Göring as a leader

It has often been stated in the forum that the Göring of WWI should not be viewed in light of his criminal years as Reichsmarschal. While I agree in principle, can't resist a thought.

Isn't it likely that the incompetence HG displayed leading the Luftwaffe (no strategic bomber force, stipulating not to build-up an excess of spare parts, no defensive fighter strategies, Me-262 as a bomber(largely Hitler's idea), etc, etc.)was matched by an equally inept level of leadership as Kommandeur JG-1?

All one recalls about his JG-1 days are that he didn't fly much, he scored only 1 victory, he was often on leave, he presided over JG-1's decimation from a 60-plane to a 20-plane unit, and that he had documented personality conflicts with several of his pilots (Kilduff relates that Udet didn't have much respect for the new commander). The fact that JG-1 survivors refused HG membership to their post-war organization also doesn't say much for his popularity.

No question that Göring was brave and had enough skill in the air to achieve a choice postion in the Luftstrieke. But don't the facts seem to indicate that he was a better fighter than leader?

[Barrett]

Actually, in the Great War it appears that HG was more of a leader than a fighter. Of his 22 credited victories, only 9 can be verified by Allied records, with perhaps 5 more conceivably possible owing to incomplete or contradictory evidence. This is a very low ratio among notable German aces: MvR got 73/80; LvR 35/40; Voss 46/48; K Wolff 33/33; Allmenroeder 30/30; Mai 29/30. HG's pal Loerzer was lower on the scale but still had 24/44 verified.
The matter of HG's apparently premature PlM (after 18 credited) also has been addressed, without satisfactory explanation.

[Reinout]

HG performed well enough as leader of J27, JG1 was of course a bigger unit. Also note that during the time HG commanded JG1, the war had turned out unwinnable for the Germans and the Allied numerical superiority was starting to win over the quality of JG1. JG1 was of course thrown at every thraet the Allies could pose so they were always in the heaviest of actions. Must take that into account.

Kind regards,

Reinout

[leo]

One must remeber two things when assessing HG. One, already mentioned, his his record of leader of the Luftwaffe and the Nazi crap. The second is that he came from a very well connected family in a society which rewarded those connections.

I wonder what good it would have done the Luftwaffe to have had a strategic bomber. I don't hink germany could have afforded a tacticxal as well as a strategic airforce without cutting something else out. And, there are some who still question the value of the Alllied strategic campaign until it turned to the transportation infrastructure.

Goering has had only one conflict when he was the CO of JG1, it was with daredevil Willi Gabriel. Hermann Göring led the Jagdgeschwader Richthofen very well. Although at first resented by some of the pilots, he soon gained their confidence and made lifelong contacts.
Initially suspicious of Goering, Udet and he soon became fast friends. After the war they even lived in the same house (1919). Don't forget Ernst joined the Luftwaffe in 1933 because Goering insisted.
If the "fat one" was not popular among some JG1 members after the Great War, especially the Richthofen (Lothar and Wolfram) he had his partisans too : Bodenschatz and Bruno Loerzer who stayed with him until the end.

Hello All,

As regards Goering's leadership qualities in WW1, I would tend to agree with Reinout---i.e. the numbers don't tell the whole story. Though some try to portray Goering as a coward, I believe by the time he assumed command of JG1, it was necessary for him (or any other commander) to spend his time on matters of strategy, training, and supply rather than flying frequent combat missions. Add to that the constant re-deployment of his forces to new "hot-spots" and the inflow of new personnel to replace his losses... Goering's fault or Allied air superiority? Probably some of both.

No question he used his family and political influence all his life. He was a great charmer as well...in the beginning he leant some respectability to the fledgling Nazi Party. He could also be a bully whenever necessary to get his way.

As for his Luftwaffe days, early inspiration soon turned to frustration. Goering surrounded himself with his cronies (a common Nazi trait) and the Luftwaffe bogged down under lack of effective leadership.

By the time he fell out of favor with Hitler, Hermann had long since succumbed to greed and self-indulgence...the picture we are more familiar with.

Best Wishes,
Gary

[Paul Forster]

Leutenant Paul Leim,who served under Göring in Jasta 27,wrote - "I was moved to Jasta 27 on Feb 4,1917.Our first airfield was at Ghistelles.In the first days we lost our able C.O. Lt von Keudell.Not only were we flying the Roland 'Haifisch' scouts,which were not suitable for the Western Front,but the new C.O. did not have the experiance to lead a Jasta.
"He was tranferred,and Leutenant Göring,a dashing officer,became the new C.O. A few days later the 'Haifisch' scouts were withdrawn,and we recieved,from the Richthofen Jasta at Douai,our first four Albatros D III's.I may remark that after Göring took over,Jasta 27 became a better fighting unit."