Get Göring - The Mission to Capture Hitler's No 2 

One of Goering's quotes has stood the test of time remarkably well: "Why, of course, the people don't want war," Goering shrugged. "Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."

The fact that bormann was still scheming to get rid of other top nazis a few weeks before the end of the war speaks volumes of his machiavellian character

The absence of mellow drama and overwrought music is hugely appreciated.

Human beings are so weird. Goering had no chance of getting out of his predicament, and at best could hope to be captured by the Allies for an inevitable trial and execution. Yet, he still was attached to his “things”, and with the world collapsed around him he had to transfer all his art and stuff to his other home.

Imagine having Göring in the back seat while you are flying a plane. The ultimate back-seat driver.

The photo of Göring with the Texas state flag behind him always cracks me up. The juxtaposition.

One of my very best friends knew Herman Goering well during his final days. My friend was one of Goering's guards in Spandau Prison. He spoke German. He had fought as an infantryman alongside the Finns against the Soviets earlier in the War. He met many of the old line Nazis while he was a prison guard. He said Goering was the most likable and was actually charming. Goering gave him several momentos before his death (suicide) but my friend's luggage was burglarized when it was on the ship coming here. He told me he knew how Herman got the poison pill, but he would not tell me how it happened. As I watch the film of the prisoners' lives I see my old friend's picture from time to time. He said that they had to keep eyes on the inmates 24/7. Olaf was tall. He said that he had to bend over to watch the prisoners thru the opening in their door and his back was extremely painful. He said there was a lot of conflict between the prisoners and they shunned Speer. My old friend has been gone for 20 years now. I spoke at his funeral.

Great episode. I read an article in a military history magazine about Goring during the Nuremberg trials. The Americans put him on a diet and he lost weight and gained lucidity. Apparently he was very quick-witted and would debate the prosecutors. One time he berated the commander of a British guard detail for the shabby appearance of the soldiers. The Russians were granted a long meeting with Goring in his cell and they brought a picnic basket with wine. The American guards could hear them laughing and joking.

Goering had a very interesting sense of fashion. His light blue Luftwaffe Air Marshal uniform was very distinctive. A lot of people found it impressive. One of those people was 'communist' dictator Josip Broz, aka Tito. Tito had a near copy made for himself....minus the swastika patches. After visiting the former Yugoslavia, Qaddafi was so impressed with Tito's air marshal uniform, the Libyan Colonel had one made for himself.

Would love also see you talk about Albert Goering, Hermann's brother who was anti-Nazi and used his brother's influence to save several Jews, often getting into trouble for it.

I’ve always thought your research was impressive, and what I’m about to say is not to detract from that by any means. Although as I started my dive into editing; I find it incredible how many relevant photos and clips you pull out as you talk about a subject all intricately placed to round off what’s being said. I didn’t know how time consuming that can be at times, which at times feels harder than researching a topic. Your channel is all around gold Mr. Felton and inspiring for historians, editors, and simple military minded people alike. Thanks again!

I was trying to look this up the other day, but really had no luck. This guy is a master of research and history. Thanks Mark

Thank you so much for this, Mark. You are absolutely one of the shining lights of RU-vid. I love your content. I also wanted to let you know that your research and knowledge very much show in your videos. Be safe, and keep up the fantastic work. -Victor Macke

My uncle was one of Goring's guards at Nuremburg. He said he talked to him often, mostly on a personal basis and not about the war.

Excellent. My father was a U.S. Army First Lieutenant and a Company Commander with a Tank Division. He served in Africa and European Theaters of War. Sometimes under General Patton. He participated in liberating a Concentration Camp in Europe, but I don't know which one. He also participated in the D-Day landing. He never said much about the war. I wish that he was still here, there is so much that I would talk to him about, now that I am old. This documentary adds to my knowledge and I thank you very much.

