The novel The Good Soldier Švejk refers to numerous institutions and firms, both public and private. On these pages, they were
categorised as 'Places' until 15 September 2013. This only partly makes sense, as this type of entity cannot always be
associated with geographical coordinates, unlike cities, mountains, and rivers. This new page contains military and
civilian institutions (including army units, regiments, etc.), organisations, hotels, public houses, newspapers, and
magazines.
The distinction between this page and "Places" is blurred. Churches, for instance, rarely change location, but are
still included here. Therefore, Prague and Vienna will remain in the "Places" database because they have fixed
coordinates. On the other hand, institutions may change location: Odvodní komise and Bendlovka are not unequivocal
geographical terms, so they will appear on this page from now on.
The names are colour-coded according to their role in the plot, as illustrated by the following examples: U kalicha, a location where the plot takes place; k.u.k.
Kriegsministerium, mentioned in the narrative; Pražské úřední listy, as
part of a dialogue; and Stoletá kavárna, mentioned in an anecdote.
Nádraží císaře Františka Josefa
(now Hlavní nádraží) is not mentioned explicitly, but it is clear from the circumstances that Oberleutnant Lukáš and Švejk set out on their journey from this station. The trip got off to a bad start as their luggage was stolen at the station.
Background
Nádraží císaře Františka JosefaEmperor Franz Joseph Station
was, until 1918, the name of the main railway station in Prague. It has since then also been called Wilsonovo nádraží after President Woodrow Wilson. Since 1953 it has been named Prague hlavní nádraží (Prague main station). The station was opened in 1871 and is by far the busiest railway station in the country.
In 1914 the station had long-distance connections with Vienna and served a number of other destinations both locally and regionally. It was one of the three major railway stations in Prague, together with Státní nádraží (now Masarykovo) and Severozápadní nádraží (now demolished).
Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] „Poslušně hlásím, pane obrlajtnant,“ ozval se tiše Švejk, „doopravdy ho ukradli. Na nádraží se vždycky potlouká moc takových šizuňků a já si to představuju tak, že jednomu z nich se nepochybně zamlouval váš kufr a ten člověk že nepochybně využitkoval toho, jak jsem vodešel od zavazadel, abych vám vohlásil, že s našima zavazadlama je všechno v pořádku.
Orientační plán král. hl. města Prahy a obcí sousedních, 1909-1914
Severozápadní nádraží
is mentioned when Švejk explains to Oberleutnant Lukáš that theft at railway stations always occurs. This was after their luggage had been stolen at the station they left Prague from, presumably Nádraží císaře Františka Josefa.
According to the soldier, a theft took place here at the North West Station. A pram with a little girl was stolen and handed in at Švejk's local police station.
Background
Severozápadní nádražíNorth West Station
was a major railway station in Prague, from 1953 called Praha-Těšnov. It was located in Florenc and was in service until 1972 (the building was demolished in 1985). It was from here that Jaroslav Hašek, together with painter Panuška, took the train to Světlá nad Sázavou (on his way to Lipnice) on 25 August 1921.
In Prague it was the main hub of Österreichische Nordwestbahn, a private railway operator that was founded in 1868 and functioned until it was nationalised in 1909. The headquarters were located in Vienna. During the era of Austria-Hungary the station served Vienna and Berlin, and several regional destinations.
Attempts to find any mention of the episode with the stolen pram have been futile. If the soldier is to be believed, the theft took place in 1912 and the child was handed in at policejní komisařství Salmova ulice (the police station closest to where we assume that Švejk lived).
It should also be noted that Jaroslav Hašek was a reporter on local affairs in České Slovo for a period in 1908 and 1912, and it cannot be ruled out that he re-used one of his own reports (it has even been claimed that some of these were invented).
Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Před dvěma léty na Severozápadním nádraží ukradli jedné paničce kočárek i s holčičkou v peřinách a byli tak šlechetní, že holčičku vodevzdali na policejním komisařství u nás v ulici, že prej ji našli pohozenou v průjezdě. Potom noviny udělaly z tý ubohý paní krkavčí matku.“
Neue Freie Presse
is mentioned in connection with Švejk and Oberleutnant Lukáš and their train journey to Budějovice. Opposite them in the compartment sat a completely bald man reading this paper. Later, it became clear that this man was the notorious Generalmajor von Schwarzburg.
