The White Rose 4 It was in February 1943. I rode in a train that had just left Munich.

In the compartment next to me sat two party members and put their heads together. They talked quietly about it, what had happened recently in Munich. Freedom had been written at the University. Down with Hitler was on the streets. Leaflets were dropped, calling for resistance. The city was excited. Something had changed. I noticed in the conversation the two men. They spoke of the end of the war. "There is nothing left but to shoot it," said one, looking me over here soon, maybe if I would have understood something. The two men had a few days later read on the red poster: "Sentenced to Death: The 24 year old Christoph Probst, a 25 year old Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, the 22 year old." 5 And when they heard that they had arrested approximately one hundred people, and that they expected further death sentences, they could feel relieved and calm down. What had these people done? What was their crime? Some of them went into the dirt, others spoke of freedom fighters. But you can call them that? They have fought for something simple, for the law and for the freedom. They have no major goals pursued. What they wanted was that people like you and I can live in a humane world. Little Kocher, the city where we spent our childhood days, was forgotten as the world. The only connection with this world was a yellow stagecoach. It brought the residents in a long, rumbling ride to the train station. 6 My father, who was then mayor, saw with great grief and fighting for the disadvantages that a railroad was built finally. But for us, was the world in this town is not small, but wide and tall and gorgeous. We soon found out that it where the sun rises and went, yet was far from over. 7 But one day we rolled on the wheels of our beloved railroad continued with sack and pack them, far across the Swabian Alb. A large jump was done, when we were in Ulm, the city got out of the Danube. You should now be our new home. Ulm- that sounds like the sound of a mighty bell. First we were very homesick. But much new soon attracted our attention, especially the high school. In which we were five siblings one after another.

8 One morning I heard on the stairs one student to another said, "Now has come to the Hitler government." and the radio and newspapers all said: Now everything will be better in Germany." For the first time the policy came into our life. Hans was 15 years old, Sophie 12. We heard much talk of the fatherland, the people, of camaraderie and patriotism. This made a big impression on us, and we heard too enthusiastic when in school or on the street spoke of. Because we were very fond of our home, the woods, the river, the vineyards and the beautiful, free nature. We could see the grass, the earth and the fragrant smell of apples, when we thought our home. We loved our homeland and could not say why. There had never been so many big words made about it. But now, now it was written big and bright in the sky. And Hitler wanted this homeland help to happiness and success and ensure that everyone had work and bread. Each German should be a free and happier man in his homeland. We found this well, and whatever we could do this, we wanted to do. But something else happened. Groups of young people marched in rows of flags and singing. They had a mysterious power over us. 10 Was not that great, this cohesion? So it was no wonder that we all, Hans and Sophie and the rest of us joined the Hitler Youth. We were there in body and soul and could not understand that our father was not happy and proud to say yes. On the contrary, he was very indignant about it, and he often said: "Do not believe them!" And sometimes he compared Hitler with the Pied Piper of Hamelin, when the children were drawn into bad luck with his flute music. But father's words were nothing, and he could not hold us back. Our enthusiasm was too great. We went with her comrades in the Hitler Youth to ride and walked through our new home, the Swabian Alb. We walked a long and tiring, but it did not matter to us, we were too excited to show our tiredness. Was not it great that we had something with other young people that kept us together? We met at the home evenings. It was read and sung, and we played games. We heard that we should live for a great cause. We were suddenly taken very seriously, in a curious way, and that gave us a special power. 11 We believed that we were part of a large organization that respected all people, from the ten year old boy to the adult man. We felt that we belonged. Some of us did not like it, but it would work itself out, so we thought. Once we were with the Hitler Youth on a trip. After the long bike ride, we had placed under a large tent in the night sky to rest. Suddenly said a fifteen year old comrade: 12 "Everything is beautiful, except for the matter with the Jews. It brings me down.

The leader said: "Hitler knows what he's doing. It's about something big, and you have to join in, even though it's hard." But the girl was not quite satisfied with this answer. Other girls do not, and we suddenly heard them speak with the parents' houses. It was a restless camping night, but eventually we became too tired. The next day was glorious beyond description. The conversation that night was tentatively forgotten. Our group was kept together by friendship. The camaraderie was something beautiful. * Hans was the squad leader. He had learned many beautiful songs, and his boys loved to listen when he sang and played guitar. It was not just the songs of the Hitler Youth, but also folk songs from many different countries. 13 How wonderful it sounded: such a Russian or Norwegian song in its dark beauty: the soul of the people and their homeland. But after some time had passed, there became a strange alteration in Hans: he was not like his old self. Something had come into his life that bothered him. Not merely his fathers criticism. There was something else. "The songs are banned," the senior commanders had said, and they laughed about it as they had threatened him with punishment. Why should he not sing these songs that were so beautiful? Just because they were from other peoples? He could not understand it, it bothered him, and his carefree left him. 14 At that time he got a very special task. He should carry the flag of his group to the Party Congress in Nuremberg. His joy was great. But when he came back, we did not believe our eyes. He looked tired, and in his face was a big disappointment. We could not expect an explanation. Slowly we learned, little by little. His picture of the youth was very different from the ideal that was set before him there. There it was called into uniformity to the personal life. Hans wished that every boy could make the group richer with his personality. For every kid had something special that was in him. There, however, everything was different in Nuremberg. Of loyalty they had been talking, night and day. But what was the reason for stones of all loyalty: loyalty first to yourself. My god! The unrest in Hans was getting bigger. There was also a new command that troubled him. One of the leaders had taken the book by his favorite poet out of hand: Stefan Zweig's "Great Moments of Humanity." It was against the rules to read the book. Why? There was no answer. Another German writer, who liked him very much, had to flee Germany. He had lobbied for the idea of peace. Finally it came to a break:

