An exhibition of the German Resistance Memorial Center
In September 1944, Allied troops crossed the border into the German Reich south of Aachen. The Red Army entered East Prussia a month later. Despite the Allies' superior forces, the Nazi leadership called on the Germans to continue the war "to the last drop of blood." Every town and village was to be defended with no consideration of the civilian population. Anyone who disobeyed orders, criticized the regime, or expressed doubt in the "final victory" risked their lives.
Image gallery
KEY VISUAL 1945 – Widerstand gegen den Nationalsozialismus am Kriegsende
A few individuals did oppose the National Socialist decrees of destruction, however, and attempted to prevent the pointless defense of their home towns. They made contact to the Allies, disarmed members of the Volkssturm, and wrote flyers calling on people to resist the orders to keep fighting. In various places, local people publicly demanded their towns and villages should be handed over without putting up a fight. Many of these rallies were organized by women.
The spectrum of resistance shortly before the end of the war ranged from spontaneous refusal to planned acts by political opponents of National Socialism, attempting to disempower local Nazi leaders.
The exhibition is on display at the German Resistance Memorial Center in the special exhibition area on the first floor from April 10, 2025, to August 25, 2025.