Background
Neue Freie Presse
was a daily newspaper published in Vienna from 1864 to 1939, founded as a breakaway from Die Presse. It published both morning and evening editions. Its political stance was bourgeois liberal, similar to, for example, Prager Tagblatt and Bohemia.
The newspaper eventually became very influential, led by the powerful editor-in-chief, Moritz Benedikt (1849-1920). It was also one of the largest of its kind in Austria, employing around 500 people, and it enjoyed a reputation abroad. It was known for outstanding journalism and succeeded in enlisting writers such as Theodor Herzl, Hugovon Hoffmannsthal, Bertha von Suttner and Stefan Zweig.
During World War I, it took an aggressively patriotic stance, but during the Franco-German war in 1870-71, it had also shown a pro-German tendency.
In the interwar years, the newspaper continued to publish but was closed by the Nazis in 1939. The paper always had many Jewish employees, and Benedikt himself was of Jewish descent.
Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] „Dohromady nic, pane obrlajtnant,“ odpověděl Švejk, nespouštěje oči s lysé lebky civilisty sedícího naproti nadporučíkovi, který, jak se zdálo, nejevil pražádný zájem o celou záležitost a četl si „Neue Freie Presse“, „v celým tom kufru bylo jen zrcadlo z pokoje a železnej věšák z předsíně, takže jsme vlastně neutrpěli žádný ztráty, poněvadž zrcadlo i věšák patřily panu domácímu.“
Literature
Idylka z pekla, Humoristické listyJaroslav Hašek,12.6.1908
V čubčím háji
is mentioned in an anecdote by Švejk when he tells Oberleutnant Lukáš about Nechleba, who always intends to do good but rarely succeeds.
Background
V čubčím hájiThe Bitches' Grove
was, according to Švejk, a pub in Nekázanka, but further information is not available. The name was surely a colloquial term for an existing pub in the street or possibly elsewhere. In 1910, there were several pubs in the street, the best known of which was U zlatého křížku.
[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’.
Adressář královského hlavního města Prahy a sousedních obcí,1896
Prager Tagblatt,26.9.1897
Národní listy,11.5.1912
Rovnost,5.3.1916
Národní politika,27.9.1929
U Špírků
is mentioned on the train to Budějovice as Švejk loudly ponders the possible causes of hair loss, and unfortunately quotes a medical student from U Špírků on the subject. The bald gentleman sitting opposite him is the feared Generalmajor von Schwarzburg, who does not take kindly to Švejk's comments.
Background
U Špírků
was a coffee-house in Staré město in Prague which still exists, albeit in a different form. According to the restaurant's website, it was founded as early as 1870 and renovated in a traditional style between 2004 and 2006.
The café is not listed in the pre-war address books, but in 1891 the police registered a certain Karel Špirk, listed as a cafetier by occupation. During the 1890s, Špirk and his wife on several occasions placed adverts in Prager Tagblatt wishing their Jewish guests a Happy New Year. In the 1896 address book, the café is entered under the name U dvou kominíků (At the Two Chimneysweeps) with his wife Rozalie Špirková as the owner.
In 1912 Národní listy reported that Karel Špirk had passed away, adding that he was 54 years old, a café owner and a proprietor of real estate. According to police records, Špirk was born on 12 October 1858 in Prague, so the connection to the café is indisputable. He was married to the ten-year-younger Roselie, and they had a daughter, Anna, born in 1887. Karel Špirk died on 9 May 1912 in Senohraby and was buried at Vyšehrad cemetery.
A newspaper notice in Právo Lidu from 1916 confirms that the café was still in business and that it was subjected to a police raid on suspicion of illegal prostitution (Tunel is mentioned in the same item). As late as 1929, adverts reveal that the establishment was still running, now officially using the name U Špirků. They hosted concerts and served Prazdroj (Pilsner Urquell).
The owner in 1924 was Josef Baloun. In 1936, Marie Balounová was the owner. A picture from 1945 reveals that the establishment survived the Nazi protectorate. During the First Republic, U Špirků also functioned as an unofficial brothel (licensed brothels were banned in 1921).
