Axel von dem Bussche
Axel Freiherr von dem Bussche | |
|---|---|
Bussche in 1943 | |
| Born | 24 April 1919 Brunswick, Weimar Republic |
| Died | 26 January 1993 (aged 73) Bonn, Germany |
| Allegiance | Nazi Germany |
| Branch | German Army |
| Years of service | 1937–1945 |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross |
| Relations | Anders Lassen (first cousin)
Archibald Acheson, 5th Earl of Gosford (father in law) Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands (godson) Prince Claus of the Netherlands (cousin) Wolf von dem Bussche (first cousin) |
| Other work | Diplomat, scholar |
Axel Ernst-August Clamor Franz Albrecht Erich Leo Freiherr von dem Bussche-Streithorst (German: [ˈaksl̩ ˈfʁaɪ̯ˌhɛʁ fɔn dɛm ˈbʊʃə] ⓘ; 24 April 1919 – 26 January 1993) was a German officer during World War II and was a member of the German Resistance. He planned to assassinate Adolf Hitler in coordination with Claus von Stauffenberg in November 1943 at the Wolfsschanze.
In 1942, von dem Bussche witnessed by chance an SS-organised gruesome massacre of more than 3,000 mostly Jewish civilians carried out by the SD at the old Dubno airport. This experience traumatized him and turned him decidedly against Hitler. He joined an ad hoc resistance group within Army Group Centre later to be led by Count Claus von Stauffenberg. In 1943 he volunteered for a suicide assassination attempt on Hitler while modeling uniforms.