What I found most interesting about this was not Goring's fate, which I already had some understanding of. Rather the winding down of the war. Hitler was dead. But the interaction of the German soldiers and SS with the American soldiers. The German convoy letting them pass and saluting the Americans. The Americans so wanting Goring in their custody they go to pick him up even though they knew they would would meet German military on the way. The prize was worth the risk. And the SS cooperating in the hand off of Goring to the U.S. Goring being allowed at first to be armed. It all had a surreal quality to it.

i always make the mistake of watching these the second they come out, and having to wait so long for the next one 😂

As a Brit that worked in Bavaria for 35 years, I can say that Göring was a bit of a character, the likes of which I came across quite often in Bavaria. Bavarians are rather a strange lot. They distance themselves from the northern Prussians and they hanker for the old days of when Bavaria had its own king, kingdom and identity. When I first went to Munich in 86, Strauss was the big man in Bayern. Strauss, was overweight and like Göring, highly intelligent, and had a keen eye for being seen as the 'King removed' of Bavaria. Point being here, is that Göring had more than likely a completely different way of thinking to the rest of the Nazi cabal.

20:50 I’m trying to imagine what it would be like to be one of those GIs on sentry next to an SS trooper. Hard to think of a more awkward situation during the war

“I love splendor.” In virtually every film of Fat Hermann, he’s either got a sword or his field marshal’s baton in his hand. He’s the perfect example of the Peter Principle.

It's uncanny when aristocrats (who become 'part of history') have their young lives on film. Mostly I'm thinking of all the Kennedy home movies, but also Goering as a young ace too. Seeing all those eventually old (& not-so-old) statesmen running around in full-colour as toddlers is something else. Tho won't be so novel as more generations pass.

Goring was so full of himself with his status as a defeated general he truly believed that after the war Nazi Germany would still exist and he can keep his wealth

My father K. Hechler interrogated Goring in 1945 at Mondorf Palace in Luxembourg( code name)" Ashcan". War Enclosure 32 Later he was our State Senator in WV but was most proud of his time as a U.S military officer. Major U.S 9th Armored Division. A military historian also. ( video posted)

What makes Mark's videos outstanding above all rest historic channels is astinishing, strict focus on facts and key information, plus a great narration and ear catching voice!

"12 years...I've had a good run for my money." that really does nail it

Actually, Goering was saved by this. The SS already had órders to ... "Apply "justice" to him. The allies should have decorated him, he singlehandedly destroyed the Luftwaffe

Thanks Mark. How bad is the state of UK television when all I look forward to now is content produced by talented individuals like mark on RU-vid...

Born in 1942, I would say that was a post WW2 baby 👶 raised and schooled in the fifties and sixties. I thought I knew a lot about WW2. Your videos have brought me a new level of education as to the world war. Thanks 🙏 so much.

Fascinating history! I have trouble balancing the feeling it was all so long ago yet less than 20 years before i was born. No wonder all my South London family talked about in my childhood was the war! Anecdotes of being strafed in school playgrounds by laughing German pilots, ARP warden's helmets in the garage, wartime recipe books still being used and a 3.7" nose cone /fuse of an anti aircraft shell in the writing bureau in the front room used as a paperweight. It was still a huge & important part of my parent's & grandparent's lives as i grew up in the 1960's and 1970's. These videos with the remarkable footage & detail you've collated along with the impeccable pronunciation of German names & place names bring those times to life so vividly. Thanks Mark. It's really appreciated.

I remember seeing one of Goering’s uniforms on display at the Luftwaffe Museum in Berlin. No doubt he would not have been pleased with the way he is remembered, by the very organization he founded.

Great episode. Love the detailed narration. Brings history alive!

Once again thank you for fleshing out the bare bones of a story that I first heard 60 years ago. It was interesting to hear that he was popular with the Americans; not so popular with the people of the UK and other countries who suffered from the bombing campaigns of the Luftwaffe. I was born and raised in Coventry.

I read an excellent book about Hermann Goring called "The Nazi and the Psychiatrist," by Jack El Hai. The book is about the US Army psychiatrist Dr. Douglas M. Kelley that did a psych evaluation of Goring and the other captured high ranking Nazis. It is a very interesting read. Apparently, that Army pilot's perception of Goring was not shared by all. From what I read Goring could be very personable but he was also a very manipulative sociopath, a very dangerous combination. Horribly, Dr. Kelley killed himself in front of his family many years later during the late 50's.

