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The Bendlerblock

The Past and the Present 7

The Bendlerblock 11

Portraits of Resistance 24

The Attempted Assassinationof Hitler – Thursday, July 20, 1944 30

The Bundeswehr Memorial 37The Location 42The Cella 45Dedication and Namingof the Dead 51

Reference Literature 52

Editorial Details 52

3CONTENTS

Contents

2 THE BENDLERBLOCK

Vestibule interiorwith security gate.

The Bendlerblock is one of the mostsignificant sites of Germany’s recenthistory in Berlin.

4 THE BENDLERBLOCK 5THE BENDLERBLOCK

Above: The Bendlerblock's historic facade –as seen from Reichpietschufer.Below: Staircase in the columned hall.

Up until the evening hours of July 20,1944 Colonel Claus Schenk Count vonStauffenberg of the German General Staffand a few trusted companions tried invain to bring about the overthrow of thetyrannical Nazi regime. Later that night heand his closest confidants were executedby a firing squad in the inner courtyardof the Bendlerblock.

As a result of an initiative by the familiesof the resistance members, a memorialwas unveiled in the inner courtyard ofthe Bendlerblock on July 20, 1953. Thishas given Germany a special memorialand place of remembrance.

The Past and the Present

Stauffenberg's office.

6 THE BENDLERBLOCK 7THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

9THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

After the decision to move the seat ofGerman government to Berlin, it wasdecided to base the Federal Minister ofDefence’s Berlin office in the Bendler-block. This once again underscored theBundeswehr’s commitment to the traditionof military resistance to the Nazi regime.The supreme task of the Bundeswehr is toguarantee the rule of law and to protecthuman dignity. In this respect, it has muchin common with the men and women ofJuly 20, 1944.

View into the Stauffenbergsaal conference roomwith bronze bust and Renate Anger's butterfly frieze“Rotes Ordensband” (red underwing) consisting ofeight individual panels.

8 THE BENDLERBLOCK

The Berlin seat of the Federal Ministryof Defence with its staff of some 9001

ensures the necessary proximity of theFederal Minister, State Secretaries, theChief of Defence and the Ministry’sdirectorate-generals to the capital’spolitical decision-making bodies.

1 As of March 2017

The historical complex of buildings knownas the “Bendlerblock” is situated betweenTiergarten and Landwehrkanal. Althoughthis name was never officially given to thecomplex, this is what it is referred to andknown as far beyond the city of Berlin.

The history of the Bendlerblock goesback to before World War I. The masterbuilder Johann Christoph Bendler (1789–1873) developed this area of land andbequeathed a large part of the site to thecity administration. The street whichconnects the Landwehrkanal and theTiergarten was originally named in hishonour, although it is now called Stauffen-bergstrasse.

The Imperial German Navy acquired plotsof land at this location and a buildingcomplex was constructed on it between1911 and 1914, large enough to houseseveral of the Reich Navy Office´s com-mand authorities which had previouslybeen scattered throughout central Berlin.With its five floors and numerous innercourtyards, this building provided roomfor 900 people.

The main building on Landwehrkanalwas exclusively used as the office of theSecretary of State of the Reich Navy Office(until 1916 Grand Admiral von Tirpitz).The wing of the main building on the righthoused the Admiralty Staff of the ImperialGerman Navy. It was from here thatImperial Germany conducted its naval warduring World War I. The east wing wasused by the Navy Cabinet, the Kaiser’spersonal staff for naval affairs. TheSecretary of State of the Reich Navy Officeand the head of the Navy Cabinet lived inapartments on the second floor.

In the wake ofWorldWar I, it was here thatthe leadership of the Reichswehr sought todefine its role in the first parliamentarydemocracy on German soil.

The Bendlerblock


Building seen from the parade ground.

The Treaty of Versailles (1919) led to radicalreductions in German force levels. Germanywas forced to abandon its air force. Hencethe Bendlerblock was able to provideenough room for the High Commands ofboth the Navy and the Army, which had alsobeen scaled down. The Reichswehr Ministryunder Gustav Noske (1868–1946), the firstReichswehr Minister of the new GermanRepublic, and the Army High Commandunder the command of General WalterReinhardt, moved into what once wereapartments used by the former ImperialGerman Navy authorities.

In March 1920 the reactionary Free Corpsstaged a putsch in the streets of Berlin.The head of the Truppenamt (the nameunder which the General Staff operatedafter being banned under the provisions ofthe Versailles Treaty), Major General vonSeeckt, was asked if the military could quellthe coup. In the Minister’s office in theBendlerblock, he is said to have replied,“Troops do not fire upon troops”. In otherwords: the democratic Republican Govern-ment could not count on being protectedby the Reichswehr. It had to flee from therebels and moved temporarily to Stuttgart.The Army Headquarters was located inthe east wing of the Bendlerblock underthe command of General von Seeckt until1926.


