| Original caption: “Destroyed barracks after the failed assassination attempt on July 20, 1944.” Because Oberst Claus von Stauffenberg (November 15, 1907 – July 21, 1944) failed to put both sticks of explosives in his bag, the bomb failed to kill Führer und Reichskanzler (“Leader and Reichchancellor”) Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) at the Wolfsschanze (“Wolf’s Lair”) in Rasternburg, East Prussia, today Kętrzyn, Poland. Von Stauffenberg rushed to implement Operation Valkyrie, which the conspirators hoped would take over the government. But Hitler survived, and Reichsminister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda Joseph Goebbels (October 29, 1897 – May 1, 1945) was able to rally Nazis to Hitler’s side and crush the July 20 plot. Hitler’s official photographer Heinrich Hoffmann (September 12, 1885 – December 16, 1957) photographed the aftermath. Italian Social Republic of Salo and Dictator Il Duce Benito Mussolini (July 29, 1883 – April 28, 1945) visited Rastenburg and toured the destroyed conference room with Hitler. Hitler also visited with the wounded survivors of the explosion. Hitler saw his survival as divine intervention and created the Wound Badge of July 20, 1944. 47 were awarded. These are among the rarest awards of the 3rd Reich. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0675.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.91 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 4714 x 3476 |
| Photographer | Heinrich Hoffmann |
| Photographer Title | Heinrich Hoffmann Presse |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | July 20, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | Rastenburg |
| State or Province | East Prussia |
| Country | Germany |
| Archive | Geheimes Staatsarchiv, Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz |
| Record Number | 1021 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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