‘I refuse to shoot myself. I am a Catholic.’
Fritz GerlichRead more:
† 01.07.1934 in Dachau/ Munich
Nationality at birth: German
Nationality at death: German
Therese Gerlich (born Scholwin)
Friedrich Adolph Paul Gerlich
Wife
Sophie Gerlich (born Stempfle)
Place of the fight for human rights: His main battleground was Munich, where he actively wrote against National Socialism as a journalist and editor of the dissident newspaper "Der Gerade Weg".
| Area | Type | From | To | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural sciences and history | Studies | ca. 1901 | 1907 | Munich and Leipzig |
| Bavarian Archive Service | Historian/Archivist | ca. 1907 | 1920 | |
| Journalism | Editor-in-chief of the "Münchner Neuesten Nachrichten" (Munich Latest News) | 1920 | 1928 | Munich |
| Civil Service | clerk | 1929 | 1931 | Bavaria |
| Journalism | Editor-in-chief of the "Der Gerade Weg" (The Straight Path) | 1931 | 1933 | Munich |
Liberal Workers' Association
Location: MunichReason for entry: Proximity to Friedrich Naumann and his 'National Socialist Association’
Function / Activity: secretary
People's Committee for the Swift Defeat of England
Location: MunichReason for entry:
Function / Activity:
Magazine ‘Die Wirklichkeit’ (Reality)
Location: MunichReason for entry: Promotion of a nationally oriented order and the rule of law
Function / Activity: Co-founder, editor and publicist
Leitmotif
Fritz Gerlich’s life stands for courageous resistance against National Socialism, the search for truth and the fight for human dignity and freedom of expression and the press. He recognised the dangers of Hitler’s regime early on and dedicated his life to a free press and justice.
How did the story become known?
Through his journalistic work, particularly as editor of Der Gerade Weg, and through his courageous opposition to Hitler.
When did the story become known?
His importance was already evident in the 1930s through his writings.
Where did the story become known?
Especially in Germany, but also internationally through later studies on resistance to National Socialism.
By whom did the story become known?
Historians, journalists and Catholic circles who honoured his work for the resistance.
Prizes, Awards
A street in Munich was named after Fritz Gerlich, and in 2017 the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising initiated the process of beatification for Fritz Gerlich.
The Fritz Gerlich Prize was also established in 2017, which is awarded at the Munich Film Festival for outstanding films on the theme of resistance and human rights.
Own works
- Writings in Der Gerade Weg (1931–1933)
- Articles in Münchner Neueste Nachrichten (1920–1928)
- Die Wirklichkeit – political magazine, which he co-founded in 1917
Fritz Gerlich’s resistance to National Socialism was strengthened by his religious convictions, especially his conversion to Catholicism, and by the inspiration of Therese Neumann von Konnersreuth. Political supporters such as Erich Fürst von Waldburg-Zeil and his work as editor-in-chief of the Münchner Neueste Nachrichten newspaper reinforced his resistance. In particular, the growing threat posed by National Socialism and his moral principles contributed to his determination to oppose Hitler.
Right to life, freedom and security
Equality before the law
Entitlement to legal protection
Prohibition of arbitrary arrest or expulsion
Freedom of religion
Freedom of expression
Right to social security
Right to truth
INTRODUCTION
Fritz Gerlich was a courageous journalist and resistance fighter against National Socialism. At a time when the Nazi state was gaining more and more power, he resolutely opposed the regime. Gerlich’s life and commitment were shaped by his deep religious convictions and an unshakeable sense of justice. As editor-in-chief of the newspaper Der Gerade Weg and a member of Catholic resistance circles, he made a significant contribution to the intellectual opposition to Hitler. Despite the growing danger to his life, he remained steadfast in his resistance.
