On Saturday morning, Hermann Göring traveled from his temporary headquarters at The Hague to Calais on his special train, then continued by motorcade along the French coast with two senior Luftwaffe officers. The chapter emphasizes Göring’s vanity and greed: he traveled in comfort, surrounded by security men, and used these journeys to inspect and seize works of art he wanted.

The group climbed to Cap Blanc-Nez, a high point on the French coast from which they could watch the next phase of the air war. Officers set out tables, chairs, sandwiches, and champagne, carefully making sure Göring’s chair was strong enough. They had gathered there to witness the opening of the Luftwaffe’s attack on London, scheduled for that afternoon.

At about two o’clock continental time, the men heard the first bombers approaching. Göring and the officers scanned the sky as formation after formation came into view: bombers, fighter escorts, and additional Messerschmitt 109s flying higher to engage expected RAF defenders. Adolf Galland and his squadron were assigned to sweep the English coast for British interceptors, showing that the attack was organized as a major, deliberate operation.

Convinced the assault would succeed, Göring turned the moment into a public performance. He told radio correspondents that he had personally taken command of the attack and described it as revenge for recent British raids on Berlin. The scene ends with Göring exultant and theatrical, basking in what he believed would be a historic and victorious blow against London.