The heroes of treason

The fate of Claus von Stauffenberg, a participant in a conspiracy against Hitler

Alexander Podrabinek: Nowhere do the oaths of fidelity like in countries with an authoritarian political regime. This is understandable: citizens do not really trust the government, and the government does not believe citizens at all.

Announcer: Authoritarian power requires loyalty and obliges to swear to her allegiance to the coffin of life, to the last drop of blood, to her and only to her.

No less adore the oaths of fidelity and public organizations built on an authoritarian basis. The assortment of the solemn acceptance of the oath will certainly include pathos rituals with bravura music, sentimental speeches and promises of a terrible punishment for each apostate.

Not to say that all these oaths were so sacredly believed and all the more frantically they were fulfilled. But this is like a deal with the devil: signed - execute.

Bringing an oath of allegiance, whatever it is - forced or voluntary, a person feels tied to his promises.

The oaths of fidelity like in countries with an authoritarian political regime do not like

Alexander Podrabinek: But there are no situations in life when it is already impossible to follow the oath, when treason is the inevitable duty of a decent person.

Announcer: Historians divide the Second World War into four conditional stages. The fourth and last stage is counted from the summer of 1944. By this time, it becomes clear that the Nazis' claims to world domination are not provided with a military advantage. On the Eastern Front, German troops are forced to retreat west from Ukraine. The anti -Hitler coalition occupies Northern Italy, and then Rome. In June 1944, the Union forces of the United States, Great Britain and Canada conduct the largest landing operation in history and landed in Normandy. "Axis countries" suffer one defeat after another in North Africa and Southeast Asia. The so -called strategic bombing of German cities lead to the mass death of the civilian population. This affects the moral spirit of the entire German society, including the army.

Alexander Podrabinek: The idea to get rid of Adolf Hitler and to get out of the war with the least losses and earlier came to the heads of the Germans. However, it was by 1944 that it became obvious that if this is not done now, then the national catastrophe is inevitable.

Officers and generals of the Wehrmacht understood this better than many others. The military successes of the allies testified to the upcoming defeat more than clearly.

In the army environment, the resistance to the adventurous military plans of Hitler took the form of a conspiracy

In the army environment, the resistance to Hitler's adventurous military plans took the form of a conspiracy. Its central figure was Count Klaus Scheng von Stauffenberg, Colonel of the Wehrmacht, a direct executor of the attempt on Adolf Hitler.

He could be said to be a pamper of fate. Stauffenberg was born in the old aristocratic family of Southern Germany, closely connected with the Royal House of Württemberg.

Klaus was the third son in the family. His older brothers, Bertold and Alexander, also took part in the conspiracy.

Klaus was brought up in the spirit of Catholic piety, German patriotism and monarchical values. He received a brilliant classical education, had literary inclinations.

In 1926, Stauffenberg was enrolled in the 17th Cavalry Regiment in Bamberg. Then he studied at the Infantry School in Dresden. In May 1933 he received the title of lieutenant.

His future seemed cloudless, the military career was successful. In September 1933, he married Baroness Nina von Lerhenfeld. In 1936 he began studying at the Military Academy of the General Staff in Berlin. In 1938, after graduating from the Academy, he was appointed second officer of the General Staff under the leadership of Lieutenant General Erich Gepner.

It is difficult to resist the temptation to draw a portrait of the hero exclusively with pink colors. But life is much more complicated than propaganda schemes, and therefore more interesting and reliable.

Life is much more complicated than propaganda schemes, and therefore more interesting and reliable

Announcer: Klaus Stauffenberg welcomed the National Socialists coming to power in Germany. In April 1932, on the occasion of the presidential election, he opposed Hindenburg, in support of Hitler.

While in military service, he took part in the military training of attack aircraft and organized the transfer to the Reichswehr of the illegal arsenal of weapons. He participated in the occupation of the Sudeten region.

In 1939, with the outbreak of World War II, Stauffenberg participated in the Polish campaign as a lieutenant of the tank division. In 1940, as an officer of the General Staff, he fought in France.

Alexander Podrabinek: Stauffenberg was a disciplined and devoted officer to his homeland. Moreover, Nazi propaganda, with all its power, which fell on the head of the German people, did not spare him either.

