Fall Grün (Czechoslovakia): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Pre-WW2 German military plan to invade Czechoslovakia}} |
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| planned = 1937 |
| planned = From 1937 |
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| objective = Destruction of [[Czechoslovakia]] |
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| date = Planned for no later than 1 October 1938 |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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The plan was first drafted in June 1937, then revised as the military situation and requirements changed - such as after the [[Anschluss|annexation of Austria]] by Nazi Germany in March 1938. Following the [[May Crisis 1938|May Crisis]] war scare of that year - when Germany was perceived to have backed down in response to warnings from Czechoslovakia’s allies, France and Britain<ref>Lukes, I.,'' Czechoslovakia between Stalin and Hitler'', Oxford, 1996, pp. 143-6.</ref> - the plan acquired a target date scheduling the attack for not later than 1 October 1938. The directive, signed by [[Adolf Hitler]] on 30 May 1938, indicated it was his "unalterable decision" to destroy Czechoslovakia in the near future.<ref>''Documents on German Foreign Policy'', Series D, vol. 2, London, 1950, no. 221, pp. 357-362.</ref> |
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Czechoslovakia's principal ally, [[French Third Republic|France]], in conjunction with [[United Kingdom|Britain]], pursued a policy of "[[Appeasement]]" towards Nazi Germany, culminating in the [[Munich Agreement]], signed on 30 September 1938. The agreement, between the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy, transferred the mainly German-inhabited regions of the country (known as the "[[Sudetenland]]") to Germany.<ref>[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/munich1.asp "Munich Pact, September 30, 1938"], The Avalon Project, Yale Law School.</ref> The territory concerned contained Czechoslovakia’s strategically significant [[Czechoslovak border fortifications|border fortifications]]<ref>[https://mapa.opevneni.cz/?n=48.931465&e=17.892468&r=1a955000010&z=7&m=t&l=cz Interactive Map of Czechoslovak Fortifications]</ref> and, as a result of the loss, the plan for a military attack was no longer relevant. The destruction of Czechoslovakia was completed in March 1939, when [[Slovak Republic (1939–45)|Slovakia]] became a nominally independent state under the influence of Nazi Germany. The remaining western parts of Czechoslovakia were occupied by Germany and became the [[Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia]].<ref>Mamatey, V. S. and Luža, R. (eds.), ''A History of the Czechoslovak Republic, 1918-1948'', Princeton, 1973, pp. 268-70.</ref> |
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In ceding the border areas to Germany, Poland and Hungary, Czechoslovakia lost the majority of its [[Czechoslovak border fortifications|border fortifications]] and became less defensible against any invading force. On 13 March 1939, [[Adolf Hitler]] and [[Joachim von Ribbentrop]] informed [[Jozef Tiso]] about the irreversible decision to occupy Bohemia and Moravia in the coming hours, while Slovakia was to decide on its fate itself. After the proclamation of the [[Slovak Republic (1939–45)|Slovak Republic]] shortly after the end of Nazi ultimatum, Hitler invited the Czech president [[Emil Hácha]] declaring that the German army was about to invade the Czech lands and the resistance would be suppressed by Nazis by all means. On 15 March, Germany [[German occupation of Czechoslovakia|occupied]] the remaining [[Czech lands|Czech part]]({{lang|de|Unternehmen Südost}}, {{langnf|de||Operation Southeast|links-no}}) and established the [[Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia]]. The name {{lang|de|Fall Grün}} was later assigned to the [[Operation Green (Ireland)|plans for an invasion of Ireland]]. |
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The name {{lang|de|Fall Grün}} was later assigned to the [[Operation Green (Ireland)|plans for an invasion of Ireland]]. |
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==Psychological warfare== |
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The plans of {{lang|de|Fall Grün}} had a large role for [[psychological warfare]], both within Czechoslovakia and against Czechoslovakia's allies. Internally, the Czechoslovak government and citizenship were supposed to be intimidated and have their will to defend themselves broken, and the [[Sudeten Germans|ethnic German minority]] (which was largely pro-German and pro-Nazi), was supposed to internally weaken and disrupt the country.<ref name="Hruška">{{Cite book |last=Hruška |first=Emil |title=Boj o pohraničí: Sudetoněmecký Freikorps v roce 1938 |language=cs |trans-title=Fight for the Border: Sudeten German Freikorps in 1938 |publisher=Nakladatelství Epocha, Pražská vydavatelská společnost |location=[[Prague]] | year=2013 |pages=9–10}}</ref> Internationally, co-ordinated Nazi psychological and propaganda warfare aimed at making the country isolated to the point that it would stand alone against any aggression, with defence having no hope.<ref name="Hruška" /> Modern media, especially radio, played key role in the Nazi psychological warfare. Within Czechoslovakia, Nazi Germany also relied on using the [[Sudeten German Party]] as well as its paramilitary organization the ''Freiwilliger Schutzdienst''.<ref name="Hruška" /> |