Left: The Bendlerblock’s columned hall.Following pages: The “Roter Teppich” (red carpet)in the columned hall shows an aerial photographof post-war Berlin. In particular, it shows theTiergarten district with the partially destroyedBendlerblock. (Artist: Via Lewandowsky)

In January 1933, the Reichswehrcommanders met in the Bendlerblock todiscuss their position in the event ofHitler’s Chancellorship. A few days later,Reich President Hindenburg appointedHitler head of government –with theconsent of the top military echelon.

On February 3, 1933 the “Führer” explainedhis intentions to all the Reichswehrgenerals present. He was remarkably frankin describing the objectives of his policy.He talked about “eradicating Marxismroot and branch”, “the tightest possibleauthoritarian government leadership andstamping out the cancer of democracy”and “the fight against Versailles”.

When asked how “political power” wasto be used in the future, Hitler mentionedthe “conquest of new lebensraum in theeast and its ruthless Germanisation”. 1

On June 30, 1934 – less than one-and-a-half years later – Hitler had numerouspolitical opponents murdered under thepretence of an alleged putsch by the SA(Sturmabteilung or “Storm Division”).These also included two former Reichs-wehr generals (Kurt von Schleicher andFerdinand von Bredow). The Reichswehrtolerated their liquidation.

The state of affairs at the time was alsoreflected in measures taken by anotherrepresentative of the top military echelon:The Chief of Army Command andsubsequent Supreme Army Commander,General von Fritsch, ensconced himselfin his Bendlerblock apartment, protectedby soldiers.

17THE BENDLERBLOCK

1 “Hitler's first talks ...on February 3, 1933 (atHammerstein's)” in: H.-A. Jacobsen, 1939 – 1945.Der Zweite Weltkrieg in Chronik und Dokumenten.Darmstadt 1959, pp. 81ff.View of the FMoD visitors' mess.

16 THE BENDLERBLOCK

18 THE BENDLERBLOCK

Above: Historical stairway.Below: Corridor leading to offices.

19THE BENDLERBLOCK

Modern staircase.

Meanwhile, adjoining plots of land hadbeen bought on which additional newbuildings were erected up to 1938. Finally,after its extension was completed, theBendlerblock housed, apart from theSupreme Army Commander, elements ofthe Navy Operations staff of the Navy HighCommand and most of the agencies of theOffice for Foreign Affairs/Intelligence inthe Armed Forces High Command underAdmiral Wilhelm Canaris.

The Abwehr, the Foreign IntelligenceService of the Third Reich, was a first centreof military resistance. Major General Osterand a group of conspirators planned tooverthrow the Nazi regime by militarymeans as early as in 1938. Their intentionwas to hinder Hitler’s military action againstCzechoslovakia because they feared itwould trigger a war in Europe which theywere firmly convinced Germany couldnever win.

When the European powers approvedof the occupation of large parts ofCzechoslovakia by German forces, Hitler’s

foreign policy registered a success andthe attempt to overthrow the regime wasquashed.

Until the Gestapo stripped it of its powersin 1943, the Abwehr remained a pocket ofresistance.

Shortly after the beginning of the war, theCommander of the Reserve Army and theArmy Office (headed by Infantry GeneralFriedrich Olbricht) moved into the mainpart of the east wing. From October 1943Lieutenant Colonel (later Colonel) of theGeneral Staff Claus Schenk Count vonStauffenberg worked here, too. The nation-wide military coup against Hitler wasplotted under the code name “Valkyrie”in an office on the second floor of theBendlerblock.

The coup d'état failed on July 20, 1944.The very spot where Stauffenberg and hisfellow conspirators General FriedrichOlbricht, Colonel Albrecht Ritter Mertzvon Quirnheim and Reserve LieutenantWerner von Haeften were executed thatsame night is located in what is todaythe commemorative courtyard. The fourbrave men are commemorated with amemorial plaque.

21THE BENDLERBLOCK

Wreaths placed in the commemorative courtyardof the “German Resistance Memorial Centre” duringthe annual celebrations commemorating the eventsof July 20, 1944.

20 THE BENDLERBLOCK

23THE BENDLERBLOCK

During the final days of the war theBendlerblock served as a command postfor General HelmuthWeidling, the Berlincombat commander. Finally, on May 2,1945, Russian troops occupied the com-plex.

During the post-war period the Bendler-block was used by a great number ofcivilian agencies and federal authorities.At an early stage it also became a memorialof recent German history. On July 20,1952 the widow of Friedrich Olbricht,representing the members of the resist-ance and their families, laid the foundationstone for a memorial in the courtyard.It was unveiled by Ernst Reuter, theGoverning Mayor of Berlin, in a ceremonyone year later. On July 20, 1955 Bendler-strasse was consequently renamedStauffenbergstrasse. In 1980 the com-memorative courtyard was remodelled.Since then one of the walls at the entrancebears this inscription:

Here in the former Army High Command,Germans organised the attempt tooverthrow the lawless National Socialistregime on July 20, 1944. For this theysacrificed their lives.