From occupied Poland, he wrote to his wife:

"The population is an incredible rabble. A lot of Jews and half -bloods. These people are good when you control the whip. Thousands of prisoners will come in handy for Germany’s agriculture. They are hardworking, obedient and undemanding."

How to relate to those who are stupefied with totalitarian ideology, the question is not simple. But regardless of the response to it, one indisputable fact should be noted: some people manage to shake off the mor of totalitarian propaganda and return to universal values.

Some people manage to shake off the Morok of totalitarian propaganda and return to universal values

Such a person was Klaus von Stauffenberg. Says a professor of history of Johannes Tukhel from the German Memorial Center for Resistance in Berlin.

Johannes Tukhel: in 1933, the Germans chose Hitler. But in the future, his figure was supported by propaganda. For this, the most advanced technical achievements were used: radio, press and all other means available for propaganda. This led to the establishment of a real official cult of his personality. In 1939, in the year of the 50th anniversary of Hitler, he was proclaimed a superman.

Johannes Tukhel

Stauffenberg in 1933, like many other Germans, adopted a regime rejecting the Versailles Treaty . But, of course, Stauffenberg in 1944 is not at all the same as in the 33rd. He politically evolved. And just during the war, in 1942-43 he made sure of the crime of the Nazi regime. Thus, by 1944 he was already radically configured against Hitler. He was ready to sacrifice his life to establish a democratic, legal state in Germany.

Many Germans who disagree with Nazism were then repressed. We can say, then acted simultaneously: ideology, propaganda, violence and consonance.

Alexander Podrabinek: The evolution of political views did not stop at Stauffberg on an understanding of how destructive for Germany is how dangerous it is for the whole world.

Many in his place would have lurked in anticipation of a denouement. But Klaus von Stauffenberg was a man of action. Having recognized the perniciousness of Nazism, he began to fight him, regardless of dangers.

Stauffenberg was ready to sacrifice life to establish a democratic, legal state in Germany

In 1942, due to the massacres of Jews, Poles and Russians, as well as the mediocrity of military operations, Stauffenberg joined the participants in the resistance. In 1943, he was appointed to the 10th Panzer Division, which was supposed to ensure the retreat of General Rommel in North Africa. During the raid, he was seriously wounded, losing his left eye, the brush of his right hand and two fingers on his left. This wound later played a fatal role in his fate.

After recovery, Stauffenberg returned to operation. On July 1, 1944, he was promoted to colonels and officially appointed chief of staff under the commander of the reserve army Friedrich Frome.

The reserve army was the main military support of the conspiracy participants against Hitler. However, not so much against Hitler as against the entire National Socialist System.

The unique possibilities of this conspiracy were due to the fact that at the new place of service - at the headquarters of the reserve of the ground forces on Bendlerstrasse in Berlin, Stauffenberg was preparing the Valkyrie plan.

This plan was agreed with Hitler himself and provided for measures to transfer the country to the headquarters of the reserve of the ground forces in case of some internal unrest.

The reserve army was the main military support of the conspiracy participants against Hitler

The "Valkyrie" plan was supposed to be specially created for an anti -government conspiracy! After the murder of Hitler, Stauffenberg was supposed to establish contact with the commanders of regular military units and give them orders on the arrests of the heads of local Nazi organizations and Gestapo officers.

Stauffenberg was the only participant in the conspiracy that had regular access to Hitler. Therefore, in the end, he took upon himself the implementation of the assassination attempt. Says Radio correspondent Freedom Andrei Korolev .

Andrei Korolev: An attempt in the Wolf Logov was a culmination of a military opposition conspiracy with the aim of killing Adolf Hitler and the seizure of power in Germany. The military who existed in the Armed Forces and Abwehr since 1938 was attended by the military, who believed that the Reich was not ready for a big war. In addition, the military was outraged by the strengthening of the role of the SS.

