Hermann Goring

His World War I Career

Feb 2, 2009 Murray McLeod

A glimpse of Hermann Goring's achievements in World War I; from the trenches to become final leader of the Richtofen squadron.

The Young Goring

It seems impossible to equate the slim autocratic ace with the ridiculous and loathed Reichsmarshall of World War II; yet Hermann Goring achieved fame as a fighter pilot, and also as final leader of the legendary Richtofen squadron. The young Goring’s early career followed a typical path; being commissioned in an infantry regiment before the outbreak of war. A fellow officer was Bruno Loerzer with whom Goring maintained a friendship that endured over the period of two world wars. They served together during the early battles of the war until Goring was afflicted with arthritis.

Air Service

The ailment was serious enough for Goring to be hospitalised; his military career appeared to be finished. At the time Loerzer was learning to fly at nearby Freiburg and saw a possible future for his comrade as an observer. It proved difficult to convince authorities but eventually the unlikely duo joined an operational unit. Goring’s presence was at first unacceptable to his C.O. due to the fact they had an over-supply of observers and a shortage of pilots. Eventually he was allowed to stay and during their tenure at that unit, Loerzer and Goring received praise for their patrol work.

Pilot Training

Goring was determined to become a pilot himself and at the completion of his training he rejoined Loerzer who was then in command of Jasta 26. Goring suffered a wounding in one of his first combats but was soon back with his unit. His leadership qualities were recognised by his superiors and he was given command of Jasta 27. It was an arrangement that Goring appreciated, for Jasta 27 shared the same airfield as Jasta 26.

Richtofen Falls

He was personally involved in the fierce battles that preceded the March 18 German Offensive of 1918. In the style of Oswald Boelcke, Goring proved his leadership qualities and at the same time he increased his personal score. By May this stood at 20 confirmed, plus the award of the coveted Pour le Merite. April 21 was the fateful day that Manfred Richtofen failed to return from an early morning patrol. His successor at JG1 was the popular Reinhard but his tenure was only fleeting.

A Fateful Incident

In June he was summoned to a fighter evaluation contest held in Berlin. Goring was also present, along with a selection of leading fighter pilots. A new design, the unorthodox Zeppelin D1 was trialled by Goring. He landed, expressed his dissatisfaction with the design and vacated the cockpit.

Reinhard then took the Zeppelin up steeply to several thousand feet when suddenly the top wing collapsed. It was impossible for Reinhard to retrieve the situation and he was fatally injured. It is fascinating to speculate on what course World War II may have taken; had the situations been reversed.

Armistice

Reinhard’s loss was Goring’s gain, for he became the next and last leader of JG1; it was not a popular choice for he was disliked by many of the unit’s personnel. From July until the Armistice they fought bravely, in spite of difficulties in obtaining fuel and supplies to sustain the unit. Regardless of such restrictions they scored an incredible number of victories and remained defiant until the end. The unit’s final mission involved the handing over of their Fokker DVIIs to the victorious Allies. Under the terms of the Armistice, only the DVIIs were to be surrendered; all other aircraft were to be scrapped. Thus ended Goring’s World War I experience; and he would face a bleak future in post-war Germany, until his path crossed with another disgruntled ex-soldier, Adolf Hitler. With the co-operation of Goring, Borman and a host of other criminals, he would eventually lead his country into the all-encompassing disaster that was World War II. Ernst Udet was another German ace who would fall under Goring's influence. He was the highest scoring German pilot who survived the war and eventually he became chief of the Technical Office of the emerging Luftwaffe, although it would be unfair to label him as a war criminal. like Goring, Borman and the majority of the top Nazis.

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Hermann Goring