Figure 1.--Here we see Hitler conforting the Heydrich boys at the elaborate state funeral followuing his assasination. The only other people we recoognize besides Hitler anmd Himler is Reich Marshall Göring. Hitler was apparently posed to turn Heydrich lose on the French who were begining to resist NAZI occupation.

Alber Speer who was expanding his role in war production visited Heydrich just before his assasination to discuss issues concerning the Protectorate's production. Speer was shocked with the lack of security surrounding Heydrich it what was essentially an occupied country. Heydrich assured Speer that 'his Checks' would never harm him. The power that he wielded seems to have blinded him to the danger. The asttack came as was heading to Berlin. One source suggest the purpose was a meetinh concerning the Geminization of the Protectorate which of course would have ultimatelhy meant the mass murder of Czechs as as part of Generalplan Ost. Another source suggests that he was to meet Hitler who wanted to transfer him to German-occupied France where the French resistance was gaining ground. 【Bryant, p. 143.】 Hitler apparently saw him as the perfect man to deal with the French Resistance. Instead he would be the first of the major NAZI war criminals to experience justice. Only 3 months after chasiring the Wansee Convetion, Herydrich would meet his fate. The British trained Check agents (Jan Kubis and Josef Gabcik) staged their assault as Heydrich was traveling to the airport in an open unguarded car (May 27, 1942). He was injured, but not killed in the attasck and immediately taken to the Prague Bulkova hospital, In fact Himmler came to see him and chided him on his lack of security. Heydrich replied, 'fate will decide whenever it wants'. He was at first expected to survive, but died of blood poisoning because of the infection of the wound (June 4). An elaborate funeral was staged in Prague (June 7). Heydrich's corpse was carried by train to Berlin. There a second ceremony was held in the Reich Chancellery (June 9). The NAZIs staged the most elaborate funeral in the history of the Reich (June 9). Himmler delivered the principal funeral address. Himmler gave the eulogy. Hitler attended. He personally placed Heydrich's decorations such as the highest grade of the German Order, the Blood Order Medal, the Wound Badge in Gold, and the War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords—on his funeral pillow. 【Williams, p. 165.】 Hitler comforted Heydrich's widdow and the two Heydrich boys. He also spoke and recognized Heydrich's contribution to NAZI Germany, not mentioning his private criticism for Heydrich's reckless behavior.

Sources

Bryant, Chad Carl. Prague in Black: Nazi Rule and Czech Nationalism (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2007).

Williams, Max Reinhard Heydrich: The Biography Volume 2—Enigma (Church Stretton: Ulric Publishing, 2003).

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Created: 11:03 PM 3/1/2023
Last edited: 11:03 PM 3/1/2023