Rudolf Hess (26 Apr. 1894 - 17 Aug. 1897)
Although he was a high-ranking member of the Nazi Party and was Deputy to the Fuhrer, Hess was unhappy with being enemies with Britain. In May 1941, Hess flew to Britain, probably with hopes of securing peace. He crash landed in Scotland, injuring his ankle in his parachute jump landing.
He was captured by Home Guard units and taken eventually to Glasgow where he was questioned. He responded that he wished to speak with the Duke of Hamilton, and had information. Hamilton did speak to him, and reported to Churchill. Records show that Hess was indeed in Britain to try to broker a peace. Hess’ wife was granted a pension by Hitler, although he himself was stripped of all offices and titles.
Hess was sent to the Tower of London at first, but was later sent to Maindiff Court Military Hospital in Wales to be treated for insanity. For the remainder of the war Hess was imprisoned by the British. He attempted suicide on October 1941. Following interviews in the mental hospital, it was concluded that Hess was not insane, but suffered depression and other mental illness. He was tried and found guilty at the Nuremberg Trials, being imprisoned in Spandau Prison until his death in 1987.
For more information on Rudolf Hess:
Leasor, James. Rudolf Hess: The Uninvited Envoy (Cornwall: Stratus Books), 2001.
Padfield, Peter. Hess: The Führer’s Disciple (London: Cassel), 2001.
He was captured by Home Guard units and taken eventually to Glasgow where he was questioned. He responded that he wished to speak with the Duke of Hamilton, and had information. Hamilton did speak to him, and reported to Churchill. Records show that Hess was indeed in Britain to try to broker a peace. Hess’ wife was granted a pension by Hitler, although he himself was stripped of all offices and titles.
Hess was sent to the Tower of London at first, but was later sent to Maindiff Court Military Hospital in Wales to be treated for insanity. For the remainder of the war Hess was imprisoned by the British. He attempted suicide on October 1941. Following interviews in the mental hospital, it was concluded that Hess was not insane, but suffered depression and other mental illness. He was tried and found guilty at the Nuremberg Trials, being imprisoned in Spandau Prison until his death in 1987.
For more information on Rudolf Hess:
Leasor, James. Rudolf Hess: The Uninvited Envoy (Cornwall: Stratus Books), 2001.
Padfield, Peter. Hess: The Führer’s Disciple (London: Cassel), 2001.