Franz Weber from Oberperfuss was a spy for the Americans at the end of World War II. In an adventurous campaign, he helped accelerate the end of Nazi rule. The so-called “Operation Greenup” was the template for the film “Inglorious Basterds”. He is commemorated in the courageous Tyrolean’s former school.
In the first days of May 1945, the war was over in Tyrol as well. Innsbruck was handed over to the American troops without a fight. It wasn’t planned that way. Gauleiter Franz Hofer wanted to fight to the last man.Three men parachuted onto the Sulztal GlacierThe fact that there was no more bloodshed was not least due to those involved in “Operation Greenup”. In the center are three men who were airdropped over the Sulztal Glacier at the end of February 1945: Franz Weber, Wehrmacht deserter from Oberperfuss, Fred Mayer, German Jew and head of the trio, and Hans Wijnberg, Jewish radio operator from the Netherlands. They were supposed to set up a radio station in Oberperfuss for the American secret service OSS and report on the Nazis’ plans. “Operation Greenup” is considered one of the most successful espionage operations behind enemy lines in the USA and was the basis for Quentin Tarantino’s film “Inglorious Basterds”. and teacher at the Paulinum Gymnasium in Schwaz dedicated to the life of the Tyrolean spy and later politician in the state parliament, federal council and national council. Weber himself was once a pupil in the Paulinum, then a Wehrmacht soldier, until he defected to the Americans in Italy. The turning points in his career will be highlighted in an exhibition in the Paulinum from May 12th. “It is not only his ‘heroic deed’ that is significant in the person of Franz Weber. It also stands for the fact that paths in life are not straight paths, that the search for truth and courage are crucial,” says school principal Elmar Fiechter-Alber. The exhibition poses important questions to the present on a historical topic. The exhibition is entitled “Franz Weber – between adaptation and resistance” and can be seen in the Paulinum in Schwaz. It will open on May 12, 6 p.m. Viewing is possible on request: [email protected]
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