Austria's Armistice Day: A Time For Remembrance And Reflection

Armistice Day, held annually on November 11, commemorates the signing of the armistice between the Allies and Germany, marking the end of World War I. While the day is celebrated globally, with countries adopting their own traditions to honour fallen soldiers, does Austria specifically recognise and celebrate Armistice Day?

Austria's Remembrance Day

Austria does not celebrate Armistice Day, but it does observe Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day in Austria is marked by wearing poppies with pride. The British Embassy in Vienna sells Royal British Legion Appeal poppies. In 2014, Ambassador Susan le Jeune d’Allegeershecque planted poppies on the embassy grounds to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War I.

Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, is observed in Commonwealth member states and some non-member states since World War I to honour armed forces members who died in the line of duty. It is observed on November 11, the date World War I ended, with a one- or two-minute silence at 11:00 am.

In Austria, 2008 was a year of remembrance and reflection. The country reflected on the reasons for its founding in 1918, its annexation to the German Reich in 1938, and its liberation in 1945 after World War II. That year, Austria also remembered 1968, when a generation of young people opposed war and established structures.

Remembrance Day ceremonies in Commonwealth countries include the "Last Post", a period of silence, "Reveille" or "The Rouse", and the "Ode of Remembrance". The central ritual at cenotaphs is a stylised night vigil, symbolising the traditional night vigil over the slain to ensure they were dead and to guard them from being mutilated or dragged off by scavengers.

While Austria does not celebrate Armistice Day, many countries around the world commemorate the day in their own ways. For example, in the United Kingdom, poppies are worn from November 2 (All Souls' Day) until Remembrance Sunday. At 11:00 am, people pause for a two-minute silence to remember those killed or injured in battle. In Belgium, Armistice Day is recognised as a national holiday, with commemorative ceremonies, military parades, the "Last Post", and a minute's silence at 11:00 am.

Austria's history with World War I

Austria-Hungary was one of the Central Powers during World War I, along with the German Empire and the Ottoman Empire. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princip in June 1914 was the catalyst for the war, with Austria-Hungary invading Serbia the following month. The reaction to the assassination among the Austrian people was mild, with historian Z.A.B. Zeman noting that the event "almost failed to make any impression whatsoever".

The assassination intensified existing ethnic hostilities in Bosnia, with Austrian authorities encouraging violence against Serb residents in Sarajevo, resulting in the Anti-Serb riots of Sarajevo. Austro-Hungarian authorities imprisoned and extradited approximately 5,500 prominent Serbs, with a predominantly Muslim special militia known as the Schutzkorps carrying out the persecution of Serbs.

Hungary's prime minister, István Tisza, opposed the expansion of the monarchy in the Balkans, arguing that the Dual Monarchy already had too many Slavs. In a memorandum to Emperor Franz Joseph, Tisza predicted a "Weltkrieg" (World War) and urged a peaceful resolution with Serbia. However, the Austro-Hungarian government decided to confront Serbia militarily, presenting a list of ten demands (the July Ultimatum) that they knew Serbia would not fully accept. When Serbia only partially accepted one of the demands, Austria-Hungary declared war.

The invasion of Serbia in 1914 was a disaster for Austria-Hungary, with the loss of 227,000 out of 450,000 men. The Austro-Hungarian army suffered heavy casualties and severe defeats on multiple fronts, including Serbia, the Eastern Front, Italy, and Romania. The Italian front was particularly bloody and exhausting for both sides, with four battles taking place over five months. The Brusilov Offensive in 1916, led by the Russians, resulted in huge losses for the Austro-Hungarian army and contributed to the revolutions of 1917.

By 1917, the Eastern Front of the Entente Powers had collapsed, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire withdrew from all defeated countries. The setbacks suffered by the Austrian army can be attributed to the incompetence of the Austrian high command and the lack of plans for a continental war. The multi-ethnic composition of the army also created communication issues and further weakened morale.

By the end of October 1918, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy had collapsed, with leftist and liberal political movements and opposition parties gaining power in Vienna and Budapest. Emperor Karl issued a proclamation on October 16, 1918, which would have significantly altered the structure of the monarchy, but it was a dead letter. The Lansing note from United States Secretary of State Robert Lansing on October 18 effectively sealed the fate of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as he rejected the continuation of the dual monarchy.

