- Jaegerblatt Vol. XL (2), p.17 (1991)

In the first half of 1944 Major von Kornatzki proposed ramming tactics against American heavy bombers to me in my capacity as General der Jagdflieger. At that time I was able to convince him that ramming was unnecessary, because fighters that were able to approach very near the bombers were absolutely certain to shoot them down, and then had a chance for their own survival. Subsequently the very successful "Sturmjaeger tactics and technique" evolved from this original ramming idea. It is thus partially correct to call von Kornatzki the "spiritual father" of the Sturmjaeger (not the Rammjaeger).

In the second half of 1944 Oberst Hajo Herrmann raised the issue of ramming tactics with me once more. To my question as to the role he would assign himself on such a ramming mission, he said that he had ruled out a personal role as leader of the ramming unit in the air.

I opposed the ramming, or "self-sacrifice" mission, using the same arguments I had used with von Kornatzki, but I was duty bound to inform Goering, who shared my attitude. Shortly thereafter Goering confirmed that Hitler also opposed self-sacrifice missions for the German military. For the rest of my period of service as General der Jagdflieger, talk of ramming, or self-sacrifice missions, was banished from the table. The Sturmjaeger, however, continued to carry out successfully their costly, difficult duty.

I agree... that it is our duty to answer these questions... as to the true course of events, re-evaluating the evidence from today's point of view.