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Resistance Heroines in Nazi & Russian Occupied Austria: Anschluss and After
The dazzling and brave story of Herti Bryan’s experiences of supporting British prisoners of war during the Second World War.
Austria's Anschluss - its 'annexation' - saw no gunfire, no bloodcurdling screams of Stukas overhead or the rumble of heavy artillery when German troops marched in on 12 March 1938. It was no ‘Blitzkrieg’ on the contrary, some Austrians even welcomed the ‘invaders’ and the opportunity to unite the ethnic German peoples under the rule of Austria’s most infamous son, Adolf Hitler.
Austria’s wealth of natural and mineral resources were especially useful to support the Third Reich’s aggression in Europe. The Nazis were keen to exploit these assets and many Austrians benefited from increased employment. However, any initial euphoria was soon replaced by fear and anxiety as the brutal reality of the new regime became apparent.
Here is the remarkable story of Herti Bryan who, as a young child, witnessed the totalitarian nightmare of Hitler’s dream for world domination. Standing up for what she believed to be right, Herti acted courageously to frustrate the occupying Nazis.
In addition to Herti’s story, we learn of the experiences of Milly Keller and Hilde Schubert who shared contempt for the Nazi occupiers. The three girls vividly describe their different experiences during the war, although there is a striking similarity in the even greater terror they were subjected to under the Russian ‘liberators’.
In this volume the lives of Herti, Milly and Hilde come together to reveal an astonishing picture of life in occupied Austria. Drawing on unimaginable fortitude, these girls defied domination and fought fearlessly, risking their own lives, to carry out their moral obligation to humanity.
This is their story, in their own words and told for the first time.
Austria's Anschluss - its 'annexation' - saw no gunfire, no bloodcurdling screams of Stukas overhead or the rumble of heavy artillery when German troops marched in on 12 March 1938. It was no ‘Blitzkrieg’ on the contrary, some Austrians even welcomed the ‘invaders’ and the opportunity to unite the ethnic German peoples under the rule of Austria’s most infamous son, Adolf Hitler.
Austria’s wealth of natural and mineral resources were especially useful to support the Third Reich’s aggression in Europe. The Nazis were keen to exploit these assets and many Austrians benefited from increased employment. However, any initial euphoria was soon replaced by fear and anxiety as the brutal reality of the new regime became apparent.
Here is the remarkable story of Herti Bryan who, as a young child, witnessed the totalitarian nightmare of Hitler’s dream for world domination. Standing up for what she believed to be right, Herti acted courageously to frustrate the occupying Nazis.
In addition to Herti’s story, we learn of the experiences of Milly Keller and Hilde Schubert who shared contempt for the Nazi occupiers. The three girls vividly describe their different experiences during the war, although there is a striking similarity in the even greater terror they were subjected to under the Russian ‘liberators’.
In this volume the lives of Herti, Milly and Hilde come together to reveal an astonishing picture of life in occupied Austria. Drawing on unimaginable fortitude, these girls defied domination and fought fearlessly, risking their own lives, to carry out their moral obligation to humanity.
This is their story, in their own words and told for the first time.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published May 11, 2021
About the author
Tim Heath
29 books15 followersBorn in to a military family, Tim Heath’s interest in history led him to research the air war of the Second World War, focussing on the German Luftwaffe and writing extensively for The Armourer Magazine. During the course of his research he has worked closely with the German War Graves Commission at Kassel, Germany, and met with German families and veterans alike. Born out of this work, Hitler's Girls is his first book. He lives in Evesham, Worcestershire, with his partner Paula.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 5, 2022
I do savour a tale about heroic women; and this I am glad I picked up. Austria and its days under German occupation is something I knew little about; this captures the lives of young girls growing up in that time and the author addressed the subject by including 'first-hand' testimony from a few.
Any resistance to the occupying forces was the bravest of acts and these girls did, through small efforts, show the most amazing courage.
We are provided with a history of events, but what captivated me was the voices of these young women and how they were able to describe the stark changes that the arrival of German forces forced upon them.
