On 5 May 1945, Czech partisans in Pelhřimov took refuge in a local forest after they fought a battle with the Germans.
Once the Germans had left, they tried to sneak back into town, only for the Schutzstaffel at the lead of Walter Hauck to return at 4:00 AM.
[1] The Nazis surrounded the village, then set fire to the houses as they proceeded to go on a killing spree.
According to the testimony of survivor Stanislav Pech:"They began murdering civilians at the bottom of the village.
One family - a husband, his wife and two daughters -- were tied up with wire while their home was set alight.