French people have a say that goes "Revenge is a dish that is consumed cold." It should
add "Stupidity as well".
If there is in the history of WW2 an example of stupid stubborness in the desire of obtaining
revenge and retribution, it is that of Rudolf Hess, Hitler's appointed successor who flew to
Scotland in 1941 in order to save the world a war between England and Germany. Arrested
by the English, he was jailed during the war and sentenced to life in prison in 1945. In spite
of numerous protests from every side in the 60s and 70s, he was never liberated, remained
in solitary confinement to the end and admittedly committed suicide in 1987. A very sad and
unfair end. Hess is the sacrificial image of the Allies's resentment, meanness and
stubborness after WW2.
Who was Rudolf Hess? Rudolf Hess was the Deputy Leader of Germany between 1933
and 1941. In an effort to avert a growing war in Europe, between what he considered
brother nations, Rudolf Hess embarked upon a mission of peace to Britain. He came
bearing one last chance for peace in Europe. For his efforts, Rudolf Hess spent the rest of
his life in prison, kept in a cage by the Allied victors. Rudolf Hess was truly a prisoner of
peace, and for this fact alone, I believe his memory is worth keeping alive. Furthermore, the
treatment of Rudolf Hess sheds a searing light upon a period in history that effects the
world until this day. Questions are raised, by the unfair imprisonment of this man, that have
not been satisfactorily answered, questions which need to be answered.
The Early Years
Rudolf Hess was a complex man. For those of you familiar with his tragic life, this
statement is self-evident. He was as perplexing and extraordinary in some of his manners
as he was traditional and straight forward in others. For those of you unfamiliar with Rudolf
Hess, it is necessary to introduce you to his life at its beginning, in British controlled Egypt.
Egypt is hardly the place one would have expected the future Deputy Fuhrer to have made
his start. However, throughout his early childhood, Rudolf Hess would call Alexandria
home. While Alexandria was a cosmopolitan city, filled with a variety of humanity, Rudolf
Hess' upbringing was affected, not so much by his exotic surroundings, as by the strict and
sheltering influence of his father. Fritz Hess, a disciplinarian of the 'old school', ensured that
his son received as traditional a German upbringing as Egypt's small German community
could provide. Until the age of 14, the young Hess was educated by private tutors, as the
local German Protestant school did not meet with Fritz Hess' rigorous standards. Rudolf
Hess and Egypt parted ways in 1908, when he was deemed old enough to attend boarding
school in Germany.
During his school years Rudolf Hess' character began to become apparent. Former
classmates remember Hess as being solitary, and serious, characteristics that would
forever remain a constant in his life. While his father had plans for his son studying
business and eventually taking over the family firm, Rudolf was drawn rather to astronomy
and physics. In anticipation of a career as a merchant, Rudolf Hess would soon trade
boarding school in Germany for business school in Switzerland. While convinced that his
true path lay not in dry ledgers, he still had not found the strength to stand up to his father.
The catalyst, for asserting his independence, came in 1914 with the Austrian ultimatum on
Serbia.
Fuelled by an intense patriotism, Rudolf Hess jettisoned his sheltered life and volunteered
for the 7th Bavarian field artillery regiment. Later transferred to the infantry, Hess would fight
with distinction during the war, receiving the Iron Cross, second class. His experiences
during the war had a profound influence upon his political/moral development. At the front,
he found not the glorious struggle envisioned by other naive patriots, but the horrors of the
trenches. Wounded on several occasions, Rudolf Hess was to make another fateful
decision during the war, and apply for the Imperial Air Corps. Rejected on his first attempt,
he was eventually accepted for aeronautical training. However, just as he became attached
to an operational squadron, the war would come to its stunning conclusion.
The war affected Rudolf Hess in many ways. Most important, experiencing the reality of
warfare first hand left in him an unshakeable desire for peace. Years later, Hess would
insist, that if veterans of the trenches were responsible for policy amongst nations, war
would be avoided. It was during the war, that Hess the infantryman would become Hess the
pilot. Had Hess been rejected yet again for flying school, his life would surely have turned
out differently. Finally, the war brought Hess into contact with a class of people that he
would otherwise never have met as equals. While many National Socialists did come from
privileged backgrounds, the majority of its adherents were from amongst the working or
middle classes. Having had the experience of interacting with people from outside of his
own upper class upbringing, will have greatly influenced the ability of Hess to later find a
key role in the NSDAP.
