Mit der Dakota in die Freiheit : Fluchten aus der kommunistischen Tschechoslowakei per Flugzeug und Zug, 1948–1953

Text in German. Migration from the country -- this phenomenon can be found wherever there are undemocratic, generally unfree conditions. There are numerous examples and fates where fleeing the homeland was the only option, as in the Czech and Slovak history of the 20th century at the time of totalitarian regimes. In his present book, Slavomír Michálek deals with escapes from Czechoslovakia (ČSR) in the years 1948 to 1953. In doing so, he looks in particular at four hijackings of civilian aircraft and a passenger train and the subsequent "response of the communist hammer", the Czechoslovak State Security (tB ). The foreign political context associated with the kidnappings and the resulting consequences are also highlighted. With the takeover of power by the communist regime in the Czech Republic and as a result of its totalitarian character, the waves of flight began - people were fleeing in search of their salvation, their freedom and a new home. Refugees towards democracy, whether for economic, political or social reasons, characterized the entire 40-year existence of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. With his book, Slavomír Michálek offers an excellent introduction to a closer examination of the subject of flight and the causes of flight.