Hermann Göring
Early Life
Hermann Wilhelm Göring was born on January 12, 1893, in Rosenheim, Bavaria, to Heinrich Ernst Göring and Franziska "Fanny" Tiefenbrunn. His father, a former cavalry officer, had been appointed as the first Reichskommissar (Imperial Commissioner) of the German protectorate of South West Africa, now Namibia. Göring was the fourth of five children.
Education and Early Military Career
Göring attended the Cadet Corps in Karlsruhe, where he excelled in military studies. In 1912, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Prince Wilhelm Regiment of the Prussian army. During the early stages of World War I, Göring served with his regiment on the Western Front and saw action in the Battle of Mulhouse.
World War I
In 1915, Göring transferred to the German Air Service. He initially served as an observer before training as a pilot. In 1917, he was assigned to Jagdstaffel 27 (Fighter Squadron 27), where he achieved his first aerial victory. In 1918, Göring took command of the famed "Flying Circus", Jagdgeschwader 1, following the death of Manfred von Richthofen, also known as the Red Baron.
Post-War Period
After the war, Göring was briefly involved in the paramilitary Freikorps movement before becoming a pilot for the Swedish airline Svensk Lufttrafik. In 1922, he joined the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP or Nazi Party) and became a close associate of its leader, Adolf Hitler.
Role in the Nazi Party
Göring played a crucial role in the Nazi Party's rise to power. He was appointed commander of the Sturmabteilung (SA) in 1923 and participated in the failed Beer Hall Putsch. After the Nazis came to power in 1933, Göring held numerous high-ranking positions, including Minister of the Interior for Prussia, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, and President of the Reichstag.
World War II
During World War II, Göring was responsible for the planning and execution of the Blitzkrieg strategy, which led to the rapid German conquests early in the war. He also oversaw the implementation of the "Final Solution", the Nazi plan for the extermination of the Jews.
Post-War Trial and Death
After the war, Göring was captured by the Allies and put on trial at the Nuremberg Trials. He was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. However, he committed suicide by ingesting cyanide the night before his scheduled execution.
