Kurt Mende
| Born: |
07-12-1917 |
| Faculty: |
Philosophical School |
| Category: |
Expelled student |
Kurt MENDE, born on July 12
th, 1917 in Graz, Styria/Austro-Hungarian Empire (entitled residency ("heimatberechtigt") for Vienna/Austria, Citizenship: Austria), son of Leopold Mende (major, deceased), had graduated from a Catholic Private High School (Marieninstitut) in Graz on July 17
th, 1936, and then began his officer training at the Military Academy in Wiener Neustadt, Lower Austria.
He was discriminated as a so called "" but he could continue his studies at first - valid until revoked.
After the "Anschluss" in 1938, he was persecuted for racist reasons as a so-called "Mischling 2. Grades", but after the forced termination of military training he was able to temporarily take up studies in chemistry at the University of Vienna with the help of relatives. He was enrolled in 1
st year of his studies in fall term 1938/39 at the Faculty of Philosophy and attended lectures in chemistry, physics and mathematics for a while.
In 1938 he lived in Vienna's 5
th district, Laurenzgasse 4 (with his relative, the chemist Dr. Viktor Raschka) then in Vienna's 3
rd district, Rechte Bahngasse 28/8.
He could continue his studies at first - valid until revoked. When "Mischlinge" had to ask for individual permission to continue studying at the university at the Reich Education Ministry Berlin from first trimester 1940 on, Kurt Mende also submitted his application. The obligatory personal and professional report of the Dean was in this case written by Prof. Ernst Spaeth, head of the Chemical Institute. On March 18
th, 1940 he stated:
"Mende Kurt (Mischling II Gr.) works at the Second Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Vienna, he passed the flash test with the calculus "good" and passed the sample analysis, he is practically good, theoretically weaker and currently works in the quantitative department."
The application was forwarded on March 29
th, 1940 by Rector Knoll to the Reich Ministry of Education and already on April 24
th, 1940 Kurt Mende was approved for further study. However, in spring term 1942 he was drafted into the Wehrmacht for "front probation" and was "on leave" from university. A short time after he was killed in action in summer 1942.
Nevertheless he was mentioned in a list of "Mischlinge" still enrolled at the University of Vienna from May 16
th, 1944, as "on leave to the Wehrmacht", as the information about his death did nor reach the university in 1942.
Lit.: Archive of the University of Vienna/enrollment forms ("Nationale") PHIL 1937-1939, students file S 186.2851, rectorate GZ 944 ex 1939/40/41, rectorate GZ 97/I ex 1944/45, PHIL GZ 743 ex 1939/40; POSCH/INGRISCH/DRESSEL 2008, 437; information from his grand-cousin Mag. Ute Nozicka, née Raschka, Vienna 10/2020..
Herbert Posch
