Rudolf Hess Freedom Badge and Book – Item 109068

Interesting 1950s period book entitled “Prisoner of Peace”. plus pin back associated badge for the release of Rudolf Hess. The book published in 1955 by Hess’s wife relates to a selection of letters from Hess to his wife during his imprisonment in Spandau gaol in the early 1950s. This scarce book and badge was produced and designed to keep the case of Rudolf Hess in the public eye after the Nuremberg Trials. The circular badge was used by campaigners for his release (Hitler’s Deputy) from Spandau Prison in the Western Zone. Badges measures 5.5cm in diameter. Pin back fixing. The book in German language is illustrated with photos from the Hess family album.

Note:   By the start of the war, Hess was sidelined from most important decisions, and many in Hitler’s inner circle thought him to be mad. On 10 May 1941, Hess made a solo flight to Scotland, where he hoped to arrange peace talks with the Duke of Hamilton, whom he believed to be a prominent opponent of the British government’s war policy. The British authorities arrested Hess immediately on his arrival and held him in custody until the end of the war, when he was returned to Germany to stand trial at the 1946 Nuremberg Trials of major war criminals. During much of his trial, Hess claimed to be suffering from amnesia, but he later admitted to the court that this had been a ruse. The court convicted him of crimes against peace and of conspiracy with other German leaders to commit crimes. He served a life sentence in Spandau prison: the Soviet Union blocked repeated attempts by family members and prominent politicians to procure his early release. While still in custody as the only prisoner in Spandau, he hanged himself in 1987 at the age of 93.