| Standing in his open top car Führer und Reichskanzler (“Leader and Reich Chancellor”) Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) drives through Aš (Asch), Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia at the head of his troops on Oct 3, 1938 in a Mercedes G4. He crossed the border and drove in triumph to Asch, and then to Eger, where he addressed a large crowd in the market place. he local Germans, who made up the majority of the population of this region at that time, joyfully welcome the unification with Germany. Wehrmacht soldiers marched with Sudeten girls on parade during Adolf Hitler’s visit to Asch (Aš), in the Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic). The Canberra Times reported, “Herr Hitler, accompanied by Herr [Sudeten German politician Konrad] Henlein [(May 6, 1898 – May 10, 1945)] left Hoff for Eger at 1015 Hours this morning. Henlein and staff arrived at Eger last night to prepare for the Führer’s arrival. German troops occupying the Eger region include more mechanized units than columns occupying other zones. Thousands of residents did not sleep last night, but gathered on the roadside to cheer the troops, many of whom thrust posies of flowers into their rifle barrels. The enthusiasm was greater than in any other occupied centre. Roars of welcome drowned the noises of mechanized artillery, anti-aircraft guns, and infantry transports clattering through the congested old-time streets of Eger. Military lorries passing through Asch include a wagon on which the soldiers supported uprooted Czech boundary posts on which the Czech arms and colors had been disfigured. Crowds cheered and cheered the symbol of the swastika.” “The British United Press correspondent in Sudetenland says that the occupation is proceeding peacefully. The Germans, also the Sudetens and the Czechs, are doing their utmost to avoid incidents. For instance, the commander at Kaminitz declared, “Fellow citizens, maintain discipline, do not shout insults at the retiring troops.” Many accidents occurred and were due to the over-hasty rule of the road substituting German for Czechoslovakian. The evacuation is going on steadily. Mechanized units and heavy artillery are jamming the road. The Czech population of Reichenberg, the biggest industrial city in North Bohemia, is manning the defenses accompanied by hundreds of German Social Democrats, who do not desire to live under the German regime.” “Third Zone Occupied – Berlin, Monday. German troops, under the com- mand of General [Walter] Von Reichenau [(October 8, 1884 – January 17, 1942)], crossed the frontier of the third zone at 0800 Hours, between Selb and Marknau, including the towns of Eger, Asch and the famous town of Marianbad, Carlsbad and Frazenbad. The procession lasted twenty minutes. Troops were greeted by cheers of “One, People, One Reich, One Führer.” There was no untoward incident. Peaceful Occupation.” “London, Sunday. – Thousands of German troops entered Sudetenland today. Occupation of zone two in northeastern Czechoslovakia has commenced. All communications have been taken over as the march proceeded so that essential services could be assured. Major [Charles] Armstrong June 11, 1897 – December 11, 1985), Assistant British Military attache in Berlin, and Major Bandini, of the Italian Embassy in Berlin, are in Zone one, supervising the carrying out of the agreement. Major Armstrong informed the British United Press correspondent that the Czechs had faithfully complied with the agreement. German occupation of zone one would be completed by tonight, including the first of the Czech fortifications which were hastily built after Germany had swallowed up Austria. Czech soldiers who faced the Germans in some places last night, moved out before dawn. A Czech Government committee, under [General] Premier [Jan] Sirovy [(January 24, 1888 – October 17, 1970], has been formed to deal with the influx of refugees from territories that the Germans are now occupying. Many Czechs and German socialists left the zone following the Czech troops with their belongings loaded on handcarts, wheel barrows, and perambulators, trudging along roads in drizzling rain.” “Henlein Welcomed at Birthplace – Prague, Sunday. The Sudeten leader, Herr [Konrad] Henlein, was given an ovation on arrival at his birthplace at Asch. Reports from the frontier refer to the exemplary behavior of the German troops, but, on the other hand, Sudetens have been involved in a number of incidents. They sacked Czech houses and shops at Krumau, but the troops did not interfere in order to avoid a disturbance. Sudetens also bombed the Preistadt Customs House. Czech refugees have been ordered to return to Sudetenland in readiness for the plebiscite. Hungary has agreed to the Czech suggestion for a mixed commission to settle the minority dispute.” Hitler’s Position Strengthened – London, Monday. The Munich conference has undoubtedly enormously strengthened Herr Hitler’s hold on the people, whose morale in recent weeks has been steadily becoming worse, says the Berlin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. More open grumbling was heard than at any time since the Nazi regime was inaugurated, but all is now silenced by the resounding success. Germans are not allowed to learn that Herr Hitler made concessions at Munich. Even well-informed circles who realize that Munich was a partial retreat after Godesberg, point out that Herr Hitler secured more than had been asked 3 weeks ago. Thus, the Führer’s increased prestige is a factor which must be envisioned in the future to which political circles are turning their eyes. Although Herr Hitler declared that he does not entertain further territorial claims in Europe, Nazis are of the opinion that this does not prevent German minorities in other countries from clamoring for inclusion in the Reich. Thus, Vorposten, the Nazi official organ in Danzig, carries on the front pages the slogan “Back to the Reich.” The Hamburger Fremdenblatt expresses the opinion that Herr Hitler will now give prominence to the return of the colonies. The paper says that England, with her feelings for honor, will be the 1st to realize that a mighty nation of 80,000,000 will not tolerate the deprivation of her colonies by a verdict imposed with violence. Herr Hitler on Saturday was seldom seen in a more carefree or joyous mood. He told officials that the day of the Munich conference was the happiest of his life. Congratulations from all over the world included telegrams from [Harold Harmsworth, 1st Viscount] Lord Rothermere [(April 26, 1868 – November 26, 1940); owner of the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror, and proponent of the British Union of Fascists; died in Bermuda early in World War II]. Hitler’s Concessions – London, Sunday. According to the diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, Herr Hitler has substantially receded, as the map published shows that compared with his original demands, he may not receive all the areas which he hoped to incorporate in the Reich. Many in which he demanded plebiscites, have been excluded, but as the German people are not aware of this, they can be told that Herr Hitler scored another bloodless victory. Causes of his recession from the Godesberg plan included warnings from the General Staff about opposition abroad, the deterioration of morale in Germany, insufficient progress in the training and equipment of the army, also the inability of Italy to face a major conflict, and even possibility of her neutrality, and that of rebel Spain and Hungary. Therefore, it was regrettable that Britain and France did not demand at Munich a postponement of the original date of occupation and insist on adequate safeguards. Many other points ought also to have been settled. For example, no provision was made for 700 hostages held by Germany. On April 20, 1945, Hitler’s birthday, Aš was liberated, the 1st Czech city by the United States Army. Facing Allied justice since he was responsible for deporting so many Christian and Jewish Czechs and Sudetens to concentration camps, Konrad Heinlein committed suicide in American custody after being captured in 1945. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1764.jpg |
| Image Size | 341.62 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2000 x 1352 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | October 4, 1938 |
| Location | |
| City | Asch |
| State or Province | Karlovy Vary |
| Country | Czechoslovakia |
| Archive | |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
Author of the World War II Multimedia Database