Whilst much was saddening to read of, the most harrowing accounts came from their time under the fist of invading Russian troops; and although I was aware of the most terrible crimes women and young girls were subjected to during such in human acts to read of their experiences was terribly distressing.
As is said, late in the book, all of their suffering be it from German or Russian origin is the fault of one diabolic, mentally unstable politician: Hitler.
It is heartening to read of how many survived and found a happier life after such terrifying ordeals.
This is a well-constructed and professionally written work and one more testament to the horrors that war will beset all - be you military or civilian. My thoughts go out to those in Ukraine at this time.
Any resistance to the occupying forces was the bravest of acts and these girls did, through small efforts, show the most amazing courage.
We are provided with a history of events, but what captivated me was the voices of these young women and how they were able to describe the stark changes that the arrival of German forces forced upon them.
Whilst much was saddening to read of, the most harrowing accounts came from their time under the fist of invading Russian troops; and although I was aware of the most terrible crimes women and young girls were subjected to during such in human acts to read of their experiences was terribly distressing.
As is said, late in the book, all of their suffering be it from German or Russian origin is the fault of one diabolic, mentally unstable politician: Hitler.
It is heartening to read of how many survived and found a happier life after such terrifying ordeals.
This is a well-constructed and professionally written work and one more testament to the horrors that war will beset all - be you military or civilian. My thoughts go out to those in Ukraine at this time.
July 5, 2022
A memoir more than anything:
of three girls living peacefully and happily in Austria: they witness the arrival of Nazi forces, who come with a smile: as friends. They live through the Nazi occupation, and witness the arrival of their saviours: the Russian army.
Just three girls, among the thousands upon thousands that witnessed and suffered the same: a drop in the ocean.
I have nothing but admiration for these girls (Herti Bryan, Milly Keller, Hilde Schubert) and can't help but keep a thought for the nameless others.
I hope I do, but I have wondered on occasions, if by reading such books, I pay tribute to the many courageous, fearless, civilians caught up in the horrors of that time.
I have read of the abject terror many, women, faced during the Russian occupation of Vienna, and yet Austria is often, I would suggest, seen as an adjunct to the real hostilities; and that may have been true to some degree, before the arrival of what, in the main, was nothing but a pack of wolves.
Resistance can be defined as, action taken to damage the occupying force, but resistance is also the desire, the want, the will, to take action.
I bow my head to all.
of three girls living peacefully and happily in Austria: they witness the arrival of Nazi forces, who come with a smile: as friends. They live through the Nazi occupation, and witness the arrival of their saviours: the Russian army.
Just three girls, among the thousands upon thousands that witnessed and suffered the same: a drop in the ocean.
I have nothing but admiration for these girls (Herti Bryan, Milly Keller, Hilde Schubert) and can't help but keep a thought for the nameless others.
I hope I do, but I have wondered on occasions, if by reading such books, I pay tribute to the many courageous, fearless, civilians caught up in the horrors of that time.
I have read of the abject terror many, women, faced during the Russian occupation of Vienna, and yet Austria is often, I would suggest, seen as an adjunct to the real hostilities; and that may have been true to some degree, before the arrival of what, in the main, was nothing but a pack of wolves.
Resistance can be defined as, action taken to damage the occupying force, but resistance is also the desire, the want, the will, to take action.
I bow my head to all.
April 28, 2021
Here is the remarkable story of Herti Bryan who, as a child, witnessed the totalitarian nightmare of Hitler's dream for world domination. Standing up for what she believe to be right, Herti acted courageously to frustrate the occupying Nazi's.
In addition to Herti, we learn of the experiences of Milly Keller and Hilde Schubert who shared contempt for the Nazi occupiers. The three girls vividly describe their different experiences during the war, although their is a striking similarity in the even greater terror that they were subjected to under the Russian 'liberators'.
Thank you to Pen and sword publishers, for giving me a review copy of this book.
This was an absolutely amazing story, these three young girls truly were heroines of the Austrian resistance. The book is written primarily by Herti, who we follow from a young child living in Graz in Austria, and the horrors that she had to face growing up throughout both the Nazi and Russian occupation. Herti is a true hero and an inspiration, at the age of 15 she helped POW soldier's escape from the camp, getting them to safe houses, and eventually out of the country.
