Operation: Valkyrie
Early in 1944, three of Rommel's closest friends, Karl Strölin, Alexander von Falkenhausen, and Carl Heinrich von Stülpnagel began efforts to bring Rommel into the conspiracy of Operation: Valkyrie. They felt that as by far the most popular officer in Germany, he would lend their cause. Sometime in February, Rommel agreed to lend his support to the conspiracy in order to, as he put it, "come to the rescue of Germany." Rommel opposed assassinating Hitler. After the war, his widow maintained that Rommel believed an assassination attempt would spark civil war in Germany and Austria and Hitler would have become a martyr for a lasting cause. Instead, Rommel insisted that Hitler be arrested and brought to trial for his crimes. After the failed bomb attack of July 20th, many conspirators were arrested. It did not take long for Rommel's involvement to come to light.
Rommel's Death
When news of Rommel's betrayal came to light in court it was decided that Rommel should be expelled from the Army in disgrace and brought before Roland Freisler's People's Court. However, Hitler knew that having Rommel branded as a traitor would severely damage morale on the home front. He decided to offer Rommel a chance to commit suicide. Rommel was approached at his home by two generals from Hitler's headquarters, on October 14th 1944. Burgdorf, one of the generals, informed him of the charges and offered him a choice. He could face the People's Court or choose to commit suicide. If Rommel chose to go to court, his family would suffer even before the all-but-certain conviction and execution. However if he chose to commit suicide, the government would assure his family full pension payments and a state funeral claiming he had died a hero. Burgdorf had brought a capsule of cyanide for the occasion. After a few minutes alone, Rommel announced that he chose to end his own life and explained his decision to his wife and son.