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The Nazi Occupation Of Prague: Then And Now

by Amos Chapple

Rare photographs from the World War II-era shed light on a dark period in Prague's history.

(Drag the slider bar under each photo to see the same locations in 2019)

Defensive trenches being dug by Czechoslovaks under the silhouette of the Prague Castle in September 1938. Days later, the Nazi military rolled into Czechoslovakia’s mostly ethnic German border regions. Hitler lied at the time when he said the annexation was “the last territorial demand I have to make in Europe.”
Defensive trenches being dug by Czechoslovaks under the silhouette of the Prague Castle in September 1938. Days later, the Nazi military rolled into Czechoslovakia’s mostly ethnic German border regions. Hitler lied at the time when he said the annexation was “the last territorial demand I have to make in Europe.”
In March 1939, the Nazi military invaded what remained of Czechoslovakia and, from the Prague Castle (pictured), Hitler declared the 'Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.' The Czechoslovak people were now under the thumb of German fascism.
In March 1939, the Nazi military invaded what remained of Czechoslovakia and, from the Prague Castle (pictured), Hitler declared the 'Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.' The Czechoslovak people were now under the thumb of German fascism.
A Nazi military parade down Wenceslas Square in March 1939.
A Nazi military parade down Wenceslas Square in March 1939.
Jewish painter Robert Guttmann wearing the Star of David in Prague’s Old Town in 1941. The artist died in the Lodz Ghetto in Poland the following year. More than 77,000 Czech and Moravian Jews were murdered by the Nazi regime during the occupation.
Jewish painter Robert Guttmann wearing the Star of David in Prague’s Old Town in 1941. The artist died in the Lodz Ghetto in Poland the following year. More than 77,000 Czech and Moravian Jews were murdered by the Nazi regime during the occupation.
Nazi SS leader Heinrich Himmler at the entrance to Prague Castle in October 1941. To the left of Himmler is Reinhard Heydrich, ruler of the 'Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.' After moving into his office at the castle, Heydrich vowed to “Germanize the Czech vermin.”
Nazi SS leader Heinrich Himmler at the entrance to Prague Castle in October 1941. To the left of Himmler is Reinhard Heydrich, ruler of the 'Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.' After moving into his office at the castle, Heydrich vowed to “Germanize the Czech vermin.”
In May 1942, Heydrich was assassinated by two Czechoslovak soldiers who had been trained in Britain and secretly parachuted into their Nazi-occupied homeland. The Nazis responded by sealing off the village of Lidice, near Prague, and executing 173 men there (above). Most of the women and children of the village were sent to concentration camps. In all, some 340 Lidice villagers were murdered. The village was then razed to the ground and all animals, including dogs, <a href='https://multimedia.ctk.cz/foto/document/36240108/86' target='_blank'>were killed</a>.
In May 1942, Heydrich was assassinated by two Czechoslovak soldiers who had been trained in Britain and secretly parachuted into their Nazi-occupied homeland. The Nazis responded by sealing off the village of Lidice, near Prague, and executing 173 men there (above). Most of the women and children of the village were sent to concentration camps. In all, some 340 Lidice villagers were murdered. The village was then razed to the ground and all animals, including dogs, were killed.
German troops file past the famous Astronomical Clock (right) in March 1939. The clock would later be <a href='https://multimedia.ctk.cz/foto/document/2038719/18' target='_blank'>seriously damaged</a> by the Nazis and during fighting to drive them from Prague.
German troops file past the famous Astronomical Clock (right) in March 1939. The clock would later be seriously damaged by the Nazis and during fighting to drive them from Prague.
A giant portrait of Hitler on Prague’s Old Town Square in 1941. After the war, the building in the center had its baroque facade <a href='https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%AFm_U_Kamenn%C3%A9ho_zvonu' target='_blank'>stripped off</a> to reveal gothic stonework underneath. The roof was also heavily modified.
A giant portrait of Hitler on Prague’s Old Town Square in 1941. After the war, the building in the center had its baroque facade stripped off to reveal gothic stonework underneath. The roof was also heavily modified.
Hitler Youth march over the cobbled street behind Prague Castle in 1943.
Hitler Youth march over the cobbled street behind Prague Castle in 1943.
Swastikas adorn Prague’s Rudolfinum concert hall in 1943. The event was a farewell for children being evacuated to the countryside to avoid Allied bombing raids.
Swastikas adorn Prague’s Rudolfinum concert hall in 1943. The event was a farewell for children being evacuated to the countryside to avoid Allied bombing raids.
The aftermath of an aerial bombing in Prague’s Vinohrady district on February 14, 1945. The American pilots said the raid was intended for the German city of Dresden, 145 kilometers to the northwest, but a navigational error led to the U.S. planes unloading 152 tons of bombs onto Prague, killing 701 people.
The aftermath of an aerial bombing in Prague’s Vinohrady district on February 14, 1945. The American pilots said the raid was intended for the German city of Dresden, 145 kilometers to the northwest, but a navigational error led to the U.S. planes unloading 152 tons of bombs onto Prague, killing 701 people.
A building shattered in the same air raid. Approximately 100 houses and historical sites were destroyed in the bombing. This site on the Vltava River now hosts the Dancing House, aka Fred and Ginger, Prague’s most famous piece of modern architecture.
A building shattered in the same air raid. Approximately 100 houses and historical sites were destroyed in the bombing. This site on the Vltava River now hosts the Dancing House, aka Fred and Ginger, Prague’s most famous piece of modern architecture.
On May 9, 1945, after an uprising by the citizens of Prague against the Nazi regime, the Soviet Red Army entered Prague and the remaining Nazi soldiers fled west toward the advancing American forces.
On May 9, 1945, after an uprising by the citizens of Prague against the Nazi regime, the Soviet Red Army entered Prague and the remaining Nazi soldiers fled west toward the advancing American forces.
Ethnic Germans daubed with swastikas await transport out of Prague. In the aftermath of the Nazi occupation, some 3 million Germans were expelled from Czechoslovakia. Tens of thousands <a href='https://www.radio.cz/en/section/talking/expulsion-of-czech-germans-bitter-memories-and-disrupted-relations' target='_blank'>were murdered</a> by vengeful Czechs or committed suicide during the forced exodus.
Ethnic Germans daubed with swastikas await transport out of Prague. In the aftermath of the Nazi occupation, some 3 million Germans were expelled from Czechoslovakia. Tens of thousands were murdered by vengeful Czechs or committed suicide during the forced exodus.