Disclaimer
First, I want to apologize everyone, who clicked on this topic and expected some HoI IV tactics. I can tell you that you don´t need to waste your time by reading and you can choose another topic without any regrets. For the other ones – if you are okay with "small" lecture about history of Czechoslovakia in interwar period, then you should better prepare some popcorn. And sorry for typos, I was doing my best to avoid them, but some things are just inevitable... ☹
Pronunciation
First, I want to keep czech names in original form, so there is little lecture about right pronunciation. Most of czech special letters can be transcribed into english. For example š=sh, so Beneš would sound like „benesh“, and symbol ´ over vowels means that vow should be pronounced about 2x longer than normal, for example name „Vít“ should be pronounced as „Veet“, not „Vit“. Short list of that letters:
š=sh, ch=kh, č=ch, ž=zh, ř=sounds like combo r and ž...
Introduction
So finally, let´s start. I decided to write this topic for one reason. Many players was complaining since announcement of Death or Dishonor DLC about country picks. And most of them about Czechoslovakia. Why Czechoslovakia and not Finland, Bulgaria, Turkey... It´s sad but for most players was Czechoslovakia something like Austria – just food for Germany, one event. Why they should have their own focus tree when they didn´t fight in WWII like Finland? From one point of view, they have right. But there is another one – Czechoslovakia was true milestone for WWII requirements. And one of biggest „what if“ questions, which give you real opportunity to make alternate history. But let start from beginning.
Birth of Czechoslovakia and Czechoslovak Legion
History of Czechoslovakia was written from 28th october 1918 when Czechs and Slovaks declared independence from Austria-Hungary, just 2 weeks before WWI ends. For both nations was that solution best of all solutions. Bohemia was most industrial developed part of Austria, but their status wasn´t recognized. Ofc there was effort of Karl I. to save A-H by reforming it into federation – but that offer wasn´t in october 1918 acceptable for Czechs nor Slovaks. Talking about Slovaks, they were since establishing Austria-Hungary in 1868 under strong hungarian „culture conversion“ and they have no interest to remain as part of Hungary, when was obvious that monarchy was falling apart – and in partnership with their „cultural brothers“ Czechs they saw opportunity how to protect vs hungarian revenge. So they made a deal with Czechs in Pittsbourgh (a strong Slovak diaspora lived there) where in new state was granted autonomy for Slovaks. This is important fact as you will learn later.
First 2 years was for young republic crucial. They have to defend their sovereinty vs Hungary (so called „Small war“), vs Poland and their claim of Zaolzie in 1919, and they won both war with help of Czechoslovak Legion. That were volunteer armed forces which fought together with Entente powers during WWI. Their goal was to win Allies´ support for independent Czechoslovakia. If you asked about numbers – more than 10k. They fought in Russia, France and Italy, and most important - were heavily involved in the Russian Civil War fighting Bolsheviks, at times controlling the entire Trans-Siberian railway and several major cities in Siberia. Legacy of this Legion was really important for Czechoslovakia as their members formed a significant part of new Czechoslovak Army and their command.
Economy and Industry
Czechoslovakia was really quicky reformed from late feudalism into modern state – in 1920 parliament passed many reforms to strenghten democratic character of state: 8 hours worktime, subsidies for unemployed, they passed many social reforms and granted women voting rights in full scale (one year before Sweden!). Most important factor – Czechoslovakia get about 70-80% of all industry of Austria-Hungary and became one of the world´s 10 most industrialized states. From factories biggest one was without doubt Škoda Works in Pilsen, which produced armanents, locomotives, cars and machinery. In northern Bohemia was well developed chemical industry. And really many light and heavy industry was located in Sudetenland and owned by Germans. Slovakia was mostly agricultural country and Ruthenia was one big hole... Situation became better when Czech in 1930s realised that having so much industry in Bohemia is too risky and they started to developed industry in Slovakia. Economical base in Czechoslovakia was in really good shape and even Hitler respected that power. Still, Czechoslovakia in game need some „secret weapon“, which makes it playable. Gladly, there is one...
