A Higher Call

by Adam Makos

“There is still time, sir, to prevent every city in Germany from being reduced to rubble and ashes,” Luetzow said. He told Goering that Galland needed to be reinstated and the 262s taken from the bomber forces and released immediately for fighter missions. Luetzow cited a quartermaster’s report that listed sixty 262s operational for combat operations, fifty-two of which belonged to the bomber forces. Another two hundred of the precious jets were sitting in bombed-out rail yards, stranded, because someone had decided to ship them by rail to save fuel. Goering interrupted Luetzow and reminded him sarcastically that the fighter forces were in a “deplorable state.” Goering told Luetzow with a smirk that in touring the bomber units he saw greater spirit and discipline. The bomber pilots, he said, were healthier and contained more veterans than the fighter forces. Luetzow cut Goering off. “So you have told us time and time again,” Luetzow said. “But you forget that we fighter pilots have been flying missions daily for over five years now. Our young pilots survive a maximum of two or three Reich Defense missions before they’re killed.” Red with rage, Goering shouted, “As if the head of the Air Force was not aware of that!” Luetzow did not break his stone-face composure. So Goering reverted to taunting. He told Luetzow that the real problem was the fighter pilots’ cowardice. Germany needs braver men, he said, “eager for a crack at the enemy,” to challenge the bombers nose to nose....