Forwarded from History (Tau'ma)
Though initially showing some enthusiasm for the promise of the Nazi regime, the Scholls gradually became disillusioned. In 1936 Hans vocally defended Hitler in front of his father and became a flagbearer at the annual Nuremburg Rally, but was disappointed by the restrictive attitude of his superiors.
Sophie, who had lost faith in the regime by 1939, was turned actively against it by her boyfriend, soldier Fritz Hartnagel, who told her of atrocities against civilians in the east.
Christoph wished for an honourable peace and joined the White Rose alongside Hans and Sophie.
Betrayed by caretaker Jakob Schmid, who received 3,000 marks, the trio were inevitably sentenced to death. The guards at their prison were taken aback by their courage and dignity, to the extent that they allowed the prisoners to have a final cigarette together, an unprecedented liberty.
They were executed by guillotine. Their friends Alexander Schmorell (25), Willi Graf (25), and Kurt Huber (49) were murdered later that year.
Sophie, who had lost faith in the regime by 1939, was turned actively against it by her boyfriend, soldier Fritz Hartnagel, who told her of atrocities against civilians in the east.
Christoph wished for an honourable peace and joined the White Rose alongside Hans and Sophie.
Betrayed by caretaker Jakob Schmid, who received 3,000 marks, the trio were inevitably sentenced to death. The guards at their prison were taken aback by their courage and dignity, to the extent that they allowed the prisoners to have a final cigarette together, an unprecedented liberty.
They were executed by guillotine. Their friends Alexander Schmorell (25), Willi Graf (25), and Kurt Huber (49) were murdered later that year.
History
International Women's Day: we congratulate you, dear women! (Naum Lisogorsky, USSR, 1963)
Many of Lisogorsky's cartoons made fun of what he saw as Western hypocrisy.
The last surviving veteran of the Battle of Britain, Paddy Hemingway, has died aged 105. He piloted a Hurricane during the Battle of France and then during the Battle of Britain, a period when Britain has its back to the wall and Nazi Germany was seeking to destroy the R.A.F. in order to prepare for an invasion.
He had to bailout of his aircraft twice in one month at the height of the battle, seeing intense and vicious dogfights. Hemingway, who was Irish, was one of many pilots who were not of British nationality on the Allied side during the battle.
The momentousness of this battle, combined with the relatively small number of airmen fighting in it, caused Winston Churchill to remark that "never in the field of human conflict, was so much owed, by so many, to so few." Later, these airmen would come to be known simply as "The Few." Hemingway, the last of The Few, always regretted the loss of his friends who died during those few pivotal months in 1940.
He had to bailout of his aircraft twice in one month at the height of the battle, seeing intense and vicious dogfights. Hemingway, who was Irish, was one of many pilots who were not of British nationality on the Allied side during the battle.
The momentousness of this battle, combined with the relatively small number of airmen fighting in it, caused Winston Churchill to remark that "never in the field of human conflict, was so much owed, by so many, to so few." Later, these airmen would come to be known simply as "The Few." Hemingway, the last of The Few, always regretted the loss of his friends who died during those few pivotal months in 1940.
History
The last surviving veteran of the Battle of Britain, Paddy Hemingway, has died aged 105. He piloted a Hurricane during the Battle of France and then during the Battle of Britain, a period when Britain has its back to the wall and Nazi Germany was seeking to…
Royal Air Force
The last surviving Battle of Britain Pilot, John 'Paddy' Hemingway DFC, passes away
John "Paddy" Hemingway, the last surviving pilot of the iconic Battle of Britain, passed away peacefully on 17 March 2025 at the age of 105.
Paddy Hemingway, one of a number known as ‘the Few’ and
Paddy Hemingway, one of a number known as ‘the Few’ and
History
19 April 1775: a battle breaks out on Lexington Green between the British and American militia, after an unknown party fires the first shots. This becomes the first battle of the American War of Independence, and continues a bloody breakdown of order in the…
American Battlefield Trust
Lexington and Concord: The Shot Heard 'Round the World
This page provides a brief overview of the battles of Lexington and Concord, the first military engagements of the Revolutionary War.
29th April 1945: Dachau is liberated by the US Army. It contains 30,000 living prisoners, of whom about a third are very sick.
Dachau was originally built close to Munich to contain political prisoners such as socialists, communists, and other anti-fascists, before moving to other "undesirables". It gradually grew to massive proportions, with over 100 sub-camps over a system covering many miles.
It was primarily concerned with forced labour. About 41,500 people died there.
Wolfgang Sofsky commented on Dachau that "in the span of twelve years, the concentration camp metamorphosed from a locus of terror into a universe of horror."
Dachau was originally built close to Munich to contain political prisoners such as socialists, communists, and other anti-fascists, before moving to other "undesirables". It gradually grew to massive proportions, with over 100 sub-camps over a system covering many miles.
It was primarily concerned with forced labour. About 41,500 people died there.
Wolfgang Sofsky commented on Dachau that "in the span of twelve years, the concentration camp metamorphosed from a locus of terror into a universe of horror."
It is VE Day's 80th anniversary. I will live post a few of the events that took place that day.
https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/VE-Day/
https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/VE-Day/
U.S. Department of Defense
Victory in Europe Day: Time of Celebration, Reflection
The United States joins other nations in celebrating V-E Day, the official surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, marking the end of the war in Europe during World War II.
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Morning: Robert Dunnett reports on VE Day in Amsterdam.
12.30 CET: President Karl Dönitz announces the capitulation of Germany. Having very much supported the war, he nonetheless voices his hope that "our children will have a free and secure existence in a peaceful Europe."
[Subtitles in link]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8tXt0buPbA
[Subtitles in link]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8tXt0buPbA
YouTube
Karl Dönitz Announcement of German Capitulation- 8 May 1945
In his testament, Hitler made Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz, the Chief of the German Navy since 1943, his successor as President of the Reich.
Dönitz announced this via Radio during a Broadcast from May 1st, 1945, which was broadcasted from Hamburg.
A few days…
Dönitz announced this via Radio during a Broadcast from May 1st, 1945, which was broadcasted from Hamburg.
A few days…
General De Gaulle addresses the French nation. "La guerre est gagnée! Voici la Victoire! C’est la Victoire des Nations Unies et c’est la Victoire de la France!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-RNKykB7Nk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-RNKykB7Nk
YouTube
Déclaration du général De Gaulle le 8 mai 1945 sur Radio Londres
Peu de temps après la capitulation allemande, le général De Gaulle prend la parole sur Radio Londres à 15 heures le 8 mai 1945.
Voici le texte de cette déclaration :
"La guerre est gagnée. Voici la victoire. C'est la victoire des Nations Unies et c'est…
Voici le texte de cette déclaration :
"La guerre est gagnée. Voici la victoire. C'est la victoire des Nations Unies et c'est…
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9:00 local time: President Truman announces the surrender of Germany.
"I only wish that Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day."
"I only wish that Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day."
Evening: in probably the most visible and excitable celebration of any of the leaders, Churchill appears on the Ministry of Health building in central London and gives an unprepared speech. God bless you all,' he told them, 'This is your victory!' he declares, to which the crowd roars back, 'No - it is yours!" Unbeknownst to him, they will vote him out in just a few months.
Famously, as crowds celebrate around Buckingham Palace, the young princesses - including future Queen Elizabeth II - anonymously mingle.
Famously, as crowds celebrate around Buckingham Palace, the young princesses - including future Queen Elizabeth II - anonymously mingle.