Exhibition: 41 Days of Intensified Violence – The End of War in Austria 1945

This exhibition examines the final 41 days of Nazi rule in Austria, from March 29 to May 8, 1945. It details the escalating acts of violence, including death marches, summary executions of deserters and regime opponents, and the persecution of specific groups, as Allied forces advanced.

The exhibition '41 Tage. Kriegsende 1945 – Verdichtung der Gewalt.' (41 Days. End of the War 1945 – Intensification of Violence) delves into the critical period in Austria from March 29 to May 8, 1945. This era marked the final days of Nazi regime, characterized by a surge in violent acts. The exhibition details how Soviet troops entered Austria from the east while French and American forces advanced from the west. It highlights the brutal events of these 41 days, including the forced marches of Hungarian-Jewish forced laborers from the 'Südostwall' construction sites towards the Mauthausen concentration camp, with immediate executions for those unable to continue. It also covers the lynching of downed Allied aircrews and the systematic search for regime opponents and hidden Jewish individuals. Furthermore, the exhibition addresses the execution of hundreds of soldiers for desertion by flying courts-martial and the tragic events surrounding a resistance group's attempt to hand over Vienna peacefully. The content presented is drawn from the exhibition catalog of the same name, featuring photographs by Stefan Oláh and contributions from Dieter A. Binder, Georg Hoffmann, Monika Sommer, and Heidemarie Uhl. The exhibition provides a stark account of the intensified violence and atrocities that occurred on Austrian soil during this tumultuous period, detailing specific incidents and locations across the country.

This page does not contain specific ticketing information for the exhibition. It primarily focuses on the historical content and related catalog entries. Visitors may need to refer to the main museum website for admission details.