Hitlers occupation and annexation of Austria was no doubt one of his great bloodless achievements. This assimilated 6 million more people into the Third Reich and gave Germany more man power and resources. But this is an overall simple view. I would like to know more about Austia's involvement in WW2.
What happened to the Austrian Army in 1938? Was it somehow assimilated into the Wehrmacht or was it disbanded?
How soon did Germany start conscripting men of military age in Austria once it was occupied?
Was the Austrian soldier just as reliable and commited as the soldiers from Germany?
Did Austrian soldier consensus support the Third Reich and the Union between Germany and Austria?
Thanks
Austria in World War 2
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Christoph Awender
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Hello
Some few units were disbanded and the personnel used to form new units or transferred to other units.
My oppinion is that there was no difference. There were good Austrian and bad Austrian soldiers like there were good German and bad German soldiers.
\Christoph
The majority of the Austrian Bundesheer was simply transferred into the Wehrmacht. Like an example Infanterieregiment 12 "Rainer" was reorganised into Gebirgsjägerregiment 137 etc...What happened to the Austrian Army in 1938? Was it somehow assimilated into the Wehrmacht or was it disbanded?
Some few units were disbanded and the personnel used to form new units or transferred to other units.
ImmediatelyHow soon did Germany start conscripting men of military age in Austria once it was occupied?
You will hear many oppinions. Some very fine units came out of Austria or were made up by a large number of Austrians. 2.Gebirgsdivision, 2.Panzerdivision, 44."Hoch und Deutschmeister" Inf.Div.Was the Austrian soldier just as reliable and commited as the soldiers from Germany?
My oppinion is that there was no difference. There were good Austrian and bad Austrian soldiers like there were good German and bad German soldiers.
You will hear many oppinions about this too. From interviews with over 100 veterans I have the impression that the majority appreciated it to belong to the Wehrmacht contrary to the very ill equipped Austrian Bundesheer.Did Austrian soldier consensus support the Third Reich and the Union between Germany and Austria?
\Christoph