Since the winter of 1941, Deputy Commander of the Reserve Army, General Friedrich Olbrikht, has developed a Valkyrie plan, which was supposed to implement during an emergency or internal unrest. According to the plan, during the emergency, the reserve army was subject to mobilization. Olbrikht modernized the plan in the interests of the conspirators: the reserve army after the murder of Hitler was supposed to become an instrument in the hands of the rebels and take key objects and communications in Berlin, suppress the possible resistance of the SS units, arrest the Fuhrer’s supporters and the highest Nazi leadership.

Stauffenberg was the only participant in the conspiracy that had regular access to Hitler

Homemade bombs were prepared for the attempt, contacts with the commander of the occupation forces in France were established at the same time. On July 6, the explosive device was delivered to Berghof. On July 11, the chief of staff of the reserve army was present at the meeting. However, the British -made bomb was not activated.

On July 15, another attempt was planned to be attempted during a meeting at Wolfshants. Two hours before his beginning, Olbricht ordered the beginning of the implementation of the Valkyrie plan, but Hitler had already left the headquarters by that time.

Five days later, Count Stauffenberg and his orderly Werner von Giften arrived in the "Log Wolf" with two explosive devices in suitcases. But unexpectedly for the conspirators, the meeting was transferred from the bunker to the summer house, in the center of which there was a massive oak table.

Stauffenberg, who had previously received severe hands, in a hurry, could not prepare both bombs, and during the meeting one of the officers put a portfolio with an explosive device under the table.

At 12.42 the explosion thundered. Four people were killed in place, others received various injuries. The shell -shocked, which was deceased by several minor fragmentation wounds and Hitler's burns was removed from the defeat zone.

Shell -shocked by several minor fragmentation wounds and Hitler's burns was removed from the defeat zone

On July 21, Himmler established a special commission from four hundred senior officials of the SS to investigate the “conspiracy on July 20”, after which arrests, torture, and executions began. As a result, more than seven thousand people were arrested, about two hundred were executed. By order of Hitler, the body of the main conspirators were dug and burned, and the ashes were scattered.

Alexander Podrabinek: On the same day, July 20, 1944, Klaus von Stauffenberg and four other conspiracy participants against Hitler were shot.

Among the 200 executed in the case of attempted Hitler was Field Marshal, 19 generals, 26 colonels, two ambassadors, seven high -level diplomats, minister, three state secretaries and chief of the Crime police of the Reich, SS Groupenführer.

Until the mid-60s, many in Germany considered the conspiracy participants not by heroes, but by traitors. Neither those who faithfully served the Third Reich, nor those who understood everything, but sat in their mink, without risking opposing Nazism, could not forgive them heroism.

The mother of the Stauffenberg brothers, Countess Carolina, who did not know about the plans of his sons, said one of the few acquaintances who visited her at Christmas 1944: "I know about the act of my sons and approve of him."

Until the mid-60s, many in Germany considered the conspiracy participants not heroes, but traitors

In today's Germany, on July 20, mourning was announced by the day of the executed and annually accompanied by celebrations. Berlinskaya Street Bendlerstrasse, on which during the war the headquarters of the reserve army was located and at the same time - the headquarters of the anti -Hitler conspiracy, was renamed Stauffenbergstrasse Street.

Klaus von Stauffenberg

A memorial plate was installed near the court building, in which many participants in the “July 20” conspiracy were tried. At the site of the execution of Count von Stauffenberg and his comrades, the recruits solemnly take the oath of a soldier. A little ambiguous and at the same time symbolic: military oath and choice of conscience. Recruits have something to think about, there is someone to take an example from.

On the eve of his death, before flying to the headquarters of the supreme command of the German army, Klaus von Stauffenberg met with his brother Bertold.

He told him the words that he managed to write in the diary:

"Whoever finds the courage to do this in himself will go down in history as a traitor, but if he refuses to do this, he will be a traitor to his conscience."

In today's Germany, on July 20, mourning was announced by the day of the executed and annually accompanied by celebrations

The path from supporters of totalitarian ideology to convinced fighters with it from different people occupies different times. Most people, changing their views, gradually change their social status. But some have no time or patience for this. They are the heroes of our program today.

In 1975, the captain of the Tertie rank Valery Sablin raised a military rebellion on the Gorodozheva large anti -submarine ship. An event unprecedented at that time. Apparently, the only thing is in Soviet history.

