The Museum of Military History once again has a number of highlights to offer in the last days of May and in June. For example, on May 29, when the historical significance of the Kaiser-Ferdinand Northern Railway between 1914 and 1945 is discussed, or just a few days later, when the title of the lecture is “Nazi war crimes in Italy in 1944 and the lack of prosecution of the perpetrators”.
Here are a few of the highlights at a glance:
- “Along the Northern Railway 1914-1945” on 29 May at 5.00 pm: The Kaiser-Ferdinand Northern Railway was the most economically successful and important railroad line in the Habsburg Monarchy and was nationalized in 1906. During the First World War it was of great strategic importance and was dismembered in 1918. After the Anschluss, the break-up of Czechoslovakia and the invasions of Poland and the Soviet Union, the entire Northern Railway network was under the unified administration of the German Reich from July 1941. The eventful history of this railroad line is illustrated using maps and photographs.
- “Nazi war crimes in Italy in 1944 and the lack of prosecution of the perpetrators” on June 3 at 7 p.m.: During the occupation of Italy in the Second World War German troops killed around 10,000 civilians. After the end of the war, there was silence about these massacres. In Austria, the events are virtually unknown, although many “Austrians” were among the perpetrators. The failure to come to terms with the events has had painful consequences for the survivors and the families of the victims in Italy. This will be followed by a discussion with Kerstin von Lingen.
- “The Habsburg military as health managers in the 18th century?” on June 20 at 5 p.m.: The lecture will shed light on the possibilities and motivations for containing diseases. The category of “prevention” became particularly important in the context of military medicine in the 18th century and is closely linked to the establishment of medical techniques such as quarantine and social distancing. A historical and critical examination provides multi-layered answers when it comes to understanding the military in its everyday scope of action.
