113 Austria

The Austrian government finally understood its situation in July 1933. The British and Western European powers finally abandoned them in order to allow Germany to "advance east". The French are struggling to break free from the economic crisis and the bottomless pit of the Maginot Line, and they cannot take care of them for the time being. The Soviets secretly flirted with Germany from the beginning, selling Austria and the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia to the Germans. Italy, the only country more opposed to Germany's annexation of Austria, changed its mind after Mussolini's visit to Berlin and went so far as to support the German plan. After the Americans discussed it in Congress, the conservatives overpowered the tougher President Roosevelt and chose to support the "peaceful" rise of the Germans.

The desperate Austrian government had to play what they thought was the most sensible card of public opinion, hoping to rely on the will of the country's people to prevent itself from being annexed by the powerful Germany. The decided Austrian government announced that a referendum would be held in September 1933, and the people would choose whether to join Germany or remain independent.

However, under the pressure of the strong international situation and the aggressiveness of German diplomats, they signed a compromise transition treaty with the German government. This "German-Austrian Agreement" stipulates that "the Austrian government must recognize itself as a Germanic country. Act in accordance with the principles.”

Austria hopes that such an agreement can ease the relationship between the two countries, delay the timetable for Germany's annexation of Austria, and achieve the purpose of delaying observation. When the international situation changes and the Western European powers emerge from the economic crisis, they will naturally be able to stand up to stop the Germans' expansionary ambitions.

It is a pity that Arcardo did not intend to give the Austrian government such an opportunity. After he received the promises of several major countries, he began to quickly deploy the work of annexing Austria.

On a fine morning on August 25, 1933, officers on duty at the Austrian border checkpoint and several soldiers saw a large army coming from Germany.

There are military trucks one after another on the road. There are a large number of military horses and cavalry on both sides of the road. In the rear of the truck troops, tanks and armored vehicles can be vaguely seen.

An open-top Mercedes-Benz military car staggered to a stop only a few tens of centimeters from the border between the two countries. The door was opened. The guards came to the door of the Austrian checkpoint.

"Good morning! I'm Major Hoffmann of the Independent Armored Teaching Battalion of the 25th Armored Division of the Wehrmacht. I was ordered to control this place and advance to Vienna." The major said as he walked into the checkpoint, found a chair and sat down: "Don't make senseless resistance, which will only make more Germans bleed."

"Major, I have not received an order to allow you to enter!" The Austrian officer frowned and said, "You are an invasion."

"This morning, Vienna was besieged by the communists and formally submitted an application for protection to the German government." Major Hoffmann said casually: "There is no Austria anymore, only the Eastern Province of Germany."

"I'm sorry! I didn't get any news about this! If you insist on entering Austria, we will fight back!" The Austrian officer said while touching the pistol on his waist.

The two German guards had already pointed their submachine guns at him, but Major Hoffmann seemed very disapproving, and he waved his hand: "Don't be so nervous, I got up a little early today, in a few minutes, you will be Received an order to release. So you'd better wait and make a decision, so as not to risk your own life."

As he spoke, he pointed to the troops of no less than 300 people outside.

And the tanks behind these people: "Look, if we attack directly, you won't have any chance to fight back. We didn't fire directly because we wanted to protect our fellow Germanic people. Isn't this sincerity enough to explain the problem? "

The Austrian officer nodded and moved his hand away from the pistol. He pulled over a chair and sat beside the telephone, tapping his fingers on the desk and looking at Major Hoffman. I have to say, the uniforms of the German armored forces are really handsome!

"Bell, bell, bell." As expected, the phone rang shortly after, and the Austrian officer grabbed the receiver: "This is the border checkpoint! We have German troops here who want to pass, what the hell is going on? What's the matter?"

"Let it go! They are not the enemy!" The other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds, with helplessness and unwillingness in his tone, and said slowly: "Now Vienna is in chaos, and many conflicting orders are issued everywhere."

"God, what's going on?" The Austrian officer's hand trembled slightly on the telephone receiver.

"The government has just ordered to allow the German armed forces to enter Austria in order to avoid more blood from the Germanic people, but he reiterated that the referendum in September will not be cancelled." The person on the phone sighed and hung up. Telephone.