Moravian Edison
A.k.a Josef Sousedík, Czech inventor, industrialist and resistance fighter. You never heared about him? Well, most Czechs and Slovaks too. That is a „legacy“ of communist coup in 1948. Commies tried to erase memory about him – because he collaborate with Western states during WWII and he was a factory owner. Josef Sousedík was born in 1894 and after finishing elementary school he trained as an electrician. After WWI he open his own workshop using his patents and inventions. His workshop expanded into factory employing over 200 people in 1934. The factory went bankrupt in 1934 during the Great Depression and was bought by Ringhoffer-Tatra, which employed Sousedík as a CEO. He also made huge effort in electrification of Czechoslovakia.
Talking about his inventions – he was really talented in electrical engineering – and in 1928 he build his own hybrid car capable to reach 70 km/h, which he used into everyday´s traveling into his workshop – sadly he doesn´t find any investor for mass production and that prototype was destroyed by fire of stable, where it was parked in 1940. He designed in 30s world-unique electrical-mechanic traction for train called „Slovenská strela“ with average speed 92 km/h (common trains of that era have average speed 68 km/h). His another patents was for example V.T.O.L airplane, electric rudder for boats, many industrial electric machines. Real genius who really deserves his nickname.
Fortunately, he was also politically active (2x elected as mayor of moravian city Vsetín – his birthplace) and he recognized nazi danger. In war years he refused collaborate with Germans, he hid many of his patents, refused to release any new ones (he planned to do that after war), even when he was working on anything, he try to delayed that works as much as possible. Only reason – he don´t want to support German war machinery. And he lead his own resistance group.
But after betrayal he was arrested 15th december 1944 by Gestapo. That interrogation was brutal, but at one moment he stayed alone in room only with one SS-official Körner. So Sousedík threw the typewriter on him and kicked him in his belly. Then he wanted to jump through the window and escaped into the woods. When he was standing in the window frame, Körner recovered himself, pulled out his pistol and shots him.
So Josef Sousedík took all of his patents, which he had only in his head, with himself into his grave. He was only 49...
So why Czechoslovakia fell so easily?
Answer was pretty simple – because demography. If we are looking on census in 1921, we will realised that from 13M of citizens were:
· 6,7 M Czechs
· 2,0 M Slovaks
· 3,1 M Germans
· 0,7 M Hungarians
· 0,4 M Ruthenians
· 0,4 M others
Did you see that number of Germans? They were more than Slovaks. And did you remember Pittsbourgh Agreement? If Czechs granted autonomy for Slovakia, then Germans in Sudetenland will demand it too. And that would be problem, because Germans and Hungarians wasn´t really loyal to Czechoslovakia in early dates of republic. How to solved this problem? Well, they found a solution – in Constitution declared „Czechoslovakian nation with 2 branches – czech and slovak“ and as national language „czechoslovak“. This solution helped in short term to solve this problem, but in long term this „Pragocentralism“ created rising nationalism of minorities, Slovaks included. This trend became critical in 1938 – and was finalized by Munich Agreement. Or betrayal.
Betrayal and broken national spirit
From the beginning was democratic Czechoslovakia surrounded by authoritan regimes. In 1920s was biggest danger „hungarian revanchism“ – so Czechoslovakia mades a defensive pact with Romania and Yugoslavia against Hungary, which was called Little Entente. This alliance was guaranteed by France. Sadly, Romania and Yugoslavia felt into sphere of rising Germany, which controlled about 40% of their import and this alliance was rusting faster than was safe.
