Another propaganda map dating from just before World War II, but this time from the Nazi-German side. One of the first victims of fascist agression was Czechoslovakia, dismembered at the Munich Conference in 1938 (when Sudetenland was ceded to Germany) and shortly thereafter occupied anyway (contrary to the deal at Munich).
This map shows some of the groundwork laid by the Nazis to convince the German public opinion that it was the Czechoslovak side that was responsible for the ‘threat’, indicating that the range of Czechoslovak bomber planes include most of Germany’s territory. The map apparently dates from 1934, and can be found here. It’s subtitled: “Ein Kleinstaat bedroht Deutschland” (’A small state threatens Germany’).
For some reason I just don’t fear Czechoslovakia…
Comment by Catholicgauze — December 11, 2006 @ 3:18 pm
I think they had WMD’s too.
Comment by Shawn Waltmen — December 11, 2006 @ 10:18 pm
Not to mention links to al-Qaeda.
Comment by Anton Sherwood — December 15, 2006 @ 7:58 pm
For this and other German propaganda maps, both 3rd Reich and Weimar, check out the book: Guntram Henrik Herb: Under the Map of Germany, London 1997
Comment by Peter Jensen — May 25, 2007 @ 7:11 am
By many expert historian accounts, the pre-WWII state of Czechoslovakia had one of the finest organized air forces in Europe. That while the Nazi propaganda was clearly politically motivated fear mongering, teh Czech air force really did have good range on their air craft and know how to use them.
Comment by Scott Nolan — June 12, 2007 @ 8:04 pm
Gruss Gott! The historical similarities are eery… so eery.
I’d say more, but God only knows which gov’t agency is listening in… *shifty eyes*
Comment by Drattage — June 17, 2007 @ 3:33 am
Scott,
they did. That’s why the Munich Agreement is (STILL!) considered a major betrayal in many Czechs’ eyes… hence the distrust in foreign powers, be they western or eastern.
Comment by Hanicka — September 13, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
This just says something about the overall intelligence of the Nazi political campaigns… If you look at the path that the Czech boundary line takes, and you look at the range that the Nazis predicted for the bomber planes, I am left wonderign why the planes in the middle of the country are of less quality(can’t reach as far) than the ones at the far corners…..
Comment by Jesus4U — September 17, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Czechoslovakia in 1934 actually would have kicked Nazi Germany’s butt, and Hitler knew it, which is why he didn’t bother them for four years. Even in 1938, if you believe some of the German generals, they would have had a hard time breaking through the Czech mountain defenses. The Czechs had the use of the Skoda arms plant, which produced weaponry right up there with the best in the world at the time, and they wouldn’t have gone down like Poland did.
Comment by John — January 24, 2008 @ 3:38 am
All the planes are over German Territory. Even the plane at the far corner, no reason to have it over Poland when you can plant it in the eastern reaches.
Comment by Don Hargraves — April 18, 2008 @ 3:47 am
Nice optical ilusion. Czech is white, Germany black, but the plane trails and white plane symbols minimise the amount of black the eye sees, thereby making Czech bigger, Germany smaller. How to lie with (geographically true) maps, bet New Labour could learn a bit here.
Comment by Hillary Shaw — June 29, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
thanks.
Comment by hero — October 15, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
Penis.
Comment by Jack — February 12, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
I love them :P
Comment by Jack's mum — February 12, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
Right out of the Bush playbook.
Comment by WV — March 2, 2009 @ 6:17 am
This is actually quite a valid German national security concern, circa the 1930s. The claim that Czechoslovakia was “a dagger pointed straight at the heart of Germany,” was not a reference to possible Czechoslovak aggression, but rather the possibility that the Prague regime might, quite conceivably, give the USSR permission to march across their territory, in order to attack & invade Germany. Considering the Bolshevist ravages that the German people endured (as well as those of Hungary, ala Bela Kun, and some others states), in the immediate aftermath of the First World War, it was perfectly reasonable for the German National Socialists to desire the return of the ethnically German, mountainous (and hence, defensible) Sudentenland.
The seizing of Bohemia and Moravia were much more questionable, but it is interesting to note that the Germans did not seize Slovakia, but were content to merely be allied with its Catholic, rightist regime.
Comment by Kevin Riley O'Keeffe — April 23, 2009 @ 7:29 am
thanks alot
Comment by Tony — May 4, 2009 @ 2:29 am
thanks for this map
good
luck
Comment by Solomon — May 11, 2009 @ 7:15 am
merci
Comment by aspicco . — May 17, 2009 @ 4:52 am
teşekkür ederim
Comment by yory — June 12, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
Vielen Dank
Comment by moon — July 3, 2009 @ 3:51 am
Muchas gracias
Comment by sun — July 4, 2009 @ 6:41 am