Production of first leaflet

The draft of the leaflets – as well as their implementation and mailing – originated with me. I carried out this work in the little room at Athener Platz 4, where I resided at the time. At that time, I was living alone, i.e., my sister was not yet studying in Munich.

I published around 100 copies each of every leaflet of the “White Rose”, sealed them up in envelopes, and sent them to specific addresses that I got out of the Munich telephone directory. In total, there were four numbered leaflets (I – IV). The motivation for my actions explains the criterion for choosing specific addresses. I wanted to call out the intelligentsia and therefore directed my energies to academicians etc.

I also addressed the leaflets to several innkeepers in Munich. I wanted the leaflets to become popular, because I hoped that the innkeepers would tell their guests about them. The telephone directory used for these mailings had been procured specifically for this purpose by me [Note 1]. I destroyed it when I moved.

As I stated in one of the leaflets, I did not note the names of the people to whom I sent the leaflets. That is why not everyone who received a leaflet received all of them, although that was in fact my original intention. Especially for the later editions, I really do not recall who got a copy. I did not know most of the people who were sent copies of the leaflets.

There were indeed several – few – professors whom I knew from their lectures, and two or three acquaintances. I can recall only two of the acquaintances: The innkeeper Josef Poschenrieder in [Bad] Tölz, whom I know only as an innkeeper; and the poet Hermann Claudias (sic – should be Claudius), whose daughter Ursula was one of my girlfriends for a long time [Note 2].

I wanted to annoy Claudias with the leaflet, because he is disposed towards National Socialism. I am aware that he read his poetry aloud quite a while ago, namely within the scope of Strength Through Joy meetings. I know nothing about possible poetry readings that he could have given to students. I certainly did not ask him to do so. I am aware of the status of Claudias’ health.

Shortly following the France campaign, I corresponded briefly with the writer Benno von Mechow, residing in Brannenburg. We corresponded regarding one of his novellas that was published around that time in the Frankfurter Zeitung [newspaper]. I do not recall the title at present. Now I remember what it was: Novella to Sicily.

I also briefly met the doctor of veterinary medicine, Josef Schneider, residing in [Bad] Tölz at Bahnhof Str. 13. I sent him editions I, II, and III of the leaflets.

I never sent leaflets to police headquarters in Munich. If I am told that these leaflets were sent by “registered mail,” I can only reply that I most certainly did not do so. I suspect that someone to whom I sent the leaflets got rid of them in this manner.

I happened upon the name of Franz Monheim in Aachen because I got to know his son in a field hospital.

I also sent several leaflets to Zell near Ruhpolding. The addressees were either café owners or shopkeepers whom I had gotten to know when I stayed there.

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Note 1: Grammatical construction of this sentence is equally awkward in the original.

Note 2: “A long time”? Probably less than a month.

Editor’s note: For information regarding the production of this leaflet, Hans Scholl’s statement is essentially useless. Sophie Scholl indeed was in Munich when they started. They likely did not work in Hans Scholl’s tiny Athenerplatz room, but rather at Alexander Schmorell’s.

However, this part of his interrogation is interesting, because it gives us insight into their reasoning regarding who received Leaflets of the White Rose. Sometimes they genuinely sought out “multipliers” who could spread their message. At other times, the reason seems immature (e.g. Claudias).

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Source: Hans Scholl’s fourth interrogation, February 20, 1943