Act I Synopsis

Stauffenberg is the story of Claus Philip Schenck von Stauffenberg, one of Germany’s and the world’s most towering historical figures and a man that has largely been forgotten by the history books - a man who not only set out to do the impossible but almost succeeded in assassinating arguably the most villified and dangerous man on the planet.  

Claus is a Captain in the Organization Branch of the elite General Staff.  Dispatched to the Ukraine to solve the endemic supply problems on the Eastern Front, he witnesses first hand the “Final Solution” of the SS.  Assaulted, threatened and almost killed when he tries to stop the madness, he knows he can no longer stand idly by as the Nazis continue their murderous and barbarous ways.

Returning to Berlin, he makes it his mission to convince the senior General Staff officers to do what must be done – assassinate Adolf Hitler and bring about the fall of the Third Reich.  But the senior officers are afraid – afraid of risking their lives for a fool’s mission.  Even General Ludwig Beck, Claus’ friend and the man who tried to lead a coup in 1938, believes it is too late to do anything.  The German war machine is at its peak.  The Nazis are at the summit of their power.  Nothing can be done.

Claus continues to wrestle with his conscience.  Although he had not actively supported the Nazis, he did give them his tacit approval.  Now he regrets having given an oath of loyalty to the Fuhrer.  But he is only a Captain.  He has no access and no means.  He tells his wife, Nina, he has requested a transfer to Africa.  To fight.  To be a soldier. 

He arrives in Tunisia with his life in turmoil.  Berlin was a dangerous place for a man who so openly defied the Nazis and, by not consulting Nina, he has left his wife feeling alone and betrayed.   But still, Claus is happy.  This is what he loves.  Leading men and nurturing the younger ones so that they can survive the war and grow up to be fathers and grandfathers.  Immediately, he befriends a Lieutenant – a brash and argumentative young man who Claus is able to reach with his commitment to those he leads. 

The desert of Africa is a dangerous place.  The British are pushing from the West and the Americans from the East.  The German AfrikaCorps is in full retreat and Claus must lead his division to safety.  But the orders come a day late.  An orderly retreat becomes disorganized chaos.  Claus does his best, guiding convoys through dangerous mountain passes, even as bullets and mortars rain down all around him.  He saves as many lives as he can, but in doing so he and the young Lieutenant are both wounded.  Claus, ignoring his own injuries, drags the young man into a cave where he tries to save his life, but the Lieutenant has suffered mortal wounds.  Claus holds him in his arms as the young man reaches down and pulls out a letter he wrote to his long lost sibling.  “Please give this to my brother,” he whispers.  Claus takes the letter and gives the young man his word.  As mortars continue to explode all around them, the Lieutenant dies and Claus, stricken with grief, finally succumbs to his injuries.