Between 1936 and the eve of the World War II, the German forces had occupied and annexed large parts of lands in Central Europe.
Earlier expansion in 1935-6 included the retaking of old German lands of Rhineland which were against the Treaty of Versailles.
After that, German forces quickly moved to retake, what they believe were integral parts of Germany.
Modern countries of Austria, the then Czechslovakia (now Czech and Slovakia) saw quick militarization within 2-3 years.
