Chapter 112 Chapter Eighteen "Crystal Night" (5)

At dawn on March 15, two unkempt men, "faces ashen with fright," came to the American Legation in Prague and asked for asylum.According to them, they were Czech agents in Germany and were identified by the local Gestapo. “Their faces were twitching and their lips were quivering as I sent them away,” George Kennan recalled.A moment later, according to the instructions of the upper pole, he had to release the two German refugees who escaped from Hitler to the snow-covered street.There, "they were nothing more than animals being chased." Next came an acquainted Jew who was only allowed to stay by the embassy as long as he could sedate himself. "Poor thing, he's been walking up and down the living room all morning."

In London it was Lord Halifax who first heard of the invasion—he had it from the ambassador in Prague.A few hours later, Henderson called from Berlin and asked his superiors to postpone the visit of the head of the trade agency to Germany. "It seems to me impossible to prevent Germany from 'returning order', but, even so, I object to any visits by UK cabinet ministers at this critical juncture." In less than an hour, Henderson called again and read out the agreement signed by Hitler and Hacha.At 11 o'clock in the morning, he dictated the content of the bulletin that Hitler had just sent to the German people: since Sunday, the bulletin said that "barbaric excesses" against the Germans had occurred in many Czech villages. Appeals from the persecuted are growing with each passing day.

The shocked Henderson should at least understand that it was his mission to Berlin that "finally turned the boat over." "I regard going to Berlin as soul-destroying work, do you doubt that?" He hastily wrote an informal letter to Halifax. "Hitler is taking the risk again." On the train from Berlin, Hitler slept most of the time and did not wake up until noon on that memorable March 15th. "I must be first in Prague," he said to the footman as he dressed.The closer he got to the border, the more nervous he became.After half an hour, Hitler and his party got off near the border and transferred to a car.Hitler was in the first car, sitting next to the driver Kempka.A convoy of 10 cars marched slowly in the face of heavy wind and snow.The convoy drove through the empty customs on both sides, and soon after, they ran into the German army struggling in the wind and snow.

Kempka turned his car off the main road and followed a winding muddy side road until he arrived in Prague after dusk.No one paid any attention to the convoy as it arrived at the Hradsin Palace.Hitler and his party decided to camp in the fortress, so they sent people into the city to get some food and drinks such as Prague ham, rolls, cream, cheese, and Pilsner beer.It was the first time Keitel saw Hitler drinking beer. Germany's latest aggression provoked an immediate and violent reaction.In response to the outrage, the British and French governments promised to provide military guarantees to Poland, Romania, Greece, and Turkey.At the same time, the governments of the two countries also took the initiative to hold political and military talks with the Soviet Union.Even Hitler's own allies were furious.Ciano wrote bitterly in his diary that night that the invasion of Czechoslovakia had destroyed the state established in Munich.

Hitler had already sent Prince Philip von Hesse to Rome with a letter of explanation.He hoped that Mussolini would forgive and put recent events in perspective.Mussolini, despite Ciano's complaints that "the Italians laugh at me; Hitler writes me a letter every time he takes a country," decided that, especially now, an alliance with the victors was crucial. “We cannot change policy now,” he said. “After all, we are not political whores.” But at the same time, it would be a shame to bow down to this young partner.Ciano had never seen his father-in-law so downcast. Hitler seems to have completely forgotten about criticism at home and abroad.By March 16, his complacency again seemed justified.At that time, he was in the castle of the King of Bohemia, and the "Swastika" flag was flying on the battlements around the castle.

He stood on the wall, surveying the country he had recently conquered, and rejoicing at the capture of an ancient city with so many monuments to the Teutons. In 1621, 27 leaders of the Protestant uprising against the Habsburg dynasty were executed in front of the city hall.On Republic Square, Kaiser Wilhelm, Bismarck and Moltke stayed at the famous "Blue Star" hotel during the Franco-Prussian War. Prague's magnificent buildings, many of which were designed by German architects, were, in his view, largely the result of Teutonic influence.Only the Germans could build such castles, bridges and other structures!An adjutant interrupted Hitler's reverie.The adjutant informed him that neither Britain nor France had mobilized. "I know," he said, and made another prophecy: "It won't be talked about for another two weeks." There are reports that pro-Nazi Czechs have taken to the streets of Prague, writing "JID" in big colorful letters. " or "JUDE" to mark Jewish shops.This is the report that interested Hitler even more!Later that day, Father Tissot telegraphed Berlin that Slodeck was independent and asked for German protection.Thus Czechoslovakia was truly disintegrated.Hitler's troops marched into Slovakia without hesitation.The province of Lusignia, also demanded that it be brought into his orbit, but Hitler was more interested in placating the Hungarians.He allowed Hungarian troops to flood across the border and occupy the province of Lucinia—all the way to the Polish border.After only 20 years of independence, the entire territory of Czechoslovakia is once again an enslaved country.

Although Britain did not mobilize, it was furious. "I fully understand Mr. Hitler's taste for bloodless victory," Halifax warned the German ambassador, "but before long he will find himself confronting something other than bloodless!" He and the outspoken Juddgan had for some time opposed some aspects of Chamberlain's appeasement policy, but out of loyalty they supported him.The time has come, however, to take a stand.The Foreign Minister found Chamberlain and made it clear that the whole country, the whole party and the House of Commons unanimously demanded that Hitler's aggression be publicly and actively condemned.

Chamberlain heeded this advice. On the 18th, Ambassador Henderson was temporarily transferred from Berlin to return home.That night, on the eve of the Prime Minister's 70th birthday, Chamberlain gave a speech in Birmingham that changed the direction of British foreign policy in one fell swoop.He warned that it would be a great mistake to think that Great Britain (despite its hatred of war) "has no backbone to try to resist such a challenge - should it be made". It was not a call to arms, but as the words came from a symbol of compromise, it roused the enthusiasm of the audience, as it did signal the end of appeasement.

It also shows that, for the first time, Hitler miscalculated significantly.It is true that Hitler took Czechoslovakia by threat of force, but he did not see that, as time went on, Czechoslovakia would eventually come into his orbit peacefully.And, by tearing up international agreements to which his government freely entered, he completely reversed official and public opinion in England and France.Chamberlain and his followers would never believe Hitler again.Hitler had broken the rules of the game—and not very worth it. Why, then, did the Führer make such an obvious and colossal blunder?First, he did not expect such a strong repercussion for his actions.On the Austrian issue, he used the pretext of restoring law and order. Didn't the West also accept it?Weren't they also satisfied with that plausible argument in Munich?He believed that while his strength was still strong and Germany's military strength was superior to that of its opponents, he must occupy the territories Germany needed to secure the future of the Teutonic nation.

When he crossed into Czechoslovakia, he had no idea where and who he would fight next time.He thought only that he must take Bohemia and Moravia before taking (or threatening to take) further military action.Therefore, in Hitler's view, he did not make any major mistakes, but suffered a setback in public relations.All he cares about is the next step.