Remembering the "Moral Worth" of Major General Henning von Tresckow
Of the more than 40 documented attempts to assassinate Adolf Hitler, perhaps none are as audacious as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg’s.
While, however, his heroic efforts are deservedly lauded, few are aware, he’d likely never have gone ahead with his mission, without the man who conceived it:
Major General Henning von Tresckow.
Unlike von Stauffenberg, who was a “late joiner” to the German military resistance, Prussian-born von Tresckow distinguished himself as a founding member.
Appalled by the political purges that accompanied Hitler’s chancellorship, von Tresckow was equally as repulsed by the eruption of anti-Semitic violence…
Decrying the pogroms as a “degradation of civilization”, he felt “dutybound” to “remove the heretic” who was leading it to destruction; and so, rallied a small band of like-minded officers to help him.
Together, they started planning “Herr Hitler’s removal”; yet, couldn’t act swiftly enough to prevent his "war of annihilation..."
Assigned to their respective army groups, they soon found themselves scattered across the dictator’s Reich where, despite the perils of maintaining their collaboration, they devised several plots to eliminate him.
Attempting the first in March 1943, von Tresckow’s plan to “bring down the Führer’s plane” may well have succeeded; if the bomb he smuggled aboard exploded as intended…
Undeterred by the defective detonation, he wasted no time organizing another explosive undertaking; only for that – and subsequent operations – to be undone by Hitler’s unprecedented strokes of fortune.
Ever determined to reverse them, von Tresckow sensed the beginnings of a new opportunity when, while on leave in Germany, he was introduced to a “disaffected Colonel” of the German Replacement Army…
Upon meeting Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, the Major General not only discovered a kindred spirit but, he found a man who was willing to execute his latest assassination strategy:
A modified version of the Wehrmacht’s “Operation Valkyrie”.
Formulated to repress an uprising, von Tresckow envisaged that, once von Stauffenberg had infiltrated Hitler’s “Wolfsschanze” – and planted the bomb-laden briefcase rigged to kill him – the killing could be portrayed as the start of an "SS-led coup d’état…"
To combat the imaginary coup, “Unternehmen Walküre” could hence be used to mobilize von Stauffenberg’s Replacement Army, which, in turn, would disarm the “SS traitors”, and depose the National Socialists.
Although, regrettably, Valkyrie would fail, and Hitler would survive, von Tresckow and his comrades, at least, went to their deaths with their heads held high…
Indeed, when writing his final words, on this day in 1944, the Prussian nobleman wrote:
“When I go before God to account for what I’ve done… I know I'll be able to justify what I did for our freedom…”
“After all," von Tresckow concluded, "a man’s moral worth is only established when he’s prepared to give his life for his convictions.”
Addendum 1: -
Bavarian-born cavalryman – Colonel Claus Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg.
Although recruited by von Tresckow in August 1943, von Stauffenberg very nearly withdrew from the “July 20th plot” to kill Adolf Hitler…
Indeed, owing to his stated doubts about its “practical purpose”, his resolve was only restored when von Treskcow told him:
“The assassination must be attempted, whatever the cost… For, the practical purpose no longer matters; what matters now, is that the German resistance movement must take the plunge before the eyes of the world and of history. Compared to that, nothing else matters.”
Steeled by the Major General’s urging, von Stauffenberg thus followed his mission to the letter; smuggling the explosive-laden briefcase into Hitler's “Wolfsschanze”; leaving ahead of its detonation; and, upon returning to Berlin’s “Bendlerblock”, implementing von Tresckow’s modified version of “Operation Valkryie”.
When, however, Hitler was declared alive, and the “Walküre” coup then failed to materialize, von Stauffenberg was captured, and his fate finalized.
Executed in the early morning hours of July 21st, 1944, the Colonel’s final words were:
“Es lebe das heilige Deutschland!”
“Long live sacred Germany!”
Addendum 2: -
The original “Unternehmen Walküre” telex that, soon after von Stauffenberg confirmed his exploding briefcase had “killed Hitler”, was sent to the various “Wehrkreise” (military districts) across the dictator’s Reich.
Declaring, “The Führer, Adolf Hitler, is dead!” – assassinated by “An unscrupulous clique of party leaders alien to the front” – the declaration ordered “all commanders of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force to support” the “transfer of executive power” von Tresckow and his comrades attempted to facilitate.
Addendum 3: -
Soldiers of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg’s Replacement Army.
Overseen by Generaloberst (Colonel-General) Friedrich Fromm, the German Replacement Army played a crucial role in training and providing replacement personnel for the combat divisions of the regular German Army.
Although fully aware that his chief of staff – Oberst (Colonel) Claus von Stauffenberg was conspiring with von Tresckow to assassinate their commander-in-chief – Adolf Hitler – Fromm kept his silence.
