Švejk's journey is mapped on an Austria-Hungary map from 1914, showing the military districts of the
k.u.k. Heer. The entire plot of The Good Soldier Švejk is set within the territory of the former Dual Monarchy.
The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Švejk (commonly known as The Good Soldier Švejk) by Jaroslav Hašek is rich in geographical
references, whether through the plot itself, in dialogues, or in the author's narrative voice. Hašek was unusually
well-travelled and had a photographic memory for geographical (and other) details. Geography mattered to him: eight
of the 27 chapter headings in the novel contain geographical names.
This website will, in due course, provide a complete overview of the novel's geographical references, from Prague in
the introduction to Klimontów in the unfinished Part Four. It includes continents, states (including defunct ones),
cities, market squares, city gates, regions, districts, towns, villages, mountains, mountain passes, oceans, lakes,
rivers, caves, channels, islands, streets, parks, and bridges.
The list is sorted according to the order in which the names appear in the novel. The chapter headings are taken from
Zenny Sadlon's recent translation (1999–2026); in most cases, these differ from Cecil Parrott's translation from 1973.
The Czech quotations are taken from the online version of The Good Soldier Švejk provided by Jaroslav Šerák and link to the relevant chapter. The
toolbar provides direct links to Wikipedia, Google Maps, Google Search, svejkmuseum.cz, and the novel online.
The names are colour-coded according to their role in the novel, as illustrated by the following examples:
Raba
is mentioned by the author at the beginning of [I.7]. Austrian troops fled across the river and Austria was in a very bad way. The author calls it Ráb, which can easily be confused with the better-known river Raab which flows through Austria and Hungary.
In [I.14], the river is mentioned again in a similar description. See Dunajec.
Background
Raba
is a river in Galicia which empties into the Vistula east of Kraków, in the south of present-day Poland. In 1914, the entire river flowed on Austrian territory.
The event referred to in the novel is almost certainly the situation on the Galician battlefield in late November 1914. On 26 November, during the advance on Kraków, the Russian 3rd Army led by Radko Dimitriev crossed the river, some units having reached and crossed it the evening before by Mikluszowice. According to Russian reports, the Austro-Hungarian army retreated in disorder and suffered from low morale. They took up new defensive positions west of the river, on the line Dobczyce - Niepołomice, and by the end of the month they had retreated to Wieliczka, only 13 kilometres south-east of Kraków.
This situation persisted until 8 December, when the Russians were pushed eastwards towards Dunajec during the battle of Limanowa. It was during the advance on Kraków that Czech volunteers in the Russian army, Česká družina, were first in action against k.u.k. Heer. Wieliczka was also the westernmost point the imperial Russian army ever reached.
Mentioned in a short story
The river was mentioned by Hašek as early as 1908 in the story Ve vesnici u řeky Rábu (In a village by the river Raba), printed in Besedy lidu. This strongly suggests that Jaroslav Hašek had visited the area by the river, most likely during the summer of 1903 when he stayed in Kraków.
Österreich-Ungarns letzter Krieg, Band I.
Südlich der Weichsel hatte sich im Verlaufe des 25. das Vorgehen des Russen zunächst nicht geltend gemacht. Erst am 26. vordem Hellwerden überschritt das XI. Korps die untere Raba und drängte die Gruppe Obst. Brauner auf die Linie Dziewin-Grobla zurück. Zu derselben Stunde griff das feindliche IX. Korps Bochnia an, das von der 11. ID. verteidigt wurde. Weiter südlich rückten stärkere russische Kräfte von Lipnica her gegen die 30. ID. vor. Die auf Rajbrot entsandte 10. KD. war schon in der Nacht zum 25. auf Dobczyce zurückgenommen worden, da sie dringend einiger Erholung bedurfte. In solcher Lage meldete FZM. Ljubičić um 9h vorm., daß seine völlig erschöpften Truppen zu einem nachhaltigen Widerstand in der weitausgedehnten Front zwischen der Weichsel und der Straße Gdów-Muchówka nicht mehr befähigt seien. Inzwischen hatte die 11. ID. unter erheblichen Verlusten dem schweren russischen Druck bei Bochnia nachgeben müssen. FZM. Ljubičić ordnete daher um 9h45 vorm. den Rückzug seiner ganzen Gruppe in die vorbereitete Stellung Dobczyce-Niepołomice an.
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] V době, kdy lesy na řece Rábu v Haliči viděly utíkat přes Ráb rakouská vojska a dole v Srbsku rakouské divise jedna za druhou dostávaly přes kalhoty to, co jim dávno patřilo, vzpomnělo si rakouské ministerstvo vojenství i na Švejka, aby pomohl mocnářství z bryndy.
