Escaping The Gestapo: An Austrian Deserter's Story

During World War Two, around 20,000 Austrians are believed to have deserted from the Wehrmacht, many in the last chaotic days of the war. Those who survived were regarded as traitors until 2009, when the Austrian parliament agreed to rehabilitate soldiers criminalised by the Nazis. Around 1,500 Austrian deserters faced the firing squad, but some managed to escape. Richard Wadani, for example, spent the rest of the war on the Allied side, joining a Czechoslovakian military unit, organised by the British army.

Joining the Allied side

Richard Wadani is one of the Austrian deserters who escaped the Gestapo and joined the Allied side. He joined a Czechoslovakian military unit, organised by the British army. Around 20,000 Austrians are believed to have deserted from the Wehrmacht, many in the last chaotic days of World War Two. It is thought that around 1,500 Austrian deserters faced the firing squad. Those who survived were regarded as traitors until 2009, when the Austrian parliament agreed to rehabilitate soldiers criminalised by the Nazis. Even mainstream politicians are reluctant to support attempts to rehabilitate them, saying "desertion is still a crime".

Cowardice

Wadani's story is one of courage and resilience, but it is important to note that not all Austrian deserters were so fortunate. Around 20,000 Austrians are believed to have deserted from the Wehrmacht, many in the last chaotic days of the war. Of those, around 1,500 faced the firing squad, and those who survived were regarded as traitors until 2009, when the Austrian parliament agreed to rehabilitate soldiers criminalised by the Nazis.

Even today, deserters are often branded as cowards and traitors, as noted by Thomas Geldmacher, curator of an exhibition about the fate of Austrian Wehrmacht deserters. Wadani's escape from the Gestapo and his subsequent service with the Allies demonstrate that cowardice is not always a defining trait, and that even those who initially falter can find the strength to act with bravery and honour.

Betrayal

In the film *Rome, Open City*, an Austrian deserter is aided by a priest. However, he is betrayed by a woman seeking revenge, and is subsequently ambushed by Germans. The character of Luigi is also offered leniency in return for betraying his companions, but he refuses and is tortured. The Austrian deserter, facing interrogation, hangs himself in his cell.

Hanging

In the case of the Austrian deserter, it is not clear if he was hanged by the Gestapo or if he chose to hang himself to avoid interrogation. The deserter, whose name is not mentioned, had already displayed cowardice at the prospect of interrogation. It is possible that he was facing torture or other harsh treatment at the hands of the Gestapo, and he saw hanging as a way to escape that fate.

During World War Two, hanging was used by both the Axis and Allied powers as a means of executing prisoners of war and those convicted of crimes such as treason or espionage. It is estimated that thousands of people were hanged during the war, including civilians and military personnel.

In the case of the Austrian deserter, it is not known if he was officially executed by hanging or if he took his own life. However, his decision to end his life rather than face interrogation highlights the extreme measures that some individuals took to avoid the harsh treatment of the Gestapo.

Rehabilitation

Austrian deserters were not always welcomed as heroes. Even mainstream politicians were reluctant to support attempts to rehabilitate them, saying "desertion is still a crime". Thomas Geldmacher, curator of an exhibition about the fate of Austrian deserters, said that "deserters are still branded as cowards and traitors".

Richard Wadani, an Austrian deserter who managed to escape unscathed, spent the rest of the war on the Allied side, joining a Czechoslovakian military unit organised by the British army.

The rehabilitation of Austrian deserters is an important step towards recognising the bravery and sacrifice of those who stood up against the Nazis, even if it meant deserting their own country's army. It is a reminder that sometimes the most courageous act is to refuse to fight for a cause you do not believe in.

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