Jurist, Municipal Official in Hall in Tirol, Former Concentration Camp Inmate Verdross worked as a jurist in the municipal administration of Hall in Tirol and was persecuted and imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp due to his stance toward the Nazi regime. After his return, he became active not only in the monarchist resistance but also in the resistance led by Anton Haller in Hall in Tirol and, together with Dr. Anton Klotz, in the resistance group surrounding Dipl.-Ing. Hradetzky. Alongside other former political companions, he contributed to the intellectual groundwork for political change in Tyrol. Verdross's legal expertise played a role in discussions on the structure of a future democratic administration. He was the brother of the renowned international law scholar Dr. Alfred Verdross (1890–1980).  "Photo: Dr. Ernst Verdross. Stockhammer Archive, Hall in Tirol." Early Years and Education Born in Innsbruck on February 3, 1892, into an aristocratic military family, Ernst Verdross studied law at the University of Vienna, where he embraced the motto: "Justitia Regnorum Fundamentum" (Justice is the Foundation of States) World War I and Interwar Service
Persecution Under the Nazis
Postwar Leadership in Hall
Legacy Dr. Verdross died in 1963, remembered for:
Note: The title "Edler von Drossberg" reflects his family’s minor nobility (abolished in 1919). His life bridges Austria’s imperial past, fascist tyranny, and democratic renewal.  Wappen Verdross zu Drossberg. Die freie Enzyklopädie Wikipedia. Online unter, {Von HruskaHeraldik (Gerd Hruška) - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62333803}, (Stand: 9.10.2023). "In the Cellar, Candles": Christmas 1944 in ViennaSource: Article "Im Keller die Kerzen" ("In the Cellar, Candles") by Johannes Kunz, published in the Austrian daily newspaper Die Presse on December 21, 2019 (Spectrum IV). Excerpt Translation:The article depicted Christmas 1944, the final wartime winter, when hunger, cold, and fear dominated life in Vienna. Gallows humor overshadowed traditional solemnity: "Empty pots, empty plates, always to the air-raid shelter -- Heil Führer, we thank thee." Another cynical "gift suggestion" circulated: "Think practical—give a coffin." The season’s bleak reality was summarized: "Christmas trees rain from the sky, anti-aircraft guns supply the ‘decorations,’ Goebbels tells fairy tales, the German people light candles in their cellars and await their ‘gifts’ from above." Context:The text captures the absurdity and despair of wartime Vienna, where Nazi propaganda clashed with civilian suffering. The "gifts from above" grimly referenced Allied bombs, while candles in cellars symbolized both defiance and helplessness. (Full article accessible via Die Presse archives.) Dr. Ernst Verdross: Family, Career, and Political Stance On August 15, 1919, Dr. Ernst Verdross married Bertholda Stolz (1897–1962) in Vienna. Starting on June 7, 1920, he took up his position as a city and municipal secretary in Hall in Tirol. Dr. Verdross and his wife had three children: Hedwig, Heinrich, and Bertholde. In 1922, Dr. Ernst Verdross was elected leader (Stadthauptmann) of the Heimwehr (Home Guard) in Hall, a role he reluctantly accepted and resigned from in 1927. He stepped down because he did not wish to align himself politically with the Heimwehr's objectives. In 1926, during the summer semester, Dr. Ernst Verdross was admitted to the Catholic student fraternity W.K.St.V. Unitas-Norica in Innsbruck. On March 15, 1934, the Austrian branch of the Unitasverband (UV) separated from the pan-German association. The W.K.St.V. Unitas then formed its own Austrian Unitasassociation, which still exists today. (Source: Unitas Heft 8/1963, p. 31 ff.; U-H IV, 468.) Austria’s Political Turmoil and the Rise of National Socialism The Ban on Social Democrats and Communists (1933) In 1933, the prohibition of the Social Democratic and Communist parties in Austria deepened the country’s political divide and paved the way for the growing influence of the National Socialists. This development became especially pronounced after the assassination of Chancellor Dr. Engelbert Dollfuss (1892–1934). At the time, national unity was crucial to effectively counter the rise of Nazism. Unfortunately, such unity never materialized, as Austria’s Social Democrats and Communists remained outlawed. Illegal Nazi Activities in Austria Before the Anschluss Years before Hitler’s annexation of Austria, the illegal Nazi Party (NSDAP) actively