Rudolf Schiessl: From Student to Resistance Fighter in the "Anton Haller“Group

Photo: Schiessl Rudolf.  In:  Wopfner,Helmut (Hrsg.):  Unsere Sternkorona Hall in Tirol. Mitgliederverzeichnis 1888 – 1998. Thaur 1998, p.101. 

In the chaos of the final days of World War II, as the Nazi terror regime was collapsing, courageous men and women in the town of Hall wrote history. One of these individuals was Dr. Rudolf Schiessl, whose life was deeply intertwined with the city.

Early Years and a Time of Upheaval

Born in 1919 in Schönbichl, Schiessl attended the Franciscan grammar school in Hall and became a member of the student society "Sternkorona." This formative period came to an abrupt end: as the senior member, he was supposed to host the 50th foundation festival in June 1938. However, after the annexation of Austria, all such societies were banned. Schiessl was interrogated by the Gestapo – a first, clear sign of the resistance that was to follow.

Underground Studies and Return to Hall

After graduating in 1939, Schiessl had to move to Vienna for his teacher training studies because the University of Innsbruck was closed. There, in November 1939, he joined "Leopoldina," a university fraternity that continued to operate underground. After being wounded and spending time in military hospitals, he returned to Hall as a teacher at the secondary school for boys and girls.

The Resistance: Courage Without Weapons

In March 1945, Schiessl joined the resistance movement "Anton Haller." His approach was marked by remarkable foresight and humanity. As he later wrote, his group was "against any use of weapons, which would only have led to a senseless massacre." Instead, they focused on clever, non-violent actions.
Their most significant contribution was procuring a car to retrieve Mayor Dr. Viktor Schumacher from his hiding place in exile. Schumacher had gone into hiding to avoid being taken hostage by the SS, while the Americans were already waiting for him at the town hall. This peaceful action was crucial for ensuring the orderly handover of the city.

A Legacy of Civil Disobedience

The story of Rudolf Schiessl reminds us that resistance does not always have to be armed. His courage to oppose an inhuman dictatorship and his intelligent, non-violent action to save the mayor are a powerful testament to civil courage in the darkest of times. He stands for the many quiet heroes who did the right thing in small, yet significant ways.