1938 - 1945
The expansion of the city, which continued in leaps and bounds from 1938 (Eblelsberg and St. Magdalena become separate parishes) occurred in connection with Adolf Hitler’s intention of making Linz an industrial, administrative and cultural centre. This results in the recruitment of thousands of forced labourers and the construction of three concentration camps.
The development of the war stalled the majority of the ambitious plans, which mainly came into effect through the construction of the industrial plants, residential buildings, with the monumental plans for the Danube waterfront and the main boulevard barely realised. As a centre of the armaments industry, Linz experienced 22 air raids in 1944/45 with large-scale destruction.
1945
Gradual normalisation of life with the re-opening of the Linz radio station, Upper Austrian postal system, the Provincial and District Courts in Linz, cinema, the Provincial High Court in Linz. Political parties in the US occupation zone and the freedom of the press are re-established, etc.
5th May 1945
American troops enter the city, the end of the war and start of the occupation. Urfahr is occupied by Soviet troops between 27th July and 3rd August and sealed off. The Danube forms the ‘demarcation line’ between Linz, occupied by the Americans, and Urfahr, occupied by the Soviets. Crossing from one zone to another is only allowed to people with personal documentation and is controlled on the bridges over the Danube until 1953.
Life gradually gets back to normal: the Linz broadcaster becomes operational again, the Upper Austrian postal service resumes service, the provincial and district courts open, cinemas reopen, the activities of the Upper Austrian appeals court resume, in the American occupation zone political parties are allowed to form, press freedom is restored, etc.
1944 - 1945
22 allied air raids result in heavy destruction and 1679 fatalities.
1939
The parish of Keferfeld is incorporated into Linz.
1938 - 1945
Construction of heavy industry (the Hermann Göring Reich Works, Nitrogen Works Ostmark) and the construction of numerous residential buildings, rebuilding of the Nibelungen Bridge; Linz becomes a centre of the armaments industry in the Second World War; Hitler plans ‘Greater Linz’ to become one of five ‘Cities of the Führer’ in the Greater German Empire, and Linz is where he wishes to live in his old age.
1938
The parishes of Ebelsberg and St. Magdalena are incorporated into Linz.
12th March 1938
Rapturous reception for the German Chancellor Adolf Hitler returning to his hometown; the jubilation of the crowds convince him to completely integrate Austria into Germany.
