Report: Conviction of an NS Medical Crime in Tyrol (1947) – and the Other Side of Resistance

In July 1947, Dr. med. Otto Luze (55), former chief physician at the hospital in Solbad Hall, Tyrol, stood trial before the People's Court in Innsbruck, accused of "crimes against humanity and decency." The case sheds a grim light on the role of medical professionals during the Nazi era in Austria—but it also serves as a reminder that there were doctors who courageously resisted the regime.

The Charges Against Dr. Luze

A member of the NSDAP since 1933, Dr. Luze had worked as a physician in Solbad Hall, in a military reserve hospital (B-Lazarett), and as a Wehrmacht doctor before 1938—initially without complaints. However, his conduct changed drastically after the Anschluss in 1938. He was accused of:

• Gross neglect of patients,
• Brutal treatment,
• Systematic misdiagnoses: Despite obvious illnesses, he declared severely sick soldiers—including those with high fevers or heart conditions--"fit for military service."
• "The Hitler salute was considered more important than providing care during visits to the sick."
• "At a Christmas celebration for soldiers, Dr. Luze appeared in an SA uniform and demanded that, instead of Christmas carols, the 'Engelland Song' be sung."

The prosecution emphasized that Luze had prioritized party interests over his medical ethics, violating §11 of the Prohibition Act (post-war legislation for prosecuting Nazi crimes).

The “Engelland Song” – Nazi Propaganda in Musical Form

The so-called “Engelland Song” emerged in the early 1930s within the context of the Hitler Youth and became one of the most well-known marching songs of National Socialism. The lyrics were written by Baldur von Schirach, who later became the Reich Youth Leader, and reflect the militaristic spirit and expansionist ideology of the Nazi regime. The line “Today Germany belongs to us – and tomorrow the whole world” encapsulates the regime’s central ambitions of power and world domination.

The song’s aggressive reference to England (“Engelland, we’re coming against you”) made it a tool for promoting enemy stereotypes and preparing the youth for war. It was primarily used within the Hitler Youth to ideologically condition young people for military conflict and to emotionally mobilize them for the Nazi cause.
Today, the song stands as a striking example of how the Nazi regime used propaganda to indoctrinate youth. A critical examination of such songs reveals how music under National Socialism was deliberately used to glorify violence, obedience, and hostility.

The Verdict

Luze denied concrete evidence, claiming possible diagnostic errors. The court rejected this defense, sentencing him to 2¾ years of strict imprisonment and confiscation of his assets. The ruling highlighted the moral reprehensibility of his actions.

Historical Significance

The Luze case illustrates how doctors became complicit in the Nazi war machine, even in Tyrol. His conviction was part of the controversial yet symbolically crucial denazification process. At the same time, it reminds us that courage and integrity persisted even in the darkest times.

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Source: Tiroler Tageszeitung, July 8, 1947, p. 3.

Note to readers: This report summarizes historical documents. The reckoning with Nazi medical crimes varied regionally; further sources provide deeper insights. We honor all victims of Nazi medical atrocities and pay tribute to those who resisted.

Photograph : Town Hall of Hall in Tyrol. In private archive of K. Walder Hall in Tyrol.

Doctors in the Resistance: The Forgotten Heroes

While cases like Dr. Luze’s expose the dark side of Nazi medicine, there were also physicians who resisted the regime, upholding their oath above ideology. Examples include:
·      Dr. Viktor Schumacher: A Tyrolean doctor who actively participated in the resistance and aided persecuted individuals. (See the blog of Dr. Viktor Schumacher ) 
·      Dr. Erika Pallua: A courageous physician who refused to comply with Nazi injustices. (See the blog of Dr. Erika Pallua) 
​
These individuals represent Austria’s moral resistance—those who remained humane despite immense risks.