Starhemberg, Ernst Rüdiger von

Starhemberg, Ernst Rüdiger von, 1899–1956, Austrian politician, a descendant of the 17th-century general of the same name. He took part in Hitler's "beer-hall putsch" of 1923 (see Hitler, Adolf) but later opposed Hitler and became (1930) leader of the Heimwehr, an Austrian fascistic militia. He supported Dollfuss in 1932, his aim being an Austrian system of fascism. After helping to suppress the Social Democrats in Feb., 1934, he became vice chancellor and later was also minister of security in the Schuschnigg cabinet. He was forced to resign in 1936, and the Heimwehr was dissolved. During World War II, Starhemberg served for a time in the British and the Free French air forces. He lived in Argentina from 1942 to 1955, when he returned to Austria.

Bibliography

See his memoirs, Between Hitler and Mussolini (1942).