Rupprecht Gerngross (21.6.1915 Shanghai, China – 21.2.1996 Oberhaching)

In 1926, the family left Shanghai (China), where Rupprecht Gerngross had been born and his father had worked as a physician, and returned to Deisenhofen, near Munich. Gerngross attended the Staatliche Rupprecht-Oberrealschule (high school) in Munich, from where he graduated with a university entrance qualification. From 1928, he was a member of the 1st Munich Scout Troop. He also belonged to the “Scharnhorst” youth organization established by the Steel Helmet League of Frontline Soldiers, which after 1933 was co-opted into the Storm Battalion (Sturmabteilung, SA). He was admitted to the Nazi Party on April 1, 1936.

In the winter semester of 1934/35, after graduating from high school, Gerngross began studying law and political science in Munich, continuing his studies in London and Erlangen, where he was awarded a doctoral degree in 1942. In 1939, he passed the first state examination in law, graduated with a degree in economics, and was drafted into the Wehrmacht.

After serving with the infantry on the Eastern Front in May 1941 and being wounded, he was declared “unfit for service” and in November 1941 joined the interpreter company in Military District VII, taking command of the unit in July 1942. In June 1943, now promoted to the rank of Captain, he made contact with other NS resistance groups, and played a key role in the organization of the FAB uprising in April 1945. After the uprising failed, Gerngross managed to stay in hiding near Landshut until the U.S. troops arrived in Munich.

After 1945, he worked as an attorney and in various other capacities. Gerngross’ active public commitment dominated memories of the FAB for decades. This meant that other key protagonists were almost forgotten until recently.