In Memory of a Hero: Honoring Dr. Walter Krajnc in Les Angles/Avignon

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🇫🇷Français 🕯Krajnc-Dr.-Walter-22 février 1916 – 29 juillet 1944)

Historical Context

Dr Walter Krajnc, born in Hall in Tyrol in 1916, became involved in the Catholic resistance circles of his home town following the National Socialist seizure of power. In 1940, he was conscripted into the German Wehrmacht and later deployed to southern France as a radio operator. There, he established contacts with the French Resistance and supported its members by providing information. When he was arrested in July 1944, he refused to reveal the names of his French contacts.
A German military court sentenced Krajnc to death. On 29 July 1944, at the age of 28, he was executed by firing squad at the Plan de la Dame shooting range near Les Angles, close to Avignon. His burial in the cemetery of Les Angles and the local community’s continuing remembrance of him have made the town an important site of Austrian-French commemorative culture.
The commemorative events in Les Angles therefore honour not only Krajnc’s personal courage but also the cross-border cooperation that characterised resistance to National Socialism. They demonstrate how people of different nationalities stood together in defence of freedom and human dignity, risking their lives in the process. To this day, Walter Krajnc is honoured in Les Angles as an Austrian resistance fighter who contributed to the liberation of France.

Memorial Event in Les Angles/Avignon – September 5–8, 2024

Dr. Walter Krajnc – 80th Anniversary of His Death

Commemorating Dr. Walter Krajnc at the Parish of Hall in Tyrol. Information panel of the Parish of St. Nicholas, Hall in Tyrol, honoring the Hall-born lawyer and resistance fighter Dr. Walter Krajnc (1916–1944), who was executed near Avignon on 29 July 1944 as a member of the French Resistance. The display commemorates his resistance against National Socialism and preserves the memory of his sacrifice. Source: Parish of St. Nicholas, Hall in Tyrol.

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Dr. Walter Krajnc – 80th Anniversary of His Death

On September 5 and 6, 2024, a memorial ceremony was held at the grave of Dr. Walter Krajnc to commemorate the 80th anniversary of his death on July 29, 1944. The event took place in Les Angles/Avignon, France, honoring Dr. Walter Krajnc’s courageous resistance against National Socialism during World War II.
A delegation from the student fraternity CV-Vindelicia installed a marble memorial plaque and laid a wreath at his gravesite as a tribute to Walter Krajnc’s unwavering commitment to freedom, justice, and resistance against tyranny.
The ceremony was also attended by Hubert Berger, the nephew of Walter Krajnc, making this commemorative gathering a particularly meaningful and historic occasion.
The memorial event served as an important act of remembrance, preserving the legacy of Dr. Walter Krajnc and honoring his sacrifice for future generations.

Michael Berger and Hubert Berger at the grave of Dr. Walter Krajnc in Les Angles near Avignon (5–6 September 2024). Michael Berger, the great-nephew, and Hubert Berger, the nephew of Dr. Walter Krajnc, attended the memorial ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Hall-born resistance fighter's death and paid tribute to their relative. Photo:Private Archive of Dr. Ludwig Spötl, Hall in Tyrol, Austria

Grave of Dr. Walter Krajnc at the old cemetery in Les Angles near Avignon (2024). On 5 and 6 September 2024, a memorial ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the death of Hall-born lawyer and resistance fighter Dr. Walter Krajnc (executed on 29 July 1944) was held at his gravesite. A delegation of the CV-Vindelicia Innsbruck student fraternity unveiled a marble memorial plaque and laid a wreath in tribute to Krajnc's resistance against National Socialism. His nephew, Hubert Berger, also participated in the commemoration. Photo: Private Archive of Dr. Ludwig Spötl, Hall in Tyrol, Austria.

A Tribute to Faith and Courage: Greetings in Honor of Dr. Walter Krajnc

Greetings from Dr. Ludwig Spötl from Hall in Tyrol. Ludwig Spötl conveyed the greetings of Fr. Volker Stadler OFM, Director of the Franciscan Grammar School in Hall:
“Walter Krajnc was a student and graduate of this Catholic educational institution, which, alongside his family and his student fraternity, shaped his Christian worldview.”

Dr. Ludwig Spötl (left) and Mayor Paul Mely (right) at the memorial ceremony for Dr. Walter Krajnc in Les Angles near Avignon (5–6 September 2024). Their meeting highlights the international commemoration of the Hall-born resistance fighter and the cooperation between Austria and France in preserving his memory. Photo: Private Archive of Dr. Ludwig Spötl, Hall in Tyrol, Austria

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Walter Krajnc Honored as a Resistance Hero in Les Angles/Avignon

From September 5 to 8, 2024, additional commemorative ceremonies in honor of Dr. Walter Krajnc were held in the municipality of Les Angles near Avignon. The mayor of the community expressed his sincere gratitude to Hubert Berger, Walter Krajnc’s nephew, for his participation and dedication to preserving the memory of his uncle.
Since the end of the Second World War, Dr. Walter Krajnc has been honored in Les Angles/Avignon as a national hero. His courageous resistance against National Socialism continues to serve as a powerful example of civil courage, humanity, and moral conviction.
As the mayor emphasized, Walter Krajnc’s resistance activities are still taught in local history classes today, where his legacy is presented to students as a model of courage, responsibility, and Christian values.

