A Plot That Kept Failing

The assassination almost did not happen at all. Six conspirators lined the motorcade route that morning, each waiting for the cars to pass.

• The first attacker threw a bomb that bounced off Ferdinand's car and exploded under the vehicle behind
• Five of the six lost their nerve and never acted as the motorcade rolled by

Ferdinand survived the bomb, gave a speech, and decided to visit the wounded in hospital. That detour is what sent his car into danger again.