Posted on 09/17/2008 5:27:20 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
While the British leader was entertaining these comforting illusions ["In spite of the hardness and ruthlessness I thought I saw in his face, I got the impression that here was a man who could be relied upon when he had given his word."-From yesterday’s update-Homer] Hitler went ahead with his military and political plans for the invasion of Czechoslovakia. Colonel Jodl, on behalf of OKW, worked out with the Propaganda Ministry what he described in his diary as "joint preparations for refutation of our own violations of international law." It was to be a rough war, at least on the part of the Germans, and Dr. Goebbels' job was to justify Nazi excesses. The plan for his lies was worked out in great detail. On September 17 Hitler assigned an OKW staff officer to help Henlein, who was now operating from new headquarters at a castle at Dondorf, outside Bayreuth, to organize the Sudeten Free Corps. It was to be armed with Austrian weapons and its orders from the Fuehrer were to maintain "disturbances and clashes" with the Czechs.
William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Pg. 387
And in other interesting news, the zipper makes life easier!
Fascinating. Thanks for posting. Ping.
I forgot to ping the ping list. See Reply #2 for update.
Hey, now I can safely lift the couch while I have my wife retreive that chunk of Plutonium I kicked under it.
No new front page stories today. Just one from page 29 (Sunday edition). And it is defective since the right edge of the second column is cropped. I hope there are not many more like that. The originals through 9/30 are recycled by this time. Beginning October 1 I will add an inspection step to my process to prevent such errors.
September 18, a day on which Chamberlain occupied himself with rallying his cabinet and the French to his policy of surrender, was a busy one for Hitler and his generals. The jumping-off schedule for five armies, the Second, Eighth, Tenth, Twelfth and Fourteenth, comprising thirty-six divisions, including three armored, was sent out. Hitler also confirmed the selection of the commanding officers for ten armies. General Adam, despite his obstreperousness, was left in over-all command in the west. Surprisingly, two of the plotters were recalled from retirement and named to lead armies: General Beck the First Army, and General von Hammerstein the Fourth Army.
Both the French and British governments [they told the Czechs in a formal note] recognize how great is the sacrifice thus required of the Czechoslovak Government in the cause of peace. But because that cause is common both to Europe in general and in particular to Czechoslovakia herself they have felt it their duty jointly to set forth frankly the conditions essential to secure it.
Also, they were in a hurry. The German dictator could not wait.
The Prime Minister must resume conversations with Herr Hitler not later than Wednesday [September 22], and earlier if possible. We therefore feel we must ask for your reply at the earliest possible moment.
William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Pg. 387, 389
High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel, WOT
..................
Post 8 regarding the "holy warriors" and Bethlehem might be of passing interest. Some things don't change.
............That these refuges will not remain idle is indicated in the following phrase, “At their own wish, these Sudetens will be put to work garnering the potato crop.” ........
Interesting about that new fangled contraption, the zipper and how it was sold.
"...Chamberlain flew to Berchtesgaden, the fuhrer's retreat in the Bavarian Alps, on September 15.
"When the two leaders met, Hitler demanded self-determination for the Sudeten areas and their annexation to Germany. Chamberlain replied that he would have to consult his cabinet and the leaders of France. But he left Hitler with the clear understanding that he would get what he wanted.
The fuhrer promised Chamberlain he would not launcfh an attack on Czechoslovakia before the two held another summit meeting, and in Germany, within the next few days. Pleased by what he regarded as Hitler's tractability, Chamberlain wrote his sister: "I got the impression that here was a man who could be relied upon when he had given his word."
"Several members of his cabinet did not share that view. When Chamberlain returned to London and reported on his trip, [Admiralty Lord] Duff Cooper, [Board of Trade President] Oliver Stanley, and a handful of other ministers found the results "frightful." As Cooper noted, "From beginning to end Hitler had not shown the slightest sign of yielding on a single point." He and Stanley, backed by the lord privy seal, Lord De la Warr, and the health minister, Walter Elliot, refused to endorse the ceding of the Sudetenland to Germany without further discussion.
"Stanley argued the Britain should go to war rather than give in to Hitler's demands.
"A number of other prominent figures joined in criticizing the Berchtesgaden deal.
"In Washington, President Franklin D. Roosevelt summoned the British ambassador to tell him that the plan to dismember Czechoslovakia was "the most terrible, remorseless sacrifice that has ever been demanded of a state" and that "it would provoke a highly unfavorable reaction in America."
"Churchill declared that if Czechoslovakia were neutralized, at least twenty-five German divisions would be freed to threaten France and the Low Countries. It was "not Czechoslovakia alone which is menaced," Churchill said, "but also the freedom and democracy of all nations."
What is the scope of "Troublesome Young Men"? It looks like it might be a good read.
It covers pre-war in Britain. Interestingly, Churchill is reduced to a background character, and the spotlight shines on various opposition leaders who are today nearly unknown, but without whom Churchill could not have become PM.
BTW, correct spelling is Lynne Olson (not Olsen, sorry)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.