The republic beyond the horizon

In November 1920, the ship USAT Heffron left Vladivostok, carrying the 36th transport of Czechoslovak legionaries. This marked the end of a six-year odyssey of fighting for independence, which began with 700 volunteers of the Czech Companions (Česká družina) and concluded with the Czechoslovak Army in Russia, boasting three divisions and almost 60000 men. Their brave actions on the battlefield convinced the Entente Powers that they were truly willing to risk their most precious possession – their lives – for the idea of freedom, thereby gaining support for the creation of an independent state. By taking control of the Trans-Siberian Railway in the summer of 1918, they prevented hundreds of thousands of German and Austro-Hungarian prisoners of war from returning home and being redeployed to the front lines, making a significant contribution to the Entente victory.

With the establishment of Czechoslovakia on 28 October 1918, the goal of their mission was accomplished. However, the legionaries in Russia continued to fight in Siberia. They longed to return home to their loved ones. Yet, travelling west by train was impossible, leaving ship evacuation from the port city of Vladivostok as the only option. This was the final major challenge the legionaries had to face. Despite struggling with a lack of resources, limited shipping capacity, and the sluggishness of the allies, they eventually overcame this challenge too. The journey home – for some literally around the world – turned into a final great triumph and perfect promotion for the new state. The legionaries themselves took away unforgettable memories from the journey, having visited exotic places they had previously only known from educational books or adventure novels.

This unique book presents not only the history of all 36 official ship transports, with experiences from places like Karatsu, Hong Kong, Singapore, Colombo, Aden, Port Said, San Diego, and New York, but also describes the preparations for the long journey and the welcome the transports received back in their homeland. The entire account is illustrated with over 1700 period photographs and documents.