RUDOLF HESS' FILE ON HIS "PEACE" NEGOTIATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN
Offered here is perhaps the most important wartime archive to ever be offered for private sale, Rudolf Hess' personal file containing all of his personal notes, copies of letters, transcripts of interviews, and other holograph material surrounding his long-debated May 10, 1941 flight to Scotland to negotiate a separate peace with England - including what is most likely the handwritten proposal of peace terms he handed to Lord Simon on the day of their official meeting.

About 20 years ago our consignor received an anonymous telephone call from a man familiar with his work. He was told to go to a specific location the following day, where this material would be left for him with the hope that it would be of use in his projects.

The original source of this archive remains unknown, though Hess' notes and the personal nature of much of the contents indicate that it belonged to Hess himself. Some speculate that the former head of MI-6, Sir Maurice Oldfield, sought to prevent the truth about the Hess' British captivity remaining concealed forever.

At the request of Dr. Wilfried Beer, Dr. Baumgarten from the Bundesarchiv in Berlin asked if he might be allowed to perform a forensic analysis of one of the documents in the file. The results showed that the document is an original document and definitely not spurious. Subsequently, in 2012 the Bundesarchiv contacted the British government and asked if something was perhaps missing. They were advised that this "Most Secret File" was unknown to them, and they have stated that they are not missing anything of this exact nature. While certain elements of this file, or certain copies thereof, have been made available to the press, much of the file remains unknown to the public and at the very least the disclosure of its content answers many of the most perplexing questions that evolved from World War II.

The description which follows is written in the order in which the documents appear in the file, which is arranged largely in chronological order:

1.) A handwritten table of contents in Hess' hand, 1p. 8vo., [n.p., n.d.] listing eleven items included in the file and listed below.

2.) "Discussion with Herzog von Hamilton on May 11, 1941 in Glasgow", initialed "R. H." at conclusion, 1p. legal folio, in pencil with carbon copy, [Maryhill Barracks, likely May 11, 1941]. Hess' notes following his talk the Duke of Hamilton, in German. Likely written on the morning after he parachuted into Scotland, Hess writes, in part: "In the end of August [1940]…a person known to both of us, General Haushofer, mentioned the following regarding the offer of communication by the Fuhrer…Haushofer said 'I know an Englishman of your age whose personality would appeal to you who is a pilot like you, the Duke of Hamilton. If there were a possibility that the two of you talk, I believe that he will show an understanding of the thoughts of the Fuhrer…That discussion made me think of talking to the Duke after having made my flight to England…the war brings bad things to all participants…there is great sacrifice on both sides…The British Empire will come out of this war weakened…or collapsed…the British Government will now be able to declare that they will discuss [terms] with Reichsminister Hess...the offer by the Fuhrer is genuine…the British cannot continue the war without coming to terms with Germany…By my coming to England, the British Government can now declare that they are able to have talks…convinced that the offer by the Fuhrer is genuine…the British Government has no reason for further bloodshed…the British will agree to the suggestions made by Reichsminister Hess…the Duke was moved…unfortunately I have come at an inconvenient moment…Germany is facing tough times because the RAF has commenced great things…'There is no way that the British Empire will be destroyed'…I replied 'Let us wait' " Fascinating content showing Hess' certainty that Britain would accept his terms, and the duke's amenability to Hess' cause - but putting to rest the long-held belief that Hess and the duke met secretly the night of Hess' flight. DOUGLAS-DOUGLAS HAMILTON, 14th DUKE OF HAMILTON (1903-1973) was a Scottish nobleman and RAF Squadron Leader. While visiting Berlin, Hamilton met Albrecht Haushofer, who later became Hess' advisor on foreign affairs and some suspect may have facilitated communication between Hess and Hamilton. Interestingly, General Karl Haushofer's name was mentioned by Hess probably to protect Albrecht. Under suspicion for aiding Hess in planning the flight, Albrecht was put in prison for some weeks and then kept under Gestapo surveillance until he was murdered by the SS in 1945.



3.) "Lord Chancellor Simon the 9th of June 1941 Foundation for an Understanding", in the hand of Rudolf Hess, 2pp legal folio, ["Camp Z", Mytchett Place near Aldershot], June 9, 1941. Historic proposed terms of peace handed to Lord John Simon during Hess' interview by Simon the same day and contained in the transcript of that interview (see below). This most important transcript sets forth Hess' terms for peace between Germany and Great Britain, based on his multiple discussions with Hitler. In part: "…1.) In order to prevent future wars between England and Germany spheres of interest shall be defined. Germany's sphere of interest is Europe - England's sphere of interest is her Empire…2.) Return of German Colonies 3.) Indemnification of German Nationals who had their residence…within the British Empire and who suffered damage…Indemnification on the same basis by Germany of British subjects. 4.) Armistice and peace be concluded with Italy at the same time.The above points were discussed with the Fuhrer by me in talks as the basis for an understanding with England…there were no other points named…With regards to Iraq…this country should be left in the lurch…". Folded in quarters, as though Hess had carried it in his pocket, some marginal tears and file holes, else very good.

