Introduction
In the annals of World War II history, few events have captured the imagination and inspired as much debate as Operation Valkyrie, the audacious plot by a group of German officers and officials to assassinate Adolf Hitler and overthrow the Nazi regime. On July 20, 1944, the conspirators came tantalizingly close to achieving their goal, but ultimately failed in the face of overwhelming odds and the dictator‘s uncanny luck. In this comprehensive blog post, we will delve into the fascinating details of this historic event, exploring its background, key players, planning, execution, and aftermath, as well as its lasting significance and lessons for posterity.
The Seeds of Resistance
The roots of the German resistance to Hitler can be traced back to the early days of the Nazi regime in the 1930s. Many officers, politicians, and intellectuals were deeply troubled by Hitler‘s increasingly radical and aggressive policies, as well as the erosion of civil liberties and the rule of law. One of the earliest and most prominent opponents was General Ludwig Beck, who resigned as Chief of the German General Staff in 1938 in protest over Hitler‘s plans for war.
As the war progressed and Germany‘s fortunes began to decline, opposition to Hitler grew within the ranks of the military and government. Many officers, such as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and General Henning von Tresckow, became increasingly disillusioned with Hitler‘s leadership and the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime. They believed that the only way to save Germany from total destruction was to eliminate Hitler and negotiate a peace settlement with the Allies.
Key Figures in the Plot
At the heart of the July 20 plot were a group of courageous and principled individuals who risked everything to bring an end to Hitler‘s tyranny. Chief among them was Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a charismatic and deeply religious officer who had been severely wounded in combat, losing an eye, a hand, and two fingers. Despite his injuries, Stauffenberg remained committed to serving his country and became increasingly convinced that Hitler must be removed from power.
Another key figure was General Henning von Tresckow, who had been involved in the resistance since the early days of the war. Tresckow was a brilliant strategist and a master of improvisation, who played a crucial role in the development and execution of the July 20 plot. He was assisted by a network of like-minded officers, including General Friedrich Olbricht, Colonel Albrecht Mertz von Quirnheim, and Lieutenant Werner von Haeften.
Other notable members of the resistance included Carl Goerdeler, a former mayor of Leipzig who was designated to serve as Chancellor in the post-Hitler government, and Ludwig Beck, who was slated to become Head of State. The conspirators also had the support of several prominent religious leaders, such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Niemöller, who saw the plot as a moral imperative.
The Evolution of the German Resistance
The July 20 plot was the culmination of a long and complex history of German resistance to Hitler and the Nazi regime. Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, various groups and individuals had sought to oppose Hitler through political, diplomatic, and military means. One of the most significant was the Kreisau Circle, a group of intellectuals and politicians who met secretly to discuss plans for a post-Nazi Germany based on Christian and democratic principles.
There were also several earlier attempts to assassinate Hitler, including a March 1943 attempt by Tresckow and Fabian von Schlabrendorff to smuggle a bomb onto Hitler‘s plane. Although these efforts failed, they demonstrated the growing resolve and desperation of the resistance movement.
The Valkyrie Plan
The conspirators in the July 20 plot knew that simply assassinating Hitler would not be enough to bring down the Nazi regime. They needed a comprehensive plan to seize control of the government and the military in the aftermath of the assassination. To this end, they adapted an existing emergency plan known as Operation Valkyrie, which was designed to maintain order in the event of a breakdown of civil authority.
Under the modified Valkyrie plan, the Reserve Army, led by General Friedrich Olbricht, would take control of key government buildings, communication centers, and military units in Berlin and other major cities. The SS and other Nazi organizations would be declared illegal, and a new government would be established under the leadership of Beck, Goerdeler, and other resistance figures.
The success of the plan hinged on the assassination of Hitler, which Stauffenberg volunteered to carry out personally. The conspirators knew that they would have only one chance to strike, and that everything would have to go according to plan for the coup to succeed.
The Fateful Day: July 20, 1944
On the morning of July 20, Stauffenberg and his aide, Lieutenant Werner von Haeften, flew to the Wolf‘s Lair, Hitler‘s heavily guarded field headquarters in East Prussia. Stauffenberg was carrying a briefcase containing two pounds of plastic explosives, which he planned to arm and place near Hitler during a conference in the main briefing room.
At around 12:30 pm, Stauffenberg entered the conference room and placed the briefcase under the table, as close to Hitler as possible. He then left the room, ostensibly to take a phone call, and made his way back to the airfield, where a plane was waiting to take him back to Berlin.
