Hilter, Goebbels, Goering, and Hess
Within the National Socialist leadership few men enjoyed the power and prestige held by Goering and Goebbels. Although, Hess, pictured here and others such as Heinrich Himmler, the widely feared and despised head of the SS, also would hold crucial positions within the National Socialist power elite they and others seeking to sit at Hitler's right hand never held the enduring position as top National Socialist political leaders as did Goering and Goebbels.
Joseph Goebbels proved a crucial player throughout both the pre-War and Wartime years. Goebbels, perhaps more than any other man within Germany played the central role in swaying Germans toward providing political support for Hitler and Hitler's decisions after taking power in 1933. Unlike many in the Nazi party hierarchy, Goebbels was formally educated; he possessed a doctorate. Goebbels also had practical work experience and was an accomplished businessman as a plant manager before he rose to his position of prominence in the Nazi party. Publically Goebbels was smart, witty, and a charismatic speaker; only exceeded by Hitler in his ability to move audiences. Goebbels proved a propaganda maestro and his loyalty earned him greater and greater responsibilities under Hitler's rule; Goebbels began as Hitler's Minister of Propaganda and ultimately moved up to the role of Special Commissioner for Total War in 1944. Goebbels unswervingly held a rapt adoration for Hitler and remained obedient to the end.
Hermann Goering, the son of a Prussian diplomat, had served Imperial Germany as a first rate, decorated pilot during the First World War. After listening to Hitler speak, Goering joined the National Socialist Party in 1922. Goering rose to President of the Reichstag in 1932, and was appointed Hitler's official successor in December 1934, Aviation Minister in 1935, the Luftwaffe's leader, and handed a slew of important economic functions throughout Hitler's' rule. To this day Goering is regarded as the second most powerful person in the Third Reich's brief history.
Picture Courtesy US National Archives, ARC identifier no. 196509