Amemorial and educational centre wasfirst opened in the Bendlerblock on July 20,1968, the 20th anniversary of the failedassassination attempt. The results ofresearch on contemporary historyprompted an extension to the exhibitionto document the entire spectrum anddiversity of resistance against Hitler andthe Nazi regime in Germany.

By 1989, the “German Resistance MemorialCentre” with its permanent exhibition“Resistance to National Socialism” wasestablished in the historic rooms wherethe coup had been planned and staged.

22 THE BENDLERBLOCK

Soldiers of the FMoD Guard Battalion stand honourguard in front of the memorial plaque for the victimsof July 20, 1944.

25PORTRAITS OF RESISTANCE24 THE BENDLERBLOCK

Poland in September 1939 wouldinevitably result in Germany’s totaldestruction. Apart from the externalthreat, he was preoccupied with theinner decay of Germany, brought aboutby National-Socialist rule and the crimesit was committing.

From the winter of 1939 on, Beck effec-tively functioned as the centre of theresistance.With his vision and superiorintellect, he managed to unify andcontrol its various currents and move-ments. Had the coup succeeded, Beckhad been earmarked to become headof state.

After an unsuccessful suicide attemptto avoid interrogation and torture,Colonel General Beck was shot late inthe evening of July 20, 1944.

Werner von Haeften

had a military family background. Afterstudying law he worked as a lawyer inBerlin. Later, while serving as a platooncommander in an infantry unit, he wasseriously wounded during the Russiancampaign in the winter of 1942.

Following his recovery, Haeften becameaide-de-camp to Stauffenberg. He wasa friend of Stauffenberg and one of theconspirators; he took part in the assassi-nation attempt on Hitler at midday, July20, 1944.

On the night of July 20/21, 1944 ReserveLieutenant von Haeften was shot in thecourtyard of Bendlerblock.

Ludwig Beck

came from an established family ofacademics, civil servants and officers inHesse-Darmstadt. After beginning hisarmy service in an artillery regiment in1898, he qualified for the General Staff(1908–1911); afterWorldWar I he becamea member of the Reichswehr and heldvarious troop and staff assignments.

As a commander he already had his firstclose encounter with National Socialismbefore 1933 when officers of his regiment,who sympathised with the Nazi ideology,were charged with treason (1930).Whilecondemning their actions, Beck couldwell understand the officers´ views;after all, he saw National Socialism as aninstrument to overcome the provisionsof the Versailles Peace Treaty.

Hitler’s acts of murder against the SAin the summer of 1934 triggered a sub-stantial change of mind in Beck. Duringthe years that followed, he finally sawthrough the Führer’s foreign policy.

As Army Chief of Staff from 1935, he sawhis role in a conventional and professionalway, namely as a totally independentadviser to the political leaders.

With this view, however, he stood in sharpcontrast to Hitler and those officers who,from an early stage, permitted themselvesto be used as Hitler’s willing henchmen.

In memoranda, lectures and studieshe consistently pointed out the risk ofwar and its dramatic consequences forGermany. His attempts to rally supportamong army commanders failed. Beckwas steadfast in his decision to submithis resignation in 1938 to avoid anyinvolvement in Hitler’s policy whichwas driving the nation into war againstCzechoslovakia.

Beck remained unimpressed by Hitler'ssuccess in foreign policy and his earlymilitary “feats”. He was completely awarethat the war triggered by the attack on

Portraits of Resistance

Ludwig BeckJune 29, 1880 – July 20, 1944

Werner von HaeftenOctober 9, 1908 – July 21, 1944


Friedrich Olbricht

a teacher´s son, became a soldier in 1907.Following various staff assignments afterWorld War I, Olbricht held several highcommand positions until 1938. Afterinitially commanding a division, he becamechief of the General Army Office in theArmy High Command, Berlin, in 1940.

Olbricht established contacts with severalmembers of the resistance at an early stage.From the beginning of the War he hadbeen among the protagonists of militaryopposition in Germany.

The use of the alert plan “Valkyrie” as aninstrument for the coup – disseminatingit through official channels – had beenhis brainchild. Army units were due to bealerted promptly anyway in case of civilunrest in the Homeland.

All further steps by the conspirators –ousting Hitler, assuming militarycommand authority and governmentresponsibility – were forthwith camou-flaged this way.

The units to be alerted were to be madeto believe that high-ranking disloyal Naziofficials would with Hitler´s death try toconsolidate their power in a quasi-coup,which was to be prevented at all costs bythe Wehrmacht.

