Bruno Loerzer, an army officer who learned to fly in 1914, was an early partner of Hermann Goering who flew as Loerzer's observer until mid-1915. Transferring to fighters, Loerzer flew with two Jagdstaffeln in 1916 before joining "Jasta" 26 in January 1917. By then he had scored two victories over French aircraft. His tally reached 20 at the end of October and he received the Pour le Merite in February 1918, the same month he became CO of the newly formed Jagdgeschwader III, the third of Germany's famed "flying circuses." His aces included his brother Fritz, who claimed 11 kills.

Leading Jasta 26 and three other squadrons, Loerzer proved a successful wing commander. Equipped with the new BMW-engined Fokker DVII, JG III cut a wide swath through Allied formations in the summer of 1918, and his own score mounted steadily. He achieved his last ten victories in September when he reached his final score of 44. Shortly before the armistice he was promoted to Hauptmann (captain).

Loerzer fought with the Freikorps from 1918-1920, combatting Communist elements in postwar Germany. During the 1930s he was a leader in various civil aviation organizations and commanded a fighter unit when the Luftwaffe was organized. Loerzer benefitted from his long friendship with Goering, becoming a lieutenant general in 1939. Serving in various command and administrate posts, he rose to Generaloberst before World War II ended. Loerzer died in 1960, age 69.

See also: http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/germany/loerzer1.html and
http://www.geocities.com/~orion47/WEHRMACHT/LUFTWA...t/LOERZER_BRUNO.html

References: Norman Franks et al (1993). Above the Lines: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces of the German Air Service, Naval Air Service, and Flanders Marine Corps 1914-1918. Grub Street, London.

-- From Nationmaster.com: http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Bruno-Loerzer

It seems impossible to equate the slim autocratic ace with the ridiculous and loathed Reichsmarshall of World War II; yet Hermann Goring achieved fame as a fighter pilot, and also as final leader of the legendary Richtofen squadron. The young Goring’s early career followed a typical path; being commissioned in an infantry regiment before the outbreak of war. A fellow officer was Bruno Loerzer with whom Goring maintained a friendship that endured over the period of two world wars. They served together during the early battles of the war until Goring was afflicted with arthritis.

“The ailment was serious enough for Goring to be hospitalised; his military career appeared to be finished. At the time Loerzer was learning to fly at nearby Freiburg and saw a possible future for his comrade as an observer. It proved difficult to convince authorities but eventually the unlikely duo joined an operational unit. Goring’s presence was at first unacceptable to his C.O. due to the fact they had an over-supply of observers and a shortage of pilots. Eventually he was allowed to stay and during their tenure at that unit, Loerzer and Goring received praise for their patrol work.

-- From “Hermann Goring: His World War I Career” by Murray McLeod (Feb 2, 2009)
http://ww1history.suite101.com/article.cfm/hermann_goring#ixzz0UWI96qSZ

The forerunner of the Luftwaffe, the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte), was founded in 1910 with the emergence of military aircraft, although they were intended to be used primarily for reconnaissance in support of armies on the ground, just as balloons had been used in the same fashion during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871 and even as far back as the Napoleonic Wars.

See also bio & photo in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Loerzer