Ludwig Beck

Ludwig Beck was a German general who served as the chief of the army general staff from 1935 to 1938. He was one of the few senior officers who opposed Adolf Hitler's aggressive foreign policy and denounced the Nazi regime's violations of human rights and international law. He resigned from his post in protest against the planned invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and became a leader of the resistance movement within the army. He was involved in several plots to overthrow or assassinate Hitler, most notably the July 20 Plot in 1944. He was designated as the head of state in case of a successful coup, but after the plot failed, he was arrested and tried by a military court. He attempted to commit suicide but failed, and was then shot by a sergeant on Hitler's orders. He is regarded as a symbol of honor and courage by many Germans and is honored as one of the Righteous Among the Nations by Israel for his efforts to save Jews from persecution.¹²³