The stories of these three young girls shows the true horrors that the Austrian citizens were subjected to during the occupation in the Second world war, and were subjected to such violent and brutal treatment, especially by the Russian occupiers.
Although it is a difficult read due to the subject matter and some of the content, I really urge anyone interested in WW2 to read this book, it was fascinating to read about WW2 from the point of view of women, who were young children at the time.
In addition to Herti, we learn of the experiences of Milly Keller and Hilde Schubert who shared contempt for the Nazi occupiers. The three girls vividly describe their different experiences during the war, although their is a striking similarity in the even greater terror that they were subjected to under the Russian 'liberators'.
Thank you to Pen and sword publishers, for giving me a review copy of this book.
This was an absolutely amazing story, these three young girls truly were heroines of the Austrian resistance. The book is written primarily by Herti, who we follow from a young child living in Graz in Austria, and the horrors that she had to face growing up throughout both the Nazi and Russian occupation. Herti is a true hero and an inspiration, at the age of 15 she helped POW soldier's escape from the camp, getting them to safe houses, and eventually out of the country.
The stories of these three young girls shows the true horrors that the Austrian citizens were subjected to during the occupation in the Second world war, and were subjected to such violent and brutal treatment, especially by the Russian occupiers.
Although it is a difficult read due to the subject matter and some of the content, I really urge anyone interested in WW2 to read this book, it was fascinating to read about WW2 from the point of view of women, who were young children at the time.
December 20, 2021
It is commonly thought that the German-speaking peoples did not resist the Nazis at all, that there was never any partisan movement. Of course, this is not the case, as anyone who takes the trouble to scratch beneath the surface knows, even though Nazism's peculiar ability was to infiltrate society so completely that the expression of any dissent was particularly difficult. The testimonies brought in this book, however, which are female testimonies, show that the capacity to resist is innate, I would say genetically encoded in certain people, who are able to see injustice of whatever kind and to overcome it effectively.
Having said that, from a literary point of view the book has no merit, because the putting on page of the collected testimonies is clearly amateurish, which in some places makes for heavy reading.
Having said that, from a literary point of view the book has no merit, because the putting on page of the collected testimonies is clearly amateurish, which in some places makes for heavy reading.
April 2, 2021
Authors Tim Heath (https://www.timheathbooks.com), Virginia Wells, and Herti Bryan will publish the book “Resistance Heroines in Nazi and Russian Occupied Austria” on May 31, 2021. Mr. Heath has published four WWII history books.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains a few mature situations. The story is set in wartime and postwar Austria. The book primarily follows the life of Herti Juliana Bryan.
Herti was born Herti Krouse on February 21 1929 in Austria. By the time the Germans occupied her country, she was nine years old. Rather than seen as conquerors, the Austrians welcomed the Germans into their country. After the Nazis arrived, Herti noticed that a few schoolmates and neighbors began to disappear. Taken by the Gestapo.
She stood up as best she could against the Nazis. Her father died of natural causes in January 1940. She, her mother, and siblings struggled to survive as the war came closer and closer to their home. The Russians advanced into Austria in 1945. Herti, at 16, left home and headed on her own towards the British lines. She became an interpreter for the British and later moved to the UK.
The book does not tell of only Herti. The stories of other young Austrian girls are also included. How they defied the Germans. How they scavenged in the bombed ruins of Austria for food. Their treatment by both the German and Russian soldiers.
I enjoyed the 6+ hours I spent reading this 216-page WWII history. I read and reviewed the book Hitler's Housewives: German Women on the Home Front by Tim Heath about this time last year. I found it and this book very interesting. Both gave a different outlook on the war. So many books about women in WWII focus on those that served the Allies with the SOE or at Bletchley Park as Wrens. I like the selected cover art. I give this book a 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains a few mature situations. The story is set in wartime and postwar Austria. The book primarily follows the life of Herti Juliana Bryan.
