Occupation of Austria

[edwest]

The Allies partitioned Austria into occupation zones. Why did they do this? I have yet to find a good history of the occupation. I have also noticed a number of scientists, especially from Vienna, who were interrogated by the Allies during and after the war. A number of Me 262's were found there as well. I would be interested in interrogation reports and the activities of the American Counter-Intelligence Corps.



Ed

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by edwest

The Allies partitioned Austria into occupation zones. Why did they do this?
Ed

I'd imagine that it was because the whole of Austria (or the Ostmark after annexation) was part of the pre-war Reich and so the four powers treated it as they had Germany. I have read however that there was debate in the West as to whether Austria should be regarded as a conquered or a liberated country. The other difference is that the USSR agreed to withdraw by a specific date from areas it had conquered, and actually did so - not Stalin's usual approach.

Graham Greene's novel The Third Man is set in occupied Vienna and describes some of the mehanics of the four-power system. I'm sure that there will be factual books somewhere about the politics of all this.

[edwest]

Thank you, Nick. I'm looking for other data outside the politics. Atomic research and researchers came out of Austria during the war. I have some names but I've also been able to confirm that no official research has been done in this area, aside from mentioning a handful of people involved. OSS reports in the immediate post-war period hint at additional information but I was hoping something had been published regarding at least general technological activity in Austria during the war. The Germans had taken over facilities and either used the equipment or personnel or brought in their own people to work on advanced weapon and related systems.

For example, I have a report titled Radar and Controlled Missiles, published by the Combined Intelligence Objectives Sub-Committee. At the top left:
ITEM No. 1
FILE No. I - 1
And at the top right, in pencil: 112 over 280.

It reports on a number of French facilities operated by the Germans and the French. One such firm is Le Material Telephonique. Under Summary of Significant Findings:

"(c) The 10 cm diode is a remarkable achievement."


This is the sort of thing I'm looking for.




Regards,
Ed