When, however, he learned of Hitler’s survival, Fromm not only declared von Stauffenberg and his “traitors” under arrest but, he attempted to apprehend them himself…
Swiftly overpowered, Fromm was confined to a room in the Replacement Army’s headquarters – the “Bendlerblock” – where, after he was found and freed, he ordered the “immediate execution” of von Stauffenberg and his comrades.
Despite a pusillanimous attempt to claim credit for “suppressing the Valkyrie Coup” attempt, Fromm was arrested on July 22nd,1944.
Then put on trial for his failure to report the conspiracy, the General was ultimately executed by firing squad for “cowardice before the enemy”.
Addendum 4: -
Generaloberst Friedrich Fromm while serving as commander-in-chief of the German Replacement Army.
Executed in the early morning hours of March 12th, 1945, Fromm told the firing squad:
“Ich sterbe, weil es befohlen wurde. Ich wollte für Deutschland immer nur das Beste.”
“I die, because it was ordered. I had always wanted only the best for Germany."
Addendum 5: -
Hitler’s “favorite Commando” – then-SS- Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) Otto Skorzeny – entering the “Bendlerblock” after von Tresckow’s coup d’etat failed to materialize.
Although Skorzeny arrived too late at the Bendlerblock complex to suppress the coup attempt, he “redeemed” himself by hunting down and capturing dozens of von Tresckow’s comrades.
Addendum 6: -
In and among von Tresckow’s captured comrades was this man – the Major General’s older brother, Lieutenant Colonel Gerd von Tresckow.
A career officer like his younger sibling, von Tresckow the elder attempted suicide shortly after he learned of his brother’s.
When, however, his attempt failed, he was found and taken, first, to Berlin’s Lehrter Straße Prison, and then, when he slipped out of consciousness, to the city’s Police Hospital.
There, Oberstleutnant von Tresckow never woke up.
Sadly, the Prussian nobleman's heart gave out.
Addendum 7: -
A recent photograph of the "Bendlerblock" building complex, where von Tresckow worked to modify the Wehrmacht's "Unternehmen Walküre", and, on July 20th, 1944, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg attempted to coordinate the operation.
Once used for the offices of the regular and replacement German Armies, the complex today not only houses several German governmental agencies, but is also home to the German Resistance Memorial Centre, created in remembrance of all Germans who resisted National Socialism.
Addendum 8: -
The “Wall of Remembrance” at the German Resistance Memorial Centre, commemorating von Tresckow and his German military resistance comrades.
Addendum 9: -
Adolf Hitler’s personal Focke Wulf Fw 200 Condor that, on March 13th, 1943, von Tresckow attempted to “bring down…”
On that day, Hitler visited the headquarters of von Tresckow’s Army Group Centre in Smolensk, Russia.
There, the Major General had planned to shoot the Führer dead during the officers’ mess lunch; but revised his plans when urged by a fellow officer – Generalfeldmarschall Günther von Kluge:
“For heaven’s sake, don’t do anything today! It’s still too soon for that!”
Unbeknown to von Kluge, however, von Tresckow had a contingency comprising two bomb-filled bottles of Cointreau, which, once smuggled aboard the dictator’s Condor, he assumed would explode mid-flight over Poland.
Having placed the package in the aircraft’s hold, though, the extreme cold of the luggage compartment not only froze the bottles but, consequently, caused the fuses to fail.
Despite then attempting a second explosive undertaking – during an exhibition of captured Russian military equipment on March 21st – sadly, Hitler left the event before von Tresckow’s would-be suicide bomber – then-Lieutenant Rudolf Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff – could detonate the devices he’d hidden under his tunic.
Addendum 10: -
Adolf Hitler at his “Wolfsschanze” on July 15th,1944 – five days before von Stauffenberg (seen standing to attention) planted the bomb-laden briefcase intended to kill the Führer.
Hidden deep in the Masurian forests, of what was once East Prussia, Hitler’s “Wolf’s Lair” served as his primary military headquarters on the Eastern Front.
Built to accommodate more than 2,000 staff, soldiers, and high-ranking officials, the two-and-a-half-mile square complex comprised three unique security zones:
Sperrkreis 1 – home to the Führer Bunker and ten additional bunkers for Hitler’s inner circle; Sperrkreis 2 – housing quarters for Reich Ministers and a barracks for SS personnel; and Sprerrkreis 3 – the heavily fortified outer perimeter, defended by the elite Führerbegleitbrigade and its panzers.
Although Hitler ordered the destruction of his "Wolf’s Lair" in November 1944, its reinforced structures proved too formidable to destroy…
With many of its ruined, but intact, buildings captured by the Russians in January 1945, the abandoned remains of the "Wolfsschanze" have since been transformed into a vast site of historical significance.
Addendum 11: -
The building at Hitler’s "Wolffsschanze" where von Stauffenberg planted the bomb-laden briefcase intended to kill the Führer – the “Lagebaracke”.
