Motorway construction in Silesia 1933–1943

Abstract

The Breslau Directorate-General for the Construction of Motorways in Silesia (Oberste Bauleitung Breslau für den Bau der Reichsautobahnen in Schlesien) was established in 1933, which meant that this part of the German Reich from then on was treated in this regard on par with the parts of Reich important in terms of economy and transport. The planning and construction of the motorways (Reichsautobahnen) in Silesia took part from 1934 until 1942, when all activities in this field were halted due to war. Hitler ‘ennobled’ the builders of Silesian motorways by attending the celebration on September 27, 1936 in Breslau, marking the completion of the first 1,000 km of motorways.