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==Plan of attack== |
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[[File:Czechoslovakia01.png|thumb|350px|Czechoslovakia, 1918–1938 (In March 1938, [[Anshluss|Austria was annexed by Germany]].)]] |
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In addition to specific military assignments, the directive for {{lang|de|Fall Grün}} also focussed on political preparations. The Czechoslovak authorities were to be intimidated by belligerent threats from Nazi Germany and the ethnic German minority population within the country organised to support the military operations. An incident would be staged to provide a pretext for opening hostilities. Attention was also to be given to encouraging [[Poland]] and [[Hungary]] to pursue their territorial claims against Czechoslovakia. <ref name="DGFP">''Documents on German Foreign Policy'', Series D, vol. 2, London, 1950, no. 221, pp. 357-362, no.388, p.618-620 and no. 448, pp. 727-730.</ref> |
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The military campaign was to emphasise speed of action and an element of surprise. The aim of the army, in coordination with the air force, was to stage a surprise attack, penetrating and outflanking the border defences adjacent to Germany. The attack was to be carried out by five army formations massed along the western borders of Czechoslovakia. The main thrust of the campaign would come from the west, into [[Bohemia]], in the direction of [[Plzeň]] and [[Prague]]. Simultaneously, a pincer movement in [[Moravia]], from the north towards [[Olomouc]] and the south towards [[Brno]], would prevent the withdrawal of the Czechoslovak army eastwards into [[Slovakia]]. Even the [[Danube]] flotilla would be brought into action in support of the army. With future armed conflict in mind, the directive also required, wherever possible, for Czechoslovakia’s industrial capacity to be preserved.<ref name="DGFP" /> |
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==Political pressure== |
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A significant role in the preparatory stages of the campaign was played by the radicalised section of the ethnic German minority population in Czechoslovakia organised in the [[Sudeten German Party]] (SdP), which emulated the characteristics of the [[Nazi Party]] in neighbouring Germany.<ref>Bruegel, J. W., ''Czechoslovakia before Munich'', Cambridge, 1973, pp. 119, 123 & 206.</ref> The leader of the party, [[Konrad Henlein]], received instruction from Hitler in Berlin, in March 1938, to create an atmosphere of tension in dealings with the Czechoslovak authorities by making unacceptable demands for major political reforms, but without the intention of reaching a settlement before Germany was ready for military action.<ref>Smelser, Ronald M., ''The Sudeten Problem, 1933–1938: Volkstumspolitik and the Formulation of Nazi Foreign Policy'', Folkestone, 1975, p. 222.</ref> As the sense of crisis heightened during the course of the year, Czechoslovakia’s western allies, Britain in particular, applied strong pressure on the president of Czechoslovakia, [[Edvard Benes]], and his government to reach an accommodation with the SdP by conceding to their demands.<ref>Vyšný, Paul, ''The Runciman Mission to Czechoslovakia, 1938: Prelude to Munich'', Basingstoke, 2003, pp. 243-60.</ref> |
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==Undeclared German-Czechoslovak war== |
==Undeclared German-Czechoslovak war== |
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Following a bellicose speech by Hitler in Nuremberg on 12 September 1938, during which he complained of the “intolerable” oppression of Czechoslovakia’s ethnic German population,<ref>Baynes, N. H. (ed), ''Speeches of Adolf Hitler, April 1922 - August 1939'', vol. 2, London, 1942, pp. 1487-99.</ref> unrest broke out in the Sudetenland. When Czechoslovak forces intervened and imposed martial law, the SdP leadership fled across the border into Germany. It was from there that Henlein announced, on 17 September 1938, the formation of a paramilitary force, the [[Sudetendeutsches Freikorps]], which, armed and trained in Germany, began conducting cross-border attacks against targets in Czechoslovakia.<ref>Luža, R., ''The Transfer of the Sudeten Germans: A Study of Czech-German Relations, 1933-1962'', New York, 1965, p.143-4.</ref> Although the Munich Agreement, in effect, ended any prospect of immediate Czechoslovak military resistance, Beneš, as president of the [[Czechoslovak government-in-exile]] based in Britain during the [[Second World War]], later officially designated 17 September 1938 as the start date of the undeclared war between Germany and Czechoslovakia.<ref>Dowling, Maria, ''Czechoslovakia'', London, 2002, p. 58. President Beneš's declaration made on 16 December 1941.</ref> |
