Voska, Emanuel

     
Příjmení:
Surname:
Voska Voska
Jméno:
Given Name:
Emanuel Emanuel
Jméno v originále:
Original Name:
Emanuel Voska
Fotografie či obrázek:
Photograph or Picture:
Hodnost:
Rank:
kapitán Captain
Akademický či vědecký titul:
Academic or Scientific Title:
- -
Šlechtický titul:
Hereditary Title:
- -
Datum, místo narození:
Date and Place of Birth:
04.11.1875 Kutná Hora /
04.11.1875 Kutna Hora /
Datum, místo úmrtí:
Date and Place of Decease:
01.04.1960 Praha /
01.04.1960 Prague /
Nejvýznamnější funkce:
(maximálně tři)
Most Important Appointments:
(up to three)
místopředseda svazu Česko-Amerických žurnalistů
styčný důstojník USA u Československých legií v Rusku
agent americké OVI a spolupracovník OSS
Vice-Czech Association of American journalists
the U.S. liaison officer in the Czechoslovak legions in Russia
the U.S. agent and associate of OVI
Jiné významné skutečnosti:
(maximálně tři)
Other Notable Facts:
(up to three)
vězeň Gestapa - 1939,
vězeň v komunistické ČSR - 1950-1960
Prisoner Gestapo - 1939,
prisoner in communist Czechoslovakia - 1950-1960
Související články:
Related Articles:
Zdroje:
Sources:
http://www.radio.cz/es/articulo/118581,
www.panzernet.net,
http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Viktor_Voska
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Voska-Emanuel-t94783#354184 Version : 0
     
Příjmení:
Surname:
Voska Voska
Jméno:
Given Name:
Emanuel Emanuel
Jméno v originále:
Original Name:
Emanuel Voska
Všeobecné vzdělání:
General Education:
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Vojenské vzdělání:
Military Education:
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Důstojnické hodnosti:
Officer Ranks:
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Průběh vojenské služby:
Military Career:
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Vyznamenání:
Awards:
Poznámka:
Note:
- -
Zdroje:
Sources:
http://www.radio.cz/es/articulo/118581,
www.panzernet.net,
http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Viktor_Voska
URL : https://www.valka.cz/Voska-Emanuel-t94783#563661 Version : 0
Čechoameričan Emanuel Vosk got into the public awareness as the first Czech spy, the leading factor protirakouského resistance and a close associate of T. G. Masaryk. Masaryk very much appreciated the Wax of the merits of the establishment of the independent Czechoslovakia and in his work, the World revolution of Voskovi not only mentioned but also used Voskou the delivered documents. Vosk its intelligence activities significantly contributed even protinacistickému resistance. The catastrophe happened to him "the victory of the working people" in February 1948, he was one of the many communists persecuted resistance fighters and the last years of his life spent in prison.

Youth and the first years of emigration

Emanuel Vosk was born 4. 11. 1875 in Kutna Hora in the family stonemason. His father in 1881, was killed in an accident at the quarry. In the fourteen years he ran Emanuel briefly from home, because his guardian, an uncle, a canon of Frýdek, he wanted to put on the priesthood path. Boy but after the pattern of father he wanted to become a stonemason. In October 1889 acquired his mother a report card on poverty, which the son of the scholarship on the industrial school. During the study he could still train in the stonework and sculpture workshop, where it was always two hours before and two hours after school. Ambitious young man is already sixteen years old became a member of the educational sorority, Comenius, soon began to read socialist literature and in 1894 joined the sociálnědemokratickému movement. Right now 24. June of the same year at the kutná hora meeting of the social democracy in a very emotional speech criticized the situation in the local tobacco factory and talked about the exploitation, using and fictional arguments. He gained the attention of not only audiences but also police commissioner, that the assembly immediately ended. The commissioner reported the incident to the district governor, the Wax subpoenaed and made known to him, that is not going to continue to suffer his radicalism and that his journey is going to jail.

Hejtmanovo warning, the precarious social situation and the desire for adventure brought Emanuel Wax at the beginning of the winter of 1894 on the steamer Weimar, who sailed from Bremen by New York. Life in America began with four dollars in his pocket, in New York he didn't know anyone and didn't speak English. Initially going it alone, as could be, and was looking for a job as a stonemason. The following year, for them from Kutná hora came to Anna from the same Year, which is 25. December 1895 he married. Next year arrived for the Voskou his mother and Emanuelovi with Anna gradually had six children.

