Goering (or göring), hermann

A German political leader and general of the twentieth century. Goering, a close friend of Adolf Hitler , held several high positions in the Nazi government, including leadership of the air force, the Luftwaffe ; until the Battle of Britain , his aerial warfare methods were enormously successful ( see blitzkrieg ). At the Nuremberg trials for war criminals after the German defeat, Goering was sentenced to death, but he committed suicide before he could be executed.