Austrian heroes in World War II: from the victim to the winner

Austrian heroes in World War II: from the victim to the winner

in June 2024 we will remind you of the 80th anniversary of the famous D-Day, and in May 2025 the end of the Second World War for the 80th time. These significant anniversaries call us to think about the horrors of the war between 1939 and 1945 and to focus on people who suffered or fought in this conflict. Two groups are particularly in view: the suffering victims of National Socialism and the brave fighters who opposed Hitler's regime.

However, the border between victims and winners is not as clear as you could think. There were people who had suffered persecution themselves but still fought on the part of the Allies. These Austrians, many with Jewish descent, not only fought in the armed forces, but also took on important roles in the intelligence service and in psychological warfare. Unfortunately, their commitment and courage is often overlooked, especially in their home countries Austria and Germany.

The brave fighters

The number of Austrian citizens who became active as part of the Allied forces is surprisingly high. Archive information shows that more than 10,000 Austrians served in the British and US forces. Among them were also many who have extraordinary stories to tell. This is how the Viennese Kurt Goldschläger, who was able to enter the British army in 1939 after his escape due to his escape due to his Jewish origin. He acted as a translator and risked his life during the warlike conflicts in Europe, for example when he saved his unit in Osnabrück in spring 1945. Kurt Goldschläger received a lot of recognition, but his death remains a sad story because he was buried in an anonymous grave until his niece years later revealed his story.

The tragic fates did not end with gold rackets. Of the more than 30 Austrians who are at the No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando served, several, including the dancer and choreographer Werner Lewinsky. This reality shows that the war cost many human lives, and the survivors often wore the scars of their experiences for life.

The Situation was particularly tragic for the fighters of the 10th Mountain Division , a renowned unity of the US Army that specialized in mountain warfare. These soldiers, many of them Austrians, were known for their courage and devotion. The bloody struggle to break through the "Goten line" in Italy demanded a high price in life.

a legacy of courage

All of these stories are not only part of the past, but also tell of an impressive variety of people who fought against the wrong of National Socialism. While many are no longer, their stories, their deeds and their courage deserve a light that suits them. In 2025, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, we should also think of these brave Austrians. Your material loss and the suffering of the survivors must not be forgotten. They fought against one of the worst dictators in history, and that should never be forgotten.

The recognition of these brave people is not only important to keep their memories alive, but also to preserve the teachings from history. Their deeds deserve to inspire and remember so that we can not only understand the past, but can also appreciate the importance of peace and humanity.

For more information on this topic and the stories of the Austrian exile during the war, See the report on science.orf .