Got the notification while I was working..time for a break to watch Mark Felton...and the capture Goehering World War II fighter Ace and head of the Luftwaffe

An absolute superb account of Goering, that will make some historians blush with it’s painstaking research and detail. I love your historical documentaries, especially regarding WW2. 👍🏻

That is hysterical; Goring was too heavy for the airplane to take off! They had to find a different plane with more power!

Instead of a summary of events all of the little details is what makes this video outstanding. 👏 🙂

What an incredible story. When it comes to the byzantine relationships and workings of the Nazi hierarchy - especially during its last days - Game of Thrones has *nothing* your real-life accounts. Thanks Again, Dr. Felton.

It is truly an honor to witness history brought to life the way you do it. I have learned more in the last couple of months since subscribing than I did in 4 years of history lessons.

Your videos are the highest quality I’ve ever seen, it’s not riddled with ads and you show no bias, just facts. You are a unicorn.

i've learn this before, but yet still learning history.

Easily the best military historychannel on this site. Dr Felton you tha man

If RU-vid was nothing but a platform for your videos Dr. Felton, it would be completely worth it. You and a few other channels are a beacon of light on a platform that so often is a place for inane, meaningless nonsense. Thank you for the work you do. Many of us greatly appreciate it.

I spent years and a lot of money assembling this entire story. And it led to something much much larger. I am pleased it has been shared.

Goering was captured on May 8, 1945, by the 36th Infantry Division, a part of the Texas National Guard, and commanded then by General Dahlquist. Goering had reached out to Supreme Allied Commander Eisenhower about surrendering before his capture. Hermann Göring, shortly after he was arrested on the 9th of May, 1945, in front of a Texan flag. Medals and decorations were returned to him for this picture.

This is one of the best episodes ever. It is well documented, well told, and well illustrated. Bravo!

Another Great Episode Dr. Felton, thank you. Your narrations really makes this story stand out. I find it also ties in well with your 4 part series on the death of Himmler. You truly show how delusional men like Göring and Himmler were. Even though they new the war was over, and Germany in a wrecked state, they lived in a sort of bubble, believing they could negotiate a future for themselves. You also clearly show how remorseless Göring and Himmler were. " 12 years, I've had a good run for my money" is such a telling statement. If ever anyone did, Göring certainly suffered from narcissistic personality disorder, among other issues. Thank you for these always enlightening episodes of history.

16:30. I believe you may have misidentified 1st Lieutenant Sill. A man named Golden Charles Sill founded and ran a local diner "Sill's Cafe" in my home town of Layton, Utah, USA, which is still in business today. Sill served as mayor of Layton from 1983 to 1985, and served on the city council for seven years prior to his term as mayor. A few weeks ago I was in "Sill's" for breakfast when I noticed an old photograph on the wall. It was a picture of the capture/surrender of Göring. Also pictured were Gen. Stack, Lt. Shapiro, Lt. Golden Sill, and an unidentified US Army enlisted man. Thanks to your previous videos I understood the importance of the photo that literally hundreds of restaurant patrons pass every day without a second glance.

Dr. Felton, I never even knew that there was a plan to capture this high level Nazi individual until seeing your video. This is what makes your videos and books so appealing and outstanding. Telling stories that not many people know about or are curious to learn about. This is what history is so thank you as always for putting this quality content out!

Another excellent job Mark. I can’t even imagine how much work goes into each video that you create. But know that they are appreciated and enjoyed and you are keeping history alive especially during the greatest generation of all time.

Göring was like a real-life version of Sidney Greenstreet’s “the Fat Man”, from “The Maltese Falcon” - personable but ruthless and dangerous.

Lieutenant Jack Shaprio's personal sidearm was recently sold at an auction in Southern California. I was actually bidding at the auction and his sidearm along with paper works, documents and pictures was sold at $20,000 USD.

The weirdest thing... I was just watching the Himmler episodes and thought to myself: "What was it actually like to catch Goering?" And in exact that same time this video was announced... Thank you Mark for reading my mind! :-)

These historical pieces are worth gold. Thank you Mark!