There, the Colonel placed the briefcase as close to Hitler as he could; only for one of his fellow officers – believed to be Colonel Heinz Brandt – to unwittingly move the briefcase upon von Stauffenberg’s departure.
Pushed behind one of the four heavy table legs of the imposing oak conference table that was being used in the “Location Barracks”, Hitler was thus shielded from the full impact of the exploding briefcase, suffering only a perforated eardrum.
Addendum 12: -
Hitler with his entourage mere hours after von Stauffenberg attempted to kill him on July 20th, 1944.
The man with his head in a bandage is one of the more than twenty officers who were injured by the Colonel’s exploding briefcase – Chief of the Operations Staff of Oberkommando der Wehrmacht – Generaloberst Alfred Jodl.
Four of the wounded would later succumb to their wounds. Only Hitler and two other men remained reasonably unharmed.
Addendum 13: -
Hitler pictured at his "Wolffsschanze" on July 21st,1944 – just one day after von Stauffenberg’s attempt to kill him.
Stood beside him (from left) is Chief of Oberkommando der Wehrmacht – Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel; Chief of Oberkommado der Luftwaffe - Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring; and, finally, his Personal Secretary – SS-Obergruppenführer Martin Bormann.
Addendum 14: -
Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring inspecting the bomb-ravaged “Lagerbaracke” at Hitler’s "Wolfsschanze".
Addendum 15: -
Berliners demonstrate their “unwavering loyalty” to their Führer during a “Rally of Allegiance” held on July 21st, 1944.
Addendum 16: -
A youthful von Tresckow in the uniform of an Imperial German Army cadet.
Born into a proud three-hundred-year-old line of distinguished Prussian military men, von Tresckow followed in their goose-steps when, aged 16, he joined the Royal Prussian Army’s 1st Regiment of Foot Guards.
There, he not only commissioned as the Army’s youngest lieutenant but, concluded his Great War service a bemedalled hero for “outstanding courage”.
As a vocal critic of the post-War Weimar Republic, he resigned from the post-war Reichswehr in 1920; but later rejoined on the recommendation of his former Commander-in-Chief turned Reichspräsident – Feldmarschall Paul von Hindenburg.
Subsequently enrolled at the “Preußische Kriegsakademie”, von Tresckow graduated top of the Prussian War Academy in 1936.
Then posted to the General Staff of the newly-formed Wehrmacht Heer, it was there, he met the small band of like-minded officers, whom, from 1938 onward, he rallied to “remove the heretic” who led Germany – and much of Europe – to destruction.
Addendum 17: -
Von Tresckow with his beloved Erika, shortly before his deployment to the Eastern Front with Army Group Centre (Heeresgruppe Mitte) in June 1941.
Addendum 18: -
Then-Colonel von Tresckow in the headquarters of Heeresgruppe Mitte, briefing his fellow officers on the situation on the Eastern Front.
Appalled by the horrors he witnessed there, von Tresckow often used his briefings to rail against the atrocities.
During one such briefing, for example, discussing the brutal “application” of Hitler’s “Commissar Order – mandating the summary execution of Soviet political officers – he told his subordinates:
“If we don't convince the Field Marshal (Fedor von Bock – then Commander-in-Chief of Army Group Centre) to fly to Hitler at once and have these orders canceled, the German people will be burdened with a guilt the world will not forget in a hundred years!”
“This guilt will fall not only on Hitler, Himmler, Göring, and their comrades,” von Tresckow added, “but on you and me, your wife and mine, your children and mine, that woman crossing the street, and those children over there playing ball.”
Likewise, in another briefing, lamenting the mass murder of Jewish men, women, and children by SS-Einsatzgruppen, he appealed to von Bock directly, imploring:
“Never may such a thing happen again!”
Addendum 19: -
Von Tresckow with his beloved Erika while on leave in Berlin. This photograph would be one of the last they shared together.
Addendum 20: -
Von Tresckow and his beloved wife Erika with their four cherished children: Rüdiger (Left); young Heidi (in Erika’s arms); Uta (holding her mother’s arm); and Mark (next to his father).
Four weeks after von Tresckow’s suicide, the Gestapo arrested Erika with her two daughters.
Whereas Erika was taken to Berlin’s Lehrter Straße prison, where she was held and interrogated, Heidi and Uta were transported to a remote orphanage, where they were housed alongside the sons and daughters of von Tresckow’s leading co-conspirators.
As for Rüdiger and Mark, while the former was left to complete his naval cadetship, the latter, then serving as an artilleryman, “disappeared without a trace” when, in late January 1945, he went missing in action.
At the war’s end, Erika was reunited with her surviving children.
Although “ostracised for a time”, owing to their father’s “treachery”, both Heidi and Uta found happiness as “contented housewives”; and Rüdiger, after becoming a bank manager, enjoyed hard-earned success in the banking industry.