Another "U Špírků"
From 1920 onwards, another tavern carrying the name appears in newspaper adverts. It was located in Sokolská třída in Nové město and is also a place the author surely would have known about, as he frequented this part of the city a lot (see Apollo, Bendlovka, and U kalicha). Newspaper adverts reveal that this U Špírků was often used for meetings. Although there is no trace of this café in pre-war address books, one should not rule out "backdating", as Jaroslav Hašek at times added pieces of information to his novel that were chronologically at odds with the 1914/1915 plot. See Siedliska, Artur Lokesch, and Kriegskalender for some examples.
Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] “A pokračoval neúprosně dál: „Potom říkal jednou jeden medik v kavárně „U Špírků“, že padání vlasů zaviňuje duševní pohnutí v šestinedělí.“
Banka Slavia
was a mutual insurance company (and bank) with headquarters at Havlíčkovo náměstí. The company was founded in 1868 by a group of businessmen led by F. L. Chleborad. The first general assembly was held on 14 May 1869. The company expanded quickly and by the turn of the century was established in Prague, Brno, Vienna, Lwów, Zagreb and Ljubljana. At the outbreak of war, they were also present in Sarajevo.
The interwar years saw the firm prosper even more, and they were part owners of many foreign financial institutions, even as far away as New York. They remained in business until 1945[a].
Hašek and Slavia
Jaroslav Hašek was employed as an apprentice by the bank from October 1902 until he was dismissed in June 1903. The reason was two extended absences without permission, the latest occurring on 30 May 1903. Hašek disappeared without a trace and went on a trip that may have lasted up to four months.
The author's family was strongly connected to Slavia: both his father Josef and his younger brother Bohuslav worked for the bank.
Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] „Dovolte, vašnosti, neráčíte být pan Purkrábek, zástupce banky Slavie?“
Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních,1907
Český svět, 1913
Prager Infanteriekadettenschule
is first directly mentioned in the conversation between GeneralmajorGeneralmajor von Schwarzburg and Oberleutnant Lukáš after the infamous episode on the train to Tábor. Here Lukáš is asked where he attended cadet school, and the answer is Prague.
When the author introduces Oberleutnant Lukáš in [I.14], the cadet school is mentioned, but it was not revealed where it was located.
Prager InfanteriekadettenschuleInfantry Cadet School Prague
refers to an infantry cadet school in Prague that was opened in 1869 and was situated in the northern part of Hradčany (from 1900 onwards). The building still exists and has had various functions since, including its use by Nazi and Soviet occupants. Today, the building hosts the Czech Ministry of Defence.
The real-life Čeněk Sagner actually attended this school from 1901 to 1905, whereas Rudolf Lukas did not. He graduated from Královo Pole (Königsfeld) near Brno. These two were the only infantry cadet schools on Czech territory. In addition, Moravia hosted the only cavalry cadet school in the monarchy, in Hranice na Moravě (Mährisch Weisskirchen).
Cadet schools were institutions that educated active officers for the land forces. Most of them belonged to the infantry, but there were also schools for cavalry, artillery and pioneers. The education lasted for four years and, besides military subjects, general subjects were also taught. The graduates obtained the rank of Fähnrich, until 1908 called Kadett-Stellvertreter. The schools' elite status was supported by an arrangement whereby sons of officers paid much lower tuition fees than others.
Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] „Pane nadporučíku,“ řekl, „kde jste navštěvoval kadetní školu?“ „V Praze.“ „Vy jste tedy chodil do kadetní školy a nevíte ani, že důstojník je zodpověden za svého podřízeného. To je pěkné.
[III.1] Pamatuji se jenom na to, že jsem jednou v kadetce v Praze vám pomáhal na hrazdu jako jeden ze staršího ročníku. Tenkrát jsme oba nesměli ven. Vy jste se pral s Němci ve třídě? Tam byl s vámi také Lukáš.
Táborské nádraží
plays an important role in the plot because Švejk and Oberleutnant Lukáš's journey from Prague to Budějovice to join their regiment was unexpectedly interrupted here. This was after Švejk's many mishaps on the train, culminating in him pulling the emergency brake. As he couldn't pay the fine, he had to leave the train to explain himself to the station master.
