On July 20, 1944, a cadre of German military officers launched an assassination plot against Adolph Hitler. The assassination attempt failed because of a table top.
The conspirators, led by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, planned to kill Hitler at his East Prussian headquarters known as Wolf's Lair.
The plot, known as the "July Plot" revolved around a plan to assassinate Hitler with a briefcase bomb planted near the Fuhrer. According to various accounts, Stauffenberg either placed the bomb too close to a table support or it was moved by a member of Hitler's staff.
Von Stauffenberg armed the bomb and then left the room. At 12:42 p.m.,the bomb exploded and Stauffenberg left the compound thinking Hitler had been killed. Though three people were killed by the bomb, Hitler escaped with only minor injuries. Probably, the oak table shielded Hitler, but he believed his survival was a sign of his infallibility.
Less than twelve hours later, Von Stauffenberg was executed by firing squad. Three other conspirators face the same fate. Other arrests and executions followed.
