Helmuth Stief was born in Germany in 1901. He joined the German Army and by 1938 had joined the army general staff

In October, 1942, Stief became chief of the organization section of Abwehr. Recruited by Henning von Tresckow he joined the active resistance against Adolf Hitler.

Helmuth Stief was arrested by the Gestapo on 20th July, 1944. Accused of being involved in the July Plot he was executed at Ploetzwnsee Prison on 8th August, 1944.