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They Almost Killed Hitler
Originally published in 1947, this book chronicles the assassination attempts on Adolf Hitler, both of which Fabian von Schlabrendorff, a major leader in the resistance against Hitler, played a direct role.
The first attempt took place on 13 March 1943: During a visit by Adolf Hitler to Army Group Center Headquarters in Smolensk, Schlabrendorff smuggled a time bomb, disguised as bottles of cognac, onto the aircraft which carried Hitler back to Germany. The bomb detonator failed to go off, however, most likely due of the cold in the aircraft luggage compartment. Schlabrendorff managed to retrieve the bomb the next day and elude detection.
A further attempt followed on 20 July 1944: Claus von Stauffenberg and other conspirators, including Schlabrendorff, attempted to kill Hitler inside his Wolf’s Lair field headquarters near Rastenburg, East Prussia, in what would become known as Operation Valkyrie. The plot was the culmination of the efforts by several groups in the German resistance to overthrow the Nazi German government. The failure of the assassination and the military coup d’état which was planned to follow led to the arrest of at least 7,000 people by the Gestapo—including Schlabrendorff—of whom 4,980 were executed.
The first attempt took place on 13 March 1943: During a visit by Adolf Hitler to Army Group Center Headquarters in Smolensk, Schlabrendorff smuggled a time bomb, disguised as bottles of cognac, onto the aircraft which carried Hitler back to Germany. The bomb detonator failed to go off, however, most likely due of the cold in the aircraft luggage compartment. Schlabrendorff managed to retrieve the bomb the next day and elude detection.
A further attempt followed on 20 July 1944: Claus von Stauffenberg and other conspirators, including Schlabrendorff, attempted to kill Hitler inside his Wolf’s Lair field headquarters near Rastenburg, East Prussia, in what would become known as Operation Valkyrie. The plot was the culmination of the efforts by several groups in the German resistance to overthrow the Nazi German government. The failure of the assassination and the military coup d’état which was planned to follow led to the arrest of at least 7,000 people by the Gestapo—including Schlabrendorff—of whom 4,980 were executed.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2017
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April 22, 2025
They Almost Killed Hitler is a gripping firsthand account of the German resistance to Nazism, written by Fabian von Schlabrendorff, a key figure in the failed July 20, 1944 assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler. The memoir offers a rare insider’s view into the moral and strategic dilemmas faced by members of the German military who opposed Hitler’s regime from within.
Schlabrendorff’s writing is both precise and compelling, combining personal narrative with historical detail. His account sheds light on the courage, complexity, and internal conflict of the conspirators—officers who risked their lives not only in war but also in their fight to restore Germany’s honor. The book balances reflection and documentation, drawing on personal experience, official records, and postwar analysis.
What makes this work especially valuable is its moral clarity. Schlabrendorff, a devout Christian and trained jurist, grapples openly with the ethical implications of tyrannicide, offering insight into the psychological and spiritual toll of resistance. His survival after imprisonment and torture further adds weight to his testimony.
They Almost Killed Hitler stands as a significant contribution to World War II literature, particularly for readers interested in resistance movements, military ethics, and the lesser-known internal opposition to the Nazi regime. It is a powerful reminder of conscience in an age of complicity.
Schlabrendorff’s writing is both precise and compelling, combining personal narrative with historical detail. His account sheds light on the courage, complexity, and internal conflict of the conspirators—officers who risked their lives not only in war but also in their fight to restore Germany’s honor. The book balances reflection and documentation, drawing on personal experience, official records, and postwar analysis.
What makes this work especially valuable is its moral clarity. Schlabrendorff, a devout Christian and trained jurist, grapples openly with the ethical implications of tyrannicide, offering insight into the psychological and spiritual toll of resistance. His survival after imprisonment and torture further adds weight to his testimony.
They Almost Killed Hitler stands as a significant contribution to World War II literature, particularly for readers interested in resistance movements, military ethics, and the lesser-known internal opposition to the Nazi regime. It is a powerful reminder of conscience in an age of complicity.
Displaying 1 of 1 review