Memorial for the Victims of Nazi Military Justice

Memorial for the Victims of Nazi Military Justice at Vienna's Ballhausplatz
President Fischer with ministers Ostermayer und Klug at the Opening

The Memorial for the Victims of Nazi Military Justice was inaugurated on 24 October 2014.[1][2] It is located at the Ballhausplatz in the centre of Vienna, opposite the President's office and the Austrian Chancellory. The monument was created by German conceptual artist Olaf Nicolai. The inscription atop the three-step sculpture features the poem by Scottish poet Ian Hamilton Finlay consisting of just two words: all alone.

Desertion, Wehrkraftzersetzung, Conscientious Objection

Of the Germans and Austrians who deserted the Wehrmacht, 15,000 men were executed. In contrast only 18 Germans who deserted in the first world war were executed.[3] Approximately 10 percent of all victims of Nazi Military Justice were Austrians.

In June 1988 the Initiative for the Creation of a Memorial to Deserters came to life in Ulm and Neu Ulm. A central idea was, "Desertion is not reprehensible, war is".[4]


References

  1. ↑ "Vienna to honor deserters from Hitler's army". Associated Press; The Guardian. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  2. ↑ "Vienna to honour Austria's Nazi army deserters". BBCNews Europe. 23 April 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  3. ↑ "Shot at Dawn". The Heritage of the Great War. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Hatlie, Mark R. (19 November 2005). "Memorial to Deserters in Ulm". Sites of Memory. Retrieved 8 February 2010.

Coordinates: 48°12′29″N 16°21′48″E / 48.2080°N 16.3634°E / 48.2080; 16.3634

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