Post by Diarist on Mar 16, 2017 12:46:58 GMT 1
During the morning Wehrmachtamt conference Adolf Hitler gives the order for the remilitarization of the Rhineland that evening. This a huge gamble because it is known that France and Britain have indicated that they will respond militarily if the Locarno Treaties are violated. The plan is to sneak in under cover of darkness and present the Western Powers with a fait accompli. The move does not go unnoticed by France and before midnight French, Belgian and Dutch forces enter the Rhineland. General von Blomberg halts all movement and while attempting to place Hitler and other Nazi leaders under arrest the SS begin a firefight. They are defeated and nationwide Nazi leaders are arrested or killed if they resisted. The Nazi government is overthrown and General von Blomberg seeks a joint civilian and military leadership and begins communicating with the British and French governments.