Soviet Union's Austrian Occupation: Fact Or Fiction?

The Soviet Union did occupy parts of Austria from 1945 to 1955, including the capital, Vienna. The country was divided into four occupation zones, with the United Kingdom, the United States, and France also controlling parts of the country. The Soviet Union's occupation policies in Austria were largely shaped by the Moscow Declaration of 1943, in which the British, Americans, and Soviets proclaimed that Austria was the first victim of Nazi Germany, but that it would also have to pay the price for its participation in Nazi aggression.

The Soviet Union's economic exploitation of Austria

The USIA (Administration for Soviet Property in Austria) was a de facto state corporation that controlled and managed these expropriated assets. It operated from 1946 until the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1955 and employed thousands of Austrians, a disproportionate number of whom were Austrian Communists. The USIA controlled crucial industries such as glass making, leather, and iron and steel, often with monopolistic control.

The Soviets used various tactics to exploit Austrian resources. They seized and dismantled former German equipment, shipping it back to the Soviet Union as war reparations. They also expropriated Austrian properties, including lands belonging to the House of Esterházy, under dubious or non-existent pretenses. The Soviets justified their expropriation of Esterházy lands by claiming that the knighthood of the Holy Roman Empire, conferred in 1806, qualified the family as German rather than Austrian.

The USIA routinely disregarded Austrian taxation and customs regulations, and its trucking arm engaged in smuggling. It also benefited from preferential treatment, such as being exempt from Austrian tariffs and having access to Eastern European markets despite the Iron Curtain and Western trade embargoes.

The impact of the USIA on the Austrian economy was significant. It accounted for 30% of the Soviet zone's output and about 5% of Austria's total national output. However, the USIA's focus on economic exploitation rather than political destabilization meant that it did not pursue immediate Sovietization or the imposition of a communist dictatorship in Austria.

By 1955, many of the companies under USIA control were close to bankruptcy due to a lack of investment and general neglect. The Austrian government eventually purchased the USIA's assets for 150 million US dollars, and the oil fields for an additional 200 million dollars. The total profits withdrawn by the Soviets from the Austrian economy through the USIA are estimated at 1.072 billion US dollars.

The Soviet Union's political influence in Austria

The Moscow Declaration of 1943: The Soviet Union, along with Britain and the United States, signed this declaration, which stated that Austria was Germany's first victim but would also have to pay for its participation in Nazi aggression. This declaration laid the groundwork for Austria's eventual independence.

Occupation and Division of Austria: After the liberation of Vienna, Soviet troops were the first to arrive, and they occupied parts of the country, including its capital. Later, in 1945, the Western Allies (USA, France, and Great Britain) joined the occupation, dividing Austria into four zones. Vienna was also divided among the four powers, with an additional inter-allied zone in the 1st district.

Installation of a Provisional Government: The Soviets unilaterally installed a provisional federal government under Dr Karl Renner, a socialist politician. The Austrian communists, under exiled leaders, controlled crucial ministries like the interior and education, which allowed them to influence police and propaganda.

Economic Exploitation: The Soviet Union expropriated and managed numerous Austrian businesses, particularly in the Soviet zone. The USIA (Administration for Soviet Property in Austria) controlled over 400 companies and employed around 60,000 people at its peak. However, these businesses were poorly managed and became close to bankruptcy by 1955.

Propaganda and Political Influence: The Soviets used propaganda to shape public opinion and influence Austrian politics. They attempted to foster a positive image of the Soviet Union and differentiate ordinary Austrians from Nazis. The Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ) was expected to be the motor for a long-term evolutionary change towards a Socialist system, but it failed to gain significant political support in the 1945 and 1949 elections.

Treaty and Withdrawal: The Soviet Union agreed to the Austrian State Treaty, signed in 1955, which led to the withdrawal of Soviet troops and the restoration of Austria's independence. The price for this agreement was Austria's permanent neutrality, which was enacted on October 26, 1955, and continues to be an important aspect of Austrian foreign policy.

Overall, the Soviet Union's political influence in Austria was significant during the occupation, especially in the initial years. They installed a friendly provisional government, exerted economic control, and attempted to shape public opinion through propaganda. However, their influence waned as the Austrian people rejected Communist rule in elections, and the Soviet Union ultimately agreed to withdraw its troops and restore Austrian independence in exchange for neutrality.

The Soviet Union's military presence in Austria

Austria was divided into four occupation zones, with the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France each controlling a portion of the country. The Soviet zone included Burgenland, Lower Austria, and the Mühlviertel area of Upper Austria, north of the Danube. Vienna, the capital, was also subdivided, with a collective administration by the four powers in the central district.