Thank you, sir. This is a story too easily overlooked. But it did leave me wondering - what happened to the families?

Mr. Felton, this is a very thorough and quite concise. Top notch material, as always. I love watching your videos. 💜💙💜💙

Would love to see an episode (or series!) on Martin Bormann! So many episodes allude to him and the power he held in Germany, and would be very interesting to hear your take on him in a more continuous form.

Another informative outline, this time covering one of Germany's most senior Nazi's. No hyperbole, no screaming narrative. Just factual reporting. These programs should be shown to all trainee "journalists" to teach them about proper reporting.

funny how Himmler felt it was better to have Goering as a counterweight to Bormann, in that Bormann was probably the most dangerous of the paladins

Interesting to hear at this point the Allies came across whole German units scattered throughout the country on their way back home as the war drew to a close.

Thank u Dr Felton. I have been following you since 2016. I'm from Zimbabwe and I greatly enjoy your videos .

Yesterday I told my boyfriend about Himmler's lost brain and he didn't knew what to do with the information. To be honest, neither did I, but as a fan of Ask a Mortician (Iconic Corpse series, to be precise), I treasured it 😂 Love your channel, is so intriguing!

Incredibly informative as always. I always can’t help but to imagine what it would have been like to live through this crazy time.

Finally, a detailed and continuos recount of events about the lasts days of Hermann Göring, Adolph Hitler, and the infamous Third Reich. Dr. Felton description and explanation of the historic facts is so scholarly refreshing and educationally entertaining, after listening and read for many years other historical recounts, but mostly all of them broken in pieces. I will have to replay the presentation several times to be able to grasp every nugget of information. Fascinating!

Glad to see this re-uploaded. This was one of the most fascinating videos on the channel, and I really missed it.

Love this vid! If I remember you did an older one on this topic back in the day. This one one of my favorite WW2 topics, amazing! Thanks for the good work Dr!

Really impressed with Felton as to how after so many years he has uncovered so many documents and details

Once again, another of your brilliant documentaries has graced RU-vid. Well done, sir, and thank you for all of your hard work to bring this history to us!

Another great production Mark, I always have to watch a repeat when I've watched a new video to get my fix. Thank you.

You never cease to amaze me how thorough you are at you work .Well done Mark ..Jim

Göring embodied the notion of the state being essentially a large scale piece of art.

You’d look sour too as they lifted your Smith & Wesson Model 10, she’s a real beauty.

Imagine being so charismatic and popular you could straight up lie to Hitler and not be killed, and charm your captors into not executing you.

I must commend you on an extremely fascinating tale. Excellent. With all that going on with Goring my mother and her sister and parents were in hiding in the suburbs of Berlin. They remained in hiding until Marshall Zhukov himself entered Berlin and calmed down the Russian Army rampage of Berlin. Even then, the Russians were going to shoot my grandfather with a Russian officer changing his mind in the last moment.

This is the most comprehensive and complete summary of Goring's surrender and capture. Thanks for sharing Dr Felton!

That photo of him with the Red Baron is nuts!

Herr Goering wanted to be taken prisoner by the allies because he was under the impression that he would be treated like a superstar. He was mistaken. Dr. Felton I know that I've said this before, but there are 3 channels that are my favorite and yours is #1. Your dedication to teaching history I think is your passion and those of us that watch your videos reap the rewards!

Another perfect start to the day. Thank you Dr. Felton!

Another great episode. It's unbelievable that the Americans allowed Goring to remain armed before his official arrest.

Very strange to see Goering standing in front of my state flag. Another great video! Thanks

Nazi War Relics are highly prized and sought after by collectors. The "Knights Cross" in particular in its various forms. I learned right here on this channel. Goring had a custom made version of the cross, strictly for himself Only. It is depicted here several times. It was cartoon sized (Ego?). Although collectors would have paid great sums to own it. Dr. Felton stated that it WAS DESTROYED!

