Josef Plieseis (17 December 1913 – 5 June 1966) was an Austrian communist and prominent anti-Nazi resistance fighter during World War II. Born in Bad Goisern, Salzkammergut, Austria-Hungary, Plieseis became a leading figure in the communist underground movement in Austria and later commanded a partisan group active in the mountainous regions of Upper Austria.
Early Life and Political Involvement Plieseis came from a working-class background and was actively involved in left-wing politics from a young age. He joined the Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ) in the 1930s, a period of increasing political instability and the rise of Austro-fascism. His communist affiliations led to persecution, and he was repeatedly arrested and imprisoned, even before the Nazi annexation of Austria in 1938.
Resistance During World War II Following the Anschluss (the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938), Plieseis continued his clandestine activities. He was arrested by the Gestapo and interned in various Nazi concentration camps, including Dachau, Buchenwald, and Sachsenhausen. In 1941, Plieseis managed to escape from Sachsenhausen concentration camp, a daring feat that allowed him to return to his home region in the Salzkammergut.
Upon his return, Plieseis began to organize a local resistance group, often referred to as the "Plieseis group" or, in local lore, sometimes ambiguously linked to the broader "Red Orchestra" (Rote Kapelle) due to its communist orientation and intelligence-gathering activities. Operating from hidden bunkers and caves in the remote mountain areas, the group comprised communists, socialists, and other anti-fascists. They engaged in various resistance activities, including:
- Sabotage: Disrupting Nazi infrastructure and production.
- Intelligence Gathering: Collecting information on German military movements and industrial activities, often transmitted to Allied forces.
- Propaganda: Distributing anti-Nazi leaflets and maintaining morale among the local population.
- Providing refuge: Offering sanctuary to deserters, forced laborers, and others fleeing the regime.
The Plieseis group became one of the most significant and enduring partisan units in Austria, known for its tenacity and ability to evade capture by the Gestapo and local gendarmerie despite extensive manhunts.
Post-War Life and Legacy After the liberation of Austria in 1945, Josef Plieseis remained politically active within the KPÖ. However, like many resistance fighters, he faced challenges in adapting to post-war society and dealing with the political realities of the Cold War era. He became somewhat disillusioned with political developments but remained committed to his ideals.
Josef Plieseis died in 1966. He is remembered as a symbol of courageous and resilient local resistance against Nazism in Austria, particularly in Upper Austria. His story has been documented in various historical accounts and local histories, highlighting the often-overlooked partisan struggle within Austria.