[I.14.5] Zatímco masy vojsk připnuté na lesích u Dunajce i Rábu stály pod deštěm granátů a velkokalibrová děla roztrhávala celé setniny a zasypávala je v Karpatech a obzory na všech bojištích hořely od požárů vesnic i měst, prožíval nadporučík Lukáš se Švejk nepříjemnou idylu s dámou, která utekla svému muži a dělala nyní domácí paní.
Some places in Galicia that are mentioned in the novel (orange).
Venkov,5.7.1908
Galicia
is mentioned for the first time by the narrator at the start of [I.7]. Here he informs the reader that Austrian forces are fleeing across the river Raba in Galicia. Towards the end of the novel, from [III.4] and throughout the unfinished Part Four, the plot takes place entirely in Galicia. Many places in the region are mentioned or form part of the plot. The most important of these are Kraków, Sanok, Przemyśl, Lwów and Sokal. The plot itself ends in Galicia, near Żółtańce.
Background
Galicia
was until 1918 an Austrian "Kronland" north of the Carpathians. As a political unit, it was known as Königreich Galizien und Lodomerien from 1846 until 1918. The population at the time was mixed: Poles, Germans, Jews and Ukrainians were the largest groups. Galicia enjoyed a large degree of autonomy and Polish had status as the official language within the administration. The "polonisation" of the region enjoyed support even from the emperor. The administrative capital was Lwów, which was a Polish enclave in an otherwise Ukrainian-dominated region.
The war
In September 1914, Russia occupied most of Galicia, and by the 12th k.u.k. Heer had withdrawn behind the river San. By late November, the enemy had advanced much further west and even threatened Kraków. From 2 May 1915 and throughout the summer, most of Galicia was reconquered by the Central Powers. It was during these offensives that Jaroslav Hašek took part as a soldier from 11 July to 24 September.
Poland
From 1918, the region became part of Poland, and in 1939 it was partitioned between Germany and the Soviet Union. From 1945 it was split between Poland and the USSR, and from 1991 between Poland and Ukraine.
Hašek in Galicia
Apart from his stay during the war, the author knew Galicia well from his wanderings after the turn of the century. He travelled in the "Kronland" both in 1901 and 1903; more precisely in and around Kraków and Tarnów. He wrote several stories set in the region, two of them with Jewish themes from a town he named Zapustna (not identified).
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] V době, kdy lesy na řece Rábu v Haliči viděly utíkat přes Ráb rakouská vojska a dole v Srbsku rakouské divise jedna za druhou dostávaly přes kalhoty to, co jim dávno patřilo, vzpomnělo si rakouské ministerstvo vojenství i na Švejka, aby pomohl mocnářství z bryndy.
[I.9] Byly to fotografie různých exekucí, provedených armádou v Haliči a v Srbsku.
[II.1] Stačilo to nejmenší, a důstojník se již loučil se svou posádkou a putoval na černohorské hranice nebo do nějakého opilého, zoufalého garnisonu v špinavém koutě Haliče.
[II.2] Přesunutí našich vojsk ve východní Haliči dalo původ k tomu, že některé ruské vojenské části; překročivše Karpaty, zaujaly pozice ve vnitrozemí naší říše, čímž fronta byla přesunuta hlouběji k západu mocnářství.
[II.4] I vy jste objednáni připojiti se k výletu do Haliče. Nastupte cestu s myslí veselou a lehkým, radostným srdcem.
[II.4] S city povznesenými nastoupíte pout do krajin, o kterých již starý Humboldt pravil: "V celém světě neviděl jsem něco velkolepějšího nad tu blbou Halič". Hojné a vzácné zkušenosti, jichž nabyla naše slavná armáda na ústupu z Haliče při prvé cestě, budou našim novým válečným výpravám jistě vítaným vodítkem při sestavování programu druhé cesty.
[II.5] V tu dobu nadporučík Lukáš studoval ve své komnatě právě doručené jemu od štábu pluku šifry s poučením, jak je luštit, a současně sekrétní šifrovaný rozkaz o směru, kterým se bude ubírat maršbatalión na haličské hranice (první etapa).
[III.1] Vojenský vlak vezl do Haliče opět novou skupinu lidí hnaných na jatky.
Militärterritorial- und Ergänzungsbezirkseinteilung,1912
Hašek's story printed in Cleveland, Ohio.
Dennice novověku,18.5.1905
Hašek with the police in Kraków on 28 July 1903.
LA-PNP,1.2.1949
The memorial plaque at Kanonicza 24, unveiled in 2004.
Kraków
is mentioned by Švejk in conversation with Mrs. Müllerová when he informs her that he has been called up for service. Here it is revealed that the Russians have almost reached the city, which corresponds with the military situation at the end of November 1914.
In [I.15], the city is mentioned again in a highly treasonous conversation between Švejk and another soldier: the tsar is almost there and by Náchod the thunder of cannons can be heard.
Background
Kraków
is a city in southern Poland and the second largest in the country with more than 800,000 inhabitants (2023). It has a beautiful and well-preserved historic centre that is on UNESCO's World Heritage list.
