As part of the project “Austrian exiles as commando soldiers in the British forces”, Robert Lackner from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Research on Consequences of War sheds light on a little-known chapter of Austrian history: Jewish and political refugees from Austria who escaped the Nazi regime and found shelter in the United Kingdom where many went on to join the British Army, including elite units that operated behind enemy lines.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, this event honors the remarkable contributions of these exiled Austrians. Their stories, only now coming to light through recently declassified documents, offer a unique perspective on courage, resistance, and survival.

The informal talk (drinks will be served) presents a rare glimpse into the personal biographies of these commando soldiers, their motivations, their missions, and the impact they had in the fight against National Socialism.