At the Berghof

February 12th, 1938

The Berghof was a spectacular chalet on the Obersalzberg. However, this is not what concerned  Dr. Kurt von Schuschnigg on that brisk and wintry morning. The Austrian Chancellor, pushed by the state of his country, had agreed to a face-to-face meeting with the German Führer in the hopes of a peaceful agreement, and as the car rattled closer and closer to Hitler's residence, felt ever more uneasy. 

Franz von Papen, having arranged the meeting, had joined Schuschnigg's car at the border between Austria and Germany. His voice pierced through the noises of the automobile and silenced Schuschnigg's pounding heart for a few moments.

"The Führer is in a very good mood this morning."

This eased Schuschnigg somewhat, and he forced a smile. He fancied that he appeared very collected on the outside, no matter how stressful he felt the situation to be. However, Papen's next words quickly knotted his guts yet again.

"Herr Hitler hopes that you do not mind if three of Germany's leading generals are present." 

Papen flashed a smile. Schuschnigg did not. The news alarmed him, yet nothing could be altered now. He had no control over the matter. It was simply too late. These were the thoughts that were tossed around in his mind as the automobile stuttered to a halt. Before he knew it, he was standing at the bottom of the steps of the Berghof, being greeted by Hilter himself. Sure enough, the Air Force General, Hugo Sperrle, Wilhelm Keitel, Chief of the High Command and Walter von Reichenau, the Commander of Army troops positioned on the German-Austrian border, were standing behind him.

The Führer led Schuschnigg to the second floor of the chalet and into the grand hall, from which a spectacular view of the Alps (and if one looked far enough into the distance, Austria) could be admired. This calmed him somewhat, at any rate, it was enough for him to pluck up the courage and, in an attempt to lay the first stone, praise the view. As the words left his mouth, however, the Führer interrupted sharply:

"We did not gather here to speak of the fine view or the weather!"

Shaken by this severe reply, Schuschnigg pushed up his glasses and found his place at the table,  where he would stay for the next two hours. As these hours ensued, he found himself in a nightmare.  

---

After an hour of being berated and belittled, Schuschnigg composed himself and spoke calmly and softly,

"Now now, Herr Reichskanzler, I understand we have disagreements, but I trust we can sort this out through reasoned dialogue, yes?"

The Führer remained as harsh as ever.

"That is what you say, Herr Schuschnigg. But I am telling you that I am going to solve the so-called Austrian problem one way or the other."

Schuschnigg felt himself getting more and more anxious by the minute. This was not eased by the Führer rudely referring to him as Herr Schuschnigg instead of by his proper title, or the sudden outburst from the Führer accusing Austria of reinforcing the German-Austrian border. Schuschnigg denied this. Hitler was fuming.

"Listen, you don't really think you can move a single stone in Austria without my hearing about it the next day, do you? ... I have only to give an order, and in one single night all your ridiculous defense mechanisms will be blown to bits. You don't seriously believe that you can stop me for half an hour, do you? ... I would very much like to save Austria from such a fate, because such an action would mean blood. After the Army, my S.A. and Austrian Legion would move in, and nobody can stop their just revenge—not even I."

Schuschnigg could feel the apprehension welling inside him, and sat, rigid, all the while remaining collected and dignified on the outside. The Führer was reminding him of the powerless state that Austria was in, continuing to threaten invasion.

"Don't think for one moment that anybody on earth is going to thwart my decisions. Italy? I see eye to eye with Mussolini ... England? England will not move one finger for Austria ... And France?" Hitler paused, a cruel and merciless smile almost seemed to dance upon his lips. He sat completely still, appearing somewhat calmer, secure. "It is too late for France." Hitler folded his hands on the desk in front of him. "I give you once more, and for the last time, the opportunity to come to terms, Herr Schuschnigg. Either we find a solution now or else events will take their course ... Think it over, Herr Schuschnigg, think it over well. I can only wait until this afternoon ..."

"What exactly were the German Chancellor's terms?" Schushnigg felt defeat creeping towards him.

"We can discuss that this afternoon." The Führer responded.