Occupation of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany facts for kids

The Nazi German Occupation of Czechoslovakia began on March 15, 1939. German troops entered the areas of Bohemia and Moravia. Germany had already gained the Sudetenland region earlier, due to an agreement called the Munich Agreement.

Bohemia and Moravia were taken over by Germany. A government controlled by Germany was set up there. Konstantin von Neurath was the first German leader of this area. He was later replaced by Reinhard Heydrich, who was seen as tougher on the Czech people.

Operation Anthropoid

The Czech government, which had to leave the country and was in exile, planned to stop Heydrich. They sent two brave paratroopers to assassinate him. This secret mission was called Operation Anthropoid.

The two paratroopers were Jozef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš. They had a Sten gun and a special grenade. They planned to attack Heydrich while he was in his car. They chose a road where his car would have to slow down.

When Heydrich's car reached the spot, Jozef Gabčík tried to shoot him with the Sten gun. But the gun jammed! So, Jan Kubiš quickly threw his grenade. The explosion seriously wounded Heydrich. He died a few days later from his injuries.

Aftermath and Liberation

The assassination of Heydrich led to harsh punishments from the Nazis. Many people who helped the paratroopers or were suspected of helping were arrested and killed. For example, many relatives of the paratroopers and their helpers were executed in Mauthausen concentration camp.

The German occupation of Czechoslovakia finally ended in May 1945. This happened when Soviet troops entered the capital city of Prague and freed the rest of the country.

Images for kids

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  Adolf Hitler at Prague Castle

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  From left to right: Neville Chamberlain, Édouard Daladier, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Galeazzo Ciano pictured before signing the Munich Agreement, which gave the Sudetenland to Germany

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  Edvard Beneš, the second President of Czechoslovakia and leader of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile.

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  Ethnic Germans in Saaz, Sudetenland, greet German soldiers with the Nazi salute, 1938

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  Hácha, Hitler and Hermann Göring meeting in Berlin, 14/15 March 1939

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  First German poster in Prague, 15 March 1939. English translation: "Notice to the population. By order of the Führer and Supreme Commander of the German Wehrmacht. I have taken over, as of today, the executive power in the Province of Bohemia. Headquarters, Prague, 15 March 1939. Commander, 3rd Army, Blaskowitz, General of infantry." The Czech translation includes numerous grammatical errors (possibly intentionally, as a form of disdain).

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  Viktor Pick's 1939 visa used to escape Prague on the last train out on 15 March. Later, he arrived safely in British Palestine.

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  First issue of a Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia 1 koruna note (1939). An unissued series of 1938 Republic of Czechoslovakia notes were marked with an identifying oval stamp on the front left side until regular issue could be circulated.

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  The relatives of Czech paratroopers Jan Kubiš and Josef Valčík and their fellows in total 254 people were executed en masse on 24 October 1942 in Mauthausen concentration camp.

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  The names of executed Czechs, 21 October 1944

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  Residents of Prague greet the Marshal of the Soviet Union Ivan Konev.

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  Demarcation line between the Soviet and American armies, May 1945

See also

In Spanish: Ocupación alemana de Checoslovaquia para niños