The Woman Who Defied Hitler

On Wednesday 23rd September, the school was treated to a presentation by Dr Frank McDonough, a leading historian on Anglo-German relations of the 20th century.

Dr McDonough presented a paper based on his recent, best-selling book: ‘Sophie Scholl: The real story of the woman who defied Hitler’. His lively and entertaining presentation gave the audience a fascinating insight into the life of a little known heroine. Sophie Scholl was only 21 when she was executed for openly defying the Nazi State through the distribution of anti-Nazi leaflets, along with her brother Hans Scholl, and their friend Christoph Probst, who also died with her at the guillotine at 17:00, 22nd February 1943. These three, along with a group of fellow ‘resistors’ (including a university lecturer) formed the ‘White Rose’ movement, a passive protest against the oppressive, dictatorial rule of the Nazis. Dr McDonough brought Sophie's story alive, displaying her as the free-spirited, independent teenager, a truly accessible heroine. Her extraordinary bravery, apparent from the beginning, is shown by her defiance at her trial in the People’s Court, 1943: “Somebody, after all, had to make a start. What we wrote and said is also believed by many others. They just do not dare express themselves as we did.” The courage of the White Rose, and particularly of Sophie, should be an inspiration to every one of us. Scholl’s last words upon walking to her execution were: “Die Sonne scheint noch” – “The sun still shines.”

It is hoped that Dr McDonough will be visiting us again soon. All felt that this was a wonderful way to start this year’s series of lectures.

Rosie Welch (Weymouth)