zderaze žil nějakej klempíř Vejvoda a ten hrával vždy mariáš jedné hospodě za ,Stoletou kavárnou’. Jednou taky, čert mu to napískal, povídá: ,A což abychom si hodili jedníka o pětníček.’ Hráli tedy pětníčkovýho jedníka a on držel bank. Všichni se ztropili a tak to rostlo do desítky. Starej Vejvoda chtěl popřát taky druhýmu něco a pořád říkal: ,Malá špatná domů.’
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Sancho Panza is mentioned by the author in his reflections on the institution of military (officer) servants. Her Panza is described as a military servant of Don Quijote.

Background

was the servant of Don Quijote in the classic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Many literary scholars point to similarities between Panza and Švejk, but also add that Švejk as opposed to Sancho Panza was the main character in his novel.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.2] Jisto však je, že v době feudalismu vystupovali v té úloze žoldnéři rytířů. Čím byl Sancho Pansa Dona Quijota? Divím se, že historie vojenských sluhů nebyla dosud nikým sepsána.

Also written:Sancho Pansa Hašek

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Les Nouvelles littéraires, 16.4.1932

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Dagens Nyheter, 23.8.1926

Don Quijote is mentioned by the author in connection with Sancho Panza and the institution of officer servants. The author describes Sancho as Don Quijote's military servant, a position that the strictly speaking never had.

Background

Don Quijote is the main character in the classic novel Don Quijote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. The novel is one of the greatest in the Spanish language ever, a universal classic, and one of the most translated.

Compared with Švejk

Don Quijote is a novel that The Good Soldier Švejk often has been compared to. On 23 August 1926 Swedish literary critic Carl-August Brolander wrote a review of the German translation of Part One for the newspaper Dagens Nyheter. Here he declared Jaroslav Hašek a "Czech Cervantes" and also compared him to Rabelais. The French critic Jean-Richard Bloch wrote a similarly enthusiastic review in Les Nouvelles littéraires in 1932.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.2] Instituce důstojnických sluhů je prastarého původu. Zdá se, že již Alexandr Macedonský měl svého pucfleka. Jisto však je, že v době feudalismu vystupovali v té úloze žoldnéři rytířů. Čím byl Sancho Pansa Dona Quijota? Divím se, že historie vojenských sluhů nebyla dosud nikým sepsána.

Also written:Quijote cz Don Quijote es Don Quichotte fr

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Beaumarchais and his Figaro may partly have inspired Hašek

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Nový velký ilustrovaný slovník naučný, 1929

Almavira is mentioned by the author as he is supposed to have eaten his servant Fernando without salt during the siege of Toledo.

Background

Almavira is supposed to have been part of the defending party during the siege of Toledo but it is uncertain to what historic event or literary work the author refers.

Later in the novel [III.3] Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek mentions an almost identical episode, but the cannibalistic deed is now located to Madrid during the Napoleonic wars (there is no mention of any Almavira or Fernando here). Even this is doubtful as the siege in question was very short. It has not been possible to locate any place in Spain with the name Almavira so it is surely a spelling mistake or the person in question is someone entirely different.

It has not been possible to locate a place in Spain named Almavira so here it is probably a question of a typing error, mix-up, or pure invention.

Beaumarchais

The only Almavira a search reveals are roles in The barber of Seville by Rossini and The wedding of Figaro by Mozart. Both these build on a triology of plays about Figaro by Pierre Beaumarchais. Translator of Švejk to Spanish and Catalan, Monika Zgustová "corrects" Almavira to Almavida without solving the main question. Beaumarchais used the name Almaviva anyway.

It is still probable that the author was aware of and picked the idea from Figaro. The relation between master and servant fits, but the cannibalism and siege connection does not. Nor does the fact that the duke is supposed to have written his memoirs. The Napoleonic Wars started after Beaumarchais' death, so the chronological connection to the siege of Madrid is also broken. Hašek may well have mixed together multiple stories or invented new ones. Eating a servant may be only a grotesque intermezzo in line with detective Bretschneider's death [I.6] or the story about a dog who devoured a baby [I.3].

Lazarillo de Tormes

A doctoral thesis by Hamza Messari that compares Švejk and the 16th century Spanish picaresque novel Lazarillo de Tormes offers no further clue, although it mentions Almavira as "some duke".

Hamza Messari

Elementos picarescos en la novela „Las aventuras del valeroso soldado Schwejk“ de Jaroslav Hašek.Ya que hemos citado a Garcílaso y a la ciudad de Toledo; Hašek hace un homenaje al paje de un tal Conde de Almavira que durante el cerco de la ciudad, se dejó comer por su amo y Lazarillo alabando la misma ciudad...

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.2] Našli bychom tam, že vévoda z Almaviru snědl svého vojenského sluhu při obležení Toleda z hladu bez soli, o čemž vévoda sám píše ve svých pamětech, vypravuje, že jeho sluha měl maso jemné, křehké, vláčné, chutí podobající se něčemu mezi kuřecím a oslím.

Sources: Sergey Soloukh, Hamza Messari

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Světozor, , 4.10.1907

Fernando was the servant of the Hertugen av Count Almavira. He is said to have been eaten by his master.

Background

Fernando can not be identified until we know who the Hertugen av Count Almavira was (if he was a real person at all). But if the inspiration was Beaumarchais' plays, it could be argued that Figaro inspired the figure of Fernando. Still the grotesque cannibalism-story doesn't fit, and is rather the author's own invention.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.2] Mezi touto novou generací pucfleků nenajdou se tací obětaví tvorové, kteří by se dali sníst svými pány bez soli jako šlechetný Fernando vévody z Almaviru.
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Kaunitz was a captain who like Švejk had been superarbitrated due to idiocy. He had the habit of walking around with one finger up each nostril. This is what Švejk tells Oberleutnant Lukáš when the latter mentions Švejk's reported mental limitations, thus innocently making the point that officers may also be retarded.

Background

No officer with the name von Kaunitz exists in the address books of Prague nor in Armeeschematismus.

The Czech noble family Kaunitz (cz. Kounice) was however well known and it could be that the author borrowed the name from them. There were also a few Kaunitz (without the noble prefix) serving in k.u.k. Heer thourgh the years but it is unlikely that the author was aware of them.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.3] Od regimentu nás kvůli tomu pustili dva, mě, a ještě jednoho pana hejtmana von Kaunitz. Ten s dovolením, pane nadporučíku, když šel po ulici, tak se současně pořád dloubal prstem levé ruky v levej nosní díře a druhou rukou v pravé dirce, a když šel s námi na cvičení, tak nás vždy postavil jako při defilírungu a říkal: ,Vojáci, éh, pamatujte si, éh, že je dneska středa, poněvadž zejtra bude čtvrtek, éh. ‘„
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Zlatá Praha, 4.3.1892

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Výroční zpráva vyššího gymnasia v Pelhřimově za školní rok 1896-1897

Marek was a teacher from a village beyond Pelhřimov who was pursuing the daughter of gamekeeper gamekeeper Špera. He is part of a story Švejk tells Oberleutnant Lukáš to underline that nothing is worse than lying and uses teacher Marek as an examlpe of how disastrously this might end.

This Marek should not be confused with Marek who becomes one of the main characters in the plot from [II.2] onwards.

Background

In the village of Chvojnov by Pelhřimov actually lived a teacher Karel Marek. In Zlatá Praha (Golden Prague) from 1892 it is revealed that he had won in a logical puzzle. In the yearly report of the gymnasium in Pelhřimov (1896-1897) another Karel Marek from a village nearby is mentioned. This time it is in Horní Cerekev, but whether it is the same person or if Hašek may have known about him/them is pure speculation.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.3] „Poslušně hlásím, pane nadporučíku, že rozumím. Není nic horšího, než když člověk lže. Jak se začne zaplítat, tak je ztracenej. V jedný vesnici za Pelhřimovem byl nějaký učitel Marek a ten chodil za dcerou hajnýho Špery, a ten mu dal vzkázat, že jestli se bude s holkou scházet v lese, že mu, když ho potká, postí do zadnice z ručnice štětiny se solí.
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Špera was a gamekeeper from a village near Pelhřimov who resented that the teacher Marek pursued his daughter. This was according to a story Švejk told Oberleutnant Lukáš when they first met.

Background

It has not been possible to identify anyone who could have inspired this character.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.3] „Poslušně hlásím, pane nadporučíku, že rozumím. Není nic horšího, než když člověk lže. Jak se začne zaplítat, tak je ztracenej. V jedný vesnici za Pelhřimovem byl nějaký učitel Marek a ten chodil za dcerou hajnýho Špery, a ten mu dal vzkázat, že jestli se bude s holkou scházet v lese, že mu, když ho potká, postí do zadnice z ručnice štětiny se solí.
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Čechoslovan,19.2.1917

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In "The Good Soldier Švejk in captivity" Balabán was a Boxer who Švejk stole for the benefit of Dauerling.

Balabán was an unusually ugly dog of mixed race that Švejk once had bought. The dog is mentioned in the kynological discourse he subjects his superior Oberleutnant Lukáš to on the day the two first met.

Background

This dog appears in several of Jaroslav Hašek's stories. It was so ugly that dogs, other animals and people avoided him. From one of the stories, Kolik kdo má kolem krku, it is apparent that the author actually owned a dog called Balabán.

Balabán also appears in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí (1917), the second version of the good soldier. Here it is the name of the dog that Švejk stole in Bruck for the benefit of Fähnrich Dauerling. In this story the dog is a Boxer and even Kadett Biegler gets involved with him.

Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí

Tak ho přitáhl k Dauerlingovi, který vyjasnil tvář. Nijak mu nevadilo zoufalé vzezření boxerovo. Ptal se, jak jmenuje. Švejk pokrčil rameny: "Já mu říkal po cestě Balabán." "Ty hlupáku," rozkřikl se Dauerling, "takový pes se musí jmenovat nějak vznešeně, počkáme, až přijde Biegler, to je chytrá hlava, ten si něco vymyslí."

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.3] Já jsem jednou koupil takovýho psa Balabána, von byl po těch svých tátech tak vošklivej, že všichni psi se mu vyhýbali, a já ho koupil z lítosti, že je takovej vopušténej.
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*2.11.1844 Istanbul - †4.7.1918 Istanbul
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The Emperor and the Sultan in 1914

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Neue Freie Presse,10.3.1915

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Rozkvět,10.4.1915

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Nieuwe Venlosche courant,30.3.1915

Mehmet V. Reşat is mentioned indirectly when Švejk reads in a newspaper that the Sultan has honoured Kaiser Wilhelm II. with a war medal and he himself didn't even have a small silver medal. The sultan is thus not mentioned directly by name.

Background

Mehmet V. Reşat was Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (see Turkey) from 1909 to 1918. He ascended the throne after the coup by the Young Turks but had limited power. His only significant political act was to formally declare Jihad against the Allies on 11 November 1914. He was the empire's Sultan no. 35 and died only months before the empire collapsed.

His reign was marked by enormous territorial losses for The sick man of Europe. North-Africa except Egypt and almost all of the Balkans was lost from 1912 to 1913. During World War I the Arab territories and Cyprus followed.

War medal

Circumstances strongly suggest that the decoration that Švejk read about took place in March 1915 as a quote from Roskvět's "Brief Chronicle of the World War" is to the letter reproduced in the novel. The content of the "Chronicle" also appeared is newspapers like Národní politika, and many of these brief quotes appear throughout this chapter of the novel. The chronicle refers to the date of decoration as 24 March 1915.

Already on 9 March 1915 the Turkish news agency Agence Milli reported that the Sultan had telegraphed the Emperor and congratulated him on the great victories in the east. In the same telegrammme it is revealed that the Emperor will be offered the Imtiaz War Medal as an expression of the Sultans admiration.

On 25 March Agence Milli reported that Goltz Paşa had left Constantinople for Berlin in order to personally forward the award. It also added that the war medal was specially issued for the Emperor.

In April it was revealed that the Emperor had responded by awarding the Sultan the Iron Cross 1st Class. Again Goltz Paşa performed the formal decoration. He actually brought the medal back with him from the trip to Berlin, and the Sultan received the medal on 11 April.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.3] „Tak vida,“ řekl pro sebe Švejk, sleduje se zájmem přehled denních událostí, „sultán vyznamenal císaře Viléma válečnou medalií, a já nemá dosud ani malou stříbrnou.“

Sources: Hans-Peter Laqueur, Petr Novák, Jaroslav Šerák

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Confectioners near U kalicha in 1910

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Bělčický was a confectioner who is mentioned by Švejk when he refuses to let Katy Wendler into the flat of Oberleutnant Lukáš. cukrář Bělčický let in a stranger who had then run away with the cash till. It is clear that the confectioners shop was located in the street where Švejk lived.

Background

cukrář Bělčický probably has a real model and there were several confectioners in the area where we assume the Good Soldier lived. Na Bojišti had two in 1910, and there was also one in Vávrova třída. Still none of them are listed with Bělčický as proprietor, and even when including all of Prague there appears to be no confectioner with this name.

A certain Václav Pospíšil owned several confectioner shops in this area, one of them in No. 10, two houses down from U kalicha. It is therefore possible that some cukrář Bělčický was the branch manager here.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.4] Teď zavřu byt, tak bych prosil, abyste laskavě vodešla. Mně není nic oznámenýho a žádnou cizí osobu, kterou neznám, zde nemůžu nechat v bytě. Jako jednou u nás v ulici u cukráře Bělčickýho nechali jednoho člověka a on si votevřel šatník a utek.
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Erzherzog Karl Franz Josephnn flag
*17.8.1887 Persenbeug-Gottsdorf - †1.4.1922 Funchal
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Světozor,17.6.1914

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Neue Freie Presse,20.4.1915

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Světová válka 1914-1915 slovem i obrazem, s. 555

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Illustrierte Geschichte des Weltkrieges 1914-15.

Karl Franz Joseph is mentioned indirectly as "the Austrian heir to the throne" when Švejk escorts Katy Wendler to the barracks where Oberleutnant Lukáš teaches. The soldier enters a conversation with the guard and wears an expression as stupid as that seen on a picture with the Austrian heir to the throne in Kronika světové války.

He enters the plot again in [I.15] in a horrible dream Oberleutnant Lukáš suffers after the dog theft. In [III.1], during the dream of Kadett Biegler on the way to Budapest, he is mentioned under his full name. There is a portrait of him hanging on the wall at k.u.k. Gottes Hauptquartier.

Background

Karl Franz Joseph (baptised Karl Franz Joseph Ludwig Hubert Georg Otto Marie von Habsburg-Lothringen) was in 1915 heir to the Austrian and Hungarian thrones. He was the eldest son of Archduke Otto, brother of Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand. He became emperor and king when Kaiser Franz Joseph I. died on 21 November 1916.

His reign was less repressive than his predecessor's as he gave an extensive amnesty to political prisoners. He also tried to negotiate a separate peace with the Entente, albeit without notifying his allies. Karl was the last emperor of the Habsburg family. He was beatified in 2004.

Karl and the pilots

Before he ascended the thrones he visited the front frequently, and he often featured in illustrated magazines like Wiener Illustrierte Zeitung. In the context of The Good Soldier Švejk the most important photo of him is one that was printed in Kronika světové války in 1915 and is reproduced verbatim in the novel.

The picture shows the heir to the throne together with two pilots who have downed a Russian plane. It was printed also in other newspapers, and then with additional explanatory details. The two airmen shown were the Germans Johann Offermann and Erwin von Sprungmann. The photo was taken by Czernowitz in Bukovina (now Чернівці in Ukraine) and hails from the first half of 1915. The heir to the throne visited Černovci on 19 April 1915 and the photo was probably taken during this visit.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí the heir to the throne (now in 1917 emperor and king) is simply classed as brain-damaged.[1]

A císař Karel, ještě když byl arciknížetem, prohlásil na rautu, že srovná se zemí celé Rusko.

Karel I. v útlém mládí byl stižen vodnatostí dutin mozkových a ošetřován byl ve vodoléčebném ústavě dr. Guggenbühla na Abenbergu u Interlakenu ve Švýcařích.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.4] A císař Karel, ještě když byl arciknížetem, prohlásil na rautu, že srovná se zemí celé Rusko.
[I.14.4] Karel I. v útlém mládí byl stižen vodnatostí dutin mozkových a ošetřován byl ve vodoléčebném ústavě dr. Guggenbühla na Abenbergu u Interlakenu ve Švýcařích.
[I.14.4] Tím byl nadobro ukončen pokus dohovořit se se Švejkem a další cesta do kasáren šla v naprostém mlčení. Jedině když již stáli u kasáren, Švejk vyzval mladou dámu, aby počkala, a dal se do hovoru s vojáky ve vratech o vojně, z čehož musela mít mladá dáma náramnou radost, poněvadž chodila nervosně po chodníku a tvářila se velice nešťastně, když viděla, že Švejk pokračuje ve svých výkladech s tak hloupým výrazem, jaký bylo možno vidět též na fotografii uveřejněné v té době v „Kronice světové války“: „Rakouský následník trůnu rozmlouvá se dvěma letci, sestřelivšími ruský aeroplán“.
[I.15] Šel též spat a v noci se mu zdálo o Švejkovi, že Švejk ukradl také koně následníkovi trůnu, přivedl mu ho a následník trůnu že toho koně při přehlídce poznal, když on, nešťastný nadporučík Lukáš, na něm jel před svou rotou.
[III.1] Uprostřed pokoje, ve kterém po stěnách visely podobizny Františka Josefa a Viléma, následníka trůnu Karla Františka Josefa, generála Viktora Dankla, arcivévody Bedřicha a šéfa generálního štábu Konráda z Hötzendorfu, stál pán bůh.

Sources: Milan Hodík

Literature
References
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
General Kusmanek von Burgneustädten, Hermannnn flag
*16.9.1860 Sibiu (Hermannstadt) - †7.8.1934 Wien
Wikipedia deenhunlplru Search Švejkova cesta Švejkův slovník
kusmanek.jpg

Österreichische Illustrierte Zeitung,15.8.1915

kusmanek.png

Kuryer Lwowski,1.2.1914

Kusmanek is mentioned by Švejk in a conversation about how the war progresses. Kusmanek is said to have arrived in Kiev. This conversation takes place whilst awaiting orders from Oberleutnant Lukáš about what to do with Katy Wendler. Švejk refers to him as General Kusmanek.

Background

Kusmanek was an Austrian infantry general and commander of the Przemyśl fortress during the two Russian sieges in 1914-1915. He was considered one of the more capable Austrian commanders and earned the nickname "The Lion of Przemyśl" in 1914. After the capitulation of the fortress on 22 March 1915 he and the nearly 120,000 strong garrison became prisoners of war in Russia.

Before the war

Kusmanek was the son of a highranking police officer, Josef Kusmanek, who for many years headed the security police in Vienna. Already as a 19-year old he graduated from the military academy in Wiener Neustadt. His career then progressed via, amongst others: Infanterieregiment Nr. 63, k.u.k. Kriegsministerium, IR73 and from 1903 k.u.k. Generalstab. On 16 February 1906 Oberst Kusmanek was even invited to an official dinner by Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand.

In 1908 he became commander of 65. Infanteriebrigade in Győr, and from 4 May 1910 by 3. Infanteriedivision in Linz, From February 1911 he was head of 28. Infanteriedivision in Ljubljana (Laibach). In Linz he was replaced by Erzherzog Joseph Ferdinand, a member of the imperial family. Kusmanek thus had an unusually short term here, and it is tempting to suggest that he was transferred to make way for a Habsburger.

Kusmanek was promoted to Feldmarschall-Leutnant on 1 November 1910 (with a resulting audience with the Emperor). he was knighted on 1 November 1913 and chose the post-fix "von Burgneustädten". He became fortress commander in Przemyśl on 1 February 1914, a transfer that was to determine his fate.

Authentic quote
kusmanek_kiev.png

Národní politika,4.4.1915

The information Švejk gives refers to events on 26 March 1915, connected to Kusmanek's arrival in Kiev as prisoner of war. The author has clearly used news items for this passage, and at first glance they seem to be from Národní politika who 4 April printed a snippet that was almost identical to the quote in the novel.

kusmanek2.png

Světová válka 1914-1915 slovem i obrazem, s. 505

The book Světová válka 1914-1915 slovem a obrazem, page 505, contains the same quote and here it is to the letter identical to the wording in the novel. That this is indeed the author's source is confirmed by the sub-title of the page: Kronika světové války. To remove any doubt this page even contains a picture of the successor to the throne Erzherzog Karl Franz Joseph, with subtitles exactly as those used in the novel a few lines earlier.

Prisoner of war
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Hufvudstadsbladet,1.3.1916

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Illustrierte Kronen-Zeitung,22.4.1916

Newspapers provided more comprehensive information. Kusmanek arrived in Kiev on an express train, first class, on 25 March. This was only three days after the capitulation of Przemyśl. He was very well treated in Kiev and even stayed as a guest of the governor. Furthermore his stay in Kiev was of a temporary nature, he was to be sent to the inner parts of Russia for permanent internment.

Reports in the Finnish press (and later also in Austria-Hungary) reveals that we was interned in Nishny Novgorod. He arrived here in late April via Moscow. In April there were also reports the he was internet in the Voronesh Gubernate but this is probably not true.

In Nishny Novgorod the authorities provided rented accommodation and he was allowed to move freely two hours every day. In the beginning he reportedly lived in a hotel. As a prisoner of war he was not allowed to visit public houses, but other reports claimed he was able to move around more or less freely.

In the beginning the conditions were good but deteriorated towards the end of the war. In February 1916 he complained to the Red Cross that the authorities had confiscated material he had prepared about the reasons for the fall of Przemyśl. He had collected the material in anticipation of an investigation on returning to his homeland.

Returning home
kusmanek1.png

Pester Lloyd,19.2.1918

In early 1918 Austria-Hungary and Russia negociated a prisoner exchange where a number of higher officers were involved, amongst them those captured at Przemyśl. On 12 February 1918 Kusmanek left Nishny Novgorod and travelled via Moscow, Petrograd, Vilnius and Warsaw to Vienna. On the 18th he arrived at Nordbahnhof and was greeted by several dignitaries and high ranking officers.

In January 1918 news articles appeared, claiming that he had travelled to Stockholm. Allegedly he and other generals stayed there in anticipation of the conclusion of the peace treaty with Russia, but this is only one of several false news stories regarding his whereabouts during the war.

Three days after returning Kusmanek stood before a military court of honour, a formal investigation that all repatriated officers had to go through. As expected the court cleared him of any wrongdoings. The day before (20 February) he had been invited to see the Emperor, and in March he was awarded the honorary title Geheime Rat. During the war he had in absentia been promoted to Generaloberst.

His latter years

Kusmanek settled in Vienna after the war but was not very active in public life. In 1920 rumours circulated that he had become commander of the Ukrainian Boslhevik's 6th army, a rumour that was soon refuted. In 1923 he suffered a stroke from which he never recovered. The last years of this life he was very ill. Kusmanek died in 1934 and is buried at Wien Zentralfriedhof.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.4] Švejk posadil se na lavici ve vratech a vykládal, že v bitevní frontě karpatské se útoky vojska ztroskotaly, na druhé straně však že velitel Přemyšlu, generál Kusmanek, přijel do Kyjeva a že za námi zůstalo v Srbsku jedenáct opěrných bodů a že Srbové dlouho nevydrží utíkat za našimi vojáky.
Literature
Katy Wendlernn flag
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katywendler.jpg

Katy Wendler was the wife of the hops wholesaler hop trader Wendler and one of the ladies of Oberleutnant Lukáš. She played a prominent role in this chapter as she appears out of the blue to visit the lieutenant when he in turn is expecting Mrs. Micková from Třeboň.

In this delicate situation Švejk comes up with the idea to send a telegram to her husband mentioning her whereabouts. This works and hop trader Wendler comes and fetches the young Katy Wendler, which leads to a long and detailed conversation with Oberleutnant Lukáš about the war and international hop trading in times of crisis.

Before this happens Katy Wendler had commanded the good soldier to turn the residence of Oberleutnant Lukáš inside out and had also enjoyed his company in the bedroom after he had rearranged the flat to her liking. Švejk had received strict orders to please the lady in all her wishes and in this respect he only carried out his duty as a soldier and gentleman.

Background

It has not been possible to identify any real-life model for Katy Wendler although Jan Berwid-Buquoy makes an unconvincing attempt to link her to some Anna Wendler from Liberec. Rudolf Lukas allegedly had a relationship with her in Budějovice in 1915. The story has not been confirmed but it is altogether possible because Lukas spent time in the city between 1 April 1915 and 1 June 1915, recovering after having been wounded in the Carpathians on 15 March. There are however many discrepancies: this lady was not the wife of a hop trader and she wasn't even married. The only connection to some Wendler was her uncle who allegedly was co-owner of a brewery. If there is substance to this theory it is unlikely to be more than a borrowed name. It can be added that there was no Wendler associated with the city's two breweries in 1914 (the uncle could of course have been the brother of Anna's mother). Indeed there were no Wendlers in the address book at all.

If there is substance to this theory it is unlikely to be more than a borrowed name , and more likely gossip or pure invention. If the episode with Katy Wendler is inspired by some real events, it probably has nothing to do with Rudolf Lukas at all. Note that other episodes involving the senior lieutenant like the dog theft are found also in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí. Here they don't involve Oberleutnant Lukáš but rather Fähnrich Dauerling and the same goes for the scandal with Etelka Kakonyi.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.4] Švejk se právě chystal, že se půjde poohlédnout po nějakém stájovém pinči, když mladá dáma zazvonila a přála si mluvit s nadporučíkem Lukášem
[I.14.4] Lieber Heinrich!

Mein Mann verfolgt mich.
Ich muß unbedingt bei Dir ein paar Tage gastieren.
Dein Bursch ist ein großes Mistvieh. Ich bin unglücklich.

Deine Katy

Sources: Jan Berwid-Buquoy

Mrs. Mickovánn flag
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Micková was a lady from Třeboň who Oberleutnant Lukáš expected a visit from just when Katy Wendler appeared.

Background

It has not been possible to identify any real-life model for Mrs. Micková.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.4] Milý Jindřich byl určitě v ošklivé situaci. Manželka pronásledovaná manželem přijede k němu na několik dní na návštěvu, právě když má přijeti paní Micková z Třeboně, aby po tři dny opakovala to, co mu pravidelně poskytuje každého čtvrt roku, když jede do Prahy dělat nákupy.
Hop trader Wendlernn flag
Search Švejkova cesta Švejkův slovník
wendler.jpg

Wendler is mentioned 2 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Wendler was an intelligent hop merchant, married to Katy Wendler. He came to visit Oberleutnant Lukáš to fetch his wife who had ran away from home. First, Wendler listen impatiently to Lukáš and his description of the war effort, went on to complain about Katy and then ended up describing the hopeless situation in the European hop market now just before Christmas in 1914. Still in the end his wife went home with him!

Background

Wendler does not have any obvious model, but many details from the conversation with Oberleutnant Lukáš have a direct relation to events that took place in late March and early April 1915. Even literal quotes from the newspapers found their way into this conversation, mainly from official battle reports.

All the place names from the Western Front that Wendler mentions appeared in official bulletins and newspaper summaries between 26 March and 4 April 1915, so the author has obviously had access to newspapers or magazines from this period. The main source is no doubt Kronika světové války.

No reliable traces

The address books of Prague do not show up any Wendler who had any connection to hop trade. There were in fact very few people named Wendler in the Czech capital before World War I. The best known Wendler was Antonín who owned a factory that produced gates and fences. He also made equipment for the brewing industry. That said it is clear from the context that the couple didn't live in Praha as Wendler told his wife that the train leaves at 2:20. He had arrived the same morning. See Katy Wendler for a possible connection to some Wendler in Budějovice.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.5] Telegram, který odeslal, byl velice úsečný, obchodní: „Nynější adresa vaší choti je...“ Následovala adresa bytu nadporučíka Lukáše. Tak se stalo, že byla paní Katy velice nepříjemně překvapena, když se vhrnul do dveří obchodník s chmelem. Vypadal velice rozšafně a starostlivě, když paní Katy, neztrácejíc v tom okamžiku rozvahy, představila oba pány: „Můj muž - pan nadporučík Lukáš.“ Na nic jiného nevzpomněla. „Račte se posadit, pane Wendler,“ vybídl přívětivě nadporučík Lukáš, vytahuje z kapsy pouzdro s cigaretami, „není libo?“
[I.14.5] Seděli všichni chvíli mlčky proti sobě, až uznal nadporučík za vhodné přerušit trapnou situaci slovy: „Kdy jste přijel, pane Wendler?“
Literature
Hali Beynn flag
*1874 Milas - †2.4.1948 Milas
Wikipedia entr Search Švejkova cesta Švejkův slovník
mentese.jpg

Halil Bey in Berlin

halil.png

Pester Lloyd,29.3.1915

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Světová válka slovem i obrazem

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Das interessante Blatt,2.12.1915

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Dagbladet,27.10.1915

Hali Bey is mentioned by Oberleutnant Lukáš when he describes the positive war situation for hop-trader hop trader Wendler. Lukáš could inform his guest that Hali Bey, speaker of Turkish Parliament, had arrived in Vienna accompanied by Ali Bey.

Background

Hali Bey (correct Halil Bey, later he took the name Halil Menteşe) was a Turkish politician and one of the leaders of the Young Turk Movement, and for a while chairman of the associated Committee of Union and Progress. Halil served as MP from 1908 to 1918. He was educated as a lawyer, and completed part of his studies in France.

Some time before December 1909 he became chairman of the Committee, the de-facto ruling party after the Young Turk Revolution (1908). In February 1911 he accepted the post of minister of the interior after some deliberation. It was a critical period with considerable unrest amongst the minorities of the empire. His first task was to deal with a Albanian rebellion, and he strived to alleviate the tension by allowing the Latin alphabet to be used in Albanian schools. On 15 May 1912 he became speaker of the lower chamber of Turkish Parliament (re-elected 13 May 1914), on 24 Oktober 1915 foreign minister and in 1917 minister of justice.

According to US ambassador Henry Morgenthau Halil didn't approve of the genocide of the Armenians, but still defended it officially. In an interview with Berliner Tageblatt in 1915 he stated that "the Armenians are traitors, we must finish with them". Halil was politically active also in the new Turkish republic that was formed after the collapse of the Ottoman empire.

Journey to Vienna

In March 1915 he set out on a journey to capital cities on the Balkans and in Central Europe. On this journey Halil Bey stopped in Sofia (14 March), Bucharest (15 March), Budapest (16 March), Vienna (18 March), Berlin (from 19 March), and again in Vienna (28 March). The main purpose of the journey was to meet leading foreign policy makers in person, particularly in Berlin where he stayed for a longer period.

Quotes from periodicals

It is the visit to Vienna on 28 March 1915 that is directly referred to in the novel. Everything indicates that the author fetched the fragment about Hali Bey and Ali Bey and their arrival in Vienna directly from Světová válka slovem i obrazem (see Kronika světové války). On page 506 in this publication the phrase that is used in the novel can be found, including the erroneous spelling of Halil (in "Kronika" and in the novel he is "Hali"). The same quote also appeared in Rozkvět on 10 April and in Národní politika on 4 April. In the two latter publications the wording is however slightly different and Halil is here correctly spelled.

Ambassador Morgenthau's Story, Henry Morgenthau, 1919

Soon after this interview Saïd Halim ceased to be Minister for Foreign Affairs; his successor was Halil Bey, who for several years had been Speaker of the Turkish Parliament. Halil was a very different type of man. He was much more tactful, much more intelligent, and much more influential in Turkish affairs. He was also a smooth and oily conversationalist, good natured and fat, and by no means so lost to all decent sentiments as most Turkish politicians of the time. It was generally reported that Halil did not approve the Armenian proceedings, yet his official position compelled him to accept them and even, as I now discovered, to defend them. Soon after obtaining his Cabinet post, Halil called upon me and made a somewhat rambling explanation of the Armenian atrocities. I had already had experiences with several official attitudes toward the persecutions; Talaat had been bloodthirsty and ferocious, Enver subtly calculating, while the Grand Vizier had been testy. Halil now regarded the elimination of this race with the utmost good humour. Not a single aspect of the proceeding, not even the unkindest things I could say concerning it, disturbed his equanimity in the least. He began by admitting that nothing could palliate these massacres, but, he added that, in order to understand them, there were certain facts that I should keep in mind.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.5] „Turci se drží dobře,“ odpověděl nadporučík, uváděje ho opět ke stolu, „předseda turecké sněmovny Hali bej a Ali bej přijeli do Vídně.

Sources: Hans-Peter Laqueur, Petr Novák

Also written:Hali bej Hašek

Literature
Ali Beynn flag
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emirali.jpg

EMIR ALI PASHA Vice President of the Turkish Parliament, Who Was Sent to Berlin to Take Back to Turkey Mohammedan Prisoners Captured from the Allies.(Photo from Press Illustrating Co.)

The New York Times Current History, March 1915

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Pilsner Tagblatt, 29.3.1915

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Wiener Zeitung,30.3.1915

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Rozkvět,10.4.1915

Ali Bey is mentioned by Oberleutnant Lukáš when he explains hop trader Wendler Turkey's role in the war. He could inform his guest that the Turks are holding their ground and that Ali Bey and Hali Bey had arrived in Vienna.

Background

Ali Bey no doubt refers to Emir Ali Paşa. The author uses the term "bej" but this is an misquote that appeared in some Czech newspapers, amongst them Národní politika, Rozkvět and Kronika světové války.

Emir Ali was the son of the Algerian national hero Abd El-Kader El Djezairi, who from 1855 lived in Damascus. Emir Ali Paşa was from May 1914 member of the Lower Chamber of Turkish Parliament and at the same time he was first vice-chairman of the chamber.

In mid March 1915 he travelled to Berlin to negotiate about transfer of British and French Muslim prisoners of war to the Ottoman Empire. The plan was to employ them in the war against Great Britain. On the way back he stopped in Vienna. The stay lasted from 28 to 30 March 1915 and he stayed at Hotel Bristol. He travelled from Berlin to Vienna together with Halil Bey. From Vienna he returned directly to Constantinople.

Quote from the press

The quote from Národní politika, Rozkvět and Kronika světové války is nearly identical to the quote in the novel and several other snippets from the same pages appear in the conversation with hop trader Wendler. It is this brief news item about the visit in Vienna that six years later found its way into a world famous novel. The incorrect news items in the Czech press that the author made use of complicated the effort to identify Emir Ali, but a comparison with similar quotes from the Viennese press puts all doubt to rest.

Hans-Peter Laqueur

Yusuf Hikmet Bayur, Türk İnkılabı Tarihi, vol 3, part 3 (Türk Tarih Kurumu yayınları, VIII. dizi, sayı 14, Ankara 1991 [last reprint]) p. 422 states that Emir Ali Paşa, deputy chairman of the Meclis-i Mebusan, was the eldest son of Abd el-Kader. The author, historian, born 1881, was an „eye-witness“, he was in his adult life when Emir Ali was elected in 1914, and his account seems reliable enough for me to say that Emir Ali must have been the son of Abd el-Kader.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.5] „Turci se drží dobře,“ odpověděl nadporučík, uváděje ho opět ke stolu, „předseda turecké sněmovny Hali bej a Ali bej přijeli do Vídně.

Sources: Petr Novák, Hans-Peter Laqueur

Also written:Ali bej Hašek

Literature
Marschall Liman von Sanders, Otto Viktor Karlnn flag
*17.2.1855 Stolp (Słupsk) - †22.8.1929 München
Wikipedia deennotr Search Švejkova cesta Švejkův slovník
sanders3.png

Middagsavisen,6.4.1915

liman1.png

Světová válka 1914-1915 slovem i obrazem, s. 506

sanders2.png

Venkov,25.8.1929

Liman von Sanders has according to Oberleutnant Lukáš been appointed supreme commander of the Turkish army of the Dardanelles. This was in the conversation with hop trader Wendler. Lukáš could also inform that Liman held the rank of marshal.

Background

Liman von Sanders was a German cavalry general and Turkish marshal, best known for his role as advisor and military commander in Turkey. He was instrumental in thwarting the British-French expedition force by the Dardanelles in 1915.

In 1913 he was given the task of re-organizing the Turkish army after the disastrous setbacks in the Balkans Wars of 1912 and 1913. Initially he was corps commander of Constantinople but was on 24 March 1915 appointed commander of the newly formed 5th Army and it is the news of this appointment that appears in The Good Soldier Švejk with the words of Oberleutnant Lukáš.

Towards the end of the war he was commander of the Asia-Corps, and after the war he was arrested by the British, accused of war crimes against Armenians and Greeks, but released due to lack of evidence. He returned to Germany in 1919 and settled in Munich where he lived for the rest of his life.

Time shift

The timing of the appointment mentioned by Lukáš is at odds with historical facts. It seems that Hašek used printed material from 1915 to construct this part of the plot, but "moved" the event to December 1914. The phrase that Lukáš uses is to the letter identical to that found in Národní politika 4 April 1915 and also in Kronika světové války.

Similar time-shifts occur elsewhere in the novel. See Siedliska.

Hans-Peter Laqueur

When explaining the war situation to Mr. Wendler (December 20th, 1914), Lukasch mentions that Field Marshall Liman von Sanders has been made commander in chief of the Turkish Army at the Dardanelles: Otto Liman von Sanders was a Prussian General, and Ottoman Marshall, he was made CiC of the Ottoman 5th army (Dardanelles) March 24th, 1915 (cf. Liman von Sanders, Fünf Jahre Türkei, G(Berlin) 1920, p. 77).

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.5] „Turci se drží dobře,“ odpověděl nadporučík, uváděje ho opět ke stolu, „předseda turecké sněmovny Hali bej a Ali bej přijeli do Vídně. Vrchním velitelem turecké armády dardanelské jmenován maršálek Liman šl. Sanders. Goltz paša přijel z Cařihradu do Berlína a naším císařem byli vyznamenáni Enver paša, viceadmirál Usedom paša a generál Dževad paša. Poměrně hodně vyznamenání za tak krátkou dobu.“
Literature
Goltz Paşa, Colmar von dernn flag
*12.8.1843 Adlig Bieken-feld (Labiau) - †19.4.1916 Bagdad
Wikipedia deennotr Search Švejkova cesta Švejkův slovník
goltz.jpg

Das interessante Blatt,13.8.1914

goltz.png

Světová válka 1914-1915 slovem i obrazem, s. 506

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Světová válka 1914-1915 slovem i obrazem, s. 529

goltz1.png

Pester Lloyd,22.4.1916

Goltz Paşa has according to Oberleutnant Lukáš arrived in Berlin from Constantinople. This is at least what he comforts hop trader Wendler with his account about the situation in the war.

Background

Goltz Paşa was a German general, military historian and author. From 1883 he was responsible for reorganizing the Turkish army, and after returning to Germany in 1895 he held several high positions; amongst them army corps commander and army inspector. In 1914 the now retired general was appointed military governor in occupied Belgium, and from December he became an adviser to Turkey.

Travel to Berlin

The trip that Oberleutnant Lukáš refers to actually occurred: Goltz arrived in Berlin from Constantinople on 29 March 1915. The phrase about Goltz is word by word identical to an item in Kronika světové války in 1915, and then in Národní politika on 4 April 1915. This is one of many items from the conversation between the hop trader and the officer that are be borrowed from the same source.

He returned to Constantinople on 4 April 1915 and stopped in Vienna for a conversation with Kaiser Franz Joseph I..

Hans-Peter Laqueur

Goltz died in Baghdad 1916 of typhus and was buried there immediately, as the transport of a body died from an infectious disease was prohibited. After a couple of months(?, still in 1916) a solution was found and his coffin was transferred to Istanbul and re-buried in the German military cemetery at G(Tarabya), in the grounds of the German Embassy's summer residence. In 1918 the Kaiser visited the grave there. It had been planned to move the coffin to Germany after the war, but this did not happen and his grave is still there.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.5] „Turci se drží dobře,“ odpověděl nadporučík, uváděje ho opět ke stolu, „předseda turecké sněmovny Hali bej a Ali bej přijeli do Vídně. Vrchním velitelem turecké armády dardanelské jmenován maršálek Liman šl. Sanders. Goltz paša přijel z Cařihradu do Berlína a naším císařem byli vyznamenáni Enver paša, viceadmirál Usedom paša a generál Dževad paša. Poměrně hodně vyznamenání za tak krátkou dobu.“

Sources: Hans-Peter Laqueur

Also written:Goltz paša Hašek

Literature
Enver Paşann flag
*22.11.1881 Istanbul - †4.8.1922 Baldusjan (Tadjikistan)
Wikipedia czdeennotr Search Švejkova cesta Švejkův slovník
enver.jpg
vyznam.png

Světová válka 1914-1915 slovem i obrazem, s. 507

enver_dead.png

Norwich Bulletin, 18.8.1922

Enver Paşa is one of several Ottoman politicians and officers that Oberleutnant Lukáš mentions when trying to reassure hop trader Wendler about the war contribution of the Ottoman Empire. He can reveal that Enver has been decorated by the emperor.

Background

Enver Paşa (İsmail Enver) was a Turkish politician and general. He was minister of war during World War I, and by some regarded as de facto dictator. In retrospect he is seen as a poor military leader; the war against Russia was not a success. He is also largely held responsible for the mass killings of Armenians in 1915, whom he had accused of being fifth columnists.

When the war ended, he fled to Germany and later to Russia. After first having co-operated with the Soviet government he turned against them and in Tajikistan he was killed fighting the Red Army.

Decorated by Franz Josef

Enver was indeed decorated by Kaiser Franz Joseph I. together with Usedom Paşa and Cevat Paşa, exactly as Oberleutnant Lukáš told hop trader Wendler. The decoration was announced on 30 March 1915. He was awarded the medal Militärverdienstkreuz 1. klasse. There was also a fourth decorated officer mentioned in the official news. Kontreadmiral Merten was however left out by the author.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.5] „Turci se drží dobře,“ odpověděl nadporučík, uváděje ho opět ke stolu, „předseda turecké sněmovny Hali bej a Ali bej přijeli do Vídně. Vrchním velitelem turecké armády dardanelské jmenován maršálek Liman šl. Sanders. Goltz paša přijel z Cařihradu do Berlína a naším císařem byli vyznamenáni Enver paša, viceadmirál Usedom paša a generál Dževad paša. Poměrně hodně vyznamenání za tak krátkou dobu.“

Also written:Enver Paša cz Enver Pascha de Enver Paşa tr

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Usedom Paşa, Guido vonnn flag
*2.10.1854 Quanditten (Sinjavino) - †24.2.1925 Schwerin
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Feldblatt, 1.4.1915

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Světová válka 1914-1915 slovem i obrazem, s. 507

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Hašek's manuscript: Merten nearly had his name mentioned in Švejk (page 156)

© LA-PNP

Usedom Paşa is mentioned when Oberleutnant Lukáš tries to reassure hop trader Wendler about the war situation. He can reveal that vice-admiral Usedom Pasha has been decorated by our emperor (i.e. Kaiser Franz Joseph I.).

Background

Usedom Paşa was a German naval officer and ultimately vice-admiral who from August 1914 led the special command of the German navy in Turkey (Sonderkommando Kaiserliche Marine Türkei). He also led the Turkish forces in the Battle of the Dardanelles and was given a large share of the credit for repealing the Allied invaders.

Decorated by the Emperor

Like with the other names that Oberleutnant Lukáš mentions for hop trader Wendler regarding the Turkish war effort the quote is cut directly from Kronika světové války. The background is the fact that Usedom on 30 March 1915 was awarded the medal Militärverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse by Kaiser Franz Joseph I., together with two other Turkish officers: Enver Paşa and Cevat Paşa.

Johannes Merten: the man Lukáš overlooked

In the decorations mentioned by Kronika světové války, Národní politika and other publications, a fourth Turkish officer appear. He was rear admiral Mertens but unlike the three others he is never mentioned by Oberleutnant Lukáš.

Studies of the novel's manuscript however reveal that the admiral was extremely close to achieve a place in world literature. In the manuscript, after "Dževad paša", can be seen the letters "a kon" but these have been crossed over so the author obviously changed his mind at the last moment. There is no doubt that "kon" here is the start of "kontredmirál" which is the exact wording in Kronika světové války.

It could also be added that Mertens is misspelt and that his rank in 1915 was Vizeadmiral and not Konteradmiral (rear admiral). The real name of this German naval officer serving in the Ottoman armed forces was Johannes Merten (1857-1926). He was pensioned in 1910 but after the outbreak of war he took up a command in the Turkish army by the Dardanelles. He was also a well-known pilot and in 1912 newspapers refer to him as president of the German airmen association.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.5] „Turci se drží dobře,“ odpověděl nadporučík, uváděje ho opět ke stolu, „předseda turecké sněmovny Hali bej a Ali bej přijeli do Vídně. Vrchním velitelem turecké armády dardanelské jmenován maršálek Liman šl. Sanders. Goltz paša přijel z Cařihradu do Berlína a naším císařem byli vyznamenáni Enver paša, viceadmirál Usedom paša a generál Dževad paša. Poměrně hodně vyznamenání za tak krátkou dobu.“

Also written:Usedom paša cz Usedom Pascha de

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*14.9.1870 Istanbul - †13.3.1938 Istanbul
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Das interessante Blatt,9.9.1915

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Světová válka 1914-1915 slovem i obrazem, s. 507

Cevat Paşa was according to Oberleutnant Lukáš a Turkish general who had been decorated by our emperor.

Background

Cevat Paşa (Cevat Çobanlı) was a Turkish general and commander of the Gallipoli fortress who distinguished himself in the battle of the Dardanelles on 18 March 1915. He was also given the nick-name Hero of 18 March. Cevat was awarded the title Paşa after the battle, was congratulated by Kaiser Wilhelm II., and from newspaper clips it is obvious that he was educated in Germany.

Decorated

At the end of the month he was awarded Militärverdienstkreuz 2. klasse by Kaiser Franz Joseph I. and this is the event that Oberleutnant Lukáš refers to. The entire sequence about the decorations has been cut from Kronika světové války.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14] „Turci se drží dobře,“ odpověděl nadporučík, uváděje ho opět ke stolu, „předseda turecké sněmovny Hali bej a Ali bej přijeli do Vídně. Vrchním velitelem turecké armády dardanelské jmenován maršálek Liman šl. Sanders. Goltz paša přijel z Cařihradu do Berlína a naším císařem byli vyznamenáni Enver paša, viceadmirál Usedom paša a generál Dževad paša. Poměrně hodně vyznamenání za tak krátkou dobu.“

Sources: Hans-Peter Laqueur

Also written:Dzevad pasha en Dževad paša cz Dschewad pascha de

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*10.12.1852 Catania - †16.10.1914 Roma
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Bergens Tidende, 13.10.1914

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Světová válka 1914-1915 slovem i obrazem, s. 511

San Giuliano was mentioned by hop trader hop trader Wendler who evidently did not know that San Giuliano had died earlier in the year. Wendler is annoyed because Italy as an ally of the Central Powers still sticks to her neutrality, and he wonders if San Giuliano is asleep. He had after all renewed the treaty woth the Central Powers in 1912.

The conversation between hop trader Wendler and Oberleutnant Lukáš took place shortly before Christmas in 1914, two months after the death of the Italian foreign minister, so San Giuliano was definitely "asleep".

Background

San Giuliano was an Italian politician who held the post of foreign secretary when the war started. He advocated neutrality but was already dead when Italy entered the war on the side of the Entente, on 23 May 1915. His real name was Antonino Paternò Castello.

Paternò-Castello originated from a noble family on Sicily, and received a good education in Vienna, London and Catania. From 1882 he was a member of the national assembly, from 1889 minister of various ministries, and from December 1905 foreign secretary. Politically he was liberal and anti-clerical, in foreign affairs he tried to balance between the blocks to the benefit of Italy. Before he became minister of foreign affairs he had been ambassador to London and Paris.

His successor as foreign secretary was Sidney Sonnino who was one of the politicians who eventually led Italy to declare war on her former partners.

Kronika světové války (Chronicle of the World War)

Many fragments from the conversation between the hop trader and the officer are picked from Kronika světové války, and probably this also applies to details around San Giuliano. In this case it is from page 511 where the chronicle mentions he as foreign minister renewed the Triple Alliance treaty in 1912, exactly as hop trader Wendler says.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.5] Chmel mně ve skladištích hnije, uzávěrky domácí jsou slabé, export rovná se nule, a Italie zachovává neutralitu. Proč Italie obnovovala ještě v roce 1912 s námi trojspolek? Kde je italský ministr zahraničních záležitostí markýz di San Giuliano? Co dělá ten pán? Spí nebo co? Víte, jaký jsem měl do vojny roční obrat a jaký mám dnes?
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Blahník was a dog-trader who conspired with Švejk in the attempt to steal a dog for Oberleutnant Lukáš, and he actually stole the stable pincher Fox in [I.15]. The dubious deed was planned in a small pub by the Zámecké schody in Malá Strana. See Malý výčep piva.

About Blahník it is revealed that he had worked at a kennel above Klamovka. As opposed to Švejk he stole the dogs, but was only interested in thoroughbreds. He knew all the dogs in Prague and surroundings and was a master at his dark art, and had been in court many times. Once he had been bitten by a dog, was infected with rabies, sent to the Pasteur-Institut in Vienna where he felt quite at home. Before the war when Švejk still made a living by selling dogs, it was Blahník who provided him with animals. Blahník is mentioned 12 times in the novel, all in connection with the dog theft and the planning of it.

Background

is not a very frequent family name, and only four entries appear in the Prague address book from 1910. None of those can conceivably be linked to animal trade or any similar activity. Thus we must assume that any model for Blahník was a person with another surname, trading in dogs, and associated with Psinec nad Klamovkou.

Ladislav Čížek
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Jednou za čas, Josef Mach, June 1918

Some of Hašek's stories set at Klamovka give useful clues. Můj obchod se psy (My trade with dogs) features a man who bears many similarities with Blahník, a certain Ladislav Čížek from Košíře. Čížek also plays an important role in the story Má drahá přitelkyně Julča (Me dear friend Julie) where he actually works for the kennel of Václav Fuchs above Klamovka.

Čížek is also mentioned in Strana mírného pokroku v mezích zákona, again as a servant at the kennel of Václav Fuchs. Here he is described as a brute who beats the animals at will. Hašek even signed a couple of stories using his name, although these were not related to animals.

All in all there is little doubt that Ladislav Čížek is the main inspiration for Blahník.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.6] „Je to opravdu stájový pinč? Můj obrlajtnant jinýho nechce.“ „Fešák stájovej pinč. Pepř a sůl, dovopravdy čistokrevnej, jako že ty jseš Švejk a já Blahník. Mně jde vo to, co žere, to mu dám a přivedu ti ho.“
[I.14.6] Oba přátelé si opět ťukli. Ještě když Švejk se živil prodejem psů do vojny, Blahník mu je dodával.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Radko Pytlík

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Dva tucty povídek, 1927

Puntík (Spotty) was a black spitz dog from Klamovka, mentioned in the conversation between Blahník and Švejk as they were planning the dog theft. Puntík was a dog that Blahník stole and handed in at PBK. This dog was very choosy when it came to food so the thief tried out several delicacies before he finally got him on a lead. The whole operation lasted for three days.

Background

Puntík is like many other names in the novel re-use of a theme from one of Hašek's Pre-war stories. He and the cat Balíček are the main characters in the story Kaťouráci, first printed in Světozor 31 Desember 1914.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.6] Tak jsem musel koupit kotletu. Dal jsem mu ji očichat a běžím, pes za mnou. Paní křičela: ,Puntíku, Puntíku,’ ale kdepak milej Puntík. Za kotletou běžel až za roh, tam jsem mu dal řetízek na krk a druhej den už byl v psinci nad Klamovkou.
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Prager Tagblatt,31.3.1915

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Prager Tagblatt,31.3.1915

Fox was the stable pincher who was to be stolen by Blahnik and Švejk and given to Oberleutnant Lukáš. He was renamed Max when he got a new owner and a new impressive pedigree. Fox is first mentioned when Švejk ingratiatingly asks the maid of the dog owner (Oberst Kraus) about the animals eating habits.

Background

The dog stories have like most elements in The Good Soldier Švejk clear connections to the authors own life and experiences. For a short while in 1910-11 Jaroslav Hašek ran his own Cynological institute below Klamovka (see Psinec nad Klamovkou). He allegedly falsified pedigrees, just like Švejk did (or his assistant more likely did).

On 31 March 1915 Prager Tagblatt printed a small advert that asked for news about a stolen dog. The advert has some striking links to the dog story in the novel. It requested information about the dog to be delivered for a 30 crown at Hotel Black Horse at Na Příkopě. This is the very street were Oberst Kraus encountered his stolen pet.

We know that Jaroslav Hašek made use of newspaper items from exactly this period when he wrote this chapter. Several snippets from these publications are more or less literally quoted in the novel, particularly in the conversation between hop trader Wendler and Oberleutnant Lukáš. See Kronika světové války for more on this theme.

Ivan Štern, Český rozhlas

Z románu víme, že plukovník inzeroval v obou v Praze německy vycházejících listech. V Bohemii a v Prager Tagblattu. A vskutku: Z vydání Prager Tagblattu z 31. března 1915 se na nás obrací zoufalé inzerentovo volání: „Pes, stájový pinč, hrubosrstý, byl odcizen. Odměna 30 K tomu, kdo o něm poskytne zprávu do hotelu „Černý oř“, Praha, Příkopy.“

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.6] „Tak to je tedy váš pejsek,“ přerušil ji Švejk, „to je škoda, že můj obrlajtnant nemůže žádnýho psa vystát, já mám velice rád psy.“ Odmlčel se a náhle vyrazil: „Každej pes ale taky všechno nežere.“ „Náš Fox si strašně vybírá, jeden čas nechtěl vůbec jíst maso, až teď opět.“ „A co žere nejradši?“„Játra, vařená játra.“
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Chytilův adresář,1915

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KdeJsme.cz,2017

Pejchar is mentioned when Švejk talks to the maid of Oberst Kraus, who is out walking the soon to be stolen dog. Švejk asks her if she knows the butcher Pejchar at Protivín náměstí. She answers that he is actually her brother.

Background

In the address book of 1915 no Pejchar is listed in Protivín. According to 1910 census there were two butchers at Protivín náměstí but none of them were named Pejchar[a].

The surname is today quite rare in Bohemia and totally absent in Protivín, Písek, Budějovice and other places in the south. By far the highest density is actually in the region of Světla nad Sázavou that includes Lipnice [b]. This indicates that Hašek may have picked up the name after he arrived here. This hypothesis is however weakened by the fact the this sequence of the novel appears so early that one assumes that the author still lived in Prague (he arrived at Lipnice on 25 August 1921). The exact dates of the publishing of the various instalments of The Good Soldier Švejk are however unknown.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.6] „Tak jsme nedaleko od sebe,“ odpověděl Švejk, „já jsem z Protivína.“ Tato znalost místopisu českého jihu, nabytá kdysi při manévrech v tom kraji, naplnila srdce dívky krajanským teplem. „Tak znáte v Protivíně na náměstí řezníka Pejchara?“
References
aPo cestách Švejkovy budějovické anabázeMiroslav Vítek2020
bPříjmení: 'Pejchar', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
Jareš z Ražicnn flag
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Jareš z Ražic (Jareš from Ražice) is mentioned when Švejk is in a conversation with the maid of Oberst Kraus, trying to find out as much as possible about the dog that he and Blahník plan to steal. Švejk's alleged father was from Ražice, was 68 years old, and delivered beer.

Background

This person and three like named figures from the novel are not doubt inspired by the author's grandfather. See pondwarden Jareš.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.6] „Toho tam mají u nás všichni rádi,“ řekl Švejk, „von je moc hodnej, úslužnej, má dobrý maso a dává dobrou váhu.“ „Nejste vy Jarešův?“ otázala se dívka, začínajíc sympatisovat s neznámým vojáčkem. „Jsem.“ „A kterýho Jareše, toho z Krče u Protivína, nebo z Ražic?“ „Z Ražic.“
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Factory owner Vydra, Františeknn flag
*20.4.1869 Vráž - †29.9.1921 Praha
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Frantíšek Vydra

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Vydra was a factory owner who had his Saint Bernhard dog stolen by Blahník. This is evident from a conversation between Švejk and Blahník as they are planning to steal a dog for Oberleutnant Lukáš.

Background

Vydra surely was, as most seemingly fictional persons in The Good Soldier Švejk, a real person. In this respect a candidate would be Frantíšek Vydra (1869-1921), a factory owner and inventor that Hašek surely knew about.

Vydra was educated as a brewer and in 1893 he bought the brewery in Dobrovíz but soon converted it to a foodstuff factory. In 1898 he moved production to a former sugar refinery at Na Rokosce in Libeň that he converted and expanded. The official name was Vydrova továrna požívatin. It manufactured nutrition products, amongst them coffee substitutes, grog, fruit juice, baking powder soup tins etc. The factory advertised regularly and seems to have been well known at the time. In it's most successful period before World War I Vydra employed close to 300 people. Their best known product was a coffee substitute made from rye malt.

Whether or not Vydra at some time owned a St. Bernard dog and if the animal ever was stolen has not been confirmed!

Today the building houses the Institute of rock structure and mechanics (Ústav struktury a mechaniky hornin).

Misuse of brand names

In 1901 the company Kathreiner Malzkaffeefabriken from Munich successfully sued Vydra and other companies for having branded their own products illegally. Vydra was fined 200 crowns and ordered to destroy all goods labelled with the "Kathreiner" brand. The Bavarian company had throughout the year warned in adverts that illicitly branded products were circulating in the marked.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.6] „Pohostím ho hovězíma,“ rozhodl se Blahník, „na ty jsem už dostal bernardýna továrníka Vydry, náramně věrný zvíře. Zejtra ti psa přivedu v pořádku.“

Sources: Bohumil Tesařík

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Adresář ... 1910, Papírníci.

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The retail outlet in Melantrichova 465/11, Praha I.

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Adresář ... 1910

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Hynek Fuchs in Staré město (Old town)

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Almanach der k. k. österreichischen Staatsbahnen, 1915/1916

Fuchs was a stationer from whom Blahník bought a blank pedigree form for dogs. He then instructed Švejk on how to fill it in with invented names of the forefathers of the stolen dog Fox (now renamed Max).

Background

Fuchs no doubt refers to a real stationer but it is difficult to say exactly what enterprise Blahník refers to. One must anyway assume that it was a specialist shop because pedigree forms for dogs were surely not available in common stationer's shops.

The surname Fuchs was very common in Prague, but there is only one stationary shop Fuchs listed in the address book. Listed is also a paper factory in Česká Kamenice with head offices in Mikulášská třída in Praha. Both are places where Blahník may have bought the blank pedigree forms, but with the former as the prime candidate.

Hynek Fuchs

Closer investigations reveal that both firms had the same roots. They were owned by two brothers and had existed as a single enterprise until 1908. The company can be traced back to 1793, but it was the father of the brothers, the Jewish businessman Ignaz Fuchs (cz. Hynek) (1824-1890), who led the company to become one of the leaders in this market segment.

In 1868 Fuchs bought a paper factory in Česká Kamenice that he modernised and expanded. When he died the number of employees was nearly 1000 and Fuchs had manufacturing facilities in Prague, Böhmisch Kamnitz (Česká Kamenice), and Vienna. Already from 1873 the firm was recognized as official purveyor to the court. By 1891 stores and offices could be found in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Madrid, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Berlin, Moscow, Petrograd and New York. That year the company had its own pavilion at the country exhibition in Praha, built as a Swiss cottage.

In 1888 the sons Robert (1854-1925) and Artur (1862-1940) took over as owners of the company. In 1908 the Fuchs brothers decided to split and they divided the company in two parts. Robert now owned the factory in Česká Kamenice and an office in Prague whereas the rest remained with Artur who also retained the brand name Hynek Fuchs. Both enterprises remained official purveyors to the court.

In Prague

The main office with a factory and store was located in Michálska 460/31 in Staré město. In the immediate neighbourhood, in Melantrichova 465/11, the company had a retail outlet. It was here in this house U pěti korun the company had its origins. The book printing was located at Václavské náměstí 819/51, and in 1912 a new and larger factory was built in Strašnice.

Range of goods

The range of good was extensive, as witness by a whole-sale catalogue of 670 pages. The company didn't only trade in paper products, they offered a whole range of office and school equipment. They also manufactured various forms but he mentioned catalogue did not include blank pedigrees. On the other hand it refers to detailed price lists for retail goods, so one would assume that empty pedigree forms belonged in this category.

After 1918

In inter-war Czechoslovakia the firm still flourished and the branches in Vienna and Hamburg also continued to operate. After 1922 the Hamburg branch was "aryfied" by the Nazis and the entire comany suffered the same fate after the Nazi occupation of the Czech lands in 1939. Artur Fuchs committed suicide in 1940 and several members of the Fuchs family became victims of Holocaust. What happened to the company Hynek Fuchs after World War II is not known. The paper factory of Robert Fuchs in Česká Kamenice is still operating but it is not clear if production has gone on continuously.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.6] Pak jsem ho, když se nažral, uvázal na řetízek a táh jsem ho přes Václavské náměstí na Vinohrady, až do Vršovic. Po cestě mně vyváděl pravé divy. Když jsem přecházel elektriku, lehl si a nechtěl se hnout. Snad se chtěl dát přeject. Přines jsem s sebou taky čistý rodokmen, kterej jsem koupil u papírníka Fuchse. Ty umíš padělat rodokmeny, Švejku.
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Volksfreund, 30.11.1912

Volksfreund,30.11.1912

Arnheim von Kahlsberg the fictional father of the dog Max (previously Fox), from Hundezwinger von Bülow in Leipzig. He held a first price from the stable pincher exhibition in Berlin in the year of 1912. His name was invented by Blahník for Švejk to use on the stolen dog's pedigree form.

Background

Even if this name (as the rest of the dog- and kennel names) are inventions, it may be that the name Kahlsberg in itself inspired the author. Such a candidate is Schloß Kahlsberg (now Kahlsperg) by Salzburg, but even this is unlikely.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.6] „To musí bejt tvou rukou napsaný. Napiš, že pochází z Lipska, z psince von Bülow. Otec Arnheim von Kahlsberg, matka Emma von Trautensdorf, po otci Siegfried von Busenthal. Otec obdržel první cenu na berlínský výstavě stájových pinčů v roce 1912. Matka vyznamenána zlatou medalií norimberskýho spolku pro chov ušlechtilých psů. Jak myslíš, že je starej?“
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Svět zvířat,1.6.1910

Emma von Trautensdorf was the fictional mother of the stolen dog Max. She had earned a gold medal from the Nuremberg society for the breeding of thoroughbred dogs.

Background

This name is, like the other names on Max's pedigree (see Fox), surely invented. It is logical to assume that Hašek, when he wrote down these names, drew inspiration from his own experiences, namely as editor of Svět zvířat (1909-1910) and as owner of a Cynological Institute (1910). See Psinec nad Klamovkou.

During Hašek's editorship of Svět zvířat there is a note in the magazine about a dog exhibition in Berlin, where a dog owner Karolina von Welminsdorf, is mentioned. Although her name and information about the dog exhibition don't correspond to the details from the novel, there is still an air of similarity. More on the theme under Berliner Stallpinscherausstellung .

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.6] „To musí bejt tvou rukou napsaný. Napiš, že pochází z Lipska, z psince von Bülow. Otec Arnheim von Kahlsberg, matka Emma von Trautensdorf, po otci Siegfried von Busenthal. Otec obdržel první cenu na berlínský výstavě stájových pinčů v roce 1912. Matka vyznamenána zlatou medalií norimberskýho spolku pro chov ušlechtilých psů. Jak myslíš, že je starej?“
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Siegfried von Busenthal was the fictional grandfather of the stolen stable pinscher Max (formerly Fox). The name was proposed for Švejk by the dog thief Blahník when the two sat down to write a false pedigree form for "Max".

Background

As an obviously invented name for the dog, the place name Busenthal is the only item left to investigate. It is an extremely rare geographical name, on modern maps it can't be located at all. The similar Busental[1] does however exists by Graz and also by Trier in Germany. Both are names of minor valleys, so it is unlikely that the name could have inspired Blahník to invent the name of Max's grandfather. A more likely source would be one of the German words for breast cleavage: Busental.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.14.6] „To musí bejt tvou rukou napsaný. Napiš, že pochází z Lipska, z psince von Bülow. Otec Arnheim von Kahlsberg, matka Emma von Trautensdorf, po otci Siegfried von Busenthal. Otec obdržel první cenu na berlínský výstavě stájových pinčů v roce 1912. Matka vyznamenána zlatou medalií norimberskýho spolku pro chov ušlechtilých psů. Jak myslíš, že je starej?“
Notes
1. Busental is a modern spelling of Busenthal.
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

15. Catastrophe

Oberst Kraus von Zillergut, Friedrichnn flag
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zillergut.jpg

České slovo,6.1.1924

Kraus was a colonel at some barracks in Prague (presumably Karlín), he originated from the Salzburg area. He was the owner of the stolen dog Fox (who was named Max for the short period he belonged to Oberleutnant Lukáš).

Kraus was a price idiot and also had plenty of other despicable qualities. He was probably the most stupid of the many officers that are described in the novel. He had a habit of explaining the most obvious things, which drove his colleagues to insanity. Despite of all this he had advanced in the military hierarchy thanks to good connections, a fact the author uses to emphasise the rottenness of the Habsburg Empire.

After running into Oberleutnant Lukáš who was promenading with Fox/Max, Kraus made sure that Lukáš and Švejk were sent to the front. This was an important turning point in the novel which from now on mostly uses military life as a backdrop to the plot.

Background

Colonel Kraus does not have any obvious model from real life, and the author gives little biographical information that could help to identify him. With his grotesque stupidity one must assume that the colonel is a caricature, but some of his character traits may well have been borrowed from officers or other people that Hašek knew. Not even the geographical name Zillergut gives any clue as no such place can be identified, be it on modern maps or in historical newspapers.

The theories of Augustin Knesl
krausf.png

Augustin Knesl, Večerní Praha, 1983

krausf1.png

Adresář ... 1910

Seemingly Augustin Knesl is the only researcher that has made a serious attempt at identifying a model for the idiotic colonel. Allegedly he is inspired by a certain Friedrich Kraus who studied civil engineering at the German technical high school in Prague. This Kraus was born in 1880 and Knesl claims that he was a colonel and served at the Prague garrison. Knesl also maintain that Kraus had a mania for explaining the most obvious things.

Unfortunately Knesl's conclusions are unconvincing. As usual he naively accepts information from the novel as facts, and thus concludes that Kraus was a colonel in Prague. However no trace of such a colonel exist, be it in Schematismus (1914) or in the Prague address books. The closest are some reservists, but none of them served in Prague in 1914. Not even in k.k. Landwehr can any such officer be traced.

Friedrich Kraus was a quite common name, so Hašek may well have known a few of them, and there is good reason to believe that Knesl's engineering student actually lived. Apart from this there is little tangible information and the parallel to Knesl's write-up on Feldkurat Katz is striking: the researcher dug out a person with some similarities to the literary figure, but then assumed that additional information can be deduced from The Good Soldier Švejk.

A fellow student

One Kraus who Hašek may have known was Bedřich (Friedrich), a fellow student at the gymnasium in Žitná ulice from 1893 to 1896. This Kraus hailed from Karlín and studied five years above Hašek, so he would probably have been no more than a peripheral acquaintance.

Rector Řežábek

In the Hašek biography The Bad Bohemian, Cecil Parrott notes that rector of Obchodní akademie, Řežábek was detested by the author who targeted him in a scathing satire printed in Karikatury in 1908. Parrott observed that Řežábek, like colonel Kraus, demanded that "sub-ordinates" greet him already at distance and woe betide he who didn't!

Cecil Parrott: "The Bad Bohemian"

Režábek's insistence that the students should greet him from a long way off recalls Colonel Kraus von Zillergut in "The Good Soldier Švejk". Woe betide anyone who failed to notice him! The culprit was given a dressing down before the whole class and his crime was recorded in the class book. In addition his marks for good behaviour were slashed and he was led off to the Rector's office, where he got a second dressing down and his parents were told of his unheard of behaviour.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.15] Plukovník Bedřich Kraus, mající též přídomek von Zillergut, po nějaké vesničce v Solnohradech, kterou jeho předkové prožrali již ve století osmnáctém, byl úctyhodným pitomcem.
[I.15] Scházela mu polovička levého ucha, kterou mu usekl jeho protivník za mládí v souboji kvůli prostému konstatování pravdy, že Bedřich Kraus von Zillergut je prachpitomý chlap.
[I.15] Před nadporučíkem stál plukovník Kraus von Zillergut. Nadporučík Lukáš zasalutoval a stál před plukovníkem, omlouvaje se, že neviděl.
[I.15] "Pane nadporučíku," hrozným hlasem řekl plukovník Kraus, "nižší šarže musí vždy vzdát čest vyšším. To není zrušeno.

Sources: CP, Augustin Knesl

Also written:Bedřich Kraus von Zillergut cz

Literature
Mannlicher, Ferdinand Karl Adolf Josefnn flag
*30.1.1848 Mainz - †20.1.1904 Wien
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mannlicher.jpg
man.jpg

Nauka o střelbě, Karel Kuhn, 1908

mannlicher.png

Leitmeritzer Zeitung, 23.1.1904

Mannlicher is indirectly referred to by the Mannlicher rifle, called manlicherovka in the novel. The theme here is Oberst Kraus who was obsessed with this rifle and therefore got the nickname "Mannlicher idiot" (Manlichertrottel).

Background

Mannlicher was an Austrian inventor and small armaments designer, best known for M1895, a series of automatically loading rifles that became the standard hand gun in k.u.k. Heer. The term manclicherovka refers to this gun. The most common version was Infanterie Repetier-Gewehr M1895. The rifles were produced in Steyr and later also in Budapest.

Mannlicher, who hailed from a family in Brüx (now Most) in Bohemia, moved with them to Vienna in 1857. Here he studied machine engineering and made a career as a railway engineer. In 1876 he travelled to Philadelphia for a railway equipment exhibition, and on the side he had a chance to study the patents of various small-arms designs. This was probably the impetus for his career as a small arms designer.

In 1879 his first design for an 11 mm repeater rifle was ready. It underwent several improvements over the next few years, until it in 1886 was introduced in k.u.k. Heer. Two years later the M88, with calibre 8 mm, was introduced, and several models followed until the flagship M1895 was introduced in 1895. Mannlicher also designed pistols and hunting guns. Mannlicher firearms were also widely exported. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest small arms designers in history.

Personal details

Mannlicher remained employed by the railways until 1887 when he finally took up a full position at the Steyr armaments factory, Österreichische Waffen-fabriksaktiengesellschaft. He was by now famous, repeatedly decorated, and in 1892 he was ennobled, choosing the name Ritter von Mannlicher. In 1899 he was awarded life long membership of Herrenhaus, the upper chamber of Reichsrat (the parliament of Cisleithanien). Mannlicher was married with two daughters. In 1904 he died of a heart attack, still only 55.

Hašek and "manlicherovka"

Mannlicher's famous rifle is mentioned by Hašek already in the story "Smrt Horala" (The death of Horal). It was published first in Národní listy on 8 April 1902 and also appeared across the Atlantic in Národní noviny, Baltimore, on 3 May. This was surely the first time ever that Hašek had a story published outside Bohemia.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.15] Při přehlídkách pluku dával se do hovoru s vojáky a ptal se jich vždy jedno a totéž: „Proč se ručnici, zavedené ve vojsku, říká manlicherovka?“ U pluku měl přezdívku „manlichertrottel“. Byl neobyčejně mstivý, ničil podřízené důstojníky, když se mu nelíbili, a když se chtěli ženit, tu posílal nahoru velmi špatná doporučení jejich žádostí.
Literature
Schiller, Friedrichnn flag
*10.11.1759 Marbach - †9.5.1805 Weimar
Wikipedia czdeenno Search Švejkův slovník
schiller.jpg

Schiller is mentioned because Oberst Kraus passed idiotic remarks when his officer colleagues talked about Schiller at a banquet.

Background

Schiller was a world-famous German composer, poet, historian and philosopher. He belonged to the Romantic era and was strongly associated with Goethe and Weimar. His full name his was Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.15] Týž spád řeči, táž zásoba největší naivnosti. Na jednom banketu v důstojnickém kasině plukovník Bedřich Kraus von Zillergut z čista jasna pronesl, když byla řeč o Schillerovi: „Tak jsem vám, pánové, včera viděl parní pluh hnaný lokomotivou. Považte si, pánové, lokomotivou, ale ne jednou, dvěma lokomotivami. Vidím kouř, jdu blíž, a ona to lokomotiva a na druhé straně druhá. Řekněte mně, pánové, není-liž to směšné? Dvě lokomotivy, jako by nestačila jedna.“
Poet Vierordt, Heinrich Wilhelmnn flag
*1.10.1855 Karlsruhe - †17.6.1945 Triberg
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vierordt.jpg
vierordt2.png

Badische Landeszeitung, 29.8.1914

vierordt.png

L'Homme enchaîné, 18.10.1914

vierordt1.png

The Tucumcari News, 6.6.1918

Vierordt is mentioned when the author of The Good Soldier Švejk describes Oberst Kraus. The stupid colonel has ideas that align with those of Vierordt as expressed in a poem where he urges "Germany to hate and to slaughter millions of French devils with an iron soul". He is thus spiritually in line with the attitudes of the colonel who wanted to kill all prisoners, burn all Serbs and kill their children with bayonets. Hašek flawlessly translated two lines from the poem, whereas his introduction to it is less accurate.

Background

Vierordt was a poet from Karlsruhe who soon after the outbreak of World War I wrote an infamously bloodthirsty poem in ten verses: Deutschland, Hasse! (Germany, Hate!). From this poem, verse seven is no doubt the one that Hašek refers to in The Good Soldier Švejk. Vierordt otherwise wrote patriotic poetry and ballads, praising the virtues of his home area and his nation. After the Nazi take-over, he associated himself with the party and even wrote poems glorifying Hitler[1]. Vierordt was married and had one daughter. On his 50th birthday, he was awarded the title Hofrat.

A grotesque poem

The poem first appeared in Badische Landeszeitung[2] on 29 August 1914[d]. In October it was published as a single sheet title Deutschland hasse! Kriegsruf by Verlag Müller & Gräff in Karlsruhe and sold for the benefit of the Red Cross for 10 pfenning[b]. Best known are the last four verses that made the poem infamous and caught the attention both at home and abroad. These verses have later frequently been mentioned in articles and books that deal with the theme of war propaganda. The mentioned sheet probably contained only these verses.

Also in Austria the poem was printed and discussed, for instance by he newspaper Arbeiterwille in 1914 and 1915. The text published on the front page of this paper 25 November 1914 is an extract and differs slightly from the original. The same paper mentioned the poem again on 22 April 1915 and now clearly distanced itself from the content[a]. They might have done so already in November 1914, but as most of the surrounding text was removed by censorship, it is difficult to judge the context.

Objections

The poem was controversial from the beginning, even in Germany. It was eventually banned by German General Staff. The Red Cross in Baden refused to use it in its promotional material. Already in November 1914 it provoked a counter-poem named Deutschland, Hasse nicht![c].

Inevitably Vierordt's abnormal literary outburst was noticed abroad, notably in France where future Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau translated two verses and commented on them in his newspaper L'Homme enchaîné[e]. He dryly observed that Vierordt as late as the previous year had visited France and praised the country in glowing terms! Amongst others who reacted were the writers Karl Kraus and Erich Mühsam and the German pacifist/feminist Helene Stöcker.[f].

After the USA entered the war extracts of the poem were translated and appeared in some newspapers as an example of "Hun" bestiality and anti-culture. Already in 1915 it was partly translated and observed in the Dutch newspaper De Preangerbode[g].

Aftermath

The poem has also in recent times appeared in books that deal with war propaganda and is often emphasized as one of the most grotesque ones. The author himself had a street Vierordtstrasse named after himself in 1974, but in 2017 discussions were held about a possible renaming due to the author's war poetry. It was decided to keep the surname but rather associate it with his grandfather (1797-1867) of the same name, a local banker and benefactor.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.15] Nebyl o nic horší než německý básník Vierordt, který zveřejnil za války verše, aby Německo nenávidělo a zabíjelo s železnou duší miliony francouzských ďáblů:
  Ať až k oblakům nad hory
  hromadí se lidské kosti a kouřící se maso.

Sources: Hans-Peter Laqueur, Georges Clemenceau, Johannes Werner

Notes
1. "Du bist mehr als König und Kaiser / Du bist des deutschen Volkes Festzusammenschweißer" (1938). Ref. Werner, "Ein schreckliches Gedicht".
2. Some studies claim that the poem was published in Welt om Sonntag on 20 November 1914. In view of the above mentioned information this is obviously not true and moreover this date fell on a Friday (Hans-Peter Laqueur)! Nor have I have succeeded in identifying any newspaper named Welt om Sonntag from 1914. Ref. Werner, "Ein schreckliches Gedicht".
Literature
References
aKriegsgedichteArbeiterwille22.4.1915
bEin interressanter VortragsabendBadische Landeszeitung29.10.1914
cDeutschland hasse nicht!Karlsruher Tagblatt14.11.1914
dDeutschland, Hasse!Badische Landeszeitung29.8.1914
eHais, Allemagne!L'Homme enchaînéGeorges Clemenceau18.10.1914
fEin schreckliches GedichtBadische HeimatJohannes Werner1/2017
gVan den dagDe Preangerbode18.6.1915
Bagmaker Kunešnn flag
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kunes.png

The only bag maker in Spálená ulice in 1907.

Kuneš was a bagmaker in Spálená ulice, described by Švejk when he tries to explain the dog theft to the furious Oberleutnant Lukáš. bagmaker Kuneš had the habit of losing his dogs whereever he ventured.

Background

Address books from 1907 and 1910 do not show up any bag-maker bagmaker Kuneš in the Prague. There was a one person listed with this occupation in Spálená ulice No 35, but his name was Bohumír Vavroušek. In 1896 two bag makers were registered in the street but none of them were named Kuneš.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.15] Ve Spálený ulici je nějakej brašnář Kuneš a ten nemoh jít se psem na procházku, aby ho neztratil. Vobyčejně ho nechal někde v hospodě nebo mu ho někdo ukrad nebo si ho vypůjčil a nevrátil
Literature
General von Laudon, Ernst Gideonnn flag
*2.2.1717 Ļaudona (Tootzen) - †14.7.1790 Nový Jičín
Wikipedia czdeennn Search
laudon.jpg
laudon.png

Rozkvět, 25.11.1911

laudon1.png

Neue Freie Presse,2.12.1914

Laudon is mentioned indirectly through the powerful expression Himllaudon that Oberleutnant Lukáš used when he verbally wiped the floor with Švejk after discovering that Max was stolen.

The same expresssion is used by Fähnrich Dauerling when he pesters the Czech recruits in 11. Kompanie. Feldoberkurat Lacina uses the expression Krucilaudon when he wakes up on the train to Bruck and doesn't know where he is.

His name reappears in the in the final chapter when the author describes Oberst Gerbich.

Background

Laudon was an Austrian field marshal of German Baltic origin, and one of the most successful Austrian commanders of the 18th century. He fought in the Seven Years' War, the War of the Bavarian Succession and wars against Turkey. His troops captured Belgrade in 1789.

Born in a family of nobles in current Latvia, Laudon first served in the Russian army before offering his services to Prussia where he was rejected. He had more luck in Austria but in the beginning he was assigned to the irregular troops of the infamous Baron von Trenck, the so-called Panduren. When these were dissolved he joined the regular army.

During the Seven Year War (1756-1763) his exploits in the campaign against Prussia made him famous. Many of the battles took place on Czech territory and this is no doubt the main reason for his legend status in the Czech lands. Here the well-known folk song Generál Laudon jede skrz vesnici bears his name and his fame lingers on in the expletive himmellaudon!, the very one that Oberleutnant Lukáš used in the novel.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.15] „Švejku, dobytku, himmellaudon, držte hubu! Buď jste takový rafinovaný ničema, nebo jste takový velbloud a blboun nejapný. Jste samý příklad, ale povídám vám, se mnou si nehrajte. Odkud jste přived toho psa? Jak jste k němu přišel? Víte, že patří našemu panu plukovníkovi, který si ho odvedl, když jsme se náhodou potkali? Víte, že je to světová ohromná ostuda? Tak řekněte pravdu, ukrad jste ho, nebo neukrad?“
[II.2] Náš nejvyšší vojenský pán je taky Němec. Posloucháte? Himmellaudon, nieder!’
[II.3] Vrchní polní kurát prděl a krkal na lavici a hřmotné zíval na celé kolo. Konečné se posadil a udivené se tázal: "Krucilaudon, kde to jsem?"
Literature
Božetěchnn flag
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Božetěch was a man from Košíře who specialized in stealing dogs and then claimed reward on the basis of newspaper ads from the owners of the missing animals. Švejk found it appropriate to mention this for Oberleutnant Lukáš in the midst of the severe reprimand he was subjected to after the senior lieutenant got to know that Max was stolen. Not to be confused with bookbinder Božetěch.

Background

Božetěch[1] is a very rare surname and is first and foremost found in Moravia. In 1910 not even a single person with this family name was listed in the Prague address directory.

1. Božetěch is more common as a first name than as a surname.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.15] Nějakej Božetěch z Košíř, ten se jen tak živil. Ukrad vždycky psa, pak hledal v inserátech, kdo se zaběh, a hned tam šel.
Graf Folliot de Crenneville, Franznn flag
*22.3.1815 Sopron - †22.6.1888 Gmunden
Wikipedia de Search Švejkův slovník
crenevil.jpg

Der Oberste Kriegsherr und sein Stab,1908

crenevil.png

Wiener Zeitung,10.8.1888

benedek1.png

Vojenský zpěvník, 1914

Crenneville is mentioned in a song Švejk sings about Grenevil, who marched through Prašná brána.

Background

Crenneville was an Austrian count, Feldzeugmeister, Geheimer Rat, imperial Generaladjutant and Oberstkämmerer. He hailed from a renowned military family of French decent and entered the army as a boy. He became a lieutenant when he was only 16 and captain when he was 22. He distinguished himself in the wars against Italy and was repeatedly decorated. During the battle of Solferino 24 June 1859 he was severely wounded. In between his military duties he also held a post at the court of Kaiser Ferdinand I. In 1860 he was named Inhaber[1] of Infanterieregiment Nr. 75.

After having withdrawn from ative military service after Solferino, he was employed at the Imperial Court and was in charge of the imperial art collection. He remained a promoter of the arts throughout, also after his retirement in 1884. From this year and until his death he lived in Gmunden. Crenneville was married and had three sons.

1. Regiments-Ihaber (regiment proprietor) was by 1880 a pure honorary title and the person had no function in the military command chain. His name would then appear attached to the standard name of an infantry regiment in the official Schematismus. Usually the "owner" was a higher military commander, a nobleman or a foreign monarch. The title was life-long.

The song

The song about Crenneville had already been introduced by Hašek in the stories Dobrý voják Švejk působí u aeroplánu (1911), Číslo patnáct (1912) and Povídka o pořádnem člověku (1914). Here the name is however spelled "Grenewil", Grenewill" and "Greenewill" respectively but there is no doubt that he refers to the same song.

Hašek thus managed to spell the name "Grenevil" in four different ways in four publications and it doesn't stop there. In 1968 Václav Pletka published the album Písničky Josefa Švejka (with a booklet of remarks attached). Here another variation is introduced. The name is "Grenevír" (which rhymes with špacír) and the rest of the verse is also altered (there is no reference to Prašná brána).

The source of Pletka's lyrics is unknown. Searches in the Czech National Library doesn't show a single hit on any of these variations but there are similar songs in the book Vojenský zpěvník (Army Songbook), published in 1914 by some captain Beran from Vysoké Mýto. In one of the songs General Benedek seems to take the place of "Grenevil", a fact that is also mentioned by Pletka.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I.15] Nadporučík se odvrátil, vzdychl a uznal za vhodné místo se Švejkem obírat se raději bílou kávou. Švejk šukal již v kuchyni a nadporučík Lukáš slyšel zpěv Švejkův:
Mašíruje Grenevil Prašnou bránou na špacír, šavle se mu blejskají, hezký holky plakají.

Sources: Milan Hodík, Václav Pletka

Literature
Index Back Forward I. In the rear Hovudpersonen

Afterword to the first volume, "In the rear"

Doctor Guth, Jiřínn flag
*23.1.1861 Heřmanův Městec - †8.1.1943 Náchod
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guth.jpg

Český svět,20.1.1921

guth1.jpg

Český svět,12.5.1921

Guth is held as an example of someone who talks very differently from pubkeeper Palivec.

Background

Guth was a significant educator and literary figure, also known as a member of the first Olympic Committee, and very active in the Olympic movement. He was also master of ceremony at president Professor Masaryk's office. From 1920 onwards he called himself Jiří Stanislav Guth-Jarkovský.

He studied at universities in Prague and Geneva, and graduated in philosophy. He then became an educator in a noble family. Already from 1890 he was active as translator of French literature, and he also wrote short-stories using the pseudonym Stanislav Jarkovský.

At the turn of the century he was teaching at a gymnasium in Prague, was active in Klub Českých Turistů where he for almost fourty years publsihed their montly Časopis turistů. He promoted Czech participation in the Olympic Games and he was a member of the very first Olympic Committee from 1896. He also wrote travel literature - from the Mediterranean countries, France, Sweden a.o.

Kuděj

Guth var Zdeněk Matěj Kuděj's teacher at the gymnasium at Vinohrady and soon after the end of World War I he employed his former student as secretary of Klub Českých Turistů, an organisation he at the time chaired. Kuděj describes his employer in relatively sympathetic terms.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I. Doslov] Život není žádnou školou uhlazeného chování. Každý mluví tak, jak je schopen. Ceremoniář dr Guth mluví jinak než hostinský Palivec „U kalicha“, a tento román není pomůckou k salonnímu ušlechtění a naučnou knihou, jakých výrazů je možno ve společnosti užívat. Je to historický obraz určité doby.
Literature
Saint Aloysiusnn flag
*9.3.1568 Castiglione delle Stiviere - †21.6.1591 Roma
Wikipedia czdeenitsv Search
gonzaga.jpg

Sv. Alojsia Gonzagy Spisek o andělích a jiné zápisky, 1891

alois.png

Illustrierte Mädchenzeitung, 1926

Saint Aloysius did, according to the monk monk Eustach, burst into tears when he overheard a thunderous fart, and had to resort to prayer to regain the equilibrium of his soul. Jaroslav Hašek contemptuously describe him as a representative of "the masturbators of false culture".

Background

Saint Aloysius was an Italian Jesuit priest, later canonised. His real name was Luigi Gonzaga. He is the patron saint of the Catholic youth and chastity. He died when caring for plague victims, which made him a saint for protection against this disease.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I. Doslov] Oni by vychovali národ jako skupinu přecitlivělých lidiček, masturbantů falešné kultury typu sv. Aloise, o kterém se vypravuje v knize mnicha Eustacha, že když sv. Alois uslyšel, jak jeden muž za hlučného rachotu vypustil své větry, tu se dal do pláče a jedině modlitbou se upokojil.

Also written:Svatý Alois cz

Monk Eustachnn flag
Wikipedia enfr Search
eustache.jpg

Bulletin des musées de France, 1929

Eustach is supposed to have written the story about the sufferings of Saint Aloysius after the latter witnessed a resounding fart.

Background

Eustach is not identified with certainty. One possibility is the French painter, architect and abbot Eustache Restout (1655-1743). He doesn't seem to have been an author though.

One of his namesake was actually an author: Eustache de Refuge (1564-1617). There is however no information indicating that he was ever a monk.

A theory of Milan Jankovič is that the person in question was the Greek P(Eustathios. This assumption seems however improbable as Saint Aloysius lived some 500 years later, and the former could not possibly have got any whiff of that thunderous fart.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I. Doslov] Oni by vychovali národ jako skupinu přecitlivělých lidiček, masturbantů falešné kultury typu sv. Aloise, o kterém se vypravuje v knize mnicha Eustacha, že když sv. Alois uslyšel, jak jeden muž za hlučného rachotu vypustil své větry, tu se dal do pláče a jedině modlitbou se upokojil.

Also written:Eustache fr

Mrs. Laudová, Marienn flag
*16.8.1869 Mladá Boleslav - †20.10.1931 Praha
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laudova.jpg

Český svět,11.12.1914

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Venkov,23.4.1916

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L'Intransigeant, 25.10.1931

Laudová was very well spoken compared to pubkeeper Palivec and along with Doctor Guth and Olga Fastrová named as masturbators of false culture, one of the people trying to make Czechoslovakia into a huge banquet hall with parquet floor where people would come in tails and gloves. Proper language would always be used, and salon manners would be exercised.

Background

Laudová was a well known Czech actress, and periodically active as a journalist. She performed at Národní divadlo from 1899 to 1915 when she had to quit after an accident. During her acting career she also performed abroad, notably in Serbia and Russia.

After her en-forced retirement she became a teacher at the State Music Conservatory in Prague and resumed her writing. For the most part she wrote educational prose, including giving advice on how to behave in society. This is surely what Hašek refers to in the afterword to Part One of The Good Soldier Švejk.

She was married to the journalist and politician Ignát Hořica (1859-1902) and therefore also used the name Laudová-Hořicová but as an actress she used her family name.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I. Doslov] Od hostinského Palivce nemůžeme žádat, aby mluvil tak jemně jako pí Laudová, dr Guth, pí Olga Fastrová a celá řada jiných, kteří by nejraději udělali z celé Československé republiky velký salon s parketami, kde by se chodilo ve fracích, v rukavičkách a mluvilo vybraně a pěstoval se jemný mrav salonů, pod jehož rouškou bývají právě salonní lvi oddáni nejhorším neřestem a výstřednostem.
Literature
Fastrová, Olga Anna Annann flag
*10.1.1876 Praha - †8.8.1965 Praha
Wikipedia cz Search Švejkův slovník
fastrova.jpg

Český svět, 27.8.1909

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Čech, 31.5.1914

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Nové mody, 10.11.1918

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Rudé právo, 20.3.1921

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Franta Habán ze Žižkova, Franta Sauer, 1923

Olga Fastrová was another of the author's ironic examples of someone who didn't talk like pubkeeper Palivec.

Background

Olga Fastrová (born Cikhartová) was a Czech writer, journalist and translator, considered the first female Czech journalist. In 1896 she completed her teacher's education, a rare feat for a woman in those days. In 1898 she married the dramatist and translator Otto Faster (1872-1907) with whom she had three daughters.

Her initial writing activities consisted in helping her husband is his various projects. This included translation, and from 1903 she is listed as a translator from French in her own right. I 1908 gav ho ut romanen Fata Morgana.

