Habsburg Sons : Jews in the Austro-Hungarian Army, 17881918
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Habsburg Sons describes Jewish participation in the Habsburg Army, 1788-1918, concentrating on World War I. Approximately 300,000-350,000 Jews fought in the Austro-Hungarian Armies on all fronts; of these, 30,000–40,000 died of wounds or illness, and at least 17% were taken prisoner in camps all over Russia and Central Asia. Many soldiers were Orthodox Ostjuden, and over 130 Feldrabbiner (chaplains) served among them. Antisemitism was present but generally not overt. The book uses personal diaries and newspaper articles (most available in English for the first time) to describe their stories, and compares the experiences of Jews in German, Russian, and Italian armies.
"Peter Appelbaum’s impressive research contributes to a profound understanding of not only the Austro-Hungarian military as an institution, but also of the social history and Jewish emancipation and identity in the Habsburg empire from the late 18th century. For the first time, a number of important sources, especially on Austrian military Rabbis and the fate of Jewish POWs during and after World War I, are made accessible to the English-speaking reader. Appelbaum’s comprehensive approach makes Habsburg Sons as relevant for the expert as it is fascinating for the interested reader."
—Michael Haider, Director, Austrian Cultural Forum New York
“Jewish soldiers fought in all European armies during the First World War. We are in Peter Appelbaum’s debt for telling the story of Jews in the Austro-Hungarian army, and for bringing out their dignity and their pride in being both Jewish and Austrian. This is a part of Austrian history the Nazis could never erase.”
—Jay Winter, Charles J. Stille Professor of History Emeritus, Yale University
“Habsburg Sons brings to light a wealth of sources documenting the experience of World War I for Jewish soldiers, prisoners of war, and military chaplains across a vast empire that was home to one of the world’s largest Jewish communities. A meticulously researched and deeply moving book.”
—Derek Penslar, author of Jews and the Military: A History
“This book fills a painful gap in research. The leading specialist on the subject writes in his typical style with a mixture of profound scientific analysis and vivid rendering of the central sources.”
—Dr. Georg Wurzer, author of The Prisoners from the Central Powers in Russia During WWI
“‘We had such a beautiful Army, it was the most beautiful Army in the world. And what did they do with the Army? They sent them to war!’
This quip, which could easily have represented Jewish humor, is well known in Austria today. Although a joke, it reveals that even a hundred years ago, war was considered a legitimate means in the pursuit of securing political interest.
Following the explosion of ethnic nationalism in the whole of Europe and the catastrophe of the Second World War, this multi-ethnic approach of the Habsburg Monarchy became questionable, if not dubious. Appelbaum’s latest work on diversity, presented here, deploys the example of Jewish soldiers and their devoted loyalty to illustrate how a multi-ethnic and religiously grounded State can be viable—despite its subsequent political destruction. The confirmation of this principle of inclusion and diversity is presently observed in the existence of the European Union.”
—Ministerialrat Magister rer.soc.oec. Martin Senekowitsch, Oberst der Reserve
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