Valkyrie was the name given to the WW2 Nazi operation (under the control of the Reserve Army) focused on protecting Hitler, or at least the government in Berlin, in special circumstances such as:
- should communications be cut off from the Fuhrer or
- should the Fuhrer die
Operation Valkyrie was modified and put into motion by a select group of German military officers opposed to Hitler's Nazi ideologies and practices. They also questioned his abilities in maintaining a sustainable German state in the future. They felt it necessary to remove Hitler and his top Nazi officials (Heinrich Himmler and Hermann Goering) by assassination and over throw the government. Several attempts were actually aborted because all three Nazis weren't present, and eventually the plot kill three was dropped in favour of just killing Hitler.
Why Hitler could not be taken alive
Killing the Fuhrer was essential - The conspirators realised that if they managed to imprison Hitler, the entire German army would still be bound to the Fuhrer by their oath of allegiance (Reichswehreid). Only a dead Hitler would free the military ranks (including the Reserve Army under Operation Valkyrie) from their oath and be able to assist in the coup against the Nazis.
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