Stamps series "Austrian Plebiscite. Austrian Printing"

The composition of the Berlin sheets is 10 x 5 stamps, whilst the Vienna printing is 10 x 10 stamps. On the Vienna printing the designer’s initials (E.P.) can be clearly seen at the right foot of the S.A. trooper. On 13th March 1938 Austria was incorporated into the Reich and from 4th April 1938 all current German postage stamps became valid for use in former Austria. Although the Austrian stamps were valid in Austria until 30th September 1938, they were never valid in Germany. Mixed franking on covers is often seen.

In July 1934 the Austrian Nazi Party staged a "putsch" breaking into the Chancellery and shooting the Austrian Chancellor. Dr. Schuschnigg took over the Chancellorship and suppressed the rebels. Later, Seyss-Inquart encouraged Nazi uprisings in Austria despite the fact that Schuschnigg had signed a treaty with Hitler on 12th February 1938, ceding to all of Hitler’s demands. To assert the authority of the government Schuschnigg felt that drastic action must be taken. At a meeting in Innsbruck, 9th March 1938, he announced that a plebiscite was to be held 13th March, in which the Austrian people would determine whether they wished their own or German rule. Indeed, Hitler himself had suggested such a plebiscite when the February treaty was signed. But now, a plebiscite was the last thing Hitler desired as feelings in Austria were strong for their own government. On 11th March German troops massed at the Austrian border. To avert war, Schuschnigg followed Hitler’s demands to cancel the plebiscite; he even resigned as Chancellor and Seyss-Inquart took his place. Even this did not stop Hitler; on 12th March, German troops crossed the frontier. That afternoon Hitler revisited for the first and last time his birthplace Braunau.Afterwards he travelled to Linz. Tere he stayed until Himmler had prepared the way for Hitler’s triumphant entry into Vienna. This was not until 14th March as for security reasons, thousands of suspects had to be arrested in the city.

The Union was completed by 13th March 1938, when the Union Law was promulgated at Linz. This law provided for a free plebiscite by the Austrian people to determine whether to accept union with Germany or not. There were actually two plebiscites. One was held in Germany, where 99.8% voted for the acceptance of Austria into Greater Germany. The Austrian plebiscite held on 10th April 1938, yielded a vote of 99.75% for Austria to become part of Germany. These amazing figures are suspect as owing to a misinterpretation of international time change, one German ambassador abroad announced the figures several hours before the final count, also Austrian voters made their election mark in full view of German officials, and it took a brave voter to say no with S.A. troopers taking notes of names and addresses.