With the rise of Hitler and his demands for unification of German minorities (the Sudeten Germans) and return of other claimed territories (the Sudetenland), the alarmed Czechoslovak leadership began preparing defensive plans. In 1935 Beneš made a decision to build a line of border fortification. The objective of the fortifications was to prevent the taking of key areas by an enemy (not only Germany but also Hungary and Poland) by means of a sudden attack before the mobilization of the Czechoslovak army could be completed, and to enable effective defense until allies (UK and France and possibly the Soviet Union) could help. Construction was very rapid and until September 1938 there was 20% of heavy blockhouses and 70% light pillboxes completed. Full system should have been completed by the early 1950s. But... situation has changed.
Even in this uncomplete state that defense line was really frightening for German army. In 1938 they just wasn´t ready to attack Czechoslovakia directly. But then came event called „Munich Agreement“. It all began when UK and France get Czechoslovakia ultimatum from Germany. Czechoslovakia has to cede Sudetenland without destroying any objects (including bunkers ofc). Czechoslovakia refused, but general Krejčí resignated and was replaced by general Syrový (btw. he lose eye in his Legion servitude in WWI). He declared partial mobilization to show Hitler determination of Czechoslovakian citizens. Their determination were really big – bigger than Hitler or Wehrmacht expected. Germans have air domination, but for war was prepared only 39 divisions. Real problem for Czechoslovakia was potentional (and very likely) attack of Poland and Hungary with their territoral claims. But what is interesting, many German officials view on potential war with Czechoslovakia as a suicide mission – and ploting versus Hitler to stop him (Oster conspiracy). (More about czechoslovakian mobilization in 1938 I wrote here )
Nothing of this happened. UK and France called in Munich a conference to solve this crisis. Result is known for everybody – Munich Agreement. What was most insulting – this agreement was made without Czechoslovak diplomats. And because of France (still ally of Czechoslovakia) participation – in Czechoslovakia nobody called it Agreement, but used alternative names as „Munich Betrayal“ and „Munich Dictate“. But Czechs and Slovaks still were ready to refuse it and defend their country with weapons. Sadly – nobody would help them. Soviet Union agreed with help only if France helped too. Czechoslovakia was abandoned. Beneš saw that the situation was hopeless and he agreed with deal made „about us without us“. That decision break czechoslovak spirit for good and crippled Czechoslovakia on many fronts.
Some people says that in that days Beneš circled at his presidential office and repeated, "Don´t worry, I have a plan. I have a plan.“ Unfortunately it became clear that he was thinking not about defense plan but about plane which he used as his escape route into London's exile.
Aftermath
Just few days after that Munich event Beneš resignated and Slovakia declare autonomy. Hungary called First Vienna Arbitration and as direct consequence took southern Slovakia without any resistance. Poland take their claimed parts of Czechoslovakia. In fact, Czechoslovakia was in agony and just awaited for finishing move. That came in march 1939. Hitler invited prime minister of autonomous Slovakia Tiso into Berlin and gave him another ultimatum – declare independence and we will protect you – or refuse it and Slovakia will be consumed by Hungary and Poland. Imagination of being again part of Hungary was for Slovakia scary, so they made decision of independence. Czechoslovakia was no more and rest of it was day after captured by German forces. Nobody protested...
Conclusion
Congratz if you made it here (I was wroting this about 5 hours, geez). I hope I was able to show you history of one small country, which was on the edge of changing history – but after betrayal of those who should protect her she just pumped Germany - and czechoslovakian tanks marched through Champs Elysee. Even after that – many Czechs were flying in the services of RAF and many Slovaks defected into Russian steppes. And what is really funny – due pretty big uprising in august 1944 in Slovakia (supressed by Germans 2 months after) was with Slovaks treated after war as with victors. Impressive performance for German satellite.
But there is still question – what if Czechoslovakia made in 1938 her last stand and choose to fight? Can she stop Hitler and probably WWII? I hope Death or Dishonor can give us pretty good simulation of this alternative – and I am really curious, how PDS can deal with Czechoslovakian Focus Tree...
And yeah, „Legacy of Czechoslovak Legion“ should be National Spirit granting some nice infantry bonuses...
