in 1937, hartnagel met sophie scholl at a dance event. under scholl's influence and after experiences on the front (including in the battle of stalingrad), hartnagel changed from an enthusiastic soldier to an opponent of war and nazi dictatorship. he supported the resistance activities with news about the course of the war and war crimes and with amounts of money (including 1000 reichsmarks) although he never officially joined any reistance movements.