Figure 1.--Here are the Stauffenberg boys in a portrait taken taken (1915) at the old castle in Stuttgart, where the family lived most of the time until 1919. The boys are dressed in fancy dress-up velvet suits resembling Lord Faunterloy outfits. The three boys (from left to right) are Alexander, Claus, and Berthold. They wear identical velvet jackets and knee pants with white ornamental buttons, wide sashes, and elaborate white collars. Note Claus's long curled hair, the only differebce in how the boys were dressed uo. The two twins (Alexander and Bertholdt), who are 2 years older, have had their hair cut shorter in more grown-up fashion. The boys wear white ankle socks with the velvet suits.

Claus von Stauffenberg was born in the family castle--Jettingen (1907). Claus had a twin who died in infancy. The family home was located between Ulm and Augsburg in eastern Swabia. At the time this was part of Bavaria. Claus had twin older brothers (Berthold and Alexander). The boys were dressed in fancy clothes, similar to aristocratic boys before the Weimar Republic canceled all artitocratic titles (1919). Here the boys wear Fauntleroy type outfits with large ruffled collars and large red sashes (figure 1). They were dressed up for a portrait. We are not sure how they were dressed for everday wear. A couple years later the boys are all dressed alike with knee pants suits and large white collars and with the same short hair cuts. The boys were very close. You can see that in the portrait here. Alexander has his hand on Claus's shoulder. They were raised in a staunchly Catholic family. The boys developed a highly developed sence of ethics. Their parents encouraged the arts, including music and literature. The boys learned to play musical instruments and you can see them playing on the previous page. Claus was the quiet brother, although not shy. His most intimate friend was Berthold. Claus as a boy developed interests in literature, music, arts and horseback riding. He was musically inclined. He had an excellent voice. He also learned to play both the violoncello and piano. He even considered becoming a musician. The Staufenberg boys joined the Neupfadfinder, a German Scout association and part of the German Youth movement. Claus was highly intelligent, but not arrogant. He had an extrodinary ability to make friends. He was also very good in sports. He developed a passion for horses and would eventually earn a place on the German Olympics team.

Created: 7:30 AM 8/23/2008
Last updated: 7:30 AM 8/23/2008