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On 17 September 1938, [[Adolf Hitler]] ordered the establishment of {{lang|de|[[Sudetendeutsches Freikorps]]|italics=no}}, a paramilitary organisation that took over the structure of {{lang|de|Freiwillinger Schutzdienst/Ordnersgruppe|italics=no}}, an organisation of ethnic Germans in Czechoslovakia that had been dissolved by the Czechoslovak authorities the previous day because of its implication in large number of terrorist activities. The organisation was sheltered, trained and equipped by German authorities and conducted cross-border terrorist operations into Czechoslovakian territory. Relying on the [[War of aggression#The Convention for the Definition of Aggression|Convention for the Definition of Aggression]], Czechoslovak President [[Edvard Beneš]]<ref>President Beneš's declaration made on 16 December 1941</ref> and the [[Czechoslovak government-in-exile]]<ref>Note of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile dated 22 February 1944</ref> later regarded 17 September 1938 to be the beginning of the undeclared German-Czechoslovak war. That understanding has been assumed also by the [[Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic]] in 1997.<ref name="Con Court ruling">{{Cite court|court=[[Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic]] |date=1997|opinion=Ruling No. II. ÚS 307/97 |access-date=18 May 1999 |language=cs|quote={{lang|cs|Stran interpretace "kdy země vede válku", obsažené v čl. I Úmluvy o naturalizaci mezi Československem a Spojenými státy, publikované pod č. 169/1929 Sb. za účelem zjištění, zda je splněna podmínka státního občanství dle restitučních předpisů, Ústavní soud vychází z již v roce 1933 vypracované definice agrese Společnosti národů, která byla převzata do londýnské Úmluvy o agresi}} {{lang|fr|(CONVENITION DE DEFINITION DE L'AGRESSION)}}, {{lang|cs|uzavřené dne 4. 7. 1933 Československem, dle které není třeba válku vyhlašovat (čl. II bod 2) a dle které je třeba za útočníka považovat ten stát, který první poskytne podporu ozbrojeným tlupám, jež se utvoří na jeho území a jež vpadnou na území druhého státu (čl. II bod 5). V souladu s nótou londýnské vlády ze dne 22. 2. 1944, navazující na prohlášení prezidenta republiky ze dne 16. 12. 1941 dle § 64 odst. 1 bod 3 tehdejší Ústavy, a v souladu s citovaným čl. II bod 5 má Ústavní soud za to, že dnem, kdy nastal stav války, a to s Německem, je den 17. 9. 1938, neboť tento den na pokyn Hitlera došlo k utvoření "Sudetoněmeckého svobodného sboru"}} {{lang|de|(Freikorps)}} {{lang|cs|z uprchnuvších vůdců Henleinovy strany a několik málo hodin poté už tito vpadli na československé území ozbrojeni německými zbraněmi.}}}}</ref> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://historicalresources.org/2008/10/12/hitlers-directive-for-operation-green/ |
* [http://historicalresources.org/2008/10/12/hitlers-directive-for-operation-green/ Hitler's directive for "Operation Green"] |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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Latest revision as of 08:37, 10 June 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2016) |
| Fall Grün | |
|---|---|
| Part of German occupation of Czechoslovakia | |
| Planned | From 1937 |
| Objective | Destruction of Czechoslovakia |
| Date | Planned for no later than 1 October 1938 |
| Outcome | Never carried out, as objective achieved by other means |
Fall Grün (German for 'Case Green') was a pre-World War II plan for the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany. Although some preliminary steps were taken to destabilise Czechoslovakia, the plan was never fully realised since Nazi Germany achieved its objective by diplomatic means at the Munich Conference in September 1938, followed by the unopposed military occupation of Bohemia and Moravia and the creation of a nominally independent Slovakia, in March 1939.
Background
[edit]The plan was first drafted in June 1937, then revised as the military situation and requirements changed - such as after the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in March 1938. Following the May Crisis war scare of that year - when Germany was perceived to have backed down in response to warnings from Czechoslovakia’s allies, France and Britain[1] - the plan acquired a target date scheduling the attack for not later than 1 October 1938. The directive, signed by Adolf Hitler on 30 May 1938, indicated it was his "unalterable decision" to destroy Czechoslovakia in the near future.[2]
Czechoslovakia's principal ally, France, in conjunction with Britain, pursued a policy of "Appeasement" towards Nazi Germany, culminating in the Munich Agreement, signed on 30 September 1938. The agreement, between the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy, transferred the mainly German-inhabited regions of the country (known as the "Sudetenland") to Germany.[3] The territory concerned contained Czechoslovakia’s strategically significant border fortifications[4] and, as a result of the loss, the plan for a military attack was no longer relevant. The destruction of Czechoslovakia was completed in March 1939, when Slovakia became a nominally independent state under the influence of Nazi Germany. The remaining western parts of Czechoslovakia were occupied by Germany and became the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.[5]
The name Fall Grün was later assigned to the plans for an invasion of Ireland.
