If the US military in May 1945 year is not taken from Czechoslovakia rare lipitsianskih horses, the Soviet soldiers would beat them for meat, He argues in his book, British historian Mark Felton.
In his book, Felton talks about "Cowboy" operation, during which the US military has had before the arrival of the "red" to evacuate from Czechoslovakia a large herd of horses rare breed, bred in the XVI century in the village of Lipica.
It happened in May 1945 year, three days after the signing of the German surrender. An operation to rescue the horses decided "not distinguished by sentimentality," US General George Patton. "He really wanted to “nasolyt kommunyakam”, who hated no less than the Nazis ", - quotes the historian Bi-bi-si.
Information to the Americans came from captured German officer, who cared about animals and feared, that the Russian barbarians have done steaks.
Arrived at the place (the city Gostoun) by order of Patton Battalion of the US Army, according to the historian, first defeated the remnants of the Nazi forces, prisoners freed, and then began to prepare the horses for evacuation. Help them allegedly volunteered 26 Russian Cossacks, previously fought side Nazis. But in the midst of preparing something happened, which feared the most - on the horizon appeared Soviet troops.
but, as writes Felton, brave American officer blocked the path of Soviet tanks, stated, that the zone starts here, controlled US. A dispute arose, I came to understand Soviet general.
Nevertheless, Americans continued to bluff: "It's not your jurisdiction, you have gone beyond its territory ". And then even threatened to fire Gen., If "red" will continue to move.
Gen., according to the historian, I doubted its correctness and decided to consult with the command. Meanwhile, the brave American rushed back and ordered the evacuation of the herd. In the end, the horses were transported to Austria.
What would become of these graceful horses, appear they were in the hands of Soviet soldiers? Likely, they would just scored on meat, as it has happened before, not only with the Soviet soldiers - horsemeat was widespread during the war, and on beef and pork saved, writes Felton.