Vosk was unquestionably a capable man – from a street vendor paperweights and a dishwasher, and became the owner of the decorative mramorářské workshop. Yet attended evening English school and attended two years of business college Eastman Business College. During the time he became a successful construction contractor and the owner of the mine for the extraction of marble. Actively involved in the activities of expatriate associations, he also became a founding member of the czechoslovak social democratic section in the U.S., the front representative of the association of Free ideas and Labor of the american Falcon. He founded the newspaper the Truth, and financially participated in the Czech newspaper Voice of the people.

The Czech expatriate associations in the U.S. maintain contact with the old homeland and the Vosk about happenings in the Czech lands also interested in. As zdokladováno that in the spring of 1900 he organized the fundraiser in support of striking miners in the Czech republic. Expatriate association of Free thought in the early years of the 20th. century hosted a tour of the Czech political and cultural figures throughout America and himself Vosk organized lectures and cultural events. Obtained the opportunity to get acquainted with the leading politicians and had a first-hand report on the situation in Austria. Intercourse with them he expanded the political horizon. The czechs living in America have led the main army of the resistance movement against Austria. From the general parts of it were the socialists and all they carried from the old country the germ of resistance. Left Austria either because they could not find subsistence, or were for political beliefs vyštváni. In this period he also became acquainted with professor T. G. Masaryk that the united states is visited in the years 1902 and 1907.

the First world war and the anti-austrian revolt

In may 1914 the Vosk, together with the daughter of Voillou and two dozens of Čechoameričanů went to Europe. The purpose of the trip was to establish contacts with other an expatriate communities, notably in England and France, last but not least, he wanted to start business with Czech companies. Members of the Czech-american union of journalists agreed that it will establish a european intelligence network. The first stop was London, where the Vosk set up the company's Commercial Cable Company, that will be for the Union of Czech-american journalists to receive paid telegrams from Prague, Pilsen and Vienna, which will be after the adoption in New York paid. This agreement could be of great importance especially in the initial phase of the war, when it became a reporting priority. In Belgium, visited the secretary of the thoughts are Free L. Furnemonta, with whom has discussed questions of the organization of the world congress. In Paris he met with representatives of Czech expatriate colony. Three days after arriving in Prague, came with her daughter Villa for dinner to the masaryk train. Discussing the possibility of joint action of the Czech party in the event of division of the Austro-Hungarian empire and the relationship of t. g. Masaryk to the social democrats. Vosk met with other political leaders. During a visit to his native town of Kutná hora has learned the startling news of the death of Franz Ferdinand d'este. In that moment you began to realize the uniqueness of the situation and decided to organize a political meeting, where would the domestic politicians and visitors from America so that we can assess the political situation. 4. July meeting attended in addition to the Waxes and his friends still Jaroslav Klofáč, Gustav Habrman and T. G. Masaryk. Due to the lack of information about events in the Balkans, Masaryk asked Wax to the Balkans personally issued. According to his memoirs he had for Masaryk to evaluate the possibility of entering Italy, Greece and Turkey into the war on the side of Austria and Germany. But it is not likely that it would Vosk as a private person could have such an analysis done. After returning from the Balkans allegedly Masaryk informed that "the Germans want to get to Baghdad." The two men continue to meet regularly, Vosk presented him with information from the american consulate in Prague.

In August 1914 Masaryk asked Wax to on their return journey to America went through England, and here he passed secret messages to his closest English friends – Henry Wickamu Steed, head of the foreign section of the prestigious newspaper the Times, and his through and historian Robert William Seton-Watson, who before the war was interested in the ethnic problems of the habsburg monarchy. The subject of the report were mainly the information about the economic condition of Austria-Hungary, military analysis, and data on the persecution of Slovak politicians. If Masaryk communicate in a time of war, classified information, knowingly so he went to the path of resistance and treason. Wax, deeply breath the habsburg monarchy, certainly didn't have to to this task of persuasion. Virtually the impact, which would somehow help dohodovým states, apparently, its message not. It was especially important for the Masaryk – from a psychological point of view, it was the first step towards its open protirakouskému position.

