Anton Capek

Anton Capek was born in Vienna as the legitimate son of Thomas Capek and Antonia, née Zboril. After school, he completed an apprenticeship as a tailor.

Anton Capek appears to have been a problematic and quick-tempered character who came into conflict with the law on several occasions due to his violent behavior.

Despite his character flaws, Anton Capek was a staunch Austrian. With the founding of the Vaterländische Front, he became involved in related organizations. In January 1934, he joins the Volunteer Protection Corps and is involved in the suppression of the socialist February Uprisings and, in July 1934, in the suppression of the National Socialist coup attempt. Anton Capek then became involved in the Reichsbund der Österreicher and the Eisernen Ring.

On 12 March 1938, the staunch Austrian witnessed the demise of his free and independent homeland with the invasion of the German Wehrmacht. Immediately after the occupation of Austria, Anton Capek meets soldiers of the German Wehrmacht in an inn. He deliberately responds to their 'Heil Hitler' salute in a condescending manner.

On 7 August 1939, Anton Capek once again criticized the leadership of the Third Reich.

That same evening, Anton Capek is arrested by the Gestapo. After preliminary investigations, he is released from prison on August 18, 1939. On February 14, 1940, he is sentenced to 7 months in prison by a special court for 'statements that are likely to undermine the people's trust in the state and the NSDAP'. He began serving his sentence on March 26, 1940 and was released from prison on October 15, 1940.

On June 13, 1941, Anton Capek was arrested again for statements critical of the government and released on October 15, 1941. However, he was not brought to trial. On January 15, 1942, Anton Capek was finally drafted into the Wehrmacht and was taken prisoner of war in France.

In captivity, Anton Capek experienced the liberation of Austria in May 1945. He was released on April 28, 1946 and was able to return to his hometown. He joins the ÖVP-Kameradschaft der politisch Verfolgten und Bekenner für Österreich. Due to his problematic personality, he finds it difficult to gain a foothold in the Second Republic of Austria. He died at the age of 68 and found his final resting place at the cemetery in Vienna-Meidling.