Fritz-Dietlof Von Der Schulenburg - Resistance Movement

Resistance Movement

Quite early on, von der Schulenburg observed with growing worry and disgust the lawlessness that went along with the régime and made contacts with like minded opposition forces from a great variety of camps. He was member of a circle of higher officials who recruited mainly Prussian noblemen. One of the greatest friends to the circle at that time was Peter Graf Yorck von Wartenburg. After the attempt on Hitler's life at the Wolfsschanze in East Prussia on 20 July 1944, this group was also known as the Grafenkreis or Grafengruppe (Circle or Group of Counts).

The crises that became apparent to the learned government official with provisioning, military leadership, and ultimately interaction with civilian populations in conquered lands gave von der Schulenburg reason for doubt. His basic attitude towards National Socialism changed radically at this time. Already by 1942, he was regularly taking part in the Kreisau Circle's meetings. Another important incentive of the resistance was the Allied demand for unconditional surrender, and the endeavour that would follow from this to avoid a total military defeat, thereby arriving at a so-called "draw-peace".

In a 1943 plan for Europe, co-authored by von der Schulenburg, it says:

"The special thing about the European problem consists of there being, in a comparatively small area, a multiplicity of peoples who are to live together in a combination of unity and independence. Their unity must be so tight that war will never again be waged between them in future, and Europe's outside interests can be protected jointly...The solution of the European states can only be effected on a federative basis with the European states incorporating themselves into a community of sovereign states by their own free decision."

As a nobleman, official and officer, von der Schulenburg had contacts in all directions, which he used over time to recruit plotters. Owing to his manifold ties, especially with the civilian resistance circle about Carl Friedrich Goerdeler and the social-democratic group (Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold) about Julius Leber, he stood out as an important intermediary.

By 1943, von der Schulenburg had fallen under suspicion of working against the régime and spent a night under arrest. However, owing to his special status and his connections, he was released.