Convicted of Undermining Military Morale: The Case of Katharina Strauss and Her Anti-Regime Remarks in April 1944

Introduction

In Nazi Germany, expressing criticism of the regime could be prosecuted as “undermining military morale” (Wehrkraftzersetzung). The case of Katharina Strauss, a housewife from Hall in Tirol, illustrates the danger of voicing doubt about Hitler’s rule or the outcome of World War II. Her spontaneous remarks during a visit to Lower Styria in 1944 resulted in a prison sentence. This incident exemplifies the suppression of free speech under the Nazi regime and shows how everyday conversations could become life-threatening.

Katharina Strauss, who lived in Hall in Tirol, revealed her sympathies for the monarchy as the preferred form of government during a stay in Styria. While on vacation, she expressed the conviction that Otto von Habsburg might soon retake the regency in Austria.

The Incident at the Inn

In March and April 1943, Katharina Strauss spent four weeks in Lower Styria. On April 18, 1943, she traveled to Oberradkersburg to buy wine for herself and her brother. She visited several taverns, including the Gasthaus Wratschko, where she sat at a table with the bookkeeper F.G. and a relative of the innkeeper, Franz Wratschko.
When someone entered the tavern and greeted with "Heil Hitler," Strauss expressed her surprise that anyone still used that greeting. In the ensuing conversation, she relayed current events and rumors:

The Rumors and Predictions

1.     She claimed the Americans had bombed several major cities and given Italy an ultimatum to make peace with America, or else all Italian cities would be destroyed. The Italian king had reportedly decided to make peace with America.
2.     She believed the world war would be influenced by Italy's decisions and that Otto von Habsburg would become regent again.
3.     The Americans would invade Italy in May, and the dissatisfied Italian army would join them. The French were also waiting for that day to fight against Germany alongside the Americans.
She made a bet with the innkeeper Wratschko that Hitler would no longer be in power by May or June.

Claims from Unauthorized Letters

She alleged she had received an uncensored letter from a relative in English captivity. It reported that 21 German divisions were in English captivity and were doing well. She also predicted that Hess would take over the Führer's position.
From Russian captivity, she claimed to have received letters from her brother, who was captured during a shock troop operation. The Russians had shot 15 persons for being German or Prussian, but three Austrians were spared due to an agreement between England and Russia.

Further Allegations and Predictions

·       She expressed fear that on the Führer's birthday, all of Germany would be destroyed and whatever remained would be handed to the Führer as a birthday present.
·       She claimed Germany might start a gas war, after which 23,000 planes from England and 27,000 from Russia would come to destroy Germany with gas.
·       She stated that English espionage was more effective than German espionage, mentioning three alleged English spies in Innsbruck who had not yet been caught by the Gestapo.
·       It was alleged that the Führer was seriously ill, had gone mad after the setback at Stalingrad, and required constant surveillance. He needed to undergo major brain and larynx surgery, for which the best specialist would be brought from Sweden.
·       She mentioned that the Führer's chancellery had been moved to the Obersalzberg. If the Führer died, the world public and Germany would not be informed. He would be embalmed and buried in secret, as it was feared Germany would immediately collapse.
·       In Austria, no one greeted with "Heil Hitler" anymore, and SA and party uniforms were no longer worn by soldiers for fear of being beaten up by residents. Strauss prophesied that the post-war revolution would be carried out by the Wehrmacht.
Finally, she asked her listeners not to report her, or she would face consequences.

The Legal Consequences

It is important to understand that the spreading of such rumors in times of war or political instability had serious consequences and was prosecuted under this legal system.
The verdict of the Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG Wien) on April 20, 1944, in this case shows how the judiciary responded to such cases and held those responsible for spreading misleading information accountable. The imposed sentence of 2 years in prison, 6 months of detention, and 3 years of loss of civil rights underscores the seriousness of the situation and the consequences for the individual concerned.