English Translation

-3- 92 As a result of the air raids and British radio threats that the English would make a major attack on Pilsen on the night of May 3, a fear psychosis broke out in Pilsen, which increased to panic-like confusion in the course of yesterday's day. Part of the population was anxious to leave Pilsen in some way as soon as possible. The rush to the trains departing from Pilsen's main station took on impossible forms; the travellers tore around the squares and aroused the impression of refugees. Also the crowd on the individual platforms was so great that half of the people waiting there on departing trains had to stay behind, because they could not be accommodated anymore due to lack of space. Boxes, suitcases, strollers etc. were carried as luggage in large numbers. At the same time, the announcement was received that a large number of Skoda shares were already offered at the Vienna Stock Exchange on 27.4.42; the price thus fell sharply, some of which were no longer listed at all - all on the grounds that Skoda's works were destroyed by air raids. Under the overall circumstances, the management of the Skoda works was prompted to hold a factory appeal in which they informed the Czech workers about the stupidity of these rumors and pointed out that the destruction of the works would also mean destruction of Czech property, and that after destruction the Czech labourers would of course be sent into work. The Czech workforce of the plants was extremely positive for the company's appeal, declared that they wanted to work fully and presented themselves to the public.