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Anschluss: ‘opening the way to nazi domination of eastern Europe’
JOHN ELLISON looks back to March 12 1938, when German forces crossed the border into Austria
Austrian nazis and local residents look on as Jews are forced to get on their hands and knees and scrub the pavement in March 1938

The Anschluss, the “joining” of Austria with Germany, took place with the invasion of German troops on March 12 1938 and its formal announcement the following day in Vienna.

It was less of a “joining” than an annexation of Austria by Germany, following the resignation of Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg, assisted by Austrian nazis who sold out Austria from within.

It meant, as well as an horrific offensive against the Jewish community of Austria, a calculated advance towards much larger international aggression.

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