The Soviet occupation policies in Austria were shaped by the Moscow Declaration of 1943, which stated that Austria was Germany's first victim but would also have to pay for its participation in Nazi aggression. While Austria was treated as a defeated Axis power, it avoided some of the harshest consequences due to this declaration.

In terms of military presence and control, the Soviets initially installed a provisional federal government under Dr. Karl Renner, with Austrian communists controlling crucial ministries. The Soviet military presence was marked by instances of sexual violence and looting by Soviet soldiers, particularly in the early stages of the occupation. However, the scale of political violence was limited compared to other countries occupied by the Red Army, as Moscow did not fully control Austria and it was not a high priority for the Kremlin.

The Soviet Union's propaganda in Austria

Portraying Austria as a Victim: In line with the Moscow Declaration of 1943, Soviet propaganda emphasised that Austria was Hitler's first victim and that the Red Army had come to liberate it from Nazi rule. This narrative helped differentiate Austrians from Germans in the eyes of Soviet soldiers and encouraged more humane treatment of Austrian civilians.

Denouncing Nazi Propaganda: Soviet directives to troops entering Austria refuted Nazi propaganda that portrayed Soviet soldiers as barbarians. They instructed soldiers not to confuse Austrian civilians with German occupiers and to respect Austrian traditions, families, and private property. This approach aimed to counter negative perceptions of the Soviet Union and foster goodwill among the Austrian population.

Anti-German Sentiment: While differentiating between Austrians and Germans, Soviet propaganda also fuelled anti-German sentiment. It emphasised the crimes of the Nazi regime and encouraged Soviet soldiers to seek retribution from German enslavers. This two-pronged approach aimed to garner support from Austrians while justifying harsh treatment of Germans.

Promoting the Communist Party: The Soviet Union aimed to expand its influence in Austria and gain support for the Communist Party of Austria. They established a provisional government led by Karl Renner, a socialist politician, and appointed local mayors, often following the advice of locals. However, their efforts were hindered by suspicions of a puppet state, and the Communist Party of Austria fared poorly in the 1945 parliamentary elections.

Portraying a Positive Image: To improve their reputation among Austrians, the Soviets attempted to portray their soldiers in a more positive light. They discouraged criminal conduct, looting, and sexual assaults, which were prevalent during the initial occupation. Over time, sexual relations between Soviet soldiers and Austrian women became more transactional and consensual, resulting in the birth of thousands of "soldier's children."

Propaganda through Media: The Soviets utilised various media channels, including radio, posters, and films, to disseminate their propaganda messages. They also made use of propaganda trains with presses and portable cinemas to reach a wider audience. These trains were used during the war and continued into the occupation, serving as a tool for both propaganda and entertainment.

Emphasising Neutrality: As part of the negotiations for Austrian independence, the Soviet Union emphasised the importance of Austrian neutrality in the Cold War. This stance was reflected in the Austrian State Treaty, which included a declaration of Austrian neutrality, ensuring the country would not join military alliances like NATO or the Warsaw Pact.

It's worth noting that the effectiveness of Soviet propaganda in Austria varied. While it helped shape perceptions and influenced some Austrians, many remained sceptical, particularly regarding the differentiation between Austrians and Germans. Additionally, the actions of Soviet soldiers, including looting and sexual violence, often contradicted the official propaganda messages.

The Soviet Union's treatment of Austrian POWs

The Soviet Union's treatment of Austrian prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II was shaped by the Moscow Declaration of 1943, in which the Western Allies agreed that Austria was the first victim of Nazi Germany. This declaration ultimately led to Austria's independence after the war. However, it did not prevent the Soviets from extracting reparations from Austria and imposing occupation costs on the country.

During the initial months of the Soviet occupation of Austria, Soviet military tribunals arrested around 800 Austrian civilians on various charges, including belonging to the Nazi Werewolf resistance group, espionage, maltreatment of Soviet POWs and slave labourers, weapons possession, war crimes, violent acts, and selling bad alcohol to Soviet troops. By the time the Soviet Army withdrew from Austria in 1955, they had arrested a total of 2,400 Austrians, with 1,250 prosecuted for crimes ranging from war crimes to everyday criminal activities. Around 150 were executed, and others received lengthy prison sentences.

The issue of Soviet POWs in Austrian hands is also relevant to the discussion. While the majority of German POWs were captured by the Soviets during the last year of the war, the Soviets also captured Austrian soldiers. The Soviets released Austrian prisoners at a faster rate than Germans, but the last Austrians were not released until 1955.

The overall treatment of Austrian POWs by the Soviet Union was complex and influenced by various political and strategic considerations. While the Soviets did prosecute and punish Austrian POWs, the scale of repression was more limited compared to other countries occupied by the Red Army. This was due in part to Austria's geographical distance from the Soviet Union and its lower priority in Moscow's geopolitical agenda.

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