NSDAP emerges as the strongest party in the Reichstag

In Lübeck the NSDAP emerges as the strongest party in the Reichstag elections of July 1932. When the National Socialists under Adolf Hitler seize power on January 30, 1933, Willy Brandt in leaflets directed at young workers of the city calls for an "anti-fascist battle" and a "union of leftist forces". He distributes the leaflets at night in home mailboxes.

He thereby accepts a grave risk. The police attempt without success to discover the author of the Lübeck leaflets.

The persecution by the National Socialists of party opponents and dissenters grows rapidly. After consultations with his closest party friends the nineteen-year old Herbert Ernst Karl Frahm takes on the cover name of Willy Brandt, as a precondition for conspiratorial work.

The Party organizes its resistance in Germany against the National Socialists. It determines to establish support bases ("cells") for its underground activities in Berlin, Paris, and Oslo.

Willy Brandt takes on the duty of organizing the illegal emigration of Paul Frölich, who is to establish the SAP support base in Oslo. Frölich is arrested at the border.

TRA 10: The fishing-boat of the Paul Stooß on which Willy Brandt flees to Denmark

Thereupon Willy Brandt is assigned his task.
In April 1933, at the age of 19, he leaves his family and Germany.