Until 1918, Kraków was part of Cisleithania and even enjoyed the status of a separate crown land within Galicia.
Kraków never experienced fighting during World War I, but in late November 1914 the situation was critical as Russian forces reached positions only 13 kilometres east of the city. They were, however, pushed back to the river Dunajec during the battle of Limanowa in early December.
Jaroslav Hašek in Kraków
Jaroslav Hašek visited the area in the summer of 1901 and again two years later[a]. On 28 July 1903, the Kraków police enquired with their colleagues in Prague whether "the 20-year-old Jaroslav Hašek had Heimatrecht in Praha". The exact content of the letter is not known but is referred to by Břetislav Hůla in a document dated 1 February 1949[d]. The reason for the detention is not stated.
A letter from the Frýdek police dated 6 August 1903 sheds more light on the circumstances. Here it is stated that Hašek said he was a reporter for a newspaper, had worked for Banka Slavia until 28 May 1903, and had travelled across Galicia and Hungary since. His mother had, on behalf of the paper, sent him 24 crowns on 1 August. On that day he was still in Kraków, but five days later the money had been spent. The police also revealed that his clothing was in a bad state and infested with insects. The reason for his arrest was breach of passport regulations[f]. The newspaper in question was Národní listy and in July they indeed published two of his stories. Both are set in the area around Kraków, although the city is not mentioned explicitly. The stories indicate that he had arrived in the city from the south, via Zakopane.
This information fits well with Hašek's story Justice in Russia[b]. According to this tale, he had arrived from Zakopane and was arrested after having crossed over to Russian Poland without his documents in order. In 1905, Světozor published the story Amongst tramps where Hašek described his stay in the city prison[c]. This story was even printed in the Czech-American newspaper Dennice novověku (Cleveland, Ohio) in May the same year.
Memorial plaque
In 2004, a plaque was unveiled on a wall opposite the Wawel Castle. It commemorates Jaroslav Hašek's involuntary stay in the city prison that at the time was located in that building. Present at the ceremony was the author's grandson Richard Hašek, representatives for the city council, the Czech Consul-General in Katowice, and the Czech ambassador to Poland[g].
Military
Per the recruitment districts, infantrymen from Kraków were usually assigned to Infanterieregiment Nr. 13 (Krakau) or k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 16 (Krakau). Kraków was an important garrison city and was protected by one of the strongest fortress complexes in the Dual Empire. The city was the head-quarter of Korpsbezirk Nr. 1. Most branches of the armed forces were represented and amongst them were units that we know from The Good Soldier Švejk: Kavalleriedivision Nr. 7, Traineskadron Nr. 3, and k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 16.
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] „Panenko Maria,“ vykřikla paní Müllerová, „co tam budou dělat?“ „Bojovat,“ hrobovým hlasem odpověděl Švejk, „s Rakouskem je to moc špatný. Nahoře nám už lezou na Krakov a dole do Uher.
[I.15] Když oba potom ještě dále tlumočili názor českého člověka na válku, voják z kasáren opakoval, co dnes slyšel v Praze, že u Náchoda je slyšet děla a ruský car že bude co nejdřív v Krakově.
Hungary
is mentioned by Švejk in his conversation with Mrs. Müllerová when he tells her that he has been called up for military service. The Russians are reported to be in Hungary already. Later, parts of Part Two and most of Part Three take place in the Kingdom of Hungary.
Švejk's first encounter with the country occurs in Királyhida; he leaves Hungarian territory at Palota. It is also revealed that he had been in Hungary before the war during manoeuvres near Veszprém.
Note that Hašek never used the common Czech term for Hungary, Maďarsko.
Hungary
here refers to the historical Kingdom of Hungary (Magyar Királyság). From 1867 to 1918 it formed an imperial-royal union with Austria; together they constituted Austria-Hungary.
The kingdom roughly comprised modern Hungary, Slovakia, Burgenland, Transylvania and Banat (Romania), Vojvodina (Serbia) and the parts of present-day Ukraine that lie west of the Carpathians. The head of state was King I. Ferenc József (i.e. Franz Josef). In addition, Croatia was a nominal kingdom under Hungarian rule with considerable autonomy.
The population in 1910 was slightly above 21 million, of whom fewer than half were ethnic Hungarians. The capital during this period was Budapest. The kingdom was also known as Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, and after 1867 as Transleithania (the land beyond the Leitha).
Ottův slovník naučný,1907
Hungary shared borders with Austria, Romania and Serbia. The country had access to the sea in the northern Adriatic Sea where the largest port was Fiume (Rijeka).
After the 1867 Ausgleich, Hungary used its newly gained autonomy to impose a policy of Magyarisation on its minorities, causing increased resentment among the kingdom's other nationalities.
