Albrecht Ritter Mertz von Quirnheim Biography

Quirnheim works on army organisation matters as Germany begins the war in Europe

As a professional army officer Quirnheim serves within the Wehrmacht during the early phase of the war

At the outbreak of the Second World War Quirnheim serves as a staff officer in the organisational division of the German General Staff

His work in the organisational branch links him to the structure and mobilisation of the German Army

Quirnheim continues General Staff service as Germany expands its military operations in Europe

Quirnheim gains experience in military planning and staff administration during the German campaigns

Quirnheim becomes increasingly disturbed by Nazi conduct in the occupied eastern territories

He supports more humane treatment of civilians in Nazi occupied Eastern Europe

Quirnheim begins to distance himself from the Nazi regime as he becomes more aware of its brutality

His views on civilian treatment bring him into conflict with harsh occupation policies in the east

His service on the Eastern Front strengthens his opposition to Nazi military and occupation policies

Quirnheim becomes increasingly connected with officers opposed to Hitler and the Nazi regime

Quirnheim is promoted to lieutenant colonel during the war

Quirnheim becomes Head of Staff of the Twenty Fourth Army Corps on the Eastern Front

Through his brother in law Wilhelm Dieckmann Quirnheim strengthens his links with the German military resistance

Quirnheim succeeds Stauffenberg as Chief of Staff at the Army General Office in Berlin

Quirnheim cooperates with Claus von Stauffenberg in the military resistance against Hitler

Quirnheim works with General Friedrich Olbricht in the planning of the anti Hitler military coup

Quirnheim marries Hilde Baier while continuing his army career and resistance contacts

Quirnheim is promoted to colonel during the war

By 1943 Quirnheim is drawn into the circle of officers planning action against Hitler

Quirnheim becomes involved in plans to use Operation Walkure against the Nazi regime

From his Berlin position Quirnheim is placed close to the command machinery needed for Operation Walkure

Quirnheim helps prepare the use of reserve army orders for the coup against the Nazi leadership

Quirnheim remains at the Bendlerblock as the conspirators attempt to use the replacement army to seize control

The coup collapses after news spreads that Hitler survived the assassination attempt

Quirnheim supports the conspiracy to overthrow Hitler after the bomb attack at the Wolfs Lair

After he had discovered that the bomb had not killed Hitler, Fromm ordered the executions of General Olbricht, his Chief of Staff Colonel Albrecht Ritter Mertz von Quirnheim, Colonel von Stauffenberg, and his adjutant Lieutenant Werner von Haeften

After the bomb explodes Quirnheim urges General Olbricht to activate Operation Walkure even though Hitlers death is not confirmed

After he had discovered that the bomb had not killed Hitler, Fromm ordered the executions of General Olbricht, his Chief of Staff Colonel Albrecht Ritter Mertz von Quirnheim, Colonel von Stauffenberg, and his adjutant Lieutenant Werner von Haeften

Quirnheim is arrested with Olbricht Stauffenberg and Haeften and is executed by firing squad in the courtyard of the Bendlerblock

Quirnheim dies as one of the army officers executed for his part in the 20 July plot against Hitler