A small but a powerful read I came across.
In 1943, Soviet Russia paradropped two trained Communist agents Karol Schmidke and Karol Bacilek into Slovakia to create a situation for an insurrection. Why was an insurrection needed?

The insurrection will bring in the Germans who will crush the rebellion with brute force and the situation will be conducive for the Soviets to purge all those who are not ready to accept the takeover. Added benefit? The rebellion, even though it will fail, it will remove a part

of the opposition and on the other hand, weaken the older guard. As what we come to see in the Slovak uprising, at least three big leaders are killed and many disgraced. After Munich Pact, Edvard Beneš resigned and fled Czechoslovakia.

After the War started, Beneš declared himself President of Czechoslovakia again and his pro-Communist leanings, he signed a pact with the Soviets on 12 December 1943. Further, he declared a single Czechoslovak Nation. Consequently, Lettrich’s Slovak Agrarians and

Slovak Communists joined hands to conclude what is known as the Christmas Treaty, a consequence of which Slovak National Council was formed. Communists didn't care about anything - all they wanted is power. Agrarians wanted to be a part of Czechoslovakia but were confused whether

it should be pre-Munich or post. When Vavro Srobar asked what path to take if Hungary flips or if Germans invade, Benes called for insurrection. But, Father Tiso, the Head of Slovakia had different plans. The government and army defined an opportune time -

enemy takeover of either Krakow or Miksovec. If that happens, Slovak Army will march to the borders and the government will step down and Army will form an Interim Government. The interim government will negotiate with United Nations and chalk out the future for the country.

Slovak Government actually contacted Russians - on December 17 1943, General Malar met with the Soviets to avoid bringing the war to Slovakia. Soviets consented but refused on the point that only Slovak Army will handle internal affairs of Slovakia.

But, it is possible that the Soviets have already chalked the plan for a Slovak insurrection. On 25 July 1944, a Soviet Officer Pyotr Velichko was sent to rake up dirt. Not in the loop, a delegation was sent under Karol Schmidke and General Nicholas Ferjencik to create

disturbances in Slovakia. But, it turned out that Velichko was too hyperactive for anyone's comfort. Benes's appointee for all insurrection activities Lt Col Golian sent Lt Col Manica to Velichko to tone down and be under his command but to no avail.

Golian's stand was simple - if things go out of control, Germans would march in and the damage will be unbearable. But, bringing Germans in is what Velichko wanted!! Romania flipped on 23 August 1944 and the German Military mission whcih was fleeing Bucharest under

Lt Col Walter E. A. Otto was intercepted near Turciansky Svaty Martin, forced to deboard the train and executed. Two civilians, three doctors and two children were killed in that execution aling with Otto and 16 other German soldiers. That's not the only provocation.

Next day, a few German soldiers were surprised in sleep and murdered. On 27 August 1944, Francis Slamen, a member of Slovak Assembly and the head of Slovak Christian Labour Union was murdered along with others in Brezno Nad Hronom. The next day, four Slovak Officers were killed.

Ružomberok was taken over by the rebels on 27 August. In fact, the Slovak Government asked Father Tiso to impose emergency as early as 1 August. But fearing a German advance on Slovakia, he resisted. That's his biggest mistake as it turned out to be.

On 1 September, the Slovak National Council convened in Banska Bystrica and declared the start of rebellion on 29 August 1944. Why that date? That was the day Germans advanced on Slovakia. So, the rebellion was not an insurrection against Tiso government but to stop Germans from

overrunning Slovakia. In fact, another rumour was spread - that Father Tiso is killed by Germans and his government is deported. The Government beseeched the army not to join the insurrection - in fact, General Malar made a fatal mistake when he said time is not ripe.

The Germans interpreted it as he is preparing for another rebellion and deported him. Malar died in Sachsenhausen concentration camp. But there was no insurrection of the scale Soviets hoped. The rebellion was a fiasco. After some initial resistance, the rebels fled.

Most of the leaders fled to Soviet Russia but Generals Wiesst and Golian were caught by the Germans and were executed. General Talsky who fled to Russia was executed as a deserter. When Banska Bystrica fell on October 27, the rebellion was effectively over.

But, because Benes and the Soviets were controlling the medium, the rebellion was considered as a glorious effort to resist the Germans. One of the leaders of the rebellion Slansky who was executed in the 1952 purge said, while Slovaks lost 2500 soldiers in all the war till then,

30000 were killed in the two months of anarchy. Who were the culprits? Germans? Father Tiso? The rebels? Or a combination of all? Germans were brutal as usual, no denial. Untermensch, right? Tiso was almost inconsequential and let's come to what the rebels did.

The Slovak National Council has declared dissolution of political parties, church and nationalized property. A concentration camp was set up at Slovenska Lupca where 700 people were held. Partisan Courts were set up in Sklabina, Kunerad and other place.

Thousands were convicted and hundreds were liquidated. It was a classic Bolshevik uprising. The Communist Lutheran Preacher Vojtech Hruska-Terenyi was the Judge, Jury and Executioner in Sklabina. 147 people were buried in mass graves in Sklabina.

Mass graves were also discovered in Slovakia in many locations. And as like in Katyn, the Soviets blamed the opponents for the deaths. Ultimately, what Stalin wanted, happened. An insurrection, a violent reprisal and a second Soviet purge to clean out the remnants.

And Slovakia lost it's independence. Notice, the whole topic doesn't talk about Father Tiso. It's all about Germans, Soviet sponsored insurrection and Soviet purges. Compare the sequence of events with Warsaw, Prague and other uprisings. Same sequence of events.

Again and again, this brings the discussion to the same point. Hitler was bad - everyone accepts that. But, who is more bad among the two - Stalin or Hitler?
Image: Report of United States House Select Committee for Investigation of Communist Aggression Part 8 Pg 163