Photographs of the memorial ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the death of Dr. Walter Krajnc (29 July 1944–29 July 2024) in Les Angles near Avignon. This photo series documents the commemorative event honoring the Hall-born lawyer and resistance fighter Dr. Walter Krajnc. Members of the CV-Vindelicia Innsbruck student fraternity, the Mayor of Les Angles, Paul Mely, and other distinguished guests paid tribute to Krajnc's resistance against National Socialism. His nephew, Hubert Berger, also attended the ceremony. Photo: Private Archive of Dr. Ludwig Spötl, Hall in Tyrol, Austria.

Memorial ceremony for Dr. Walter Krajnc in Les Angles near Avignon (5–6 September 2024). Members of the CV-Vindelicia Innsbruck student fraternity, local dignitaries, and Mayor Paul Mely of Les Angles gathered to honor the Hall-born lawyer and resistance fighter Dr. Walter Krajnc on the 80th anniversary of his death. Photo: Private Archive of CV-Vindelicia Innsbruck.

Historical Commentary

The newspaper coverage of the commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the death of Dr. Walter Krajnc in Les Angles near Avignon also received attention in the Austrian press. The article documents the international remembrance of the lawyer and resistance fighter from Hall in Tyrol, who was executed on 29 July 1944 as a member of the French Resistance. Particular emphasis is placed on the participation of a delegation from the CV-Vindelicia Innsbruck student fraternity, the unveiling of a marble memorial plaque, the wreath-laying ceremony, and the presence of the Mayor of Les Angles together with Krajnc's nephew, Hubert Berger. The report illustrates how the memory of Austrian resistance fighters continues to be preserved across national borders, even eighty years after the end of the Second World War.

Newspaper report on the commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the death of Dr. Walter Krajnc in Les Angles near Avignon. The article, "A Tyrolean Paid with His Life for the Liberation of France," reports on the international memorial ceremony honoring the lawyer and resistance fighter from Hall in Tyrol, Dr. Walter Krajnc, and highlights the participation of the CV-Vindelicia Innsbruck student fraternity, the Mayor of Les Angles, and other distinguished guests.
Source: Hubert Berger: A Tyrolean Paid with His Life for the Liberation of France. In: Kronen Zeitung (Tyrol Edition), Saturday, 14 September 2024, pp. 28–29. Preserved in the Private Archive of Hubert Berger, Kufstein.

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(F) 🕯 _Krajnc_Dr._Walter_(22 février 1916 – 29 juillet 1944)

Summary

The commemorative events held in Les Angles near Avignon from 5 to 8 September 2024 marked the 80th anniversary of the death of Dr Walter Krajnc (1916–1944), a lawyer and resistance fighter from Hall in Tyrol. While serving in the German Wehrmacht in southern France, Krajnc established contacts with the French Resistance and supported it by providing information. After his arrest, he refused to reveal the names of his French contacts. A German military court sentenced him to death, and he was executed at the Plan de la Dame firing range near Les Angles on 29 July 1944.
The commemoration brought together representatives from Austria and France, including Mayor Paul Mely, a delegation from the CV-Vindelicia Innsbruck student fraternity, Krajnc’s nephew Hubert Berger and his great-nephew Michael Berger. A marble memorial plaque was installed at Krajnc’s grave, where a wreath was also laid in his honour. The event highlighted the cross-border significance of his resistance and paid tribute to his courage, humanity and loyalty to the members of the French Resistance. The continuing remembrance of Walter Krajnc in Les Angles is an important example of Austrian-French commemorative culture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who was Dr Walter Krajnc?

Dr Walter Krajnc was born in Hall in Tyrol on 22 February 1916. He was a lawyer, a soldier in the German Wehrmacht and a resistance fighter. While stationed in southern France, he provided information to the French Resistance.

Why was the commemorative event held in Les Angles?

Walter Krajnc was executed on 29 July 1944 at the Plan de la Dame firing range near Les Angles and was subsequently buried in the local cemetery. Les Angles therefore remains a central place of remembrance associated with his life and death.

When did the commemorative events take place?

The events were held from 5 to 8 September 2024 to mark the 80th anniversary of Walter Krajnc’s death. The principal ceremony at his grave took place on 5 and 6 September.

Why was Walter Krajnc sentenced to death?

Krajnc had established contacts with the French Resistance and supported it by supplying information. After his arrest, he refused to disclose the names of his French contacts. A German military court subsequently sentenced him to death.

Who attended the commemoration?

Those attending included Mayor Paul Mely of Les Angles, representatives from Austria and France, a delegation from the CV-Vindelicia Innsbruck student fraternity, Krajnc’s nephew Hubert Berger and his great-nephew Michael Berger.

How was Walter Krajnc honoured during the ceremony?

A marble memorial plaque was installed at his grave and a wreath was laid in his honour. Speeches commemorated his resistance against National Socialism, his Christian faith and his personal courage.

How is Walter Krajnc remembered in Les Angles today?

Walter Krajnc is honoured in Les Angles as an Austrian resistance fighter who contributed to the liberation of France. His story is also taught in local history lessons as an example of courage, responsibility and humanity.

Why is the commemoration important for Austrian-French remembrance?

The event brings together people and institutions from Austria and France. It demonstrates that resistance to National Socialism crossed national borders and united people of different backgrounds in the defence of freedom and human dignity.