Nazi Rudolf Hess’s Mad Mission for Peace (Strange Stories of WWII)

Simple History
13 Jul 202112:29
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script details a sponsored feature on Magellan TV, highlighting its extensive historical documentaries. It delves into a peculiar episode of World War II, focusing on Rudolf Hess's solo flight to Scotland on May 10, 1941, with the misguided aim of negotiating peace with Britain. Hess, a high-ranking Nazi official, held a complex mix of fanatical beliefs and personal quirks. His mission, based on flawed intelligence and a misunderstanding of British politics, ended with his capture and subsequent imprisonment. The video also touches on the Nazi regime's response, claiming Hess was mentally unstable and acting independently. Hess's post-war trial, conviction, and life sentence are briefly mentioned, concluding with his death in Spandau Prison, which fueled conspiracy theories about his demise.

Takeaways
  • 📺 The video is sponsored by Magellan TV, which offers a documentary streaming service covering a wide range of historical topics.
  • 🎬 Magellan TV recommends the documentary 'Conformity 1933, 1934' for insights into Hitler's rise to power and the formation of the Nazi regime.
  • 🌍 Magellan TV's content is diverse, including history, science, true crime, travel, and more, with over 3,000 documentaries, movies, and series available.
  • 📀 The platform provides high-definition content, some in 4K, and regularly adds new content, ensuring a continuous supply of viewing material.
  • 💰 Viewers of 'Simple History' can get a 30% discount on an annual membership and a two-week free trial, with the offer also available to returning members.
  • 🛫 On May 10, 1941, Rudolf Hess, a high-ranking Nazi official, embarked on a solo mission to Scotland in a modified Messerschmitt BF-110 aircraft.
  • 🛬 Hess landed near the Duke of Hamilton's estate, having flown 900 miles, and initially claimed to be Captain Alfred Horn before revealing his true identity.
  • 🕵️‍♂️ Hess's mission was to negotiate a peace treaty with the British government, believing he could remove Winston Churchill from power with the help of the Duke of Hamilton.
  • 🇩🇪 The Nazi regime in Germany distanced itself from Hess's actions, claiming he was mentally ill and acted alone without their knowledge.
  • 🤐 After the war, Hess was tried at the Nuremberg Trials, where he was found guilty of crimes against peace and conspiracy, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
  • 🏛️ Hess was imprisoned in Spandau Prison, where he was the sole inmate after 1966 until his death in 1987 at the age of 93.
  • 🤔 There are conspiracy theories surrounding Hess's death, with some suggesting he was murdered, but there is no concrete evidence to support these claims.
Q & A
  • What is the documentary streaming service mentioned in the video script?

    -Magellan TV

  • Which documentary is recommended for an up-close look at Hitler's rise to power?

    -Conformity 1933, 1934

  • What was the name of the German aircraft that Rudolph Hess flew on his secret mission to Britain?

    -Messerschmitt BF-110

  • Why did Rudolph Hess believe that Britain could have been a potential ally with Germany?

    -Hess felt that Britain's colonial administration was effective and that the modern day Egyptian people needed British guidance and control, which he thought could extend to a partnership with Germany.

  • What misconceptions did Rudolph Hess have about the British government and public opinion?

    -Hess was under the impression that British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was highly unpopular, that he could be easily removed from office, and that the Duke of Hamilton could help negotiate a peace treaty between Germany and Britain.

  • How did the Royal Air Force (RAF) attempt to intercept Rudolph Hess's aircraft?

    -The RAF scrambled two Spitfires on routine patrol and later a third Spitfire from a nearby air base to intercept Hess's aircraft, but they were unsuccessful due to nightfall and the aircraft dropping off the radar.

  • What was the code name given to Rudolph Hess's aircraft by the RAF?

    -Raid 42

  • Why was Rudolph Hess's mission considered a failure?

    -Hess's mission failed because the Nazi regime disowned him and his peace mission, British authorities did not take him seriously, and his behavior became increasingly odd and erratic.

