Trivia

The highest-level Nazi official captured alive by the Allies.

Committed suicide hours before his scheduled execution.

His flamboyant uniforms and use of make-up caused rumors about his sexuality.

Lived perhaps the most sybaritic lifestyle of any of the top Nazi leaders, having built a lavish palace known as the "Karinhall" (in tribute to his deceased first wife) where he indulged in lavish dressing gowns, large feasts and an elaborate model train set.

He was responsible for carrying out the Blitz of cities in the UK from September 1940 to May 1941, in response to the bombing of German cities since 10 May 1940 by the British Royal Air Force (RAF).

His brother Albert Göring was an active antifascist.

He was given the nickname "Fatso Göring" by Allied soldiers.

After the Fall of France he told Adolf Hitler to focus on North Africa and the Mediterranean rather than attempt an invasion of the UK.

In 1944 Göring was offered an honorary commission as an SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer (Colonel General). Göring, however, refused to accept an SS commission, since it would have meant swearing loyalty to SS chief Heinrich Himmler, who historians believe Goring despised.

During the Nuremberg Trials, he underwent psychological testing that revealed he had an IQ of 138.

A pilot in World War I in the squadron headed by Manfred von Richthofen, aka "The Red Baron", Goring assumed command of the unit after von Richtofen was shot down and killed by Anglo-Canadian forces.

He was the only recipient of the Grand Cross of The Iron Cross during WWII.

At the close of World War II, Göring's official titles included Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, Reich Minister of Aviation, Reichstag President, Minister President of Prussia, Commissioner of the Four Year Plan, Reich Chief Forestor, Reich Commissioner of Hunting, Gruppenfuhrer (Lieutenant General) in the Stormtroopers, and second in command (by Adolf Hitler's declaration) in the leadership of the NSDAP (the Nazi party).

Technically he was the highest ranking General Officer in the World War II German military. Upon being awarded the rank of Reichsmarshall in 1940 by Adolf Hitler, Goring became senior to Army Field Marshals and Navy Grand Admirals. In reality, though, neither Goring nor his rank were respected by the professional army commanders who were technically his subordinates, and he knew it.

During the aborted Munich Beer Hall Putsch staged by the Nazis in 1923, Goring was shot by Munich police, who crushed the attempted coup. His wounds resulted in his becoming addicted to painkillers, primarily morphine, for the rest of his life.

Was longtime personal friend of Gustaf Mannerheim. Mannerheim and Goering were hunting partners during the 1930s and 1940s - they specialized in killing deer.

According to Görings letzte Schlacht - Das Tribunal von Nürnberg (2006), Göring told one of his jailers that he was on his way to a Freemasons meeting when he picked up a girl who recognized him. Göring claimed had it not been for that encounter, he would never have joined the Nazi Party as Freemasons were banned from joining the Nazi Party.

Step-grand uncle of Corinna Genest, step-grand-uncle-in-law of Karl Schönböck.

He was strongly opposed to the switch to bombing cities during the Battle of Britain.

Göring realized early the benefits of new types of combat aviation, such as dive-bombers and long-range fighter escort. As one of the first air force commanders in the world he also took the initiative to create a specialized night-fighter force: early in the war, he ordered a couple of fighter units to begin night-fighter experiments. The twin-engined Messerschmitt Bf 110 proved to be the aircraft best suited for this task, and in June 1940 Göring decided to redesign the fighter wing I./ZG 1 under Hauptmann Wolfgang Falck to become the first regular night-fighter unit, NJG 1.

Supreme commander of the Luftwaffe during the Third Reich. Earned the rank of Reichmarshall.

Daughter, Edda Göring, with Emmy Göring.