The Enthusiasm of Austrians and Sudeten Germans in the German Army During World War II
During World War II, the forced conscription of Austrians and Sudeten Germans into the German army sparked considerable debate regarding their level of enthusiasm and loyalty to the Nazi cause. Drawing from historical documents, personal testimonies, and the experiences of a former Lufthansa employee, this article delves into the mindset and motivations of these individuals during wartime.
Historical Context and Forced Conscription
After the Anschluss in 1938, Austria was integrated into Nazi Germany. A referendum was held where 99.7% of Austrians voted in favor of unification with Germany. This integration set the stage for the conscription of Austrians and Sudeten Germans into the German Wehrmacht. The Sudetenland, a region with a predominantly German-speaking population in Czechoslovakia, also experienced similar fates under the Anschluss.
Field Testimonies and Personal Experiences
One could not have gathered a more unique perspective on this topic than from my former Lufthansa boss in London during 1969. A former Sudetenlander, he ended up stateless after World War II and served as a POW in England. He shared his story of being immediately drafted into the German Wehrmacht in 1939 and being unaware that they were eventually going to be drawn into a war. He even described the surreal moment of shaking hands with Adolf Hitler in 1938 when the Sudetenland was annexed.
Initially, the narrative of his story seems to indicate enthusiasm, as he did not know he was going to be in a war. However, as his brother was captured by the Russians and his handshaking experience with Hitler quickly became a distant memory, the enthusiasm began to wane. My boss became ill with malaria and eventually managed to walk away from advancing Russian forces and became a British POW himself. Though his post-wartime life was comfortable, the narrative of Nazi Germany's impact on these individuals was clearly complex.
Role in the German Army and Devotion to Nazi Ideology
The conscription of Austrians and Sudeten Germans into the German army led to some of the best units in the entire Wehrmacht being filled with primarily conscripts from these regions. However, it is important to note that not all of these conscripts shared the same level of enthusiasm or devotion to the Nazi cause. While some were indeed enthusiastic about joining the SS, many others joined out of a sense of duty or fear of repercussions.
According to historical records and post-war testimonies, a significant number of German citizens, including Austrians and Sudeten Germans, followed a sense of duty rather than a fervent belief in Nazi ideologies. Enthusiasm was not the dominant sentiment among the conscripts. The majority of those who embraced Nazism opted for the Waffen-SS, Einsatzgruppen, and other roles that involved enforcing Hitler's policies.
Divided Ideologies and Conflicting Loyalities
Not everyone saw the world through the lens of Nazi ideology. Evidence from post-war testimonies suggests that the majority of German citizens, including Austrians and Sudeten Germans, fought for greater Germany, rather than for the specific ideological beliefs of Nazism itself. This sentiment was echoed in eastern Europe and beyond, where citizens fought not for ideological reasons, but to defend their lands against invading forces.
Conclusion
The experiences of those conscripted into the German army during World War II reveal a spectrum of motivations. While some were fiercely loyal to Nazi ideals, many more fought out of a sense of duty or fear. The stories of my former Lufthansa boss, the historical context of post-Anschluss Austria, and the complex analysis of post-war testimonies all contribute to a nuanced understanding of the motivations behind the conscription of Austrians and Sudeten Germans into the German army during World War II.