Free Republic of Schwarzenberg

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Free Republic of Schwarzenberg Freie Republik Schwarzenberg
1945–1945
Coat of arms of Schwarzenberg, showing Saint George
Map of the localities in the Saxon part of the Ore Mountains reliably unoccupied from May 8, to June 24, 1945[1]   Unoccupied locality   Presumably unoccupied locality   Occupied locality, for orientation
Capital	Uncertain
Historical era	World War II
• German capitulation	May 8 1945
• Soviet occupation	June 24 1945
Preceded by Succeeded by Nazi Germany Allied Occupation Zones in Germany Soviet occupation zone

The Free Republic of Schwarzenberg (German: Freie Republik Schwarzenberg) is a term applied to portions of western Saxony that were briefly not occupied by the Allies after the surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945. These districts of Saxony were thus self-governing for several weeks before occupation under the Soviet Union.

After the surrender of Nazi Germany, the Saxony districts of Schwarzenberg, Stollberg, and Aue in the Ore Mountains were left unoccupied by Allies for unknown reasons. This led to anti-fascist groups^[specify] forming local governments in those towns and villages, ending with the area's occupation by Soviet troops on June 24, 1945.

There has been speculation as to why neither American nor Soviet troops immediately occupied the area. One explanation is that the Soviets and Americans agreed to halt on the banks of the Mulde river. Because there are several rivers with this name, and the Schwarzenberg area lies between them, there may have been some misunderstanding over the agreed boundaries. Another possible explanation is that the Allies simply overlooked the area until the lack of occupation was noticed.