15 Hans and the boys had sewn a magnificent flag with a fantasy animal. The flag was something particular. They were dedicated to their leader, and the young boys had promised their loyalty. It was the symbol for their group. But one evening, when they were with the flag for roll call, something unheard of happened. A higher leader had suddenly asked a small 12 year old boy to leave the flag. You guys dont need a special flag. Use the one that is mandatory for everyone. Hans was speechless. Did the older leader not know just what this flag meant for their group? It was more than just a cloth you could easily change. Again the young boys were called to leave the flag. The little ones remained standing motionless and Hans knew what they were feeling. As the leader was threatening them for a third time, Hans saw that the flag was still moving a little. He couldnt stand silently next to it. He stepped out of line and beat the leader in the face. From then on Hans was no longer the squad leader. * 16 The nagging doubt in Hans also came to grow in us. We heard a story about a young teacher who had suddenly disappeared. One had to stand in front of the SA-group, a fighting group of Nazis, and spit in the face of him on command. No one saw the young teacher after that. 17 He disappeared to a concentration camp, a work camp where the Nazis imprisoned Jews and other people with different political opinions. But what did he do? asked her mother. Nothing nothing, cried the girl desperately. He wasnt a Nazi, he couldnt go along with them. That was his crime. My God! There was no doubt only grief and then a violent protest. The pure world began to break piece by piece. * 18 there. No, there was less and less freedom for the people of Germany. Slowly, everyone was sitting in a big prison. Dad, whats a concentration camp? He told us what he knew and said: It is war. War in the middle of their own country. War against individual people and their happiness and freedom. It is horrible. In reality what did they make of the homecountry? Not freedom, not a thriving life, not happiness for the people who lived

Maybe the nagging disappointment was only a bad dream? We tried to save our old ideas against everything we heard. In our hearts there was a fierce battle. Does the leader know about the concentration camps? we asked our father. Shouldnt he know because it has existed for many years now and his friends established it? answered our father. A feeling of fear awoke in us. It was as if we lived in a nice clean house and in the basement there were evil and scary things. Doubt slowly took over us. Fear was a boundless uncertainty to us. We wanted to know more. What made it possible that our national government could come to this? In a time with great need, explained our father, many things come up. Look what has happened: first the war, then the problem in the after war times. There was great poverty and unemployment. 19 When everyone living looks like a gray opaque wall, they listen to promises. They dont ask to makes them. But Hitler did keep his promise to abolish unemployment! Yes, but we dont ask how! The war industry he has set in motion is building barracks. Do you know where that will lead? father said again: We are not animals who are satisfied with a fully lined crib alone. Were people that believe in the freedom to have our own opinions. A government that doesnt respect these things has no respect for humans! On a spring walk with our father we had a heart to heart about our questions and doubts. I just want you to go on living freely when it is difficult, he said. 20 Suddenly we had become friends with our father. No one felt he was much older than us. We felt that the world had turned on us and was vast and dangerous. * 21 The family was now on an island, which was very strange and incomprehensible for them. From the war within, individuals against individuals, the war against people became the Second World War. * Hans wanted to become a doctor. But the war broke out when he was studying in Munich. He was then drafted into the medical corps, and shortly after became a medic with the French campaign.

Back in Munich is where he can finish his studies. But here, it was the most extraordinary Student life. He was half soldier and half student. Once he was inside the barracks, he could return to the University or the Clinic. Those were two very different worlds. Hans suffered through this. It was hard for him to live in a state where bondage and lies was the norm. 22 He knew that there were millions of others that thought the same as he did. But watch out if you risked saying a free word. Someone cold and heartless would throw you into prison. There was no chance of disappearing because you would be in prison forever. Was not every day you lived in freedom a gift? * In the spring of 1942, we made lots of copies of letters and sent them to people without a return address to our mail box. The letters contained parts of sermons by the Bishop of Munster, Count Galen, and they spread a wonderful feeling of courage. 23 Hans was very excited about reading these pages. Finally, one has the courage to speak! For a short time, he looked thoughtfully at the letter and said, One should have a copying machine. * Nevertheless, Hans was very joyful. And after experiencing the war in France, his joy became even stronger. In becoming so close to death, it gave life a new shine. Many of the students Hans met seemed to have liked him. One he found interesting through his non-military, carefree attitude. This was Alexander Schmorell, the son of a doctor in Munich. Soon there became a friendship between them. It actually started when they shared jokes and stories in the barracks of their boring lives. There were very few people as quiet but still as cheerful as Alex. He saw the world with eyes of fantasy. 24 He found life to be beautiful, and he was looking forward to it and did things without much in return. As much as he took he gave back. He could give like a king. But sometimes there was something behind his joyfulness, a question of deep seriousness. Hans and Alex won over many other students. One was Christl Probst. Hans soon realized that there was a bond between him and Christl. They had the same ideas and were able to work together. 25 Christl knew the stars and many of the stones and plants in the upper Bavarian mountains of his home. Of the four students, he was the only one who was married. He had two sons, 2 and 3 years old.

For this reason he was held later when the active resistance began from the dangerous political actions. He worked with the fliers. Later they were joined by a fourth: Willy Graf, a blond, country guy. He was quiet and serious. When Hans looked him in the face he thought: He belongs with us. Like Christl, Alex and Hans, he studied medicine, but he was also concerned with philosophical questions. He often met his friends after a concert in the Italian wine bar. But they soon felt at home in Hans or Alexs room. They made their books carefully, read or discussed something, and soon they were laughing and made all sorts of nonsense. Sometimes they just had to live through their imagination and zest for life and forget about their dissatisfaction. * 26 It was the evening before Sophies departure for Munich, a few days before her 21st birthday. I cant believe I can start with the study tomorrow, as she said to good night to her mother who was just about to iron Sophies blouse. On the floor was a suitcase with all the clothes, laundry, and other things she would need for her new life as a student. There was also a bag with a cake and a bottle of wine. She waited long for this day. She underwent a severe test of patience. First there was the labor service, a labor service for 6 months for the state, for all the young people. And then there was another year of emergency war service, there was no end. She would not be sentimental, but she had suffered! 27 It was not working, but the other, the necessity of mass transport in the warehouse. How they could even do something only once for a state which was built on peeping and bondage? I want you to live a free and straight life, her father said. How hard that could be! 28 Sophie thought this conflict was too heavy of a burden. Therefore, she was among the lonely girls working at various services. They stayed for themselves. Let the girls think of as they wanted. She had to agree to hear that spoke so clearly to her. What was homesickness and loneliness, she learned then. But there were two things from home that she held on tight: one was her body, and the other were her thoughts of Augustine. Because it was forbidden to have their own books in the camp, they had to hide her Augustine book somewhere safe.

Sophie found a small chapel near the camp. Sometimes they went there. It was a beautiful to just sit and play the organ and in between, do nothing but think. When they look out to nature, their world is put back into order. Every chance she got, she would go out to the large park surrounding the camp. We went everywhere in the woods and outdoors. She had been lying quietly under the trees. It was beautiful as it was quiet. The life was big, what wonderful things. But then the pain broke her heart and her world was pulled into sadness. 29 But now they were free. And tomorrow they would go to Munich and for their lives at the University at Hans. 30 Her mother stood still and ironed. She carefully put the iron around Sophies blouse. Now, their little child came so far. A current of hope ran through her heart, and her thoughts wandered on, from one child to another. The youngest child was in Russia. What was he doing during this moment? If only the war would end and they could all gather around the table again. They are in Gods hands, she said and cleaned up. She sang softly and realized that the song was an old one called, Widescreen from Both the Wings, and that they have often sang to their kids during sleep. * Our mother was not the kind who lived in fear, but she was sometimes affected by grief. Some time ago, the bell had rung in an unusual time in the morning, and the secret police, the Gestapo, wanted to speak to my father. First there was a lengthy discussion between them, then a search in the dwellings. Lately, they had gone and taken her father. 31 He told his coworkers in his office about his thoughts on Hitler. This was obviously careless. To their ears, he had called him a scourge of God. They then talked to the Gestapo. Like a miracle, he was again released from prison. But he was told that his case had not yet finished. As it should only go on? We were always hoping that everything would be fine again, but there was always this icy feeling where we had no idea who was going to be next. * I can still see me, my sister, as she stood there the next morning, ready and full of hope and impatience. A yellow flower on the birthday table was in her dark brown hair, smooth and beautiful on her shoulders. From her large dark eyes, she looked at the world, searching, yet with deep warmth. 32 When Sophie finally drove into the station hall in Munich, she saw from far way the happy face of her brother.

