History Daily: The Assassination of the Butcher of Prague
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Host: Lindsey Graham
Produced by Airship | Noiser | Wondery
Introduction: A Fateful Morning
On the morning of May 27, 1942, Prague was under the oppressive grip of Nazi occupation. Reinhard Heydrich, a high-ranking SS officer and a key member of Adolf Hitler's inner circle, had earned the ominous nickname "The Butcher of Prague" due to his ruthless administration of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. His iron-fisted rule had already led to martial law and mass arrests, cementing his fearsome reputation.
Lindsey Graham sets the scene:
"At the age of 38, Heydrich is already a high-ranking SS officer and part of Adolf Hitler's inner circle... His harsh actions have earned him a new nickname, too. His enemies now call him the Butcher of Prague." ([Transcript Timestamp: 00:00])
Operation Anthropoid: The Birth of a Plan
Operation Anthropoid was conceived by Czechoslovakian intelligence leader Frantisek Moravec, aiming to eliminate Heydrich and inspire resistance against Nazi oppression. The plan involved a meticulous selection and training of operatives committed to the mission, despite the high likelihood of failure and the personal costs involved.
Lindsey Graham explains:
"Reinhard Heydrich had become the face of Nazi rule in Prague. Taking him out would send a powerful message and avenge the horrific treatment of Czech citizens under his rule." ([Transcript Timestamp: 02:30])
The Execution: Ambush on Heydrich
On the designated day, two Czech resistance fighters, Jan Kubiš and Jozef Gabčík, carried out the assassination attempt. While Heydrich was momentarily unguarded near a streetcar stop, Gabčík's submachine gun malfunctioned, and Kubiš threw a grenade. Although the grenade wounded Heydrich, the initial attack did not immediately incapacitate him.
Graham narrates the confrontation:
"Heydrich shoots his assailant twice in the leg and the man goes down. But before Heydrick can take aim again, a blast throws him backward." ([Transcript Timestamp: 00:00])
Despite the chaos, Heydrich managed to defend himself, but the injuries he sustained ultimately proved fatal a week later due to shrapnel damage.
The Immediate Aftermath: Injury and Escape
Following the failed initial attack, Heydrich was rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile, Kubiš and Gabčík attempted to flee. Kubiš sustained injuries, complicating their escape, while Gabčík's weapon issues hindered their effectiveness.
Lindsey Graham details:
"Reinhard Heydrich is injured, but he can't let his assassins get away. He grits his teeth and stumbles from the car, still clutching his pistol." ([Transcript Timestamp: 00:00])
Kubiš evaded immediate capture but was visibly wounded, forcing him to seek medical help while remaining vigilant against Nazi reprisals.
The Struggle for Survival: Hiding and Hope
After the assassination, Kubiš and Gabčík went into hiding. Their mission, though partially successful, triggered brutal Nazi reprisals against the Czech population. The resistance faced immense challenges in maintaining support and protecting operatives.
Graham reflects:
"Jan must find someone who can clean him up... Operation Anthropoid's carefully laid plan seem to have failed. Heydrich has survived the attack, and now the Nazis will surely demand retribution." ([Transcript Timestamp: 11:03])
The Sacrifice: Final Stand in the Cathedral
As Nazi forces intensified their hunt, Kubiš and Gabčík took refuge in the Cathedral of St. Cyril and Methodius. Betrayed and surrounded by hundreds of German soldiers, the resistance fighters made the ultimate sacrifice to avoid capture and protect their comrades.
Emotional narration by Graham:
"Josef...nods at his companions and then fires. It has taken seven hundred and fifty German soldiers more than six hours to defeat the Czech resistance fighters." ([Transcript Timestamp: 16:14])
Their unwavering bravery became a symbol of resistance, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Repercussions: Nazi Retribution
The assassination of Heydrich prompted the Nazi regime to inflict severe punishment on the Czech people. Approximately 5,000 Czechs were killed, and countless others were sent to concentration camps as retaliation, devastating communities and families.
Graham summarizes:
"But Jan, Josef and their fellow operatives are not the only ones who pay for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. The Nazi regime will murder around 5,000 Czechs in revenge..." ([Transcript Timestamp: 11:03])
Legacy: A Symbol of Resistance
Despite the heavy cost, Heydrich's assassination demonstrated that even the most feared Nazi officials were not invulnerable. It inspired resistance movements across Europe and remains a poignant example of courage and sacrifice in the struggle against tyranny.
Final thoughts from Graham:
"As the highest-ranking Nazi officer to be assassinated during the war, Reinhard Heydrich's death was a powerful symbol of resistance. It proved that even the most feared members of the regime were not invulnerable and gave hope to insurgents all over Europe." ([Transcript Timestamp: 16:14])
Conclusion: The Cost of Freedom
The episode concludes by reflecting on whether the immense sacrifices made by the Czech resistance were justified, opening a dialogue on the complexities of resistance movements and their impacts on both victors and the oppressed.
Graham concludes:
"But whether it was worth the terrible cost to the people of Czechoslovakia will be debated for decades after the attack on May 27, 1942." ([Transcript Timestamp: 16:14])
Production Credits
- Host: Lindsey Graham
- Written and Researched by: Lauren Sudworth
- Audio Editing: Moham Shazi
- Supervising Sound Designer: Matthew Filler
- Music: Thrung
- Edited by: William Simpson
- Managing Producer: Emily Burke
- Executive Producers: William Simpson (Airship) and Pascal Hughes (Noiser)
This detailed account of "The Assassination of the Butcher of Prague" provides an in-depth look into Operation Anthropoid, highlighting the bravery of Czech resistance fighters and the profound consequences of their actions during World War II.