From Revolutionary To Deputy Fuhrer
The fact that Germany had been defeated politically, rather than militarily, came as a shock,
not only to Rudolf Hess, but to many of his countrymen as well. The Munich, that Hess
would move to in 1919, was a microcosm of the chaos that had taken grip of the whole
country. Without a strong central government, cities such as Munich were controlled, not by
the government, but by whichever political gang controlled the streets. Revolution was thick
in the air. In fact, Kurt Eisner, the Jewish leader of the SPD Independent Socialists
successfully launched a short-lived coup in 1919, declaring Bavaria an independent state.
Activists further to the left of Eisner began agitating for a second revolution and the
establishment of a soviet republic. Paramilitary groups of the right also abounded during
these years. Still an ardent patriot, Rudolf Hess was attracted toward one of these rightist
organisations, becoming a member of the paramilitary Free Corps. It was in Munich, that
Rudolf Hess would meet two individuals who would change his life forever. These two men
were Karl Haushofer and Adolf Hitler.
Karl Haushofer, one of Hess' wartime commanders, was to play an integral role throughout
the decisive years of his life. A professor of political geography, Haushofer's views on the
need for German living space would later influence the views not only of Hess, but of the
NSDAP leadership in general. Along with his son, Albrecht, the Haushofer's contacts with
members of the British elite, would later serve as a bridge in Hess' peace initiatives.
Amongst the dozens of Nationalist groups operating in Munich during these tumultuous
years, was the German Worker's Party, originally under the leadership of Anton Drexler.
Happening to attend one of their early meetings, Rudolf Hess would have the opportunity of
listening to a speech by their 'advertising chairman', Adolf Hitler. A decorated veteran of the
trenches, Hitler's fiery and emotional manner, soon won Hess over to his cause.
Thanks in part to the emotional and powerful influence of Adolf Hitler, and to the dedication
that was found amongst his followers (now numbering Rudolf Hess), the NSDAP became
an influential political force, first in Bavaria, and then throughout Germany. As with other
parties of the day, violence became 'part and parcel' of their political struggle, as rivals
attempted to stem their growth. Whenever meetings degenerated into brawls with their
Communist opponents, Rudolf Hess was in the thick of it, often receiving wounds for his
efforts. While Rudolf Hess might have lead a sheltered youth, his life was now anything but
sheltered. Throughout all of the successes and failures of the party, Rudolf Hess soon
proved himself, not only as one of Adolf Hitler's most devoted followers, but as his closest
confident. His position with Hitler was solidified during their imprisonment in Landsberg
during 1923. During their imprisonment, while the remnants of the NSDAP collapsed
outside of the prison, Hitler and Hess (now his private secretary), worked on Mein Kampf,
Hitler's semi-autobiographical program, both for his party and for Germany.
The story of the rise of the NSDAP has been told many times, and it is not my intention to
repeat that story here. Throughout the years following Landsberg, and prior to their
assumption of power in 1933, the party gained in power and influence both in the German
parliament and in the streets. While Hess would marry his long-standing girlfriend, Ilse
Prohl, in 1927, his married life did not interfere with the dedication or time of energy given
the party.
Hess became one of the most visible members of the party. His decency and simple
manner, won over many Germans to the NSDAP, who would otherwise have been offended
by their rough street politics. While other leading members of the party began to acquire the
trappings of the elite, and independent circles of power, Rudolf Hess was known for the
consistency of his tastes and for his simple dedication toward Adolf Hitler. While others
might mouth the words honour and obedience, Rudolf Hess lived them.
Upon taking the reins of power in 1933, Hitler appointed Rudolf Hess the Deputy Fuhrer of
the NSDAP. As Hitler's representative in the party, Rudolf Hess officially became one of the
most powerful men in Germany. Every government department, excepting the ministries of
war and foreign relations, now had to submit their laws to Hess, as the Fuhrer's deputy, for
final approval.