Tonight youll meet my friends, said Hans. He was big and safe next to her. In the evening, everyone gathered in Hans' room. Sophie and her birthday cake were celebrated in the center. She felt so at home in this county, where she was also a bit confused by the new. Someone had the idea to read poems, and the others had to say who the poet was. All played. Now I'll give you even a very difficult task, said Hans. He took a piece of paper from his wallet out and read it. The poem surprised her. It was written in the last century, however, it described the current situation in the country as well. That is very good! said Chrstl, surprisingly. 33 Great, Hans, that belongs in the newspaper, shouted Alex, or we can print and spread it all over Germany by plane. Everyone was happy, and Sophie thought of the wine bottle. Alex proposed to cool the wine in the English Garden. They pulled the bottle from a long string through the cold river water. Alex had taken the balalaika (a Russian stringed instrument), and they were singing, spirited and cheerful. Sophie was staying with her brother for the night. She was thinking of the night after. The students had told her about their work in hospitals during the holiday services. There is nothing better than so to go from bed to bed and keep life in the hands. Because I find the happiest moments Hans said. But it is not nonsense, because someone asked suddenly, that we sit in our rooms at home and learn how people are healed. The state is driving countless young lives to death daily. What are we waiting for? A day when the war will end? Then all the people will ask why we have endured such a government without resistance. Suddenly, the word had been resistance. Sophie did not know who first had said it. 35 They should have had a duplicating device, they heard Hans suddenly say. How? "Oh, forget it again, little Sophie, I wanted to wake you." * Sophie was still barely six weeks in Munich, and the most incredible thing happened at the university. Fliers were passed from hand to hand, made on a duplicating machine. There was a strange excitement among the students. Triumph and excitement, protest and anger mingled.

A feeling of happiness filled Sophie when she heard of it. So yes, it was in the air. Finally, one had had the courage. She grabbed one of the leaves and began to read: "Leaflets of the White Rose," was written on it. Sophie's eyes read further, ".... if everyone waits until the other begins ... every individual has to fight against it, as much as he can ... resistance before it's too late ..... The continued operation of this war machine must stop before the last young man bleeds to death. 36 Sophie came at these words strangely familiar. A suspicion arose in her hand, and with an ice-cold hand on her heart. Was Hans' comment of the duplicator more than one word only outspoken? But no, never, never! When Sophie came from the university in the bright sun out, the agitation fell from her. How come they could only suspect this nonsensical? A few minutes later she stood in Hans' room. It smelled of jasmine and cigarettes. Sophie had seen her brother, not yet. He was comfortable in the clinic. She wanted to wait for him here. She had forgotten the leaflet. She flipped a bit in the books that lay on the table. There was a place with a bookmark with a fine pencil line on the edge. It was an old-fashioned book by Schiller. The page was about the philosophy of the ancient Greeks. Sophie thoughtfully read the text. Where had she read these words? Was not it only today? Was it not today? 37 The leaflet! There were these sentences! A long agonizing moment Sophie was met by fear. A rage against Hans grew up in her. Why him? He thought not of the Father, the loved ones who were in danger? 38 Why was he not the politicians see to it that something happened? The terror was that he was now no longer safe. He was outlawed. Sophie tried to shake her fear. She tried not to think of more the leaflet, and they no longer thought of resistance. She thought of her brother whom she loved. He was now threatened. Did she leave him alone? They could sit here and watch as Hans ran into bad luck? Had she not help him right now? My God, she could not draw back to the safety of his country and his parents and the life preserver? But she knew one thing: He had skipped the borders. For him there was no turning back. Hans finally came. "Do you know where the leaflets came from?" Sophie asked. "One should not know some things today, so as not to endanger." "But Hans. But we do not create such a thing. But you do not go against them." In the following years three more white rose petals. They were also found outside the university and mosquitoes. In Munich they were all here and there in

the mailboxes. And in other southern German cities they existed suddenly. Then we saw nothing more of them. * 39 During the semester break, the medical students were sent to Russia. From one day to another they had to get ready for removal. 40 On the last night before the trip, the friends had gathered. They wanted to celebrate farewell. Professor Huber, Sophie's philosophy teacher had arrived. He was, as one said, the best piece in the whole university. Now and then he came into their circle and discussed with them. And he also had gray hair, he belonged to. Sophie and the others knew of the leaflets. On that latter of adventure they wanted once again to discuss everything thoroughly. If they should have the luck to come back from Russia, they should take the actions of the White Rose. They should be the beginning to strong resistance. It was generally agreed that the group then had to be bigger. And that everything should come together in the hands of Hans. "Our task will be," said Professor Huber, "the truth as clearly and audibly as possible Detsch also call into the night. We must try to arouse the opposition." "Will it be possible to run against the iron walls of fear and terror?" asked one. "We must dare anyway," said Christl. "National Socialism is the name for an evil disease among our people. We must not stand silent any longer." 41 Long they sat together in the night. Then the students were moved away. Munich became empty and strange for Sophie. She packed her bags and went home. * Sophie was not long until home because her father was with the morning mail an indictment. In the later trial he was sentenced to view months in prison. The father in prison, and the brothers and friends all at the front in Russia, so far! It was very quiet at home. But it was still beautiful, and Sophie was glad to be home. From time to time, Mother received visits from her former friends, the nurses from Schwaebisch Hall. There was a large hospital for mentally ill children. One day came against one of the sisters. She was sad and discouraged, and we did not know how we could help her. Finally, she told the reason of her grief:

