At the height of the Second World War, Hitler’s Deputy, Rudolf Hess, made a dramatic solo flight to the British Isles. His arrival there was sensational news. Why had he come? Here, for the first time, are complete texts of Hess’s ‘peace proposals’ and a treatise he wrote in captivity outlining how he saw Nazi Germany’s role in Europe.

Peter Raina has been a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Historical Research, School of Advanced Study, University of London, and an Associate Member of Nuffield College, Oxford. He is presently Senior Research Associate at the Graduate Centre of Balliol College, Oxford.

«It is really an excellent academic piece of work containing all the relevant documents and giving a superb insight into Hess’s motives, his character and his complete misunderstanding of the rules, convictions and traditions of British policy. I recommend it warmly for publication.» (Professor Rainer F. Schmidt, Institute of History, University of Würzburg, Germany)

Contents: A Magnificent Sight – Why Did Hess Want to Speak to the Duke of Hamilton – The Duke Meets the Reichsminister – The Führer’s Rage – Ivone Kirkpatrick Meets Rudolf Hess: First Interview: Terms of Proposals for Peace – Kirkpatrick Meets Hess: Second Interview: Further Peace Proposals – Kirkpatrick Meets Hess: Third Interview: Additional Conditions – The Frustrations of the Deputy Führer – The Hess Case Raised in the House of Commons – Peace Proposal: Anglo-German Accord, 9 June 1941 – Peace Proposal: Alliance Against Bolshevism, 6 September 1941.