Isn’t it striking how a simple sculpture can speak volumes about a nation’s past? Right here on Ballhausplatz stands the Gedenkstätte für Opfer der NS-Justiz. It is the Memorial for the Victims of Nazi Military Justice. This monument serves as a stark reminder of a dark chapter in Austrian history.
The Gedenkstätte für Opfer der NS-Justiz commemorates more than 30000 deserters. These people were deemed “subverters of national defense”. They faced death sentences from the Nazi military justice system during World War II. Approximately 10 percent of all victims of Nazi Military Justice were Austrians.
Consider the story of Richard Wadani. He was a former deserter. Wadani played a crucial role in achieving legal recognition for deserters. He also pushed for the creation of this very monument. His dedication led to the 2009 law. This law rehabilitated all victims of persecution by the Wehrmacht courts.
The Gedenkstätte für Opfer der NS-Justiz itself is a powerful symbol. German conceptual artist Olaf Nicolai created it. The monument takes the form of an oversized horizontal X. It is made of slightly bluish concrete. You can even walk on or climb it.
Notice the inscription. It can’t be easily read from street level. The inscription features a poem by Scottish poet Ian Hamilton Finlay. It consists of just two words: “all alone”. The word “all” appears 32 times. “Alone” appears only once at the intersection of the X. According to Nicolai’s description, the X represents the anonymization of the individual. It marks them as just another sign in a list. Yet it also symbolizes a self-confident statement.
Imagine the courage it took to desert the Wehrmacht. Of the Germans and Austrians who deserted the Wehrmacht, 15000 men were executed. In contrast only 18 Germans who deserted in the first world war were executed. This memorial honors those individuals. It recognizes their brave decision to stand against a brutal and inhuman dictatorship.
The path to creating the Gedenkstätte für Opfer der NS-Justiz wasn’t easy. The Austrian Fellowship protested its construction. They argued that desertion is a crime. Some political factions also opposed the memorial. Despite the opposition, the monument was inaugurated on October 24, 2014. Several hundred invited guests and interested parties gathered at the Ballhausplatz for the opening ceremony.
As you stand here, consider the weight of history. The Gedenkstätte für Opfer der NS-Justiz is more than just a sculpture. It is a testament to courage. It is a reminder of the consequences of war. It is a call for peace. It urges us to remember the past. It encourages us to learn from it. It inspires us to build a better future.