Secret State Police [Gestapo]
State Police Headquarters Munich
Munich, March 29, 1943
Vol. No. 13226/43 II A Sond. Be. [Special Commission / Beer]
Summoned, Gisela Schertling (personal data known) appeared and continued to be interrogated: Continue reading
II A / Sond. / Mo. [Special Commission / Mohr]
Munich, February 20, 1943
Continuation of the Interrogation of Sophie Scholl Continue reading
Secret State Police [Gestapo]
State Police Headquarters, Munich
Vol. No. II A/Sond./Mah. [Mahler] – Munich, February 18, 1943
Hans, Fritz Scholl Continue reading
I certainly did not learn about this leaflet until Thursday or Friday before the week of Scholl’s arrest. I can specifically recall that it was the leaflet “Students” [Kommilitonen]. Continue reading
It is correct to say that we (my brother and I) talked freely with Graf about current events or political and military situations. Graf largely shared our opinion that we could not win the war and that the current form of government must be and would be changed once it was overthrown. Continue reading
I must admit that politics was often discussed in this circle, namely treasonous politics. I heard them say that a democracy must replace the current regime. They indirectly made it clear that the current regime must be eliminated. But they certainly never told me that they were working to overthrow the current regime. Continue reading
Hans Scholl definitely was not a disciple of National Socialism. I could see in him clear antagonism to National Socialist ideology, but I never could see that he was thinking about ways to overthrow the National Socialist government or eliminate its leaders. He had a very impassioned manner of speaking and championed decidedly Protestant [religious] views. I never would have believed him capable of treasonous activities punishable by death. Continue reading
As far as I know, Harnak [sic, throughout] was at Scholl’s residence twice. At both meetings, revolutionary thoughts were contemplated. Mrs. Berndl was not present. She does not concern herself with politics at all. To what extent she is aware of Harnak’s oppositional attitudes is beyond my knowledge. Continue reading
Question: What do you think about the content of this leaflet [Note 1]]?
Answer: I think about it as a soldier should. Continue reading
The leaflet “Students!”, that was later entitled “Fellow Students!” occupied itself with the events in the East and blamed the Führer for that. It primarily directed its call to the student body to force the day of reckoning with the “most abominable tyranny” that our nation has ever endured. It called on the students to crush the National Socialist terror with the power of the spirit.
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Source: Indictment dated April 8, 1943
At that meeting, we (Hans Scholl, Harnak [sic, throughout], and I) discussed the ways and means by which one could overthrow Hitler and strive for and usher in a socialist form of government. Continue reading
Since that was not possible [Note 1], after we finished eating we went to Scholl’s residence, where we did in fact meet him. After lunch, Mrs. Berndl returned to her studies as a dancer; she came to Scholl’s residence later to pick up Harnack. We continued our conversation in Scholl’s residence. Continue reading
In the course of our propagandistic activity, we have principally focused our recent thoughts on preparing leaflets that are directed at the student body. We believed that the majority of students are revolutionary and easily enthused, and above all that they dare to risk an undertaking [like this]. 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
Question: In your judgment, what were the political viewpoints of Hans Scholl, his sister Sophie Scholl, the artist Wilhelm Geyer, the physiotherapist Harald Dohrn, and the medical students Alexander Schmorell and Willi Graf? Continue reading
However, it is absolutely possible that Schertling learned of our treasonous attitudes [Note 1] through various discussions. But I cannot recall that in her presence anything was ever said about the necessity of rejecting the current regime. Continue reading
The spokesman during these meetings was (as was usually the case) Hans Scholl. Geyer also participated energetically in the political discussions. I know for certain that he was present when they talked about a revolt against the current regime. Continue reading
I myself do not understand how I came to give Hans Scholl 500 RM for his goals. In any case, I assumed that both of them would have no need for any more money before they reached their goals. Therefore the current regime would not be harmed. Continue reading
I readily knew that our conduct was intended to put an end to the current regime. I wished to achieve this goal by reaching broad classes of the population with suitable propaganda. Continue reading
Around January 1943, Scholl and Schmorell looked up the accused Harnack in Chemnitz. Harnack’s uncle is the famous professor Adolf von Harnack, and his deceased father was likewise a professor. … Continue reading
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
To the question as to why Hans Scholl would turn precisely to me to receive money for his seditious actions: I can only reply that he probably received the tip from Robert Scholl, that is, from Hans Scholl’s father, since I had deputized for him. Hans Scholl expressed himself so clearly during his first visit that I could imagine both of them [Note 1] working to overthrow [the government]. Continue reading
Question: Who was present during the discussions in the residence of Scholl’s parents in Ulm?
Answer: With regards to the time in question, I must say in advance that this was not over Christmas, but rather November 1942 [Note 1],because I did not travel to Ulm over Christmas or New Year’s. Continue reading
Leaflets of the White Rose IV
There is an old proverb that children are always taught anew: Pay attention or pay the consequences. A smart child will only burn his fingers once on a hot stove. Continue reading
Leaflets of the White Rose. III.
“Salus publica suprema lex.” [Public welfare is the greatest law.] Continue reading
In Leaflet No. III, the notion is developed that the ruin of National Socialism is the essence and goal of passive resistance. In this battle, one must not shrink back from any path, from any deed. National Socialism must be attacked at every point in which it is vulnerable to attack. Continue reading
In Leaflet No. III, it is postulated that the fall of National Socialism is the meaning and goal of passive resistance. In this war, one may not be deterred from any course of action or from any deed, no matter what the scope. National Socialism must be attacked in every place in which it is vulnerable. Continue reading
“If” – according to Leaflet No. II – “a wave of insurrection surges through the country, if it is in the air, if many join us, then this system can be cast aside with one last mighty effort.”
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Source: Indictment dated April 8, 1943
Leaflets of the White Rose II
It is impossible to come to terms with National Socialism on an intellectual basis, because it is simply not intellectual. You cannot speak of a National Socialist ideology. If such a thing existed, you would be forced to try to defend or engage it on an intellectual basis. Continue reading
In Leaflet No. II, it said that a wave of insurrection must travel throughout the land. If “it were in the air”, if many people participated, then this system could be thrown off with one last powerful effort. An end with terror were always better than terror without end. Continue reading
Even while I was reading it, I asked the people standing around what the title “The White Rose” could possibly mean. If I recall correctly, my brother said that during the French revolution, the exiled aristocracy used a white rose as a symbol on their flags. Continue reading
Hans Scholl and I wanted to bring about a revolution through the publication and distribution of our leaflets. We were fully aware that our mode of operation was directed against the current regime and that should we be discovered, we would have to count on the harshest punishment. But nevertheless, we could not be deterred from proceeding in this manner against the current regime, because both of us believed that we could shorten the war thereby.
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Source: Schmorell’s initial interrogation.
White Rose History: January 1933 - October 1943 