Hitler occupies Austria

Facsimile of the original ballot paper used in the compulsory referendum over the Austrian "Anschluss" to Germany. While many Austrians where fascinated by Hitler and his New Germany, Engleitner was able to escape the mass hysteria of the Anschluss in 1938.

The year 1938 seemed to convey a period of social improvements. Shortly after Hitler’s troops marched into Austria, Leopold Engleitner was given a job by the new authorities. However, Jehovah's Witnesses in Austria had heard what was going on in Germany and knew that their preaching activities and religious meetings would have to take place secretly. Despite their precaution, they weren't always very successful.

On April 4, 1939, Engleitner, together with several other Witnesses, was arrested during a religious celebration and brought to trial. He was charged under §304 of the criminal law with “Promotion of a religious sect declared inadmissible by the state”. Despite repeated interrogation he refused to swerve from his religious beliefs, fearlessly emphasizing his uncompromising attitude towards military service: “I can neither take an oath on military duties nor carry a weapon, since this contradicts my faith, to which I unconditionally adhere. If I were called up to go to the front, I would refuse to go. I am aware that my adherence to this view could cost me my life, but there is nothing I can do about it since life depends on our compliance with God’s laws.”

Leopold Engleitner; Gestapo Linz on April 5, 1939

Although the case against Engleitner was dropped following an amnesty on September 21, 1939, he was not released. The Gestapo had already experienced problems with jurisdiction, though controlled by the Nazis, not always being an effective tool in the persecution of enemies of the Nazi state. Therefore, they had invented what they called "protective custody". This basically meant that anyone who was not sentenced in court could be sent to a concentration camp by the Gestapo. This person would not have an opportunity to appeal, nor claim his rights.

On October 5, 1939 Engleitner, while hoping to be released, received the worst and most shocking news he would ever hear in his whole life: “Herr Engleitner! I am very sorry, but in half-an-hour you will be transferred to Buchenwald concentration camp by train. Here is your preventive custody order, please sign it!”