The Oversteegen Sisters and Hannie Schaft by Sophia Burke

Basic Facts

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:21:55 UTC

Who-Hannie Schaft and Freddie and Truus Oversteegen

What-The seducing and assassination of Nazis

When-The Oversteegen girls were recruited for the resistance in 1941

Where-The Netherlands

The Act of Resistance:

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:26:06 UTC

They were recruited by the Haarlem Resistance group, where they met Hannie and became best friends. Hannie was studying in college but had to leave when she refused to swear allegiance to the Germans. They were taught to shoot, sabotage bridges, and destroy railway lines. They even used their feminine qualities to seduce and lure Nazis to their deaths. Their other duties included bringing refugees to hiding places and working in the emergency hospital. Both of the sisters were devastated when Hannie was arrested and executed.

The Impact:

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:26:34 UTC

The girls were some of the only Resistant women actively partaking in the assassinations of Nazis. They helped to destabilize the Nazi regime, destroy Nazi architecture, and help the innocent victims of WW2.

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:27:34 UTC

“Well, that’s something I’ve never done before!” -Freddie Oversteegen, after being told she would learn to shoot Nazis in the Resistance

Toxic by Izzy Perry

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:28:03 UTC

This song is from the view of a person being seduced when they know it’s dangerous. This would be from the point of view of a Nazi, being seduced by one of the three girls.

Freddie Oversteegen

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:35:26 UTC

Hannie Schaft

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:36:53 UTC

Truus Oversteegen

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:39:37 UTC

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:44:03 UTC

“I’m a better shot.”-Hannie Schaft, moments after her executioner failed to kill her with the first shot.

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:44:29 UTC

“We did not feel it suited us. It never suits anybody, unless they are real criminals.” -Truus Oversteegen, talking about her feelings on her past profession

The Oversteegen siblings

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:54:58 UTC

Truus, their half-brother Robbie, and Freddie Oversteegen (from left to right)

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 18:59:42 UTC

Truus Oversteegen with a gun

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 19:24:43 UTC

Hannie Schaft and the Oversteegen Sisters, colorized and restored

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 19:27:20 UTC

Oversteegen girl's Background

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 23:11:52 UTC

Freddie and Truus grew up on a barge with their mother and father before their mother divorced their father for a lack of interest in supporting his family. The girls were raised by their single, communist mother who taught them the importance of helping others. They were actively anti-Nazi before the war, sheltering Jews and spreading anti-Nazi pamphlets and newspapers.

The Oversteegen Sisters

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 23:12:21 UTC

Freddie Nanda Dekker-Oversteegen, and Truus Menger-Oversteegen (from left to right)

Hannie Schaft's Background

sophiaburke2 — 2023-12-13 23:24:59 UTC

Hannie Schaft's childhood was one of sadness and protection. Her older sister died, and in the wake of that tragedy, her parents became very protective of her. When she went off to college, however, Schaft was making dangerous plays, making friends with Jewish people and getting her degree to be a human rights lawyer. That was until the Nazis enforced a law that would make her pledge her allegiance to them. She refused, and even took her Jewish friends into hiding with her.