Verhaftung - Capture

Hans and Sophie Scholl and Probst
On February 18, 1943 Hans and Sophie Scholl were on the way to an atrium in the Munich University. They had with them suitcases full of their fourth leaflet. Hans believed that the fourth leaflet would finally push Munich students into protest. Just minutes before classes were to be released and the atrium filled with students, Hans and Sophie rushed up and down the floors dropping stacks of their leaflet at random locations for the students to see. As classes were coming to a close, Hans realized he still had leaflets in his suitcase. They ran to the top floor in the final seconds to place some where they had forgotten to. Hans placed them on the balcony of the atrium, but Sophie chose to push them off so they would fall down amongst the students exiting class. The bell rung and Sophie and Hans blended in with other students perplexed by the floating and lying leaflets. University cutodian Jakob Schmid, an active Nazi, had seen Sophie give the leaflets a shove. Schmid chased after the students and apprehended them until the Gestapo arrived. Schmid had not seen the Scholls distribute the pamphlets, only the shove from the top floor. When Gestapo investigators arrived and detained the Scholl Siblings, Sophie Scholl admitted to having seen the leaflets and only giving them a shove as a prank. A draft for a fifth leaflet with Probst's name on it was found on Hans. Hans admitted to having written and distributed the pamphlets, which also condemed Sophie. Sophie gave up her before-planned excuses for what she was doing, why she had an empty suitcase, etc. upon hearing of Han's admittal. Probst was found by the Gestapo and also brought in for investigation. The Scholl Siblings and Probst were charged with conspiracy to commit treason, aiding the enemy, and belittlement of the military. The Scholl Siblings became known for their courage during the trial and absolute refusal to divulge information about the rest of the White Rose resistance movement. Sophie yelled during the trial to the judge "You know the war is over! Why are you too cowardly to admit it?". The three were executed by guillotine the same day of their trial. Hans yelled before the guillotine fell "Es lebe die Freiheit!", or long live freedom.

Alexander Schmorrel
Alexander Schmorrel was known to be a close friend of Hans' and his fingerprints were also found on the Scholl's borrowed typewriter. After the trial of Scholl and Probst, Schmorrel attempted to flee and hide. The Gestapo began a vigorous man hunt for Schmorrel. Schmorrel was recognized and detained February 24, 1943. His trial sentenced him to death on April 19, 1943. On July 13, 1943 Schmorrel was killed by guillotine.

Willi Graf
Willi Graf, also close friend of Hans', was captured the same day as the Scholls distributed leaflets. Willi Graf was detained for his links to Hans, and his existing history of anti-Nazism. Graf was tried with Schmorrel on April 19, 1943. Unlike Schmorrel, Graf wouldn't be executed until October 12, 1943 after six months of intense interrogation by the Gestapo.

Professor Kurt Huber
Professor Kurt Huber, a philosophy professor, was known for his liberal ideas and defying orders on what to teach. During Sophia's interrogation, Sophia first sold that she was going to attend a lecture by Kurt Huber, and that "you could ask him". This might have furthered the Gestapo's interest in a man who was already known for his rejection of Nazi ideology. On February 27, 1943 only a week after the investigation started, Huber was detained. Huber was also on trial on April 19 with Graf and Schmorrel. Huber was sentenced to death. He was executed by guillotine with Schmorrel on July 13, 1943.

Various other partial members and associates of the White Rose faced similar punishments. The six above are known as the main members of the White Rose, with numerous city plazas and schools bearing the name of either the Geschwister Scholl or another group member.