Operation Danube: Soviet and Warsaw Pact Intervention in Czechoslovakia, 1968

Europe@War #7

by David François

On 20 August 1968, hundreds of thousands of soldiers, dozens of thousands of tanks and armored vehicles, and hundreds of military aircraft of the Warsaw Pact armed forces invaded Czechoslovakia in an operation code-named Danube. It was the largest military undertaking in Europe since 1945.

Starting with a description of the history of Czechoslovakia, especially after the communist takeover of power in 1948, this volume describes the birth and development of the Prague Spring in 1968 and an attempt to reform the communist system from within. It recounts the hostility this process encountered on the part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR/Soviet Union), and its allies within the Warsaw Pact, and provoked a split in the Kremlin about solutions for the resulting ‘Czechoslovak problem’. The crisis that developed throughout the spring and summer of 1968 led to the military intervention.

While paying special attention to the military and strategic aspects of the Czechoslovak crisis, this volume also provides a blow-by-blow account of its impacts upon the Czechoslovak armed forces and the Warsaw Pact. The subsequent military operation – codenamed Operation Danube – is described in all of its components, including the airborne and ground aspects, and the political operation that supported it. Within only 24 hours, the Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces secured the entire territory of Czechoslovakia, de-facto overrunning the local armed forces in the process. The Czechoslovak population organized nonviolent resistance, thus highlighting the political aspects of the intervention. However, it was hopelessly out of condition to prevent the ultimate downfall of the so-called ‘Prague Spring’, and the related hopes.

Nevertheless, the application of military power against a popularly-supported political reform marked a turning point in the Cold War, and forever changed the balance of power in Central Europe.

Guiding the reader meticulously through the details of the forces involved, their organization and equipment, Operation Danube offers a uniquely in-depth account of the invasion of Czechoslovakia and is profusely illustrated with more than 100 photos, maps, and exclusive color artworks.

Genres: Military History

80 pages, Paperback

Published November 23, 2020

Reviews

[Tony Genualdi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too vague on clashes between Czech and other troops. He says, "confrontation". Does that mean shouting, pushing and shoving, or shooting? He also mentions a Bulgarian soldier dying at the hands of Czech civilians. How did they do it? Good on pictures and color drawings, but overall not so good on the details of the day to day of the invasion itself.

[Boris Mićić · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides not just basic, but a certain level of in-depth information and conclusions regarding historical happenings it describes. Of course, this topic could be covered in way more detail, but for that, you have a used literature listing.

I gave it five stars due to its informativity while preserving a simple and rather neutral and professional stance.

[Mark Moxley-Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the invasion, but also the politics behind (and during) it. Covers units involved, equipment, leaders, and individual incidents. Many rare photos. Well written and edited.

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry, informative text but good to great art and pictures .