Montage of sources relating to the Assassinate Hitler Snapshot

You are going back to 1944. As Head of SOE it is your job is to decide which of two ways of killing Hitler should be given the go-ahead. You must look at the dangers involved and the chances of success. When these plans were revealed in July 1998 they caused world media interest. This is a unique chance to work with these original and secret documents.

Source 1

1a. What is the 'object' of Operation Foxley?

1b. How many different methods are put forward?

1c. Where is the assassination likely to be carried out? Find the two places mentioned.

Source 1: Introduction to Operation Foxley

Source 2

Now you begin looking at the plans. Use the scoring table once you have worked through the sources to score each plan.

i. What method of killing Hitler is described here?

ii. What is meant by the word ‘medium’?

iii. What is meant by the word ‘operatives’?

iv. Briefly describe how the cleaners could be used to kill Hitler.

v. Who else could be used in this plan?

vi. What will cause the poison to mix in the water?

2a

i. What is ‘I’ supposed to be?

ii. How much of ‘I’ kills?

iii. List all the reasons why ‘I’ is the best ‘medium’ to use.

2b

i. Read Hitler’s drinking habits carefully. What would be the best way of poisoning him without the poison being detected?

2c

Give it a score out of 30 and consider the following factors in your answer.

• How likely is there to be the right opportunity to put this plan into action?
• If the plan goes ahead, how likely is it to kill rather than just injure Hitler?
• How likely is it that the people carrying out the plan will escape?

Source 3a

i. How will the assassins know whether Hitler is in Obersalzberg?

3a

i. Look at the map. Trace Hitler’s walk to the Teehaus (teahouse). Now read the Source 3c.

Source 3c

i. How well is Hitler protected on this walk?

ii. What cover does the area provide for would-be assassins?

3c

Source 3d

i. Can you work out where on the map (3b) the assassins should launch their attack on Hitler?

ii. What weapons should the assassins carry?

iii. What disguise are suggested?

3d

Source 3e

If the first plan fails, what is the alternative one?

3e

4. By comparing the scores for the attempts on Hitler’s life, you should be able to decide which plan has the greatest chance of succeeding

• Now write a short explanation to the Prime Minister explaining which of the assassination plans should go ahead and why.

Operation Foxley: How Did the British Plan to Kill Hitler?

Throughout Hitler’s career as a politician and as leader of Germany he was at danger from assassination attempts. Indeed, a number of attempts were made on his life - but due to an almost sixth sense or incredible luck he survived them all. Bombs were left in a variety of places that either failed to go off, or Hitler changed his plans at the last moment. In 1944 Hitler was actually injured in an attempt on his life which really should have killed him. He managed to survive only with damage to his hearing. After this attack Hitler claimed he was ‘invulnerable and immortal’. Any attempts on his life by members of his own staff or enemies were brutally dealt with. In May 1942, one of his most senior Gestapo officials had been assassinated by SOE-trained Czechs. In the reprisals that followed 5,000 civilians were liquidated.

The SOE had been created in 1940 by the British to undertake ‘all action by way of subversion and sabotage against the enemy overseas’ now that much of Europe was under German occupation. The SOE began planning Operation Foxley in 1944 despite some opposition from within their ranks. Some people argued it was better to leave Hitler alive as he was making so many blunders. Nevertheless, a plan was put together and SOE began looking for recruits to perform the attempts. The Allied successes of 1945 overtook the planned assassination attempt and SOE concentrated its energies elsewhere. The existence of such a plan does, however, excite much interest as had it gone ahead and succeeded, it could have changed the course of the war and perhaps history.

Try these other web sites for some more information on Hitler and Germany during the Second World War.

German Historical Museum

Modern History (includes quiz!)