4.) "Protocol of the Discussion between R. H. and Lord Chancellor Simon on 9 June 1941", typed D.S. initialed "R. H." multiple times with extensive holograph notes throughout, 76pp. legal folio, ["Camp Z", Mytchett Place near Aldershot], June 9, 1941. Lord John Simon, Lord Chancellor ("Dr. Guthrie"), SIS officer Ivone Kirkpatrick ("Dr. Mackenzie"), and interpreter "Captain Barnes", in actuality an MI-6 agent operating under an assumed name. In this first official interview of Hess, the Party Secretary reveals the motivations behind his incredible flight to Scotland and his proposed peace offer to the British Government. The three-hour interview, stamped "MOST SECRET", follows. Hess' responses are translated by the interpreter, Barnes, who sometimes speaks for Hess in the second person, and Hess has also translated many of the English questions asked onto the preceding blank page. In very small part: "… his journey - has not been properly understood by anyone here…because it is such an extraordinary step…I arrived at the decision to come here after seeing the Fuhrer during the French campaign in June…they would conquer England, sooner or later…I was of the opinion that we must demand from England the restitution of goods…taken from us by the Versailles Treaty…The Fuhrer was of the opinion that the war could possibly lead to a closer rapprochement between the countries, which he had always attempted to bring about…even if victorious, they should not impose any severe conditions…Then came the Fuhrer's offer to England at the conclusion of the French campaign. This offer was, as is known, refused…his arrival here would be a 'peg', a ground for starting negotiations without a loss of prestige [by England]…no serious historian is now of the opinion that Germany was responsible for the World War [I]…Germany had this treaty imposed on her…". Hess then recites a series of complaints regarding Hitler's attempts to peacefully rearm and negotiate disarmament pacts, which he claims were all to no avail. He continues: "England always seeks to build up a coalition against the strongest Continental power and sooner or later attack it…England should imagine what it would be like to have a corridor going right through the middle [Danzig]…Poland was even prepared to accede…Then the mutual assistance pact was signed…The reasons for intervention [in Poland] were again the maltreatment of men of German race…England intended to occupy certain parts of Norway to serve as bases against Germany…An [Allied] attack through Belgium and Holland was intended aiming at the Ruhrgebiet…This was all proved by the finding of documents at La Charite…Germany has not treated any nation as England the Boers, the Indians and the Irish…We have not created any concentration camps for women and children…the Fuhrer did not want to bomb the civilian population…". At this point, Lord Simon interrupts Hess' statement to ask that Hess describe the purpose of his mission, retorting: "…the British people too are a proud people…and will not easily accept such reproaches…".

Hess responds in kind: "…All our aircraft factories are still standing…factories have been added…England's position is hopeless…only a foretaste of what is still to come…our losses…are very small…one day sooner or later this weapon will be in our hand and I don't say it will be decisive…I only say it will be more terrible than anything that has gone before [V1 and V2?]…the numbers of our U-Boats…are very considerable…three-quarters of Europe is engaged in building U-Boats…U-Boat warfare as envisaged by the Fuhrer has not yet commenced…The convoy system has failed…American ship production cannot be sufficient to cover these losses…When I was considering the question of this flight I always made enquiries of the Fuhrer as to the conditions of peace…[Simon]…do you come here with the Fuhrer's knowledge or without his knowledge? [Hess] Without his knowledge Absolutely. [Laughs]…Yes, surely…they are the ideas of the Fuhrer…". The proposed terms of peace (see above) are entered into the record, and Lord Simon asks several questions about their content: "[Simon] Moscow and all that part…is that part of the European zone? [Hess] No, not at all…The Fuhrer told him, when they were talking about the occupied countries…some people say perhaps he would keep everything…[he said] 'I am not crazy'…[Simon] England feels that it must not leave Holland in the lurch…[Hess]…that will all have to come later…Britain should not mix herself up in the domestic affairs of Europe…The day will come when England will be forced to accede…[Simon] there is a good deal of courage in this country and we are not very fond of threats…". Much more excellent, important content. File holes, else near fine. JOHN ALLSEBROOK SIMON, 1ST VISCOUNT SIMON (1873 - 1954) was a British politician who held senior Cabinet posts from the beginning of the First World War to the end of the Second. He is one of only three people to have served as Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer.

