Josef Damisch

Josef Damisch was born in Rudolfswert [today: Novo mesto in Solvenia] as the legitimate son of Josef Damisch of the same name and Maria, née Zhesen. He completed his schooling exclusively in German-speaking schools. After the fall of the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy, he became a Yugoslavian citizen, but continued to identify with Austria.

His parents moved to Belgrade with him in 1922 for work. Josef Damisch became an impresario [note: artistic director and managing director of a theater] and worked as an assistant director, director and film specialist. As well as living in Belgrade, he also had an apartment in Vienna. The convinced Austrian was opposed to National Socialism. He refuses the German authorities' request to join the German Cultural Association. He marries Emilie Weranitsch, but the marriage remains childless.

In 1937 and 1938, Josef Damisch publishes the articles 'Is Austrian film production viable?' and 'How it had to come' in which he emphasizes the viability of Austrian film and criticizes the liquidation of all independent film companies after the occupation of Austria by the Third Reich.

In Belgrade, Josef Damisch witnesses the outbreak of World War II with Hitler-Germany's war of aggression against Poland. As part of the Balkan campaign in 1941, Belgrade was captured by German troops on April 12, 1941. On March 9, 1943, he was arrested by the Gestapo for his anti-Nazi activities and detained in Belgrade. On July 15, 1943, he was deported to the Dachau concentration camp. From there, he was transferred to Berlin on September 18, 1944, where he was to be tried. Due to the end of the war, the trial did not take place. On April 27, 1945, the day the Second Republic of Austria was proclaimed, he was liberated by Russian troops in Berlin.

After the liberation of Austria, he moved to Vienna with his wife and took Austrian citizenship. He joins the ÖVP-Kameradschaft der politisch Verfolgten und Bekenner für Österreich and works as a businessman.