Emanuel Vosk had to cut open the soles of your shoes, to be able to insert the Masaryk letter. Other materials wrapped around the whalebone bodices daughter's Villa (this is all along the way was afraid of change) and the rest of the information learned by rote. From a four-day stay in England Vosk took Steedův a letter of recommendation on Maxwell, representative of the Times in America, the consciousness of the exclusive affiliated with Masaryk and good contacts to influential journalistic circles, the connection with Czech compatriots. Took away even the idea of necessary connection to Czech expatriate communities and their coordination and deliberated on the establishment of a network of confidants – informants. He knew that good information will be in time of war priority. The message cemented the Voskův of the opinion that Masaryk standing against the Austro-Hungarian empire. After returning to America he became a staunch supporter and promoter of the Masaryk thoughts. Verify communication is the key, surrendered the information and could create a total functioning connection between America, dohodovými countries and Austria-Hungary and take advantage of his early conspiratorial experience of the turn of August and the glow of 1914.

Vosk returned to America with the intention of establishing the movement, whose goal will be the creation of a separate Czech state. Launched the campaign for the unification of the american Czechs to the Czech national association. Consolidated the organisation of foreign resistance and raising the necessary funds. Even had to sell even their quarries to obtain the necessary finance. Between the years 1914 - 1915 created the Vosk, on its own initiative with the organization pověřoval a variety of tasks, which should expose the illegal activity of the Central powers, and thereby raise the importance of the Czechs to fight the Allies. In 1915, issued a statement of the Czech foreign committee that formulates the national programme. Further tried to convince american citizens of the hostile intentions of the Germans and Austrians and vice versa on the necessity of american assistance to states Agreement. American Czechs were in constant contact with the T. G.M. in London. Vosk was entrusted with the task to ensure austro-Hungarian passports for Masaryk couriers in London.

Cannot be reliably determined, when it started Vosk direct cooperation with the british secret service in the united states. Whether it developed gradually and consolidated at the beginning of the leta 1915. The main representative of the british secret services in the U.S. captain Guy Gaunt was assigned as the naval attaché at the embassy in Washington shortly before the outbreak of the war. Under official diplomatic cover of the Gaunt, the responsibility of Naval intelligence, skillfully play with spy games, based mainly on cooperation with the protiněmecky and protirakousky-minded groups of immigrants. His opponent on the German side were German military attaché captain Franz von Papen and naval attaché captain Karl Boy-Ed. Papen was the sole military representative of the Central powers in the united states; Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria or Turkey, not in the United states at that time military attaché. Allegedly he had the Vosk to make contact with the Gauntem not long after his return to America, through the british ambassador Cecil Spring Rice. At the first meeting had Gauntovi promise help in the secured supply of american munitions and raw materials to Britain. Gaunt regarded this meeting as a lucky coincidence and information "patriotic exile," considered it invaluable. A key source of the Wax desk worker was austro-Hungarian consulate in New York František Kopecký, who came to America in 1913. At the beginning of the war acted Kopecky with the French for entry into the foreign legion, but those relied on a speedy victory, and the foreign soldiers were not interested. Finally decided for the cooperation with the Czech compatriot movement and offered a Czech-american committee for the liberation of their services. Contact with Customers was commissioned in the end Vosk. As a financial inspector at the consulate had Kopecký detailed overview of the payments to informers and agents active in the US in favor of the central powers. Vosk and through the British gain an overview of the people active in the propaganda and paid the austro-Hungarian authorities, on the organizátorech sabotage, about transfers of reserve officers and soldiers escaped from Russian captivity in Germany and Austria-Hungary, couriers with secret official correspondence.

In the year 1915 that Vosk could be attributed to the first great spy success – share in the affair of the austro-Hungarian ambassador Constantine Dumby. After the war, took even credit for the case of the stolen briefcase of the German financial attaché Heinrich Albert, which occurred at the same time, but which demonstrably did not share. Both affairs were associated with the finding of the documents confirming the German and austro-Hungarian efforts at any cost to prevent the supply of american weapons factories to the countries of the Agreement. The revelation of compromising materials drew the attention of Wax, and thus the British, František Kopecký. The contents of found documents eventually led to the diplomatic rupture, a massive media campaign and to appeal to the austro-Hungarian ambassador and, later, even to leave the German diplomatic representatives of the Karl Boy-Ed and Franz von Papen. The revelation was a real breakthrough. Vosk is presented as a skilled spy and a british secret service has been a success, which could appropriately utilize the anti-German propaganda in the united states.