As Sablin himself later explained, under his team the ship had to go to Kronstadt in protest against the departure of the party and government from Leninist provisions in the construction of socialism.

Sablin intended to speak on central television with an appeal to Brezhnev, to state his views on the political situation in the country.

None of the media did not say a word about the rebellion in the Baltic Fleet, its suppression and subsequent trial.

The path from supporters of totalitarian ideology to convinced fighters with it from different people takes different times

Valery Sablin was born in 1939 in Leningrad in the family of a hereditary naval officer. He studied at the Higher Naval School named after Frunze. He was elected secretary of the Faculty of Komsomol. He joined the CPSU.

He was probably a man who sincerely believe in a communist idea. Such people, although not often, met at that time. And they created certain inconvenience to the Soviet regime.

During the military service, Valery Sablin has repeatedly received gratitude from the command. However, its first increase in the rank was detained. Reason: he wrote a letter to Khrushchev, setting out his thoughts in him about the purity of party ranks. Apparently, Sablin noted that not everything was so safe in the country of the victorious socialism, as Soviet propaganda interpreted about.

Nevertheless, in 1969 he entered the Military-Political Academy and finished it with honors on four years. His name was knocked out on a marble board among the names of the best graduates of the Academy.

In 1973, Sablin received the appointment of a political officer at the Storozheva. He is given an apartment in Baltiysk, a wife and his son come to him.

Valery Sablin

Military service is successful. "Watchtower" visits East Germany, carries combat duty in the Mediterranean Sea, enters Cuba. Sablin is awarded the Order "For the Service of the Motherland".

It's time not to laugh, but to attract someone to the popular trial and ask with all the severity for all this bitter laughter

All this time, the political officer is studying his crew, looking for like -minded people, shares his views with some. What made the successful naval officer risk his military career, freedom and even life?

Preparing for the performance on radio and television, Valery Sablin wrote his appeal on the tape recorder.

Announcer: “Of course, we can laugh a million times over the satire of Raikin, the Crocodile magazine, the wick movie magazine, but a tear should once appear through laughter about the real and future homeland. It's time not to laugh, but to attract someone to the all-aid court and ask with all the rigor for all this bitter laugh. This is only a small impulse that should be a small impulse that should be a small impulse that should be a small impulse that should be a small impulse that should be a small impulse, which should be a small impulse that should be a small impulse. serve as a surge. "

Alexander Podrabinek: It was 1975. The rapprochement of the West and the East, the discharge of international tension. 1 августа в Хельсинки закончилось подписанием Заключительного акта Совещания по безопасности и сотрудничеству в Европе. Советский Союз взял на себя обязательство соблюдать права человека.

8 ноября капитан третьего ранга Валерий Саблин поднял восстание на боевом корабле "Сторожевой".

Накануне, по случаю праздника – дня Октябрьской революции – часть офицеров и мичманов сошла на берег. Для матросов Саблин устроил на корабле просмотр фильма "Броненосец Потемкин" – о восстании на военном корабле в 1905 году. Во время просмотра замполит сообщил командиру корабля капитану Анатолию Потульному, что якобы в гидроакустической рубрике пьяные матросы устроили драку.

8 ноября капитан третьего ранга Валерий Саблин поднял восстание на боевом корабле "Сторожевой"

Потульный пошел разбираться, Саблин – за ним, а когда командир корабля спустился в рубку, Саблин закрыл за ним стальной люк, запер его и поставил на охрану своего верного помощника, корабельного библиотекаря, старшего матроса Александра Шеина.

Затем Саблин собрал сначала офицеров и мичманов, а потом старшин и матросов. Он объявил, что принял командование кораблем и намерен вести его в Ленинград, чтобы, пришвартовавшись рядом с "Авророй", обратиться по радио и телевидению к советскому народу.

Его поддержали некоторые офицеры с мичманами и большая часть матросов. По свидетельству матроса Максименко, Саблин говорил о коррупции в верхах, о том, что власти транжирят национальные богатства России, разоряют страну и народ, о необходимости смены руководства.

