Era of Egotism and Incompetence

The Era of Egotism and Incompetence was a term used by historian Richard Overy to describe a time in Nazi Germany from approximately 1939 to 1941. Albert Speer lamented failure of the Germans to integrate and exploit the economies of occupied Europe while they had time before the USSR and USA entered the war.

It was described in a book about Hermann Goring. During this time, Goring was #2 leader in Germany, head of the Luftwaffe, and particularly useful to the Allies due to his astoundingly poor leadership. He squandered German air superiority and contributed to fiascos like Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, and Stalingrad.