At Nurenberg, the laws bearing his signature would be used against him by the
prosecution. Admittedly, Hess' signature is present on the Nurenberg Laws, which limited
the rights of Jews in Germany. However, similar laws were to be found, both in the United
States and in European-controlled Africa, in reference to those of African decent. The
architects of these laws were never tried in Kangaroo courts, nor were they sentenced to life
imprisonment. The prosecution, or course, never mentioned Hess' numerous
memorandums and decrees ordering restraint on the Jewish question. For instance,
circular No.160/35 prohibited party members from going to extremes, promising rigorous
prosecution for those, "causing criminal damage or bodily harm to Jews, or guilty in riotous
assembly against them."
Throughout these years, Rudolf Hess was also prominent in both public and secret peace
initiatives. During the Sudeten crisis, Hess sent his trusted friend Karl Haushofer to
negotiate peace with Czechloslovakian minister president Benes. While they were
successful in initiating peace negotiations, such measures were contrary to Hitler's
expansionist aims and came to naught. During this time, Hess also instructed the
Haushofer's to expand their British contacts in the hopes of maintaining peace. Hess never
wavered in this desire for peace. In 1934, he attended an international meeting of former
front-line soldiers. At this meeting he stated, "We front-line soldiers dont't want incompetent
diplomacy propelling us into another catastrophe where the ones to suffer will once again
be the soldiers. We soldiers don't feel responsible for the last war. We want to unite to fight
against another catastrophe like that one. We who brought destruction during the last war
want now to build a new peace. It's high time that we create a real understanding between
our people. It should be an understanding based on mutual respect. Only that can ensure a
lasting peace, the kind of respect that former front-line soldiers have for each other." Rudolf
Hess would latter risk his life, and loose his freedom, in attempting to find this peace.
The Sacrifice
Rudolf Hess was a man in his prime when, at the age of thirty-nine, he was made, "Deputy
to the Fuhrer of the NSDAP". In addition to this role, Hess was also appointed minister
without portfolio in the government. Theoretically, Hess was now one of the most powerful
men in Germany. In fact, he was named, after Goering, to be Hitler's successor.
In analyzing Hess' motives, for his subsequent flight to Britain, many historians suggest
that Hess felt that his influence was waning, and that he considered a dramatic act on his
part necessary to regain his position. It does appear, that a change in the NSDAP/German
power structure was taking place. Having traded its anti-system credentials for the mantle
of power, the NSDAP began to assume bureaucratic trappings of its own. During the early
years of the NSDAP, it was those with dedication and ability who came to the fore. During
the governing years, it was just as often those proficient in strategically giving favours, and it
currying favours from others, who were gaining authority. Rudolf Hess was not a man of
this type. He was born of a different mold, and could not, or would not, play such a game.
Furthermore, the most visible decisions were now being made at the state, rather than the
party, level. Unlike other prominent National Socialists, such as Goering, who was made
minister president of Prussia, Hess did not have a significant voice at the state level.
On the other hand, the position of Deputy Fuhrer was not 'smoke and mirrors', but had real
and far-ranging powers. More importantly, Hess maintained the complete trust of Adolf
Hitler, and the continuing admiration of the German people.
Did a perceived reduction in Hess' authority act as a catalyst to his flight? If it did, I believe
that this would have been a minor consideration. I believe, that above and beyond any other
possible motive, Hess' desire for peace must be remembered. Hess remained the same
man who had lived through the horrors of the trenches, and who consistently stressed his
desire for peace in the most emotional manner. Coupled with his own strong desire for
peace, was Hess' conviction that the German state desired peace as well. Particularly,
Hess was convinced of Hitler's sincerity, when in Mein Kampf , and many subsequent
occasions, he discussed his desire for peace and understanding with Britain. With such
simple convictions, the deteriorating state of peace in Europe must have been particularly
trying for the Deputy Fuhrer.
