Although the decision-makers in the NS state were generally very young, after the "Anschluss" the 60-year-old Langoth succeeded in forging a remarkable career. He was appointed head of the National Socialist "Volkswohlfahrt" (welfare service) in Austria and Oberdonau. This mass movement was only superficially a charitable organisation. Its true assignment involved the dissemination of NS ideology and only racially "valuable" and politically reliable persons received assistance. The minorities subject to persecution by the NS regime were excluded. As an NS "Volksgerichtshof" (People's Court) judge, Langoth passed 41 death sentences in 51 trials involving a total of 125 accused. Another 77 opponents of the regime were given prison terms.
At the end of the war, SS Brigadeführer Langoth acted as the Lord Mayor of Linz, "the home town of the Führer". In this capacity he made a major contribution to the maintenance of NS rule until May 5, 1945, accepting civilian casualties in the process.
(Illustration) Russian prisoners of war are herded together for disinfection at the Auhof camp in Linz on January 6, 1942.