  • What was the outcome of Rudolph Hess at the Nuremberg Trials?

    -Hess was cleared of war crimes and crimes against humanity but was convicted of crimes against peace and conspiracy, resulting in a life imprisonment sentence.

  • Where was Rudolph Hess imprisoned after the Nuremberg Trials?

    -Spandau Prison in West Berlin

  • How did Rudolph Hess's life end, and what are the suspicions surrounding his death?

    -Hess died at the age of 93, with his death reported as a suicide by hanging. However, there are suspicions that he was murdered by the British secret service, although there is no evidence to support this theory.

  • What happened to Spandau Prison after Rudolph Hess's death?

    -The prison was hastily demolished and a supermarket was quickly built on the site to cater for the British soldiers and their families stationed in Berlin.

Outlines
00:00
📺 Introduction to Magellan TV and Rudolph Hess's Mission

The video is sponsored by Magellan TV, a documentary streaming service that offers a wide range of historical content from ancient civilizations to modern times. Viewers are encouraged to watch 'Conformity 1933,1934' for insights into Hitler's rise to power. The video also recounts the unusual event on May 10, 1941, when Rudolph Hess, a prominent figure in Hitler's regime, embarked on a solo mission to Scotland with the aim of negotiating peace with the British, believing he could remove Winston Churchill from power and establish a peace treaty. Hess, a complex individual with a mix of fanatical Nazi beliefs and a peculiar interest in the occult and astrology, was disillusioned with the war against Britain and thought he could correct this mistake.

05:02
🛫 Rudolph Hess's Flight and Capture

On May 10, 1941, Rudolph Hess flew alone from Germany to Scotland in a specially modified Messerschmitt BF-110 aircraft. His flight took him over the North Sea and into England, avoiding British radar. Despite being detected and pursued by RAF Spitfires, Hess managed to evade capture and continued towards Scotland. He eventually parachuted out of his aircraft, which crashed nearby, and was captured after landing, initially pretending to be a Luftwaffe captain named Alfred Horn. His true identity was revealed during his meeting with the Duke of Hamilton, whom Hess believed could help him in his quest for peace. The Nazi regime in Germany distanced itself from Hess's actions, claiming he was mentally ill and acted alone.