On July 20, 1944, however, the measuresthat Olbricht had meticulously plannedgot off to a slow start because themessage that Hitler had survived theassassination attempt had got throughto the Bendlerblock quite early on.

During that same night Infantry GeneralFriedrich Olbricht was shot in the court-yard of the Bendlerblock as ordered byColonel General Fromm, Commander ofthe Replacement Training Army.

Albrecht RitterMertz von Quirnheim

came from a family of Bavarian-Palatinategentry. On completion of his secondaryeducation he joined the Reichswehr (1923),and temporarily considered transferringto the SA. Mertz and Stauffenberg hadbeen close friends ever since they trainedtogether at the War Academy in Berlin.

After various unit command and staffassignments he was posted to theFührer’s headquarters near Vinnitsa(Ukraine) in the winter of 1941. This waswhere he worked closely together withStauffenberg and was confronted withsevere ethical quandaries as a result ofNazi occupation policy.

In June 1944 Mertz von Quirnheimsucceeded Stauffenberg as Chief of Staffunder Olbricht’s command. He was oneof those who prepared the orders tobe issued after Hitler’s assassination(“Operation Valkyrie”).

On the night of July 20, 1944 – knowingfull well that Hitler had survived theassassination attempt – von Quirnheimunwaveringly issued orders for therealisation of the coup.

Shortly afterwards, Colonel of theGeneral Staff Albrecht Ritter Mertz vonQuirnheim was shot in the courtyardof Bendlerblock.

Friedrich OlbrichtOctober 4, 1888 – July 21, 1944

Albrecht Ritter Mertz von QuirnheimMarch 26, 1905 – July 21, 1944


Along with General Olbricht, Colonel vonTresckow and a small number of hand-picked conspirators Stauffenberg startedto transform the planning measures,which were his responsibility and whichwere to be taken in case of civil unrest(“Operation Valkyrie”) into a plan fora coup d´état, which was preparedwith military precision. At that time,Stauffenberg was the only conspiratorto still have personal access to Hitler.

Hence it was crucial on July 20, 1944 –the day of the attempted coup – thatStauffenberg not only arm the bomb atthe Führer’s headquarters in East Prussiabut return to Berlin alive to direct theoverthrow from the Bendlerblock fromabout 1600 hours.

In a frenzy of activity he tried to convincethe Wehrmacht agencies in the Reichthat this was the time to act. As theevening progressed, however, it becameincreasingly obvious that the coup hadfailed.

Stauffenberg and his three closest con-spirators were summarily executed by afiring squad in the inner courtyard of theBendlerblock.

Claus Schenk Countvon Stauffenberg

was born into old Swabian nobility. Hismaternal ancestors were related toGneisenau. In 1926 he joined the elitistBamberg Seventeenth Cavalry Regiment(“Bamberger Reiter”) as an officer cadet.

In 1936 he was selected for general staffofficer training and posted to the WarAcademy in Berlin. The handsome cavalryofficer was considered a brilliant thinkerwho was equally charismatic. His way ofthinking was deeply influenced by thepoet and influential intellectual StefanGeorge (1868–1933) who was also hispersonal friend.

In spring 1943 Stauffenberg was severelywounded in an air raid in Northern Africa,losing his left eye, right hand and twofingers of his left hand. Nonetheless,he continued his service in outstandingpositions. In the summer of 1944 – atthe age of 36 years – he was promoted toColonel of the General Staff and Chief ofStaff of the Replacement Training ArmyCommand in the Bendlerblock.

Initially, Stauffenberg condoned the Nazigovernment’s foreign policy goals. Soon,however, the sensitive officer felt grow-ing abhorrence at the brutish methods ofthose now wielding power.

By 1942 Stauffenberg had become awarethat the war would unavoidably leadto Germany’s destruction and that hisactions were covering the most heinousof crimes that the lawless Nazi regimewas committing in the name of Germany.Stauffenberg, in his own words: “They'reshooting Jews in their thousands. Thesecrimes must stop!”

From October 1943 he was responsiblefor personnel replacement and wasthus confronted with the rising numberof casualties every day. By thenStauffenberg was firmly convinced thatcontinuing the war would be a crimeagainst the German people. This warhad to be stopped at all costs but thisseemed impossible as long as Hitler wasstill alive and in power.

Claus Schenk Count von StauffenbergNovember 15, 1907 – July 21, 1944

31THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF HITLER – THURSDAY, JULY 20 , 1944

Stauffenberg leaves his brother Berthold’s apartment(Tristanstrasse 8, Berlin-Wannsee), for Rangsdorfairfield.

At about 0700 hrs Stauffenberg meets his adjutantHaeften and flies to Rastenburg with him.

Arrival and onward journey to the Führer’s headquarters,access via the western checkpoint; breakfast.