At 12:42 pm, the bomb exploded, shattering the conference room and killing several officers. However, Hitler miraculously survived, shielded by the heavy oak conference table and the fortuitous placement of the bomb by another officer, Colonel Heinz Brandt. Although badly shaken and suffering from minor injuries, Hitler was able to resume his activities within a few hours.
The Unraveling of the Plot
Meanwhile, in Berlin, the conspirators had set the Valkyrie plan in motion, issuing orders to arrest SS leaders and seize key government buildings. However, they soon began to receive conflicting reports about the success of the assassination attempt, and many officers remained loyal to Hitler and the Nazi regime.
As news of Hitler‘s survival spread, the conspirators‘ plans quickly began to unravel. The SS and Gestapo, fiercely loyal to Hitler, launched a swift and brutal crackdown on the plotters. Many were arrested, tortured, and executed, including Stauffenberg, Olbricht, Haeften, and others. In total, over 7,000 people were arrested, and 4,980 were executed in the aftermath of the failed coup.
| Key Figures | Role in the Plot | Fate |
|---|---|---|
| Claus von Stauffenberg | Planted bomb at Wolf‘s Lair; key organizer | Executed on July 21, 1944 |
| Henning von Tresckow | Key planner and organizer; previous assassination attempts | Committed suicide on July 21, 1944 |
| Friedrich Olbricht | Leader of the Reserve Army; key organizer | Executed on July 21, 1944 |
| Ludwig Beck | Former Chief of the German General Staff; designated Head of State | Committed suicide on July 20, 1944 |
| Carl Goerdeler | Former Mayor of Leipzig; designated Chancellor | Executed on February 2, 1945 |
| Albrecht Mertz von Quirnheim | Drafted the Valkyrie orders; key organizer | Executed on July 21, 1944 |
| Werner von Haeften | Stauffenberg‘s aide; helped arm the bomb | Executed on July 21, 1944 |
The Legacy of Operation Valkyrie
Although Operation Valkyrie ultimately failed, it remains a powerful symbol of the courage and sacrifice of those who dared to stand up against tyranny, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The conspirators, many of whom were deeply religious and driven by a strong moral compass, believed that it was their duty to rid Germany of Hitler‘s evil regime, no matter the personal cost.
As the German historian Joachim Fest wrote in his book "Plotting Hitler‘s Death":
"The men of July 20 were not rebels in the conventional sense. They were patriots who loved their country, but who could no longer bear to see it destroyed by a criminal regime. They were conservatives who believed in the traditional values of honor, duty, and loyalty, but who recognized that these values had been perverted by Hitler and the Nazis. They were Christians who saw the plot as a moral and religious obligation, a way to atone for the sins of their nation and to restore its honor."
Today, the legacy of Operation Valkyrie lives on as a reminder of the importance of individual conscience and the need to resist oppression and injustice wherever it may arise. The bravery of Stauffenberg and his fellow plotters continues to inspire people around the world who fight for freedom and democracy.
In Germany, the memory of the July 20 plotters has undergone a significant evolution in the decades since the war. Initially, many Germans viewed them as traitors who had stabbed their country in the back at its time of greatest need. However, as the true nature of the Nazi regime became more widely known and acknowledged, public opinion began to shift. In 1952, a memorial to the July 20 plotters was unveiled in Berlin, and in 1968, the West German government officially recognized them as resistance fighters.
Today, the July 20 plot is widely seen as a heroic and patriotic act, a shining example of the power of individual conscience and the willingness to stand up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming odds. As we reflect on this pivotal moment in history, let us honor the memory of those who gave their lives in the struggle against Nazi tyranny and renew our commitment to building a world free from hatred, violence, and oppression.
Conclusion
Operation Valkyrie was a daring and audacious attempt by a group of brave and principled individuals to rid Germany of the evil of Hitler and the Nazi regime. Although it ultimately failed, it remains a powerful symbol of the human spirit‘s resilience and the unquenchable desire for freedom and justice.
As we look back on this momentous event, we are reminded of the words of the German poet and resistance fighter Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who wrote:
"The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children."
Let us hope that the legacy of Operation Valkyrie will inspire future generations to build a world of peace, tolerance, and understanding, and to never forget the sacrifices of those who came before us in the struggle for a better tomorrow.