A benefactor at the station who was sympathetic to his plight paid the fine and gave him money for the onward journey, but the money was spent at the station restaurant instead. Here Švejk treated a Hungarian convalescent to beer (one after the other), and the chance to buy a ticket onwards disappeared progressively with each beer.
Švejk was eventually discovered by a patrol and taken to the station's military commander, who ultimately ordered him to continue on foot. This was the beginning of his famous anabasis, where he, despite his great enthusiasm, struggled for a long time to join his regiment.
Tábor and the railway station are then mentioned several times when Wachtmeister Flanderka interrogates Švejk at Gendarmeriestation Putim. The soldier notes that stations are easy to photograph because they don't move.
Background
Táborské nádražíTábor railway station
is the railway station in Tábor, situated approximately 2 km east of the town centre. It is one of the major stops on the Prague - Budějovice line.
The railway station was built between 1869 and 1871 and was used by the company Kaiser Franz Josephs-Bahn[1], which operated the Prague - Vienna line. Other important stops on the line were Benešov, Veselí nad Lužnicí, Třeboň and Gmünd. The station also served Budějovice, and from 1903, the local train to Bechyně. In 1914, the station also served lines running east-west: Jihlava - Domažlice. The station manager in 1914 was Vincenc Motyčka, so this was the person Švejk would have reported to (if his mishaps were based on any real-life incident).
Magyars in Tábor
It may at first sight appear strange that Švejk would meet a wounded Hungarian soldier in Tábor, far from the Hungarian heartlands. Further investigation, however, reveals that it was quite likely. Tábor had a large hospital, good railway connections, and admitted wounded soldiers from all over the monarchy. Lists of wounded and infirm from early 1915 show several Hungarian names at this hospital.
The outbreak of war also led to the establishment of temporary hospitals. Already in August 1914, Sokol put their building at the disposal for sick-beds, and the waiting rooms at the station were used by the Red Cross. In January 1915, military hospitals were also established elsewhere in town. That there were several of them in Tábor is also mentioned by the author.
Hašek at the station?
Jaroslav Hašek didn't write much about Tábor in his short stories, so it is unclear if he ever visited before World War I. In February 1915, however, there is no doubt that the train that brought him to Budějovice to enrol in Infanterieregiment Nr. 91 must have stopped here. The contingent of Landsturm recruits that Hašek belonged to was called up on 15 February 1915, and he enlisted at the regiment two days later. Whether this delay was due to a stopover in Tábor or simply a result of queues during enrolment is anybody's guess. In the novel, the author mentions two propaganda posters that fit fairly well with mid-February 1915, namely those of Trainsoldat Bong and Zugsführer Danko. There is no doubt that he saw the items, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to describe them so accurately. It does, however, turn out that these propaganda motifs were all from the Kriegskalender for 1919 and some of them even describe events from 1917, so the possibility that Hašek observed them in February 1915 is none. It should also be added that his description of the station restaurant as "third class" doesn't seem to correspond to facts. Photos and other information indicate that it was an upmarket establishment. See Táborská nádražní restaurace.
Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Zůstal průvodčí se Švejkem a mámil na něm dvacet korun pokuty, zdůrazňuje, že ho musí v opačném případě předvést v Táboře přednostovi stanice. „Dobrá,“ řekl Švejk, „já rád mluvím se vzdělanejma lidma a mě to bude moc těšit, když uvidím toho táborskýho přednostu stanice.“
[II.1] Celý personál četnické stanice podíval se na sebe pátravě a strážmistr pokračoval: „V Táboře jste byl tedy na nádraží. Máte něco u sebe? Vyndejte to.“
[II.1] Strážmistr opět vyměnil s celým personálem stanice významný pohled. „Ty vaše kruhy, to mně připadá, že se potloukáte po okolí. Zdržel jste se dlouho v Táboře na nádraží?“
[II.2] Asi před týdnem, po svém příjezdu k pluku, podal jste mně raport o přidělení sluhy, poněvadž se vám váš sluha ztratil na nádraží v Táboře. Poněvadž se vrátil...
Táborská nádražní restaurace
was a third-class restaurant at the station in Tábor that was visited by Švejk after he had to leave the train because of the episode with the emergency brake. A friendly gentleman paid his fine and also gave him a fiver for the onward journey. Švejk, however, suffered the misfortune of drinking one beer after another and also invited a Hungarian convalescent to join him. The result was that he had no money left and had to continue on foot, thus starting his famous anabasis.
