Berlin Statue to Honor Would-Be Hitler Assassin

Berlin is planning a memorial to honor one of the unsung heroes of the Nazi era—a humble carpenter who came within minutes of assassinating Hitler. Georg Elser planted a bomb in a Munich beer hall in 1939 that nearly killed Hitler just nine weeks into World War II—but the fuhrer left 13 minutes before it exploded, Der Spiegel reports.

The Nazis and some historians were convinced Elser was a stooge for British intelligence. Others speculated the assassination attempt was staged to make Hitler appear protected by fate. Elser was executed at Dachau days before the end of the war. His supporters say a memorial will bring him the recognition his courage deserves.
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