Brave Resi Pesendorfer: Heldin of resistance from Bad Ischl!

Brave Resi Pesendorfer: Heldin of resistance from Bad Ischl!

In a small, historical place like Bad Ischl, the stories of strong personalities have often been forgotten a little over the years. But the memories of Resi Pesendorfer, born in 1902, bring us back an impressive story about courage and civil courage in dark times. After the February foundation in 1934, she joined the illegal KPÖ and thus opposed Austrofascism and later also against National Socialism. The ORF website reports of her remarkable role in resistance, especially as a courier, whereby she was often on the road or on foot at night to transport information and goods.

Pesendorfer was not alone. It became part of a dynamic network of women who tirelessly worked on the support of the freedom fighters in the Upper Austrian Alps. With food and weapons, they helped strengthen the resistance movement that the region was actively held at the end of the war. Historian Helmut Kalss emphasizes that the peaceful handover of the region to the Allies was one of the greatest achievements of this resistance group, which, in addition to Pesendorfer, also included women such as Maria Plieseis, Leni Egger and Marianne Feldhammer.

insight into the resistance

In the last years of the war, several hundred armed men were active in the mountains, and Pesendorfer recognizes themselves: "I only contributed to my part", whereby she was always able to survive the attempts to arrest the Nazis. They made their courage and unshakable will a key figure in this period of resistance, as well as the KPÖ website.

The stories about resistance during this time are not only those of women like Resi, but also by men who played a role in this critical phase of history. An example is Karl Gitzoller, who fled the Gendarmerie in Wels in 1942 and found refuge in the Villa Waldhütte, which served as a winter quarters. There the author of the report got to know Gitzoller and felt morally obliged to help him. This small but enlightening detail underlines how the community came together in these times.

Unfortunately, the conflict did not end happily for everyone. In the fall of 1943, Comrade Plieseis, who had fled from a concentration camp, was also looking for refuge. His escape was made possible by well-organized help, which even provided civil clothing for him, through Franz Stieger from Goisern-Untersee. These stories are evidence of the cohesion and courage that bloomed in a time of horror.

After the turmoil of the war is over, we have the apprenticeship from these events. The importance of civil courage, as embodied by personalities like Resi Pesendorfer, is still very relevant today. The stories of these women and men are more than just part of the story - they are inspiration for all of us to use us and fight for freedom and justice.