Why Fieldmarshal Hans Günther von Kluge committed suicide in 1944. Was he involved in the attempt of 20 July against Hitler?
Roderick
Fieldmarshal Günther von Kluge
Yes, in some ways he was. He had promised to act in support of the conspirators. His commitment, however, remained uncertain and elusive. On July 20, 1944, he refused to move in aid of the insurrection since the assassination itself was unsuccessful, even though Stülpnagel, Blumentritt and Hofacker made a joint attempt to persuade the fieldmarshal to take the action he had previously promised to. Kluge declined, and instead advised Stülpnagel to get into civilian clothes and flee. He thus abandoned and betrayed his fellow conspirators.
However, several officers under his command belonged to to the conspiracy, and perhaps Kluge felt implicated. In any case, he did know the war was lost, and perhaps he did in some way feel ashamed and/or bound by his promise. He contemplates surrendering the entire western front to the Allies, and on August 15 he leaft his headquarters and went to the front lines in order to try to establish a line of communication with the Allies and so begin negotations. At Hitler's headquarters an American radio transmission is intercepted, asking for Kluge's whereabouts.
Hitler suspects that Kluge is trying to make contact with the Allies in order to surrender the western front. Hitler, at this time, knows of the officers under Kluge's command involved in the conspiracy, and this in no way decrease his suspicions. He immideately replaces Kluge with Model, and at the same time orders Kluge to transport himself to Führer headquarters. Certain that Hitler is on to his case, Kluge commits suicide while en-route back to Germany.
However, several officers under his command belonged to to the conspiracy, and perhaps Kluge felt implicated. In any case, he did know the war was lost, and perhaps he did in some way feel ashamed and/or bound by his promise. He contemplates surrendering the entire western front to the Allies, and on August 15 he leaft his headquarters and went to the front lines in order to try to establish a line of communication with the Allies and so begin negotations. At Hitler's headquarters an American radio transmission is intercepted, asking for Kluge's whereabouts.
Hitler suspects that Kluge is trying to make contact with the Allies in order to surrender the western front. Hitler, at this time, knows of the officers under Kluge's command involved in the conspiracy, and this in no way decrease his suspicions. He immideately replaces Kluge with Model, and at the same time orders Kluge to transport himself to Führer headquarters. Certain that Hitler is on to his case, Kluge commits suicide while en-route back to Germany.