Julius Kretschmer

Julius Kretschmer, known as "Ussy", was born in Vienna and attended elementary school and grammar school there. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in German and Romance studies at the University of Vienna. During this time, he joins the student fraternity Ottonen. A staunch opponent of National Socialism and a staunch Austrian, he joined the Patriotic Front in 1933. In 1935/1936, he passed the supplementary school-leaving examination for the teacher training college and became a primary school teacher.

On the evening of the occupation of Austria, Julius Kretschmer was present at the Ottonen board meeting in the back room of Café Votiv when they decided to formally disband and join the resistance. He is appointed in the organization of Karl Burian as provincial leader of Vienna, with Josef Wotypka as deputy. He subsequently became involved in the organization and tried to establish structures and recruit new members.

Julius Kretschmer was arrested by the Gestapo on 19 October 1938. He is charged with preparation for high treason and sentenced to three years in prison in the main trial of the People's Court from December 7, 1943 to December 9, 1943. He is released from prison in December 1943 with credit for his pre-trial detention.

He escapes being sent to a punishment company by feigning a stomach ailment and, with the help of employees of the Friedrich Schwab book printing company, organizes the printing of leaflets with the content "Austria awake!". They went to their print shop one hour early every day and produced hundreds of these leaflets at a trust office, which Julius Kretschmer distributed in the dark.

Julius Kretschmer was arrested again 14 days before the end of the war. He had been warned, but was caught on the streetcar as he fled and taken to Czartoryski-Schlössel, the seat of the SS. He is to be executed by summary execution. Due to a sudden bomb attack and the resulting confusion, Julius Kretschmer managed to escape execution.