Soviet War Memorial (Vienna)
You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Russian. Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Soviet War Memorial | |
---|---|
Heldendenkmal der Roten Armee | |
Soviet Union | |
For Soviet war dead of the Vienna offensive | |
Unveiled | August 19, 1945 |
Location | 48°11′53.27″N 16°22′34.21″E / 48.1981306°N 16.3761694°E |
Designed by | S. G. Yakovlev |
Commemorated | 17,000 |
Вечная слава героям Красной Армии, павшим в боях с немецко-фашистскими захватчиками за свободу и независимость народов Европы Eternal glory to the heroes of the Red Army, who fell in battle with the German fascist invaders for the freedom and independence of the peoples of Europe |
The Soviet War Memorial in Vienna, Austria, more formally known as the Heroes' Monument of the Red Army (German: Heldendenkmal der Roten Armee), is located at Vienna's Schwarzenbergplatz. The semi-circular white marble colonnade partially enclosing a twelve-metre figure of a Soviet soldier was unveiled in 1945.[1] The Heroes' Monument of the Red Army of the Soviet Union in Vienna was built to commemorate the 17,000 Red Army soldiers killed in action during the Vienna offensive in World War II.[2]
Background
Near the end of World War II in Europe, Soviet forces of the 3rd Ukrainian Front were ordered by Joseph Stalin to capture Vienna, both for strategic military purposes and for use as a post-war bargaining chip with the Allies.[3] After intense urban fighting, Vienna was captured by the Soviet Forces on 14 April 1945.[3]
Construction and Austrian perception
External image | |
---|---|
Additional photos |
The creation of an
The memorial includes a triumphal arch and is dominated by the figure of a soldier with a
Vandalism
The monument has been increasingly subjected to acts of politically inspired vandalism in the 21st Century.
- In April 2012 red paint was thrown over a part of the memorial.[10]
- In May 2014 it was daubed with the colours of the Ukrainian flag during the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian War.[11]
- In February 2015 black paint was poured over an order on the monument from Joseph Stalin congratulating Soviet Forces on their victory in the Vienna Offensive in 1945.[12]
Stone tablet text
The text of the stone tablet in front of the monument begins:
Monument to the soldiers of the Soviet Army, who have fallen for the liberation of Austria from fascism....
See also
- Soviet War Memorial (Treptower Park)
- Soviet War Memorial (Tiergarten)
- Soviet War Memorial (Schönholzer Heide)
Notes
- ^
The emblem of the memorial has 17 ribbons, although the real state emblem of the Soviet Union had a maximum of 16 ribbons, as many as there were at most Soviet emblem had between 1936 and 1946, i.e. also during World War II.
References
- ^ (in German) Heldendenkmal der Roten Armee, www.nachkriegsjustiz.ag, Retrieved April 3, 2011.
- ^ a b Chernov, Sergey, "Austrian Capital Preserves Imperial Ambience", The St. Petersburg Times, January 26, 2010, Retrieved April 3, 2011.
- ^ Glantz, David, The Soviet-German War 1941-1945 Archived 2011-06-17 at the Wayback Machine Clemson University, October 11, 2001. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
- ^ "CONTROL MACHINERY IN AUSTRIA: ALLIED COMMISSION" (pdf).
- ^ Grew, Joseph C., Foreign Relations of the United States, 1945, vol. III, May 7, 1945. p. 116-117
- ISBN 3-218-00547-7, page 311.
- ^ (in German) Putin verabschiedet sich, DiePresse.com, May 24, 2007, Retrieved April 3, 2011.
- ^ (in German) 3D-Vermessung des Heldendenkmals der Roten Armee, www.netzundplan.at, (refurbishment contractor), Retrieved April 3, 2011.
- ^ (in German) Mädchenmord und Attentate, Öffentliche Sicherheit, January–February 2006, Retrieved April 3, 2011.
- ^ 'Russia outraged at desecration of a monument to Soviet Soldiers in Vienna'. 'News Pepper.su', 13 April 2012. https://www.newspepper.su/news/2012/4/13/russia-outraged-desecration-of-a-monument-to-soviet-soldiers-in-vienna/
- ^ 'Moscow demands Austria eliminates damage to the memorial to Soviet soldiers in Vienna', 'Russia Beyond the Headlines', 8 May 2014. https://rbth.com/news/2014/5/8/moscow_demands_austrai_immediatel_eliminates_damage_to_memorial_of_sovie_36532.[dead link]
- ^ Ruskiy Mir Foundation news site, 'Soviet War Memorial in Vienna Vandalized', 23 February 2015. http://russkiymir.ru/en/news/185737/