WW2-Poland-2015

The participants of the meeting described the explosion as a powerful blow of air, accompanied by loud noise and
flames. Almost everyone was thrown on the floor by the impact, but no one was thrown through the window as some
studies indicate. Suddenly someone cried: "Where is the Führer?" -- it was Keitel. After several seconds he found Hitler
and helped him leave the premises.
Prof. von Hasselbach put on the first bandages and then prof. Morell took over Hitler. The Führer’s right elbow was
bleeding, but the arm functioned normally. His skin was slightly scratched on the left hand. No serious damage of the
hearing organ was detected apart from the breaking of the eardrum. Führer was clearly excited. He said that he had
been aware for a long time that there were traitors surrounding him. Three hours after the attack Hitler was already
able to welcome Mussolini at the local railway station (the visit of the Italian leader in Wolf's Lair lasted only 2.5 hours).
As a result of the explosion the stenografer and three generals were mortally wounded. The majority of participants
had to be treated in hospital due to injuries such as broken eardrums or brain shock. Professor von Hasselbach looked
after the patients.
"The experts researching the effects of bomb explosions agreed with the fact that the quantity of the explosive brought
by Stauffenberg to the meeting would have killed all participants if it had been held in the concrete bunker. Because
the meeting was held in a barrack, injuries were relatively small " (14, p. 476).
On July 21 at about 1.00 A.M. a night radio broadcast Hitler's speech : "... German companions, I don't know how many
times already someone planned and made an attempt to kill me. If today I speak to you, I do it for two reasons: First,
I want you to hear my voice to let you know that I'm alive and healthy. Secondly, I want you to learn more about the
crime, which has nothing equal in the history of Germany. A small group of selfish, devoid of conscience and at same
time murderous, foolish officers planned a plot to remove me together with my military command. The bomb planted
by Colonel Count von Stauffenberg exploded 2 meters from my right hand... I survived entirely without damage except
for minor scratches, bruises and burns. I accept this as a confirmation of my tasks commissioned by Providence to
continue to pursue my goal in life as I did until now. The group of people represented by those traitors has nothing in
common with Wermacht or the German Army. This time we are going to make even in the National Socialists’ style! "
(7, p. 324).
The rest of the speech was a mixture of vulgar insults ended with the announcement that traitors will be mercilessly
removed.
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