Herti was born Herti Krouse on February 21 1929 in Austria. By the time the Germans occupied her country, she was nine years old. Rather than seen as conquerors, the Austrians welcomed the Germans into their country. After the Nazis arrived, Herti noticed that a few schoolmates and neighbors began to disappear. Taken by the Gestapo.
She stood up as best she could against the Nazis. Her father died of natural causes in January 1940. She, her mother, and siblings struggled to survive as the war came closer and closer to their home. The Russians advanced into Austria in 1945. Herti, at 16, left home and headed on her own towards the British lines. She became an interpreter for the British and later moved to the UK.
The book does not tell of only Herti. The stories of other young Austrian girls are also included. How they defied the Germans. How they scavenged in the bombed ruins of Austria for food. Their treatment by both the German and Russian soldiers.
I enjoyed the 6+ hours I spent reading this 216-page WWII history. I read and reviewed the book Hitler's Housewives: German Women on the Home Front by Tim Heath about this time last year. I found it and this book very interesting. Both gave a different outlook on the war. So many books about women in WWII focus on those that served the Allies with the SOE or at Bletchley Park as Wrens. I like the selected cover art. I give this book a 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
February 8, 2022
This book was such a fascinating and informative read! Various women share their experince of the Nazi invasion into Austria when they were children. I found this to be an especially emotional read since my great grandfather was born in Graz, Austria. He immigrated to America a little before WWI, but his daughter, my grandmother, was born around the time that these women were and would have been right there (one woman's experience shared actually was in Graz!) With my grandmother's Jewish heritage though, her experience likely would have been more tragic. The women who share their experiences did not have Jewish heritage, but were still heavily affected by these events. They were forced to join the children Nazi groups, but showed resistance to this ideology they did not believe in, in meaningful ways as they grew older. In addition to the experiences shared, a lot of background information is shared about what was occurring generally, starting with the anschluss to the end of the war and Russian occupation. Despite having studied the period previously, I was unaware of the devastation that came with Russian occupation and how that time was viewed as worse than when the Nazis were in charge. The events were horrific, animalistic, and terribly tragic. Overall, this is such a moving and engaging book. Thank you to the authors for sharing their experiences of heartache and tragedy during their youth to help enlighten more recent generations on the experiences that were had at the time.
April 17, 2021
We have been bombarded with stories of people suffering atrocities set upon them by Hitlers Regime. However, this book is nothing like what has been written down before. The perspective from a childs standpoint as she grew into her teenage years and the suffering that she endured in her home country of Austria that Hitler claimed was his as well. He still allowed his men to kill the Austrian citizens and displace them from there homes.
Two other girls also share their stories, Milly Keller and Hilde Schubert. The things they survived supposedly under the saviors of the Russians is disgusting and almost will cause you to stop reading. I had tears trail down my face.
I’m so glad I read this book because my grandmother was of Austrian descent, but always said she was from Hungary. While reading I seen the name “Krause “ come up and realized that those names were relevant to my family tree! It was destined for me to get this book! Now I understand why my grandmother wouldn’t talk of her life here. She was 21 when she came to the United States and I wished I had more time with her before she passed.
Thank you for telling your stories because we need them told so that these same things are never forgotten and they do not happen again to our future generations! That they REMEMBER!
I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.
Two other girls also share their stories, Milly Keller and Hilde Schubert. The things they survived supposedly under the saviors of the Russians is disgusting and almost will cause you to stop reading. I had tears trail down my face.
I’m so glad I read this book because my grandmother was of Austrian descent, but always said she was from Hungary. While reading I seen the name “Krause “ come up and realized that those names were relevant to my family tree! It was destined for me to get this book! Now I understand why my grandmother wouldn’t talk of her life here. She was 21 when she came to the United States and I wished I had more time with her before she passed.
Thank you for telling your stories because we need them told so that these same things are never forgotten and they do not happen again to our future generations! That they REMEMBER!
I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.
