The Hitler Conspirator: The Story of Kurt Freiherr von Plettenberg and Stauffenberg's Valkyrie Plot to Kill the Fuhrer

by Eberhard Schmidt

Overview

Kurt Freiherr von Plettenberg (1891-1945) was the descendant of Westphalian aristocratic family, and a soldier in both world wars. The expectations, which he along with many of his later fellow conspirators of the 20 July 1944 plot to kill Hitler initially had of the Third Reich, are soon disappointed, when he recognises the true nature of the regime. When he accepts the office as general agent of the former Prussian royal house of the Hohenzollerns in 1942, he already belongs to the inner circle of the resistance planning Operation Valkyrie.

After the assassination attempt, however, he is not immediately discovered as one of the conspirators. Out of consideration for the house of Hohenzollern, which Hitler considers to be his most dangerous internal enemy, he acted more carefully than many others. Yet only a few weeks before the end of the war Plettenberg is finally denounced and arrested, too.

This biography shows for the first time how Kurt von Plettenberg, who belonged to the inner circle of conspirators around Stauffenberg, found a way to prevail during those difficult times and how significantly he influenced the resistance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781399013215
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	09/09/2021
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Professor Dr Eberhard Schmidt was born in Berlin in 1939. He studied German, History and Philosophy. In 1973, he received his professorial chair. In 2004, he became director of the Institute of Political Science at the University of Oldenburg.

Table of Contents

Foreword Peter Hoffmann RR.S.C vi

Preface ix

Chapter 1 The Prussian Heritage 1

Chapter 2 Lieutenant in the First World War 13

Chapter 3 Difficult Years 37

Chapter 4 Marion Countess Dönhoff 47

Chapter 5 Hopes for the 'Third Reich' 62

Chapter 6 Arianne Baroness von Maltzahn 71

Chapter 7 Resignation from Public Service 80

Chapter 8 Infantry Regiment 9 89

Chapter 9 In the Service of the Hohenzollerns 102

Chapter 10 Inside the Resistance Network 109

Chapter 11 After the Failure of Operation Valkyrie 129

Chapter 12 Denunciation 142

Chapter 13 Prinz-Albrecht-Strafie 8 153

Epilogue 165

Acknowledgements 169

Timeline of Kurt Freiherr von Plettenberg 171

Bibliography and Sources 177

Index 193

Editorial Reviews

This biography is an interesting account of one of the key figures in the resistance movement and his brave sacrifice to save the lives of others.

Britain at War