burns true in his heart.
In 1985, the news that Kuller was waiting for arrived. It was announced in the German press that Walter Reder was to be released within the next few weeks. Kuller was overjoyed with this news. He even took Gertrude out for a meal to celebrate, much to her surprise. He contacted as many of his closest ex-SS comrades as he could and organised a party to celebrate Rederâs release and to plan a reception in his honour in Vienna. He even contacted the Austrian Defence minister Herr Frischenschlager to tell him that the last Austrian prisoner of war, incarcerated in an Italian jail, was about to be released after thirty-four years. Herr Frischenschlager, who had been completely unaware of Reder, or his imprisonment up to this point, promised to meet him with full military honours on his arrival at the airport. His office even informed the Austrian television stations of the event in order to get the greatest publicity. The minister saw this as the dawn of a new era for Austria. The past forgotten and the future lying wide open. The only thing missing in all of this hype was that Kuller conveniently forgot to mention to the minister that Reder was not a prisoner of war but was in fact a convicted war criminal who had been sentenced to life imprisonment in a military court in Siena for the massacre of Italian civilians on Monte Sole and Santâ Anna di Stazzema.
Finally, the big day arrived. The Defence minister was in attendance with a military band. The television cameras of Austriaâs three television stations were ready and waiting for Rederâs plane to appear. The ranks of newspaper journalists were waiting to hear from Rederâs own lips, the returning war hero, how it felt to be free again.
At last the plane landed and the official delegation, comprising of the Minister of Defence, the Mayor of Munich, the Colonel of Police and the local military Commander all lined up to meet their guest of honour. To the side of the runway, Kuller and his Old Comrades Association stood to attention to receive their distinguished and beloved leader.
The moment Reder appeared at the head of the steps that were covered in red carpet to suit the occasion, the band struck up the Austrian national anthem. Herr Frischenschlager stepped forward to shake Rederâs hand and introduced him to the assembled dignitaries, who then followed on behind as Reder inspected his Old Comrades honour guard.
Kuller face was beaming as Reder approached him and warmly shook his hand before embracing him. The television cameras mounted on their mobile platforms captured every word and every moment and transmitted it throughout Austria to the delight of the population. There was even a link-up with RAI Italian television for their early evening news bulletin. Reder was still big news. Even more so now that he had been accepted by the Austrian establishment in the person of the Minister of Defence as a returning war hero. The Catholic Church even presented him with a hunting lodge in the Austrian Alps as a temporary home until he was settled, and it wasnât too long before the Austrian government, on behalf of the Austrian people, gifted him a home of his own. It is interesting to note that it was around this time that Reder rescinded the letter of apology he had written to the municipality of Marzabotto and to the Italian people in general, stating that as a soldier, he had merely done his duty and followed orders, therefore he felt no guilt or remorse.
The feelings of outrage and disbelief in Italy at Rederâs rehabilitation and integration into Austrian society sounded loud and clear in the Italian media. It was universally condemned as unprecedented and dangerous for a tried and convicted war criminal to be feted by the Austrian government, people, and media in such an outward display of affection. It was an insult to the Italian people and to the memory of those slain.
Vatican sources in Rome and the
In 1985, the news that Kuller was waiting for arrived. It was announced in the German press that Walter Reder was to be released within the next few weeks. Kuller was overjoyed with this news. He even took Gertrude out for a meal to celebrate, much to her surprise. He contacted as many of his closest ex-SS comrades as he could and organised a party to celebrate Rederâs release and to plan a reception in his honour in Vienna. He even contacted the Austrian Defence minister Herr Frischenschlager to tell him that the last Austrian prisoner of war, incarcerated in an Italian jail, was about to be released after thirty-four years. Herr Frischenschlager, who had been completely unaware of Reder, or his imprisonment up to this point, promised to meet him with full military honours on his arrival at the airport. His office even informed the Austrian television stations of the event in order to get the greatest publicity. The minister saw this as the dawn of a new era for Austria. The past forgotten and the future lying wide open. The only thing missing in all of this hype was that Kuller conveniently forgot to mention to the minister that Reder was not a prisoner of war but was in fact a convicted war criminal who had been sentenced to life imprisonment in a military court in Siena for the massacre of Italian civilians on Monte Sole and Santâ Anna di Stazzema.
Finally, the big day arrived. The Defence minister was in attendance with a military band. The television cameras of Austriaâs three television stations were ready and waiting for Rederâs plane to appear. The ranks of newspaper journalists were waiting to hear from Rederâs own lips, the returning war hero, how it felt to be free again.
At last the plane landed and the official delegation, comprising of the Minister of Defence, the Mayor of Munich, the Colonel of Police and the local military Commander all lined up to meet their guest of honour. To the side of the runway, Kuller and his Old Comrades Association stood to attention to receive their distinguished and beloved leader.
The moment Reder appeared at the head of the steps that were covered in red carpet to suit the occasion, the band struck up the Austrian national anthem. Herr Frischenschlager stepped forward to shake Rederâs hand and introduced him to the assembled dignitaries, who then followed on behind as Reder inspected his Old Comrades honour guard.
Kuller face was beaming as Reder approached him and warmly shook his hand before embracing him. The television cameras mounted on their mobile platforms captured every word and every moment and transmitted it throughout Austria to the delight of the population. There was even a link-up with RAI Italian television for their early evening news bulletin. Reder was still big news. Even more so now that he had been accepted by the Austrian establishment in the person of the Minister of Defence as a returning war hero. The Catholic Church even presented him with a hunting lodge in the Austrian Alps as a temporary home until he was settled, and it wasnât too long before the Austrian government, on behalf of the Austrian people, gifted him a home of his own. It is interesting to note that it was around this time that Reder rescinded the letter of apology he had written to the municipality of Marzabotto and to the Italian people in general, stating that as a soldier, he had merely done his duty and followed orders, therefore he felt no guilt or remorse.
The feelings of outrage and disbelief in Italy at Rederâs rehabilitation and integration into Austrian society sounded loud and clear in the Italian media. It was universally condemned as unprecedented and dangerous for a tried and convicted war criminal to be feted by the Austrian government, people, and media in such an outward display of affection. It was an insult to the Italian people and to the memory of those slain.
Vatican sources in Rome and the
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