Bruno Loerzer

I asked this question when I first found the aerodrome site in 1997(?), but it seems as if there was no concensus opinion, so I'd like to try again.

I have read contradictory information concerning Loerzer's personality. While it is clear that he and Göring were long time friends through both world wars, I have seen BL described in two completely different lights.

On the one hand there is the story that Loerzer joined the air service by signing a list he thought was the registration for a card tournament. Add to this the description of the WWI Loerzer as a convivial partier and drinker, and Steinhoff's description of a limosine tour of his wing with HG and BL, where Steinhoff stated that neither man spoke a word to him, acting as if he was not there. (Note that this was long before the Fighter Leader revolt/plot to dispose of Göring. These descriptions portray the WWI Loerzer as a carefree dummy, and the WWII BL as too important to be concerned with something as mundane as fighter operations(just like HG).

On the other hand, there are the descriptions of Loerzer as a serious-minded officer who put duty to the Fatherland above all else, who was active in aviation after the first defeat of Germany and who was responsible for refining strafing and enemy troop harassment to a fine art.

What am I missing? These descriptions of the man dont seem to be very consistent.

Did you know that Loerzer became a cigar salesman after WWII?
During the Blitzkrieg, in Russia in 1941 and in North Africa he was the leader of the II Air Corps. Loerzer had not been an oustanding corps commander (Irving called him "incompetent and corrupt)but Goering promoted his old friend to Colonel General on february 16, 1943 and named him chief of personnal armament and, on june 19, 1944 he became chief of the Nationl Socialist Leadership Branch of the Luftwaffe as well.

Mark: Is Steinhof the pilot who crashed in his ME262 jet and got cooked in it? Well, my thinking is that in Hitler's Germany not too many people were talking to on another, because of the fear of informer's even at the highest levels. Recall that Rommel had to take poison just because his name was found on a list of possible conspirators. Goering, before he became a flyer was in the Bavarian infantry. He was incapacitated by rheumatoid arthritis; it was Loerzer who convinced Goering that he had a future in the GAF. Loerzer arranged for Goering to come into his squadron.
Goering spread out his 21 kills over three years. His 21st was when he commanded the Richthofen Geschwader; for the last several months he did not score. As JGI CO he was not supposed go on missions, but to see that the others did. Under Goering JG1 was reduced to about five aircraft, and the outfit was sent to the rear to refit. And then there was that arthritis which bothered him even when in the air force.
Finally, you have to take combat fatigue into consideration. Fatigue can make even a good man sound and look bad. Have you got any good bios on Goering? Regards from Billy H.4/13/00

yes Billy, Steinhoff's Me-262 became a flamer during takeoff and he was severely burned. He was one of the high-ranking mutineers who plotted against Göring near the end of the war. This group, which also included Lutzow (and indirectly Galland as well),strongly considered killing the fat man, this being one certain way to ensure the removal of the incompetent one.

Eventually, Steinhoff became a NATO general. He has recently died.

Did Bruno L have anything to do with H Georing recieving command of JG1?

I am unsure as to why Göring was appointed as commander of JG-1. The explanation is probably a combination of the following: (1) His family was well-connected, as Herr Göring was a foriegn minister, (2)HG had been recently promoted to Hauptmann, and no others with both that rank and the PlM were available to choose from, and (3)HG was from outside of JG-1, which shortly after Reinhard's death had been led temporarily by both Udet and Löwenhardt. Rather than cause friction in the ranks of JG-1 by choosing EU or EL over the other, they decided to go with an outsider.

Loerzer didnt have the rank or the influence over JG-1 matters (he was the commander of JG-3 at the time). He might have spoken well of Göring if asked, but he wouldnt have had any clout in the selection process.