Background
Táborská nádražní restauraceTábor station restaurant
is today (2010) a basic bistro, but earlier it was a large and upmarket restaurant with a summer terrace. It was situated between the two main blocks of the station building.
A restaurant existed at the station from 1871 when the station opened, and in 1886 it was run by Antonín Jonáš. Who ran the restaurant through the years is unknown, but in 1913 Antonín Stětina was in charge. He seems to have gone bankrupt in the spring of 1914.
From 1914, Jan Zimák is officially listed as proprietor and he was also in charge when Jaroslav Hašek passed through Tábor in mid-February 1915. From August 1914, Zimák also provided food for the Red Cross clinic that was set up at the station. In 1915, the restaurant advertised itself as elegant, with excellent food, serving draught beer from Pilsen. In 1932, it was still operating and not much had changed—and the beer was still from Pilsen. The landlord was now Karel Hokův and he was listed as owner also in 1939. What happened to the restaurant since then is not known.
The information we have about the restaurant does not correspond to the author's description of it as "third class", so it must be assumed that he didn't visit himself, and that Švejk's stopover is inspired by events that took place elsewhere.
Quote(s) from the novel
[II.1] Mezitím dobrý muž věřící v nevinnost Švejkovu zaplatil za něho v kanceláři pokutu a odvedl si Švejka do restaurace třetí třídy, kde ho pohostil pivem, a zjistiv, že všechny průkazy i vojenský lístek na dráhu nalézají se u nadporučíka Lukáše, velkomyslně dal mu pětku na lístek i na další útratu. When this large scale restaurant ceased to exist is not known.
Traineskadron Nr. 3
is mentioned as the unit where Trainsoldat Bong performed his heroic deeds. This is according to a propaganda poster Švejk observed at Táborské nádraží.
Background
Traineskadron Nr. 3
refers to the 3rd squadron of Traindivision Nr. 1, a supply unit in k.u.k. Heer. Trainsoldat Bong was real enough, confirmed by several newspaper notices in early 1915.
Supply divisions
K.u.k. Heer had 16 Traindivisionen (supply divisions), numbered according to the army district from which they were recruited. Armeekorps Nr. 1 and the Krakówmilitary district covered western Galicia and parts of Silesia and Moravia, and this is where Traindivision Nr. 1 was recruited from. Czech cities like Moravská Ostrava, Opava and Olomouc were thus within the district, together with notable Polish cities like Kraków, Cieszyn, Wadovice, Nowy Targ, and Tarnów.
The 16 train (supply) divisions consisted of a varying number of squadrons. Traindivision Nr. 1 was garrisoned in Kraków itself, in the so-called Weichseldepotkaserne (in 1918 renamed koszary Bartosza Głowackiego). It was located near the centre, in ul. Zwierzynieckiej.
Head of Traindivision Nr. 1 since 1 November 1912 was MajorTheodor Indra, from 1 May 1915Oberstleutnant. A glance at the list of officers from 1914 reveals a curiosity: none of them had Polish surnames; all the officers seem to have been Czechs or Germans.
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.
K.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21
was one of 37 Austrian k.k. Landwehr infantry regiments. Together with most of its peer units, it was established in 1889. The recruitment district was St. Pölten, consisting of roughly the western half of present-day Niederösterreich. Some men were also recruited from District Vienna B. Ethnically, the regiment was almost entirely German. Staff and all three battalions were, in 1914, garrisoned in St. Pölten. Commander in 1914 was OberstEduard von Dietrich[a].
The regiment was housed in a barrack complex at Schießstattring (Eugenkaserne, Rainerkaserne and Franz-Josephs-Kaserne), now Hesserkaserne[b].
During the war, they first fought on the eastern front. In 1915, they were relocated to the Italian front and transported to Galicia in 1916 after the Brusilov offensive. Thereafter, they were sent back to the southwest front, where they took part in the advance on Piave in the autumn of 1917.
K.k. Landwehr ⇒ K.k. Schützen
It was only in 1917 that the term Schützenregiment (Rifle Regiment)[1] was officially introduced, as all k.k. Landwehr units were renamed in April of that year. This indicates that the author drew inspiration from propaganda material published late in the war, not from what he may have witnessed in 1915. See the next paragraph for confirmation of this hypothesis.