Prior to the outbreak of war in 1939, Hess initiated both overt and covert peace initiatives
For instance, during the Sudeten Crisis, and prior to the Munich Agreement, Hess
attempted to come to terms with the Czechloslovak minister president over the German
minority in that country. Covertly (but with the knowledge of Hitler), Hess was now utilizing
his friendship with the Haushofers, to try and find common ground with members of the
pre- Churchill British elite.
At what point, did Hess give up on conventional diplomacy? When did Hess decide upon
his dramatic flight? A turning point in the war, occurred with the British bombing raids upon
Germany in 1940. Until this time, Germany was still hopeful that an understanding with the
British government could be reached. For this reason, Hitler had prohibited any bombing
raids on British civilian targets, and on London as a whole. Churchill was aware of this
prohibition, since the British had 'cracked' the codes required in deciphering German
communication. Unmoved by the German prohibition, Churchill ordered the bombing of
Berlin and other civilian targets. The bombing of Berlin was reciprocated with German raids
on London, starting on the 7th of September 1940. Hess had always been a sensitive
individual. The death of civilians, both in Germany and Britain, seriously affected the Deputy
Fuhrer. He began to dream of rows of coffins and dwell upon the children lost and mother's
grieving. At some point, Hess decided to sacrifice himself, so that the row of coffins would
not grow any longer.
During the fall of 1940, Hess began having weather reports of the English channel
forwarded to him. He also began visiting the Messerschmitt airfield, and honing his skills,
at the cockpit of a Me-110. By January of 1941, Hess was ready for his mission. Flying low
to avoid radar, Hess managed to traverse the English Channel, loose a British warplane
sent to intercept him, and parachute to 'safety' over Scotland. But, whose mission was it?
Was Hitler aware of his Deputy's intentions, or was his flight un-sanctioned, as the German
government would later claim? There is evidence supporting both sides of this argument.
The most compelling evidence, that Hess acted without Hitler's approval, was Germany's
denunciation of the flight, and Hess' own claim that he acted without direct approval. Long
after the war, Hess would not waver in this claim. Another factor, which gives credence to
the argument, that Hess acted unofficially, is the remarkable nature of the flight. Would the
calculating German regime have risked their Deputy Leader on such a dangerous and
extraordinary mission?
On the other hand, there is much evidence to suggest that Hitler was aware of Hess'
mission. If the flight had been un-sanctioned, it would have been truly remarkable for it to
have happened at all. The flight required not only a specifically modified Me-110, but
classified radio beacon and weather information. How could the preparations for such a
flight have gone unnoticed by the German security establishment? Furthermore, many of
those witnessing Hitler's reaction, to the news of Hess' departure, had the distinct
impression that he was play-acting. Admittedly, many of Hess' colleagues and
subordinates were imprisoned, after the failure of the Hess mission. Frau Hess, however,
was left relatively unmolested, and in fact, was supported financially by the government
throughout the war. If Hess had in fact been a renegade, would his wife have been afforded
such courtesies?
The most compelling argument, that Hess did not act without approval, rests with Hess'
relationship to Hitler and to the state. Hess was a living example of the dedication and
obedience expounded by the party. It had been Hess, who had introduced the very concept
of the unquestionable Fuhrer. For Hess, disobeying his Fuhrer would have gone against
every ounce of his being. No, Hess would not have acted without Hitler's approval. I simply
do not believe, that there is anyway that Hitler could not have been made aware, in some
shape of form, of his Deputy's intentions. Regardless of whether or not Hess' flight was
sanctioned, what were his intentions upon landing in Scotland.? Hess had planned this
part of his mission impeccably. Travelling in an unarmed airplane, and in his Luftwaffe
officers uniform, Hess relied upon the age old tradition of a peace mediator. As an
emissary of the enemy, Hess believed that, whether or not his mission was successful, the
British would respect his person, and allow for his safe return to Germany. Hess, however,
believed that his mission would be successful. He planned to visit the Duke of Hamilton,
whose ancestral manor had been his target in Scotland, and who was acquainted with his
friends, the Haushoffers. Upon being received by the Duke, Hess expected to be allowed to
lay out his peace terms, to both the British government, and more importantly, to Hess,
before the British crown. What was to unfold for this emissary of peace, was quite a
different scenario.
