Hitler in 1938
Sir: It is easy for Andrew Gimson (Letters, 29 November) to call the German generals cowards for not getting rid of Hitler in 1938, but he shows a very poor grasp of the historic situation. Actually, there was a plot in 1938 to overthrow Hitler’s government; the main reason that made the generals hesitate was the moral dilemma of what the consequences of a putsch might be.
In 1938 Hitler appeared a very successful dictator, celebrated and adored by many Germans and respected by many foreigners, including their governments. What would happen if the army removed him by force: civil war, a counter-putsch by the SS, a takeover by Himmler and his allies?
It would have been very hard to convince the Germans — and the world — that any of those consequences would have been preferable. After the fact, we all are so much wiser. Franz Metzger
Nuremberg, Germany
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