Der Fuehrer - Hitler's Rise to Power (1944) - Heiden

108 DER FUEHRERlin. At this time, as he later told the story, he often envied hia luckierclassmates, who had a family and who, therefore, were invited to attendparties at the emperor's court. He was brought up as a soldier, and hebecame a soldier by profession.He had begun the World War as an infantry officer, and then, indefiance of his superiors, made himself into an aviator by taking flyinglessons from a friend by the name of Lorzer. He was a good combatpilot, sparing neither himself, his subordinates, nor his planes. At theend of the war he was leading a pursuit squadron, which Baron vonRichthofen, the most famous of German World War aviators, hadcommanded before him. He was decorated with the Pour le Merite, thehighest distinction accessible to a soldier of his rank. But medals werenot the only pay he obtained for nis achievements. The German frontlinefliers had great influence in the choice of planes and engines;manufacturers sought to win this influence in their own way, and allaviators did not resist these temptations, which began with goldencigarette cases concealed beneath their napkins at banquets. Inpartnership with Prince Philipp of Hessia, a fellow officer, heestablished a shoe factory for army orders — in the midst of the war.His friendship with Prince Philipp later took on prime importance forGoring, when the prince became son-in-law to the king of Italy. Againand again he had startling luck in his personal encounters. During thewar he was quartered for a time at Stenay on the Maas. In near-byCharle-ville the crown prince had his dissolute and justly notoriousheadquarters. Goring made the acquaintance of Friedrich Wilhelm, andthis, too, was to prove profitable.He was on top of the world. Everything that an ambitious man canhope to have at the age of twenty-five had fallen to Goring's lot. He hadfame, money, connections, future, and, best of all, pride in his ownaccomplishments. More important than his private career, he had asmall share in the domination of the world. Since Napoleon I, no groupof European men had looked forward to such brilliant careers as offeredthemselves to the young leaders of this German Army, which from theEnglish Channel to the Black Sea and the Euphrates seemed to haveconquered a world empire by the force of its arms.