When it comes to daring defiance, few stories capture the spirit of people stuck in the face of tyranny like these ten bold souls who stuck it to Hitler during World II.
How These People Stuck It To Hitler
10 The French Cut The Cables To The Eiffel Tower
Even after the Wehrmacht occupied France, the French Resistance kept looking for ways to irk their occupier. When Adolf Hitler paid a visit to Paris, the resistance sabotaged the Eiffel Tower’s elevator by cutting its cables. Forced to consider a grueling climb up more than 1,500 stairs, and with the French hoping he’d tumble down them, Hitler ultimately decided against the ascent and stayed put.
9 The Dog That Mocked The Nazis
In Finland, a cheeky canine named Jackie learned to give a playful version of the Nazi salute. Decked out in sunglasses, Jackie would raise a paw in a mock salute, much to the annoyance of nearby SS officers. The stunt led to the prosecution of Jackie’s owner, but the dog herself escaped any punishment and became a furry symbol of resistance.
8 The POW With Stitching Skills
British POW Major Alexis Casdagli passed the endless boredom of captivity by stitching elaborate quilts. Hidden within the patterns were Morse‑code messages that read “God Save the King” and a profane jab at Hitler. Unaware of the secret, the German guards proudly displayed the quilt, unwittingly showcasing the prisoner’s covert protest.
7 The Runner Who Gave Hitler The Middle Finger
At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, sprinter Bob Young not only helped set a world‑record two‑mile relay but also made a point of flashing the Fuhrer the middle finger throughout the Games. While other athletes saluted the dictator, Young kept his rebellious gesture going, earning himself a place in Olympic folklore.
6 Propaganda Works Both Ways
French propagandists turned the tables on the Nazis by circulating a pamphlet that lampooned Hitler’s singing and dancing. The satirical flyer spread across Europe, ridiculing the Führer and showing that propaganda could be a two‑way street.
5 Chaplin’s Greatest Film
Charlie Chaplin, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Hitler, found himself on a Nazi death list. Rather than flee, he responded by creating “The Great Dictator,” a biting parody that mocked Hitler and the regime, turning cinema into a bold act of defiance.
4 The Song Every Soldier Knew
Allied troops kept morale high by singing the tongue‑in‑cheek anthem “Hitler Has Only Got One Ball.” Originating as wartime propaganda, the catchy tune spread like wildfire, ensuring that Hitler’s name was forever linked with ridicule.
3 The Man Who Told Hitler Something We’ve All Dreamed Of
German General Paul Emil von Lettow‑Vorbeck, a celebrated World War I commander, rebuffed Hitler’s attempts to co‑opt him by bluntly telling the dictator to “go f**k himself.” His refusal made him one of the few high‑ranking officers to openly challenge Hitler and live to tell the tale.
2 Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7
During the harrowing siege of Leningrad, composer Dmitri Shostakovich wrote Symphony No. 7 as a rallying cry for his compatriots. Performed by whatever musicians could be gathered, the work’s raw power moved German soldiers who realized they were facing an indomitable Russian spirit.
1 Groucho Marx Danced On Hitler’s Grave
In 1958, comedian Groucho Marx learned that Nazis were desecrating Jewish graves. Determined to strike back, he ordered a ride to the site of Hitler’s bunker, climbed the rubble, and launched into a lively Charleston atop the shattered remains—an unmistakable insult to the dead dictator.