Listening to the busy tone on the phone, the Austrian officer did not turn around, but took out his pistol, photographed the phone next to the phone in front of everyone, and made a "dong" sound.

"Put down your weapons! Leave it to them here!" After that, the Austrian officer walked out. Behind him, several Austrian soldiers also handed over their guns and ammunition, and walked out of their duty reluctantly. border checkpoint.

Major Hoffman raised his mouth and gave the order to the adjutant who came in: "Take your men and head east. Control all facilities, factories, and barracks you encounter! Take command of these places. Go! "

The adjutant nodded, and took a few soldiers out of the checkpoint. The cars on the road started to start, bringing a burst of dust and smoke. The cavalry marched forward, and the entire border checkpoint became lively again. Tanks and armored vehicles were one by one. The vehicles drove across the original border and drove towards Austria.

...

"Sign it." A German diplomat pressed the document in front of the Austrian leader Schuschnigg with a smug expression on his face: "Trust me! You have no better choice! The world has recognized it. Austria belongs to Germany! No one will fight against Germany for Austria!"

"I won't sign any document without a referendum! I can't go against my conscience!" Shuschnigg shook his head and said.

The German diplomat snorted coldly: "You can't see the coffin without tears? Prime Minister Arcador has ordered that the Austrian referendum will be held in advance tomorrow, and all German people have the right to vote for the ownership of Austria."

Schuschnigg was stunned for a moment, and then his face became hideous: "You are cheating! Why count the Germans? This referendum should be the decision of the Austrian people! You are blackmailing!"

"Prime Minister Accardo believes that since it is to decide the future of the Germanic people, then all the Germanic people must be the masters! Austria cannot be independent from Germany! We believe that this is the wish of all the German people! It is also the wish of the Austrian Germans! "

The diplomat handed the pen to Shuschnigg: "As for you! Handing over your power and then going to the country to find a house for the rest of your life is already the best choice!"

"I said it! I won't sign even if I die! Even if I am the only Austrian willing to shed blood and sacrifice for independence and freedom! It also proves that there are Austrians who have fought for the truth!" Shuschnigg said angrily.

"Noble! Great!" the diplomat laughed. "But stupid."

A German officer walked into the room and reported the situation outside to the German diplomat: "Sir! Vienna is under our control. The 25th Division has taken control of all important areas, and the Austrian troops have all been disarmed and controlled."

"No, Mr. Lieutenant Colonel." The diplomat pointed to the Austrian leader Schuchnigg, who was sitting in the seat: "The Germans have all returned to the embrace of the motherland! But there is still an 'Austrian' who refuses to surrender. !"

The lieutenant colonel raised the corner of his mouth, took out a pistol and pointed it at Shuschnigg's forehead.

"Wait!" Shuschnigg's face turned pale.

"Bah!..." Gunshots rang out. The lieutenant colonel of the National Defense Forces shrugged helplessly: "I'm sorry, you are late."

...

For Arkado Rudolf, the de facto leader of Germany, September 15, 1933 was a day of unprecedented glory. The German leader has always made a strong German state his slogan and goal, and today, when he came to Vienna with his troops to announce "Germany and Austria," he really did everything he said.

He was warmly welcomed by thousands of people. Arcardo arrived in the Austrian capital from Linz, the seat of his temporary headquarters, with 40 tanks leading the way, and a police car full of officers at the back, and he was greeted by devotees of the Greater Deutsches Party from all over Austria.

For much of the road, Arcador stood in his convertible, waving almost hysterically at the fanatical supporters in his black SS officer uniform. Many of his supporters waved German flags. Some members of the Greater Deutsches Party sewed the German flag on the Austrian flag.

"What we feel at this moment," Arcador declared on the streets of Vienna, waving his hand, "is what all other Germans feel! No matter what happens, the unified Germany we claim today will never be the same again. To be divided by anyone, never to be divided."

the next day. Arcardo and the Austrian military signed a decree that he, as German chancellor, would personally serve as the acting commander-in-chief of the Austrian army. All Austrian soldiers must swear allegiance to the chairman of the Greater Deutsches Party, which leads a country of more than 70 million Germans. leader.