Prague could have been saved from the soviets at the end of World War Two. The United States Army was already on track to enter Prague, but halted short of it and other destinations in Eastern Europe due to military and political goals, as well as the want to avoid conflict with Russia.
Near the end of World War Two, United States (US) forces form the East and Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) forces from the West were swiftly moving throughout Europe, liberating countries from German occupation with the ultimate goal of reaching Berlin and destroying the German war machine at its heart . Prague, along with the rest of Czechoslovakia, had been occupied by the Germans in 1939 . US military forces, mainly those of the US Third Army, under the command of General George Patton, were ready and …show more content…
General George Patton, undoubtedly one of World War Two’s more resolute commanders, wanted to take his forces into Prague . Higher command, however, thought differently. The decision to not enter Prague was heavily debated between High ranking army staff and political officials. The British Chiefs of Staff noted that there was obvious political gain in the allies taking Prague, and encouraged the United States to do so sending a note to US officials . When their letter was ignored the first time, they sent it again, saying:
“In our view the liberation of Prague and as much as possible of the territory of Western Czechoslovakia by US troops might make the whole difference to the postwar situation… On the other hand, if the Western Allies play no significant part in Czechoslovakia’s liberation that country may well go the way of Yugoslavia” General George Marshall shared this information with Eisenhower, and added his opinion, saying: “Personally, and aside from all logical, tactical,
Near the end of World War Two, United States (US) forces form the East and Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) forces from the West were swiftly moving throughout Europe, liberating countries from German occupation with the ultimate goal of reaching Berlin and destroying the German war machine at its heart . Prague, along with the rest of Czechoslovakia, had been occupied by the Germans in 1939 . US military forces, mainly those of the US Third Army, under the command of General George Patton, were ready and …show more content…
General George Patton, undoubtedly one of World War Two’s more resolute commanders, wanted to take his forces into Prague . Higher command, however, thought differently. The decision to not enter Prague was heavily debated between High ranking army staff and political officials. The British Chiefs of Staff noted that there was obvious political gain in the allies taking Prague, and encouraged the United States to do so sending a note to US officials . When their letter was ignored the first time, they sent it again, saying:
“In our view the liberation of Prague and as much as possible of the territory of Western Czechoslovakia by US troops might make the whole difference to the postwar situation… On the other hand, if the Western Allies play no significant part in Czechoslovakia’s liberation that country may well go the way of Yugoslavia” General George Marshall shared this information with Eisenhower, and added his opinion, saying: “Personally, and aside from all logical, tactical,