TREASON: Claus von Stauffenberg and the plot to kill Hitler
In ten episodes, Treason tells the remarkable and true story of Claus von Stauffenberg and the plot to assassinate Hitler.
In July 1944, Claus von Stauffenberg was 36 years old. He was a brilliant staff officer, regarded by many, including Hitler, as the most brilliant in the German Army. He was a decorated war hero. He had been badly wounded in North Africa, losing his right hand, two fingers of his left hand, and his left eye: he could have sat out the war on a pension. He was married with four children, and his wife was pregnant with their fifth. He had everything to live for – and yet he was prepared to risk all that to try and rid the world of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.
The gripping narrative follows Claus von Stauffenberg as the Nazis rise to unleash the Second World War across Europe, Claus's increasing disillusionment with the regime, and the process of building an insurrection against Hitler.
We will hear about the many attempts on Hitler's life, and the courage and character of those in the German resistance who were prepared to act.
TREASON: Claus von Stauffenberg and the plot to kill Hitler
Vengeance
Once the coup collapsed, the Nazis outdid themselves in their fury. It remained to be seen who would be caught in their net.
Some conspirators committed suicide. Some managed to escape.
Thousands were rounded up. The Gestapo tortured their victims, placed them on show trials, and hanged them.
At their trials before the Nazi ‘People’s Court’, with nothing left to lose, the July plotters proved remarkably difficult to cow.
Relatives of conspirators were also arrested and imprisoned.
Nina von Stauffenberg was held separately from her children who were placed in an orphanage.
In January 1945, in solitary confinement, she gave birth to her fifth child.
As Germany unravelled, the mechanism of revenge took over.
Finally, his ambitions in ruins and having caused the deaths of millions, Hitler committed suicide, and the Reich surrendered.
The war over, Nina was reunited with her children.
The July plotters’ attempts to replace Hitler and end the war failed, but their example of moral courage leaves a legacy for future generations.
Written and narrated by Brian Walters
Original music, editing and sound design by the amazing Sam Loy
Artwork by Mike Vernon.
Episode Transcript
A full transcript of the episode is available here.
Read the book TREASON
You can read more about Claus von Stauffenberg and the German resistance to Hitler, in the book Treason by Brian Walters.
For those with iPads, Treason is available as an interactive Apple Book here.
The hard copy can be bought here.
If you live out of Australia, the hard copy is best purchased from Blurb.
There is also a Kindle version.
Resources
For a list of the creative commons music and sound effects used in this episode, head here.
Finally …
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By all means contact me, Brian Walters, by email on walters@vicbar.com.au