Rudolf Hess, Egyptian-German politician (d. 1987)

Rudolf Walter Richard Hess (spelled Heß in German; 26 April 1894 – 17 August 1987) was a towering figure in the hierarchy of Nazi Germany, serving as a prominent German politician and a pivotal member of the Nazi Party. His journey from a decorated World War I veteran to Adolf Hitler's second-in-command, and ultimately to a life sentence at Nuremberg, remains one of the more intriguing and enigmatic sagas of the Third Reich.

Appointed as Deputy Führer to Adolf Hitler in 1933, Hess held this immensely powerful position until 1941, essentially acting as Hitler's proxy in party affairs. His tenure came to an abrupt and mystifying end when, in a daring and unauthorized solo flight, he flew to Scotland, ostensibly attempting to negotiate peace with the United Kingdom amidst the throes of World War II. This extraordinary act led to his immediate capture and imprisonment, culminating in his conviction for crimes against peace at the Nuremberg trials. He spent the remainder of his long life incarcerated, serving a life sentence until his suicide in Spandau Prison in 1987.

Early Life, War Service, and Ideological Formation

Hess’s path to the upper echelons of Nazism began with military service. At the outbreak of World War I, he enlisted as an infantryman in the Imperial German Army, demonstrating considerable bravery and commitment on the Western Front. He sustained wounds multiple times throughout the conflict and was awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd Class, in 1915, a testament to his valor. Towards the war’s end, displaying an ambition for aerial combat, Hess enrolled to train as an aviator, although the cessation of hostilities in November 1918 meant he saw no active service in this new role. He was discharged in December 1918, holding the rank of Leutnant der Reserve.

The tumultuous post-war period saw Hess engage academically. In 1919, he enrolled at the University of Munich, where a significant intellectual influence entered his life: Karl Haushofer, a renowned geographer. Under Haushofer, Hess delved into the study of geopolitics, a field that profoundly shaped his worldview. Haushofer was a strong proponent of the concept of Lebensraum ("living space"), an expansionist idea positing that Germany needed more territory for its population and resources. This concept, absorbed by Hess, became one of the fundamental pillars of Nazi ideology, justifying future aggression and territorial conquest in Eastern Europe.

Hess's unwavering commitment to the nascent Nazi movement was evident early on. He joined the Nazi Party on 1 July 1920, becoming one of its earliest and most dedicated members. His loyalty to Adolf Hitler was cemented during the infamous Beer Hall Putsch on 8 November 1923, a failed attempt by the Nazis to seize control of the Bavarian government in Munich. Hess stood by Hitler's side during this abortive coup. During his subsequent imprisonment for his involvement, Hess played a crucial role in the development of Hitler’s autobiographical manifesto, Mein Kampf. He assisted Hitler in articulating his political vision, effectively helping to shape what would become the foundational text and political platform of the Nazi Party.

Rise to Power and Role in the Third Reich

With Adolf Hitler’s ascent to the Chancellorship of Germany in January 1933, Rudolf Hess's career soared. He was officially appointed Deputy Führer of the Nazi Party in April 1933, a position that solidified his status as Hitler's closest confidant and the operational head of the party apparatus. His political influence was multifaceted; he was elected to the Reichstag in the March 1933 elections, designated a Reichsleiter (Reich Leader) of the Nazi Party in June, and by December 1933, he was brought into Hitler's cabinet as a Minister without Portfolio, giving him a voice at the highest level of government.

His responsibilities continued to grow, underscoring his integral role in the regime. In 1938, he was appointed to the Cabinet Council, and in August 1939, just weeks before the outbreak of World War II, he joined the Council of Ministers for Defence of the Reich. Hess was instrumental in the administrative machinery of the Third Reich, often appearing on Hitler's behalf at public engagements and rallies, delivering speeches that mirrored Hitler's rhetoric. Crucially, as Deputy Führer, Hess was empowered to sign into law much of the government's legislation. This included, most infamously, the Nuremberg Laws of 1935, which systematically stripped German Jews of their citizenship and fundamental rights, laying a devastating legal foundation for their subsequent persecution and the horrors of the Holocaust.