Your research and attention to detail is excellent! Thank you

My name is Andrew Goering.... I'm an American, born and raised in the US, in the state of Kansas... I always grew up hearing my parents say our family name, and I never really saw it anywhere else, until I started to hear about WWII history from my Dad, as I grew older..... Hermann Goering is in fact a distant relative of ours..... Our people, Swiss German Mennonites, arrived in the US, in 1874.... We first arrived in New York City.... Then, we made our way to North Dakota, but we didn't realize just how extremely harsh the winters were there, so we moved south to Nebraska and Kansas, where we would settle permanently as wheat farmers..... My great-grandfather, John Goering, was born in Kansas, in 1900.... He always struggled to speak in English..... My grandfather, Vern Victor Goering (everyone called him "V V") was born in Kansas, in 1926.... He also grew up speaking German, but he was the first in our family to learn English and start speaking it instead of German..... WWII and America's hatred of the Germans and the Nazis was a major factor in his desire to learn English as a young man..... My grandfather would serve in the US army as an army chaplain and medic towards the end of the war, between 1944 and 1945.... He would minister to the German POWs and pray with them and also ask them questions and help interrogate them as German was his first language.... After the war, he went back home to Kansas and married and settled down..... My father, David Goering, was born in Kansas, in 1955..... My father and his brothers and sisters were the first generation to grow up speaking English in the home instead of German..... My brother was born in Wichita, in 1984, and I was born in Topeka, in 1990..... My brother and I would grow up like typical American kids of the late 80s and 90s, obsessed with Indiana Jones.... lol We were horrified to find out that we were in fact related to Hitler's second-in-command and head of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Goering!!

The Obersalzburg is a fascinating place. Would recommend the visit!

Great story Mark, thank you very much. Sadly though the idiocy and blanket obedience of Hitler's lackeys is frighteningly similar to what we are witnessing in America today. What happens to common sense and decency when a madman seizes the reins of power?

Could this be the best intro on RU-vid? This and drachinifel are my two favorites. Have ever done done work tightest? Also British English are superb in documentaries :)

You know when that intro music starts playing we are in for a ride! Thanks Mark!

Mark, you did an amazing job. I have watched perhaps a dozen or so of your productions. This one was the best. Your narrative matched what was on the screen from beginning to end. I can't believe how you discovered all that footage.And you didn't end with the obvious choice: the still photo of Goering in his cell at Nuremberg after dying.

Another well thought out production Mark, and compulsive viewing too. As for Goering, he was well known for his manipulative way's and leadership during both wars and the fact he was addicted to morphine says it all. As this was the result of him being wounded during the 1923 beer hall putsch in Munich in which he was shot in the groin, and later during his trial in Nuremberg. He was even gaining the sympathy of his guards, and it was no surprise cyanide was somehow smuggled in and cheated the hangman.

that he was supportive of his brother, who did good work saving people, is one of the few good things he did. Also sadly, his daughter was stuck holding up her fathers "reputation". He ruined his daughter's life, as she could never drop her memories of being a Nazi princess, so her adult life was sadly unhappy.

I love that Goering is standing in front of a Texas flag. Like he's giving a speech to the Rotary Club of some little town here.

Those pictures were grand thank you for covering this in such vivid detail

As always, another great episode by Mark Felton. I would like to see an episode or more about what happened to the uniforms, medals, batons, etc. of various Nazi leaders, generals, etc., perhaps even Japan as well.

I love the attention Mark gives to these fascinating events and moments in history.

I must say you have the best history channel I have ever encountered.. so much detail and not taking sides just pure explanation in a objectively way keep up the great work!! 😎😁

Fantastic history lesson once again Professor Felton. Most of your detailed information, photos and film I have never read or seen, many thanks.

19:33 Bouhler and his wife, Helene, were arrested by American troops at Schloss Fischhorn in Bruck near Zell-am-See on 10 May 1945. Thereafter, both committed suicide. His wife, Helene, jumped to her death from a window at Schloss Fischhorn. On 19 May 1945, Bouhler committed suicide using a cyanide capsule while in the US internment camp at Zell-am-See.

I love your documentaries sir. They're the best. Love from Nigeria.

Another excellent video-thank you, Mark!

Superb commentary, Mark. My eyes welled up to hear of these details.