Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, Commander in Chief

Hermann Göring embarked on his military career by enlisting as an infantryman in 1912. He served the initial part of the First World War in the trenches, earning numerous distinctions for his bravery. However, life in the trenches was made even more challenging by his battle with arthritis. This ailment prompted him to seek a transfer to the Air Service, although his first attempt was met with rejection due to low test scores. Fortunately, an old friend in the Service, Bruno Loerzer, recognized Göring’s exceptional piloting abilities and lent his support for Göring’s second attempt. By the war’s end, Göring was at the helm of the Richthofen Jasta, flying an all-white Fokker D.7 and claiming credit for downing 22 enemy aircraft.

The aftermath of the war in Germany, marked by depression and social unrest, influenced Göring in two significant ways. Firstly, he became an ardent anti-communist in his political stance. Secondly, he increasingly embraced the ideology of the rapidly emerging Nazi party as the purported solution to Germany’s woes. Göring participated in the infamous “Beer Hall Putsch” of 1923 and became a staunch ally and supporter of Adolf Hitler. As Hitler rose to power, Göring’s fortunes improved, and he assumed responsibility for establishing the Gestapo. Due to his distinguished wartime record, he was entrusted with the task of building a modern air force, the Luftwaffe. These appointments granted Göring extensive and far-reaching political authority within the Nazi hierarchy, a situation that would ultimately lead to his downfall.

Göring misused the powers granted to him, appropriating large estates and other symbols of status and wealth while neglecting his military duties. This left the fledgling Luftwaffe leaderless at a critical juncture. Notably, his pivotal decision to shift the focus of air raids from enemy airfields to cities during the Battle of Britain is widely considered a major blunder that cost the Luftwaffe the battle, if not ultimately the war.

This error foreshadowed Göring’s overall leadership style during his tenure as the head of the Luftwaffe. He frequently disregarded the counsel of his field commanders, engaging in lengthy and futile discussions on minor matters, often resulting in the neglect and delay of crucial decisions. This severely impacted the Luftwaffe’s ability to conduct the war effectively, despite the remarkable technological advancements in the German aviation industry during that period.

In 1945, Göring was captured by the Allies and subsequently put on trial as a war criminal. He was sentenced to death but chose to take cyanide and died in his prison cell.

Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring, Commander Luftflotte II

Albert Kesselring, a Bavarian native, initially served in the artillery during the First World War as part of the forces under the command of Prince Ruprecht. He ventured into aviation relatively late in his career, transferring to the Luftwaffe in 1933. However, he swiftly established himself as a capable leader and a skilled politician, with the latter attribute being particularly crucial for survival and advancement within the new German military under the Nazi party.

At the outset of the Second World War, Kesselring assumed command of the Luftflotte (Air Fleet) tasked with supporting the German Army during the invasion of Poland. Following the successful conclusion of this campaign, as well as the Norwegian and Low Countries campaigns, he was entrusted with command of the northern Luftflotte, Luftflotte II, which was larger than the southern counterpart, Luftflotte III. This assignment, in close proximity to Britain, reflected the high regard for Kesselring’s leadership abilities.

Despite the Luftwaffe’s failure to secure air superiority over the English Channel, Kesselring’s career suffered little from this setback, a testament to his political astuteness. In 1941, he was dispatched to oversee the air forces in North Africa, where he and Erwin Rommel were responsible for nearly defeating the Allies over the next two years before being compelled to retreat to Italy. It was in Italy, from 1943 onward, that Kesselring’s talents as a commander truly shone. Assuming overall command of both air and ground forces, he executed a remarkable campaign despite challenges such as scarce supplies and communication difficulties, causing a delay of more than a year to the Allied advance.

Much like Göring, Kesselring faced a trial at the end of the war, accused of atrocities against Italian hostages. These charges generated controversy, as they seemed incongruous with the character of a disciplined military commander like him. Although initially sentenced to death, his sentence was subsequently reduced to five years of imprisonment, and Kesselring was eventually released in 1952.

Generalfeldmarschall Hugo Sperrle, Commander Luftflotte III

Hugo Sperrle, commanding the comparatively smaller Luftflotte III, achieved his greatest recognition prior to the outbreak of the Second World War when he was appointed to lead the infamous Legion Condor during the Spanish Civil War. A veteran of the First World War, Sperrle’s rapid ascent within the Nazi hierarchy owed much to his strict adherence to orders and his outspoken support of Göring over Erhard Milch. While he may have been perceived as a commander lacking imagination and flexibility due to his unwavering commitment to orders, Sperrle’s career underscores his survival within a system that did not typically reward individual initiative.

It is worth noting that Sperrle stood out as the sole individual who recognized and vocalized opposition to Göring’s decision to shift target priorities during the Battle of Britain, from attacking Fighter Command airfields to targeting cities and other strategic objectives. He correctly pointed out that the Royal Air Force had not been defeated and could rebuild and enhance its effectiveness if given a respite from attacks on its airfields. Unfortunately, his counsel fell on deaf ears, highlighting Sperrle’s genuine abilities as a commander, rather than the perception often shaped by his survival instincts.

However, it is important to acknowledge that Sperrle shared some of the same excesses as his superior. Not only did he bear a physical resemblance to Göring, but he also indulged in similar luxuries, commandeering opulent headquarters and private residences. Additionally, he fully enjoyed the gambling and other amenities offered by the territories conquered by Nazi forces.