Philipp von Boeselager facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Philipp Freiherr von Boeselager
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Boeselager receiving the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany from Parliament Secretary Wolfgang von Geldern in 1989
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| Born | 6 September 1917 Burg Heimerzheim, German Empire |
| Died | 1 May 2008 (aged 90) Burg Kreuzberg, Altenahr, Germany |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Rank | Major (Wehrmacht) Oberstleutnant (Bundeswehr) |
| Unit | Cavalry Regiment Centre 3. Kavalleriebrigade |
| Battles/wars | Eastern Front (World War II) |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
| Relations | Georg von Boeselager (brother) |
| Other work | economist, forester |
Philipp Freiherr von Boeselager (born September 6, 1917 – died May 1, 2008) was a brave German officer. He was one of the last people alive who took part in the 20 July Plot. This was a secret plan by German army officers to kill the dictator Adolf Hitler in 1944. They wanted to stop his terrible rule during World War II.
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Who Was Philipp von Boeselager?
His Early Life
Philipp von Boeselager was born at Burg Heimerzheim, a castle near Bonn, Germany. He was one of nine children in his family. He went to a Jesuit school called Aloisiuskolleg in Godesberg.
Standing Up to Hitler: The 20 July Plot
When Philipp von Boeselager was 25 years old, he was a field lieutenant in the German army. He became part of a secret plan called Operation Walküre (Operation Valkyrie). The goal was to take control of Germany after Hitler was killed.
Boeselager's job was to order his troops to leave the front lines in Eastern Europe. These soldiers did not know about the secret plot. They were supposed to fly to Berlin to take over important parts of the city. This would have been a full-scale coup d'état, meaning a sudden takeover of the government.
Boeselager started to dislike the Nazi government in June 1942. He heard about terrible things happening to innocent people just because of who they were. He decided to join the secret group planning to kill Hitler. His commanding officer, Field Marshal Günther von Kluge, was also part of the plot.
The First Plan: March 1943
The first attempt to kill Hitler was in March 1943. Hitler and Heinrich Himmler, another powerful Nazi leader, were visiting Kluge's troops. They were there for a meeting about war strategy.
Boeselager was given a small gun, a Walther PP pistol. He was supposed to shoot both Hitler and Himmler during dinner. But at the last minute, Himmler left Hitler's side. The plotters decided it was too risky to kill Hitler and leave Himmler alive. So, this plan was called off.
The Second Plan: July 1944
The second attempt happened in the summer of 1944. This time, the plotters only focused on killing Hitler. They planned to use a bomb during another strategy meeting. The meeting was held in a wooden building.
The bomb went off, but it did not kill Hitler. He survived the explosion. Boeselager was quickly told that the plan had failed. He was able to turn his cavalry troops around and go back to the front lines. Because of his quick actions, no one suspected he was involved. He was not caught or executed, unlike many other plotters. Philipp's brother, Georg von Boeselager, was also part of the plot. He was not caught either, but he later died fighting on the Eastern Front.
Near the end of the war, Boeselager heard a general say something alarming. The general said that after the war, they would "purge" (get rid of) Catholic officers in the army. Boeselager was a very religious Catholic. He strongly objected, pointing out his own awards for bravery in battle. He then left before the general could respond.
Life After the War
After World War II ended, Philipp von Boeselager's role in the plot became known. Many people in Germany and France saw him as a hero. He received high military awards from both countries in 1989 and 2004.
He studied economics and became an expert in forestry, which is the science of managing forests. Even when he was old, Boeselager sometimes had bad dreams about the plot. He also thought about the friends he lost during the war.
He often encouraged young people to get involved in politics. He believed that people not caring about politics helped Hitler come to power. The entrance to his home had a Latin saying: Et si omnes ego non. This means "even if all, not I." It showed his strong belief in standing up for what is right, even if others don't.
Boeselager was a member of a Catholic student group at the University of Bonn. He kept the Walther PP pistol he was given to shoot Hitler until he died on May 1, 2008.
In his later years, Boeselager gave some interviews. He talked about how the plotters wanted to save Germany and bring back fair laws. He also gave his last video interview in April 2008 for a documentary called The Valkyrie Legacy. This documentary was shown on The History Channel.
Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist-Schmenzin was the very last survivor of the 20 July plot. He passed away in 2013.
Family Life
Philipp von Boeselager married Rosa Maria, who was born Gräfin von Westphalen zu Fürstenberg. They had a child named Albrecht von Boeselager, who was born in 1949. Albrecht later became an important leader in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Awards and Recognition
Philipp von Boeselager received many awards for his bravery and service:
- Iron Cross (1939) 1st and 2nd class
- Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (a very high military honor)
- Eastern Front Medal
- Wound Badge in Silver
- General Assault Badge
- Close Combat Clasp in Bronze
- Honour Roll Clasp of the Army
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Germany's highest civilian award)
- Officier de la Légion d'honneur (a high honor from France)
See also
- Assassination attempts on Adolf Hitler