The Treaty of Trianon in 1920 stripped Hungary of roughly two-thirds of its territory and population, but the kingdom continued to exist formally until 1946, albeit without a king. Since then, Hungary has been a republic.
Hašek and Hungary
Gyula Kakonyi, riding on the frozen surface of Lake Balaton, drawn by boars. Note the date!
Svět zvířat,1.4.1909
Jaroslav Hašek visit the Kingdom of Hungary many times in his younger years, which is reflected in several of his works. He wrote travelogues such as "On the Slopes of Hegyalje" and "The Hungarian Sea".
The part he knew best was Slovakia (Upper Hungary) but he also visited the territory of present-day Hungary and some areas that are now in Romania. In 1903 he published his first story with a Hungarian setting, obviously inspired by his travelling during the summer that year[a]. In 1905 another visit followed and provided material for yet more stories.
A Hungarian name that often appears in his writing is Gyula Kakonyi. He is obviously known for his role in The Good Soldier Švejk but also featured in an April Fool's joke in Svět zvířat at the time when Jaroslav Hašek edited the magazine.
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] „Panenko Maria,“ vykřikla paní Müllerová, „co tam budou dělat?“ „Bojovat,“ hrobovým hlasem odpověděl Švejk, „s Rakouskem je to moc špatný. Nahoře nám už lezou na Krakov a dole do Uher.
[I.13] Ten padne v Karpatech s mou nezaplacenou směnkou, ten jde do zajetí, ten se mně utopí v Srbsku, ten umře v Uhrách ve špitále.
[II.3] "To už se dávno vědělo," řekl k němu po cestě jednoroční dobrovolník, "že nás přeloží do Uher.
[II.4] Jest rozhodné povinností úradu vyšetriti tento zlocin a optati se vojenského velitelství, které jisté již se touto aférou zabývá, jakou úlohu v tom bezpríkladném štvaní proti príslušníkum Uherského království hraje nadporucík Lukasch, jehož jméno uvádí se po meste ve spojitosti s událostmi posledních dnu, jak nám bylo sdeleno naším místním dopisovatelem, který sebral již bohatý materiál o celé afére, která v dnešní vážné dobe prímo kricí.
[II.4] Že se věcí bude zabývat peštská sněmovna, je nabíledni, aby nakonec se ukázalo jasné, že čeští vojáci, projíždějící Uherským královstvím na front, nesmí považovat zemi koruny svatého Štěpána, jako by ji měli v pachtu.
[II.4] Divizijní soud ve svém přípise na velitelství našeho pluku," pokračoval plukovník, "přichází k tomu mínění, že se vlastně o nic jiného nejedná než o soustavné štvaní proti vojenským částem přicházejícím z Cislajtánie do Translajtánie.
[II.5] A potom jsme nevěděli, kam pojedeme. Ani obršt to nevěděl, už jsme projeli potom celou Maďárii, a pořád nikdo nic nevěděl, jestli pojedeme na Srbsko nebo na Rusko.
[II.5] Jen s desátou to bylo lepší. To jsme byli felddienstfleck, v poledne jsme dostali rozkaz a večer jsme jeli, ale zato potom nás honili po celých Uhrách a nevěděli, jakou díru na kterém bojišti mají s námi ucpat.
Places occupied by Austria in May 1859 highlighted red
Piedmont
appears in the popular folk song Jenerál Windischgrätz a vojenští páni that Švejk sings in his sick-bed after having been called up by the army for a medical examination.
Background
Piedmont
was in 1914, as today, a province of Italy. It is located in the north-western part of the country and borders France and Switzerland. The capital is Torino.
The song refers to events during the second Italian war of independence in 1859. On 27 April, war erupted between Austria and the kingdom of Sardinia (that Piedmont was part of). At the start of the war, before Sardinia's ally France had come to her aid, Austrian forces crossed into Piedmont. They crossed the border river Ticino on 29 April, and occupied Novara, Montara, Vercelli and the surrounding land west of the river. The four bridges the song mentions may refer to the river Ticino or the river Sesia to the west (which was as far as the invaders got). By early June, the Austrian forces had withdrawn east of Ticino and all of Piedmont was again under allied control.
The war ended in victory for Sardinia and France, and as a result Austria had to cede most of Lombardy. The decisive battle was fought at Solferino on 24 June 1859, mentioned in the same song. The ceasefire was effected on 12 July (il armistizio de Villafranca).
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Uděšená paní Müllerová pod dojmem strašného válečného zpěvu zapomněla na kávu a třesouc se na celém těle, uděšena naslouchala, jak dobrý voják Švejk dál zpívá na posteli:
S panenkou Marií a ty čtyry mosty,
postav si, Pimonte, silnější forposty,
hop, hop, hop!
Solferino
is mentioned in the song Jenerál Windischgrätz a vojenští páni that Švejk patriotically tunes up after having been called up for army service and immediately is struck by a fit of rheumatism.