5.) "Transcript of a Statement in Connection with the Atlantic Announcement", A.Ms.S. "Rudolf Hess", 2pp. legal folio in pencil, with carbon copy, "England", Aug. 21, 1941. Hess pens a response to the Atlantic Conference and Charter signed by Roosevelt and Churchill on Aug. 9-10, 1941 in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland. In part: "…Since I was asked to make a comment regarding the eight points in the announcement by the President of the United States and the British Prime Minister, I declare the following…the above-named announcement is basically an answer…it asks for the disarmament of the attacker nations…as long as the announcement contains insults, I have to deny to even make any response to any point…I welcome the effects from the point of view of the [benefit to the people]…the German People have not forgotten the experiences of [World War I]…without weapons, facing an enemy who, breaking the Treaty of Versailles, could keep its weapons…it was not a tyranny, it was a democracy in Germany…". File holes, else very good.

6.) "GERMANY - ENGLAND from the point of view of the war against the Soviet Union", T.Ms.S. "Rudolf Hess" in type, [England, ca. Sep. 9, 1941], a translation of a handwritten text (also included), an A.Ms.S. "Rudolf Hess" at head and conclusion, 32pp. legal folio, in pencil, Sep. 6, 1941 but indicated by Hess at top: "Handed to Lord Beaverbrook 9.9.41". The typed text, boldly stamped "MOST SECRET", states that Germany seeks a "rational" peace with England, without military conflict. He extensively discusses Germany's manufacturing strength, and its extensive stocks of armaments and ammunition. He also compares warfare and army preparedness in 1941 to what was seen during World War I. Moving forward, he tries to ally Britain with Germany: "…In the campaign of Germany and her Allies against the Bolsheviks it is…a matter of…protecting Europe against the Bolshevik danger and of braking it…" He then reiterates Germany's strength in U-boat results and production, and the fact that Germany has no desire to occupy England. He further expands on Germany's air strength and its potential to destroy England, and mentions the Germans' determination to resist the "horrible activities of Bolshevist hordes in Germany". Hess then examines the result of a British victory: he notes that the Bolsheviks would occupy Germany and much of Europe, and represent a danger to the British Empire itself. He is convinced that even a German victory over Russia would fail to keep that country down for long, and only all of Europe, using Germany as a "counterweight", could resist such a vast, populous nation. He concludes:"England should ask herself whether it is worthwhile to try at great sacrifice to defeat the Axis with the certitude that Bolshevik Russia will develop into a much more dangerous opponent…". WILLIAM MAXWELL AITKEN, LORD BEAVERBROOK (1879-1964) was a Canadian-British media tycoon and politician. Beaverbrook, who headed Britain's wartime aircraft production, was a close personal friend of Churchill. He had coincidentally met and become acquainted with Hess (and Hitler) during several trips to Berlin in the Thirties.

7.) Fair copies in Hess' hand of various correspondences between Lord Beaverbrook and himself, 2pp. legal folio, Sep. 1-6, 1941, in pencil, with Hess' letters bearing his initials. The first letter, from Beaverbrook, asks if Hess remembers their meetings at the Reichs Chancellery in Berlin. He states that he had intended for quite a while to meet with Hess again, and asks when he may be allowed to visit. Hess replies that he recalls their meetings and hopes that their talks will be official and without witnesses. Beaverbrook in turn promises a private tete-a-tete and will provide a translator. Hess then re-confirms the privacy of the meeting, and states that they will speak in English.

8.) Discussion with Lord Beaverbrook (resulting from the above), an A.Ms.S. signed "R. H.", 4pp. legal folio, [England], Sep. 9, 1941, in pencil. Hess' notes on his meeting, in part: "…Beaverbrook inquires about my health…I have been a quarter of a year with a broken leg…'You are missing your relatives and friends'…mentioned maybe he could be my friend…told me he had met Churchill…when Churchill had received the news of my landing…Churchill showed him a picture with the question: 'Who is that?' Beaverbrook said immediately 'Hess'…Beaverbrook did not believe of my coming…he had to travel to Russia…he was laughing…he kept his original opinion despite the war…he regrets the war with Germany…we regret the war with England, especially the Fuhrer…it's difficult to stop in the middle of a war…I said that's why I came, to make it psychologically easier…I gave him the protocol of June 9th…Major Foley showed up, he was interested in the talk…".

