Funeral of Minister of Foreign Affairs František Chvalkovský...

Segment of the Český zvukový týdeník Aktualita (Czech Aktualita Sound Newsreel) 1945 No. 13 captures the funeral of diplomat František Chvalkovský, who died on 25 February 1945 when hit by a ground-attack aircraft on a motorway near Berlin. The lavish funeral attended by prominent figures of public life was held in Strašnice Crematorium in Prague on 13 March 1945. Prime Minister of the Protectorate Government Richard Bienert and Reich Chancellor Augustin Popelka place a wreath from President Emil Hácha by the coffin. Karl Hermann Frank lays down a wreath from Adolf Hitler. The solemn ceremony is attended by Minister of Justice Jaroslav Krejčí, Minister of Education and National Enlightenment Emanuel Moravec and Chairman of the Supreme Administrative Court Josef Kliment. Funeral speeches are delivered by the parish priest of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, Bedřich Jerie, and Prime Minister of the Protectorate Government Richard Bienert. A guard of honour by the coffin comprises boys from the Board of Trustees for the Education of Youth in Bohemia and Moravia.