In 1938, threatened with a Nazi takeover, and without international support, Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg called for a national plebiscite on the
nation’s future. It was to be held on Sunday 13 March. He expected a vote to keep Austria independent, and there can be little doubt he would have
received overwhelming support.
Kurt von Schuschnigg, Chancellor of Austria
Hitler learned of the proposal on Wednesday 9 March –
just four days before the plebiscite. He was furious about this ‘dirty trick’.
The last thing he wanted was a popular expression of support for Austrian
independence. He summoned his advisers (many of whom were out of the country).
He sent a message to Mussolini asking for his support. Despite the lack of any
plan of attack, Hitler sent tanks and troops rolling towards the border.
Before dawn, on Friday 11 March, the Germans closed
the border with Austria.
Hitler delivered an ultimatum: postpone the plebiscite
for three weeks, or the Wehrmacht will invade. Early that afternoon, the
Austrians agreed. Then the Germans sent a further ultimatum demanding the
resignation of Schuschnigg and his entire government, and the appointment of Dr Arthur Seyss-Inquart (the Nazi leader in Austria) as Federal Chancellor, otherwise the German Wehrmacht would march
in that very evening.
Shortly after four in the afternoon, the Austrian
government resigned.
Dr Arthur Seyss-Inquart
But President Miklas did not wish to appoint a Nazi as
Chancellor. Göring bellowed at Seyss-Inquart over the telephone to go with the
German military attaché and threaten Miklas with immediate invasion by the
troops massing along the Austrian border.
The German radio delivered a stream of hysterical
propaganda. There had been a bloody communist revolt, the reports asserted,
which the Austrian government was powerless to control. There were hundreds of
casualties. In reality, everything was calm except for Nazis beginning to show
themselves on the streets.
At about eight that evening, from the room where
Dollfuss had bled to death, Schuschnigg broadcast to the nation:
The
German government today handed to President Miklas an ultimatum with a time
limit attached, ordering him to nominate as Chancellor a person to be
designated by the German government and to appoint members of a cabinet on the
orders of the German government; otherwise German troops would invade Austria.
I declare before the world that the reports issued about Austria concerning
disorders created by the workers and the shedding of streams of blood, and the
allegations that the situation has got out of control of the government were
lies from A to Z. President Miklas asks me to tell the people of Austria that we have yielded to force.
Shortly before midnight, President Miklas appointed
Seyss-Inquart chancellor.
President Miklas
The Germans ignored him, announcing that he had
invited German troops to enter the country.
At dawn on 12 March 1938, at many points along the
frontier, German troops crossed into Austria.
Austrian officials raise barriers to let German troops
cross the frontier
Soldiers drove past cheering crowds throwing out Nazi
salutes.
German troops march into Austria
That day Hitler drove across the Austrian border to
his home town, Linz. In Vienna, the SS arrested Schuschnigg – he was not freed
for more than seven years, by which time many proud European cities were
smoking ruins. He was fortunate to survive.
Seyss-Inquart was chancellor of Austria for less than
two days. The new Austrian government passed a law that made Austria ‘a
province of the German Reich’. On Monday 14 March, Hitler made his triumphant
entry into Vienna. The Anschluss ('union') was complete.
Hitler's entry into Vienna - 14 March 1938
Even as the celebrations took place, the new regime
began its mass arrests, and the former Austrian Minister for War was
assassinated.
This is an edited extract from TREASON: Claus von Stauffenberg and the Plot to Kill Hitler
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