THE Adolf Hitler He came to power elected by the German people, who were persuaded by his promises of national regeneration and economic stability. As soon as he took over the rule, he established a totalitarian regime and a few years later triggered him World War II. In spite of the overwhelming propaganda and the oppressive control of Nazi regimeresistance groups appeared determined to oppose tyranny. Such a group was’White rose“, A student move that dared to challenge the totalitarian state with the power of words and ideas.
“White Rhodes” was founded in 1942 by Hans Sol and Alexander Smorell, medical students at the University of Munich. Soon, Hans’ sister, Sophie, joined the team, along with his classmates Willy Graf and Christopher Probst, and later Professor Curt Huber. The name of the team, “White Rhodes”, was chosen for its symbolic impact. Hans Sol, during his interrogation by the Gestapo, said that the name was inspired by the homonymous poem by the German poet of Romanticism, Clemens Brentanowhich reflected purity and innocence towards evil. Another possible source of inspiration was his novel B. Traven“The White Rhodes”, which tells the story of the struggle of a Mexican farmer against the oppressive forces. Its precise origin remains uncertain, but the name condensed the group’s commitment to non -violent resistance and moral purity. In addition, some scholars have linked the name to his Karamazov brothers Fionor Dostoevskyboth Hans Sol and Alexander Smorell’s favorite novel. Many of the members of the movement, including Sol, Smorel and Graff, had already served as doctors on the Eastern Front, where they first saw the barbarism of the Nazi war machine and the atrocities committed against Soviet civilians and prisoners. These experiences deeply influenced their decision to resist the regime when they returned to their studies in Munich.
The Holocaust complaint was particularly important, as it was one of the few inside the country.
“White Rhodes” stood out for its resistance method: leaflet who criticized the Nazi regime and called on an active opposition. Their writings were inspired by classical literature, philosophy and moral requirements, appealing to the spiritual and moral responsibilities of German citizens.
In their second leaflet, they boldly dealt with the atrocities committed against the Jews, stating: “Since the conquest of Poland, 300,000 Jews have been murdered in this country in the most brutal way… The German people are sleeping in his stupid, stupid sleep and encourages these fascist criminals … “. This complaint of the Holocaust was particularly important, as it was one of the few voices inside the country protesting for genocide at that time.
Between June 1942 and February 1943, “White Rhodes” printed a series of six leaflets. The initial four were mainly compiled by Hans Sol and Alexander Smorell, with the contribution of Christopher Probst. These leaflets were distributed in various cities, such as Munich, Hamburg and Berlin, were often mailed or left in public places to find people. The fifth brochure entitled ‘Appeal to all Germans!»He marked a turn as he made a more immediate appeal for active resistance and was distributed in thousands of copies in many cities. In this brochure, he said: “The war is approaching its prescribed end … A criminal regime cannot achieve a German victory. Separate yourself in time from anything related to national socialism. “
The latest brochure of the group, “Colleagues!”, Was written by Professor Curt Huber and was specifically addressed to the student body, urging him to rise up against Hitler’s tyranny. During the distribution of this booklet the team’s fate was tragic.
Sophie spontaneously made the decision to scatter them from the top floor down to the central patio
On the morning of February 18, 1943, Hans and Sophie entered the main building of the University of Munich, transferring a suitcase filled with copies of the sixth leaflet. They placed methodical stacks of leaflets in the corridors and lectures. With a few copies left, Sophie spontaneously made the decision to scatter them from the top floor down the central patio, creating a dramatic spectacle. This act, however, did not go unnoticed. THE Jacob Smiththe university’s foreman and a staunch supporter of the Nazis, saw Sophie’s actions and immediately reported them to the Gestapo. The Sol brothers were arrested on the spot.
In an ironic way, at the same time, the Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, perhaps gave his best -known speech at Sportpalast in Berlin. In her, she called on a “total war” (Totaler Krieg), urging all the Germans to fully commit to war, regardless of the personal sacrifices required. He presented the struggle as existential, demanding that every man and woman be mobilized, and to use every resource in order to defeat the allies.
During the interrogation of the Sol brothers, the Gestapo discovered the possession of Hans the draft of a seventh booklet, written by Christopher Probst. Despite the extermination, Hans and Sophie remained unmoved, initially trying to protect their partners. However, under pressure, recognized their role, hoping to protect others in the group. Christof Probst was then arrested on February 20, 1943.
Hans and Sophie, along with Christof Probst, were found guilty of treason and were sentenced to death.
The trial was expelled and held on February 22, 1943 before the infamous People’s Court, chaired by Judge Roland Fraissler. The process was typical, without any appearance of justice. Hans and Sophie Sol, along with Christof Probst, were found guilty of treason and were sentenced to death. The same day were executed with guillotine In the Stadelheim prisons of Munich. Eyewitnesses narrated their remarkable temper and their courage in front of death. Hans Sol’s last words are said to be: “Long live freedom!”
The martyred death of the members of the “White Rhodes” did not erase their message. Their brochures were smuggled from Germany and, in July 1943, the Allied forces threw millions of copies over German cities under the heading “The Munich Students Manifesto”. This dissemination reinforced their call for resistance and exposed the atrocities of the Nazi regime to a wider audience.
In post -war Germany, members of the “White Rhodes” were honored as symbols of moral courage and resistance. Numerous schools, roads and institutions bear their names, ensuring that their legacy will remain. The University of Munich honors them with Geschwister-Scholl-Platz (Sol Brothers Square) and a monument to the patio where they were arrested. The White Rhodes Foundation continues to maintain their memory, promoting the values of human rights and opposition to tyranny that they have so bravely supported.
Column: Myrto Katsigera, Vassilis Minakakis, Antigoni-Despina Poumenidou, Athanasios Syroplakis
