Who Was Hermann Göring?
Hermann Göring (1893–1946) was one of the most powerful and controversial figures in Nazi Germany. A decorated fighter ace during the First World War, he later became Adolf Hitler’s closest ally and one of the architects of the Third Reich. His life is a study in ambition, corruption, and moral collapse—from heroism in the skies of the Great War to the infamy of his role in Nazi crimes.
Early Life and World War I Heroism
Hermann Wilhelm Göring was born on January 12, 1893, in Rosenheim, Bavaria, into a family with a long military tradition. His father had served as a colonial officer, and Göring followed the same path, attending military school and joining the German army as an infantry officer.
When the First World War broke out in 1914, Göring quickly transferred to the newly formed German Air Service. He displayed exceptional skill and courage as a pilot, earning a reputation for both daring and arrogance. By 1917, he had joined the famed fighter squadron Jasta 11, commanded by the legendary “Red Baron,” Manfred von Richthofen.
After Richthofen’s death in 1918, Göring succeeded him as commander of Jagdgeschwader 1 (the “Flying Circus”). He finished the war as one of Germany’s leading aces, credited with 22 aerial victories and awarded the prestigious Pour le Mérite, known as the “Blue Max.”
Entry into Politics and Rise to Power
After Germany’s defeat in 1918, Göring struggled to adjust to civilian life. He worked as a commercial pilot and adventurer, eventually encountering Adolf Hitler in 1922. Enthralled by Hitler’s charisma and nationalist message, Göring joined the Nazi Party and quickly rose to prominence.
He participated in the failed Beer Hall Putsch of 1923, where he was wounded and fled to Austria and Italy to recover. During this exile, he developed a serious morphine addiction that plagued him for the rest of his life. When the Nazi Party regained momentum in the late 1920s, Göring returned to Germany and was elected to the Reichstag (parliament), where he became its president after Hitler’s appointment as chancellor in 1933.
Relationship with Hitler
Göring was one of Hitler’s earliest and most loyal followers. He projected the image of a cultured yet ruthless statesman, and Hitler trusted him deeply. He was instrumental in consolidating Nazi control, helping to establish the Gestapo (secret police) and oversee the creation of the concentration camp system.
Hitler rewarded him lavishly with titles and authority: Reichsmarschall, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, and even Hitler’s designated successor for a time. Göring’s wealth, ego, and fondness for luxury grew alongside his power—he amassed vast art collections and lived in opulence at his estate, Carinhall.
Role During the Second World War
As head of the Luftwaffe (German Air Force), Göring initially appeared to be one of the most capable leaders of the Nazi regime. In the early years of the war, the Luftwaffe played a crucial role in Germany’s lightning victories across Europe. Göring’s air force dominated the skies during the invasions of Poland (1939), France (1940), and the early stages of Operation Barbarossa (1941).
However, Göring’s reputation for military brilliance began to crumble with the Battle of Britain (1940). He promised Hitler that his air force could destroy the British Royal Air Force and pave the way for invasion. Instead, the Luftwaffe suffered devastating losses, and the failure marked the first major German defeat of the war.
His leadership further faltered during the Battle of Stalingrad (1942–43), when Göring assured Hitler that the Luftwaffe could supply the encircled German Sixth Army by air. The plan proved impossible, and the resulting disaster marked a turning point in the war.
By 1944, the Luftwaffe was a shadow of its former self, overwhelmed by Allied air superiority. Göring’s indulgence, corruption, and lack of technical understanding left the air force disorganized and ineffective.
Downfall, Capture, and Death
As Germany collapsed in 1945, Göring attempted to secure his position as Hitler’s successor by sending a message to the Führer suggesting he take command of the Reich. Hitler, paranoid and furious, stripped him of his titles and ordered his arrest.
After the Nazi surrender, Göring was captured by the Americans. He became the highest-ranking Nazi tried at the Nuremberg Trials, where he was charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity, and conspiracy to wage aggressive war.
During the trial, Göring was articulate and defiant, attempting to justify the Nazi regime and portray himself as a loyal soldier. He was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. However, on the night before his execution—October 15, 1946—he committed suicide by swallowing a cyanide capsule smuggled into his cell.
Legacy and Historical Assessment
Hermann Göring’s legacy is one of contradictions. He was a skilled pilot and charismatic leader in his youth, but his later career was marked by corruption, delusion, and moral decay. Scholars generally agree that while Göring was an effective political operator and propagandist, he lacked the strategic and organizational ability required of a true military commander.
His failures with the Luftwaffe were compounded by arrogance and a refusal to accept responsibility. Modern historians view him as a man undone by vanity—an ambitious soldier who transformed into a symbol of Nazi excess and incompetence.
