Hermann Göring, German commander, pilot, and politician, Minister President of Prussia (d. 1946)

Hermann Wilhelm Göring (or Goering; German: [ˈɡøːʁɪŋ]), born on 12 January 1893 and deceased on 15 October 1946, was an extraordinarily influential German politician, a prominent military leader, and ultimately a convicted war criminal. He stood as one of the most potent and central figures within the Nazi Party, the political force that held absolute sway over Germany from 1933 to 1945.

His pre-Nazi career established a formidable military reputation. A decorated veteran and celebrated fighter pilot ace from World War I, Göring was a distinguished recipient of the prestigious Pour le Mérite, often colloquially known as "The Blue Max." This Prussian military order was the kingdom's highest award for valor, signifying exceptional bravery and leadership. He achieved the notable distinction of being the last commander of Jagdgeschwader 1 (Jasta 1), an elite fighter wing famously nicknamed "The Flying Circus" and previously led by the legendary ace Manfred von Richthofen. This background cemented his image as a heroic figure in the eyes of many Germans and provided a foundation for his later ascent within the Nazi hierarchy.

Göring was an early and committed member of the nascent Nazi Party. His dedication was evident during the ill-fated Beer Hall Putsch in November 1923, an attempted coup d'état by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party to seize power in Munich. Göring was among those wounded during the violent confrontation, sustaining a severe groin injury. While undergoing treatment for his injuries, he was prescribed morphine, to which he subsequently developed a profound and debilitating addiction that tragically persisted for the vast majority of his remaining life, influencing his erratic behavior and health in later years.

Ascension to Power and the Consolidation of the Nazi State

Following Adolf Hitler's appointment as Chancellor of Germany in January 1933, Göring's political career rapidly accelerated. He was initially named as a minister without portfolio in the new government, a position that granted him broad authority without being tied to a specific ministry, allowing him to exert influence across various domains. One of his immediate and most significant acts as a cabinet minister was to oversee the sinister creation of the Geheime Staatspolizei, or Gestapo, the secret state police. This organization became the primary instrument for suppressing political dissent and enforcing the Nazi regime's totalitarian control. However, Göring shrewdly ceded control of the Gestapo to Heinrich Himmler in 1934, recognizing Himmler's ruthless efficiency and consolidating his own power in other areas.

With the firm establishment of the Nazi state, Göring expertly maneuvered to accumulate immense power and political capital, solidifying his position as arguably the second most powerful man in Germany after Hitler himself. His influence was multifaceted:

By September 1939, as World War II began with the invasion of Poland, Hitler formally designated Göring as his official successor and deputy in all his offices, explicitly outlining the line of succession should Hitler be incapacitated or die. After the swift and decisive Fall of France in 1940, a triumphant Göring was bestowed with the specially created, unique rank of Reichsmarschall. This unparalleled military distinction gave him undisputed seniority over all other officers in Germany's armed forces, further cementing his preeminent position within the Third Reich's hierarchy.

Decline, War Failures, and Downfall

By 1941, Hermann Göring stood at the absolute zenith of his power and influence within Nazi Germany. However, as the Second World War progressed, his standing, both with Hitler and with the German public, began a precipitous decline. This decline was largely attributable to the catastrophic failures of the Luftwaffe under his command. The air force proved tragically incapable of preventing the relentless and devastating Allied bombing campaigns that increasingly laid waste to Germany's cities, causing immense destruction and civilian casualties. Furthermore, the Luftwaffe failed spectacularly in its crucial mission to resupply the surrounded Axis forces during the brutal Battle of Stalingrad in the winter of 1942–43, a failure that contributed significantly to the German Sixth Army's eventual catastrophic defeat and surrender.

Around this time of increasing military setbacks, Göring exhibited a growing disengagement from critical military and political affairs. He increasingly withdrew from the day-to-day management of the war effort, instead devoting an inordinate amount of his attention and time to amassing a vast personal collection of property and artwork. A significant portion of this collection, which included some of Europe's most valuable cultural treasures, was illicitly acquired, much of it brazenly stolen from Jewish victims of the Holocaust and from occupied territories across Europe. This pursuit of personal enrichment and indulgence highlighted his moral bankruptcy and detachment from the suffering inflicted by the regime he helped create.

The end of World War II brought Göring's dramatic and ignominious downfall. On 22 April 1945, with Soviet forces closing in on Berlin and Hitler isolated in his bunker, Göring was informed of Hitler's clear intention to commit suicide. Interpreting Hitler's prior designation of him as successor as an immediate transfer of power, Göring sent a telegram to Hitler, respectfully requesting his permission to officially assume leadership of the Reich. Hitler, consumed by paranoia and feeling betrayed in his final hours, viewed Göring's request as an audacious act of treason and an attempt to usurp his authority. In a furious response, Hitler immediately stripped Göring of all his positions, expelled him from the Nazi Party, and ordered his arrest.

Post-War Trial and Death

Following Germany's unconditional surrender, Hermann Göring was apprehended by Allied forces. He became the highest-ranking Nazi official to be tried at the historic Nuremberg Trials in 1946. These landmark international military tribunals were established to prosecute major war criminals of the Axis powers for their crimes during World War II.

Göring faced multiple grave charges, including:

He was ultimately convicted on all counts, his guilt unequivocally established by extensive evidence presented during the trials. The International Military Tribunal sentenced him to death by hanging. However, hours before his scheduled execution on 15 October 1946, Hermann Göring committed suicide in his cell by ingesting a cyanide capsule, thereby evading the hangman's noose and denying the Allies the final act of justice they sought.

Who was Hermann Göring?
Hermann Göring was a prominent German politician, military leader, and convicted war criminal, serving as one of the most powerful figures in the Nazi Party and the highest-ranking Nazi official tried at the Nuremberg Trials.
What was Göring's role in the Nazi Party's rise to power?
As an early member, Göring helped consolidate Nazi power by overseeing the creation of the Gestapo, leading the re-established Luftwaffe, and heading the Four Year Plan, which mobilized the German economy for war, making him Hitler's designated successor.
Why did Göring's influence decline during World War II?
His influence declined primarily due to the Luftwaffe's failures to prevent Allied bombing of German cities and to resupply troops at Stalingrad, coupled with his increasing withdrawal from affairs to focus on illicit art collection.
What happened to Hermann Göring after World War II?
Göring was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg Trials and sentenced to death. He committed suicide by cyanide hours before his scheduled execution in October 1946.
What was the significance of the "Reichsmarschall" title given to Göring?
Reichsmarschall was a unique, specially created rank bestowed upon Göring after the Fall of France in 1940, granting him unparalleled seniority over all other officers in Germany's armed forces and underscoring his position as Hitler's second-in-command.