usertron2020
Donor
If Hess defected and came over before the Nazis became REALLY nasty, what the heck did the Brits charge him with to get him locked up until his death in the 90s? I assume if someone defects they don't normally get treated like Hess did?
Hess was Hitler's right hand man basically from the start of their involvement at the dawn of the Nazi Party. Hess' membership may have actually preceded Hitler's, (1920) but I'm not sure. It is difficult to underestimate the influence Hess had on the formation of the early Nazi movement, as it was he who arranged the meeting of Hitler with Karl Haushofer, a man who would go on to help form much of the foundations for Nazi beliefs. Hess also served as Hitler's secretary, writing Mein Kampf as Hitler dictated it. So no matter how early Hess defected, even if it was 9/1/1939, he still would have found himself at Nuremberg. But like Haushofer, (1) would probably had a good chance of getting his freedom (eventually).
1) Haushofer was investigated at Nuremberg, but given the OK. Probably helped him that his son was shot by the SS for his involvement with the July 20th Plot. Haushofer and his wife committed suicide right after he was cleared.