From 1910 to 1936 she was permanent editor of Národní politika, the first ever woman who served in this capacity in any of the major Czech newspapers. Her focus was primarily fashion and other themes that were deemed of typically female interest (home decoration etc.). She often used the pseudonym Yvonna. Some of her articles were also published in North America, for instance in Cleveland.

Hašek and Fastrová

Jaroslav Hašek knew Olga Fastrová personally; in the short story Za Olgou Fastrovou he writes that they had met just after his return from Russia, and Fastrová had asked him if "the Bosheviks really were eating human meat". The story was a reaction to a satire about the Bolsheviks that Fastrová wrote in Národní politika 7 May 1922. In the story Hašek arranges her death, claiming that she must had very high fever when writing such nonsense. Fastrová never reacted in writing to the story and survived Hašek by 42 years.

Fastrová is also mentioned as Yvonna in Strana mírného pokroku v mezích zákona so Hašek probably knew her before the war, although he in his story claimed that he met her first time shortly after returning from Russia on 19 Desember 1920.

In his book Franta Habán ze Žižkova, Franta Sauer dedicates an entire chapter to the meeting between the two, and confirms the story about the Bolsheviks eating human meat, or rather: he was just relaying Hašek's version from the story Kronštat, printed in Rudé právo 20 March 1921. Otherwise Sauer describes the meeting as being held in a polite manner.

Quote(s) from the novel
[I. Doslov] Od hostinského Palivce nemůžeme žádat, aby mluvil tak jemně jako pí Laudová, dr Guth, pí Olga Fastrová a celá řada jiných, kteří by nejraději udělali z celé Československé republiky velký salon s parketami, kde by se chodilo ve fracích, v rukavičkách a mluvilo vybraně a pěstoval se jemný mrav salonů, pod jehož rouškou bývají právě salonní lvi oddáni nejhorším neřestem a výstřednostem.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Veronika Skálová

Literature
Index Back Forward II. At the front Hovudpersonen

1. Švejk's mishaps on the train

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Adresař, 1910

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Nechleba from Nekázanka ulice is mentioned by Švejk when he is explaining to Oberleutnant Lukáš that he tries to do good but rarely succeeds. Nechleba suffered from the same bad luck.

Background

Nechleba was a rare name in Prague in 1910. Only three of them are listed in the address book and none of them in Nekázanka.

Vratislav Nechleba (1885-1965) was a well-known painter who Hašek probably knew or at least knew about. Still it is quite far fetched to suggest that the author borrowed his name.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] „Poslušně hlásím, že jsem to, pane obrlajtnant, pozoroval. Já má, jak se říká, vyvinutej pozorovací talent, když už je pozdě a něco se stane nepříjemnýho. Já mám takovou smůlu jako nějakej Nechleba z Nekázanky, který tam chodil do hospody ,V čubčím háji’.
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pulkrabek.jpg

Salon, 15.9.1934

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Chytilův adresář,1912

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Pulkrábek's grave at Olšany cemetery.

© Daniel Soukup

Purkrábek enters the plot as Švejk mistakenly thinks the bald passenger sitting opposite him is Purkrábek, a representative of Banka Slavia. Not to be confused with Landwehrsoldat Purkrábek.

Background

Purkrábek was a common surname in Prague at the time, but address books do not reveal anyone that can be associated with the banking or insurance sectors.

Knesl

Augustin Knesl claims that some Jaroslav Purkrábek worked together with Hašek in Banka Slavia the short period he was employed there in 1902-1903[a]. It has not been possible to gather information about this person and he is not entered in the police registers or in the address books. Knesl does not provide any source and also tries to fit reality to the content of the novel. Thus he concludes that Purkrábek later entered the army and later appeared in The Good Soldier Švejk for the second time!

Rudolf Pulkrábek

The author was rather inspired by Rudolf Pulkrábek, a Czech banker and industrialist born in Frydland 28 August 1864[b]. He took over the brickworks (cihelna) at Vokovice after the death of his father in 1882.

In 1912 he is listed as a member of the board of Banka Slavia, but he was better known as an executive of Hypoteční Banka where he had spent 25 years by 1914. Pulkrábek was re-elected as a board member in 1916 and in 1923 he had become managing director. In connection with his 70th birthday in 1934 a picture of him appeared in Salon. The sub-title reveals that he now held the position of vice president. Pulkrábek died on 1 Oktober 1936 and is buried at Olšany cemetery.

Jaroslav Hašek is likely to have known him from his brief employment at this bank in 1902 and 1903 or he might also have heard of him from his brother Bohuslav who was employed in the bank for his entire working career. Still there are marked differences between Pulkrábek and the bald literary figure. The former was in a position far above the ordinary representative and the photo from 1934 reveals that Pulkrábek was not entirely bald.

Names partly interchanged

The reader may also object that Pulkrábek and Purkrábek are not identical names. This is true but the two are phonetically and lexically very close and were at times even interchanged. Examples of this can be found in Čech and Pilsner Tagblatt[c].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] „Dovolte, vašnosti, neráčíte být pan Purkrábek, zástupce banky Slavie?“ Když holohlavý pán neodpovídal, řekl Švejk nadporučíkovi: „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, že jsem jednou četl v novinách, že normální člověk má mít na hlavě průměrně šedesát až sedumdesát tisíc vlasů a že černý vlasy bývají řidčí, jak je vidět z mnoha případů.“
[II.1] Von vopravdu je celej pan Purkrábek, zástupce banky Slavie. Ten chodil k nám do hospody a jednou, když u stolu usnul, tak mu na jeho pleš nějakej dobrodinec napsal inkoustovou tužkou:
Dovolujeme si vám tímto dle připojené sazby III. c) zdvořile nabídnouti nastřádání věna a vybavení vašich dítek pomocí životního pojištění!

Sources: Augustin Knesl, Daniel Soukup, Milan Šedivý, Sergey Soloukh

Literature
References
aJosef Švejk a ti druzíVečerní PrahaAugustin Knesl
bPadesáté narozeninyNárodní politika28.8.1914
cVolkswirtschaftlichesPilsner Tagblatt4.8.1912
Generalmajor von Schwarzburgnn flag
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schwarzburg.gif
schwertburg1.png

Prager Tagblatt,14.5.1914

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Jihočeské listy,17.3.1915

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Jihočeské listy,2.6.1915

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Deutsche Böhmerwaldzeitung,4.6.1915

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Österreichische Illustrierte Zeitung,17.5.1914

Von Schwarzburg enters the plot as Švejk mistakenly thinks the passenger opposite him is Purkrábek, a representative of Banka Slavia. Instead it turns out to be Generalmajor von Schwarzburg, a terrifying army inspector who is on his way to surprise the garrison in Budějovice. This episode was obviously very unpleasant for Oberleutnant Lukáš.

Background

No von Schwarzburg can not be found in military records but army inspectors did of course exist. Those were higher ranking senior officers. Responsible for the garrison in Budějovice was k.u.k. Militärkommando Prag (see Korpskommando) so army inspectors would be based there. At least two high ranking officers are known to have inspected Budějovice during or around the time that Jaroslav Hašek served there (17 February to 1 June 1915). They both held the rank Feldmarschall-Leutnant and were assigned to the 8th army corps (Prague).

Schwerdtner von Schwertburg

The most obvious inspiration for the bald and elderly gentleman on the train is Simon Ritter Schwerdtner von Schwertburg (1854-1925). The nobility suffix von Schwertburg is close enough to von Schwarzburg and within the author's margin of error with regard to spelling.

Schwerdtner was at the time commander of the Prague garrison to which he had been transferred from Olomouc in May 1914. His rank was Feldmarschall-Leutnant and he was promoted from Generalmajor on 1 May 1912. In Olomouc he served as commander of 5. Infanteriedivision from 2 May 1912.

He visited Budějovice for inspection purposes at least twice when Hašek served there and had also been there at least twice in the autumn of 1914. The dates of arrival were 13 April and 31 May 1915. He was present when Ersatzbataillon IR. 91 in two stages was transferred to Királyhida (1 June). That Jaroslav Hašek knew about Schwerdtner and his role is inevitable and he was surely present during at least one of the inspections.

The officer was known as a German chauvinist with a dislike for Czechs and was the driving force behind the execution of reservist Kudrna in 1915. He was personally present at Motolské cvičiště when the soldier from IR102 was executed. Schwerdtner claimed it was necessary to make an example to deter disloyal elements. He was known as a hard-liner on nationality issues and pushed hard for the arrest of Kramář and Scheiner i 1915. In 1913 in Olomouc he was the driving force behind a summary trial and following execution of the corporal Jan Bagacz who had shot senior lieutenant Rudolf Schramek during manoeuvres.

Pitlik von Rudan und Poria

The second high-ranking inspector based in Prague was Andreas Pitlik von Rudan und Poria (1856-1937) (cz. Ondřej Radko Pytlík) who is known to have inspected the garrison in Budějovice in January, March and June 1915. Some newspapers reported briefly on the inspections and they also revealed that he stayed at Hotel Grand opposite the railway station.

Born in Plzeň he started his career in his native Infanterieregiment Nr. 35 and later served in numerous units, amongst them IR53 in Zagreb where he was promoted to major in 1898. At this time the 42 year old officer was also named Flügeladjutant for His Imperial Majesty. In December 1899 he had already become an Oberstleutnant. In 1906 his rank was Oberst and that year he was transferred to IR56 as the regiment's commander. In 1908 he was knighted with the noble suffix von Rudan und Poria.

At the outbreak of war in 1914 Pitlik was commander of the 24. Infanteriedivision in Przemyśl. He had been promoted from Generalmajor on 1 May 1914 but already in the autumn he requested and was granted a six month leave for health reasons. After a spa break he returned to service and from now on he served at k.u.k. Militärkommando Prag. From around 1 June 1915 he was formally in charge of training of the reserves in military district No. 8 (Prague, south and west Bohemia), the schools for one year volunteers, and recuperation hospitals.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] A nyní se stalo něco hrozného. Holohlavý pán vyskočil, zařval na něho: „Marsch heraus, Sie Schweinkerl,“ vykopl ho do chodby, a vrátiv se do kupé, uchystal malé překvapení nadporučíkovi tím, že se mu představil. Byl to nepatrný omyl. Holohlavé individuum nebylo panem Purkrábkem, zástupcem banky „Slavie“, ale pouze generálmajorem von Schwarzburg. Generálmajor konal právě v civilu inspekční cestu po posádkách a jel překvapit Budějovice.
Literature
Tailor Hývlnn flag
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Hývl was a tailor who was mentioned in an anecdote that Švejk tell Oberleutnant Lukáš to execuse his thinking aloud in front of Schwarzburg. He was unlucky with some utterances in his native Czech after assuming that the passenger Vojtěch Rous who was sitting opposite him wouldn't understand him. This happened on the train route Maribor - Leoben - Prague, by Sankt Moritz. The tailor was one the way home from a job in Styria.

Background

Any real person who might have served as inspiration for this literary tailor has not been possible to identify. In the 1910 Prague addess book there are only two Hývl's listed so it was obviously a rare surname. None of them were tailors (one cooper and one butcher). In army records the name is equally rare. Only two appear in Austro-Hungarian World War I casualty lists and one joined České legie. None of them served in the same units as Hašek so the name is hardly inspired by the author's time in IR. 91.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] To nám jednou před léty vypravoval krejčí Hývl, jak jel z místa, kde krejčoval ve Štyrsku, do Prahy přes Leoben a měl s sebou šunku, kterou si koupil v Mariboru. Jak tak jede ve vlaku, myslel si, že je vůbec jedinej Čech mezi pasažírama, a když si u Svatýho Mořice začal ukrajovat z tý celý šunky, tak ten pán, co seděl naproti, počal dělat na tu šunku zamilovaný voči a sliny mu začaly téct z huby. Když to viděl krejčí Hývl, povídal si k sobě nahlas: ,To bys žral, ty chlape mizerná.’
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Verlustliste Nr. 330, 6.12.1915

Vojtěch Rous was the fellow passenger of the tailor Hývl in the anecdote told by Švejk to illustrate how one could be unlucky when thinking others don't understand ones own language. Švejk told this story on the train just before Tábor.

Background

In the Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 Verlustliste from the battle of Chorupan 24 September 1915[a] a soldier Adalbert Raus[1] from Budweis is listed as prisoner of war. This was actually the very battle where Jaroslav Hašek himself was captured. Both would thus have been part of the transfer on foot from the battle field by Dubno to the transit camp in Darnytsia, around 350 km.

If they didn't know each other already they may well have done so during the three weeks the march lasted. That said: even if Hašek knew Raus there is surely not more to it than name-borrowing.

1. Adalbert is the German variation of Vojtěch.

A brutal murder
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Čas, 21.9.1907

Another person who may have inspired the name was a farmer from Klášter by Nepomuk who was brutally murdered on 14 September 1907. The killer was his neighbour Vojtěch Mika who was eventually found guilty and sentenced to death. Jaroslav Hašek was an avid newspaper reader with an excellent memory of detail so he may perhaps have come across the news story and remembered it.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Když to viděl krejčí Hývl, povídal si k sobě nahlas: ,To bys žral, ty chlape mizerná.’ A ten pán mu česky vodpoví: ,To se ví, že bych žral, kdybys mně dal.’ Tak tu šunku sežrali společně, než přijeli do Budějovic. Ten pán se jmenoval Vojtěch Rous.“

Sources: Jan Ciglbauer

Literature
References
aThe battle of ChorupanJomar Hønsi2021
Hofmannnn flag
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hofmann.png

Jindřich Hofmann, Žižkov

Národní archiv, Policejní ředitelství I, konskripce

Hofmann was mentioned in a conversation between Švejk and the attendant on the train between Prague and Tábor. Hofmann had claimed that emergency brakes do not work. This conversation led to the incident where Švejk was accused of having stopped the train.

Background

It has not possible to identify any real-life inspiration for Hofmann. This surname (or variations on it) was quite common, but without information like occupation, domicile etc. he is likelely to remain unidentified. In Prague there were several people with the surname Hofmann but none of them stands out as someone that Hašek would have been likely to associate with.

We may speculate that this anecdote was picked up in a pub. The author probably still lived in Žižkov when he wrote these passages and people from here are mentioned a few paragraphs later (Franta Šnor and Policejní rada Kraus). If it is the case that the name Hofmann originates from the author's near surroundings it is of interest to note that two persons with this surname lived in Žižkov before World War I and probably also after. Amongst them were Bohuslav Hofmann and Jindřich Hofmann.

In Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 a Zugsführer Karl Hofmann from Krumlov served and he was captured by Chorupan together with Hašek on 24 September 1915[a]. It is possible that the author knew this person, but even if he did it would at most have inspired him to borrow the surname.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] „Ke mně chodíval,“ rozhovořil se Švejk, „jeden dobrej člověk, nějakej Hofmann, a ten vždy tvrdil, že tyhle poplašný signály nikdy neúčinkují, že to zkrátka a dobře nefunguje, když se zatáhne za tuhle rukojeť.
References
aThe battle of ChorupanJomar Hønsi2021
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Franz Šnor, Žižkov

Národní archiv, Policejní ředitelství I, konskripce

Franta Šnor was mentioned in an anecdote by Švejk because he had kneeled before the carriage of Kaiser Franz Joseph I. when His Majesty visited Žižkov. He was fined 20 crowns, just like Švejk on the train to Tábor.

Background

František Šnor was the name of two men in Žižkov at the time in question. The youngest of them had a son Karel and it is possibly this Karel who was landlord at U kamenáče when Jaroslav Hašek wrote the first part of the novel during the spring of 1921. It is typical of the author to "re-use" names of real people in this manner. The imperial visit in question was probably that of 1907, but the emperor also visited Žižkov in 1901. See Starej Procházka.

Jaroslav Šerák

V Praze moc Šnorů nežilo, pouze dvě rodiny, ale na Žižkově žila skutečně jedna rodina Šnorů: Otec František *1847 a byl písařem (officiant, Schreiber), měl syna Františka * 1873.Jeden z těchto Františků si mohl kleknout před kočár. Dále zde byl syn Karel * 1886 – ten mohl být tím hostinským „U kamenáče“.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Jednou, když byl císař pán návštěvou na Žižkově, tak nějakej Franta Šnor zastavil jeho kočár tím, že si před císařem pánem kleknul na kolena do jízdní dráhy.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

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Heinrich Krause, Královské Vinohrady

Národní archiv, Policejní ředitelství I, konskripce

Kraus was a police chief who is mentioned in the same anecdote as Franta Šnor.

Background

The person referred seems to be inspired by police inspector Heinrich Krause. He was borned 11 February 1859, lived in Vinohrady in 1908 and then in Lupačova ul. 12 in Žižkov in 1910. He was married with three children.

Jaroslav Šerák

Jméno Kraus se adresáři nevyskytuje, ale je tam inspektor jménem Jindřich [Heinrich] Krause. Zachovala se i policejní pobytová přihláška, kde je uveden v roce 1908 jako inspektor, bytem Vinohrady, č.p. 852.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Potom ten policejní komisař z toho rayonu řekl k panu Šnorovi s pláčem, že mu to neměl dělat v jeho rayonu, že to měl udělat vo jednu ulici níž, co patří už pod policejního radu Krause, tam že měl vzdávat hold. Potom toho pana Šnora zavřeli.“

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

Literature
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Naše příjmení, 1894

Mlíčko František is mentioned in an anecdote told by Švejk on the train to Budějovice because he also had stopped a train by pulling the emergency brake. He was from Uhříněves by Prague and the incident had happened in May 1912.

Background

Any real life person who may have served as inspiration for this Mlíčko (or Mlíček) has not been identified. This despite that the place Uhříněves and the year of 1912 may provide clues. Jaroslav Šerák has even investigated the birth records of Uhříněves from 1876 to 1919 without finding any of these family names.

Mlíčko or Mlíček?

Because Švejk here uses the accusative form Mlíčka both Mlíčko and Mlíček are possible in the nominative case. Translators and švejkologists largely agree that Mlíčko is the correct name but Jaroslav Šerák keeps the alternative open.

Although the ambiguity can't be fully resolved, investigations of address books, name databases and searches in historical newspapers strongly indicate that Mlíčko was the intended surname. In Prague not a single Mlíček was entered in the address books (1907, 1910) and in 2021 no Mlíček lived in the Czech Republic at all[a]. Mlíčko is also very rare but at least it is recorded (35 persons in 2021). See also bricklayer Mlíčko and carpenter Mlíčko.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Poněvadž železniční zřízenec neodpovídal, prohlásil Švejk, že znal nějakého Mlíčka Františka z Uhříněvse u Prahy, který také jednou zatáhl za takovou poplašnou brzdu a tak se lekl, že ztratil na čtrnáct dní řeč a nabyl ji opět, když přišel k Vaňkovi zahradníkovi do Hostivaře na návštěvu a popral se tam a voni vo něho přerazili bejkovec. „To se stalo,“ dodal Švejk, „v roce 1912 v květnu.“

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

Literature
References
aPříjmení: 'Mlíčko', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
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Vaněk was a gardener from Hostivař who is mentioned in the same anecdote as Mlíčko František.

Background

Any real life person who may have served as inspiration has not been possible to identify.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Poněvadž železniční zřízenec neodpovídal, prohlásil Švejk, že znal nějakého Mlíčka Františka z Uhříněvse u Prahy, který také jednou zatáhl za takovou poplašnou brzdu a tak se lekl, že ztratil na čtrnáct dní řeč a nabyl ji opět, když přišel k Vaňkovi zahradníkovi do Hostivaře na návštěvu a popral se tam a voni vo něho přerazili bejkovec. „To se stalo,“ dodal Švejk, „v roce 1912 v květnu.“
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Wagner was a cruel station master in Svitava, mentioned in one of the many anecdotes Švejk reels off on the train journey to Tábor.

Background

Wagner was a very common surname so the author may have borrowed the name anywhere. In Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 there were several of them and no less than seven were reported missing at Chorupan together with Hašek after the battle on 24 September 1915[a]. Whether or not Hašek knew them or met them is pure speculation.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Švejk vytáhl z bluzy dýmku, zapálil si, a vypouštěje ostrý dým vojenského tabáku, pokračoval: „Před léty byl ve Svitavě přednostou stanice pan Wagner. Ten byl ras na svý podřízený a tejral je, kde moh, a nejvíc si zalez na nějakýho vejhybkáře Jungwirta, až ten chudák se ze zoufalství šel utopit do řeky.
References
aThe battle of ChorupanJomar Hønsi2021
Switch operator Jungwirtnn flag
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Jungwirt was a railway switch operator in Svitava, mentioned in the same anecdote as station master Wagner. He was persecuted by his boss Wagner and drowned himself in the river in desperation. Still he returned to haunt the latter who in turn hanged himself from a signal post.

Background

Jungwirt or Jungwirth was a quite common surname so the author may have borrowed the name anywhere. In Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 there were several of them and three were reported missing at Chorupan together with Hašek after the battle on 24 September 1915[a]. One of them was a Gefreiter, the other two ordinary infantrymen. Whether or not Hašek knew them or met them is pure speculation. In Prague lived tens of people with the surnames Jungwirth/Jungwirt/Jungvirt.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Švejk vytáhl z bluzy dýmku, zapálil si, a vypouštěje ostrý dým vojenského tabáku, pokračoval: „Před léty byl ve Svitavě přednostou stanice pan Wagner. Ten byl ras na svý podřízený a tejral je, kde moh, a nejvíc si zalez na nějakýho vejhybkáře Jungwirta, až ten chudák se ze zoufalství šel utopit do řeky.
References
aThe battle of ChorupanJomar Hønsi2021
Brewer Zeman, Josefnn flag
Wikipedia ua Search Švejkův slovník
zeman.jpg
jzeman.png

Čechoslovan,21.1.1911

zeman1.jpg

© Jan Profous

zeman1.png

Národní listy,15.12.1889

zeman2.png

Deník plukovníka Švece, s. 186

Zeman was according to the novel a brew-master in Zdolbunov, mentioned in a conversation between Švejk and his benefactor at Tábor railway station. The latter asks the soldier to pass his greetings to the brewer Zeman. In this conversation Švejk is encouraged to defect as soon as he gets to the front, something he strongly indicates that he intends to do.

Background

Zeman most probably refers to the successor of Josef Zeman (1848-1892) who in 1880 founded a brewery in Kvasilov (ukr. Kvasyliv), a Czech settlement a few kilometres north of Zdolbunovo.

Kvasilov

The Polish site Polskie etykiety z piwa do 1945 r (now defunct) however reveals that the Kvasilov brewery in the inter-war period was owned by a Josef Zeman, born in 1873. A newspaper note from 1889 refers to Josef Zeman the elder, Josef Zeman the younger and Václav Zeman as brewers in Kvasilov in Russland[a].

Newspaper adverts from 1897 and 1900 in Der Böhmische Bierbrauer reveal that the owner of the brewery in Kvasilov was Anna Zemanová[b], presumably the widow of Josef Zeman Sr., the founder of the brewery who died in 1892. Adverts from 1911 to 1913 reveals that J. Zeman owned it. The brewery even owned a railway carriage[c].

Švec meeting Zeman

Josef Jiři Švec notes in his diary that he met the brewer Zeman in the summer of 1915. Švec describes him as a tall and vivacious man, married to an interesting brown-haired lady. His brother was, like Švec, a member of Česká družina, a force of Czech volunteers who would later develop into the Czechoslovak army in Russia, after the war known as the Legions.

Brewery in Lutsk

Another Zeman brewery was much better known. In 1888 Václav Zeman set up his own operation in Lutsk, and it was ultimately very successful. It was therefore logical to assume that Josef Zeman was sole proprietor in Kvasilov after this, and that it is him Jaroslav Hašek refers to in the novel.

History - before and after

The Zeman family had immigrated to Volhynia from Bohemia in 1870, and the father of Václav; Josef, was also a brewer. In Lutsk the Zeman brewery operated until the plant was nationalised after the Soviet invasion of Poland in September 1939. In 1940 the family were deported to Siberia, but Václav Zeman never lived to experience this tragedy. In 2003 a brewery named Zeman opened again in Lutsk, and the building of the old brewery is still intact.

Alexandr Drbal

Zeman Václav (*11.11.1864 Městec Králove, †24.8.1938 Luck, Polská republika, nyní Ukrajina; je pravděpodobně pohřben v obci Kvasilov, nyní Rivnenská oblast), sládek, podnikatel, činitel české menšiny v Polsku. Do Ruského císařství přijel s rodiči v září r. 1870. Studoval v Kyjevě, kde pak pracoval v jednom pivovaru. Spolu s bratrancem Josefem Zemanem (*?, †1892), bratrem spisovatele Antala Staška (*1843,†1931), vystavěl pivovar v Kvasilově (1880). Pak se osamostatnil a vystavěl „Czeski Browar parowy Wacława Zemana w Lucku“ (1888-90), kde vyráběl pivo značek „Sakura“, „Stolní“, „Ležák“, „Extra“, „Zdroj“, „Granat“, „Porter“ a „Bok-Bir“ a vyvážel ho do velkých měst v Polsku a Rusku a do Francie. Byl činný v českém krajanském hnutí v Polsku. Za První světové války v r. 1915 v pivovaru pracoval Jaroslav Hašek. Josef Zeman, o kterém jsem se zmínil v textu, byl bratranec Václava Zemana a syn spisovatele Antala Staška. O jeho otci můžu jen říci, že určitě byl statkářem vedle Lvova a v Kvasilově a pravděpodobně také členem České besedy ve Lvově, tedy nikoliv sládkem. Ale Jarda Hašek určitě znal pravě Václava Zemana a ne jeho otce nebo bratrance. Kdo je na fotce se musí ještě zjistit. Vždyť se ani neví přesně kde to je: v Zdolbunově nebo Lucku. Je také možně, že Václav Zeman měl v Zdolbunově filiálku! Řekl bych, že na fotce je Václav Zeman, ale to chce analýzu.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Když odcházel, řekl důvěrně k Švejkovi: „Tak vojáčku, jak vám povídám, jestli budete v Rusku v zajetí, tak pozdravujte ode mne sládka Zemana v Zdolbunově. Máte to přece napsané, jak se jmenuji. Jen buďte chytrý, abyste dlouho nebyl na frontě.“ „Vo to nemějte žádnej strach,“ řekl Švejk, „je to vždycky zajímavý, uvidět nějaký cizí krajiny zadarmo.“

Sources: Josef Švec, Alexandr Drbal, Jan Profous

Literature
References
aNa Husův pomníkNárodní listy15.12.1889
bPersonalienDer Böhmische Bierbrauer1.3.1900
cJ. ZemanČechoslovan21.1.1911
Zugsführer Hammel, Franznn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
hammel.jpg
hammel.png

Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919

paulhart.png

Österreichisches Kriegs-Echo,Jänner 1918

Hammel was a squad commander from the k.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21 depicted on a propaganda poster that Švejk observed at Tábor railway station. Together with Korporal Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer he urged the men to persevere.

Background

Hammel had exactly the rank and regiment affiliation that Hašek described in the novel. He was a k.k. Landwehr Zugsführer and fought with k.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21 on the Italian front in 1917. There is no doubt that Hašek borrowed the motif from Kriegskalender 1919 because the descriptions in The Good Soldier Švejk and the calendar are identical to the letter. It has however not been possible to trace Hammel further, probably due to a mis-spelling of his name in the calendar. What his real surname is we therefore don't know.

Tagliamento, 1917

The events that were described on the posters that Švejk observed in Tábor in early 1915 actually took place, but almost three years later. Hammel, Korporal Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer all served in k.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21 and they were mentioned together in a battlefield report in early 1918. The title was Das St. Pöltner Schützenregiment Nr. 21 am Tagliamento and it was printed in Streffleur's Militärblatt, Linzer Volkszeitung a.o. It dealt with the regiment's engagement by the river Tagliamento in northern Italy on 5 November 1917, and includes a few lines about the three soldiers who are mentioned in The Good Soldier Švejk. All three distinguished themselves during the battle and were awarded silver medals for bravery.

Korporal Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer have been identified and information about them confirmed by their Belohnungsantrag whereas the identity of Hammel remains unclear (this may be due to a misspelling of his surname).

Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919
kalender1919.jpg
kalender1919.png

The inspiration for the propaganda posters that Švejk observed in Tábor is no doubt Kriegskalender, or more precisely: Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919 and probably the Czech version of it. The reason that we can be so sure is that all the four motifs (six persons) that are described in this sequence of The Good Soldier Švejk also feature in the calendar. In addition, the text sequences that Hašek uses are more or less to the letter copies of text fragments from the calendar. In the case of Doctor Vojna even a spelling mistake in the surname found its way into The Good Soldier Švejk.

The motifs are fetched from pages 6 to 29 which is a pure calendar section. For each month there are two pages presenting a "shining role model of courage and gallantry". One page contains a drawing with a brief subtitle and on the next page. there is a detailed description of the heroic deed.

In the case of Zugsführer Danko and Hammel (with Korporal Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer) the short subtitles are reproduced as is. In the case of Trainsoldat Bong, the entire description is copied almost to the letter. For Doctor Vojna it was different: only brief extracts from the description found their way into The Good Soldier Švejk and the soldier's vivid imagination provided the rest.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Dobrého vojáka Švejka uvítal obraz znázorňující dle nápisu, jak četař František Hammel a desátníci Paulhart a Bachmayer od c. k. 21. střeleckého pluku povzbuzují mužstvo k vytrvání. Na druhé straně visel obraz s nadpisem: „Četař Jan Danko od 5. pluku honvédských husarů vypátrá stanoviště nepřátelské baterie.“
Literature
Korporal Paulhart, Josefnn flag
*27.2.1892 Alt-Lichtenwörth - †?
Search Švejkův slovník
hammel.jpg

Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919

paulhart.jpg

Unterabteilungs-Grundbuchsblatt

paulhart.png

Österreichisches Kriegs-Echo,Jänner 1918

Paulhart was depicted on a propaganda poster that Švejk observed in the military part of Tábor railway station. On the same poster were also shown Zugsführer Hammel and Korporal Bachmayer. All three served with k.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21.

Background

Paulhart had exactly the rank and unit affiliation that Hašek described in the novel: he was a Korporal in k.k. Landwehr and served with k.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21.

Josef Paulhart's Grundbuchsblatt[a] (service record) reveals that he was born 27 February 1892 in Altlichtenwarth, Bezirk Mistelbach, and was a farmer by profession. He started his military service on 1 Oktober 1913 when he was assigned to k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 24 (Vienna), then transferred to k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 2 (Linz) on the 16th. For some reason he was transferred again 13 Desember 1913, now to k.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21 where he served for the duration of the war. In August 1917 he was hospitalised and by then he had been promoted to Gefreiter titulär Korporal and was decorated with a Karl-Truppen-Kreuz. On 12 November he was proposed for a silver medal 1st class. On 3 November 1918 he was taken prisoner by the Italians by Tagliamento, then released and demobilised in 1919. The service record further reveals that he was 164 cm tall, had black hair, blue eyes, spoke only German etc.

Tagliamento, 1917

The events that were described on the posters that Švejk observed in Tábor in early 1915 actually took place, but almost three years later. Zugsführer Hammel, Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer all served in k.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21 and they were mentioned together in a battlefield report in early 1918. The title was Das St. Pöltner Schützenregiment Nr. 21 am Tagliamento and it was printed in Streffleur's Militärblatt, Linzer Volkszeitung a.o. It dealt with the regiment's engagement by the river Tagliamento in northern Italy on 5 November 1917, and includes a few lines about the three soldiers who are mentioned in The Good Soldier Švejk. All three distinguished themselves during the battle and were awarded silver medals for bravery.

Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer have been identified and information about them confirmed by their Belohnungsantrag whereas the identity of Zugsführer Hammel remains unclear (this may be due to a misspelling of his surname).

Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919
kalender1919.jpg
kalender1919.png

The inspiration for the propaganda posters that Švejk observed in Tábor is no doubt Kriegskalender, or more precisely: Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919 and probably the Czech version of it. The reason that we can be so sure is that all the four motifs (six persons) that are described in this sequence of The Good Soldier Švejk also feature in the calendar. In addition, the text sequences that Hašek uses are more or less to the letter copies of text fragments from the calendar. In the case of Doctor Vojna even a spelling mistake in the surname found its way into The Good Soldier Švejk.

The motifs are fetched from pages 6 to 29 which is a pure calendar section. For each month there are two pages presenting a "shining role model of courage and gallantry". One page contains a drawing with a brief subtitle and on the next page. there is a detailed description of the heroic deed.

In the case of Zugsführer Danko and Zugsführer Hammel (with Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer) the short subtitles are reproduced as is. In the case of Trainsoldat Bong, the entire description is copied almost to the letter. For Doctor Vojna it was different: only brief extracts from the description found their way into The Good Soldier Švejk and the soldier's vivid imagination provided the rest.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Dobrého vojáka Švejka uvítal obraz znázorňující dle nápisu, jak četař František Hammel a desátníci Paulhart a Bachmayer od c. k. 21. střeleckého pluku povzbuzují mužstvo k vytrvání. Na druhé straně visel obraz s nadpisem: „Četař Jan Danko od 5. pluku honvédských husarů vypátrá stanoviště nepřátelské baterie.“
Literature
References
aUnterabteilungs-GrundbuchsblattÖStA
Korporal Bachmayer, Franznn flag
*1897 Eggenburg - †?
Search Švejkův slovník
hammel.jpg

Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919

bachmayer.jpg

Landsturmmusterungsschein, Franz Bachmayer

paulhart.png

Österreichisches Kriegs-Echo,Jänner 1918

Bachmayer was depicted on a propaganda poster at Tábor railway station, mentioned in the same breath as Zugsführer Hammel and Korporal Paulhart. Like the other two he served with k.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21.

Background

Bachmayer had exactly the rank and unit affiliation that Hašek described in the novel. He was a k.k. Landwehr Korporal and served with k.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21 on the Italian front together with Zugsführer Hammel and Korporal Paulhart. At the end of 1917 he was awarded the silver medal 1st class for bravery and this was the third time that he was decorated[a]. The reason for his decoration was bravery shown by Tagliamento on 5 November 1917.

Franz Bachmayer was from Eggenburg in Niederösterreich, Bezirk Horn, and was enlisted 5 June 1915 at the age of 18. His profession was baker[b]. Apart from the mentioned exploits by Tagliamento his career during the war and life afterwards remains in the dark.

Tagliamento, 1917

The events that were described on the posters that Švejk observed in Tábor in early 1915 actually took place, but almost three years later. Zugsführer Hammel, Korporal Paulhart and Bachmayer all served in k.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21 and they were mentioned together in a battlefield report in early 1918. The title was Das St. Pöltner Schützenregiment Nr. 21 am Tagliamento and it was printed in Streffleur's Militärblatt, Linzer Volkszeitung a.o. It dealt with the regiment's engagement by the river Tagliamento in northern Italy on 5 November 1917, and includes a few lines about the three soldiers who are mentioned in The Good Soldier Švejk. All three distinguished themselves during the battle and were awarded silver medals for bravery.

Korporal Paulhart and Bachmayer have been identified and information about them confirmed by their Belohnungsantrag whereas the identity of Zugsführer Hammel remains unclear (this may be due to a misspelling of his surname).

Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919
kalender1919.jpg
kalender1919.png

The inspiration for the propaganda posters that Švejk observed in Tábor is no doubt Kriegskalender, or more precisely: Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919 and probably the Czech version of it. The reason that we can be so sure is that all the four motifs (six persons) that are described in this sequence of The Good Soldier Švejk also feature in the calendar. In addition, the text sequences that Hašek uses are more or less to the letter copies of text fragments from the calendar. In the case of Doctor Vojna even a spelling mistake in the surname found its way into The Good Soldier Švejk.

The motifs are fetched from pages 6 to 29 which is a pure calendar section. For each month there are two pages presenting a "shining role model of courage and gallantry". One page contains a drawing with a brief subtitle and on the next page. there is a detailed description of the heroic deed.

In the case of Zugsführer Danko and Zugsführer Hammel (with Korporal Paulhart and Bachmayer) the short subtitles are reproduced as is. In the case of Trainsoldat Bong, the entire description is copied almost to the letter. For Doctor Vojna it was different: only brief extracts from the description found their way into The Good Soldier Švejk and the soldier's vivid imagination provided the rest.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Dobrého vojáka Švejka uvítal obraz znázorňující dle nápisu, jak četař František Hammel a desátníci Paulhart a Bachmayer od c. k. 21. střeleckého pluku povzbuzují mužstvo k vytrvání. Na druhé straně visel obraz s nadpisem: „Četař Jan Danko od 5. pluku honvédských husarů vypátrá stanoviště nepřátelské baterie.“
Literature
References
aAuszeichnungenEggenburger Zeitung15.2.1918
bLandsturmmusterungscheinÖStA
Zugsführer Danko, Jannn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
danko.jpg
danko1.png

Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919

danko2.png

Oesterreichische Volks-Zeitung, 21.10.1914

Danko was a Zugsführer from k.u. Honvéd Husaren Regiment Nr. 5, depicted on a propaganda placard that Švejk observed at Tábor railway station.

Background

Danko was exactly what the author described him as: Zugsführer in k.u. Honvéd Husaren Regiment Nr. 5. In October 1914 Oesterreichische Volks-Zeitung and others reported that he had been awarded the gold medal for bravery. The report in the paper was from the propaganda series Aus dem Goldenen Buche der Armee and was near identical to the description in The Good Soldier Švejk [a].

Dankó János szakaszvezető
danko.png

A volt m. kir. kassai 5. honvéd huszárezred története 1868-1918, 1935.

In 1935 the regiment's history was published as a book and provides further information[b]. The soldier's name was Dankó János (in Hungarian family names are written first) and his rank is confirmed as Szakaszvezető (Zugsführer). He had been promoted after the battles by Dzibułki (ukr. Зіболки) north-east of Lemberg at the end of August 1914. On 2 Oktober 1914, he was awarded a gold medal for bravery, exactly as the abovementioned Austrian newspaper reported a few weeks later.

Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919
kalender1919.jpg
kalender1919.png

The inspiration for the propaganda posters that Švejk observed in Tábor is no doubt Kriegskalender, or more precisely: Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919 and probably the Czech version of it. The reason that we can be so sure is that all the four motifs (six persons) that are described in this sequence of The Good Soldier Švejk also feature in the calendar. In addition, the text sequences that Hašek uses are more or less to the letter copies of text fragments from the calendar. In the case of Doctor Vojna even a spelling mistake in the surname found its way into The Good Soldier Švejk.

The motifs are fetched from pages 6 to 29 which is a pure calendar section. For each month there are two pages presenting a "shining role model of courage and gallantry". One page contains a drawing with a brief subtitle and on the next page. there is a detailed description of the heroic deed.

In the case of Danko and Zugsführer Hammel (with Korporal Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer) the short subtitles are reproduced as is. In the case of Trainsoldat Bong, the entire description is copied almost to the letter. For Doctor Vojna it was different: only brief extracts from the description found their way into The Good Soldier Švejk and the soldier's vivid imagination provided the rest.

A volt m. kir. kassai 5. honvéd huszárezred története 1868-1918 (Regiment history, 1935)

Dankó János 1. századbeli tizedest üzibulkinál tanúsított kiválóan vitéz magatartásáért szakaszvezetővé léptették elő...

A Dzibulkinál vívott harcokban tanúsított vitéz magatartásáért Dankó János szakaszvezető arany vitézségi érmet...

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Na druhé straně visel obraz s nadpisem: „Četař Jan Danko od 5. pluku honvédských husarů vypátrá stanoviště nepřátelské baterie.“
References
aAus dem goldenen Buch der ArmeeNeues Wiener Abendblatt20.10.1914
bA volt m. kir. kassai 5. honvéd huszárezred története 1868-1918János Held1935
Trainsoldat Bong, Josefnn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
bong.jpg
bong.png

Z dob válečných : obrázkový kalendář pro město i venek na obyčejný rok 1919

bong2.png

Verordnungsblatt für das k.u.k. Heer, 5.12.1914

bong1.jpg

Grazer Tagblatt, 19.2.1915

Bong is mentioned 3 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Bong was a soldier in k.u.k. Traineskadron Nr. 3 who was described in praising terms on a propaganda poster at Tábor station. He had saved the valuable harness of his dead horse, despite being fired at by Russian artillery. He was subsequently awarded a silver medal for bravery.

Background

Bong was a real person and what the author reproduces is merely a more colourful variation of news items that appeared in the press in January and February 1915. All had the title Aus dem Goldenen Buche der Armee, a series that was published regularly. It informed of various heroic deeds and some where also available as postcards, and surely also as posters.

News about Bong having been awarded the silver medal 2nd class had been reported in newspapers in early December, based on Verordnungsblatt für das k.u.k. Heer from 5 Desember 1914. Here the soldier's unit is confirmed: k.u.k. Traineskadron Nr. 3, Traindivision Nr. 1. At the time of his decoration he served with Divisions-Sanitätsanstalt Nr. 12. Given the regiment's recruitment district was Kraków (it included parts of Moravia and Silesia) his nationality was most likely Polish or Czech.

Despite the various news items there is little doubt that Hašek's source was Kriegskalender for 1919, or rather the Czech version of it. The entire text segment describing Bong is, apart from the colour of the horse and a couple of minor differences, word by word identical to the text in the calendar.

Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919
kalender1919.jpg
kalender1919.png

The inspiration for the propaganda posters that Švejk observed in Tábor is no doubt Kriegskalender, or more precisely: Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919 and probably the Czech version of it. The reason that we can be so sure is that all the four motifs (six persons) that are described in this sequence of The Good Soldier Švejk also feature in the calendar. In addition, the text sequences that Hašek uses are more or less to the letter copies of text fragments from the calendar. In the case of Doctor Vojna even a spelling mistake in the surname found its way into The Good Soldier Švejk.

The motifs are fetched from pages 6 to 29 which is a pure calendar section. For each month there are two pages presenting a "shining role model of courage and gallantry". One page contains a drawing with a brief subtitle and on the next page. there is a detailed description of the heroic deed.

In the case of Zugsführer Danko and Zugsführer Hammel (with Korporal Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer) the short subtitles are reproduced as is. In the case of Bong, the entire description is copied almost to the letter. For Doctor Vojna it was different: only brief extracts from the description found their way into The Good Soldier Švejk and the soldier's vivid imagination provided the rest.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Zatímco šikovatel šel shánět nějakého důstojníka, Švejk si přečetl na plakátu:

VOZATAJEC JOSEF BONG

Vojáci zdravotního sboru dopravovali těžce raněné k vozům, připraveným v kryté úžlabině. Jakmile byl plný, odjelo se s ním na obvaziště. Rusové, vypátravše tyto vozy, počali je obstřelovati granáty. Kůň vozatajce Josefa Bonga od c. a k. 3. vozatajské švadrony byl usmrcen střepinou granátu. Bong bědoval: „Ubohý můj bělouši, je veta po tobě!“ Vtom sám zasažen byl kusem granátu. Přesto vypřáhnul svého koně a odtáhl trojspřeží za bezpečný úkryt. Nato se vrátil pro postroj svého usmrceného koně. Rusové stříleli stále. „Jen si střílejte, zpropadení zuřivci, já postroj tady nenechám!“ a snímal dál postroj s koně, bruče si ona slova. Konečně byl hotov a vláčel se s postrojem zpět k vozu. Zde mu bylo vyslechnouti hromobití od zdravotních vojínů pro jeho dlouhou nepřítomnost. „Nechtěl jsem tam nechat postroj, je skoro nový. Bylo by ho škoda, pomyslil jsem si. Nemáme nazbyt takových věcí,“ omlouval se statečný vojín, odjížděje k obvazišti, kde se teprve hlásil jako raněný. Jeho rytmistr ozdobil později prsa jeho stříbrnou medalií za statečnost.
Literature
Doctor Vojna, Josefnn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
vojna.jpg
vojna.png

Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919

Vojna was a one-year volunteer from Feldjägerbataillon Nr. 7 who fought in Galicia. He is mentioned in an anecdote by Švejk at Táborské nádraží about an example of courage that surpassed even that of Trainsoldat Bong. Švejk had read a story in Pražské úřední listy that could reveal that the head of Vojna had extorted great deeds even after it was blown off.

Background

Vojna is one of the heroes that the author picked from Kriegskalender 1919 together with Zugsführer Danko, Trainsoldat Bong, Zugsführer Hammel a.o. Švejk however exaggerated wildly as Vojna according to the calendar was injured twice and despite his injuries assumed control of a half company. There is however no mention of his hand or head being blown off.

According to the calendar the heroic deed took place by Polazzo on 4 July 1915 and not in Galicia as Švejk claimed. It is also informed that Vojna was decorated with a silver medal 1st class for his heroics. The date also makes it obvious that Švejk could not have read about Vojna before reaching Tábor as Italy only entered the war when Švejk's march company had arrived in Budapest (23 May).

Dr. Josef Wojnar
wojnar.png

Wiener Zeitung,14.10.1915

No Josef Vojna from Feldjägerbataillon Nr. 7 figures in Austro-Hungarian casualty lists, in lists of decorated soldiers, or in Verordnungsblatt or Ranglisten. Nor does a search for the surname "Wojna" as given in the calendar yield any results. The reason is simply a typing error in Kriegskalender because his name was actually Josef Wojnar[b]. News of him being awarded a silver medal for bravery was reported in several newspapers and in Wiener Zeitung on 14 Oktober 1915 he is clearly identified as Dr. Josef Wojnar from Feldjägerbataillon Nr. 7, albeit with a silver medal 2nd class instead of 1st class as the calendar states. In 1918 the Viennese newspaper Weltblatt confirmed most of the information from the war calendar[c].

Newspaper snippets and army publications enable us to assembly some details from his military career. He had his left large toe bruised/crushed late 1914 or early in 1915 by Hroscienko (probably Krościenko) and was hospitalised in reserve hospital in Klagenfurt. At the time his rank was Einjährig-Freiwilliger Unterjäger (i.e. one-year volunteer infantryman) and he served in the 3rd company. His birth year is given as 1890[d] and this must have happened at the front in the Carpathians because the war with Italy had not yet started.

wojnar1.png

Wojnar decorated 5 times.

Ranglisten des Kaiserlichen und Königlichen Heeres, 1918

By 4 July 1915 he had returned to front service with the 10th March Company and had by now been promoted to Zugsführer. He was involved in the 1st battle of the Isonzo by Polazzo that day. He was first knocked unconscious by a grazing shot to his head but returned to his position only to have his foot bruised by debris after a shell hit the trench. Still he insisted to remain on duty[c].

Ranglisten reveal that he was quickly promoted. On 1 January 1916 he was already Leutnant in der Reserve. He was decorated no less than five times during the war[e]. The 7. Feldjägerbataillon was mainly manned by Slovenes (85 per cent) but a one-year volunteer could to a degree choose where to serve. Wojnar is a rare name in Slovenia but is widespread in Poland and in the eastern part of Czech Silesia so his roots were probably in Galicia or Silesia.

Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919
kalender1919.jpg
kalender1919.png

The inspiration for the propaganda posters that Švejk observed in Tábor is no doubt Kriegskalender, or more precisely: Der Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919 and probably the Czech version of it. The reason that we can be so sure is that all the four motifs (six persons) that are described in this sequence of The Good Soldier Švejk also feature in the calendar. In addition, the text sequences that Hašek uses are more or less to the letter copies of text fragments from the calendar. In the case of Vojna even a spelling mistake in the surname found its way into The Good Soldier Švejk.

The motifs are fetched from pages 6 to 29 which is a pure calendar section. For each month there are two pages presenting a "shining role model of courage and gallantry". One page contains a drawing with a brief subtitle and on the next page. there is a detailed description of the heroic deed.

In the case of Zugsführer Danko and Zugsführer Hammel (with Korporal Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer) the short subtitles are reproduced as is. In the case of Trainsoldat Bong, the entire description is copied almost to the letter. For Vojna it was different: only brief extracts from the description found their way into The Good Soldier Švejk and the soldier's vivid imagination provided the rest.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Když Švejk dočetl a šikovatel se ještě nevracel, řekl k landverákům na strážnici: „Tohle je moc krásnej příklad zmužilosti. Takhle budou u nás v armádě samý nový postroje na koně, ale když jsem byl v Praze, tak jsem čet v Pražskejch úředních listech ještě hezčí případ vo nějakým jednoročním dobrovolníkovi Dr Josefu Vojnovi. Ten byl v Haliči u 7. praporu polních myslivců, a když to přišlo na bodáky, tak dostal kulku do hlavy, a když ho vodnášeli na obvaziště, tak na ně zařval, že kvůli takovému šrámu se nenechá obvázat. A zas chtěl hned se svou četou forikovat, ale granát mu usekl kotník. Zas ho chtěli vodnášet, ale von se počal belhat vo holi k bitevní čáře a holí se bránil proti nepříteli, a přilít novej granát a utrh mu tu ruku, ve kterej držel hůl. Von si tu hůl přendal do druhý ruky, zařval, že jim to nevodpustí, a bůhví jak by to s ním dopadlo, kdyby ho byl šrapnel za chvilku definitivně nezamordoval. Možná, že kdyby ho nakonec přece jen nevoddělali, že by byl taky dostal stříbrnou medalii za statečnost. Když mu to urazilo hlavu,tak,jak se kutálela, ještě vykřikla: ,Vždy povinnosti věrné spěch, byť vůkol vanul smrti dech!’“
References
aKriegs-Kalender des Fremden-BlattVerlag Elbemühl1915
bDie silberne Tapferkeitsmedaille zweiter KlasseWiener Zeitung14.10.1915
cDie Jäger sind schon vorne...Neuigkeits-Welt Blatt26.9.1918
dNachrichten über Verwundete und KrankeGemeinsames Zentralnachweisebureau7.4.1915
eRanglisten des Kaiserlich und Königlichen Heeres (s. 845)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1918
Shoemaker Petrlíknn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
petrlik.png

Adresař hl.m. Prahy, 1910

Petrlík is a deceased shoemaker mentioned by Švejk when he tries, in his long-winded way, to explain the lieutenant at the railway station in Tábor why he missed his train.

Background

In the Prague address books from 1907 and 1910 several Petrlík are listed but none of them were shoemakers. Hašek may well have known or known about a couple fo them. A certain Josef Petrlík was employed by Banka Slavia where Hašek worked for a short period in 1902 and 1903.

Kristián Petrlík (1842-1908) was professor at the technical college at Karlovo náměstí where the author had many aquaintances. The latter died 31 March 1908 so could it be that Hašek "degraded" the venerable professor to a shoemaker? Still it could hardly be much more that borrowing the name.

Salát-Petrlík

Petrlík is even a name the author may have borrowed from Jaroslav Salát-Petrlík who worked for the Czech social democrats (communists) in Moscow at the time Hašek returned from Russia in 1920. His original name was Petrlík. 17 September 1920 Hašek sent him a letter where he summarized his activities in Russia from 1918 onwards, more or less a CV underpinning his Communist credentials. The original letter has not been found, leading to speculation that the letter may be fake. Jan Berwid-Buquoy is the prime propagator of this theory, and he mentions the letter in both his books about Hašek. In 1983 the debate even reached the columns of the Communist Party mouthpiece Rudé Pravo.

Dokument československého parlamentu, 15.5.1921

Za nimi pak jel 11. října 1920 nynější vůdce československé kolonie v Moskvě, známý Salát-Petrlík, který byl určen, aby osobně řídil revoluční akci. Po nezdařeném pokusu se pak Salát opět vrátil do Moskvy, kamž přibyl 17. ledna 1920.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] „Poslušně hlásím, pane lajtnant, že vono je třeba, aby to lezlo ze mě jako z chlupatý deky, aby byl přehled vo celý události, jak to vždycky říkal nebožtík švec Petrlík, když poroučel svýmu klukovi, než ho začal řezat řemenem, aby si svlíkl kalhoty.“

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Jan Berwid-Buquoy

Literature
Korporal Paláneknn flag
Search
palanek.png

České slovo,27.1.1924

Palánek was at the station i Tábor given the task to get Švejk a ticket onwards to Budějovice. He didn't have any money so his superior decided that Švejk had to continue on foot. To judge by previous passages in the plot Palánek served with k.k. Landwehr.

Background

Quests to find any prototype or source of inspiration for this Korporal have not succeeded. Palánek is a relatively rare surname.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Poněvadž se Švejk nehýbal a stále držel ruku na štítku čepice, poručík zařval: „Marsch hinaus, neslyšel jste, abtreten? Korporál Palánek, vezměte toho chlapa blbého ke kase a kupte mu lístek do Českých Budějovic!“ Desátník Palánek se za chvíli objevil opět v kanceláři. Pootevřenými dveřmi nakukovala za Palánkem dobromyslná tvář Švejkova.
Solomonnn flag
*? - †931 BC Jerusalem
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
salomo.jpg

The Judgement of Solomon by Gaspar de Crayer (appx. 1620)

Solomon is mentioned by the author when he describes the drastic decision of the Leutnant at Táborské nádraží to let Švejk walk to Budějovice. He uses the expressions "Solomonic solution".

Background

Solomon was king of Judea in the Old Testament, the son of David. He was famed for his wisdom. Whether or not he existed is under debate.

A Solomonic Judgement is a fair and wise solution to a difficult problem. The saying is based upon the Biblical passage in 1 Kings 3:16-28, where king Solomon resolves a disagreement between two mothers about a child which both claimed was hers.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Poručík dlouho nedal na sebe čekat se šalomounským rozřešením trudné otázky. „Tak ať jde pěšky,“ rozhodl, „ať ho zavřou u pluku, že se opozdil; kdo se s ním tady bude tahat.“

Also written:Šalomoun cz Salomo de

Index Back Forward II. At the front Hovudpersonen

2. Švejk's budějovická anabasis

Xenophonnn flag
*430 BC Athen - †355 BC ?
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
xenofon.jpg

John Steeple Davies, 1900

Xenophon is mentioned by the narrator when he introduces the reader to the term "anabasis". Xenophon exemplified the anabasis by travelling around "God knows where" without a map. Hašek uses this symbolism in the chapter header Švejkova budějovická anabase and also in the short follow-up where he explains what the word anabasis means.

Background

Xenophon was a Greek commander, author and historian, known for his historical descriptions of ancient Greece, his writings on Socrates, and the first eyewitness account of a battle in ancient times. His best-known book is "Anabasis". It describes the Greek mercenaries' treacherous journey back home through Asia Minor after a failed military mission against Persia. It is a seven-volume work and is considered Xenophon's best. It was translated into Czech already in 1853 and by the turn of the century it had become part of Greek language teaching at Czech middle schools (gymnasium).

Anabasis: A dig at the Legions?
anabase1.png

Břetislav Hůla was probably the first who in writing suggested that Hašek used "anabasis" as subtle kick at the Czechoslovak Legions (1951). His conclusion was in 1953 made public in a collection of explanations that were part of a new edition of Švejk.

© LA-PNP

Jaroslav Hašek's symbolic use of the term anabasis has over the years led to assumptions about the author's intentions when he wrote the chapter about Švejk's anabasis. Some scholars have proposed (and even assumed) that Švejk's anabasis was intended as an ironic reference to the so-called Siberian anabasis of the Czechoslovak Legions.

In his explanations to a 1953 edition of The Good Soldier Švejk Zdena Ančík assesses the connection as "obvious" and more was to follow, albeit decades later. Literary scholars Antonín Měšťan (1983)[a], Antoni Kroh (Polish translator of The Good Soldier Švejk) (2002) and Abigail Weil (2019)[b] all state that Hašek's use of the term "anabase" was a dig at the Legions and that the author had their so-called Siberian anabasis from Kiev to Vladivostok in mind when he penned this chapter. Until 2020 a summary of Kroh's interpretation was even found in the explanatory notes of Zenny Sadlon's translation of The Good Soldier Švejk (the most recent one).

Obviously, the hypothesis can't be dismissed outright as no one can know for sure what went through Hašek's mind when he wrote these lines. Speaking for the hypothesis is the fact that irony was one of Hašek's main tools and that he had ample reasons to ridicude his former co-fighthers, some of whom had written som nasty columns about him. On the other hand we have never seen any evidence that could underpin the assumptions about Hašek's intentions with Švejk's "anabasis". One would at least expect quotes from the author himself or from people who were in contact with him at the time of writing (1921 onwards), but no such source has been identified. Alternatively one would expect evidence that the reading public at the time perceived Švejk's anabasis as a dig at the Legions. None of it seems to be the case. The following paragraphs shall therefore try to analyse the origin and development of the claim and also the only serious attempt to underpin it.

Fiala
kroh.jpg

This otherwise excellent book contains far-fecthed claims regarding Hašek and his use of the term "anabasis".

In 2004 professor Jiří Fiala (Olomouc) published a thorough analysis of "anabasis" and other motifs from the The Good Soldier Švejk [e]. He reveals that Zdena Ančík in explanatory notes in the 1953 edition of the book concludes that anabasis "obviously is an ironic reference to the Legions and their fight against the Red Army, by nationalistic novel writers who coined the term Siberian anabasis"[1]. Fiala compares this to later explanations from Radko Pytlík [2] and Milan Hodík [3] and observes that neither of the latter two draws similar conclusions. Fiala in the end leaves the question open. He then proceeds by reproducing an excerpt from the book O Szwejku i o nas by Kroh[4], from a chapter titled "Two Generals".

Kroh
kroh.png

O Szwejku i o nas, s.45

© Antoni Kroh

Kroh's text, as translated by Fiala, is the starting point for the following analysis. He juxtaposes Rudolf Medek and Jaroslav Hašek in the context of the anabasis but even the title Two Generals gives ground for scepticism. Medek did eventually advance to general (1931), but to associate this rank with Hašek is downright absurd.

Even more questionable is the conclusion that Kroh draws. The reader is left with the impression that the hostility that Hašek encountered in Czechoslovakia after his return from Russia in 1920 was caused by his publishing of the "anabasis" chapter in The Good Soldier Švejk, and that this triggered an avalanche of criticism, insults and harassment.

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Rudolf Medek lashing out at Hašek, two years before the anabasis chapter in Švejk.

Československý deník,6.4.1918

There is no denying that Hašek was subjected to nasty attacks and insults, but the worst of these came to the fore when he was still in Russia and more than a year before he penned Švejk's anabasis. In an article published shortly after Jaroslav Hašek left the Legions, Medek delivered a cruel character assassination[c], and worse was to come. In early 1919 Jaroslav Colman-Cassius wrote an obituary titled Zrádce (Traitor)[d], obviously because he thought Hašek was dead. Cassius was every bit as unforgiving as Medek: writing about "small chubby hands", a clown and drunkard, a man without spine and character.

anabase2.png

Extracts from Cassius' nasty "obituary". Hašek read it in Irkutsk in 1920 and was deeply hurt.

Venkov,19.1.1919

When Kroh attempts to link Czech society's hostility to Hašek to the anabasis chapter he uses the phrase drunkard with chubby hands as one of the examples. The term was indeed used but pre-dated The Good Soldier Švejk. It was coined in 1920 in Irkutsk by Hašek himself, provoked by the mentioned "obituary" that he somehow got his hand on while still in Russia[5]. His response was the story Dušička Jaroslava Haška vypravuje (The little soul of Jaroslav Hašek tells) and here this insulting phrase appears. The story was printed immediatley after Hašek returned to Praha[f], but many months before he wrote the "Anabasis" chapter in The Good Soldier Švejk (autumn 1921).

The links that Kroh draws to Rudolf Medek and his "Anabase" novels (5 in total) are timing-wise equally irrelevant: except for the first, they were published after Hašek's death[6]. As we have seen Medek attacked Hašek sharply at times, but this happened already in 1918 and thus can't be linked to the publishing of the "anabasis" chapter. According to Zdeněk Matěj Kuděj the two met in Prague in 1921 and after a first heated encounter, they were reconciled. Kroh's attempt to establish a connection between the spiteful attacks on Jaroslav Hašek and the publishing of the chapter Švejkova budějovicka anabase collapses when subjected to a timing analysis.

Weil
anabase4.png

Výbor ze spisů Xenofontových, Anabase, Kyrupaideie

A novelty appeared at Harvard University in 2019 through a dissertation thesis on Hašek by Abigail Weil[b]. Here the motif anabasis and Hašek's alleged dig at the Legions is given ample space. Whereas Kroh at last seeks to explain (albeit unconvincingly) the connection to the Legions anabasis Weil simply assumes that there is a connection, and without asking further questions. Nor does she make any reference to Antonín Měšťan, Kroh's book (or Fiala's discussion of it) so we must assume that she was unaware of these papers at the time of writing.

Perhaps this belief is inspired or underpinned by Zdena Ančík (read Břetislav Hůla) and his comment in the Švejk edition from 1953 (Weil explicitly refers to it as "the standard edition").

As one would expect from a literary scholar her thesis is strong on analysis and literary context but marred by errors and inaccuracies on the factual part (some of them admittedly "inherited" from Radko Pytlík and Cecil Parrott).

Ančík

So what about Břetislav Hůla's explanation from 1951, published by Zdena Ančík in 1953 (17th edition, Státní nakladatelství)? It was written at a time when anything that could put the pre-war "bourgeoise" republic and the Legions in a bad light was the order of the day. It is also striking that by 1955 (22nd edition, Práce), the same Ančík had removed the reference to the Legions and their anabasis. Nor does a completely different set of notes by Milan Jakovič (26th edition, Odeon, 1968) contain any such allusions to "anabase and the Legions".

Hašek and Xenofon
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Xenofon was on the curriculum when Hašek was a pupil at the gymnasium.

Devátá výroční zpráva cís. král. vyššího gymnasia v Žitné ulici v Praze za školní rok 1896

The term "anabase" was by no means unknown in Czech literature even before the deluge of legionnaire novels innundated Czechoslovakia in the twenties. One of the teachers at the gymnasium in Žitná ulice, where Hašek studied from 1893 to 1898, was the famous author Alois Jirásek. He was teaching geography and history and already in 1886 he wrote a book with the theme anabasis. Xenophon's own magnum opus had been translated into Czech even earlier. Classical Greek was one of the subjects at the gymnasium and Xenofon was on the curriculum. That said the subject was introduced from the 5th form, a step Hašek never reached as he was forced to leave in the 4th. Jirásek didn't teach the classes of young Jaroslav (Ia, IIa, IIIa and IVa), despite Václav Menger a.o. claiming the opposite[7]. Still the fact that Xenofon was in the curriculum shows that he must have been quite well known amongst educated Czechs. It should be added that Greek was taught from the 3rd form so Xenofon's name may have been introduced already at this stage.

anabase6.png

Xenofon and his anabasis was a known theme for Hašek five years before he wrote Švejk.

Čechoslovan,25.9.1916

Even though Hašek probably didn't study Xenophon as a subject at school there is no doubt that he had a good general knowledge of and interest in the history of ancient Greece. This is obvious already in the introduction to the novel. But even more importantly: it is easy to prove that Jaroslav Hašek's awareness of Xenophon was unrelated to the anabasis of the Legions. In Dopis z fronty (Letter from the front)[h] both Xenophon and his anabasis are mentioned. At this time it could never have been a question of making fun of a Siberian anabasis that was to take place two years into the future. None of the mentioned scholars seem to have registered that Hašek used the theme "anabasis" already in 1916. Even three years earlier Hašek had mentioned Xenophon (but not the anabasis) in a story[g].

Conclusion

Hašek's pre-war story in U8(Svět) and letter from the front is of course no proof that he later didn't poke fun at the Legions, but it does show that he could easily have written about Xenophon and his anabasis without any ironic intent.

We have in vain searched digitised newspapers from 1921 or 1922 for any sign that any writers or critics connected Švejk's anabasis with the Legions. Even extending the search to 1950 and including the extensive inter-war legionnaire literature has proved futile. There must also be a reason why explanations to Švejk published from 1955 onwards don't connect the Legions and Švejk's anabasis anymore. The answer is probably that the communist publishers no longer believed in the hypothesis (perhaps they had by now discovered "Letters from the front" from 1916?). If there had been any substance in the theory they surely would have used Švejkova budějovická anabase for what it was worth.


Sergey Soloukh's notes

1. The term itself "anabasis" for any long and hard journey of armed man was quite standard for the epoch. For example it was widely used in Russian literature about Great and Civil wars (generals Denikin and Krasnov, writer and lit.critic Shklovsky). And all of them without any connection to Cz.Legion. So it was very standard in war-torn Russia of the time and not specifically used for particular Legion affair. And quite vice-versa, was rather used by Cz.Legion as a standard for "the journey of armed men" then something born and particularly and uniquely attributed to Legion move.

2. If it would be interpreted as an insult to Cz,Legion or an attempted joke on it at the moment of appearance of this chapter it definitely would be noted as such and discussed in Cz.press of epoch. But we know it didn't. It means and confirms my p.1. the term "anabasis" at that time was not considered specific and unique for depiction of Cz.Legion adventure only, it was freely used standard term for any "journey of the armed men". And only 30 years later it was interpreted as unique and specific to Legion adventure for the goals of communist propaganda.

Dva generálové (extr.). Antoni Kroh, transl. Jiří Fiala

Slovo „anabáze" mělo tehdy v češtině jediný, a to samozřejmý význam: znamenalo prodírání se česko- slovenských legií z Ukrajiny přes Sibiř do Vladivostoku. Kapesní slovník cizích slov (vydaný v Praze roku 1971) již objasňuje toto slovo subtilním a diskrétním způsobem: „Anabáze — probíjení se velkých vojenských oddílů do vlasti." Legenda „anabáze", zvláště živá ve dvacátých letech, byla živena a pěstována po celé období meziválečného Československa. Rudolf Medek je současně jeden z jejích tvůrců i její i hrdina. A nyní si připomeňme kapitolu Švejkova budějovická anabáze (II, 2). Švejk jel spolu s nadporučíkem Lukášem vlakem z Prahy do Budějovic. Po incidentu se záchrannou brzdou byl vysazen v Táboře a uvězněn. Když se ukázalo, že nemá peníze ani dokumenty, podporučík sloužící na nádraží mu přikázal, aby šel do Budějovic pěšky. „A čert ví, jak se to stalo, že dobrý voják Švejk místo na jih k Budějovicím šel pořád" rovně na západ. Není známo, jak se to stalo, ale je známo, že se to stalo nevědomky, poněvadž Švejk byl přece na západ." Není známo, jak se to stalo, ale je známo, že se to stalo nevědomky, poněvadž Švejk byl přece dobrý voják, žádný dezertér; on vskutku chtěl dorazit do Budějovic! Proč tam tedy nešel přímo, jen pořád kroužil a kroužil dokola? Protože byl idiot? Mnoho polských milovníků Švejka, jichž jsem se dotazoval, to právě tak vysvětluje. Ale kapitole Švejkova budějovická anabáze je možné porozumět teprve tehdy, když si uvědomíme, kdy a za jakých okolností byla napsána. Je to jedna z nejskvostnějších pasáží románu. Jako každé velké umělecké dílo se vymyká jednoznačným výkladům. Můžeme ji označit za panorama českého venkova, zvěčněním lidových typů a tehdejších nálad. Je to rovněž radostný hymnus ke cti životu, nespoutaný smích jakoby z Rabelaise. Rovněž groteska. Lze tam najít reminiscence na autorova dobrodružství. Ale to vše je málo. Švejkova budějovická anabáze je současně politický pamflet, bravurní publicistika na aktuální téma. Hašek jako první propíchl balon, který Medek se svými věrnými tak zdatně nafukoval. Přirovnání k balonu není trefné, problém vězel mnohem hlouběji; ve dvacátých letech nebyla legenda „anabáze" nafukovaným balonem, ale velikou radostí znovuzrozeného státu, důvodem hrdosti, léčbou několikasetletého komplexu zotročence, reakcí na nedávná pokořování. A tu do samého středu národní slavnosti vchází Švejk, který velice touží dorazit do Budějovic, ale dostává se kamsi úpině jinam a čert ví, proč se tak děje... Vybuchl skandál — zvlášť když autora obklopovala aura bolševického komisaře, a co horšího, kapitola byla znamenitě napsána... Na Haška se sesypaly přívlastky jako nihilista, dekadent, pijan s opuchlýma rukama; velké obžaloby ze zrady národa i drobné šikany. A současně — první entuziastické recenze.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Starověký válečník Xenofon prošel celou Malou Asii a byl bůhvíkde bez mapy. Staří Gotové dělali své výpravy také bez topografické znalosti. Mašírovat pořád kupředu, tomu se říká anabase. Prodírat se neznámými krajinami. Být obklíčeným nepřáteli, kteří číhají na nejbližší příležitost, aby ti zakroutili krk.

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Jaroslav Hašek, Jiří Fiala, Antoni Kroh, Abigail Weil, Ferdinand Hoffmeister, Sergey Soloukh

Also written:Xenofón cz Xenophon de

Notes
1. Even though Zdena Ančík is credited with authorship of the explanations they were almost entirely the work of Břetislav Hůla. He passed his typewritten notes on to Ančík in 1951 and the latter only did some minor editing before publishing them in 1953, and again in 1955, now slightly amended.
2. Radko Radko Pytlík, Kniha o Švejkovi, 1982.
3. Milan Hodík, Encyklopedie pro milovníky Švejka, 1998.
4. Antoni Kroh, O Szwejku i o nas, 2002.
5. The story was first printed in Večerní Právo lidu 31 Desember 1920 but was dated 25 August so it must have been written in Irkutsk. This means that Hašek must have read his own obituary already there. It was also the first story Hašek had printed after his return to Prague.
6. Rudolf Medek, Anabase, 1927.
7. Jaroslav Hašek had to repeat the 4th year and finally left the gymnasium in February 1898. This school year Jirásek actually taught class IVa so Menger may still be correct.
Literature
References
aRealien und Pseudorealien in Hašeks "Švejk"Antonín Měšťan1983
bMan Is Indestructible: Legend and Legitimacy in the Worlds of Jaroslav HašekAbigail Weil2019
cPrůkopníciČeskoslovenský deníkRudolf Medek6.4.1918
dZrádceVenkov19.1.1919
eNěkolik editologických poznámek k románu Jaroslava Haška Osudy dobrého vojáka Švejka za světové válkyJiří Fiala2004
fDušička Jaroslava Haška vypravujeVečerník Práva liduJaroslav Hašek31.12.1920
gO dobrodružných výpraváchSvětJaroslav Hašek23.6.1913
hDopis z frontyČechoslovanJaroslav Hašek25.9.1916
Caesar, Juliusnn flag
*13.7.100 BC ? Roma - †15.3.44 BC Roma
Wikipedia czdeenlano Search
caesar.jpg

Commentarii de bello Gallico, 1892

caesar1.png

Curriculum, gymnasium Žitná ulice, 1896

morituri.png

"Jednoročáci", Alfons Sedláček, 1931

Caesar is mentioned by the author when he introduces the reader to the term "anabasis". Caesar's legions marched all the way to the Gallic Sea without maps.

In [II.2], in the cell in Budějovice, Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek invokes the name of Caesar through the saying: Morituri te salutant, Caesar!" (The dead salute you ...)

Background

Caesar was a Roman commander, politician and author. He had become most potent citizen of Roman Empire when he was murdered by senator Brutus in 44 BC. At that time he held the title "dictator in perpeteo". During his reign he undertook extensive reforms, centralising the administration. The area of the empire was greatly extended, including Britannia.

The Gallic Sea

In The Good Soldier Švejk the source of the information about the legions and Gallic Sea seems to be Caesar's own book De Bello Gallico (The Gallic Wars)[a]. It is also worth noticing that this work was on the Latin curriculum in the 4th year at the gymnasium that Hašek attended[b].

Morituri te salutant

The saying "morituri te salutant" is of unknown origon and is hardly known in Roman history writing. One theory is that it was used by gladiators before they entered the fight. Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's interpretation is that it refers to Emperors in general and not the person Caesar and this is the most widespread assumption. There are several variations, amongst them Ave, Imperator, morituri te salutant and Ave, Caesar, morituri te salutant. On the other hand Marek struggles with conjugation og Latin verbs. The term means "those about to die salute you", not "the dead salute you".

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Tam někde na severu u Galského moře, kam až se také dostaly římské legie Caesarovy bez mapy, řekly si jednou, že se zas vrátí a pomašírujou jinou cestou, aby ještě víc toho užily, do Říma. A dostaly se tam také. Od té doby se říká patrně, že všechny cesty vedou do Říma.
[II.2] Morituri te salutant, Caesar! Mrtví tě pozdravují, císaři, ale profous je pacholek.

Also written:Julius Caesar cz Julius Cäsar de Gaius Iulius Caesar la

References
aClas Merdin: Tales from the Enchanted IslandEdward Watson
bDevátá výroční zpráva cís. král. vyššího gymnasia v Žitné ulici v PrazeC. k. vyšší gymnasium v Žitné ulici1896
Mašků, Antonínnn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
masku.png

Nachrichten über Verwundete und Verletzte, 20.4.1915

Toníček Mašků had ran away from the call-up to k.k. Landwehr in Plzeň but was caught soon after. He was the husband of a niece of the old lady who helped Švejk by Vráž. The latest news was that he had lost a leg at the front.

Background

Toníček Mašků doesn't appear to have any real life model. One track may be information from the old grandmother in Vráž that he was called up to join k.k. Landwehr in Plzeň and that he had lost a leg. The first indicates that he served with k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 7. Had he lost a leg he would also figure in a Verlustliste but didn't. Additionally one would expect a recruit with Heimatrecht Vráž to serve in Písek's k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 28 and not in Plzeň.

Mašků is not an official surname but searches in the casualty list for the similar Antonín Mašek give hits, albeit none with k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 7. Interestingly there was one in IR. 91 but connecting him to the k.k. Landwehr soldier from Vráž is far fetched.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „U nás byl taky jeden takovej nezbeda. Ten měl ject do Plzně k landvér, nějakej Toníček Mašků,“ povzdechla si babička, „von je vod mojí neteře příbuznej, a vodjel. A za tejden už ho hledali četníci, že nepřijel ku svýmu regimentu. A ještě za tejden se vobjevil u nás v civilu, že prej je puštěnej domů na urláb. Tak šel starosta na četnictvo, a voni ho z toho urlábu vyzdvihli. Už psal z fronty, že je raněnej, že má nohu pryč.“
Pantát Melicháreknn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
melicharek.png

České slovo,17.2.1924

melichar.png

Strakonicko,6.1936

melichar.jpg

Václav Melichar

© Ivana Sibková

Melichárek was a farmer and brother of the old woman from Vráž. He lived in Radomyšl in Dolejší ulice behind Floriánek. He was very suspicious of Švejk who he assumed had deserted and wanted nothing to do with him.

Background

is supposed to have been inspired by Václav Melichar who lived in Dolejší ulice, just as the author writes. According to his descendants, Hašek visited Radomyšl in 1915 and Melichár's wife is said to have made him "bramborovka". The story featured in televizion programmes both in 1983 and 2002[a].

The mystery is how the author got this far from Budějovice without being noticed (60 km). Although several witnesses reveal that Hašek went on detours during his time in IR. 91, none of them confirmed that he got as far as Radomyšl.

Melichar

Václav Melichar was born in 1878 so he would have been 36 when Hašek allegedly visited. This rules out that he could have been the brother of any old grandmother from Vráž as described in The Good Soldier Švejk. He and wis wife Anna bought the cottage Chalupa Mlčonavská at Radomyšl No. 15 in 1912.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] V Radomyšli Švejk našel k večeru na Dolejší ulici za Floriánkem pantátu Melichárka. Když vyřídil mu pozdrav od jeho sestry ze Vráže, nijak to na pantátu neúčinkovalo. Chtěl neustále na Švejkovi papíry. Byl to nějaký předpojatý člověk, poněvadž mluvil neustále něco o raubířích, syčácích a zlodějích, kterých se síla potlouká po celém píseckém kraji.

Sources: Miroslav Vítek, Ivana Sibková, Ivana Jonová, Jaroslav Šerák

Literature
References
aPo cestách Švejkovy budějovické anabázeMiroslav Vítek2020
Jew Herrman, Robertnn flag
*27.12.1885 Lipnice - †1943 Auschwitz
Search Švejkův slovník
herrmann.jpg

Passport photo from 1921

NAČR/Holocaust.cz

Herrman was a trader in Vodňany who bought military equipment that he sold in the surrounding villages. In the opinion of the wanderer who accompanied Švejk from Štěkno to Švarcenberský ovčín he would surely buy Švejk's uniform.

Background

Herrman was not an uncommon surname but is not entered under Vodňany in the address book from 1915[a]. Miroslav Vítek did however get a step closer by investigating the census records from 1910 and here a Jew named Robert Herman is listed[b]. He was a merchant and former travelling salesman who now traded in textiles in Vodňany. He lived in Husova ul. č.p. 60[x]. Herrman was actually born at Lipnice and this could explain why Hašek knew about him.

Vítek’s meticulous research has opened the door for more specific investigations in newspapers and not the least in the Czech Holocaust archive[c]. Based on these sources one can in rough terms outline the life-story of the textile trader from Vodňany.

From Lipnice to Bavaria

Robert Herrmann (also written Hermann, less often Herman) was born in Lipnice 27 Desember 1885 with Heimatrecht Lipnice, okres Německý Brod. He was a son of Sigmund Herrmann and Aloisie Louisa (née Schwenger) and was the second born of eight siblings. His father was born 6 January 1859 in (Volichov 17) 2 km from Lipnice and his mother in nearby Kejžlice 1 January 1861[m].

herrmann.png

Munich 1907, sentenced for petty fraud

NAČR/Holocaust.cz

Little is known about his childhood, teenage years, education and military service. He was due for compulsory military service from 1906. Surprisingly the first trace of him comes from abroad as he in Munich on 19 January 1907 was found guilty of fraud and sentenced to two days in prison and a 10 Mark fine[c].

Vodňany
herrmann2.png

NAČR/Holocaust.cz

Exactly when he moved to Vodňany is not knows, but it is firmly established that he married Františka Khonová here on 23 February 1908[c]. His bride was from Vodňany itself, born 8 May 1885, and like her husband she was of Jewish confession.

herrmann1.png

A brazen provocation is often being carried out, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, by a little Jewboy Hermann, as he revels in an apartment by Khónka on the square in the evening with the window open and on a loud gramophone plays German songs and various German street vaudevilles and timeworn tunes. It is up to our burgomaster’s office to take resolute action against this unprecedented impudence. If a Czech were to dare something similar in a German town, they would break his windows and jail him for disturbing public peace.

Jihočeské ohlasy, 18.4.1908 (tr. Zenny Sadlon)

Soon after the name of the newly-wed merchant appeared in the local newspaper Jihočeské ohlasy (Týn nad Vltavou). Already on 18 April 1908 they wrote about a “brazen provocation” in a flat on the square židáček* Hermann often played German music loudly on a gramophone, with a window to the square open. "If a Czech allowed himself something similar in a German town he would have his windows broken and would have been jailed for breach of public peace" the newspaper noted[d]. This seems to have been the start of an ongoing quarrel between this newspaper and Herrmann.

* židáček: Derogatory term for Jew.

The next recorded incident happened on 13 May 1909 on a local market. Hermann had an argument with Kateřina Zimerhanzlová from Budějovice and was abused as an "impertinent and rude Jew who deserved a few slaps in the face". He sued here for libel and won the court case[e]. Jihočeské ohlasy however sided with the woman and also refused to print the comments that Herrmann’s lawyer, dr. Kučera, sent to the paper (they were according to the law obliged to do so). Herrmann then sued the paper because of this refusal and in addition for libel. Again the court agreed and afterwards he publicly thanked dr. Kučera for having restored his honour. This was through an advert in Šumavské proudy, printed on 12 February 1910[f].

herrmann3.png

Šumavské proudy, 15.10.1911

His business was however less successful and in December 1910 his firm went bankrupt[g]. This was reported in Jihočeské ohlasy who gloated and ironically reported that Herrmann now was well again after having been ill[j]. Still he seems to have started up again later that year because he advertised both in 1911 and until March 1912, even in Prager Tagblatt. Jihočeské ohlasy appears to have conducted a smear campaign against Herrmann. That he was a German chauvinist appears unlikely as the during the census in 1910 reported his mother tongue as Czech[x]. He was even referred to as "the ill-reputed merchant"[h]. Smear campaign or not: he did not have an entirely clean record because on 19 July 1911 he was sentenced to 14 days in jail at the Písek district court[c].

Prague
herrmann4.png

Magistrat města Prahy

herrmann5.png

Prager Tagblatt,21.12.1912

After four turbulent years in Vodňany the young couple moved to Prague where they from 13 September 1912 are registered with domicile Praha II., Těšnov 1743/10[i]. The next year they lived in Eliščina třída 1503/28 (now Revoluční) where their first son was born. In Prague, Herrmann started modestly by selling handerchiefs[k], exactly like he did towards the end in Vodňany. He seems to have expanded his business gradually. The couple had three sons: Jiří, Bedřich and Zdeněk, born in 1913, 1915 and 1919 respectively.

We have yet to see any documents that prove if Herrmann ever did military service or was called up during the war. In 1921 he applied for and was granted a passport and the photo of him used on this web page is from related documents, stored in the police archives. In 1930 the family still lived in Praha II., Revoluční třida 1503/28. In 1937 their address was Hlubočepy 369, a detached dwelling on the southern outskirts of Prague, and this is where they lived until they were deported by the Nazis.

Deported and murdered
herrmann6.png

Police records, 1938.

NAČR/Holocaust.cz

For the Herrmann family and other Jews the Nazi occupation from March 1939 onwards had tragic consequences. Already towards the end of the year the police had collected information that classified him as a Jew. Imprisonment followed on 4 Desember 1941 as he was accused of illegal trade with textiles, which surely was a mere pretext. On 17 December he was transported to Terezín (Theresienstadt) and on 6 September 1943 onwards to Auschwitz where he was murdered[c]. His wife was in the same transport and suffered the same gruelling fate. Their sons Zdeněk and Jiří were also murdered by the Nazis but the fate of Bedřich is not known. His father Sigmund, also a merchant, was deported and died in Terezín at the age of 83. His mother Aloisie had passed away already in 1925.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „Tak ten si nech. V tom se na venkově chodí. Potřebuješ kalhoty a kabát. Až budeme mít ten civil, tak kalhoty a kabát prodáme židovi Herrmanovi ve Vodňanech. Ten kupuje všechno erární a zas to prodává po vesnicích.

Sources: Miroslav Vítek

Literature
References
aChytilův úplný adresář Království ČeskéhoAlois Chytil1915
bPo cestách Švejkovy budějovické anabázeMiroslav Vítek2020
cRobert Herrmannholocaust.cz
dDrzou provokaciJihočeské ohlasy18.4.1908
eNekalá soutěžJihočeské ohlasy29.5.1909
fDíkůvydání!Šumavské proudy12.2.1910
gInsolvenzenPrager Tagblatt10.12.1910
hJeště HermannJihočeské ohlasy2.10.1909
iPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
jVyléčenJihočeské ohlasy4.3.1911
kSoupis pražských domovských příslušníků 1830-1910 (1920)Popisní úřád král. hlav. města Prahy
mSigmund Herrmann (1859 - 1942)Geni.com
xSčitání lidu VodňanySOkA Písek1910
Jarešnn flag
Search

Jareš was the grandfather of the pond warden from Ražice, and was executed as a deserter during the Napoleonic wars. It happened in Písek and before he was executed he was hounded through the streets by soldiers and beaten with sticks 600 times. The information is revealed during the conversation at Švarcenberský ovčín.

Background

This is another Jareš that seems to be inspired by the author's grandfather. See pondwarden Jareš.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Z Ražic za Protivínem syn Jarešův, dědeček starýho Jareše, baštýře, dostal za zběhnutí prach a volovo v Písku. A před tím, než ho stříleli na píseckých šancích, běžel ulicí vojáků a dostal 600 ran holema, takže smrt byla pro něho vodlehčením a vykoupením.
Fürst Schwarzenberg (st.)nn flag
Wikipedia cz Search Švejkův slovník
adolfjosephschwarzenberg.jpg

Adolf Josef Schwarzenberg, detail - portrét z oslav zlaté svatby, 1907

schwarzenberg3.jpg

Český svět, 14.6.1907

Schwarzenberg (st.) (the old prince Schwarzenberg) is mentioned by the old shepherd in Švarcenberský ovčín. He tells us that at least the old Schwarzenberg used to travel around in an ordinary carriage but nowadays the young prince drives around in an auto-mobile.

Background

Schwarzenberg (st.) probably refers to Adolf Joseph Schwarzenberg (1832-1914), head of the Krumlov-Hluboká family branch (primogenitura) and the owner of the Libějovice estate to which Hašek's presumed Švarcenberský ovčín belonged[a].

He is talked about as the old prince Schwarzenberg and the fact that he died in 5 Oktober 1914 at Libějovice at an advanced age fits the conversation at the sheep house. He is referred to in the past tense whereas the young prince is talked about in present tense.

Adolf assumed ownership of the estates of Netolice, Libějovice and Protivín already in 1857, the rest followed after his father's death in 1888. He also enjoyed a military career, attaining the rank of major. He participated in the battle of Solferino 24 June 1859. After the battle he retired from the army and dedicated himself to politics and management of his estate. He raised 9 children, and his son Johann Nepomuk II. succeeded him as head of the estate.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Dyť vona i ta naše vrchnost už roupama nevěděla co dělat.Starej pán kníže Švarcenberg, ten jezdil jen v takovým kočáře, a ten mladej knížecí smrkáč smrdí samým automobilem. Von mu pánbůh taky ten benzin vomaže vo hubu.“

Sources: Miroslav Vítek

Literature
References
aPo cestách Švejkovy budějovické anabázeMiroslav Vítek2020
Fürst Schwarzenberg (ml.)nn flag
Wikipedia czdeen Search
schwarzenberg2.jpg

Adolf Johann Schwarzenberg

Schwarzenberg (ml.) (the young prince Schwarzenberg) is mentioned by the old shepherd in Švarcenberský ovčín. He tells us that at least the old Schwarzenberg used to move around in an ordinary carriage but nowadays the young prince drives around in an auto-mobile, and that the Good Lord will rub his snout in petrol one day.

Background

Schwarzenberg (ml.) may refer to Johann Nepomuk Schwarzenberg (1860-1938) or rather his son Adolf Johann (1890-1950). Both were car enthusiasts and very early they embraced the novel mean of transport.

Both were in turn heads of the Krumlov-Hluboká branch of the family (primogenitura), and they owned the sheep farm by Bavorov that we assume is Hašek's Švarcenberský ovčín. Johann bought his first car in 1905 and later added several more[a]. Antonín Nikendey was amongst several sources who confirmed that the son Adolf was an auto-mobile enthusiast in his younger years[b].

Adolf seems to be the best candidate, mostly due to his young age (in 1915 he was 25). In a book fromm 2008 his nephew Karel Jan stated that it actually was Adolf who inspirerte HAS[a], a claim that for obvious reasons is impossible to verify. For the old shepherd even his father would have been a youngster (Johann was 55 in 1915). In 1915 Johann Nepomuk II. owned the estate, his son was serving in the army.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Dyť vona i ta naše vrchnost už roupama nevěděla co dělat. Starej pán kníže Švarcenberg, ten jezdil jen v takovým kočáře, a ten mladej knížecí smrkáč smrdí samým automobilem. Von mu pánbůh taky ten benzin vomaže vo hubu.“

Sources: Miroslav Vítek

References
aPo cestách Švejkovy budějovické anabázeMiroslav Vítek2020
bK narozeninám JUDr. Adolfa SchwarzenbergaAntonín Nikendey1990
Koříneknn flag
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Kořínek was arrested for sedition in Skočice after saying that after the war one would get rid of Emperors, and that the nobility would have their estates confiscated. This is what the old shepherd at Švarcenberský ovčín told Švejk and the tramp who was there with them.

Background

Attempts to identify any person who may have inspired Hašek to introduce this figure have proved futile. According to the 1910 census no person with this surname lived in Skočice[a].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „Na to se mu, hochu, teď každej vykašle,“ rozdrážděně promluvil ovčák, „máš bejt při tom, když se sejdou sousedi dole ve Skočicích. Každej tam má někoho, a to bys viděl, jak ti mluvějí. Po tejhle válce že prej bude svoboda, nebude ani panskejch dvorů, ani císařů a knížecí statky že se vodeberou. Už taky kvůli takovej jednej řeči vodvedli četníci nějakýho Kořínka, že prej jako pobuřuje. Jó, dneska mají právo četníci.“
References
aSčitání lidu SkočiceSOkA Písek1910
Wachtmeister Flanderkann flag
Search
flanderka.png

České slovo,10.2.1924

flanderka.jpg

Flanderka guarding Švejk in Putim

flanderka1.jpg

Kulturní adresář ČSR, 1934-1936

Flanderka was head of Gendarmeriestation Putim and suspected Švejk of being a Russian spy. He considered himself a master of interrogation techniques and it soon became clear to him that Švejk was indeed a spy. The more he tanked up, the clearer it all became. He and his deputy also made complete fools of themselves with extremely seditious talk when they had enjoyed a drop too much. Austria was going to loose the war, a Russian prince would become king of Bohemia and Kaiser Franz Joseph I., was shitting all over Schönbrunn. The petrified old servant Pejzlerka who had witnessed it all, had to swear never to tell a living soul what she had heard. From the dialogue it is also apparant that Flanderka had served in Putim for 15 years and that he had at least two assistants.

Background

Considering that the whole setting of Putim has no obvious historical base one would not expect to find any real life prototype for Flanderka. This is merely confirmed by the fact that this surname didn't appear in Putim in the 1910 census, nor was any Flanderka listed in the k.k. Gendarmerie.

Flanderka is a quite common surname and Hašek might have known a few of them and taken the liberty to borrow the name. One person that the author of The Good Soldier Švejk probably knew was the illustrator Jaroslav Flanderka (1877-?) who from 1909 onwards contributed to Humoristické listy, a publication that at times also published Hašek's stories[a].

An even more tangible connection is the typographer František Josef Flanderka (1884-?)[c]. According to Julie Flanderková he was a friend of Hašek until the two fell out in the pub Maxim on the periphery of Malá Strana towards Smíchov. Flanderková (she seems to have been his wife) was of the opinion that Hašek took revenge by sticking the name Flanderka to the stupid policeman in Putim[b]. Flanderka eventually became editor of Venkov.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Četnickému strážmistrovi Flanderkovi se situace, čím déle psal tou podivnou úřední němčinou, vyjasňovala, a když skončil: „So melde ich gehorsam, wird der feindliche Offizier heutigen Tages, nach Bezirksgendarmeriekommando Písek, überliefert,“ usmál se na své dílo a zavolal na četnického závodčího. „Dali tomu nepřátelskému důstojníkovi něco jíst?“
Literature
References
aJ. FlanderkaHumoristické listy18.4.1910
bHaškova pomstaLA-PNP - Fond Zdena AnčíkJulie Flanderková
cPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
Oberleutnant Bergernn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
bergercs.png

České slovo,10.2.1924

berger.png

Ranglisten des Kaiserlich und Königlichen Heeres 1916

baum15.png

Sagner climbed a 15 metres tall tree to assist the heavy artillery in aiming the fire. From Sagner's "Vormerkblatt".

