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German Army officer (1907–1944) who played a central role in the July 20, 1944 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler and overthrow the Nazi regime as part of Operation Valkyrie. Shortly after the plot failed, Stauffenberg was arrested and executed by firing squad in the early hours of July 21st. World War II-dated DS in German, signed "Stauffenberg," one page, 8 x 5.75, January 2, 1940. Ornately printed donation certificate for the Winterhilfswerk [Winter Relief], headed "Dem Kriegswinterhilfswerk des deutschen Volkes" [To the War Winter Relief of the German People] and issued for a "Sonderspende zum Tag der nationalen Revolution!" [Special Donation for the Day of the National Revolution]. The certificate records a donation of "ZWANZIG" [twenty] Reichsmarks and bears the date January 23, 1940, with printed instructions identifying the accounts to which the contribution could be transferred; the elaborate border incorporates swastika emblems, swords, oak leaves, and the years 1939 and 1940. Signed at the conclusion in fountain pen by Claus von Stauffenberg. In fine condition. Accompanied by a period illustrated booklet, "Winterhilfswerk des Deutschen Volkes, Gau Franken" [Winter Relief of the German People, Franconia District], explaining the organization's donation program and procedures, including eligibility for the "Türplakette" [door plaque] issued to contributors; and a 1933–34 Winterhilfswerk lottery envelope headed "Winterhilfswerk des deutschen Volkes 1933/34" [Winter Relief of the German People 1933/34], containing printed lottery information for a 50-pfennig ticket.
The document's heading identifies it as issued under the "Kriegswinterhilfswerk," the wartime designation adopted for the Winterhilfswerk des Deutschen Volkes (WHW) during World War II. The WHW, established in 1933, conducted nationwide fundraising campaigns that became a pervasive feature of everyday life under the Nazi regime; during the war, its collection campaigns continued under the renamed Kriegswinterhilfswerk. The special donation solicited by this certificate was tied to the annual commemoration of January 30, 1933, the date Adolf Hitler was appointed Reich Chancellor, an anniversary identified on the certificate as the "Tag der nationalen Revolution" [Day of the National Revolution].
Stauffenberg was then serving as Ib, the second General Staff officer with the 6th Panzer Division, a role principally concerned with the division's supply and logistics. He joined its predecessor, the 1st Light Division, in this capacity in August 1938 and served with the unit during the invasion of Poland before it was reorganized as the 6th Panzer Division in October 1939. Stauffenberg remained with the division for the invasion of France in May 1940 before being transferred at the end of that month to the Army High Command. These events preceded by several years his involvement in the German military resistance and his central role in the July 20, 1944 attempt to assassinate Hitler.
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