Hermann Goring
1893 – 1946 German Reichsmarschall and head of the Luftwaffe
Hitler's designated successor for most of the Reich and commander of the German air force.
- Religion
- Baptized Protestant with a Catholic godfather; largely indifferent to religion and conventionally nationalist rather than mystical, though he shared the regime's subordination of the churches to the state.
- Affiliations
- Nazi Party; founder of the Gestapo (later handed to Himmler); commander of the Luftwaffe; head of the Four Year Plan. No occult affiliations.
A World War I flying ace, Goring became the Nazi state's number two, founding the Gestapo, building the Luftwaffe and directing the war economy while amassing looted art and wealth. He signed the order authorizing planning for the 'Final Solution.' Convicted at Nuremberg, he took cyanide hours before his scheduled execution.
Connections
- successor of Adolf Hitler — Long designated heir until Goring's 1945 fall from favor.
- successor of Adolf Hitler — Named heir apparent until his 1945 attempt to take power enraged Hitler.
- rival of Ernst Rohm — Coordinated with Himmler against Rohm in the purge.
- rival of Joseph Goebbels — Bitter competitor for influence within the leadership.
- rival of Joseph Goebbels — Competed for standing at the top of the regime.
- associate of Reinhard Heydrich — Ordered Heydrich to prepare the 'Final Solution.'