On October 17, 1918, the Hungarian Parliament voted to terminate the union with Austria, and Count Mihály Károlyi seized power in the Aster Revolution on October 31. Károlyi repudiated the compromise agreement, effectively terminating the personal union with Austria and dissolving the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Emperor Karl issued a proclamation on November 11, relinquishing his right to exercise sovereign authority, and the Republic of German-Austria was proclaimed the following day.

Austria's history with World War II

Austria has a complex history with World War II, with the country being annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938.

In the early 20th century, Austria was struggling to maintain its independence from Germany, with the Austrofascist Engelbert Dollfuss attempting to keep the country independent. However, in 1938, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, with the support of a large majority of Austrians.

The Anschluss, or annexation, of Austria was preceded by a conspiracy by Austrian Nazis to seize the Austrian government by force. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg met with Hitler, hoping to reassert Austrian independence, but was coerced into naming several Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of annexation, but before the vote could take place, he gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned on March 11, 1938.

Hitler accompanied German troops into Austria on March 12, 1938, where they were met by enthusiastic crowds. Hitler appointed a new Nazi government, and on March 13, the annexation was proclaimed. Austria existed as a federal state of Germany until the end of World War II, when the Allied powers declared the Anschluss void and re-established an independent Austria.

During World War II, hundreds of thousands of Austrians fought as German soldiers, and a substantial number served in the SS, the elite military corps of the Nazi Party. By the end of the war, approximately 250,000 Austrians had been killed or were missing in action, and more than 20,000 were killed in U.S. and British bombing raids.

The Austrian resistance was small but not negligible, with left-wing resistance groups (mostly communists, with a smaller number of socialists) dominating, and conservative resisters (mainly Christian Socialists and monarchists) also active. Tens of thousands of Austrians were arrested for political reasons during the war, and many died in concentration camps or prisons.

After the outbreak of World War II, the Allied governments began to reconsider their attitude towards the annexation of Austria. In 1941, Soviet premier Joseph Stalin informed the British that the restoration of an independent Austrian republic was considered an essential part of the postwar order in central Europe. In 1943, a declaration was published by the foreign ministers of Great Britain, the U.S.S.R., and the United States, pledging the Allies to restore Austrian independence.

When Soviet troops liberated Vienna on April 13, 1945, representatives from the resistance movement and former political parties were allowed to organize and set up a free provisional government. Although Austria was once again an independent republic, the country emerged from the war as one of the poorest in Europe, with much of the infrastructure of Austrian cities damaged or destroyed.

Austria's liberation in 1945

In the aftermath of the Vienna Offensive, Austrian politician Karl Renner, with the tacit approval of the victorious Soviet forces, established a Provisional Government in Vienna and declared Austria's secession from the Third Reich. On 27 April 1945, Austria was declared independent from Nazi Germany, as stipulated in the Berlin Declaration for Germany on 5 June 1945. However, the country remained under Allied occupation until 1955.

The liberation of Austria in 1945 was a significant event in the country's history, marking the end of Nazi rule and the beginning of its path towards independence and rebuilding. The country had endured years of occupation and annexation by Nazi Germany, with a significant number of Austrians joining the Nazi Party and participating in war crimes. The liberation by Soviet and Allied forces brought an end to this dark chapter in Austria's history and paved the way for the country's reconstruction and re-establishment as a democratic state.

Austria's remembrance of 1968

Austria does not appear to celebrate Armistice Day, but it does commemorate other significant historical events. For instance, 2008 was a year of remembrance and reflection for the country, marking 90 years since the founding of the Austrian Republic in 1918 and the laying down of arms by the Austro-Hungarian Army on 3 November 1918. That year, Austria also remembered 1968, a year when a generation of young people opposed war and established structures.

While there is limited specific information about Austria's remembrance of 1968, it is clear that this year held significance for the country. The year 1968 was a tumultuous period globally, with social and political upheavals, and it is likely that these events had an impact on Austria as well.

In general, Austria has shown a commitment to commemorating its past and reflecting on significant historical events. For example, the Austrian Embassy actively engages in Holocaust Remembrance Day, fighting against antisemitism and commemorating the Holocaust on multiple levels. This includes official visits, discussions, and cultural events such as concerts featuring works composed in concentration camps.

Austria also recognises the importance of educating its citizens about their history. The motto of the 2008 remembrance activities was, "Those who do not know their past cannot understand the present. For, we are our history. And we are our future." This indicates a recognition that remembrance and education are crucial for a society's development and future.

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