1. The translation into English by Cecil Parrott erroneously concludes that this was an artillery regiment.
Not invented
In The Good Soldier Švejk, it is claimed that these posters were created at Kriegsministerium by conscripted German journalists. This was often true, and Egon Erwin Kisch is only one example. On the other hand, the claim that the soldiers on the posters were "invented rare model soldiers" is not true. Zugsführer Hammel, Korporal Bachmayer, Korporal Paulhart, Zugsführer Danko, and Trainsoldat Bong were all real people, but propaganda writers glorified their exploits. See Kriegskalender for more on this theme.
Tagliamento, 1917
The events described on the posters that Švejk observed in Tábor in early 1915 did in fact occur, but almost three years later. Zugsführer Hammel, Korporal Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer all served in k.k. Schützenregiment Nr. 21 and 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 and others. It concerned the regiment's engagement by the river Tagliamento in northern Italy on 5 November 1917, and includes a few lines about the three soldiers mentioned in The Good Soldier Švejk. All three distinguished themselves in the battle and were awarded silver medals for bravery.
Korporal Paulhart and Korporal Bachmayer have been identified and the information about them confirmed by their Belohnungsantrag, whereas the identity of Zugsführer Hammel remains unclear (probably due to a misspelling of his surname).
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.“
K.u. Honvéd Husaren Regiment Nr. 5
is mentioned in passing as Švejk, at the station in Tábor, observes a propaganda poster that features Zugsführer Danko from this regiment.
Background
K.u. Honvéd Husaren Regiment Nr. 5
(M. kir. 5. Honvéd Huszárezred) was one of 10 Hungarian Honved cavalry regiments. It was recruited from Honvéd district no. III Kassa (now Košice). Commander in 1914 was OberstPál Hegedűs. The regiment was garrisoned in Košice and Nyíregyháza.
During the war
Immediately upon the outbreak of war, the regiment was sent to the front in Galicia and had their baptism of fire on 15 August 1914 by Stojanów (now Стоянів) on the border with Russia. They experienced the disastrous defeat at the end of August that forced Austria-Hungary to abandon Lemberg. At the turn of the year, they were fighting in the Carpathians and took part in the advance eastwards from early May 1915. By then, however, they were operating as foot soldiers. In the summer of 1916, they were moved to the front against Romania, whereas the final year of the war was spent fighting on the Italian front.
Dankó János
In 1935, the regiment's history was published as a book. The history confirms that Zugsführer Danko, the soldier Švejk observed on a propaganda poster in Tábor, was indeed a Zugsführer in the regiment and took part in the early battles in Galicia. His Hungarian name was János Dankó, but he may also have been a Slovak.
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.“
A Magyar Királyi Honvédelmi Ministerium, a Honvédség és Csendőrség Névkönyve 1895
Feldküche eines Honved-Infanterieregimentes
Das interessante Blatt,20.8.1914
Budapesti Czim-és lakás jegyzék, 1910
Honvéd
is mentioned many times in The Good Soldier Švejk, mostly from Királyhida onwards. In [II.3], soldiers from Honvéd are directly involved in the plot during the brawl in Királyhida. Before that, they were mentioned in connection with k.u. Honvéd Husaren Regiment Nr. 5 and also in Hauptmann Spíro's listing of the various branches of the k.u.k. Wehrmacht.
Background
Honvéd
(Magyar Királyi Honvédség) was the Hungarian land guard, equivalent to the Austrian k.k. Landwehr. It consisted of 32 infantry regiments, 10 cavalry regiments, 8 field artillery regiments, and various auxiliary functions. The Hungarian land guard was recruited from 6 districts (Budapest, Szeged, Kassa (Košice), Pozsony (Bratislava), Kolozsvár (Cluj), Zágráb (Zagreb)). Each infantry regiment consisted of three battalions and the service lasted for two years. The recruits were distributed between Honvéd and the Gemeinsame Armee by drawing lots, just like in Cisleithania.
Despite the names that suggest territorial armies, both Honvéd and k.k. Landwehr were fully operational troops that during wartime were given much the same tasks as the common army. Unlike k.u.k. Heer and the Austrian Landwehr, the command language was Hungarian and also Croat[1].
