[Homer_J_Simpson]

If you would like to be added to or deleted from the Real Time +/- 70 Years ping list, send me a freepmail.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Under the terms of the Munich Agreement Hitler got substantially what he had demanded at Godesberg, and the “International Commission,” bowing to his threats, gave him considerably more. The final settlement of November 20, 1938, forced Czechoslovakia to cede to Germany 11,000 square miles of territory in which dwelt 2,800,000 Sudeten Germans and 800,000 Czechs. Within this area lay all the vast Czech fortifications which hitherto had formed the most formidable defensive line in Europe, with the possible exception of the Maginot Line in France.

But that was not all. Czechoslovakia’s entire system of rail, road, telephone and telegraph communications was disrupted. According to German figures, the dismembered country lost 66 per cent of its coal, 80 per cent of its lignite, 86 per cent of its chemicals, 80 per cent of its cement, 80 per cent of its textiles, 70 per cent of its iron and steel, 70 per cent of its electric power and 40 per cent of its timber. A prosperous industrial nation was s;lit up and bankrupted overnight.

No wonder that Jodl could write joyfully in his diary on the night of Munich:

The Pact of Munich is signed. Czechoslovakia as a power is out . . . The genius of the Fuehrer and his determination not to shun even a World War have again won the victory without the use of force. The hope remains that the incredulous, the weak and the doubtful people have been converted, and will remain that way.

William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, pp. 421-422

[CougarGA7]

The Mercury Theatre presents The Pickwick Papers tonight which can be downloaded from here. Remember that sponsorship has been picked up and the show will be called Campbell Playhouse after this week.

[Fiji Hill]

Having won eight straight games, Notre Dame should prove to be a formidable foe when they take on USC in the Coliseum in a couple of weeks. However, with the Golden bears breathing down their necks, the Trojans must beat UCLA on Thanksgiving to get to the Rose Bowl. Although they will be tied with Cal for the Pacific Coast Conference championship, the Trojans will likely go to Pasadena if they beat the Bruins, since they defeated the Golden Bears two weeks ago.

UCLA stunned the Trojans with a 7-7 tie on Turkey Day two years ago in a game USC was favored to win. However, the Bruins have never beaten the Trojans since the two teams began playing each other in 1929.