In 1916 he was Vosk already quite well established in the system of british espionage in the united states. His network had contacts on the six american newspapers, the american trade union leaders, workers, immigration authorities, a member of the u.s. secret service, the sailors of the German and austrian ships interned in new york harbor and the staff of the various German and austrian authorities. Vosk organization regularly supplied the Allies information about the sending of the austro-Hungarian mail in Europe, ships carrying load for Germany, austrian and German officers and spies, who managed to escape from the Russian iimp and secretly tried to help the fake passports to leave the US. The attention of his collaborators was devoted to German activities in Canada, proněmeckým moods in the Polish movement, and particularly the German efforts to destroy the cost of allied ships.

From the spring of 1917 were the British and Americans concerned about the situation in Russia. There were reports that the Russian army is under the strong influence of the massive German propaganda and bolshevik agitation, which aims at the immediate end of the war. The british were quite well informed about the situation in Russia, their diplomats and intelligence; after the arrival to Russia in may 1917, they delivered messages and Masaryk. His analysis of the political situation in Russia from June had to be for them sinister. He spoke about the increasing number of deserters from the army, pacifistech and leninistech paid by German money and that in the course of the following weeks expected a bloody rebellion. A representative of the british intelligence services in the united states, William Wiseman therefore suggested to his superiors in London, that was to Russia sent the slavic mission to promote british and american interests, and above all halt the spread of peaceful propaganda. Wax asked to help the mission to organize. The czechs, for this mission were all regarded as suitable - should the background of the czechoslovak legions. The instructions were clear: support the Kerensky government against the bolshevik and pacifist propaganda, and to keep Russia in the war. A carefully planned mission was doomed to failure. To Russia have arrived at the end of August 1917, Vosk founded the Slav Press Bureau, and immediately put forward proposals, both for propaganda purposes, to act against the German peace propaganda; I use primarily the spoken word, and film. not Long before the outbreak of the bolshevik revolution left Vosk back to the US. In his memoirs, he mentioned the share of revealing documents confirming the existence of the German-bolshevik conspiracy. The provisional government began to be interested in the link between the Germans and the bolsheviks in may 1917. Vosk, however, to Russia came at a time when they were already Kerensky government ties between the Germans and the bolsheviks known. Vosk also visited almost all the regiments of the czechoslovak legions, legionnaires explained the situation in the US and on the fronts, bolster up their faith in the independent Czechoslovakia and helped to strengthen their morale.

After returning from Russia (virtually on the eve of the bolshevik revolution) Vosk wrote a memorandum about their experiences from a two-month mission. Prime minister Kerensky considered incompetent and did not see in it a guarantee of the stabilization of decaying Russia. The biggest danger considered the committees (soviets), which are strong enough to bring about the fall of the Kerensky government, and thus allow the Germans to conclude a separate peace – "the current government does not have the influence and power and will fall sooner or later".

6. December delivered a Vosk in New York a speech called "In unity is our strength". Portrayed his journey through Asia and Europe and meeting with political leaders of our resistance. He expressed his extreme optimism and inner believe, that there will be a surge and boom of the czechoslovak national will, because there is no longer between Czechs vicious propaganda bent on thwarting the czechoslovak action. Appreciated the Czech journalism, which managed to unite the Czechs in America. "It will be my aim to enforce in our institutions, the democratic system, which has proved very successful in all democratic countries, which have already ceased to children's diseases of their democracies."

In a memorandum sepsaném for the american and british authorities after the entry of the USA into the war offered his services: "I am a citizen of US eighteen years and the birth of Bohemia; I offer my services to your adopted country is a solemn commitment that all of my previous experience, my contacts with the revolutionary organizations will be used exclusively to the fall of the militaristic imperialism of the Central powers." Vosk asked the rank of officer of the american army, because his work will require a meeting with the military authorities. He wanted to enjoy himself could choose the six members of his staff, who would receive the rank and pay of lieutenant. To dangerous work further needed twelve civilians, which also wanted to choose, the right used the official channel for the cables and, if necessary, I have the available aircraft. It further demanded the possibility to use agents to work in the Austro-Hungarian empire, to arrange and equip two offices in New York and one near the French-swiss border. Touted secret economic and military information from the enemy country. For each set the annual salary of 10 000 dollars and the total budget was estimated at 659 000 dollars.

