Fight for Braunau: This was how the city escaped the destruction in May 1945!

Fight for Braunau: This was how the city escaped the destruction in May 1945!

Braunau am Inn, Österreich - In April and May 1945, the Situation in Braunau, the hometown of Adolf Hitler, became more and more critical. After the failure of the Ardennes offensive and the beginning of the last major attack by the Red Army, it was clear that the Second World War came to an end. According to MeinDzirge issued the Gauleiter of Oberdonau, a terrifying command to destroy the city, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Allies. The darkness of the war seemed over Braunau. But while the days counted, the courage of the citizens also grew.

On May 2, 1945, the situation was at its peak. The Black Cat Division of the Americans had already positioned itself in Simbach. The Braunauer didn't have much time because the American army command put an ultimatum. The city should be handed over without a fight until 12 noon, otherwise there was a risk of destruction and violence, as the residents feared. Major Wilhelm Grünwaldt, who became a city commander shortly before the war, recognized the senselessness of a defense and wanted to hand over the city, but was hindered by his officers. Nevertheless, courageous citizens decided to deliver the surrender.

bourgeois courage and quick decisions

A delegation of brave citizens crossed the Inn with Zillen to hand over the key to the city to the American soldiers. In the first Zille there were ship leaders Pointner, Captain Danzinger and Lieutenant Platt, while in the second Zille Dr. Feichtenschlager Senior, city inspector Kuen, master baker David, police officer Hartner, locksmith Master Unterfurtner and train driver Grabner. They reached Simbach just three minutes before the end of the ultimatum and looked for General Augur's headquarters. This accepted the surrender and Braunau was not shot at except for a few shots.

at 3 p.m. the first American soldiers finally crossed the Inn on a pontoon bridge and took control of the city. This ended the immediate danger situation for the citizens. The fighting had previously requested some civilian victims, but the majority of the city were spared further destruction.

The aftermath of the war

After the end of the fighting, the American crew began in Braunau, which had to be brought under control. The bridges that had been led over the Inn were later restored, which made it easier to rebuild the city. The citizens recognized the need for an honest examination of the past and are now discussing memory and street names. A proposal for a plaque and a contemporary history museum for processing the recent history of Braunau are circulating, such as Braunau History .

These conversations are not only a way to remember, but also an opportunity for the city to deal with its past and to draw the teachings from it. In the context of city history and commemorative celebrations, which will take place in June with the music festival in Aurolzmünster for the 175th anniversary of the market music band, the recent history stories are also on the agenda.

The events around the surrender on May 2, 1945 symbolize the brittle path to peace and reconciliation in the region. The story of Braunau is a constant memory of how quickly the fate of a city, even a country, can tip over. While the Americans marched in and the war ended, this was not only the end of a dark era, but also the beginning of a long and often painful way into a new future.