Plzeňský deník: I have been riding the Convoy of Liberty from Kolín to Plzeň for twenty years, says the pilot on a bike

Tens of thousands of people watched the Convoy of Liberty in Pilsen on Sunday, one of the highlights of this year's liberation celebrations. The iconic Sherman tanks led the way, and the places of honor behind the tanks belonged to the cars, from which the American war veteran, 99-year-old Harry Humason, waved to the Pilsen residents and visitors for the first time. For some, participating in the convoy is already a tradition and they have been riding in it for decades.

The tanks were followed in the convoy by cars with the families of the American and Belgian veterans who liberated Pilsen and who had been guests of the Liberation Festival in previous years. Among them was a frequent participant, George Patton Waters, grandson of General Patton, who commanded the 3rd American Army that liberated Western Bohemia. Some could not help but shed tears of emotion as the tens of thousands of people who surrounded the route waved, greeted and thanked them.

For some, the 80th anniversary of the liberation was their first time, while others regularly attend the convoy and celebrations. Among them was Jiří Dibelka, who rode in the convoy on a period bicycle as a Czechoslovak aviator and regularly travels to Pilsen from Kolín. "I represent a Czechoslovak pilot from England's RAF. It's an incredible experience to be part of the convoy, and if it weren't for that, I wouldn't have come here. It feels like it was 1945 and I was really a pilot and crowds of people welcomed him, just like when the guys returned to the republic back then. It's touching. I've been going to Pilsen for at least twenty years," Dibelka told Deník.

But he wasn't a pilot right away; his work was broad. "In the beginning it was about riding into the woods, Indians, cowboys, cavalry, then the American army and if American, then of course also something Czech, since I'm Czech. I'm interested in history, so there were plenty of things that brought me to it," said Dibelka.

He praised the Pilsen celebrations, which moved him. "The celebrations are nice, hats off. It's perfect that people are still interested in it, even though it's in quotes here every year. When you see it, people are in a completely different mood here. I'm from Central Bohemia near Kolín, it's different here than here. You can see that the Western army liberated them here," Dibelka assessed.

Spectators also came to Pilsen from all over the country. "We came all the way from Pardubice, we always saw the convoy on TV and now we said we would like to see it live. It's something breathtaking and moving. It was just impossible to find accommodation in Pilsen and the surrounding area, everywhere was full. We slept near Prague and came here. But it's definitely worth it, we don't know what to watch before. Wonderful," praised the Zachard family.

It was also moving for other spectators, some of whom could not hide their tears. Upon arrival at the square, the soldiers had the opportunity to refresh themselves when one of the local cafes delivered ice cream to them.

The column of cars was also awaited by a square full of spectators.

The five-day festivities will conclude on Tuesday, May 6, with a commemorative act, Thank You, America! It begins at 10 a.m. and will be attended by King Philippe of Belgium and President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel.

Author: Daniela Loudová