42 Small groups of sick children were picked up for some time by a black truck. There were Nazi troops who brought the kids somewhere. There they were then killed with poison gas. After the first little band did not return from her mysterious journey, a strange unrest was between the children in the institution. "Where do the cars go to, Aunt?" "They go to heaven," answered the sisters in their helplessness. From then on, the children went in singing the foreign cars. "But only over my dead body," said one of the physicians in the institution. We do not know what became of him. A soldier came home on leave from Russia. He was the father of such a child, and he had hoped that it would be healthy again. He loved it, as one can only love his own child. But when he came home from Russia, it was no longer alive. * A lucky chance Hans had made to the front in the vicinity of his younger brother Werner. 43 On a gold, blue, late summer day, Hans got the messages of his condemned father. He took a horse and went straight to the road to Werner. "I have a letter from home," said Hans, and gave him the little brother. The long read and said not a word. As Hans put his hand on the shoulder of his brother and said: "We have to wear it differently than others. This is an honor." Hans rode slowly back to his company. A boundless sadness and a deep peace came over him. Images from the latter times rose up in him. They had stayed a few minutes during the transport of a Polish station. There he saw women and young girls who were doing with iron hooks in the hands of serious man workers. They wore the yellow Zion on the breast. 44 Hans went to the women. The first in the series was a young girl with indescribable sadness in my face. Because he had nothing with him, he could give her? Yes, his "iron ration", a mixture of chocolate and nuts. He put it to her. The girl threw it to him with a hunted, but infinitely proud movement before the feet. He picked it up, smiled into her face and said: "I would so love to do a little pleasure." Then he picked a flower and placed it with the packet to its feet. But the train rolled on, and with a few long jumps, Hans continued. From the window he saw that the girl stood and gazed after the train, the white flower in her hair. Another time he saw the eyes of a Jewish old man, who was on a people train for forced labor. His face was such a deep sorrow, as Hans had seen it before. Perplexed, he reached for his tobacco pouch and secretly pressured him

the old man in the hand. He never could forget how the old man's eyes lit up suddenly in front of luck. 45 When Hans came back later in autumn 1942 with his friends from Russia, the father was again at liberty. The experiences at the front and in the hospitals had made Hans and his friends mature and harder. They had seen out there, life was at stake. Though the life should be risked, why not against the wrongs that cried to heaven? Now they were back. They should now begin their resistance struggle. Hans and Sophie lived for some time together in two large rooms. Close behind it was a house with a large studio. An artist who was very close circle of friends lent it to them, because he had himself to the front. No one else lived in the house. Here the friends met often now. And sometimes at night they came together and worked long hours in the basement with the duplicating machine. 46 That was a great test of patience, these thousands and thousands of pages to print. Nevertheless, they were met here by a great deliverance. Now they could finally emerge from the work as passive resistance. But emotion lay like a shadow over the joy at work. No one must know it, not even the best of friends. Maybe they were already on the track? Perhaps some went on the road behind them and looked after them? The neighbors might, they always greeted? Maybe even the imprints of their fingers were taken? 47 Every day that came to an end, was a gift. And every night the concern brought about tomorrow. Only the bedroom was a comforting blanket. There were moments when they wanted to shake off the heavy, dangerous actions and wanted to be free, and there were times when they became too heavy and the fear overtook them like a sea over heels. * The distribution of the leaflets was as important a work as the production. The leaflets were supposed to come in as many cities. You should awaken the people, it only went so far. They had never done anything like it. Everything had to be devised. What opportunities were there that the people were the leaflets? No one could remember how it happened. Which squares and places they had to put so many eyes as they saw? They grabbed the suitcase and drove it in leaflets of dangerous goods in the big cities in Southern Germany. Here in Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Freiburg, Saarbruecken, Mannheim and Karlsruhe she wanted to spread the fliers. She hid her suitcase in one place in the train, where it was not noticed by anyone. Soldiers, police or the Gestapo controlled the trains and sometimes the luggage. When they arrived at night in the cities, there was sometimes an alarm. Yet they had to try and get their work done.

