Vienna, Christmas 2017/18

I have just returned from spending a two week Christmas break in Vienna with my wife. During the time there, I was able to visit a few military themed sites. The first was the Soviet memorial to the attackers of the city in 1945.
These were in the Vienna Central Cemetery that was a short tram ride from the centre.




Then I had a look at the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum (the Austrian Military Museum). In their Napoleonic section there was Napoleon's saddle bag:


And the Russian artillery coat he also wore on campaign:


I really like this cutaway of a Manlicher rifle:


Then it was over to the excellent First World War exhibition. The car that the Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand and Sophie were travelling in on THAT day in Sarajevo.


The bullet hole that entered the car's body and killed Sophie.


The blood-stained uniform of the Arch-Duke.


The assassin's weapons.


The main exhibition was excellent, and had tons of things I have never seen before, like this listening device for incoming aircraft:


Austrian Stormtrooper kit:


The 38cm Seige Mortar took up most of the centre of the room.


A prototype Albatros BII:


And this interesting boardgame called 'Who Will Win?' Sales probably plummeted after November 1918...


The Second World War gallery also had some interesting kit, such as this Kubelwagon:


Kettenkrad:


PAK 40:


2cm AA Gun:


A lovely 8.8cm AA gun:


Raupenschlepper Ost:


Zis-3, which I've never seen before in real life:


And a heavily corroded Borgward IV:


And to wrap up, we also visited the Belvedere gallery which housed the magnificent portrait of Napoleon on the San Bernadino Pass by David:


All in all a great visit and the HGM is well worth a visit if you're ever in the city. It was a good price, only 6 Euro entry with a 2 Euro photo ticket. The cheapest place we visited in the fortnight!

Thanks for reading!

Comments

  1. Replies
    1. It is David, definitely worth popping in if you're in the area.

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  2. Cracking photos. Thanks for sharing.

    Cheers,

    Pete.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Pete, no problem, I am glad you enjoyed them!

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  3. Love that museum, only wish I had more time when I was there. I went with a two year old and my wife, and there was only so much they could take...

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