First, I want to apologize everyone, who clicked on this topic and expected some HoI IV tactics. I can tell you that you don´t need to waste your time by reading and you can choose another topic without any regrets. For the other ones – if you are okay with "small" lecture about history of Czechoslovakia in interwar period, then you should better prepare some popcorn. And sorry for typos, I was doing my best to avoid them, but some things are just inevitable... ☹
Pronunciation
First, I want to keep czech names in original form, so there is little lecture about right pronunciation. Most of czech special letters can be transcribed into english. For example š=sh, so Beneš would sound like „benesh“, and symbol ´ over vowels means that vow should be pronounced about 2x longer than normal, for example name „Vít“ should be pronounced as „Veet“, not „Vit“. Short list of that letters:
š=sh, ch=kh, č=ch, ž=zh, ř=sounds like combo r and ž...
Introduction
So finally, let´s start. I decided to write this topic for one reason. Many players was complaining since announcement of Death or Dishonor DLC about country picks. And most of them about Czechoslovakia. Why Czechoslovakia and not Finland, Bulgaria, Turkey... It´s sad but for most players was Czechoslovakia something like Austria – just food for Germany, one event. Why they should have their own focus tree when they didn´t fight in WWII like Finland? From one point of view, they have right. But there is another one – Czechoslovakia was true milestone for WWII requirements. And one of biggest „what if“ questions, which give you real opportunity to make alternate history. But let start from beginning.
Birth of Czechoslovakia and Czechoslovak Legion
History of Czechoslovakia was written from 28th october 1918 when Czechs and Slovaks declared independence from Austria-Hungary, just 2 weeks before WWI ends. For both nations was that solution best of all solutions. Bohemia was most industrial developed part of Austria, but their status wasn´t recognized. Ofc there was effort of Karl I. to save A-H by reforming it into federation – but that offer wasn´t in october 1918 acceptable for Czechs nor Slovaks. Talking about Slovaks, they were since establishing Austria-Hungary in 1868 under strong hungarian „culture conversion“ and they have no interest to remain as part of Hungary, when was obvious that monarchy was falling apart – and in partnership with their „cultural brothers“ Czechs they saw opportunity how to protect vs hungarian revenge. So they made a deal with Czechs in Pittsbourgh (a strong Slovak diaspora lived there) where in new state was granted autonomy for Slovaks. This is important fact as you will learn later.
First 2 years was for young republic crucial. They have to defend their sovereinty vs Hungary (so called „Small war“), vs Poland and their claim of Zaolzie in 1919, and they won both war with help of Czechoslovak Legion. That were volunteer armed forces which fought together with Entente powers during WWI. Their goal was to win Allies´ support for independent Czechoslovakia. If you asked about numbers – more than 10k. They fought in Russia, France and Italy, and most important - were heavily involved in the Russian Civil War fighting Bolsheviks, at times controlling the entire Trans-Siberian railway and several major cities in Siberia. Legacy of this Legion was really important for Czechoslovakia as their members formed a significant part of new Czechoslovak Army and their command.
Economy and Industry
Czechoslovakia was really quicky reformed from late feudalism into modern state – in 1920 parliament passed many reforms to strenghten democratic character of state: 8 hours worktime, subsidies for unemployed, they passed many social reforms and granted women voting rights in full scale (one year before Sweden!). Most important factor – Czechoslovakia get about 70-80% of all industry of Austria-Hungary and became one of the world´s 10 most industrialized states. From factories biggest one was without doubt Škoda Works in Pilsen, which produced armanents, locomotives, cars and machinery. In northern Bohemia was well developed chemical industry. And really many light and heavy industry was located in Sudetenland and owned by Germans. Slovakia was mostly agricultural country and Ruthenia was one big hole... Situation became better when Czech in 1930s realised that having so much industry in Bohemia is too risky and they started to developed industry in Slovakia. Economical base in Czechoslovakia was in really good shape and even Hitler respected that power. Still, Czechoslovakia in game need some „secret weapon“, which makes it playable. Gladly, there is one...
