#clausvonstauffenberg

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BENDLERBLOCK

BENDLERBLOCK

Berlin, Germany

The Bendlerblock is one of Berlin's key sites in terms of 20th-century German history. It was here, on 20 July 1944, that Colonel Graf von Stauffenberg attempted to overthrow the Nazi dictatorship. That same evening, he and fellow conspirators were executed in the inner courtyard.

#bendlerblock#ClausvonStauffenberg#20Julyplot#OperationValkyrie#valkyrie

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CLAUS VON STAUFFENBERG

CLAUS VON STAUFFENBERG

1907-1944

OPERATION VALKYRIE, 20 JULY 1944 PLOT TO ASSASSINATE HITLER

            Claus Von Stauffenberg was born in Jettingen, Germany, into an old and aristocratic Catholic family. Stauffenberg and his brothers went on to have a military career and he was gradually made lieutenant. He was married in 1933 and had five children.

            Stauffenberg agreed with some of the Nazi’s aspects however never became a member. His feelings for Hitler differed from respect to dislike. Stauffenberg’s uncle Nikolaus approached him to join the resistance movement against Hitler’s regime, however it wasn’t until later he started to consider it. Stauffenberg expressed openly his dislike to the ill-treatment of Jews and said to a friend in 1942, ‘These crimes must not be allowed to continue.’ In 1943, he was sent home due to numerous wounds; he lost his left eye, right hand and two fingers. He was sent home to recover and was introduced to members of the resistance. He became the driving force for the resistance who united the conspirators and drove them into action. He was one of few who had access to Hitler for briefings.

            On 20 July 1944, Stauffenberg entered Hitler’s briefing room and was carrying a briefcase which concealed two small bombs; however he only had enough time to able to arm one of the bombs. In the briefing room he placed his briefcase under the table, as close to Hitler as possible and then excused himself from the room. After he left the room, someone had moved the briefcase and minutes later the bomb exploded. Stuaffenberg initially believed no one in the room had survived. Four people were killed and the others seriously injured, Hitler survived and was only slightly wounded, because the wooden table leg gave him protection.

            Believing that Hitler was dead, Stauffenberg drove to the airfield and returned to Berlin and the resistance group began the military coup against the Nazi leaders. Joseph Goebbels announced on the radio that Hitler survived an assassination attempt and they realised their plot had failed.

            Stauffenberg was executed by a firing squad on 21 July 1944, with three other members. They were killed before 1 am in the courtyard of the Bendlerblock, which was lightened by the headlight of a truck. His last words were ‘long live the secret Germany!’ Their bodies were buried and then exhumed by the SS who had the bodies cremated. Stauffenbergs family fled the country and his brother was killed by the Nazis 1944 for being a conspirator.

            In 1980, the German government created a memorial for the 22 July victims at Bendleblock courtyard.

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[loveanddeathcomeforusall]

The Secret Germany

Stauffenberg was aware that, under German law, he was committing high treason. He openly told young conspirator Axel von dem Bussche in late 1943, "ich betreibe mit allen mir zur Verfügung stehenden Mitteln den Hochverrat..." ("I am committing high treason with all means at my disposal....").[41] He justified himself to Bussche by referring to the right under natural law (Naturrecht) to defend millions of people's lives from the criminal aggressions of Hitler.[42]...

When his turn came, Stauffenberg spoke his last words, "Es lebe das heilige Deutschland!" ("Long live our sacred Germany!")[45][46] Others[who?] say the last words were: "Es lebe das geheime Deutschland!" ("Long live the secret Germany!")...

Hitler used the 20 July Plot as an excuse to destroy anyone he feared would oppose him. The traditional military salute was replaced with the Nazi salute. Eventually, over 20,000 Germans were killed or sent to concentration camps in the purge.[50]