Q: Who is Jan Šejna?
A: Jan Šejna (born January 27, 1922) is a former Czechoslovak Army general and politician. He played a major role in the Communist coup d'état in Czechoslovakia in February 1948 and later held high-ranking positions in the Czechoslovak communist regime.
Q: What positions did Jan Šejna hold in the Czechoslovak communist regime?
A: Jan Šejna held several high-ranking positions in the Czechoslovak communist regime. He served as the Chief of Staff of the Czechoslovak Army, Deputy Minister of National Defense, and was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party.
Q: What led to Jan Šejna's departure from the Czechoslovak Army?
A: Jan Šejna's departure from the Czechoslovak Army was a result of his opposition to the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. He criticized the invasion and the subsequent occupation, which led to his removal from his position as Chief of Staff and his expulsion from the Communist Party.
Q: What happened to Jan Šejna after leaving the Czechoslovak Army?
A: After leaving the Czechoslovak Army, Jan Šejna defected to the United States in 1968. He provided valuable information about the Soviet Bloc military to the U.S. government and authored a book called "We Will Bury You" which detailed his experiences and observations within the communist regime.
Q: What is Jan Šejna's legacy?
A: Jan Šejna's legacy is a controversial one. While some view him as a whistleblower who exposed the inner workings of the Soviet Bloc military, others criticize him for his role in the communist regime and question his motivations for defecting to the United States. His book remains a valuable resource for researchers studying the Cold War and the Soviet Bloc.