Background
Solferino
is a small town in Italy, slightly south of Lake Garda. During the second war of Italian independence, Austria lost the decisive battle here against France and Sardinia. The battle was fought on 24 June 1859 and the outcome paved the way for the unification of Italy. Austria was forced to cede Lombardy.
The origins of the Red Cross
Henry Dunant took part in the battle and, moved by witnessing the suffering of the soldiers, he was later to found the Red Cross. This was the last major battle in history where the monarchs commanded their armies directly. Emperor Franz Joseph I withdrew as Austrian commander-in-chief after this battle.
Windischgrätz
Some verses of the song about General Windischgrätz are also quoted in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí and in a context that is very similar[a].
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7]
Byla bitva, byla, tam u Solferina,
teklo tam krve moc, krve po kolena,
hop, hop, hop!
Krve po kolena a na fůry masa,
vždyť se tam sekala vosumnáctá chasa,
hop, hop, hop!
Austria-Hungary
is first mentioned by the author in this way: "and so, at a time when Vienna wished that all the nations of Austria-Hungary would offer to the empire its most exquisite specimens of loyalty and dedication, Doctor Pávek prescribed bromide against Švejk's patriotic enthusiasm. He also recommended that this brave and good former infantryman think no more about the military".
Otherwise, the state of Austria-Hungary and its institutions is the butt of Jaroslav Hašek's satire throughout the novel. The entire plot takes place on the territory of the Dual Monarchy, from Prague in the west to the river Bug in the east. It also passes important cities like Vienna, Lwów and Budapest. The monarchy's most important transport route, the Danube, is also included. The novel has hundreds of references to places in the monarchy.
Background
Ottův slovník naučný,1904
Austria-Hungary
was a political unit that existed from 8 June 1867 to 21 October 1918 in the form of a union between Austria and Hungary. By area and population (about 52 million), it was one of the largest states in Europe. Austria-Hungary was a multi-ethnic state with 11 official languages and even more ethnic groups. It was a constitutional monarchy with freedom of worship and universal suffrage, although with authoritarian leanings. This was first and foremost the case in Hungary, where the ethnic minorities had a far weaker position than in the Austrian part of the empire.
With its mixed population, Austria-Hungary was vulnerable to internal strife, which was particularly evident in times of crisis. There were also large differences in economic and social development between the various parts of the monarchy. The present Czech Republic and Austria had mostly reached an advanced stage of industrial development, whereas the Balkans, parts of Hungary and Galicia were relatively backward agrarian societies with considerable illiteracy.
Until the Ausgleich in 1867, the House of Habsburg state was known as the Austrian Empire. Hungary took advantage of defeat by Prussia the previous year to force through a redistribution of power that put them on equal terms with Austria. These privileges granted to the Hungarians provoked great resentment amongst the other peoples of the empire. The Czechs felt particularly aggrieved, as the Czech crownlands were among the most industrialised and economically productive regions of Cisleithania, generating a disproportionately large share of the Austrian half’s national income and state revenues.
The state was also called the Dual Monarchy or the Danube Monarchy. Franz Josef I was Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary respectively. The river Leitha formed in part the boundary between the two parts of the monarchy, which therefore were unofficially referred to by the Latin terms Cisleithania and Transleithania.
The official name in German was Die im Reichsrat vertretenen Königreiche und Länder und die Länder der heiligen ungarischen Stephanskrone.
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] 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.
[II.4] Vedení války vyžaduje součinnost všech vrstev obyvatelstva rakouskouherského mocnářství.
[II.4] ... o čemž svědčí celá řada vynikajících českých vojevůdců, z nichž vzpomínáme slavné postavy maršálka Radeckého a jiných obranců rakousko-uherského mocnářství.
Literature
Rakousko-Uhersko, Ottův slovník naučnýDíl 21. R (Ř) – Rozkoš,1904
Austra-Hungary, The International Encyclopedia of the First World WarPieter M. Judson,2.11.2021
Belgrade
is first expressed in the novel through Švejk's patriotic rallying cry from the wheelchair: "To Belgrade, to Belgrade!". The city is also mentioned in Királyhida when the author relates the story about the false one-year volunteer Zugsführer Teveles.
Background
Belgrade
was in 1914 the capital of the kingdom of Serbia and after the war it became the capital of Yugoslavia. Its position was very exposed, right on the border with Hungary, which at the time ruled Vojvodina and Banat on the opposite banks of the rivers Sava and Danube. The current urban district of Zemun west of Sava at the time belonged to Hungary. The first shots of the world war were fired against Belgrade from river boats (monitors) on 29 July 1914.
In late November, the city was abandoned, and k.u.k. Wehrmacht duly entered on 2 December 1914. But facing a Serbian counter-attack, their position became untenable and the occupiers were forced out by the 15th. Belgrade did not succumb again until 9 October 1915, when Serbian resistance collapsed after Bulgaria and Germany came to the aid of Austria-Hungary. Belgrade was liberated on 1 November 1918 by Serbian and French forces.