© VHA

Berger was a duty-conscious obrlajtnant from the artillery who according to Národní politika had established an observation post in a tree, and hid there for two weeks to avoid captivity. When his own troops returned he fell down and killed himself. This was a story that Wachtmeister Flanderka told his assistant at Gendarmeriestation Putim.

Background

Berger was a very common surname and there were more than 50 officers with this name in k.u.k. Heer alone, most of them serving with the infantry. In 1914 five Berger with the rank Oberleutnant were listed in Schematismus[a]. In addition there were a number of lieutenants that may have been promoted by the time the plot reached Putim, probably in early 1915.

In the artillery there was no Oberleutnant Berger in 1914 but in the Rangliste for 1916 a Theodor Berger is listed in Feldkanonenregiment Nr. 21. He was however promoted on 1 July 1915 so Wachtmeister Flanderka could not have read about him as senior lieutenant earlier that year. On 1 March Richard Berger in Feldkanonenregimnet Nr. 42 had been promoted to senior lieutenant (reservist).

Sagner in the tree

The story has a curious parallel to an episode involving Hašek's future commander Čeněk Sagner. In Serbia on 4 November 1914 he climbed a 15 metres tall tree to assist the heavy artillery with aiming the fire[b]. Such a spectacular deed may well have been retold and caught Hašek's ear in 1915 when veterans related stories and hearsay from the campaign previous autumn. Sagner's rank at the time was indeed senior lieutenant.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Kdyby bylo v Rakousku takové nadšení... ale nechme toho raději. I u nás jsou nadšenci. Četli v ,Národní politice’ o tom obrlajtnantovi Bergrovi od dělostřelectva, který si vylezl na vysokou jedli a zřídil si tam na větví beobachtungspunkt?
References
aSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 391)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1914
bJednadevadesátníciJan Ciglbauer2018
Wachtmeister Bürgernn flag
Search Švejkův slovník

Bürger was Wachtmeister Flanderka's predecessor as head of k.k. Gendarmerie in Putim until fifteen years ago, in other words around 1900. He never interrogated anyone, just sent them on to Písek.

Background

It has not been possible to find any real life parallel/inspiration for this policeman. It would surely be futile in any case as even Gendarmeriestation Putim itself is an invention.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Vzpomněl si na svého předchůdce strážmistra Bürgera, který se zadrženým vůbec nemluvil, na nic se ho netázal a hned ho poslal k okresnímu soudu s krátkým raportem: „Dle udání závodčího byl zadržen pro potulku a žebrotu.“ Je to nějaký výslech?
Pepík Vyskočnn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
vyskoc2.png

Flanderka instructs Pepík Vyskoč

České slovo,10.2.1924

Pepík Vyskoč was a village idiot who Wachtmeister Flanderka tried to hire as an informer. He was told to report anyone who said that the Emperor was a piece of cattle. Pepík took this literally, he told others that Flanderka had said that the Emperor was cattle and that the thing (the war) couldn't be won. Pepík was arrested and sentenced to twelve years by the military court in Prague. He got the nick-name because he bleated like a goat and jumped into the air when someone talked to him.

Background

This is a character that no doubt inspired by Zdenko Václav Kompit, better known as Venca Vyskoč. The connection was first pointed out to me by Sergey Soloukh in 2015 and Jaroslav Šerák provided further details in 2022.

A dubious link to Lipnice

Far less credible is Vladimír Stejskal (1953) and his claim that the inspiration was a character from the area around Lipnice. The evidence is weak: not much more than pure hearsay and the fact that Hašek wrote this part of the novel just after arriving at Lipnice on 25 August 1921.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Toho si dal zavolat a řekl k němu: „Víš, Pepku, kdo to je starej Procházka?“ „Méé.“„Nemeč, a pamatuj si, že tak říkají císaři pánu. Víš, kdo je to císař pán?“ „To je číšaš pán.“ „Dobře, Pepku. Tak si pamatuj, že když někoho uslyšíš mluvit, když chodíš po obědech od domu k domu, že je císař pán dobytek nebo podobně, hned přijď ke mně a oznam mně to.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Sergey Soloukh, Karel Ladislav Kukla, Augustin Knesl

Also written:Pepek Vyskoč Parrott Pepku Hopp Reiner Joey Jump Sadlon

Literature
Starej Procházkann flag
Wikipedia czen Search
starej.jpg

Zlatá Praha, 21.7.1901

Starej Procházka is mentioned by Wachtmeister Flanderka when he recruits Pepík Vyskoč as an informer. He repapears soon after when one of the drunk policemen at Gendarmeriestation Putim exclaims that the emperor and king must is kept locked up in the toilet to prevent him from shitting all over Schönbrunn.

Background

Starej Procházka was a Czech nickname for Kaiser Franz Joseph I. In 1901 he visited Prague and pictures of him appeared walking on Most císaře Františka I., now Most Legii. One of the pictures allegedly had the title Procházka na mostě but it has not been established which picture and where it was printed. The photos were from the opening of the bridge on 14 June. "Procházka" is a common Czech surname which rougly means "walk" (noun) or "walkabout".

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Toho si dal zavolat a řekl k němu: „Víš, Pepku, kdo to je starej Procházka?“ „Méé.“„Nemeč, a pamatuj si, že tak říkají císaři pánu. Víš, kdo je to císař pán?“
[II.2] ,Pamatujou, bábo, že každý císař a král pamatuje jen na svou kapsu, a proto vede válku, ať je to třebas takový dědek jako starý Procházka, kterého nemohou už pustit z hajzlu, aby jim nepodělal celý Schönbrunn"...

Also written:Old Procházka English Alte Prochazka Reiner

Literature
Minister von Georgi, Friedrichnn flag
*27.1.1852 Praha - †23.6.1926 Wien
Wikipedia czdeen Search
georgi.jpg

Friedrich Freiherr von Georgi, 1914

georgi.png

Schematismus der K. K. Landwehr..., 1914

Schematismus der k.k. Land­wehr (s. 33)1914

Minister für Landesverteidigung (minister of land defence) is mentioned in the bad dream that Wachtmeister Flanderka has regarding all the directives sent from k.k. Ministerium für Landesverteidigung.

Background

Because Švejk's anabasis by Putim necessarily must have taken place in early 1915, the minister who haunted Wachtmeister Flanderka in his dreams was no doubt Friedrich Freiherr von Georgi. He was head of k.k. Ministerium für Landesverteidigung (i.e. secretary of defence) in Cisleithanien from 1907 to 1917, and was thus formally head of both k.k. Landwehr and k.k. Gendarmerie.

Georgi was regarded an excellent organiser and also a person who was capable of operating both in the military and in politics. These seem to have been the reasons why his application to serve at the front where rejected[a]. At the outbreak of war his rank was general. Friedrich von Georgi was born in Prague and hailed from a family of officers.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Neustále očekával inspekci, vyšetřování. V noci zdálo se mu o provaze, jak ho vedou k šibenici. A ještě naposled se ho sám ministr zemské obrany pod šibenicí táže: „Wachmeister, wo ist die Antwort des Zirkulärs No 1789678/23792 X.Y.Z.?“
References
aFriedrich Freiherr von GeorgiAustro-Hungarian Land Forces 1848-19182001 - 2016
Gendarm Rampann flag
Search Švejkův slovník

Rampa was a gendarm (četnik) in Putim who was on inspection-duty around the neighbouring villages when Švejk was locked up here, but was right now playing cards with some shoemakers at U černého koně in Protivín, explaining during the breaks that Austria had to win (the war).

Background

Rampa is a petty rare surname and most of them are now (2021) concentrated in a limited area west and south of Praha[a]. There was obviously no gendarm with this surname at Gendarmeriestation Putim simply because this police station didn't exist. Nor is there any sign of any Rampa at nearby police stations like Protivín. Thus we can assume that Hašek simple borrowed the name more or less at radom and assigned it to a policeman. It probably has the same origin as pubkeeper Rampa from Vinohrady (he appears later on in the chapter).

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Strážmistr zůstal sedět na strážnici vedle Švejka na kavalci prázdné postele četníka Rampy, který měl do rána službu, obchůzku po vesnicích, a který v tu dobu klidně seděl „U černého koně“ v Protivíně a hrál s obuvnickými mistry mariáš, vykládaje v přestávkách, že to Rakousko musí vyhrát.
References
aPříjmení: 'Rampa', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
Pejzlerkann flag
Search Švejkův slovník
pejzlerka.jpg
peisler.png

Where Peisler lived in 1907 and 1910

Pejzlerka was an old woman who served at Gendarmeriestation Putim. During the night that Švejk was interned here she shuttled back and forth to Na Kocourku to fetch beverages for the gendarmes and Švejk. Unfortunately she overheard the politically suspect conversation between the drunk gendarmes and the next morning she had to swear by the crucifix not to tell a living soul.

Otherwise it is revealed that she hadn't been paid for three years. The reason was that Wachtmeister Flanderka knew that her son was a poacher and was thus able to blackmail her.

Background

Pejzlerka is neither a Czech first name nor a surname. It is therefore logical to assume that it was a nickname for some woman Pejzler or similar. Still not even this name is found in name databases. The German phonetically equivalent Peisler does however exist, despite it being rare.

In the Prague address books from 1907 and 1910 only one man with the surname Peisler is listed. František Peisler lived in an area of Praha II. that Hašek knew very well as it was his stomping ground and he also frequented the area a lot during the whole pre-war period. Peisler's address in 1907 was Melounová ul. 1654/2[a] and in 1910 he had moved to Lipová ul. 1444/18[b], a stone's throw further down towards Vltava.

Everything considered it could be that Peisler's wife or some other female relation was nicknamed "Pejzlerka" in Czech. Still it would be far fetched to conclude that Hašek knew (about) her and subsequently borrowed the name, but is remains a possibility.

Another possible source of inspiration is some variation of the surname Pejzl. The name is more widespread than Peisler although it is not found in Prague's police register or in the address books. Interesting is also the fact that several Pejzl's live in the area around Lipnice[c] and surely also did so in 1921.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] A bába Pejzlerka, která jim posluhovala, se opravdu proběhla. Po večeři se cesta mezi četnickou stanicí a hospodou „Na Kocourku“ netrhla. Neobyčejně četné stopy těžkých velkých bot báby Pejzlerky na té spojovací linii svědčily o tom, že strážmistr si vynahražuje plnou měrou svou nepřítomnost „Na Kocourku“.
References
aAdresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedníchVojtěch Kraus1907
bAdresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedníchVojtěch Kraus1910
cPříjmení: 'Pejzl', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
Nicholas Nikolaevichnn flag
*18.11.1856 St.Petersburg - †5.1.1929 Antibes
Wikipedia czdeennoru Search Švejkův slovník
nikolai.jpg

Světozor,25.1.1907

nikolajnik.png

Jihočeské listy,9.9.1915

nikogreinz.png

Detroiter Abend-Post,20.6.1915

Nicholas Nikolaevich is mentioned when it is revealed what unpatriotic views were uttered during the drinking binge at Gendarmeriestation Putim. Nicholas Nikolaevich would soon be in Přerov, Wachtmeister Flanderka is reported to have said. Hi assistent concluded for his part the Nikolaj would become Czech king.

Background

Nicholas Nikolaevich was a grand duke from the Romanov house and Russian commander in chief from the outbreak of war until 5 September 1915 (23.8) when Tsar Nicholas II personally took charge. This was a result of the setbacks suffered during the summer of 1915 when the Russians were forced out of Poland and Galicia. Nicholas was subsequently appointed viceroy and commander at the Caucasus front[a].

As a curiosity we can mention that Nicholas featured in the poetry collection Die eiserne Faust by Greinz, together with Sir Edward Grey, Churchhill and many others![b]

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Nakláněje se k uchu strážmistra, šeptal: „Že jsme všichni Češi a Rusové jedna slovanská krev, že Nikolaj Nikolajevič bude příští týden v Přerově, že se Rakousko neudrží, aby jen, až bude dál vyšetřován, zapíral a pletl páté přes deváté, aby to vydržel do té doby, dokud ho kozáci nevysvobodí, že už to musí co nejdřív prasknout, že to bude jako za husitských válek, že sedláci půjdou s cepy na Vídeň, že je císař pán nemocný dědek a že co nejdřív natáhne brka, že je císař Vilém zvíře, že mu budete do vězení posílat peníze na přilepšenou a ještě víc takových řečí...“
[II.2] "Oni se také pěkně vyjádřili," přerušil ho strážmistr, "kde jen přišli na takovou hloupost, že Nikolaj Nikolajevič bude českým králem?"

Also written:Nikolaj Nikolajevič cz Nikolai Nikolajewitsch de Николай Николаевич ru

Literature
References
aZaren overtar selv overkommandoenSocial-Demokraten8.9.1915
bKriegs-MarterlnDetroiter Abend-Post20.6.1915
Hus, Jannn flag
*1369-1370? Husinec - †6.7.1415 Konstanz
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
hus.png

Husitské válečnictví

Otakar Frankenberger, 1938

prukopnik.jpg

Jaroslav Hašek, Průkopník, 27.3.1918

© VHÚ

Hus is mentioned indirectly through the term Hussite Wars, as part of the conversation between the drunk policemen at Gendarmeriestation Putim.

Background

Hus was a famous Czech theologician, philosopher and eventually Church reformer. He was one of the first who openly criticised the Catholic Church, and he subsequenlty was burned as a heretic. After his death the Hussite movement had a profound impact on the course of Czech history and until this day Hus remains an important national symbol.

The Hussite Wars

The Hussite Wars was a series of conflicts that were played out between 1419 and 1434 in the aftermath of the death of Hus. The Hussite movement rebelled against the Catholic Church and the German-Roman Emperor. These in turn dispatched four crusades against Bohemia that were all repelled. The wars also included conflicts between moderate and radical Hussites where the moderates in the end allied with the Catholics and the Emperor. The radicals centred around Tábor (the so-called Táborité) and were in the beginning led by the famous commander Jan Žižka, and like Hus a Czech national legend.

Hus and Czech nationbuilding

During the fight for Czech independence Hus and the Hussites became an important symbol. The first regiment of České legie (the unit that Hašek served in) was in August 1917 given the name 1. střelecý pluk Jana Husi. Hussite leaders like Jan Žižka, Prokop Holý and King Jiří z Poděbrad also had regiments named after themselves. Jaroslav Hašek also referred to the, in his propaganda writing from 1916 onwards and even after he became a Communist in 1918[a]. The Hussite, specifically the Taborite ideals of equality obviously inspired the communists. In inter-war Czechoslovakia and also during Communist rule the Hussites were still revered. In the current Czech Republic more than 100 street carry his name. If his followers are included the number will reach several hundreds.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Nakláněje se k uchu strážmistra, šeptal: „Že jsme všichni Češi a Rusové jedna slovanská krev, že Nikolaj Nikolajevič bude příští týden v Přerově, že se Rakousko neudrží, aby jen, až bude dál vyšetřován, zapíral a pletl páté přes deváté, aby to vydržel do té doby, dokud ho kozáci nevysvobodí, že už to musí co nejdřív prasknout, že to bude jako za husitských válek, že sedláci půjdou s cepy na Vídeň, že je císař pán nemocný dědek a že co nejdřív natáhne brka, že je císař Vilém zvíře, že mu budete do vězení posílat peníze na přilepšenou a ještě víc takových řečí...“
Literature
References
aK českému vojskuPrůkopníkJaroslav Hašek27.3.1918
Butcher Chaurann flag
Search
chaura.png

Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních, 1910

Chaura was a butcher from Kobylisy who circled around the statue of Palacký at Moráň, thinking it was an endless wall. This is revealed in a story Švejk tells his guard on the way from Putim to Písek.

Background

Chaura was a rare surname and none of the three that are listed in the address book from 1910 were butchers or from Kobylisy[a]. In 1907 the town had two butchers: Josef Koníček and František Smetana.

Still it can't be ruled out that Hašek knew some Chaura and borrowed his name. One such candidate is the antique trader František Chaura who had his outlet next to c.k. policejní ředitelství (an institution the author of The Good Soldier Švejk knew very well). One further notes that the Palacký monument was unveiled 1 July 1912 so if the story with Chaura has any real backround it must have happened after this date.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „To byl bych si nikdy nemyslil,“ vykládal Švejk, „že taková cesta do Budějovic je spojena s takovejma vobtížema. To mně připadá jako ten případ s řezníkem Chaurou z Kobylis. Ten se jednou v noci dostal na Moráň k Palackýho pomníku a chodil až do rána kolem dokola, poněvadž mu to připadalo, že ta zeď nemá konce.
References
aAdresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedníchVojtěch Kraus1910
Palacký, Františeknn flag
*14.6.1798 Hodslavice - †26.5.1876 Praha
Wikipedia czdeen Search
palacky.jpg

Světozor, 12.6.1908

Palacký is mentioned by Švejk in the story about butcher Chaura who walked round the Palacký-monument at Moráň the whole night.

In [III.2] in Budapest he is quoted by Leutnant Dub as follows: "if there weren’t Austria we’d have to create it.

Background

Palacký was a Czech historian and politician who played a pivotal role in the Czech National Revival. He was also called otec národa, the father of the nation. He was loyal to the Empire, initially a proponent of the so-called Austroslavism, although he became more radical after Ausgleich in 1867. Like most Czechs he resented that Hungary achieved a special status within the Habsburg Empire.

The Palacký monument is located on the eastern bank of Vltava, at Palackého náměstí. It was unveiled in 1 July 1912[a] in a grand ceremony, attended by Prague's notabilities.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „To byl bych si nikdy nemyslil,“ vykládal Švejk, „že taková cesta do Budějovic je spojena s takovejma vobtížema. To mně připadá jako ten případ s řezníkem Chaurou z Kobylis. Ten se jednou v noci dostal na Moráň k Palackýho pomníku a chodil až do rána kolem dokola, poněvadž mu to připadalo, že ta zeď nemá konce.
[III.2] To budou také taková hovada, jako jste vy!... Čím byli?... U trénu?... Nu dobře... Pamatujte, že jste vojáci... Jste Češi?... Víte, že řekl Palacký, že kdyby nebylo Rakousko, že bychom ho musili vytvořit... Abtreten...!“
References
aSlavnost odhalení pomníku PalackéhoNárodní listy1.7.1912
Rittmeister Könignn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
koenig.png

České slovo,24.2.1924

kolsky.png

Kolský seems to have served diligently, just like König

Písecké listy, 16.11.1918

König was station commander at Bezirksgendarmeriekommando Pisek, and very diligent, an outstanding bureaucrat. “If we want to win the war,” he said, “an ‘a’ must be an ‘a’, a ‘b’ a ‘b’, and everywhere there has to be a dot over the ‘i’.” He received Švejk and correctly sent him south to join his regiment which he for many days had looked for in vain.

Background

König is clearly an invented person, nor would normally a Rittmeister (captain) be in command of a district command. The position in question was in 1915 held by Wachtmeister Antonín Kolský[a]. The chief of the unit they reported to did however have this rank: Rittmeister Rotter.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] A opravdu bylo to hrozné, když strážmistr poslal pro velitele stanice, rytmistra Königa. První slovo rytmistrovo bylo: „Dýchněte na mne.“ „Teď to chápu,“ řekl rytmistr, zjistiv nesporně situaci svým bystrým, zkušeným čichem, „rum, kontušovka, čert, jeřabinka, ořechovka, višňovka a vanilková. Pane strážmistr,“ obrátil se na svého podřízeného, „zde vidíte příklad, jak nemá četník vypadat. Takhle si počínat je takový přečin, že o tom bude rozhodovat vojenský soud. Svázat se s delikventem želízky. Přijít ožralý, total besoffen. Přilézt sem jako zvíře! Sundejte jim to!“
References
aChytilův úplný adresář Království ČeskéhoAlois Chytil1915
Wachtmeister Matějkann flag
Search
matejka.png

The surname Matějka is and was very common in Bohemia

KdeJsme.cz,2017

prikopy.png

Police report. Hašek arrested after causing trouble on Příkopy 1 January 1905. Translated by Břetislav Hůla.

© LA-PNP

Matějka was master sergeant at Bezirksgendarmeriekommando Pisek. He was keen on getting off for a game of "Schnaps" down by the Otava but Rittmeister König held him back. This annoyed Matějka who thought to himself that the police chief could kiss his arse with all these reports.

Background

has not been possible to identify with respect to a possible real-life model. Neither the address book from 1915 nor the census from 1910 has any policeman Matějka listed in Písek. This should come as no surprise as the Putim to Písek sequence in The Good Soldier Švejk is (in a geographical sense) hardly based on real events or the author's experiences.

The author may however still borrowed the name and assigned it to his fictional policeman. Matějka is a very common surname[a] and we know that several of them served with Jaroslav Hašek in IR. 91 in 1915, amongst them an officer. See Korporal Matějka for more information about them.

A source of inspiration that is far more plausible than some name from IR. 91 is the policeman Anton Matějka. At 3 AM on 1 January 1905 he arrested a drunk and disorderly Hašek at Na Příkopě (Am Graben)[b]. Otherwise the address books and police records of Prague reveal that a large number of Matějkas lived in the city so Hašek could have known a few of them.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Rytmistr studoval „bericht“ četnického strážmistra z Putimě o Švejkovi. Před ním stál jeho četnický strážmistr Matějka a myslel si, aby mu rytmistr vlezl na záda i se všemi berichty, poněvadž dole u Otavy čekají na něho s partií „šnopsa“.

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Břetislav Hůla

References
aPříjmení: 'Matějka', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bToulavé houseRadko Pytlík1971
Herculesnn flag
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
hercules.jpg

Hercules capturing the three-headed dog Cerberus

Hercules is mentioned indirectly by Rittmeister König when Švejk tells him about his efforts to join his regiment. The term he used was "a Herculian job".

Background

Hercules is the latin name of Heracles, a Greek demigod, son of Zeus, known for his strength. The text in The Good Soldier Švejk refers to the Twelve Labours of Heracles, each and one of them in turn a huge challenge.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „To byla herkulovská práce,“ řekl konečně, když se zalíbením naslouchal Švejkovu líčení, jak ho to mrzí, že se nemohl tak dlouho dostat k pluku, „na vás musela být mohutná podívaná, když jste se kroutil kolem Putimi.“

Also written:Héraklés cz Hercules la

Pubkeeper Rampann flag
*30.9.1854 Suchodol - †?
Search Švejkův slovník
rampaj.png

Z mých vzpomínek na Jaroslava Haška, Ladislav Hájek, 1925

rampa.png

Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních, 1910

Rampa was according to Švejk an elderly pub landlord in Vinohrady who turned a deaf ear when guests wanted to drink on a tab. By this Švejk informed Rittmeister König that there would have been no point in telling Wachtmeister Flanderka his name or what regiment he belonged to.

Background

Rampa (Josef) was a pub landlord that Hašek knew well. Hájek wrote that Rampa managed a pub in Sokolská ulice that was mainly visited by students. He was an elderly widower and his older sister cooked for the students. Rampa was constantly looking for a new wife, and preferably a widow with money. He liked Hašek because the young author took time to listen to him[a]. Rampa was in fact reluctant to let bar guests run up debts. Hájek doesn't say anything about what year(s) he and Hašek frequented Rampa's pub.

Police registers reveal that Rampa was born in 1854 in Suchodol by Příbram, initially married to Marie (born in 1848) and that he from 1892 to 1914 lived at nine different addresses at Vinohrady[b] and six in Praha II. [c]. None of these addresses were in Sokolská but he might not necessarily have lived at the premises of the pub he managed (although this was the norm at the time). His first wife died in 1898 and he later married Josefa (neé Černá). To judge by the police registers she was a widow.

Church records show that Rampa's father also was a pub landlord, at Suchodol No. 9[d].

From Karlín to Bratislava in 365 days
lanna8.png

LA-PNP,29.12.1921

karlin365.png

Tribuna,30.12.1921

This is a play that was written in 1921, presumably close to the end of the year. It is a farcical story about a roundabout journey from Prague to Bratislava with the steamer Lanna, along the waterways of Europe. The play was first advertised in Tribuna, Prager Presse and Rudé právo on 30 Desember 1921 and the authors were literally: E.E. Kisch, Rossenvelt pres. U.S.A., J. Hašek, Jules Werenes, E.A. Longen. It was performed at the theatre Adria, the same stage that from 1 November 1921 had hosted Emil Artur Longen's theatre version of The Good Soldier Švejk with Longen as director. In later adverts "Werenes"" and "Rossenvelt"" were for obvious reasons left out.

The manuscript reveals that the script was approved by the police on 29 Desember 1921 and that the censors had some objetions! Still, there were no major changes. Emil Artur Longen, Jaroslav Hašek and Egon Erwin Kisch are listed as authors[x].

Two names that are familiar from The Good Soldier Švejk feature prominently: Offiziersdiener Mikulášek and pubkeeper Rampa. Incidently these names appeared in the novel around the time when the play was written. In the play Mikulášek is a stoker and main character whereas Rampa is described much in the same way as in the novel. One of the scenes involves Mikulášek being drunk in Rampa's pub!

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „Proč jste v Putimi neupozornil, že se jedná o omyl?“ „Poněvadž jsem viděl, že je to marný, s ním mluvit. To už říkal starej hostinskej Rampa na Vinohradech, když mu chtěl někdo zůstat dlužen, že přijde někdy na člověka takovej moment, že je ke všemu hluchej jako pařez.“

Sources: Sergey Soloukh

Literature
References
aZ mých vzpomínek na Jaroslava HaškaLadislav Hájek1925
bPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
cPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
dPičín (Římskokatolická církev)Matrika narozeniných1850-1871
xZ Karlína do Bratislavy parníkem Lanna 8 za 365 dníE.E. Kisch - Jaroslav Hašek - E.A. Longen29.12.1921
Fähnrich Koťátkonn flag
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kotatko1.png

Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních, 1910

kotatko.png

Death of Václav Koťátko Sr.

Národní listy, 11.11.1912

kotatko2.png

Písecké listy, 29.10.1913

Koťátko was a junior officer in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 who witnessed Švejk's appearance at Mariánská kasárna in Budějovice, and watched Oberleutnant Lukáš passing out as a result of seeing his servant again. Later he related about the incident, for instance that Švejk saluted during the whole sequence.

Background

In IR. 91 there is no trace of any Koťátko, whether it be in Schematismus, Verlustliste or other available military documents. The surname was moreover virtually non-existent in the regiment's recruitment area[f].

The inspiration for the name is thus more likely to be found in civilian life and the name indeed appears in Hašek's pre-war writing. In Strana mírného pokroku v mezích zákona he mentions a certain judge Koťátko[a] and he also wrote a story featuring the postal official Koťátko from Rokycany[b].

Banka Slavia

They name may well have been borrowed from Václav Koťátko, one or even two men that Hašek surely knew. These two Václav's were father and son, born in 1852 and 1881 respectively, lived in the same house at Vinohrady and both worked at Banka Slavia (where Hašek was employed in 1902 and 1903)[c][d]. Václav jr. must also have been a Fähnrich at some stage because in 1916 he held the rank of Oberleutnant.

A judge in Strakonice

One judge Koťátko did indisputably live and work at the time. This man was Jan Koťátko who from 1905 worked at the district court in Strakonice[e]. Whether or not this person had anything to do with Strana mírného pokroku v mezích zákona is pure guesswork, but Hašek's judge Koťátko was amongst those who spread the word of the "party" in the countryside[a] so perhaps the connection has some substance.

An apprentice lawyer

Antonín Koťátko is also a person who may, at a push, be the judge from Strana mírného pokroku v mezích zákona. In 1906 he was an apprentice lawyer who lived in Balbinova ulice at Vinohrady[g]. In this street the pub U zlatého litru was located, the place where the "party" allegedly was founded.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] U celé té scény byl praporčík Koťátko, který později vypravoval, že po tom hlášení Švejkově nadporučík Lukáš vyskočil, chytil se za hlavu a upadl naznak na Koťátko, a že když ho vzkřísili, Švejk, který po celou tu dobu vzdával čest, opakoval: „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, že jsem opět zde!“
References
aJiná organizační střediska nové stranyJaroslav Hašek
bJak se vzbouřili roku 1912 veteráni v RokycanechKarikaturyJaroslav Hašek27.2.1912
cPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
dPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
ePrager Tagblatt18.12.1905
fPříjmení: 'Koťátko', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
gAdresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních Sv. 2Vojtěch Kraus1907
Einjährigfreiwilliger Materna, Františeknn flag
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materna.png

Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních, 1910

materna1.png

Pobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelství, 1851-1914

Materna was a one-year volunteer and an acquaintance of Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek. The latter mistook Materna for an artillery officer, knocked this lieutenant's cap off as a friendly gist, but this proved a costly mistake. He was now sharing a cell with Švejk. Moreover the episode led to Marek's expulsion from the reserve officer's school.

Background

A certain František Materna was owner of U Valšů (address book from 1910) and hence a person Jaroslav Hašek surely knew, and might thus have served as an inspiration. Whether or not this Materna was a one-year volunteer and served in Budějovice in 1915 has not yet been established but is very unlikely. According to police registers the landlord at U Valšů was born in 1872[c] and was thus too old to have been called up this early in the war. His Heimatrecht was in Račiněves north of Prague so he would not be expected to serve with any of the units garrisoned in South Bohemia. The records also revealed that he managed U Valšů from 1908 and that before that he was landlord at a pub at Karlovo námměstí, an area that Hašek frequented a lot, further strenghtening the hypothesis that Hašek knew him.

Moreover four person with this combination of names and surnames were listed in the addressbook for Prague in 1910 so there is no base for any firm conclusion. Materna is anyway probably yet another example of Hašek merely borrowing a name.

The surname in itself is fairly widespread but is rare in the recruitment area of IR91[a]. Still that in itself might not mean much as one-year volunteers could to a degree choose in which unit they wanted to serve. In Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 three Materna are registered in the loss list[b], they were all Gefreiter and might have been one year volunteers. None of them however bore the first name František.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Stalo se to tak, že ten poručík od dělostřelectva stál v noci pod podloubím a patrně čekal na nějakou prostitutku. Byl obrácen k němu zády a jednoročnímu dobrovolníkovi připadal, jako by to byl jeho jeden známý jednoročák, Materna František.
Literature
References
aPříjmení: 'materna', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bSeznamy ztrát - 91. pěší plukÖStA - Jan Ciglbauer2021
cPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
Leutnant Antonnn flag
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anton.png
anton.jpg

Ranglisten des Kaiserlich und Königlichen Heeres, 1916

Anton was the artillery officer that Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek knocked the cap off at Budějovické náměstí because he thought the officer was his friend Einjährigfreiwilliger Materna.

Background

Because Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek in The Good Soldier Švejk is assigned details and events that to a degree hail from Hašek one can easily imagine that the author was involved in some incident with an artillery officer. In this case he would have been from Feldkanonenregiment Nr. 24 who were garrisoned in Budějovice. According to Schematismus there was in 1914 one single person with first name Anton amongst the officers: Fähnrich Anton Gaksch[a]. In Rangliste from 1916 he is no longer listed, and the reason seems to be that he was killed in action in the meantime[c]. On the other hand a Leutnant Anton Gazarek had joined the regiment, until 1 June 1916 Fähnrich[b].

Thus none of them had the rank of the officer that Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek clashed with and the first was even dead when Hašek enlisted with Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 in Budějovice on 17 February 1915. It is therefore tempting to suggest that the name Anton and his rank were picked more or less at random.

Incident on the tramway

Another version of the story appeared in a newspaper article in 1963[d]. According to this narrative the episode happened in the tramway and involved an unidentified high-ranking officer. The officer had the tramway stop, called a patrol and Hašek was arrested on the spot.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Napohlavkoval omylem jednomu poručíkovi od dělostřelectva v noci na náměstí v podloubí v opilém stavu.
[II.2] Může být,“ připouštěl jednoroční dobrovolník, „že při té tahanici padlo pár pohlavků, ale to myslím nic na věci nemění, poněvadž je to vyložený omyl. On sám přiznává, že jsem řekl: ,Servus, Franci’ a jeho křestní jméno je Anton. To je úplně jasné. Mně snad může škodit jenom to, že jsem utekl z nemocnice, a jestli to praskne s tím ,krankenbuchem’...
References
aSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 810)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1914
bRanglisten des Kaiserlich und Königlichen Heeres (s. 695)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1916
cVor dem Feinde gefallenenWiener Zeitung4.2.1915
dPátrání po stopách Haškovy českobudějovické anabázeJihočeská pravdaVladimír Michal20.10.1963
Doctor Masáknn flag
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masak.jpg

MUDR. Jan Masák

masak.png

Kulturní adresář ČSR, 1936

Masák was a doktor from Žižkov, brother-in-law of Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek. The doctor helped him prolong his stay at Budějovická nemocnice.

Background

Any obvious inspiration for this medic has not been identified. Hašek's chief doctor at the hospital in Budějovice was Peterka, he was not Žižkov, nor was he Hašek's brother-in-law. It is claimed that Peterka was sympathetic to Hašek, that he turned a blind eye to his disappearances from the hospital, and that he did his best to prolong the hospitalisation. It was Peterka who signed the application for superarbitration on behalf of Hašek 8 April 1915.

MUDR. Masák

Although there is no clear link to any dr. Masák in Hašek's own milieu in Budějovice, it is entirely possible and indeed likely that he borrowed the name from Jan Masák, a medical doctor who actually lived in Žižkov from 1900 until he died in 1936. He was a actually a dentist, active in society and also chairman of the Žižkov branch of Sokol from 1907 to 1922. It is therefore likely that Hašek at least knew who he was.

At first sight it seems interesting that he was from Týn nad Vltavou, a town in the recruitment district of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91. That said we have not seen any evidence that he was ever associated with the regiment, nor that he was called up during World War I.

Masák was born in Týn nad Vltavou 9 May 1871[a], studied in Budějovice, and settled in Žižkov around 1900[a] where set up a dental practice. In 1919 he was appointed minister councillor at the Department of Health, specialising in gymnastics. At the time when Hašek wrote the first part of The Good Soldier Švejk in Žižkov in 1921, Masák lived in nearby Prokopova ul. 150/2[b]. He died 1 Oktober 1936 in Prague.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Do Budějovic byl přeložen můj pošvagřenec Dr Masák ze Žižkova a tomu mohu děkovat, že jsem se tak dlouho v nemocnici udržel. Byl by to se mnou dotáhl až k supravisitě, když jsem to ale tak zkazil s tím nešťastným ,krankenbuchem’!
Literature
References
aKulturní adresář ČSRAntonín Dolenský1936
bChytilův adresář hl. města PrahyAlois Chytil1924
Icarusnn flag
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
ikaros.jpg

Icarus is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he tells Švejk about his various misadventures and concludes "Pride precedes the fall".

Background

Icarus is a character in Greek mythology. He is the son of Daedalus and is commonly known for his attempt to escape Crete by flight. He stuck wings to his body by wax, but was warned not to fly too close to the sun. Due to his pride and complacency he ignored the advice with the result that the wax melted, the wings fell off and he fell in the sea and drowned.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Pýcha předchází pád. Všechna sláva polní tráva. Ikarus si spálil křídla. Člověk by chtěl být gigantem - a je hovno, kamaráde.

Also written:Ikaros cz

Oberst Schrödernn flag
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schroder.jpg

České slovo,13.4.1924

Schröder is mentioned 46 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Schröder was a colonel and commander of Švejk's regiment in Budějovice and Bruck and plays a prominent role in the four chapters where the action takes place in those places. He is described as a bully and a swine but the author later assigns him a partial sense of justice. His incompetence is never in doubt, a distinction he shares with most officers in the regiment. He doesn't like reserve officers and not even Major Wenzl. There is nothing that he fears more than being dispatched to the front.

In [II.4], during the investigation into the letter scandal in Királyhida, he is more kindly treated by the author. It becomes clear that he defends his own men, also the Czechs. He clearly doesn't like Hungarians and it is evident that he has previously served in Hungary. Eger is specifically mentioned as he had attended a telemetry course there and had incredible success amongst the female population (his own words). In a conversation with Oberleutnant Lukáš he revealed that he had served on the front against Serbia by Belgrade.

Schröder appreciated Švejk's courage and loyalty when he swallowed the letter Oberleutnant Lukáš wrote Etelka Kakonyi and thus protected his obrlajtnant. Then he personally named the good soldier company messenger. Schröder disappears from the plot when the march battalion departs for the front.

Parts of the information we have about Schröder comes from Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek telling Švejk about life within the regiment and the mood in the unit. This happened when the two shared a cell in the garrison prison in Budějovice.

Background

The literary character Schröder was indeed inspired by a real person but he remained unidentified for years. According to Bohumil Vlček Schröder was commander of Ersatzbataillon IR. 91 in Budějovice and then for a short period in Bruck an der Leitha [a]. This fits well with the novel, but it is evident that Vlček mixed up names. The officer who was in charge of the replacement battalion at the time was Oberst Karl Schlager.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] To zas má náš obrst Schröder pěknou radost. Nedovedete si ani představit, jak na něho účinkují plukovní aféry. Lítá po dvoře jako pominutý hafan a vysunuje jazyk jako mrcha kobyla.
[II.2] Obrst Schröder přijel na mne přímo na koni a div mne nepovalil na zem. ,Donnerwetter,’ zařval, až to bylo slyšet jistě na Šumavě, ,was machen Sie hier, Sie Zivilist?’ Odpověděl jsem mu slušně, že jsem jednoroční dobrovolník a že se zúčastňuji cvičení.
[II.2] Plukovník Schröder nemá rád majora Wenzla. Je to vůbec divný pavouk. Hejtman Ságner, který má na starosti školu jednoročních dobrovolníků, vidí v Schröderovi pravý typ vojáka, ačkoliv plukovník Schröder nebojí se ničeho tak jako toho, kdyby měl jít do pole. Ságner je chlap všemi mastmi mazaný a stejně jako Schröder nemá rád reservní důstojníky.
[II.2] Plukovník Schröder v mrzuté náladě odešel domů, a když se ráno probudil, měl ještě horší náladu, poněvadž v novinách, které četl v posteli, několikrát našel větu ve zprávách z bojiště, že vojska byla odvedena na předem již připravené posice. Byly to slavné dny rakouské armády, podobající se jako vejce vejci dnům u Šabace.
[II.4] Plukovník Schröder se zalíbením pozoroval bledý obličej nadporučíka Lukáše, s velkými kruhy pod očima, který v rozpacích nedíval se na plukovníka, ale úkradkem, jako by něco studoval, díval se na plán dislokace mužstev ve vojenském táboře, který byl také jedinou ozdobou v celé kanceláři plukovníka.

Sources: Bohumil Vlček, VÚA, ÖStA

References
aVojenské figuryBohumil Vlček20.3.1956
Einjährigfreiwilliger Wohltatnn flag
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wohltat.jpg

This text partly associates with cadet Wohltat.

Soldatenfreund. Kalender für das Jahr 1919.

Wohltat was a soldier who was a prime examples of courage. Oberst Schröder bellowed that he was the straight opposite of Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when the latter turned up first time at the exercise ground clad in high boots and a bowler hat.

Wohltat was promoted to Korporal after finishing at the reserve officer's school, volunteered for service at the front where he captured 15 enemy soldiers. In the end a grenade tore him to pieces and five minutes later arrived an order that he was promoted to Kadett.

Background

Wohltat is not doubt an invented "joke name" (it means "good deed") and thus joins names as Feldwebel Sondernummer and Siegfried von Busenthal. In the name database of familysearch.org only 3 such persons are listed (all in Germany) and other searches show no hits at all.

Despite the name being thought up one can still assume that the heroic deeds assigned to Wohltat were inspired by something Hašek picked up from propaganda material, for instance from Kriegskalender (war calendar). These could contain descriptions that were similar to that of Wohltat and we know that the author inserted fragments from the 1919 issue into the novel.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Jednoroční dobrovolník Wohltat, byv po odbyté zkoušce povýšen na kaprála, dobrovolně přihlásil se na frontu a zajal 15 nepřátel a při odevzdávání jich byl roztržen granátem. Za pět minut došel pak rozkaz, že jednoroční dobrovolník Wohltat je povýšen na kadeta.
Saint Agnesnn flag
*20.1.1211 Praha? - †6.3.1282 Praha
Wikipedia czdeen Search
agnes.jpg

"Život blahoslavené Anežky České", 1894

Saint Agnes was used ironically by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he addressed the guard contemptuously as "Saint Agnes of the 91st Regiment".

Background

Saint Agnes may refer to a daughter of king Otakar I. of Bohemia who renounced a life in the circles of power and dedicated herself to religion and caring for the ill. There are however several other Saint Agnes around, so it is not 100 per cent certain that this is the person Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek has in mind.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Aniž by vstal ze slamníku, oslovil jednoroční dobrovolník profousa touto řečí: „Jak jest to vznešené a krásné, vězně navštěvovati, svatá Anežko 91. regimentu! Buď vítán, anděli dobročinnosti, jehož srdce jest naplněno soucitem.

Also written:Svatá Anežka cz Heilige Agnes de St. Agnes nn

Literature
Kriegsminister von Krobatin, Alexandernn flag
*2.9.1849 Olomouc - †27.12.1933 Wien
Wikipedia czdeen Search
krobatin.jpg

"Kriegs-Album des K.u.k. Infanterie-Regiments No 23", 1916

Kriegsminister is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek as he argues with the profous in the cell at Mariánská kasárna. The prison guard is told that he would have had a terrible war if Marek happened to be minister of war.

Background

The minister of war served as the political head of the k.u.k. Kriegsministerium (Ministry of War). Minister from 1912 until 1917 was Alexander von Krobatin (1849-1933). He was regarded as one of the hawks as he wanted to settle scores with Serbia at the slightest pretext.

Krobatin had a background in artillery, had studied chemistry and was regarded as an expert on munitions. During the war he was, as minister, tasked with transitioning the economy to war production, a task that he in manys opinion didn't do well. In 1917 he resigned as minister and was named commander of 10. Armee, a unit that was fighting against Italy. Here he was far more successful (Wikipedia), particularly during the 12th battle of Isonzo, also known as the Caporetto offensive.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Zavřel bys jich dvacet a deset pustil, sysle. Ježíšmarjá, já být ministrem vojenství, ty bys měl u mě vojnu!
Literature
Pushkin, Alexandrnn flag
*6.6.1799 Moskva - †10.2.1837 Sankt Petersburg
Wikipedia czdeennoru Search Švejkův slovník
pushkin.jpg
onegin.png

The first verse of "Eugene Onegin".

Pushkin is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek who compares the monarchy to Pushkin's uncle who has as good as become a carcass.

Background

Pushkin (Пушкин) was a Russian novelist, poet and playwright of the Romantic era who is considered by many to be the greatest Russian poet ever and the founder of modern Russian literature.

Eugene Onegin

Both Sergey Soloukh og Antonín Měšťan point out that "Pushkin's uncle" no doubt refers to fragments from Eugen Onegin[e][a], a novel on verse that was published as a series in the early 19th century. Already in the first verse there is a scene where Onegin is waiting for his ill and rich uncle to die so he can inherit him[b].

Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek even quotes the last two lines of this verse, and it seems to be a literal translation from Russian rather than a more elaborate Czech translation.

Numerous translation into English exist, at least 45 if fragments are counted. The first appeared in 1881[c].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „Milý příteli,“ vykládal dál, „pozorujeme-li to všechno v měřítku naší milé monarchie, dospíváme neodvolatelně k tomu závěru, že je to s ní právě tak jako se strýcem Puškina, o kterém ten napsal, že nezbývá jen, poněvadž strýc je chcíplotina,
vzdychat i myslet pro sebe,
kdypak čert vezme tebe!“

Sources: Sergey Soloukh, Antonín Měšťan

Also written:Puškin cz Puschkin de

References
aШвейк. Комментарии. Шаг 50Sergey Soloukh14.1.2012
bЕВГЕНИИ ОНЕГИН Роман в стихахA. C. ПУШКИН1945
cEnglish Versions of Pushkin’s Eugene OneginYork University2010-2016
dJevgenij OneginStore Norske LeksikonJostein Børtnes
eRealien und Pseudorealien in Hašeks "Švejk"Antonín Měšťan1983
Publisher Kočí, Bedřichnn flag
*7.3.1869 Mladá Boleslav - †17.1.1955 Praha
Wikipedia cz Search Švejkův slovník
koci.jpg

Český svět, 28.2.1913

blahobyt.jpg

Kočí published the book Zdroje hospodářského blahobytu (Sources of economic prosperity) that Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek refers to when he describes the language that Korporal Althof, Gefreiter Müller and Feldwebel Sondernummer from the 11. Kompanie employ towards Czech recruits. As terms of abuse they pick animal names that could easily have been from this book.

Background

Kočí was a Czech publisher, book trader and author who often wrote using pseudonyms. Today he is best known for theosophical writing and his work on mental health.

The book that Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek mentions was published in 1906 and contains 910 pages[a]. It is an encyclopaedia covering forestry, animal breeding, sugar growing, poultry and a range of other subjects. It was written by a range of contributors, each covering specific subjects. Editor was Karel Ladislav Kukla[b].

The book actually does contain descriptions of two of the three animals that are used as expletives by the junior officers in 11. Kompanie. These are "Yorkshire boar" and "Engadin goat". The bullfrog is not mentioned but it can hardly be classed as a source of economic wealth. The omission is therefore understandable.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

The theme around the zoological swearwords that were taken from Sources of economic prosperity is also found in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí, and in quite similar wording. Moreover, the users of the expletives are the same: Korporal Althof, Feldwebel Sondernummer, and Gefreiter Müller. The only difference is that the abuse took place in Királyhida and not in Budějovice.[1]

První den v baráku vojenského tábora v Brucku nad Litavou zdálo se mu, že všichni představení, kteří chodili zamračeně kolem staronových nováčků, z nichž se měl vytřískat nový válečný materiál a vojensky uvědomělá sousta pro jícny děl, museli studovat buď přírodopis, nebo u Kočího v Praze vydanou objemnou knihu Zdroje hospodářského blahobytu.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] První den v baráku vojenského tábora v Brucku nad Litavou zdálo se mu, že všichni představení, kteří chodili zamračeně kolem staronových nováčků, z nichž se měl vytřískat nový válečný materiál a vojensky uvědomělá sousta pro jícny děl, museli studovat buď přírodopis, nebo u Kočího v Praze vydanou objemnou knihu Zdroje hospodářského blahobytu.
[II.2] Vytřískat nový válečný živý materiál a vojensky uvědomělá sousta pro jícny děl, k tomu je třeba důkladných studií přírodopisu nebo knihy ,Zdroje hospodářského blahobytu’, vydané u Kočího, kde vyskytuje se na každé stránce slovo: dobytek, prase, svině.
References
aZdroje hospodářského blahobytuK. L. Kukla1906
bZdroje hospodářského blahobytuVenkov14.4.1907
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Korporal Althofnn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
engadin.png

Korporal Althof may well have picked his swear-word from this book.

Zdroje hospodářského blahobytu, B. Kočí, 1906

Althof was a junior officer from 11. Kompanie who used the innovative swearing expression "you Engadin Goat" towards the recruits. According to Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek the terms of abusive were as picked from Zdroje hospodářského blahobytu (Sources of economic prosperity) by publisher Kočí.

Althof and Gefreiter Müller also talked between themselves about slapping Landsturm recruits across the ear(ein paar Ohrfeigen). In the conversation Althof also used the expressions "Czech pig".

Background

It is unlikely that Althof has any real life model although some brutal junior officer in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 may have been a source of inspiration. The surname is very rare and most widespread in Nordrhein-Westfalen and Netherlands. In Czechia lived in 2021 only one person with this surname[a]. Nor in Verlustliste or Schematismus is there any indication that any Althof served in IR 91[b].

The name Althof may be invented but the term of abuse that he employed is real enough. The Engadin goat is actually described in the book Zdroje hospodářského blahobytu from publisher Kočí that Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek refers to, albeit misspelt as Engandin goat[d].

Incident by Sokal

According to Bohumil Vlček Hašek was at the receiving end of the type of abuse that Althof subjected recruits to. During the battle by Sokal Hašek was a messenger and together with Vlček he was once sent to regimental headquarters to fetch ammunition. However, they mistakenly ended up at Feldjägerbataillon Nr. 10, the so-called Kopaljäger, a unit that was recruited from Jihlava and surroundings, a predominantly German-speaking area. Hašek addressed a German Oberleutnant but the two misunderstood each other and the officer swore at the messenger and called him a Sauböhm (Czech rabble). The case was brought to Hašek's battalion commander Čeněk Sagner who in the end received an apology on behalf of his messenger. Hašek was still unimpressed and uttered vyseru na jägry (I'll shit on jägry) [c].

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

The theme around the zoological swearwords that were taken from Sources of economic prosperity is also found in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí, and in quite similar wording. Moreover, the users of the expletives are the same: Althof, Feldwebel Sondernummer, and Gefreiter Müller. The most important difference is that the abuse took place in Királyhida and not in Budějovice. Althof here participates directly in the plot swore at AVE using the term "Engadin goat". He is mentioned altogether 9 times.[1]

Kaprál Althof, který byl představeným oddělení, kde Švejk měl v prachu baráku svůj kavalec, nazval ho hned dopoledne, krátce po přibytí a roztřídění nových domobranců, engadinskou kozou, svobodník Müller, německý učitel z Kašperských hor, českým smraďochem a šikovatel Sondernummer volskou žábou, vepřovým dobytkem a vyjádřil se, že ho vydělá...

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Kaprál Althof, který byl představeným oddělení, kde Švejk měl v prachu baráku svůj kavalec, nazval ho hned dopoledne, krátce po přibytí a roztřídění nových domobranců, engadinskou kozou, svobodník Müller, německý učitel z Kašperských hor, českým smraďochem a šikovatel Sondernummer volskou žábou, vepřovým dobytkem a vyjádřil se, že ho vydělá...
[II.2] U 11. kompanie kaprál Althof používá slova: engadinská koza. Svobodník Müller, německý učitel z Kašperských Hor, nazývá nováčky českými smraďochy, šikovatel Sondernummer volskou žábou, yorkshirským kancem a slibuje přitom, že každého rekruta vydělá.
[II.2] Jednou jsem slyšel rozhovor svobodníka Müllera s kaprálem Althofem, týkající se dalšího postupu při výcviku domobranců. V tomto rozhovoru vynikala slova jako: ein paar Ohrfeigen.
[II.2] ,Když takové české prase', poučoval rozšafně kaprál Althof, ’nenaučí se ani po třiceti ,nieder’ stát rovně jako svíčka, nestačí mu jen dát pár přes hubu.
Literature
References
aPříjmení: 'Althof', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bSeznamy ztrát - 91. pěší plukÖStA - Jan Ciglbauer2021
cPřipomínky k románu "Dobrého vojáka Švejka"Bohumil Vlček20.3.1956
dZdroje hospodářského blahobytuB. Kočí1906
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Gefreiter Müllernn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
muller.png

The proverbial needle in the haystack: Even in 2021 the surname Müller is very common in Czechia.

KdeJsme.cz,2017

Müller was a lance corporal in 11. Kompanie who called the recruits "Czech stinkbags". He was a German from Kašperské Hory, teacher in civilian life.

Korporal Althof and Müller also talked between themselves about slapping Landsturm recruits across the ear (ein paar Ohrfeigen).

Background

Identifying an inspiration for this person is difficult because Müller is the most common surname in the entire German-speaking world and is also widespread in the Czech Republic[a]. Only in Verlustliste for IR. 91 there are 111 entries of whom 8 held the rank Gefreiter. Five Müllers were reported missing together with Jaroslav Hašek after the battle of Chorupan but these were all rank and file soldiers[b].

Predictably none of the 111 on Verlustliste were from Kašperské Hory. This is explained by the fact that Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 did not recruit from there as it lay within the recruitment district of Infanterieregiment Nr. 11. Germans serving in IR91 would most likely hail from hejtmanství Kaplice or Krumlov, areas that in 1915 were predominantly German speaking.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

The theme around the zoological swearwords that were taken from Sources of economic prosperity is also found in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí, and in quite similar wording. Moreover, the users of the expletives are the same. The difference is mainly that the abuse took place in Királyhida (not in Budějovice) and that Korporal Althof, Feldwebel Sondernummer and Müller are take part in the plot as Švejk's counterparts. They all reported to Fähnrich Dauerling. Like in the novel Müller is a teacher from Kašperské Hory.[1]

Kaprál Althof, který byl představeným oddělení, kde Švejk měl v prachu baráku svůj kavalec, nazval ho hned dopoledne, krátce po přibytí a roztřídění nových domobranců, engadinskou kozou, svobodník Müller, německý učitel z Kašperských hor, českým smraďochem a šikovatel Sondernummer volskou žábou, vepřovým dobytkem a vyjádřil se, že ho vydělá.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Kaprál Althof, který byl představeným oddělení, kde Švejk měl v prachu baráku svůj kavalec, nazval ho hned dopoledne, krátce po přibytí a roztřídění nových domobranců, engadinskou kozou, svobodník Müller, německý učitel z Kašperských hor, českým smraďochem a šikovatel Sondernummer volskou žábou, vepřovým dobytkem a vyjádřil se, že ho vydělá.
[II.2] U 11. kompanie kaprál Althof používá slova: engadinská koza. Svobodník Müller, německý učitel z Kašperských Hor, nazývá nováčky českými smraďochy, šikovatel Sondernummer volskou žábou, yorkshirským kancem a slibuje přitom, že každého rekruta vydělá.
[II.2] Jednou jsem slyšel rozhovor svobodníka Müllera s kaprálem Althofem, týkající se dalšího postupu při výcviku domobranců. V tomto rozhovoru vynikala slova jako: ein paar Ohrfeigen.
References
aPříjmení: 'Müller', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bSeznamy ztrát - 91. pěší plukÖStA - Jan Ciglbauer2021
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Feldwebel Sondernummernn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
yorkshire.png

Feldwebel Sondernummer may well have picked one of his swear-words from this book.

"Zdroje hospodářského blahobytu", B. Kočí, 1906

bullfrog.jpg

American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Sondernummer was a sergeant in 11. Kompanie who used to address the recruits as "bullfrogs" and "Yorkshire boars". He also promised to flay and stuff them. According to Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek the terms of abuse were as picked from Zdroje hospodářského blahobytu (Sources of economic prosperity) by publisher Kočí.

Another of this favourite swearwords was Saubande (bunch of swine) but here he always added "Czech" in order not to insult the German recruits.

Background

The name Sondernummer (Special number) is clearly no more than a witty invention. It is therefore no suprise that it is absent from military documents like Schematismus and also Verlustliste for IR 91[a]. Nor is it found in family name databases like Forebears[c].

Event though the name Sondernummer is invented his terms of abuse are real enough. The word Yorkshire-pig appears many times in the book that Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek mentions[b] and the bullfrog lives in many parts of the world, particularly in North America.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

The theme around the zoological swearwords that were taken from Sources of economic prosperity is also found in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí, and in quite similar wording. The main difference is that the abuse took place in Királyhida and not in Budějovice. Sondernummer is also directly part of the plot and is Švejk's superior, reporting to Fähnrich Dauerling. He is mentioned 11 times and he called Švejk a "bullfrog".[1]

Kaprál Althof, který byl představeným oddělení, kde Švejk měl v prachu baráku svůj kavalec, nazval ho hned dopoledne, krátce po přibytí a roztřídění nových domobranců, engadinskou kozou, svobodník Müller, německý učitel z Kašperských hor, českým smraďochem a šikovatel Sondernummer volskou žábou, vepřovým dobytkem a vyjádřil se, že ho vydělá.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Kaprál Althof, který byl představeným oddělení, kde Švejk měl v prachu baráku svůj kavalec, nazval ho hned dopoledne, krátce po přibytí a roztřídění nových domobranců, engadinskou kozou, svobodník Müller, německý učitel z Kašperských hor, českým smraďochem a šikovatel Sondernummer volskou žábou, vepřovým dobytkem a vyjádřil se, že ho vydělá.
[II.2] U 11. kompanie kaprál Althof používá slova: engadinská koza. Svobodník Müller, německý učitel z Kašperských Hor, nazývá nováčky českými smraďochy, šikovatel Sondernummer; volskou žábou, yorkshirským kancem a slibuje přitom, že každého rekruta vydělá.
[II.2] Jestli šikovatel Sondernummer mluví cosi o "saubande", přidá vždy k tomu rychle ,die tschechische’, aby se Němci neurazili a nevztahovali to na sebe.
References
aSeznamy ztrát - 91. pěší plukÖStA - Jan Ciglbauer2021
bZdroje hospodářského blahobytuB. Kočí1906
cSondernummer SurnameForebears.io2012 - 2022
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Fähnrich Dauerling, Konradnn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
drill_dauerling.png

A book that Dauerling read but hardly absorbed

Dauerling is mentioned 22 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Dauerling is never part of the plot, but is described by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek as a particularly stupid and brutal ensign. He got a knock on his head when he was little and his mental horizon had suffered ever since.

According to Marek this made him perfectly suitable for a military career, and the fact that his father was a colonel pre-determined his destiny. He had attended Hainburger Kadettenschule, where he distinguished himself through his gross stupidity, and when the war started he arrived at Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 in Budějovice as an instructor. There he became notorious for his brutality towards the Czech recruits in 11. Kompanie until one day Major Wenzl had enough and put a stop to his behaviour once and for all.

Background

This despicable ensign has in the secondary literature about Švejk never been associated with any particular real person, although his negative qualities (obviously caricatured) are surely inspired by one or more officers that the author knew or had heard about.

The Good Soldier Švejk in captivity
zajeti_dauerling.png

From "The Good Soldier Švejk in captivity", 1917

When investigating Dauerling it is of interest to compare the novel with Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí (1917) where the junior officer is assigned a much more important role.

The author’s description of him is nearly identical to Marek’s version from the novel: accident as a child that led to a malformed skull, exceptionally stupid and brutal, educated at Hainburger Kadettenschule, had read Drill oder Erziehung (see Johann Orth), quoted Feldmarschall Conrad, rank Fähnrich etc.[a]

Thereafter, however, there are big differences. In Királyhida and at the front Dauerling is the main character alongside Švejk. He actually takes on part of the role that Oberleutnant Lukáš has in the novel. Our good soldier is his servant and steals a dog for him, the affair with Mr. Kakonyi is there with similar details. It is also striking that the author assigned a servant to a junior officer. This may not mean much, but could also indicate that Dauerling's model(s) had a higher rank.

The similarities with Oberleutnant Lukáš are limited to situations and circumstances. Dauerling, as opposed to Lukáš, remains a detestable figure all the way until the plot is concluded at the front when he commands Švejk to shoot him in the arm so he can escape the fighting. The soldier ends up killing him instead, but the question whether or not this was intentional is left open by the author …

A rare surname

The family name Dauerling is extremely rare, underpinned by the fact that neither the address books of Prague or Vienna from the period in question contain any such entry. Modern name databases show up less than ten hits. It is therefore to be expected that there is no Dauerling in neither officer's lists nor casualty lists.

Tragedy in Hollfeld
dauerling1.png

Arbeiter-Zeitung,13.2.1908

dauerling.png

Čech,15.2.1908

One can imagine that the author borrowed the name by chance from news reports that mentioned some Dauerling. These were still few, but one such case springs to the eye: the music teacher Dauerling in Hollfeld in Bavaria beat a nine-year old girl so severely that she died. This happened on 11 February 1908 in front of the whole class and was reported in many newspapers in Austria, including Czech publications. Most German-language newspapers also claimed that Dauerling was a Jew.

The reports from the Hollfeld tragedy also reveal a possible misspelling. Most newspaper in fact referred to the teacher as Deuerling. Čech and Lidové noviny used Dauerling whilst Národní politika and most German language newspapers used Deuerling. The latter is also a more common name, but still not widespread. There are in fact Deuerlings living in Hollfeld to this day, so this is probably the correct spelling. If this is the case the claim that Deuerling was Jewish seems odd. It is very unlikely that Jews from Hollfeld survived the Holocaust.

In the entire armed forces of Austria-Hungary there was in 1914 only one officer named Deuerling. He served in k.k. Landwehr and it is improbable that Hašek was aware of him.

Hauptmann Wimmer, an undeserved reputation
wimmer1.jpg

Captain Otto Wimmer: Morávek gave him an undeservedly bad reputation.

© ÖStA

As no Dauerling or anyone with a similarly sounding surname can be associated with IR. 91, possible inspirations may be any officer in the regiment with a reputation as a tyrant. In his series in Večerní České slovo in 1924 Jan Morávek mentions a certain captain Wimmer. Jan Vaněk remembers him as commander of his march company in IR. 91 11th march battalion. Morávek describes Wimmer as "a lunatic who tyrannised the soldiers and even pulled his horse to the battalion report". Immediately before the departure to the front he was allegedly replaced by Rudolf Lukas.

There was only one officer in IR. 91 that fits the name and rank described by Jan Morávek. This person was Hauptmann Otto Wimmer who in the summer of 1915 became commander of the 13th march battalion. They arrived at the front by Bug on 15 August 1915 so from then on Jan Vaněk may again have had to deal with him.

The connection between Dauerling and Wimmer is still only vague; there is for instance a great difference in rank between the two (without this necessarily having been considered important by the author).

Hauptmann Wurm
wurm1.jpg

Captain Hans Wurm

"Jednadevadesátníci", Jan Ciglbauer, 2018.

We do not know of alternative sources that confirm captain Wimmer's alleged brutality, and recently published information actually clears his name entirely.

Thanks to information in the book Jednadevadesátníci (Jan Ciglbauer, 2018) we can now conclude that Morávek referred to captain Hans Wurm, an officer who according to several witnesses was notoriously cruel, bordering on the insane.

The key phrase is "pulling his horse to battalion report". This is exactly what Oberleutnant Wurm did in Királyhida in 1916, and soldiers from IR. 91 later remembered both this incident and other examples of his senseless brutality.

Still it would be far-fetched to claim that Oberleutnant Wurm was a model for Dauerling. Apart from their common cruel behaviour their life and army career had little in common. Dauerling thus joins the list of characters from The Good Soldier Švejk who lack any obvious real-life counterpart: Feldkurat Katz, hop trader Wendler, telephone operator Chodounský, Offiziersdiener Baloun, cook Jurajda, Leutnant Dub etc.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Když vypukla válka a všecky mladičké kadetíky udělali fähnrichy, dostal se do archu hainburských povýšenců i Konrád Dauerling a tak se dostal k 91. regimentu.“Jednoroční dobrovolník si oddechl a vypravoval dál: „Vyšla nákladem ministerstva vojenství kniha ,Drill oder Erziehung’, ze které vyčetl Dauerling, že na vojáky patří hrůza. Podle stupňů hrůzy že má též výcvik úspěch.

Sources: Morávek, Jan Ciglbauer

Also written:Konrád Dauerling cz

Literature
References
aDobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Feldmarschall Conrad von Hötzendorf, Franz Xaver Josephnn flag
*11.11.1852 Penzing - †25.8.1925 Bad Mergentheim
Wikipedia czdeenno Search Švejkův slovník
hotzendorf.jpg

Illustrirte Zeitung, 22.7.1915

conrad.png

Schematismus für das k.u.k. Heer..., 1914

conrad.jpg

Kaiser Franz Joseph mit Conrad auf dem Manöverfeld 1909.

"Conrad von Hötzendorf, Soldat und Mensch", August Urbanski von Ostrymiecz

Conrad is mentioned in connection with Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's description of Fähnrich Dauerling who recited a variation of an alleged quote by Conrad: die Soldaten müssen sowieso krepieren (Soldiers must peg out anyway).

Conrad reappears during Kadett Biegler's dream on the train to Budapest. There is a picture of him on the wall of k.u.k. Gottes Hauptquartier. Here he is referred to as Chief of General Staff.

Background

Conrad was an Austrian infantry general, from November 1916 Field Marshal, who acted as head of k.u.k. Generalstab in the periods 1906-1911 and 1912- 1917. He was known for his aggressive stance in foreign policy matters and advocated preventive warfare not only against Serbia but also against Italy. He was head of the general staff until 1 March 1917 when the new emperor Karl I. dismissed him. Conrad is seen by many as carrying a major responsibility for the disastrous policies that led to the outbreak of World War I.

An improbable quote

The authenticity of the quote Die Soldaten müssen sowieso krepieren has not been verified. It should also be noted that Conrad obtained the rank Field Marshall on 23 November 1916, so Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek was looking well into the future during this dialogue with Švejk (that logically must have taken place the previous year).

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

A related quote can be found also in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí. Here the author is more direct and claims that Conrad said that die Tschechen müssen so wie so krepieren and that his outburst took place in early January 1916 in Innsbruck, in front of 8. Infanteriedivision.[1]

It seems altogether unlikely that Conrad uttered such sentiments publicly. It is thus tempting to believe that Hašek's quotes were based on rumours or conspiracy theories, or that he simply invented it.

In relation to the alleged quote from Innsbruck it is of interest that Conrad indeed was connected to 8. Infanteriedivision where he was commander from 1903 to 1906. However, it has not been possible to verify any visit to Innsbruck in January 1916. Local newspapers mentioned Conrad a few times around this time, but in very different contexts.

"Die Tschechen müssen so wie so krepieren." To řekl též polní maršálek Conrad z Hötzendorfu počátkem ledna roku 1916 před 8. pěší divizí v Inšpruku.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] "Die Tschechen müssen so wie so krepieren." To řekl též polní maršálek Conrad z Hötzendorfu počátkem ledna roku 1916 před 8. pěší divizí v Inšpruku.
[II.2] Jednou, když rozbil oko jednomu rekrutovi, vyjádřil se: ,Pah, was für Geschichte mit einem Kerl, muß so wie so krepieren.’ To říkal též polní maršálek Konrád z Hötzendorfu: ,Die Soldaten müssen so wie so krepieren.’
[III.1] Uprostřed pokoje, ve kterém po stěnách visely podobizny Františka Josefa a Viléma, následníka trůnu Karla Františka Josefa, generála Viktora Dankla, arcivévody Bedřicha a šéfa generálního štábu Konráda z Hötzendorfu, stál pán bůh.

Also written:Konrád z Hötzendorfu Hašek

Literature
References
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Hauptmann Adamičkann flag
Search Švejkův slovník
adamicka.png

In Hašek's story "Gott strafe England" captain Adamička is given much more space than in the novel.

Československý voják, 28.10.1917

Adamička is mentioned 4 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Adamička was a captain in IR. 91 who Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek tells Švejk about in the cell in Budějovice. Adamička is described as an apathetic man who spoke quietly and stared emptily into the air. He avoids dealing with the brutality of Fähnrich Dauerling. Marek also reveals that Adamička had already been sent to the front, and in his shoes stepped Major Wenzl who put Dauerling firmly in his place. It is unclear what position Adamička (and thus also Wenzl) held in the command hierarchy.

Background

The inspiration for Hašek's literary character was no doubt Josef Adamička, a professional officer who had served with Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 from 1 November 1904. In his capacity as head of Budweiser Einjährigfreiwilligenschule he met Jaroslav Hašek in February and March 1915.

Gott strafe England

Adamička features more prominently in the story Gott strafe England[a] where he indeed has the role as head of Budweiser Einjährigfreiwilligenschule. In this story, he is portrayed as a fanatic who promotes the slogan "God Punish England!" everywhere.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „To bylo za hejtmana Adamičky, to byl člověk úplně apatický. Když seděl v kanceláři, tu se obyčejně díval do prázdna jako tichý blázen a měl takový výraz, jako by chtěl říct: ,Sežerte si mě, mouchy.’ ,Tak se tedy věci mají,’ řekl hejtman Adamička tiše, neboť on mluvil vždy velice tiše, ,to vám řekl večer na ulici. Třeba zjistiti, zdali jste měl dovoleno vyjít z kasáren. Abtreten!’ Za nějaký čas dal si hejtman Adamička zavolat podavatele stížnosti. ,Je zjištěno,’ řekl opět tak tiše, ,že jste měl povolení vzdálit se ten den z kasáren do deseti hodin večer. A proto nebudete potrestán. Abtreten!’ O tom hejtmanovi Adamičkovi se pak říkalo, že má smysl pro spravedlnost, milý kamaráde, tak ho poslali do pole a namístě něho přišel sem major Wenzl.
References
aGott strafe EnglandČeskoslovenský vojákJaroslav Hašek15.10.1917
Major Wenzlnn flag
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wenzel_ir91.jpg

Franz Wenzel, the prototype of Wenzl. First on the right.

Obrana lidu, 15.1.1972

Wenzl is mentioned 29 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Wenzl was a major at Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 in Budějovice who is introduced to the reader in the conversation between Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek and Švejk in the regimental prison. He had succeeded Hauptmann Adamička and as opposed to his predecessor put Fähnrich Dauerling firmly in his place. Wenzl had a Czech wife and spoke Czech so he greatly feared disputes between the nationalities of the empire. His sons studied Czech.

He detested lower rank officers due to an unfortunate episode years ago when being drunk at a hotel in Kutná Hora he swore at a waiter and called him Czech rabble. Wenzl held the rank of captain in Kutná Hora, so obviously he had been promoted since. His position and role in the command hierarchy of the regiment are not revealed.

He only appears directly in the plot once, in a conversation with Oberst Schröder and Hauptmann Ságner at the hotel in Budějovice. Otherwise Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek reveals that Schröder doesn't like Wenzl.

In Királyhida his name reappears but this time he does not take part in the plot. He is mentioned during Švejk and Oberleutnant Lukáš' episode with Wenzl's servant Offiziersdiener Mikulášek. The author provides some additional information: Wenzl had shown himself utterly incompetent by the Drina where he had ordered the destruction of a pontoon bridge whilst half his battalion was stuck on the other side of the river. Here in Királyhida, he was getting back on his feet; he had been assigned administrative duties and was also the commander of Militärschießstätte (the military shooting range). Wenzl is not part of Švejk's march battalion and this disappears from the story before their departure to the front.

Background

The literary figure Wenzl was no doubt inspired by Franz Wenzel, a professional officer who served with Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 throughout Jaroslav Hašek's stay there. He was commander of the author's XII. Marschbataillon from 1 June to 11 July 1915, and was also his regiment commander for a short period in September.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

Wenzl features also in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí and his role is similar to that of The Good Soldier Švejk. At times the text of the two books is nearly identical.[1]

Když Dauerling udělal ten večer bilanci celého dne, neboť on byl též druhý Titus, a když některý den nikoho nezavřel a nehnal ke kompanieraportu, zvolal též: "Den jsem ztratil!", po rozmluvě s kadetem Bieglerem, svým nejvěrnějším druhem, přišel k tomu názoru, že s tím batalionsraportem přece jen trochu přestřelil, poněvadž to přijde před majora Wenzla. Před majorem Wenzlem třásl se totiž i Biegler i Dauerling stejně tak, jako se zas před nimi třáslo prosté mužstvo. Major Wenzl nebyl sice žádná zvláštní vojenská hvězd rakouská, ale měl strach z národnostních sporů. Měl za manželku Češku a kdysi, když ještě sloužil jako hejtman v Kutné Hoře, přišel do novin, poněvadž jednou v napilosti vynadal číšníkovi v Haškově hotelu "česká pakáž", ačkoli mluvil sám jinak jen česky v domácnosti i ve společnosti.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Když Dauerling udělal ten večer bilanci celého dne, neboť on byl též druhý Titus, a když některý den nikoho nezavřel a nehnal ke kompanieraportu, zvolal též: "Den jsem ztratil!", po rozmluvě s kadetem Bieglerem, svým nejvěrnějším druhem, přišel k tomu názoru, že s tím batalionsraportem přece jen trochu přestřelil, poněvadž to přijde před majora Wenzla. Před majorem Wenzlem třásl se totiž i Biegler i Dauerling stejně tak, jako se zas před nimi třáslo prosté mužstvo. Major Wenzl nebyl sice žádná zvláštní vojenská hvězd rakouská, ale měl strach z národnostních sporů. Měl za manželku Češku a kdysi, když ještě sloužil jako hejtman v Kutné Hoře, přišel do novin, poněvadž jednou v napilosti vynadal číšníkovi v Haškově hotelu "česká pakáž", ačkoli mluvil sám jinak jen česky v domácnosti i ve společnosti.
[II.2] O tom hejtmanovi Adamičkovi se pak říkalo, že má smysl pro spravedlnost, milý kamaráde, tak ho poslali do pole a namístě něho přišel sem major Wenzl. A to byl čertův syn, pokud se týkalo národnostních štvanic, a ten zaťal tipec fähnrichovi Dauerlingovi. Major Wenzl má za manželku Češku a má největší strach z národnostních sporů.
[II.2] Plukovník Schröder nemá rád majora Wenzla. Je to vůbec divný pavouk.
[II.3] Švejk seděl na odestlané posteli nadporučíkově a naproti němu seděl na stole sluha majora Wenzla. Major se opět vrátil k regimentu, když byla v Srbsku konstatována jeho úplná neschopnost na Drině. Mluvilo se o tom, že dal rozebrat a zničit pontonový most, když měl ještě půl svého bataliónu na druhé straně. Nyní byl přidělen k vojenské střelnici v Királyhidě jako velitel a měl také co dělat s hospodářstvím v táboře. Mezi důstojníky se vypravovalo, že si major Wenzl nyní pomůže na nohy. Pokoje Lukáše i Wenzla byly na téže chodbě.
[II.3] „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, že nemáme žádný patrony a že ho půjde těžko sestřelit se stolu. Já si dovolím podotknout, pane obrlajtnant, že je to Mikulášek, burš od pana majora Wenzla. Ten dycky ztrácí řeč, když vidí někoho z pánů oficírů. Von se vůbec stydí mluvit. Vono je to vůbec takový, jak říkám, upocený mládě, utahaný. Pan major Wenzl nechá ho vždy stát na chodbě, když jde někam do města, a vono se to žalostivě potlouká po burších v baráku. Kdyby mělo příčinu se leknout, ale vždyť vlastně nic nevyvedlo.“ Švejk si odplivl a v jeho hlase a v tom, že mluvil o Mikuláškovi ve středním rodě, bylo slyšet úplné opovržení nad zbabělostí sluhy majora Wenzla a nad jeho nevojenským chováním.
[II.3] „Tak jsem ti, pitomý chlape, zachránil život. Až se vrátí pan major Wenzl, ať mně za to potichounku přineseš láhev vína. Bez legrace. Zachránil jsem ti opravdu život. Když je můj obrlajtnant vožralej, tak je zle. S tím to umím jen já a nikdo jiný.“ „Já jsem... „Prd jseš,“ opovržlivě vyjádřil se Švejk, „seď na prahu a čekej, až přijde tvůj major Wenzl.“
References
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Kadettstellvertreter Zítkonn flag
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ir21kadetten.png

List of cadets who also were officer's deputies, IR 21, 1908

Schematismus für das kaiserliche und königliche Heer..., 1908

kadettstellv.png

The rank Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter was in 1908 replaced by Fähnrich.

"Mittheilungen des kais. königl. Militär-Geographischen Institutes", 1908

Zítko is mentioned 7 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Zítko was a reserve cadet from the school of one-year volunteers in Kutná Hora who had fallen out with Major Wenzl. The two had been enemies since Zítko had uttered something along these lines at a party where Wenzl was present: "What is any captain compared to the splendour of nature? The same nobody as any Kadettstellvertreter". From that moment on Wenzl had persecuted the officer's apprentice and from then on he had hated junior officers.

Zítko had his revenge when Major Wenzl in a state of inebriation swore at a waiter in a hotel in Kutná Hora (see Kutnohorský hotel) and called him Czech rabble. Zítko leaked the incident to local newspapers and the case was even heard in Reichsrat. Zítko eventually returned to civilian life where he went on to study philosophy.

Background

It has not been possible to identify any person who could have served as inspiration for the character Zítko. Although incidents like when Major Wenzl swore at a waiter and called him Czech rabble no doubt took place, no such has been pinpointed that could relate to Kutná Hora and even the "prototype" for Wenzl, Franz Wenzel.

Kadettstellvertreter

The rank Kadettstellvertreter never existed as such but Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek probably had Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter in mind. This was a rank that was replaced by Fähnrich through a decree by Kaiser Franz Joseph I. that was issued on 13 November 1908[a]. Before that graduates from schools for one-year volunteers obtained the rank Kadett and some held the additional rank Offiziersstellvertreter, literally officer's stand-in or deputy. As mentioned this was the rank that was replaced by Fähnrich in 1908. The rank Kadett was maintained with the same meaning as earlier.

Considering the time of the abolition of the rank Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter the incident in Kutná Hora would have taken place many years before Franz Wenzel arrived there in 1913 to serve with Infanterieregiment Nr. 21. Furthermore, no Zítko with the corresponding rank is listed in Schematismus over the years. The only name that frequently appears in military publications is Johann Zitko, a high ranking officer who by 1914 had advanced to a position in Kriegsministerium. Still there served a Fähnrich Karl Zitko in k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 9 (Litoměřice) before the war[b] but there is no reason to believe that Hašek had heard of him or that he was involved in such an episode.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] ,Stačí,’ povídal kadetstellvertreter Zítko, zamyslit se nad tím, co je každý hejtman proti velebné přírodě. Stejná nula jako každý kadetstellvertreter.’ Poněvadž všichni vojenští páni byli tenkrát namazaní, chtěl hejtman Wenzl nešťastného filosofa Zítka zmlátit jako koně, a nepřátelství toto se stupňovalo a hejtman sekýroval Zítka, kde mohl, tím víc, poněvadž výrok kadetstellvertretera Zítka stal se pořekadlem. ,Co je hejtman Wenzl proti velebné přírodě?’ to znali po celé Kutné Hoře.
References
aMittheilungen des kais. königl. Militär-Geographischen InstitutesVerlag des k.u.k. Militär-Geographischen Institutes4..1908
bSchematismus der k.k. Land­wehr (s. 305)Ministerium für Landesverteidigung1912
Hauptmann Ságnernn flag
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sagner.jpg

Josef Lada, 1955

Ságner is mentioned 150 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Ságner was a captain in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 and takes part in the plot from Budějovice until the very last section of the novel. He is actually the last person being mentioned in The Good Soldier Švejk. Later on it is revealed that he has a past as a Czech patriot but lets his career take preference. He had attended cadet school in Prague together with Oberleutnant Lukáš (see Prager Infanteriekadettenschule). In general the author's attitude towards Ságner is fairly neutral.

Ságner is first introduced by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek but enters the plot soon after when the author relates from an officers party at a hotel in Budějovice. Marek also reveals that he was head of Budweiser Einjährigfreiwilligenschule, looked down on reserve officers and one-year volunteers, looked upon Oberst Schröder as a real type of soldier and is somewhat condescendingly described as "lubricated with all oils", a slick turncoat.

In Királyhida he was appointed commander of Švejk's march battalion and led the unit until the end of the novel. Soon after departure he was severely embarrassed by Kadett Biegler in the mix-up with the decryption keys involving the book by Ludwig Ganghofer.

According to Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk, Ságner had served at the front in Montenegro, and had reportedly proved himself incompetent.

Background

The inspiration for the figure Ságner is mainly the Austrian (from 1918 Czechoslovak) officer Čeněk Sagner. He was Jaroslav Hašek's battalion commander IN IR81 from 11 July to 24 September 1915, and before that, they had served simultaneously in Budějovice and Királyhida. During most of the time Hašek served in the regiment Sagner's rank was Oberleutnant (he was promoted to Hauptmann as late as 1 September). During this period Sagner never commanded any march battalion.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Hejtman Ságner, který má na starosti školu jednoročních dobrovolníků, vidí v Schröderovi pravý typ vojáka, ačkoliv plukovník Schröder nebojí se ničeho tak jako toho, kdyby měl jít do pole. Ságner je chlap všemi mastmi mazaný a stejně jako Schröder nemá rád reservní důstojníky. Říká o nich, že jsou to civilní smradi. Na jednoročáky dívá se jako na divoká zvířata, ze kterých je třeba udělat vojenské stroje, přišít jim hvězdičky a poslat na frontu, aby je vybili místo ušlechtilých aktivních důstojníků, které třeba zachovat na plemeno.
[II.2] „On skládá básničky,“ posměšně se ozval hejtman Ságner, „sotva přijel, tak se zamiloval do paní inženýrové Schreiterové, s kterou se setkal v divadle.“ Plukovník se zachmuřeně podíval před sebe: „Prý umí zpívat kuplety?“ „Už v kadetce nás velice bavil kuplety,“ odpověděl hejtman Ságner, „a anekdoty zná, jedna radost. Proč nejde mezi nás, nevím.“
[II.2] Vrátiv se od hejtmana Ságnera, plukovník Schröder zastavil se před Švejkem a podíval se na něho pozorně.
Carpenter Mlíčkonn flag
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mlicko.png

Antonín Mlíčko

Verlustliste Nr. 63,19.11.1914

mlicko1.png

Only 35 persons carry the surname Mlíčko in 2021.

Příjmení: 'Mlíčko', počet výskytů v celé ČR2017

Mlíčko was a carpenter from Vávrova třída in Královské Vinohrady who was awarded the large silver medal from brewery because he was the first in his regiment who had his leg torn off by a shell. After returning home he was given an artificial leg but during a brawl at Apollo, some butchers tore it off and whacked him on his head with it. All this is according to a story Švejk tells Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek in the arrest in Budějovice. The carpenter is not to be confused with bricklayer Mlíčko.

Background

Švejk here provides information that normally would be enough to identify any "model": profession, address, that he was wounded (there would be an entry in Verlustliste) and that he was given the great silver medal for bravery (a Belohnungsantrag would be found in Kriegsarchiv in Vienna).

Vinohrady

In Vinohrady lived in 1910 a couple of Mlíčko but none of them were carpenters or lived in Vávrova třída. In this street there were three listed with this profession: Antonín Pospíšil in no. 1, Jan Straub in no. 9 and Karel Šmerák in no. 31[d]. None of the carpenters in Vinohrady had surnames that resembled Mlíčko.

Korporal Mlíčko

In Verlustliste Nr. 63 from 19 November 1914 some Korporal Antonín Mlíčko is listed as Verwundet and at first glance, he seems to be a candidate. He would have been wounded very early in the war as it could take months from the time the soldier was wounded/dead/reported missing until his name appeared in the official casualty lists. Mlíčko was from okres Dejvice and served with Infanterieregiment Nr. 11 in the 15th company[a], born in 1887. Information about any silver medal for bravery is not yet available.

Police records reveal that Mlíčko was born in 1885 (not 1887 as the loss list indicates), from 24 July 1906 he lived in Dejvice no. 154 with his mother, his profession was not specified[b]. His mother's birthplace of Velká Turna by Písek explains why he served in Infanterieregiment Nr. 11 as his Heimatrecht here probably followed that of his mother (there is no information about his father). It appears unlikely that he was a "carpenter from Vávrova třída" but it can't be entirely ruled out that he between 1906 and 1914 had learned this profession and moved to Vinohrady. This theory is however weak as the 1925 address book reveals that he still lived in Dejvice and was employed on the railways[c].

A rare name

Mlíčko is a rare surname and in 2021 only 35 persons are named such. Many of them live in the area around Blatná. The address books from Prague in 1907 and 1910 only show 6 persons with this surname.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „O velkej stříbrnej medalii za udatnost, kterou dostal jeden truhlář z Vávrovy ulice na Král. Vinohradech, nějakej Mlíčko, poněvadž byl první, kterému u jeho regimentu utrh na začátku války granát nohu. Dostal umělou nohu a počal se všude chvástat se svou medalií a že je vůbec první a nejprvnější mrzák od regimentu za války. Jednou přišel do ,Apolla’ na Vinohradech a tam se dostal do sporu s řezníky z porážky, kteří mu nakonec utrhli umělou nohu a praštili ho s ní přes hlavu. Ten, co mu ji utrh, nevěděl, že je to umělá noha, tak z toho leknutí omdlel. Na strážnici zas Mlíčkovi nohu přidělali, ale od té doby dostal Mlíčko zlost na svou velkou stříbrnou medalii za udatnost a šel ji zastavit do zastavárny a tam ho zadrželi i s medalií. Měl z toho opletání, a je nějaký takový zvláštní čestný soud pro válečné invalidy, a ten ho odsoudil k tomu, že mu vzali tu stříbrnou medalii a pak ho odsoudili ještě ku ztrátě nohy...“
References
aVerlustliste ausgegeben am ...K.u.k. Kriegsministerium19.11.1914
bPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
cChytilův adresář hl. města PrahyAlois Chytil1925
dAdresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedníchVojtěch Kraus1910
Kanonýr Jabůreknn flag
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jaburek.png

Postkarte Kanonýr Jabůrek. Verlag: M. Schultz, Prag 1914 (ÖNB)

jaburek2.png

Národní listy,17.2.1886

Jabůrek was an artilleryman Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek and Švejk sang about in the cell in Budějovice. The singing provoked a visit from the officer on guard-duty, Leutnant Pelikán. The refrain of the song is accuratly reproduced in the novel, some fragments of verse 12 less so.

Background

Kanonýr Jabůrek was a figure from a song story (cantastoria) Udatný rek kanonýr Jabůrek which had its background from the Austro-Prussian war of 1866. It is unclear whether it had any factual foundation, but in any case it appeared as a parody around 1884, perhaps even before. Jabůrek took part in the deciding battle by Hradec Králové on 3 July 1886. He keeps loading his cannon even as his limbs and other parts of the body are torn off, until his head is blown off and it reports to the general that he is no longer able to salute. The song is written in colloquial Czech and contains 17 verses.

The first verse of the song was printed on a postcard from 1914, but in formally written Czech. It was part of a series of patriotic songs issued on post-cards in Prague after outbreak of war. Why this obviously satirical song was included in the collection begs a good answer. In 1986 Franz Hiesel made a radio play based on the song. It was broadcast both in West Germany (WDR) and Austria (ORF). Over the years the cannoneer has been mentioned numerous times in the Czech press and other publications.

Egon Erwin Kisch dedicates a chapter to Jabůrek in his book Aus Prager Gassen und Nächten from 1912[a].

a u kanonu stál
a pořád ládoval
a u kanonu stál
a furt jen ládoval

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Tak mně připadá,“ řekl jednoroční dobrovolník po krátké pomlčce, „že duch vojenský v nás upadá, navrhuji, milý příteli, abychom v noční tmě, v tichu našeho vězení si zazpívali o kanonýrovi Jabůrkovi.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Hans-Peter Laqueur, Egon Erwin Kisch

Also written:Kanonier Jabůrek de Cannoneer Jabůrek en Kanonér Jabůrek no

Literature
References
aDas Lied vom Kanonier JaburekEgon Erwin Kisch1912
Leutnant Pelikán, Františeknn flag
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pelikan.png

Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy, 1910

Pelikán was a reserve lieutenant who in civilian life worked as mathematician in an insurance company. He knew Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek from Česká beseda and helped the two prisoners in the arrest in Budějovice (Marek and Švejk) by providing cigarettes of the brand "Sport".

Background

The surname Pelikán appears twice in the loss list of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 but both these were common infantrymen and moreover named Alois[a] so can hardly have served as prototypes for the lieutenant. Some infantryman Franz Pelikan fell in 1914 but nor he could have served as inspiration for his literary namesake. Any reserve lieutenant or other officer with this surname is not evident in the list of officer's from IR. 91. Because the plot is set in the garrison arrest he may also have been assigned to other regiments from the south bohemian capital, i.e. Feldkanonenregiment Nr. 24 or LIR29.

In k.k. Landwehr a certain Franz Pelikan served, but he was a medical doctor and had no connection with units that were stationed in Budějovice[c]. Otherwise many officers with this surname served in the armed forces but none of them was named František/Franz.

Considering the lack of possible models from the armed forces it is reasonable to assume that Hašek borrowed the name from someone he knew from civilian life. Pelikán is a very common Czech surname and in the address book for Prague from 1910 many were listed, amongst them several named František. These represented many professions but none of them seemed to have been employed in an insurance company. Nor does the address book of Budějovice reveal any person with characteristics that resemble those of Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's acquaintance.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „To je profous,“ řekl jednoroční dobrovolník, „jde s ním lajtnant Pelikán, který má dnes službu. Je to reservní důstojník, můj známý z ,České besedy’, v civilu je matematikem v jedné pojišťovně. Od toho dostaneme cigarety. Řveme jen dál.“
[II.2] „Nechte toho,“ řekl poručík Pelikán naoko přísně, „myslím, že víte, že máte jít v devět hodin ležet a netropit hluk. Vaše koncertní číslo je slyšet až na náměstí.“
[II.2] Když to bylo splněno, jednoroční dobrovolník důvěrně řekl: „Tak vysyp cigarety, Franto.
References
aSeznamy ztrát - 91. pěší plukÖStA - Jan Ciglbauer2021
bVerlustliste Nr. 110K.u.k. Kriegsministerium22.1.1915
cRanglisten der K. K. Landwehr und der K. K. GendarmerieK.u.k. Kriegsministerium1916
Oberleutnant Kretschmannnn flag
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kretschmann.png

The only senior lieutenant Kretschmann in k.u.k. Heer could not possibly have been present at a hotel in Budějovice in 1915.

Prager Tagblatt,27.9.1914

kolubara.png

Z dob válečných: obrázkový kalendář pro město i venek na obyčejný rok 1919

Kretschmann was a senior lieutenant who at Budějovický hotel in an inebriated state related to his officer colleagues how he from his staff position had witnessed an attack on Serbian positions. He had returned from Serbia with a sore leg after having been gored by a cow.

Background

An Oberleutnant Gustav Kretschmann is actually entered in Schematismus from 1914[a]. He is however listed under Infanterieregiment Nr. 11 but because this was the neigbour regiment of IR. 91 both at home and at the front it is possible that Hašek came across him. Still it is unlikely that he turned up at a hotel in Budějovice in 1915 and Prager Tagblatt and Verlustliste puts this hypothesis to bed. Kretschmann was one of the many who lost their lives during the disastrous crossing of Drina on 8 September 2014.

Kretschmann's long deliberation is strikingly similar to stories from Kriegskalender so it may well be that Hašek also picked the motif from one of these. This was a source he at times borrowed from. An example of such descriptions can be found in the 1919 issue (published in August 1918). It was written by Jan Morávek and the theme is the battle by the Serbian river Kolubara in November 1914.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Zatímco jednoroční dobrovolník pronášel zdrcující kritiku poměrů v kasárnách, plukovník Schröder seděl v hotelu ve společnosti důstojníků a poslouchal, jak nadporučík Kretschmann, který se vrátil ze Srbska s bolavou nohou (trkla ho kráva), vypravoval, jak se díval od štábu, ku kterému byl přidělen, na útok na srbské posice:
References
aSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 399)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1914
Hauptmann Spíronn flag
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spiro.jpg

Representatives of 15 types of units in the Dual Monarchy's armed forces. All these are found amongst the 19 that captain Spíro reels off, and the order is identical.