Camp X
It is not everyday, that one has the Deputy Fuhrer of Germany drop in for a visit. Yet, this is
exactly the position that a family of Scottish peasants found themselves in, on the night of
May 10, 1941. Once local military personnel arrived at the scene, Hess identified himself as
Captain Alfred Horn. He explained, that he wished to be taken to see the Duke of Hamilton,
with whom he had important matters to discuss. The Duke's ancestral estate, which lay
nearby, had been Hess' intended destination. The Duke did indeed visit 'Captain Horn' the
following morning, when Hess revealed his true identity, and his desire to discuss peace.
Understandably, this 'revelation' raised many frenzied questions in London. Was it indeed
Hess, or was the aviator an impostor sent for unknown propaganda purposes? What could
his sudden appearance imply? Hess should have expected this immediate delay.
Dropping in uninvited to discuss peace terms with your enemy, especially when done in
such a dramatic fashion, is bound to create a certain amount of chaos. Furthermore, with
the British government firmly in the hands of the belligerent Churchill clique, and with
memories of the broken Munich Agreement still fresh, what hopes should Hess have had
for his mission being a success? We might never know, what the chances for success
might have been, as we do not know the specifics of Hess' proposal. Documentation,
which could shine a light on this and other questions, remains hidden from the public eye.
Regardless of the chances of Hess' success, or of the naivete of his mission, the response
of the British (and later Allied), governments was atrocious and unforgivable.
What was the response of the British government? Once the initial shock subsided, and the
British were sure of whom they were dealing with, they imprisoned Hess! They did not
listen to his proposals, but instead designated Hess as a 'private prisoner' of the state for
the duration of the war. At first imprisoned in the Tower of London, and later at a secret
location in the countryside, referred to only as Camp Z, Hess' health soon deteriorated.
Apparently, Hess began to suffer from nervous ailments and to develop a paranoid
personality. If Hess had been classified as a prisoner of war by the British, rather than as a
'private prisoner' (as should have been the case), this might have raised many
embarrassing questions. The Geneva Convention specifies that prisoners suffering from
mental ailments be repatriated to their homeland. As it stands, his paranoia was justified.
Contrary to the Geneva convention, listening devices were employed in the compound.
Furthermore, British diplomats, under the employ of the secret service, pretended to enter
into formal talks (regarding his peace proposals), with Hess. In actuality, these visits were
a farce designed to pry intelligence from the captive, and no doubt caused Hess to
experience an emotional 'roller-coaster' of false hope. Under such conditions, and with the
failure of his mission ever weighing upon him, is it any wonder that Hess would develop
neurosis? Hess remained in such a limbo until the Nuremberg Trials in October of 1945,
when be was placed in the docks with other German leaders, as if his flight had never
occurred.
Hess arrived in Nuremberg as a 'time capsule', untouched by the outside world, and
unprepared for the changes that had occurred during his imprisonment. The Germany
Hess had left had been a world power, the Germany Hess returned to was a nation starving
amidst the rubble. At first, Hess feigned memory loss during the trial and the preliminary
proceedings. What the purpose of this 'memory loss' was, is unclear. Was Hess continuing
to suffer from the nervous ailments that seemed to have troubled him during his
imprisonment, or was his 'memory loss' a tactic of some sort? For whatever reason, Hess
maintained this 'loss of memory' for the first half of the proceedings, until he dramatically
stated that he had the full use of his memory.
