Anschluss

The Anschluss was the invasion and annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938. While Nazi agitators created civil unrest within Austria, the German army crossed the border and met no resistance.

The invasion was notable militarily for the poor speed of the German advance and the frequent mechanical breakdowns of the German vehicles. Lessons learned by the German military would be used in the subsequent invasions of Czechoslovakia, Poland, and France.