IR. 91 and Belgrade
Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 was fighting by the river Kolubara at the time Belgrade was occupied, and during the next two weeks they withdrew north towards the city. It was from here they escaped across the Sava to safety on 14 and 15 December. The regiment was totally decimated after the battle and retreat from Kolubara, and by the time they withdrew from Belgrade they were in disarray, split into smaller groups, and according to interim regiment commander major Kießwetter, discipline broke down and cases of plundering were observed even back on Hungarian soil in Zemun, accompanied by widespread drunkenness. Three entire companies were captured during the retreat[a].
Four of the officers we know as models for characters from The Good Soldier Švejk took part in the battle of Kolubara and the traumatic retreat: Rudolf Lukas, Čeněk Sagner (until 27 November), and Jan Eybl (from 30 November). The commander of the 2nd battalion, Franz Wenzel, reported ill during the last week of the retreat.
The Good Soldier Švejk in Captivity
Beograd is in Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí mentioned and exactly the same settings as in The Good Soldier Švejk. When Švejk is pushed to c.k. policejní ředitelství in a wheel-chair, he shouts to the crowd: "To Belgrade! To Belgrade!" Later the fall of Belgrade in early December 1914 is referred to.[1]
Na rohu Krakovské ulice dav zmlátil tři buršáky a průvod za zpěvu "Nemelem, nemelem" dostal se až k BVodičkově ulici, kde dobrý voják Švejk vztyčuje se bolestí ve vozíku a rozmachuje kolem berlemi, zvolal: "Ještě jednou na Bělehrad, na Bělehrad!" A vtom již do toho vrazila policie pěší i jízdní.
Když padl Bělehrad, Franz Rypatschek z velkého nadšení pomaloval se černě a žlutě a šel tak vzdát hold za šestý okres.
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Stará žena, strkající před sebou vozík, na kterém seděl muž ve vojenské čepici s vyleštěným „frantíkem“, mávající berlemi. A na kabátě skvěla se pestrá rekrutská kytka. A muž ten, mávaje poznovu a poznovu berlemi, křičel do pražských ulic: „Na Bělehrad, na Bělehrad!“
[II.3] Vodička se zasmál: „To máš na frontě na denním pořádku. Vypravoval mně můj jeden kamarád, je teď taky u nás, že když byl jako infanterák pod Bělehradem, jejich kumpačka v gefechtu vodstřelila si svýho obrlajtnanta, taky takovýho psa, který zastřelil sám dva vojáky na pochodu, poněvadž už dál nemohli.
[II.4] Když si vzpomenu, že pod Bělehradem stříleli Maďaři po našem druhém maršbataliónu, který nevěděl, že jsou to Maďaři, kteří po nich střílí, a počal pálit do deutschmajstrů na pravém křídle, a deutschmajstři zas si to také spletli a pustili oheň po bosenském regimentu, který stál vedle.
[II.5] Vyžádána byla zpráva od brigády, ku které byla 6. marška přikomandýrována, když 2. prosince 1914 se utíkalo z Bělehradu, a zjištěno, že v seznamu navržených nebo vyznamenaných stříbrnými medaliemi není žádný Teveles. Byl-li však pěšák Televes povýšen v bělehradské válečné kampani za četaře, nedalo se naprosto zjistit, poněvadž celá 6. marškumpanie se ztratila u cerkve sv. Sávy v Bělěhradě i se svými důstojníky.
Václavské náměstí
is mentioned in the famous scene when Švejk was wheeled down the square in a wheelchair by Mrs. Müllerová, on the way to the call-up board. A crowd of a few hundred had gathered around them.
Background
Václavské náměstíWenceslas Square
is the most famous square in Nové město (New Town) if not in the whole of Prague. The square is the centre of Prague's commercial district and stretches from Národní muzeum north towards Staré město (Old Town). It is named after the Czech national saint, the Holy Václav.
Jaroslav Hašek was well known in the editorial offices in the street as he worked with both České slovo and Národní politika. These newspapers printed many of his stories before the war.
The Good Soldier Švejk in Captivity
In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí, during the interrogation of Švejk at Vojenský soud Hradčany, the good soldier is accused of causing a disturbance at Wenceslas Square.[1]
"Tak, tak," poznamenal veselý auditor, "vy jste tedy provedl švandu na Václavském náměstí. Byla to legrace, co říkáte, Švejku?"
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Na Václavském náměstí vzrostl zástup kolem vozíku se Švejkem na několik set hlav a na rohu Krakovské ulice byl jím zbit nějaký buršák, který v cerevisce křičel k Švejkovi: „Heil! Nieder mit den Serben!“ Na rohu Vodičkovy ulice vjela do toho jízdní policie a rozehnala zástup.
