Rudolf Hess
Rudolf Hess became one of the top men in Nazi Germany. He was born April 26, 1894. His family was in the business of importing and exporting goods out of Alexandria, Egypt. Hess did not see Germany until he reached the age of 14 years of age.
Hess served the German Army in World War I. During his service in the war, Hess recieved a couple of wounds and eventually made his way to become a pilot. After the war, Hess became a semi-mercenary, working as a soldier for hire, to put down communist groups sprouting up in Germany.
Hess also spent time studying in a German University in Munich. During his studies, Hess learned many of the views shared by the future Nazi leadership. Hess soon met Adolf Hitler at a speech, and joined the Nazi Party in 1920. Hess was one of the men who aided Hitler in his attempt to overthrow the Bavarian government.
After the failed coup attempt, Hess spent time in prison with Hitler. It was here that Hess aided Hitler in writing his book. Hess and Hitler would also spend their time contemplating many ideas, including the direction that the Nazi Party should take.
After this stint in prison, Hess would become more involved with the Nazi Party. Hitler would at first keep him as his secretary for a few years. After these years of service to Hitler, Hess would be rewarded for his loyalty. Hitler named Hess a SS gerneral and a Chairman of an important branch of the Nazi Party. Soon after that Hess would be named Deputy Furher by Hitler, though the position was mostly a ceremonial one.
By 1941, Hess was losing his power in the Nazi ranks. Other more capable Germans had long been eating away at his power. Hess recognized the threat and came up with a plan to fly into Scotland on his own and talk with a member of the Royal Family about the coming Nazi attack on Russia. Hess wanted to keep the British from getting involved on a second front by assuring them that the Germans had no intention of attacking the British.
Upon his arrival in Scotland, Hess was taken into British custody. He was seen as an insane and no one believed that his deal was backed by Germany. Hess was placed in prison after his interrogation. When Hitler learned of Hess’s escapade, he too declared Hess to be insane and distanced Hess from Germany. Hess was returned to Germany after the war for his trial at Nuremburg.
Hess died in 1987 at 92 years of age. He is believed to have committed suicide in a prison in Berlin, however there is some controversy over his cause of death. Hess was the last of the Nuremburg defendents to die.
Suggested Reading:
Nazism 1919-1945 Volume 2: State, Economy and Society 1933-39: A Documentary Reader (University of Exeter Press - Exeter Studies in History)Volume 2 of this acclaimed series of documents with commentary covers the domestic aspects of the regime between 1933 and 1939: the political system, ... Read More >
Recent Comments