Stauffenberg reports to Field Marshal General Keitel(Head of the Wehrmacht High Command); 1130 – 1200 hrsrelief of the guards in the Restricted Areas.

Lieutenant General von Hase (Berlin City Commandant)is informed about the planned assassination.

Haeften helps Stauffenberg to prepare the assassination.They are disturbed but still succeed in completingtheir work. Stauffenberg leaves to attend the situationbriefing, carrying the armed 1-kg explosives charge inhis briefcase.

The Attempted Assassination of Hitler – Thursday, July 20, 1944The following events in Berlin and Rastenburg (East Prussia), the location of Hitler’s Headquarters(“Wolf’s Lair”), are featured in the overview of individual actions and military measures of July 20and 21, 1944 contained in the catalogue of the travelling exhibition of the Military History ResearchInstitute (also see Reference Literature on page 52).

30 THE BENDLERBLOCK

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Situation briefing by Lieutenant General Heusinger (Head of the Operations Division of the Army High Command). Due to give a talk on the “employment ofblocking divisions”, Stauffenberg’s presence isannounced to Hitler. Stauffenberg places the briefcaseunder the chart table close to Hitler; there are another24 persons present. – On the pretence of having to makea phone call, Stauffenberg leaves the room.

The charge explodes, killing four persons. Hitler survives with only minor injuries. Stauffenberg watchesthe explosion from 200 metres away.

Restricted Area I is closed.

Stauffenberg and Haeften are allowed to leave RestrictedArea I, the officer in charge of the guards suspectsnothing.

Both Restricted Areas are put on alert. Stauffenberg isstopped, after confirmation by telephone he is allowedto pass the second checkpoint.

At about 1300 hrs a news blackout is imposed on theheadquarters, which does not include the SS lines ofcommunication; shortly after, Goebbels is informed aboutthe events without any details.

Stauffenberg and Haeften fly to Berlin. The head of the Wehrmacht communication links agency (in Berlin) is informed that the assassination attempt has failedand that Hitler escaped with minor injuries.

Himmler (Reichsführer SS) arrives at the scene; initially, labourers working at the headquarters aresuspected. Himmler sends for investigators from Berlin,the suspect is now Stauffenberg. Himmler orders him to be arrested on his arrival at Rangsdorf.

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33THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF HITLER – THURSDAY, JULY 20 , 194432 THE BENDLERBLOCK

Stauffenberg and Haeften arrive at the Bendlerblock.Stauffenberg reports to Fromm, claims responsibility for the assassination and states that Hitler is dead.Olbricht informs Fromm that he has launched “Valkyrie”.Fromm refuses to co-operate and is arrested. Beck issues orders to act as though Hitler were dead.

Remer returns to his troops with the task of cordoningoff the government district.

Himmler orders the Reich Security Main Office in Berlinto arrest Stauffenberg inconspicuously. Commanders atthe headquarters persistently inquire whether Hitler isreally dead. Keitel tries to contact Fromm or Olbrichtby telephone. From 1700 hrs radio stations report on theassassination attempt, stating that Hitler had sustainedonly minor injuries (these messages are disseminateduntil 2200 hrs).

Remer passes on the orders to the officers in his battalion. One officer who had become suspicious asksfor permission to verify the news with Goebbels himself.This way, Goebbels first learns about “Valkyrie” and on his part alerts an SS training unit (based in Berlin-Lichterfelde). Remer is then briefed on the real situation.

Röhrig has first doubts as he is supposed to relay ateletype message to the effect that “executive powers inthe military districts are delegated to the commandinggenerals and military district commanders”.

Röhrig is given another text containing instructionsregarding the second stage of alert plan “Valkyrie”;this text is disseminated until 2300 hrs.

The government district is cordoned off under “Valkyrie”.

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Stauffenberg and Haeften land at Rangsdorf air base.Haeften telephones the conspirators in the Bendlerblock,saying that Hitler is dead.

Lieutenant General Thiele (Head of the Wehrmacht signalcommunications agency) passes on the telephone message(of 1315 hrs) stating that several people had been killedin the explosion at the “Führer’s headquarters”. ColonelGeneral Hoepner and General Olbricht delay the initia-tion of alert state “Valkyrie” until there is certainty.

Olbricht states password “Deutschland” and thus initiates“Valkyrie”; in a message to Colonel General Fromm (Commander of the Replacement Training Army) he statesthat the Führer is dead and that “Valkyrie” is to beinitiated. Fromm telephones Keitel who acknowledges theincident but informs him that Hitler sustained only minorinjuries.

All military district commands are informed about thefailed assassination attempt and counter-orders are issued.

The guard battalion “Großdeutschland” is put on alert(“Valkyrie”), its commander, Major Remer, then goes tosee the Berlin City Commandant to be briefed; meanwhilefurther alert measures get under way until 1730 hrs.

