If you read between the lines in my book "Graf & Grislawski", you will see that although I mention the two different versions, my own conclusion is that probably both Graf and Steinhoff took part in the confrontation with Göring in January 1945. At the end, I write: "Göring's most sinister threats never were realized. The most severe repercussions were brought down on Lützow, who was banned from German soil and sent to Italy to assume command of the German fighter units in the area. Oberst Rödel remained in command of 2. Jagddivision, and Oberst Steinhoff had been removed from his command of JG 7 previously in December 1944. The fact that Hermann Graf was allowed to return to JG 52. . ."
I don't see any objective circumstance which supports the conclusion that Graf was only a passive attendee. At least Graf himself describes the list of demands which was presented to Göring as "our proposals".
This is how Gollob commented on Steinhoff's description of the famous meeting with Göring:
"One finds that accurate statements are missing, detailed information is sometimes not correct. Anyone expecting objectivity/impartiality will be disappointed," Gollob writes on Steinhoff's description.
Continuing his review of Steinhoff's book ("Verschwörung der Jagdflieger"), Gollob wrote:
"One notices that many of the 'players' are referred to by their initials and not their full names. Why such secrecy? Often it is unclear who said what . . . We find for instance, Major Br. (page 82) and the Hptm. from the General der Jagdflieger's staff who 'arranged' Steinhoff's trip to northern Italy to see Lützow where he was held up by military police on orders of General Ritter von 'P'. Shall we insert the proper names? Brustellin, Kath and Ritter von Pohl. Or does Oblt 'B' (p. 52/54) and Obstlt B. have a similar personality to that of Bühlingen? Corrections would be welcome as much as any additions. The method of spreading allegations without providing any proof is inexcuseable."
Jochen Prien is another one who questions the accuracy of some statements in Steinhoff's book "Verschwörung der Jagdflieger". See p. 138 in Prien's et al excellent "Jagdfliegerverbände" 9/I. Although Prien touches another subject in the same book by Steinhoff, it forms a questioning of the reliability of Steinhoff's book as a source.
As for myself, I rest my case. I was in personal contact with Steinhoff for many years and received much valuable information from him - information which I later have been able to find confirmation for in original documents etc. However, Steinhoff diplomatically avoided to identify the people mentioned by single characters (letters) in "Verschwörung der Jagdflieger".
For different reasons, these three men - Graf, Steinhoff and Gollob - are quite controversial persons in the society of WW II Luftwaffe fighter pilots.
To SES:
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It is noteworthy that Lützow, Trautloft, Neumann, Rödel and Steinhoff all are "relieved" of their present positions, but Graff continues as Kdore JG 52
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The assertion that Steinhoff and Rödel were removed from their posts because of their participation in the so-called "mutiny" in January 1945 is wrong, as you can see above and in my previous post. Steinhoff was removed from his post as JG 7's commander in December 1944, and due to other reasons. Rödel remained in command of 2. Jagddivision, just as Graf remained in command of JG 52. The reason why precisely Graf remained in command of JG 52 is discussed in my book "Graf & Grislawski"; I find it quite understandable in view of circumstances. By the time the meeting with Göring was held, the Soviet winter offensive caused the German lines to collapse, and the Red Army was streaming into Germany. To remove such a popular commander and hero as Graf from his command of a key Eastern Front unit like JG 52 - and precisely in that moment - probably would have been psychologically unwise ( to say the least). You have to understand that by that time, Graf was a "super hero" to the German airmen and soldiers, way above Steinhoff, Neumann, Trautloft and Lützow. Such a cult figure can't just be dismissed - particularly not exactly in the very days when the Third Reich is flung into its deepest crisis ever.