» Prague Military History Tours

Prague

Operation Anthropoid Operation Anthropoid was the code name for the targeted killing of top German SS leader Reinhard Heydrich. He was the chief of the Reich Main Security Office (Reichssicherheitshauptamt, or RSHA), the acting Protector of Bohemia and Moravia, and a chief planner of the Final Solution, the Nazi German programme for the genocide of the Jews of Europe. The assassination was carried out by Britiah trained SOE trained Czech Agents.

Heydrich was a SS-Obergruppenführer and General der Polizei who had been the chief of the RSHA since September 1939. This was an organisation that included the Secret State Police (Gestapo), the Security Service (Sicherheitsdienst, or SD), and the Criminal Police (Kripo). In August 1940, Heydrich became the President of the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol). Heydrich was a key planner in eliminating Hitler’s opponents, as well as (later) the key planner of the genocide of the Jews. He was involved in most of Hitler’s intrigues and a valued political ally, adviser and friend of the dictator.

In September 1941, Heydrich was appointed acting Protector of Bohemia and Moravia, replacing Konstantin von Neurath. Hitler agreed with Heinrich Himmler and Heydrich that von Neurath’s “soft approach” to the Czechs promoted anti-German sentiment, and encouraged anti-German resistance by strikes and sabotage. Heydrich came to Prague to “strengthen policy, carry out counter measures against resistance” and keep up production quotas of Czech motor and arms that were “extremely important to the German war effort”. During his role as de facto dictator of Bohemia and Moravia, Heydrich often drove with his chauffeur in a car with an open roof. This was a show of his confidence in the occupation forces and in the effectiveness of his government. Due to his brutal efficiency, Heydrich was nicknamed the Butcher of Prague, the Blond Beast, and the Hangman.

This heroic story is also one of tragedy both in terms of the self sacrifice of the Agents but also of the terrible retribution brought down on the residents of Lidice.