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Richard Wadani: Austrian Nazi deserter dies aged 97
Source: BBC
Richard Wadani: Austrian Nazi deserter dies aged 97
20 April 2020
An Austrian who deserted Nazi Germany's armies and switched to the Allied side in World War Two has died aged 97.
Richard Wadani was drafted into the German army but escaped on his second attempt in 1944, going on to serve in a British-led unit.
After the end of the conflict he campaigned for justice for all those who refused to fight for the Nazis.
"Through his death our country loses a great Austrian," President Alexander Van der Bellen said.
-snip-
It was only in 2009 that the country decided to rehabilitate thousands of men who were punished for desertion and seen as traitors.
Justice for the Victims of the Nazi's Military Judiciary, a group co-founded by Wadani, said it was thanks to his "tireless efforts" that these Austrians had been rehabilitated.
-snip-
20 April 2020
An Austrian who deserted Nazi Germany's armies and switched to the Allied side in World War Two has died aged 97.
Richard Wadani was drafted into the German army but escaped on his second attempt in 1944, going on to serve in a British-led unit.
After the end of the conflict he campaigned for justice for all those who refused to fight for the Nazis.
"Through his death our country loses a great Austrian," President Alexander Van der Bellen said.
-snip-
It was only in 2009 that the country decided to rehabilitate thousands of men who were punished for desertion and seen as traitors.
Justice for the Victims of the Nazi's Military Judiciary, a group co-founded by Wadani, said it was thanks to his "tireless efforts" that these Austrians had been rehabilitated.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52353369
Richard Wadani spent decades campaigning for Austrians who deserted Nazi German forces (Getty Images)