umphant, sarcastic speech to the Reichstag on the Balkan cam-
paign. His train pulled in at : .. on May . He spoke with
Hitler privately a few minutes later, and took his seat on the dais
behind the Führer and his deputy, Rudolf Hess, at six. Nothing
in the latter’s demeanor betrayed that he was planning a spec-
tacular adventure a few days later. The next day Göring in-
spected architect Albert Speer’s latest dazzling models for the
reconstruction of Berlin an immense monument to Hitler’s
thousand-year Reich, with triumphal arch, broad ceremonial
boulevards, and a great domed assembly hall. “I have the same
admiration for your architectural ability,” he flattered the
young Nazi architect, “as I have for the Führer’s political and
military talents!”
His heart still molesting him, he went on brief leave to Bad
Gastein, rejoining Emmy, before returning on May to Veld-
enstein Castle in Franconia, to discuss plans for its interior reno-
vation.
Hermann Göring had again left Milch in charge of the air force.
On Saturday May , , it flew the moonlight attack on Lon-
don its most severe attack so far, causing immense damage to
the city and wrecking the Parliament building. On Sunday Dr.
von Ondarza brought the first reports to the castle. The
Reichsmarschall had just settled down for lunch after that when
the telephone rang a command-flash call (Führungs-Blitz-
Gespräch) from Hitler on the Obersalzberg. Göring recognized
Bodenschatz’s voice first: “The Führer wants to see you!” Since
Göring had just spent two hours alone with Hitler in Munich
on Friday, he involuntarily groaned. Hitler’s gruff voice re-
placed the general’s: “Göring! You are to come down here. At
once!”
Panic replaced puzzlement. Göring fled to his special train,