Claus von Stauffenberg, German soldier (b. 1907)
Claus Philipp Maria Justinian Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg (German: [klaʊ̯s ʃɛŋk ɡʁaːf fɔn ˈʃtaʊ̯fn̩.bɛʁk] (listen); 15 November 1907 – 21 July 1944) was a German army officer best known for his failed attempt on 20 July 1944 to assassinate Adolf Hitler at the Wolf's Lair. Despite opposing democracy, and at first agreeing with the Nazi Party's nationalism and aryanism, he joined the German resistance within the Wehrmacht as the war progressed. He felt Hitler was losing the war, and opposed the criminal character of the dictatorship. Along with Henning von Tresckow and Hans Oster, he was one of the central figures of the conspiracy against Hitler within the Wehrmacht. For his involvement in the movement, he was executed by firing squad shortly after Operation Valkyrie.
He held the hereditary titles of "Graf" (count) and "Schenk" (cupbearer). He took part in the attack on Poland, the German invasion of the Soviet Union and the Tunisian Campaign during the Second World War.
1944Jul, 21
Claus von Stauffenberg
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Events on 1944
- 10Apr
Auschwitz concentration camp
Rudolf Vrba and Alfréd Wetzler escape from Birkenau death camp. - 13Apr
Soviet Union
Diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Soviet Union are established. - 26Jun
RAF
World War II: San Marino, a neutral state, is mistakenly bombed by the RAF based on faulty information, leading to 35 civilian deaths. - 26Aug
Charles de Gaulle
World War II: Charles de Gaulle enters Paris. - 31Dec
Nazi Germany
World War II: Hungary declares war on Nazi Germany.