Russia's FSB Discloses Documents on Hitler's Assassination Attempt from 80 Years Ago

The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) has released archival materials revealing the circumstances of the assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazi Third Reich, on July 20, 1944, at the Wolf's Lair headquarters.

According to RIA Novosti, the published documents include photocopies of testimonies from Hans Rattenhuber, former head of Hitler's personal security, and Roman Gamota, a former agent of Nazi foreign intelligence who worked in Iran. These testimonies were obtained by Soviet state security authorities after the Great Patriotic War, while both Germans were in captivity.

Rattenhuber stated that the conspirators were able to approach the Führer due to his own negligence. Hitler had issued a personal order prohibiting the search of active army officers and their belongings. After the assassination attempt, an order was given to search all officers who attended the headquarters as well as to confiscate their personal weapons and belongings.

Rattenhuber also reported that after the failed assassination attempt, Hitler began to experience a nervous disorder, which manifested itself as a tremor in his hands. He never fully recovered from this shock, and in March and April 1945, his symptoms worsened.

During Gamota's interrogation, the testimony from Hitler's security staff member was corroborated. He indicated that the emergence of military opposition in Nazi Germany was triggered by the prevailing situation in the country. Among the prerequisites for the conspiracy to kill the Führer, he noted the failure of the “blitzkrieg” strategy against the USSR, the increased repression against dissenters, and the numerous defeats of German troops on various fronts.

The assassination attempt on Hitler on July 20, 1944, was planned under the