Světozor, 31.7.1914

© Jaroslav Šerák, Národní knihovna

spiro.png

The only officer named Spiro in the entire armed forces can hardly have inspired the drunk captain at the hotel in Budějovice.

Budweiser Zeitung, 30.4.1915

Spíro was a captain who at Budějovický hotel reeled off the most incoherent of observations. He listed 19 types of units in the armed forces, pulled in Belgium, and banging his fist on the table, he concluded: "k.k. Landwehr serves the land in peacetime".

Background

Spiro is a surname of Jewish origin and is not common. In the Czech republic currently (2021) only two of them live, and in Prague, there were only four registered with the police during the whole century leading up to 1914. The list of Czech Holocaust victims does however contain many Spiro.

Picked from Světozor?

The tirade where Spíro mentions the branches of the k.u.k. armed forces has all the hallmarks of being pulled from written material. Jaroslav Šerák points to Světozor from 31 July 1914 as a good candidate. In this magazine there is a picture of 15 soldiers from various branches of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces, and Spíro reels off all of them, and adds four more. He lists them in an order than is idential to that used in the caption of the picture in Světozor. The picture was printed the same day in Rozkvět and Český svět. Later it appeared in a larger publication about WW1[d].

In the army

In the entire k.u.k. Heer only one officer called Spíro served in 1914 (and in k.k. Landwehr none). He was reserve lieutenant Hans Spiro from Feldkanonenregiment Nr. 6 (Wiener Neustadt)[a]. He was the son of the paper manufacturer Emanuel Spiro in Krumau and was amongst those who fell into captivity on 22 March 1915 when Przemyśl surrended[b]. In May 1918 newspapers reported that he had returned.

Industrialists in Krumlov

Newspaper searches show the most hits on the abovementioned industrialist family in Krumau. They were one of the largest paper manufacturing enterprises in the entire Dual Monarchy[c], were thus well known and hence a name Hašek may have come across and borrowed for literary purposes. Still, we can safely conclude that there was no drunk captain Spíro in any hotel in 1915, so if the literary captain had any mirror in real life his name would have been something else.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] A důstojník s bolavou nohou se zamlčel a zůstal sedět tupě na židli. Plukovník Schröder se milostivě usmívá a poslouchá, jak naproti hejtman Spíra, jako kdyby se chtěl hádat, tluče pěstí do stolu a opakuje něco, co nemá žádného významu a čemuž není naprosto rozumět, co to vlastně má znamenat a co chce tím říct:
[II.2] „Uvažte prosím dobře. Máme ve zbrani rakouské zeměbranecké hulány, rakouské zeměbrance, bosenské myslivce, rakouské myslivce, rakouské pěšáky, uherské pěšáky, tyrolské císařské střelce, bosenské pěšáky, uherské pěší honvédy, uherské husary, zeměbranecké husary, jízdní myslivce, dragouny, hulány, dělostřelce, trén, sapéry, sanitu, námořníky. Rozumíte? A Belgie? První a druhá výzva vojska tvoří operační armádu, třetí výzva obstarává službu v zádech armády...“
[II.2] Hejtman Spíro udeřil pěstí do stolu. „Zeměbrana vykonává službu v zemi v čas míru.“

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

References
aSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 792)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1914
bKriegsgefangenenBudweiser Zeitung30.4.1915
cSpiro. Papierfabrikanten. (jüdisch)Neue Deutsche Biographie 242010
dUniformtypen der österreichisch-ungarischen ArmeeDer Weltbrand - Band I1915
Mrs. Schreiterovánn flag
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schreiter.png

Schreiter is an extremely rare surname in Czechia.

Příjmení: 'Schreiter', počet výskytů v celé ČR2017

Schreiterová was an engineers' wife who Oberleutnant Lukáš had fallen in love with after meeting her at the theatre in Budějovice (see Budějovické divadlo). This was according to Hauptmann Ságner.

Background

No Schreiter was listed in the address book for Budějovice in 1915 so it's pretty futile to look further for any model for this engineer and his wife. Still the name and profession may have been "transferred" from sowmehere else but it would be like searching for the proverbial needle in the haystack. The only high profile person with the surname Schreiter that we know about whas a member of Reichsrat but he was from Litoměřice/Leitmeritz and as far as we know not an engineer. Schreiter is an altogether rare surname and not even in Verlustliste for Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 does it appear.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] „On skládá básničky,“ posměšně se ozval hejtman Ságner, „sotva přijel, tak se zamiloval do paní inženýrové Schreiterové, s kterou se setkal v divadle.“
Oberleutnant Danklnn flag
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danklnp.png

Adressář královského hlavního města Prahy a sousedních obcí, 1884

Dankl was a senior lieutenant who used to entertain at the officer's club by sticking a herring's tail up his bottom to do a mermaid performance. This according to Oberst Schröder when he at Budějovický hotel remembered the good old days.

Background

Because Oberst Schröder here remembers the old days there is no point in looking for a "model" in Schematismus from 1914. That said, there was only one Dankl in k.u.k. Heer that year, and he was the famous General Dankl. In 1881 he was Oberleutnant at 8. Cavalerie-Brigade, assigned to k.u.k. Generalstab and serving in Prague[a].

That same year Oberst Schröder's literary counterpart, Karl Schlager, served as Leutnant in Feldjägerbataillon Nr. 38 in Kaaden/Kadaň so it's unlikely that the two knew each other. Also in 1890 and in 1900 the future general Dankl was the only person with this surname in the entire army.

In Prague no Dankl was registered by the police so Hašek can not have borrowed the name from someone he knew from his home city. In the end the author of The Good Soldier Švejk probably borrowed the name of the general and for literary purposes provided him with a herring's tail up his backside.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Jeden, pamatuji se, nějaký nadporučík Dankl, ten se svlékl do naha, lehl si na podlahu, zastrčil si do zadnice ocas ze slanečka a představoval nám mořskou pannu.
Literature
References
aKais. Königl. Militär-Schematismus für 1882K.k Hof- und Staatsdruckerei1881
Leutnant Schleisnernn flag
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schleisner1.png

Schleissner, a reserve lieutenant in IR. 28.

Schematismus für das k. u. k. Heer..., 1901

schleisner.png

Schleissner, a wholesaler in spirits in Prague.

Adressář královského hlavního města Prahy a sousedních obcí, 1907

Schleisner was a lieutenant who could wiggle his ears and whinny like a stallion, miaow like a cat and hum like a bumblebee. Again it is Oberst Schröder remembering the old days at Budějovický hotel.

Background

There are no search hits on Schleisner in Schematismus, neither for k.u.k. Heer nor k.k. Landwehr over the years until and including 1914. In the Prague police registers the surname appears only once between 1850 and 1914 so it was evidently extremely rare.

On the other hand, the phonetically identical Schleissner was more common. Schematismus from 1901 lists a reserve lieutenant Siegfried Schleissner who served with Infanterieregiment Nr. 28, Prague's own "Hausregiment"[a]. Hypothetically it could therefore be that Karl Schlager (the "model" for Oberst Schröder) who himself was from Prague came across him. Still, it would be far fetched to draw further conclusions.

Furthermore, one Siegfried Schleissner (perhaps identical to the above-mentioned lieutenant) was the owner of the spirits wholesaler Schleissner & Grünhut in Prague[b] and this is a person that Hašek may have been aware of and made him the subject of ridicule.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Jiný zas, poručík Schleisner, uměl střihat ušima a řičet jako hřebec, napodobovat mňoukání koček a bzučení čmeláka.
References
aSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 321)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1901
bAdressář královského hlavního města Prahy a sousedních obcí1907
Hauptmann Skodaynn flag
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skoday.png

Skoday, captain in IR51.

Schematismus für das k. u. k. Heer..., 1908

Skoday was a captain who brought to the officer's club three sisters he had trained like dogs. There they engaged in debauched forms of entertainment. Oberst Schröder remembers this with glee when he at Budějovický hotel thinks of the good old days.

Background

Skoday was a very rare surname, seemingly a Hungarian variation of Škoda, and Schematismus shows that just one officer such named served in k.u.k. Heer. This man was Richard Skoday who served with various regiments in Transylvania. He started his career with Infanterieregiment Nr. 63[1] in 1879, and in 1895 he attained the rank of Hauptmann. On 28 Oktober 1906[b] he was transferred to IR 51[2], and on 1 November 1908, he was promoted to Major. In 1909 he was transferred to IR 31[3]. On 1 May 1912, he was promoted to Oberstleutnant and at the end of 1913 superarbitrated[c].

After the outbreak of war, he returned to the army and was named commander of a march battalion of IR 51. On 1 March 1915, he was promoted to Oberst and in April he became commander of his former IR 63. In 1917 he was named commander of 47. Infanteriebrigade and in 1918 he according to Österreich-Ungarns letzter Krieg commanded a division. Address books for Linz from 1930 to 1940 list a pensioned Generalmajor Richard Skoday he is definitely our captain from IR 63.

Coincidence?

Skoday's term as Hauptmann lasted from 1895 to 1908 so would in theory fit with Oberst Schröder's harking back to the "good old days". Still, as in the case of Leutnant Schleisner, the places he served at do not overlap with those of Karl Schlager, the prototype for Schröder. Still, it is striking that Hašek picked the name Skoday considering how rare it was. All in all, it appears as if the author of The Good Soldier Švejk somehow was aware of Richard Skoday, but how this could have come about is impossible to say.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] Pamatuji se také na hejtmana Skodayho. Ten vždy, když jsme chtěli, přivedl do kasina holky, byly to tři sestry, a měl je nacvičené jako psy. Postavil je na stůl a ony se začaly před námi obnažovat do taktu. Měl takovou malou taktovku, a všechna čest, kapelník byl znamenitý. A co s nimi prováděl na pohovce! Jednou dal přinést vanu s teplou vodou doprostřed místnosti a my jeden po druhém museli jsme se s těma holkama vykoupat a on nás vyfotografoval.“
Notes
1. Ergänzungsbezirk Nr. 63 Besztercze (now Bistrița).
2. Ergänzungsbezirk Nr. 51 Koloszvár (now Cluj).
3. Ergänzungsbezirk Nr. 31 Nagyszeben (now Sibiu).
References
aSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 521)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1903
bVerordnungsblatt für das k. u. k. Heer30.10.1906
cVerordnungsblatt für das k. u. k. Heer20.12.1912
Einjährigfreiwilliger Mareknn flag
Search
marek.jpg
marek1.jpg

Večerní Praha, 11.4.1983 (Augustin Knesl)

Marek was a fat one-year volunteer who Švejk met for the first time in the garrison arrest at Mariánská kasárna in Budějovice. They shared a cell for three days and entertained themselves hugely. Marek is the first person in the novel who is an outspoken opponent of the war. In civilian life he studied classical philosophy. It is never revealed where he lives and where he comes from.

Marek appears regularly throughout the rest of the novel, but rarely in such a prominent role as here. His real name is only revealed when he goes on report, so far he had been referred to as "the fat one-year volunteer". He had been arrested after knocking the cap off the artillery officer Leutnant Anton after having mistaken him for Einjährigfreiwilliger Materna. This led to the discovery that he had forged the hospital sick book to get away and take part in the nocturnal delights of the southern Czech metropolis. As punishment he was handed 21 days severe and subsequent kitchen service. This suited him perfectly, it was far better to peel potatoes than to be commanded to attack under enemy fire with his trousers full.

He re-appears in Királyhida in the cell with Švejk og Sappeur Vodička because he has refused to clean the latrines. In Budapest he is finally released and becomes Battallionsgeschichteschreiber, a duty he fulfils honourably: he writes the history of the battalion in advance. Marek is from then on part of the story all the way to the final pages of the novel.

Background

Marek has many traits in common with the author. From a purely biographical point of view, these are: one year volunteer, served in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91, expelled from the reserve officer's school, stay in the military hospital in Budějovice, imprisoned in the garrison arrest, editor of Svět zvířat where he was dismissed after inventing new animals. Hašek actually turned up at the Budějovice garrison in civilian clothes and a cylinder hat, just like Marek.

On ideas and personal qualities, the following fit: hatred of the monarchy and its institutions, anti-war attitudes, glittering rhetoric, fat, unusually good memory and grasp of detail. It is also obvious that Marek is a mouthpiece for Jaroslav Hašek's personal views.

Karel Marek

Experts seem to agree that the name of the one-year volunteer is borrowed from Karel Marek (1884-1945), a friend of Jaroslav Hašek from his youth. Václav Menger relates that the young Hašek often visited the Marek family at Vinohrady and that he particularly enjoyed listening to the stories Karel's father told from his experience in the Prussian War of 1866. From him, the young author also learnt many of the army songs that he was so fond of singing. Karel Marek actually served a one-year volunteer but with Infanterieregiment Nr. 28, Prague's house regiment.

Karel Marek was, according to Augustin Knesl, born in 1884, son of Jan and Anna Marek. Like Jaroslav Hašek, young Karel studied at Obchodní akademie in Resslova ulice, albeit two years later (i.e. 1901-1904). He worked as an official but was also an artist, mastering painting and writing. He met with Hašek also after the war and some material about the author was kept by his wife Marie Marková. At the end of World War II Marek was interned in Terezín and on 15 May 1945 he died as a result of the mistreatment he suffered in the camp.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.2] V tmavém prostoru lidomorny Mariánských kasáren Švejka uvítal srdečně tlustý jednoroční dobrovolník, provalující se na slamníku.
[II.2] A právě takovým hlasem pronesl plukovník: „Jednoroční dobrovolník Marek odsuzuje se: jednadvacet dní verschärft a po odpykání trestu do kuchyně škrábat brambory.“ ... A lump Marek stál vedle Švejka a tvářil se úplně spokojeně. Lépe to už s ním dopadnout nemohlo. Je rozhodně lepší škrábat v kuchyni brambory, modelovat blbouny a obírat žebro než řvát s plnými kaťaty pod uraganním ohněm nepřítele: „Einzelnabfallen! Bajonett auf!“

Sources: Václav Menger, Augustin Knesl

Literature
Index Back Forward II. At the front Hovudpersonen

3. Švejk's happenings in Királyhida

Negro Kristiannn flag
*Christiansted 2.10.1890 - †Praha 4.10.1924
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kristian.jpg

Večerní České slovo,8.10.1924

kristian.png

Kopřivy,10.6.1909

kristian2.png

"Sylvestr pana Pažana", Jaroslav Hašek

Denní hlasatel,28.12.1915

kristian1.png

Prager Tagblatt,27.3.1924

Kristian was the subject of one of Švejk's anecdotes when escorted from Mariánská kasárna to Budějovické nádraží when the regiment was transferred to Bruck an der Leitha - Királyhida. He was a waiter, son of an Abyssinian king who had been exhibited in a circus at Štvanice and who had fornicated with a lady who wrote poems for the Lada magazine and thus had given birth to Kristian.

Background

Kristian (Kristian Ebenezer) was a rare black waiter who worked at Café Louvre, Hotel Baška, Café Royal, at the station restaurant in Brno - and various places in the countryside.

Egon Erwin Kisch wrote in Prager Tagblatt about a chance meeting with Kristian in a hotel in Trenčianske Teplice in 1921 where the latter worked as a waiter[a]. Eduard Bass, another acquaintance of Hašek, also wrote about Kristian who he knew from Prague and Brno. Bass even provided an obituary for Lidové noviny[b].

Augustin Knesl mentions Kristian in the series "Švejk a ti druzí" (Švejk and the others)[e] but somewhat naively concludes that Hašek's description of him was precise. Knesl had evidently not registered that Kristian was from the Caribbean and thus could not have been the son of an Abyssinian king.

Hašek had also mentioned Kristian many years before he wrote The Good Soldier Švejk. Exatly when the story Silvestr pana Pažana was first published is not known but it appeared in a Czech-Amerian paper in 1915[d] so it was probably written in 1914 or in early 1915.

Danish citizen

Ebenezer was born in the Danish colony St.Croix in the Carribean. His mother tongue was Danish but already as a teenager he spoke English fluently.

Kristian is actually the only Nordic citizen who is mentioned by name in The Good Soldier Švejk. It is possible that the mysterious psychologist Doctor Kallerson is a distortion of e.g. Karl Larsson.

To Prague

As a 14-year-old he arrived in Prague together with engineers from the Daňkovka factory. He was a waiter apprentice at the newly established Café Louvre where he worked for several years. He became a well-known character in Prague and learned Czech exceptionally quickly.

Already in 1905 he is mentioned in the newspapers and during the following year his name appeared several times. In 1916 he was to marry Božena Hanušová from Mladá Boleslav but the bride somehow disappeared, and the story ended in the newspapers. He even became an ardent Czech nationalist and caused distaste amongst Germans. Eduard Bass even called him a chauvinist[b]. Already in 1909 the socialdemocrat satirical magazine Kopřivy associated him with Klofáč and his Česká strana národně sociální. Here it is also revealed that he still worked at Louvre[c].

Poor health and early death

Throughout his life he was plagued by poor health. He had problems walking and also suffered from tuberculosis, a disease that in the end proved fatal. Shortly before he died he married the same woman who had vanished in 1916. His last address was Vinohrady, Puchmajerova 56. It is now known if he had any offspring and nor do we know if he did military service.

Egon Erwin Kisch (1921)

Also stehe ich auf, nachdem ich genug Zeit gewonnen habe, und gehe ins Vorderzimmer und setze mich zu einem Tischen und lasse mir vom Neger Christian (ja, ja, dem aus dem Café Louvre und aus dem Café Parlament eine Schale Schwarzen bringen und lese die Blätter.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] „S tím vzájemným pářením,“ poznamenal Švejk, „je to vůbec zajímavá věc. V Praze je číšník černoch Kristián, jehož otec byl habešským králem a dal se ukazovat v Praze na Štvanici v jednom cirku.
[II.3] „Případ vašeho černocha Kristiána,“ řekl jednoroční dobrovolník, „třeba promyslit i ze stanoviska válečného. Dejme tomu, že toho černocha odvedli. Je Pražák, tak patří k 28. regimentu. Přece jste slyšel, že dvacátý osmý přešel k Rusům. Jak by se asi Rusové divili, kdyby zajali i černocha Kristiána. Ruské noviny by jistě psaly, že Rakousko žene do války svá koloniální vojska, kterých nemá, že Rakousko sáhlo už k černošským reservám.“

Sources: Egon Erwin Kisch, Hans-Peter Laqueur, Jaroslav Šerák, Augustin Knesl, Eduard Bass, Café Louvre

Also written:Kristián Hašek Christian Kisch

Literature
References
aBrief aus Trencsin‑TeplitzPrager Tagblatt25.6.1921
bČernoch Kristian zemřelLidové noviny6.10.1924
cRostemeKopřivy10.6.1909
dSylvestr pana PažanaDenní hlasatelJaroslav Hašek28.12.1915
eŠvejk a ti druzí. 17.Večerní PrahaAugustin Knesl1983
Wrestler Zipps, Chambersnn flag
*18xx USA/Canada? - †19xx ?
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zipps.png

Národní listy,28.4.1912

zipps.jpg

Zipps à l'entraînement.

La Vie au grand air,10.11.1906

variete.png

Průvodčí cizinců a jiné satiry z cest i domova, Jaroslav Hašek,1913

zipps1.png

Salt Lake Tribune,25.11.1906

Zipps is mentioned indirectly as "some negro" during Švejk's observations when escorted from Mariánská kasárna to Budějovické nádraží, during the regiment's transfer to Királyhida.

Discussing with Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek, Švejk imagines the eventuality that a man marries and the wife suddenly gives birth to a black child. Given that she nine months ago attended a wrestling match at Varieté where one of the competitors was black, her husband could start to imagine things.

Background

There is no doubt that the black man who Švejk imagines was wrestling at Varieté refers to Chambers Zipps, a North-American wrestler who by all accounts spent periods of his life in Europe. In April 1912 he fought several matches at Varieté and even the adverts from the theatre itself refers to him as the "negro-wrestler Zipps"[a].

One could argue that other black wrestlers may have appeared at Varieté during Hašek's lifetime, but the author himself actually puts to rest any uncertainty regarding his source of inspiration. Only a few days after the wrestling tournament finished he published a story where Zipps was the main character. Here Jaroslav Hašek mentions the matches at Varieté and many other details[b]. During a visit at U Brejšky the narrator was unfortunate enough to step on giant negro's sore toe... The theme Zipps and Varieté also appears in another story that Hašek wrote at the time[f] but here he mentioned it only in passing.

Horses and wrestling

Zipps initially worked as a horse-keeper for the wealthy American racehorse owner/breeder/trainer Eugene Leigh (1860-1937) who in 1901 relocated to Europe (Wikipedia). In 1906 Zipps' name started to appear in French newspapers in connection with Greco-Roman wrestling. Already then one of the news items described him as "the famous negro Zipps"[c].

At the end of October 1906 he took part in the World Championship (there were two competing tournaments at the time) at Folies Bergère in Paris and this event was widely reported, also in the foreign press. Czech newspapers wrote that he had defeated the Czech Šmejkal and that Zipps himself weighed 110 kilos[d].

In his homeland his achievements were also noticed and it was added that he had been a successful amateur wrestler, and was so strong that he could carry a horse on his shoulders[e].

He continued to compete across Europe and during the years until 1915[g] he took part in tournaments in France, England, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Russia [1]. From the tournament in Moscow in 1912 there even exists a video clip[i]. In 1915 he toured Russia but thereafter he disappeared from the news for the rest of the war.

In 1919 a wrestler named John Zipps (also a black American) appeared in news reports but it is unclear if this is the same person. The latest recorded newspaper notice about any wrestler Zipps is from 1927[h].

Zipps was described in sympathetic terms in both the Czech and Austro-German press. He was reportedly a joker and often entertained the public when he was performing. We know nothing about when and where he was born/died and the only point of reference is information in the French sports press that he was young when he arrived in France. It is therefore tempting to suggest that he was born between 1880 and 1890.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Ale najednou v nějakém kolenu že se vobjeví černoch. Představte si ten malér. Vy se voženíte s nějakou slečnou. Potvora je úplně bílá, a najednou vám porodí černocha. A jestli před devíti měsíci se šla podívat bez vás do Varieté na atletické zápasy, kde vystupoval nějakej černoch, tu myslím, že by vám to přeci jen trochu vrtalo hlavou.“

Sources: John Hubert Williams

Notes
1. List of countries according to state borders in 1914. Defined by current borders he also performed in Poland, Ukraine, Czechia, and Romania.
Literature
References
aThéâtre VariétéPrager Tagblatt18.4.1912
bJak jsem přemohl černošského obra Zippse ze Severní AmerikyDobrá kopaJaroslav Hašek3.5.1912
cL'engagement du fameux nègre ZippsLe Journal16.10.1906
dAthletikaVenkov25.11.1906
eShoulders the horsesSalt Lake Tribune25.11.1906
fPrůvodčí cizinců a jiné satiry z cest i domovaJaroslav Hašek1913
gTURNIER-DATENBANK / TOURNAMENT DATABASE: 1910-1919Pro-Wrestling Title Histories27.4.2022
hČesko římské zápasyVečerní České slovo16.4.1927
iБорется Иван Поддубный, 1912 годАндрей Кочуров19.8.2014
Feldoberkurat Lacinann flag
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lacina.jpg
lacinanekr.png

Obituary

Stráž na Bečvě, 20.7.1928

Lacina is mentioned 10 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Lacina was a fat and gluttonous military cleric from k.u.k. Kavallerietruppendivision Nr. 7 who also enjoyed a tipple or two. He arrived in Budějovice the day before Ersatzbataillon IR. 91 left for Bruck and travelled with Švejk and Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek in the arrest wagon. On departure he was under the influence and soon fell asleep and was snoring and farting most of the way. The author notes that Lacina wore a "black hard hat", something that indicates that he was off duty. This is also how the illustrator of The Good Soldier Švejk, Josef Lada, envisaged him.

Background

The senior field chaplain was no doubt inspired by Ludvík Lacina, a Roman-Catholic field chaplain who served in k.u.k. Heer from 1906 to 1918. The obituaries from 1928 reveal that he had been "identified" as a model for the literary field chaplain already before his death[a].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Tak vešli na nádraží a šli k určenému vojenskému vlaku, když málem by byla ostrostřelecká kapela, jejíž kapelník byl vážně popleten nečekanou manifestací, spustila „Zachovej nám, Hospodine“. Naštěstí v pravé chvíli objevil se v černém tvrdém klobouku vrchní polní kurát páter Lacina od 7. jízdecké divise a počal dělat pořádek.
[II.3] „A to taky pojedu,“ prohlásil páter Lacina, a otáčeje se po eskortě, dodal: „Kdo říká, že nemůžu ject? Vorwärts! Marsch!„

Když se vrchní polní kurát ocitl v arestantském vagoně, položil se na lavici a dobrosrdečný Švejk svlékl si plášť a položil ho páterovi Lacinovi pod hlavu, k čemuž k uděšenému desátníkovi poznamenal tiše jednoroční dobrovolník: „Obrfeldkuráty ošetřovati.“

Páter Lacina, pohodlně natažen na lavici, počal vykládat: „Ragout s hříbkami, pánové, je tím lepší, čím je víc hříbků, ale hříbky se musí napřed smažit na cibulce a pak teprve se přidá bobkový list a cibule...“

„Cibuli už jste ráčil dát předem,“ ozval se jednoroční dobrovolník, provázen zoufalým pohledem desátníka, který viděl v páterovi Lacinovi opilého sice, ale přece jen svého představeného.

Situace desátníka byla opravdu zoufalá.

„Ano,“ podotkl Švejk, „pan obrfeldkurát má ouplnou pravdu. Čím víc cibule, tím lepší. V Pakoměřicích bejval sládek a ten dával i do piva cibuli, poněvadž prej cibule táhne žízeň. Cibule je vůbec náramně prospěšná věc. Pečená cibule se dává i na nežidy...“

Páter Lacina zatím na lavici mluvil polohlasně, jako ve snění: „Všechno záleží na koření, jaké koření se do toho dá a v jakém množství. Nic se nesmí přepepřit, přepaprikovat...“
[II.3] Švejk přistoupil k páteru Lacinovi, obrátil ho ke stěně a znalecky řekl: "Ten bude chrnět až do Brucku," a vrátil se na své místo, provázen zoufalým pohledem nešťastného desátníka, který poznamenal: "Abych to šel snad oznámit".
[II.3] A vy,“ obrátil se na Švejka, „vy půjdete do kuchyně naší mináže, vezmete příbor a přinesete mně oběd. Řekněte, že to je pro pana obrfeldkuráta Lacinu. Hleďte, abyste dostal dvojnásobnou porci. Jestli budou knedlíky, tak neberte od špičky, na tom se jenom prodělá. Potom přinesete mně z kuchyně láhev vína a vezmete s sebou esšálek, aby vám do něho nalili rumu.“

Páter Lacina hrabal se v kapsách.
References
aHaškův polní kurát Lacina zemřelStráž na Bečvě20.7.1928
Přednosta stanice v Budějovicíchnn flag
Search
prednosta.png

Chytilův úplný adresář Království Českého1915

Přednosta stanice v Budějovicích (the stationmaster in Budějovice) is mentioned in connectio with Feldoberkurat Lacina when the regimenet was departing from Budějovice to Királyhida. The officers from the regiment hid in the station master's office when they got a whiff of the drunk field chaplain.

Background

Accoring to the address book from 1915 the two station masters at Budějovické nádraží in 1915 were Johann Hellmich and Josef Schwarz. Head of the railway authorities in the city was Karl von Fodermayer[a].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Ráno dostal nápad, že musí dělat pořádek při odjezdu prvních ešalonů regimentu, a proto se potloukal po celé délce špalíru, účinkoval na nádraží tak, že důstojníci řídící dopravu pluku uzavřeli se před ním v kanceláři přednosty stanice.
References
aChytilův úplný adresář Království ČeskéhoAlois Chytil1915
Muḥammadnn flag
*572 Mekka - †8.6.632 Medina
Wikipedia czdeennnno Search
muhammed.jpg

Muhammad went to the montain and meet the angel Gabriel.

Muḥammad is pulled into the plot when Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek ridicules the escorting corporal on the train to Bruck. The famous proverb he quotes is 'If the mountain will not come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain'.

Background

Muḥammad was an Arab political and religious leader. In the history of religion he counts as the founder of the Islam and is regarded by Muslims as a messenger and prophet of Allāh. The name has many transliterations in English. The mountain in the proverb that Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek quotes refers to Jabal an-Nûr an-Nûr by Mekka, where in the cave Hira Muḥammad met the angel Gabriel (according to legend).

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] „Milý pane kaprále,“ ozval se jednoroční dobrovolník, „papíry nejdou samy k veliteli eskorty. Když hora nejde k Mahomedovi, musí jít velitel eskorty sám pro papíry. Vy jste se nyní ocitl před novou situací.

Also written:Mahomed Hašek Mohamed cz Mohammed de

Hájek, Ladislavnn flag
*9.3.1884 Domažlice - †26.3.1943 Praha
Search Švejkův slovník
hajek.png

Žofie Hájková, Ladislav Hájek, Jaroslav Hašek.

Lázně Poděbrady,21.5.1913

hajek1.png

Lázně Poděbrady,8.5.1913

hajek2.png
hajek2.jpg

Lidové noviny, 28.3.1943

Hájek enters the plot when Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek relates his experiences from his time as editor of Svět zvířat.

He is mentioned again in by Švejk in [III.3], now with his full name and even his add-on "Domažlický" (from Domažlice) was included. Here the theme is Hájek's time as editor of Nezávislost in Poděbrady.

Background

Hájek was a journalist, poet and writer, friend of Jaroslav Hašek throughout most of the latter's life. They became friends when studying at the commercial academy (1899-1902) and together they published poetry collection Májové výkřiky in 1903 and Hájek wrote a short biography on Jaroslav Hašek in 1925[b].

As this rather autobiographical part of The Good Soldier Švejk reveals, Hájek was Hašek's predecessor as editor of Svět zvířat (and also his successor). On 5 Oktober 1912 Hájek married Žofie Fuchsová, the daughter of the late Václav Fuchs, the magazines former owner and publisher (again a parellel to Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's story on the train). After marrying the couple moved to Ferdinandova třída no. 339[c] near c.k. policejní ředitelství. Here Hašek celebrated Christmas 1922 together with them.

In 1913 Hájek owned and published the supplement to Nezávislost, Lázně Poděbrady. Jaroslav Hašek contributed a couple of stories to this magazine. In may that year it also printed a well known picture from Poděbrady, featuring Hašek and Hájek together with a group of friends (top right)[e]. That same year Hájek published the magazine Svět in addition to the well known Svět zvířat.

Little is known about Hájek's personal life apart from the fact that he was married twice. According to Břetislav Hůla his first wife Žofie Fuchsová committed suicice, and Hájek then married Milena, a lady who was still alive in 1948[a]. The research of Jaroslav Šerák reveals that his first wife killed herself in 1919 and that Hájek worked in Olomouc until 1923. He then returned to Prague where he lived for the rest of his life.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Jak jsem se vlastně stal kdysi redaktorem ,Světa zvířat’, onoho velice zajímavého časopisu, bylo pro mne nějaký čas hádankou dosti složitou do té doby, kdy jsem sám přišel k tomu názoru, že jsem to mohl provést jen ve stavu naprosto nepříčetném, ve kterém jsem byl sveden přátelskou láskou ku starému kamarádovi Hájkovi, který redigoval do té doby poctivě časopis, ale zamiloval se přitom do dcerušky majitele časopisu pana Fuchse, který ho vyhnal na hodinu pod tou podmínkou, že mu zaopatří redaktora pořádného.
[II.3] Majitel listu, když jsem mu byl představen svým kamarádem Hájkem, přijal mne velice vlídně a otázal se mne, zdali mám vůbec nějaké ponětí o zvířatech, a byl velice spokojen mou odpovědí, že jsem si vždy velice zvířat vážil a viděl v nich přechod ke člověku a že zejména se stanoviska ochrany zvířat respektoval jsem vždy jejich tužby a přání. Každé zvíře si nic jiného nepřeje, než aby bylo před tím, než je sněděno, usmrceno pokud možno bezbolestně.
[III.3] Tenkrát totiž začali vydávat v Poděbradech časopejsek ,Nezávislost’ a poděbradskej lekárník byl toho hlavní hlavou, a redaktorem tam udělali ňákýho Ladislava Hájka Domažlickýho.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Břetislav Hůla

Literature
References
aI. Připojuji...Břetislav Hůla - LA-PNP14.12.1948
bZ mých vzpomínek na Jaroslava HaškaLadislav Hájek1925
cPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
eLázně PoděbradyLadislav Hájek21.5.1913
Fuchs, Václavnn flag
*14.3.1857 Hořice - †27.9.1911 Smíchov
Wikipedia cz Search Švejkův slovník
fuchsvaclav.jpg

Svět zvířat,1.10.1911

fuchskan.jpg

Das interessante Blatt,5.11.1896

fuchs0.png

Židovské matriky,1857

Václav Fuchs is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he on the train from Budějovice to Királyhida relates his experiences as editor of the magazine Svět zvířat. Fuchs was the owner of the magazine and had the daughter that the former editor Hájek fell in love with. The father didn't approve and employed Marek as editor when he in a convincing manner presented his plans for the magazine. In due course the new-baked editor let his imagination get the upper hand and he invented new animals and other curiosities from nature. Eventually this raised the attention of the readers and culminated when Jos. M. Kadlčák, the editor of Selský obzor, used an editorial put Marek in his place because he took the liberty to rename the jay to "walnutter". This was the final straw and Fuchs was so agitated that he crept under a pool table and three days later he died from meningitis.

Background

Václav Fuchs (born Siegfried Fuchs) was a Czech animal breeder, livestock trader and publisher/editor of Jewish origin. He is best known as owner and publisher of the magazine Svět zvířat and it is in this context his name is known to readers of The Good Soldier Švejk.

Renowned expert

His name appears in national newspapers from 1894 and onwards in connection with rabbit-breeding and he was at the time operating from Jičín. He offered rabbits for sale in Prager Tagblatt, Prager Abendblatt, Das interessante Blatt and others.

In connection with the international agricultural fair in Prague in 1897 Wiener Landwirtschaftliche Zeitung from 19 May 1897 mentions him as "the renowned rabbit breeder from Jičín". During the same exhibition he won an award in the poultry category and in May 1898 he was a member of the executive committee of a society that arranged a poultry exhibition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Emperor's reign. In 1899 he co-founded of the Country association for breeding of luxury dogs in Bohemia where he also acted as manager.

Antisemitism

Fuchs won several awards for his contribution to rabbit- poultry- and dog-breeding. According to some newspapers he was in 1908 even awarded Kaiserlicher Rat (a honorary title without much practical significance). The announcement caused some reactions, mainly in the Catholic press. According to Salzburger Kronik "he did not deserve it", and Čech lamented that "yet another Jew had received the award". Similar anti semitic writing was very common at the time, in Czech as well as German newspapers. Still the newspapers were probably wrong regarding the award itself. In a death notice about his father 9 March 1909 only the brother Ludvík uses the title Kaiserlicher Rat and Václav is simply listed as editor in chief of Svět zvířat.

Publisher, author and dog breeder
fuchsv.png

Wiener Landwirtschaftliche Zeitung,20.11.1897

During the autumn of 1897 the monthly magazine Svět zvířat was launched in Jičín. At the beginning Fuchs was not alone in running the magazine but the next year he brought a large villa above the Klamovka park and moved there together with his family. Here he also relocated the editorial offices of the periodical that now became a bi-weekly.

From now on he was sole proprietor and the villa also housed his dog breeding and trading enterprise. Fuchs advertised diligently in the newspapers, both for the dog trade and for the magazine. As publisher of a Czech language magazine he obviously targeted Czech readers, but his dog trade also advertised intensively in German newspapers like Prager Tagblatt and Bohemia, often using the brand Hundepark Fuchs. See Psinec nad Klamovkou for more about the breeding kennel.

Fuchs also wrote the books Všecky druhy psů slovem i obrazem (All dog breeds in words and pictures) (1903), Všeobecný slovník rad pro každého (General encyclopaedia with advice for everyone) (1906). The latter was a heavy publication of near 1400 pages, but the scope extends well beyond the subject of animals. That said he was first and foremost known as chief editor and dog breeder.

Fuchs and Hašek
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zvirat0.png

Svět zvířat, 15.8.1910

I 1908 Fuchs employed a new editor, Jaroslav Hašek's friend Hájek. It was through this connection that Hašek was introduced to Klamovka and the animal magazine. In the beginning he only assisted in the editorial offices, but Hájek fell out with his boss and moved to Poděbrady to assume the role of managing editor of Nezávislost (Independence). Hašek was now offered the position as lead editor (he is registered as resident of the villa on 4 February 1909) and in the beginning it worked out well. The job was well paid (it also included 2 litres of beer per day) and this made Hašek capable of feeding a family and he married on 23 May 1910.

The newly wed moved out of the villa and down to Smíchov nr. 1125 at the other side of the Klamovka park. According to Hájek the enthusiasm that Fuchs initially had showed for his inventive editor now waned seriously. Hašek was less seen in the editorial offices and readers started to compain about dubious articles. In his predicament Fuchs travelled to Poděbrady in order to convince Hájek to return to the office as replacement for Hašek. He succeeded in his mission and in the issue of Svět zvířat from 15 Oktober 1910, Hájek was again listed as chief editor. His departure from Nezávislost was announced by himself 12 November.

Shit packet post mortem
fuchsmp.png

From "Strana mírného pokroku"

© LA-PNP

Hašek did through his alter ego Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek a lot to make Fuchs and Svět zvířat known to future generations. Not only does he mention the magazine and its owner in The Good Soldier Švejk, Fuchs is also mentioned in Strana mírného pokroku v mezích zákona. If Fuchs is presented in a matter-of-fact way in the novel, the less he is in the story of the Party of Moderate Progress where he is the victim of a resounding shit packet.

The now deceased lead publisher allegedly "had himself baptised to promote his business", made a living from animals as well as people, was a terrible employer and not particularly intelligent, shouted and swore, was good at appearing as someone he wasn't. He was overall fully qualified for a career as a politician. The books that Fuchs published in 1903 and 1906 are claimed to have been direct translations from German, carried out by then editor of the magazine, Karel Ladislav Kukla. It was also claimed that he was a Young Czech (see Mladočeši) and had borrowed money to buy a car.

Hájek narrates
fuchs.png

Z mých vzpomínek na Jaroslava Haška, Ladislav Hájek, 1925

A person who knew Fuchs well was Hájek who in two periods edited his magazine. Hájek describes his boss as a good man but nervous by nature. He had identified the young writer and editor as a suitable husband for his daughter Žofie and someone who could eventually manage Svět zvířat. All his wishes were fulfilled but only after Fuchs's death. Otherwise Hájek writes that his boss was to keen in entangling him in the management of the enterprise, and frequently pulled him off to Prague when he'd rather spend time with Žofie. This led to the mentioned break-up that resulted in Hájek moving to Poděbrady, and he was even prohibited from seeing Žofie. Their relationship was only repaired when Fuchs in the autumn of 1910 was exasperated by Hašek's whims, travelled with his daughter to Poděbrady and begged Hájek to return.

Family relations
fuchsvojtech.png

Národní listy, 9.3.1909

Siegfried Fuchs was born as the first of seven siblings in Hořice (okres Jičín), son of Abraham (1830-1909) and Elenora, neé Kohn (1833-1907). In 1882 he left the Mosaic faith and was from now registered without confession. On 17 Oktober 1882 he married Marie Chválovská (born 1861, Roman-Catholic) in a non-religious ceremony in Jičín. The name Václav is not registered in the birth records, nor in his marriage record, so he must have changed his first name after 1882. The couple had three children: Marie(1885), Žofie (1894) and Václav (1895).

fuchs_dead.jpg

Venkov,28.9.1911

The family was from 26 Desember 1898 listed with address Smíchov No. 908 that indeed was villa Svět zvířat above Klamovka. The parents (father Abraham no called himself Vojtěch/Adalbert) and the youngest brother Diego moved there at the same time. They remained for around six months but the father moved back in 1908 after becoming widowed.

By 1909 the six remaining siblings apparently enjoyed a solid middle class existence (Anna had died). The brother Diego (1876-1941) owned a known gramophone- and instrument factory at Václavské náměstí, Ludvík managed a sugar factory, Evžen ran his own antique trade, Alois was a tradesman and Marie married to a lawyer. The daughter Žofie married Hájek on 5 Oktober 1912. He was at the time editor of Svět zvířat and from 1913 owner and publisher of the magazine.

Fuchs passed away only 54 years old and several newspapers printed notices about his death. The immediate cause was arteriosclerosis and cardiac arrest, the body was cremated in Zittau in Germany, just across the border with Bohemia (at the time Austria did now allow cremation). Editor Hájek wrote the obituary in Svět zvířat[a].

Jaroslav Šerák

V matrikách narozených farnost Hořice jsem žádného Fuchse neobjevil. Žádný Fuchs není ani v indexu. Takže Fuchs se jako židovské dítě asi narodil, ale později se víry vzdal, protože jsem objevil zápis o sňatku a tam je uveden jako Siegfried a bez náboženství. Manželka Marie Chválovská byla katolička, tak možná později přistoupil ke křesťanství. Sňatek měli jen úřední, světský, nikoliv církevní. Neměl to s náboženstvím lehké. Je to vidět na těch antisemitských výpadech v novinách. Proto asi volil pohřeb žehem, aby nebyl pohřben ani jako křesťan, ani jako žid. Také sedí v záznamu o sňatku i datum narození 14.3 .1857.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Jak jsem se vlastně stal kdysi redaktorem ,Světa zvířat’, onoho velice zajímavého časopisu, bylo pro mne nějaký čas hádankou dosti složitou do té doby, kdy jsem sám přišel k tomu názoru, že jsem to mohl provést jen ve stavu naprosto nepříčetném, ve kterém jsem byl sveden přátelskou láskou ku starému kamarádovi Hájkovi, který redigoval do té doby poctivě časopis, ale zamiloval se přitom do dcerušky majitele časopisu pana Fuchse, který ho vyhnal na hodinu pod tou podmínkou, že mu zaopatří redaktora pořádného.
[II.3] ,Kvíčale se má říkat jalovečník nebo jalovice, pane šéf,` podotkl jsem, ,poněvadž se živí jalovcem.` Pan Fuchs uhodil novinami o stůl a vlezl pod kulečník, chroptě ze sebe poslední slova, která přečetl: ,Turdus, kolohříbek. - Žádná sojka,` řval pod kulečníkem, ,ořešník, koušu, pánové!` Byl konečně vytažen a na třetí den skonal v rodinném kruhu na mozkovou chřipku.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Ladislav Hájek

Literature
References
aVáclav Fuchs, zakladatel našeho listu, již nežijeSvět zvířatLadislav Hájek1.10.1911
Fuchsová, Žofienn flag
*26.8.1894 Jičín - †4.10.1919 Praha
Search Švejkův slovník
hajek.png

Žofie Hájková, Ladislav Hájek, Jaroslav Hašek.

Lázně Poděbrady,21.5.1913

fuchsova.png

Wedding announcement

Národní listy,25.9.1912

Žofie Fuchsová is mentioned indirectly by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he on the train from Budějovice to Királyhida relates his experiences as editor of the magazine Svět zvířat. She is referred to as the daughter of the magazine's owner, Mr. Fuchs.

Background

Žofie Fuchsová was the daughter of Václav Fuchs, the owner of Svět zvířat. In 1912 she married Hájek, then editor of the magazine. These circumstances confirm beyond doubt that it is her that Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek refers to in The Good Soldier Švejk.

She was born in 1894[a], presumably in Jičín, and was only 4 when the family moved to Klamovka from where her father managed Svět zvířat and the associated kennel. In 1908 she got aquainted with Hájek, then editor of the magazine, and on 5 Oktober 1912 the two married in the church Svatý Václav in Smíchov[c].

Soon after the wedding the young couple moved to Ferdinandova třída (now Národní) from where her husband published the magazine. For a period Hašek also stayed with them and according to Hájek she was fond of the future author of The Good Soldier Švejk [b]. Little is known about her life thereafter but according to Břetislav Hůla she committed suicide "years ago"[d].

Research by Jaroslav Šerák confirms that he she shot herself in the head on 4 Oktober 1919. She was only 25 years old when she died. We don't know if the couple had any children.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Jak jsem se vlastně stal kdysi redaktorem ,Světa zvířat’, onoho velice zajímavého časopisu, bylo pro mne nějaký čas hádankou dosti složitou do té doby, kdy jsem sám přišel k tomu názoru, že jsem to mohl provést jen ve stavu naprosto nepříčetném, ve kterém jsem byl sveden přátelskou láskou ku starému kamarádovi Hájkovi, který redigoval do té doby poctivě časopis, ale zamiloval se přitom do dcerušky majitele časopisu pana Fuchse, který ho vyhnal na hodinu pod tou podmínkou, že mu zaopatří redaktora pořádného.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Ladislav Hájek, Břetislav Hůla

Literature
References
aPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
bZ mých vzpomínek na Jaroslava HaškaLadislav Hájek1925
cSňatekNárodní listy25.9.1912
dSňatekBřetislav Hůla - LA-PNP14.12.1948
Brehm, Alfred Edmundnn flag
*2.2.1829 Unterrenthendorf - †11.11.1884 Renthendorf
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
brehm.jpg
brehm.png

Tages-Post, 2.12.1876

thierleben.png

Brehms Thierleben, A.E. Brehm, 1876

garrulus.jpg

Jay (garrulus glandarius)

Brehms Tierleben, 4. Band, 1891

Brehm is mentioned 8 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Brehm enters the plot when Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek relates his experiences from his time as editor of Svět zvířat. All the references to Brehm in The Good Soldier Švejk pertain to his magnum opus Brehm's Life of Animals rather than his person.

Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek used invented quotes from Brehm in his zoological polemic with Jos. M. Kadlčák, the editor of Selský obzor.

Background

Brehm was a prominent German zoologist, explorer and writer. Through the multi-volume reference work Brehms Tierleben (Brehm's Life of Animals), his name became a synonym for popular zoological literature. Brehm was a son of a distinguished ornithologist and already as an 18 year old he took part in an expedition to Egypt and the upper Nile (1847-1852), and later he undertook expeditions to Spain, Norway and Siberia. He published books about his expeditions and also went on tours where he lectured about his travels and discoveries. From 1862 to 1867 he was director of the zoo in Hamburg and later he founded the well-known aquarium in Berlin where he remained until 1874. Brehm was married and the father of five children.

Brehms Tierleben

It was however his publishing of the zoological reference work that would make him famous. The first edition, containing six volumes, was published from 1864 to 1869 with the title Illustrirtes Tierleben. From 1876 to 1879 the second edition followed, expanded to 10 volumes, with new illustrations and now titled Brehms Thierleben[1]. Mammals and birds were described in three volumes each, and fish, insects, reptiles and invertebrate in one volume each. The volumes contained 1945 illustrations[a].

The 2nd edition was translated into many languages. The first translation into Czech was published from 1882 to 1990 by publisher Otto. Various translators were involved and one of them was Doctor Bayer who translated the volume on fish and other maritime animals. The third edition was printed from 1890 to 1893 and was the first that appeared after Brehm's death. The differences from the 2nd edition were relatively few. This edition was also translated into Czech and still published by Otto.

Garrulus glandarius

A central part of Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's polemics with Jos. M. Kadlčák is the jay (garrulus glandarius), a bird in the raven family that lives on the Eurasian continent. Marek is remarkably precise when he refers to page 452, because in Brehms Tierleben, volume 4, this is indeed the page where the description of jays starts (3rd edition German version). This strongly indicates that Hašek based the details in The Good Soldier Švejk on the German original and not a Czech translation where it is unlikely that the description is on that very page. The bird itself is pictured on page 454. Whether Hašek had "Brehm" available when he wrote this passage at Lipnice or simply remembered such details is open to speculation but given his unusually good memory even the latter would be no surprise...

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Vtom mne přerušil a optal se, zdali znám drůbežnictví: psy, králíky, včelařství, rozmanitosti ze světa zvířat, vystřihovat z cizích žurnálů obrázky k reprodukci, překládat z cizozemských žurnálů odborné články o zvířatech, umím-li listovat v Brehmovi a mohl-li bych s ním psát úvodníky ze života zvířat se zabarvením katolických svátků, změny ročních počasí, dostih, honů, výchovy policejních psů, národních i církevních svátků, zkrátka mít situační novinářský přehled a využitkovat ho v krátkém obsažném úvodníčku.
[II.3] Přibývala mně nová zvířata každým dnem. Sám byl jsem velice překvapen mými úspěchy v těchto oborech. Nikdy jsem si nepomyslil, že je třeba zvířenu tak silně doplnit a že Brehm tolik zvířat mohl vynechat ve svém spise ,Život zvířat’. Věděl Brehm a všichni ti, kteří šli po něm, o mém netopýrovi z ostrova Islandu, ,netopýru vzdáleném’, o mé kočce domácí z vrcholku hory Kilimandžaro pod názvem ,pačucha jelení dráždivá’?
[II.3] Poslal jsem dopis, ve kterém jsem celou svou theorii vyložil o ořešníku, propletaje dopis četnými nadávkami a vymyšlenými citáty z Brehma.
[II.3] Sojka zůstane sojkou, i kdyby se redaktor ,Světa zvířa’ z toho podě..l, a zůstane to jen dokladem, jak lehkomyslně a nevěcně se leckdys píše, byť by se i on dovolával Brehma nápadně neurvale. Ten sprosťák píše, že sojka patří podle Brehma do čeledi krokodýlovitých, str. 452, kde se mluví o ťuhýku čili strakoši obecném (Lanius minor L.). Pak se tento ignorant, smím-li to jeho jméno zdrobnit, dovolává opět Brehma, že sojka patří do čeledi patnácté, a Brehm havranovité počítá do čeledi sedmnácté, k nimž druží se havrani, rod kavek, a jest tak sprostý, že i mne nazval kavkou (Colaeus) s rodem strak, vran modrých, podčeledí blbounů nejapných, ačkoliv na téže stránce jedná se o sojkách hájních a strakách pestrých...’
Notes
1. Note the change in German ortography, probably introduced at the end of the 19th century: Thierleben -> Tierleben.
Literature
References
aBrehms ThierlebenNeue Freie Presse14.12.1879
Engineer Kún, Vilémnn flag
*1877 Nosislav - †1934
Search Švejkův slovník
khun2.jpg

Pestrý týden,17.11.1928

khun1.png

Pozor,23.8.1913

khun.png

Adresář hlavního města Prahy,1910

Kún is mentioned through "engineer Khúns flea", one of Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's many zoological inventions at Svět zvířat. The discovery was reported in good faith by Čech but ridiculed by Čas (realist party) and it led to a heated debate.

Background

Kún was a long-time friend of Jaroslav Hašek. As Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek states he was an engineer but far better known as an editor and translator. The two had met through Hašek's acquaintance with students from the technical high school at Karlovo náměstí.

Kún was also member of Strana mírného pokroku v mezích zákona. A curiosity is that his home address in 1910 was in the same building as Bendlovka.

Palaeopsylla Kuniana

It was in August 1913 that the Catholic daily Čech printed a short note about "the geologist engineer Kun who not long ago discovered a flea from ancient times in a piece of amber". The discovery happened by Královec[1], the flea was blind and was named Palaeopsylla Kuniana after the man who discovered it[c].

The first to unravel the story of Kun's flea was Social-Democratic Právo lidu who revealed that the "news" was printed in Svět zvířat (The Animal World) during fasting time four years ago and that the "inventor" of the flea was the humorist Jaroslav Hašek. Drily they observed a new development in Catholic science and that Čech that previously drew knowledge from the Holy Scriptures now turned to The Animal World. The article in Právo lidu was reproduced in several newspapers and one of them was the Realist Party paper Čas[c]. This seems to have alerted Čech as they provided an irate response[e]. The similarities to Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's story are thus obvious. The flea-story was even printed in USA where it appeared in several Czech-language newspapers, among them Minnesotské noviny on 11 September 1913.

Mystification

Even though Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's story no doubt is inspired by Hašek's experiences as editor of Svět zvířat there are also some differences. The debate between Čech and Čas took place three years after Hašek's dismissal as editor and can as such not have contributed to him losing the job. Nor is it true that Čech wrote that "what God does he does well". The original article in Svět zvířat has to our knowledge never been identified but to judge by the information from Právo lidu it appeared "at masopust (Lenten period) four years ago"[d]. If this is true it would have been published in February 1909. This timing does however seem strange as Hašek had just started editing the newspaper at that time and would surely not have risked any prank straight away.

Lidové noviny tripped up first
floh.png

Neues Wiener Journal,6.1.1911

Recently (2023) it was pointed out by Alena Kráčmarová that Lidové noviny already five days before Čech's mishap had printed the "revelation"[b]. Thus it was not only the clerical mouthpiece that fell into the trap! The two newspapers used the same headline and wording to the letter. The article may also have been published by others but that's a subject for further research.

Palaeopsylla Klebsiana

Still, this is not the entire story. Already in January 1911 appeared an article that largely aligned with the "news" from Lidové noviny and Čech from 1913. In August 1911 a similar item appeared and here the wording in very close to the later Czech version[f].

There is however one glaring difference: the man who discovered the ancient flea was the known geologist Dr. Klebs and not the geologist Kún! The flea was officially named Palaeopsylla Klebsiana[a] and is scientifically recognised. It is exposed in Göttingen.

From Klebs to Kún

How the slightly distorted story found its way to the columns of the two Czech newspapers more than two years later is a mystery but one must assume that a certain prankster from Prague had a finger in it! However, it is impossible that the news could have appeared in Svět zvířat in 1909 because Klebs obviously discovered the flea in 1910. Nor has it been possible to identify any mention of such a flea in the Animal World during the time that Jaroslav Hašek edited the periodical (February 1909 - October 1910), nor in 1913 when he also contributed to the magazine. So when and how the flea metamorphosed from Klebs to Kún remains an enigma.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Měli do té doby přírodozpytci zdání o nějaké bleše inženýra Khúna, kterou jsem našel v jantaru a která byla úplně slepá, poněvadž žila na podzemním praehistorickém krtkovi, který také byl slepý, poněvadž jeho prababička se spářila, jak jsem psal, s podzemním slepým macarátem jeskynním z Postojenské jeskyně, která v té době zasahovala až na nynější Baltický oceán?

Sources: Radko Pytlík, Jaroslav Šerák, Václav Menger, Alena Kráčmarová

Also written:Khún Hašek

Notes
1. Královec is the Czech name of Königsberg (now Kaliningrad), a city by the Baltic Sea.
2. Richard Klebs (1850-1961) was a well known German geologist and an expert on amber.
Literature
References
aEin vorweltlicher BernsteinflohNeues Wiener Journal6.1.1911
bBlecha z dávnověkuLidové noviny12.8.1913
cBlecha z dávnověkuČech17.8.1913
dHaškova blecha a katolická vědaČas21.8.1913
eNovověká kukačka lapajicá pravěké blechyČech22.8.1913
fEin Floh der VorweltNeues Wiener Journal19.8.1911
Beekeeper Pazourek, Karelnn flag
*1858/1859 - †17.5.1913 Čestice
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pazourek.jpg

Svět zvířat,15.12.1909

Photo: Martin Dvořák

pazourek2.png

Svět zvířat,1.1.1910

pazourek.png

Český včelař,15.6.1913

Pazourek was a well know bee-keeper who was hit by a stroke when he read Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's advice on bee-keeping in Svět zvířat.

Background

Pazourek no doubt refers to Karel Pazourek, an expert beekeeper and head teacher from Čestice in hejtmanství Hradec Králové . Various newspaper clips and adverts reveal that he was active in beekeeping associations and often travelled around to give lectures and hold courses on the subject.

A well-known beekeeper

Little is known about the life of Pazourek but his name appeared in connection with beekeeping already in 1897[a]. Otherwise, we know that he died in May 1913 at the age of 54, was a family father and was well known amongst bee-keepers[b].

Apart from giving lectures and courses he also wrote for specialised magazines like Český včelař (The Czech Beekeeper) and significantly Svět zvířat. During Hašek's time as editor of the magazine (February 1909 - Oktober 1910) Pazourek contributed to almost every issue and it must be assumed that the two met.

He continued his contributions until a few weeks before his death and the magazine honoured him with an obituary.

Mystification

The claim by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek that he was hit by a stroke seems not to be true as Pazourek was seriously ill in March 1913 but still contributed until died in May[b]. Moreover, Pazourek died two and a half year after Hašek was sacked as editor of Svět zvířat.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Původ k tomu daly mé různé drobné zprávy o včelařství, drůbežnictví, kde jsem rozvinul své nové theorie, které způsobily pravé zděšení, poněvadž po mých jednoduchých radách ranila známého včelaře pana Pazourka mrtvice a vyhynulo včelaření na Šumavě i v Podkrkonoší.
Literature
References
aXIV. sjezd včelařů Česko-slov. v České SkaliciČeský včelař15.10.1897
bÚmrtíČeský včelař15.6.1913
Editor Kadlčák, Josef M.nn flag
*15.11.1856 Březnice - †27.4.1924 Praha
Wikipedia cz Search Švejkův slovník
kadlcak.jpg

Politický kalendář občanský a adresář zemí koruny České, 1911

kadlcak.png

Čech, 28.4.1924

Jos. M. Kadlčák is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he relates his experiences as editor of Svět zvířat.

Background

Jos. M. Kadlčák was a teacher, editor and conservative politician from Moravia who from 1907 served as Reichsrat deputy for the Catholic National Party. From 1907 (or earlier) until 1911 he was editor of the monthly Selský obzor (Farming Horizon), an activity he undertook from Frýdlant nad Ostravicí where he lived from 1886 to 1919[a]. In Czechoslovakia he continued his political career and at the time of his death in 1924 he was deputy chairman of the Czechoslovak Senate.

Dispute with Hašek

Due to the many similarities between Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek from The Good Soldier Švejk and Jaroslav Hašek regarding their respective careers as editors of Svět zvířat, we must assume that the dispute between Marek and Jos. M. Kadlčák to a degree is inspired by Hašek's own experiences at the magazine.

It is an indisputable fact that Jos. M. Kadlčák edited Selský obzor at the time when Hašek edited Svět zvířat (1909 and 1910) and that he indeed was a clerical parliamentary deputy as Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek says. That Country Life at the time printed pictures of jays is also a foregone conclusion and it is very likely that Svět zvířat did so as well.

On the other hand we can rule out that Selský obzor printed any editorial or other articles that took issue with Hašek and his renaming of the jay to "walnutter". So when Hašek wrote The Good Soldier Švejk he probably "mystified his own mystification" to some degree. Thus it would be careless to assume that Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's experiences fully reflected those of Hašek. That said there is definitely a core of truth in the story, but it would require a systematic investigation of both Country Life and Svět zvířat to shed more light on this question.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Vrhl jsem se na ptáky žijící na svobodě a ještě dnes se pamatuji na svou affairu s redaktorem ,Selského obzoru’, klerikálním poslancem ředitelem Jos. M. Kadlčákem! Vystřihl jsem z anglického časopisu ,Country Life’ obrázek nějakého ptáčka, který seděl na ořechu. Dal jsem mu název ořešník, stejně jako bych se nijak logicky nerozpakoval napsat, že pták sedící na jalovci je jalovník, případně jalovice. I co se nestalo. Na obyčejném korespondenčním lístku napadl mne pan Kadlčák, že prý je to sojka a žádný ořešník, a že prý je to překlad Eichelhäher. Poslal jsem dopis, ve kterém jsem celou svou theorii vyložil o ořešníku, propletaje dopis četnými nadávkami a vymyšlenými citáty z Brehma. Poslanec Kadlčák odpověděl v ,Selském obzoru’ úvodním článkem.
Literature
References
aWer ist wer: Kadlčák, JosefRepublik Österreich - Parlament
Doctor Bayer, Františeknn flag
*15.5.1854 Mšené - †5.4.1936 Praha
Wikipedia ru Search
bayer.png

Zlatá Praha, 15.5.1914

sojka_b.png

"Naši ptáci", Fr. Bayer, 1888

bayer1.png

"Naši ptáci", Fr. Bayer, 1888

Bayer is mentioned by Jos. M. Kadlčák in his dispute with Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek about jays (Ganulus glandarius B) and nutcrackers (Mucifraga carycatectes B). Marek maintained that 'B' meant blb (idiot) whereas it probably refers to the initial letter of Bayer.

Background

Bayer was a Czech zoologist, ornitologist and paleontologist, author of a number of scientific works. Amongst them was the popular science book Naši ptáci (Our birds), published in 1886 and 1888[a]. He also translated Brehm's "Tierleben" (Animal Life) (3rd volume)[c] and wrote a number of entries for Ottův slovník naučný. Bayer was a highly respected scientist and by 1914 held the formal title as government advisor.

Naši ptáci

As mentioned the book "Our birds" was published in 1886 and 1888 and was a leading reference work in ornithology. It is this book that Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek refers to when he quotes Jos. M. Kadlčák about the jay (sojka), a bird that was described on page 148. Indeed the jay is described on this page. Then on page 150 the nutcracker (ořešník) follows. Bayer uses the latin terms corvus glandarius, L. and corvus caryocatactes, L. On the other hand the Latin terms that Marek used seem to be twisted variations of those used by Brehm and are unvisersally recognised: Garrulus ganulus and Nucifraga caryocatactes.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Čtu spokojeně dál, nedaje se přerušovat. ,Je to darebáctví, když se to děje od neodborníků a surovců. Kdo kdy říkal sojce ořešník? V díle Naši ptáci na straně 148 jest latinský název: Ganulus glandarius B. A., je ten můj pták - sojka. Redaktor vašeho listu zajisté uzná, že znám lépe svého ptáka, než ho může znát neodborník. Ořešník se nazývá podle dra Bayera Mucifraga carycatectes B., a to ,b’ neznamená, jak mně psal váš redaktor, že je to začáteční písmeno slova ,blb’. Čeští ptakopisci znají vůbec jenom sojku obecnou, nikoliv vašeho žaludníka, kterého vynašel právě ten pán, na kterého patří začáteční písmeno ,B’ podle jeho theorie. To jest neurvalý osobní nájezd, který na věci nic nezmění.
Literature
References
aKnihy redakci Lumíra zaslanéLumír20.9.1886
bNaši ptáciDr. František Bayer1888
cŽivot zvířatNárodní listy8.11.1889
Mestek, Ferdinandnn flag
*17.3.1858 Praha - †16.6.1916 Praha
Search Švejkův slovník
mestek.jpg
mestek_kukla.png

Noční Prahou, K.L. Kukla, 1927

mestek5.png

Prager Tagblatt,15.12.1907

mestek4.png

Národní politika, 17.1.1914

mestek1.png

Bohemia,5.7.1914

mestek3.png

Lidové noviny, 18.6.1916

mestek2.png

Letem světem, 30.4.1935

Mestek is mentioned when Švejk's provides a counterpoint to Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's tale about his experiences as editor of Svět zvířat, where the theme is that anyone can make mistakes. In this case Mestek was the one who made the mistake. He claimed to have discovered a mermaid who he subsequently exhibited in a window in Havlíčkova třída in Vinohrady. The "mermaid" was a woman frå Žižkov who after finishing her daily performance as mermaid was seen soliciting in Táborská ulice. The lady didn't have a police book and when Polizeikommissar Drašner discovered this she was locked up and Mestek's mermaid business came to an end.

Background

Mestek was a city character and household name in Prague, a man with an extremely diverse career and who even caught the attention of some prominent writers. Amongst these were Jaroslav Hašek and Egon Erwin Kisch.

City character

Ferdinand Mestek was born in 1858 in a house opposite Emauzský klášter, son of a tailor from Mníšek[a] and one of four siblings. From 1888 he is listed in the police records, as for instance "gold worker" and "pub landlord", descriptions that don't cover his extremely varied activities. He had a number of professions (impresario, circus director, flea circus owner, pub landlord) but they were rarely executed with fortune.

One example is a short appointment at the workshop of the firm Eduard Lokesch & Son (see Artur Lokesch), where we has employed after claiming knowledge of gold. The hollowness of the claim was quickly exposed and the working relation was terminated (Egon Erwin Kisch).

In 1907 he was on a long tour that included Maribor, Vienna, Brno, Olomouc and Innsbruck. One of the attractions was the lady Lona who was exhibited suspended in the air. Mestek was married to Anna, but his wife died in 1909 at an age of 44.

In literature

His major claim to fame is his part in the mildly ironic story Dramaturgie des Flohtheaters by Egon Erwin Kisch. It was printed in Kisch's book Die Abenteuer in Prag[g] from 1920[g]. It is largely a largely a reprint of three stories about Mestek that Kisch published in Bohemia in the summer of 1914[h][i][j]. Kisch also wrote a play about Mestek in 1925 and staged it at the Rokoko Theatre at Václavské náměstí. The main character was played by Vlasta Burian (1891-1962)[d], a comedian and actor who also have played Švejk.

Hašek also knew Mestek in person and his name appears in a couple of short stories printed in Tribuna during the spring of 1921. These were Tři muži se žralokem[b] and Reelní podnik[c], both written a few months before Mestek was introduced to the readers of The Good Soldier Švejk. The latter was in 1975 filmed with Miloš Kopecký playing Mestek.

Jaroslav Hašek and Egon Erwin Kisch were not the only ones who wrote about Mestek. Both Jan Neruda and Jakub Arbes had already "discovered" him and thus added him to the Czech literary heritage. Karel Ladislav Kukla also wrote about him and revealed that Mestek actually exhibited mermaids, albeit stuffed[e]. Whether or not this happened in Havlíčkova třída like Švejk claims has not been verified.

Obituaries

Mestek was a well known character in Prague, even to the extent that most major newspapers printed sympathetic obituaries when he died form tuberculosis in 1916. Amongst them were Bohemia, Národní politika, Prager Tagblatt, and Lidové noviny. In the latter Eduard Bass even wrote a longer tribute to him[f].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Jednou před lety byl v Praze nějakej Mestek a ten vobjevil mořskou pannu a ukazoval ji na Havlíčkově třídě na Vinohradech za plentou. Ve plentě byl otvor a každej moh vidět v takovej polotmě prachvobyčejný kanape a na něm se válela jedna ženská ze Žižkova.
[II.3] V sedumhodin večer pak Mestek zavřel panorámu a řek: ,Mořská panno, můžete jít domů,` vona se převlíkla a v deset večer už ji bylo vidět chodit po Táborskej ulici a zcela nenápadně každýmu pánovi, kterýho potkala, říkat: ,Hezoune, šel si to zafilipínkovat.` Poněvadž neměla knížku, tak ji při šťáře s druhejma podobnejma myšema pan Drašner zavřel, a Mestek měl po kšeftě."

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Egon Erwin Kisch, Jaroslav Hašek

Literature
References
aFerda Mestek de PodskalJaroslav Šerák
bTři muži se žralokemTribunaJaroslav Hašek3.4.1921
cReelní podnikTribunaJaroslav Hašek8.5.1921
dJak si Ferda Mestek de Podskal obšlápnul koncesi na bleši divadloTribuna7.5.1925
eNoční PrahouK. L. Kukla1927
fFerda Mestek de PodskalLidové novinyEduard Bass28.6.1916
gDramaturgie des FlohtheatersEgon Erwin Kisch1920
hFerda Mestek de PodskalBohemiaEgon Erwin Kisch21.6.1914
iMestek sucht personalBohemiaEgon Erwin Kisch5.7.1914
jAus den Geheimnissen eines FlohtheatersBohemiaEgon Erwin Kisch19.7.1914
Dantenn flag
*1265 Firenze - †14.9.1321 Ravenna
Wikipedia czdeenitno Search
dante.jpg

Dante is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek on the train to Bruck. He ridicules the escorting corporal who he compares to a Dante character.

Background

Dante was a famous Italian poet of the Middle Ages. His La divina commedia, is often considered the greatest literary work composed in the Italian language and a masterpiece of world literature. Dante is also recognised as the father of the Italian language.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] „Pane desátníku,“ řekl jednoroční dobrovolník, „vy mně připomínáte nyní, jak sledujete šumné hory a vonné lesy, postavu Danta. Týž ušlechtilý obličej básníka, muže srdce a ducha jemného, přístupného šlechetnému hnutí. Zůstaňte, prosím vás, tak sedět, tak pěkně vám to sluší.
Sculptor Štursa, Jannn flag
*15.5.1880 Nové Město na Moravě - †2.5.1925 Praha
Wikipedia czdeen Search Švejkův slovník
stursa.jpg

Štursa as soldier in IR. 81

Světozor, 13.11.1914

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Pilsner Tagblatt, 31.12.1916

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Kuděj meeting Hašek - Štursa was present

© LA-PNP

Štursa is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek as he wonders if the escort corporal on the train to Bruck ever stood model for the sculptor sculptor Štursa.

Background

Štursa is regarded as one of the founders of modern Czech sculpture. He studied at k.k. Kunstakademie (Academy of Art) in Prague from 1899 to 1904 and was employed there from 1908[b]. At the outbreak of war in 1914 he was called up and sent to the front with Infanterieregiment Nr. 81 (Jihlava). Due to a damaged hand he was deemed unfit for carrying arms, and served as an officer's servant and other auxiliary duties, amongst them assisting at funerals. The latter activity was later reflected in his art. In 1916 he was released from service and could resume his career, now as a professor at the art academy[b]. sculptor Štursa committed suicide in 1925, allegedly due to depression related to syphilis.

Acquaintance of Hašek

Jaroslav Hašek knew sculptor Štursa in person as he frequented the same circles as the author of The Good Soldier Švejk. Zdeněk Matěj Kuděj recalled that the sculptor was present at Montmartre on the day that Hašek and Kuděj met for the first time (in 1909 at the earliest)[a]. Hájek also wrote about them enjoying common company, this time at U Brejšky[c].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] „Dovolte, pane desátníku, nestál jste snad modelem sochaři Štursovi?“ Desátník podíval se na jednoročního dobrovolníka a řekl smutně: „Nestál.“
Literature
References
aJaroslav Hašek spisovatel a člověkZdeněk M. Kuděj
bK.k. KunstakademiePrager Abendblatt5.6.1908
Doctor Mráznn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
mraz.png

Prager Tagblatt,11.7.1911

Mráz was a reserve officer, in civilian life a teacher of maths at a realgymnasium. He was commander of the troop transport train between Budějovice and Bruck and led the inspection patrol who in the arrestee car encountered an unexpected passenger, the snoring Feldoberkurat Lacina.

Background

The list of officers from Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 does not contain any Mráz but it should be noted that the surname (it means "frost") is widespread in southern Bohemia where this regiment was recruited from[c]. Elsewhere in Bohemia the name is less common and in the address book for Prague for 1910 only two are listed. One of them actually had a doctor title but was however in the subject of law, not in mathematics.

Interesting is a note by Bohumil Milčan about an episode that took place in a hotel Budějovice in 1915. Hašek was offered to stay in the flat of some H. Mráz who was about to serve two weeks in the arrest[b]. On a further military note, Mráz is a frequent name in the Verlustliste of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91. During the battle of Chorupan no less than five of them were reported missing or injured[a].

Newspapers reveals the existence of dr. Antonín Mráz (1870-1935), a doctor of theology. He held a prominent position in the Catholic Church in Budějovice [d]. Significantly he was also a lecturer at a middle school (reálka) in Písek so there is at least some similarity with the literary figure. Still it would be very far-fetched to assume a connection between the theologist and Hašek's reserve officer.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Do vagonu vstoupila inspekce. Velitelem vojenského vlaku byl štábem naznačen reservní důstojník doktor Mráz. Na takové hloupé služby vždy házeli reservní důstojníky. Doktor Mráz byl z toho jelen. Nemohl se dopočítat pořád jednoho vagonu, ačkoliv byl v civilu profesorem matematiky na reálném gymnasiu.
[II.3] "Jak se jmenujete?" otázal se doktor Mráz, dívaje se opět do svých papírů. "Švejk Josef, poslušně hlásím, pane lajtnant " "Ehm, vy jste tedy ten známý Švejk," řekl doktor Mráz, "vy jste měl opravdu vyjít o jedenácté. Ale pan nadporučík Lukáš mne žádal, abych vás nepouštěl až v Brucku, je prý to bezpečnější, alespoň na cestě nic nevyvedete."
References
aSeznamy ztrát - 91. pěší plukÖStA - Jan Ciglbauer2021
bVoják Jaroslav Hašek v Čes. BudejovicíchBohumil Milčan
cPříjmení: 'Mráz', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
dÚmrtí kněze-vlastenecJihočeské listy3.7.1935
Fredynn flag
Search

Fredy is mentioned by the drowsy Feldoberkurat Lacina as he is woken up by Doctor Mráz' inspection. It is possible that he recognized Mráz, who thus carries the first name Bedřich (Friedrich).

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Desátník obrátil po delší námaze vrchního polního kuráta naznak, přičemž se ten probudil, a vida důstojníka před sebou, řekl: „Eh, servus, Fredy, was gibt’s neues? Abendessen schon fertig?“ Zamhouřil opět oči a obrátil se k stěně.
Supák Schreiternn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
schreiter.png

Schreiter is an extremely rare surname in Czechia.

Příjmení: 'Schreiter', počet výskytů v celé ČR2017

Schreiter was a junior officer who Švejk had a conflict with when doing his national service. Schreiter had called the soldiers railway watchmen, a description that Švejk, as a soldier serving the Emperor objected to. He complained to the company commander, it was passed on to the battalion and finally to the regiment. Schreiter in the end had to apologize to Švejk in front of the officers. This happened in 1912 during the so-called Prochaska Affair (see konsul Prochaska).

Background

Where Hašek drew inspiration for supák Schreiter[1] from is unclear. The author himself didn't serve in the army until 1915 so it could not have been based on any personal experience from 1912. Schreiter is an altogether rare surname and not even in Verlustliste for Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 does it appear[a]. This however doesn't rule out that a similar incident took place somewhere and that Hašek know about it, be it from newspapers or from fellow soldiers.

1. Supák was a colloquial term for a soldier who stayed on in the armed forces after completing his compulsory military service. The actual rank of the figure from The Good Soldier Švejk is Feldwebel. See also supák Solpera.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] „Já vám něco povím, pane kaprál,“ poznamenal Švejk, „já už jsem starej voják, sloužil jsem před válkou, a vono se to vždycky s těma nadávkama nevyplácí. Když jsem tenkrát sloužil před léty, pamatuju se, že u nás byl u kumpanie nějakej supák Schreiter. Von sloužil za supu; moh jít už jako kaprál dávno domů, ale byl, jak se říká, uhozenej.
[II.3] ,Co chceš?’ povídá hejtman. ,Mám, poslušně hlásím, pane hejtmane, stížnost na našeho pana feldwebla Schreitra, my jsme přec císařští vojáci, a ne žádní vechtři. My sloužíme císaři pánu, ale nejsme žádní hlídači ovoce.’
[II.3] Toho se lek a hned dal do kanceláře zavolat našeho supáka Schreitra a ten mě musel vodprosit přede všema oficírama za to slovo ,vechter’.
[II.3] Já jsem si na nic nemohl vzpomenout, a tak jsem se z dlouhý chvíle podepsal na stěně pod název ,Supák Schreiter je hnát’.
[II.3] Asi patnáctkrát tu zeď od magacínu s těma nápisama i s mým podpisem páni od vojenskýho soudu fotografovali, desetkrát mně dali napsat, aby zkoumali můj rukopis: ,My na vojnu nepůjdeme, my se na ni vyséreme’, patnáctkrát musel jsem psát před nimi ,Supák Schreiter je hnát’ a nakonec přijel jeden znalec písma a dal mně napsat: ,Bylo 29. července 1897, kdy Králový Dvůr nad Labem poznal hrůzy prudkého a rozvodněného Labe’.
Literature
References
aSeznamy ztrát - 91. pěší plukÖStA - Jan Ciglbauer2021
Konsul Prochaska, Oskar Ferdinand Alfons Mariann flag
*12.7.1876 Adamov - †26.7.1945 Wien
Search Švejkův slovník
prochaska.jpg

Rozkvět, 10.12.1912

prochaska.png

Biographisches Lexikon zur Geschichte der böhmischen Länder,2000

prochaska1.png

East Oregonian, 16.11.1912

prochaska2.png

Arbeiter-Zeitung, 18.11.1912

prochaska3.png

Reichspost, 19.11.1912

prochaska4.png

Österreich-Ungarns Aussenpolitik, Band 5, 1930

prochaska5.png

Lidové noviny, 16.1.1913

Prochaska is mentioned in Švejk's story from his time doing military service in 1912. He was accused of writing "We'll shit on the war" on a wall by a munitions dump. This happened when war was looming due to that consul Prochaska. Švejk was taken to the Landesgericht in Terezín because of his alleged scribbling.

Background

Prochaska was an Austro-Hungarian diplomat who in the autumn of 1912 hit the headlines all over the world because of the so-called Prochaska Affair, a diplomatic twist between Austria-Hungary and Serbia that threatened to ignite a major war in Europe[1].

Early years

Prochaska was born in Adamov by Brno in 1876, the son of Ferdinand (lawyer) and Olga (nee Lachnit, also from a family of lawyers). He was educated at k.u.k. Konsularakademie in Vienna (1895-1900). After completing his military service as a one-year volunteer, he was from December 1901 employed at consulates in Ottoman Balkans: Üsküb (Skopje), Monastir (Bitola), Prizren. At the last location, he worked from April to August 1904, then from December 1906 until February 1913, and from 22 January 1911 as consul[b]. On 10 January 1912, he had his surname changed to Prochaska-Lachnit[a].

The Prochaska Affair

After the outbreak of the First Balkan War on 17 Oktober 1912 the situation in Prizren became tense. At the end of the month, Serbian forces entered the city[c] and Prochaska's employers at k.u.k. Außenministerium lost contact with him. On 8 November the Serbian ambassador in Vienna filed a complaint to the Foreign Ministry, claiming that the consul had organised resistance against the invaders and that shots had been fired at them from the roof of the consulate[m]. That very day the Austrian press started to take an interest in the matter[l]. On the 16th Neue Freie Presse received a telegram from the Serbian government, assuring that the consul in Prizren was well and there was no reason for concern. The content was printed the next day[r].

The good news however drowned in the noise caused by an article on the 17th in the Berlin paper Vossische Zeitung. It concerned the events in Prizren and claimed that the Serbians massacred the Muslim population, and forced their way into the consulate and killed Albanians who had taken refuge there[n]. On the 18th the article was quoted in many Austrian newspapers and Reichspost in particular blew up the story. On the 19th it claimed that the consul had been gored by bayonets and was seriously injured[j]. The war cry became louder and louder, the flag on the consulate had allegedly been desecrated and it was claimed that Prochaska had been murdered[k], even entmannt (castrated). The demands for severe measures against Serbia increased and war loomed. Russia raised the alert and partly mobilised in the army districts that bordered Austria-Hungary. The Dual Monarchy decided to put parts of the army on a war footing.

In the meantime, Prochaska had decided to leave Prizren and on the 25th he arrived in Üsküb[e], a city that already for a month had been occupied by Serbia and renamed Skoplje. From here it was possible to send dispatches to k.u.k. Außenministerium about the events of the recent weeks[f]. Prochaska revealed that from 10 November guards had been posted by the consulate so Prochaska was prevented from leaving the premises, and moreover, his horse had been stolen. The employees at the consulate had been verbally abused and on departure, he was sworn at by a stone-throwing mob. On the other hand, the writing in some newspapers of Austria-Hungary about mutilation and murder were pure inventions and Prochaska didn't report any desecration of the flag or that the consulate had been attacked. Nor had he been subjected to any physical harm.

Still, not all the stories in the press of his homeland were invented. Prochaska himself witnessed several cruel episodes where the Albanians were victims. The Serbian reign of terror in the occupied areas was also reported by Leo Trotsky, a journalist (later well-known revolutionary) who reported on the Serbian occupation of Ottoman Makdeonia at the end of 1912[d].

On 13 Desember 1912 k.u.k. Außenministerium finally received a report from the ambassador in Belgrade (von Ugron) that summarised the affair[h]. There had been certain transgressions of international law by the Serbians, but it was added that if the consul had exercised more tact the matter might have been resolved with less disruption. Still, in an answer dated 19 December Austria-Hungary demanded that Serbia officially apologise and that the flag of the Dual Monarchy again is raised in Prizren, and with Serbian soldiers and Prochaska himself present[i].

These terms were accepted by the Serbians and the case was seemingly resolved. On 15 January 1913 at 10 in the morning, the flag was raised in a ceremony where the consul appeared in gala uniform and the Serbian military formed a guard of honour with the band playing[o]. Still there must obviously have been frictions because on 24 February he was replaced.

Outcome

The Prochaska affair was an omen of the disaster that was to follow 18 months later. The affair went hand in hand with Austro-Hungarian opposition to allowing Serbia a port on the Adriatic, and this issue was arguably more important than the Prochaska Affair itself. Large parts of the Austrian press took a belligerent stance and military measures were taken. A total of eight army corps were mobilised, totalling more than half a million men[x]. The Czech press and public were generally sceptical and some newspapers attacked Prochaska directly using the word pověstný (notorious). The Austrian Social Democrats were particularly vocal in their opposition to the war. Some large Vienna newspapers like Die Zeit and Neue Freie Presse showed a more measured approach. In the end, the affair became an embarrassment for Austria-Hungary who also had wasted resources on the partial mobilisation.

Later life

In 1913 Prochaska-Lachnit obtained a new position as consul in Rio de Janeiro and he kept this post until after World War I. Then he became a Czechoslovak citizen but was not allowed a pension so he moved to Vienna. Even there he had trouble getting his service recognised but he eventually obtained a position as a lecturer in Portuguese at the university but this was as late as 1937. Later that year 1937 he was also employed by a court as an interpreter in English, French and Italian[z].

Meeting E.E. Kisch
prochaska6.png

Der rasende Reporter, Egon Erwin Kisch, 1924

On at least three occasions Egon Erwin Kisch wrote about a chance meeting he had with Prochaska in Brno, presumably in the early twenties. The famous reporter touched on the rumours of castration and asked the former consul directly: "Ist es wahr, Herr Generalkonsul, daß Sie 1912 von den Serben kastriert worden sind?". Prochaska grinned and reassured Kisch that this was not the case before he went on to explain how the rumour came about in the first place.

When around 26 November 1912 the news broke that he had arrived in Skopje there was a technical problem. In Serbian it sounded correctly "Prochaska u Skoplje" (Prochaska in Skoplje) but because of an error with the telegraph machine, the letter 'n' had been added. In the Serbian language "uskopljen" is something far more sinister than simply being present in the Macedonian capital: it means that the subject has been castrated! Thus the letter 'N' had a severe effect on the flow of world history. Kisch's article was printed in Prager Tagblatt on 1 July 1923 [t] and in a slightly shorter version in Der rasende Reporter (1924)[p] and more verbose in Marktplatz der Sensationen (1942)[s].

Hašek and Prochaska

Radko Pytlík assumes that a story about the affair that was printed just before Christmas 1912 in Karikatury was written by Hašek although it was signed by one of his friends[q] (Hašek often borrowed pseudonyms from his circle of acquaintances). Here he ridicules the affair, particularly the Christian-Social party and their mouthpiece Reichspost. This newspaper was behind some of the more absurd claims about Prochaska and was one of the prime warmongers. Hašek also added in his grotesque way that the consul had his intestines cut out and that these were sold for 5 dinars per centimetre in Skopje.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Nešťastnou náhodou ještě nad tím nápisem byl jinej: ,My na vojnu nepůjdeme, my se na ni vyséreme’, a to bylo v roce 1912, když jsme měli jít do Srbska kvůli tomu konsulovi Procházkovi. Tak mě hned poslali do Terezína k landgerichtu.

Also written:Oskár Procházka cz

Literature
References
aMatrika narozených (Adamov)Moravský zemský archiv Brno
bDie effektiven Konsuln Österreich (-Ungarns) von 1825–1918Engelbert Deusch2017
cPrizrend erobertPrager Tagblatt31.10.1912
dBehind the Curtains of the Balkan WarsLev Trotsky - tr. Robert Elsie1912
eNr. 4625. Tel. des Konsuls Maryan von Heimroth aus Üsküb, 25. Nov. 1912Österreich-Ungarns Aussenpolitik1930
fNr. 4646. Tel. des Konsuls Maryan von Heimroth aus Üsküb, 26. Nov. 1912Österreich-Ungarns Aussenpolitik1930
gNr. 4647. Tel. des Konsuls Maryan von Heimroth aus Üsküb, 26. Nov. 1912Österreich-Ungarns Aussenpolitik1930
hNr. 4896. Bericht aus Belgrad, 13. Dez. 1912Österreich-Ungarns Aussenpolitik1930
iNr. 4968. Erlass nach Belgrad, 19. Dez. 1912Österreich-Ungarns Aussenpolitik1930
jKonsul Prochaska durch Bajonettstiche verletztReichspost19.11.1912
kHilf, Österreich, wir gehen unter!Grazer Volksblatt26.11.1912
lDer Konflikt des Konsuls ProchaskaDie Zeit8.11.1912
mNr. 4316. Tel. nach Belgrad, 8. Nov. 1912Österreich-Ungarns Aussenpolitik1930
nSchreckenszenen bei der Einnahme von PrizrendVossische Zeitung17.11.1912
oSatisfakce v PrizrenuLidové noviny16.1.1913
pDer rasende ReporterEgon Erwin Kisch1924
qBojovnost vídeňských křesťanských sociálůKarikaturyEduard Drobílek23.12.1912
rDer österreich-ungarische Konsul Prochaska wohlbehaltenNeue Freie Presse17.11.1912
sMarktplatz der SensationenEgon Erwin Kisch1924
tDer Buchstabe ״n“ und der WeltkriegPrager Tagblatt1.7.1923
xBalkan Mobilisation CrossNew Zealand History
zPersonalnachrichtenNeues Wiener Abendblatt5.10.1937
1Prochaska AffairThe International Encyclopedia of the First World War8.10.2014
Coal trader Škvor, Františeknn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
skvor.jpg

General František Škvor (1868-1941)

skvor.png

Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních, 1910

František Škvor is mentioned in a story Švejk tells on the train from Budějovice til Királyhida. Škvor was a coal trader who was locked up together with him at c.k. policejní ředitelství at the beginning of the war, was accused of high treason, and was known for his famously nebulous comment when asked if he had objections to the court protocol:

Let things have been as they have been, they have been, nevertheless, one way or another So far it has never been that things wouldn’t be one way or another

Later he appeared before a military court and may have been executed.

Background

Škvor is in Bohemia a moderately common surname (it means ear-wig), predominantly found around Benešov[a]. In Vinohrady lived three František Škvor in 1912 (one servant, one brick-layer and one assistant installer). In the address book of Prague from 1910 ten of them are listed but none of them as a coal trader. On the other hand a certain Ferdinand Škvor from Žižkov is listed as a trader in coal and wood[b].

General Škvor

Hašek may also have been aware of a high-ranking officer who shared both the first- and surname of the coal trader from The Good Soldier Švejk. That said, the two obviously had little in common because the officer hardly traded in coal and was definitely not put in jail at the start of the war. Rather the opposite: František Škvor (1868-1941) enjoyed a distinguished military career both in k.u.k. Heer (Feldmarschall-Leutnant by 1917) and later as general in the Czechoslovak army[c].

Another well-known František Škvor (1898-1970) was a composer but his date of birth indicates that Hašek hardly could have been aware of him when he wrote The Good Soldier Švejk in 1921-1922.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Jako jsem znal jednoho uhlíře, kerej byl se mnou zavřenej na začátku války na policejním ředitelství v Praze, nějakej František Škvor, pro velezrádu, a později snad taky vodpravenej kvůli nějakej pragmatickej sankci. Ten člověk, když se ho u vejslechu ptali, jestli má nějaký námitky proti protokolu, řek: ,Aťsi bylo, jak si bylo, přece jaksi bylo, ještě nikdy nebylo, aby jaksi nebylo.’
References
aPříjmení: 'Škvor', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bAdresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedníchVojtěch Kraus1910
cArmádní generál Ing. František ŠkvorSpolek pro vojenská pietní místa5.5.2007
Reservist Kudrna, Josefnn flag
*1.12.1881 Postřižín - †7.5.1915 Motol
Wikipedia cz Search Švejkův slovník
kudrna.jpg

K vítězné svobodě 1914-1918, Rudolf Medek, 1928

kudrna.png

Prager Tagblatt,7.5.1915

Kudrna is mentioned by one of the guards on the train to Királyhida. Kudrna was executed at Motol because of an incident where he got upset with a captain who hit his son with a sabre. This allegedly happened in Benešov where Kudrna was saying goodbye to his family before leaving for the front.

Background

Kudrna was a soldier in IR102 who was accused of mutiny in Benešov. He was executed by a firing squad at Motol on 7 May 1915 and left his wife and seven children behind. Shortly after his widow committed suicide. The story has been dramatised and filmatised (1929), and in 1935 a book about him was published[a].

Protests and rebllion

Kudrna was called up at the outbreak of war and sent to the front against Serbia with IR102. At some stage he was wounded and after recuperating he was assigned to 10. Marschbataillon that was due for the front in the Carpathians.

When the news about the imminent departure caught the ear of the soldiers on 3 May 1915 a drinking binge started and a conflict erupted (albeit unarmed) when two unpopular officers Oberstleutnant Kukačka and Hauptmann Chocenský tried to control the situation. In the end Dragons were dispatched to quell the threatening rebellion[c]. Three soldiers, amongst them Kudrna, were considered the leaders of the alleged mutiny and for some reason the latter was singled out as the main culprit and sentenced to death by martial court. The other two were given prison sentences[b].

Early victim

Kudrna was one of the best known victims of the persecution that the Austrian authorities carried out in Bohemia and Moravia after the outbreak of war. He was also the first to be sentenced to death by k.u.k. Militärgericht Prag. The case was very quickly conducted and bore traces of a judical murder. It also appeared to be designed to deter Czech soldiers from obstructing the war effort, an assumption underpinned by the fact that the replacement battalion of IR102 and also the Prague garrison were commanded out to witness the execution.

The main architect of the affair seems to have been general Schwerdtner (see Generalmajor von Schwarzburg) who himself was present at the exercise ground in Motol during the execution.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Teď prej toho hodně věšejí a střílejí,“ řekl jeden z mužů eskorty, „nedávno nám četli na execírplace befél, že v Motole vodstřelili záložníka Kudrnu, poněvadž hejtman sekl šavlí jeho chlapečka, kerej byl na ruce u jeho ženy, když se s ním v Benešově chtěla loučit, a von se rozčílil.
Literature
References
aPoprava pěšáka KudrnyFrantišek Zavřel1935
bPoprava Josefa Kudrny, oběti rakouské vojenské justiceVHÚ Praha13.5.2015
cJosef Kudrna, oběť rakouské soldateskyFrantišek Loubal1929
Editor Kotek, Josefnn flag
*17.6.1883 Plzeň - †23.12.1914 Moravská Ostrava
Wikipedia cz Search
kotek.jpg

K vítězné svobodě 1914-1918-1928

Rudolf Medek, 1928

pokrok.png

One of the last issues of Pokrok that Kotek edited.