49 What a joy they had survived such a journey! Anyone could have emptied the suitcase one the luggage rack while they were sleeping. The days went by. But heart and head worked all the time in order to conceal any trace. Such a scare when a man came up to one of them, and what a relief when he passed by. * More and more often in the newspapers were death penalties on individual people. They had risen against the tyrant, usually only in words. Today a pianist, tomorrow an engineer, a worker or a director. Between priests and high officers. Famous people disappeared suddenly and silently. Those who could not disappear silently got a state funeral. 50 The last page in the newspaper was filled with death announcements. The newspapers looked like cemeteries. Only the front page was different. It said in big words for example "Hate is our Prayer" or "We will continue to march...." The newspaper didn't write about the priest brought into the prison because he had publicly prayed for a slain captive. They didn't write about the death sentences everyday, but there were quite a few. And they did not see the overcrowded prisons where the prisoners looked like shadows. They said nothing about the young woman after the air attack with her dead child in a suitcase running back through the city looking for a cemetery to bury him. And they did not hear the beating heart or the silent scream through the whole of our dear poor darkened fatherland. 51 We sometimes came outside because it was spring after all. The spring came and brought flowers, brought hope and the children on the streets played with old toys. And in the tramways Munich children sang a carefree song: "It goes over everything. It passes all. Also Hitler and his party." The children were outlawed in their own way. The adults however were not allowed to laugh. *

One evening Sophie was waiting for Hans. There were mostly farmers in the country because people were afraid of the many aircrafts that circled Munich and dropped bombs. Sophie received a package from home with apples and butter cake and also a large glass of jam. What wealth in this time! This should be a common dinner. Sophie waited and waited. She was happy that it hadn't been a long time. The table was set, and the kettle began to boil. It was dark but there was no sign of Hans. Sophie was impatient but she couldn't call her friends to see where he was. The Gestapo probably supervised the phones. 52 Sophie went to her desk. She wanted to try to draw a little. Long ago they had not done that. A manuscript was lying on her table. A fairy tale, which she had written earlier as children again. Sophie wanted so much to make a real picture book. Oh no, draw, they could not do my normal now. The waiting and anxiety made it impossible. Why did not Jack? What they also thought there was no way out. The whole world was under a cloud of sadness. Could the sun shine through ever again? The mother's face she remembered. Sometimes it had a train of pain around the eyes and mouth, for which there were no words. In those weeks the battle for Stalingrad had reached its climax. Thousands of young people were driven to death and had to freeze, starve, and bleed to death. Sophie saw the tired faces of people in the crowded trains themselves: people who are sleeping, wore pale children. People who had escaped from the Rhineland and the big cities. Bathing and sleeping, those was a cure for sadness. Sleeping, yes, that she wanted now. Very, very deep. When was the last time she had slept well? She woke up to quiet but cheerful laughter and steps outside the front door. Hans was finally back. 53 "We have a great surprise for you. If you go tomorrow by the Ludwig Strasse, you will have the words Down with Hitler happen seventy times." "And peace with color. They can get away not soon," said Alex, who was smiling into the room with Hans. Behind them came Willi. He turned in silence a bottle of wine on the table. Now the festival has yet to take place. And while the freezing students warmed up, they told of the courageous act of the night. The next morning, Sophie went a little earlier than usual, you made the university a detour and went through the whole Ludwigstrasse. There it was, finally, large and clear:

"Down with Hitler Down with Hitler ..." When she came to the university, she looked over the receipt of the same color: "Freedom". Two women tried to brush and sand to remove the word. 54 Let it stand, said Sophie, but you should read this/ For this purpose it was written down. 55 The women looked at her, shaking their heads. They could not understand. They were two Russian women who had been brought for forced labor in Germany. Ludwigstrasse had been from the reputation of freedom, and an angered medical student who was a friend of Hans founded a resistance headquarters in Berlin. He wanted the fliers from Munich to be reproduced and distributed in Berlin. Willi Graf was in contact with Freiburg's students, who wanted to act and were willing to cooperate with the Munich district. Later, a student, Traute Lafrenz, brought a leaflet to Hamburg, and there it claimed a small group of brave students. They wanted to distribute it. In this way, Hans and his friends established group after group in the big cities. The resistance should then be spread in all directions. * One was still trying to remove the traces of the road markings. While Professor Huber was working on a new leaflet that was mainly devoted to the students, Hans received a warning. She was unclear and confusing, but maybe it was the Gestapo on the track? Hans would have liked a warning. Maybe try people who meant well with him. But just the uncertain information brought him into a burning question. 56 Shouldnt he just leave this difficult life in Germany behind and flee to Switzerland, a free country? It was for him, a sportsman, not a problem to come over the border illegally. But then what would happen with his friends, his family? Suspicion then fell on him. Should he watch from Switzerland, as free people were forced into concentration camps? He never could stand it. He had to stay here. He could not put a hundred peoples lives at risk. He alone had to bear the responsibility. In the following days Hans was particularly active. He spent night after night with his friends and Sophie in the basement of the studio. They worked on the duplicating machine. *