THE STORY
Fritz Gerlich as a young man © Erzdiözese München und Freising
Fritz Gerlich was born on 15 February 1883 in Stettin, where he attended the Marienstiftsgymnasium. Almost all of his ancestors came from Stettin and were Protestant. His paternal grandfather, Johann Friedrich Gerlich (1814–1906), worked as a principal oboist and later as a customs officer. His maternal grandfather, Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Scholwin (1801–1889), was a grain carrier in the port of Stettin. [1]
From an early age, he showed an exceptional talent for science and history. He enrolled at the University of Munich to study history and anthropology, later also studying mathematics and physics in Leipzig and taking a wide variety of courses. During his studies, he became politically active and became chairman of the ‘Free Munich Student Union’. He received his doctorate in 1907 and joined the Bavarian archival service. His academic abilities made him indispensable to the Historical Commission, and between 1909 and 1912 he compiled the index volume for the Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (General German Biography). [2]
The Prussian, who grew up in Stettin, was described as a ruthless seeker of truth with a Calvinist-Reformed character. [3]
First steps in journalism
The First World War was a formative experience for Gerlich, even though he did not serve in the military himself due to health reasons. Instead, he resolutely advocated pan-German war aims in his writings and actively participated in political discussions. Together with E. Graf Bothmer and F. Freksa, he founded the monthly magazine Die Wirklichkeit (Reality) in 1917, which was banned by the censors in the autumn of the same year due to its radical tendencies. After the war, he experienced the turmoil of the Bavarian Soviet Republic first-hand. During the revolutionary upheavals of 1919, he went to Bamberg with the Bavarian government under Prime Minister Hoffmann. He played a key role in organising the recapture of Munich by forces loyal to the republic and established connections with Gustav Noske. After the suppression of the Bavarian Soviet Republic, he returned to Munich and supported various homeland security associations through lectures and articles. [4]
He published numerous critical articles, primarily in the Historisch-politische Blätter and the Süddeutsche Monatshefte. His journalistic activities brought him into conflict with extremist circles, including the nationalist publicist Dietrich Eckart. In a libel suit, Eckart referred to Gerlich as a ‘Judenzer’ (Jew-hunter) because of his alleged Jewish ancestry, which reflects the heated anti-Semitic sentiment of the time. [5]
Sophie Gerlich, born. Stempfle, around 1920, © Erzdiözese München und Freising
A turning point in his professional career came in 1920, when Paul Nikolaus Cossmann, on the recommendation of Jochner, Director General of the Bavarian State Archives, appointed him editor-in-chief of the Münchner Neueste Nachrichten, a predecessor of today’s Süddeutsche Zeitung. Under Gerlich’s leadership, the paper developed from a crisis-ridden publication into the most respected daily newspaper in southern Germany. Initially, he supported the Bavarian State Commissioner Kahr and even participated in his speech on November 8, 1923, in Munich’s Bürgerbräukeller, which was interrupted by Adolf Hitler when he launched the National Socialists’ attempted coup. In the following years, Gerlich’s political views changed. After the so-called Dolchstoßprozess (stab-in-the-back trial) in 1925, he steered the newspaper in a moderately conservative direction, which was more closely aligned with the political situation in Bavaria. Personal differences led to his resignation as editor-in-chief in 1928 and his return to the archive service.[6]
In 1920, Gerlich married Sophie Botzenhart, née Stempfle (1883–1956). The marriage remained childless. According to Fritz Gerlich himself, his wife was “not his intellectual equal,” she is said to have ‘complained’ a lot, and she was “neglected” by her husband. [7]
Religious change
Fritz Gerlich, originally a sceptical Calvinist, experienced a religious conversion in 1927 when he met Therese Neumann (also known as ‘Resl von Konnersreuth’) in Bavaria. She became very well known at the time due to the stigmata and visions that allegedly appeared on her body, and she also had a great influence on Fritz Gerlich. In 1931, he converted to Catholicism.
Through his contacts, Gerlich had taken over the Munich weekly magazine Illustrierter Sonntag in 1930, which tended to be rather cautious in its political statements. From July 1931 onwards, it became an increasingly strong anti-Nazi organ, a militant newspaper against National Socialism. This was followed by the renaming of the magazine to Der gerade Weg. Deutsche Zeitung für Wahrheit und Recht (The Straight Path. German Newspaper for Truth and Justice). [8]
Together with Father Ingbert Naab, Gerlich turned the newspaper into a fierce anti-Nazi publication. Gerlich also drew many caricatures that were published in Der gerade Weg. A selection of these caricatures can be found here.
