October 1939 Plot

The October 1939 plot was the second attempt by Wehrmacht officers to oust Adolf Hitler from power. Unlike the Generals' Plot, which had been discovered in January, 1939, the October plotters actually put their plan into action. For a period of about twnety-four hours, various officers of the Wehrmacht battled the Waffen-SS in several cities in Germany. In the end, however, the coup failed as completely as the first one, although this time, the German government had to acknowledge that a coup had been attempted. The Waffen-SS had the task of purging the Wehrmacht of anti-Hitler elements, which they did ruthlessly, rounding up and executing several officers.

Shortly after, Hitler traveled to Münster and gave a speech denouncing the traitors and assuring the German people that they would be hanged. He also promised the "purified" Wehrmacht would carry the country to victory.