57 On a sunny Thursday, it was the 18th February 1943, the work was so far, that Hans and Sophie were able to fill a suitcase with leaflets. They were both happy, as they took the suitcase on the way to the university. Sophie had a dream in the night that she could not scare off: The Gestapo had come and had them both arrested. No sooner had the brothers left the apartment, a friend rang her door. He would bring them an urgent warning. But because he did not know where the two were gone, he waited. In the meantime, the two arrived at the university. As the auditoriums should open in a few minutes, they quickly put out the flyers in the hallways. The rest of the case they emptied from the floor down into the great hall of the university. Relieved, they wanted to leave the University. But the janitor had seen them. His eyes had become automatic lenses of the dictatorship. All doors in the University were closed immediately. Thus was the fate of the two fixed. The Gestapo arrested the siblings and brought them to their prison. And now began the interrogation. Days and nights, hours and hours. Cut off from the world without knowing the connection with friends and no one told them of their fate. * 58 A fellow inmate told Sophie that Christel Probst was arrested a few hours after them. For the first time there was a wild despair over Sophie. Christl had worked only in the background because he was the father of three young children. Herta, his wife, had just borne him the youngest child. Sophie imagined how Christl had looked when she had visited him with Hans on a sunny September day in his small home in the Upper Bavarian mountains. He had his two year old son in his arms, and looked so lovingly peaceful in the child's face. If there was a trace of legality in this country, Sophie thought desperately, Christl had done nothing. All who came in contact with them in prison, the inmates, the guards were impressed by their bravery and their maintenance. They stood in stark contrast to the excitement of the Gestapo. 59 The actions of the White Rose had brought up to the highest offices of government and party into great commotion. Like a spring breeze, their news traveled through the prisons and concentration camps. A few weeks before Hans had said about the many death sentences: This must not happen to us. We have to live, to be there, because we are needed. Prison camp and can survive it. But do not risk your life.

60 The evidence against them was too difficult, and their attempts to conceal the work of resistance were futile. From the second day after the arrest, they would have to deal with the death sentence. Now it was only one possibility: to take caution to ensure that few others came under suspicion. They wanted to take all the blame on themselves. And the Gestapo rubbed their hands over their confessions. There were difficult moments. Could they give the right answers at the hearings, so that no name was said? They worried about the friends. * People she met in prison have told about the last days and hours before her death. Then came the last morning. Hans told the cellmate, much of what this should be passed on to parents and friends. Then he shook his hand: 61 Let us pass now, while we are still alone. Then he turned silently to the wall and wrote something on the white prison walls. A great silence was in the cell. No sooner had he laid the pencil from his hand, heard the key, and the sergeant arrived, he put him in shackles and led him to the process. Behind, the words remained on the white wall: Receive despite all the forces! They were allowed to choose a lawyer. They only got one public defender. He was but a puppet, and Sophie received no help from him. If my brother is sentenced to death, so I can not get a lighter sentence. I'm just as guilty as he. she told him. Sophie was deeply worried about her brother. She knew about the burden that was upon him. She wanted to know about the law, if a combat soldier had the right to shoot Hans to death. Then she got only an uncertain answer. When she questioned him about their own way of death, he became agitated. He had not expected such a thing from a girl. 62 Sophie had been sleeping soundly in these latter of nights. At the moment, however, when she got her indictment, she was excited for a moment deep. After she read it, it was quiet again. Thank God, everything she said. Then she lay down and spoke in a low, calm voice of her death. What a beautiful, sunny day, and I should go. But how many have to die today, how many young promising life? 63 What does my death mean, when thousands of people are awakened?

After a short time their cell was empty, left behind the indictment. On the back she had written the word freedom. * The parents had received news of it on Friday, one day after the arrest of Hans and Sophie. First through a student who knew the family, and later by a phone call from an unknown student. They immediately decided to visit Hans and Sophie, and to do everything to help their situation. But it was the weekend, and prison visits were not allowed. On Monday she went to Munich. There, already waiting on the platform, was Jrgen Wittenstein, the student who had called. He said: It is high time. The process is already in full swing. We must be prepared for the worst. My mother asked the students bravely: Will they have to die? He nodded desperately. 64 When the parents came into the courtroom, there sat the Nazis, and the judges were in red. Quietly and very alone sat the three young opposing defendants: Sophie, Hans, and Christl. They gave their responses, and at once Sophie said: What we wrote and said, many people think. Only, they did not dare to speak out. The process was already near the end. The parents could just listen to the death sentences. One moment, the mother lost her strength and had to leave the room. Afterwards, there was unrest in the hall because the father yelled: There is another justice! At the end of the trial, the defendants were given a final word. Sophie was silent. Christl asked for his life because of his children. Hans wanted to help Christl. He tried, but the judge coarsely interrupted: If you have nothing to say for yourself, stay silent. * 65 Words can hardly describe the hours that followed. The three were led to other jails. There, they wrote their farewell letters. Sophie asked for a conversation with the Gestapo. She wanted to make a statement that could help one of her friends. 66 Meanwhile, the parents had managed to be allowed one visit with their children. Such permission was almost impossible to receive otherwise. Between 4 and 5 pm, they rushed to the prison. They didnt know that it was the last hour of their children.