Pokrok,24.7.1914

kotek1.png

News about the execution of Kotek

Prager Abendblatt,2.1.1915

Kotek is indirectly referred to "as an editor in Mähren" when a soldier in the escort on the train from Budějovice to Királyhida talks about recent executions. He gives reservist Kudrna and the editor as examples.

Background

Kotek is not mentioned by name in The Good Soldier Švejk but the timing and circumstances around this part of the plot leave no doubt that Kotek was the man the soldier on the train had in mind. He was the only editor that had been executed at this time, and probably the only Czech editor that was executed during the entire war. He is no doubt one of the best-known victims of Austrian wartime persecution.

Unionist and editor

Josef Kotek hailed from a working-class family and was himself a trained metal worker. From 1901 to 1904 he worked at Škoda and otherwise also in Prague, Jičín, Náchod, Mladá Boleslav and Přerov. He engaged in trade union and poltical work, and was active in the consumer co-operative and in Česká strana národně sociální. From 1 August 1913 he was editor of the party's regional weekly Pokrok in Prostějov in Mähren[a]. After the outbreak of war, the paper was sensored and Kotek decided to close it[b].

Sentenced and executed

On 6 Desember 1914 Kotek held a talk for co-op members in a tavern in the village of Smržice by Prostějov. The purpose was to explain to the local members why their branch had to be closed down, but the speech proved fatal. He was denounced, arrested and tried at a military court in Moravská Ostrava. According to some witnesses, his speech was strongly anti-Austrian and anti-German whilst Kotek himself claimed that he had uttered nothing against the state, and simply pointed out that the war hurt the co-op movement[c].

He was sentenced to death by a k.k. Landwehr martial court on 23 Desember 1914 and executed by a firing squad only two hours after the verdict[b]. The sentence was announced in the new year in the newspapers. In order to deter, placards were posted across Moravia. The justification for the harsh verdict was that Kotek's utterance were hostile to the state and the unity of the empire, although he was sentenced according to a paragraph on public order.

Aftermath

In connection with the general amnesty of emperor Karl I. on 2 July 1917, the case was reconsidered and Kotek was rehabilitated post-portem[d]. This news item even reached Jaroslav Hašek in faraway Kiev and he mocked Kotek's "amnesty" in a feuilleton that he had published on New Year's Eve that year[e].

Already before the war ended, the social democrat daily Arbeiter-Zeitung described the execution of Kotek as judicial murder and pointed out that the paragraph he was judged by carried a maximum sentence of 5 years and that a field court had no jurisdiction behind the lines[f]. This was obviously also pointed out by the Czech press after the war.

In posterity, Kotek was honoured in Czechoslovakia. He had streets named after him and memorial plaques have also been installed, for instance on the wall of the tavern where he held his fatal speech.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] A politický lidi vůbec zavírají. Taky už vodstřelili jednoho redaktora na Moravě. A náš hejtman povídal, že to na vostatní ještě čeká.“
Literature
References
aZodpovědný redaktor Jos. KotekPokrok1.8.1915
bŽivot a poprava Josefa KotkaFerdinand Kahánek1922
cStandrechtliche HinrichtungDeutsches Nordmährerblatt1.1.1915
dAmnestován dva a půl roku po popravěDělnické listy20.9.1917
eFeuilleton (Velmi důmyslně stojí...)ČechoslovanJ.H.31.12.1917
fDas Strafgesetz bestimmtArbeiter-Zeitung18.5.1918
Esaunn flag
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
esau.jpg

The Mess of Pottage, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (French, 1836-1902), gouache on board, 8 3/8 x 10 1/2 in. (21.3 x 26.8 cm), at the Jewish Museum, New York.

Esau is mentioned by the stupid Korporal in the escort from Budějovice to Királyhida. He was making himself important by telling a story of how he harassed an editor who had problems getting to grips with the practicalities of military life. The editor cleaned his buttons so shoddily that "they were rusty red as Esau".

Background

Esau was son of Rebecca and Isaac in the Book of Genesis. His brother was Jacob, father of the nation of Israel.

Esau was according to the Book of Genesis born hairy and rusty red and this is where the expression "red as Esau" comes from.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Desátník vzdychl: „Ani ty faldy na mantlu neuměl si udělat, až z Prahy si vobjednával vodičky a různý mastě na čistění knoflíků, a přece takovej jeho knoflík vypadal zrzavej jako Ezau.
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konicek.png

Example of a stabbed corporal

Deutsches Volksblatt,15.6.1909

Koníček was a soldier from Infanterieregiment Nr. 35 who had stabbed to death a Korporal who had pestered him, and then stabbed himself. This was a story Švejk told the corporal who was responsible for the prisoners on the train from Budějovice to Királyhida. Švejk had read about the incident in Kurýr.

Background

No obvious model for Koníček has been identified. That soldiers killed their superiors happened and the newspapers mentioned a handful of such incidents over the years. Some victims were stabbed by knife or bayonet, but most of the cases involved firearms. Corporals were found amongst perpetrators as well as victims. Any case as grotesque as that of Koníček has not been pin-pointed (Kurýr is of 2022 not available digitally).

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] „Pro tyhle samý věci, pro takový sekýrování, zapích před léty u pětatřicátýho regimentu nějakej Koníček sebe i kaprála. Bylo to v ,Kurýru’.
Korporal Fialann flag
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Fiala was a junior officer from Drábovna by Turnov who some years ago had his throat slit by his own soldiers in Dalmatia. This is in a story Švejk tells the escort corporal about corporals who had been killed by their own men.

Background

Fiala is a very common Czech surname and Verlustliste reveal that several of them were Korporal. Still, as in the related case Koníček it has not been possible to find any parallel to the story in newspapers from the period in question. It must therefore be assumed that the story is one of Švejk's grotesque exaggerations or even invention, an assumption that is underpinned by the fact that Drábovna was not a populated place.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Jinej případ byl před léty v Dalmacii, tam kaprála podřezali a dodnes se neví, kdo to udělal. Zůstalo to zahalený v tajnosti, jen se ví tolik, že ten podřezanej kaprál se jmenoval Fiala a byl z Drábovny u Turnova.
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rejmanek.jpg

KdeJsme.cz,2022

Rejmánek was a junior officer from Infanterieregiment Nr. 75, part of the same story as Korporal Fiala, which Švejk fails to complete because Feldoberkurat Lacina wakes up making noises like the young giant Gargantua. To judge by the two other corporals in the anecdote Rejmánek also suffered a grim fate.

Background

Rejmánek is a very rare Czech surname[a] and searches for such a junior officer in periodicals from the relevant historical period show no results. The surname it however appears, albeit rarely. Schematismus reveals one Leopold Rejmánek who in 1914 is listed as Oberartzt i. d. Reserve in Infanterieregiment Nr. 13. Rejmánek was born in 1884 and was the only person with this surname that is registereed with the police in Prague (1909 til 1913). He was from Hradec Králove and eventually he became a well-known medic in his home city. This indicates that the stay in Prague was for study purposes. He lived in Vinohrady in 1913[b]. Hašek mingled a lot with students but it would be far-fetched to concluded that there is any connection.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Potom ještě vím o jednom kaprálovi od pětasedmdesátejch, Rejmánkovi...“
References
aPříjmení: 'Rejmanek', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
Gargantuann flag
Wikipedia czdeenfrno Search
gargantua.jpg

Gustave Doré, 1873.

gargantua1.jpg

Original print, Lyon, 1535

Gargantua is mentioned when the author compares the sounds Feldoberkurat Lacina emits with the sounds of the awakening giant Gargantua.

Background

Gargantua is one of the two main protagonists in a five-volume epic by Rabelais, titled La vie de Gargantua et de Pantagruel, written in the 16th century. Gargantua is the father and Pantagruel the son in these stories. It is a satirical work, replete with vulgarities and descriptions of troublesome digestion.

Translated into Czech

The novel series was translated into Czech in the period from 1912 and 1930[b], so the inspiration for the sounds that Hašek attributes to Feldoberkurat Lacina is probably from the first book. Several translations into English exist[c].

Gargantua as newly born

Early in this volume (chapter 6) there is a description of how the newly born Pantagruel behaved. In this sequence the reader may recognise elements from Lacina's waking up in The Good Soldier Švejk [a] without this necessarily being the passage that Hašek had in mind.

Chapitre VI.

En sorte qu’elles considerant ceste complexion divine pour le resiouir au matin faisoyent davant luy donner des verres avecques un cousteau, ou des flaccons avecques leur toupon, ou des pinthes avecques leur couvercle. Auquel son il s’esguayoit, il tressailoit, et luy mesmes se bressoit en dodelinant de la teste, monichordisant des doigts, et baritonant du cul.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Páter se probouzel v celé své kráse a důstojnosti. Jeho probouzení bylo provázeno těmitéž zjevy, jako ranní probuzení mladého obra Gargantuy, jak to popisoval starý veselý Rabelais.
References
aLa vie inestimable du grand Gargantua, père de PantagruelFrançois Rabelais1535
bŽivot Gargantuův a PantagruelůvFrançois Rabelais1930
cGargantua and his son PantagruelFrançois Rabelais1894
Rabelais, Françoisnn flag
*1483 (1494) Chinon - †9.4.1553 Paris
Wikipedia czdeenfrno Search
rabelais.jpg

Rabelais is mentioned when the author compares the sounds Feldoberkurat Lacina emits with the sounds of the awakening giant Gargantua. He is referred to as "old merry Rabelais".

Background

Rabelais was a French monk, humanist, scholar, doctor and not the least author. He is best known for his five volume satirical classic The lives of Gargantua and Pantagruel.

Jaroslav Hašek has often been compared to Rabelais, an author he obviously had read and been inspired by.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Páter se probouzel v celé své kráse a důstojnosti. Jeho probouzení bylo provázeno těmitéž zjevy, jako ranní probuzení mladého obra Gargantuy, jak to popisoval starý veselý Rabelais.
Literature
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marina.jpg

Pochodové písně českoslov. vojáka, 1919

marina.png

Slovanské písně lidové k pochodu a cvičením prostným,1912

Marína from Hodonín appears in a verse Švejk sings for Feldoberkurat Lacina during the train journey to Bruck. The latter does not get angry despite the verse's suggestion of immorality amongst the clergy.

Background

Marína is the subject of a Slovak folk song that exists in a few variations (Švejk only sings the first verse). It was popular as a soldier's song in the Legions and also amongst Czech and Slovak soldiers in k.u.k. Heer.

In 1919 it was included in a song-booklet that the Czechoslovak military authorities published in Irkutsk. Except for two ortographical details the text of the first verse is the same as in The Good Soldier Švejk [a]. In a pre-war version the first verse is different as there is no allusion to the priest[b].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Ide Marína od Hodonína, za ní pan farář s bečicú vína.
[II.3] "Kdyby zde alespoň bylo trochu rumu, nemusela by být bečka vína," řekl usmívaje se v naprosté přátelské náladě, "a tu Marínu bychom si taky odpustili, beztoho to jen svádí ke hříchu."
Literature
References
aPochodové písně českoslov. vojákaInformačně-osvětový odbor Ministerstva vojenství1919
bSlovanské písně lidové k pochodu a cvičením prostnýmFrantišek Waic1912
Bricklayer Mlíčkonn flag
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mlicko2.png

The roofer Mlíčko in Dejvice, 1910.

Mlíčko was a bricklayer from Dejvice who was in the habit of lending others small change but he rarely got the money back. This was according to an anecdote Švejk told on the train from Budějovice til Királyhida. He is not to be confused with carpenter Mlíčko.

Background

It has not been possible to identify any "model" for this figure although one Antonín Mlíčko (born 1885) actually lived in Dejvice from 1906 onwards[a]. His profession is however not known. See carpenter Mlíčko for further information.

A roofer

A certian František Mlíčko (born 1871) also lived in Dejvice and worked as a roofer[b], an occupation that at least is related to bricklayer. He was registered in Dejvice from 1896 and his occupation is given as "tapezierer".

A rare name

Mlíčko is a rare family name and in 2021 only 35 persons are named such. Many of them live in the area around Blatná. The address directory of Prague (1910) only contain 6 persons with this surname.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] "Von mně připomíná s těma drobnejma, který nemá", prohodil Švejk, "že je jako nějaký Mlíčko, zedník z Dejvic, ten taky neměl tak dlouho drobný, až se zasekal po krk a byl zavřenej pro podvod. Prožral velký a neměl drobný."
Literature
References
aPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
bAdresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedníchVojtěch Kraus1910
Oberleutnant Kirschnernn flag
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kirschner.png

Prager Tagblatt,1.12.1914

kirschner1.png

Adresař hl.m. Prahy,1910

Kirschner was a senior lieutenant whose servant Oberleutnant Lukáš had to share when Švejk was on his anabasis or was locked up in Budějovice. The servant of Kirschner neglected Lukáš totally, to the degree that Lukáš was glad to have Švejk back despite his numerous misdeeds. The reunion happened at a railway station in Vienna.

Background

There were many officers named Kirschner in k.u.k. Wehrmacht in 1914 but none of them belonged to Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 or other units that were garrisoned in Budějovice [a][b].

Karl Kirschner

Still there is a minor chance that the former bank-employee Jaroslav Hašek may have known about an Oberleutnant (reservist) Karl Kirschner from Traindivision Nr. 8[c] and borrowed his name. He was from Prague and worked at Česká spořitelna (Böhmische Sparkasse) and was the son of a railway inspector. In 1914 Prager Tagblatt reported that Kirschner had been promoted from Leutnant [e] at the front in Serbia and in 1915 he was decorated with a Signum Laudis[d]. Kirschner was born in 1881 and lived in Korunní třída in Vinohrady[f], an area that Hašek knew well and lived in from 1906 to 1908 or 1909.

Because Traindivision Nr. 8 belonged to 8. Korpskommando Prague it is very likely that it operated in the same sections of the front as Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 but their exact deployment during the war is yet to be investigated.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Jeho situace byla velice nepříjemnou, poněvadž měli prozatím s nadporučíkem Kirschnerem jednoho burše. Chlapík se staral vlastně výhradně jen o svého pána a provozoval úplnou sabotáž, když šlo o nadporučíka Lukáše.
Literature
References
aSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 1)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1914
bSchematismus der k.k. Land­wehr (s. 1)Ministerium für Landesverteidigung1914
cRanglisten des Kaiserlich und Königlichen Heeres (s. 924)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1916
dBeförderung an der FrontPrager Tagblatt1.12.1914
eKriegsauszeichnungenPrager Tagblatt29.8.1915
fPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
Vaníčeknn flag
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vanicek.png

KdeJsme.cz,2017

Vaníček is mentioned in an anecdote Švejk tells Oberleutnant Lukáš at a railway station in Vienna when he emphasises that everything that has happened until now has been bad luck, mere divine management as old Vaníček from Pelhřimov said when he had been sentenced for the 36th time.

Background

Vaníček is a common Czech surname and in 2022 a few families live in Pelhřimov [a]. Still, it has not been possible to identify any source of inspiration for this figure. Hašek used the name also in the stories Number fifteen[c] and The unhappy story with the tomcat[b], but here the figure(s) Vaníček had little in common with the unfortunate old man from Pelhřimov.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] „Vostudu,“ pokračoval Švejk, „jsem vám jistě nikdy neudělal, jestli se něco stalo, to byla náhoda, pouhý řízení boží, jako říkal starej Vaníček z Pelhřimova, když si vodbejval šestatřicátej trest.
References
aPříjmení: 'Vaníček', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bNešťastná historie s kocouremHumoristické listyJaroslav Hašek23.6.1911
cČíslo patnáctHlas liduJaroslav Hašek26.11.1912
Erzherzog Stephannn flag
*5.9.1860 Židlochovice - †7.4.1933 Żywiec
Wikipedia deensv Search Švejkův slovník
kstephan.jpg

Karl Stephan, Erzherzog von Österreich

Stephan is said to have honoured the house of pleasure Zum Kukuruzkolben with a visit during the large manoeuvres by Sopron in 1908.

Background

Stephan (Archduke) would over the years fit several people but none of them were alive in 1908 when the army manoeuvres by Sopron supposedly took place.

The person that Hašek had in mind was therefore most likely Karl Stephan, an Austrian archduke of the House of Habsburg, brother of Erzherzog Friedrich and admiral in k.u.k. Kriegsmarine. Explanations found in the most recent Polish and German translations of The Good Soldier Švejk also assume this, and Milan Hodík arrived at the same conclusion. The hypothesis makes some sense but on the other hand it seems strange that a naval officer attended the exercises of the terrestrial armed forces.

Kaisermanövern 1908
manover.png

Illustrierte Kronen-Zeitung,4.3.1908

Hašek was however on track when he referred to the large manoeuvres by Sopron in 1908. That year western Hungary hosted the annual Kaisermanövern and Sopron was indeed one of the sites. The manoeuvres headquarters were located further east, in Hajmáskér by Veszprém. The newspapers reported on the event and reveal that many luminaries attended: Kaiser Franz Joseph I., Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand, Erzherzog Karl Franz Joseph, Feldmarschall Conrad, Erzherzog Friedrich etc. Franz Ferdinand headed the manoeuvres that took place from 15 to 18 September 1908. On the other hand Karl Stephan is not mentioned and we shall soon discover why.

Engagement celebration
radziwill.jpg

Karl Stephan's alibi, his future son-in-law.

Österreichische Illustrierte Zeitung,6.9.1908

Based on other news items it is safe to conclude that Karl Stephan hardly could have attended these manoeuvres. On 12 September 1908 he and his wife travelled to attend a celebration in Balice by Kraków, not far from their residence in Saybusch (Żywiec). The occasion was the engagement of their daughter Renata to Prince Hieronim Mikołaj Radziwiłł (1885–1945) and Neue Freie Presse reported that around that time the noble party had been on an excursion to Wola-Justowska (now part of Kraków)[a]. It is therefore unlikely that the archduke left the area around Kraków during the period the Kaisermanövern lasted.

That some archduke at some stage visited some brothel in Királyhida is of course possible but it would not have been Karl Stephan during the great exercises by Sopron in 1908. Most likely the whole episode is inspired by hearsay and enhanced by the author's urge to heap dirt on the Austrian elites.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

Stephan is mentioned also in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí and the context is the same: his alleged visit to Zum Kukuruzkolben during the manoeuvres in 1908.[1]

Jinak Királyhida je zaprášené město. Obyvatelé nevědí, jestli jsou Němci nebo Maďaři. Městské děvy pěstují flirt s důstojníky vojenského tábora z Brucku. Také tu kvete prostituce jako všude v Maďárii. Jsou tam jen dvě památnosti, zříceniny cukrovaru a vykřičený dům U kukuřičního klasu, který ráčil poctíti svou návštěvou arcivévoda Štěpán roku 1908 za velkých manévrů.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Jinak Királyhida je zaprášené město. Obyvatelé nevědí, jestli jsou Němci nebo Maďaři. Městské děvy pěstují flirt s důstojníky vojenského tábora z Brucku. Také tu kvete prostituce jako všude v Maďárii. Jsou tam jen dvě památnosti, zříceniny cukrovaru a vykřičený dům U kukuřičního klasu, který ráčil poctíti svou návštěvou arcivévoda Štěpán roku 1908 za velkých manévrů.
[II.3] Od opuštěného pavilónku, kde dřív za času míru fotografoval nějaký fotograf vojáky trávící zde mládí na vojenské střelnici, bylo vidět dole v údolí u Litavy červené elektrické světlo v bordelu „U kukuřičného klasu“, který poctil svou návštěvou arcivévoda Štěpán při velkých manévrech u Šoproně v roce 1908 a kde se scházela denně důstojnická společnost.

Also written:Arcivévoda Štěpán Hašek Habsburg–Tescheni Károly István hu

Literature
References
aZur Verlobung der Erzherzogin RenataNeue Freie Presse21.9.1908
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Offiziersdiener Mikulášeknn flag
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mikulasek.jpg

Mikulášek was the servant of Major Wenzl, a small and feeble fellow who in Királyhida gets totally ridiculed by Švejk and Oberleutnant Lukáš.

This is the first time the good soldier shows his ruthless streak, or rather: he shows that he doesn't suffer fools. Towards people of his own rank he can afford to be straightforward in this respect, against his superiors he needs to be cunning and use irony as a weapon in such a way that he doesn't get caught.

Background

This figure doesn't seem to have any obvious model from real life, unlike for instance his superior Major Wenzl. Mikulášek is not an uncommon surname but is mostly found in Moravia. In the recruitment area of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 it is very rare so it is unlikely that anyone with this name served with Jaroslav Hašek in the regiment[a]. More frequent in the area is the similar Mikolášek[b] and this variation provides a few clues, although pretty airy.

IR. 91 in 1915

In Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 some Zugsführer Jan Mikolášek served together with Hašek. He was assigned to the 13th company and was taken prisoner by Pogorelcy east of Chorupan on 11 September 1915[c]. Hašek may have known him but it would be far-fetched to claim that this person was a "model" for Mikulášek. At most, it could be a question of name-borrowing. Mikolášek had first served in the army in 1908 and this doesn't fit the description in The Good Soldier Švejk of a youth. In 1915 he would have been around 28.

An episode in 1920

In both his books about Hašek Jan Berwid-Buquoy wrote that some Jan Mikolášek told him about an episode that was very similar to the one described in The Good Soldier Švejk. According to this story, Mikolášek was in 1920 assigned to help Rudolf Lukas when he started serving in the Czechoslovak ministry of defence. Hašek dropped by to greet his former commander and engaged in a conversation with Mikolášek who was sitting on a table. When Lukas returned he allegedly ordered Hašek to get find the pistol to shoot Mikolášek down from the table[d]!

At first glance this appears as a "good story" which it probably also is. That such an episode happened in Prague in 1920 is impossible because Rudolf Lukas served in Budějovice and Ružomberok that year and was transferred to the ministry of defence as late as 1 June 1921. Thus any suh meeting must have occured during the summer of 1921 (Hašek left Prague on 25 August). It is also odd that Lukas during conversations with Morávek[f] didn't mention that he ever met Hašek after the war and to my knowledge there are no others who can witness that such a meeting actually took place.

Moreover Mikolášek is a mystery in his own right because no-one in Hašek's circle mentions him in their various books and he also remained unknown to modern biographers. Mikolášek was born in 1900 and was still alive in 1982. Jan Berwid-Buquoy provided pictures of him in both his books. It is also claimed that he was Hašek's intimate friend and even attended the funeral. Furthermore, Mikolášek was of the opinion that Hašek didn't die from natural causes, that he was poisoned.

Herostrates?

According to Jan Berwid-Buquoy's latest book (2011) Mikolášek also claimed that he lent Hašek 50 crowns on the condition that he was featured in The Good Soldier Švejk. Hašek also allegedly borrowed another 50 crows provided that Mikolášek was given a part in the play From Karlín to Bratislava in 365 days[e]. He was also promised a meeting with Egon Erwin Kisch and Emil Artur Longen, but this never materialised. Nor was he ever paid back the money he had lent Hašek. In the play, some Mikulášek is actually the main character and a stoker on the boat that carries out the long journey. The play was first performed just before new year 1921 so it is unlikely that it was written during the summer when Hašek was still in Prague. According to Radko Pytlík the play was written by Hašek and Longen at Lipnice at the end of 1921[g].

One could also imagine that someone who took a financial risk just to get his name into a certain novel would be prone to invent the entire story as well (or parts of it), a Herostratus in a miniature shape. If he knew Hašek that well, why didn't he contact recognised Hašek-experts some time during the preceding 30 years?

From Karlín to Bratislava in 365 days
lanna8.png

LA-PNP,29.12.1921

karlin365.png

Tribuna,30.12.1921

This is a play that was written in 1921, presumably close to the end of the year. It is a farcical story about a roundabout journey from Prague to Bratislava with the steamer Lanna, along the waterways of Europe. The play was first advertised in Tribuna, Prager Presse and Rudé právo on 30 Desember 1921 and the authors were literally: E.E. Kisch, Rossenvelt pres. U.S.A., J. Hašek, Jules Werenes, E.A. Longen. It was performed at the theatre Adria, the same stage that from 1 November 1921 had hosted Emil Artur Longen's theatre version of The Good Soldier Švejk with Longen as director. In later adverts "Werenes"" and "Rossenvelt"" were for obvious reasons left out.

The manuscript reveals that the script was approved by the police on 29 Desember 1921 and that the censors had some objetions! Still, there were no major changes. Emil Artur Longen, Jaroslav Hašek and Egon Erwin Kisch are listed as authors[x].

Two names that are familiar from The Good Soldier Švejk feature prominently: Mikulášek and pubkeeper Rampa. Incidently these names appeared in the novel around the time when the play was written. In the play Mikulášek is a stoker and main character whereas Rampa is described much in the same way as in the novel. One of the scenes involves Mikulášek being drunk in Rampa's pub!

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] „Nadporučík Lukáš,“ řekl přistupuje k Mikuláškovi nepříliš pevným krokem, „a jak vy se jmenujete?“ Mikulášek mlčel. Lukáš přitáhl si židli před Mikuláška na stole, sedl si, dívaje se na něho nahoru, řekl: „Švejku, přineste mně z kufru služební revolver.“ Mikulášek po celou dobu, co Švejk hledal v kufru, mlčel a jen se vyděšeně díval na nadporučíka. Jestli se v té chvíli pochopil, že sedí na stole, byl jistě ještě zoufalejší, poněvadž jeho nohy dotýkaly se kolen sedícího nadporučíka. „Jářku, jak se jmenujete, člověče?“ volal nahoru na Mikuláška nadporučík.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Jan Berwid-Buquoy

Literature
References
aPříjmení: 'Mikulášek', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bPříjmení: 'Mikolášek', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
cSeznamy ztrát - 91. pěší plukÖStA - Jan Ciglbauer2021
dDie Abenteuer des gar nicht so braven Humoristen Jaroslav HašekJan Berwid-Buquoy1989
eJaroslav Hašek a jeho Dobrý voják ŠvejkJan Berwid-Buquoy2011
fJaroslav Hašek - dobrý voják ŠvejkVečerní České Slovo - Jan Morávek1924
gToulavé houseRadko Pytlík1971
xZ Karlína do Bratislavy parníkem Lanna 8 za 365 dníE.E. Kisch - Jaroslav Hašek - E.A. Longen29.12.1921
Mrs. Kakonyi, Etelkann flag
Search Švejkův slovník
kako.png

Die „Abenteuer des Braven Soldaten Schwejk” in Österreich1983

etelka.png

Venkov,3.11.1907

Etelka Kakonyi Kakonyi is mentioned 7 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Etelka Kakonyi was the wife of the ironmongers Mr. Kakonyi in Soproni utca in Királyhida. Oberleutnant Lukáš fell for her in the theatre in Királyhida and the subsequent letter of admiration was the reason for the huge scandal that ensued after her husband had read the letter. We are also told that she was a German from Sopron.

Background

Mrs. Kakonyi has no obvious model, although it can't be ruled out that the literary character was inspired by some real person and event. It can however be stated with near certainty that no person carrying this name lived in Bruck an der Leitha or Királyhida in 1915[a].

It is also striking that the author assigns a Hungarian name to a German lady from Sopron, further evidence to suggest that this figure has no real-life model.

Short stories

The name Etelka Kakonyi had appeared in Hašek's writing already in 1905 and recurred a few times over the years[b].

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

There is a precedent to the story of the scandal involving the Kakonyi couple, and it is from the author himself. It had appeared already in 1917 in the short novel Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí, although in a partly different setting.[1]

Švejk nalévat koňak, který je tak důležitou oporou politické psychologie němectví. Pak Dauerling napsal nějaké psaní a odevzdal je Švejkovi s rozkazem, že musí hledět to psaní doručit za jakýchkoliv okolností a čekat na odpověď. Adresa zněla: Királyhida, Pozsony utca 13, Etelka Kakonyi.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Švejk nalévat koňak, který je tak důležitou oporou politické psychologie němectví. Pak Dauerling napsal nějaké psaní a odevzdal je Švejkovi s rozkazem, že musí hledět to psaní doručit za jakýchkoliv okolností a čekat na odpověď. Adresa zněla: Királyhida, Pozsony utca 13, Etelka Kakonyi.
[II.3] Dobrá, tak vy, zítra ráno asi tak v deset hodin, půjdete dolů do města, najdete ten dům a půjdete nahoru do prvního patra a odevzdáte paní Kákonyiové toto psaní.“
[II.3] „Je to věc náramně důležitá, Švejku,“ poučoval ho dál, „opatrnosti nikdy nezbývá, a proto, jak vidíte, není tam adresa. Já se na vás úplně spoléhám, že odevzdáte to psaní v pořádku. Poznamenejte si ještě, že ta dáma se jmenuje Etelka, tedy zapište si paní Etelka Kakonyiová. Ještě vám říkám, že musíte to psaní diskretně doručit za všech okolností a čekat na odpověď. Že máte čekat na odpověď, o tom je už napsáno v dopise. Co ještě chcete?“
[II.3] Dobrá, tak vy, zítra ráno asi tak v deset hodin, půjdete dolů do města, najdete ten dům a půjdete nahoru do prvního patra a odevzdáte paní Kakonyiové toto psaní.
[II.4] Spíš by snad vás zajímal článek v ,Komárenském večerníku’, kde se o vás tvrdí, že jste se pokoušel znásilnit paní Kákonyiovou přímo v jídelně při obědě u přítomnosti jejího manžela, kterého jste ohrožoval šavlí a nutil ho, aby zacpal ručníkem ústa své manželky, aby nekřičela.
[II.4] Je s ním nějaký sapér Vodička, u kterého po rvačce našli, když je přivedli na hauptwachu, váš dopis, který jste poslal paní Kákonyiové.
[II.4] „Pane nadporučíku,“ obrátil se na něho důvěrně plukovník, „ruku na srdce. Kolikrát jste se vyspal s paní Kákonyiovou?“
[II.5] Našel jsem šťastně paní Kákonyiovou a mohu říct, že je to velice hezká ženská, já ji sice viděl jenom, když plakala...

Sources: Klara Köttner-Benigni

Literature
References
aDie „Abenteuer des Braven Soldaten Schwejk” in ÖsterreichKlara Köttner-Benigni - Konrad Biricz1983
bElindúlta Ajgó Márton…SvětozorJaroslav Hašek18.8.1905
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Mr. Kakonyi, Gyulann flag
Search Švejkův slovník
kakonyi.png

Josef Lada,1930

kako.png

Die „Abenteuer des Braven Soldaten Schwejk” in Österreich1983

kakoni.png

Duch času,19.7.1903

Kakonyi is mentioned 11 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Kakonyi was the owner of an ironmonger's shop in Soproni utca, married to Etelka Kakonyi. He did nok take lightly to the letter from Oberleutnant Lukáš that Švejk and Sappeur Vodička delivered, intended for his wife. The ensueing row led to a massive brawl between Magyars and Czechs out on the street. The affair ended up in numerous Hungarian newspapers, and became a huge scandal, further complicating the inter-ethnic relations in the empire. His first name is revealed only once, in the article by deputy Barabás in Pester Lloyd.

Background

Mr. Kakonyi has no obvious model, although it can't be ruled out that Jaroslav Hašek was inspired by some real person and event. It can be stated with near certainty that no person carrying this name lived in Bruck or Királyhida at the time[a].

Five short stories

The name Gyula Kakonyi appeared in Hašek's writing as early as 1903[b] and 1904[c]. In 1907 his name appeared in another and longer story[d]. The surname Kakonyi is found in two more stories. In all five short stories the context is entrirely different from the plot in The Good Soldier Švejk, and two of them are set in Slovakia.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

There is a precedent to the story of the scandal involving the Kakonyi couple. It had appeared already in 1917 in the short novel Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí, although in a partly different setting. Here the author lets Kakonoyi live in Pozsony utca 13, another street that didn't exist. Gyula Kakonyi owns a stationary shop, and he welcomes Švejk with a tirade against the Austrians, i.e. the peoples of Cisleithanien, including Czechs.[1]

Pan Kákonyi tedy pokračoval. Rozebral poznovu, co to znamená souručenství Maďarů s Rakušany. Proklel Švejkovi i Dauerlingovi matku. Řekl: "My známe své Rakušany," a dál rozvinul svůj program. Kdo mu poleze za ženou, toho srazí schodů.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Pan Kákonyi tedy pokračoval. Rozebral poznovu, co to znamená souručenství Maďarů s Rakušany. Proklel Švejkovi i Dauerlingovi matku. Řekl: "My známe své Rakušany," a dál rozvinul svůj program. Kdo mu poleze za ženou, toho srazí schodů.
[II.3] Ten krám patří nějakému Maďarovi Kakonyimu. Víte, co je to Maďar? Tak himmelherrgott, víte nebo nevíte? Víte, dobře. Nahoře nad krámem je první patro a tam on bydlí. Víte o tom? Že nevíte, krucifix, tak já vám povídám, že tam bydlí. Stačí vám to? Stačí, dobře. Kdyby vám to nestačilo, tak vás dám zavřít. Máte poznamenáno, že se ten chlap jmenuje Kakonyi? Dobrá, tak vy, zítra ráno asi tak v deset hodin, půjdete dolů do města, najdete ten dům a půjdete nahoru do prvního patra a odevzdáte paní Kakonyiové toto psaní.“
[II.3] Za tohoto poutavého a poučného rozhovoru našel Švejk s Vodičkou konečně železářský krám pana Kákonyie na Sopronyi utcza čís. 16.
[II.3] Švejk s Vodičkou stáli před dveřmi bytu pana Kákonyiho. Než přitlačil na knoflík zvonku, poznamenal Švejk: „Slyšel jsi někdy, Vodičko, že vopatrnost je matkou moudrosti?“
[II.3] Rozčilený pán se chtěl vrhnout na Švejka, který stál klidně a spokojeně před ním, ale starý sapér Vodička, sledující každý jeho pohyb, podrazil mu nohu, vytrhl mu psaní z ruky, kterým stále mával, strčil do kapsy, a když se pan Kákonyi vzchopil, chytil ho Vodička, odnesl ke dveřím, otevřel si dveře jednou rukou, a už bylo slyšet, jak na schodech se něco válí.
[II.3] Po rozčileném pánovi zůstal jen ubrousek. Švejk ho zvedl, zaklepal slušně na dveře pokoje, odkud před pěti minutami vyšel pan Kákonyi a odkud bylo slyšet ženský pláč.
[II.3] Srazil paty dohromady, zasalutoval a vyšel na chodbu. Na schodech nebylo znát tak dalece nijakých stop zápasu, zde dle předpokladů Vodičkových odehrávalo se vše úplně lehce. Jedině potom u vrat v průjezdě našel Švejk utržený nákrční límeček. Tam se patrně, když pan Kákonyi zoufale se zachytil domovních vrat, aby nebyl vyvlečen na ulici, odehrával poslední akt této tragedie.
[II.3] Zato na ulici bylo rušno. Pana Kákonyiho odtáhli do protějšího průjezdu, kde ho polívali vodou, a uprostřed ulice bil se starý sapér Vodička jako lev proti několika honvédům a honvéd-husarům, kteří se zastali svého krajana.
[II.4] K jaké národnosti patřili vojáci z nedalekého vojenského tábora v Brucku nad Litavou, kteří přepadli a ztrýznili tamějšího obchodníka pana Gyulu Kákonyie?
[II.4] Když se mě pan auditor zeptal, proč jsme vtrhli do bytu toho pana Kákonyiho, tak jsem mu prostě řek: ,Já myslel, že se nejlépe s panem Kákonyim poznáme, když ho budem navštěvovat.’ Pan auditor se mě pak už na nic neptal a měl už toho dost.
Literature
References
aDie „Abenteuer des Braven Soldaten Schwejk” in ÖsterreichKlara Köttner-Benigni - Konrad Biricz1983
bDobrodružství Gyuly KákonyeNárodní listyJar. Hašek28.6.1903
cNezdaření výměnaNárodní listyViktor Janota27.1.1904
dŘádný učitelVenkovJaroslav Hašek3.11.1907
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Waitress Růženkann flag
Search Švejkův slovník

Růženka was a well known Czech waitress at Zum schwarzen Lamm who was owed money by every one-year volunteer who had ever set his foot in Bruck. Her friend was Sappeur Vodička.

Background

Růženka appears to have had a real-life model, a certain Růženka who according to Bohumil Vlček worked at "U růže" (Zur Rose)[a]. The author may thus have used the same model for two different fictional persons. See Zur weißen Rose.

Bohumil Vlček

V lágru nás nic nepoutalo, proto po zaměstnáni navštěvovali jsme v Mostě hostinec u "Růže" kde nás obsluhovala naše česká číšnice Růženka / jak v románě též o tom zmínka :/ Tam byl stalým hostem Jaroslav Hašek, kterého jsem tam též osobni poznal. Většinou do restaurace chodili Češi, jednoročáci a i mužstvo od náhr. praporu.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Vodička bydlíval před léty v Praze na Bojišti, a proto při takovém setkání nezbylo nic jiného, než že oba zašli do hospody „U černého beránka“ v Brucku, kde byla známá číšnice Růženka, Češka, které byli všichni čeští jednoročáci, kteří kdy byli v lágru, nějaký obnos dlužni.
[II.3] Vždyť jsem ti to všecko, když jsme seděli s tou českou kelnerkou, vykládal, že nesu psaní vod svýho obrlajtnanta, že je to naprosté tajemství.

Sources: Bohumil Vlček

Also written:Rosie Sadlon

References
aPřipomínky k románu "Dobrého vojáka Švejka"Bohumil Vlček20.3.1956
Sappeur Vodička, Antonínnn flag
Wikipedia cz Search Švejkův slovník
vodicka.png

Josef Lada,1930

Vodička is mentioned 79 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Vodička was a Czech sapper who served with a unit from Styria (see Die Steirer) who were garrisoned in Brucker Lager. Vodička was an old acquaintance of Švejk frå Prague and had previously lived in the street Na Bojišti where he got to know Švejk. At the start of the war Vodička had served by Przemyśl. Otherwise it is revealed that he is ill-tempered, pretty uncomplicated and brutal both in deeds and words. The identity of his original regiment is not revealed, but the sequence where he mentions Landwehrsoldat Purkrábek indicates that it was k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 16.

Švejk was on his way to Soproni utca 16 to carry out his delicate errand for Oberleutnant Lukáš when he bumped into his former neighbour. They proceeded to Zum schwarzen Lamm to have a drink for the old days and Švejk unwisely revealed his delicate mission to his former neighbour. Vodička hated Magyars, was quarrelsome by nature, and had also tanked up a bit. The ensuing scandal is well known for anyone who has read The Good Soldier Švejk with attention.

His first name was revealed by Landwehrsoldat Purkrábek during a fight by Pausdorf. When Vodička took Purkrábek for a Hungarian and was about to hit him, the latter exclaimed: "Tonda, it's me, Purkrábek, from 16th landwehr!"

Background

For this figure Hašek surely borrowed the surname and some attributes and biographical details from people he knew. The family name Vodička was was quite widespread [a] so there would have been many to choose from. The name was actually very common around Lipnice where the author lived when he wrote this part of the novel.

Josef Vodička - a likely inspiration

The most likely prototype for the irate sapper is no doubt Josef Vodička from the Olomouc district in Moravia. He fits well with regards to age and temperament, but most important of all is the fact that he knew Jaroslav Hašek quite well from their time in Totskoye and also in the Legions[c]. See Josef Vodička for more information about this person.

Others?

In Prague lived at the time of Hašek many Vodička and many of them with the first name Antonín. In 1910 no Vodička was known to live in Na Bojišti but a certain Antonín (tailor) lived around the corner in Kateřinská ulice 1476/36. Several more Vodička also lived in this area of Nové město where Hašek grew up and also frequented later in his life.

Jan Berwid-Buquoy claims that the inspiration for Sappeur Vodička was Stanislav Vodička (1895-1918), one of the leaders of the so-called Rumburk rebellion in 1918. Vodička was executed due to his involvement in the episode. Berwid-Buquoy does not underpin the claim with any evidence, apart for stating that Vodička hated Germans an Hungarians[b]. The theory appears to have little substance: Vodička was not a person that Hašek knew (althoug he would have heard of him at the time when The Good Soldier Švejk was written), he was only twenty in 1915, and had no obvious connection with Prague or Királyhida.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

Vodička is not mentioned in this version of Švejk, despite the description of the brawl in Királyhida being similar to that found in The Good Soldier Švejk.[1]

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Nadporučík zabalil se opět do deky, ze které ho Švejk vytáhl, a spal dál, zatímco Švejk putoval dál do Királyhidy. Najít Sopronyi utczu čís. 16 nebylo by bývalo tak těžké, kdyby ho náhodou nebyl potkal starý sapér Vodička, který byl přidělen k „štajerákům“, jejichž kasárna byla dole v lágru.
[II.3] „Jednou ti už takovýho kluka maďarskýho držím za chřtán v Pausdorfě, kam jsme šli my saperáci na víno, a chci mu dát jednu überšvunkem přes kokos v tý tmě, poněvadž jsme hned, jak to začlo, praštili láhví do visací lampy, a von najednou začne křičet: ,Tondo, dyť to jsem já, Purkrábek, vod 16. landwehr!’
[II.4] A tak se rozešel dobrý voják Švejk se starým sapérem Vodičkou. "Wenn die Leute auseinander gehen, da sagen sie Auf Wiedersehen."
References
aPříjmení: 'Vodička', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bJaroslav Hašek a jeho Dobrý voják ŠvejkJan Berwid-Buquoy2011
cJe Josef Vodička sapér Vodička?Obrana lidu25.1.1958
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Landwehrsoldat Purkrábeknn flag
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purkrabek.png

Purkrábek is a very rare surname in Czechia.

KdeJsme.cz,2017

Purkrábek was a soldier from k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 16 who by mistake almost got beaten up by Sappeur Vodička in Pausdorf. He should not be confused with the bald Mr. Purkrábek from Banka Slavia.

Background

No obvious inspiration for this figure has been identified, and the name itself may simply be a re-use of the representative of Banka Slavia from [II.1]. It was also strange that a Czech soldier served in a regiment that was recruited from Kraków and surroundings.

Purkrábek is a very rare surname inasmuch as only 43 persons in the entire Czech Republic carries it[a]. The near identical Pulkrábek is also rare but still much more widespread (286). In Prague lived at Hašek's time only a few Purkrábek. One was the musician Narcius (born 1880) and another was a waiter Oldřich, later pub landlord, born in 1870, who lived in Nusle. It wouldn't be a big surprise if Hašek knew or knew about one of them, but the rest is speculation.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] „Jednou ti už takovýho kluka maďarskýho držím za chřtán v Pausdorfě, kam jsme šli my saperáci na víno, a chci mu dát jednu überšvunkem přes kokos v tý tmě, poněvadž jsme hned, jak to začlo, praštili láhví do visací lampy, a von najednou začne křičet: ,Tondo, dyť to jsem já, Purkrábek, vod 16. landwehr!’
References
aPříjmení: 'Purkrábek', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
Mejstříknn flag
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mejstrik.png

Mejstřík was not an uncommon surname in Prague, and quite a few of them lived in areas that Hašek knew well.

mejstrik.jpg

Karel Mejstřík was someone that Hašek probably knew about but the connection between this officer and the liteary figure surely stops there.

Mejstřík was some Czech soldier who Sappeur Vodička could relate had led the way in a brawl with the hungarians by Neusiedler See. Mejstřík was a huge man, with paws as big as Bílá Hora.

Background

Mejstřík is a quite common surname, most predominant around Kutná Hora [a]. In Prague there lived several at the time so that Hašek knew some of them is possible. Several of them were residents of areas that Hašek knew well, and one of them, a postman, even a few steps from U kalicha.

In k.u.k. Heer

In the recruitment area of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 the surname is extremely rare (only 4 persons in 2022) so it is not surprising that the surname is totally absent from the regiment's Verlustliste [b].

In the Legions

In the Legions 15 Mejstřík are listed but many of them joined after Hašek had already left. There is however one that Hašek may have know come across. His name was Karel Mejstřík (1886-1945), was from Zbraslav by Prague, served with Infanterieregiment Nr. 11 as an Oberleutnant, was captured by Sokal om 27 July 1915 and one month later he applied to become a Czech volunteer. Thus he would have served in 9. Infanteriedivision like Hašek but it is unlikely that the two met already in k.u.k Heer. He was the only Mejstřík who already was a member of the Legions when Hašek joined on 29 June 1916. By the time he left the Czechoslovak army in Russia he had advanced to staff major and his military career continued in Czechoslovakia. Mejstřík was killed during the Prague uprising in May 1945.

No obvious source of inspiration

Regardless of whether Hašek knew some Mejstřík or not: it would surely be nothing more than name-borrowing and in the end it has not been possible to identify any particular person who could have served as an inspiration for the literary soldier with the big paws.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] My si sedneme naproti nim, jen jsme si überšvunky položili před sebe na stůl, a povídáme si: ,Vy pacholci, my vám dáme láňok,’ a nějakej Mejstřík, kerej měl ploutev jako Bílá hora, se hned nabíd, že si půjde zatančit a že nějakýmu syčákovi vezme holku z kola.
[II.3] Tak ten náš Mejstřík skočí do kola a tu největší fešandu chce brát jednomu honvédovi, kerej začal něco brebentit, a Mejstřík mu hned jednu hodil, ten se svalil, my už hned chytli überšvunky, votočili jsme si je kolem ruky, aby nám bajonety neulítly, skočili mezi ně, já jsem vykřik: ,Vinnej nevinnej, berte to po řadě!’ a už to šlo jako na másle.
[II.3] Byla udělaná do našeho Mejstříka a šla s ním potom nahoru po cestě na Királyhidu, kde jsou pod lesem sušírny na seno.
Literature
References
aPříjmení: 'Mejstřík', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bSeznamy ztrát - 91. pěší plukÖStA - Jan Ciglbauer2021
Liquor trader Paroubeknn flag
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Příruční slovník jazyka českého,1937-1938

paroubek.png

Paroubek is not a common surname.

Příjmení: 'Paroubek', počet výskytů v celé ČR2017

Paroubek was the landlord of a pub in Libeň who Švejk tells Sappeur Vodička about to timely remind him of the dangers of violent excess. A slovak guest claim that Paroubek watered own the spirit and swore at the pub owner, calling him a crook , Šaščínská bestie and so on. Paroubek reacted violently and chased the guest down to Invalidovna, onwards to Žižkov and all the way to Malešice before he caught him. But the hunt didn't pay in the end because when he returned to his pub the other guests had served themselves copiously.

Background

Although though several Paroubek, Paraubek or Parubek lived in Prague at Hašek's time, none of them had the address Libeň or seemed to be a pub-owner. In the Libeň address book from 1896 these surnames are not found at all[a]. The name is otherwise not very common[b].

Kořalečník

According to dictionaries the word means liquor trader or an alcoholic that is addicted to liquor but in this context the author no doubt refers to the owner of a pub/liquor shop. Zenny Sadlon interprets it as gin-mill owner whereas Cecil Parrott uses the less specific pubkeeper.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Já jsem znal nějakýho kořalečníka Paroubka v Libni. Jednou se mu tam opil nějakej dráteník jalovcovou a začal nadávat, že je to slabý, že do toho leje vodu, že kdyby drátoval sto let a za celej vejdělek si koupil samou jalovcovou a vypil ji najednou, že by moh ještě chodit po provaze a nosit ho, Paroubka, v náručí. Potom ještě řekl Paroubkovi, že je huncút a šaščínská bestie, tak ho milej Paroubek chyt, votlouk mu jeho pastě na myši a dráty vo hlavu a vyhodil ho ven a mlátil ho po ulici tyčí na stahování rolety až dolů na Invalidovnu a hnal ho, jak byl zdivočelej, přes Invalidovnu v Karlíně až nahoru na Žižkov, vodtud přes Židovský pece do Malešic, kde vo něj konečně tyč přerazil, takže se moh vrátit nazpátek do Libně.
[II.3] U kořalny bylo napolovic stažený roló, u kterýho stáli dva policajti, taky silně nabraný, když dělali vevnitř pořádek. Dopolovic všechno vypitý, na ulici prázdnej soudek vod rumu, a pod pultama našel Paroubek dva vožralý chlapy, kteří byli přehlédnutý policajty a kteří, když je vytáhl, chtěli mu platit po dvou krejcařích, víc prej žitný nevypili.
References
aAdresář obce libeňskéLadislav Hubený1895
bPříjmení: 'Paroubek', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
Hauptmann Jetzbachernn flag
Search
jetzbacher.png

One of the two Jetzbacher that were wounded in the war.

Verlustliste Nr. 495,30.11.1916

Jetzbacher was a swine of a captain who, according to a story Sappeur Vodička told Švejk, was shot by his own soldiers by Przemyśl.

Background

Jetzbacher is an extremely rare surname and in contemporary Czechia it does not exist. Even in the German-speaking neighbouring countries there are very few. Newspapers items suggest that the name was most frequent in Herzogtum Salzburg.

In Verlustliste only two appear and both were wounded rank and file soldiers from Herzogtum Salzburg. Thus it is no surprise that no such named officer served in k.u.k. Wehrmacht in 1914 or earlier, confirmed by Schematismus for both k.u.k. Heer and k.k. Landwehr.

One must therefore assume that the name is invented and if some captain was shot by his own soldiers by Przemyśl he was called something else.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Když jsme byli na frontě u Přemyšlu, tak tam byl s námi hejtman Jetzbacher, svině, které nebylo rovno pod sluncem. Ten nás uměl tak sekýrovat, že nějakej Bitterlich od naší kumpačky, Němec, ale moc takovej hodnej člověk, se kvůli němu zastřelil. Tak jsme si řekli, že až to začne z ruský strany hvízdat, že taky náš hejtman Jetzbacher žít nebude.
Bitterlichnn flag
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bitterlich.jpg

A Bitterlich that didn't shoot himself.

Ehrenhalle des k. k. Landwehr, des k. k. Landsturmes und der k. k. Gendarmerie,1915-1917

bitterlich.png

Hermann Bitterlich seems to have been shot during fighting in the vicinity of Przemyśl, but suicide with a shot in the stomach sounds unlikely.

Nachricthen über Verwundete und Kranke,16.11.1915

Bitterlich was a soldier who committed suicide because of Hauptmann Jetzbacher. He was German but a good man and served in the same company as Sappeur Vodička during the fighting by Przemyśl.

Background

Bitterlich is a rare surname and is today virtually non-existent in Czechia (5 persons in 2022)[a]. At Švejk's time it was also rare but somewhat more common, mainly in the German-speaking areas of Bohemia.

Schluckenau

In Verlustliste the names appears, albeit ony 11 times (9 persons) where three were reported fallen[b]. All the deaths appeared from the summer of 1915 and could as such not have occured by Przemyśl[1]. Seven of the Bitterlich had Heimatrecht in hejtmanství Šluknov (Schluckenau) on the border of Saxony by Rumburk and thus mostly served with k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 9 or Infanterieregiment Nr. 42. All those entered in the casualty list were from North Bohemia so it appears that the name's origin was in this area.

Inconclusive

It is impossible to guess where Hašek picked up this rare surname from. Anyway, he probably just attached it to some event he had read or heard about (or invented the story).

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] Když jsme byli na frontě u Přemyšlu, tak tam byl s námi hejtman Jetzbacher, svině, které nebylo rovno pod sluncem. Ten nás uměl tak sekýrovat, že nějakej Bitterlich od naší kumpačky, Němec, ale moc takovej hodnej člověk, se kvůli němu zastřelil.
Notes
1. The last battles around Przemyśl took place i early June 1915. The city was back in the hands of Central Powers on 3 June.
References
aPříjmení: 'Bitterlich', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bVerlustliste ausgegeben am ...K.u.k. Kriegsministerium1914-1918
Locksmith Voborník, Antonínnn flag
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vobornik.png

Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy,1910

Voborník appears in a story Švejk tells Sappeur Vodička in the hope of pesuading the latter to keep a low profile when carrying out the delicate task of handing over the letter from Oberleutnant Lukáš to Etelka Kakonyi. Voborník lived in Neklanova ulice in Vyšehrad.

Background

Voborník is not a common surname[a] but still frequent enough to underpin the assumption that Hašek may have known someone with this surname. It is most widespread in eastern Bohemia but not uncommon even elsewhere. In Prague were in 1910 several Voborník listed in the address book, and some of them lived in the areas of Nové město and Vinohrady where Hašek spent most of his time before World War I. Still, none of them were locksmiths or lived in Neklanova ulice [b]. Indeed, not a single locksmith lived in this street. One must therefore assume that Hašek's choice of name for this character is pretty random.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] „Z toho tě, Vodičko, vyvedu. Víš, kde je na Vyšehradě Neklanova ulice? Tam měl dílnu zámečník Voborník. Byl to člověk spravedlivej a jednoho dne, když se vrátil domů z flámu, tak si s sebou přived ještě jednoho flamendra spát.
[II.3] ,Vidíš, Toníčku, kdybyste byli nepřišli dva, tak jsem ti jenom zahrála a nehodila ti na hlavu decimálku.`
References
aPříjmení: 'Voborník', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bAdresář královského hlavního města PrahyVojtěch Kraus1910
Vrchlický, Jaroslavnn flag
*17.2.1853 Louny - †9.9.1912 Domažlice
Wikipedia czdeen Search
vrchlicky.jpg

Besedy lidu, číslo 8, 1903

vrchlicky1.png

Oesterreichische Buchhändler-Correspondenz,6.6.1874

vrchlicky2.png

Národní listy,19.12.1911

Vrchlický is quoted by Švejk when he in Királyhida is explaining to Mr. Kakonyi that he himself wrote the compromising letter to his wife Etelka Kakonyi, that it was no fault of Oberleutnant Lukáš. Vrchlický is said to have used the term "in love up to the ears".

Background

Vrchlický (real name Emil Bohuslav Frída) was a Czech poet and translator, a pupil of Victor Hugo. He translated a number of classics to Czech, amongst them: Goethe, Baudelaire, Hugo, Shakespeare, Byron, Shelley, Dante, Petöfi and Ibsen. He is regarded as one of the greatest Czech poets ever and was repeatedly nominated for the Nobel Price.

That Vrchlický ever used the term "in love up to the ears" or similar has not been verified. It is anyway a pretty common expression. Švejk's add-on, Kapitales Frau likely does not originate from Vrchlický as it is in line with the broken German that Hašek assigns to his hero. Vrchlický, as the translator of Goethe, would not have made such a basic error.

Kafka not impressed

On 18 Desember 1911 Franz Kafka made a note in his diary that he was present at the first performance of Vrchlický's play "Hippodamie" at Národní divadlo. Kafka didn't think much of it, in fact deemed it a lousy play without any sense or direction[a].

Franz Kafka, Tagebücher

Jetzt am Abend, wo mir die Gedanken freier zu werden anfangen und ich vielleicht zu einigem fähig wäre, muß ich ins Nationalteater zu "Hippodamie", Uraufführung von Vrchlicky.

18. XII 11 Vorgestern Hippodamie. Elendes Stück. Ein Herumirren in der griechischen Mythologie ohne Sinn und Grund. Aufsatz Kvapils auf dem Teaterzettel, der zwischen den Zeilen die während der ganzen Aufführung sichtbare Ansicht ausspricht, daß eine gute Regie (die hier aber nichts als Nachahmung Reinhardts war) eine schlechte Dichtung zu einem großen teatralischem Werk machen könne. Traurig muß das alles für einen nur etwas herumgekommenen Tschechen sein.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.3] „Pane,“ řekl důstojně Švejk, „to psaní jsem psal já. Ich geschrieben, kein Oberleutnant. Podpis jen tak, falešný, Unterschrift, Name, falsch. Mně se vaše paní velice líbí. Ich liebe Ihre Frau. Já jsem do vaší paní zamilovanej až po uši, jak říkal Vrchlický. Kapitales Frau.“
Literature
References
aTagebücher, Heft 4Franz Kafka18.12.1911
Index Back Forward II. At the front Hovudpersonen

4. New afflictions

Saint Stephen Inn flag
*967-978 Esztergom - †15.8.1038 Esztergom? Székesfehérvár?
Wikipedia czdeenhuno Search
szentistvan.jpg

Saint Stephen I is mentioned in the article in Pester Lloyd that Oberleutnant Lukáš reads out for Oberst Schröder. The reference is done indirectly through the expression The Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen, i.e. the kingdom of Hungary.

Background

Saint Stephen I is the patron saint of Hungary and regarded as founder of the country. Until the break-up of Austria-Hungary, the Hungarian part of the empire was officially called The Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Současně však očekáváme úřední zprávu o királyhidském zločinu, spáchaném na maďarském obyvatelstvu. Že se věcí bude zabývat pešťská sněmovna, je na bíle dni, aby nakonec se ukázalo jasně, že čeští vojáci, projíždějící Uherským královstvím na front, nesmějí považovat zemi koruny svatého Štěpána, jako by ji měli v pachtu.

Also written:Štěpán I. Svatý cz I Szent István hu

Deputy Barabás, Bélann flag
*12.12.1855 Arad - †28.5.1934 Arad
Wikipedia enhu Search Švejkův slovník
barabas.jpg

Képes Pesti Hirlap,30.5.1934

barabas.png

Fremden-Blatt,6.5.1915

barabas1.png

Národní listy,6.5.1915

barabas2.png

Pester Lloyd,6.5.1915

Barabás was the editor and member parliament who signed an article that had appeared in Pesti Hírlap and the in Pester Lloyd. It was title "Where is the guarantee of our future?"". Barabás was according to Oberst Schröder known as a beast.

Background

Barabás was a lawyer, author and politician, member of the lower chamber of the Hungarian Parliament from 1892 to 1910 and again from 1911 to 1917. His role as a newspaper editor was however limited to publications in his home area around Arad (now Oradea). He remained politically active in Romania after the war.

Anti-Habsburg

Barabás represented the Independence Party (Függetlenségi Párt), a party opposed to Ausgleich, advocating a personal union instead. Given his party allegiance one would expect an anti-Habsburg stance and this manifested itself in a spectacular way in 1902 during the first session of parliament in their grand new building[a].

Arrested in France

After the outbreak of war he appeared on the front pages of several newspapers because he and some other Hungarian deputies were arrested in France. Due to his relatively high age he was released and travelled back home via Brest, Amsterdam and Cologne.

In the Pest newspapers

There is no evidence that he wrote chauvinistic articles in Pester Lloyd or Pesti Hírlap on the line of the one quoted in The Good Soldier Švejk. That said, both newspapers would surely have reported on his anti-Austrian outbursts in the Hungarian Parliament.

Hašek inspired by a budget debate?

One possible influence is a budget debate in the parliament on 5 May 1915 where Barabás hailed the sacrifice and effort of the Hungarian nation, that the centrepoint of the monarchy now was in Hungary. He openly accused Austria of not doing it's duty with regards to military efforts, that a lot of Austrian personnel fit for military service had not yet been called up. He also quoted rumours about the trustworthiness of "certain Austrian nations" (read Czechs). Furthermore, he emphasized the patriotism and will to sacrifice amongst the Hungarian troops, and also the patriotism of the Hungarian parliament[b].

Then he asked for the same attitude amongst the Austrian troops. The debate was covered by most newspapers and it is very likely that Jaroslav Hašek who at the time had reported sick in Budějovice knew about the controversy and that he had noted the attitudes of Barabás.

As a response Honvéd minister Hazai answered the accusations from Barabás and stated that he, from first-hand knowledge, could confirm that patriotism was every bit as strong in Austria as in Hungary.

Not part of the previous version of Švejk

Although the brawl in Királyhida also features in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí, there is no mention of Barabás in this second version of The Good Soldier Švejk. Despite the two stories being roughly similar, many details, also apart from Barabás differ. This mainly applies to names and roles.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] „Kdo je podepsán pod článkem, pane nadporučíku?“ „Béla Barabás, redaktor a poslanec, pane plukovníku.“ „To je známá bestie, pane nadporučíku; ale dřív, nežli se to dostalo do ,Pester Lloydu’, byl již tento článek uveřejněn v ,Pesti Hírlap’.
Literature
References
aDie erste sitzung im neue ParlamentePester Lloyd8.10.1902
bDie Frühjahrstagung des ParlamentsPester Lloyd6.5.1915
Deputy Savanyú, Gézann flag
Search Švejkův slovník
cserny.png

Pécsi Napló,3.9.1912

cserny1.png

Jahrbuch des k.u.k. auswärtigen Dienstes,1913

cserny2.png

Sturm–féle országgyülési almanach,1910–1915

Savanyú represented Királyhida district in the Hungarian Parliament. According to Sopronyi Napló he was going to raise the issue of Oberleutnant Lukáš' letter scandal and the ensuing brawl.

Background

Savanyú was according to the text of The Good Soldier Švejk member of parliament, representing the Királyhida district. This MP is surely dreamt up as Királyhida was no district, be it political, juridical or electoral. Nor was there any deputy Savanyú in the entire Hungarian Diet.

Districts

The judicial district was Nezsider (Neusiedl am See) and the political district Moson. The electoral constituency that Királyhida belonged to was Zurány (now Zurndorf)[a] and the deputy from 1910 to 1918 was Károly Cserny (1863-1933), an experienced diplomat and politician.

Reuse of names

Circumstances indicate somewhat random reuse of names. Savanyú is a surname that also appears later in The Good Soldier Švejk and the author had already before the war used it in two stories. See Róža Šavaňů.

Tamás Herczeg

The deputy of Királyhida from 1910-1915 was: Cserny Károly. (Károly Cserny in English form.)

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Toto se týká zejména jednoho pána, který se dle doslechu zdržuje doposud beztrestně ve vojenském táboře a stále ještě nosí odznaky svého ,papageiregimentu’ a jehož jméno bylo též uveřejněno předevčírem v ,Pester Lloydu’ a ,Pesti Napló’. Jest to známý český šovinista Lükáš, o jehož řádění bude podána interpelace naším poslancem Gézou Savanyú, který zastupuje okres királyhidský.“

Sources: Klara Köttner-Benigni, Tamás Herczeg

Literature
References
aDie „Abenteuer des Braven Soldaten Schwejk” in ÖsterreichKlara Köttner-Benigni - Konrad Biricz1983
Painter Panuška, Jaroslavnn flag
*3.3.1872 Hořovice - †1.8.1958 Kochánov
Wikipedia czen Search Švejkův slovník
panuska.jpg

Prager Presse,3.3.1932

hasek_dead.jpg

Hašek na smrtelném loži, Jaroslav Panuška

© Galerie moderního umění v Hradci Králové

Panuška briefly enters The Good Soldier Švejk when Švejk during interrogation at Hauptwache defends himself by quoting his servant Matěj.

Background

Panuška was a Czech painter and a friend of Jaroslav Hašek. It was he who persuaded Hašek to go with him to Lipnice on 25 August 1921 [a] and there Hašek remained until he died, less than 17 months later.

Zdeněk Matěj Kuděj, Emil Artur Longen and Josef Lada also belonged to their common circle of friends. Well known is a non-flattering portrait that Panuška made of Hašek towards the end of the author's life and also a drawing of the dead Hašek in his bed.

When Panuška and Hašek became friends is not clear but it may have been through Kuděj who met Panuška around 1920. Whether or not Panuška employed a servant and if he was actually named Matěj can not be established.

Lifeline

As a trained "academic painter" Panuška had already in 1897 seen one of his painting reproduced in the press. It was published in Volné směry, a sinister picture of a headless horse[b]. He was known for his landscape paintings, often with a gloomy undercurrent. Several of his paintings were from Lipnice and the surrounding area, and he lived in nearby Kochánov from 1923 onwards. Panuška was married and fathered four children.

Cecil Parrott, The Bad Bohemian, 1982

In the summer of 1921 Hašek suddenly disappeared from Prague. The person responsible for whisking him away was the landscape painter, Jaroslav Panuška, a great hulking man of enormous strength, who would have been a good 'chucker out' at a pub and had indeed proved himself as such. Among his eccentricities was to address everybody in the familiar second person singular, to save himself the trouble of distinguishing between his closest friends and the rest. He had an atelier in Vinohrady and was at one time friendly with Lada, the illustrator of Švejk. A great drinker and gourmand, he combined just those qualities which were dear to Hašek's heart. More important, he was a kindly person who took a real interest in Hašek's welfare.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Tak na př. na otázku, proč se nepřizná, odpověděl dle protokolu: ,Já jsem zrovna v takový situaci, jako se voctnul jednou kvůli nějakejm obrazům panny Marie sluha akademického malíře Panušky. Ten taky, když se jednalo o nějaký vobrazy, který měl zpronevěřit, nemoh na to nic jinýho vodpovědět než: »Mám blít krev?«

Sources: Cecil Parrott, Radko Pytlík

Literature
References
aToulavé houseRadko Pytlík1971
bJ. Panuška - PohádkyVolné směry2.1897
Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněknn flag
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vanek.png

České slovo,13.4.1924

Vaněk is mentioned 148 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Vaněk is the accounting sergeant at the staff of 11. Kompanie in Királyhida, in civilian life a chemist from Kralupy. He is depicted as a rather cynical reserve officer, looking after himself first and foremost. It is later revealed that he has served with three march companies already, in Serbia and in the Carpathians. Oberleutnant Lukáš reveals that he enjoys a tipple or two.

Vaněk is first mentioned in [II.4] when Oberst Schröder gives him the task to find a new servant for Oberleutnant Lukáš after Švejk's promotion to company messenger. Vaněk's first words in the novel are uttered after receiving the news about the change of roles: "May God help us all!". In the next chapter he meets Švejk for the first time and in the rest The Good Soldier Švejk he features regularly.

Background

The real-life inspiration for Vaněk is without Jan Vaněk. Like his literary counterpart he was a "drogista" from Kralupy and served as a staff seargent in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91, and in the same company as Jaroslav Hašek. Amongst the "models" Vaněk is probably the person that shows the most similarities with his literary counterpart. The only striking difference is that Hašek assigned his Vaněk a trait that the "model" didn't have: addiction to alcohol.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Nadporučík Lukáš po celé cestě domů si opakoval: „Kompaniekomandant, kompanieordonanz.“ A jasně před ním vyvstávala postava Švejka. Účetní šikovatel Vaněk, když mu poručil nadporučík Lukáš, aby mu vyhledal nějakého nového sluhu místo Švejka, řekl: „Já myslel, že jsou, pane obrlajtnant, spokojenej s tím Švejkem.“ Uslyšev, že Švejka naznačil plukovník ordonancí u 11. kumpanie, zvolal: „Pomoz nám pán bůh!“
[II.5] Před ním stál účetní šikovatel Vaněk, který zde sestavoval listiny k výplatě žoldu, vedl účty kuchyně pro mužstvo, byl finančním ministrem celé roty a trávil tu celý boží den, zde též spal.

Sources: Jan Morávek, Bohumil Vlček

Nemrava, Wilhelmnn flag
*Hněvotín 10.4.1882 - †Olomouc 6.5.1948
Search Švejkův slovník
nemrava2.png

Birth and baptism record, Hněvotín, 1882

nemrava5.png

Les Temps nouveaux, 25.11.1905

nemrava4.png

Grazer Volksblatt,22.6.1907

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Hlas,23.6.1907

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Čech,20.11.1907

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Venkov,3.6.1915

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Prager Tagblatt,16.10.1930

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Lidové noviny,4.6.1931

Nemrava was according to Švejk someone who before the war lived in Moravia and who had refused to carry arms and was repeatedly imprisoned because of this. At least this is what he tells Sappeur Vodička when the two are locked together at Hauptwache in Brucker Lager after the scandal with Mr. Kakonyi.

Background

Nemrava and the conversation in Királyhida has a factual background and what Švejk says is indeed authentic. On 1 November 1904 the recruit Vilém Nemrava from k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 13 in Olomouc refused to swear oath to the flag[a] and was sentenced to a 5 month prison term.

Back with his regiment after his release he again refused to obey orders. According to his conviction he refused to carry a gun. In his own words he was inspired by Tolstoy. Nemrava was a member of the religious pacifist Nasaren sect.

For this repeated act of insubordination he was given two more years that he sat out in Terezín under harsh conditions. The case was widely reported all over Austria-Hungary and even reached Reichsrat.

Superarbitrated

After his second release from prison there is an interesting parallel to Švejk. On 15 November 1907 a military commission in Brno declared Nemrava insane and he was super-arbitrated (dismissed from the armed forces). Defence secretary in Cisleithanien, Georgi, had the following answer when he was asked about the case in Reichsrat: he was released from duty because he was "psychopathic, twisted and suffered from weird perceptions".

During the spring of 1914 Nemrava again appears in newspaper columns, now as a "trader from Kroměříž". On this occasion he had refused to swear the oath to a civilian court in Olomouc!

The first world war

At the start of June 1915 Národni listy, Venkov and other newspapers wrote that Nemrava had turned around and now fought at the front with Infanterieregiment Nr. 54. The information was reportedly taken from a letter he sent to the newspaper Pozor in Olomouc.

On the other hand, several newspapers, including Prager Tagblatt in 1930, wrote that he persisted in his refusal to do military service also during the war and that he was imprisoned for three more years. These contradictory statements can not be clarified without access to his military documents (see the final paragraph).

Hašek and Nemrava

The few lines in The Good Soldier Švejk was not the first time that Jaroslav Hašek wrote about the famous conscientious objector from Moravia. In the story "The Nasarens" from 1908 the author mentions both the religious sect and Nemrava himself. It should also be added that censorship ensured that the story never was published. Hašek also notes that Nemrava was dismissed from the army due to madness.

Thief and dealer in stolen goods

His name reappears in the newspapers in 1924 and now it turns out that the idealist has turned into a criminal, although his official occupation was a trader. In the early 1920's he was involved in several major burglaries and is also a key person in pulling the threads and selling stolen goods.

In 1930 he is caught again, now as an art- and antique-dealer from Svatý Kopeček by Olomouc. He committed major fraud with valuable paintings and was handed a 6 month prison term. The case is widely reported, also in the national press.

Thereafter his traces disappear but church records reveal that he died in 1948 in Nová ulice, a suburb of Olomouc. The same source reveals that he was born on 6 May 1882 in house number 83 in Hněvotín, a village just south-west of Olomouc.

A well known conscientious objector

Nemrava was one of the first and best known people conscientious objectors and the case was noticed even abroad. Nemrava himself corresponded with Tolstoy's doctor and Karel Čapek, Klofáč and Professor Masaryk followed the case. Karl Liebknect had also noticed the events, and even in the French press a notice appeared. In 2009 the case was written about in the book Vojáku Vladimire by Zdeněk Bauer which amongst other sources is based on Mr. Čapek's correspondence. In 2014 the council of Hněvotín (Milan Krejčí) published a thorough article about the towns once famous son, largely extracts from Bauer's book.

Willy Nemrawa in Infanterieregiment Nr. 54
nemrava.jpg

© VÚA

Access to military service record at VÚA (March 2018) sheds light on the conflicting information from Národní listy (1915) and Prager Tagblatt (1930). During the Territorial Army drafts (Landsturmmusterungen) in 1914 Nemrava was called up again. He was found fit for service on 22 November 1914 by the draft commission in Povel (now a suburb in the south of Olomouc), and enrolled in Infanterieregiment Nr. 54 as an arm-carrying Landsturminfanterist on 16 February 1915.

The documents don't contain any information about a new sentence and three years in prison. Rather the contrary: he was promoted to "Landsturm-Gefreiter" in 1916, which surely would not have happened if he was in prison. In his service record he is listed as Willy Nemrawa, but otherwise the details correspond to those found in the church records. It is also revealed that he was blond and small in stature (164 cm). His father was Josef Nemrava from Loučany and the mother Marie Kreuzer from Hněvotín. Nemrava spoke Czech, German and Polish. He was enlisted as a reserve in the Czechoslovak army on 21 Desember 1919.

Militarismus und Antimilitarismus, Karl Liebknecht, 1907

In Prag wurde eine Arbeiterakademie unter zahlreicher Beteiligung gegründet. Die nationalen Konflikte mit dem Militarismus (Sprachen-frage und die Vergewaltigung einzelner Soldaten) belebten die antimilitaristischen Tendenzen. Besonders hervorgehoben sei hier der Fall Nemravas, eines Soldaten, der sich weigerte, die Waffen zu tragen, und dafür bestraft wurde.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Před vojnou žil na Moravě nějakej pan Nemrava, a ten dokonce nechtěl vzíti ani flintu na rameno, když byl odvedenej, že prej je to proti jeho zásadě, nosit nějaký flinty. Byl za to zavřenej, až byl černej, a zas ho nanovo vedli k přísaze. A von, že přísahat nebude, že je to proti jeho zásadě, a vydržel to.“

Sources: VÚA, Zdeněk Bauer, Milan Krejčí

Literature
References
aNazarén ve vojštěPozor6.11.1904
zu Pappenheim, Gottfried Heinrichnn flag
*8.6.1594 Treuchtlingen - †17.11.1632 Leipzig
Wikipedia czdeenno Search Švejkův slovník
pappenheim.png

Česko-moravská kronika,1891

pappenheim1.png

Živá slova,1915

Pappenheim is mentioned by Auditor Ruller through the expression "we know our Pappenheimers".

Background

Pappenheim was field marshal of the Catholic League in the Thirty Years' War. He was known as a capable military leader but also for his brutality. He took part in the battle of Bílá Hora, and fell in the battle of Lützen. Pappenheim is buried in Strahovský klášter.

Quote from Schiller

The quote in The Good Soldier Švejk is from a drama by Schiller called Wallensteins Tod (The death of Wallenstein) from 1799[a]. The exact wording is Daran erkenn' ich meine Pappenheimer, and the sentence is laid in the mouth of the famous military leader Albrecht von Wallenstein (1583-1634).

Originally it was meant as a compliment to Pappeneheim's soldiers but over time it has become a derogatory expression, meaning roughly "I know what they are up to". The quote also appeared elsewhere in Czech literarture and reproduced to the letter[b].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Učitel si povzdechl: „Když ten pan auditor neumí dobře česky. Já už jsem mu to také podobným způsobem vysvětloval, ale on na mne spustil, že sameček od vši se jmenuje česky ,vešák’. ,Šádný fšivák,’ povídal pan auditor, ,vešák. Femininum, Sie gebildeter Kerl, ist ten »feš«, also masculinum ist »ta fěšak«. Wir kennen uns’re Pappenheimer.“
References
aWallensteins TodWikipedia.de
bO slávě hereckéJosef Jiří Stankovský1879
Gipsy Janeček, Jannn flag
*19.10.1840 Chotína - †9.9.1871 Plzeň
Search Švejkův slovník
janecek.jpg

Jan Janeček. Zdroj: Archiv města Plzně, Místopisná sbírka Ladislava Lábka, kart. 60.

© Encyklopedie Plzeň

janecek3.png

Neues Fremden-Blatt,22.9.1869

janecek2.png

Český lev,25.5.1871

janecek4.png

Wiener Zeitung,31.5.1871

janecek.png

Prager Abendblatt,9.9.1871

janecek5.png

Český lev,10.9.1871

Janeček was according to Švejk a gypsy from Plzeň who in 1879 was sentenced to death for a double murder, had his execution postponed by a day due to the birthday of Kaiser Franz Joseph I., then posthumously rehabilitated because it was discovered that the guilty was another Janeček. This is a story Švejk tells his fellow inmates in the arrest at Hauptwache in Brucker Lager.

Background

Janeček (real name Jan Serinek) was a criminal born near Plzeň who first hit the headlines in 1869 when he and three family members were sentenced to long prison terms for robbery and murder. The trial took place in c.k. zemský co trestní soud in September and the verdict was given on the 25th. The 30 year old Jan and his 18 year old brother Josef (sometimes quoted as cousin) were given 18 years. Two younger female family members (both named Josefa) were given five and four years respectively. The fifth gang member, the 45 year old bricklayer Andreas Holler, was given life imprisonment. In November the Janeček brothers were sent to Kartouzy to serve their sentence.

Escape, robbery and murder

On 24 April 1870 the brothers and a Polish gypsy, Franticzek Janeczka, managed to escape. Already the next night they committed three assaults in the area between Turnov and Jičín. Their first victims were three women who were brutally assaulted and robbed at two in the afternoon. This was the start of a rampage that left three people dead and numerous other's victims of theft, assault and robbery. The three escapees joined with other clan members and operated in various regions, amongst them the Poděbrady area and also around Plzeň. On 2 June they avoided an attempt to arrest them near Klatovy. The first murder was committed 9 August by Sokoleč, okres Poděbrady. The next murder took place 21 October by Strojetice (same district) and three days later yet another one: in Chrást near Plzeň. The latter two crimes were also robberies.

Arrest, trial and sentence

After six months on run, the gang was gradually rounded up and arrested in their home area east of Plzeň. Josef was arrested on 26 October in Horomyslická hospoda but Jan escaped through a window. He was finally caught four days later by Lhota on the southern outskirts of Plzeň. The trial took place in Plzeň at the end of May 1871. The accused numbered 11 in total and there was no less than 26 items on the list. The verdict was passed on the 31st and Janeček (Jan) was the only accused who was sentenced to death. Josef was handed a life sentence and the others between one and eight years in prison.

Execution

It took more than three months from the sentence was passed until the execution took place. After the final approval was given by the emperor, the outcome was communicated to Janeček on 7 September and there was also some delay due to disagreements with the executioner Piperger. In the morning of 9 September 1871 a huge crowd (tens of thousands) were gathered at the execution ground[a] and witnessed the last public execution in Bohemia during the time of Austria-Hungary.

Švejk mystifies

The good soldier had a less than adequate grasp of the facts in this anecdote. Janeček was executed in 1871, not in 1879. Nor was the execution postponed due to the emperor's birthday (18. august), and there was no questions of any posthumous rehabilitation due to the wrong man having been hanged.

Ich bin Serinek, ein Deutscher

In 1911 Jaroslav Hašek wrote a story about a Serinek "gypsy gang" that is obviously related to the executed criminal. There is however no direct connection to the events that Švejk describes in the novel. It is about a Serinek family of 18 who travel from village to village around Liberec (Reichenberg) and offer to register as Germans in return for money, beer and sausages[b]. Here the main character is Serinek, a senior clan leader. He can not have been identical to the executed person that Švejk talks about, but may have been his assumed father, also named Jan Serinek.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] „Zkrátka a dobře,“ řekl Švejk, „je to s vámi vachrlatý, ale nesmíte ztrácet naději, jako říkal cikán Janeček v Plzni, že se to ještě může vobrátit k lepšímu, když mu v roce 1879 dávali kvůli tý dvojnásobný loupežný vraždě voprátku na krk. A taky to uhád, poněvadž ho vodvedli v poslední okamžik vod šibenice, poněvadž ho nemohli pověsit kvůli narozeninám císaře pána, který připadly právě na ten samej den, kdy měl viset.
Literature
References
aPoprava Jana JanečkaČeský lev10.9.1871
bIch bin Serinek, ein DeutscherKarikaturyJaroslav Hašek30.1.1911
Servant Matějnn flag
Search Švejkův slovník
jericho.png

Panuška's servant was an expert on cow-shit resurrection plants

Ottův slovník naučný,1889

Matěj was the servant of painter Panuška who according to Švejk explained to an old lady what a Rose of Jericho looks like. He had by then already been mentioned indirectly.

Background

This figure is probably inspired by a real person because Hašek knew painter Panuška well in 1921 and 1922. Still, no person has been identified that fits the description. It can't even be ruled out (although the hypothesis is far-fetched) that Hašek degraded their common friend Zdeněk Matěj Kuděj to a servant of Panuška.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Tak na př. na otázku, proč se nepřizná, odpověděl dle protokolu: ,Já jsem zrovna v takový situaci, jako se voctnul jednou kvůli nějakejm obrazům panny Marie sluha akademického malíře Panušky. Ten taky, když se jednalo o nějaký vobrazy, který měl zpronevěřit, nemoh na to nic jinýho vodpovědět než: »Mám blít krev?«
[II.4] „To ale nebyla moje slova, to vykládal sluha malíře Panušky Matěj jedné staré bábě, když se ho ptala, jak vypadá růže z Jericha.
Blacksmith Křížnn flag
Search
kriz.png

No blacksmith named Kříž was listed in the Prague address register.

Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních,1907

Kříž appears when Sappeur Vodička tells an anecdote where he illustrates how nebulous he thinks Švejk's many stories are.

Background

This is a figure that is almost impossibe to find a "model" for. Kříž is a common surname[a] but no blacksmiths bearing this name are listed in the address book of Prague from 1907.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Když se ho auditor ptal, čím je v civilu, tak říkal: ,Dejmám u Kříže.’ A trvalo to přes půl hodiny, než auditorovi vysvětlil, že tahá měch u kováře Kříže, a když se ho potom zeptali: ,Vy jste tedy v civilu pomocnej dělník,’ tak jim odpověděl: ,Kdepak ponocnej, ten je Franta Hybšů.’“
References
aPříjmení: 'Kříž', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
Night watchman Hybšů, Frantann flag
Search
hybs.png

KdeJsme.cz,2017

hybs.jpg

František Hybš (1868-1944), a politician that Jaroslav Hašek may have been aware of and degraded to night watchman.

Prager Presse,14.8.1938

Hybšů was a ponocný (night watchman) that Sappeur Vodička tells mentions in an anecdote as an apropos to Švejk's interminable deliberations. See blacksmith Kříž.

Background

It has to date not been possible to identify any "prototype" for this figure (the name is a colloquial variation of František Hybš). Hybš is anyway a quite rare surname[a] and probably a Czech version of the German word hübsch (beautiful). See also Toníček Mašků.

The politician

František Hybš (1868-1944) was farmer and politician in the Agrarian Party[c]. He lived in Prague and Hašek may have been aware of him, and his peculiar way "demoted" him for literary purposes. See Břetislav Ludvík for a typical example of this technique.

Michal Giacintov

Podobné lidové "změny" jména jsem zaznamenal u babičky na Prácheňsku. Pravděpodobně se jedná o Františka Hybše = František Hybš. Je to tam v kraji běžné, já byl vnukem dědečka (Václav Onder) a byl jsem tam běžně nazýván Michal Ondrů. Tož tolik na vysvětlenou.

Miloslav Kilián

Jak víš, jsem z Jižních Čech, jejichž součástí je velká část bývalého historického kraje Prácheňského. A v minulosti bylo naprosto běžné a stále i dnes se to tak velmi často dělá, že se používá u jmen přivlastňovací způsob. Například - já jsem Míla Kilián. Ale běžně i dnes v našem jihočeském a částečně západočeském kraji ti řeknou - to je Míla Kiliánů. Ve smyslu - čí je Míla? Jakému patří rodu? Čí je? Míla je Kiliánů. Je jejich, je od nich, lidí z toho rodu, je Kiliánů. Patří jim. A používá se to často i u žen. Místo třeba Jana Kiliánová (už to samo o sobě vychází v českém jazyce z přivlastňovacího způsobu - je Kiliánova) se u nás řekne Jana Kiliánů. Také se i dnes můžeš běžnè setkat v našem kraji s ještě hovorovější variantou - Míla Kiliánouc. Pokud přivezu na naše akce mé kamarády z rodných Jižních Čech, třeba Zdeňka Nikodema i další, ten to i dnes běžně používá. "Byl tam Míla Kiliánů", nebo "Míla Kiliánouc". I já, jakmile přijedu k nám do Jižních Čech a přijdu tam mezi krajany, aniž si to uvědomuji, automaticky mi také přepne v hlavě jazyk a já to začínám také často používat. Na vesnicích to bylo ještě často i tak, že v jedné chalupě, či na jednom gruntě, žilo více lidí různých příjmení. Pak se stávalo, že třeba děti z té chalupy, i když mèly jiné příjmení po tátovi, v té vesnici jim říkali podle jména majitele chalupy. Já jsem například v prvních letech dětství žil s rodiči ve vesnici Buzice na chalupě mého dědečka, Františka Solara. A i když jsem byl po tátovi Kilián, v té vesnici mi nikdo jinak neřekl (a ještě nedávno, dokud žili pamětníci to tak bylo), než že jsem Míla Solarů. Čili od Solarů, z jejich chalupy.

Jaroslav Šerák

Myslím, že to Míla vysvětlil skvěle. Jen podotýkám, že totéž platilo i v jiných regionech. Mí kamarádi a spolužáci byli Josef Mašků (Mašek) z Prahy, Pepek Horálků (Horálek) z Chrudimska. Dědičná příjmení je poměrně mladá záležitost. Zavedl to dekretem až Josef II. v období 1780-1786. Do té doby se používalo tzv. nedědičné příjmí. Celý obor lze studovat zdeLR(b). Předpokládám, že Hybš - Hybšů má původ v německém hübsch - asi měl fešné předky.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Když se ho auditor ptal, čím je v civilu, tak říkal: ,Dejmám u Kříže.’ A trvalo to přes půl hodiny, než auditorovi vysvětlil, že tahá měch u kováře Kříže, a když se ho potom zeptali: ,Vy jste tedy v civilu pomocnej dělník,’ tak jim odpověděl: ,Kdepak ponocnej, ten je Franta Hybšů.’“

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Miloslav Kilián, Michal Giacintov

Literature
References
aPříjmení: 'Hybš', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bPříjmíCheckEncyJana Pleskalová1.8.2023
cFrantišek Hybšwikipedia.cz
Moudrá, Pavlann flag
*26.1.1861 Praha - †10.9.1940 Praha
Wikipedia cz Search
moudra.jpg
moudra1.png

Králikář českoslovanský,1.2.1912

moudra.png

Ženský svět,25.4.1918

Pavla Moudrá is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he tells his fellow inmates at Hauptwache about how he got locked up for mutiny after refusing to clean the latrines.

Background

Pavla Moudrá was a Czech writer and translator (amongst them Victor Hugo, Twain, Kipling, H.G. Wells). She was also an early peace activist, animal rights activist and feminist, and briefly edited the journal Lada. She also contributed to the animal magazine Svět zvířat, for instance to the Christmas issue from 1911.

She was also active in the struggle against alcohol and lectured for the Czechoslovak abstinent's association together with Doctor Batěk and others[a]. Jaroslav Hašek also mentions here in a satirical story about the Salvation Army from 1921[b].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] A tak to šlo pořád: ,Budete pucovat?’ ,Nebudu pucovat.’ Hajzly lítaly sem a tam, jako by to bylo' nějaké dětské říkadlo od Pavly Moudré. Obršt běhal po kanceláři jako pominutý, nakonec si sedl a řekl: ,Rozvažte si to dobře, já vás předám divisijnímu soudu pro vzpouru. Nemyslete si, že budete první jednoroční dobrovolník, který byl za této války zastřelen.
Literature
References
aLidovychovný odbor čsl. svazu abstinentního v PrazeNárodní politika23.10.1919
bZápas s Armádou spásyKopřivyJaroslav Hašek26.1.1921
Supák Solperann flag
Search
supak.png

Kopřivy,4.7.1912

solpera.png

KdeJsme.cz,2017

solpera1.png

Právo lidu,13.4.1912

Solpera was a contract soldier that Švejk that tells Sappeur Vodička about in an anecdote.

Background

Solpera is an extremely rare Czech surname[a]. IN Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 there is no trace of the name and nor is it mentioned in casualty lists from World War I. In Prague was in 1910 a single Solpera entered in the address book. He worked as an official at a coal magazine and lived in Smíchov.

Jindřichův Hradec

That said, the name appeared often enough in the newspapers of the time, and often in connection with Jindřichův Hradec. Karel Solpera was a long-time mayor of the town and the textile manufacturer Ignác Solpera also resided here. The well known graphics designer and writer Jan Solpera was born here in 1939 and has even had a font named after himself.

Supák

Supák was a colloquial term for a soldier who stayed on in the armed forces after completing his compulsory military service. The origin of the word is unclear. See also supák Schreiter.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] „Já jsem zas docela spokojenej,“ řekl Švejk, „to ještě před lety, když jsem sloužil aktivně, tak náš supák Solpera říkal, že na vojně musí bejt si každej vědom svejch povinností, a dal ti přitom takovou přes hubu, žes na to nikdy nezapomněl.
Literature
References
aPříjmení: 'Solpera', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
Oberleutnant Kvajsernn flag
Search
quaiser1.png

K.u.k. Kriegsministerium,18.12.1914

quaiser.png

KdeJsme.cz,2017

Kvajser was a late objrlajtnant who is mentioned in the same story as supák Solpera.

Background

No person with the surname Kvajser lives in Czechia today. Phonetically closest is probably Kvaiser but this name is also very rare (17 persons). Somewhat more common is Quaiser with 45 persons living in Czechia in 2023[a]. The variant Quaisser also exists but is now (2023) very rare. Because this name is German it would surely have been much more common in the Czech lands before 1945.

Officers

Schematismus (k.u.k. Heer) from 1914 shows a reserve lieutenant Carl Quaiser from the Telegraphenregiment, a unit based in St. Pölten[b]. In k.k. Landwehr the reserve lieutentant Richard Quaiser served in III. Landesschützenregiment in Tyrol.

Casualty lists

The Verlustliste from World War I gives an indication where the name was most widespread. The lists reveal that the name almost exclusively was limited to a German speaking area of North Bohemia and was far more common than today. The two mentioned officers are however not on the lists so presumably they survived the war. On the other hand, many rank and file soldiers named Quaiser were killed, wounded or captured during the war[c].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Nebo nebožtík obrlajtnant Kvajser, když přišel prohlížet kvéry, tak vždycky nám přednášel, že každej voják má jevit největší duševní votrlost, poněvadž vojáci jsou jenom dobytek, kerej stát krmí, dá jim nažrat, napít kafé, tabák do fajfky a za to musí tahat jako volové.“
Literature
References
aPříjmení: 'Quaiser', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 967)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1914
cVerlustliste Nr. 81K.u.k. Kriegsministerium18.12.1914
Teacher Herálnn flag
Search
heral.png

© ÖStA

heral1.png

© ÖStA

heral2.png

Nachrichten über Verwundete und Kranke ausgegeben am 1./5. 1915

heral3.png

Sčítání lidu 1910, Boršov nad Vltavou

Herál was a teacher mentioned in yet another story that Švejk told Sappeur Vodička on the way to their interrogation by Auditor Ruller. During Švejk's compulsory military service Herál had explained the practices in military courts during the reign of Maria Theresa, that each regiment had its own executioner.

