Figure 1.--Vienna was badly damaged by the Allied bombing, but realtively few prople were killed because of the German civil defense precsutions. The Red Army offensive to seize the city left far more caualties, both because of the fighting and the wave of rape unleased on girls and women by the Red Army conducted in the ruin of Vienna.

Austria was largely untouched by the War until the last year of the War. The adverse impact on Austrians were the people targeted by the NAZIs, primarily Jews and Gypseys. This changed when Austria finally camne within range of Allied bombers (1944). This was when most of the phyical danage was done, primarily in Vienna. Other Austrianbs cities, especislly Innsbruck were also hit and the transport system destroyed. Despite the extensive distruction, loss of village was limited because of the efficient German civil defense system. More damage occured when the Red Army entered Austria (April 1945). The primary fighting occured as part of the battle for Vienna. There was more phyical damage, but this was when most of the Austrians were killed, both soldiers and civilians. There was also an orgy of rape and theft that turned what was left of Vienna abd other cities and towns into a hellish nightmare. The Western Allies entered western Austria 2 weeks after Vienna fell. But there was little or no resistance and fighting. In fact the primary interest of German soldiers was to surrender so they would not be taken into Soviet captivity. Wjile the Wesern Allies caused little additional damage, the bombing left Austrian cities badly danmage and Vienna in ruins. In addution the transport system was vurtually destroyed.

Allied Bombing (1944-45)

The British began the strategic bombing of NAZI Germany in earnest with the arrival of the Lancaster heavy bomber (1942). The United States joined the effort with a joint around-the-clock bombing campign (1943). This was conducted by Bomber Command and the U.S. 8th Air Foce from bases in Britain. Austria at the time was beyond the effective range of British-based bombers. The first raid was conducted by the Soviets (September 4, 1942). Petlyakov Pe-8 bombers flew a 2,000 mile round trip raid which also targeted Budapest, Koenigsberg, and Breslau. [Dickinson] This was a prpaganda raid. The Soviets did not commit major resources to strategic bombing. Vienna ad Austria at large was sometimes referred to as the Reich's bombshelter. Bombing raids did not begin in any number until the Allies invaded Italy (September 1944). The Italian air base at Foggia brought Austria and southern Germany within range of American bombers. The 9th Air Force was assigned the task. The main target of the effort was Vienna, Austria's capital and major city. An important petro-chemocal center was located in and around Vienna because of oil fields in eastern Austria. Anticipating American attacks, the Germans began strenthening Vienna's air defenses. As a result of earlier air battles over northern Germany, however, the Luftwaffe was no longer a major force. And little fuel was available for the units still operating. Vienna's air defenses were thus primarily anti-aircraft batteries, largely manned by Hitler Youth boys. The defenses included a ring of anti-aircraft batteries and three mssive Flak towers--hardened anti-aircraft gun blockhouses built in the city itself. The first American raid targeted the refinery at Floridsdorf and mined the Danube (March 17, 1944). A more sustained effort began (June 1944). Due to Luftwaffe losses and the increasing lack of fuel, by autumn 1944 anti-aircraft artillery on the ground was the only defence against air raids. Anti-aircraft batteries were not nearly as effective as the Luftwaffe had been before American fighters began escorting the bombers. The other major target in Austria was Innsbruck, a major rail hub supplying German troops in Italy. Local authorities attempted to hide war industry factories that were trgeted by the bombers. Some factories were moved to bomb-proof sites such as the Seegrotte caves near Hinterbr�hl. Others were camouflaged. As in Germany, as a result of Armament Minister Alber Speers initiatives, Austrian war plants increased production. Many of these plants used forced and slave labor from nearby concentration camps, primarily Mauthausen and its sub-camps. POWs were also used. The bombing continued throughout early-1945. The last raid was conducted (April 12, 1945).

Ground War (April 1945)

Austria was ghe on country in Europe that occupation arrangements had not be decided before hand. Staalin decided ht it would be advnatageous to occupy as nuch as the country as possible. The Americans had not plnned on occupying Austria beyond Vienna, but concern over reports of a NAZI Alpine redoubt caused all the four Allied countries to move into Austria just before the end of the War. The Red Army arrived first in eastern Austria and headed toward Vienna which was close to the Czech and Hungarian borders. Soviet General Fyodor Tolbukhin's 3rd Ukrainian Front moved up the Danube toward Austria. [Laffin, 449.] After taking Sopron and Nagykanizsa in wetern Hungary, they crossed the border into eastern Austria. This set up a battle for Vienna. Gailitier Baudr von Schirach had fled the city, having no intention of fighting to the death as his Hitler Youth boys had been taught to do. The situation was hopeless, but the NAZIs remaining in Vienna refused to surrender. Vienna Radio denied that the Austrian capital had been declared an open city (April 2). The Soviet troops approached Vienna from the south having overrun Wiener Neustadt, Eisenstadt, Neunkirchen and Gloggnitz. [Dollinger & Jacobsen, p. 182.] Baden and Bratislava fell (April 4). The Soviet forces were far stronger than the varied German forces, but they werre strong enoigh to tie down the Soviets for more than a week. Many of Vienna's finest buildings were already destroyed or badly damaged by the Allied bombing. The fighting in the city caused more damage, but it was during the battle that really lrge number of people were killed, both soldiers and civilians. There was no water, electricity, or gas. Bands people, including foreigners and Austrians, plundered and assaulted the helpless residents in the absence of a police force. While the Soviet assault comat forces were reasionably disciplined. The second wave were more like a loosely disciplined mob, looting and raping in a several-week long orgy of violence. German authors compare it to th horific Thirty Years War. [Gosztony, p. 263.] While this was going on in the east, the Western Allies began to arrive in western Austria. The American 11th Armored division crossed the Austrian border (April 26), French troops (April 29), and the British (May 8). Unlike what the Soviets experienced in the east, there was no serious resistance. In fact German military units, even Wafen SS troops moved west so they ciukd surrender to the Western Allies. As a result there was little war damage or loss of life.

Created: 2:18 AM 12/8/2018
Last updated: 2:19 AM 12/8/2018