Claus von Stauffenberg was born in Jettingen, Germany on November 15, 1907. A bright student, at 19 he became an officer cadet. I believe that from an early age like 19, Claus was meant to do something important. He was a bright man, and as his rank grew over the years, he got closer and closer to Hitler. “Stauffenberg became appalled by the atrocities committed by the Schutzstaffel (SS), SD and ‘Security Police’ units, particularly the mass murder of the Jews in Russia, but he was equally appalled by the atrocities committed by the German Army against Soviet prisoners-of-war and by the treatment of the civil population in Russia,” said The Jewish Virtual Library. In the same article it was also stated that, “Stauffenberg had decided in 1942 that he must try to help overthrow Hitler. Later, in 1943 he only agreed to join the conspiracy with the civilian side of the German Resistance.” I didn’t realize that during WWII not everyone was a Nazi. I just associated every German with the term, but really, after losing many battles in a row, Hitler’s top Generals even felt as if he might be making the wrong decisions. I think that if Claus hadn’t joined the conspiracy at this time the opportunity to get to Hitler at all may have been lost.

“Due to his position as chief of staff and his injuries, von Stauffenberg was above suspicion and met with Hitler regularly. He had lost two fingers on his left hand, his right forearm and hand and his right eye when attacked by an Allied plane in North Africa a year before. When von Stauffenberg arrived at the Wolf’s Lair he would prime the bomb, enter the building and due to his injuries, which included impaired hearing, be positioned close to Hitler,” said William Silvester (ww2history.suite101.com). What seemed to be a horrible accident in North Africa a year before seemed now to be the perfect advantage for Stauffenberg. He was called out of the room by General Olbricht to take a phone call and was already leaving when the bomb went off. He hurried back to Berlin to report that Hitler was dead.

“In an attempt to protect himself, Fromm organized the execution of Stauffenberg along with three other conspirators, Friedrich Olbricht, Werner von Haeften, and Colonel Albrecht Ritter Mertz von Quirnheim, in the courtyard of the War Ministry. On July 21, 1944, at 12:30 a.m., Stauffenberg was executed by firing squad. It was later reported that Stauffenberg died shouting, ‘Long live free Germany,'” said The Jewish Library. With the loss of these four men the hopes of assassinating Hitler faded. Anyone related to these men were arrested, between 5 and 7,000, and 200 were executed. “Colonel Tresckow, the instigator of the plot, avoided arrest by walking into range of a Russian machine gun. Others also committed suicide before the Gestapo got to them,” said William Silvester (ww2history.suite101.com). I believe that committing suicide for these men was salvation. They didn’t want to be tortured and killed; it was better just to do it yourself.

July 20, 1944 is a day we will always remember for the courage of a group of men against an unwanted leader. Though their efforts failed, the courage they showed and the will to sacrifice themselves to save the world will not be forgotten. There are parents who would die for their children, and police officers who die for justice, but if it came down to it, would you, would anyone, be willing to sacrifice their life if they thought it would save a world of people they’ve never met? These men did just that and they, though not famous outside of Germany, will not be forgotten. Operation Valkyrie was a success in that it showed the true character of a man.