Background

One reserve lieutenant Petr Heral actually served in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 together with Jaroslav Hašek. He was born in 1886 with Heimatrecht in Boršov nad Vltavou and was promoted to Leutnant on 1 March 1915[b]. He was taken prisoner by the Russians on the same day as the author of The Good Soldier Švejk, at Chorupan 24 September 1915[a]. Hašek may thus have known Heral not only from IR. 91 but also from the three week prisoner transport to Darnytsia, maybe even further. The loss lists also reveal that he held a degree in law and that he served in the 6th company (i.e. in the 2nd battalion) at the time of his capture.

Whether or not he inspired the author to create the teacher Švejk tells about can obviously not be verified, but it remains an open possibility. If it could established that Heral actually was a teacher, it would be a near certainty.

The 1910 census

The census carried out in 1910 reveals more about Heral[c]. He was born in Boršov 16 June 1886 in house number 11, in a family of farmers, living there with three siblings and his mother Anna (b. 1851) who also owned the house. He is listed as single, Roman-Catholic and with Czech as his mother tongue. As usual in the census record it was stated that he could read and write. At the end of 1907 Heral was studying at C.k. vyšší realka in Budějovice and graduated that year. By 1910 he had completed a course at C.k. cejchovní úřad (gauging office) but at this stage there is no information about any employment.

This link to the gauging office facilitates further research. His obituary reveals that he was employed by the gauging office in Prague and that he returned from Russia (captivity) with malaria. The condition affected his heart and in the end this proved fatal. He died in Prague on 4 May 1938 and was buried in Boršov the next day[d].

Inconclusive

Heral is a rare surname (69 persons in Czechia in 2020)[f] so Hašek wouldn't have known many of them. That he knew Peter Heral from IR. 91 is very likely, but the latter was already working at the gauging office in 1913[e] so it is unlikely that he was also a teacher.

Other inspirations are possible but less likely than Peter Heral. In the Prague address book from 1910 only 2 Heral's are listed and they were not teachers. Nor do the police registers reveal any combination of name and occupation that fits.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] „Nic se neboj, Vodičko,“ konejšil ho Švejk, „jen klid, žádný rozčilování, copak je to něco, bejt před nějakým takovým divisijním soudem. Tos měl vidět, jak před lety se takový vojenský soud vodbejval zkrátka. Sloužil ti u nás v aktivu učitel Herál a ten nám jednou na kavalci vykládal, když jsme všichni v cimře dostali kasárníka, že je v pražským museu jedna kniha zápisů takovýho vojenskýho soudu za Marie Terezie. Každej regiment měl svýho kata, který popravoval vojáky svýho regimentu, kus po kusu, za jeden tereziánskej tolar. A ten kat podle těch zápisů vydělal si někerej den až pět tolarů.

Sources: Karl Wagner von Wagenried, Jan Ciglbauer

Literature
References
aThe battle of ChorupanJomar Hønsi2021
bRanglisten der kaiserlich und königlichen HeeresK.K. Hof- und Staatsdruckerei1918
cSčítání lidu Boršov nad VltavouSOkA České Budějovice1910
dBoršov - Matriční přehledFarní věstník pro Č. Budějovice a okolní osady1938
eReznik, který na kus masa nehledíNová doba5.3.1913
fPříjmení: 'Heral', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
Maria Theresann flag
*13.5.1717 Wien - †29.11.1780 Wien
Wikipedia czdeenhunn Search
mtheresa.jpg

Český svět,3.1.1910

Maria Theresa is mentioned by Švejk in the same story as teacher Herál.

Background

Maria Theresa was ruling archduchess of Austria, german-roman empress, queen of Hungary, queen of Bohemia and head of state of several other areas: Croatia, Galicia, Mantua etc.

Her father prepared the way for her ascension to the throne by the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713, also mentioned in the novel. This law gave women hereditary rights to the throne.

Maria Theresa introduced progressive reforms in the penal code and in education, but was also known for her anti-clerical attitudes. The fortress Terezín is named after her, and so is Theresianische Militärakademie. During her reign the empire was modernised and strenghtened.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Sloužil ti u nás v aktivu učitel Herál a ten nám jednou na kavalci vykládal, když jsme všichni v cimře dostali kasárníka, že je v pražským museu jedna kniha zápisů takovýho vojenskýho soudu za Marie Terezie. Každej regiment měl svýho kata, který popravoval vojáky svýho regimentu, kus po kusu, za jeden tereziánskej tolar. A ten kat podle těch zápisů vydělal si někerej den až pět tolarů.

Also written:Marie Terezie cz Mária Terézia hu

Bělounnn flag
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beloun.png

K.u.k. Kriegsministerium,13.10.1914

Běloun was a soldier who strangled a gipsy by the Drina after the latter had been caught with cigarettes he had received as a reward for hanging Serbian civilians. This is one of the stories Sappeur Vodička tells from his time at the front in Serbia.

Background

Neither Běloun nor the similar Beloun is found in contemporary databases of Czech surnames. Still, historical newspapers reveal that the name existed in 1914, but was very rare. In Verlustliste there is only one entry, a Josef Běloun from Infanterieregiment Nr. 98 who was wounded in 1914[a].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] „Když jsem byl v Srbsku,“ řekl Vodička, „tak u naší brigády věšeli, kteří se přihlásili, čúžáky za cigarety. Kerej voják pověsil chlapa, ten dostal deset športek, za ženskou a za dítě pět. Potom začlo intendantstvo spořit a vodstřelovalo se to hromadně. Se mnou sloužil jeden cikán a vo tom jsme to dlouho nevěděli. Bylo nám to jenom nápadný, že ho vždycky na noc někam volali do kanceláře. To jsme stáli na Drině. A jednou v noci, když byl pryč, tak někomu napadlo šťourat se v jeho věcech, a pacholek měl v ruksaku celý tři krabičky po stovce športek. Potom se vrátil k ránu do naší stodoly a my jsme s ním udělali krátkej soud. Povalili jsme ho a nějakej Běloun ho uškrtil řemenem. Měl ten pacholek tuhej život jako kočka.“
References
aVerlustliste Nr. 25K.u.k. Kriegsministerium13.10.1914
Auditor Rullernn flag
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ruller.png

Josef Lada,1930

rolle.png

Schematismus für das kaiserliche und königliche Heer und die kaiserliche und königliche Kriegs-Marine,1913

rolle1.png

Reichspost,24.8.1915

Ruller is mentioned 4 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Ruller was a prosecutor at Divisionsgericht who interrogated Švejk and Sappeur Vodička and reluctantly had to release them on orders from Oberst Schröder. Ruller is more interested in the drawings in a book by Fr. S. Kraus on the historical development of sexual morals than in performing his duties at the court.

The scene has similarities with the description of the judge in The Trial by Franz Kafka.

Background

With uncertainties aboubt what military courts existed in Brucker Lager it is even more difficult to establish if this figure has any real life counterpart.

Wladimir Rollé

There is however another track to follow. The commander of the camp in 1915 was Oberstleutnant Wladimir Rollé (1860 - ?), a cavalry officer from Galicia who had been partly pensioned shortly before the war but served as commander of Brucker Lager at the same time[a]. This surname is well within margin of error with regards to Hašek's resuse of names. The rest is of course speculation.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Ztrápený voják učitel si přisedl na lavici a povzdechl: "To je všechno, a kvůli tomu jsem již počtvrté vyslýchanej u pana auditora."
[II.4] Učitel si povzdechl: "Když ten pan auditor neumí dobře česky.
[II.4] A jak to můžu splatit těm maďarskejm klukům, když sedím zavřenej, a ještě ke všemu se člověk musí přetvařovat a vykládat auditorovi, že nemá proti Maďarům žádnou zášť.
[II.4] Když se ho auditor ptal, čím je v civilu, tak říkal: ,Dejmám u Kříže.`
[II.4] V okovaných dveřích zarachotil klíč a vstoupil profous: "Infanterist Švejk a sapér Vodička k panu auditorovi."
[II.4] Sapér Vodička se zamyslil a po chvíli se ozval: "Až tam budeš, Švejku, u toho auditora, tak se nesplet, a co jsi předešle při výslechu mluvil, tak to vopakuj, ať nejsem v nějaký bryndě.
[II.4] Vstoupili právě do baráku s kancelářemi divisijního soudu a patrola je ihned odvedla do kanceláře čís. 8, kde za dlouhým stolem s haldami spisů seděl auditor Ruller. Před ním ležel nějaký díl zákoníku, na kterém stála nedopitá sklenice čaje. Po pravé straně na stole stál krucifix z napodobené slonoviny, se zaprášeným Kristem, který se zoufale díval na podstavec svého kříže, na kterém byl popel a oharky z cigaret. Auditor Ruller oklepával si právě k nové lítosti ukřižovaného boha novou cigaretu o podstavec krucifixu a druhou rukou nadzvedal sklenici s čajem, která se přilepila na zákoník. Vyprostiv sklenici z objetí zákoníku, listoval se dál v knize vypůjčené z důstojnického kasina. Byla to kniha Fr. S. Krause s mnohoslibným názvem „Forschungen zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der geschlechtlichen Moral“.
[II.4] "Was geht los?" otázal se, listuje dál a hledaje pokračování naivních kresbiček, skic a náčrtů. "Poslušně hlásím, pane auditor," odpověděl Švejk, "kamarád Vodička se nastyd a teď kašle." Auditor Ruller teprve teď se podíval na Švejka a na Vodičku.
[II.4] „Ty drž radši hubu,“ řekl auditor Ruller „až se tě na něco zeptám, tak teprv budeš odpovídat. Třikrát jsi byl u mne u výslechu a lezlo to z tebe jako z chlupatý deky. Tak najdu to nebo nenajdu? Mám já s vámi, vy chlapi mizerní, práci. Ale ono se vám to nevyplatilo, obtěžovat zbytečně soud.
Literature
References
aDienstbeschreibungen und Qualifikationslisten der OffiziereÖStA1761-1918
Krauss, Friedrich Salomonnn flag
*7.10.1859 Požega - †29.5.1938 Wien
Wikipedia deensv Search
fskrauss.jpg

Porträt des Krauss, Friedrich Salomon [1859-1938]

© ÖNB

krausf3.png

One of the naive drawings that auditor Ruller may have had a closer look at in Királyhida. Collected by Georges-Henri Luquet.

Anthropophyteia. VII. Band,1910

Krauss is mentioned because advocate Auditor Ruller is browsing his book Forschungen zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der geschlechtlichen Moral just as Sappeur Vodička and Švejk appear. He is studying some naive drawings of male and female reproductive organs, with suitable verses, as observed in the toilets at Berlin Westbahnhof by the learned Fr. S. Kraus himself.

Background

Krauss was a ethnographer, sexologist, folklorist, and Slavist of Croatian/Jewish origin, resident in Vienna. Early in his career he received funding from crown prince Crown Prince Rudolf for his ethnographic research amongst the south Slavs and later he worked with Sigmund Freud. He became a pioneer of "ethno-sexology", but a succession of obscenity trials hampered his work and had by 1913 ruined him financially.

The author is imprecise in describing Krauss and his publication. It was not a book, but rather a series of annual publications which appeared 10 times between 1904 and 1913. Krauss was the publisher of the series, not the author as Hašek suggests.

Anthropophyteia

The work in question is no doubt Anthropophyteia. Jahrbücher für Folkloristische Erhebungen und Forschungen zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der geschlechtlichen Moral. It was a series of scientific yearbooks, containing articles and studies from a number of scholars, and Krauss himself contributed some of it. The books were never publicly for sale, as they were intended for research only. The illustrations were limited to some pages at the end of each volume.

Drawings that fit the description Hašek gives in the novel are found in Vol. VII. (1910), page 529 to 535. They refer to a study published on pages 197 to 203, authored in French by Luquet[1]. He does not mention Berlin or any railway station toilet but in the same volume (p. 403) there is a section about scribbled verses in Berlin toilets (with examples). It may therefore be that Hašek composed the sequence from these two elements. In any case: nowhere in the ten volumes do we find drawings next to verses as described in the novel.

1. Georges-Henri Luquet (1876-1965). French philosopher and ethnologist. Pioneer on the research on children's drawings.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Vyprostiv sklenici z objetí zákoníku, listoval se dál v knize vypůjčené z důstojnického kasina. Byla to kniha Fr. S. Krause s mnohoslibným názvem „Forschungen zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der geschlechtlichen Moral“. Zadíval se na reprodukci naivních kreseb mužského i ženského pohlavního ústroje s přiléhajícími verši, které objevil učenec Fr. S. Krause na záchodcích berlínského Západního nádraží, takže neobrátil pozornost na ty, kteří vstoupili.

Also written:Fr. S. Krause/Fr. S. Kraus Hašek Franz S. Krause Parrott

Literature
von Humboldt, Alexandernn flag
*14.7.1769 Berlin - †6.5.1859 Berlin
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
humboldt.jpg

Obrazy z přírody,1906

humboldt.png

Notice about von Humboldt's death

Tagespost,10.5.1859

Humboldt is quoted by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he gets the news that Švejk is off to the front in Galicia: In the whole world have I seen nothing more magnificent than this stupid Galicia.

The quote could also originate from his brother Wilhelm. It may also refer to Galicia in Spain, an area both Humboldt brothers visited.

Background

Humboldt (full name Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Humboldt) was a famous German naturalist and explorer who undertook extensive research expeditions in Latin America and Central Asia. He is regarded as the co-founder of geography as empirical science. He was the brother of Wilhelm von Humboldt, founder of Berlin's Humboldt University.

Humboldt visited Galicia (Poland) in 1792/93 and Galicia (Spain) in 1799. It has however not been possible to connect him to Marerk's quote about Galicia.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Budete se v dálné cizině cítiti jako doma, jako v příbuzném kraji, ba skoro jako v milé domovině. S city povznesenými nastoupíte pouť do krajin, o kterých již starý Humboldt pravil: ,V celém světě neviděl jsem něco velkolepějšího nad tu blbou Halič.’
Literature
Lawyer Bas, Otakarnn flag
*21.3.1879 Hradec Kralové - †18.3.1939 Praha
Wikipedia cz Search
bas.png

Jas,26.4.1935

Bas is a lawyer who is mentioned by Švejk after he and Sappeur Vodička had been interrogated by Auditor Ruller. Bass told his clients that it was their duty to lie.

Background

Bas was a Czech radical lawyer who received his license in 1908 and specialised in defending opponents of the Habsburg regime. Already as a young candidate lawyer he was active in Sokol and also in politics. After the war he at one stage held the post as Vice President of the Czechoslovak Senate. He committed suicide shortly after the Nazis occupied Czechoslovakia in March 1939.

That this is the person the novel refers to is information provided from Antonín Měšťan. He is almost certainly right as minor spelling mistakes like Bas-Bass are quite common throughout The Good Soldier Švejk.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.4] Já jsem se u vejslechu, to je pravda, vymlouval všelijak, to se musí dělat, to je povinností lhát, jako říká advokát Bass svým klientům.

Also written:Bass Hašek

Literature
Index Back Forward II. At the front Hovudpersonen

5. From Bruck on the Leitha toward Sokal

Krakonošnn flag
Wikipedia czdeenplsv Search
krakonos.jpg

From one of the many books about Krakonoš.

Václav Špáček,1883

Krakonoš is mentioned when the author describes Offiziersdiener Baloun, who with his huge frame and long beard resembles Krakonoš.

Background

Krakonoš is a German/Czech/Polish folklore mountain spirit of the Krkonoše mountain range (Riesengebirge), subject of many legends in the region. Görlitz and Vysoké nad Jizerou both have museums dedicated to this figure. He also appeared in numerous books and operas from the 19th century. Later he also became a theme for movies.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Před ním stál účetní šikovatel Vaněk, který zde sestavoval listiny k výplatě žoldu, vedl účty kuchyně pro mužstvo, byl finančním ministrem celé roty a trávil tu celý boží den, zde též spal. U dveří stál tlustý pěšák, zarostlý vousy jako Krakonoš. To byl Baloun, nový sluha nadporučíka, v civilu mlynář někde u Českého Krumlova.

Also written:Rübezahl de Liczyrzepa pl

Literature
Offiziersdiener Balounnn flag
Wikipedia cz Search
baloun.jpg

Josef Lada, 1955

baloun.png

Jaroslav Baloun, 1893 - ?

© VÚA

baloun1.png

Schematismus für das kaiserliche und königliche Heer … 1914

Baloun is mentioned 191 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Baloun becomes the new officer's servant for Oberleutnant Lukáš when Oberst Schröder promotes Švejk to messenger at the 11th march company. He is part of the story the whole journey from Királyhida to the front, and figures regularly from now on. He is a huge man, incredibly gluttonous and all he can think of is food. Apart from this, he is portrayed as rather stupid. By profession, he is a miller. He is married with three children and he often bobbled up the food of his family. Baloun is from the area around Krumlov.

Background

Baloun has no clearly identifiable model from real life, but at least his gluttony may have been derived from the author himself, who at the time when he wrote this part of the novel put on a lot of weight. Jaroslav Hašek was known as a gourmet, something which is reflected in the many descriptions of food throughout the novel. According to Josef Lada he was also a very good cook.

There are several people with the name Baloun that the author might have met during his life, and could at least have lent their name (and even some personal traits) to the gluttonous miller from Krumlovsko.

Head doctor Baloun

One of them was František Baloun, regimental doctor at Infanterieregiment Nr. 91. He is listed in the regiment's ranks in 1914, 1916 og 1917 so would most likely also had served IR. 91 also in 1915. It has however not been established whether he served with the regiment at the same time as Hašek. At the outbreak of war he was associated with the detached 1st battalion in Dalmatia, and if this was the case also in 1915 the two probably never met.

The young one-year volunteer

A more obvious candidate is one-year volunteer Jaroslav Baloun who was transferred from IR73 to IR. 91, 2. Ersatzkompanie on 1 April 1915, during the same time Jaroslav Hašek served at Ersatzbataillon IR. 91. It is very likely that the author knew about this Baloun as both were garrisoned in Budějovice. Baloun was in the spring of 1915 promoted to Kadett and fought with the regiment at Sokal where he was wounded on 27 June 1915.

That said it was probably only the name that served as an inspiration. The one-year volunteer was tall for the time (176 cm) but no miller. He was born in Německý Brod (since 1945 Havlíčkův Brod) and as a 22 year old in 1915 he surely didn't have three children.

The miller by Netolice

A certain Jindřich Baloun ran a mill by Netolice around 1930[a]. Hypothetically Jaroslav Hašek may have met him during a four-day "escape" from Budějovice in 1915, when he according to Radko Pytlík visited the area.

Hotel Neptun

Another possible link between Jaroslav Hašek and some Baloun is Hotel Neptun where the author lived for a few weeks after his return from to Prague from Russia 19 Desember 1920. A certain Josef Baloun managed this hotel in 1924, and may have done so also in 1921.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] U dveří stál tlustý pěšák, zarostlý vousy jako Krakonoš. To byl Baloun, nový sluha nadporučíka, v civilu mlynář někde u Českého Krumlova. „Vybral jste mně opravdu znamenitého pucfleka,“ mluvil nadporučík Lukáš k účetnímu šikovateli, „děkuji vám srdečné za to milé překvapení. První den si ho pošlu pro oběd do oficírsmináže, a on mně ho půl sežere.“

Sources: VÚA, Jan Ciglbauer, Radko Pytlík

Literature
References
aZáhadný Dub a BalounČasopis BarbarJan Ciglbauer10.10.2017
Korporal Weidenhofernn flag
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weidenhofer.png

Weidenhofer/Weidenhöfer are both rare surnames.

Forebears.io,2012 - 2022

Weidenhofer was a junior officer who was entrusted with tying up Offiziersdiener Baloun in the kitchen courtyard as punishment for having eaten the lunch of Oberleutnant Lukáš.

Background

Seemingly only a single Weidenhofer is recorded in Verlustliste throughout the war. That someone carrying this surname would have served with Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 together with Hašek is thus practically impossible. In modern Czechia the name is not found at all[a].

World-wide it is slightly more prevalent, mostly in Australia (87), Germany (29) and USA (13). Still, as the numbers reveal: this family name is extremely rare[b].

More frequent is the similar Weidenhöfer (200 across the) and 11 of them live in Tsjekkia, all of them in Brno[c]. Another approximate variation is Wiedenhofer. This name is more often found, particularly in Austria with 526 in 2014[d].

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] "Sie Rechnungsfeldwebl,“ obrátil se na Vaňka, „odveďte ho ke kaprálovi Weidenhoferovi, ať ho pěkně uváže na dvoře u kuchyně na dvě hodiny, až budou dnes večer rozdávat guláš. Ať ho uváže pěkně vysoko, aby jen tak se držel na špičkách a viděl, jak se v kotli ten guláš vaří.
References
aPříjmení: 'Weidenhofer', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
bWeidenhofer name meaningFamilySearch.org2024
cWeidenhöfer SurnameForebears.io2012 - 2022
dWiedenhofer SurnameForebears.io2012 - 2022
Stabsfeldwebel Hegnernn flag
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hegner.jpg

Edvard Hegner was a person that Hašek almost certainly knew.

hegner.png

Density of the surname Hegner today.

Forebears.io,2012 - 2022

Hegner is mentioned 3 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Hegner was a staff sergeant who had served with Hauptmann Ságner in Serbia at the beginning of the war and had related to Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk how incompetent Ságner at the border with Montenegro. Vaněk now relates this to Oberleutnant Lukáš just as the latter gets to know that Ságner has been promoted ahead of him.

Background

As with Korporal Weidenhofer this is surely also a surname that Hašek more or less picked at random. In Schematismus no-one with this name is listed after 1862[a] and one has not identified any Hegner that can be associated with Infanterieregiment Nr. 91. In Czechia around 88 are resident today[b] and none from the recruitment district of IR. 91. Worldwide almost 3,800 bear the surname Hegner. The name is most common in Switzerland and Germany.

Editor Hegner

Still, a person existed who Hašek may have borrowed the name from. In Vinohrady lived and editor Edvard Hegner (1876-1929) and the writer and journalist Hašek was surely aware of him and most probably also knew him. Hegner wrote satires, other prose and theatre plays and contributed to several of the publication that Jaroslav Hašek also wrote for. Whether Hašek actually had Hegner in mind when he wrote this sequence of The Good Soldier Švejk is impossible to know but in such a case it would only be "name-borrowing". He quite often borrowed names and assigned them to one of his literary creation that had little or nothing to do with the real-life person who bore the name. Examples of this method are Břetislav Ludvík and not the least Švejk himself.

Sagner i Serbia

Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk's information can in no way be linked to Čeněk Sagner, the "model" of Hauptmann Ságner. Sagner slost rettnok i Serbia but this was in the north, by Drina, and thereafter by Kolubara where he was injured. He was never posted to the front against Montenegro where the 1st battalion of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 operated at the start of the war.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] „A víte, pane obrlajtnant,“ řekl, důvěrně mrkaje, „že se má stát pan hejtman Ságner batalionskomandantem našeho maršbatalionu? Napřed, jak říkal štábsfeldvébl Hegner, se myslelo, že vy budete, poněvadž jste nejstarší důstojník u nás, batalionskomandantem, a potom prý přišlo od divise na brigádu, že je jmenován pan hejtman Ságner.“
[II.5] „Já z toho nemám moc velkou radost,“ důvěrně se ozval účetní šikovatel, „vypravoval štábsfeldvébl Hegner, že pan hejtman Ságner v Srbsku na počátku války chtěl někde u Černé Hory v horách se vyznamenat a hnal jednu kumpačku svého baťáčku za druhou na mašíngevéry do srbských štelungů, ačkoliv to byla úplně zbytečná věc a infanterie tam byla starýho kozla co platná, poněvadž Srby odtamtud s těch skal mohla dostat jen artilerie.
[II.5] Vypravoval nedávno štábsfeldvébl Hegner, že příliš neladíte s panem hejtmanem Ságnerem a že on právě pošle naši 11. kumpačku první do gefechtu na ta nejhroznější místa.
Literature
References
aMilitärschematismus des österreichischen KaiserthumesK.k. Kriegsministerium1860
bPříjmení: 'Hegner', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
cPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
Mr. Kokoška, Ferdinandnn flag
*31.5.1846 Praha - †16.2.1906 Praha
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koloska.jpg

Kološka and the young Hašek (Josef Lada)

kokoska.png

Prager Abendblatt,3.12.1904

Kokoška owned a chemist's store in Na Perštýně when Švejk was an apprentice there. This information is revealed when Švejk tells Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk about this experiences in this profession. Švejk accidentally set fire to a barrel of petrol, an accident that led to his dismissal. He also learnt how to prepare cow-fodder, the theme of most of the anecdote.)

This Kokoška is not identical to the Ferdinand Kokoška at the start of the novel who collects dog turds (although the names of both men no doubt have the same origin).

Background

Kokoška was the proprietor of drogerie Kokoška at the corner of Na Perštýně and Martinská ulice where Hašek briefly worked as an apprentice in 1898. It has been verified that the pharmacy existed from 1890 until 1906 (Kokoška died that year). A picture of the shop from 1905 shows the name in the German version Kokoschka, a name used in most adverts and address books. Otherwise population registers reveal that Kokoška was born in Prague, was married to Anna (born Milnerová) and that the couple had one daughter, also called Anna.

Police registers show that Kokoška was part owner of the company Ott. This is surely due to the fact his mother-in-law was Kateřina Ott, and the he may have inherited the part or it may even have been a marriage endowment. The firm Ott manufactured chemicals, poisonous substances and other items associated with chemists.

Kokoška is pivotal in the stories From the old pharmacy (Veselá Praha, 1909/10) where he is half-heartedly re-named Kološka. He is described as a very short elderly man with a large moustache. Václav Menger provides additional information in his book Jaroslav Hašek doma (1935) and in two articles in Lidové noviny in 1933. According to Menger the 15 year old Hašek was dismissed after having painted a beard and glasses on an Alpine cow to make it resemble the boss.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] „Já jsem se taky učil materialistou,“ řekl Švejk, „u nějakýho pana Kokošky na Perštýně v Praze. To byl náramnej podivín, a když jsem mu jednou vomylem ve sklepě zapálil sud benzinu a von vyhořel, tak mne vyhnal a gremium mne už nikde nepřijalo, takže jsem se kvůli pitomýmu sudu benzinu nemoh doučit. Vyrábíte také koření pro krávy?“

Sources: Václav Menger

Also written:Kokoschka de

Literature
Sankt Peregrinusnn flag
*1265 Forli - †1.5.1345 Forli
Wikipedia czdeenit Search
pellegrino.jpg

Sankt Peregrinus had his named invoked by Mr. Kokoška when sanctifying the herbs for bloated cows, all revealed when Švejk tells Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk about his time as a chemist's apprentice.

Background

Sankt Peregrinus may be one of seven different saints with the name Pelegrine or Peregrine, mostly martyrs from early Christianity. One expert (quoted below) maintains that the saint in question here is Peregrine Laziosi, patron saint for child-bearing women.

Antonín Měšťan

... während der Hl. Peregrinus (Pellegrin) in Wirklichkeit für die katolische Kirche der Patron der Gebärenden, der Wöchnerinnen und der Lohnkutscher ist.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] „U nás se vyrábělo koření pro krávy se svěcenými obrázky. Von byl náš pan šéf Kokoška náramně nábožnej člověk a dočetl se jednou, že svatej Pelegrinus pomáhal při nafouknutí dobytka.

Also written:Peregrín Laziosi cz Peregrinus Laziosi de Pellegrino Laziosi it Svatej Pelegrinus Švejk

Literature
Mr. Tauchennn flag
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Tauchen is mentioned when Švejk tells Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk about his time as a chemist's apprentice. Tauchen was a shop-assistant at drogerie Kokoška, who was given the task of writing religious poems to go with the cow-herbs.

Must not be confused with one Mr. Tauchen who had a similar position at Firma Polák.

Background

The author's apprenticeship at drogerie Kokoška inspired a series of eight stories that were published in Veselá Praha in 1909 and 1910. Already here Tauchen appears but with his name slighly twisted by still easily recognizable (Tauben). It is almost certain that some Tauchen worked for Kokoška but it has to this day (2021) not been possible to establish his identity.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] A potom jsme je přikládali do balíčků toho našeho koření pro krávy. Krávě se to koření namíchalo do teplý vody, dalo se jí napít z dřezu a přitom se dobytku předčítala modlitbička k sv. Pelegrinovi, kterou složil pan Tauchen, náš příručí. To když byly ty obrázky sv. Pelegrina vytištěny, tak ještě na druhou stranu bylo potřeba natisknout nějakou modlitbičku.
Literature
Sluha u Kokošky Ferdinandnn flag
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Ferdinand was, like Mr. Tauchen , a servant at drogerie Kokoška, and had to help Tauchen write poems to go with the cow-herbs. This led to a row about the origin av authorship, but Švejk never managed to finish the story as Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk received a phone call.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Dokonce zapomněl, jak se ten svatej do toho koření pro krávy jmenuje. Tak ho vytrh z bídy náš sluha Ferdinand. Ten uměl všechno. Když jsme sušili na půdě heřmánkový thé, tak si tam vždycky vlez, zul si boty a naučil nás, že se přestanou nohy potit.
[II.5] A než jsem pivo přines, tak už náš sluha Ferdinand byl s tím napolovic hotov a už předčítal:...
[II.5] Potom, když přišel pan Kokoška, pan Tauchen šel s ním do komptoiru, a když vyšel ven, ukazoval nám dva zlatníky, ne jeden, jak měl slíbeno, a chtěl se s panem Ferdinandem rozdělit napolovic. Ale sluhu Ferdinanda, když viděl ty dva zlatníky, chyt najednou mamon. Že prej ne, buď všechno, anebo nic. Tak tedy pan Tauchen mu nedal nic a nechal si ty dvě zlatky pro sebe, vzal mě vedle do magacínu, dal mně pohlavek a řek, že dostanu takových pohlavků sto, když se někde vopovážím říct, že on to nesestavoval a nespisoval, i kdyby si šel Ferdinand stěžovat k našemu starýmu, že musím říct, že sluha Ferdinand je lhář. Musel jsem mu to vodpřísáhnout před nějakým plucarem s estragonovým voctem.
Ordonnanz Braunnn flag
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Braun was the orderly of the 12th march company, and Švejk had an unrewarding phone conversation with him in his first task as orderly of the 11th march company.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] „Vaněk? Ten šel do regimentskanceláře. Kdo je u telefonu? Ordonanc od 11. marškumpanie. Kdo je tam? Ordonanc od 12. maršky? Servus, kolego. Jak se jmenuji? Švejk. A ty? Braun. Nemáš příbuznýho nějakýho Brauna v Pobřežní třídě v Karlíně, kloboučníka? Že nemáš, že ho neznáš...
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Braun was a hatter from Pobřežní třída in Karlín who was mentioned in the conversation between orderly Ordonnanz Braun and Švejk.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] „Vaněk? Ten šel do regimentskanceláře. Kdo je u telefonu? Ordonanc od 11. marškumpanie. Kdo je tam? Ordonanc od 12. maršky? Servus, kolego. Jak se jmenuji? Švejk. A ty? Braun. Nemáš příbuznýho nějakýho Brauna v Pobřežní třídě v Karlíně, kloboučníka? Že nemáš, že ho neznáš...
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Zugsführer Fuchs to the left.

České slovo,6.4.1924

Fuchs was a squad leader (četař) who was ordered by Oberleutnant Lukáš to fetch tins from the stores. It was Švejk who conveyed the order. The tins turned out to be imaginary as much else in the k.u.k armed forces.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Četař Fuchs byl tak překvapen, že vypravil ze sebe jen: „Cože?“ „Žádný ,cože’,“ odpověděl Švejk, „já jsem ordonanc jedenáctý marškumpanie a právě před chvílí jsem mluvil po telefonu s panem obrlajtnantem Lukášem. A ten řek: ,Laufšrit s deseti muži k magacínu.’ Jestli nepůjdete, pane cuksfíra Fuchse, tak ihned jdu nazpátek k telefonu. Pan obrlajtnant si výhradně přeje, aby vy jste šel. Je to zbytečný vůbec vo tom mluvit. ,Telefonní rozhovor,’ říká pan nadporučík Lukáš, ,musí bejt krátký, jasný.
Korporal Blažeknn flag
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Korporal Blažek in the middle.

České slovo,6.4.1924

Blažek is a corporal who just about gets a word in after Švejk has given Zugsführer Fuchs orders to draw a supply of tins from stores.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] „Hned budu s deseti maníkama u magacínu,“ ozval se od baráku četař Fuchs, a Švejk nepromluviv již ani slova odcházel ze skupiny šarží, které byly stejně překvapeny jako četař Fuchs. „Už to začíná,“ řekl malý desátník Blažek, „budeme pakovat.“
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Přenosil was a lieutenant that Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk talked about. He was in a previous march company that Vaněk had travelled to the front with.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Ale u nás byl kumpaniekomandantem lajtnant Přenosil, velký fešák, a ten nám řek: ,Nespěchejte, hoši,’ a šlo to jako na másle. Dvě hodiny před odjezdem vlaku jsme teprve začli pakovat. Uděláte dobře, když se taky posadíte...“
Lucienn flag
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Lucie is mentioned in the drunken drivel of the staff sergeant who got a bribe from a farmer from Pardubice. Švejk and Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk witnessed the wooly utterings.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Ten se udělal úplně pro sebe a blábolil, hladě čtvrtku vína, prapodivné věci beze vší souvislosti česky i německy: „Mnohokrát prošel jsem touto vesnicí a neměl jsem ani potuchy o tom, že je na světě. In einem halben Jahre habe ich meine Staatsprüfung hinter mir und meinen Doktor gemacht. Stal se ze mne starý mrzák, děkuji vám, Lucie. Erscheinen sie in schön ausgestatteten Bänden - snad je tu někdo mezi vámi, jenž se na to pamatuje.“
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Jurajda is mentioned 44 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Jurajda is a cook in the officer's mess in Bruck, later in Švejk's march company. He takes part in the journey from Bruck an der Leitha - Királyhida all the way to the novel's end in Klimontów.

Jurajda is an occultist, in civilian life he published an occultist magazine and the book series Mysteries of Life and Death. He regularly chips in with thoughts on karma, transmigration of souls, and a number of questions of existencial significance. These range from our earthly existence to the life beyond.

Apart from this, he is a good cook and very popular amongst the officers. Still, Oberst Schröder dispatched him to the front because he was slightly unlucky with the meal for the officer's farewell party in Bruck.

Background

Any obvious "model" for Hašek's company cook has not been identified. There is no Jurajda in the records of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91, be it in Verlustliste, other army papers or in the recollections of Hašek's contemporaries in IR91. The cook in Hašek's 11. Kompanie in 1915 was some Perníček and he may also have served with Hašek in XII. Marschbataillon. Moreover it should be noted that the surname Jurajda is extremely rare in the recruitment district of IR91[d] and this was surely the case also in 1915.

Kamil Jurajda
jurajda1.jpg

Augustin Knesl, Večerní Praha, 1983

Augustin Knesl informs that Hašek knew a certain Kamil Jurajda from Rožnov pod Radhoštěm in Moravia and claims that this person is the model for the occultist cook[e]. Jurajda was born in 1883 and graduated as an agronomic at the technical college at Karlovo náměstí. Hašek knew several students from this institution and Knesl arrived at the conclusion that the author of The Good Soldier Švejk borrowed names for several of his literary characters from his circle of acquaintances here. Knesl claims that Jurajda was very religious and in addition an occultist but considering that Knesl tended to interpret fiction from The Good Soldier Švejk as facts there is good reason to view his claim with scepticism. Still, there is no doubt that Kamil Jurajda was born in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm in 1883[f]. From the autumn of 1912 he lived in Vinohrady. During World War I Jurajda served as a Leutnant with k.k. Landsturm in the hinterland and obviously had no connection to Infanterieregiment Nr. 91.

The occultist Adamíra
adamira1.jpg

Kulturní adresář ČSR, 1934-1936

A more likely inspiration for Jurajda is Josef Alois Adamíra (1877-1953), a chemist who was employed at the laboratory of Zemědelská rada (The Agricultural Council)[b]. Important in the context of The Good Soldier Švejk is however that he was a prominent occultist[c]. Jaroslav Hašek lived in the flat of Adamíra in Havlíčkova třída at Vinohrady for a period from 29 July 1912[a] and one could easily imagine that Hašek picked up knowledge about occultism from him and that he later may have made use of this when he created his character Jurajda.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Kuchař Jurajda se dal do filosofování, což fakticky odpovídalo jeho bývalému zaměstnání. Vydával totiž do vojny okultistický časopis a knihovnu „Záhady života a smrti“. Na vojně ulil se k důstojnické kuchyni regimentu a velice často připálil nějakou pečeni, když se zabral do čtení překladů staroindických suter Pragnâ-Paramitâ (Zjevená moudrost). Plukovník Schröder měl ho rád jako zvláštnost u regimentu, neboť která důstojnická kuchyně mohla se pochlubit kuchařem okultistou, který nazíraje do záhad života a smrti, překvapil všechny takovou dobrou svíčkovou nebo s takovým ragout, že pod Komárovem smrtelně raněný poručík Dufek volal stále po Jurajdovi.
References
aHaškovi v PrazeJaroslav Šerák
bAdresář města Král. VinohradůJulius Janeček1912
cAdamíra Josef AloisKulturní adresář ČSR1934-1936
dPříjmení: 'Jurajda', počet výskytů v celé ČRKdeJsme.cz2017
eŠvejk a ti druzíVečerní PrahaAugustin Knesl1983
fPobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelstvíNAČR1851 - 1914
Leutnant Dufeknn flag
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Dufek was a lieutenant who was mortally wounded by Komarów and called out for cook Jurajda at the moment when he stepped into the existence beyond.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Plukovník Schröder měl ho rád jako zvláštnost u regimentu, neboť která důstojnická kuchyně mohla se pochlubit kuchařem okultistou, který nazíraje do záhad života a smrti, překvapil všechny takovou dobrou svíčkovou nebo s takovým ragout, že pod Komárovem smrtelně raněný poručík Dufek volal stále po Jurajdovi.
Kramář, Karelnn flag
*27.12.1860 Vysoké nad Jizerou - †26.5.1937 Praha
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
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Český svět,20.7.1917

kramar.png

Národní listy,15.3.1930

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Dr. Karl Kramarsch, the true instigator of the world war.

Friedrich Wichtl,1918

Kramář (in the germanised variation Kramarsch) is mentioned in Oberst Schröder's ruminations about the lack of loyalty amongst Czech soldiers. This happened as the officers are having a Besprechung over the imminent transfer to the front.

Background

Kramář was a Czech politician and long time leader of Mladočeši who was arrested on 21 May 1915 and sentenced to death for high treason in December that year. The sentence was later converted to 20 years imprisonment, and he was released under the general amnesty given by the new emperor Karl I. in 1917.

Kramář was a member of Reichsrat from 1891 and the Czechoslovak parliament from 1920 until his death in 1937. He was in 1918 to become the first prime minister of Czechoslovakia but his cabinet resigned the following year. Kramář was known as a panslavist and his wife was Russian.

A spectacular conspiracy theory

In 1918 the German-National Reichsrat deputy Friedrich Wichtl (1872-1921) published a book where he concluded that "Dr. Karl Kramarsch" was "the real instigator of the world war"[a].

In this perspective it should be noted that Wichtl also was a propagator of the Judeo-Masonic conspiracy theory, a central pillar of Nazism (and still floating around today).

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Rozhovořil se o poměru důstojníků k mužstvu, mužstva k šaržím, o přebíhání na frontách k nepříteli a o politických událostech a o tom, že 50 procent českých vojáků je „politisch verdächtig“. „Jawohl, meine Herren, der Kramarsch, Scheiner und Klófatsch.“ Většina důstojníků si přitom myslela, kdy už přestane dědek cancat, ale plukovník Schröder žvanil dál o nových úkolech nových maršbatalionů, o padlých důstojnících pluku, o zeppelinech, španělských jezdcích, o přísaze.
Literature
References
aDr. Karl Kramarsch, der Anstifter des WeltkriegesFriedrich Wichtl1918
Scheiner, Josef Eugennn flag
*21.9.1861 Benešov - †11.1.1932 Praha
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scheiner.jpg

Český svět, 28.11.1913

scheiner_adr.png

Adresář hl. m. Prahy 1910

Scheiner is mentioned in Oberst Schröder's ruminations about the loyalty of the Czechs. This happened as the officers are having a Besprechung over the imminent transfer to the front.

Background

Scheiner was a Czech politician, and like Kramář associated with the Czech domestic resistance movement during World War I, the so-called "Mafia". He was the long-time leader of Sokol, both the Czech and the international organisation (he founded the latter in 1908). He was also editor-in-chief of their monthly Sokol. On 21 May 1915 he was arrested and charged with espionage but was released later that year and allowed to return to Prague.

After the war he was for a period head of the Czechoslovak armed forces and also inspector general, but for the most part he dedicated the rest of his life to Sokol.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Rozhovořil se o poměru důstojníků k mužstvu, mužstva k šaržím, o přebíhání na frontách k nepříteli a o politických událostech a o tom, že 50 procent českých vojáků je „politisch verdächtig“. „Jawohl, meine Herren, der Kramarsch, Scheiner und Klófatsch.“ Většina důstojníků si přitom myslela, kdy už přestane dědek cancat, ale plukovník Schröder žvanil dál o nových úkolech nových maršbatalionů, o padlých důstojnících pluku, o zeppelinech, španělských jezdcích, o přísaze.
Literature
Klofáč, Václav Jaroslavnn flag
*21.9.1868 Německý Brod - †10.7.1942 Dobříkov
Wikipedia czdeen Search
klofac.jpg

Český svět, 20.7.1917

Klofáč is mentioned in Oberst Schröder's ruminations about the lack of loyalty amongst Czech soldiers. This happened as the officers are having a Besprechung over the march battalion's imminent transfer to the front.

Background

Klofáč was a Czech politician and journalist, member of Reichsrat, chairman of Česká strana národně sociální. He was arrested in September 1914 and sentenced for high treason as late as 1917. Later that year he was released, a result of a general amnesty issued by the new emperor Karl I. In Czechoslovakia he was minister of the interior from 1918 to 1920, and held the post of senator until 1938.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Rozhovořil se o poměru důstojníků k mužstvu, mužstva k šaržím, o přebíhání na frontách k nepříteli a o politických událostech a o tom, že 50 procent českých vojáků je „politisch verdächtig“. „Jawohl, meine Herren, der Kramarsch, Scheiner und Klófatsch.“ Většina důstojníků si přitom myslela, kdy už přestane dědek cancat, ale plukovník Schröder žvanil dál o nových úkolech nových maršbatalionů, o padlých důstojnících pluku, o zeppelinech, španělských jezdcích, o přísaze.
Graf von Zeppelin, Ferdinandnn flag
*8.7.1838 Konstanz - †8.3.1917 Berlin
Wikipedia czdeennn Search
zeppelin.jpg

Wiener Bilder,18.3.1917

zeppelin1.jpg

Berliner Tageblatt,13.3.1917

Zeppelin is mentioned in a long speech by Oberst Schröder in the same breath as the tasks of march battalions, fallen officers, Spanish riders etc., albeit indirectly through the term "Zeppeliner" (air-ship).

Background

Zeppelin was a German officer and best known for the invention of the airship. Born into a wealthy and influential family in Konstanz, he graduated from the war academy in Ludwigsburg. He was present as an observer in the American Civil War and noted how balloons were used in the conflict. This no doubt inspired his famous future invention.

The first airship flight took place on 2 July 1900 over Lake Constance. Several more Zeppeliners were built over the next fourteen years, some of them for the armed forces.

Zeppeliners played a certain role in World War I, and were widely used (by Germany in particular) for bombing and reconnaissance. They eventually proved vulnerable due to their large target area. In the inter-war years they had a renaissance, but the Hindenburg disaster in 1937 effectively proved the end.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Většina důstojníků si přitom myslela, kdy už přestane dědek cancat, ale plukovník Schröder žvanil dál o nových úkolech nových maršbatalionů, o padlých důstojnících pluku, o zeppelinech, španělských jezdcích, o přísaze.
Literature
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Šancler was a military doctor who sat in Offizierskasino in Királyhida, reading aloud from a book on treatment of the wounded. Oberleutnant Lukáš was the only person present.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Nadporučík Lukáš seděl ještě zatím v důstojnickém kasině s vojenským lékařem Šanclerem, který sedě obkročmo na židli, tágem bil v pravidelných přestávkách o podlahu a přitom pronášel tyto věty za sebou: „Saracénský sultán Salah-Edin poprvé uznal neutralitu sanitního sboru. Má se pečovat o raněné na obou stranách.
Sultan Saladinnn flag
*1137/38 Tikrit - †4.3.1193 Damaskus
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Saladin was a Saracen sultan who is said to have been the first to decree that wounded from both sides should get equal treatment. This is amongst the things that militarartz Šancler reads aloud to Oberleutnant Lukáš at Offizierkasino.

Background

Saladin was the leader of the muslim resistance against the Christian crusaders and was the one who finally repelled the intruders, capturing Jerusalem in 1187. Saladin was known for his good treatment of captured opponents, which has given him a good name even until today both in the Muslim and Christian world. He was of Kurdish descent, and by a twist of irony born in the same city as Saddam Hussein.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Nadporučík Lukáš seděl ještě zatím v důstojnickém kasině s vojenským lékařem Šanclerem, který sedě obkročmo na židli, tágem bil v pravidelných přestávkách o podlahu a přitom pronášel tyto věty za sebou: „Saracénský sultán Salah-Edin poprvé uznal neutralitu sanitního sboru. Má se pečovat o raněné na obou stranách.

Also written:Salah-Edin Hašek Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn Yūsuf ibn Ayyūb ar

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Anna Nána features in one of Švejk's songs.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5]
Mlynářovic ráno vstali, 
na dveřích napsáno měli: 
„Vaše dcera Anna Nána 
už není poctivá panna.“
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Zátka was employed at the gas station at Letná and his task was to lit and put out gas lamps. He had a lot of spare time between lighing the lamps and putting them out, and many pubs were found on his route. This could result in early morning utterances like: A cube is all an edge and angle, that’s why a cube is angular. This is Švejk's comparison jo cook Jurajda's formation and non-being. See Plynární stanice Letna.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] „Co se mý osoby týká, pane rechnungsfeldvébl, když jsem to slyšel, co vy jste vo těch outvarech povídal, tak jsem si vzpomněl na nějakýho Zátku, plynárníka; von byl na plynární stanici na Letný a rozsvěcoval a zas zhasínal lampy.
Father Jemelka, Aloisnn flag
*27.3.1862 Kozlovice - †4.1.1917 Wien
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jemelka.png

Čech, 24.7.1912

Jemelka is mentioned in the same anecdote as plynárník Zátka where Jemelka's sermons at kostel svátého Ignáce are referred to.

Background

Jemelka was a Jesuit priest who had a post at kostel svátého Ignáce. He did, amongst other things, get involved in a debate on religion with professor Professor Masaryk and also wrote a book about it: Masarykův boj o náboženství.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] A potom,“ řekl Švejk tiše, „to s tím Zátkou po čase skončilo moc špatně. Dal se do Mariánský kongregace, chodil s nebeskýma kozama na kázání pátera Jemelky k svatýmu Ignáci na Karlovo náměstí a zapomenul jednou zhasnout, když byli misionáři na Karláku u svatýho Ignáce, plynový svítilny ve svým rayoně, takže tam hořel po ulicích plyn nepřetržitě po tři dny a noci.
Literature
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České slovo,13.4.1924

Blüher was an officer from Švejk's national service who he related to Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk about. The major was of the opinion that an officer is the most perfect being on earth, and one of Švejk's comments didn't quite fit.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] To je velmi špatný,“ pokračoval Švejk, „když se najednou člověk začne plést do nějakýho filosofování, to vždycky smrdí delirium tremens. Před léty k nám přeložili od pětasedmdesátejch nějakýho majora Blühera. Ten vždy jednou za měsíc dal si nás zavolat a postavit do čtverce a rozjímal s námi, co je to vojenská vrchnost. Ten nepil nic jiného než slivovici. ,Každej oficír, vojáci,’ vykládal nám na dvoře v kasárnách, ,je sám vod sebe nejdokonalejší bytost, která má stokrát tolik rozumu jako vy všichni dohromady.
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České slovo,13.4.1924

Pech was a recruit from Dolní Bousov, described by Švejk in conversation with Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk. He was locked up for giving such exact answers to Leutnant Moc and Major Rohell that these perceived it as sarcasm.

Background

Pech might have been a fictional but his answer was real enough: it is an almost literal quote from Ottův slovník naučný.

Ottův slovník naučný

Bousov Dolní, Bohousov, Boužov (něm. Unter-Bautzen), město t., s 267 d., 1936 obyv. čes. (1880), hejtm. Jičín, okr. Sobotka (5 km jihozáp.), býv. panství Kosť, farní chrám sv. Kateřiny, pův. ze XIV. stol. obnovený od hr. Václava Vratislava Netolického, škola, pošta, telegraf, stanice české obchodní dráhy, 6 výročních trhů, cukrovar, mlýn s pilou, zv. Červený, a samota Valcha.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] ,Vy rekruti zelení, zatracení,’ povídá k nim, ,vy se musíte naučit vodpovídat jasně, přesně a jako když bičem mrská. Tak to začnem. Odkud jste, Pechu?’ Pech byl inteligentní člověk a vodpověděl: ,Dolní Bousov, Unter Bautzen, 267 domů, 1936 obyvatelů českých, hejtmanství Jičín, okres Sobotka, bývalé panství Kosť, farní chrám svaté Kateřiny ze 14. století, obnovený hrabětem Václavem Vratislavem Netolickým, škola, pošta, telegraf, stanice české obchodní dráhy, cukrovar, mlýn s pilou, samota Valcha, šest výročních trhů.’
Leutnant Mocnn flag
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moc.png

České slovo,13.4.1924

Moc was a lieutenant who in one of Švejk's anecdotes asked all the recruits where they were from. He then ordered Rekrut Pech to be excact in his answer when asked where he was from, and duly received a volley of encyclopaedic details about Dolní Bousov.

Background

This person may well have been fictional, but the answer he got was defintely from the real world. See Rekrut Pech.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] „Docela dobře řečeno,“ pravil Švejk. „Na to nikdy nezapomenu, jak zavřeli rekruta Pecha. Lajtnant od kumpanie byl nějakej Moc a ten si shromáždil rekruty a ptal se každýho, vodkud je.
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Rohell was the officer who dealt with Rekrut Pech's complaint after Leutnant Moc had whacked him because his answer was too excact. Rohell then got Pech locked up at the asylum of the military hospital.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Batalionskomandantem byl major Rohell. ,Also, was gibst?’ otázal se Pecha a ten spustil: ,Poslušně hlásím, pane majore, že v Dolním Bousově je šest výročních trhů.’ Jak na něho major Rohell zařval, zadupal a hned ho dal odvést na magorku do vojenskýho špitálu, vod tý doby byl z Pecha nejhorší voják, samej trest.“
Graf Netolický, Václav Vratislavnn flag
*1700 Přehořov - †? 1760
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Netolický renovated, according to Rekrut Pech, the church in Dolní Bousov.

Background

Netolický probably refers to Václav Kazimír Graf Netolický z Eisenberka, Imperial Field Marshal and from 1759 lord of Kost.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] ,Dolní Bousov, Unter Bautzen, 267 domů, 1936 obyvatelů českých, hejtmanství Jičín, okres Sobotka, bývalé panství Kosť, farní chrám svaté Kateřiny ze 14. století, obnovený hrabětem Václavem Vratislavem Netolickým, škola, pošta, telegraf, stanice české obchodní dráhy, cukrovar, mlýn s pilou, samota Valcha, šest výročních trhů.’
Infantryman Sylvanusnn flag
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Sylvanus was an infantryman who in civilian life had been in and out of prison, but proved to be an efficient soldier. He was executed though, after getting caught robbing the dead. This is according to Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk in a conversation with Švejk.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Pamatuji se u osmé maršky na infanteristu Sylvanusa. Ten měl dřív trest za trestem, a jaké tresty. Neostýchal se ukrást kamarádovi poslední krejcar, a když přišel do gefechtu, tak první prostříhal drahthindernissy, zajmul tři chlapy a jednoho hned po cestě odstřelil, že prý mu nedůvěřoval.
Fähnrich Pleschnernn flag
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Pleschner was an junior officer who was involved in preparing for abmarsch from Királyhida. He also appears before Budapest where he gives Kadett Biegler cognac.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Co má dnes s manšaftem dělat fähnrich Pleschner? Vorbereitung zum Abmarsch. Účty? Přijdu podepsat po mináži. Nikoho nepouštějte do města. Do kantiny v lágru? Po mináži na hodinu... Zavolejte sem Švejka!
Zugsführer Tevelesnn flag
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Rovnost, 15.4.1915

Teveles was a squad leader who was locked up in Királyhida after being caught with a war medal he had bought and with one-year volunteer stripes he had sewed on himself. This had happened during the retreat from Belgrade on 2 Desember 1914.

Background

A story with certain paralleles to the Teveles affair appeared in the newspapers in 1915. The 21 year old Jan Schuh had falsely pretended to be a corporal and had also aquired a war medal that wasn't his.

In this narrative the author mixes up dates and events. K.u.k. Heer pulled out of Belgrade 14 Desember 1914 but they had indeed entered the Serbian capital on the 2nd.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Potom byl ještě druhý případ. S jednoročním dobrovolníkem Markem dodán byl současně na hauptvachu od divisijního soudu falešný četař Teveles, který se nedávno objevil u regimentu, kam byl poslán z nemocnice v Záhřebě. Měl velkou stříbrnou medalii, odznaky jednoročního dobrovolníka a tři hvězdičky.
Literature
Zwiebelfischnn flag
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Zwiebelfisch was the staff secretary who allowed a tom cat to enter the office. The cat then crapped all over the map of the battlefield.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Výslech byl krátký. Zjistilo se, že kocoura před čtrnácti dny přitáhl do kanceláře nejmladší písař Zwieblfisch. Po tomto zjištění sebral Zwiebelfisch svých pět švestek a starší písař ho odvedl na hauptvachu, kde bude tak dlouho sedět, až do dalšího rozkazu pana plukovníka.
Gefreiter Peroutkann flag
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Peroutka was a lance corporal from the 13th march company who disappeared from the camp in Királyhida when the rumours about an imminent departure to the front started to spread. He was found at Zur weißen Rose in Bruck.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Potom tam ještě k nim strčili frajtra Peroutku od 13. marškumpanie, který, když se včera rozšířila pověst po lágru, že se jede na posici, se ztratil a byl ráno patrolou objeven „U bílé růže“ v Brucku. Vymlouval se, že chtěl před odjezdem prohlédnout známý skleník hraběte Harracha u Brucku a na zpáteční cestě že zabloudil, a teprve ráno celý unavený že dorazil k „Bílé růži“. (Zatím spal s Růženkou od „Bílé růže“.)
Růženkann flag
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Růženka was a bar lady at Zur weißen Rose who Gefreiter Peroutka had slept with the night with before he got caught after trying to avoid departure to the front.

Background

Růženka appears to have had a real-life model. According to Bohumil Vlček she worked at a bar that was popular amongst Czech soldiers in Bruck: "U růže" (Zur Rose/At the Rose).

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Potom tam ještě k nim strčili frajtra Peroutku od 13. marškumpanie, který, když se včera rozšířila pověst po lágru, že se jede na posici, se ztratil a byl ráno patrolou objeven „U bílé růže“ v Brucku. Vymlouval se, že chtěl před odjezdem prohlédnout známý skleník hraběte Harracha u Brucku a na zpáteční cestě že zabloudil, a teprve ráno celý unavený že dorazil k „Bílé růži“. (Zatím spal s Růženkou od „Bílé růže“.)

Sources: Bohumil Vlček

References
aPřipomínky k románu "Dobrého vojáka Švejka"Bohumil Vlček20.3.1956
Graf von Harrach, Ottonn flag
*10.2.1863 Praha - †10.9.1935 Hrádek u Nechanic
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ottoharrach.jpg

Count von Harrach and his wife Karoline

Harrach is mentioned in connection with Gefreiter Peroutka who according to his own explanation took leave from the camp in Királyhida to have a look at the counts greenhouse.

Background

Harrach was a count of the Czech-Austrian noble family Harrach who owned Schloss Prugg in Bruck an der Leitha. Count von Harrach was from 1909 "majorat" of the noble family and was as such the formal owner of the caste. He was son of the Czech politician Johann Nepomuk von Harrach. During World War I he and his wife ran a hospital in the castle.

Otto Johann Nepomuk Bohuslaw Maria Scholastika Graf von Harrach zu Rohrau und Thannhausen

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Potom tam ještě k nim strčili frajtra Peroutku od 13. marškumpanie, který, když se včera rozšířila pověst po lágru, že se jede na posici, se ztratil a byl ráno patrolou objeven „U bílé růže“ v Brucku. Vymlouval se, že chtěl před odjezdem prohlédnout známý skleník hraběte Harracha u Brucku a na zpáteční cestě že zabloudil, a teprve ráno celý unavený že dorazil k „Bílé růži“. (Zatím spal s Růženkou od „Bílé růže“.)

Sources: Wolfgang Gruber, Robert Thurner

Korporal Havlíknn flag
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Havlík reported that the railway carriages were ready at Bruck station.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Tento optimistický názor nesdílela 13. marškumpačka, která telefonovala, že právě se vrátil kaprál Havlík z města a slyšel od jednoho železničního zřízence, že už vozy jsou na stanici.
Novotný, Josefnn flag
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Josef Novotný from Dražov appears in an anecdote. See Eduard Doubrava.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] A tu se vám von rozpřáh, já jsem se uhnul a on rozbil tabuli na přední plošině, tu velkou před řidičem. Tak nás vysadili, vodvedli a na komisařství se ukázalo, že byl proto tak nedůtklivý, poněvadž vůbec se nejmenoval Josef Novotný, ale Eduard Doubrava a byl z Montgomery v Americe a zde byl navštívit příbuzný, ze kterých pocházela jeho rodina.“
Novotný, Antonínnn flag
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Tonda Novotný from Dražov appears in an anecdote. See Eduard Doubrava.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Tak jsem mu ještě řekl bližší podrobnosti, že v Dražově byli dva Novotní, Tonda a Josef.
Doubrava, Eduardnn flag
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České slovo,13.4.1924

Eduard Doubrava was a Czech emigrant from Montgomery in the United States who was visiting his homeland when Švejk met him on a tram and mistook him for Josef Novotný. It is in this anecdote Švejk reveals where he is from, and even mentions the names of his parents.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] A tu se vám von rozpřáh, já jsem se uhnul a on rozbil tabuli na přední plošině, tu velkou před řidičem. Tak nás vysadili, vodvedli a na komisařství se ukázalo, že byl proto tak nedůtklivý, poněvadž vůbec se nejmenoval Josef Novotný, ale Eduard Doubrava a byl z Montgomery v Americe a zde byl navštívit příbuzný, ze kterých pocházela jeho rodina.“
Kadett Biegler, Adolfnn flag
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Biegler is mentioned 157 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Biegler is a cadet in the 11th march company who plays an important part at the start of Part Three. He is beside Leutnant Dub the main target of the author's ridicule of upwardly mobile monarchists in k.u.k. Heer.

Biegler had studied military history diligently and is keen to show off his knowledge, which raises contempt and laughter amongst his officer colleagues. He also boasts about his blue-blood pedigree whereas the author can reveal the his father is a normal honest trader is furs and skins. It is also revealed that Biegler is from Budějovice.

Biegler takes centre stage on the train between Moson and Győr where he discovers the error where the mixed up books by Ludwig Ganghofer renders the company's cipher key worthless, thus embarrassing Hauptmann Ságner in front of his fellow officers. His joy is short-lived though; Ságner puts him severely in place and Biegler drenches the humiliation in a concoction of cognac and cream rolls that his mother sent him. The awful outcome is that he shits himself so thoroughly during his unforgettable trip on the way to Budapest that he ends up in a cholera clinic in Újbuda, and from there he is dispatched to Tarnov for recuperation.

Now he leaves the story, only to reappear towards the end of the novel. Here he is partially redeemed in the eyes of the reader as he silences the even more idiotic Leutnant Dub.

Background

The inspiration for the character Biegler is without doubt Hans Bigler, a young reserve officer in k.u.k. Heer who served with Jaroslav Hašek in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 during spring and summer 1915.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Ve dveřích se objevil celý bledý kadet Biegler, největší blbec u kumpanie, poněvadž v jednoročácké škole se snažil vyniknout svými vědomostmi. Kývl Vaňkovi, aby za ním vyšel na chodbu, kde s ním měl dlouhou rozmluvu.
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Žlábek was a soldier Kadett Biegler wanted to tie up as punishment for having cleaned his rifle with kerosene.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] „Je to kus vola,“ řekl k Švejkovi, „tady u naší maršky máme ale exempláře. Byl taky u bešprechungu, a když se rozcházeli, tak nařídil pan obrlajtnant, aby všichni zugskomandanti udělali kvervisitu a aby byli přísní. A teď se mne přijde zeptat, jestli má dát uvázat Žlábka, poněvadž ten si vypucoval kvér petrolejem.“
Šicnn flag
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Šic was a pious man from Pořící who served with Švejk during a maneouvre in the Prácheňsko area. When drunk Šic removed a statue of Jan Nepomucký from a roadside shrine and kept him for good luck.

Quote(s) from the novel
[II.5] Sloužil se mnou nějakej poříckej Šic, hodnej člověk, ale nábožnej a bojácnej. Ten si představoval, že manévry jsou něco hroznýho, že lidi na nich padají žízní a saniteráci že to sbírají jako padavky na marši. Proto pil do zásoby, a když jsme vyrazili na manévry z kasáren a přišli k Mníšku, tak říkal: ,Já to, hoši, nevydržím, mě může zachránit jen sám pán bůh.’
Index Back Forward III. The famous thrashing Hovudpersonen

1. Across Magyaria

Feldoberkurat Iblnn flag
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ibl.png

Der Soldatenfreund. 1915 Kalender

ibl.jpg

The real Feldkurat in der reserve Eybl serving field mass in Podmonasterz (ukr. Підмонасти́р) in Galicia 28 June 1915. Around this time his literary counterpart Feldoberkurat Ibl served his own mass for Švejk's departing march battalion in Királyhida.

© SOkA Beroun

Ibl was the chief field chaplain who performed the field mass in Királyhida for three departing march battalions. One of these headed for Russia, two for Serbia. His sermon didn't impress Švejk who on the train relays the mass and condemns it as idiocy squared. Ibl built the mass around a conversation between the mortally wounded veteran Fahnenführer Hrt and marshal Marschall Radetzky, set during the battle of Custoza.

It is also revealed that Ibl travelled on to Vienna where he repeated his sermon.

The field chaplain's speech was according to the author picked from a military calendar and this is no doubt true. Most of the content of the sermon is from Der Soldatenfreund calendar from 1915, page 72 and 73. See also Kriegskalender.

Background

or at least the name was inspired by Feldkurat Jan Eybl, a military cleric who served in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 together with Jaroslav Hašek for most of the time from 11 July until 24 September 1915. During this period Eybl celebrated at least three field masses that Hašek would normally have attended.

Still it can hardly me more than the name that associates him with the literary Ibl. Eybl's rank was the lower Feldkurat in der Reserve and he served at the front the entire period the author stayed in Királyhida (June 1915).

In his advanced years Jan Eybl said that he never held a mass like the one described in the novel. Nor does it make sense that two march battalions headed for Serbia at the time Švejk was in Királyhida. During the spring and summer 1915 k.u.k. Heer didn't have troops on Serbian territory, they withdrew before Christmas 1914. It was only in October 1915 that fighting on the Balkan-front flared up again.

The figure in the novel may therefore have been inspired by another cleric, probably a person from k.u.k. Feldsuperioriat or a garrison in Vienna. These were assigned duties in the area around the capital and after Jan Eybl himself was transferred here in July 1918 he held a couple of masses in Bruck. It should noted that Ibl continued to Vienna after finishing in Bruck, indicating that he was based here and didn't belong to IR. 91 or the garrison in Bruck.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Milí vojáci,“ řečnil vrchní polní kurát Ibl, „tak tedy si myslete, že je rok osmačtyřicátý a že vítězstvím skončila bitva u Custozzy, kde po desetihodinovém úporném boji musil italský král Albert přenechati krvavé bojiště našemu otci vojínů, maršálkovi Radeckému, jenž v 84. roce svého života dobyl tak skvělého vítězství.

Sources: Milan Hodik, Karel Pichlík, Jan Eybl

King Albertonn flag
*2.10.1798 Torino - †28.7.1849 Porto
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carloalberto.jpg

Alberto is mentioned by Feldoberkurat Ibl in the field mass he serves for the departing march battalion in Királyhida.

Background

Alberto (corr. Carlo Alberto) was king of Piedmont from 1831 to 1849, the adversary of Marschall Radetzky at the battle of Custoza in 1848.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Milí vojáci,“ řečnil vrchní polní kurát Ibl, „tak tedy si myslete, že je rok osmačtyřicátý a že vítězstvím skončila bitva u Custozzy, kde po desetihodinovém úporném boji musil italský král Albert přenechati krvavé bojiště našemu otci vojínů, maršálkovi Radeckému, jenž v 84. roce svého života dobyl tak skvělého vítězství.
Fahnenführer Hrtnn flag
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hrt.jpg

Der Soldatenfreund. 1915 Kalender

Hrt was a standard-bearer which is featured in Feldoberkurat Ibl's field mass, a mortally wounded hero at the battle of Custoza. He had taken part in battles as early as the Napoleonic Wars, at Aspern and Leipzig. The author indicates that Ibl's speach sounds as if taken from a Kalender. Švejk is here unusually fortright in his verdict; he refers to the field mass as "idiocy squared".

Background

Hrt and his story is exactly what the author says. It mainly picked from Der Soldatenfreund, 1915 calendar, page 72 and 73. Here the hero is called Fahnenführer Veit, cz. Vít, one of some minor discrepancies. It must be assumed that the author had the Czech version at hand when he wrote Feldoberkurat Ibl's speech. The kalendar was published in several of the languages of Austria-Hungary.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] S roztříštěnými údy na poli cti pociťoval zraněný praporečník Hrt, jak na něho hledí maršálek Radecký. Hodný zraněný praporečník ještě svíral v tuhnoucí pravici zlatou medalii v křečovitém nadšení.
Erzherzog Joseph Ferdinandnn flag
*24.5.1872 Salzburg - †25.8.1942 Wien
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Unsere Offiziere, Emil Woinovich von Woina, 1915

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Extract from Joseph Ferdinand's allaged order.

Stenographische Protokolle - Abgeordnetenhaus,5.12.1917

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Czech version.

Čechoslovák,2.10.1915

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News about the confiscation of flyers claiming to be Joseph Ferdinand's and Friedrich's army orders.

Ohlas od Nežárky,18.8.1915

Joseph Ferdinand is mentioned when Švejk's march battalion was read aloud two army orders before they entered the train that took them to the front. The orders were prompted by an incident where two entire battalions (with officers) from Infanterieregiment Nr. 28 went over to the Russians by Dukla on 3 April 1915. The mass defection is said to have taken place to the tunes of the regiment's orchestra.

The first order was signed by Kaiser Franz Joseph I. on 17 April 1915. It stated that the regiment was dissolved forever and the standard moved to the War Museum in Vienna. The second order was signed by Joseph Ferdinand, but not dated. It dealt with the unreliability of Czech troops, used threatening language and was to be read aloud to all Czech regiments. The order confirms that Infanterieregiment Nr. 28 was dissolved.

Background

Joseph Ferdinand was an archduke of the House of Habsburg (the Tuscan branch) and a military commander. In 1915 he was commander-in-chief of the 4th army but was replaced due to the disastrous losses during the Brussilov offensive in 1916. After the war, he was allowed to live in Austria but had to give up his rights as a noble. He was arrested by the Nazis in 1938 and spent a short time in Dachau.

Joseph Ferdinand's order

The order reproduced in The Good Soldier Švejk is nearly identical to one that was printed in the Czech exile press during the war[d]. Roughly the same wording also appears in an interpellation by German nationalists in Reichsrat[b]. These two are the only copies that we know were printed during the war but after 1918 several more were to follow. In Vienna's Kriegsarchiv several versions of it can be found, also in Hungarian. From the correspondence between AOK, k.u.k. Kriegsministerium and Kriegsüberwachungsamt it is clear that it was a fake.

Leaflets

Due to censorship the text was not announced in the newspaper or made public at all. Traces of the order is however found i a statement from the district court in Liberec, dated 2 August 1915. A non-periodical print titled Armeebefehl des Erzherzog Josef Ferdinand, without information about publisher, printer and place of publication, was to be confiscated[a]. The same verdict was announced by other courts in Bohemia.

In the Czech exile press

Later in the autumn a complete text was printed in the Czech exile press, and with additional comments[d]. The text was allegedly distributed in large quantities as leaflets by post in Northern Bohemia and in Vienna, and was a fake designed to stain the Czech population. The originator was said to be a skirt-maker from Ústí nad Labem who was duly arrested and imprisoned in Terezín. The order is dated 12 July 1915 and addresses Infanterieregiment Nr. 18, Infanterieregiment Nr. 21 and Infanterieregiment Nr. 36.

Kriegsministerium

A letter from k.u.k. Kriegsministerium dated 27 Oktober 1915 reveals more about the origin of the order. Such on order had indeed been issued by some higher army commander whose name is not mentioned. It was concluded that further legal actions to stop the spread of the leaflets would be suspended because the contents of the order "quite accurately reflected the actual state of affairs". Otherwise, the last four sentences of the text on the leaflets had been added to the original order.

Parliament, 1917

According to the protocols from Reichsrat on 5 Desember 1917 Joseph Ferdinand's Armeebefehl was numbered 4049 and dated 15 June 1915. It regarded Infanterieregiment Nr. 21 from Čáslav, Infanterieregiment Nr. 36 from Mladá Boleslav, k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 12 from Čáslav and k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 8 from Prague[b]. IR 36 in particular was regarded as suspect and during the battle by Sienawa on 27 May 1915 more than 1,000 soldiers from the regiment were captured despite being well dug in. The regiment was on 16 July 1915 temporarily dissolved by imperial decree and was (as opposed to Infanterieregiment Nr. 28) never reconstituted.

General Matuschka

In 1919 the two orders that we know from The Good Soldier Švejk appeared in a Vienna newspaper. Here Joseph Ferdinand is not mentioned at all. According to the newspaper's source the order was issued at 27 June 1915 by Militärkommando Krakau who at the time had relocated to Moravská Ostrava. The order carried Reservatnummer 5654 and the content was very similar to Hašek's version. In addition it was decreed that Sokol-associations should be kept an eye on. The order was signed by General Matuschka. The source of the text is not known but was according to the newspaper a high-ranking officer[c].

General Ludwig Matuschka (1859-1942) was the commander of 1. Korpskommando and known for his hard-line stance on those he regarded as traitors. He signed the first death sentences of Czech civilians alreday at the end of 1914 and editor Kotek was the best known victim of the general's reign of terror.

Later versions

After the war the text appeared in various papers with more or less the same content. There are however inconsistencies inasmuch as the dates of issue rarely correspond and that the regiments that were addressed were not always the same. In one Austrain newspaper it was even claimed that it was Erzherzog Friedrich who issued the order[e].

Faked or authentic?

The diverging dates and signatures suggests that at least part of the alleged army order was faked. Worthwhile is also an analysis of the language. In the first part the tone is matter-of-fact and bureaucratic and is a sober description of the state of affairs during the spring of 1915. The last part is however emotional and threatening, a stark contrast to the first part. This fits well with the above-mentioned information from k.u.k. Kriegsministerium in 1915 that the last four paragraphs were not part of the original order. Therefore the text as reproduced in The Good Soldier Švejk and other printed material seems to be a beefed up Armeebefehl, a parallel to the related order from Kaiser Franz Joseph I. regarding Infanterieregiment Nr. 28. There is little doubt that some order along these lines was given, but by who? As opposed to the order to dissolve IR. 28 the original document has not been found. Nor is it known who signed the order. Was it Joseph Ferdinand, Ludwig Matuschka or Erzherzog Friedrich?

In Hašek's word

Hašek's reproduction of both army orders is quite close to the text of the leaflets as quoted by the Czech exile press but it is not true that it concerned Infanterieregiment Nr. 28 or that Joseph Ferdinand was the head of the "Eastern Army". He commanded k.u.k 4. Armee, a unit that held a front section in Galicia and Russian Poland in the summer of 1915.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Potom Švejk počal mluvit o známých rozkazech, které jim byly přečteny před vstoupením do vlaku. Jeden byl armádní rozkaz podepsaný Františkem Josefem a druhý byl rozkaz arcivévody Josefa Ferdinanda, vrchního velitele východní armády a skupiny, kteréž oba týkaly se událostí na Dukelském průsmyku dne 3. dubna 1915, kdy přešly dva bataliony 28. pluku i s důstojníky k Rusům za zvuků plukovní kapely.
[III.1]

Rozkaz arcivévody Josefa Ferdinanda:

České trupy během polního tažení zklamaly, zejména v posledních bojích. Zejména zklamaly při obraně posic, ve kterých se nalézaly po delší dobu v zákopech, čehož použil často nepřítel, aby navázal styky a spojení s ničemnými živly těchto trup. Obyčejně vždy směřovaly pak útoky nepřítele, podporovaného těmito zrádci, proti těm oddílům na frontě, které byly od takových trup obsazeny. Často podařilo se nepříteli překvapit naše části a takřka bez odporu proniknout do našich posic a zajmouti značný, velký počet obránců. Tisíckrát hanba, potupa i opovržení těmto bídákům bezectným, kteří dopustili se zrady císaře i říše a poskvrňují nejen čest slavných praporů naší slavné a statečné armády, nýbrž i čest té národnosti, ku které se hlásí. Dřív nebo později zastihne je kulka nebo provaz kata. Povinností každého jednotlivého českého vojáka, který má čest v těle, je, aby označil svému komandantovi takového ničemu, štváče a zrádce. Kdo tak neučiní, je sám takový zrádce a ničema. Tento rozkaz nechť je přečten všemu mužstvu u českých pluků. C. k. pluk čís. 28 nařízením našeho mocnáře jest již vyškrtnut z armády a všichni zajatí přeběhlíci z pluku splatí svou krví těžkou vinu.

Arcivévoda Josef Ferdinand

Literature
References
aKundmachungenWiener Zeitung11.8.1915
bDas Verhalten der Tschechen im WeltkriegDeutschnationalen Geschäftsstelle Wien1918
cDas Verhalten des Tschechen im KriegeNeues Wiener Abendblatt10.5.1919
dDokumentyČeskoslovenská samostatnost23.9.1915
eArmeekommandobefehlDer Morgen17.10.1927
Telephone operator Chodounský, Antonínnn flag
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Chodounský is mentioned 46 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Chodounský is a telephone operator who is assigned to the 11th march company at the time of departure from Királyhida. He is part if the story to the very end, particularly on the train journey to Sanok where he shares the staff carriage with Švejk, Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek, Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk, cook Jurajda and Offiziersdiener Baloun.

It transpires that he has served at the Serbian front, and he mentions stopping in Osijek on the way there. In a conversation between Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk and Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek in Budapest there is a hint that telephone operator Chodounský might be an informer. His first name "Tonouš" (nickname for Antonín) is revealed in Liskowiec when he writes two letters to his wife.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Na druhé straně vagonu proti Vaňkovi seděl kuchař okultista z důstojnické mináže a cosi psal. Za ním seděli sluha nadporučíka Lukáše vousatý obr Baloun a telefonista přidělený k 11. marškumpačce, Chodounský. Baloun přežvykoval kus komisárku a vykládal uděšeně telefonistovi Chodounskému, že za to nemůže, když v té tlačenici při nastupování do vlaku nemohl se dostat do štábního vagonu ku svému nadporučíkovi.
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Matějka was a kaprál who overindulged in food on the way to the front in Serbia, this according to telephone operator Chodounský. This was at the very beginning of the war when food was plentiful and enthusiasm for the war was great. It happened on the way through Hungary down to the Balkans front by the river Drina.

Background

In Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 many Matějka served during the war. One of them was Adolf Matějka from Vimperk and he was in the regiment at the same time as Hašek and the two were even taken prisoner together at Chorupan 24 September 1915[a]. Two more Matějka from the regiment were captured the same day.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Po všech tratích jsme nic jiného nedělali, než blili z vagonů. Kaprál Matějka v našem vagoně se tak přecpal, že jsme museli dát mu přes břicho prkno a skákat po něm, jako když se šlape zelí, a to mu teprve ulevilo a šlo to z něho horem dolem. Když jsme jeli přes Uhry, tak nám házeli do vagonů na každé stanici pečené slepice.
References
aThe battle of ChorupanJomar Hønsi2021
Oberleutnant Maceknn flag
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Macek was a Czech senior lieutenant who was killed in the fighting in Bosnia. It is telephone operator Chodounský who lectured about this on the train before Moson and adds that Macek spoke only German.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Přijel z druhého konce batalionskomandant a svolal všechny na poradu, a potom přišel náš obrlajtnant Macek, Čech jako poleno, ale mluvil jen německy, a povídá, bledý jako křída, že se dál nemůže ject, trať že je vyhozena do povětří v noci, Srbové že se dostali přes řeku a jsou nyní na levém křídle.
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Jurajdová was the wife of the occultist cook Jurajda and she was now publishing a theosophic magazine. He is mentioned as the husband writes here a letter, ingeniously composed to pass censorship. Jurajda uses the name Helenka, diminutive of Helena.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Věř mně, drahá Helenko, že se opravdu snažím co nejvíce zpříjemnit našim pánům důstojníkům jich starosti a námahy. Byl jsem od pluku přeložen k maršbatalionu, což bylo mým nejvroucnějším přáním, abych mohl, byt’ i ze skromných prostředků, důstojnickou polní kuchyni na frontě uvésti v nejlepší koleje.
Professor Heroldnn flag
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Herold was a university professor who Švejk had played mariáš (mariáge) with at U Valšů before the war (mentioned in an anecdote).

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Já konečně povídám: ,Pane Herolde, jsou tak laskav, hrajou durcha a neblbnou.’ Ale von se na mne utrh, že může hrát, co chce, abychom drželi hubu, von že má universitu. Ale to mu přišlo draze. Hostinský byl známej, číšnice byla s námi až moc důvěrná, tak jsme to tý patrole všechno vysvětlili, že je všechno v pořádku.
Detective Chodounskýnn flag
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Chodounský was, in the long anecdote on detective Stendler, the owner of the detective bureau where the latter was employed.

Background

Chodounský was also in real life owner of a detective agency in Prague. His firm is listed in the address book for 1910. In the anecdote he is only mentioned by his last name.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Není ten Chodounský, co má soukromej detektivní ústav s tím vokem jako trojice boží, váš příbuznej?“ otázal se nevinně Švejk. „Já mám moc rád soukromý detektivy. Já jsem taky jednou sloužil před léty na vojně s jedním soukromýrn detektivem, s nějakým Stendlerem.
Literature
Detective Stendlernn flag
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Stendler was a man Švejk knew from his national service, with a cone-shaped skull, employed by detective Chodounský.

Background

Stendler was presumably a real person as detective Chodounský existed and may have emplyed him. How much of what is revealed in the anecdote is based on facts is however debatable.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Není ten Chodounský, co má soukromej detektivní ústav s tím vokem jako trojice boží, váš příbuznej?“ otázal se nevinně Švejk. „Já mám moc rád soukromý detektivy. Já jsem taky jednou sloužil před léty na vojně s jedním soukromýrn detektivem, s nějakým Stendlerem.
Mr. Zemeknn flag
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Zemek was caught in flagrante by detective Stendler, with Mrs. Grotová.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] A vona se otočila zády ke mně a bylo vidět na kůži, že má vobtisknutej celej vzorek toho mřížkování z koberce a na páteři jednu přilepenou hilznu z cigarety. »Vodpuste,« povídám, »pane Zemku, já jsem soukromej detektiv Stendler, vod Chodounskýho, a mám ouřední povinnost vás najít in flagranti na základě oznámení vaší paní manželky.
Mrs. Grotovánn flag
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Grotová was caught in flagrante delicto by detective Stendler, with Mr. Zemek.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] »Vodpuste,« povídám, »pane Zemku, já jsem soukromej detektiv Stendler, vod Chodounskýho, a mám ouřední povinnost vás najít in flagranti na základě oznámení vaší paní manželky. Tato dáma, s kterou zde udržujete nedovolený poměr, jest paní Grotová.« Nikdy jsem v životě neviděl takovýho klidnýho občana.
Detective Stachnn flag
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Stach worked for telephone operator Chodounský's competitor Mr. Stern and caught detective Stendler red-handed with Mrs. Grotová.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] ,A přitom jsem se,’ vyprávěl pan Stendler, ,pomalu začal vodstrojovat, a když už jsem byl vodstrojenej a celej zmámenej a divokej jako jelen v říji, vešel do pokoje můj dobrej známej Stach, taky soukromej detektiv, z našeho konkurenčního ústavu pana Sterna, kam se vobrátil pan Grot o pomoc, co se týká jeho paní, která prý má nějakou známost, a víc neřek než: »Aha, pan Stendler je in flagranti s paní Grotovou, gratuluji.
Mr. Sternnn flag
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Stern was the employer of detective Stach, and was entrusted by Mr. Grot to spy on his wife.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] ,A přitom jsem se,’ vyprávěl pan Stendler, ,pomalu začal vodstrojovat, a když už jsem byl vodstrojenej a celej zmámenej a divokej jako jelen v říji, vešel do pokoje můj dobrej známej Stach, taky soukromej detektiv, z našeho konkurenčního ústavu pana Sterna, kam se vobrátil pan Grot o pomoc, co se týká jeho paní, která prý má nějakou známost, a víc neřek než: »Aha, pan Stendler je in flagranti s paní Grotovou, gratuluji.
Mr. Grotnn flag
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Grot had commisioned Mr. Stern adn his agency to spy on his wife. The practical task was given to detective Stach who caught Mrs. Grotová and detective Stendler with their trousers down.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] ,A přitom jsem se,’ vyprávěl pan Stendler, ,pomalu začal vodstrojovat, a když už jsem byl vodstrojenej a celej zmámenej a divokej jako jelen v říji, vešel do pokoje můj dobrej známej Stach, taky soukromej detektiv, z našeho konkurenčního ústavu pana Sterna, kam se vobrátil pan Grot o pomoc, co se týká jeho paní, která prý má nějakou známost, a víc neřek než: »Aha, pan Stendler je in flagranti s paní Grotovou, gratuluji.
Ganghofer, Ludwignn flag
*7.7.1855 Kaufbeuren - †24.7.1920 Tegernsee
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ganghofer.png

Neue Freie Presse,5.8.1885

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Karnisch-Julische Kriegszeitung, 11.7.1915

Ludwig Ganghofer is made a pivotal figure in the staff carriage of the train between Moson and Győr through his novel Die Sünden der Väter, which is used as the key in Hauptmann Ságner's cipher system. The problem is simply that it is in two parts, and the officers have been given the first part instead of the intended second part. It is Kadett Biegler who discovers the mistake and embarrasses Ságner in front of his fellow officers. How it all happened is revealed in the conversation between Oberleutnant Lukáš and Švejk at the station in Győr.

The author states that it was a small book, a short story in two parts. It was indeed in two parts but it was a novel rather than a short story. Hauptmann Ságner also adds that "he doesn't write badly this Ganghofer", an opinion that no doubt reflects the author's own.

Background

Ludwig Ganghofer was a Bavarian writer who in his time was very popular, and many of his novels have been made it to the cinema. He was one of the favourite poets of Kaiser Wilhelm II. and a personal friend of the emperor. Die Sünden der Väter (The sins of the fathers) (Adolf Bonz & Comp., Stuttgart, 1886) is one of the Ludwig Ganghofer's lesser known novels. Previous to its publication it had appeared as a serial in Neue Freie Presse from 5 August 1885. At the time the author lived in Vienna where he was dramatist at Ringtheater, and contributed to a couple of newspapers.

Whereas most of Ludwig Ganghofer's popular work was inspired and set in the Alpine surroundings of his home area, Die Sünden der Väter is an exception. It takes place in refined big city surroundings in Munich and Berlin and depicts a society that is very different from that of the Bavarian countryside.

War correspondent

Less known is his work as war reporter from 1915 to 1917. Although he exposed the horrors of war, his perspective is different from writers like Erich Maria Remarque and Jaroslav Hašek. He was a chauvinist who expressed pleasure when the destruction did not hit his own home country, and he wrote propaganda and slogans.

Die Front im Osten (link A) describes the early stages of the Gorlice-Tarnów offensive that Hašek later took part in. He includes a piece on the recapture of Przemyśl and a stay in Sambor in early June 1915 where he met k.u.k Stabsoffiziere. In the autumn of 1915 he was severely wounded, was decorated with Eiserne Kreuz but carried on as a war correspondent until 1917. His political opinions were nationalistic and antidemocratic.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Ve štábním vagoně, kde seděli důstojníci pochodového praporu, panovalo ze začátku jízdy podivné ticho. Většina důstojníků byla zahloubána do malé knihy v plátěné vazbě s nadpisem „Die Sünden der Väter. Novelle von Ludwig Ganghofer“ a všichni byli současně zabráni do čtení stránky 161. Hejtman Ságner, batalionní velitel, stál u okna, v ruce držel tutéž knížku, maje ji taktéž otevřenu na stránce 161.
Literature
Kronek, Marthann flag
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Neue Freie Presse,7.8.1885

martha.png

Neue Freie Presse,20.1.1886

Kronek is a character in Die Sünden der Väter by Ludwig Ganghofer and appears on page 161 of the second volume of the novel. Hašek refers to her as "some Marta".

Background

Martha was one of the main character of the novel Die Sünden der Väter by Ludwig Ganghofer, she was an actress at Stadttheater in Munich. She is introduced after only a few pages and described as young and beautiful. Her mother also forms part of the plot[a].

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Pánové,“ řekl se strašně tajuplným výrazem, „nezapomeňte nikdy na stránku 161!“ Zahloubáni do té stránky, nemohli si z toho ničeho vybrat. Že nějaká Marta, na té stránce, přistoupila k psacímu stolu a vytáhla odtud nějakou roli a uvažovala hlasitě, že obecenstvo musí cítit soustrast s hrdinou role.

Sources: Milan Hodík, Neue Freie Presse

References
aDie Sünden der VäterNeue Freie Presse5.8.1885
Albert, Richardnn flag
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albert.png

Neue Freie Presse,5.8.1885

albert1.png

Neue Freie Presse,22.1.1886

Albert is a character from the novel Die Sünden der Väter by Ludwig Ganghofer, mentioned on page 161 of the second part, like Marta. The author refers to him as "some Albert".

Background

given name Richard was the main hero of the Die Sünden der Väter and is introduced at the very beginning. In the serial version of the novel in Neue Freie Presse he appears already in the first part, dated 5 August 1885. He lives in Berlin, but is from Bavaria, just like the novels narrator. It is already obvious that he is well off.

In order to verify that Albert actually is mentioned on page 161 of the second part one would have to guess what print Hašek referred to and so far this information is not available.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Potom se ještě objevil na té stránce nějaký Albert, který neustále se snažil mluvit žertovně,což vytrženo z neznámého děje, který před tím předcházel, zdálo se takovou hovadinou, že nadporučík Lukáš překousl vzteky špičku na cigarety.

Sources: Milan Hodík, Neue Freie Presse

Literature
Bügler von Leutholdnn flag
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Bügler von Leuthold was the noble name Kadett Biegler boasted that his forebears used.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Šel dobrovolně na vojnu a vykládal hned při první příležitosti veliteli školy jednoročních dobrovolníků, když se seznamoval s domácími poměry žáků, že jeho předkové se psali původně Büglerové z Leutholdů a že měli v erbu čapí křídlo s rybím ocasem.
Erzherzog Albrechtnn flag
*3.8.1817 Wien - †18.8.1895 Arco
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batista.jpg

Leon Battista Alberti

albrecht.jpg

Erherzog Albrecht

Albrecht (his name) is murmured by Kadett Biegler when he hears about the ciphering-system based on the novel by Ludwig Ganghofer. Here he is indirectly referred to by "Archduke Albrecht's system".

Background

Albrecht was an Austrian archduke of the house of Habsburg, field marshal and inspector general of the Austro-Hungarian army. His father was Erzherzog Karl who lead the Austrian forces against Napoléon at Aspern in 1809.

It is however unlikely that this is the Albrecht that Kadett Biegler was mumbling about. Although being a prominent military leader there is no indication that he had any detailed knowledge of cryptography.

Alberti

Sergey Soloukh suggests that the person in question could be the Italian philosopher Leon Battista Alberti (1404 - 1472). He introduced a poly-alphabetic encryption system, albeit long before Gronveld (see Bronckhorst-Gronsveld). The chronology in Kadett Biegler's account is thus incorrect but otherwise the hypothesis seems solid.

Alberti is a prominent name in the history of cryptography and is often called "the father of western cryptography". It is therefore highly probable that Kadett Biegler (i.e. the author) got the names mixed up and actually meant "Alberti's system".

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1]Erzherzogs Albrecht system,“ zamumlal pro sebe snaživý kadet Biegler, „8922 = R, převzatý z methody Gronfelda.“ „Nový systém jest velice jednoduchý,“ zněl vagonem hlas hejtmanův. „Osobně obdržel jsem od pana plukovníka druhou knihu i informace.

Sources: Sergey Soloukh

Literature
van Bronckhorst-Gronsveld, Joost Maximiliaannn flag
*1598 Rimburg - †24.09.1662 Gronsveld
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gronsveld.jpg

Bronckhorst-Gronsveld (i.e. his name, indirectly by the Gronsveld-method) is mumbled by Kadett Biegler when he hears about the ciphering-system based on the novel Die Sünden der Väter by Ludwig Ganghofer.

Background

Bronckhorst-Gronsveld was a Dutch count and Bavarian commander who is said to have invented the Gronsveld-method for ciphering, or more precisely: the polyalphabetic method of encryption. According to some sources the invention was done by his son Johann Franz.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Erzherzogs Albrechtsystem,“ zamumlal pro sebe snaživý kadet Biegler, „8922 = R, převzatý z methody Gronfelda.“ „Nový systém jest velice jednoduchý,“ zněl vagonem hlas hejtmanův. „Osobně obdržel jsem od pana plukovníka druhou knihu i informace.

Also written:Gronfeld Hašek Jost Maximilian von Gronsfeld de

Literature
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Dub is mentioned 237 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Dub was a Czech reserve-lieutenant and the biggest fool of the entire novel, disliked by officers and the rank and file alike. From around 23 May 1915 onwards he became Švejk's chief adversary but was an easy match for the cunning soldier. Dub had entered the plot earlier when Kadett Biegler revealed the gaffe about the Ludwig Ganghofer books, but he is only introduced as Švejk's main enemy in Budapest, after Biegler was forced to abandon that role due to his soiled trousers and resulting "cholera".

