Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 21-Nemesis:Germany(February-May 1945)' (Apr. 23, 1945, at 33:05)

(Monday, April 23, 1945, afternoon CEST; during the Battle of Berlin on the Eastern Front during World War II) — German Field Marshal and head of the Luftwaffe Hermann Göring sent a telegram to Adolf Hitler today asking for permission to take over the leadership of the Reich in accordance with Hitler’s 1941 decree naming Göring his successor.

Fearing that Göring was threatening a coup, Hitler informed Göring that he would be executed unless he resigned all of his posts. Later that day, Hitler sacked Göring from all of his offices and ordered his arrest.