Satellite Camp Schwechat Heidfeld
Gründung des Konzentrationslagers
The German Luftwaffe built an airbase in Schwechat right after the “Anschluss” (annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany), and Heinkel-Werke moved their aircraft production there after the bombings of Rostock in 1942. In the autumn of 1943, the first 72 prisoners arrived in Schwechat from Mauthausen. They stayed directly on the factory premises of Heinkel AG. Schwechat Heidfeld Subcamp is also referred to as “Schwechat II”.
Lokalisierung
The camp was located at what is today the premises of Vienna International Airport. The gate and two buildings of the former Heinkel-Werke still exist and are rented out to airlines by the airport operation company.
Informationen über die Häftlinge
72 prisoners were deported to Schwechat with the first transport, and within only six months - so, by the spring of 1944 - Schwechat Heidfeld Subcamp reached its highest number of prisoners with 2,665 people
Zwangsarbeit
The malnourished prisoners had to produce aircraft parts for Heinkel-Werke (Heinkel He 219 and He 162 “Volksjäger”). Even during the heaviest bombings they had to work 12 hours every day
Bewachung
SS-Hauptsturmführer (Chief Assault Leader) Anton Streitwieser was camp commander. He was a notorious mass murderer.
Schließung
On 13 July 144, the camp was shut down after being destroyed by the allied forces in an air raid. The prisoners were brought to Floridsdorf first (Wien XXI), and later some of them were transferred to Hinterbrühl Subcamp and to Schwechat Santa.
Gedenken und Erinnern
Today, Vienna International Airport is located on the premises of the former camp. What used the be the campgrounds, is the so-called “Mazur” parking lot today. In 1995, the Flughafen Wien AG erected a memorial stone on the grounds of the camp. It is, however, located on a part of the premises that is not publicly accessible.