Plan of attack
[edit]
In addition to specific military assignments, the directive for Fall Grün also focussed on political preparations. The Czechoslovak authorities were to be intimidated by belligerent threats from Nazi Germany and the ethnic German minority population within the country organised to support the military operations. An incident would be staged to provide a pretext for opening hostilities. Attention was also to be given to encouraging Poland and Hungary to pursue their territorial claims against Czechoslovakia. [6]
The military campaign was to emphasise speed of action and an element of surprise. The aim of the army, in coordination with the air force, was to stage a surprise attack, penetrating and outflanking the border defences adjacent to Germany. The attack was to be carried out by five army formations massed along the western borders of Czechoslovakia. The main thrust of the campaign would come from the west, into Bohemia, in the direction of Plzeň and Prague. Simultaneously, a pincer movement in Moravia, from the north towards Olomouc and the south towards Brno, would prevent the withdrawal of the Czechoslovak army eastwards into Slovakia. Even the Danube flotilla would be brought into action in support of the army. With future armed conflict in mind, the directive also required, wherever possible, for Czechoslovakia’s industrial capacity to be preserved.[6]
Political pressure
[edit]A significant role in the preparatory stages of the campaign was played by the radicalised section of the ethnic German minority population in Czechoslovakia organised in the Sudeten German Party (SdP), which emulated the characteristics of the Nazi Party in neighbouring Germany.[7] The leader of the party, Konrad Henlein, received instruction from Hitler in Berlin, in March 1938, to create an atmosphere of tension in dealings with the Czechoslovak authorities by making unacceptable demands for major political reforms, but without the intention of reaching a settlement before Germany was ready for military action.[8] As the sense of crisis heightened during the course of the year, Czechoslovakia’s western allies, Britain in particular, applied strong pressure on the president of Czechoslovakia, Edvard Benes, and his government to reach an accommodation with the SdP by conceding to their demands.[9]
Undeclared German-Czechoslovak war
[edit]Following a bellicose speech by Hitler in Nuremberg on 12 September 1938, during which he complained of the “intolerable” oppression of Czechoslovakia’s ethnic German population,[10] unrest broke out in the Sudetenland. When Czechoslovak forces intervened and imposed martial law, the SdP leadership fled across the border into Germany. It was from there that Henlein announced, on 17 September 1938, the formation of a paramilitary force, the Sudetendeutsches Freikorps, which, armed and trained in Germany, began conducting cross-border attacks against targets in Czechoslovakia.[11] Although the Munich Agreement, in effect, ended any prospect of immediate Czechoslovak military resistance, Beneš, as president of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile based in Britain during the Second World War, later officially designated 17 September 1938 as the start date of the undeclared war between Germany and Czechoslovakia.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Lukes, I., Czechoslovakia between Stalin and Hitler, Oxford, 1996, pp. 143-6.
- ^ Documents on German Foreign Policy, Series D, vol. 2, London, 1950, no. 221, pp. 357-362.
- ^ "Munich Pact, September 30, 1938", The Avalon Project, Yale Law School.
- ^ Interactive Map of Czechoslovak Fortifications
- ^ Mamatey, V. S. and Luža, R. (eds.), A History of the Czechoslovak Republic, 1918-1948, Princeton, 1973, pp. 268-70.
- ^ a b Documents on German Foreign Policy, Series D, vol. 2, London, 1950, no. 221, pp. 357-362, no.388, p.618-620 and no. 448, pp. 727-730.
- ^ Bruegel, J. W., Czechoslovakia before Munich, Cambridge, 1973, pp. 119, 123 & 206.
- ^ Smelser, Ronald M., The Sudeten Problem, 1933–1938: Volkstumspolitik and the Formulation of Nazi Foreign Policy, Folkestone, 1975, p. 222.
- ^ Vyšný, Paul, The Runciman Mission to Czechoslovakia, 1938: Prelude to Munich, Basingstoke, 2003, pp. 243-60.
- ^ Baynes, N. H. (ed), Speeches of Adolf Hitler, April 1922 - August 1939, vol. 2, London, 1942, pp. 1487-99.
- ^ Luža, R., The Transfer of the Sudeten Germans: A Study of Czech-German Relations, 1933-1962, New York, 1965, p.143-4.
- ^ Dowling, Maria, Czechoslovakia, London, 2002, p. 58. President Beneš's declaration made on 16 December 1941.
External links
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