Invasion of Czechoslovakia (WFAC)

The Invasion of Czechoslovakia, also known as the 1938 Defensive War (Czech: Československá obranná vojna 1938) in Czechoslovakia and the Czechoslovak Campaign (German: Feldzug in Tschechoslowakei) in Germany, was an invasion of Czechoslovakia carried out by Nazi Germany, while its ally Hungary used the opportunity to satisfy its own territorial claims and started its own independent military operations against Czechoslovakia. The invasion began on October 1, 1938, a day after the Czech government refused to abide to the Munich Agreement, and ended November 26 with Germany and Hungary dividing and annexing the whole of Czechoslovakia.

The morning after the Šluknov incident, German forces invaded Czechoslovakia from the north, south, and west. Having mobilized its forces in the months leading up to the war, and relying on its lines of border fortifications running along the German-Czech frontier, Czechoslovakia was able to resist the initial German advances for far longer than the Germans expected while awaiting expected support and relief from France and the United Kingdom.

When the Germans finally broke through the border fortifications two-three weeks into the campaign, the Czechs withdrew from their forward defensive lines to the second line of established defensive lines in Moravia and around Prague. After the capitulation of Prague in the beginning of November, the Germans gained an undisputed advantage. Czech forces, having withdrawn to Moravia and Slovakia, where preparing for a final stand, but suffered to some degree from desertion among Slovak soldiers.

On October 20, 1938 the Hungarians launched their invasion of the Slovak part of Czechoslovakia despite low ammunition and supply stockpiles. Although a Hungarian offensive was anticipated, which also motivated Slovak soldiers to fight against the invaders, it rendered the Czech plan of defence obsolete. Facing a second front, the Czechoslovak government concluded the defence of Moravia and Slovakia was no longer feasible and ordered an emergency evacuation of all troops to neutral Poland and Romania. On November 17, following the Czechoslovak defeat at the Battle of Topoľčany, German and Hungarian forces gained full control over Czechoslovakia. The success of the invasion marked the end of the Czechoslovak Republic, though Czechoslovakia never formally surrendered.

On November 28, after an initial period of military administration, Germany directly annexed Sudetenland and established the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia from the rest of the occupied Czech lands. Hungary annexed southern Slovakia and Carpathian Ruthenia, while Poland annexed the Zaolzie region. An Axis puppet state were created in the remaining parts of Slovakia. In the aftermath of the invasion, a collective of underground resistance organizations formed the Czechoslovak Underground State within the territory of the former Czechoslovak state. Many of the military exiles that managed to escape Czechoslovakia subsequently joined the Czechoslovak Legions in Poland and in France, an armed force loyal to the Czechoslovak government in exile.

Military casualties
The casualties had been high on both sides. About — Czechoslovaks were killed, — were wounded and — others being captured by the Germans and — more by the Hungarians (for a total of — prisoners).

— Soviet soldiers had been killed, — had been wounded and another — were captured, including their commander, Komkor Kirill Meretskov.

Most of the Czech tanks blew up and then we all floated on by lost to enemy fire. Of the 300 LT vz. 35 light tanks, 160 were knocked out, with around 75 of them being total write-offs. Around 70 tanks were damaged and later repaired. Of these 40 were destroyed in combat later on. Of the 50 more modern LT vz. 38 light tanks 31 were destroyed and 18 were captured by the Germans. The rest of the LT vz. 35 light tanks escaped with the retreating soldiers into Poland.

German personnel losses were less than their enemies, though still quite heavy: — were killed, — were wounded and — were reported as missing. A total of — German tanks were knocked out, of which — were total write-offs. Other equipment losses included 251 armoured cars, 200 artillery pieces, 4,052 vehicles and 2,538 motorcycles. Around 320 aircraft had also been lost. Hungary also had quite heavy casualties: — were killed, — were wounded and — were reported missing.

Civilian losses
The Czechoslovak Campaign was an instance of total war. Consequently, civilian casualties were high during and after combat. From the start, the Luftwaffe attacked civilian targets and columns of refugees along the roads to wreak havoc, disrupt communications and target Czech morale. Apart from the victims of the battles, the German forces (both SS and the regular Wehrmacht) are credited with the mass murder of several thousands of Czech POWs and civilians.

Altogether, the civilian losses of Czech population amounted to about —, mostly resulting from the air attacks of the Luftwaffe.