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Thursday, September 22, 2016

Albert Goering, the Heroic brother of a Nazi Officer

Hermann Göring/Goering's story begins in war.
Having studied in military academies during his youth, Goering first won renown as an aviator in WW1, later becoming a commercial pilot. During that time, he happened to make the acquaintance of a man named Adolf Hitler. At that time, Hitler was beginning to work out his plan to seize Germany, and elected Goering into his party. Because of his former officer status, Goering was put in charge of Hilter's pre-Nazi stormtrooper division. But though the revolution attempt of November 1923 was a disaster, Hilter remembered the adamant young officer.
As soon as he rose into power as dictator of Germany, he set Goering up as one of his most senior commanders, head of the air force, and successor. He also readily allowed him to develop and head the elite task force of Nazi Germany, the Gestapo.
With an iron will and fist, Goering oversaw the building of concentration camps, the death-machines and graves of thousands.

But despite his cruelty to many, including his own people, there was one person whom he could not overcome or penalize: his little brother, Albert.

Albert Goering, two years younger than his infamous brother, took full advantage of his brother's position, but not in the way you may expect.
As brother to the second most powerful person in all of Germany, Albert was entitled to some liberties and information unknown to normal civilians, such as the locations of even the most prestigious of concentration camps, and there would be no questions if little brother Goering drove up one day to say that some Jews were to be transferred and he would take them himself. Let's just say that those Jews were transferred. Out of the country. But it was all legal, since Hermann Goering's signature happened to be written on transit papers. (Yes, be aware that your younger siblings know your signature and perfectly capable of forging it to get something they want.)
Hermann denied all accusations of his helping Jews, and would often speak with Albert about it, yet was always there to bail him out if he was caught.

Eventually the Nazis caught up and sentenced Albert to death. But Hermann, proud as he was, bailed his younger brother out, for perhaps the 100th time. It would be his last. His entire reputation and career were on the line, and he was not about to let it collapse because of his younger brother's compassionate urges.

Then came the day that the allied powers won.
Both brothers were captured and sent to trial for their affiliation with the 3rd Reich. It is said that in their last meeting, Hermann said:

"I am very sorry, Albert, that it is you who has to suffer so much for me. You will be free soon."
The day before his execution, Hermann committed suicide.
When Albert's turn came for his trial, at first none believed him. It seemed impossible that the brother of such a man would, or even could, want to rescue those that his people saw as inferior. Finally Albert made a list of 34 Jews he had helped escape. And it happened that one of those listed was the interrogation officer's uncle.

Albert was promptly freed and returned to his home country.
But with his brother's reputation clinging onto him, he was left unemployed and fell into depression. As a last act of heroism, when he found out he was soon to die, he married his housekeeper so that she would inherit his government pension, supporting her long after her services were no longer required.



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