Lubor Zink (WFAC)

Lubor Zink (September 20, 1920 – November 6, 2003) was a Czechoslovak politician of Czech origin and member of the Republican Party (RS), who served as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia from 1976 to 1977.

He was also the chairman of the Republican Party, member of the federal cabinet in different positions and long-time First Minister of the Czech Federative Republic.

Early life
Born in Klapý, Czechoslovakia on 20 September 1920, Zink had begun studying economics at the Charles University in Prague in 1938.

World War II
His studies were interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. During the general mobilization of September 1938, he was drafted to the Czechoslovak Army and joined the 14th Division as a private. During the Invasion of Czechoslovakia he took part in the Prchala Offensive and the Battle of Brno.

Following the end of the campaign, Zink fled first to Poland and ultimately to France where he joined the exiled Czechoslovak army. After the fall of France he fled to Britain where he fought with the Czechoslovak Army in exile in North Africa, Italy and on the Western Front, rising to the rank of Senior Lieutenant. He was awarded the Czechoslovak War Cross, Medal for Bravery, and Medal of Merit.