Tribute to the Magdeburg's Resistance Hero, Henning von Tresckow
In the heart of Magdeburg, Germany, a solemn ceremony will take place today, July 17, at 10:00 AM, in North Park. The event, an annual tribute to Henning von Tresckow, a prominent figure in the German resistance against Adolf Hitler during World War II, is a poignant reminder of the country's past and a testament to the values of courage and moral responsibility.
Born in Magdeburg on January 10, 1901, as the son of a Pomeranian noble family, Henning von Tresckow (1901–1944) rose through the ranks of the German Army to become a leading figure in the resistance. After initially welcoming the seizure of power by the National Socialists, he soon recognized their true character and increasingly aligned himself with the regime's opponents.
Tresckow played a crucial role in the Berlin resistance group, which included Ludwig Beck and Hans Oster, and later joined forces with Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg. Though he could not participate in the immediate execution of the assassination attempt due to his transfer to the Polish front, Tresckow was instrumental in preparing the plot that Stauffenberg carried out on Hitler in his East Prussian bunker on July 20, 1944.
When the coup plans failed and Hitler survived, Tresckow took his own life at the front to avoid having to reveal the names of other participants under torture. His sacrifice is commemorated annually at the ceremony in Magdeburg, which serves as a remembrance of the German resistance efforts within the military.
The ceremony, organised by the Landeskommando of the Bundeswehr Saxony-Anhalt since 2001, will feature speeches from State Parliamentarian Marco Tullner, the chairman of the German War Graves Commission, Rüdiger Erben, and Protestant military chaplain Eric Haußmann. The event concludes with spiritual words from Haußmann.
All residents of Magdeburg are cordially invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place at the memorial stone dedicated to Tresckow at Poplar Avenue/Corner Henning-von-Tresckow Street. Following the ceremony, wreaths will be laid at the memorial stone in honour of Tresckow and the resistance fighters of July 20, 1944.
The significance of the ceremony lies in publicly acknowledging the internal German opposition to Nazism, promoting democratic values, and educating new generations about the cost of standing against tyranny. Annual memorial events have taken place at the Henning von Tresckow memorial stone on the anniversary of the assassination attempt on Hitler since then. The memorial stone was unveiled on January 10, 2001, on Tresckow's 100th birthday.
This year's ceremony will also feature an archive photo showing wreaths being laid in memory of the victims of the resistance against the NS regime in Germany. The event underscores the enduring importance of remembering the past and upholding the values of courage, moral responsibility, and democratic principles.
Other attendees at this year's ceremony in Magdeburg will include state parliamentarian Marco Tullner, the chairman of the German War Graves Commission, Rüdiger Erben, and Protestant military chaplain Eric Haußmann. General-news outlets and other political platforms might discuss the event as a symbol of the ongoing remembrance of the German resistance efforts in World War II.