Матрос Александр Шеин вспоминал позднее:

Чувство достоинства пробудилось в каждом. Мы людьми себя почувствовали

​ Диктор: "После его выступления началось всеобщее воодушевление. То, о чем мы толковали меж собой в курилках, вдруг прозвучало во всеуслышание. Это было как праздник. Чувство достоинства пробудилось в каждом. Мы людьми себя почувствовали".

Александр Подрабинек: Незадолго до полуночи с 8 на 9 ноября вахтенный офицер подводной лодки "Б-49", дежурной по рейду на реке Даугава у Риги, где стояли корабли морского парада, заметил человека на якорной бочке, размахивающего руками.

Это был комсорг "Сторожевого", старший лейтенант Фирсов. Он сообщил командиру подводной лодки, что сбежал со своего корабля, чтобы сообщить о бунте, который поднял замполит Саблин.

Сначала ему никто не поверил. Начальство решило, что это глупые шутки или пьяные выходки: на советском военно-морском флоте бунта быть не может.

Даже самовольный выход "Сторожевого" в море не заставил командующего флотом вице-адмирала Косова поверить в реальность происходящего. Командование полагало, что корабль, перепутав время, ушел на плановый ремонт в Лиепае.

"Сторожевой", между тем, устремился к Ленинграду. После бегства с корабля комсомольского секретаря Фирсова фактор внезапности был утрачен. Оставаться на рейде было опасно.

О восстании было объявлено по радио в открытом эфире. Сохранилась магнитофонная пленка с записью обращения Валерия Саблина.

О восстании было объявлено по радио в открытом эфире

​ Диктор: "Всем! Всем! Говорит большой противолодочный корабль "Сторожевой". Наше выступление не есть предательство родины, а чисто политическое, прогрессивное выступление, и предателями родины будут те, кто пытается нам помешать. Мои товарищи просили передать, что в случае военных действий против нашей страны мы будем достойно защищать ее. Но сейчас наша цель другая – поднять голос правды".

Александр Подрабинек: Той же ночью началась охота на "Сторожевой". Цель ее была – принудить корабль сдаться или уничтожить его.

В погоню послали ракетные и противолодочные корабли, подводную лодку, корабль с десантниками и авиацию. Пограничные ракетные катера сопровождали "Сторожевой" от самого Рижского порта.

Командир бригады пограничных кораблей, капитан первого ранга А. Найперт получил приказ командующего Прибалтийским пограничным округом КГБ генерал-лейтенанта К. Секретарева: "Немедленно открыть огонь на поражение и уничтожить корабль".

Валерий Саблин с сыном

8.55 утра на пограничном корабле получили семафор со "Сторожевого": "Друг! Мы не изменники Родины". Пограничники нарушили приказ и не стали открывать огонь.

Спустя неделю капитан Найперт был отстранен от командования бригадой и уволен из ВМФ.

Той же ночью началась охота на "Сторожевой". Цель ее была – принудить корабль сдаться или уничтожить его

Между тем, ночью по тревоге были подняты два бомбардировочных авиаполка. Летчики одного из них отказались применять оружие против "Сторожевого".

Другой авиаполк начал атаку на мятежный корабль. Первый экипаж по ошибке отбомбился по случайно оказавшемуся в этом районе советскому сухогрузу. К счастью, бомбы в цель не попали, взорвавшись рядом с бортом и только повредив обшивку.

Ничего не ведавший о военном мятеже капитан судна начал передавать в открытый эфир сигнал SOS и текст: "Бандитское нападение в территориальных водах Советского Союза".

Второй экипаж сбросил на "Сторожевой" бомбы, одна из которых попала в середину палубы. Рули заклинило, корабль застопорил ход. Бомбардировкой корабля воспользовалась та часть команды "Сторожевого", которая не поддержала восстание. Им удалось освободить командира корабля и других офицеров.

Капитан Потульный открыл корабельный арсенал, вооружил своих сторонников пистолетами и автоматами и двумя группами они добрались до капитанского мостика. Увидев Саблина, капитан Потульный выстрелил в него из пистолета и ранил в ногу. Соратники Саблина были арестованы. Потульный взял командование кораблем в свои руки.

