Military bunkers in Gemer Region

Objects of light fortification vz. 37 (ROPs)

On the eve of World War II, Czechoslovakia found itself in a difficult situation. Surrounded by the enemy from three sides, in 1938 it faced the territorial demands of Germany, Poland and Hungary. In order for Czechoslovakia to have a chance in the expected conflict with a more powerful enemy, the army had to prevent a sudden incursion across the border into the interior. The government started preparing for this situation already after Hitler came to power and saw the solution in the example of France, which built an insurmountable line of fortifications on the border with Germany, the so-called Maginot line. Although work on the fortified line had been underway since 1935, the original plans were not fulfilled in the critical year of 1938. Over the course of three years, 10,000 light and 265 heavy objects were built on the borders of Czechoslovakia. Two objects of light fortification have been preserved in our region. 37, which remind us of our courage to defend democracy and resist totalitarian regimes. Both buildings belonged to a series of fortifications that were supposed to defend the southern border against aggression by Horthy's Hungary, which did not want to come to terms with its borders after Trianon and claimed the southern territories of Czechoslovakia.

Objects of light fortification vz. 37/A in Jesenské and Bretka. This type of light fortification was intended for lateral fire of two machine guns in embrasures, covered from the enemy's view by characteristic "ears". The crew was supposed to consist of 7 men. Even though the determination to defend the Czechoslovak Republic was immense, neither of our two bunkers got into combat in 1938. The Munich Agreement and Vienna Arbitration decided the fate of our country and so the bunkers fell into oblivion.

The bunker in Bretka, with its advantageous position above the village, was used at the turn of 1944/1945 by the retreating German army in the fight against the advancing Russian army. The fighting in the area also affected the bunker itself, which was hit by a rocket from the legendary Russian weapon - "Katyush". While the bunker in Bretka has been left to its fate since the war, in Jesenský a group of enthusiasts took the initiative to restore the bunker, which is gradually renovating it and making it available to the public.