Radola Gajda (born Rudolf Geidl; 1892–1948) was a Czech military commander and political figure known for his role in the Czechoslovak Legion during the Russian Civil War and his later leadership of the Czech fascist movement.
Early Military Career
Gajda initially served in the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I. After being captured or deserting, he joined the Czechoslovak Legion, a volunteer force fighting for the independence of Czechoslovakia from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During the Russian Civil War, Gajda rose rapidly through the ranks due to his tactical successes along the Trans-Siberian Railway. By 1918, he commanded the northern section of the Legion and eventually served as a commander in the White Army under Admiral Aleksandr Kolchak, reaching the rank of General.
Return to Czechoslovakia and the Gajda Affair
Following his return to the newly formed Czechoslovakia in 1920, Gajda was integrated into the Czechoslovak Army. He was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff in 1924. His military career in Czechoslovakia ended abruptly in 1926 during the "Gajda Affair," in which he was accused of espionage for the Soviet Union and plotting a military coup against the democratic government of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. While the espionage charges were never definitively proven, he was stripped of his rank and dismissed from the army.
Political Activity
In the late 1920s, Gajda entered politics and founded the National Fascist Community (Národní obec fašistická, NOF). The organization was modeled after Italian Fascism and advocated for a corporatist state and an anti-communist, nationalist agenda. Despite his efforts, the NOF remained a marginal force in Czechoslovak politics, gaining only a small number of seats in the parliament.
World War II and Later Life
During the German occupation of Czechoslovakia (1939–1945), Gajda’s political influence remained limited. Although he initially sought a role in the administration of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, he was largely sidelined by both the German authorities and other collaborationist factions. There are historical accounts indicating he provided minor assistance to the Czech resistance during the later stages of the war.
Following the liberation of Czechoslovakia in 1945, Gajda was arrested and tried for collaboration and his activities during the interwar period. In 1947, he was sentenced to two years in prison. He died in April 1948, shortly after his release.