worked toward achieving the Anschluss (union with Germany). In 1933, an incident occurred in Hall where the water pipeline of the Halltalwerk was blown up, causing significant property damage amounting to 50,000 schillings. The population was repeatedly terrorized by paper bombs—highly explosive devices—while walls were defaced with swastikas and slogans such as "Wir werden siegen!" ("We will prevail!"). Cut-out swastikas were scattered, Nazi flags were hung in hard-to-reach places, and swastika-shaped signal fires were lit. Most citizens viewed these acts with resentment and frustration, as state authorities often hesitated to intervene. At the time, the majority of Hall’s population appeared to support the Vaterländische Front(Patriotic Front), the ruling authoritarian regime in Austria. The Night of March 11–12, 1938: A Blow to Opposition Forces The night of March 11–12, 1938, marked a devastating setback for Austria’s initial resistance. The Gestapo carried out targeted arrests to eliminate opposition leaders, including figures such as Dr. Viktor Schumacher and many others. Among those detained and taken to Innsbruck’s police prison were:
Persecution After the Anschluss: Arbitrary Arrests and Deportation to Dachau Immediately after the Anschluss, the Nazi leadership sought to initiate numerous fabricated criminal proceedings against political, judicial, and police figures. Among those targeted were Dr. Ernst Verdross, Dr. Viktor Schumacher, Friedrich Corazza, and Erwin Obradowitsch (Erwin Gostner), as evidenced by the document above. Between March and July 1938, the rule of law still appeared to be upheld by the regional court authorities and their officials, as no final convictions were issued—which should have led to the release of the accused. However, this did not happen. Instead, the detainees were handed over to the Gestapo for "further processing." This meant the Gestapo could impose arbitrary "protective custody" (Schutzhaft) without trial. In the case of Ernst Verdross and 60 other former Tyrolean civil servants (state and municipal employees), this resulted in protective custody and subsequent deportation to the Dachau concentration camp. This marked the beginning of systematic repression against perceived opponents of the Nazi regime in Austria. Persecution and Resistance: Dr. Ernst Verdross Under Nazi Oppression Deportation to Dachau and Return Several of those arrested were deported to concentration camps. Dr. Ernst Verdross, Dr. Manfred Mumelter, Dipl.-Ing. Herbert Pichler, Friedrich Corazza, and Albin Rieger were sent to Dachau concentration camp. After enduring horrific torture and suffering, they returned in 1939, severely traumatized. Constant Surveillance and Religious Persecution After his return from Dachau, Dr. Ernst Verdross remained under strict police surveillance. In 1940, he accompanied his five-year-old daughter to her First Communion (June 4, 1940). Shortly afterward, he was arrested by Heinrich Andergassen, a Gestapo officer from Hall, and subjected to intense interrogation. He was forced to justify why he refused to perform the Hitler salute: "Because I, as a Dachau survivor, find it inappropriate. Besides, known Nazis greet me with ‘Habe die Ehre’ (a traditional Austrian greeting)." (Source: Dachau Concentration Camp Memoir of Dr. Ernst Verdross) On June 16, 1940, Andergassen arrested him again—this time on his own initiative, as he lived on the same street as Verdross. The Gestapo accused Verdross of decorating his windows for Corpus Christi processions but not for Nazi Party celebrations. During interrogation, they questioned him: "Your child received First Communion unusually early." – "Yes." "The ceremony was conspicuously solemn." – "Yes." "Your son carried the processional cross in the Corpus Christi procession." – "Yes." "You decorated your windows strikingly beautifully for it." – "Yes." "You and your wife also participated in the procession." – "Yes." "You took photographs of the procession." – "Yes." When Verdross asked, "Is any of this forbidden?" the officer replied: "Not exactly, but you neglected to decorate your windows for the great victories of our armies. You failed to educate your children in the National Socialist spirit. Therefore, I must place you in protective custody." (Source: Dachau Concentration Camp Memoir of Dr. Ernst Verdross) Psychological Terror and Coercion The interrogations highlight the immense pressure the Verdross family faced, demonstrating how even religious activities were scrutinized