9.) Fair copy of an A.L.S. "R. H." from Hess to Lord Beaverbrook 2pp. legal folio, [England], Oct. 23, 1941, in pencil. Hess attaches a copy of his Sep. 5, 1941 protest to the British Government. He adds: "…what I saw coming for a while has now happened…the Fuhrer has decided that now the war will be fought until victory. I know the Fuhrer too well and know what it means…as much as he thought about an understanding, now he will fight until death…I did not give up hope that England will come to its senses and there will be an understanding between our people…he could not do much more…I put all my personal efforts on the line, but it was not meant to be…". Accompanied by Hess' "Statement of Evidence and Protest" to the British Government, copies (carbon) in English (20pp.) and an original pencil and a second carbon copy in German (43pp.), with notation that they had been transmitted to Lord Beaverbrook on Oct. 23rd. Hess complains of being slowly poisoned while in captivity: "…a curious feeling of warmth from the neck to the head…similar to a headache…rapid firing of the brain…convinced I should become insane [if continued]…I jumped into the well of the house intending to end my life…I only broke my thigh…I was given further quantities of the unknown substance…Each new quantity delayed the negative reaction and prolonged the feeling of well-being…given tablets…'viganin'…for the purpose of reducing pain…" Hess also complains about the painful re-setting of his leg splint, lack of mail and news, noise, etc. In the appendix, Hess promises that upon his return to Germany, he will: "…cause an investigation to be made…" of "alleged treatment of prisoners in concentration camps". His statement is hedged with the claim that the camps hold communists, and that other countries had imprisoned National Socialists. File holes, else fine.

10.) Fair copies of two A.L.S.s sent to King George VI, each signed "R. H.", 7pp. total, [England], Nov. 3, 1941 and Jan. 23, 1942, in pencil. Hess asks that the King appoint a commission to investigate his treatment while in captivity as Hess has had no response to his protests. Hess states that he does not trust the British government, and hopes that the king may release potential witnesses from their oaths of secrecy to testify on his behalf. Hess also states that he had come to England to serve the people of both countries.

11.) Fair copy of an A.L.S., "Rudolf Hess" with initialed postscript, 2pp. 8vo., [n.p., n.d.], in German, a partial copy of a letter lacking perhaps the top one inch of text, probably sent to Lord Beaverbrook. In part: "…In the letter that I left for the Fuhrer, I wrote him that it might be possible for him to receive news from England regarding my death. No matter what is given as the cause of death, for example suicide…and if there is a suspicion that the death were brought through elements in England…which might influence a peace agreement…Germany should not be influenced…even if my death occurred under the most suspicious circumstances, there still might be reason to come to peace with willing elements. This basically is my last will…my death might even be good for the cause…could play a great propaganda role…I promised to the Fuhrer in the letter that I will not commit suicide…".

12.) Hess' reasons for his flight to Scotland, a recap of much stated above, an A.Ms. (unsigned), 14pp. 8vo., [n.p.], June 6, 1943. Hess states the reasons for the war, faults Britain for its adventures in Arabia, again cites the strengths of the German navy and air force, German strengths mentally and materially, alternatives to British cooperation, etc.

13.) Hess' history of the first part of World War II, from his perspective, an A.Ms. (unsigned), 6pp. legal folio.

14.) Group of various complaints by Hess as noted by nurses and staff, including a request that a seal be provided for his food, notes on his treatment, a diagnosis of spasm of the pylorus, an appointment of the officer in charge of Hess, etc., one an A.N.S. initialed by Hess, 1943-45, 9 pages.

Hess' flight had ramifications that have lasted until today. Immediately after the event, Hitler worried that that his other allies would perceive Hess' act as an attempt by Hitler to secretly open peace negotiations with the British. He ordered that the media depict Hess as delusional and acting without any authority. Hitler also ordered Hess to be shot should he return to Germany and abolished the post of Deputy Führer, assigning Hess' former duties to Martin Bormann. Aktion Hess was initiated, a flurry of hundreds of arrests of astrologers, faith healers, and occultists undertaken as part of a propaganda effort by Goebbels and others to denigrate Hess and to make scapegoats of occult practitioners.

Many have speculated that Hitler had sent Hess to deliver a message informing Churchill of the forthcoming invasion of the Soviet Union, and offering a negotiated peace or even an anti-Bolshevik partnership. Stalin and many others believed that Hess' flight had been engineered by the British, with the expectation that eventually the British would join an anti-Soviet bloc. Indeed, Churchill confronted Truman with just that accusation in 1944. Other theories include an elaborate MI6 sting which persuaded Hess that members of the Royal Family were willing to broker a peace deal with the Nazis, that Hess was indeed involved in a plan to meet the King's sympathetic brother, the Duke of Kent, and one theory holds that is was not Hess but a "body double" who parachuted into Scotland on May 11, 1941.

While the British have - without explanation - sealed the contents of their files on Hess until 2017, this archive for the first time brings to light Hess' own thoughts on his failed "peace mission", written in his own hand at the time the events occurred. Virtually none of the content of this file has been written by others: it is a first-person history of the great historic importance.