On this day - 10 May

Rudolf Hess was a German politician who worked as deputy Führer to Hitler from 1933 to 1941. On May 10th 1941 he flew over Scotland and parachuted out near Glasgow. He had planned to try and arrange a peace deal between Germany and the UK and planned to contact the Duke of Hamilton at his home to help him arrange this. Once Hitler learned what he had done, he cut all ties with Hess and abolished the position of deputy Führer.

Hess was found and captured rapidly on landing, having sustained a foot injury while either landing or leaving his aircraft. Following the end of the war, he was tried for war crimes. He was found guilty and spent the rest of his life in Spandau Prison. He attempted suicide several times and succeeded on August 17th 1987.