Rudolf Hess

Rudolf Hess was an extremely interesting figure during the Second World War. Being the deputy fuhrer of the third reich Rudolf was third in line to the nazi line of power. After Hitler's failed beer hall putsch Hess (being the commander of an SA paramilitary group) was thrown into prison where he helped Hitler write and edit Mein Kampf. In this critical period he grew close with Hitler and when they were released from prison he quickly rose in the ranks of the nazi party. Although playing a little part in the actual war events Rudolf was the cause of much disturbance in 1941. In that year he hijacked a Messerschmitt Bf 110 and flew over Britain eventually paradropping into Scotland. Once in Allied custody he proceeded to offer peace terms. Finally it was determined that the stress of war had gotten to him and he was mentally unstable. Hitler realizing his departure ordered that he should be shot if he ever entered German grounds again. Finally after receiving a long life sentence at the Nuremburg trials Rudolf Hess communicated suicide by hanging himself with an electrical cord at the age of 93 on August 17, 1988 in part of the prison gardens.