In may 1918 he was Vosk as a captain in the u.s. army and assigned to the main military intelligence separated in Washington. Masaryk already could in Pittsburgh to welcome in uniform. 8. June was the Vosk group went to Paris to the american expeditionary forces, where should fulfil the reporting obligations in the framework of the general staff. Voskovi was entrusted to central european separated military espionage and get the benefits of the military censor. Available had the money and people to arrange office Paris, Geneva, Bern, Modena and Padua. Vosk worked in France, Italy and carefully even in neutral Switzerland. The most important source of information to him were the prisoners. Skillfully developed contacts with policy makers, journalists, expatriates and staff of foreign resistance.

Between the world wars

At the end of the war was Emanuelu Voskovi forty-three years. In Bohemia he returned as a captain in the american army and a close associate of T. G. Masaryk. Yet it has not acquired significant function even in politics, diplomacy or the military and even participated in the organization of the czechoslovak intelligence services. Finally once again began to attend to business and social life and charity work. Become at the foundation of the Czechoslovak red cross, organized a food aid and intervene in the collection of the golden treasure of the republic. In the business didn't Vosk luck. Ships with the goods they wanted his firm to import, should the big customs trouble. Vosk, well-moving in the american economic system, failed to deal with Czech bureaucracy. Eventually became the representative of the company on typewriters Underwood.

The energy devoted to work in the idea, in the Workers ' academy, in Czechoslovakia have been members of the league of nations, in the American institute in Czechoslovakia and wrote memory. After the onset of Hitler cared about the escaped German anti-fascists and gave them the staying in your villa in Zbraslav. Total saved about fifty of the German social democrats. In 1936 he began to organize help to the Spanish republicans, and stood at the head of the Committee for aid to democratic Spain. Also participated in the recruitment of volunteers into the left-wing interbrigád.

Second world war

Right after the fifteenth of march 1939 he was arrested by the Gestapo, as an american citizen was after a few days conditionally discharged. He managed to leave with his family to Britain and then to the United states. In the United states helped recruit people to the newly forming american intelligence service OSS (Office of Strategic Services – the Office of strategic services). On behalf of the Office for war information (OWI, Office of War Information) went to Turkey, where he worked until the end of the war. From traders representing in the Balkans the old czechoslovak companies and resistance fighters, who through the Turkey ran to the West, he received news about the situation in the protectorate. Established contacts with representatives of the exile government and expoziturou of the czechoslovak intelligence services in Ankara.
The captain of the Vosk imparted to the Americans invaluable information on protektorátním industry, even on the political, economic and military situation in Hungary and Bulgaria – including the deployment of divisions and the names of their commanders. Help uncover the contacts of the chilean ambassador in Turkey with nazi intelligence.

the post-war period

In 1945 Vosk returned to Czechoslovakia. After his return he became involved in public life, he gave lectures, wrote local histories and lived from generously the kind of retirement that take into account his share of the odbojovém movement. Become in the restoration of many of the organization and to other actively involved (Society of friends of democratic Spain, the Union of liberated political prisoners,
The syndicate of Czech writers, the American institute in Czechoslovakia, the Union of friends of the USSR in Czechoslovakia, the Union of national liberation, and social democracy.
Apparently, advanced age, and left-wing beliefs have caused, that an experienced operative Vosk underestimated the advent of the communists to power and remained in Czechoslovakia after 1948. In June 1950 he was arrested and after four years in custody sentenced in the political process as an agent of american imperialism (offense military treason according to § 6 no. 2. act. no. 50/23 Coll.) to ten years in prison. Severely sick Vosk spent the whole time in prisons in Prague, Valdice and Leopoldov. Many requests of the family for clemency has never been granted. In 1957 was the refusal of the application for parole is justified by the fact that "the prisoner was not sufficiently re-educated". his Sentence was eventually discontinued for health reasons until the end of the year 1959. 1. April 1960 with his family in Zbraslav died.

For the communist regime was Vosk criminal, but his services to the state were valued in the interwar even in this earth period. In 1935, on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday he was appointed an honorary citizen of his native town of Kutná hora. The last time he was 28. October 1998 awarded for the merits of democracy and human rights the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk III. class in memoriam.

Sources:
Hájková, Dagmar: Emanuel Vosk in the czechoslovak foreign resistance in world war ii: news and propaganda; doctoral thesis, Charles University, Prague, 2007
Pacner, Karel: Czechoslovakia in special services, part I., Prague, 2002
zpravy.idnes.cz
dejinyasoucasnost.cz
zbraslav.info-
http://www.cms-kh.cz/clanek-emanuel-viktor-voska
.
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