Fromm issues the order not to initiate “Valkyrie”; Count von Helldorf (Chief Constable) is ordered to the Bendlerblock. In the meantime another two members of the resistance arrive, one of them being Colonel General Beck, the former Chief of the General Staff.

The head of the intelligence service of the WehrmachtHigh Command, Lieutenant Röhrig, receives a teletypemessage, “the Führer is dead…”; an amended version here of is forwarded to twenty addresses (1735 to2103 hrs).

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35THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF HITLER – THURSDAY, JULY 20 , 194434 THE BENDLERBLOCK

Röhrig receives the teletype message pertaining to Hoepner’s appointment as Commander of the ReplacementTraining Army and Supreme Commander of the Home CombatArea; parts of the text are disseminated between 2020and 2115 hrs. – Meanwhile Colonel Jäger reports to the Berlin City Commandant with the order to arrestGoebbels. – By 1900 hrs soldiers of the School of Artificers have moved into alert positions (castle, arsenal).

Remer reports to Goebbels and receives Hitler’s order by telephone to quash the uprising immediately. - In themeantime Beck tries to win the commanders of the Westernand the Eastern fronts over to the uprising efforts, mostof all to bring about the withdrawal of the NorthernArmy Group. Another telephone message is received from Army High Command (Organisational Division), acknowledging that the assassination attempt has failed.In endless telephone calls, Stauffenberg persists instating that Hitler is dead and that the Army has assumed executive powers!

Röhrig receives a teletype message, “Radio communiqué is not true. The Führer is dead.” This message is disseminated between 1945 and 2012 hrs.

Field Marshal General von Witzleben, slated to besupreme commander of the Wehrmacht, arrives at theBendlerblock. He has a one-on-one talk with Beck.

Röhrig voices his doubts to his superior, Colonel Köllner, and tells him of the delay action already initiated at the teletypewriter station.

An armoured unit arrives at Fehrbelliner Platz (Berlin-Wilmersdorf) to be employed in quelling the uprising.

Witzleben concludes that the uprising has failed. He leaves the Bendlerblock.

No further teletype messages about “Valkyrie”, Summary Regulations 1 to 5, are dispatched.


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All military district commanders are instructed only to follow the orders of Himmler, the new ReplacementTraining Army commander.

The intelligence centre in Bendlerstrasse picks up Keitel’s teletype message pertaining to Himmler’s appointment as commander of the Replacement TrainingArmy. General Olbricht forbids its onward transmission.

Following orders by General Reinecke, Lieutenant Generalvon Hase meets Goebbels in the latter’s residence wherehe is at first detained and then arrested the followingmorning.

In the Bendlerblock officers who were not initiated intothe plot carry out an armed counter-attack. As a resultFromm is set free. He has Olbricht, Stauffenberg, Mertzvon Quirnheim and Haeften arrested before pronouncing acourt martial verdict.

A company of the “Großdeutschland” guard battalionmarches into and occupies the Bendlerblock.

Beck tries in vain to kill himself and is then shot by a sergeant who had been ordered to the scene.

Fromm dispatches teletype messages to all military district commands to announce that the “attempted couphas been quelled with considerable bloodshed”.

A firing squad consisting of ten non-commissioned officers, commanded by Lieutenant Schady, executesHaeften, Olbricht, Merz von Quirnheim and Stauffenbergwho dies calling out “Long live our sacred Germany!”

Hitler addresses the nation in a radio message.




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This Memorial marks an important milestone in Bundeswehr history. For the first time, there is a central site to commemorate military and civilian Bundeswehr members who lost their lives in the course of their service to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Identity disk: upon entry into military service,every soldier is issued with an identity disc whichpermits him to be identified quickly and reliably.

36 THE BENDLERBLOCK

The Bundeswehr Memorial

37THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL

Military and civilian personnel who havelost their lives for the protection of peaceand freedom also deserve public respectand commemoration. That is why a FederalInstitutions Flag covers the mortal remainsof servicemen and women who were killedwhile exercising their official duties. Thissymbol is a visible token of the special tiesof loyalty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the deceased soldier. Inaddition, the Bundeswehr holds a funeralservice to pay its last respects to those whowere killed in missions abroad or duringtheir duty at home.

This is an important token of solidarity,which can provide helpful support for thebereaved in a situation that shakes theirvery existence.

But in order to commemorate the dead itis necessary not only to adhere consistentlyto rituals but also to designate certainplaces for this and make them known.

39THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL

Above: The Memorial; view from the parade ground.Below: The wide opening of the building in both directions, i.e. to Hildebrandstrasse and to the parade ground, and its frequently perforated bronze shell symbolise transparency.

