Jastaführer Göring

Considering that he was neither one of the most prominent scores nor the senior ranking German airman without a wing command in the summer of 1918, why was the command of JG1 given to HG? What sort of connections did he have to receive such an honor?

[Reinout]

He was a succesful leader of J27 and had seen long service without interruption (except wounds).

Furthermore, his score was 21 when he assumed command of JG1. JG 2 and 3 were in capable hands already and there were few other with equal leading experience and high scores around. Most of the men who would finish the war with 30 or more were below 20 at this point; those who had more than 20 were either dead or out of action or in command of JG2 and 3.

There really weren't much competitors who could claim the same amount of leader experience.

Kind regards,

Reinout

What about Udet and Löwenhardt? Both were already in JG1 units and both had higher victory totals than Göring. In addition, each of these men had already been in temporary command of the JG. While perhaps they were too young in the eyes of the General Staff, either would seem a better choice than HG. I guess it was a combination of victory status AND rank/experience that mattered most in this case. But I cant help but think that HG must have had some sort of connection with the powers that were. Can anyone verify this?

Both Udet and Lowenhardt were leutnants at the time of Görings appointment as Geschwaderfuhrer.
Göring was an oberleutnant. This may have had something to do with the choice. Much in the same way on the death of Richthofen, Reinhard, as Hauptmann, was appointed his successor. At the time of Reinhards appointment he had a grand total of 6 victories to his credit. Lowenhardt at that time had 16 victories.

info taken from Bodenschatz, 'Hunting with Richthofen' and Franks, et. al. 'Above The Lines'


Regards,

MDD

Hpt Reinhard had 12 victories when he took over JG1.

sorry

MDD

[leo]

H G's father was Governor of German East Africa a position of some importance in the German Govt. It indicated that his family was well connected, possibly at Court. This could account for his appointment.

leo

Hello All,

I suspect Hermann's appointment was a reflection of all the theories you have come up with. He was well-connected through his aristocratic family and never hesitated to use his connections throughout his life. In addition, he was a tireless self-promoter and finally, he was very persuasive. In fairness, he was generally well-liked, courageous,and proved to be a good leader.

Later in life, these traits served him well as he played a key role in the Nazis' rise to power and in the subsequent establishment of the Luftwaffe.

As the fortunes of war changed, Goering (and the Luftwaffe) fell out of favor with Hitler. Hermann's better qualities gave way to self-indulgence and greed. Ultimately, he was just a shadow of his former self.

Best Wishes,
Gary

[PeterL]

Gary makes an excelent point. As we view Goering with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight we must at least regester his role in building one of the most effective air forces the world has ever seen.

As for his "mysterious" promotion in 1918, he had the right rank, seniority, and experience, and he was available. Although influence is useful, that's the way military organisations, even those subject to the corruptions of court and aristocracy, select for promotion.

Peter L

[Russell]

JG commanders had to be regular army officers. The senio one after Reinhard was killed was I suspect Göring. When the next JG command post came up it went to von Boenigk. However I often wonder why von Doering did not get the job.

From what I remember, Goering had punched all the right tickets. I thought he came from a military family. His father had been sent by Bismarck to South-West Africa as the first Resident Minister Plenipotentiary.

He was a regular army officer,

His family and its name were known in all the right circles.

He would've probably gone down in history as a decent enough chap if he died in a plane crash in 1920 rather than becoming a principal architect of Nazi Germany.

He wasn't necessaily anti-semitic before joining the Nazis.

Today his victory record is held suspect, but I wonder how many other PlM records are viewed with as much scrutiny.

His actions while disbanding JG1 were actually admirable.

This in no way makes up for what was to follow.

Tobias