The number of Czech Army on March 15 1939

[Kelvin]

Hi, everyone, during Munch crisis, Czech troop numbered 1.1 million, after Sudtenland was stripped from Czechoslavakia thus population was greatly reduced.

On March 15 1939, when Slovakia attempted to separate from Czech, 350,000 German troop poured into Czech, I would like to know how many Czech troop on March 15 1939 ? Thank

[Pavel Novak]

Czechoslovak peace time army had about 200 000 men at the start of 1938. During 1938 May crisis was numerical strength raised to about 350 000 men by calling one class of reservists. Because of worsening of situation at the start of September 1938 more classes of reservists were called so numerical strength before actual mobilisation reached 500 000 men. After mobilisation was declared planned number was 1 280 000 but 1 100 000 was reached by 1st October 1938.

After Munich and subsequent Berlin negotiation and Vienna award was army demobilized. In theory security situation should have improved as Britain, France and also Italy and Germany signed commitment to guarantee new border. The actual strength of army was thus about 150.000 men in March 1939.

Because of German February ultimation which was not accepted in full the government considered new mobilisation in 1939 but both Britain and France announced that they will not honour their commitment to protect new border in case of German invasion so government decided to try to negotiate with Germany with known result in March.

[Kelvin]

Czechoslovak peace time army had about 200 000 men at the start of 1938. During 1938 May crisis was numerical strength raised to about 350 000 men by calling one class of reservists. Because of worsening of situation at the start of September 1938 more classes of reservists were called so numerical strength before actual mobilisation reached 500 000 men. After mobilisation was declared planned number was 1 280 000 but 1 100 000 was reached by 1st October 1938.

After Munich and subsequent Berlin negotiation and Vienna award was army demobilized. In theory security situation should have improved as Britain, France and also Italy and Germany signed commitment to guarantee new border. The actual strength of army was thus about 150.000 men in March 1939.

Because of German February ultimation which was not accepted in full the government considered new mobilisation in 1939 but both Britain and France announced that they will not honour their commitment to protect new border in case of German invasion so government decided to try to negotiate with Germany with known result in March.

Hi, Pavel, thank so much for your help.