Two Press Photos of Reich Minister Rudolf Heß at the Mittelland Canal

Measuring 18.2 x 13 cm; Date of items: 1938; Two photos showing Reich minister Rudolf Heß (1894–1987) – one of Hitler’s closest associates, his private secretary and later his deputy – during official events concerning the building of the Mittelland Canal. It was built between 1906 and 1938 to connect inland waterways between western and eastern Germany. Today, at a length of 325 kms, it provides a link between France, Switzerland, and the Benelux countries to Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Baltic Sea.

The first picture shows Heß at what looks like the ceremonious cut of the first sod. Since it seems to fall into the same period as the second picture, though, it does not show the beginning of the building of any stage of the canal.

The second picture shows the opening of the canal at the ship canal lift of Rothensee near Magdeburg on Oct 30th, 1938. Heß is walking in front of an honorary march. To the left of him are Gau leader Rudolf Jordan (1902–1988), Reich minister of Transportation Dr. Julius Dorpmüller (1869–1945), and Reich Labour minister Franz Seldte (1882–1947).

Both pictures carry stamps of photographers Scherl, Berlin, and Franz Bahla, Vienna.