German Resistance Memorial Center - Topic 'The Assassination Attempt of July 20, 1944'


	Topic - Stauffenberg and the Assassination Attempt of July 20, 1944

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Assassination Attempt of July 20, 1944

Despite great difficulties, Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg succeeded in arming a bomb and planting it under a map table in Hitler's vicinity a few minutes before a briefing in the "Wolf's Lair." Stauffenberg was able to leave the room without being noticed and observed the detonation from a safe distance. Unfortunate coincidences prevented the attempt from succeeding, and Hitler survived. The heavy oak table he was leaning over when the bomb exploded shielded his body.		Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg and Adolf Hitler
Yet Stauffenberg was convinced that his assassination attempt had been successful. Together with his adjutant and fellow conspirator Werner von Haeften, he succeeded in leaving the headquarters for Berlin within minutes of the explosion, immediately before the area was sealed off.		The effect of the blast.

July 20, 1944, in the Bendler Block

After the assassination attempt, valuable hours were lost in Berlin before the "Valkyrie" orders could be issued. Executive power was to be transferred to the commander of the Reserve Army. Key command centers and communication facilities had to be occupied, and the SS units stationed in Berlin had to be kept away from the center of the conspiracy on Bendlerstrasse.		Command post of Operation "Valkyrie" in the Bendler Block.
The conspirators relied on Berlin's city commandant, a few friends in important positions, and Berlin's chief of police. A few members of civilian resistance groups came to the Bendler Block. Even a few younger officers stationed in Potsdam assumed functions here. They were joined by some other officers who had purposely not been informed about the coup during its initial phases but who followed the orders of the conspirators.		Berlin city headquarters.