Franz Pfannenstiehl Plaque

This unassuming marble plaque before us commemorates the life of Franz Pfannenstiehl, a man who dedicated himself to fighting for freedom. Born in 1902, Pfannenstiehl’s life was tragically cut short in 1945 in the Soviet Union. But his story is woven into the fabric of Vienna. He came here with his family after the First World War. Pfannenstiehl, a trained iron foundry worker, became deeply involved in the social democratic movement. He joined the Social Democratic Labor Party in 1928 and the Republikanischer Schutzbund in 1930. After the Austrian Civil War in 1934, he became a key figure in the Revolutionary Socialists. Even under the oppressive Nazi regime, Pfannenstiehl continued his work in secret. He provided assistance to families of imprisoned comrades through the Socialist Workers’ Assistance. However, his bravery came at a cost. In 1939, he was arrested and sentenced to prison. Later transferred to Dachau concentration camp in 1941, his ordeal continued. In 1944, weakened but unbroken, he was forced into the notorious Strafbataillon 999 and sent to the Eastern Front. Finally, he was captured and died in Soviet captivity. This plaque on Kreuzgasse 87-89 stands as a testament to his courage and unwavering commitment to freedom. Pfannenstiehl’s story is a reminder of the human cost of oppression and the importance of fighting for a just and equitable world.