Swastika Flying High in Cardiff

Cardiff, UK.

I've never seen this picture before and came across it completely by accident after a documentary wrongly used it to portray occupied France. I immediately recognised it as the City Hall in Cardiff, the city where I live.

1938.

Sudetenland, the German speaking/populated portions of Czechoslovakia started to demand a union with Hitler's Germany. The Czech's refused due to the tactical importance of the land and Hitler threatened war. In 1938 and without consulting Czechoslovakia, Britain and France agreed to hand it over to Germany. This was looked at as an act of peace and Chamberlain (British Prime Minister) waved around a piece of paper which Hitler had written a promise not to go to war. This was the Munich Agreement. At that time, Britain was not ready for war or able to help out Czechoslovakia if Germany attacked, so giving in to Hitler seemed to be the most sensible option.

Sudetenland was handed over.

TIME Magazine declared Hitler as 'Man of the Year in 1938'. Many people admired him for turning around Germany in a time where the depression was still affecting the country. He was not seen as the evil guy that he is today.

To show his support of the agreement, Lord Mayor Purnell of Cardiff, erected the four flags of the nations involved in the agreement, over City's Hall. This included the Swastika. The flag wasn't largely associated with evil at the time.

Cardiff City Hall today.

Within 24 hours, two men from the labour party took it down but it was soon replaced.

Myself in front of City Hall a few years ago. The only picture I could find with it, which I lifted off  Instagram.

Six months later, Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia and the Munich Agreement was void. Britain said it would defend Poland if Hitler invaded. The war had begun.