VWW: 80 years since USA occupied our City

80 years ago, Austria was taken over by the four allied victors of second world war. The United States took charge of the north west of our city: Neubau, Josefstadt, Alsergrund, Hernals, Währing and Döbling. The district boundaries were different to now, and a small part of what is now Niederösterreich was also administered by the Americans (along with Salzburg state, and most of Oberösterreich).

How was it to be in the American-occupied parts of Vienna? There remains none of the Checkpoint Charlie memorabilia here, and little interest in that period of Austrian history. Most see it as embarrassing. but the process of denazification was important and difficult work (and in many ways was unfinished when the Allies left in 1955). We get some insights into the post-war years in The Third Man, and also in a fascinating book explaining local customs for American troops.

The Yanks brought with them food Including Care packages), English language, music, and are better-remembered than the Soviets or British. We will meet at the new US Embassy, and then look at war damage, architecture, sport, culture, optimism and some less-visited parts of north Wien. Which streets are named to recall that time? Did the USA really want to quit Austria so early? How friendly were local residents to people who had recently been bombarding their city? How easy was it fo the Americans to persuade the Viennese to become ex-Nazis?

This is just one of 16 tours we will make in Vienna Walking Week, our celebration of our city in high summer,