Background
The term Honvéd first appeared during the revolution and Hungarian uprising against House of Habsburg rule in 1848. The following year, the rebellion was put down (with Russian help) and Honvéd was dissolved. After the 1867 Ausgleich, they were reconstituted as a home defence force in Transleithania and as such formed part of the military command structure of the Dual Monarchy.
The Honvéd ministry
Politically, Honvéd reported to the Hungarian Royal Honvéd Ministry (Magyar Királyi Honvédelmi Minisztérium) located in Buda. Minister from 1910 to 1917 was General Samu Hazai (1851-1942), the highest-ranking Jewish officer in the entire k.u.k. Wehrmacht. In 1917, he was succeeded by Sandor Szurmay (1860-1945), who thus became the last ever Honvéd minister. Honvéd was dissolved after World War I and today the term describes the entire Hungarian army.
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."
[II.2] ... tyrolské císařské střelce, bosenské pěšáky, uherské pěší honvédy, uherské husary, ...
[II.3] Český voják vyspí se s maďarskou dívkou a ubohá česká děvečka přijme k sobě maďarského honvéda, a po staletích bude to zajímavé překvapení pro antropology, proč se objevily vysedlé lícní kosti u lidí na březích Malše.“
[II.3] Zato jsme jim to tam, tajtrlíkům maďarským, vodplatili pořádně u Neziderskýho jezera, na který jsme se šli před třemi tejdny podívat. Leží tam ve vedlejší vsi nějaký oddělení strojních pušek nějakejch honvédů, a my jsme náhodou všichni zašli do jedný hospody, kde voni tančili ten svůj čardáš jako pominutý a roztahovali si držku na celý kolo se svým ,Uram, uram, biró uram’ nebo ,Láňok, láňok, láňok a faluba’.
[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] 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] "Netvař se tak vážně, Švejku, ono ti to na frontě přejde, prát se s nějakými honvédy," pokračoval, "líčení se s vámi oběma zastavuje a každý z vás jde k své části, kde budete potrestáni u raportu, a pak půjdete s marškou na frontu.
Feldjägerbataillon Nr. 7
is mentioned by Švejk in a conversation with a k.k. Landwehr soldier at the railway station in Tábor. Švejk has read in Pražské úřední listy about the heroic deeds of Doctor Vojna, a one-year volunteer from this battalion.
Background
Feldjägerbataillon Nr. 7
was one of 32 Feldjäger (light infantry) battalions in k.u.k. Heer. The regiment was formed as early as 1808 and took part in the campaigns against Italy around the middle of the century. The replacement battalion was located in Laibach (now Ljubljana). Staff and troops were, from 1905 to 1914, garrisoned in Canale and Tolmein[1] by the river Isonzo on the border with Italy, currently in Slovenia. The vast majority of the battalion's soldiers were Slovenes. Battalion commander in 1914 was OberstleutnantWilhelm Staufer. The battalion formed part of 94. Infanteriebrigade in Tolmein, who in turn reported to 28. Infanteriedivision in Laibach.
Detailed information about the battalion during World War I is scarce. Österreich-Ungarns letzter Krieg reveals that they were now assigned to 56. Infanteriebrigade, still reporting to 28. Infanteriedivision, III. Korps, operating on the eastern front. In 1914, they were involved in battles at Gologóry, Jaroslav, Przemyśl, Homonna and Dukla. For the rest of the war, it is difficult to trace them, but in July 1916 they were fighting south of Valsugana on the Tyrolean front. Their exploits here were even mentioned in the daily official war bulletins.
[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.
Adresář královského hlavního města Prahy a obcí sousedních,1907
Pražské úřední listy
is referred to by Švejk at the station in Tábor. In this paper, he had read about the glorious deeds of the one-year volunteer Doctor Vojna from Feldjägerbataillon Nr. 7.
Background
Pražské úřední listyPrague Official Newspaper
was a collective term for the newspapers of c.k. Místodržitelství (k.k. Statthalterei) in Prague. These newspapers were mouthpieces of the Austrian authorities in Bohemia, headed by the Statthalter (governor). For more information, see Pražské úřední noviny.
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.
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