MovieChat Forums > Valkyrie (2008) Discussion > Haeften actually did walk in front of St...

Haeften actually did walk in front of Stauffenberg during the execution

posted 9 years ago by ecvz
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Stauffenberg was third in line to be executed, with Lieutenant von Haeften after. However, when it was Stauffenberg's turn, Lieutenant von Haeften placed himself between the firing squad and Stauffenberg, and received the bullets meant for Stauffenberg. When his turn came, Stauffenberg spoke his last words, "Es lebe unser heiliges Deutschland!" ("Long live our sacred Germany!")[29][30]

From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claus_Von_Stauffenberg#Execution, http://www.paralumun.com/stauffenberg.htm

I thought that was added into the movie for dramatic effect. Nearly brings tears to my eyes to know it actually happened in reality.

[–] fnj-07126 8 years ago

I'm not ashamed to say that I broke down and cried at that moment. The way the two men exchanged glances silently, standing face to face, did it for me.

I'm pretty sure that half a dozen or more high power 7.92 mm rounds fired from those long Mauser rifles from 5-10 meters away would have flown through Haeften's chest like butter and gone on to strike Stauffenberg, likely fatally, behind him. I have never been able to find out whether this did indeed happen. Was Stauffenberg really still standing, apparently untouched, after Haeften was cut down?

[–] mikecanevari 8 years ago

That was really something. I also like this quote in the movie from von Haeften

Col Stauffenberg: I’m engaged in high treason with all means available to me. Can I count you in?
von Haeften: For anything sir, anything at all.