Первый экипаж по ошибке отбомбился по случайно оказавшемуся в этом районе советскому сухогрузу

Арестованного Валерия Саблина этапировали в Москву, в следственный изолятор КГБ "Лефортово". Ему предъявили обвинение по статье 64 УК РСФСР "Измена родине". Максимальное наказание по этой статье – смертная казнь.

После развала СССР из так называемой особой папки ЦК КПСС был извлечен секретный документ по делу Саблина.

Диктор: "Саблин, попав под влияние ревизионистской идеологии, на протяжение ряда лет вынашивал враждебные взгляды на советскую действительность. Во время событий на "Сторожевом" выступил с антисоветской речью перед личным составом".

Александр Подрабинек: Судьба капитана Саблина решалась на самом высоком уровне, поэтому на пощаду рассчитывать не приходилось. Вероятно, Саблин понимал это, хотя, как утверждало следствие, он и написал прошение о помиловании.

В следственном деле сохранилось неотправленное письмо Саблина, датированное 8 ноября 1975 года – днем начала мятежа на "Сторожевом".

Диктор: "Дорогие, любимые, хорошие мои папочка и мамочка! Очень трудно было начать писать это письмо, так как оно, вероятно, вызовет у вас тревогу, боль, а может, даже возмущение и гнев в мой адрес... Моими действиями руководит только одно желание — сделать, что в моих силах, чтобы народ наш, хороший, могучий народ Родины нашей, разбудить от политической спячки, ибо она сказывается губительно на всех сторонах жизни нашего общества..."

Судьба капитана Саблина решалась на самом высоком уровне, поэтому на пощаду рассчитывать не приходилось

​ Александр Подрабинек: 13 июля 1976 года Военная коллегия Верховного Суда СССР приговорила Валерия Саблина к смертной казни. Через 20 дней, 3 августа 1976 года его расстреляли. Он похоронен в безымянной могиле, местонахождение которой до сих пор неизвестно.

Еще 6 офицеров и 11 мичманов со "Сторожевого" привлекли к уголовной ответственности, но их дела были закрыты до суда. Верного помощника капитана Саблина, матроса Александра Шеина приговорили к восьми годам лишения свободы.

Корабль "Сторожевой" был переведен в Тихоокеанский флот, а в 2002 году выведен из боевого состава флота и продан в Индию на металлолом.

Ремонт сухогруза, на который по ошибке сбросили бомбы, обошелся Министерству обороны в автоцистерну спирта и пятитонный грузовик масляной краски.

В 1994 году Военная коллегия Верховного суда пересмотрела дело Саблина. Расстрелянному офицеру заменили смертную казнь 10 годами лишения свободы. В посмертной реабилитации ему было отказано.

Перед расстрелом Саблин написал письмо сыну:

Никогда не будь среди людей, которые критикуют, не действуя

​ Диктор: "Верь, что история честно воздаст всем по их заслугам, и тогда ты никогда не усомнишься в том, что сделал ваш отец. Никогда не будь среди людей, которые критикуют, не действуя. Эти лицемеры, слабые, ничего не представляющие из себя люди не способны сочетать свою веру со своими делами. Я хочу, чтобы ты был храбр. Будь уверен в том, что жизнь замечательна. Верь в то, что Революция всегда побеждает".

Александр Подрабинек: Из обращения Валерия Саблина :

Диктор: "Мы ждем от представителей всех слоев населения корреспонденции, личных встреч и всяческой поддержки. Если со стороны правительства к нам будет применена сила, чтобы ликвидировать нас, то вы об этом узнаете по отсутствию очередной нашей передачи по радио и телевидению. И в этом случае только ваша политическая активность, всеобщее выступление спасет революцию, начатую нами. Поддержите нас, товарищи. До свидания".

Тоталитарные диктатуры сводят счеты даже с погибшими своими противниками

​ Александр Подрабинек: Развеян по ветру прах полковника Штауффенберга. Неизвестно место захоронения капитана Саблина. Тоталитарные диктатуры сводят счеты даже с погибшими своими противниками.

Но вряд ли им удастся стереть из сознания потомков память о мужественных людях, для которых долг чести был выше присяги государству.