Assassination Attempts – Analysis and Conclusions

According to “mainstream history” (i.e., anti-Nazi propaganda), all those who plotted the assassination of Hitler were heroes (this one is true), genuine patriots of Germany (debatable) who wanted to kill the Nazi dictator (true), bring down the Nazi regime (not necessarily) and restore democracy in Germany (never).

As usually is the case, the reality is very different – and far more complicated. As it happened (an, alas, still continues to happen), those who attempt to assassinate a political leader do it for a number of reasons – and Adolf Hitler was no exception (only the number of attempts was simply enormous – compared to other leaders).

Some do it because they are, well, clinically (and criminally) insane – i.e. Ludwig Assner, Josef Thomas and possibly Dr. Mylius; others to avenge religious (Maurice Bavaud) or ethnic (Helmut Hirsch) prosecution – or punish someone who they think was responsible for their professional and personal failures (Georg Elser).

Or the defeat of one’s nation in a war against Germany (General Michał Karaszewicz-Tokarzewski) or make it easier to win the war with Germany (Operation Foxley). There was even an attempt by an ex-Nazi (Beppo Römer) who felt betrayed by Adolf Hitler and wanted revenge.

As you can see, none of the above had anything to do with being a patriot of Germany (let alone transforming the Nazi state into a Weimar-style democracy).

The only attempts that could have been driven by patriotism, were the ones plotted by the Wehrmacht generals – the Oster/Halder conspiracy, the July 20^th plot and half a dozen (at least) assassination plots in between.

However, in reality these attempts were driven by something else entirely. Fear. In 1938, it was a (not exactly unfounded) fear that Hitler would start a war that would lead to far more disastrous consequences than the First Great War.

In 1943-44 it was fear (very well-justified by reality) that Adolf Hitler, if allowed to live and command the Wehrmacht, will inevitably lead Germany to the worst destruction and loss of life in its history (and that’s exactly what happened).

In other words, in both cases (and the plots of 1943-44 were essentially a one giant plot) the conspirators were driven by the overwhelming, passionate, noble and patriotic desire to save Germany from Adolf Hitler.

Unfortunately, it was not the only drive behind their assassination and coup attempts. Another drive (not much less powerful) was revenge and the desire to go back to the “good old days”.

All plotters – without exception – were German aristocrats who prior to Nazi coming tom power essentially owned and run the country. Making the whole nation work for them – for the elites and for the aristocracy.

Adolf Hitler turned it by 180 degrees. In Nazi Germany, despite its numerous obvious faults (and a fundamentally criminal nature), the elites were forced to work for the nation (i.e. for the German people), not the other way around. And what was previously de-facto reserved for aristocracy only, suddenly was made oven for every German – regardless of social origins.

Hitler openly admitted that his Army (Heer) was Prussian; in other words, still, despite all his efforts, run by Prussian aristocrats. Who detested the Weimar Republic – and the whole idea of democracy – even more than the Nazis.

In other words, the plotters were profoundly anti-democratic, hoping to replace Hitler with a conservative-authoritarian government (very possibly even by a monarchy), and make the country ruled by aristocratic elites again.

They had no desire to allow the general public to have any participation in the governance of the German state – which would have meant a step back compared even to Nazi Germany which surprisingly was a democracy (albeit in a highly restricted way).

Hence, although the generals did care about Germany, first and foremost they cared about their caste – the German aristocratic elites. Hardly a definition of a genuine patriotism.

However, it did not matter. Hitler was far too well-protected by the Providence (Supreme Power) for any plot to succeed. Besides, there was always Heinrich Himmler willing and able to make sure that no plotters ever achieve their objectives.

Hence, all plots and assassination attempts on Adolf Hitler were exercises in futility – cut and dry, plain and simple, loud and clear. And a colossal waste of time, energy, valuable resources and – worst of all – human lives.