Austria's Turbulent History: Germany's Aerial Bombing Campaigns

During World War II, Austria was subjected to bombing raids by both the Allies and the Soviet Union. The Austrian city of Innsbruck, for instance, was bombed 22 times by the Allies, while Vienna was bombed 52 times, resulting in the loss of 37,000 residences and leaving 270,000 people homeless. The widespread bombing of Austrian cities caused significant damage and loss of life, with over 20,000 Austrians killed and 67,000 wounded in more than 1000 aerial attacks.

Vienna was bombed 52 times during World War II

Vienna, the capital of Austria, was bombed 52 times during World War II. The city sustained over 1,800 bomb hits, with the heaviest bombing taking place in February and March 1945 by the US and British air fleets, with the Soviets circling overhead. 80,000 tons of bombs were dropped, destroying more than 12,000 buildings and leaving 270,000 people homeless.

The first air raid on Vienna took place on September 4, 1942, when Soviet bombers conducted a lone air raid. Vienna was then reached by western Allied bombers in 1944, following the Allied invasion of Italy, which allowed them to establish an air base at Foggia. The western Allies proceeded to bomb various targets in Vienna, including oil refineries, blending plants, and depots.

The air defences of Vienna were aided by a ring of anti-aircraft batteries and Flak towers—large anti-aircraft gun blockhouses built in the city. However, by the autumn of 1944, due to a lack of fuel, artillery on the ground became the only defence against air raids. Vienna's military industry continued production by moving some factories to bomb-proof sites, such as caves, and by using forced labour from concentration camp inmates and POWs.

The impact of the bombings on Vienna was devastating. More than 20% of the city's housing stock was lost, with almost 87,000 flats becoming uninhabitable. In addition to the destruction of residential areas, infrastructure was also severely damaged, with bridges, sewers, gas, and water pipes suffering the brunt of the attacks. The cultural heart of the city was also affected, with iconic landmarks such as the State Opera, Albertina, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Burgtheater sustaining heavy damage or destruction.

The Allied air raids resulted in a significant loss of life, with thousands killed, injured, and left homeless. The exact death toll from the bombings is not certain, with estimates ranging from 9,000 to 30,000. The bombings also had a significant impact on the city's transportation system, with only 41 civilian vehicles surviving the raids.

The Austrian resistance was small but not negligible

The Austrian resistance to the German annexation was small but not negligible. While the majority of Austrians welcomed the German invasion, there were some who opposed it. The resistance was made up of various groups, including left-wing groups (mostly communists, with a smaller number of socialists), conservative resisters (mainly Christian Socialists and monarchists), and individual resistance groups within the German Wehrmacht.

The Austrian historian Helmut Konrad has estimated that out of a population of 6.8 million in 1938, there were around 100,000 Austrian opponents to the regime who were convicted and imprisoned. In addition, an estimated 700,000 Austrians were members of the Nazi Party. The resistance movement was hampered by the deep political antagonism that had weakened the First Republic of Austria between the two World Wars, blocking cooperation between Austrian émigrés and between the various resistance groups that had formed inside the country.

During the war, tens of thousands of Austrians were arrested for political reasons, and many died in concentration camps or prisons, with about 2,700 executed. Additionally, a number of Austrians fought as Allied soldiers against the German army.

The most spectacular individual group of the Austrian resistance was the one led by the priest Heinrich Maier. This very successful Catholic resistance group wanted to revive a Habsburg monarchy after the war and passed on plans and production facilities for V-2 rockets, Tiger tanks, and aircraft to the Allies. With the location sketches of the production facilities, the Allies were able to carry out precise air strikes, thus protecting residential areas.

Another notable resistance group was the Austrian branch of the Nazi German Workers' Party, which became the Austrian National Socialists (DNSAP). This group was led by Walter Riehl and had about 23,000 members in 1923. However, in 1924, the party split, and Karl Schulz led a splinter group. These two groups opposed each other, and in the 1927 General Election, the Austrian National Socialists received only 779 votes.

Overall, while the Austrian resistance was small compared to the overwhelming support for the German annexation, it was not negligible, and its members made important contributions to the Allied war effort and paid a heavy price for their opposition to the Nazi regime.

Innsbruck was bombed 22 times by the Allies

Innsbruck, an Austrian city, was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938. During World War II, it was bombed 22 times by the Allies, suffering heavy damage. The widespread area bombing of Innsbruck began in December 1943 and continued until April 1945.

