German Ace of WWI, CO of Richthofen Group It is impossible to consider Hermann Goring (frequently rendered as Herman Goering) as just another flying ace of World War One. His role in instigating and perpetrating the horrors of Naziism in World War Two overwhelms anything else he did earlier in his life. http://www.acepilots.com/wwi/ger_goering.html Hermann Goering was born in Rosenheim, Bavaria on 12th January 1893. The son of a senior army officer, he was educated at a military school and became a member of the Prussian Cadet Corps. Goering joined the German Army in June, 1912. He served with the infantry during the first few months of the First World War but was hospitalized with rheumatoid arthritis of the knees. After recovering, he transferred to the German Army Air Service. At first Goering was an observer for his friend and war ace, Bruno Loerzer, but eventually became a fighter pilot and scored his first victory on 16th November 1915. After the death of Manfred von Richthofen Goering became the leader of his JG 1 squadron. By the end of the war Goering had achieved 22 victories and had been awarded the Iron Cross and the Pour le Merite for bravery. After the war, Goering earned his living as a pilot working for the Fokker company based in Holland. While there he met and married Baroness Karen von Fock-Kantzow http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWgoring.htm.
It's interesting to note that Hauptmann Hermann Göring wasn't popular with the other members of Manfred von Richthofen's Jagdgeschwader Nr I after he was appointed to command the unit in the summer of 1918. There was a feeling that, in contrast to MvR, Göring was inclined to lead the unit from the ground, rather than in the air. Indeed, the ex-JG I men didn't invite Goering to their post-War reunions, something that resulted in none of them rising to high rank in the Luftwaffe in the later conflict. For a detailed analysis of Göring's Great War victories, see Under the Guns of the German Aces, by Norman Franks and Hal Giblin; ISBN 1 898697 72 8. Gareth
Hi Gareth and welcome !! It's funny you should say that about Herman's popularity .... his friend Bruno Loerzer was asked to be a character witness for Reich Marshal Goring during the Nuremburg trials - Bruno politely refused - they say that the spell that Hermann Goring had over him - had finally come to an end along with the Third Reich ! Annie
There's a line in Franks, Bailey and Guest's Above the Lines (a book about all the German aces of the War) which perhaps sums it up: 'On 8 July 1918 he took command of Richthofen's JG I. He scored one more kill, after which he seemed content to let others do the fighting." In contrast, Bruno Loerzer, who commanded JG III, was credited with 17 victories in the period between 8 July and the Armistice. Gareth
This is interesting .... Richthofen Group Göring was appointed head of the Richthofen Group in July, much to the annoyance of many aces in that group with 40+ kills. But Göring turned out to be a good group leader and the complaints faded away and morale improved. He shot down one more Spad for his 22nd and final victory. The respected historian and author, Norma Franks, noted that many of Goring's kills seem to have occurred over British lines, a rather suspicious circumstance. When the war ended, J.G. Richthofen was ordered to Darmstadt. When the group arrived there, the city was in the hands of revolutionaries, who captured some of the planes' weapons. Goering faced down the rebels, threatening to bomb and strafe the town if the arms were not returned. The revolutionaries complied. http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/goering.htm
