Battle of Šumperk (Fall Grün)

Battle of Šumperk took place between October 21 and October 12, 1938 in the town of Šumperk, Czechoslovakia.

The Battle
The following day, elements of the 3. Panzer-Division supported by the 3. Infanterie-Division had reached the outskirts of Šumperk (Mährisch Schönberg) following a pincer movement which cut off the defenders in the city. The defenders were the main part of the Hraniční oblast 36 ”Prokop” under the command of Brig. Gen. Otakar Líčka. At 13:00 German artillery began shelling the centre and the Czech positions around Šumperk.

One and a half hour later, the first Germans appeared, but their infantry were forced to retreat due to heavy machinegun fire and artillery positioned in ____. Following an air attack consisting of Dornier Do-17s of the ____ a second assault, this time supported by infantry guns, armoured cars and 50 Pz.Kpfw. I and II light tanks, attacked the Czech positions two hours later, and this time the Czechs were forced to retreat into the town itself in order to set up defences there. The Germans persued them, but the tanks then suddenly faced soldiers with Molotov cocktails and anti-tank cannons, and thus were forced to halt the attack.

At 21:00 the Germans resumed the attack, this time supported by pioneers armed with satchel charges and flamethrower. The Czech defenders fought bravely, but in futile. At 05:30 the Germans had seized control of much of the town, and at 06:08, Brig. Gen. Otakar Líčka capitulated to a delegation representing Gen.d.Inf. Johannes Blaskowitz (the commander of II. Armeekorps) and Gen.Lt. Walter Petzel (the commander of 3. Infanterie-Division).