38 THE BENDLERBLOCK

Since the Bundeswehr was established in 1955, more than 3,250 of its members have been killed: our soldiers who werekilled in conflict prevention and crisismanagement operations in the cause ofpeace as well as all the Bundeswehr members who lost their lives in or as aresult of tragic accidents, whether duringtraining, exercises, in traffic accidents orair crashes.

The Bundeswehr Memorial makes it clear that the defence of peace, justice and freedom cannot be compared with any other profession. In no other career is the question of life and death of suchexistential importance as in military service.

The servicemen and women of the Bundeswehr are bound by their solemnpledge and their official oath to bravelydefend the rights and freedom of the German people. Military service involves, if necessary, risking life and limb and, ultimately, the obligation to kill in battle.This all-embracing duty of loyalty constitutes the core of military service.

40 THE BENDLERBLOCK 41THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL

Left: The Memorial; view from the parade ground.Above: The Memorial with a view of the paradeground and the Bendlerblock.

courtyard of the Bendlerblock underlinesthe fact that the Bundeswehr Memorialneither affects nor qualifies the importanceof July 20 for the Bundeswehr’s under-standing of tradition. On the contrary, the choice of its location again clearlydemonstrates that the Memorial consciouslyreflects the Bundeswehr’s lines of tradition.

The location of the Memorial fits in wellwith the existing architecture. The centreone of the five flagpoles on the slightlyraised forecourt marks the centre line of theparade ground. During military ceremoniesthat take place here, movements can beoriented towards the centre line and theflags. It is here that the Memorial creates a new visual boundary to the paradeground. At the same time, the Memorial is integrated into the spatial and idealcontext of the Federal Ministry of Defence.

A key aspect of the Memorial’s architectureis its location at the interface of the public-civilian and the official-military area. It issituated right on the boundary betweenthe site of the Bendlerblock and the publicly accessible Hildebrandstrasse.

Therefore, the Memorial can be enteredeither from the premises of the FederalMinistry of Defence or from the publicstreet. Thus representing the interfacebetween the Armed Forces and society,it constitutes another vital element of theBundeswehr’s self-image.

The open access to both sides provides agreat deal of flexibility in use allowing forboth public and private commemorationand mourning. Individual, private commemoration and public remembranceduring military ceremonies are thus equally possible.

42 THE BENDLERBLOCK 43THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL – THE LOCATION

The site of the Memorial in Berlin, at theofficial seat of the Federal Ministry ofDefence, is the expression of a consideredpolitical decision.

All fundamental decisions by the government and parliament regarding the Bundeswehr are made in Berlin. At the Bendlerblock, the Berlin seat of the Federal Ministry of Defence, these decisionsare then implemented for the Bundeswehr.

The site of the Memorial in the immediateproximity of the legislative and executivepowers indirectly highlights the fact that theBundeswehr is bound by the Constitutionand that the democratic political will takesprecedence.

The urban area in which the Memorial issituated is characterised by its structuraldiversity. Embassies, representations ofthe Länder, museums as well as office andservice buildings make this a privilegedlocation that is also easily accessible bypublic transport. As part of this ensemble,the Memorial is neither exposed on aprominent urban stage nor hidden in a backyard. It stands its ground with acertain matter-of-factness without beingobtrusive. This also reflects the self-image

of the Bundeswehr, which holds its positionin state and society with confidence yet doesnot claim a special role for its members.

At the same time, the Memorial fits wellinto the architectural context of the capi-tal’s other memorials: several memorialsfrom the time of the German Empire, theMemorial to the Murdered Jews of Europeand the New Guardhouse (Neue Wache) as the Central Memorial to Victims of War and Tyranny are in the vicinity of theBundeswehr Memorial.

The German Resistance Memorial Centrehoused in a side wing of the Bendlerblockclose to the Bundeswehr Memorial is ofspecial significance.

This is one of the most important sites ofremembrance of the revolt of conscienceagainst the criminal national-socialistregime. Particularly the military resistanceagainst Adolf Hitler is a cornerstone of theBundeswehr’s understanding of tradition.

The Bundeswehr Memorial is quite separatefrom the German Resistance MemorialCentre and, although nearby, there is stillan appropriate distance between the two memorials. This distance from the

The Location

The Cella

Inside the Memorial is a room of silence:the cella.

45THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL – THE CELLA44 THE BENDLERBLOCK

This room at the southern end of the Memorial has neither doors nor windowsand can be entered either from the paradeground or from the street (Hildebrand-strasse). By lowering the ceiling an entrancehas been created that leads the visitor intothe cella. The cella is a monochrome, darkroom in which the contours are blurred, so that it seems dematerialised. The totalabsence of pictures, ornaments, designelements and colour inside the cella helpsthe visitor to concentrate on the mostimportant aspects.

At the end of the cella, the clean lines andsymmetry are interrupted, giving the rooman unexpected appearance. The farthestfloor panel is raised at an angle so that itsedge is fully visible, breaking the Memorial’sstrictly rectangular order. This tilted panelsymbolises the force and sheer magnitudeof the violence and disaster which ended a life.

