Now, dear Helen, how has it been with you? Maybe this letter will not reach you because in the meantime, you maybe also got married and carry another name? I am exceptionally interested what changes have happened to my American girlfriend. Let’s hope that this letter has reached your hands, and you can write to me, too. This letter was sent through a US citizen who lives in Linz as a soldier for the American occupation. He will forward this with his mail to the USA and his wife will forward it to you. I will ask the man that mediated to give you his US address so that you can write to him. He will then forward to me. You, my dear Helen, are heartfully greeted by my wife, my family and especially from me, who wishes you all the best. May there be a good fate that might happen, that you are once again able to come to Europe to visit our beautiful, but at the moment poor country. I have made plans to come to the USA to buy machines for a spinnery weaving mill and ropes/cables for my father-in-law. I do not want to miss this chance to pay my respects to you. Again, my deepest greetings and wishes, Your European friend from Ober-Oesterreich (Austria)
P.S. — Could you send me brochures for ropes/cables and spinning machines for hemp?”
Hitler annexed all of Austria in March of 1938. He was demanding part of Czechoslovakia at this point in time. On September 29-30, France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom settled the looming crisis over the Sudetenland portion of Czechoslovakia, by ceding it to Germany. Because the last month of Helen’s trip coincided with the tense weeks leading up to the Munich Agreement, I am including a brief timeline below, in the event that you would like to see what was happening on certain significant days in September, 1938.
September 1, 1938 — Hitler demands that Czechoslovakia immediately concede the Sudetenland portion of its country, to Germany.
September 6-12, 1938 — (Nuremberg Rally) Hitler demands right of self-determination for the Sudetenland Germans.
September 7, 1938 — Because of Hitler’s demands on Czechoslovakia, France announces a partial mobilization of its armed forces.
September 8, 1938 — British Inner Cabinet meets to discuss the crisis involving Czechoslovakia. They consider appeasement as a way of allowing time for British rearmament.
September 13, 1938 — Marshall Law is declared in the Sudetenland, by Czechoslovakian President Benes.
September 15, 1938 — The crisis impels Great Britain’s Neville Chamberlain to fly to Germany for a face-to-face meeting with Hitler.
September 16, 1938 — British Lord Runcamin recommends that Czechoslovakia border territories containing a majority of ethnic Germans, be relinquished to Germany.
September 18, 1938 — There is a meeting in London, at which British and French Cabinet members, finalize an Anglo-French plan designed to appease Hitler with regard to the Sudetenland. Italy states that they will side with Germany if there is a war.
September 20-21, 1938 — Officials of France and England inform Czechoslovakia that they will not help the Czechs (if attacked) if they do not accept the French-Anglo appeasement plan. Czechoslovakia feels forced to back down.
September 22-23, 1938 — A new Czechoslovakian government is formed. Chamberlain again meets with Hitler to discuss his demands.
September 23, 1938 — The new Czechoslovakian government mobilizes its army.
September 24, 1938 — London considers precautions for air raids by setting up gas mask distribution centers. France is amassing troops.
September 25-26, 1938 — The French government decides to commit to defending Czechoslovakia, if the Germans attack. Great Britain and Russia indicate that they would stand by France.
September 26, 1938 — During a speech in Berlin, Hitler declares that German-speaking citizens in Czechoslovakia are being mistreated. He makes demands for more territories.
September 27, 1938 — Hitler now threatens war with Czechoslovakia, to claim the Sudetenland area.
September 29, 1938 — During the Munich Conference, when Hitler promises to make no further demands, France and England agree that he should take possession of the Sudetenland portion of Czechoslovakia.
September 30, 1938 — The Munich Agreement is signed by Hitler, Chamberlain, Mussolini, and Daladier. Czechoslovakia accepts the agreement and will offer no military resistance. Chamberlain says, “I believe it is peace for our time.” Churchill declares the agreement as a total defeat.
October 1, 1938 — German troops occupy the Czechoslovakian Sudetenland.
Acknowledgements
This book would not have been possible without the support of my family and friends, who encouraged me to fulfill my aunt’s wishes to share her unique pre-WWII experiences with the reading public. I am extremely grateful to my Aunt Helen who kept track of the details of her journey and preserved the photos for so many years. I consider Helen the real author of this book. I am also sincerely thankful to Sylvia Diedrich, who enthusiastically took on the task of expertly translating a letter that the Austrian soldier wrote to my aunt, after the end of WWII.
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 by 1938 Publishing Company
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN 978-0-9838196-3-9
Kathleen A. Reed
Email the author: kreed1178@gmail.com
Web Site: www.howisawhitler.com