| Caesar von Hofacker | |
|---|---|
Caesar von Hofacker |
|
| Born | 2 March 1896 Ludwigsburg, German Empire |
| Died | 20 December 1944 (aged 48) Berlin, Plötzensee Prison |
| Allegiance | German Empire Weimar Republic Nazi Germany |
| Service/branch | Luftwaffe |
| Years of service | 1914 - 1920 1939 - 1944 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Other work | jurist |
Caesar von Hofacker (sometimes Cäsar) (2 March 1896 – 20 December 1944) was a German Lieutenant Colonel and member of the 20 July plot against Adolf Hitler.
Hofacker was born in Ludwigsburg, he was a cousin of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. During World War I he served with the Uhlan Regiment No.20 and trained with the FEA 5.[1] His main activity in relation to the events culminating in the attempted assassination of Hitler at the Wolf's Lair on 20 July 1944 consisted of acting as a secret liaison between his cousin and another plotter in occupied Paris, General Carl-Heinrich von Stülpnagel, France's military governor, to whom Hofacker was personal adviser.
Hofacker scored quite a coup when he managed to draw Field Marshal Erwin Rommel into the plot to rid Germany of Hitler. However, Hofacker was later forced to betray him, under Gestapo torture, forcing Rommel to take his own life.
Hofacker was less successful in winning Field Marshal Günther von Kluge over to the cause on 20 July 1944, the day of the attempted coup d'état. Even after General von Stülpnagel had had all members of the Gestapo and SS in Paris rounded up, Kluge would not join, despite Hofacker's exhortations. (Kluge later committed suicide, believing that he had been implicated).
Of course, once it became apparent that Hitler had not been killed in the assassination attempt at his secret headquarters, things did not go well for Hofacker or any other member of the plot. Stülpnagel and Hofacker destroyed as many documents as they could to prevent fellow plotters from being implicated in the attempt on Hitler's life, but on 26 July 1944, Hofacker was arrested in Paris before he could go into hiding.
He was tortured by the Gestapo. At first, he steadfastly assumed all responsibility for actions related to the plot in Paris, but later, he was made to yield Rommel's name to his interrogators.
Hofacker's behaviour before the Volksgerichtshof could only be called defiant. He condemned Hitler, and even told Chief Justice Roland Freisler that his only regret was not having had the opportunity to carry out the assassination attempt himself.
Hofacker was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. He was hanged at Plötzensee Prison in Berlin.