Hans was led to them first. His gait was easy and upright, his face thin and emaciated like after a tough fight; he gave each his hand. I have no hatred, I have everything, everything beneath me. The father took him in his arms and said: You will fall in His eyes. There is still a justice. Hans called the names of his friends: they should have a greeting from him. When he called the girls name, a tear ran down his face. Then he went, upright, how we came, without showing the smallest fear. * 67 Sophie was brought out by a nurse. She wore her own dress and went slowly and also very upright. Smiling, she took the sweets that Hans had declined. Oh yes, gladly, I have had almost nothing to eat for lunch. She had become thinner, but her face showed wonderful triumph. Her skin was blooming and fresh, her lips red and luminous. Now you will never come to the door again said her mother. Oh, a few years mother was her answer. It was Sophies great pain not knowing if her mother could bear the death of two children. But now that she acted brave and good for her, Sophie was freed of that anxiety. Again, the mother said, to show her support: Not true, Sophie, think about Jesus. Serious and solid, Sophie replied: Yes, but also you. Then she too left, with a smile on her face. Christl could see no one from his family. His wife was in bed after their third child, their first baby girl. She only received notice of his fate when he was no longer alive.

A prison guard explains: 68 They had been so brave. The whole prison was one impressed by them.

Therefore, we have dared: We have brought together the three again. We wanted them to be able to smoke a cigarette together. It was only a few minutes, but I think it had much meaning for them. I did not know that death can be so easy, Christl Probst said. And then: In a few minutes we see each other again in eternity. Then they were led away, the girl first. She left without batting an eyelash. We could not understand all that such things were possible. And Hans, before he laid his head on the block, cried out through the large prison: Long live the freedom. * Two days later they were taken in the evening under the supervision of the Gestapo to the grave. They disappeared quietly and almost secretly in the earth of the cemetery, while a brilliant sun set behind snow-white mountains. * 69 With the death of these three young people, all was not completed. After a short time followed arrest after arrest. In a second trial there were three more death sentences: Professor Huber, Willi Graf and Alexander Schmorell. One heard at that time, that there were subsequently arrested about 80 people in Munich and other South-and West German cities. Many family members came into custody as did my parents, my sister and me. In prison, in the endless painful hours, I thought about the path of Hanze and Sophie. Through the sorrow long I tried to understand the meaning of their actions. * An eyewitness, who was then a law student, tells: One day, the 16th February 1942, there was a flyer in my mailbox. It was folded as a letter and had the red head of the leader as a postage stamp. I have read it and couldnt believe my eyes: Here was openly what many thought. I was impressed by the courage of brave writers. They play with their lives. 70 Even in those days, the words Freedom and Down with Hitler were painted on the walls of the University. They were big and in bright color in the right and left main entrance. On 18 February, two days after I had received the leaflet, I suddenly heard in the corridors of the university a nervous back and running about. I wanted to know what was going on and found everywhere panic and excitement. Students had thrown fliers down from the upper floor. All doors in the university were closed immediately, so that no one guilty could flee.

The house staff and many assistants collected the leaflets. It was said that the perpetrators would be captured and detained through a janitor named Schmid. A few days later, already on 22 February, they came to court. With the nervous, anxious haste of the system to them the process was made. The result was clear even before a word was spoken. Coincidentally, I heard from my cigarette dealer that just now, some students were in court. I immediately went into the courtroom. It was 10.30, and the process was in full swing. Near the entrance, I stopped. The hall was crowded. Everywhere there were faces that were pale with fear, the fear that spread forth the judge's table. 71 What surprised me personally was that I knew the faces of the accused, from the Munich concert halls. There then so many Marxian studied music at the Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven strengthening and consolation. The attitude of the accused made probably not only a deep impression on me. There were people who were filled with their ideals. Their answers to the questions were calm, clear and courageous. The judge tried to make them seem stupid and criminal. But they did not lose courage. The prosecutor demanded their death. The following words of the public defenders were close. They tried not to. The defender Hans Scholl's even said that they should be ashamed of themselves, and that their parents had educated them badly. A middle-aged man tried through the spectators to come forward and to speak out. It was the unhappy father of Hans and Sophie Scholl. When the judge saw him and his mother, he led them out immediately. It was probably around 13.30 when the judges retired to deliberate. During this break, let the university janitor who came in as a solemn suit audience, admire and celebrate the unsung hero. 72 After a brief discussion of the hall, it was filled again soon. Nobody wanted to come late to hear the verdict. And so, finally, two people remain outside in the hall. The doors were closed, and while one inside could hear the verdict, the parents were the siblings Scholl, and they were not allowed inside.