The Search of Helen Elas Conka (Girl who helped 15 U.S Airmen in WWII) - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Landa1943 · 07-20-2017, 07:23 PM

Wonderful news she found them. One of the few Lost Loves stories I enjoyed watching.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unsolvency85

Even better to see she was recognised by the President at the White House for her courage and sacrifice in hiding and saving those soldiers.

I found this randomly, but she isn't the only person to receive such an honor. From the US embassy in Czech Republic:
https://cz.usembassy.gov/us-embassy-...ife-us-airman/

This was indeed a great risk for anybody to do. To add a little wider historical context here: Helen discovered those airmen and eventually was betrayed around 1943. Just a year before, the Czech village of Lidice was massacred because of rumors they sheltered agents parachuted from London. There's no doubt Helen was aware of this.

Guitar · 04-02-2018, 08:54 PM

I'm on a rewatching binge of all of the Unsolved Mysteries shows. I'm unashamed to state that it's the first "lost friends/loves" segment that I've watched in its entirety. To me, it's also the only one that was even remotely compelling.

Heroine.

DALLASTEXAN!! · 04-03-2018, 10:08 AM

I keep saying it over the years but i constantly find myself amazed with what UM did to reunite people. Many WW2 heroes both soldiers and civilians alike were able to tell their amazing stories and reunite together thanks to the show!

James T · 07-08-2018, 03:27 PM

What a horrible hand she was dealt in life. i wonder if she told her repulsive stepmother, how else could she know she was sheltering the soldiers? Just shows how dumb the Nazi's are-rather than follow her discreetly where she would have lead them to them, they abducted her instead.

Cori aka ChrisSCrush · 07-09-2018, 01:29 AM

This is incredible! Shouldn't there be a book and/or movie about this?

GavinD80 · 07-09-2018, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James T

What a horrible hand she was dealt in life. i wonder if she told her repulsive stepmother, how else could she know she was sheltering the soldiers? Just shows how dumb the Nazi's are-rather than follow her discreetly where she would have lead them to them, they abducted her instead.

Or simply the stepmother got suspicious, and was tempted by bounties to bring in downed Allied airmen.

wwiiheroes · 11-07-2018, 12:07 PM

I have watched countless hours of WWII footage but then I ran into this on UM. What a story. I wonder what happened to the airmen and their survival story. Maybe they hid down there until the Americans liberated. I know the Americans liberated Czech in early 1945 after V-Day in May. Hmm. Very Interesting story indeed though. :)

EighthStreet · 01-02-2023, 07:32 PM

Just wanted to bump this because it's such a great story and like others here I got a little misty eyed at the update that she was honored at the white house. She was a true hero.

Did a little searching and didn't come up with any obituaries, so hopefully she is alive and well in her late 90s.

Rayroy · 04-19-2026, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James T

What a horrible hand she was dealt in life. i wonder if she told her repulsive stepmother, how else could she know she was sheltering the soldiers? Just shows how dumb the Nazi's are-rather than follow her discreetly where she would have lead them to them, they abducted her instead.

You mean led. The pot calling the kettle black.

Rayroy · 04-19-2026, 12:14 AM

There is only one thing you can say about this woman. What an amazing human being.

11-07-2018, 12:07 PM	#22
wwiiheroes Member First Time Poster Join Date: Nov 07, 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 1	I wonder what happened to the airmen I have watched countless hours of WWII footage but then I ran into this on UM. What a story. I wonder what happened to the airmen and their survival story. Maybe they hid down there until the Americans liberated. I know the Americans liberated Czech in early 1945 after V-Day in May. Hmm. Very Interesting story indeed though. :)

04-02-2018, 08:54 PM	#17
Guitar Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 27, 2017 Posts: 43	I'm on a rewatching binge of all of the Unsolved Mysteries shows. I'm unashamed to state that it's the first "lost friends/loves" segment that I've watched in its entirety. To me, it's also the only one that was even remotely compelling. Heroine.

04-03-2018, 10:08 AM	#18
DALLASTEXAN!! Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 31, 2007 Location: Devil's Backbone Posts: 3,128	I keep saying it over the years but i constantly find myself amazed with what UM did to reunite people. Many WW2 heroes both soldiers and civilians alike were able to tell their amazing stories and reunite together thanks to the show!

07-08-2018, 03:27 PM	#19
James T Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 23, 2006 Location: England Posts: 1,563	What a horrible hand she was dealt in life. i wonder if she told her repulsive stepmother, how else could she know she was sheltering the soldiers? Just shows how dumb the Nazi's are-rather than follow her discreetly where she would have lead them to them, they abducted her instead.

07-09-2018, 01:29 AM	#20
Cori aka ChrisSCrush Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 30, 2001 Location: USA and still trying to be proud of it! Posts: 2,068	This is incredible! Shouldn't there be a book and/or movie about this?

01-02-2023, 07:32 PM	#23
EighthStreet Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 263	Just wanted to bump this because it's such a great story and like others here I got a little misty eyed at the update that she was honored at the white house. She was a true hero. Did a little searching and didn't come up with any obituaries, so hopefully she is alive and well in her late 90s.

04-19-2026, 12:14 AM	#25
Rayroy Good news everyone! Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 27, 2025 Posts: 81	There is only one thing you can say about this woman. What an amazing human being.