10:04
🕵️‍♂️ Hess's Trial, Imprisonment, and Controversial Death

After the war, Rudolph Hess was charged with war crimes and underwent trial at the Nuremberg Trials. He claimed amnesia, and though it was suggested he might be exaggerating, he was found to be mentally ill with paranoid and schizophrenic tendencies. Hess was acquitted of war crimes and crimes against humanity but was convicted of crimes against peace and conspiracy, resulting in a life sentence. He was imprisoned in Spandau Prison in West Berlin, where he was the sole inmate after 1966. Hess died in 1987 at the age of 93 under suspicious circumstances, which some believe were a cover-up for murder by the British secret service. However, this theory lacks evidence. Following his death, Spandau Prison was rapidly demolished, and a supermarket was built on the site.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Magellan TV
Magellan TV is a documentary streaming service that provides a wide range of historical content from around the globe. It is mentioned in the video script as the sponsor, and the video recommends viewers to explore their collection, which includes documentaries like 'Conformity 1933, 1934' that focus on Hitler's rise to power.
💡Conformity 1933, 1934
This is a specific documentary highlighted in the video script, which offers an in-depth look at Adolf Hitler's rise from being the head of the Nazi Party to a dictator who reshaped Germany in his image. It is used as an example of the type of historical content available on Magellan TV.
💡Rudolph Hess
Rudolph Hess was a prominent figure in Adolf Hitler's government and is central to the narrative of the video. He was the Reich's Minister and Deputy Führer who undertook a solo mission to Britain in an attempt to negotiate a peace treaty. His actions and beliefs are detailed throughout the script, illustrating his complex character and the historical significance of his mission.
💡World War II
World War II serves as the historical backdrop for the video's main story. It is the context within which Rudolph Hess's peace mission took place, and the video discusses the state of the war between Britain and Nazi Germany at the time of Hess's flight.
💡Luftwaffe
The Luftwaffe was the German air force during World War II. In the video script, it is mentioned in relation to the aircraft Rudolph Hess flew, a Messerschmitt BF-110, which was part of the Luftwaffe's fleet. The Luftwaffe is also referenced when discussing the British Royal Air Force's attempts to intercept Hess's aircraft.
💡RAF Spitfires
RAF Spitfires were British single-seat fighter aircraft that were used during World War II. The script describes how two RAF Spitfires were ordered to intercept Hess's aircraft after it was detected by British radar. The Spitfires are an example of the British military's response to the unidentified aircraft.
💡Dungavel Castle
Dungavel Castle is the destination where Rudolph Hess intended to land in Scotland as part of his secret mission. The castle was the estate of the Duke of Hamilton, whom Hess believed could assist him in negotiating a peace treaty with the British government.
💡Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials were a series of military tribunals held after World War II to prosecute prominent leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes. Rudolph Hess was among those charged and stood trial, where he was found guilty of crimes against peace and conspiracy, leading to his life imprisonment.
💡Spandau Prison
Spandau Prison was a historic prison in West Berlin where Rudolph Hess was incarcerated after being sentenced at the Nuremberg Trials. It is mentioned in the script as the place where Hess spent the majority of his life imprisonment, until his death in 1987.
💡War Crimes
War crimes are serious violations of the laws and customs of war, which are prohibited by international law. The script discusses the charges against Rudolph Hess at the Nuremberg Trials, where he was ultimately convicted of crimes against peace and conspiracy, but cleared of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
💡Mental Illness
Mental illness is a broad term referring to a variety of conditions that affect a person's thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. The video script notes that Hess was described as having mental health issues by the Nazi regime to explain his actions, and it was a point of discussion during his trial, where it was determined that he suffered from paranoia and exhibited schizophrenic tendencies.
Highlights

Magellan TV offers a documentary streaming service covering a wide range of historical topics from ancient civilizations to modern times.

The documentary 'Conformity 1933, 1934' provides an in-depth look at Hitler's rise to power and the restructuring of Germany under his rule.

Magellan TV features over 3,000 documentaries, movies, and series, with some available in 4K high definition.

Viewers of Simple History can get a 30% discount on an annual membership and a two-week free trial.

On May 10, 1941, Rudolph Hess, a high-ranking Nazi official, embarked on a solo peace mission to Britain, flying a modified Messerschmitt BF-110.

Hess' mission was based on the misconception that he could negotiate the removal of Winston Churchill and establish peace between Germany and Britain.

Hess was influenced by his childhood in British colonial Egypt, which instilled in him a respect for British colonial administration.

Despite being a fervent Nazi, Hess had a complex personality, with interests in the occult, astrology, and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Hess' aircraft was detected by British radar and pursued by RAF Spitfires, but he managed to evade capture by flying at low altitudes.

Upon landing in Scotland, Hess was mistaken for a Luftwaffe captain named Alfred Horn and was taken into custody by local authorities.

Hess' peace mission was dismissed by the British government, and the Nazi regime in Germany distanced itself from his actions, claiming he was mentally ill.

After the war, Hess was tried at the Nuremberg Trials, where he was found guilty of crimes against peace and conspiracy, and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Hess spent the remainder of his life in Spandau Prison, becoming the only prisoner there after the release of other high-ranking Nazi officials.

The circumstances of Hess' death in 1987 at the age of 93 are disputed, with some suggesting he was murdered, while others believe it was suicide.

Following Hess' death, Spandau Prison was rapidly demolished, and a supermarket was built on the site.

Hess' flight and subsequent capture are considered a bizarre and unusual episode of World War II, highlighting the complexity of the era's political landscape.

Transcripts
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