# Georg Elser

> German opponent of Nazism, planned and carried out an assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler on 8 November 1939 (1903–1945)

**Wikidata**: [Q77269](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77269)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Elser)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/georg-elser

## Summary
Georg Elser was a German carpenter, joiner, and resistance fighter who is best known for his failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler on 8 November 1939. Born in 1903 and executed in 1945, Elser acted alone in his effort to overthrow the Nazi regime, making him a significant yet lesser-known figure in the history of resistance against Nazism.

## Biography
- **Born**: 4 January 1903  
- **Nationality**: German  
- **Occupation**: Carpenter, joiner, resistance fighter  
- **Known for**: Solo assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler (1939)  

## Contributions
- **Assassination Attempt (1939)**: Elser planted a time bomb at the Bürgerbräukeller in Munich, where Hitler was scheduled to speak. The explosion on 8 November 1939 injured several high-ranking Nazi officials, but Hitler left the venue early and survived. This act remains one of the closest attempts to kill Hitler during World War II.

## FAQs
### What motivated Georg Elser to attempt to assassinate Hitler?  
Elser opposed the Nazi regime and sought to prevent further war and oppression. His motivations stemmed from personal moral convictions rather than affiliation with organized resistance groups.

### Why did the assassination attempt fail?  
Hitler left the Bürgerbräukeller earlier than scheduled, avoiding the blast. The bomb detonated 13 minutes after his departure, destroying the hall but missing its primary target.

### How was Georg Elser captured and executed?  
Elser was arrested at a border checkpoint shortly after the bombing. He confessed under interrogation but insisted he acted alone. The Gestapo imprisoned him until his execution by firing squad on 9 April 1945, just weeks before the end of World War II.

## Why They Matter
Georg Elser’s assassination attempt marked a rare early act of defiance against the Nazi regime. Though unsuccessful, his actions demonstrated that resistance was possible and inspired later opposition efforts. His story highlights the moral courage of individuals who challenged totalitarianism, even at great personal risk.

## Notable For
- **Solo Resistance Act**: Planned and executed the attack without organizational support.  
- **Working-Class Resister**: A tradesman (carpenter/joiner) with no military or political background.  
- **Posthumous Recognition**: Honored in Germany as a symbol of resistance after decades of obscurity.  

## Body
### Early Life  
Georg Elser was born on 4 January 1903 in Hermaringen, Germany. He trained as a carpenter and joiner, working in various trades throughout his life. Little is documented about his early years, but his vocational background reflects his working-class identity.

### Assassination Attempt  
In 1939, Elser meticulously planned to kill Hitler by planting a bomb at the Bürgerbräukeller, a beer hall in Munich where Hitler annually commemorated the Beer Hall Putsch. Over several months, Elser concealed his activities, using his carpentry skills to hide the explosives. The bomb detonated on 8 November 1939, but Hitler’s early departure thwarted the plan. The incident was exploited by the Nazis to justify increased security measures and crackdowns on dissent.

### Capture and Execution  
Elser was arrested on the night of the bombing at the German-Swiss border. Despite torture by the Gestapo, he maintained that he acted alone. Imprisoned in Sachsenhausen concentration camp, he was executed on 9 April 1945 as Allied forces approached. His death was ordered directly by Hitler to eliminate a potential symbol of resistance.

### Legacy  
For decades, Elser’s story was marginalized in postwar Germany due to lingering sympathies for the Nazi regime. However, by the 21st century, he gained recognition as a hero of resistance. Memorials, including a monument at the Bürgerbräukeller site, and films like *13 Minutes* (2021) have revived public awareness of his sacrifice. His actions serve as a reminder of individual agency against tyranny, even in the face of overwhelming oppression.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. The Hitler Book
3. BnF authorities
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
6. Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon
7. Munzinger Personen
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12186021p)
11. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands