Memorial for the Victims of Nazi Military Justice

The Memorial for the Victims of Nazi Military Justice was inaugurated on October 24, 2014. It is located at the Ballhausplatz in the centre of Vienna, opposite the President's office and the Austrian Chancellory. The monument was created by German conceptual artist Olaf Nicolai. The inscription on top of the three step sculpture features the poem by Scottish poet Ian Hamilton Finlay consisting of just two words: all alone.

Desertion, Wehrkraftzersetzung, Conscientious Objection
Of the Germans and Austrians who deserted the Wehrmacht, 15,000 men were executed. In contrast only 18 Germans who deserted in the first world war were executed. Approximately 10 percent of all victims of Nazi Military Justice were Austrians. In June 1988 the Initiative for the Creation of a Memorial to Deserters came in Ulm stated, "Desertion is not reprehensible, war is".