Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg

Categories: Social Science | European History | World War Ii | News

  • Guide Note:

    Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg was an officer in the German Army during the Second World War who led an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944.

  • Fast Facts:

    1. Born into aristocratic, Roman Catholic family
    2. Never formally joined the Nazi Party
    3. Spouse: Nina Freiin von Lerchenfeld
    4. Executed on July 21, 1944
    5. Last words: "Long live our sacred Germany!"
    6. Portrayed by Tom Cruise in upcoming film Valkyrie

  • Brief Biography

    Born into the German aristocracy, Stauffenberg was a nationalist who supported Hitler's nationalist aims but never joined the Nazi party. As a Catholic, Stauffenberg became increasingly disillusioned with the regime's ethnic policies. After being wounded in Tunisia in 1943,German Resistance Memorial Center: Stauffenberg and the Assassination Attempt of July 20, 1944 Stauffenberg came to the realization that he wanted to be part of the resistance and began making contacts with opposition leaders through his brother Berthold.

  • Operation "Valkyrie"

    The plans of the opposition did not just include the assassination of Hitler, but also the simultaneous takeover of the functions of government from the Nazi Party. Stauffenberg's role, since he had access to Hitler's secret bunker at Rastenburg, was to plant a bomb under a table in the main meeting room. The bomb detonated, but the heavy oak table shielded Hitler from the bomb, and although Stauffenberg initially escaped to Berlin, he was captured and executed for treason.

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