Austria's Holocaust Death Toll: A Tragic Count

The Holocaust saw the murder of six million Jews across Europe. In Austria, approximately 65,000 Jews were killed, and only 7,000 remained in the country by November 1942. A memorial in Vienna is engraved with the names of 64,440 Austrian Jews who were murdered, and it is known that an additional 1,000 people were killed, but their names have been lost.

The Austrian government has a memorial engraved with the names of 64,440 Austrian Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust

The memorial is a powerful reminder of the horrors inflicted on the Jewish community during the Holocaust. It serves as a tribute to the victims and a testament to the Austrian government's commitment to remembering and honouring those who perished.

The Holocaust in Austria resulted in the deaths of approximately 65,000 Austrian Jews. This figure represents the vast majority of the country's Jewish population, which numbered about 192,000 when Nazi Germany annexed Austria in March 1938. Between 1938 and 1940, approximately 117,000 Jews fled Austria to other countries, and by November 1942, only about 7,000 Jews remained in the country.

The Austrian government's memorial is a significant step towards acknowledging and remembering the victims of the Holocaust. The engraving of names ensures that those who perished are not forgotten and that their stories are preserved for future generations. It is a powerful symbol of remembrance and a reminder of the importance of standing against antisemitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination.

Approximately 65,000 Austrian Jews were killed in the Holocaust

Austria's Documentation Center of Austrian Resistance has identified records pertaining to more than 63,800 Jewish victims. In addition, a memorial monument in central Vienna is engraved with the names of 64,440 Austrian Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust. It is known that an additional ~1,000 people were murdered, but their names have been lost.

The Holocaust in Austria has been the subject of some controversy, with Austrian society adhering to the "First Victim" narrative until the 1980s. This narrative portrayed Austria as a victim, rather than an enthusiastic supporter, of Nazi Germany, thus sidestepping responsibility for the crimes of the Third Reich. However, in 1938, 99.7% of Austrians voted in a plebiscite to join the German Reich.

Today, there is a growing recognition of the need for Holocaust education in Austria, with recent surveys revealing critical gaps in knowledge among the population. For example, 42% of Millennials and Gen Z believe that two million Jews or fewer were killed during the Holocaust, while 13% believe that the number of Jewish deaths has been greatly exaggerated.

106 Austrians have been recognised by the Yad Vashem Institute of Holocaust and Heroism as righteous for aiding and saving Jews during the Holocaust

Approximately 65,000 Austrian Jews were killed in the Holocaust. A memorial monument in Vienna is engraved with the names of 64,440 Austrian Jews who were murdered, and it is known that an additional ~1,000 people were murdered, but their names have been lost.

Austria's Documentation Center of Austrian Resistance has identified records pertaining to more than 63,800 Jewish victims.

In 1938, 99.7% of Austrians voted in a plebiscite to join the German Reich. However, for decades following the war, the national consensus was that Austria was a victim of an "unwanted Anschluss" (annexation) and was therefore not responsible for the crimes of the Third Reich. This narrative was challenged in the 1980s, and as of January 1, 2016, 106 Austrians have been recognised by the Yad Vashem Institute of Holocaust and Heroism as righteous for aiding and saving Jews during the Holocaust. These individuals risked their lives to help those in danger, and their actions stand in contrast to the broader complicity and enthusiasm of many Austrians for Nazi Germany.

A 2021 survey found that 42% of Austrian Millennials and Gen Z believe two million Jews or fewer were killed during the Holocaust

A 2021 survey found that 42% of Austrian millennials and Gen Z believe that two million Jews or fewer were killed during the Holocaust. This is a worrying statistic, as it shows a lack of knowledge about the Holocaust among young people in Austria. The actual number of Austrian Jews killed in the Holocaust is estimated to be around 65,000, with some sources putting the figure at 64,440. This number does not include the approximately 1,000 people whose names have been lost to history.

The Holocaust had a devastating impact on Austria's Jewish population, which numbered about 192,000 when Nazi Germany annexed the country in March 1938. Between 1938 and 1940, approximately 117,000 Jews fled Austria to other countries, and by November 1942, only about 7,000 Jews remained in the country. The liberation of Vienna by Soviet troops on 13 April 1945 left fewer than 800 Jews in the country, most of whom were spouses of Austrian citizens.

The lack of knowledge about the Holocaust among Austrian youth is a cause for concern, as it could lead to a repeat of history. In fact, more than one-third of those surveyed felt that national socialism could come to power again. It is crucial that young people are educated about the Holocaust and its consequences to prevent such atrocities from happening again.

To address this issue, Austrian society has taken steps to acknowledge and remember the victims of the Holocaust. On 9 November 2021, the Austrian government inaugurated the "Shoah Wall of Names Memorial" in central Vienna. This memorial is engraved with the names of 64,440 Austrian Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust. Additionally, as of 1 January 2016, 106 Austrians have been recognised by the Yad Vashem Institute of Holocaust and Heroism as righteous individuals who aided and saved Jews during the Holocaust, risking their own lives.

A 2021 survey also found that 13% of Austrian Millennials and Gen Z believed the number of Jews who died has been greatly exaggerated

The Holocaust in Austria saw the deaths of approximately 65,000 Austrian Jews. A memorial monument in Vienna is engraved with the names of 64,440 Austrian Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust, with an additional 1,000 people believed to have been murdered but their names have been lost.

A 2021 survey found that there were critical gaps in Holocaust knowledge in Austria. Astonishingly, 42% of Austrian Millennials and Gen Z believed that two million Jews or fewer were killed during the Holocaust. This is a far cry from the actual number of six million Jews killed. The survey also found that 13% of Austrian Millennials and Gen Z believed that the number of Jews who died has been greatly exaggerated, while 10% were unsure. This lack of knowledge is concerning, as it could lead to a repeat of history.

Oskar Deutsch, President of the Jewish Communities in Austria and Vienna, stated that the survey results set a mission for teachers, politicians, and society as a whole to address antisemitic incidents and misrepresentations of the Holocaust. It is crucial to accurately remember and teach about the Holocaust to ensure that such a devastating event never happens again.

The Holocaust had a significant impact on Austria's Jewish population, which numbered about 192,000 when Nazi Germany annexed the country in 1938. Between 1938 and 1940, approximately 117,000 Jews fled Austria, and by November 1942, only about 7,000 Jews remained in the country. By the time of the liberation of Vienna by Soviet troops in April 1945, fewer than 800 Jews survived.

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