Dub was a school-master in civilian life and a keen monarchist, which made him a natural target for the author's scorn. Švejk had repeated clashes with him, but in the end had to come to his aid when he dragged him out of the whore-house in Sanok that Dub was "inspecting".

Dub is part of the story all the way to the end and suffers the ultimate indignity when he is thoroughly put in place by Kadett Biegler when they approach Żółtańce. Dub lived in Královská 18 in Smíchov. In the final section of Švejk, at the vicarage in Klimontów, Dub has the honour of uttering the final lines of the book, as idiotic as always.

Background

Attempts to find a "model" for Dub have not yielded any conclusive results. Most of the classical literature about Hašek is content to mention reserve lieutenant Emanuél Michálek who was suggested as a model by Jan Morávek already in 1924. Michálek is said to have used the phrase: "You don't know me, but...". He and the author served in 11. Kompanie for six weeks in 1915 and were allegedly at odds. That said, only the rank and this famous threatening phrase seem to link the literary figure to Michálek.

Johann Hutzler
hutzler.jpg

Leutnant i. d. Res. Johann Hutzler

© Spolek Jednadevadesátníci

More convincing than the story by Jan Morávek is the thorough and well documented study by Karel Dub[a]. He concludes that the person who best fits the description of the literary lieutenant is Johann Hutzler, and that the name Dub probably was borrowed from someone Hašek knew from before the war or from České legie (19 persons carrying the surname Dub is listed in the database of the Legions, 12 of these in Russia). See Emanuél Michálek for more on Hutzler.

Robert Dub

Jan Eybl at his old age told journalists that he had served with a regimental doctor Dub who also knew Hašek. The main reason to be sceptical to this story is that the doctor according to official military records only joined the company after Hašek was captured! Otherwise almost every detail that Eybl provided has been verified.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Kadet Biegler se mezitím díval vítězně po všech a poručík Dub pošeptal nadporučíkovi Lukášovi, že to ,Čapí křídlo s rybím ocasem’ zjelo Ságnera jaksepatří.
[III.2] Poručík Dub podíval se rozzlobeně do bezstarostného obličeje dobrého vojáka Švejka a otázal se ho zlostně: „Znáte mne?“ „Znám vás, pane lajtnant.“ Poručík Dub zakoulel očima a zadupal: „Já vám povídám, že mě ještě neznáte.“ Švejk odpověděl opět s tím bezstarostným klidem, jako když hlásí raport: „Znám vás, pane lajtnant, jste, poslušně hlásím, od našeho maršbatalionu.“ „Vy mě ještě neznáte,“ křičel poznovu poručík Dub, „vy mne znáte možná s té dobré stránky, ale až mne poznáte s té špatné stránky. Já jsem zlý, nemyslete si, já každého přinutím až k pláči. Tak znáte mne, nebo mne neznáte?“ „Znám, pane lajtnant.“ „Já vám naposled říkám, že mne neznáte, vy osle. Máte nějaké bratry?“

Sources: Jan Morávek, Jan Ev. Eybl, Karel Dub

Literature
References
aRodokmen či spíše vývod lajtnanta DubaKarel Dub2009
Kerckhoffs, Augustenn flag
*19.1.1835 Nuth - †9.8.1903 Paris
Wikipedia deenfrnlno Search
kerckhoffs.jpg
kerckhoffs.png

Kerckhoffs is mentioned by Kadett Biegler during the discussion with Hauptmann Ságner concerning the mysterious cryptographic key. See Ludwig Ganghofer.

Background

Kerckhoffs (full name Jean-Guillaume Hubert Victor François Alexandre Auguste Kerckhoffs van Nieuwenhoff) was a Dutch cryptographer and linguist, one of the founders of military cryptography.

In January and February 1883 he published his best known work on cryptography, La cryptographie militaire, an article that appeared in two parts in Journal des sciences militaires. It was regarded as one of the milestones of 19th century cryptography. Here he mentions both Oberleutnant Fleissner and Kircher.

Kadett Biegler is however wrong when he informs Hauptmann Ságner that this was a book. It was in fact a paper presented in two parts in the abovementioned periodical

Auguste Kerckhoffs, "La cryptographie militaire", 1883

Le colonel Fleissner (Handbuch der Kryptographie) a adopté, sans modification aucune, la méthode de déchiffrement du major Kasiski.

Le Père Kircher (Polygraphia nova et universalis ; Rome, 1663) a remplacé les lettres du tableau de Vigenère par des nombres, d’où le nom d’Abacus numeralis donné à son système.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Dovoluji si,“ řekl, „pane hejtmane, upozorniti na knihu Kerickhoffovu o vojenském šifrování. Knihu tu může si každý objednat ve vydavatelstvu ,Vojenského naučného slovníku’. Jest tam důkladně popsána, pane hejtmane, methoda, o které jste nám vypravoval.

Also written:Kerickhoff Hašek

Literature
Kircher, Anasthasiusnn flag
*2.5.1601 Geisa - †27.11.1680 Roma
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
kircher.jpg

Kircher was, according to Kadett Biegler, a colonel who had served in the Saxon army under Napoleón, mentioned by Biegler as the inventor of the method which was described in Kerckhoffs' book, and now in May 1915 appeared in a military train between Moson and Győr.

Background

Kircher surely does not refer to a colonel in the Saxon army, but rather the German scientist, universal genius and Jesuit father who is mentioned by Kerckhoffs in his paper La Cryptographie Militaire from 1883. His work, Polygraphia nova et universalis, 1663, is considered a principal work in cryptography.

He had an enormous range of interests: Egyptology, Sinology, bible studies, geology, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, acoustics, bacteriology, to name a few. He was also a practical inventor.

Auguste Kerckhoffs, "La cryptographie militaire", 1883

Le Père Kircher (Polygraphia nova et universalis ; Rome, 1663) a remplacé les lettres du tableau de Vigenère par des nombres, d’où le nom d’Abacus numeralis donné à son système. Seulement, au lieu d’écrire le texte cryptographique de la façon ordinaire, Kircher prend une page d’écriture quelconque, et indique les nombres du cryptogramme par des points placés sous les lettres, à des intervalles correspondant à la valeur des nombres obtenus. Schott a commenté le système du Père Kircher dans sa Schola stenographica ; de là que beaucoup d’auteurs, Larousse entre autres, lui en ont attribué la paternité.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Vynálezcem jejím je plukovník Kircher, sloužící za Napoleona I. ve vojsku saském. Kircherovo šifrování slovy, pane hejtmane. Každé slovo depeše se vykládá na protější stránce klíče.
Literature
Oberleutnant Fleissner von Wostrowitz, Eduard B.nn flag
*1825 Lemberg - †31.3.1888 Wien
Wikipedia en Search
fleissner.jpg
fleissner1.png

Oesterreichischer Soldatenfreund,22.11.1881

fleissner.png

Local-Anzeiger der 'Presse',1.5.1888

Fleissner was a senior lieutenant who, according to Kadett Biegler, improved the method invented by Kircher. He is said to have used Die Sünden der Väter by Ludwig Ganghofer in an example in his book.

Background

Fleissner was in real life an Austrian colonel who in 1881 published Handbuch der Kryptographie. As Fleissner published the book five years before Die Sünden der Väter by Ludwig Ganghofer, the facts given by Kadett Biegler are dubious although all the names he mentions have some connection with cryptography. His book is briefly mentioned in the well known essay by Kerckhoffs from 1883.

The book was not published by Theresianische Militärakademie as Kadett Biegler claims. It was in fact self-published and distributed by L. W. Seidel & Sohn.

Fleissner had entered world literature even when still alive. He is mentioned in the novel Mathias Sandorf by Jules Verne already in 1885.

Auguste Kerckhoffs, "La cryptographie militaire", 1883

Le colonel Fleissner (Handbuch der Kryptographie) a adopté, sans modification aucune, la méthode de déchiffrement du major Kasiski.

Jules Verne, "Mathias Sandorf", 1885

Ces grilles, d’un si vieil usage, maintenant très perfectionnées d’après le système du colonel Fleissner, paraissent encore être le meilleur procédé et le plus sur, quand il s’agit d’obtenir un cryptogramme indéchiffrable.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Kircherovo šifrování slovy, pane hejtmane. Každé slovo depeše se vykládá na protější stránce klíče. Methoda ta zdokonalena nadporučíkem Fleissnerem v knize ,Handbuch der militärischen Kryptographie’, kterou si každý může koupit v nakladatelství vojenské akademie ve Víd. Novém Městě. Prosím, pane hejtmane.“
Literature
Ronovskýnn flag
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Ronovský is mentioned when Offiziersdiener Baloun just after arriving in Győr is so hungry that he shows signs of rebellion and Švejk finds it appropriate to put things in perspective by telling yet another story.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Ty máš nějakýho mladýho dědečka,“ řekl přívětivě, když dojeli do Rábu, „kerej se dovede pamatovat jen na tu vojnu v 66. roce. To já znám nějakýho Ronovskýho a ten měl dědečka, kerej byl v Italii ještě za roboty a sloužil tam svejch dvanáct let a domů přišel jako kaprál.
Róža Šavaňůnn flag
*12.9.1841 Izsákfa - †9.4.1907 Tótvázsony
Wikipedia deenhu Search
sandor.jpg

József Savanyú

Das interessante Blatt,26.6.1884

savan1.png

Neue Warte am Inn,16.5.1886

Róža Šavaňů is mentioned by Švejk when he tries to explain to Oberleutnant Lukáš how pointless it would be to start reading a book from the second volume. As an example he said that he once read a blood-dripping adventure book in two parts about Róža Šavaňů from the Bakony forest.

Background

Róža Šavaňů seems to refer to the Hungarian robber chief József Savanyú who terrorised the area around Bakony from around 1875 until 1884. Jaroslav Hašek also writes about Savanyú in the short story From the old prison in Ilava and in this story he is the main character[a].

József Savanyú

József "Jóska" Savanyú was the son of a shepherd and together with his brother he led an armed gang of robbers who were known for their ruthlessness and brutality. In connection with a church celebration on 29 June 1879 there was a shoot-out between the gang and the local police. His brother Istvan was killed but Jóska had a narrow escape. This incident appeared in the newspapers also in the Austrian part of the Dual Monarchy. On 31 August 1881 he committed a murder and in April 1882 a wanted poster was issued, and there was also an announcement in the newspapers.

On 4 May 1884 he was finally arrested after having been caught in his sleep. The court case was held in Szombathely in 1886 and the verdict was given on 17 May. The gang leader was given life imprisonment and most of his accomplices given long prison sentences. There were 200 witnesses called up for the case. An appeal was lodged; first the main accused was handed a death sentence, but on 2 March 1887 the verdict was reverted to life imprisonment. Savanyú was sent to the prison in Ilava (now in Slovakia) but was freed on probation after 15 years. In the year 1900 newspapers reported that he had settled in his home village and opened a carpenter's shop.

Sándor Rózsa

Another inspiration may have been the legendary Hungarian robber Sándor Rózsa (1813-1878). His name was big enough to earn an obituary in the New York Times[b] and there were also novels written about him[c]. Milan Hodík and Grete Reiner both assume that this is the man Švejk has in mind, but most likely the good soldier gets the two criminals mixed up. The biographical details fit much better with the bandit from Bakony, but if any books were written about him is not known.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Já jsem byl, jak povídám,“ zněl na opuštěné koleji měkký hlas Švejkův, „taky téhož mínění. Jednou jsem koupil krvák vo Róžovi Šavaňů z Bakonskýho lesa a scházel tam první díl, tak jsem se musel dohadovat vo tom začátku, a ani v takovej raubířskej historii se neobejdete bez prvního dílu.

Sources: Petr Novák, Sergey Soloukh

Literature
References
aZe staré trestnice v IlavěKalendář Besed lidu na obyčejný rokJaroslav Hašek1915
bDeath of a "robber king"New York Times15.12.1878
cRozsa Sándor, král loupežníků a paličůB. Černý
Metal caster Adamecnn flag
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Adamec was a metal caster from the Daňkovka plant that Švejk starts to tell Oberleutnant Lukáš about before the latter cuts him off.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Nadporučík Lukáš mluvil takovým hlasem, jako by se o něho pokoušela horečka, a toho okamžiku, když umlkl, využitkoval Švejk k nevinné otázce: „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, za prominutí, proč se nikdy nedozvím, co jsem vyved hroznýho: Já, pane obrlajtnant, jsem se vopovážil na to zeptat jenom kvůli tomu, abych se příště mohl takový věci vystříhat, když se všeobecně povídá, že se vod chyby člověk učí, jako ten slejvač Adamec z Daňkovky, když se vomylem napil solný kyseliny...“
Nikodémnn flag
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Nikodém had died from galloping consumption in Budějovice bud was still on Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk's salary slip.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Kdyby mně ti lotři alespoň oznámili, jestli někdo není ve špitále. Ještě minulý měsíc ved jsem nějakého Nikodéma, a teprve při lénunku jsem se dozvěděl, že ten Nikodém zemřel v Budějovicích v nemocnici na rychlé souchotiny.
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Zyka was a squad leader who didn't have the slightest overview of his squad, something which created disorder in Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk's papers.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] A nejhorší je u nás ten cuksfíra Zyka. Samý žert, samá anekdota, ale když mu oznamují, že je Kolařík odkomandován z jeho cuku k trénu, hlásí mně druhý den zas týž samý štand, jako by Kolařík dál se válel u kumpanie a u jeho cuku.
Kolaříknn flag
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Kolařík was a soldier who had been moved from Zyka´s squad without it showing in Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk's papers.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] A nejhorší je u nás ten cuksfíra Zyka. Samý žert, samá anekdota, ale když mu oznamují, že je Kolařík odkomandován z jeho cuku k trénu, hlásí mně druhý den zas týž samý štand, jako by Kolařík dál se válel u kumpanie a u jeho cuku.
Kozelnn flag
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Kozel was a postman Švejk told Offiziersdiener Baloun about in an anecdote.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Teď si představ, že by tu šunku z feldpošty poslali k nám do kumpačky a my jsme si s panem rechnungsfeldvéblem každej uřízli kousek, a vono by nám to zachutnalo, tak ještě kousek, až by to s tou šunkou dopadlo jako s jedním mým známým listonošem, nějakým Kozlem. Měl kostižer, tak mu napřed uřízli nohu pod kotník, potom pod koleno, potom stehno, a kdyby byl včas neumřel, byli by ho vořezali celýho jako prasklou tužku.
čeledín Vomelnn flag
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Vomel was Offiziersdiener Baloun's cattle boy at home who had warned him about the consequences of gluttony.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Měl jsem doma starýho čeledína Vomela a ten mě vždycky napomínal, abych jen tak nepejchnul, necpal se, že von pamatuje, jak mu jeho dědeček vypravoval dávno vo jednom takovým nedožerovi.
Oberleutnant Šebann flag
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seba.jpg

Šeba was a senior lieutenant that Švejk knew from his time as a military servant for Oberleutnant Lukáš in Prague. This story puts Offiziersdiener Baloun in his place for having eaten his masters lunch, and Švejk emphasises how well he treated his obrlajtnant compared to how Oberleutnant Šeba's servant treated his superior.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Tak si vybral ten den nadívané holoubě. Já jsem si myslel, když mně dali půlku, že by si snad mohl pan obrlajtnant myslet, že jsem mu druhou půlku sežral, tak jsem ještě jednu porci koupil ze svýho a přines takovou nádhernou porci, že pan obrlajtnant Šeba, který ten den sháněl oběd a přišel právě před polednem na návštěvu k mýmu obrlajtnantovi, se taky najed.
Ordonnanz Matušičnn flag
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Matušič is mentioned 22 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Matušič was orderly by Švejk's march battallion and appears regularly in the plot from now on, without ever playing a prominent role. He is playing cards with Offiziersdiener Batzer when Kadett Biegler wakes up from his legendary dream on the train to Budapest. In the dream he features as an angel and with Batzer he throws Biegler in the latrine on order from the Lord himself.

Background

Ordonnanz Matušič may well have a real life model. Jaroslav Hašek was transferred to the front with the XII. Marschbataillon of IR. 91, so a messenger in this unit could have been the inspiration. Given the author's usual projection of real field units into literary march units, the model should be looked for amongst Čeněk Sagner's battalion messengers by the III. Feldbataillon of IR. 91.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Pane kadet,“ řekl, „pan obrlajtnant poslal sem ordonanc Švejka, aby mu řek, co se stalo. Byl jsem teď u štábního vagonu a batalionsordonanc Matušič vás hledá z nařízení pana batalionskomandanta. Máte hned jít k panu hejtmanovi Ságnerovi.“
General Woinovich von Belobreska, Emilnn flag
*23.4.1851 Petrinja - †13.2.1927 Wien
Wikipedia deen Search
woinovich.jpg
woinovich1.jpg

Der Oberste Kriegsherr und sein Stab,1908

Woinovich is mentioned in connection with post-cards the 11th march company has been given as compensation for the salami they were promised. The author correctly states that Woinovich was head of the War Archive. This is revealed during the tense conversation between Hauptmann Ságner and Kadett Biegler at the Győr railway station.

Background

Woinovich was a Austro-Hungarian general and military historian of Croatian descent who until 1915 was director of the War Archive in Vienna. Has was also author of 11 books, mainly on war history. A street in Vienna has been named after him.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Kadet Biegler podal veliteli batalionu dvě z těch pohlednic, které vydávalo ředitelství Vojenského válečného archivu ve Vídni, kde byl náčelníkem generál pěchoty Wojnowich. Na jedné straně byla karikatura ruského vojáka, ruského mužika se zarostlou bradou, kterého objímá kostlivec.

Also written:Wojnowich Hašek Emil Vojnović hr

Literature
Grey, Edwardnn flag
*25.4.1862 London - †7.9.1933 Fallodon
Wikipedia deensv Search
grey.jpg
grey2.png

Neues Wiener Journal,12.5.1915

Sir Edward Grey is mentioned in connection with post-cards the 11th march company were given as compensation for the salami they were supposed to get on the way from Budapest eastwards to the front. One of the post-cards depicts Sir Edward Grey dangling from the gallows. He is also the target of a hate-poem from the collection The Iron Fist by the poet Greinz.

Background

Sir Edward Grey was British foreign secretary from 1905 to 1915 and played an important role in the events the led to the outbreak of war in 1914, although his diplomacy failed. He is criticized for not having communicated clearly to Germany that an invasion of Belgium would lead to war with Britain, but on the other hand he is given credit for persuading Italy to join the war on the side of the Entente.

A friend came to see me on one of the evenings of the last week — he thinks it was on Monday, August 3rd. We were standing at a window of my room in the Foreign Office. It was getting dusk, and the lamps were being lit in the space below... My friend recalls that I remarked on this with the words, "The lamps are going out all over Europe: we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime".

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Nahoře bylo: „Viribus unitis“ a pod tím obrázek, jak na šibenici visí Sir Edward Grey a dole pod ním vesele salutují rakouský i německý voják.
Literature
Greinz, Rudolfnn flag
*16.8.1866 Pradl - †16.8.1942 Innsbruck
Wikipedia de Search
greinz.jpg
grey2.png

Neues Wiener Journal,12.5.1915

Greinz is mentioned in connection with post-cards the 11th march company has been given as compensation for the salami they should have got. Greinz is quoted from a poetry book, "The iron fist". Little jokes about our enemies, which contains a macabre poem about the British foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey.

Background

Greinz was an Austrian author who in 1915 published the poetry book Die eiserne Faust. Marterln auf unsere Feinde.. A poem from this collection is quoted in the novel. Many other well-known people were also "honoured" in the collection: Nicholas Nikolaevich and Churchill are just a few examples.

The poem called "Grey" is quite accurately reproduced but Hašek seems to have got the translation of the book's title wrong: He translates "Marterl" as a "small joke" but it is actually a roadside shrine, often to commemorate someone who has died in an accident on that spot. A more common German word is "Bildstock". These shrines are commonplace in Austria, Bavaria and Czechia. Another source of confusion is that the end quote of the book's title is in the wrong place (surely not the author's fault), giving the impression that it is simply called "The Iron Fist".

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Básnička dole byla vzata z knížky Greinzovy: „Železná pěst“. Žertíčky na naše nepřátele, o kterých říšské listy psaly, že verše Greinzovy jsou rány karabáčem, přičemž obsahují pravý nezkrocený humor a nepřekonatelný vtip.
Literature
Judas Iscariotnn flag
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
judas.jpg

Judas to the right

Judas Iscariot is mentioned in the poem by Rudolf Greinz about Sir Edward Grey.

Background

Judas Iscariot was according to the New Testament one of the twelve original apostles of Jesus. He is best known for his role in betraying Jesus into the hands of Roman authorities. The name is a Greek form of Judah and has since been used as a byword for traitor, exemplified in this poem about Sir Edward Grey.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Na šibenici, v příjemné výši,
měl by se houpat Edward Grey,
je na to již nejvyšší čas,
však třeba upozornit vás,
že žádný dub své nepropůjčil dřevo
k popravě toho jidáše.

Also written:Jidáš Iškariotský cz Judas Ischariot de

Literature
General Ritter von Herbertnn flag
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herbert.png

Ordre de Bataille am 3/7. 1915.

© ÖStA

herbert.jpg

Das Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 am Vormarsch in Galizien.

© VÚA

Ritter von Herbert signed a telegram containing orders about imminent departure to the front in Sokal. Hauptmann Ságner received it at Győr station. General Ritter von Herbert had dispatched a number of these telegrams, no encrypted. The telegram in question was also copied to the 14th march battalion of the 75th regiment.

The military station commander Bahnhofskommandant Zykán then informed Hauptmann Ságner that he had received a secret report from Divisional HQ that the brigade commander had gone mad and had been sent to Vienna. All his telegrams were to be ignored.

Background

General Ritter von Herbert was according to the novel an Austrian general and commander of the brigade Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 belonged to. Such a name is however not found in Schematismus, so he is obviously a fictional person. The closest candidates are the colonels Franz Herbert and Herbert Herberstein but none of them were assigned roles that were similar to the novel's Herbert[a]. Nor would a general have been in command of a brigade, these units were usually commanded by colonels. That said the author may well have picked up the story from real life; many officers broke down and reported sick in the course of the war.

According to Ordre de Bataille from 3 July 1915 Oberst Schubert is commander of 17. Infanteriebrigade, the unit that IR. 91 reported to. He was replaced by colonel Johann von Mossig on 17 July. On 13 September he in turn was replaced by colonel Alfred Steinsberg. Mossig however took up the position again a few weeks later as this was a temporary shift caused by illness further up the command chain.

The beginning in the next chapter continues the story of the insane brigade commander, and gives an interesting clue. There is talk about constructing a bridge across the Bug. IR. 91 was actually ordered to do this on 20 July (by Kamionka Strumiłowa), but were prevented by flooding, and that night they got a sudden order to march to Sokal. Could Schubert have been replaced due to ill health and thus served as an inspiration for Hašek's "Herbert"?

Replacement troops off track

As often happens in this (and other) novels the author used his licensia poetica to juggle events and facts. The order to build a bridge acroos the Bug and then suddenly get a counter-order to march to Sokal is authentic, but that this order was given to the march unit way behind the lines is mystification. No march battalion was ever involved in any of the operations by the Bug and Sokal, as they were usually dissolved at the moment they reached the front where the newly arrived troops were assigned to the existing field regiment. There is also a timing inconsistency: the 14th march battalions, including that of Infanterieregiment Nr. 75, were only moved to the front in mid September. This was six weeks after the battle of Sokal, and at the time the front had been pushed further east, by Dubno.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] První telegram musel být odevzdán, třebas měl obsah velice překvapující, když je batalion na stanici v Rábu: „Rychle uvařit a pak pochodem na Sokal.“ Adresován byl nešifrovaně na pochodový batalion 91. pluku s kopií na pochodový batalion 75. pluku, který byl ještě vzadu. Podpis byl správný: Velitel brigády: Ritter von Herbert.
[III.2] „Ten vyváděl, ten váš brigádní jenerál,“ řekl, chechtaje se na celé kolo, „ale doručit jsme vám tu blbost museli, poněvadž ještě nepřišlo od divise nařízení, že se jeho telegramy nemají dodávat adresátům.

Sources: Jaroslav Křížek, VÚA, ÖStA

References
aSchematismus für das k.u.k. Heer (s. 709)K.k. Hof und Staatsdruckerei1914
Kraft, Udonn flag
*29.11.1870 Büdingen - †22.8.1914 Anloy
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kraft2.png

Reichspost,21.2.1915

Udo Kraft was a German teacher who was Kadett Biegler's role model. This is revealed in Biegler's disastrous conversation with Hauptmann Ságner as the train leaves Győr for Budapest. Biegler was just then reading Udo Kraft's Self-Education for Death for the Emperor, published by C.F. Amelang’s Verlag in Leipzig.

Background

Udo Kraft (Rudolf Karl Emil Kaspar Robert Kraft) was a German gymnasium teacher who enlisted as a volunteer when the war broke out. He was shot in the temple by Anloy in Belgium three weeks later, and died immediately. He served as a seargent with the 116th Infantry Regiment.

Bieglers description of the book is imprecise. Udo Kraft's book, a collection of letters and diaries, was published in early 1915, i.e. after his death. It was also a question of death for the fatherland, not for the emperor.

An English translation by Kenneth Kronenberg is available[a].

Selbsterziehung zum Tod fürs Vaterland. Aus den nachgelassenen Papieren des Kriegsfreiwilligen Prof. Udo Kraft.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Přál bych si, když padnu v boji, aby po mně zůstala památka, pane hejtmane. Mým vzorem je německý profesor Udo Kraft. Narodil se roku 1870, nyní ve světové válce přihlásil se dobrovolně a padl 22. srpna 1914 v Anloy. Před svou smrtí vydal knihu ,Sebevýchova pro smrt za císaře’.“

Sources: Kenneth Kronenberg, Volkmar Stein

Literature
References
aUdo KraftKenneth Kronenberg
General Mazzuchelli, Aloisnn flag
*17.09.1776 Brescia - †05.08.1868 Vöslau
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mazzuchelli.jpg
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Tages-Post, 12.8.1868

Tages-Post,12.8.1868

Mazzuchelli is mentioned in Kadett Biegler's notebook containing sketches of historical battle grounds. In this case it is regarding the battle of Trutnov.

Background

Mazzuchelli was an Austrian general who was pensioned in 1844 so that he commanded a division in the battle of Trutnov 27 June 1866 is out of question as he was 90 years old. Mazzuchelli was known as the proprietor of IR10 already from 1817 but it is unclear whether this regiment took part in the battle.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Kadet Biegler napsal: „Bitva u Trutnova neměla být svedena, poněvadž hornatá krajina znemožňovala rozvinutí divise generála Mazzucheliho, ohrožené silnými pruskými kolonami, nalézajícími se na výšinách obklopujících levé křídlo naší divise.“

Also written:Mazzucheli Hašek

Literature
General von Benedek, Ludwignn flag
*14.7.1804 Sopron - †27.4.1881 Graz
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benedek.jpg
benedek.png

Neue Freie Presse,27.4.1881

Benedek is invoked by Hauptmann Ságner when he contemptuously calls Kadett Biegler "You Budweiser Benedek!"

Background

Benedek was an Austrian general and commander in chief of the Austrian forces during the Prusso-Austrian war of 1866. He was blamed for the disastrous defeat, immediately pensioned and put before a court martial. The trial was stopped by Kaiser Franz Joseph I..

Benedek-kaserna i Brucker Lager er kalla opp etter han.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Podle vás bitva u Trutnova,“ řekl s úsměvem hejtman Ságner, vraceje sešitek kadetovi Bieglerovi, „mohla být svedena jedině v tom případě, kdyby Trutnov byl na rovině, vy budějovický Benedeku.
Literature
Bahnhofskommandant Zykánnn flag
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zykan.jpg

Professor Zykán was obviously never a station commander in Hungary but may at least have provided Hašek with a useful surname.

Zlatá Praha, 21.10.1892

Zykán was an active officer of unknown rank who was station commander in Győr. He was Czech and had attended Prager Infanteriekadettenschule with Hauptmann Ságner and Oberleutnant Lukáš. He and Ságner had a conversation at the station where it was revealed that even Ságner at the time had been a Czech patriot, standing up against the Austrianism at the school, but had later toned down his convictions to promote his career.

Background

It has not been possible to identify a model for this officer. The surname is not found in Schematismus from 1914 and is generally quite rare. In 2020 only 47 persons with this surname lived in Czechia and the vast majority of them were found in Beroun (15) and Prague (16).

Borrowed name

Because no officer Zykán can be identified we are at best left with the possibility of name borrowing, a method Hašek frequently used throughout the novel (Švejk, Břetislav Ludvík, Offiziersdiener Baloun a.o. are just some of the examples). Considering that Zykán is such a rare surname it appears surprisingly often in Hašek's stories. Some professor Zykán is mentioned in two of them (see links a and c) and in a third a like-name soldier has a peripheral role (link b).

zykan.png

Nachrichten über Verwundete und Kranke, 30.10.1916

The infantry man Alois Zykan served in the 11. Feldkompanie of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 which was also Hašek's company in 1915. Still we have no proof that their periods overlapped but the fact that the name also appeared in Hašek's story from 1916 about the Austrian captain Alserbach strengthens the link. Zykan was born in Vienna in 1889 and was shot in the head 10 September 1916 at the Isonzo front. He died in the garrison hospital in Ljubljana (Laibach) and was also buried there.

zykan1.png

Časopis pro průmysl chemický, 4.1898

The professor who Hašek wrote about was no doubt Ladislav Zykán (1859-1938). He taught technology and material science at Obchodní akademie where Hašek studied from 1889 to 1902 so the name may have been inspired by circumstances dating back as to the turn of the century. In the story Obchodní akademie Hašek provides correct details on him, and even adds where the professor lived. According to Hašek he was also a former artillery officer but this is not entirely true: Zykán was reserve lieutenant in Infanterieregiment Nr. 88 (Beroun) until 1888.

Jaroslav Hašek: Obchodní akademie

Další důležitý předmět pro obchod jest technologie mechanická a nauka o zboží. Hlavně když to člověk umí od slova k slovu. Neboť máme velmi málo obchodníků v Čechách, kteří znají, jak se vyrábí benzín. Profesor Zykán, který předměty ony přednáší, jest velmi zbožný a býval dřív důstojníkem u dělostřelectva. Jest majitelem domu v Klicperově ulici na Královských Vinohradech. Slušné, zámožné posluchače má rád.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Poslyš, Lukáši,“obrátil se k nadporučíkovi, „máš kadeta Bieglera u své kumpanie, tak ho, hocha, cepuj. Podpisuje se, že je důstojník, ať si to v gefechtu zaslouží. Až bude trommelfeuer a my budem atakovat, ať se svým cukem stříhá drahthindernissy, der gute Junge. Á propos, dá tě pozdravovat Zykán, je velitelem nádraží v Rábu.“
Literature
Offiziersdiener Batzernn flag
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Batzer and Matušič

Batzer is mentioned 11 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Batzer was the servant of Hauptmann Ságner and came from the area around Kašperské Hory. He and Ordonnanz Matušič are playing cards in the carriage where Kadett Biegler fight through his dream on the train to Budapest. These two discover the pungent disaster in Biegler's trousers and call their superior. Matušič and Batzer also appear in the dream as arch angels.

The author gives three dialect samples from Batzer, and he doesn't hide his dislike for this "horrible" variant of German (it is a Bavarian dialect).

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Šel kolem zadního kupé, kde hrál batalionsordonanc Matušič se sluhou velitele praporu Batzerem vídeňskou hru šnopsa. Dívaje se do otevřených dveří kupé, zakašlal. Otočili se a hráli dál. „Nevíte, co se patří?“ otázal se kadet Biegler. „Nemoh jsem,“ odpověděl sluha hejtmana Ságnera Batzer svou strašnou němčinou od Kašperských Hor, „mi’ is’ ď Trump’ ausganga".
[III.1] „Stink awer ď Kerl wie a’Stockfisch,“ prohodil Batzer, který pozoroval se zájmem, jak sebou spící kadet Biegler povážlivě vrtí, „muß’ ďHosen voll ha’n.“
[III.1] Poněvadž se opět při těch slovech počal obracet, zavonělo to Batzerovi intensivně pod nos, takže poznamenal odplivuje si: „Stink wie a’ Haizlputza, wie a’ bescheißena Haizlputza.“
Fürst zu Schwarzenberg, Karl Philippnn flag
*18.4.1771 Wien - †15.10.1820 Leipzig
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schwarzenberg.jpg

Schwarzenberg enters the dream of Kadett Biegler when he deals with the Battle of the Nations by Leipzig in 1813.

Background

Schwarzenberg was an Austrian nobleman, diplomat and Field Marshal. He was commander of the coalition forces (Austria, Prussia, Russia, Sweden) at the battle of Leipzig in 1813. The battle was a decisive defeat for Napoléon and the following year Schwarzenberg led his forces into Paris.

Schwarzenberg hailed from the Bohemian branch of the family. He was first buried in Třeboň but his sarcophagus was later moved to the family's burial chapel in Kožlí u Orlíka near Písek.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Znáte dějiny bitvy národů u Lipska?“ otázal se, „když polní maršálek kníže Schwarzenberg šel na Liebertkovice 14. října roku 1813 a když 16. října byl zápas o Lindenau, boje generála Merweldta, a když rakouská vojska byla ve Wachavě a když 19. října padlo Lipsko?“

Also written:Karel Filip Schwarzenberg cz

General von Merveldt, Maximilian Friedrichnn flag
*29.6.1764 Münster - †5.7.1815 London
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merveldt.jpg

Merveldt enters the dream of Kadett Biegler when he deals with the Battle of the Nations by Leipzig in 1813.

Background

Merveldt was a German diplomat and general who served Austria. He commanded an army at the battle of Leipzig, but was captured after approaching a group of Poles and Saxons he thought were Hungarians. He died when he was ambassador in London, and was given a honorary burial in Westminster Abbey.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „Znáte dějiny bitvy národů u Lipska?“ otázal se, „když polní maršálek kníže Schwarzenberg šel na Liebertkovice 14. října roku 1813 a když 16. října byl zápas o Lindenau, boje generála Merweldta, a když rakouská vojska byla ve Wachavě a když 19. října padlo Lipsko?“

Also written:Merweldt Hašek

General Dankl von Kraśnik, Viktornn flag
*18.8.1854 Udine - †8.1.1941 Innsbruck
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dankl.jpg

Dankl enters the dream of Kadett Biegler, there is a portrait of him hanging on the wall of the k.u.k. Gottes Hauptquartier.

Background

Dankl was an Austro-Hungarian general and one of the principal military leaders between 1914 and his retirement in 1916. He was commander of the 1st army by outbreak of war and was supreme commander at the battle of Kraśnik, the first battle the army of Austria-Hungary won.

In 1915 he become commander of the Austro-Hungarian forces on the Italian front, and did a good job until he was replaced in 1916 due to poor health.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Uprostřed pokoje, ve kterém po stěnách visely podobizny Františka Josefa a Viléma, následníka trůnu Karla Františka Josefa, generála Viktora Dankla, arcivévody Bedřicha a šéfa generálního štábu Konráda z Hötzendorfu, stál pán bůh.
Literature
Erzherzog Friedrichnn flag
*4.6.1856 Židlochovice (Gross-Seelowitz) - †30.12.1936 Mosonmagyaróvár
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friedrich.jpg

Friedrich enters the dream of Kadett Biegler, there is a portrait of him hanging on the wall of the k.u.k. Gottes Hauptquartier.

Background

Friedrich was an Austro-Hungarian general and archduke, known for his immense wealth. From 1914 to 1917 he was Inspector General of the Royal and Imperial armed forces and thus formally held the highest position, but in reality Feldmarschall Conrad had the decisive power in operational matters.

Towards the end of the war Friedrich had become very unpopular, accused of military incompetence and for having used the war to enrich himself. The successor states of Austria-Hungary confiscated nearly all his property. He was the brother of Erzherzog Stephan.

The good soldier Švejk in captivity

In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí Friedrich is mentioned during Švejk's stay at a psychiatric clinic in Vienna. One of the inmates claims to be the archduke and that "we will be in Moscow in a month".[1]

Tam v rohu chodby seděl například člověk, kaprál, který křičel, že je arcivévoda Bedřich a že za měsíc bude v Moskvě. Toho zavřeli na pozorování, ale nesmíme zapomenouti že skutečný arcivévoda Bedřich se jednou sám tak vyjádřil a nestalo se mu nic, jen utrpěl trochu blamáže.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] Tam v rohu chodby seděl například člověk, kaprál, který křičel, že je arcivévoda Bedřich a že za měsíc bude v Moskvě. Toho zavřeli na pozorování, ale nesmíme zapomenouti že skutečný arcivévoda Bedřich se jednou sám tak vyjádřil a nestalo se mu nic, jen utrpěl trochu blamáže.
[III.1] Uprostřed pokoje, ve kterém po stěnách visely podobizny Františka Josefa a Viléma, následníka trůnu Karla Františka Josefa, generála Viktora Dankla, arcivévody Bedřicha a šéfa generálního štábu Konráda z Hötzendorfu, stál pán bůh.

Also written:Arcivévoda Bedřich cz

Literature
References
1Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetíJaroslav Hašek1917
Doctor Welfer, Friedrichnn flag
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Welfer was a "war doctor" who had lived very well as a student on a grant from a deceased uncle. He would receive the grant every year until he had graduated. The pay-out was four times higher than an expected salary so the studies dragged on until the war wrecked it all. Now, in Budapest, he had to see to Kadett Biegler who had shitted his trousers full after his nasty dream on the train.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] K batalionu byl přidělen „válečný doktor“, starý medik a buršák Welfer. Znal pít, rvát se a přitom měl medicinu v malíčku. Prodělal medicinské fakulty v různých universitních městech v Rakousko-Uhersku, i praxi v nejrozmanitějších nemocnicích, ale doktorát neskládal prostě z toho důvodu, že v závěti, kterou zanechal jeho strýc svým dědicům, bylo to, že se má vyplácet stud. mediciny Bedřichu Welferovi ročně stipendium do té doby, kdy obdrží Bedřich Welfer lékařský diplom.

Also written:Bedřich Welfer cz

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Robert Koch discovered the cholera germ.

Koch was a captain (or major) who had died of cholera and was to be buried in Budapest together with Kadett Biegler (who the doctors thought would soon die). One of the doctors had earlier referred to Koch as a major. It is also mentioned that Koch has the same surname as the inventor of the cholera germ.

Background

In 1914 there were several officers named Koch in k.u.k. Heer, amongst them three captains and one major. None of them served in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 or any of the other regiments from Bohemia. That said the dead officer in Budapest may obviously have been from other army unit.

Captain or major?

In his translation of The Good Soldier Švejk into English Cecil Parrott corrected Hašek's incoherent use of "captain" and "major", and decided that Koch was a major. Antonín Brousek, German translator of the novel, makes the same assumption.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.1] „To, co mluví, jsou jeho poslední slova,“ řekl štábní lékař k sanitnímu poddůstojníkovi maďarsky, „zítra ho pochováme s majorem Kochem. Teď upadne do bezvědomí. Listiny jsou o něm v kanceláři?“ „Budou tam,“ odpověděl klidně sanitní poddůstojník. „Ei-ei-ne-ne De-de-de-deck-ke-ke,“ jektal za odcházejícími kadet Biegler. V celém pokoji bylo na šestnácti lůžkách pět lidí. Jeden z nich byl nebožtíkem. Zemřel před dvěma hodinami, byl pokryt prostěradlem a jmenoval se jako objevitel cholerových bacilů. Byl to hejtman Koch, o kterém se štábní lékař zmiňoval, že bude míti zítra pohřeb s kadetem Bieglerem.
Index Back Forward III. The famous thrashing Hovudpersonen

2. In Budapest

Špatinann flag
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Špatina from Zhoř is about to feature in a story when Oberleutnant Lukáš resolutely interrupts the diligent narrator Švejk.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant“ řekl s obvyklou ohebností Švejk, „věc, o kterou jde, je nesmírně důležitou. Prosil bych, pane obrlajtnant, abychom mohli tu celou záležitost vyřídit někde vedle, jako říkal jeden můj kamarád, Špatina ze Zhoře, když dělal svědka na svatbě a chtělo se mu najednou v kostele...“
Literature
Sculptor Scholz, Heinrich Karlnn flag
*Lub u Frýdlantu (Mildenau) 16.10.1880 - †Wien 12.6.1937
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scholz.png

Scholz was, in the authors words, the sergeant, one-year volunteer, shirker and sculptor behind the war grave memorial in Sedlisko in western Galicia. The soldiers of Švejk's march company were instead of the promised cheese given a postcard from this cemetry, depicting som unfortunate men from k.k. Landwehr.

Background

Scholz was a noted academic sculptor from northern Bohemia who during World War I was responsible for more than 50 war cemeteries and memorials in the area of Tarnów-Gorlice, including those in Siedliska. His statue, "Nackter Krieger" (Naked Warrior) is amongst those that still exists.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Místo patnácti dekagramů ementálského sýra měl každý v ruce západohaličský hřbitov vojínů v Sedlisku s pomníkem nešťastných landveráků, zhotovených ulejvákem-sochařem, jednoročním dobrovolníkem šikovatelem Scholzem.
Merchant Hořejšínn flag
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Hořejší is mentioned in Švejk's tale related to Italy's entering the war in 1915 against its formal allies, here illustrated by three merchants in Táborská ulice.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] „V Táborskej ulici v Praze byl taky takovej případ,“ začal Švejk. „Tam byl ňákej kupec Hořejší, kus vod něho dál naproti měl svůj krám kupec Pošmourný a mezi nima voběma byl hokynář Havlasa. Tak ten kupec Hořejší jednou dostal takovej nápad, aby se jako spojil s tím hokynářem Havlasou proti kupci Pošmournýmu, a začal s ním vyjednávat, že by mohli ty dva krámy spojit pod jednou firmou: ,Hořejší a Havlasa’.
Merchant Pošmournýnn flag
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Pošmourný is mentioned in Švejk's tale related to Italy's changing of allegiance in 1915, here illustrated by three merchants in Táborská ulice.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] „V Táborskej ulici v Praze byl taky takovej případ,“ začal Švejk. „Tam byl ňákej kupec Hořejší, kus vod něho dál naproti měl svůj krám kupec Pošmourný a mezi nima voběma byl hokynář Havlasa. Tak ten kupec Hořejší jednou dostal takovej nápad, aby se jako spojil s tím hokynářem Havlasou proti kupci Pošmournýmu, a začal s ním vyjednávat, že by mohli ty dva krámy spojit pod jednou firmou: ,Hořejší a Havlasa’.
Grocer Havlasann flag
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Havlasa is mentioned in Švejk's tale related to Italy changing allegiance in 1915, here illustrated by three merchants in Táborská ulice.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] „V Táborskej ulici v Praze byl taky takovej případ,“ začal Švejk. „Tam byl ňákej kupec Hořejší, kus vod něho dál naproti měl svůj krám kupec Pošmourný a mezi nima voběma byl hokynář Havlasa. Tak ten kupec Hořejší jednou dostal takovej nápad, aby se jako spojil s tím hokynářem Havlasou proti kupci Pošmournýmu, a začal s ním vyjednávat, že by mohli ty dva krámy spojit pod jednou firmou: ,Hořejší a Havlasa’.
Chovanecnn flag
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Chovanec was a grandfather from Motol who spanked kids on behalf of the parents for a flat fee. This is mentioned by Švejk to emphasize that it now is more important than ever to use ammunition sparingly as there was one more enemy (Italy).

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] „Když už tedy zas máme novou vojnu,“ pokračoval Švejk, „když máme vo jednoho nepřítele víc, když máme zas novej front, tak se bude muset šetřit s municí. ,Čím víc je v rodině dětí, tím více se spotřebuje rákosek,’ říkával dědeček Chovanec v Motole, kerej vyplácel rodičům v sousedství děti za paušál.“
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Jiří Skorkovský, redaktor "Českoho slova" ...

© Národní archiv - Archiv České strany národně sociální

Skorkovský is a lower ranking bank clerk who forms part of Švejk's long urine analysis story. He decides to take revenge on the annoying "urine analyser" by sending him on duty to the quarrelsome house porter domovník Málek. He worked in some house in Vinohrady where Švejk lived at the time.

Background

This anecdote has much in common with the story Analysa moče (Analysis of Urine) that Hašek had printed in the satirical magazine Kopřivy in 1912. Here the author himself has the role of Škorkovský and the ill-tempered custodian is called Jan Vaňous and lives in Čelakovského 24. This was actually the home address of Hašek from 1901 to 1906!

In the story the urine obsessed man was named as a certain Mašek who together with Hašek was an apprentice at drogerie Průša. The two fell out and Hašek exacted revenge by sending him a letter, informing that the custodian needed his urine analysed. The result is much the same as we know it from The Good Soldier Švejk...

Borrowed name?

It is quite possible that Jaroslav Hašek borrowed the name of his bank clerk from Jiří Skorkovský, a politician from Česká strana národně sociální who for a period was editor at the party newspaper České slovo. This was a publication that Hašek also wrote for and he was briefly employed by twice.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Všichni, co chodili do výčepu, i hostinský a hostinská, dali si moč analysovat, jenom ten úředníček se ještě držel, ačkoliv ten pán za ním lez pořád do pissoiru, když šel ven, a vždycky mu starostlivě říkal: ,Já nevím, pane Skorkovský, mně se ta vaše moč nějak nelíbí, vymočte se do lahvičky, dřív než bude pozdě!’ Konečně ho přemluvil.
Literature
Domovník Máleknn flag
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malek.gif

České slovo,18.5.1924

Málek is part of Švejk's long story about urine analysis, to illustrate that the victim of revenge may not be the person it's directed against. In this story it is revealed that Švejk long ago lived in Vinohrady, and that Málek was the ill-tempered custodian in the building where Švejk lived. The main person in the anecdote is not mentioned by name, but he ran a firm that carried out analysis of urine.

He was very persistent and tried to persuade everyone he met to have heir urine analysed. He rubbed the bank official Skorkovský up the wrong way with his urine analysis but the latter took revenge by telling the urine analyser that Málek needed an analysis.

When the irritable porter was woken up for this purpose at 7 in the morning he was less than pleased, and dressed in his underpants he chased the urine man across half of Vinohrady. In the end Málek was arrested and sentenced for breach of public order, whereas the intended victim of the revenge act got away.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] A von tam šel. Domovník ještě spal, když ho ten pán vzbudil a povídal mu přátelsky: ,Moje úcta, pane Málek, dobré jitro přeji. Tady prosím lahvička, račte se vymočit a dostanu šest korun.’ Ale to bylo boží dopuštění potom, jak ten domovník vyskočil v kaťatech z postele, jak toho pána chyt za krk, jak s ním praštil vo almaru, až ho do ní zafasoval!
Literature
Kaiser Ferdinand I.nn flag
*19.4.1793 Wien - †29.6.1875 Praha
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ferdinand1.jpg

Ferdinand I. is mentioned when Leutnant Dub gets introduced to the reader.

Background

Ferdinand I. was the predecessor of Kaiser Franz Joseph I. on the Austrian throne, king of Hungary and the last crowned king of Bohemia. He was unofficially called Ferdinand der Gütige (Ferdinand the Good/Benign), however, after his abdication during the revolutions of 1848, this was often reversed to Gütinand der Fertige (Goodinand the Finished). He ruled from 1835 to 1848 and then lived on Hradčany from his abdication until his death.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] V nižších třídách strašil žáky císař Maxmilián, který vlezl na skálu a nemohl slézt dolů, Josef II. jako oráč a Ferdinand Dobrotivý.
Kaiser Joseph II.nn flag
*13.3.1741 Wien - †20.2.1790 Wien
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Joseph II. is mentioned when Leutnant Dub gets introduced to the reader.

Background

Joseph II. was Austrian emperor from 1780 to 1790, son of Empress Maria Theresa. He was known for a succession of political and educational reforms, and is considered and enlightened ruler for his time. Amongst the reforms were: relegious freedom (benefited the Jews), tax on the nobility, abolishment of serfdom, abolishment of capital punishment in civilian courts, compulsory education, dissolution of 700 monasteries, and many sosial reforms. He was forced to withdraw many of these before he died.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] V nižších třídách strašil žáky císař Maxmilián, který vlezl na skálu a nemohl slézt dolů, Josef II. jako oráč a Ferdinand Dobrotivý.

Also written:Josef II. cz Joseph_II. de

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Sport und Salon, 25.12.1915

Weiner was an actress who Hauptmann Ságner had seen on stage in Bruck, and who now, according to Pester Lloyd, performed at Kis Színkör in Budapest.

Background

Weiner may have been Hansy Weiner who featured in Sport und Salon on 25 Desember 1915. She appeared at Volksoper in Vienna and was a talented singer. It has not been possible to identify the advert in Pester Lloyd which is mentioned in the novel.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Zklamal se však úplně, neboť hejtman Ságner, kterému přinesl batalionsordonanc Matušič ze stanice večerní vydání „Pester Lloydu“, řekl, dívaje se do novin: „Tak vida, ta Weinerová, kterou jsme viděli v Brucku vystupovat pohostinsky, hrála zde včera na scéně Malého divadla.“
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János Csernoch, archbishop of Esztergom from 1912 to 1927.

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Arthur Winnington-Ingram

Géza ze Szatmár-Budafalu was according to the author archbishop of Budapest, the author of two prayers who contained the most terrible curses on the enemies.

Background

The archbishop is presented as a real person but nothing is known about him apart from what is evident from the text. Hans-Peter Laqueur points out that lists of bishops and archbishops in Hungary show no traces of any such person. Moreover the Archbishop-seat of Hungary was located in Esztergom, making it even more likely that this person is fictional. The combination Szatmár and Budafalu is also improbable: the first being a city and county name, the second a village. For the record: the archbishop of Esztergom who was also responsible for Budapest was from 1912 onwards János Csernoch (Slovak: Ján Černoch)[b].

A bishop's seat that actually existed was Szatmár-Neméti (now Satu Mare in Romania) so the author may have thrown about some names to create his literary archbishop.

The bishop of London

There were surely several examples of belligerent clerics, and on all sides in the conflict. Best known amongst these is probably the bishop of London, Arthur Winnington-Ingram (1858-1946). On 28 November 1915 he held an advent sermon where he allegedly wished death on the Germans, "the good as well as the bad, in order to save our civilisation"[1]. He used words that came close to those of poet Vierordt although less grotesque.

Whether Jaroslav Hašek was aware of those utterances is however unlikely. The sermon took place at a time when the author of The Good Soldier Švejk was already in Russian captivity. He may still have heard of it later, but it was only after the war that the content of the sermon became known to a wider public. More likely he was inspired by the utterances of some cleric closer to home or he may simply have invented the story.

1. This version has been refuted by Stuart Bell a.o. who states that the infamous quote comes from a heavily abridged version, published by The Secular Society in the thirties[a].

Tamás Herczeg

There has never been any archbishop called "Gézou ze Szatmár-Budafalu" (Szatmár-Budafalusi Géza in Hungarian) in Hungary. However, a compilation of speeches and prayers for war time existed in Hungarian language, whose editor was professor Dr. Lencz Géza at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Debrecen. The compilation was published in three parts in 1914 and 1915 and was popular among chaplains. An article in the 2nd part was written by József Fülöp and gives really examples on Herodes, as Hasek mentioned it. But as far as I know the articles of Dr. Lencz's books were not translated into other languages and not distributed among soldiers. For these purposes mostly Aladár Reviczky's (1874-1921, theologist) articles were used. They were published first in 1909, but a rewritten edition was published in 1914 and translated to German, Slovakian, Polish, Croatian, Italian and Romanian. I suppose that Hasek met both Lencz's book and Reviczky's bilingual prayers, but remembered only the name "Géza" and composed a fictional name and rank "budapeštským arcibiskupem Gézou ze Szatmár-Budafalu". I must note, that the speeches and prayers are not so vulgar as it is demonstrated by Hasek.

Winnington-Ingram

(probably from an abridged inter-war version). Everyone that loves freedom and honour … are banded in a great crusade – we cannot deny it – to kill Germans; to kill them, not for the sake of killing, but to save the world; to kill the good as well as the bad, to kill the young as well as the old, to kill those who have shown kindness to our wounded as well as those fiends who crucified the Canadian sergeant, who superintended the Armenian massacres, who sank the Lusitania, and who turned the machine-guns on the civilians of Aerschott and Louvain – and to kill them lest the civilisation of the world itself be killed.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Kromě toho přinesly ustarané, utahané dámy veliký balík vytištěných dvou modliteb sepsaných budapešťským arcibiskupem Gézou ze Szatmár-Budafalu. Byly německo-maďarské a obsahovaly nejstrašnější prokletí všech nepřátel. Psány byly tyto modlitbičky tak vášnivě, že tam jenom na konci scházelo řízné maďarské „Baszom a Krisztusmárját!“

Sources: Hans-Peter Laqueur, Tamás Herczeg

Also written:Géza of Szatmár-Budafalu en Szatmár-Budafalusi Géza hu Géza av Szatmár-Budafalu no

Literature
References
aWhat the Bishop said (or, the truth about the Bishop of London…)Michael Snape
bJános CsernochWikipedia.org
Šimeknn flag
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Šimek was a soldier who was patted on the cheek by a lady from The Society for welcoming of Heroes. His comment was that the whores were very cheeky here.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Byl to nějaký Šimek z Budějovic, který neznaje ničeho o tom vznešeném poslání těch dam, prohodil k svým soudruhům po odchodu dám: „Jsou ale tady ty kurvy drzý. Kdyby aspoň taková vopice vypadala k světu, ale je to jako čáp, člověk nic jiného nevidí než ty haksny a vypadá to jako boží u.mučení, a ještě si taková stará rašple chce něco začínat s vojáky.“
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Bautanzel is an accounting seargent by the march batallion, an expert in siphoning off food meant for the soldiers. He describes in detail how the theft occurs, illustrated by examples from march battalions he has been with earlier in the Carpathians. See also Major Sojka. He also complains about the increasingly poor provisions and remembers the halycon days at the beginning of the war. He also describes the superior provisions of the Prussians, who offered twice as much in compensation for requisitions.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Ve vagonu, kde byla kancelář a skladiště batalionu, účetní šikovatel pochodového praporu Bautanzel velmi blahosklonně rozdal dvěma písařům od batalionu po hrsti ústních pokroutek z těch krabiček, které se měly rozdat mezi batalion.
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Sojka was a major who Rechnungsfeldwebel Bautanzel had served with on one of his two trips to the Carpathians with previous march battalions. Sojka enjoyed food, and had a tendency to loiter around the field kitchen at all times, particularly when shrapnel and bullets started flying.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Za tu celou dobu nic víc se mně nepodařilo ušetřit pro nás v kanceláři než jedno prasátko, které jsme si dali vyudit, a aby ten major Sojka na to nepřišel, tak jsme ho měli uschované hodinu cesty u artilerie, kde jsem měl jednoho známého feuerwerkra.
Fähnrich Wolfnn flag
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Wolf was a junior officer who had a whispering conversation with Oberleutnant Kolář about rumours that Oberst Schröder had sent illicit money to his bank in Vienna.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Nastal vzájemný šepot mezi fähnrichem Wolfem a nadporučíkem Kolářem, že plukovník Schröder za poslední tři neděle poslal na své konto do vídeňské banky 16.000 K.
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Kolář was a senior lieutenant who had a whispering conversation with Fähnrich Wolf about rumours that Oberst Schröder had sent illicit money to his bank in Vienna. Oberleutnant Kolář went on to explains in general terms how the fraud is carried out.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Nastal vzájemný šepot mezi fähnrichem Wolfem a nadporučíkem Kolářem, že plukovník Schröder za poslední tři neděle poslal na své konto do vídeňské banky 16.000 K.
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Wachtl was a colonel from Švejk's time doing national service who he mentions when answering the Polish latrine-obsessed general that a soldier can not only think about shitting, he must think about fighting as well.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] „Poslušně hlásím, pane generálmajor, na manévrech u Písku říkal nám pan plukovník Wachtl, když mužstvo v době rastu se rozlézalo po žitech, že voják nesmí pořád myslet jen na šajseraj, voják že má myslet na bojování. Ostatně, poslušně hlásím, co bychom tam na tý latrině dělali? Není z čeho tlačit. Podle maršrúty měli jsme už dostat na několika stanicích večeři, a nedostali jsme nic. S prázdným žaludkem na latrinu nelez!“
Jesenská, Růženann flag
*17.6.1863 Smíchov - †14.7.1940 Praha
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Prager Presse, 25.4.1933

Růžena Jesenská is mentioned as Švejk is squatting on the latrine in Budapest and reads a torn-off sheet from a novel by Růžena Jesenská.

Background

Růžena Jesenská was a Czech author and poet, who published books on upbringing of children (amongst other themes). As and advocate of premarital sex she was heavily criticised in her time. She was the aunt of the much better known Milena Jesenská.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Na levém křídle seděl Švejk, který se sem připletl, a se zájmem si přečítal útržek papírku, vytrženého bůhví z jakého románu Růženy Jesenské:
..dejším pensionátě bohužel dámy em neurčité, skutečné snad více ré většinou v sebe uzavřeny ztrát h menu do svých komnat, aneb se svérázné zábavě. A utrousily-li t šel člověk jen a pouze stesk na ct se lepšila, neb nechtěla tak úspěšně covati, jak by samy si přály. nic nebylo pro mladého Křičku

Sources: Milan Hodík, Wikipedia

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Petr Křička

Pestrý týden,17.11.1928

kricka.png

Lidové noviny,16.8.1926

Křička is mentioned in the fragment of a novel by Růžena Jesenská which Švejk reads when he is squatting on the latrine in Budapest.

Background

The mentioned book fragment can not be traced in any literature by Růžena Jesenská. It is either taken from another writer or simply invented. In the latter case it may be that Hašek pokes fun at one or two of his contemporaries.

An obvious candidate amongst these is the poet and translator Petr Křička (1884-1949) who he knew from the wine bar U Petříku where they both visited. Břetislav Hůla mentions him as a person that could provide information about Jaroslav Hašek. Another possible source of inspiration: in a letter to his future wife Jarmila, dated 21 July 1908, the author mentions an architect Křička he had met in Kolín. This was Čeněk Křička (1858-1948) who was also a politician and for a while mayor of the city.

Another possible source of inspiration: in a letter to his future wife Jarmila, dated 21 July 1908, the author mentions an architect Křička who he had met in Kolín. The person in question was Čeněk Křička (1858-1948), a politician who later became mayor of the city.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2]

..dejším pensionátě bohužel dámy em neurčité, skutečné snad více ré většinou v sebe uzavřeny ztrát h menu do svých komnat, aneb se svérázné zábavě. A utrousily-li t šel člověk jen a pouze stesk na ct se lepšila, neb nechtěla tak úspěšně covati, jak by samy si přály. nic nebylo pro mladého Křičku.

Sources: Břetislav Hůla, Jiří Fiala, Sergey Soloukh, Václav Menger

Also written:Kříčka Parrott Keitschka Reiner

Korporal Máleknn flag
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Málek was the first to assume the original shitting position after the latrine general in Budapest surprised the company with their trousers on their knees.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Generálmajor přívětivě se usmál a řekl: „Ruht, weiter machen!“ Desátník Málek dal první příklad svému švarmu, že musí opět do původní posice. Jen Švejk stál a salutoval dál, neboť z jedné strany blížil se k němu hrozivě poručík Dub a z druhé generálmajor s úsměvem.
Leutnant Chudavýnn flag
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Chudavý was a lieutenant at the Karlín barracks who Švejk reminisced about after receiving yet another tirade from Leutnant Dub.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Švejk odcházel konečně k svému vagonu a přitom si pomyslil: Jednou byl, když jsme ještě byli v Karlíně v kasárnách, lajtnant Chudavý a ten to říkal jinak, když se rozčilil: „Hoši, pamatujte si, když mne uvidíte, že jsem svině na vás a tou sviní že zůstanu, dokud vy budete u kumpanie.“
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István from Isatarcsa was victim of Švejk's alleged hen theft. The good soldier was led to the staion in Budapest by the miltary police after it was claimed that he stole the hen, and had hit István with it so he got a blue eye. Švejk denied this, they had only been argueing about the price. In the end he got away with paying ten guilders, five for the hen and five for the blue eye.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Veliteli 11. marškumpanie N pochodového praporu 91. pěšího pluku k dalšímu řízení.
Předvádí se pěšák Švejk Josef, dle udání ordonance téže marškumpanie N pochodového praporu 91. pěšího pluku, pro zločin loupeže, spáchaný na manželích Istvánových v Išatarča v rayoně velitelství nádraží.
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István from Isatarcsa was together with her husband victim of Švejk's alleged hen theft. The good soldier was led to the staion in Budapest by the miltary police after it was claimed that he stole the hen, and had hit István with it so he got a blue eye. Švejk denied this, they had only been argueing about the price. In the end he got away with paying ten guilders, five for the hen and five for the blue eye.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Veliteli 11. marškumpanie N pochodového praporu 91. pěšího pluku k dalšímu řízení.
Předvádí se pěšák Švejk Josef, dle udání ordonance téže marškumpanie N pochodového praporu 91. pěšího pluku, pro zločin loupeže, spáchaný na manželích Istvánových v Išatarča v rayoně velitelství nádraží.
Lathe operator Matějůnn flag
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Matějů var a lathe operator mentioned when Švejk pulls a story to illustrate that hitting Mr. István with the hen is very little to make a fuzz about.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] To vyrazili ,U starý paní’ soustružníkovi Matějů celou sanici cihlou za dvacet zlatejch, s šesti zubama, a tenkrát měly peníze větší cenu než dnes. Sám Wolschläger věší za čtyry zlatky.
Wohlschlager, Leopoldnn flag
*1.11.1855 Osijek - †21.8.1929 Praha
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wohlschlager.jpg

Podzemní Praha, K.L. Kukla, 1929

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Nikolsburger Wochenschrift, 30.8.1929

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Expres, 21.8.1929

Wohlschlager is mentioned when Švejk pulls a story to illustrate that the price Mr. István demanded for the hen in Budapest was extortionate. Wohlschlager did after all hang people for only four guilders.

Background

Wohlschlager (sometimes written Wohlschläger) was the public executioner in Bohemia from 1888. He was as a fifteen-year old present at the execution of gipsy Janeček in 1871, the last public execution in Böhmen during the reign of Austria-Hungary. The execution was carried out by his step-father Jan Piperger.

He continued as official executioner in Czechoslovakia from 1918 until his death. When he wasn't carrying out his official duties, he worked as a goldsmith in Příčná ulice. In the address book for Prague (1910) he is listed as "executioner", in the population registry as goldsmith and executioner.

Švejk's assertion that he was paid 4 guilders for each execution is not correct; Wohlschlager received 25 already from the beginning. When he wasn't carrying out his official duties, he worked as a goldsmith in Příčná ulice. In 1929, the year he died, he even had a book published: Ve službách spravedlnosti za Rakouska i Republiky (Serving justice in Austria and in the Republic). He died at his home at Letná after having been ill with arteriosclerosis for two years.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] To vyrazili ,U starý paní’ soustružníkovi Matějů celou sanici cihlou za dvacet zlatejch, s šesti zubama, a tenkrát měly peníze větší cenu než dnes. Sám Wohlschläger věší za čtyry zlatky.

Sources: Karel Ladislav Kukla, Egon Erwin Kisch

Also written:Wohlschläger Hašek

Literature
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Mourková was an abandoned lady from Praha II. who together with Šousková raped an impotent geriatric by Roztoky.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] “Vona je to holt vášeň, ale nejhorší je to, když to přijde na ženský. V Praze II byly před léty dvě vopuštěný paničky, rozvedený, poněvadž to byly coury, nějaká Mourková a Šousková, a ty jednou, když kvetly třešně v aleji u Roztok, chytly tam večer starýho impotentního stoletýho flašinetáře a vodtáhly si ho do roztockýho háje a tam ho znásilnily
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Šousková was an abandoned lady from Praha II. who together with Mourková raped an impotent geriatric by Roztoky.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] “Vona je to holt vášeň, ale nejhorší je to, když to přijde na ženský. V Praze II byly před léty dvě vopuštěný paničky, rozvedený, poněvadž to byly coury, nějaká Mourková a Šousková, a ty jednou, když kvetly třešně v aleji u Roztok, chytly tam večer starýho impotentního stoletýho flašinetáře a vodtáhly si ho do roztockýho háje a tam ho znásilnily
Professor Axamit, Jannn flag
*12.12.1870 Rychnov nad Kněžnou - †18.11.1931 Praha
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axamit.png

Národní politika,6.4.1912

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Prager Tagblatt,21.8.1924

Axamit from Žižkov got involved by chance in the rape story of the ladies Mourková and Šousková.

Background

Axamit was a Czech medical doctor, specialising in ear, nose and throat. After completing his studies at a university in Prague, he worked as a medical assistant in Prague, Berlin and Vienna. Later he returned and opened his own consultancy in Žižkov.

He was also a self taught archaeologist, the theme of this grotesque anecdote. During World War I he was briefly head the Prehistoric Department of the National Museum and from 1918 he worked as a conservationist for National Heritage. Over the years he became far better known as a archaeologist than a medic.

Some Axamit was also the subject of the short-story Vláda je vinná (The government is guilty) by Jaroslav Hašek from 1911, printed in Rovnost. The author probably had another Axamit in mind: he referred to an official at the Governor's Office (k.k. Statthalterei).

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] To je na Žižkově pan profesor Axamit a ten tam kopal, hledal hroby skrčenců a několik jich vybral, a voni si ho, toho flašinetáře, vodtáhly do jedný takový vykopaný mohyly a tam ho dřely a zneužívaly. A profesor Axamit druhej den tam přišel a vidí, že něco leží v mohyle.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák, Hans-Peter Laqueur

Literature
Feldwebel Nasáklonn flag
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Nasáklo was a sergeant from the 12th march company, a tyrant, who on orders from Hauptmann Ságner gave Švejk rifle drill as punishment for giving Offiziersdiener Baloun exercise drills after he had tried to tuck away a chicken leg.

On departure from Budapest it is revealed that Nasáklo was left behind, haggling with a prostitute behind the station.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Batalionní ordonanc obdržel rozkaz zavolat šikovatele od 12. kumpanie Nasákla, který byl znám jako největší tyran, a zaopatřit ihned Švejkovi ručnici. „Zde tento muž,“ řekl hejtman Ságner k šikovateli Nasáklovi, „nechce zbytečně proválet drahocenný čas. Vezměte ho za vagon a hodinu s ním cvičte kvérgrify. Ale beze všeho milosrdenství, bez oddychu. Hlavně pěkně za sebou, setzt ab, an, setzt ab!
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Kvasnička was a senior lieutenant at the Karlín garrison who could promise the recruits hell also in their next life, all according to Švejk. The point is driven home by an impressive volley of expletives.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] K tomuto připojil Švejk tuto jednoduchou poznámku: „Ba jo, žádnej člověk neví, co bude vyvádět za pár milionů let, a ničeho se nesmi vodříkat. Obrlajtnant Kvasnička, když jsme ještě sloužívali v Karlíně u erkencunkskomanda, ten vždycky říkal, když držel školu: ,Nemyslete si, vy hovnivárové, vy líní krávové a bagounové, že vám už tahle vojna skončí na tomhle světě. My se ještě po smrti uhlídáme, a já vám udělám takovej vočistec, že z toho budete jeleni, vy svinská bando.’“
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Ziegler was a skinny battalion aide who would hardly make up a portion for one march company according to Švejk.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.2] Jakpak se jmenuje, pane rechnungsfeldvébl, ten náš adjutant od našeho batalionu? Ziegler To je ňákej takovej uhejbáček, z toho by se neudělaly porce ani pro jednu marškumpačku.“
Index Back Forward III. The famous thrashing Hovudpersonen

3. From Hatvan to the borders of Galicia

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Železný was a one-year volunteer, a dentist in civilian life, who was pivotal in the long story about Oberst Fliedler with which Švejk entertained Oberleutnant Lukáš in Sátoraljaújhely.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, že sem na takovou věc nezapomněl, poněvadž já nejsem nějakej jednoroční dobrovolník Železný. To jsme tenkrát, ještě dávno před válkou, byli v karlínskejch kasárnách a tam byl nějakej obrst Fliedler von Bumerang nebo tak nějank.“
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Fliedler was a brutal colonel at the Karlín barracks who couldn't remember Czech names. Švejk entertained Oberleutnant Lukáš with this story in Sátoraljaújhely. Einjährigfreiwilliger Železný, the main person in the story, was in turn called Olófěný, Cínofý, Médený, with a heavy teutonic accent. All these are adjective-forms of names of metals: iron(železný), copper(měděný), tin(cínový) and lead(olóvěný).

Late in the anecdote he got an aching tooth and had to beg Einjährigfreiwilliger Železný to pull it out. It also transpires that the colonel had long been dead. This story convinced Oberleutnant Lukáš that Švejk didn't respect his superiors at all.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, že sem na takovou věc nezapomněl, poněvadž já nejsem nějakej jednoroční dobrovolník Železný. To jsme tenkrát, ještě dávno před válkou, byli v karlínskejch kasárnách a tam byl nějakej obrst Fliedler von Bumerang nebo tak nějank.“
Prince Lobkowicz, Ferdinandnn flag
*26.6.1850 Dolní Beřkovice - †22.4.1926 Milano
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lobkovic.jpg

Český svět, 25.6.1909

Lobkowicz is mentioned in passing as he had a full beard like Oberst Fliedler.

Background

Lobkowicz was a prince of the Czech noble house Lobkovic (often written Lobkowicz or Lobkowitz). He was first and foremost known as a politician and was the last Oberstlandmarschall in Bohemia (1908-1913). He was for a short period a member of the lower chamber but later a long time member of the upper chamber in Reichsrat where he sat from 1892 until the assembly was dissolved in 1918 (see Parlament). Politically he was conservative and fronted the interests of the large estate owners. He was also known as an expert on agricultural issues.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Nadporučík Lukáš se mimoděk usmál tomu „nějank“ a Švejk dále vyprávěl: „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, že ten náš obrst byl půl vaší vejšky, nosil plnovous jako kníže Lobkovic, takže vypadal jako vopice, a když se rozčílil, vyskakoval dvakrát tak vysoko, jak byl sám vysokej, takže jsme mu říkali kaučukovej dědek.

Sources: Milan Hodík

Also written:Ferdinand von Lobkowitz de

Literature
Saint Martinnn flag
*316 Szombathely(Savaria) - †8.11.397 Candes
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stmartin.jpg

St. Martin and the beggar by El Grego

Saint Martin (Martin of Tours) is mentioned in the anecdote about Oberst Fliedler.

Background

Saint Martin was bishop of Tours, later canonized. He is the national saint of France, patron saint of soldiers and one of the best known of the roman-catholic saints ever.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant,“ vpadl mu do toho Švejk omluvným tónem, „dyť von už je pan obrst Fliedler dávno mrtvej, ale když si, pane obrlajtnant, přejete, budu o něm mluvit samou chválu. Von byl vám, pane obrlajtnant, učiněnej anděl na vojáky. Von byl vám tak hodnej jako svatej Martin, kterej rozdával martinský husy chudejm a hladovejm.

Also written:Svatý Martin cz Szent Márton hu

Zugsführer Jelíneknn flag
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Jelínek was a squad leader who also struggled with the field password of the Pole from Kołomyja. This happened at the railway station in Sátoraljaújhely and exposed perfectly the language problems in Gemeinsame Armee.

Background

is an example of a figure who appear all over the novel Švejk: a seemingly fictional person but who might have had real-life model. The incident described might well refer to some episode the author himself experienced, and which he later added an unrelated (but still real) name to.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Objevil se četař Jelínek, který Poláka zaváděl na stráž, a ptal se ho sám po heslu, potom poručík Dub, na kteréž otázky odpovídal zoufalý Polák od Kolomyje křikem, který se rozléhal po nádraží: „kafé, kafé.“
Fähnrich Krausnn flag
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Kraus was a junior officer who expressed his opinion on the Hungarian state police's mistreatment of the local Ruthenian population in Humenné. According to him the Ruthenians had committed high treason and ought to be hung on the spot, although without being tortured.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Fähnrich Kraus mínil, že když už jsou velezrádci, mají se hned na místě oběsit beze všeho týrání, zato však poručík Dub s celým výjevem naprosto souhlasil a převedl to hned na sarajevský atentát a vysvětlil to tak, že ti maďarští četníci na stanici Humenné mstí smrt arciknížete Františka Ferdinanda a jeho choti.
Gardener Kalenda, Josefnn flag
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Kalenda is the protagonist of the anecdote Švejk finds fitting to tell Oberleutnant Lukáš when the senior lieutenant feels unwell after witnessing the harassment of the Ruthenians in Humenné and the approving reaction of Leutnant Dub. Švejk's theory is that Lukáš is far away from home, just like Kalenda was, after having been on an impressive pub-crawl from Strašnice across Vinohrady and the whole of Prague, and in the end found himself Loretánské náměstí, not feeling good at all.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Strašnickej zahradník, nějakej Josef Kalenda, ten se taky jednou vzdálil z domova, šel ze Strašnic na Vinohrady, stavil se ,Na zastávce’ v hospodě, ale to mu ještě nic nebylo, ale jakmile přišel do Korunní třídy k vodárně, bral v Korunní třídě až za kostel svaté Ludmily hospodu za hospodou a cítil už malátnost.
Feldwebel Houskann flag
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Houska was a seargeant from the 12th company who involuntarily became part of Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek's invented battalion history. He was assigned a heroic death; a mine blew his head off but he still managed to shoot down an enemy plane.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Jmenujte mně nějakého šikovatele od dvanácté kumpanie. Houska? Dobrá, tak tedy Houska přijde o hlavu s tou minou, hlava mu odletí, tělo však udělá ještě několik kroků, namíří si a sestřelí ještě nepřátelský aeroplán.
Erzherzogin Marie Valerienn flag
*22.4.1868 Buda - †6.9.1924 Wallsee
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marievalerie.jpg
mariev.png

Wiener Abendpost,27.4.1868

Marie Valerie is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he writes about the Imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the battalions heroic deeds.

Background

Marie Valerie was the daughter of Kaiser Franz Joseph I., married to her second cousin Franz Salvator. The couple had 8 children and the family spend most of their time at their palace in Wallsee. She lived out of the limelight, was regarded as rather shy and also very religious. To her entourage belonged, amongst others, Gräfin Bombelles and Graf Bellegarde.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Představuji si to tak, jak vidíte v mých poznámkách, že arcivévodská rodina Marie Valérie přesídlí kvůli tomu z Wallsee do Schönbrunnu.
Literature
Graf von Paar, Eduardnn flag
*5.12.1837 Wien - †1.2.1919 Wien
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paar.jpg

Reise und Sport,8.1.1912

Paar is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he writes about the imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the battalions heroic deeds.

Background

Paar was the general aide to Kaiser Franz Joseph I. from 1887 until the emperor's death. He was awarded Signum Laudis on 25 August 1916. He was perhaps the person who was closest to the emperor.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Musí tam být a bude tam generální adjutant mocnáře hrabě Paar. Poněvadž při takových rodinných a intimních hostinách bývá občas někomu mdlo, čímž ovšem nemyslím, že se hrabě Paar snad poblije, je vyžadována přítomnost osobního lékaře, dvorního rady dra Kerzla.
Literature
Doctor Kerzl, Josefnn flag
*28.8.1841 Veska - †22.6.1919 Semmering
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kerzl.jpg

Světozor,8.9.1911

Kerzl is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he writes about the Imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the battalions heroic deeds.

Background

Kerzl was, as the author correctly states, court physician and advisor for Kaiser Franz Joseph I. He was born and grew up in Bohemia. His education and background was from the military, and from 1884 he was already in the inner circles at the court in Vienna. He subsequently accompanied Kaiserin Elisabeth on her travels to Corfu and the Riviera.

In 1897 he became the personal doctor of the emperor, a position he had until the emperor's death on 21 November 1916 (Kerzl was present). In 1901 he was awarded the title Hofrat (court counselor), a title that also Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek noticed in his "History of the Battalion".

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Musí tam být a bude tam generální adjutant mocnáře hrabě Paar. Poněvadž při takových rodinných a intimních hostinách bývá občas někomu mdlo, čímž ovšem nemyslím, že se hrabě Paar snad poblije, je vyžadována přítomnost osobního lékaře, dvorního rady dra Kerzla.
Literature
Baron von Lederer, Hugonn flag
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Das interessante Blatt,9.11.1916

lederer.png

Prager Tagblatt,30.7.1915

Lederer is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he writes about the Imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the battalions heroic deeds. He is referred to as Baron Lederer.

Background

Lederer was according to Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek Obersthofmeister at the Habsburg Court. This is correct, but his precise role was Obersthofmeister for Franz Salvator, the husband of Erzherzogin Marie Valerie.

In 1890 he was named Kammervorsteher for Franz Salvator. His background was from the military: he had until then served at k.u.k. Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 3. It has not been possible to establish when he was born and when he died, but newspaper clips confirm that he was alive as late as 1930.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Kvůli pořádku, aby si snad dvorní lokajové nedovolili nějaké důvěrnosti ku dvorním dámám přítomným na hostině, objevuje se nejvyšší hofmistr baron Lederer, komoří hrabě Bellegarde a vrchní dvorní dáma hraběnka Bombellesová, která hraje mezi dvorními dámami stejnou úlohu jako madam v bordelu u Šuhů.

Sources: Milan Hodík

Literature
Graf von Bellegarde, Rudolfnn flag
*28.2.1862 Wien (?) - †30.10.1937 Bad Ischl
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bellegarde2.jpg

Wiener Salonblatt,15.8.1891

bellegarde.jpg

Adolph Lehmann's allgemeiner Wohnungs-Anzeiger, 1914

bellegarde1.png

Wiener Salonblatt,14.11.1937

Bellegarde was according to Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek a count serving as chamberlain at the Imperial court. This is part of the story of the Imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the heroic deeds of the march battalion.

Background

Bellegarde was count, officer and chamberlain at the Imperial and Royal court, more precisely Kammervorsteher serving Erzherzogin Marie Valerie and her court.

Hailing from a noble family, he embarked on a military career, serving in Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 2 a.o. From here he was transferred to the imperial life guard, starting service on 15 Desember 1886.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Kvůli pořádku, aby si snad dvorní lokajové nedovolili nějaké důvěrnosti ku dvorním dámám přítomným na hostině, objevuje se nejvyšší hofmistr baron Lederer, komoří hrabě Bellegarde a vrchní dvorní dáma hraběnka Bombellesová, která hraje mezi dvorními dámami stejnou úlohu jako madam v bordelu u Šuhů.

Sources: Milan Hodík

Also written:Hrabě Bellegarde Hašek

Literature
Gräfin von Bombelles, Henriettenn flag
*1859 Wien (?) - †Wallsee(?)
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bombelles.png

Das interessante Blatt,9.11.1916

bombelles1.png

Adolph Lehmann's allgemeiner Wohnungs-Anzeiger,1914

Bombelles is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he writes about the imperial family party at Schönbrunn which is held to celebrate the battalion's heroic deeds. Countess Bombelles had the same position at the Imperial Court as "madam" has at the brothel U Šuhů.

Background

Bombelles was a countess and supposed to have been the chief lady-in-waiting at the court. More precisely: she was lady-in-waiting for Erzherzogin Marie Valerie. Personal details are scarce but we know that she served Marie Valerie from 1 January 1898, was married, and was alive as late as 1937 (confirmed by a newspaper note about her sister's death). The spa visitor's lists from Bad Ischl indicate that she served Marie Valerie also after the end of the world war. Bombelles' forefathers were a French noble family who emigrated after the revolution in 1789.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Kvůli pořádku, aby si snad dvorní lokajové nedovolili nějaké důvěrnosti ku dvorním dámám přítomným na hostině, objevuje se nejvyšší hofmistr baron Lederer, komoří hrabě Bellegarde a vrchní dvorní dáma hraběnka Bombellesová, která hraje mezi dvorními dámami stejnou úlohu jako madam v bordelu u Šuhů.

Sources: Milan Hodík

Literature
Erzherzog Karlnn flag
*5.9.1771 Firenze - †30.4.1847 Wien
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karl1771.jpg

Karl is mentioned by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek when he prepares a heroic death for telephone operator Chodounský and cook Jurajda in his pre-written history of the battalion. Here Marek notes that Karl was standing in front of Padua in 1805.

Background

Karl was an Austrian field-marshal and archduke of the House of Habsburg. He made himself a name during the Napoleonic wars, the battles of Caldiero and Aspern are both mentioned in the novel. He was the first ever to inflict a defeat on Napoléon in a battle (Aspern 1809).

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Mohu vám přečíst výňatek z armádního rozkazu, který bude čten po všech oddílech armády, který se velice podobá onomu rozkazu arcivévody Karla, když stál se svým vojskem roku 1805 před Paduou a den po rozkazu dostal slušný nátěr.

Also written:Karel Ludvík Rakousko-Těšínský cz

Mr. Jaroš, Václavnn flag
*1844 - †1902
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jaros1.png

Hospodářský list, 31.12.1908

jaros0.png

Chytilův adresár, 1913

Jaroš was a pump manufacturer in Kralupy who according to Švejk very much resembled watchmaker Lejhanz from Pardubice and Piskora from Jičín by appearance. Švejk mentions him when he's talking in his sleep, still under the influence of the "cognac" he consumed in Humenné.

Background

Jaroš was a real person. Address books confirm that Václav Jaroš from Kralupy manufactured and installed water pipes and drains. Pumps are not mentioned directly but the connection is obvious. This is confirmed by newspaper adverts from 1907 and 1908 where the word "pumps" is spelled out directly. Václav Jaroš died in 1902 and it was probably his son who continued the business. Extensive information can be found in the book Historie kralupského průmyslu, řemesel a živností by Josef Stupka (see quote below).

Továrna na čerpadla a vodovody Václava Jaroše

Ke konci 19. století založil zámečník Václav Jaroš (1844-1902) závod na výrobu čerpadel, vodovodů a automatických napajedel. Z malé dílny v Přemyslově ulici pod Hostibejkem se přestěhoval do prostoru mezi dnešní Čechovu ulici a ulici Přemyslovu. Jarošova továrna byla zachycena na četných fotografiích i na pohlednicích. Jméno továrníka Jaroše je dokonce v Haškově románu Osudy ... .

Vodní čerpadla, která Václav Jaroš vyráběl, byla založena na pohyblivém řetězu s korečky obíhajícími ve vodě. Dalšími výrobky Jarošovy továrny, tzv. automatická napajedla, která byla Jarošovým patentem, byly vlastně jednoduché žlaby upravené tak, aby kráva, která se chce napít, sama otevřela přívod vody do žlabu. Na reklamním obrázku z pozdějších let je továrna zobrazena jako veliký podnik.

Podnik prosperoval až do konce první světové války, kdy jej převzala velvarská hospodářská záložna. Na začátku druhé světové války vykoupil syn Václava Jaroše podnik zpět a k čerpadlům se již nevrátil. V továrně zavedl opravy hospodářských strojů. V šedesátých letech minulého století skončila i tato činnost.

Bratr kralupského podnikatele Josef Jaroš, rovněž vyučený zámečník, měl firmu v Plzni. Zhotovil pro kralupský kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie a sv. Václava umělecky provedený lustr a pro budovu sokolovny ve Fugnerově ulici vytepal z kovu sochu divokého sokola. Byl umístěn na štítu budovy,, jak je patrné ze starých pohlednic.

© Josef Stupka, 2008

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Z místa, kde ležel Švejk, ozvalo se zívnutí a bylo slyšet, jak Švejk mluví ze spaní: „To mají pravdu, paní Müllerová, že jsou si lidi podobný. V Kralupech stavěl pumpy nějaký pan Jaroš a ten se podobal hodináři Lejhanzovi z Pardubic, jako když mu z voka vypadne, a ten zas byl tak nápadně podobnej jičínskýmu Piskorovi a všichni čtyři dohromady neznámýmu sebevrahovi, kterýho našli voběšenýho a úplně zetlelýho v jednom rybníku u Jindřichova Hradce, zrovna pod dráhou, kde se asi vrhnul pod vlak.“

Sources: Josef Stupka, Martina Bittnerová, Václav Gabriel

Literature
Watchmaker Lejhanznn flag
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Lejhanz was a watchmaker from Pardubice. Švejk mentions him when he's talking in his sleep, see Mr. Jaroš.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Z místa, kde ležel Švejk, ozvalo se zívnutí a bylo slyšet, jak Švejk mluví ze spaní: „To mají pravdu, paní Müllerová, že jsou si lidi podobný. V Kralupech stavěl pumpy nějaký pan Jaroš a ten se podobal hodináři Lejhanzovi z Pardubic, jako když mu z voka vypadne, a ten zas byl tak nápadně podobnej jičínskýmu Piskorovi a všichni čtyři dohromady neznámýmu sebevrahovi, kterýho našli voběšenýho a úplně zetlelýho v jednom rybníku u Jindřichova Hradce, zrovna pod dráhou, kde se asi vrhnul pod vlak.“
Piskorann flag
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Piskora from Jičín is mentioned when Švejk talks in his sleep, still strongly hit by the bottle of cognac he had to gulp down. Piskora resembles watchmaker Lejhanz and Mr. Jaroš in this dream.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Z místa, kde ležel Švejk, ozvalo se zívnutí a bylo slyšet, jak Švejk mluví ze spaní: „To mají pravdu, paní Müllerová, že jsou si lidi podobný. V Kralupech stavěl pumpy nějaký pan Jaroš a ten se podobal hodináři Lejhanzovi z Pardubic, jako když mu z voka vypadne, a ten zas byl tak nápadně podobnej jičínskýmu Piskorovi a všichni čtyři dohromady neznámýmu sebevrahovi, kterýho našli voběšenýho a úplně zetlelýho v jednom rybníku u Jindřichova Hradce, zrovna pod dráhou, kde se asi vrhnul pod vlak.“
Feldwebel Strnadnn flag
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Dub, Ságner and the soldier who was berated by Strnad

Strnad was sergeant who berated a soldier who had picked up the door of a pigsty for protection against shrapnel. Hauptmann Ságner, fed up with Leutnant Dub's idiotic drivel kindly let the offender off with a warning.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Na víc se nezmohl a opět odešel ke štábnímu vagonu, kde hejtman Ságner právě vyslýchal jednoho nešťastníka od 12. kumpanie, kterého předvedl šikovatel Strnad, poněvadž voják začal již nyní pečovat o svou bezpečnost v zákopech a odněkud ze stanice přitáhl dvířka prasečího chlívku, pobitá plechem.
Offiziersdiener Kunertnn flag
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Kunert was the servant of Leutnant Dub, subdued og mistreated. Švejk defended him after Dub had hit him, took him to the battalion commander to report the issue. Švejk has now put off his contented look and is in open rebellion. Courage deserts Kunert though, but Dub make sit all clear again by shouting: "Do you want another smack!"

It is revealed that Kunert is from Budějovice, has a wife and three children. Švejk met Kunert already in Humenné, but the aforementioned episode took place shortly after, in the Łupków Pass.

Background

There may have been several Kunert passing through Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 during the war, and one of them, Leutnant Anton Kunert served together with Hašek. The two were both taken prisoner by at Chorupan 24 September 1915[a] so may have met also after that date. Unlike the literary Kunert Anton was not from Budějovice (he was from okres Slány) and he is not explicitly listed as a officer's servant.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Poručík Dub, aby jaksi ukázal, že nemá s touto scénou nic společného, majestátně vešel do malého krámku u silnice, zmateně ukázal na velkou cívku černých nití, a zastrčiv si je do kapsy, zaplatil a vrátil se do štábního vagonu, kam si dal batalionní ordonancí zavolat svého sluhu Kunerta, kterému odevzdávaje nitě, řekl: „Abych se o všechno staral, já vím, že jste na nitě zapomněl.“
References
aThe battle of ChorupanJomar Hønsi2021
Leutnant Procházkann flag
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Procházka was an active lieutenant who in Budějovice had the habit of calling servant Offiziersdiener Hibman, "you sublime cow", something Švejk tells Offiziersdiener Kunert when the latter is complaining about the hard times that his master Leutnant Dub gives him.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] V Budějovicích byl za aktiva lajtnant Procházka, ten zas mnoho nenadával, jen svému pucflekovi říkal: ,Ty spanilá krávo.’ Jinou nadávku ten pucflek, nějakej Hibman, vod něho neslyšel.
Offiziersdiener Hibmannn flag
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Hibman was an officer's servant in Budějovice who was routinely called "you sublime cow" by Leutnant Procházka. Later he re-used this expression uncritically with tragic effects.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] V Budějovicích byl za aktiva lajtnant Procházka, ten zas mnoho nenadával, jen svému pucflekovi říkal: ,Ty spanilá krávo.’ Jinou nadávku ten pucflek, nějakej Hibman, vod něho neslyšel.
Leutnant Cajthamlnn flag
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Cajthaml was a lieutenant who headed the requisitioning patrol in Medzilaborce which was to secure lunch for the troops. A Ruthenian farmer family became victims of the patrol.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Mužstvu bylo oznámeno, že oběd bude za Palotou v Lupkovském průsmyku, a také vyšli do obce Medzilaborce batalionní účetní šikovatel s kuchaři od kumpanií a poručíkem Cajthamlem, který měl na starosti hospodářství batalionu. K nim byli přiděleni čtyři mužové jako patrola.
Oberst Schlágrnn flag
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schroder.jpg

Das ist wahrscheinlich Katzendreck, Herr Schlager.

Josef Lada, 1930

svejklupkow.jpg

Grete Reiner's groundbreaking translation of "Švejk" is the only widely read version of the novel where Colonel Schlager still features. The picture is from 1921 and five years later her translation was on the market.

Schlágr was an officer who in Bruck held a farewell speech to Švejk's march battalion as they set off for the journey to the front. Švejk quoted him in Łupków Pass when soldiers pondered some abandoned Russian equipment and Leutnant Dub walked over to them, trying to catch Švejk in the hope that he had aired unpatriotic opinions. The good soldier calmly told the idiotic lieutenant that Schlágr had talked to the departing troops about the necessity to observe the situation on the battlefield and learn from it.

Background

The colonel Švejk that talks about is no doubt Karl Schlager who was commander of Ersatzbataillon IR. 91 from 25 August 1914 until 26 July 1915. Thus he would have been Hašek's superior in Bruck where the recruitment battalion of Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 were stationed from 1 June. If the colonel's speech is inspired by the author's experiences it would almost certainly have taken place on 30 June 1915, the day that Hašek and his XII. Marschbataillon boarded the train that transported them to the front.

A non-person
selver.png

Paul Selver's is the only of the three translations of "Švejk" into English that preserves colonel Schlager for future generations. The reason is that he translated the novel as early as 1930, more than 20 years before someone hit upon the idea to replace Schlager with Schröder.

