Austrian Popular Front (Zemljak Group) Österreichische Volksfront (Gruppe Zemljak)

Until his arrest in November 1939, the physicist Dr. Wilhelm Zemljak led a legitimist group that sought to cooperate with other political forces, especially Social Democrats, within the framework of an "Austrian People's Front" and advocated the restoration of an independent Austrian state on a democratic basis.

"The economic programme of the Popular Front", it was proclaimed, "is a socialist one; only with a well-organized planned economy can Austria be rebuilt." The members of the group were arrested by the Gestapo in November 1939 and sentenced by the Supreme Court on 18 July 1944 for "preparation for high treason". The tailor's assistant Johann Swoboda (born 13.2.1901), a co-founder of the Austrian People's Front, and the upholsterer's assistant Karl Wolf (born 18.4.1897) each received three years in prison.

The members of the Austrian Popular Front included:

• Dr. Wilhelm Zemljak
• Johann Swoboda
• Karl Wolf
• Franz Dietrich
• Johann Pilliater