Having completed his formal training, and even though still lacking a combat flight, Loerzer had received his Abzeichen für Militär-Flugzeugführer [badge for military pilots] on 12 October²⁸ from Hauptmann Blum. The badge had been established on the birthday of Kaiser Wilhelm II, 27 January 1913,²⁹ and was awarded to officers and enlisted men alike. On 15 November 1914, Göring was awarded the Abzeichen für Beobachtungsoffiziere [badge for observation officers]³⁰ by Abteilungsführer Blum, who would not receive his own observer’s badge until the following April.³¹ It was a momentous occasion for the recipient, as the award, which had been established exactly a year after the military pilot’s badge,³² was rarely seen this early in the war.

Loerzer and Göring flew their first bombing mission on the morning of Tuesday, 17 November. Their aircraft and two other Aviatik B.IIs set out to drop bombs on the citadel at Verdun, one part of the massive fortification system that had withstood invaders since it was begun in the 17th century. This day’s mission seemed equal to sending gnats to pester a horse and it was diminished further when, once underway, the Loerzer-Göring aeroplane and another Aviatik were forced by engine problems to return to Stenay. The remaining Aviatik dropped twelve bombs, but recorded no discernible results. Eager to make a contribution to the war effort, Loerzer and Göring had their aeroplane repaired quickly and made an afternoon reconnaissance flight over the Caures Woods, near Fort Douaumont,³³ northeast of Verdun. The slender young Göring had to hang half out of the aeroplane, twisting around his cockpit bracing wires, to position his aerial camera for views of the area that would be useful in the eventual offensive against the Verdun salient created by the First Battle of the Marne in early September 1914.

Meeting the Crown Prince

FFA 25 was attached to the 5th Army, the nominal commander of which was the thirty-two-year-old German Crown Prince Wilhelm, eldest son of Kaiser Wilhelm II. As his headquarters was not far from Stenay airfield, the Crown Prince saw the aeroplanes taking off and landing, and became interested in their operations. That interest proved to be fortunate for Loerzer and Göring, as Loerzer related about his night-time return flight on 22 December 1914 and subsequent events:

‘Hindered by unforeseen strong winds in complete darkness without any help from lanterns, I landed smoothly and safely at our airfield along the Meuse River. The Abteilungsführer had hurried to the field full of concern and ordered signal flares be fired from time to time to show where the field was. The leader of the 5th Army [Crown Prince Wilhelm] …had observed the signal flares, and asked about …their use this way. After everything had come to a good end, this flying achievement was fully recognised within the circle of “old pilots”. The next day the Crown Prince ordered us to report to him in person and he [was generous in] his praise.

‘In the following period, it became a rule that after special [flight] achievements we had to report to the Crown Prince. Thus, Göring’s role as an observer led to his becoming chief spokesman [for FFA 25]. In addition to his position as an observer, he was born for the role of spokesman, favouring at that time dramatic forms in his manner of speech. Our Abteilungsführer, who was often present during the reports, did not agree at all with this manner of Göring’s strong, personally-emphasized description of overcoming difficulties. At the time, however, the Crown Prince found pleasure in the narratives of the “wild child”, as he once called [Göring]. He was also greatly amused by occasional impudent comments that Göring made about superiors of all ranks. In addition to the official reporting sessions, personal invitations came from the Crown Prince, which often brought us to his table in the company of his closest associates.

‘It is surely understandable that two unknown leutnants, who stood without any old army connections, were quite taken by such treatment by their Armeeführer [leader of the army]. Over the course of time the Crown Prince became a sort of protector for us. Subsequently, when I became a fighter pilot and fought over other army sectors, he continued to be kept informed [of my service activities].

‘As a consequence … there arose among members of FFA 25 … a constantly increasing dislike of Göring, who they spurned primarily for his overly strong exaggeration during the formulation of reports, especially his oral statements … The critics were not without validity, and finally when I attempted to exercise moderating influence on Göring, he defended himself most fervently against such a restriction. He reproached me for my “damned objectivity” because of which it would never be possible to give a vivid description of an especially dangerous flight or overcoming difficulties.’³⁴