A Single Act of Kindness Saved a Forced Labourer in Nazi-Occupied Austria

A new research project is uncovering the stories of forced labourers in Lower Austria during World War II. Led by Danube University Krems, the initiative seeks private documents, photographs and personal accounts to document this dark chapter. Among the survivors was Roger Tempels, a Belgian prisoner whose experience was shaped by an unexpected act of kindness.

In 1940, tens of thousands of people were forced into labour across Lower Austria under Nazi rule. Roger Tempels, a Belgian citizen, was one of them. He was selected by local farmers to work on their land—one of 14 prisoners sent to the Faltl family farm in Stratzing.

Unlike many others, Tempels received humane treatment. Johann Faltl, the farmer, allowed him to eat meals with the family rather than in isolation. Decades later, Tempels' grandson, Kurt De Bruyne, believes this small act of decency likely saved his grandfather's life.

The project, Connecting Memories, now invites citizens, descendants, and local groups to share their own records. By gathering private sources, researchers hope to piece together a clearer picture of forced labour in the region.

The initiative relies on public contributions to fill gaps in historical records. Stories like Tempels' highlight both the brutality of the system and rare moments of humanity. The findings will be preserved as part of Lower Austria's wartime history.