Although there were more than 40 plots to assassinate Adolf Hitler; none came closer to success than the July Plot of 1944. The attempt was masterminded by Count von Stauffenberg; a member of the German General Staff; who had been rushed back from Africa after losing his left eye and right hand. For his injuries; he had been decorated as a war hero. Never a supporter of Nazi ideology; he was increasingly attracted by the approaches of the German resistance movement. After an attempt to assassinate Hitler in November 1943 failed; Stauffenberg developed a new plot to kill him at the Wolf's Lair Headquarters on 20th July 1944. Besides the Fuhrer's assassination; Stauffenberg organized plans to take over command of the Germany forces and sue for peace with the Allies. The attempt ultimately failed. Only one bomb was detonated and Hitler was only injured: his life was probably saved because the bomb; hidden in Stauffenberg's suitcase; had been placed behind a heavy table leg which reduced the impact of the black. In remarkable detail; with photographs; explanatory maps and diagrams; author Nigel Jones dissects the lead up to the attempt; the events of the day in minute-by-minute detail; and the aftermath in which the conspirators were hunted down. No other work on the July Plot contains such accessible detail and full explanation of this attempt on Hitler's life. In addition to a forensic analysis of the day; the book includes short biographies of the key characters involved; the first-person recollections of witnesses; and a 'what if' section explaining the likely outcome of a successful assassination.
#3682918 in Books Praeger 2008-11-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x 1.20 x 6.50l; 1.80 #File Name: 1846450535304 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent telling of survival storiesBy C. Langford; M.D.The stories of children who arrived in England speaking only German are amazing. Writer; Barbara Wolfenden met adullts who had overcome difficult childnoods and wanted to share their experiences. She was able to trace the living history and find other survivors and helpers.This book is an important contribution to Holocaust history.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Important storiesBy Not a Digital DivaThese are valuable; important stories for history. It's good that someone collected this information about the unusual life and times in which these children found themselves as they escaped from Nazi Germany and found sanctuary in England. Am glad their stories were saved in writing and not lost to us.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy SarahInteresting and easy to read.
