Farewell to Spandau

During his final years in captivity, Rudolf Hess, the last British Governor of Spandau Allied Prison, lived in isolation and suffered from ill health. He took his own life on May 17, 1987.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 26 November 2021
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

The final years of Rudolf Hess' life, including his tragic suicide while in Allied custody, are explored in detail by the last British Governor of Spandau Allied Prison.

The last British Governor of Spandau Allied Prison, Colonel Gordon Richardson, has provided a revealing account of the final years of Rudolf Hess' life, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding his tragic suicide while in Allied custody.

Hess, who was the former **** leader's deputy and played a significant role in the Second World War, was captured by British forces in May 1941 and held at Spandau Prison in Berlin. Colonel Richardson, who served as the Governor of Spandau from 1942 to 1945, had close personal interactions with Hess and witnessed firsthand the events that led to his suicide.

According to Colonel Richardson, Hess became increasingly isolated and depressed in his final years at Spandau. He was deeply affected by the loss of his beloved dog, Wolf, who had been his constant companion during his captivity. Hess also suffered from physical ailments, including arthritis and heart problems, which further compounded his mental state.

Despite the efforts of the prison staff to provide for Hess' needs, including regular visits from his family and medical attention, his condition deteriorated rapidly. Colonel Richardson believes that Hess' suicide was a result of a combination of factors, including his isolation, depression, physical ailments, and the knowledge that he would never be released from captivity.

Colonel Richardson's account provides a valuable insight into the final years of Rudolf Hess' life and the circumstances surrounding his tragic suicide. It sheds light on the human cost of war and the devastating effects that captivity can have on individuals.

Hess' legacy continues to be a subject of debate and fascination, with some arguing that he was a misguided idealist who was manipulated by ******, while others argue that he was a traitor to his country who played a significant role in the Holocaust.

Regardless of one's opinion of Hess, his life and death serve as a reminder of the complex and often tragic nature of the Second World War and the individuals who were caught up in its events.

The last British Governor of Spandau Allied Prison, Colonel Gordon Richardson, has provided a revealing account of the final years of Rudolf Hess' life, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding his tragic suicide while in Allied custody.

Hess, who was the former **** leader's deputy and played a significant role in the Second World War, was captured by British forces in May 1941 and held at Spandau Prison in Berlin. Colonel Richardson, who served as the Governor of Spandau from 1942 to 1945, had close personal interactions with Hess and witnessed firsthand the events that led to his suicide.

According to Colonel Richardson, Hess became increasingly isolated and depressed in his final years at Spandau. He was deeply affected by the loss of his beloved dog, Wolf, who had been his constant companion during his captivity. Hess also suffered from physical ailments, including arthritis and heart problems, which further compounded his mental state.

Despite the efforts of the prison staff to provide for Hess' needs, including regular visits from his family and medical attention, his condition deteriorated rapidly. Colonel Richardson believes that Hess' suicide was a result of a combination of factors, including his isolation, depression, physical ailments, and the knowledge that he would never be released from captivity.

Colonel Richardson's account provides a valuable insight into the final years of Rudolf Hess' life and the circumstances surrounding his tragic suicide. It sheds light on the human cost of war and the devastating effects that captivity can have on individuals.

Hess' legacy continues to be a subject of debate and fascination, with some arguing that he was a misguided idealist who was manipulated by ******, while others argue that he was a traitor to his country who played a significant role in the Holocaust.

Regardless of one's opinion of Hess, his life and death serve as a reminder of the complex and often tragic nature of the Second World War and the individuals who were caught up in its events.

Weight: 200g
Dimension: 175 x 199 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780750998475
Edition number: 2 New edition