Hermann Goering, C-in-C of the German Luftwaffe, was a larger-than-life character in the first decade of the Nazi regime. Widely seen as Hitler's deputy, his very flamboyance and extravagance made him seem more 'human' than the other Nazi leaders such as Goebbels, Himmler or even Hitler himself. Goering with his love of beautiful women, fast cars, yachts and aircraft was someone many could identify with. He also admired for his evident competence as the rapid expansion and successes of the Luftwaffe followed his spectacular performance as Minister of Economics overseeing the apparent wonder of economic recovery it he mid-1930s.
In this excerpt, Herman Goering has come to visit a frontline Stuka Group during the early days of the Battle of Britain.
Goering came and went in a whirlwind. He flew in with what seemed
like a huge entourage. He waddled (that was really the only word for it) over to Jako, who stood in front of his pilots saluting. He patted him on the
shoulder, apparently cracked a joke,
and everyone within hearing laughed with him.
Klaudia, Rosa and Brigitte weren’t close enough to hear, but they
watched it all from the Communications Center (or CC) along with the NCOs on duty.
Was it less than a fortnight since Klaudia had been excited by the thought of seeing Goering
personally? Was it less than a
fortnight since she had been thrilled to think she knew a man who could ask favours of a man so
powerful and favoured that the Reichstag
had created a new rank just for him, “Reichsmarschall”?
It seemed a lifetime ago. The intervening fortnight
had been such a roller-coaster of alternating ecstasy and despair. The expected
roses and proposal
had not come, but
then Jako was the Gruppenkommandeur of
a crack Luftwaffe unit in the midst
of war. Klaudia kept telling
herself she should not expect too much. He had sent
for her a couple of times after duty, and his ardour and
compliments reassured her again of
her place in his heart. And yet…
Now, as she watched Jako grinning and nodding beside the Reichsmarshall,
she felt intense – almost unbearable – pride. That was her man
that the Reichsmarshall was
jesting with like an
old friend! Nor had Jako
ever looked more
splendid than now in
his tailored uniform,
grey gloves and leather
riding boots that gleamed in the sun.
“He’s coming this way!” someone called out.
Instantly the personnel of the CC bolted back to their respective places. By the time the Reichsmarshall reached the door,
they were all intent upon their respective tasks. A loud “Achtung!”
preceded the C-in-C into the room. Everyone
sprang to attention.
Staff officers poured
in, and then came Goering
himself with Paschinger still beside him. He greeted the staff of the CC by touching his glittering marshal’s
baton to the peak of his cap. He was smiling and nodding, and then he caught sight of the Helferinnen. “Ah, so you have some of our charming, brave Helferinnen
here! How are they working out?”
“Jawohl, Herr Reichsmarschall. Very well,
so far. May I introduce the Herr Reichsmarschall?” Jako led Goering directly to Klaudia.
There she stood, rigidly at attention, hardly daring to breathe. What could be a better sign
of Jako’s good intentions than the
fact that he brought the Reichsmarshall
himself over to introduce him to
her? She sucked in her stomach and kept
her chin up; she wanted to do Jako proud.
“This here is Klaudia
von Richthofen.”
“Ah ha!” Goering was delighted. “I didn’t realise Wolfram had a niece! How do you like it here, Fräulein? Are my young eagles treating you properly?”
Klaudia couldn’t help smiling. “Jawohl, Herr Reichsmarschall.”
“Good, good. Glad to hear it.” Already Goering was moving on. Turning away from Klaudia and
addressing Jako, he remarked,
“Seeing these lovely girls reminds me of your
own charming wife, Jako. How is she doing these days?”
“In her seventh month now, Herr Reichsmarshall,” Jako answered happily, his back
to Klaudia as if she didn’t exist.
“Ha!” Goering laughed
approvingly. “A Christmas leave baby.”
“Jawohl, Herr
Reichsmarshall,” Jako agreed, “and I hope
we will have tamed the English lion in time for me to be with her at the birth.”
“Certainly, certainly,” Goering agreed as they moved
away. Klaudia wanted to scream –
or just fade away into nothingness.
He was married. He had been married the whole
time. Not once, not even for a moment, had his intentions been honourable. He had used her. That was all. Used her like a common
whore! Rosa had been right about him the whole time. She couldn’t cope with the implications. She was ruined!
Absolutely ruined. She could never go home and face her parents.
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