1940's W. Willrich Color PPC General von Witzleben

Color PPC showing field marshall Erwin von Witzleben during World War II, a leading conspirator in the failed 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Had the coup succeeded, he was designated to become the Commander-in-Chief of the Wehrmacht (German armed forces) in the post-Nazi regime. Born on December 4, 1881, in Breslau (now Wrocław, Poland), Witzleben joined the German Army in 1901 and served on the Western Front during World War I, where he was awarded the Iron Cross. Witzleben was an early opponent of the Nazi regime. He was later dismissed from his command after criticizing Hitler's persecution of General Werner von Fritsch. He was reinstated into service and commanded the German 1st Army during the invasion of France and was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal in July 1940. He was later transferred to the "Führer's reserve" in 1942 due to his ongoing opposition to Hitler. Witzleben maintained close contact with resistance groups and became a key figure in the 20 July 1944 plot. Assumed Command: After the bomb was planted by Claus von Stauffenberg, the conspirators believed Hitler was dead. Witzleben proceeded to the military headquarters in Berlin and briefly assumed command of the armed forces as planned. Arrest and Execution: The coup attempt quickly failed after it became known that Hitler had survived. Witzleben was arrested the following day, on July 21, 1944. He was dishonorably discharged from the army, which allowed for a trial by the Volksgerichtshof (People's Court) rather than a military tribunal. During a humiliating show trial, he was sentenced to death. Erwin von Witzleben was executed by hanging with piano wire at Plötzensee Prison in Berlin on August 8, 1944.