The fault is moreover a reminder thatlosing somebody has virtually thrown thelives of the bereaved, relatives, friends and comrades out of joint. The raised floorpanel provides a suitable surface on whichvisitors can place wreaths, flowers, candlesor other mementos.

Daylight shines into the room through a skylight in the ceiling of the cella. Thisopens up the austere room to the heavens –a timeless symbol for the crossing of realborders and the world perceived by thesenses.

The daylight that enters the room fromabove shines through the semi-oval holesin the bronze shell. In favourable lightconditions, the special play of light andshadows on the polished surface of thefloor panel again provides the link with the pledge, the oath of office and the official oath.


Above: The intentionally reduced use of forms leaves room for concentration and interpretation.Below: The Book of Remembrance with a total of 20 bronze sheets.

50 THE BENDLERBLOCK

On leaving the cella, the visitor faces a shimmering golden wall. Its radiancecontrasts sharply with the sombre tonesof the cella.

The inscription in raised letters on thegolden wall reads:

TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE OF OUR BUNDESWEHR WHO DIED FOR PEACE, JUSTICE AND FREEDOM

Using capital letters only and dispensingwith punctuation lend the inscriptionpowerful expression and unity. The dedication recaptures the key idea of theMemorial: to honour the memory of allmembers of the Bundeswehr who died as a direct or indirect consequence of performing their duties to our country.

Whilst the cella relies on abstract elementsto achieve its effect, a materialised form of remembrance confronts the visitor as he leaves the room: above the entrance a luminous band displays the names of the dead to be commemorated on a horizontally mounted concrete slab in anever-changing sequence. The letters shinethrough translucent concrete. This givesthe impression that the names are floatingin space.

Naming the dead is a decisive element ofremembrance. This is a fitting way to payrespect to members of the Bundeswehrwho lost their lives.

At the same time, it is a reminder thatbehind the abstract design of the Memorialare the real tragedies of people who werekilled in the course of their service to oursociety. The technical installation permitschanges to be made. Thus it is possible fornames not to appear should the relativesso wish.

Dedication and Naming of the Dead

Golden wall with inscription.

51THE BUNDESWEHR MEMORIAL – DEDICATION AND NAMING OF THE DEAD

52 THE BENDLERBLOCK

Published byBundesministerium der VerteidigungPresse- und Informationsstab (Federal Ministry of Defence Press and Information Office) Stauffenbergstrasse 1810785 Berlin

As ofMarch 2017

Graphic design and layoutGratzfeld, Wesseling

TextsFederal Ministry of Defence, Fü S I 4 in cooperation with the Military History Research Institute

Photos courtesy ofFederal Ministry of DefenceBundeswehr/Andrea BienertBundeswehr/Claudius PflugBundeswehr/Sebastian WilkeKMBARoland AO Köhler

Printed byDruck- und Verlagshaus Zarbock GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurt am Main

For further informationplease visitwww.bmvg.dewww.bundeswehr.de

This brochure is a Federal Ministry of Defence publicrelations product. It is issued free and is not to be sold.

Aufstand des Gewissens. Militärischer Widerstand gegenHitler und das NS-Regime 1933 –1945. Begleittext zurWanderausstellung des MilitärgeschichtlichenForschungsamtes, hg. i. A. des MGFA von Thomas Vogel, 5., völlig überarbeitete und erweiterte Auflage. 2000

Benz, W., u. Pehle, W. (Hg.) : Lexikon des deutschen Widerstandes. 1994

Bundesministerium der Verteidigung (Hg.) : BendlerblockInformation. 1994

Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, Fü S I 3 (Hg.) :IFDT/Information für die Truppe, Nr. 7 (Themenheft). 1994

Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (Hg.) : DeutscherWiderstand 1933 – 1945 (Themenheft, Nr. 243). 1997

Graml, Hermann (Hg.) : Widerstand im Dritten Reich.Probleme, Ereignisse, Gestalten. 1984

Hoffmann, Peter : Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg und seine Brüder. Stuttgart, 1992

Hoffmann, Peter : Widerstand – Staatsstreich – Attentat.Der Kampf der Opposition gegen Hitler. München, 1969,21985

Jacobsen, Hans-Adolf (Hg.) : Spiegelbild einerVerschwörung. Die Opposition gegen Hitler und derStaatsstreich vom 20. Juli 1944. Geheime Dokumente aus dem ehemaligen Reichssicherheitshauptamt. 2 Bände. Stuttgart, 1984

Rothfels, H. : Deutsche Opposition gegen Hitler. EineWürdigung. Neue, erweiterte Ausgabe, hg. v. H. Graml. 1978

Steffahn, H. : Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg. 1994

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