Assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler

The men of the German resistance around the former Colonel General Ludwig Beck and Colonel Claus Baron Schenk von Stauffenberg dare to „cast the decisive die“ on 20 July 1944: Stauffenberg succeeds in hiding a bomb in the Führer’s headquarters, called the „Wolfsschanze“ („Wolf’s Lair“), in East Prussia and then making his way to Berlin. There the leading role in the planned coup d’etat falls to him. Stauffenberg himself is still witness to how Hitler’s entire „briefing barracks“ is blown to pieces.

© Engl The destroyed briefing barracks in the Führer’s headquarters

While the conspirators, Wehrmacht officers, make preparations in Berlin, Paris, Vienna and other places to topple the government, news reaches them that Hitler, as if by a miracle, is only slightly injured in the explosion. As a result a large portion of planned actions are either not at all or only hesitantly initiated.
By evening the attempted coup collapses. Baron Stauffenberg and three other officers are immediately and summarily executed by firing squad. Former Colonel General Beck is allowed to commit suicide. Hitler’s revenge is horrifying: In the aftermath nearly 200 suspected officers and civilian conspirators are executed. Over 1,500 persons are incarcerated.