by the Nazis. Verdross knew that another deportation to Dachau would mean never seeing his homeland again. While detained in Innsbruck’s police prison, he found himself among priests, counts, monarchists, a socialist militia leader, and other dissidents. He later learned that Prof. Egger, a former religion teacher of Gauleiter Hofer, had intervened on his behalf. His wife was told the situation was "not dangerous," and even Andergassen himself assured him—though ironically, Andergassen had orchestrated his arrest without orders from higher Gestapo authorities. Refusal to Submit to Nazi Demands The Nazis threatened Verdross with re-deportation to Dachau if he attended church again. Vinzenz Tollinger, the local Nazi Party leader, pressured him to join the NSDAP, claiming it would "solve all his problems." But Verdross refused, remaining steadfast in his Catholic faith and resistance to Nazi ideology. Despite the repression, he secretly joined the anti-Nazi resistance in Hall. Unbeknownst to him, Heinrich Andergassen—who presented himself as helpful and friendly to victims—was his personal persecutor. After the war, Andergassen (1908–1946) was arrested by American forces, convicted of war crimes by a military tribunal in Naples, and sentenced to death in 1946. (See also blog entry: The Resistance Group Around Anton Haller) This account underscores the courage of those who resisted Nazi tyranny, even at great personal risk. Post-War Restoration: Dr. Ernst Verdross' Return to Public Service 1945, Dr. Ernst Verdross was reinstated to his former position as municipal secretary—a role he had held before the 1938 Anschluss. He took charge of the city's administration, working closely with local political leaders to address the pressing challenges of the postwar period. In January 1958, a farewell gathering was held in honor of Dr. Verdross and other retiring civil servants to recognize their dedicated service. The Haller Lokalanzeiger (local newspaper) paid tribute to his contributions to the community. Official Recognition of Persecution and Resistance The Tyrolean Provincial Archives hold key documents confirming:
(Note: The original text mentions "January 1858," which appears to be a typographical error—likely referring to 1958.) The Influence of Historical Context and Political Environment on Hofrat Dr. Ernst Verdross The biography of Hofrat Dr. Ernst Verdross can be closely linked to the historical events of his time, illustrating how his work was shaped by—and in turn influenced—the political and social landscape: 1. Postwar Recovery and Reconstruction Ernst Verdross' dedication to rebuilding his community after World War II reflects the broader struggles of postwar Europe. His leadership in restoring the city of Hall, creating jobs, and improving living conditions exemplifies the efforts of many towns striving to recover from the devastation of war. 2. Political Transformations After his release from Dachau concentration camp, Verdross chose to withdraw from active politics—a decision likely influenced by the turbulent political climate of the era. His focus on reconstruction rather than political engagement mirrors the cautious attitude many Austrians adopted in the face of postwar instability. 3. Financial Stability and Administrative Reform Verdross emphasized fiscal responsibility and efficient governance, principles that were crucial during a time of economic uncertainty. His approach aligned with the broader movement among municipalities to stabilize budgets and streamline administration in the aftermath of war. 4. Social and Cultural Revival His support for educational institutions, cultural projects, and infrastructure development highlights the postwar push to rebuild civil society. Verdross recognized that restoring community life was just as vital as physical reconstruction. 5. Defense of Municipal Autonomy Verdross fought to preserve local self-governance, resisting state attempts to nationalize electric utilities and other public services. This struggle underscores the tension between centralized control and regional independence in postwar Austria. Conclusion: Individual Agency in Shaping History The life of Ernst Verdross demonstrates how one person’s commitment could positively impact a community during a tumultuous era. His story illustrates the intersection of personal resilience and historical forces, showing how determined leadership helped navigate the challenges of postwar recovery.
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