During the trial, Hess remained unrepentant. Hess stated that he took full responsibility for
all of his actions, as well as for all documents that bared his signature. What documents
did bare Hess' signature? The Nuremberg Laws, which limited the participation of Jews in
German society, were the documents most often mentioned, by the Allies, in connection
with Hess. This group of laws should have been quite familiar to the Allied prosecutors,
since they were similar, both in nature and in intent, to those in place in the southern United
States, and in Southern Africa. This hypocrisy did not stand in the way of the Allied
prosecutors. Before passing judgment on the German leaders, the Allied prosecution
allowed the prisoners to make a closing statement. Rudolf Hess' closing statement was as
dramatic and as straight forward as the life he had led. When it was his turn, Rudolf Hess
rose and stated,
"For many years of my life, I had the privilege of working under the greatest man my nation
has ever produced in its thousand-year history. Even if I could, I would not erase this part of
my life. I am happy that I did my duty to the German people, my duty as a National Socialist,
and my duty as the Fuhrer's loyal adherent. I do not regret a thing. If I could start all over
again, I would behave just as I have behaved, even if I knew I would end up being burned
on a pyre. Regardless of what people do in the future, I will stand before the judge of
eternity. I will justify myself to him, and I know that he will acquit me."
Hess was found guilty of two of four charges, and sentenced to life imprisonment. Ironically,
this prisoner of peace, was found guilty by the victors of 'Crimes Against Peace'.
While this might seem to be the end of the Hess saga, it indeed was only a beginning. For
the next 40 years, Hess remained a prisoner of the Allied governments, specifically of the
four 'occupying powers'. At first, his sentence was carried out in the company of other
German leaders, who had escaped the gallows. However, one by one, the other inmates
were released. Eventually, Hess became the sole occupant of Spandau Prison, the
loneliest man in the world.
The Lonely Man In Spandau
Spandau was a nineteenth century prison, of fortress-like appearances, within British-
occupied West Berlin. Originally intended to house hundreds, the fortress would now
imprison seven. Seven prisoners, stripped of their identity and designated by number, with
number 'seven' being Rudolf Hess.
The conditions in Spandau were draconian. During the night, and up to four times in one
hour, guards would shine a light into the face of each prisoner. Sleep depravation was the
unmistakable result of this practice, but the official reason was to ensure that none of the
seven were to perform a miracle and escape. Food rationing, at near starvation levels, soon
resulted in their, "prison uniforms [hanging] shapelessly on their bony frames." The one
letter per month, that they were allowed to write to an immediate family member, was
heavily censored and limited to a maximum of 1300 words. Similar restrictions were placed
upon incoming mail. No mention of the war, of the Third Reich, or of its personalities were
allowed. Neither were the prisoners allowed to discuss the conditions of their
imprisonment. These prohibitions were never lifted for Hess, denying historians (and the
world), a first-hand telling of his story. What were the Allied authorities afraid of? What could
Hess have told the world, forty years after the fact, that could have been so sensitive, or so
damaging?
Throughout his ordeal, Hess maintained the conviction, that the Nuremberg Trials were
invalid and without jurisdiction. With this belief as a framework, he did not allow for his
counsel to plea for mercy. Furthermore, he refused to accept visitors, as an acceptance of
the strict visitation regulations might be taken as an admittance of Nuremberg's legality.
One by one, the ranks of Spandau was thinned. By September of 1966, only three prisoners
remained. However, in fall of that year, von Schirach and Speer were released, leaving
Hess to serve the remainder of his sentence in solitary confinement. By this time, Hess had
been a prisoner for twenty-five years. In western countries, twenty five years is often
considered the equivalent of a 'life' sentence.
While twenty five years had passed, there was no move, on the part of the authorities, to
discuss a release. While the status quo did not budge, a movement was beginning to take
shape, with the intention of pressuring the world into releasing the aged Hess. At the
forefront of this movement was Wulf Rudiger, the son of Rudolf Hess. Along with other
family members, and the sympathetic, he had formed a 'Freedom for Rudolf Hess'
association. Many notables (of both conservative and liberal leanings), joined in the cry for
clemency. One such voice was that of Lord Geoffrey Lawrence, the former president of the
International Military Tribunal. Another voice, was that of Sir Hartley Shawcross, the Chief
Prosecutor for the British government during the Nuremberg Trials. Lord Shawcross had
once declared, "In no civilized country in the world is a 'life' sentence taken literally. It is still
a principle of humanity that a 'life prisoner' is released after a suitable period..." I cannot
help but wonder, after learning of the 'kangaroo' court at Nuremberg, of the corpses at
Katyn, and of the fires of Dresden, whether 'civilized is not a term the 'four-powers' had
proved unworthy of years before.
