The Occupation of Rosenheim by Government Troops, Freikorps and People´s Armies, early May 1919

The revolutionary period in Rosenheim was confused: the majority of the Rosenheim population had elected bourgeois parties in early 1919. Since 22 February 1919, Karl Göpfert (born 1871), the majority social democratic trade union secretary, had been mayor. The radical leader of the soldiers’ council, Guido Kopp (1896-1971), demanded his dismissal. While Kopp could count on the support of workers from nearby factory towns such as Kolbermoor, the farmers in the area were on the side of the bourgeoisie.

After the proclamation of the Soviet Republic on 5 April, the situation escalated. While Kopp and the MSPD continued to fight over power, the bourgeois camp took action against Kopp on 13 April, assuming the end of Munich Soviet rule. The citizens succeeded in taking control of the city; shortly afterwards Rosenheim was again occupied by the Red Army. On 1 May, the White Army arrived in Rosenheim. Their headquarters were set up in the Hotel Wendelstein. The photograph showing the hotel and a machine gun position suggests an immediate threat. However, this is a scene set up retrospectively. In fact, Rosenheim was spared direct fighting. In the immediate vicinity, however, there were heavy battles between Kopp's troops and the Freikorps.

After their defeat, the Red Army retreated to the workers' stronghold of Kolbermoor, where Soviet rule in Bavaria could be maintained for the longest time. On 3 May, Kolbermoor finally surrendered to the White Army who had completely surrounded the village. Despite the non-violent surrender of Kolbermoor, the White Forces took brutal action against the adherents of the Soviet Republic during the occupation of the village.

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