Krakovská ulice
is mentioned because a German-speaking student was beaten up by the crowd on the corner between Krakovská and Václavské náměstí. He had shouted "Heil! Nieder mit den Serben!"
Background
Krakovská uliceKrakow street
is a side street to Václavské náměstí, running northwards and ending at the southern end of the latter.
The Good Soldier Švejk in Captivity
In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí the street is also mentioned and the theme is the same as in the novel: Švejk is pushed to the draft commission in a wheelchair. However, here it is his servant Bohuslav and not Mrs. Müllerová who undertakes the heavy task.[1]
Na rohu Krakovské ulice dav zmlátil tři buršáky a průvod za zpěvu "Nemelem, nemelem" dostal se až k Vodičkově ulici, kde dobrý voják Švejk vztyčuje se bolestí ve vozíku a rozmachuje kolem berlemi, zvolal: "Ještě jednou na Bělehrad, na Bělehrad!" A vtom již do toho vrazila policie pěší i jízdní.
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Na Václavském náměstí vzrostl zástup kolem vozíku se Švejkem na několik set hlav a na rohu Krakovské ulice byl jím zbit nějaký buršák, který v cerevisce křičel k Švejkovi: „Heil! Nieder mit den Serben!“ Na rohu Vodičkovy ulice vjela do toho jízdní policie a rozehnala zástup.
Vodičkova ulice
is mentioned because the crowd that followed Švejk was dispersed by mounted police on the corner between Vodičková and Václavské náměstí.
Vodičkova ulice
is the busiest side street to Václavské náměstí on the north-western side. Many tram lines pass through this street, which is also in a busy shopping area.
The Good Soldier Švejk in Captivity
In Dobrý voják Švejk v zajetí the street is also mentioned and the theme is the same as in the novel: Švejk is pushed to the draft commission in a wheelchair. However, here it is his servant Bohuslav and not Mrs. Müllerová who undertakes the heavy task.[1]
Na rohu Krakovské ulice dav zmlátil tři buršáky a průvod za zpěvu "Nemelem, nemelem" dostal se až k Vodičkově ulici, kde dobrý voják Švejk vztyčuje se bolestí ve vozíku a rozmachuje kolem berlemi, zvolal: "Ještě jednou na Bělehrad, na Bělehrad!" A vtom již do toho vrazila policie pěší i jízdní.
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Na Václavském náměstí vzrostl zástup kolem vozíku se Švejkem na několik set hlav a na rohu Krakovské ulice byl jím zbit nějaký buršák, který v cerevisce křičel k Švejkovi: „Heil! Nieder mit den Serben!“ Na rohu Vodičkovy ulice vjela do toho jízdní policie a rozehnala zástup.
[I.13] A Švejk do toho zvonil, drožkář sekal bičem dozadu, ve Vodičkové ulici nějaká domovnice, členkyně mariánské kongregace, ...
Střelecký ostrov
was the location where Švejk appeared before Odvodní komise (the military draft commission). He was pushed there in a wheelchair by Mrs. Müllerová, guarded by two mounted policemen. Here he was welcomed by Doctor Bautze who uttered the now famous words: "Das ganze tschechische Volk ist eine Simulantenbande" (The whole Czech nation is a pack of malingerers).
Background
Střelecký ostrov
is an island in the Vltava in Prague, located below Most Legií near the western bank of the river. In 1914 the island was already a popular recreation spot with a large restaurant at the southern tip.
Landsturmmusterung
From 1 September 1914 this restaurant assumed a new role: the Landsturm (Home Guard) medical examinations took place here and continued at least through 1915. The first group to be called up were born in 1892, 1893 and 1894. The pass rate among them was above 50 per cent. Between 16 November and 31 December it was the turn of those born between 1878 and 1890.
In this age group the pass rate was much lower, around 30 per cent. Note that these call-ups only applied to men who had previously either been declared unfit for service, or had initially been deemed Tauglich, but were released from service later—in other words, superarbitrated. Ordinary Landsturm soldiers above the age of 32 and who had always been fit were called up earlier in the war, and often fought as separate Landsturm regiments. See also Odvodní komise.
Hašek as domobranec
Prager Tagblatt,17.11.1914
Army files refer to Jaroslav Hašek as Landsturminfanterist, later Landsturm Gefreiter mit Einjährig-Freiwilliger Abzeichen. It is therefore assumed that he was examined at Střelecký ostrov, and several sources confirm that he indeed was, among them Břetislav Ludvík. The examination that affected the age group of Jaroslav Hašek was announced in newspapers on 12 November 1914.
At Střelecký ostrov the following were to appear: those born between 1878 and 1990 who lived in Prague with Heimatrecht there AND those born between 1878 and 1883 resident in Prague but who had Heimatrecht elsewhere. Jaroslav Hašek, born in 1883 and with domicile rights in Mydlovary, indeed belonged to the latter category. The younger age groups (1884-1990) with domicile rights outside Prague reported at Beseda. Those born in 1883 with domicile right outside Prague were examined from 13 to 15 December and the author was surely among them. Those in his group who were deemed fit for service had to report on 15 February 1915.