As the war began on 1 September 1939, Hitler formally designated Hermann Göring as his official successor, with Hess named as the next in line. This succession order highlighted Hess's continued importance within the regime, even as Germany plunged into global conflict.

The Flight to Scotland, Trial, and Imprisonment

On 10 May 1941, Rudolf Hess undertook one of the most bizarre and unexpected events of World War II. Piloting a Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter aircraft, he embarked on a solitary and unauthorized flight to Scotland. His purported aim was to open peace negotiations with the United Kingdom, specifically hoping to meet with the Duke of Hamilton, whom Hess mistakenly believed was a prominent opponent of the British government’s war policy and sympathetic to a peace initiative. This audacious, yet ultimately misguided, mission was a desperate personal gamble to end a war he felt Germany could not win.

Upon his arrival in Scotland, Hess was immediately arrested by British authorities. He remained in custody throughout the remainder of the war, a high-value prisoner whose strange flight fueled endless speculation. After the war concluded, he was repatriated to Germany to face justice at the 1946 Nuremberg trials, where major war criminals of the Nazi regime were prosecuted. During a significant portion of his trial, Hess claimed to be suffering from amnesia, a defense tactic that raised questions about his mental state. However, he later admitted to the court that his amnesia had been a ruse, a deliberate attempt to evade responsibility. The court ultimately convicted him of two principal charges: crimes against peace (for his role in planning and initiating aggressive war) and conspiracy with other German leaders to commit crimes.

Rudolf Hess was sentenced to life imprisonment. He spent the entirety of his long sentence at Spandau Prison in West Berlin. For many years, particularly after the release of Albert Speer and Baldur von Schirach in 1966, Hess was the sole inmate in Spandau, a peculiar and isolated existence. Despite numerous attempts by his family members and prominent politicians from various countries to secure his early release, particularly on humanitarian grounds given his advanced age, these efforts were consistently blocked, primarily by the Soviet Union. On 17 August 1987, at the age of 93, Hess committed suicide by hanging himself in a garden house on the prison grounds.

The death of Rudolf Hess marked the end of Spandau Prison's purpose. To prevent the site from becoming a pilgrimage destination or shrine for neo-Nazis, the prison was swiftly demolished following his death, its rubble scattered into the North Sea, ensuring no lasting memorial to the regime he served.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rudolf Hess

Who was Rudolf Hess?
Rudolf Hess was a prominent German politician and a leading member of the Nazi Party, serving as Adolf Hitler's Deputy Führer from 1933 until his unauthorized flight to Scotland in 1941.
What was Hess's primary role in the Nazi Party and government?
As Deputy Führer, Hess was effectively Hitler's second-in-command within the party structure, overseeing its administration and representing Hitler at various events. In the government, he held positions like Minister without Portfolio and was instrumental in signing legislation, including the discriminatory Nuremberg Laws.
Why did Rudolf Hess fly to Scotland during World War II?
Hess undertook a solo flight to Scotland in May 1941, believing he could negotiate a peace settlement with the United Kingdom. He hoped to meet with the Duke of Hamilton, whom he wrongly thought would be receptive to such an overture.
What was the significance of the Nuremberg Laws that Hess helped enact?
The Nuremberg Laws of 1935, which Hess signed into law, were a series of antisemitic statutes that stripped German Jews of their citizenship and civil rights. They were a crucial step in the systematic persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany, directly paving the way for the Holocaust.
What happened to Rudolf Hess after his flight and during the Nuremberg trials?
Hess was immediately arrested in Scotland and held prisoner for the remainder of the war. He was then tried at the 1946 Nuremberg trials, where he was convicted of crimes against peace and conspiracy to commit crimes. He received a life sentence.
Where was Rudolf Hess imprisoned, and for how long?
Rudolf Hess served his life sentence at Spandau Prison in West Berlin. He was the sole inmate for many years and remained imprisoned for over four decades until his suicide in 1987, at the age of 93.
Why was Spandau Prison demolished after Hess's death?
After Rudolf Hess's death in 1987, Spandau Prison was demolished to prevent it from becoming a historical landmark or shrine for neo-Nazis and other extremist groups, effectively erasing its physical presence.