Life and death of Hermann Göring, the facts
Early life and First World War
Hermann Wilhelm Göring (often spelled Goering) was born on 12 January 1893 in Rosenheim, Bavaria, and pursued a military career from an early age. During the First World War, he became a fighter pilot and quickly distinguished himself in combat. For his early service, he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 15 September 1914 and the Iron Cross 1st Class on 22 March 1915. As the war progressed, Göring rose to command Jagdgeschwader 1, the famous “Flying Circus” succeeding Manfred von Richthofen the "Red Baron". By 1918, he had achieved 22 aerial victories and was awarded the Pour le Mérite on 2 June 1918, Germany’s highest military decoration.
Rise within the Nazi Party
After the war, Göring struggled to adapt to civilian life and became involved in nationalist politics. In 1922, he joined the Nazi Party after meeting Adolf Hitler and quickly became one of his early supporters. During the failed Beer Hall Putsch in November 1923, Göring was shot in the groin and leg, suffering serious injuries. During his recovery, he was treated with morphine and developed a long-term addiction. For his participation in the putsch, he later received the Blood Order. Following the failed coup, he fled Germany and lived in exile until returning in 1927. As an early member of the Nazi Party, he was also awarded the Golden Party Badge.
Power in Nazi Germany
Back in Germany, Göring resumed his political career and rose rapidly within the Nazi Party, becoming President of the Reichstag in 1932. After Hitler came to power in 1933, he became one of the most powerful figures in Nazi Germany, often regarded as second only to Hitler. He held a number of key positions, including Minister-President of Prussia, founder of the Gestapo, commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe, and head of the Four-Year Plan, overseeing Germany’s economic and military expansion.
Role in Nazi crimes
In these roles, Göring played a central part in consolidating Nazi power and was directly involved in the persecution and dispossession of Jews, particularly following Kristallnacht in 1938. In 1941, he authorized Reinhard Heydrich to prepare plans for the “Final Solution,” linking him directly to the wider system of Nazi genocide.
Second World War
At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Göring commanded the Luftwaffe, which contributed to Germany’s early victories in Poland, the Low Countries, and France. For his role in these campaigns, he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on 30 September 1939, along with the 1939 clasps to both the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd Class. Following the defeat of France, Göring reached the height of his power. On 19 July 1940, he was promoted to Reichsmarschall, a unique rank created by Hitler that made him the highest-ranking officer in the German armed forces, and on the same date he received the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, the only award of this decoration during the Second World War.
However, his influence declined as the war progressed. The Luftwaffe failed to defeat the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain, and Göring later proved unable to supply German forces at Stalingrad. Increasing Allied bombing of German cities further weakened his position within the Nazi leadership.
The Luftwaffe on D-Day
On D-Day, 6 June 1944, the German Luftwaffe played only a limited role in opposing the Allied landings in Normandy. Due to overwhelming Allied air superiority, fuel shortages, and the dispersal of German air units, only a small number of sorties were flown over the invasion area. Allied air forces dominated the skies, conducting continuous bombing and strafing missions that disrupted German movements and reinforcements. As a result, the Luftwaffe was largely unable to influence the outcome of the landings, marking a significant decline in German air power in Western Europe.
Fall from power
By 1945, Göring had largely fallen out of favor with Hitler. On 23 April 1945, as Germany faced defeat, he attempted to assume leadership of the Reich based on earlier decrees, but Hitler interpreted this as treason and ordered his arrest, stripping him of all positions.
Trial and death
Göring was captured by United States forces on 7 May 1945 and became the most prominent defendant at the Nuremberg Trials. He was found guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and conspiracy to wage aggressive war. On 1 October 1946, he was sentenced to death by hanging. However, on 15 October 1946, the night before his execution, Göring committed suicide by taking cyanide.
Historical significance
Hermann Göring remains one of the central figures of Nazi Germany. As a military leader, political figure, and administrator, he played a major role in the expansion of the Third Reich and in the implementation of its policies of repression and genocide.
