Chapter 76 Chapter 12 The Second Revolution (4)

President von Hindenburg took the executions in stride.His first reaction was to say grumpily to Messner, "I told you," "I've been asking the Prime Minister to lock up Rohm, an immoral and dangerous guy, for months. But, very Unfortunately, he just won't listen. Look how much blood is being shed now!" The next day, July 1, was pleasantly cool and hot.Berliners wandered the streets with their children as if it were a normal Sunday.Few here understand the significance of the authorities' brief announcement of the execution of five or six traitors, the continued transport of SS troops, etc.Those who are privileged to have access to the Führer know that the Führer is going through one of the worst crises of his stormy career.That afternoon, the crisis reached its climax, and he was forced to authorize Rohm's execution.Hitler's death sentence was even marked with compassion.He instructs Brigadier Theodor Eck to give Rom a chance to commit suicide.

Eck came to Stadelheim with Hitler's verbal orders and two men.It was not too late at this time.At first, the warden refused to hand over Rom because there was no written order.After Eck shouted angrily, the warden had no choice but to give in and ordered a jailer to take the three SS soldiers to cell No. 474 in the new building.Rom was naked to the waist, sweating profusely from the heat, and sat listlessly on the iron bed. "You've lost your life," said Eck, "and the Führer has given you another chance to draw the right conclusion." He dropped his one-shot pistol on the table and left the cell.Eck waited in the aisle for about 15 minutes, but still did not hear the gunshot, he drew his pistol, and rushed back to the cell with his two deputies. "Chief of Staff, get ready!" Eck yelled.He noticed that his assistant's gun was trembling, so he said, "Calm down, aim slowly." Two deafening gunshots shook the small prison cell.Rom fell down. "My Führer!" he cried out breathlessly "My Führer!"

"You should have thought of this earlier, it's too late!" Eck said.It was 6 pm at this time.He who logically should die first perishes last.Upon Rohm's death, those on the death list in the Berlin area - in the Richterfeld barracks and the Columbia building (formerly a prison, later converted into an SS execution chamber) - who had not yet been executed, were also prepared to be executed. die. Papen is still alive, as powerful friends and foreigners often drive slowly around his house.On Sunday, Ambassador Dodd left a business card at the door, which said: "I hope to visit you soon." Dodd felt that Papen was a coward with no integrity, but he couldn't help but like him.The reason why he left his business card "is to protest against the atrocities of the Nazis."

Little was known about what was happening, and Goering's lengthy explanation of the massacre later in the day missed its real purpose. "The purges will continue relentlessly," Goering declared, after assuring all citizens that the country was peaceful and that the Führer was in full control of the situation.Lawless elements within the stormtroopers will be wiped out. "The people must understand that everything we do seriously is for them." Like most communiqués issued by any country, it is a mishmash of truth and fabrication, giving the public a chance to believe what they are eager to believe : There is nothing to worry about, just a hateful but necessary job done, the method is aboveboard, and the purpose is still for the benefit of the country.

Immediately after the publication of the communique, an order issued by General von Blomberg to the Wehrmacht was published, expressing complete loyalty to the Führer.Despite objections to claims that were independent of "inner political struggles," it was living proof that the military was tied to Adolf Hitler. Even after Blomberg assured the public that the crisis was over, the massacre continued until the early morning hours of July 2.At Columbia Towers, a midshipman called Captain Karl Schleyer out of his cell.The trainee officer said: "On the order of the head of state, you will be executed by shooting." Schleyer once witnessed three comrades being taken to be executed every half an hour. "Go under the tap and wash your head like everyone else does. That way you'll look fresh and make a good impression." Schleyer was escorted down the stairs to a small sports car—to be pulled to Rishi Terfield execution.At this moment, a "Mercedes" drove over, and a guard officer jumped out of it.He was desperately signaling. "Stop! Stop!" he cried, "There must be no more trouble!"The Führer had assured Hindenburg that the shooting was over. "

This is 4 o'clock in the morning.About 100 people were massacred without trial, or 200—the exact number will never be known. On Monday, it was hot.On this day, ordinary Germans throughout the Reich secretly rejoiced that those barbaric stormtroopers had finally been subdued. "No one loved Rohm and his nouveau riche officers," recalled the journalist Delmer, "that is, those old guard officers who were more arrogant, more defiant, and more powerful over the common people than the Prussian Guard officers in the time of Caesar. Restaurant waiters, hotel clerks, and woodcutters in the mountains. They rode brand-new, elegant motorcycles, and showed their power in the streets. The little people in Germany feared and hated them, including their motorcycles." These rogue Hitlers became their heroes.

Hindenburg was deep in thought.The murder of General von Schleicher and his wife deeply disturbed him and prompted him to order an investigation.They were killed for resisting arrest, officials said.This, he couldn't accept it anyway.At the same time, unable to vent his anger, he had to sign another congratulatory message to Hitler drafted by the Nazis.The electric cloud: "I understand from the various reports submitted to me that, thanks to your courageous actions and your courageous personal intervention, a case of treason was nipped in the bud. You saved Germany from danger. For this, I express to you Deepest thanks and gratitude."

With this certificate of support in hand, Hitler almost won the support of the whole country.