In August 1968, the Soviet Union sent 25 divisions, plus troops from allies Poland, Hungary, East Germany and other countries, totaling more than 500,000 troops, from all directions into the Allied Czechoslovakia, and completely controlled the country. An important question arose: since the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia were allies, why did the Soviet Union go to great lengths to gather more than 500,000 troops? In fact, this action is part of the Cold War, and today we will talk about this issue.
First, let's talk about the history of Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia was originally part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Czechoslovakia's military industry was very developed. During the First World War, a large number of weapons were supplied to the Austro-Hungarian army. After the end of World War I in 1918, the large and weak Austro-Hungarian Empire disintegrated and was divided into Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and other countries. Czechoslovakia is famous for its weapons, and during the War of Resistance, Czech-style light machine guns were used in large quantities in our country. In 1938, Germany annexed Czechoslovakia through the Munich Conspiracy.
At that time, Britain and France had no choice. After the outbreak of the Second World War, Czechoslovakia's perfect military industrial system began to produce weapons for the German army and played a huge role. During World War II, the Soviet Union withstood the overwhelming German offensive and carried out a full-scale counteroffensive. In the course of the Soviet counteroffensive, eight regimes emerged in Eastern and Central Europe, namely: Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, East Germany, Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. Note that the eight countries of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union formed the Eastern Bloc, of which Czechoslovakia belonged.
It is well known that heavy industry in the USSR was very strong, but light industry and agriculture were weak. The Soviet Union was able to produce aircraft carriers, tanks, and intercontinental missiles, but food needed to be imported. In the process of developing their own economies, the eight countries in Eastern Europe basically copied the Soviet model, and after a decade or two of development, more or less problems have arisen, causing a series of problems. In the winter of 1967, the situation in Czechoslovakia began to be gradually turbulent. In the spring of 1968, in order to get out of the predicament, Czechoslovakia was about to undergo a comprehensive reform. Since the capital of Czechoslovakia is in Prague, this is also known as the Prague Spring. Czechoslovakia showed signs of being free from Soviet control, which provoked strong resentment in the Soviet Union.
In April 1968, the Soviet Union issued several warnings, but to little effect. At the same time, the possibility of armed intervention has already begun to be considered within the SOVIET Union. From May to July 1968, the Soviet Union, together with East Germany, Poland and other countries, conducted a series of military exercises around Czechoslovakia. In order to reassure Czechoslovakia, the Soviet Union invited Czechoslovak troops to participate. Czechoslovakia had a total strength of about 100,000 and 14 divisions. In August, after the exercises were all over, Soviet and other Allied forces began to retreat gradually, please note that the pace of retreat was slow.
On 20 August, a Soviet airliner issued a mechanical breakdown and requested to land at Prague Airport. But after the plane landed, the people who rushed out of the plane were not terrified passengers, but well-trained and well-equipped Soviet special forces squads. Soviet detachments quickly occupied the airfield and began to guide numerous Soviet heavy transport aircraft, which were full of various weapons and equipment and Soviet airborne divisions. At the same time, 25 divisions of the Soviet army, according to the previously predetermined plan, began to enter the territory of Czechoslovakia. The armies of Poland, Hungary and East Germany also entered Czechoslovakia from all directions.
Since they were allies, the Soviet Union was well aware of all aspects of Czechoslovakia's situation, such as army deployment, road traffic, and so on. As of August 23, more than 500,000 troops from four countries, including the Soviet Union, had occupied all of Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovak troops, security forces and police were disarmed. From the point of view of military occupation, this Soviet military operation was perfect, and in 3 days, the soldiers quickly occupied all of Czechoslovakia without bloodshed. Looking at all the military operations in the 20th century, the Soviet Union's military operations are remarkable.
First, the Soviet Union and other allies conducted more than 2 months of exercises to familiarize themselves with the actual situation in Czechoslovakia. In order to paralyze Czechoslovakia, Czechoslovak troops were also invited to participate. After the various armies were ready, specially selected Sunday operations, and in general, the weekend was the most relaxing time. After the operation began, Soviet special forces cleanly occupied the airfield. Soviet airborne troops quickly landed at Prague airport and took control of various important departments in Prague. If the Soviet Union adopted a passive posture, Czechoslovakia took a step and followed it itself. Well, the situation is likely to continue to deteriorate. From this point of view, the Soviet Union's quick-cut approach was correct. This event is part of the Cold War, and there are many more stories about the Cold War, and the author will talk to you slowly in future articles.