Rosli Näf

Here’s the story of a woman who lived quietly in the shadows of history, but whose courage and determination saved countless lives during one of the darkest chapters of mankind. You’ve likely never heard of her, but I’ll tell you her name—Rosli Näf, a Swiss Red Cross nurse who, during World War II, went beyond the call of duty.

Now, there are those who believe that a person is only a hero if they wear a uniform, carry a weapon, and fight on the frontlines. But Rosli Näf, like many unsung heroes, wore a simple nurse’s uniform and wielded nothing more than her compassion and resilience.

In 1941, Rosli was entrusted with the care of Jewish children at a small, secret sanctuary in the Château de la Hille, tucked away in the hills of France. It was a precarious time, as Nazi forces spread their terror across Europe, but Rosli was determined to keep them safe. She cared for those children like they were her own, giving them hope when the world was collapsing around them.

But then, in 1942, disaster struck. The French police raided the sanctuary and arrested 42 young teenagers under her care. With the threat of Auschwitz looming, Rosli wasn’t about to sit idly by. She bravely intervened, tracked them down to the Le Vernet internment camp, and miraculously secured their release, just hours before they were to be sent to their deaths.

But her work didn’t stop there. Rosli arranged for many of these children to escape to Switzerland, out of reach from the Nazi forces. Thanks to her tireless efforts, 90 children survived the horrors of war, all because of one woman's unwavering commitment to humanity.

And so, a story of quiet bravery, without medals or fanfare, but with a legacy that continues to inspire.