Free The Secret of Spandau by Peter Lovesey Page A

to make a final statement to the court. He launched into a long, rambling speech, castigating his co-defendants for making shameless utterances about the Führer, and comparing the proceedings to the pre-war Soviet show trials, when defendants were induced to accuse themselves in an astonishing way. He finished with an unreserved tribute to Hitler as the greatest son his country had brought forth in its thousand-year history, and said, “I do not regret anything.”’
    â€˜Hardly the way to the judges’ hearts,’ commented Dick.
    â€˜They found him guilty on two of the four counts,’ Cedric said. ‘Making preparations for war and, rather ironically, conspiring against the peace.’
    â€˜After the way he treated the court, he was fortunate to get away with a life sentence,’ said Dick.
    â€˜Depends how you look at it,’ Red remarked. ‘Some people might think the Nazis who were strung up got a better deal than Hess.’
    â€˜What happened when he got to Spandau?’ Jane asked. ‘Did he remain unrepentant?’
    â€˜Oh, yes. Still is, as far as I know. He was the most difficult of the prisoners there. Disliked work and exercise. Often refused to eat or get out of bed. Frequently complained that he was ill. The inside story has been written by the fellow you saw briefly in the BBC news story, Eugene Bird, who was the US Commandant in Spandau.’
    â€˜
The Loneliest Man in the World
,’ said Dick, on cue.
    â€˜Required reading?’ asked Don.
    â€˜Obligatory.’
    â€˜And the rest of that stack in the other room?’
    â€˜Every one.’
    â€˜I need more coffee. It’s going to be a long night.’
    Jane leaned forward to prise more information from Cedric. ‘So if Hess’s memory was impaired, how can anyone know the truth about his mission? Did anyone else know what he was planning, or was it a spur of the moment thing?’
    Dick said, ‘Have you any idea of the logistics of flying from Augsburg to Scotland in a Messerschmitt?’
    Cedric took a sip of cognac. ‘Right. Let’s face it, this was one of the most audacious schemes of the entire war. It isn’t in the German temperament to trust to luck. According to Hess’s defence lawyer at Nuremberg, the decision to fly to Britain was taken as early as June 1940, immediately after the fall of France.’
    â€˜Almost a year before it happened?’ said Jane.
    â€˜Hess went to Willi Messerschmitt, found the most suitable aircraft and made over thirty flights from Augsburg. He had the Me 110 modified for solo flying, and had extra fuel tanks fitted. Meanwhile, secret moves were made to contact people in Britain.’
    Cedric removed some documents from his pocket. ‘These are translations in photostat form of letters and memoranda written by Hess and his closest friends in the autumn of 1940. They are on public record in the National Archives in Washington, where the German foreign policy papers are held. Remember Karl Haushofer, Hess’s university professor? He’s involved in this delicate process, and so, more actively, is his son, Albrecht, who was closer in age to Hess. He was an academic like his father – intelligent, well-travelled, critical of many aspects of the Nazi system and, above all, committed to achieving peace.
    â€˜Here’s Albrecht reporting on a two-hour meeting with Hess on 8 September 1940:
I was immediately asked about the possibilities of making known to persons of importance in England Hitler’s serious desire for peace. It was quite clear that the continuance of the war was suicidal for the white race. Even with complete success in Europe, Germany was not in a position to take over inheritance of the Empire. The Führer had not wanted to see the Empire destroyed and did not want it even today. Was there not somebody in England who was ready for peace?’
    â€˜Hitler’s serious desire for