Claus’ Valkyrie

This story, is rich in history. It’s rich in heroism, defiance and anti-racism. This was an act of multiple brave people who tried to change the course of history, for the better.

What is operation Valkyrie you ask? Well originally it was the plan to keep the government of the third Reich (Hitler’s Germany) together. If the government failed to keep civil control, the reserve army would be sent in to regain control on behalf of the government.

Now, I can already hear you ask: how is this a story of anti racism? Well, it all starts with a brave and defiant corporal in the Wehrmacht (the Germany army at the time), his name was Claus Von Stauffenberg. He had been vocal of his disapproval of Hitler and Nazism while serving in North Africa and this put him on the radar of other anti-Nazi officials in power notably, General Friedrich Olbricht. After Claus suffered terrible injuries in North Africa including a missing eye, an amputated right hand and two fingers missing on his left, leaving him with only his thumb, index and middle finger. Olbricht was well aware of his disdain for Hitler and the Nazi party. Upon his hospitalisation in Germany, Claus found himself working for Olbricht. It was while meeting with other anti-Nazi officials that Claus proposed the idea of ‘operation Valkyrie.’ At first, he was laughed at. This was a plan to keep Hitler’s government in power, to save it.

Claus, knowing the odds were against them as it stood, declared that operation Valkyrie would be re-written, in the event of Hitler’s death and the SS staging a coup against him. With this plan, Claus and the others could convince the reserve army (who would be mobilised in the event of operation Valkyrie) that they were fighting for Hitler’s government. Not against it. While arresting leading SS, Gestapo and Nazi officials and quietly putting a new government in place.

Claus was promoted up the ranks by General Olbricht, this is what got him close to Hitler. It was planned that Claus would place a briefcase under the table during a meeting with Hitler and other generals. This briefcase was to be filled with explosives that would set off as Claus made a quick get away.

On July 20th, 1944, Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg entered Hitler’s headquarters in eastern Prussia. His mission? To kill the leader of the third Reich. Everything seemed to go to plan, Claus himself saw the blast go off. Hitler was in that room with all his generals. A huge, earth shattering bang was heard across the entire complex. Claus was sure that he had killed the most evil man the world has ever known. However, over in Berlin, Olbricht was awaiting confirmation and became to nervous to act. This indecision infuriated Claus when he returned. He demanded that operation Valkyrie be put in to full effect.

As soon as the order went out, the reserve army was already on standby. They immediately began to mobilise and take control of Berlin. They arrested Nazi party members, SS personal and anyone in the Gestapo (the Nazi Sectret police). Everything was going to plan. City after city in the Third Reich began to mobilise against Nazi officials, believing Hitler was dead. However, things changed when the reserve army had orders to arrest one of Hitler’s right hand men, Dr Josef Goebbels. Upon the army entering his residence, Goebbels immediately phoned for Adolf Hitler. He was still alive. Hitler himself ordered for the arrest of everyone involved in the plot on his life.

Claus and the brave few who were fighting with him were about to be arrested. All that they had fought for, was to be forgotten. Hitler himself addressed the nation, stating that he was unharmed aside from a few bruises and burns. The plan had failed. The reserve army immediately burst in to the compound where Claus and his associates had orchestrated the most daring act of courage modern Europe and indeed, possibly the world, had ever seen.

The brave circle of conspirators were rounded up by the reserve army. All were scenteted to death. On the 21st July, 1944, Claus and his comrades were executed by firing squad. It’s believed his final words were ‘long live sacred Germany!’ Before being gunned down. This story happened. This story is fact. This story needs to be shared with more people. In the darkest hour of human history, a brave man rallied those who thought alike and took a stand against evil, against tyranny and against racism.

I would like to end on a quote by one of the men involved, Henning Von Trescow. He said to Claus: “It only matters that we act- now, before we lose the war. Otherwise this will always be Hitler's Germany. We have to show the world that not all of us were like him.”

We cannot forget the sacrifice of these brave men. Especially Claus. He stood to loose not only his life but he put his family at risk. His friends. All for the hope of a better tomorrow. That is real heroism.

Rest in Peace Claus Von Stauffenberg

(15th November, 1907-21st July, 1944)