June 1, 2021
I loved that the focus of this was on the female perspective of wartime life and resistance in occupied Austria. It’s so great when I get to read a war book focus on female activism during the war. It provided a variety of perspectives of dissent during the war. Written from the memoirs of people who lived through WWII in Austria. This book gives a painful yet ultimately hopeful insight into Austria during WWII and the atrocities that they lived through , living through German occupation and then to suffer the things the Russians put them through, it’s a hard read, but a necessary one. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, for education, for remembering and to gain more insight into how much women did in the war, so hidden for so long.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
March 13, 2021
I devoured this book in one day. Written from the memoirs of people who lived through WW2 in Austria it gives a painful yet ultimately hopeful insight into what life was like for millions of people. The atrocities that they lived through and how they rebuilt their lives after the war will stay with me for a long time. To live through German occupation then suffer what they did when the Red Army arrived to "liberate" them broke my heart. But what shone through most was the determination to help those who were trying them. To risk their lives to save others is truly inspiring. I have no idea how they moved on from this most awful of times to lead happy,normal post war lives. This book should be read by everyone.
April 3, 2021
Herti Bryan was a young child who lived through the totalitarian nightmare of Hitler's invasion and annexation of Austria. She chose to courageously work to frustrate the occupying Nazis. This book tells her story and the stories of Milly Keller and Hilde Schubert who shared Herti's contempt for the Nazi occupiers.
The three girls vividly describe their different experiences during the war and their terror under the post-war liberation by the Russian army. I appreciated the firsthand accounts of the girls' courage, bravery and inner thoughts.
The alternating storylines were confusing. I also thought the book was exclusively about Herti and wasn't sure why Milly and Hilde were mentioned.
Overall, this book tells an important story, but it could use a bit of editing.
The three girls vividly describe their different experiences during the war and their terror under the post-war liberation by the Russian army. I appreciated the firsthand accounts of the girls' courage, bravery and inner thoughts.
The alternating storylines were confusing. I also thought the book was exclusively about Herti and wasn't sure why Milly and Hilde were mentioned.
Overall, this book tells an important story, but it could use a bit of editing.
May 19, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.
This is the harrowing and true story of Herti Bryan, of growing up during Hitler’s regime. Her views and experiences from a young child on into her teen years, how she grew to fight back and resist. This is unlike other stories I have read and parts of it are so horrifying and heartbreaking, it was hard to read. For Herti to make it through to the other side and be able to stand strong and live a vibrant life shows such strength. Thank you to Herti and the other women in this book, Milly Keller and Hilde Schubert for sharing their stories, we need more stories like this. May we never forget.
This is the harrowing and true story of Herti Bryan, of growing up during Hitler’s regime. Her views and experiences from a young child on into her teen years, how she grew to fight back and resist. This is unlike other stories I have read and parts of it are so horrifying and heartbreaking, it was hard to read. For Herti to make it through to the other side and be able to stand strong and live a vibrant life shows such strength. Thank you to Herti and the other women in this book, Milly Keller and Hilde Schubert for sharing their stories, we need more stories like this. May we never forget.
November 20, 2021
📖📖📖📖 📖
Publish Date: March 31, 2021
We all know of the atrocities that occurred during WWII, this book tells of the determination and gumption of three young girls in Austria. The three women recall their poignant stories and near escapes in this truly inspiring book. I took a while to read this because the subject matter is heavy at times. I would recommend to anyone who loves history or kick ass empowering stories.
#hildeschubert #millykeller #hertibryan #resistanceheroines
Publish Date: March 31, 2021
We all know of the atrocities that occurred during WWII, this book tells of the determination and gumption of three young girls in Austria. The three women recall their poignant stories and near escapes in this truly inspiring book. I took a while to read this because the subject matter is heavy at times. I would recommend to anyone who loves history or kick ass empowering stories.
#hildeschubert #millykeller #hertibryan #resistanceheroines
March 2, 2022
This book could have used a different title and some more developmental editing to break up the testimonies into something a little more readable, but the three women's stories are inspiring and offer a different perspective of WWII. I was glad to have a chance to read about it.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 9, 2021
I've read a lot about World War 2 and theres not many good books out there about the women who fought, whether it was covertly or not. I really liked this.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews