The Takeover of Munich by Reichswehr and Freikorps Units, early May 1919

The government troops had planned the storming of Munich for 2 May. After the killings at the Luitpoldgymnasium on 30 April, however, some troops had already entered the city. The other Reichswehr (armed forces of the Weimar Republic) and Freikorps units followed on the scheduled date. The Red Army with its approximately 2,000 men under arms had no chance against the military superiority of some 15,000 well-equipped soldiers. The government troops proceeded with relentless strength and were able to take most districts quickly. Only in a few places, e.g. at the main station or on Karlsplatz (Stachus), the Red Army had well entrenched positions and was able to defend itself for some while. In Giesing and Haidhausen, Red Army soldiers shot out of windows, while the "White Troops" used artillery and grenade launchers. By 2 May, Munich was in the hands of the government troops, with isolated skirmishes continuing until 8 May.

In the first days of May, the Aktionsausschuss of the Munich SPD published a flyer, in which it campaigned for trust in the Hoffmann government for the necessary reconstruction. In particular, the socialist-minded workers were to be convinced by the statement. The government of the "Soviet Dictators" was condemned and it was made clear that Prime Minister Hoffmann was not a counter-revolutionary, but "a radical champion of the socialist movement". The workers were supposed to help restore order. To avoid "more confusion, more devastation," they should ensure that only soldiers and "Volkswachleute" (people’s guards) carry weapons.

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