“National Socialism is a plague! […] But National Socialism means: hostility toward neighboring nations, tyranny at home, civil war, war between nations. National Socialism means: lies, hatred, fratricide, and boundless misery. Adolf Hitler proclaims the right to lie. […] You who have fallen prey to this deception by a man obsessed with tyranny, wake up! The fate of Germany, your fate, and the fate of your children is at stake.” [9]
Der gerade Weg : deutsche Zeitung für Wahrheit und Recht. 1932 = Jg. 4, 04.09.1932. München : Naturrechtsverl., Digitalisat Bayerische Staatsbibliothek
Der gerade Weg : deutsche Zeitung für Wahrheit und Recht. 1932 = Jg. 4, 24.04.1932. München : Naturrechtsverl., Digitalisat Bayerische Staatsbibliothek
His uncompromising criticism of Hitler led to Fritz Gerlich’s imprisonment after the National Socialists seized power. On 9 March 1933, he was mistreated and arrested in the editorial offices of Der gerade Weg, taken from there to the police prison and placed in ‘protective custody’.
On 10 May 1933, the Innsbruck newspaper Volksruf published a fiery article entitled ‘Where is Dr Gerlich?’ “Rumours have arisen that Gerlich is already dead. For this, for his manly Catholic stand for right and justice, Dr Gerlich had to die (…). We will not rest until we have shed light on the case of Dr Gerlich, until we know whether the witness to Catholic truth has become a martyr for faith and justice. If Dr Gerlich is dead – and everything points to this being the case – then he is a martyr of the Catholic Church, felled by the terror of the swastika.”[10]
Catholic bishops also attempted to secure his release, but failed. Gerlich was repeatedly mistreated in police custody, even being ordered to shoot himself, to which he replied: ‘I refuse to shoot myself. I am a Catholic.’ [11]
After severe mistreatment, Fritz Gerlich was murdered in the Dachau concentration camp on the night of 30 June to 1 July 1934 during the Röhm Putsch.
Gerlich’s courage and love of truth made him one of the most determined opponents of National Socialism. To this day, he remains a symbol of courage, resistance and freedom of the press. Gerlich never shied away from standing up for the truth. His faith was an important guiding principle that led him on the right path. With his magazine, he wanted to educate people and bring the cruel deeds of the Nazi regime to light.
Fritz Gerlich 1929. Gemeinfrei/ Markus Siedler
‘They tried to persuade him to flee to Switzerland immediately. He had a car – a Chrysler – and he had money. He said: No, you’ll be arrested then. I’m staying here; I stand by what I’ve written.’ [12] – Klaus Schumann on Fritz Gerlich
Commemorative plaque for Fritz Gerlich on the successor building to the former publishing house of the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper © Henning Schlottmann, CC BY 4.0
Author: Ebru Özbay
Contact: info@fritz-bauer-forum.de
Sources:
- Morsey. Rudolf: Fritz Gerlich. Ein früher Gegner Hitlers und des Nationalsozialismus, 2016 Paderborn.
- Aretin, Karl Otmar Freiherr von: Neue Deutsche Biographie 6 (1964), URL: https://www.deutsche-biographie.de/pnd118538721.html#ndbcontent, letzter Abruf 02.01.2026.
- https://www.fritzgerlichpreis.de/uber-fritz-gerlich, letzter Abruf 02.01.2026.
- Prof. Dr. Johannes Tuchel, Julia Albert. “Widerstand gegen den Nationalsozialismus – eine Einführung”. URL: https://www.bpb.de/shop/zeitschriften/izpb/widerstand-gegen-den-nationalsozialismus-330/232793/widerstand-gegen-den-nationalsozialismus-eine-einfuehrung/letzter Abruf 02.01.2026.
- Voderholzer, Rudolf: Wesentliche Aussagen und Zitate über Fritz Gerlich, URL: https://bistum-regensburg.de/themen/fritz-gerlich/leben-fritz-gerlichs, letzter Abruf 02.01.2026.
- Georg Schwaiger, “Fritz Gerlich, ermordet 1934 im KZ Dachau”, Bistum Regensburg. URL: https://bistum-regensburg.de/news/aus-dem-martyrologium-der-katholischen-kirche, letzter Abruf am 02.01.2026.
- Fritz Michael Gerlich, Webseite der Erzdiözese München und Freising, URL: https://www.gerlich.com/, letzter Abruf am 06.01.2026.
Footnotes: