The presiding judge read the verdict of the People’s Court against Scholl and 2 others dated February 22, 1943 aloud – 1H 47/43 – as well as the leaflets that had been written or distributed by the accused. However, he read only excerpts from the 4 leaflets of the “White Rose” [Note 1]. Continue reading
Secret State Police [Gestapo]
State Police Headquarters Munich
Munich, March 23, 1943 Continue reading
Additional proceedings:
II A – So./Schm. [Special Commission/Schmauß]
Munich, February 19, 1943 Continue reading
I met two Secret State Police agents in their apartment, and they took me into temporary custody. Continue reading
Question: During the course of the interrogation, I have shown you a shawl now and again and asked you whether it belongs to you or your brother, or whether you know who the owner of the shawl may be. Continue reading
I am aware that this morning, leaflets were distributed in the university. When the lecture was over with, I saw a stack of white papers in front of the door to the lecture hall. However, I did not concern myself with the papers, because I had to go to the university office to pick up my [student] ID.
==========
Source: Initial interrogation of Gisela Schertling, February 18, 1943
Copy /22/
Professor Harder – Munich, February 17, 1943
Ludwig Str. 14, 1st staircase
Tel. 23 0 31.
Confidential
A few hours ago, two leaflets were forwarded to me. In the interest of expediting the investigation, I will immediately compile the [best possible] psychological evaluation as is possible in so short a time. Should additional important criterion occur to me later, I will issue a supplemental report. Continue reading
We talked till around 11 pm. That day and also that evening when Sophie Scholl was home again, we did not talk about the leaflet matter at all. Continue reading
Both concoctions demonstrate an extraordinarily high niveau. The speaker is a person who has completely mastered the German language, who has thought through his topic with absolute clarity. The man knows exactly what he wants; he possesses detailed knowledge. He is a German. And indeed, he is not only not an immigrant, he is also a German who has experienced the political events here in this country for many years, up to and including the present time. Continue reading
During this time, Harnack had a political discussion with the accused Huber, during which Huber championed federalist ideas and Harnack – at least from the accused Huber’s point of view – championed Communist ideas. Continue reading
[Gisela Schertling:] Harnack was introduced to me on a Tuesday, either February 8 or 9, in [Hans] Scholl’s apartment. Schmorell was also present on that occasion. I was present for their conversation, and it lasted more than an hour. Continue reading
I can recall that during a discussion with Hans Scholl, a ‘Fräulein’ took part. She was introduced to me, but her name escapes me. I assumed that this was someone whom Hans Scholl knew well. Continue reading
Question: What do you know about a leaflet entitled “10 Years of National Socialism”? Continue reading
I had nothing to do with the document I was just shown, Victory at Any Price. I will also say that I have heard nothing concerning the production and distribution of this leaflet. I would admit it had I produced and distributed this leaflet. Continue reading
He [Bollinger] would then have to pay for the postage of sending the leaflets by mail to all social classes among the populace. Continue reading
Question: During the conversation between yourself, Scholl, and Dr. Huber at the latter’s residence at the beginning of January 1943, you volunteered to use your connections to the Rhineland to distribute the leaflets in question. It is therefore likely, if not completely certain, that your trip to Bonn, Freiburg i.Br., and Ulm served that primary purpose. I therefore ask you: Which persons from your circle of friends in the above-named places did you approach about the distribution of leaflets? Continue reading
However, in this context [speaking about the accommodation address] I would not like to keep silent about the fact that I had had political conversations with Hetzel on several occasions. He would have been able to ascertain that I would be receiving letters with political content and that I had secrets to keep in that regards. Continue reading
I spent the evening of January 23, 1943 with the medical student Helmut Bauer from Saarbrücken, currently a student at the University of Freiburg, since Dr. Bollinger (whom I wanted to visit) was not in town at the time. Once again, I assure you that I did not initiate Bauer in any way into our plans and intentions of producing and distributing leaflets. Continue reading
I must additionally deny that Hans or Sophie Scholl initiated me into their seditious activity, such as the production and distribution of leaflets or painting seditious slogans. Continue reading
1. The catchphrase of B is “Freedom and Honor”; the catchphrase “Freedom” reappears in A 53. Indeed, the eye of the person interested in freedom typically falls on “every individual”. (A 51; B 37; correspondingly in B 12, it says “personal freedom”.) In the political-historical view of the author, a new “war of independence” [Note 1] is beginning (A 24); it is very characteristic for this author that this phrase is not used casually on the spur of the moment, but is part of his well-thought-out historical thesis. … Continue reading
Remonstrance: You have repeatedly stated that you recognized Hans Scholl’s treasonous attitudes because of statements he made. However, you have continually defended yourself with the assertion that you considered Hans Scholl’s political speechmaking to be only empty phrases and word games. Do you wish to continue to make this assertion? Continue reading
Question: Shortly after New Year’s 1943, you and Hans Scholl visited Professor Huber at his residence and discussed the advisability of producing leaflets with Huber. Please tell what you know about this discussion? [Note 1] Continue reading
In January 1943, they [Alexander Schmorell and Hans Scholl] met in the apartment of the accused Huber. At that time, they discussed whether it made sense to generate propaganda against National Socialism by means of leaflets. The accused Graf was present at that meeting. … Continue reading
The accused Sophia Scholl knew that her brother was spending large sums of money on the production of the inflammatory pamphlets. She even acted as cashier for her brother, who did not worry very much about money matters. She was their bookkeeper and gave him the money he needed for these purposes. Continue reading
Around Christmas 1942, the accused Huber learned from Scholl and Schmorell – who in the meantime had returned from the Eastern Front – that they were the authors and disseminators of the “White Rose” leaflet.
==========
Source: Indictment dated April 8, 1943
When I am asked when and at what opportunity I met Hans Scholl, I can make the following statement: Up till November 1942, I only knew that Hans Scholl studied medicine. I had never had a discussion with him to that point that would have allowed me to know his political attitude. … Continue reading
I would like to point out once again that I barely knew [Hans] Scholl, and in contrast, I did not know Schmorell at all. It is therefore understandable that I did not give their statements the same weight as they themselves did. In addition, the discussion lasted such a short time that it was impossible for Scholl to make comments in enough detail so that I would know precisely what they were planning. Continue reading
Additional statement made by the undersigned: Alexander Schmorell was asked what he had to say to Grimminger’s defense of himself. Schmorell stated that contrary to his statements of March 1, 1943, he actually could not recall what they had said when they asked Grimminger for money. Continue reading
When I was sent to Russia on July 20 (sic), 1942, I was prevented from publishing more of these leaflets. If I had not [been sent to Russia], I do not know whether I would have published and disseminated more of these leaflets, because at the time, I was doubtful that this was the right way to proceed. Continue reading
What I said yesterday about my acquaintance [Note 1] with Hans Scholl is correct. I thought about it overnight and came to the conclusion that I did not meet up with Hans Scholl eight times in Munich until Christmas 1942, but rather only six times. During the summer of 1942, he spent some time on the Front, where we naturally did not see one another. … Continue reading
I sold the duplicating machine that had been used in the production of these mass leaflets back to the Bayerle (sic) Company. I think I got 15 or 20 Marks [$120 – 160] for it. Continue reading
I learned about the “White Rose” leaflet for the first time through the poet Dr. Schwarz, who lives in Solln. He received this anonymously through the mail and turned it over to the Secret State Police [Gestapo] when he received it. I do not recall any specifics regarding the content of the leaflet. I believe this has to do with the first leaflet, in case he received the second one as well. Continue reading
Question: When and through whom did you first learn of the leaflet “The White Rose”? What did you have to do with this matter? Continue reading
The first time I had contact with the Scholl circle was in Schmorell’s villa. Around the end of June 1942, Lafrenz invited me there for a community reading of the book The Satin Slipper. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
She [Sophie Scholl] alleges that she did not participate in the production and distribution of the documents entitled “The White Rose” and that she first learned of them when a female friend showed her a leaflet. Continue reading
In the Summer of 1942, the so-called “Leaflets of the White Rose” were distributed throughout Munich by mail. The inflammatory pamphlets contained attacks against National Socialism, particularly against its cultural-political endeavors. Continue reading
After being shown a section of a postal money order, wherein the sum of 36 Marks [$288.00] was paid to Franz Baier Company in Munich, Sendlinger Str. 49, and after I have once again been admonished to tell the truth, I will now tell the whole truth with regards to the production and distribution of the leaflets “The White Rose”. Continue reading
The accused Hans Scholl had long harbored misgivings regarding the political state of affairs. He had reached the conclusion that it was not the bulk of the German people, but rather the intelligentsia who had failed politically – not only in 1918, but also after the National Socialists came to power. Continue reading
The accused Sophia Scholl participated in political discussions as early as the summer of 1942. During these discussions, she and her brother Hans Scholl came to believe that Germany had all but lost the war. Continue reading
White Rose History: January 1933 - October 1943 