Landšturmák Švejk
Čech,12.11.1914
Švejk no doubt had Heimatrecht in the Czech south, otherwise he would not have served with Infanterieregiment Nr. 91. This gives an indication of Švejk's age. If he was more than 36 he would not have been called up in this round, and had he been younger than 30 he would have reported at Beseda. The fact that Švejk was superarbitrated and had to report at Střelecký ostrov means that he necessarily must have been a landšturmák aged between 30 and 36 in 1914, unless he belonged to the younger group (aged 20-22) that reported in October 1914. This is, however, unlikely, because it is explicitly stated that Švejk was called up when the Austrians were fleeing across the Raba (which they did in late November).
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Když Švejk revírnímu inspektorovi ukázal, že to má černé na bílém, že dne musí před odvodní komisi, byl revírní inspektor trochu zklamán; kvůli zamezení výtržnosti dal doprovázet vozík se Švejkem dvěma jízdními strážníky na Střelecký ostrov.
Bayonne
is indirectly mentioned through the "bayonet", a weapon that is believed to have got its name from this French town. The weapon appears throughout the novel, but is first mentioned when two soldiers with fixed bayonets escort Švejk from Střelecký ostrov to Posádková věznice at Hradčany.
Background
Bayonne
is a town in France that is believed to have provided the name for the bayonet, a bladed weapon typically mounted on rifles and used in close-quarters combat.
The bayonet was invented in the 17th century and was widely used in the First World War, as is evident from the text of the novel. The standard rifle of the k.u.k. Heer, Mannlicher M95, could be supplied with several varieties. The weapon is also in use in modern armies (2017).
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Dva vojáci s bajonety odváděli Švejka do posádkové věznice. Švejk šel o berlích a s hrůzou pozoroval, že jeho revmatismus začíná mizet.
Most císaře Františka I.
was the bridge above Střelecký ostrov where Mrs. Müllerová waited in vain for Švejk after his examination. Its name is not mentioned directly in the text, but the description leaves no doubt as to which bridge is in question.
Background
Most císaře Františka I.
is the former name of Most Legií, a bridge across the Vltava in Prague, named after the last Holy Roman Emperor Franz I.. It was opened by Emperor Franz Joseph I on 14 June 1901. It is a stone bridge, later renamed several times. It replaced a former chain bridge from 1841. See also starý Procházka.
Quote(s) from the novel
[I.7] Paní Müllerová, která čekala nahoře na mostě s vozíkem na Švejka, když ho viděla pod bajonety, zaplakala a odešla od vozíku, aby se vícekrát k němu nevrátila.
Malá Strana
is mentioned as Švejk was led through this area on his way to the prison at Hradčany. Švejk definitely passed Malostranské náměstí on the way to prison, because he saluted the Marschall Radetzky monument that stood here until 1918.
Malá StranaThe Small Side
is one of the oldest districts of Prague and is situated on the western bank of the Vltava below Prague Castle. Today it is not an administrative unit but still has status as a cadastral district.
Until 1922 the district was equivalent to Praha III. It was also called Menší město Pražské" (The Smaller Town of Prague), and it bordered the district of Hradčany and the town of Smíchov.
Government institutions
During the Dual Monarchy, Malá Strana housed three of the empire's most powerful representatives in Bohemia: k.k. Statthalterei, k.k. Landesgericht, and 8. Armeekorps (see Korpskommando). The first represented Vienna's executive power, which during the war was for all practical purposes a dictatorship. The second represented the judiciary, and the third the military authorities.
The domain of 8. Armeekorps was Prague and the areas to the south and west up to the borders of Austria and Bavaria. The rest of Bohemia belonged to 9. Armeekorps, located in Litoměřice (Leitmeritz). The 8th army corps also commanded 9. Infanteriedivision, to which Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 reported. The entire corps was mobilised on 26 July 1914 and most units were sent to Serbia, where they suffered severe losses throughout the autumn.
Demography
According to the 1910 census, Malá Strana had 20,374 inhabitants, of whom 17,910 (87 per cent) reported using Czech as their everyday language.
Per the recruitment districts, infantrymen from Malá Strana were usually assigned to Infanterieregiment Nr. 28 (Prag) or k.k. Landwehrinfanterieregiment Nr. 8 (Prag).
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!“
[I.8] "Já jsem původně také chtěl dělat blázna, náboženského šílence, a kázat o neomylnosti papežově, ale nakonec jsem si opatřil rakovinu žaludku od jednoho holiče na Malé Straně za patnáct korun.“
Literature
Malá strana, Ottův slovník naučnýDíl 20. Pohora – Q.v.,1903
ennnpl
SearchMapŠvejkův slovník