As the years wore on, Hess' health began to deteriorate. In what became his first change of
scenery in twenty-two years, Hess was sent for a brief stay in an external hospital. True, the
Spandau authorities did allow for him to move from his single cell into the double cell,
which had previously served as the prison chapel. Furthermore, Hess did agree to see his
wife and son, for the one-half hour monthly visits that were sanctioned. When von Neurath,
serving a fifteen year sentence, became ill, he was given an early release. When Raeder
and Funk, both serving 'life' sentences became aged and ill, they were released. Why did
the same rules not apply to Rudolf Hess? In part, this can be explained by the fact that
Hess had become a living symbol of a fading victory and of a fading alliance. However, this
does not answer the entire question, this is only part of the puzzle.
While inside Spandau, Hess became ever frailer, outside of the prison walls, the
movement for his release continued to grow. Mass demonstrations, often vilified by the
media, became annual occurrences. When faced with mounting public pressure, the three
western powers would turn to the Soviet Union as their scapegoat. It was the Soviet Union,
they would claim, that stood in the way of Hess' release. Hess, the western powers surely
thought, was a problem that would soon end. After all, Hess would have to die sooner or
later, and so long as the demonstrations did not become unmanageable, and they could
rely on their Soviet scapegoat, the storm could be weathered. Glasnost destroyed the
second of these assumptions.
Increasingly, the indications from Moscow, seemed to suggest that a release for Hess was
not out of the question. However, was it the Russians who had the greatest interest in
retaining Hess? Admittedly, the ‘Great Patriotic War’ remained (and remains), a powerful
image in Russia. However, forty years had passed, and Moscow had more to gain by
appearing humanitarian, than in remaining inflexible. I believe, that it was the British
government, who had more reason to fear the knowledge that might still be contained in the
aged Hess.
It was in such an atmosphere, that Rudolf Hess died, on August 17th, 1987. The authorities
contend that the bent and arthritic Hess, unable to walk at more than a shuffle, or to
straighten his head, had managed, in an unattended moment, to hang himself with an
electrical cable. Others, including Hess’ son, believe that Rudolf Hess was murdered, in
order to forever seal the secrets of Prisoner Number Seven.
Keeping The Sacrifice Alive
With his death, prisoner seven was finally free. No sooner had its last inmate been
removed, than the walls of Spandau were razed. Whether or not Hess committed suicide,
remains one of the great questions of his legacy. Hess’ frailty at the time, in conjunction
with apparent discrepancies unearthed by Wulf Rudiger, strengthen the case that he was
murdered.
What I consider the most important development, following the death of Rudolf Hess, has
been the continuation of the memorials in his honour. Whether or not Hess was murdered,
the Allies must have surely counted on the Hess movement collapsing upon his death. The
marches, however, have continued unabated. Despite mounting police repression in
Germany, demonstrators from throughout Europe continue to observe August 17th in
memorial. In the summer of 1997, hundreds of demonstrators were arrested in Germany,
following coordinated police actions. In Denmark, hundreds of demonstrators marked the
occasion.
I have been asked, after the fact, after the death of Rudolf Hess, why I consider his life so
intriguing, or so important. Of what relevance does Hess have today? The status quo has
not changed. Numerous governments have come and gone, but the same entrenched
interests, which controlled society in the 40’s, remain in the driver’s seat today. If we were
lied to yesterday, we will be lied to today. Can we trust the state? Rudolf Hess thought that
he could trust the British state, when he arrived as an unarmed peace envoy. Will we allow
the house of cards to remain standing, blindly allowing our perceptions of the world, and of
our past, to be shaped for us, or will we begin to question?
"How strange a thing is freedom. Never again will I shut a bird up in a cage. And now I
understand so well, why the Chinese and the Japanese, when they wish to show gratitude
for good fortune, go to the market, buy cage-birds and let them loose. I will do this, too, one
day..." Rudolf Hess, 1949
| RUDOLF HESS |
THE SLOW AND MERCILESS REVENGE OF THE ALLIES
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