Schlágr is one of only two persons who have "disappeared" from the novel (the other one is Korporal Říha). Sometime between 1953 and 1955 Schlágr fell victim to a "clean-up" of the text. This included correcting spelling mistakes in foreign language quotes, grammatical errors, updating geographical names to suit current language norms, and also correcting inconsequential and incomprehensible phrases[1]. One of the results of this process was that the literary Schlágr was renamed Oberst Schröder and thus consigned to the scrap-heap of history. There is however no doubt that Švejk actually did refer to the senior colonel who saved his skin and even promoted him to messenger after the kako affair but it seems that Hašek somehow forgot that he had previously had called the colonel "Schröder".

Still, Schlágr clings to his precarious existence in several translations, namely those that originate from the inter-war period or the years immediately following the Second World War. Examples are primarily those of Paul Selver (English), Grete Reiner (German) and Knuud Bruun-Rasmussen (Danish) (all translated the name as Schlager). He also lives on in Esperanto, but has mutated into Oberst Schröder in newer translations into English, namely those by Cecil Parrott and Zenny Sadlon. The recent translation into German by Antonín Brousek (2014) uses Schröder, and so do the newest translations into Russian, Polish, Norwegian and Dutch.

Tripping up švejkologists

For many years the renaming of Schlágr tripped up švejkologist in their attempts to identify a model for Oberst Schröder. Not until it was noticed that Jaroslav Hašek already in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí (1917) had named the regiment commander plukovník Schlager did one start to suspect that Karl Schlager was indeed the prototype.

1. Pavel Petr, Hašeks "Schweijk" in Deutschland, 1962

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] „Poslušně hlásím, pane lajtnant, že je to přání našeho pana obršta Schlágra z Brucku. Když von se s náma loučil, když jsme jeli teď na bojiště, tak ve svý řeči řek, abychom všichni, když budem procházet vopuštěnými bojišti, všeho si dobře všímali, jak se bojovalo a co by nám mohlo bejt na prospěch.

Sources: Pavel Petr

Bishop Brynych, Edvard Jannn flag
*4.5.1846 Vlásenice - †20.11.1902 Chrast
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brynych.jpg

Brynych is mentioned by Švejk in the anecdote about the chamber pot in Poděbrady. This is a story he told Leutnant Dub in Łupków Pass as the lieutenant again tried to catch him at unpatriotic behaviour.

Background

Brynych (born Eduard Josef) was bishop of Hradec Králové from 1892 to 1902.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] A von mu ten jeho kamarád napsal takovej fejton vo takovým jednom sběrateli, jak našel v písku na břehu Labe starej nočník plechovej a myslel, že to přilbice svatýho Václava, a udělal s tím takovej rozruch, že se tam na to přijel podívat biskup Brynych z Hradce s procesím a s korouhvema.
Leutnant Hausnernn flag
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Hausner is mentioned by Švejk when he pulls Offiziersdiener Kunert to report. Hausner from the barracks in Karlín was like Leutnant Dub into the habit of hitting his servant.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Teď ty musíš jít sám k raportu, a jestli nepudeš, tak ti sám nafackuju, abys věděl, co je to disciplina v armádě. V karlínskejch kasárnách bejval ňákej lajtnant Hausner a ten měl taky burše, a taky ho fackoval a kopal.
Medik Houbičkann flag
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Houbička is a medicine student mentioned by Švejk when he pulls Offiziersdiener Kunert to report.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Ale to na celý věci nic nemění,“ pokračoval Švejk, „to je zrovna to samý, vo čem vždycky vypravoval medik Houbička, že je to jedno, rozřezat v patalogickým ústavě ňákýho člověka, který se voběsil nebo votrávil. A já jdu s tebou. Pár facek dělá na vojně moc.“
Koudelann flag
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Koudela is a soldier from Bytouchov who is mentioned by Švejk when he pulls Offiziersdiener Kunert to report. Koudela ended up on a pacific island and was discovered by explorer Havlasa.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] A nebejt mě, tak by se k tomu raportu snad vůbec nedostal, jako ten Koudela z Bytouchova, kterej za aktivní služby tak dlouho chodil k raportu, až byl přeloženej k marině, kde se stal kornetem, a byl na ňákým vostrově potom, v Tichým oceánu, vyhlášenej jako desertýr. Von se tam potom voženil a mluvil taky s cestovatelem Havlasou, kterej vůbec nepoznal, že to není domorodec.
Explorer Havlasa, Jannn flag
*22.12.1883 Teplice - †13.08.1964 Los Angeles
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havlasa1.png

Pestrý týden,14.9.1929

havlasa.png

Zlatá Praha,3.10.1913

Havlasa was the traveller who, according to the good soldier, found Koudela on an island in the Pacific.

Background

Havlasa (born Jan Klecanda) was a Czech journalist, author, explorer and diplomat. Before World War I he undertook long journeys in Asia, Polynesia and America and when back home he wrote about and held lectures about his journeys. At the time he was first and foremost known as an explorer and traveller.

In April 1915 he was sentenced to a seven month prison term because of the brochure Colonial politics and the world war that was published in November the previous year. The case was heard at k.k. Landwehr divisional court at Hradčany and he served the sentence in the neighbouring garrison prison. In February 1916, at the request of the chief state prosecutor, the sentence was extended with one year. In June 1917 he was released and immediately entered military service.

In 1919 took part at the Versailles peace conference, representing Czechoslovakia. He was later ambassador to Brazil and Chile. After the Nazi occupation of his homeland in 1939 he went into exile and was active in the resistance movement. In 1947 he emigrated to USA where he lived for the rest of his life.

Jaroslav Hašek knew Havlasa already from his youth. Both attended the gymnasium at Žitna ulice at the same time (Hašek from 1893 to 1897). Both also contributed regularly to the illustrated weekly Zlatá Praha. Havlasa was son of the author Jan Klecanda and brother of the Czech legionnaire Jiří Klecanda.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] A nebejt mě, tak by se k tomu raportu snad vůbec nedostal, jako ten Koudela z Bytouchova, kterej za aktivní služby tak dlouho chodil k raportu, až byl přeloženej k marině, kde se stal kornetem, a byl na ňákým vostrově potom, v Tichým oceánu, vyhlášenej jako desertýr. Von se tam potom voženil a mluvil taky s cestovatelem Havlasou, kterej vůbec nepoznal, že to není domorodec.
Literature
Mr. Karlíknn flag
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Karlík is a businessman who is part of Švejk's anecdote regarding the destroyed Red Cross train by Kulaszne.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Tam bydlel nějakej pan Karlík v prvním patře. O poschodí vejš moc hodnej člověk, nějakej konservatorista Mikeš. Von měl moc rád ženský a taky mezi jinejma počal chodit za dcerou toho pana Karlíka, kterej měl špeditérství a cukrářství a taky měl někde na Moravě knihařství pod ňákou docela cizou firmou.
Konservatorista Mikešnn flag
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Mikeš is a music conservatory student who is part of Švejk's anecdote regarding the Red Cross train by Kulaszne.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.3] Tam bydlel nějakej pan Karlík v prvním patře. O poschodí vejš moc hodnej člověk, nějakej konservatorista Mikeš. Von měl moc rád ženský a taky mezi jinejma počal chodit za dcerou toho pana Karlíka, kterej měl špeditérství a cukrářství a taky měl někde na Moravě knihařství pod ňákou docela cizou firmou.
Index Back Forward III. The famous thrashing Hovudpersonen

4. Forward March!

Hauptmann Tayrlenn flag
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Tayrle was a captain who was brigade staff aide at the Iron Brigade in Sanok, and described as a drunkard and a pervert. He was the one who informed Hauptmann Ságner that his march battalion had arrived two days early.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Ordonančním důstojníkem byl adjutant brigády hejtman Tayrle. „Já se velice divím,“ řekl hejtman Tayrle, „že vy jste nedostali určité zprávy. Maršruta je jistá. O linii vašeho pochodu měli jste nám oznámit přirozeně předem. Podle disposic hlavního štábu přijeli jste o dva dny dříve.“
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Ella was a Hungarian prostitute who was the favourite af Hauptmann Tayrle but also took care of Leutnant Dub during his inspection of Sanok's brothels.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Objevilo se, že kavárna vlastně není nic jiného než vykřičený dům, a poněvadž žádná ze slečen nebyla volnou, rozčilil se hejtman Tayrle na nejvyšší stupeň a v předsíni vynadal sprostě madam a křičel, kdože je u slečny Elly. Když dostal za odpověď, že je tam nějaký poručík, láteřil ještě víc.
Vondráčeknn flag
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Vondráček was a tyre merchant from Platnéřská ulice who features in Švejk's anecdote when the enters the whorehouse in Sanok to pick up Leutnant Dub.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] „Moc na mě neřvete, milostpaní,“ řekl vlídně Švejk, usmívaje se přitom sladce, „nebo vám dám přes držku. U nás jednou v Platnéřské ulici zmlátili jednu madam tak, že nevěděla o sobě. To tam syn hledal svýho otce, nějakýho Vondráčka, obchod s pneumatikama. Vona se ta madam jmenovala Křovánová, když ji vzkřísili a ptali se jí na záchrannej stanici, jak se jmenuje, řekla, že nějak vod ,Ch’. A jaké je vaše ctěné jméno?“
Madam Křovánovánn flag
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Křovánová was a brothel madam from Prague who features in Švejk's anecdote when the enters the whorehouse in Sanok to pick up Leutnant Dub.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] „Moc na mě neřvete, milostpaní,“ řekl vlídně Švejk, usmívaje se přitom sladce, „nebo vám dám přes držku. U nás jednou v Platnéřské ulici zmlátili jednu madam tak, že nevěděla o sobě. To tam syn hledal svýho otce, nějakýho Vondráčka, obchod s pneumatikama. Vona se ta madam jmenovala Křovánová, když ji vzkřísili a ptali se jí na záchrannej stanici, jak se jmenuje, řekla, že nějak vod ,Ch’. A jaké je vaše ctěné jméno?“
Philip II of Macedonnn flag
*382 BC Pella - †336 BC Vergina (Aiga)
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filip.jpg

Philip II of Macedon is mentioned in Leutnant Dub's drunken stupor in the whorehouse in Sanok.

Background

Philip II of Macedon was king of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. During his reign the kingdom expanded considerably and at his death he controlled nearly the entire Greek peninsula and the areas bordering the Aegean Sea.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Napil se, a trhaje písemný rozkaz, smál se: „To je - omluvenka? U - nás žádné omluvenky - neplatí. My jsme - na - vojně - a ne - ve - škole. Tak - tě - tedy - chytli - v bordelu? Pojď - ke - mně - Švejku - blíž - já ti - dám - pár - facek. - Ve - kterém - roce - Filip Macedonský - porazil - Římany, to ty - nevíš - - ty hřebče!“

Also written:Filip Macedonský Hašek Filip II. Makedonský cz Philipp II. von Makedonien de

Tinsmith Pokornýnn flag
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Pokorný was a tinsmith from Budějovice who used to answer questions totally beside the issue. He is mentioned when Švejk tries to get some sense out of Leutnant Dub at the brothel in Sanok.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] „Zajisté že vám úplně rozumím,“ odpověděl Švejk. „Vy mluvíte podobně jako klempíř Pokorný v Budějovicích. Ten, když se ho lidi optali: ,Koupal jste se už letos v Malši?’, vodpovídal: ,Nekoupal, ale zato bude letos hodně švestek.’
Gargany, Lászlónn flag
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László Gargany was a Hungarian Honvéd (home guard soldier) who had pegged out in Sanok after drinking the spirit from the gymnasiums reptile collection.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Na vojenském hřbitůvku je také na jednom z bílých křížů nápis „László Gargany“. Tam spí věčný sen jeden honvéd, který při onom rabování gymnaziálních sbírek vypil všechen denaturovaný líh z nádoby, ve které byli naloženi různí plazové.
Korporal Křížnn flag
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Kříž was a corporal mentioned in a letter Švejk lady friend Božena had sent him. blacksmith Kříž had danced with her at U Kocanů and told her that Švejk had been dancing with a silly tart at U zelený žáby in Budějovice and had left her. Švejk showed this letter to Oberleutnant Lukáš on the march from Sanok.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Švejk vytáhl z ušpiněné kožené tašky zamaštěný dopis a četl, zachovávaje krok s koněm nadporučíka Lukáše, který se dal do mírného poklusu: „Ty pacholku mizernej, ty jeden vrahu a bídáku! Pan kaprál Kříž přijel do Prahy na urláb a já jsem s ním tančila ,U Kocanů’, a von mně povídal, že prej ty tancuješ v Budějovicích ,U zelený žáby’ s nějakou pitomou flundrou a že jsi mě už úplně vopustil.
Boženann flag
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Božena was Švejk's former girl-friend who wrote him an angry letter that Švejk read aloud to Oberleutnant Lukáš on the march from Sanok.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Aby jsi věděl, píšu toto psaní na hajzlu na prkně vedle díry, mezi náma je konec. Tvoje bejvalá Božena. Abych nezapomněla, ten kaprál to umí a bude tě ještě sekýrovat, já jsem ho vo to prosila. A ještě abych nezapomněla, nenajdeš mě už mezi živejma, až přijedeš na urláb.
Lužická, Věnceslavann flag
*6.12.1835 Hořice - †4.5.1920 Praha
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luzicka.jpg

Český svět, 24.11.1911

Věnceslava Lužická is mentioned by Švejk when he tells Oberleutnant Lukáš how unlucky he has been with the ladies.

Background

Věnceslava Lužická was a Czech journalist and writer who mostly wrote using a pseudonym. Her real name was Anna Srbová. For many years she was editor of the women's magazine Lada.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Našel jsem ji taky ,U Kocanů’, voblíkali ji dva vojáci vod cizího regimentu a jeden z nich byl tak moc živej, že jí šahal docela veřejně pod živůtek, jako kdyby chtěl, poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, vytáhnout odtamtud pel její nevinnosti, jak říká Věnceslava Lužická, nebo jak to podobně jednou řekla jedna mladá dívka asi šestnáctiletá v tanečních hodinách jednomu gymnasistovi hlasitě s pláčem, když ji štípl do ramena: ,Vy jste, pane, setřel pel mého panenství.’
Veklová, Karlann flag
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Agroturystyka Szwejkowo, Łupków, 3.4.2010

veklova.png

Večerní Praha, 28.4.1983

Karla Veklová was a girl Švejk had dated when he was on manoeuvres by Mníšek before the war. He had met her at a dance in Starý Knín but the outcome was disappointing: the girl told him something along the lines of: I'm as fond of you as a husk in the arse, you're so stupid!.

Background

A woman bearing this name was in 1983 identified as a real person by Augustin Knesl. She was actually buried in Starý Knín. How the author picked up her name and pin-pointed her geographically remains a mystery.

Petr Kovařík, 5.10.2013

Knesl tam mimo jiné uvádí tuto kuriozitu: "Josef Švejk byl v románě více než skoupý na přiznáních svých citů k ženám. V jediném okamžiku odkryl karty, když líčil svoje zamilování do Karly Veklové ze Starého Knína. Na malém hřbitůvku ve Starém Kníně byla pochována žena jménem Karla Veklová..." Myslím, že je to zajímavé a je to jeden z dokladů, že nejen hlavní postavy z románu, ale i ty celkem bezvýznamné a epizodní měly svůj reálný předobraz. Kromě toho je možné, že Hašek zde zmiňuje nějakou svou vlastní zkušenost. Starý Knín je lokální část malého města Nový Knín nedaleko Dobříše a skutečně právě v této části obce je malý hřbitov. Hašek tedy na tomto románu místě uvádí velmi přesný údaj.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Když jsme před lety stáli lágrem v Mníšku, tak jsem chodil tancovat do Starýho Knína, namluvil jsem si tam nějakou Karlu Veklovou, ale moc jsem se jí nelíbil. Jednou večer v neděli jsem ji doprovázel k rybníčku, tam jsme si sedli na hráz a ptal jsem se jí, když zapadalo slunce, jestli mě má taky ráda. Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, že byl vzduch tak vlahej, všichni ptáci zpívali, a vona mně vodpověděla s příšerným smíchem: ,Já mám tě tak ráda jako pazdero v prdeli, vždyť jseš blbej.’

Sources: Augustin Knesl, Petr Kovařík

Sedlák Píchann flag
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Pícha was a farmer Švejk told Oberleutnant Lukáš about during the march from Sanok.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Nějakej sedlák Pícha neměl žádnou radost z tý návštěvy a nepřijmul vod eráru osumnáct korun náhrady za zdupanejch pět měr pole, chtěl se vám, pane obrlajtnant, soudit a dostal za to osumnáct měsíců.
Tinsmith Pimprann flag
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Pimpra was a tinsmith Švejk told Leutnant Dub about during the conversation in Tyrawa Wołoska about the lieutenants unhappy visit to the house of ill repute in Sanok. Pimpra was also often found in brothels like U Šuhů and U Dvořáků when he went out to buy sheet metal.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Ale to byl asi nějakej vomyl. Klempíře Pimpra z Kozího plácku taky vždycky hledali, když šel kupovat plech do města, a našli ho také vždycky v podobnej místnosti, buď u ,Šuhů’, nebo u ,Dvořáků’, jako já vás našel.
Polír Vejvodann flag
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Vejvoda was a construction site foreman from Vršovice who had got into his head that he shouldn't drink anything that contained alcohol. Švejk told Leutnant Dub this rather lengthy story when "debriefing" him about his brothel-episode in Sanok.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Kdybyste byl znal starýho Vejvodu, políra z Vršovic, ten vám si, pane lajtnant, umínil, že nebude pít žádný nápoje, po kterých by se vopil.
Soubirous, Bernadettenn flag
*7.1.1844 Lourdes - †16.4.1879 Nevers
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souberious.jpg

Bernarda features in the "Song of Lourdes" which the soldiers are singing in Tyrawa Wołoska.

Background

Bernarda reported in 1858 apparitions of a small young lady. This gave rise to the legend of Lourdes which was to make the town into a major pilgrim site. Bernadette was canonised in 1933, under the name St Bernadette.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Aj, Bernardu, dívenku, nebeský duch tam ku břehu provodí v zelený luh. - Ave!

Also written:Bernarda Hašek

Literature
References
aCe prêtre vendéen qui créa l'Ave Maria de LourdesBenoît Guérin
Korporal Nachtigalnn flag
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Nachtigal was a corporal from around Kašperské Hory who had got hold of a bottle of spirit from a Jew.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Kaprál Nachtigal, někde od Kašperských Hor, sehnal láhev kořalky od ustrašeného žida; shromáždil několik kamarádů a nyní všichni jali se dle německého textu zpívat „Lourdskou píseň“ bez refrénu „Ave!“ na melodii písně „Prince Eugena“.
Korporal Ternann flag
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Terna was a corporal Offiziersdiener Baloun referred to in passing on the way to Liskowiec.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] „Kamarádi, nehulákejme tolik,“ prosil potichu Baloun, „já už to cítím v kříži, voni nás uslyší a začnou hned po nás střílet. Já to vím. Voni nás poslali napřed, abychom vypátrali, jestli tam není nepřítel, a když uslyší střelbu, tak hned budou vědět, že se nesmí dál. My jsme, kamarádi, folpatrola, jak mě tomu učil kaprál Terna.“
Hauptmann Untergrieznn flag
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Untergriez was a captain who had told Švejk how dangerous it was to be well fed when you were hit by a bullet in the belly.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] „Ty jsi ale zatracená nenasytná svině. Vojáka před gefechtem vůbec nemají krmit, to už nám před lety vykládal ve škole hejtman Untergriez. Ten nám vždycky říkával: ,Klucí zatracený, kdyby došlo někdy k válce, přišlo se do gefechtu, né abyste se před bojem přežrali.
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Vojciek was the neighbour of the mayor of Liskowiec. He was supposed to own the only cow in the village.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] „Jedinou krávu tady má soused Vojciek, kterou jste ráčili slyšet, moji páni dobrodinci, teď zabučet. Je to kráva nemocná, tesklivá.
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Nathan was a Jew who sold a skinny cow to the soldiers in Liskowiec.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Když se ještě před nimi vyválel v prachu, setřásl se sebe najednou všechnu lítost,odešel domů, kde řekl v komůrce své ženě: „Elsalébn, vojáci hloupí a tvůj Náthan moc chytrý.“ S krávou bylo mnoho práce. Chvílemi se zdálo, že se kráva nedá vůbec stáhnout. Při stahování přetrhli několikrát kůži, pod kterou se objevilo svalstvo zkroucené jako vyschlé lodní lano.

Also written:Náthan Hašek

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Elsa was the wife of Nathan who told her after the cow was sold: "The soldiers are stupid and your Nathan very clever".

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Když se ještě před nimi vyválel v prachu, setřásl se sebe najednou všechnu lítost,odešel domů, kde řekl v komůrce své ženě: „Elsalébn, vojáci hloupí a tvůj Náthan moc chytrý.“
Cook Pavlíčeknn flag
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Pavlíček was a cook who broke a front tooth on the meat of the skinny cow in Liskowiec.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] „Pane obrlajtnant, už je z toho porculán. Ta kráva má tak tvrdý maso, že se s ním může řezat sklo. Kuchař Pavlíček, když okoušel maso s Balounem, vylomil si přední zub a Baloun zadní stoličku.“
Chodounská, Boženann flag
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Chodounská was the wife of the telephone operator Chodounský. From Liskowiec he wrote her stern letters, in advance warning against anything on the side in his absence. He addresses her using the familiar form Boženka.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Milá a drahá ženo, nejdražší Boženko!
Mr. Krausnn flag
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Kraus was a man from Mikulášská třída who had been together with Chodounská before she met her telephonist telephone operator Chodounský. This was one of the themes in the latters letters.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Já bych Ti to ani nepsal, ale Ty víš sama dobře, že jsi se mně svěřila, že já nejsem první, který s Tebou měl vážnou známost, a že Tě přede mnou měl už pan Kraus z Mikulášské třídy.
Mr. Čapeknn flag
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Čapek was a gentleman who used to go to U kalicha and rubbed the other guests up the wrong way by showing off his knowledge and also acting vulgarly. This is part of the story Švejk tells Oberleutnant Lukáš to illustrate that not everybody can be smart.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Kdyby například, poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant, znal každej zákony přírodní a doved by si vypočítat vzdálenosti nebeský, tak by jenom vobtěžoval svoje okolí, jako ňákej pan Čapek, kterej chodil ke ,Kalichu’ do hospody a v noci vždycky vyšel z výčepu na ulici, rozhlížel se po hvězdnatej vobloze, a když se vrátil, chodil vod jednoho k druhýmu a říkal: ,Dneska krásně svítí Jupiter, ty nevíš, pacholku, ani, co máš nad hlavou.
Priest Zamastilnn flag
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Zamastil was the priest in Horní Stodůlky who had written a book on bed-bugs.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] „To dělají štěnice, pane obrlajtnant. To už je stará pověra, že faráři rodějí štěnice. Nikde nenajdete tolik štěnic jako na farách. Na faře v Horních Stodůlkách farář Zamastil napsal dokonce vo štěnicích celou knížku, voni po něm lezly i při kázání.“
Oberleutnant Bucháneknn flag
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Buchánek was an obrlajtnant who shot himself, Švejk told Oberleutnant Lukáš on the march from Liskowiec in the direction of Sambor.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Voni by se jim měly dělat přednášky, jako nám je dělával nebožtík pan obrlajtnant Buchánek, kterej se zastřelil kvůli kauci, kterou si vybral na ženění vod svýho budoucího tchána a kterou von utratil s cizejma děvkama.
Mr. Jenomnn flag
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Jenom was the owner of an animal shop who went to the book-binder bookbinder Bílek to ask for the hand of his daughter, and introduced himself with a fart so resounding that the pendulum clock on the wall stopped. This made an overwhelming impression on the prospective father-in-law but the daughter was less pleased.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Naproti karmelitánům v Praze měl, pane obrlajtnant, před lety krám s králíky a jiným ptactvem pan Jenom. Ten si udělal známost s dcerou knihaře Bílka.
Bookbinder Bíleknn flag
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Bílek was the book-binder in the anecdote about Mr. Jenom and the enormous fart that made the grandfather-clock stop.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] Naproti karmelitánům v Praze měl, pane obrlajtnant, před lety krám s králíky a jiným ptactvem pan Jenom. Ten si udělal známost s dcerou knihaře Bílka.
Nadstrážník Hubičkann flag
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Hubička has woken up and the editor is back at U kalicha

Hubička was a policeman who used to come to U kalicha before the war. He is a victim of the episode where an editor gets him drunk, they swap clothes and the editor goes out onto Resslova ulice in full uniform and arrests two by-passers.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] K nám, do hospody ke ,Kalichu’ na Bojišti, chodíval ještě před válkou jeden policejní nadstrážník, nějakej pan Hubička, a jeden pan redaktor, kterej sbíral zlámaný nohy, přejetý lidi, sebevrahy a dával je do novin.
Oberleutnant Holubnn flag
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Holub was a very educated senior lieutenant from the Karlín garrison. Švejk entertained Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk by telling a story about him when they were looking for Felsztyn.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] To bejval v karlínskejch kasárnách obrlajtnant Holub, ten byl tak učenej, že ho všichni u kumpanie považovali za blba, poněvadž von kvůli svý učenosti se nenaučil nadávat na vojáky a vo všem jenom rozjímal s vědeckýho stanoviska.
Uzenář Křeneknn flag
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Křenek was a sausage maker from Vinohrady that Švejk finds it appropriate to tell Rechnungsfeldwebel Vaněk about when they are bickering about the way to Felsztyn.

Quote(s) from the novel
[III.4] „Jednou šel uzenář Křenek z Vinohrad podle plánu města Prahy od ,Montágů’ na Malé Straně domů v noci na Vinohrady a dostal se až k ránu do Rozdělova u Kladna, kde ho našli celýho zkřehlýho k ránu v žitě, kam upad únavou.
Index Back Forward IV. The famous thrashing continued Hovudpersonen

1. Švejk in the transport of russian prisoners of war

Jaroslav ze Šternberkann flag
*1220 - †1287
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jaroslavsternberk.jpg

Jaroslav ze Šternberka is mentioned by Švejk when he tells his fellow prisoner who is a Crimean Tatar how miserably his forebears performed in Moravia.

Background

Jaroslav ze Šternberka was a Czech nobleman (probably mythical) who is said to have won a battle against the Mongols by Hostýn in 1241.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] „Tak ty seš tedy Tatar,“ soustrastně řekl Švejk, „ty jsi se vydařil. Pak mně máš rozumět a já tobě, když seš Tatar. Hm - znáš Jaroslava ze Šternberka? To jméno neznáš, ty kluku tatarská? Ten vám natřel prdel pod Hostýnem.
Literature
Muhlahalej Abdrachmanovnn flag
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Muhlahalej Abdrachmanov was one of the prisoners in Švejk's transport.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] „To mně nikdo nebude věřit,“ pomyslil si Švejk, „že se někdy někdo moh tak jmenovat jako ti Tataři kolem: Muhlahalej Abdrachmanov - Bejmurat Allahali - Džeredže Čerdedže - Davlatbalej Nurdagalejev atd.

Also written:Муглагалей Абдрахманов ru

Bejmurat Allahalinn flag
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Bejmurat Allahali was one of the prisoners in Švejk's transport.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] „To mně nikdo nebude věřit,“ pomyslil si Švejk, „že se někdy někdo moh tak jmenovat jako ti Tataři kolem: Muhlahalej Abdrachmanov - Bejmurat Allahali - Džeredže Čerdedže - Davlatbalej Nurdagalejev atd.

Also written:Беймурат Аллагали ru

Džeredže Čerdedženn flag
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Džeredže Čerdedže was one of the prisoners in Švejk's transport, a Georgian to judge by the name.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] „To mně nikdo nebude věřit,“ pomyslil si Švejk, „že se někdy někdo moh tak jmenovat jako ti Tataři kolem: Muhlahalej Abdrachmanov - Bejmurat Allahali - Džeredže Čerdedže - Davlatbalej Nurdagalejev atd.

Also written:Джередже Чердедже ru

Davlatbalej Nurdagalejevnn flag
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Davlatbalej Nurdagalejev was one of the prisoners in Švejk's transport.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] „To mně nikdo nebude věřit,“ pomyslil si Švejk, „že se někdy někdo moh tak jmenovat jako ti Tataři kolem: Muhlahalej Abdrachmanov - Bejmurat Allahali - Džeredže Čerdedže - Davlatbalej Nurdagalejev atd.

Also written:Давлатбалей Нурдагалеев ru

Priest Vobejdann flag
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Vobejda was the priest in Židohoušť who Švejk thought had a somewhat easier name than Davlatbalej Nurdagalejev.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] To mně nikdo nebude věřit,“ pomyslil si Švejk, „že se někdy někdo moh tak jmenovat jako ti Tataři kolem: Muhlahalej Abdrachmanov - Bejmurat Allahali - Džeredže Čerdedže - Davlatbalej Nurdagalejev atd. To u nás máme přeci lepší jména, jako ten farář v Židohoušti, kterej se jmenoval Vobejda.“
Allāhnn flag
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feldimam.jpg

Allāh's representative on earth: a k.u.k Feldimam in Karlín

© Milan Hodík

Allāh is metioned by the Crimean tatar Švejk talks to in Dobromil. He uses the term "Alláhu-Akbar" (God is great).

Background

Allāh is the Arab word for God and is commonly used in the context of Islam. The conception of Allah is very close to judaism's Jahve and the Christian God, which is natural as these religions have common roots.

In Austria-Hungary Islam joined the varied spectrum of religions when Bosnia-Hercegovina became part of the empire. In k.u.k Militärseelsorge the Feldiman had his recognised place next to the Feldkurat and the Feldrabbiner.

The author had himself extensive knowledge of muslim peoples in Russia, mostly from his stays in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan in 1918 and 1919. Another possible source of knowledge: according to his wife Alexandra Lvova (as retold by Franta Sauer), he employed a group of body-guards from the muslim region of Cherkessia during his stay in Irkutsk in 1920.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] „Ne ponymat, já krymsky Tatárin, Allah achper.“ Tatar sedl si, zkříživ nohy, na zem, složiv ruce na hruď, začal se modlit: „Allah achper - Allah achper - bezmila - arachman - arachim - málinkin mustafír.“
Löfler, Hansnn flag
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Hans Löfler was a cripple from Styria who was routinely humiliated by the corporal who interrogated Švejk in Dobromil after he was captured trying on a Russian uniform. Hans Löfler was ordered to crawl around on the floor with a pipe in his mouth, then he had to bark like a dog.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Otevřel dveře do vedlejší místnosti a zavolal: „Hans Löfler!“ Ozvalo se „Hier!“ a dovnitř vstoupil volatý voják, Štajeráček, s výrazem ubrečeného kreténa. To byla na etapě holka pro všecko.
Džindralej Hanemalejnn flag
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Džindralej Hanemalej was one of the prisoners in Švejk's transport.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Zas chodil dál vystrojenými řadami zajatců, kteří postupně vykřikovali svá jména a příjmení: „Džindralej Hanemalej - Babamulej Mirzahali“ atd.

Also written:Джидралей Ганемалей ru

Babamulej Mirzahalinn flag
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Babamulej Mirzahali was one of the prisoners in Švejk's transport by Dobromyl.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Zas chodil dál vystrojenými řadami zajatců, kteří postupně vykřikovali svá jména a příjmení: „Džindralej Hanemalej - Babamulej Mirzahali“ atd.

Also written:Бабамулей Мирзагали ru

Štěpánek, Bohuslavnn flag
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Bohuslav Štěpánek was like Jaroslav Matoušek and Růžena Svobodová much easier than tatar names like Babamulej Mirzahali according to Švejk. He was very likely a real person.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] „Že si nepřekousneš jazyk,“ říkal každému z nich s dobráckým úsměvem Švejk. „Jestlipak to není lepší, když se u nás jmenuje někdo Bohuslav Štěpánek, Jaroslav Matoušek nebo Růžena Svobodová.“
Matoušek, Jaroslavnn flag
*18.12.1872 Praha - †30.3.1946 Praha
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matousek.jpg

Matoušek on vampires (1927)

Jaroslav Matoušek was according to Švejk preferable to be called rather than these Tatar names like Babamulej Mirzahali. Other examples of such uncomplicated names Růžena Svobodová and Bohuslav Štěpánek.

Background

Jaroslav Matoušek is not directly identifiable but the author almost certainly borrowed the name from a real person. Antonín Měšťan identifies him as a translator of mythical prose. The person he has in mind was an expert on Gnosticism and Hermeticism, wrote books on the theme and also translated neo-platonic prose.

The most visible trace of him is a book from 1924 on the philosopher Jakub Böhme, which is still widely available. The catalogue of the Czech National Library lists four titles (two of them translations from Greek) by him, published from 1922 to 1925. It is therefore probable that Jaroslav Hašek knew about Matoušek when he wrote those lines at the end of 1922. All four books were reprinted in the 1990's. In 1927 he wrote another book, this time about vampires.

Matoušek seems to have been a spare time author. Police records shows that he was a civil cervant in the k.k. post- and telegraph authorities. He was married to Marie Kalinova from Vršovice and in 1914 the couple lived in Prague IV., čp. 112 (Hradčany).

Antonín Měšťan

Jaroslav Matoušek war hauptsächlich als Übersetzer mystischer Schriften tätig.

NKČR

Narozen 18.12.1872 v Praze, zemřel 30.3.1946 v Praze. PhDr., práce z okultismu, překlady novoplatoniků.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] „Že si nepřekousneš jazyk,“ říkal každému z nich s dobráckým úsměvem Švejk. „Jestlipak to není lepší, když se u nás jmenuje někdo Bohuslav Štěpánek, Jaroslav Matoušek nebo Růžena Svobodová.“

Sources: Antonín Měšťan

Literature
Svobodová, Růženann flag
*10.7.1868 Mikulovice - †1.1.1920 Praha
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svobodova.jpg

Český svět,12.7.1918

Růžena Svobodová was according to Švejk much easier to pronounce than Tatar names like Babamulej Mirzahali.

Background

Růžena Svobodová was a Czech writer who specialised in literature on the fate of women. She is vaguely classed as impressionist.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] „Že si nepřekousneš jazyk,“ říkal každému z nich s dobráckým úsměvem Švejk. „Jestlipak to není lepší, když se u nás jmenuje někdo Bohuslav Štěpánek, Jaroslav Matoušek nebo Růžena Svobodová.“
Literature
Babula Hallejenn flag
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Babula Halleje is an invented name, this time by the author.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Když konečně Švejk po hrozném utrpení sepsal všechny ty Babula Halleje, Chudži Mudži, umínil si, že to zkusí ještě jednou a vysvětlí tlumočníkovi-šikovatelovi, že se stal obětí omylu, a jak už několikrát po cestě, když ho hnali mezi zajatci, marně se dovolával spravedlnosti.
Chudži Mudžinn flag
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Chudži Mudži is an invented name, this time by the author.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Když konečně Švejk po hrozném utrpení sepsal všechny ty Babula Halleje, Chudži Mudži, umínil si, že to zkusí ještě jednou a vysvětlí tlumočníkovi-šikovatelovi, že se stal obětí omylu, a jak už několikrát po cestě, když ho hnali mezi zajatci, marně se dovolával spravedlnosti.
Dreger, Karolinann flag
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Karolina Dreger is a name the drunk corporal who interrogated Švejk sings about to the tones of Loreley. He picks the lyrics from a newspaper advert.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Přebubnovával si na židli na nápěv „Ich weiß nicht, was soll es bedeuten...“ nový inserát: „Karolina Dreger, porodní babička, doporučuje se ct. dámám v každém případě.“
Major Wolfnn flag
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Wolf was the major in Przemyśl who discovered that Švejk was a Czech in a Russian uniform. He advocated immediate hanging of the delinquent, preferably after a summary trial.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Potom je přejímal major Wolf, vládnoucí tou dobou nad všemi zajatci pracujícími na opravách v pevnosti Přemyšlu a okolí. To byl důkladný člověk. Měl u sebe celý štáb tlumočníků, kteří vybírali ze zajatců specialisty ku stavbám podle jejich schopností a předběžného vzdělání.
Professor Masaryk, Tomáš Garriguenn flag
*7.3.1850 Hodonín - †14.9.1937 Lány
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masaryk.jpg
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Hochverräterische Umtriebe von österr. Čechen im Auslande, K.k. Polizeidirektion Prag,1917

Masaryk is mentioned 1 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Masaryk is mentioned by the author in connection with a discussion about Czechs who have joined the enemy. Masaryk is referred to as the former Austrian professor who has moved abroad and is involved in anti-Austrian agitation, being searched for in vain by k.k. Innenministerium. The author's personal greeting to the president was removed from editions from 1951 and 1955.

Background

Masaryk was a Czech politician and professor of philosophy who is strongly linked to the creation of the Czechoslovak state. He was president of the country from 1918 until 1935. He enjoyed enormous respect both at home and abroad and rarely has the term "father of the nation" been more appropriate.

Until 1914 he was a member of Reichsrat and was still loyal to Austria-Hungary, but his experience from the time after the outbreak of war made him change his mind and he decided to work for full Czech/Slovak independence. In December 1914 he moved abroad and started to campaign for an independent Czechoslovak state amongst allied politicians, influential press people, and other people in important positions. He soon became the leader of the Czech (and Slovak) independence movement abroad and during the war he spent time in Switzerland, France, England, USA and Russia. In his position in the independence movement he enjoyed almost unchallenged authority.

Masaryk spent almost a year in Russia at the time when Jaroslav Hašek was there: he arrived in Petrograd on 16 May 1917 and left again in March 1918. The two may even have met; in Berezno (HQ of Hašek's regiment from 11 August 1917) and in Kiev in February 1918. During his visit in Berezno in August 1917 Masaryk stayed in the mansion where Hašek worked. The author was at the time secretary of the staff of the 1st Czechoslovak rifle regiment.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Rakouské ministerstvo vnitra tápalo ještě ve tmách, pokud se týkalo zjištění nějaké bojovné organisace z přeběhlíků na ruskou stranu. Neznalo ještě nic určitého o revolučních organisacích v cizině a teprve v srpnu na linii Sokal - Milijatin - Bubnovo obdrželi velitelé batalionů důvěrné reserváty, že bývalý rakouský profesor Masaryk utekl za hranice, kde vede proti Rakousku propagandu. Nějaký pitomeček od divise doplnil reservát ještě tímto rozkazem: „V případě zachycení předvésti neprodleně k štábu divise!“ Toto tedy připomínám panu presidentovi, aby věděl, jaké nástrahy a léčky byly na něho kladeny mezi Sokalem - Milijatinem a Bubnovou.

Sources: Tomáš Masaryk, Josef Kopta, František Langer, Rudolf Medek

Literature
Hatter Vašáknn flag
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Pobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelství1851 - 1914

Vašák was a hatter that always made trouble at Na Zavadilce in Libeň. The guests and the landlord therefore discussed if they were to thrown him out at first sight or wait until he'd had a few beers and had spent some money.

Background

Vašák was possibly inspired by a real person (or two). A certain Jan Vašák, born in Bukovany by Benešov on 17 September 1871 was a hatter who lived in Žižkov from 1907 and at least until 1909. But even more striking is the fact that he in 1906 lived in Prague VIII čp. 524, i.e. in Libeň. He had got married in Karlín in 1898 so he had probably spent a few years in the area. His wife was from Žižkov.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] To jsme se vám jednou v hospodě ,Na Zavadilce’ v Libni hádali mezi sebou, jestli máme nějakýho N(kloboučníka Vašáka), kerej vždycky dělal při zábavě neplechu, vyhodit, hned jak se vobjeví ve dveřích, nebo ho vyhodit, až si dá pivo, zaplatí a dopije, nebo mu vyndat boty, až přetančí první kolo.

Sources: Jaroslav Šerák

Literature
Znamenáčeknn flag
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Znamenáček is mentioned in Švejk's imaginary anecdote about the judge who went mad and wanted to hang Znamenáček immediately because he had insulted the chaplain Hortík.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Nějakej Znamenáček řekl kaplanovi Hortíkovi, kerej při náboženství nafackoval jeho klukovi, když ho potkal na ulici: ,Vy vole, ty černá potvoro, ty nábožnej blbečku, ty černý prase, ty farní kozle, ty przniteli učení Kristova, ty pokrytče a šarlatáne v kutně!’
Chaplain Hortíknn flag
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Hortík was the chaplain in Švejk's anecdote about the mad judge. See Znamenáček.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Nějakej Znamenáček řekl kaplanovi Hortíkovi, kerej při náboženství nafackoval jeho klukovi, když ho potkal na ulici: ,Vy vole, ty černá potvoro, ty nábožnej blbečku, ty černý prase, ty farní kozle, ty przniteli učení Kristova, ty pokrytče a šarlatáne v kutně!’
Guard Horáčeknn flag
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Horáček was a guard in an anecdote by Švejk about a mad judge. See Znamenáček.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Proti rozsudku není odvolání. Pane Horáček!’ zavolal potom na dozorce, vezmou tady tohodle pána a pověsejí ho tam, vědí, kde se klepají koberce, a potom sem přijdou, dostanou na pivo!’ To se rozumí, že pan Znamenáček i ten dozorce zůstali stát jako zkoprnělí, ale on si na ně dup a rozkřikl se: ,Poslechnou, nebo ne!’
Týneckýnn flag
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Týnecký is the centre of the anecdote Švejk uses against the Polish spy who enters his cell in Przemyśl.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] „Voni se museli rozhodně napít bahnitý vody,“ řekl Švejk. „jako ten mladej Týneckej od nás, člověk jinak rozumnej, ale jednou se pustil na cesty a dostal se až do Italie. Taky vo ničem jiným nemluvil než vo tej Italii, že jsou tam samý bahnitý vody a nic jinýho památnýho.

Also written:Týneckej Švejk

Saint Peternn flag
*Betsaida - †64/67 Roma
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stpeter.jpg

Saint Peter is the centre of the anecdote Švejk uses against the spy who enters his cell in Przemyśl.

Background

Saint Peter (Simon Peter) was a leader of the early Christian Church, who features prominently in the New Testament through the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. He was one of Christ's twelve disciples. The Catholic Church regards him as the first bishop of Rome and also the first pope.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] A taky dostal z tý bahnitý vody zimnici. Chytalo ho to čtyřikrát do roka. Na Všechny svatý, na svatého Josefa, na Petra a Pavla a na Nanebevstoupení panny Marie.

Also written:Svatý Petr cz Sankt Peter de

Saint Paulnn flag
*10 Tarsus - †67 Roma
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
paulus.jpg

St Paul as El Greco saw him

Saint Paul is the mentioned in the anecdote Švejk uses against the spy who enters his cell in Przemyśl.

Background

Saint Paul (Paul of Tarsos, born Saul) was a Greek Jew who became one of the early Christian leaders and one of the first missionaries. He is often mentioned in the New Testament and has written part of it. Paul was executed in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] A taky dostal z tý bahnitý vody zimnici. Chytalo ho to čtyřikrát do roka. Na Všechny svatý, na svatého Josefa, na Petra a Pavla a na Nanebevstoupení panny Marie.

Also written:Svatý Pavel cz

Leutnant Zimmernn flag
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Zimmer was a lieutenant that Švejk talks about to the spy who enters his cell in Przemyśl.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] My padneme za císaře pána a jeho rodinu, za kterou jsme vybojovali Hercegovinu. Z našich kostí se bude vyrábět špodium pro cukrovary, vo tom už nám před lety vykládal pan lajtnant Zimmer. ,Vy svinská bando,’ povídá, ,vy nevzdělaní kanci, vy zbytečný, indolentní vopice, vy těma haxnama pletete, jako by neměly žádnou cenu.
Bookbinder Božetěch, Josefnn flag
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Božetěch was a bookbinder from Příčná ulice no. 16 who in July 1908 had taken a bath in Zbraslav with a tramp, and the latter had run off with his clothes. This is what Švejk tells during interrogation in Przemyśl. It also transpires that Božetěch read all the books that he bound, and was happy to sit at U Fleků and relate the content. Not to be confused with Božetěch from Košíře.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] „Vím, vod 91. regimentu mne už jistě hledají, ale jestli dovolíte, pane majore, malou poznámku vo tom, jak se lidi dobrovolně převlíkají do cizích šatů. Roku 1908 někdy v červenci koupal se knihař Božetěch z Příčný ulice v Praze na Zbraslavi ve starým rameni Berounky.
General Fink von Finkensteinnn flag
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fink.jpg

Josef Lada, 1955

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Österreich-Ungarns Letzter Krieg, Band III.

Fink is mentioned 25 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Fink was a general who was commander of the garrison in Przemyśl and led the trial against Švejk. His great joy was to arrange summary trials and he had a strong dislike for defence lawyers. A succesful trial should be quick and the accused should preferably be strung up within three hours. Fink was such a patriot that he even ignored his Reichsdeutsche allies. It is revealed that he lived in Vienna, was married and had a son Fink.

Background

This figure is unlikely to have been directly modelled on a real person as the fortress commander of Przemyśl from 9 June 1915 (at the latest) was Generalmajor Gustav Stowasser[a].

According to Radko Pytlík Fink was a real person and documents about him exist in the Vienna war archive[b], but it is more likely that the author borrowed the name from the well-known Prussian noble family Finck von Finckenstein.

The name Fink von Finkenstein was not present in address books of Vienna from 1914 and 1915, although the surname Fink was quite common. Nor is it listed in any Kriegsgliederungen from 1915. We must therefore assume that this figure is a grotesque caricature with a random name, but still one that may have borrowed traits from people the author actually met.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Potom pokračoval tento podivný soud na způsob náhlého soudu, který aranžoval předsedající generál Fink von Finkenstein. Tento generál říkával, že žádných auditorů nepotřebuje, že to sezve dohromady a za tři hodiny že každý chlap musí viset. Dokud byl na frontě, tak u něho o náhlý soud nikdy nebyla nouze.

Sources: Österreich-Ungarns Letzter Krieg, Band III.

References
aPoslední zprávyNárodní listy10.6.1915
bOsudy a cesty Josefa ŠvejkaRadko Pytlík2003
cOlmütz, 20. JuliOesterreichischer Soldatenfreund1.8.1855
Fink, Wilhelmnn flag
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Fink was the son of General Fink, mentioned in a letter from the front. The author uses the Czech pet names Vilouš and Viloušek, an equivalent to the German Willi, Willy or Willichen.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Připadalo mně to tak směšné, že jsem všem odpustil, kteří ho hlídali, a ještě jsem udělal vtip, že se ten učitel patrně sám šel poohlédnout po nějakém stromě. Tak vidíš, má drahá, že se zde nijak nenudíme, a řekni malému Viloušovi, že ho tatínek líbá a že mu brzo pošle živého Rusa, na kterém bude Viloušek jezditi jako na koníčkovi.
Feldkurat Martinec, Jannn flag
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Martinec is mentioned 15 times in The Good Soldier Švejk.

Martinec was field chaplain at the Przemyśl garrison and a good Christian from near Nový Jičín in Moravia. After joining k.u.k. Heer his moral standards started to deteriorate. Under the influence of General Fink he got into the habit of enjoying drink and the company of loose women.

His task in the novel is to provide spiritual consolation for Švejk before the impending execution. He never achieved this objective as the good soldier drowned him in endless anecdotes.

His first name Jan appears in the diminutive form Jeníček.

Background

In 1914 there was no Martinec serving in k.u.k. Heer or k.k. Landwehr according to Schematismus. Nor has it been possible to identify any parish priest Martinec who lived at the time.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Polní kurát Martinec představoval si, že jsa ve službách duchovní útěchy raněným a umírajícím na bojišti, vykoupí i hříchy svého zpustlého faráře, který vraceje se v noci domů, nesčíslněkráte ho vzbudil a vypravoval mu: „Jeníčku, Jeníčku! Macatá děvka - to je můj celý život.“
von Hindenburg, Paulnn flag
*2.10.1847 Posen (Poznań) - †2.8.1934 Neudeck (Ogrodzieniec)
Wikipedia czdeenno Search
hindenburg.jpg

Hindenburg is mentioned by the author in passing; he refers to some idiotic booklets published for the army by Lustige Blätter. General Fink finds them entertaining enough to pass them on to Feldkurat Martinec.

Background

Hindenburg was a German general who was Commander in Chief of the German forces on the Eastern front at the time of the events in the novel. From 1916 he became head of the entire German army and gradually became the most influential person in the country.

He was elected president of Germany in 1925, a position he had also when Hitler assumed power in 1933, and he remained in office until his death the year after. He is the only German head of state ever who has been directly elected by the people. Politically he was regarded as conservative.

Hašek here refers to issue no. 2 of the series Illustrierter Tornister-Humor, published by Lustige Blätter from February 1915 and onwards.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Měl celou knihovnu takových svazečků s pitomými názvy jako „Humor v tornistře pro oči i uši“, „Hindenburgovy anekdoty“, „Hindenburg v zrcadle humoru“, „Druhá tornistra plná humoru, naládovaná Felixem Schlemprem“, „Z našeho gulášového kanonu“, „Šťavnaté granátové třísky ze zákopů“, nebo tyto hovadiny: „Pod dvojitým orlem“, „Vídeňský řízek z c. k. polní kuchyně. Ohřál Artur Lokesch“.
Literature
Schloemp, Felixnn flag
*5.9.1880 Leipzig - †23.8.1916 Malinadr?
Wikipedia de Search
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Oesterreichisch-ungarische Buchhändler-Correspondenz, 15.9.1915

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Prager Tagblatt,2.9.1916

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Lustige Blätter, 1.9.1916

Schloemp is mentioned by the author in passing; he refers to some idiotic booklets published for the army by Lustige Blätter. General Fink finds them entertaining enough to pass them on to Feldkurat Martinec.

Background

Schloemp (i romanen Schlemper) was a German book trader, editor and publisher. From 1909 onwards he published a number of illustrated humorous books.

In 1915 he contributed to Tornister-Humor, a series of humorous propaganda booklets that were published by Lustige Blätter. Installments no. 1, 2, 3, 8 and 15 are directly mentioned in The Good Soldier Švejk.[a]

Some time in late 1915 or early 1916 Schloemp was called up for service. Little about his military exploits is known until he was wounded at the Russian front on 25 July 1916. Two days later he was in person awarded the Eiserne Kreuz (Iron Cross) by Prince Leopold of Bavaria. Some weeks later Schloemp died from the injuries and was buried by Malinadr on 23 August. In official loss lists for Prussia he was first reported severely wounded on 16 August, then dead on 7 October. It is also revealed that he served in Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment 48, 9. Kompagnie.

Malinadr was according to Lustige Blätter the site of his burial but it has not been possible to locate it. Presumably it is a mis-spelling (or rather an erroneous transcription) of some place name in current Belarus. Fortunately the history of his regiment[b] is available and it reveals that on 25 July 1916 they were attacked by Skrobava (Скробава) north of Baranovichi (Баранавічы). That day the regiment suffered 15 soldiers killed and 46 wounded. We must assume that the severely wounded Schloemp was brought to a field hospital behind the lines but exactly where this "Malinadr" is remains an enigma.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Měl celou knihovnu takových svazečků s pitomými názvy jako „Humor v tornistře pro oči i uši“, „Hindenburgovy anekdoty“, „Hindenburg v zrcadle humoru“, „Druhá tornistra plná humoru, naládovaná Felixem Schlemprem“, „Z našeho gulášového kanonu“, „Šťavnaté granátové třísky ze zákopů“, nebo tyto hovadiny: „Pod dvojitým orlem“, „Vídeňský řízek z c. k. polní kuchyně.

Sources: Andrew Lucas

Also written:Felix Schlemper Hašek

Literature
References
a"Tornister-Humor" and 'The Good Soldier Švejk'Jomar Hønsi10.5.2020
bReserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 48Walter Schackert1925
Lokesch, Arthurnn flag
*23.3.1878 Praha - †?
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lokesch.png
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Oesterreichisch-ungarische Buchhändler-Correspondenz, 2.2.1916

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Berliner Adreßbuch, 1909

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Národní politika, 3.3.1910

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Kulturní Adresař ČSR, 1934

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Pražský adresář 1937-1938

Artur Lokesch is mentioned by the author in passing; he refers to some idiotic booklets published for the army by Lustige Blätter. General Fink finds them entertaining enough to pass them on to Feldkurat Martinec.

Background

Artur Lokesch was a writer who from 1915 onwards contributed to the series Tornister-Humor published by Lustige Blätter. The novel specifically refers to Unter'm Doppeladler which was issue No. 15 in the series[1]. The adverts added the explanatory notes Wiener Schnitzel aus der k. k. Feldküche, aufgewärmt von Arthur Lokesch and Hašek probably was inspired by these adverts rather than the booklets themselves. Artur Lokesch also contributed to several other of these 64-page booklets.

1. Instalment no. 15 seems to have been published in late 1915 so Jaroslav Hašek could therefore not have drawn inspiration from his own time in k.u.k. Heer.

The author of this and other humorous booklets was the youngest son of Prague factory owner Eduard Lokesch. His factory in Holešovice manufactured buttons, garments and other clothing accessories. Artur Lokesch was born in 1878, at the time the family lived in Praha I./859 (Kozí plácek). At the time the factory/work shop was also located here and according to Egon Erwin Kisch a certain Mestek worked there for a short period!

Artur Lokesch graduated from the German commercial academy in Prague in 1898. From police records it transpires that he in 1906 and this fits well with the 1906 year-book of the comercial academy who reveals the he was chief editor of Rheinisch-Westphälischen Anzeige in Essen. In the same records he is listed as "disponent" (managing clerk). In 1910 he is mentioned in Národní politika as a "well known German editor". He wrote lyrics for songs in theatre plays that from 1912 were performed in Berlin and later across Europe. His most famous contribution is the lyrics of the internationally known vaudeville Der Regimentspapa (1914). He also contributed to Prager Tagblatt, using the pseudonym Tuxl.

Artur Lokesch moved to Berlin some time before 1909 and was as late as 1933 listed in the city's address book. He is known to have edited Der Luftballon, a magazine that in 1909 was located in the same building as Lustige Blätter. Both publications were owned by Dr. Eysler & Co.

His name is found in address books and in newspapers also after the war. He is now listed as an editor and dramaturgist and his name appears as far away as Essen (editor in chief of Rheinisch-Westphälischen Anzeiger). The Artur Lokesch family were Jewish but Arthur converted to protestantism as a young man.

In 1937 he was again living in Prague so he had obviously left Berlin after the 1933 Nazi takeover. He doesn't figure in the address book from 1942, but it has so far not been possible to determine if he emigrated or became a victim of Holocaust. He is in any case not on the list of Czech victims.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] ... nebo tyto hovadiny: „Pod dvojitým orlem“, „Vídeňský řízek z c. k. polní kuchyně. Ohřál Artur Lokesch“. Někdy mu také předzpěvoval ze sbírky veselých vojenských písní „Wir müssen siegen!“
Literature
Ignatius of Loyolann flag
*24.10.1491 Azpeitia - †31.7.1556 Roma
Wikipedia czdeenesno Search
loyola.jpg

Ignatius of Loyola is mentioned in passing in the description of Feldkurat Martinec.

Background

Ignatius of Loyola was a Basque/Spanish nobleman and soldier known for having founded the Jesuit Order in 1534 and also the instigator of the inquisition. He was declared a saint in 1622. The church kostel svátého Ignáce is named after him.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Generál oblíbil si kuráta Martince, který se mu prvně představil jako nějaký svatý Ignác z Loyoly a pomalu přizpůsoboval se generálovu okolí.

Also written:Ignác z Loyoly cz Ignacio de Loyola es

Mr. Grabowskinn flag
*2.12.1822 Lwów - †30.3.1908 Przemyśl
Wikipedia czpl Search
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Národní listy,26.5.1883

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The family tomb of Aleksander Dworski in Przemyśl

Grabowski is mentioned because Feldkurat Martinec kneeled in front of his statue to confess his sins. Grabowski was according to the author mayor of Przemyśl in the 1880's and did the city great services, was a builder and a benefactor.

Background

Grabowski was according to Milan Hodík identical to Bronisław Grabowski, a Polish ethnographer, writer, translator and slavist. He translated, amongst others, the Czech writers Karolina Světlá and Vrchlický.

Radko Pytlík makes no assumptions about Grabowski's identity, and quotes Polish sources that there was no such statue in Przemyśl at the time. He suggests there might be a mix-up with a statue of Adam Mickiewicz that was indeed located in the city park (where the author placed the Grabowski monument)[a].

Aleksander Dworski

The author's additional facts are however sufficient to make us conclude that it was a mix-up of names. The mayor of Przemyśl from 1881 to 1901 was Aleksander Dworski and his biographical details fit well with information from The Good Soldier Švejk. No statue of him can be located, but he was (and is) well known in the city and a major street is named after him. Dworski and not Grabowski was thus obviously the man the author had in mind.

Dworski was born in Lwów and graduated as a doctor of law from the city's university in 1849. He entered politics early, serving as MP for Lwów and Grodek in Reichsrat from 1873 until 1880, where protocols reveal that he was very active. He was known as a Polish patriot and pan-slavist. Thereafter he served for 20 years as mayor of Przemyśl, the city he had lived in from 1855. His reign oversaw substantial development - building of schools, sewers and beginning electrification. Already in 1896 he was named honorary citizen and a street was renamed in his honour. From 1889 to 1901 he was also member of the Galician parliament. Dworski died in 1908 from pneumonia.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.1] Potom dlouhou dobu vyčítal si toto zpustlé jednání, ačkoliv to nemohl ani napraviti tím, když tu noc, vraceje se domů, klečel omylem v parku před sochou stavitele a starosty města, mecenáše pána Grabowského, který získal si velké zásluhy o Přemyšl v letech osmdesátých.

Sources: Kurjer Lwowski, Milan Hodík, Radko Pytlík

Also written:Grabowský Hašek

Literature
References
aOsudy a cesty Josefa ŠvejkaRadko Pytlík2003
Index Back Forward IV. The famous thrashing continued Hovudpersonen

2. Spiritual consolation

Oberleutnant Wurm, Johannnn flag
*22.3.1884 Smíchov - †? 19??
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From "Jednadevadesátníci".

© Jan Ciglbauer, 2018.

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Rangliste. Bestand Karl Wagner, Kriegsarchiv.

© ÖStA

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Jan Ev. Eybl, 16.3.1915.

© SOkA Beroun

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Konskripce 1911

Pobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelství1851 - 1914

© NAČR

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Nachrichten über Verwundete und Kranke ..., 1915

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Prager Tagblatt,15.2.1915

Wurm was an obrlajtnant in Budějovice who Švejk told Feldkurat Martinec about during spiritual consolation in the cell in Przemyśl. It was a very long anecdote about the plight of officer's apprentices who were neither officers nor rank and file soldiers. They were not allowed to eat in any of the canteens as Wurm forbade them to use the soldier's canteen as this was below their dignity. They were not allowed in the officer's canteen in the first place and were thus left suspended in thin air.

Background

Wurm was an officer in k.u.k. Heer, Oberleutnant in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 until 1 July 1915, then promoted to Hauptmann. Apart from no doubt being the person Švejk talks about in the cell in Przemyśl, it is also possible that Wurm partly served as inspiration for the grotesque Fähnrich Fähnrich Dauerling.

Eybl's diary

Field chaplain Jan Eybl noted in his diary that Wurm commanded a march company that arrived at the front by Jaworzec in the Carpathians on 16 March 1915. Timing-wise this indicates that they were part of the 7th march battalion. At the time Ersatzbataillon IR. 91 was still located in Budějovice, so it is very likely that Hašek knew Wurm, because the former served there from 17 February and the 7th march battalion probably departed around 8 March. Eybl also notes that Wurm was a nephew of Field Marshal Wenzel Wurm (he was mistaken regarding the rank: Wurm was in 1915 Feldzeugmeister).

Ranglisten und Schematismus

There is only one person on the list of officers (Ranglisten) from IR. 91 that fits the description that Eybl gives. This person is Johann Wurm, born in 1884 in Prague. The list reveals that he was promoted to captain on 1 July 1915 and thus his rank in March was Oberleutnant, exactly as Jan Eybl noted. This was a rank he achieved on 1 November 1912 and he had served as lieutenant since 1 May 1907. In his early career he served in Feldjägerbataillon Nr. 7 and from 1907 in Feldjägerbataillon Nr. 22.

Police records

Any Johann Wurm born in 1884 is not listed in the Prague police records, but the details of a certain Hans Wurm fit well. The names Hans and Johann were to a degree interchangeable (Hans Bigler is another officer who appears with both names). Lieutenant Wurm served with Infanterieregiment Nr. 75 in 1911 and he lived in Vinohrady Hálkova tř. 379/12 (today Londýnská 379/73).

Before the war

With the help of newspaper stories it has been possible to piece together more details from Wurm's career apart from what is already mentioned. 22 May 1909 he was involved in an incident in Jindřichův Hradec where he during a clash with a Sokol instructor drew his sabre and slashed his opponent's hand.

Wurm was son of factory manager Josef Wurm, who ran an oven- and iron foundry in Podbořany (Podersam). The German press used the names Hans and Johann interchangeably, although Johann was more common. The Czech press predominantly used Jan, although Hans also occurred.

Serving in IR. 91

Newspapers reveal that he during spring 1914 was transferred from Infanterieregiment Nr. 75 to IR. 91/1st battalion). After the outbreak of war he served with this battalion in southern Dalmatia and in Serbia where he was commander of the 4th company. Some time between 6th and 8 Oktober 1914 he was wounded (shot in the foot). He was brought to hospital and was also awarded the Signum Laudis. According to a list of injured he was sent to a reserve hospital in Kroměříž (Kremsier) in Moravia. Prager Tagblatt noted that on 7 February 1915 he appeared in a celebration for decorated officers in Dirnfellern (Suché Vrbné) by Budějovice where the 7th march battalion were exercising. It was added that he had been severely wounded but was still returning to the field.

Details from the rest of the war are only available in fragments. A brief note in Prager Tagblatt 21 November 1915 reveals that he was decorated for the second time for his endeavours on 24 September 1915. This was during the battle by Chorupan where Jaroslav Hašek, František Strašlipka, Emanuél Michálek and hundreds of their fellow soldiers from IR. 91 were captured. In 1916 he was decorated for the third time and he was still with IR. 91.

Arrested as spy
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Budweiser Zeitung, 11.10.1922

In May 1921 Wurm entered the Czechoslovak army as staff captain at the Ministry of Defence (MNO) where he acted as a liaison officer with Parliament, serving German members. He was however arrested on 7 Oktober 1922 as a suspected spy. During the same operation two other officers, Gustav Wolf and Georg Nowakowski had already been detained. The case was tried before a military court in December.

The trial
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Lidové noviny, 11.12.1922

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Prager Tagblatt,12.12.1922

Court proceedings commenced on 11 December at 9 in the morning, and was conducted at the military court at Hradčany (see k.u.k. Militärgericht Prag). Parts of the trial were closed to the public. The prosecution provided a 24 page charge against the three, which roughly contained accusations of spying and treason. Wurm was accused of having passed on a restricted document against a reward of 3,000 crowns. The recipient was Jaroslav Philipp, a former k.u.k. officer and now an agent in Polish service. Wurm was also suspected of having passed on more restricted material to the named contact. Wurm was alleged to have been in contact with the convinced monarchist Philip already from the time he entered service in the Czechoslovak Army.

All in all 13 persons were called in to testify and provided 91 pages of witness accounts. Additionally, experts on psychiatry, handwriting and photography, testified. The first person to be interrogated was staff captain Wurm. During the questioning on 11 December he confessed to having passed sensitive material on to Philipp, but claimed to not have known what the recipient needed it for. He admitted to having accepted 3,000 crowns for the documents, as he found himself in a difficult financial situation.

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Prager Presse,14.12.1922

The next day the proceeding concerned only Wolf and Nowakowski, but on 13 December Wurm's name is mentioned during interrogation of witnesses. It was said that "although he was of Czech origin he harboured German national political convictions". Another witness, a relative of Wurm, spoke about the accused as "power-mad, unsympathetic and not well liked, even amongst comrades".

Witnesses who knew him from the time in k.u.k. Heer describe him as a brutal, vain and inconsiderate officer, and primarily towards Czech soldiers. Examples of his cruelty are given: he once punished his horse with two days starvation for having thrown him off, and also shot his own dog when the animal didn't obey.

During the afternoon court proceedings on 13 December a psychiatric expert stated that "Wurm could be described as physically and spiritually degenerated" but it could not be concluded that he was (other had been) mentally ill. It was also revealed that Wolf's confession upon his arrest led directly to the detainment of Wurm.

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Moravská orlice, 16.12.1922

Wurm's defender, Major Řehák, argued for a complete aquittal. He stated that "it was inconceivable that Wurm would jeopardise his entire existence for such a small amount", that "Wurm was an accommodating person who acted under pressure from Philipp". The judge ought to consider the following mitigating circumstances: a hitherto spotless record, the difficult situation of the accused: financially and mentally, moreover the family. Wurm also held a final appeal where he wept and explained the difficult situation he and his family were in, and asked for a lenient verdict.

The verdict fell on 15 December and all the three accused were convicted. It was concluded that they all betrayed their country for financial reasons, giving them a harsher sentence than if their motives had been national or political. Wurm was given a four and a half years under hard terms: fasting once a month and a solitary cell the last month every half year. He was also deprived of his officer's rank and lost the right to vote during the term of his imprisonment. Wurm was sent to Terezín to serve his sentence. Nowakowski was sentenced to eight years and Wolf three.

Information from the press
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Venkov,14.12.1922

Newspaper reports from the trial revealed further details about Jan Wurm (as he was called in Czech). He was born in Smíchov 22 March 1884, went to German schools, including Prager Infanteriekadettenschule. He enlisted in the army in 1904 after having served as a one-year volunteer. He declared himself with German nationality but spoke good Czech. He had three children who went to German schools. At the time of the court case the family lived in Dejvice in a flat belonging to his wife. This must have been his second wife because his first wife Mathilde (born Hartmann) died 16 Oktober 1918 at the age of 29.

Venkov, Prager Tagblatt and Budweiser Zeitung confirm Eybl's information that he was nephew of Colonel General Wenzel Wurm. Venkov adds that the latter committed suicide (he died in Vienna 22 March 1921), but Lidové noviny and Innsbrucker Nachrichten wrote that he died from natural causes. Budweiser Zeitung astonishingly claimed that Wurm was Czech, that his father and his famous uncle both were Czech chauvinists and hostile to Germans.

Registration sheet
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Soupis pražského obyvatelstva 1830-1910 (1920)

The registration documents of his father finally sheds light on Wurm's background. He was son of Josef Wurm, born in Penzing by Vienna 17 March 1857. His mother was Karolina, born Schück in 1860. The parents married in 1881 and Johann Wurm was born on 22 March 1884 in Smíchov. He had one sister, Karolina, born in Prague 3 Desember 1882. His grandfather Josef was a Oberleutnant. The family moved to Nové Strašecí in 1892, and then to Podbořany. Until then they had lived in Vinohrady.

Unknown fate

What happened to Wurm after he was released from prison is not known. In the summer of 1932 it was reported that he attended a gathering of war veterans in Volary (Wallern). He was still alive in 1938, and spoke during a meeting of former front soldiers in Vimperk (Winterberg) on 13 or 14 August that year. Thus he would certainly have witnessed the German annexation of Sudentenland a few months later. If he was still alive in 1945, he was surely expelled from Czechoslovakia.

The very last mention of him that has been found so far is from Budweiser Zeitung 14 February 1940. Again it was a report from a gathering of war veterans (now under the umbrella of the Nazi party), but this time it wasn't any longer Wurm himself who spoke, but others who talked about him. This indicates that he may already have died.

It not known whether or not Wurm continued to live in Prague after being released. Three Jan Wurm are listed in the address book from 1937, but it is impossible to tell whether any of them is identical to the former officer. None of the three lived in Dejvice.

Military archives
wurm.jpg

Wurm was often ill during the war.

© VÚA

wurm2.jpg

Extracts from his career description in 1915 og 1916.

© VÚA

wurm3.jpg

From the Czechoslovak army.

© VÚA

Recent investigations (VÚA, 22 November 2018) of Wurm's documents from k.u.k. Heer confirm much of what we know from other sources, and also provide additional details. Here we will however focus on those that touch on IR. 91 during the war, and briefly on post-war Czechoslovakia.

Wurm served by 1st battalion in Dalmatia and Serbia from the outbreak of war. He was wounded on 2 Oktober 1914 and was only back at the front with the 7th march battalion. This unit left Budějovice on 8 March 1915 and on arrival in the Carpathians he assumed command of the 14th field company. He fell ill with pneumonia and typhus on 2 April, and spent some time at a hospital in Kroměříž. From 10 May he worked at the draft board of Infanterieregiment Nr. 75. From 26 July 1915 he was back with IR. 91 and the 14th march battalion. From 19 September he was again in the field, now by Chorupan. Wurm took part in the battle here five days later, and with the regiment transferred to the Isonzo-front in mid November.

On 10 January 1916 he fell ill again and after a week at a hospital in Laibach (Ljubljana) he was transferred to Bruck where he was made commander of IR. 91 1. Ersatzkompanie. Here he served until 14 April 1916 when he was transferred to k.k. Landwehr draft commission no. 3 in Prague. From this period his documents reveal that he again volunteered for service at the front. His application was however rejected as his health condition was poor and the regiment also need experienced instructors behind the lines.

From 8 July 1916 he commanded the 23rd march battalion and on 29 August they left for the front. On 8 February 1917 he reported ill and was transported to a hospital in Ljubljana and after recuperation again served at a draft board until 20 June, presumably in Prague. Until 3 December he was battalion commander by IR. 91/1st battalion and then at the 28th Rifle Regiment, 3rd battalion (k.k. Landwehr). Then he spent the time until 10 April 1918 in hospital in Prague, again with lung problems. From 30 April he served Jägerregiment Nr. 137, the machine gun section.

Details about his career in the Czechoslovak army are revealed and these correspond well to what was written in newspapers during the court case. It is also added that he didn't serve out his prison term, as he was released on probation after three years. His three children were born in 1912, 1914 and 1916 respectively, two daughters and one son. The verdict from the spy case was accurately reported in the newspapers. There is no additional information that can shed light on his fate after having been released from prison.

Devil dressed as a human
wurma.png

Kamarádtsví, 15.9.1937

The recently published book "Jednadevesátníci" (Jan Ciglbauer, 2018) casts a dark shadow on Wurm as a person and officer, and largely confirms the damaging testimonies that were given during the spy trial in December 1922. Ciglbauer notes that Wurm's name strikingly often appears in the notes and diaries of veterans from IR. 91, and in the worst possible light.

For instance the book refers to an article in the magazine Kamarádství from 1937, where J. Hospodářský, a former soldier from IR. 91, describes Wurm as an incredibly brutal officer, abnormal in his behaviour. The whole regiment feared and hated him, including his fellow officers. As commander of 1. Erstatzkompanie in Királyhida in 1916 he once mistreated his horse at Batailionsraport because it became restless. In addition he "sentenced" the animal to two days in the stables without food and water. He also once had his wife escorted away by four armed soldiers when she entered the training ground (where civilians were strictly forbidden to be during exercising). He is reported to have shot soldiers for trifles, and once had his servant tied up for two hours because he failed to bring water in time. Hospodářský describes Wurm as "a devil dressed as a human, in uniform".

The arrested horse
wurmb.png

The arrested horse

Prager Tagblatt,14.12.1922

The story about the horse also appeared in newspapers around the time of the spy process, in the form of testimonies.

The similarities between Wurm and the novel figure Fähnrich Dauerling are striking, at least in the way the two tyrants treated common soldiers. Jaroslav Hašek however only crossed paths with Wurm for three weeks in early spring 1915 and again briefly in the autumn, and they didn't serve in the same companies. Still the author would surely have heard about Wurm's antics, and may have been inspired by these when creating his grotesque Dauerling figure.

Jan Morávek
wimmer.jpg

Morávek putting captain Wimmer in an undeservedly poor light.

Večerní Česke Slovo, 1924

In his series "Jaroslav Hašek - the Good Soldier Švejk" (Večerní České slovo, 1924) Jan Morávek mentions a captain Wimmer who was replaced by Rudolf Lukas as commander of Hašek's march company shortly before they were transferred from Budějovice to Királyhida. Lukas assumed command of the 4th company of XII. Marschbataillon on 1 June 1915, and Ersatzbataillon IR. 91 were transferred to Bruck the same day. Wimmer allegedly tyrannised the soldiers and subjected his horse to disciplinary measures.

A certain captain Otto Wimmer did actually serve in IR. 91, but that the regiment was burdened with two such lunatics is unlikely. Jan Morávek adds that "Wimmer appeared in the newspapers about a year ago" and this roughly fits the timing of the spy trial (Morávek had his series published in September 1924). It is therefore likely that Morávek mixed up Wurm with Wimmer, and thus undeservedly tainted the latter as a brutal psychopath. In Wurm's military service record he is however reported to have been on sick leave at the time. One explanation could be that Wimmer indeed was the person replaced by Rudolf Lukas, but that Morávek somehow swapped Wimmer and Wurm later.

Petr Novák

V edici je Eyblův záznam z 16. března přepsána takto: "Spal v márnici. Naše vojsko je zahrabáno, na útok nepomýšlí. Proti nám stojí čerstvé vojsko, minský a jekatěrinoburský pluk. Došla marškumpanie, kterou vedl nadporučík Wurm, synovec Feldmaršála Wurma."

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.2] Měli jsme jich tam tenkrát pět a ze začátku vám to žralo v kantině samý syrečky, poněvadž mináž nikde nedostali, až tam na ně přišel takhle jednou obrlajtnant Wurm a zakázal jim to, poněvadž prej se to nesrovnává se ctí kadetštelfrtrérů, chodit do kantiny pro manšaft.

Sources: Petr Novák, Eybl, Jan Ciglbauer, ÖStA, VÚA

Literature
Gaudrsová, Růženann flag
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Růžena Gaudrsová was a woman who had been employed in a vinárna in Platnéřská ulice. She sued 18 men in a paternity cases but ended up in Nový Jičín. This is mentioned by Švejk as an apropos to Feldkurat Martinec' birthplace.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.2] „To snad znali, pane feldkurát, nějakou Růženu Gaudrsovou, byla předloni zaměstnána v jedný vinárně v Platnéřský ulici v Praze a žalovala vám najednou osmnáct lidí pro paternitu, poněvadž se jí narodily dvojčata.
Porter Faustýnnn flag
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Faustýn was a friend of Švejk from the time he lived in Opatovická ulice. Faustýn was a hotel porter and could arrange all shades of female company. These are all facts that Feldkurat Martinec is made aware of by Švejk in the cell in Przemyśl.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.2] Když jsem bydlel v Opatovickej ulici, tak jsem tam měl jednoho kamaráda, Faustýna, vrátnýho z hotelu. Byl to moc hodnej člověk, spravedlivej a přičinlivej. Znal kdejakou holku z ulice, a mohli by přijít, pane feldkurát, kterejkoliv čas noční do hotelu k němu a říct mu jen: ,Pane Faustýne, potřebuju nějakou slečnu,’ a von vám hned svědomitě se optal, jestli blondýnku, brunetu, menší, vyšší, tenkou, tlustou, Němkyni, Češku nebo židovku, svobodnou, rozvedenou nebo vdanou paničku, inteligentní nebo bez inteligence.“
Index Back Forward IV. The famous thrashing continued Hovudpersonen

3. Švejk again with his march company

Mr. Karderaznn flag
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Karderaz was a gentleman from Loděnice who slept with his top hat under his head without flattening it. This is what Švejk could tell Major Derwota after the latter had slept in his cell in Przemyśl.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] Vyspat se na cylindru, to doved jenom nějakej pan Karderaz v Loděnici.
Major Derwotann flag
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Derwota was the officer who interrogated Švejk in Przemyśl and woke up in the prison cell with the accused after a heavy party with his fellow officers. Before this happened he had persuaded the bloodthirsty General Fink to delay the execution until they had received confirmation of Švejk's identity from the brigade.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] „Zde jsem,“ zvolal major Derwota ve dveřích, kterému kombinace slov „major auditor“ a „telegram“ připomněla poznovu jeho jisté povinnosti. „Ach,“ vykřikl generál Fink, „ty se vracíš?“ V přízvuku bylo tolik jízlivosti, že major neodpověděl a zůstal nerozhodně stát. Generál mu řekl, aby šel s ním do pokoje, a když se posadil za stůl, hodil mu omlácený telegram o burše na stůl a řekl mu tragickým hlasem: „Čti, to je tvoje dílo.“ Zatímco major četl telegram, vstal generál ze židle, běhal po pokoji, porážel židle a taburetky, křičel: „A přeci ho pověsím!“
Gefreiter Bozbann flag
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Bozba was a fellow soldier Švejk knew from his military service in Trento. He became extremely full of himself when he was promoted to Gefreiter, something which Švejk reminds his arrogant escort on the train from Przemyśl to Wojalycze about.

Background

No information about any real-life Bozba has been found, but this paragraph reveals a new and interesting detail about Švejk's military past. He did his national service not only in Budějovice, but also in Trento. Here he would however not have served with Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 because units from this regiment were never garrisoned here.

Švejk and Trento is therefore rather a legacy from the five stories about Švejk from 1911 where the strong fortress created the backdrop for some of them. These were written at a time when Jaroslav Hašek himself had no experience from the military and the number of the regiment in which Švejk served is not stated.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] „Pane frajtr, když se na nich koukám, tak si vzpomínám vždycky na nějakýho frajtra Bozbu, kterej vám sloužil v Tridentu. Toho když jmenovali frajtrem, tak hned ten první den najednou začal přibejvat do vobjemu.
Street sweep Macháčeknn flag
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Macháček was the perpetrator in the snott-story about the legendary Czech princess Libuše. This is a story Švejk tells a Pole who is a member of his escort from Przemyśl to Wojalycze. Macháček lived in a basement flat in the street Na Bojišti.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] „To toho moc neumíš,“ řekl k němu Švejk. „Na Bojišti bydlel v jednom sklepním bytě metař Macháček, ten se vysmrkal na vokno a rozmazal to tak dovedně, že z toho byl obraz, jak Libuše věští slávu Prahy.
Libušenn flag
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Libuše is drawn in snot by street sweep Macháček in a story Švejk tells a Pole who is a member of his escort from Przemyśl to Wojalycze.

Background

Libuše is the mythical founder of the Přemysl dynasty and ancestor of the Czech people. She is said to have founded Prague in the 8th century.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] „To toho moc neumíš,“ řekl k němu Švejk. „Na Bojišti bydlel v jednom sklepním bytě metař Macháček, ten se vysmrkal na vokno a rozmazal to tak dovedně, že z toho byl obraz, jak Libuše věští slávu Prahy.
Oberst Gerbichnn flag
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Gerbich was a colonel who was head of brigade staff at Wojalycze. His main distinction was his podagra-ridden toe, the state of which decidedly determined his mood. Fortunately for Švejk Leutnant Dub was also the victim of the colonel's fits of bad temper.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] Tak se blížili ku štábu brigády do Wojalyzce. Mezitím se u štábu brigády zběhly jisté velice podstatné změny. Řízením štábu brigády byl pověřen plukovník Gerbich. To byl pán velkých vojenských schopností, které se mu vrazily do nohou ve formě podagry.
Oberst Habermaiernn flag
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Habermaier was a homosexual colonel who Švejk had heard had tried to defile a cadet in Trento twelve years ago (1903). These thoughts made him gloomy on his way to Klimontów.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] Švejk pokračoval na své cestě do vesnice, a přemýšleje o plukovníkovi, dospěl k tomu úsudku, že před dvanácti lety byl v Tridentu nějaký plukovník Habermaier, který se také tak laskavě choval k vojákům, a nakonec vyšlo najevo, že je homosexuelní, když chtěl v lázních u Adiže zprznit jednoho kadetaspiranta, vyhrožuje mu „dienstreglamá“.
Tinsmith Kulíšeknn flag
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Kulíšek is mentioned in a short anecdote by Švejk, the first after he rejoins his regiment in Klimontów. He was a tin-smith from Prague.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] „Hlavně jasně mluvit,“ prohodil Švejk. „Když byli misionáři u svatýho Ignáce v Praze v roce 1912, tak tam byl jeden kazatel, a ten povídal s kazatelny, že se asi s nikým neshledá v nebi. A byl na té exercici večerní jeden klempíř, Kulíšek, a ten po tý pobožnosti povídal v hospodě, že ten misionář musel asi moc věcí provést, když v kostele vohlašoval, jako při veřejný zpovědi, že s nikým se neshledá na nebi; proč takový lidi posílají na kazatelnu.
Mr. Haubernn flag
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Hauber is mentioned in an anecdote by Švejk. He was from Nusle and was stabbed in Kundratice on returning from a Sunday trip to Bartůňkův mlýn.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] V Nuslích je nějakej pan Hauber, toho jednou v neděli v Kundraticích na silnici píchli omylem nožem, když šel z výletu od Bartůňkovýho mlejna.
Banseth, Alois Sebastiannn flag
*11.5.1866 Kutná Hora - †192x Nusle
Search Švejkův slovník
banseth2.png

Police registry 28.2.1896

Pobytové přihlášky pražského policejního ředitelství1851 - 1914

banseth1.png

Národní politika,9.9.1898

banseth4.png

Národní politika,1.9.1907

banseth3.png

Rudé právo,27.1.1948

Banseth is mentioned in the anecdote that Švejk tells Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek in Klimontów. It is about the modest man Mr. Hauber from Nusle who visited the tavern that Banseth owned.

Background

Banseth was owner of the restaurant U Bansethů in Nusle, in fact two of them. He and his wife Anna opened the first one in Palackého třída No. 321 (now Táborská) in the autumn of 1900, and in 1908 they sold it and moved to No. 389 a few steps up the street. They actually bought the whole building for 100,000 crowns.

Banseth was born in Kutná Hora in 1866, son of František (b. 1824) and Anna (b. 1828). The parents seem to have moved to Smíchov in 1874, then to Žižkov in 1885, then to Holešovice in 1892. There were eight children in the family that hailed from Golcův Jeničov where the oldest children were born.

Banseth himself is registered with domicile Nusle from 1893 and appeared to have lived there for the rest of his life. Before opening his first restaurant in 1900 he had managed the restaurant at the local brewery. By now he had already appeared in newspapers notices because public meetings were arranged at the brewery restaurant. Here he is listed as "brother Banseth", which means he was a member of Sokol.

Banseth was married to Anna (born Daršetová in 1871) and the couple had five children. Their oldest son František (born 1892) went missing early in the war and was indeed reported as a Russian prisoner of war. Banseth was running the tavern at least until 1923, but some time before 1929 he died. His widow Anna passed away as late as 24 January 1948.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] Vona potom chtěla mít celou soupravu do domácnosti z takovejch nožů a posílala ho vždycky v neděli do Kundratic na vejlet, ale von byl tak skromnej, že nešel nikam než k Banzetovům do Nuslí, kde věděl, že když sedí v kuchyni, že ho dřív Banzet vyhodí, než může na něho někdo sáhnout.“

Also written:Banzet Hašek

Literature
Chramostann flag
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Chramosta is mentioned in an anecdote Švejk tells Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek from manouvres in Tábor. It regards soldiers comitting immoral acts with the local female population.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] To byl zrovna takovej případ na manévrech u Tábora. Náš jeden cuk kvartýroval v hospodě a nějaká ženská drhla v předsíni podlahu a nějakej Chramosta se k ní přitočil a poplácal ji - jak bych ti to řekl - po sukních.
Hallimulahbalibejnn flag
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Hallimulahbalibej was one of the Tatar names Švejk he reels of when he tells the officers in Klimontów about the transport of russian prisoners of war.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] Když potom jmenoval tatarská jména, s kterými se seznámil na své pouti, jako Hallimulabalibej, ke kterýmž jménům přidal celou řadu jmen vytvořených jím samým, jako Valivolavalivej, Malimulamalimej, nezdržel se již nadporučík Lukáš poznámky: „Že vás kopnu, vy dobytku. Pokračujte krátce, ale souvisle!“

Also written:Галлимулабалибей ru

Valivolavalivejnn flag
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Valivolavalivej was one of the Tatar names Švejk he reels off, he invented this one himself. See Hallimulahbalibej.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] Když potom jmenoval tatarská jména, s kterými se seznámil na své pouti, jako Hallimulabalibej, ke kterýmž jménům přidal celou řadu jmen vytvořených jím samým, jako Valivolavalivej, Malimulamalimej, nezdržel se již nadporučík Lukáš poznámky: „Že vás kopnu, vy dobytku. Pokračujte krátce, ale souvisle!“

Also written:Валиволаваливей ru

Malimulamalimejnn flag
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Malimulamalimej was one of the Tatar names Švejk he reels off, he invented this one himself. See Hallimulahbalibej.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] Když potom jmenoval tatarská jména, s kterými se seznámil na své pouti, jako Hallimulabalibej, ke kterýmž jménům přidal celou řadu jmen vytvořených jím samým, jako Valivolavalivej, Malimulamalimej, nezdržel se již nadporučík Lukáš poznámky: „Že vás kopnu, vy dobytku. Pokračujte krátce, ale souvisle!“

Also written:Малимуламалимей ru

Kompaniekomandant Zimmermannnn flag
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zimmermann.png

Zimmermann was the commander of 12. Kompanie. He threw a mug after Švejk, a behaviour that can be explained by the fact that he had drunk spirits out of it. The spririts was destilled from onions and bought from a Jew. His military rank is not stated.

Background

Zimmermann seemes to be a randomly picked name. From 11 July 1915 Oberleutnant Paul Kandl was commander of the 12th field company. Nor can any officer by the name of Zimmermann be found in any of the list of officers in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] Od 12. kumpanie velitel Zimmermann hodil po Švejkovi hrníčkem, z kterého pil mocnou kořalku od žida.
Darwin, Charlesnn flag
*12.2.1809 Shrewsbury - †19.4.1882 Downe
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darwin.jpg

Darwin and his theory of evolution is mentioned by cook Jurajda, who is about to elaborate on the theme when he is interrupted by Einjährigfreiwilliger Marek who can inform that Leutnant Dub and Kadett Biegler are back with the batallion.

Background

Darwin was a British naturalist. He is considered the founder of the theory of evolution, that says that evolution by natural selection have shaped life on Earth. In this manner, he became the most influential theorist in biology and is known as one of the most important scientists of all time. The book The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life, usually abbreviated to The Origin of Species, presented his theory of development through natural selection, and is considered his principal work.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] „Ostatně,“ řekl Jurajda, kterého dnes vepřové hody úplně přivedly z rovnováhy a popletly, „všichni lidé povstali z kaprů. Vezměme si, přátelé, vývojovou theorii Darwina...“ Další jeho uvažování přerušeno bylo vpádem jednoročního dobrovolníka Marka. „Zachraň se, kdo můžeš,“ zvolal Marek; „poručík Dub přijel před chvílí automobilem ke štábu batalionu a přivezl s sebou toho posraného kadeta Bieglera.
Fähnrich Malýnn flag
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Malý was an junior offiser who was singing an arie from the opera La Traviata at the vicarage in Klimontów, while burping from sauerkraut.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] Za chvíli přišli do kuchyně, kterou se muselo projít, když se šlo nahoru, kde seděl celý důstojnický sbor a kde po vepřové kýtě zpíval baculatý praporčík Malý árii z opery „Traviata“, krkaje přitom po zelí a mastném obědě.
Feldmarschall Nostitz-Rienecknn flag
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Nostitz-Rieneck is referred to via a note which Kadett Biegler quotes for Leutnant Dub when the latter gets stomach problems during the car journey from Wojalycze til Żółtańce. The note was called Was schadet dem Magen im Kriege (What harms the stomach in war).

Background

Nostitz-Rieneck was according to Kadett Biegler a cavalry Field Marshal, but it is not clear who he has in mind or such a note ever existed. It is tempting to believe that the pamphlet is a product of the author's imagination.

Nostitz-Rieneck was a well-known family of nobles from Bohemia, the author presumably refers to one of its members. The three mentioned below all reached the rank of Field Marshal-Lieutenant in the cavalry.

In 1912 a lieutenant Graf Ervin Nostitz-Rieneck served with the cavalry in Karlín at k.u.k. Dragonerregiment Nr. 14. See also k.u.k. Dragoner.

In his diary Jan Eybl notes that one Nostitz served with him in August 1915, after the battle by Sokal. Hašek was in the same unit in this period and may have borrowed his name.

Hans-Peter Laqueur

Drei Träger dieses Namens erreichten als Kavallerieangehörige den Rang eines Feldmarschall-Leutnants:

- Hermann Graf von Nostitz-Rieneck, 1817-1895
- sein Sohn Albert, 1843-1929
- ein Neffe Johann, 1847-1915

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3]Feldmaršálek Nostitz-Rhieneck, elita reservní kavalerie,“ odpověděl na to Biegler, „vydal spis ,Was schadet dem Magen im Kriege’, ve kterém nedoporučoval při válečných útrapách a svízelích vůbec jísti vepřového masa. Každá nestřídmost na pochodu škodí.“

Also written:Nostitz-Rhieneck Hašek

Literature
Uzenář Linek, Josefnn flag
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Josef Linek is the pivot of Švejk's penultimate anecdote. He was a sausage-maker from Jindřichův Hradec who put insect powder in the sausages.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] „V Jindřichově Hradci,“ ozval se Švejk, „byl před lety uzenář Josef Linek a ten měl na polici dvě krabice. V jedné měl směs všeho koření, které dával do jitrnic a jelit. V druhé krabici měl prášek na hmyz, poněvadž ten uzenář už několikráte zjistil, že rozkousali jeho kunšofti v buřtě štěnici nebo švába.
Oberleutnant Zákrejsnn flag
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Zákrejs was an obrlajtnant from Budějovice who featured in Švejk's very last anecdote.

Quote(s) from the novel
[IV.3] „Ještě za míru,“ s neobyčejnou vážností řekl Švejk, „točila se celá vojna kolem kuchyně a kolem nejrozmanitějších jídel. Měli jsme vám v Budějovicích obrlajtnanta Zákrejse, ten se točil pořád kolem důstojnický kuchyně, a taky, když ňákej voják něco proved, tak si ho postavil hapták a pustil se do něho: ,Ty pacholku, jestli se to bude ještě jednou opakovat, tak udělám z tvý huby důkladně naklepanou roštěnku,rozšlápnu tě na bramborovou kaši a pak ti to dám sežrat. Poteče z tebe kaldoun s rejží, budeš vypadat jako prošpikovanej zajíc na pekáči. Tak vidíš, že se musíš polepšit, jestli nechceš, aby lidi mysleli, že jsem z tebe udělal fašírovanou pečeni se zelím.’„

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