Ulrich von Schwanenfeld

(1902 - 1944)

Ulrich von Schwanenfeld was an early opponent of the Nazi regime who advocated Germany's renewal on Christian-socialist principles. He believed early on that Hitler must be killed to overthrow the regime and that the aristocratic class must set the example by initiating a "revolution from above." He maintained close contacts with the Abwehr and Kreisau Circle.

Schwanenfeld served as liaison to co-conspirators General Ludwig Beck, Dr. Carl Goerdeler, Count Ulrich von Hassell, General Hans Oster, General Siegfried Wagner, Professor Johannes Popitz. and Professor Jens Jessen. He was devoted to helping coup leader Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and was a close friend of co-conspirators Count Peter York von Wartemburg and Count Fritz-Dietlof von der Schulenberg.

In 1941, Schwanenfeld became an aide to Field Marshal Erwin von Witzleben in Paris. The following year, Oster arranged Schwanenfeld's transfer to Army High Command Headquarters-Berlin.

During 1943-44, he became convinced that a coup no longer would save Germany from unconditional surrender, but continued to call for Hitler's assassination.

Schwanenfeld was on hand in Army Headquarters to help Stauffenberg's uprising on July 20, 1944. He was arrested that same night, along with fellow conspirators York, Schulenberg, and Berthold von Stauffenberg. The People's Court subsequently sentenced him to death. He was hanged in Plotzensee prison on August 21, 1944.

Sources: Joric Center