Moravian Edison
A.k.a Josef Sousedík, Czech inventor, industrialist and resistance fighter. You never heared about him? Well, most Czechs and Slovaks too. That is a „legacy“ of communist coup in 1948. Commies tried to erase memory about him – because he collaborate with Western states during WWII and he was a factory owner. Josef Sousedík was born in 1894 and after finishing elementary school he trained as an electrician. After WWI he open his own workshop using his patents and inventions. His workshop expanded into factory employing over 200 people in 1934. The factory went bankrupt in 1934 during the Great Depression and was bought by Ringhoffer-Tatra, which employed Sousedík as a CEO. He also made huge effort in electrification of Czechoslovakia.
Talking about his inventions – he was really talented in electrical engineering – and in 1928 he build his own hybrid car capable to reach 70 km/h, which he used into everyday´s traveling into his workshop – sadly he doesn´t find any investor for mass production and that prototype was destroyed by fire of stable, where it was parked in 1940. He designed in 30s world-unique electrical-mechanic traction for train called „Slovenská strela“ with average speed 92 km/h (common trains of that era have average speed 68 km/h). His another patents was for example V.T.O.L airplane, electric rudder for boats, many industrial electric machines. Real genius who really deserves his nickname.
Fortunately, he was also politically active (2x elected as mayor of moravian city Vsetín – his birthplace) and he recognized nazi danger. In war years he refused collaborate with Germans, he hid many of his patents, refused to release any new ones (he planned to do that after war), even when he was working on anything, he try to delayed that works as much as possible. Only reason – he don´t want to support German war machinery. And he lead his own resistance group.
But after betrayal he was arrested 15th december 1944 by Gestapo. That interrogation was brutal, but at one moment he stayed alone in room only with one SS-official Körner. So Sousedík threw the typewriter on him and kicked him in his belly. Then he wanted to jump through the window and escaped into the woods. When he was standing in the window frame, Körner recovered himself, pulled out his pistol and shots him.
So Josef Sousedík took all of his patents, which he had only in his head, with himself into his grave. He was only 49...
So why Czechoslovakia fell so easily?
Answer was pretty simple – because demography. If we are looking on census in 1921, we will realised that from 13M of citizens were:
· 6,7 M Czechs
· 2,0 M Slovaks
· 3,1 M Germans
· 0,7 M Hungarians
· 0,4 M Ruthenians
· 0,4 M others
Did you see that number of Germans? They were more than Slovaks. And did you remember Pittsbourgh Agreement? If Czechs granted autonomy for Slovakia, then Germans in Sudetenland will demand it too. And that would be problem, because Germans and Hungarians wasn´t really loyal to Czechoslovakia in early dates of republic. How to solved this problem? Well, they found a solution – in Constitution declared „Czechoslovakian nation with 2 branches – czech and slovak“ and as national language „czechoslovak“. This solution helped in short term to solve this problem, but in long term this „Pragocentralism“ created rising nationalism of minorities, Slovaks included. This trend became critical in 1938 – and was finalized by Munich Agreement. Or betrayal.
Betrayal and broken national spirit
From the beginning was democratic Czechoslovakia surrounded by authoritan regimes. In 1920s was biggest danger „hungarian revanchism“ – so Czechoslovakia mades a defensive pact with Romania and Yugoslavia against Hungary, which was called Little Entente. This alliance was guaranteed by France. Sadly, Romania and Yugoslavia felt into sphere of rising Germany, which controlled about 40% of their import and this alliance was rusting faster than was safe.
