Oberst Robert Osler-Toptani

Robert Osler-Toptani attended grammar school in Vienna and, after graduating from high school, a graduate course at the commercial academy. In 1898, he enlisted as a year-old in the 3rd Regiment of the Tyrolean Kaiserjäger in Trento, was activated and remained there as a lieutenant. In 1907, he was transferred to Vienna as a first lieutenant in Infantry Regiment No. 99. In Vienna, through his father, he came into contact with a circle of Albanians who were preparing for an independent Albania during the Balkan War of 1912/13. Robert Osler-Toptani was adopted by the Albanian General Fazit Pasha Topani on April 30, 1913. At Robert Osler-Toptani's suggestion, the German Prince Wilhelm von Wied becomes King of Albania. From March to May 1914, Robert Osler-Toptani assembled the king's court in Tirana. During the First World War, the captain was deployed in the intelligence service against the Italians. As a scout, he succeeded in stirring up the Albanians against the Italian occupying forces. Arrested by the Italians, he fled through Italy, not without continuing his espionage activities. Returning to Vienna in 19I6, the "civilian" is arrested by an army patrol until his identity is established by the Ministry of War. After recovering from malaria, he was sent to the Isonzo Front, from where he was reassigned to Albania in 1917.

After the end of the war, Robert Osler-Toptani took part as a volunteer in the Carinthian defensive battles against Yugoslavia, where he served as a liaison officer to the Italian troops and on the reconciliation commission. In 1920, he joined the Austrian army, held various command positions, was a temporary member of the parliamentary commission for army affairs and in 1936, as a colonel, took over as head of the intelligence service at the 7th division in Carinthia. In addition to his military profession, Robert Osler-Toptani was actively involved in public life. He became a city councillor in Klagenfurt and was delegated to the Federal Council as chairman of the provincial Christian Social Association. He promotes Catholic colour studies in Klagenfurt, gives lectures and organizes dance courses. On February 1, 1924, Robert Osler-Toptani gives the keynote speech at the publication ceremony of the Gothia secondary school fraternity. He is later made an honorary member and is soon awarded an honorary ribbon by the Nibelungia Klagenfurt secondary school fraternity, founded on 12.9.1924. [

After the Anschluss, he was not accepted into the Wehrmacht but was arrested by the Gestapo because of his Austrian views. After six months, he is released from prison and sent to the Gau for life. He had to leave Carinthia within 24 hours and moved to Hopfgarten in Tyrol, where he had to report to the police at all times.