Innsbruck's strategic location as a transport hub made it an important target for the Allies. Four rail lines converged in the city, making it a key railroad supply centre for Italy. The first attack on Innsbruck, on 15 December 1943, was the most devastating. 48 B17 Fortress bombers and 39 P38 fighters dropped 126 tonnes of bombs, targeting the city's railway systems. The result was catastrophic: 269 people were killed, 500 were wounded, and 1,627 were left homeless, with extensive material damage, particularly in the city centre. The antiquated gun material of the flak, the lack of experienced soldiers and bomb-proof security rooms, and the failure of the warning system all contributed to the severe impact of this initial attack.

The 13th attack on Innsbruck, on 16 December 1944, marked a shift in strategy. This attack featured a higher proportion of delayed-action and incendiary bombs, indicating that Innsbruck was no longer considered a strategic target. The significant destruction of civil buildings and the high death toll suggest "morale bombing". By the end of the war in Innsbruck in May 1945, 60% of the city's buildings had been damaged, and 461 people had lost their lives.

In addition to the marshalling yards, many historic monuments were destroyed or damaged, including the Servitenkloster monastery (1614-1616) and the Bartholomäuskapelle, one of the oldest buildings in Innsbruck, dating back to the 13th century. The Landhaus, the old federal state parliament built in 1724, the city hall, Innsbruck Cathedral (1717-1724), the Stift Wilten monastery (1651-1667), the Jesuit Church (1627-1637), and several buildings in the historic centre were also severely damaged.

The Vienna State Opera and Burgtheater were heavily damaged

Vienna, the capital of Austria, was bombed 52 times during World War II. The city was subjected to extensive damage, with 37,000 residences lost, and more than 3,000 bomb craters counted. The Vienna State Opera and Burgtheater, two iconic cultural institutions, were among the buildings that suffered heavy damage in the bombings.

The Vienna State Opera House, a renowned opera house in Europe, was left in ruins after the bombing. The once-grand building, known for its beautiful architecture and rich history, was reduced to rubble, with only a few walls remaining standing. The main auditorium, where magnificent performances had taken place, was completely destroyed, along with the intricate wooden carvings and lavish interior decorations. The stage, which had witnessed countless operas and ballets, lay in ruins, with charred remains of scenery and props scattered among the debris. The bombing had not only destroyed a cultural landmark but had also erased a significant part of Vienna's artistic heritage.

The Burgtheater, another esteemed theatre in Vienna, suffered a similar fate. The majestic building, which had hosted countless theatrical performances and played a pivotal role in Vienna's cultural scene, was now a shell of its former self. The intricate facade, once adorned with intricate sculptures and ornate details, was charred and battered, with gaping holes where windows had been. The interior of the theatre was barely recognisable, with the auditorium reduced to a pile of burnt debris and collapsed balconies. The elegant boxes, where Vienna's elite had once gathered, were now unrecognisable, and the once-opulent lobby lay in shambles.

The damage inflicted on these cultural institutions was not just physical. The Vienna State Opera and Burgtheater had been pillars of Vienna's cultural life, hosting world-renowned operas, ballets, and plays. They had been centres of artistic excellence, nurturing talent and providing a stage for established and emerging performers alike. The loss of these venues left a gaping hole in the city's cultural landscape, depriving artists and audiences of spaces that had been integral to Vienna's rich performing arts tradition.

The destruction of the Vienna State Opera and Burgtheater stood as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war on cultural institutions. The rebuilding and restoration of these venues became a symbol of resilience and a testament to Vienna's determination to preserve its cultural heritage in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges posed by the extensive damage, the commitment to restoring these landmarks reflected the city's recognition of the essential role the arts play in shaping its identity and connecting its community.

The Soviets occupied parts of Austria

The Soviet Union's occupation of parts of Austria began in 1945, after the Vienna Offensive. The Soviet commander Fyodor Tolbukhin's troops crossed the former Austrian border at Klostermarienberg in Burgenland on 29 March 1945. The Soviets occupied the capital, Vienna, and other parts of the country, while Anglo-American troops entered from Germany and Italy.

The Soviets' treatment of Austria was 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 declaration ultimately led to Austria's independence.

Austria was divided into four occupation zones, with Vienna also subdivided into four sectors and a common inter-allied zone. The Soviet zone included Burgenland, Lower Austria, and the Mühlviertel area of Upper Austria, north of the Danube.

The Soviets' presence in Austria was marked by their efforts to extract reparations, with the deployment of NKVD (Soviet secret police) teams to seize industrial plants and production installations. The local governments were responsible for feeding and clothing the Red Army, a significant burden on the war-ravaged country. The Soviets also arrested and prosecuted Austrian civilians for various charges, including war crimes and everyday criminal activity.

The Soviets pulled out of Austria in 1955, along with the Western Allies, after Austria promised to remain neutral during the Cold War.

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