With the rise of Hitler and his demands for unification of German minorities (the Sudeten Germans) and return of other claimed territories (the Sudetenland), the alarmed Czechoslovak leadership began preparing defensive plans. In 1935 Beneš made a decision to build a line of border fortification. The objective of the fortifications was to prevent the taking of key areas by an enemy (not only Germany but also Hungary and Poland) by means of a sudden attack before the mobilization of the Czechoslovak army could be completed, and to enable effective defense until allies (UK and France and possibly the Soviet Union) could help. Construction was very rapid and until September 1938 there was 20% of heavy blockhouses and 70% light pillboxes completed. Full system should have been completed by the early 1950s. But... situation has changed.
Even in this uncomplete state that defense line was really frightening for German army. In 1938 they just wasn´t ready to attack Czechoslovakia directly. But then came event called „Munich Agreement“. It all began when UK and France get Czechoslovakia ultimatum from Germany. Czechoslovakia has to cede Sudetenland without destroying any objects (including bunkers ofc). Czechoslovakia refused, but general Krejčí resignated and was replaced by general Syrový (btw. he lose eye in his Legion servitude in WWI). He declared partial mobilization to show Hitler determination of Czechoslovakian citizens. Their determination were really big – bigger than Hitler or Wehrmacht expected. Germans have air domination, but for war was prepared only 39 divisions. Real problem for Czechoslovakia was potentional (and very likely) attack of Poland and Hungary with their territoral claims. But what is interesting, many German officials view on potential war with Czechoslovakia as a suicide mission – and ploting versus Hitler to stop him (Oster conspiracy). (More about czechoslovakian mobilization in 1938 I wrote here )
Nothing of this happened. UK and France called in Munich a conference to solve this crisis. Result is known for everybody – Munich Agreement. What was most insulting – this agreement was made without Czechoslovak diplomats. And because of France (still ally of Czechoslovakia) participation – in Czechoslovakia nobody called it Agreement, but used alternative names as „Munich Betrayal“ and „Munich Dictate“. But Czechs and Slovaks still were ready to refuse it and defend their country with weapons. Sadly – nobody would help them. Soviet Union agreed with help only if France helped too. Czechoslovakia was abandoned. Beneš saw that the situation was hopeless and he agreed with deal made „about us without us“. That decision break czechoslovak spirit for good and crippled Czechoslovakia on many fronts.
Some people says that in that days Beneš circled at his presidential office and repeated, "Don´t worry, I have a plan. I have a plan.“ Unfortunately it became clear that he was thinking not about defense plan but about plane which he used as his escape route into London's exile.
Aftermath
Just few days after that Munich event Beneš resignated and Slovakia declare autonomy. Hungary called First Vienna Arbitration and as direct consequence took southern Slovakia without any resistance. Poland take their claimed parts of Czechoslovakia. In fact, Czechoslovakia was in agony and just awaited for finishing move. That came in march 1939. Hitler invited prime minister of autonomous Slovakia Tiso into Berlin and gave him another ultimatum – declare independence and we will protect you – or refuse it and Slovakia will be consumed by Hungary and Poland. Imagination of being again part of Hungary was for Slovakia scary, so they made decision of independence. Czechoslovakia was no more and rest of it was day after captured by German forces. Nobody protested...
Conclusion
Congratz if you made it here (I was wroting this about 5 hours, geez). I hope I was able to show you history of one small country, which was on the edge of changing history – but after betrayal of those who should protect her she just pumped Germany - and czechoslovakian tanks marched through Champs Elysee. Even after that – many Czechs were flying in the services of RAF and many Slovaks defected into Russian steppes. And what is really funny – due pretty big uprising in august 1944 in Slovakia (supressed by Germans 2 months after) was with Slovaks treated after war as with victors. Impressive performance for German satellite.
But there is still question – what if Czechoslovakia made in 1938 her last stand and choose to fight? Can she stop Hitler and probably WWII? I hope Death or Dishonor can give us pretty good simulation of this alternative – and I am really curious, how PDS can deal with Czechoslovakian Focus Tree...
And yeah, „Legacy of Czechoslovak Legion“ should be National Spirit granting some nice infantry bonuses...
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