Hitler leaves Czechoslovakia but still invades Poland

[AiBosq]

I know this might be unrealistic, but I am still curious. Let's say Hitler respects the Munich Conference and doesn't destroy the rump of Czechoslovakia but still invades Poland, what would happen? How would the British and French react, and how would the Czechs and Poles react?

[wm]

The Poles would fight, no other scenario was possible.
The Czechs would do nothing, they had refused any military cooperation with Poland from day one (i.e., since 1918).

[maltesefalcon]

Suggest looking at Panzer inventory Sept 1 1939. About half the inventory that was not Pzkw I and II were Czech models.
Hitler needed those tanks and the plants that built them.

[wm]

Certainly but not against Poland. Against Poland the Pzkw I and II were good enough.

[Futurist]

I know this might be unrealistic, but I am still curious. Let's say Hitler respects the Munich Conference and doesn't destroy the rump of Czechoslovakia but still invades Poland, what would happen? How would the British and French react, and how would the Czechs and Poles react?

Depends on what Hitler's terms are. If he merely insists on the return of Danzig to Germany and the construction of an extraterritorial road, then Britain and France might bully Poland into reaching a compromise with Nazi Germany, with the Poles being told that they won't get any aid if they do, in fact, decide to fight. If Hitler demands more than that, such as a plebiscite in the Polish Corridor (excluding Gdynia) with only those who were living there in 1918 and their descendants actually being capable of voting in this plebiscite, then Britain and France might still insist on fighting Hitler over Poland if Poland will resist these terms.

[wm]

Again, it wasn't about helping Poland but preserving Pax Britannica and Pax Francais in Europe.
Post-Munich Poland was just a tripwire.
Czechoslovakia wasn't such a tripwire for the simple reason they themselves asked Hitler for protection and refused to defend themselves.
Not to mention the earlier huge unforced mistake of accepting since day one the validity of German demands and only disputing proposed remedies.

[Futurist]

Again, it wasn't about helping Poland but preserving Pax Britannica and Pax Francais in Europe.
Post-Munich Poland was just a tripwire.
Czechoslovakia wasn't such a tripwire for the simple reason they themselves asked Hitler for protection and refused to defend themselves.
Not to mention the earlier huge unforced mistake of accepting since day one the validity of German demands and only disputing proposed remedies.

Did the Czechs ask Hitler for protection before German troops arrived in Prague? Or was it German troops in Prague first and then the Czechs asking Hitler for protection?

[wm]

Hitler invited their president and he agreed that the protection was a good idea - the troops went later.

[Futurist]

Hitler invited their president and he agreed that the protection was a good idea - the troops went later.

Did he actually have any choice in this matter, though?

[wm]

The same the Poles had.

[Futurist]

The same the Poles had.

In August 1939?

[wm]

Yes.

[Futurist]

So, again, not much of a choice. "Obey my ultimatum or else you'll get invaded!"