Resistance: The Red Rose Orchestra

Arvid Harnack of the Reich Ministry of Economics and his wife, Mildred, along with Harro Schulze-Boysen of the Reich Aviation Ministry, and his wife, Libertas, started what became the Red Orchestra Resistance. By 1940–41, seven distinct Berlin circles existed. Each circle included around 150 made up of students, artists, journalists, civil servants, and many women. The groups had Communists, Social Democrats, religious dissenters, and liberals. They distributed leaflets, posted fliers, and reached out to other German sympathizers. Some gathered and transmitted military intelligence to the Soviet Union in 1940–41. John Graudenz joined the Berlin network, using a mimeograph operation to produce anti-Nazi pamphlets.

Other notable members of the Red Rose Orchestra included Hilde and Hans Coppi, Kurt and Greta Kuckhoff, Maria Terwiel, Cato Bontjes van Beek, Liane Berkowitz, and Eva-Maria Buch. Hans Coppi organized leaflet campaigns and clandestine activities. Hilde Coppi documented Soviet broadcasts, passed critical information, and worked with resistance circles. Arrested while pregnant, she later gave birth in prison before being executed. Kurt (also known as Adam) was a writer, and Greta Kuckhoff did resistance work. Maria Terwiel, a Jewish lawyer, recruited sympathizers, distributed leaflets, and challenged Nazi propaganda. Cato Bontjes van Beek took part in both leaflet campaigns and counter-propaganda actions. Liane Berkowitz helped distribute propaganda materials. Eva-Maria Buch translated and distributed anti-Nazi leaflets aimed at forced laborers in German factories. 

The authorities guillotined most members of the Red Orchestra. Both Liane Berkowitz and Hilde Coppi gave birth in prison before being executed. The executioner hanged Hans Coppi. Greta Kuckhoff proved the exception. First sentenced to death, they then commuted the sentence, and ultimately sentenced her to 10 years of labor.