Schwarze Kapelle

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The Schwarze Kapelle (Black Orchestra) was a group of conspirators within the German military who plotted to overthrow Adolf Hitler.

Elements of the Schwarze Kapelle began making overtures to Britain before war broke out and while Hitler could have been easily ousted or killed. However, British officials were not interested in interfering with German internal affairs at that time.

In late 1943 the Schwarze Kapelle had organized a provisional government, based on the British Constitutional Monarchy. They had also organized forces to quell any opposition by the Gestapo or SS. There was enough support from high-level military commanders (including Field Marshals Rommel and Rundstedt) that the Chief conspirator, Abwehr head Admiral Wilhelm Canaris was able to offer to end the war. The offer came with the condition that the United States and England occupy Germany as quickly as possible to keep the Soviet Union from occupying any German territory. Churchill was ready to accept the offer but Roosevelt refused to accept anything but unconditional surrender.

Without the support of the Allies elements the Schwarze Kapelle attempted to execute the overthrow on their own. They attempted to assassinate Hitler with a time bomb on July 20, 1944. When Hitler survived the attempt the coup crumbled.

For their parts in the Schwarze Kapelle Canaris was executed by slow strangulation and Rommel was forced to commit suicide.