Jozef Gabčík

Jozef Gabčík Historical Figure Nationality: Czechoslovakia (born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire) Year of Birth: 1912 Year of Death: 1942 Cause of Death: Suicide by grenade during a battle (World War II) Occupation: Soldier Military Branch: Czechoslovak Army (World War II) Fictional Appearances: The Man With the Iron Heart POD: May 29, 1942; Relevant POD: May, 1945 Type of Appearance: Direct Date of Death: 1942 Cause of Death: Killed in action (WWII) Military Branch: Czechoslovak Army (WWII)

Jozef Gabčík (8 April 1912 – 18 June 1942) was a Slovak soldier involved in the British backed assassination of Nazi Reinhard Heydrich in Prague, Czechoslovakia in 1942. He and his friend and partner Jan Kubiš were able to fatally wound Heydrich, and flee. However, they and other anti-German partisans were traced to a church. After a six hour gun battle, Gabčík ended his life with a grenade rather than face capture.

Jozef Gabčík in The Man With the Iron Heart

While his partner Jan Kubiš stood watch for Reinhard Heydrich's car on 29 May 1942, Jozef Gabčík was ready to shoot Heydrich with a Stens. Unfortunately, the Stens jammed. Kubiš attempted to blow up Heydrich's car with a grenade, but Heydrich spotted him, and ordered his driver to flee. The car was caught in the explosion, but was sufficiently out of range so that Heydrich survived with only minor injuries..

Gabčík and Kubiš were found shortly after, and died in a battle with German troops.