| Luftwaffe | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Team Luftwaffe |
| Formation | 1935 |
| Type | Air Force |
| Legal status | Active |
| Purpose/focus | Air Attack and Defense Force |
| Headquarters | Greater German Reich |
| Official languages | German |
| Key people | Robert Ritter von Greim |
| Former name | Luftstreikrafte |
The Luftwaffe is the air force of the Greater German Reich. It has served since 1935 and in the present day patrols all of continental Europe excluding Spain and Portugal.
History[]
World War 1[]
In 1916, the Luftstreikrafte, otherwise known as the Imperial Germany Air Army Service, was formed. The Luftstreikrafte was not the first air force in the world as France and England was before it. The main role of the air force was reconnaisance for ground troops, though other missions took place, such as bombing and attacks. The Luftstreikrafte was flown in a variety of places from the Middle East to the Western Front to Russia. The Luftstreikrafte had one of the greatest flyers of World War 1: Manfred von Richthofen, popularly known as the Red Baron. Max Immelman, another flyer for Germany, one the first ever Pour de Merite, Germany's highest decoration of gallantry, which is why they nicknamed the award the Blue Max. Hermann Göring was another flyer who led Germany's air force in the early days of World War 1. Some aircraft the German air force used was the Zeppelin-Staaken R. VI, a heavy bomber. Zeppelins were used to bomb during the war. Germany and Austro-Hungary used the same insignia, the Iron, until 1918 when they switched to the Balkenkruez, a black Greek cross on white. After Germany's loss and the Treaty of Versailles went into effect the Luftstreikrafte was disbanded.
Interwar Years[]
Because the Treaty of Versailles banned the German Air Force German pilots had to train in secret. Germany got help from the Soviet Union. In 1924, at Lipetsk, Russia and it trained pilots in secret for 9 years. Pilots there mostly used Dutch and Russian planes but Germany planes were used as well. The base was known as the 4th Squadron of the 40th Airwing of the Red Army. On February 26, 1935 Germany, who was now ruled by Adolf Hitler, was created even though it violated Versailles. Hermann Göring was placed in command. Even though it was not allowed by Britain, France, or even the League of Nations nobody opposed the creation. The symbol of the newly created Luftwaffe was an eagle with its claws wrapped around the Swastika which was enveloped by an oak wreath. The Luftwaffe then incorporated all military units of Germany that had anything to do with the air force. The Luftwaffe tested weapons, pilots, and planes during the Spanish Civil War, where Condor Legion was sent to aid the Nationalists under Francisco Franco. Some planes used were the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka Dive Bombers, the Dornier Do 17 Fast Bomber, and the Messerschmidt Bf 109 Fighter. When German planes under Nationalist command bombed the city of Guernica in 1937, a grim foretaste happened as most of the city was destroyed. This paved the way for strategic bombing in World War 2 and later wars.
World War 2[]
When World War 2 began the Luftwaffe was one of the most powerful air forces in the world. As Germany's armies rolled through Europe the Luftwaffe played a critical part because the Luftwaffe was central to the Blitzkrieg. The Stuka dive bombers and fighter planes played the role of close air support in the Blitzkrieg. The Luftwaffe dominated Europe but suffered defeats at Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, air battles with Switzerland, and the airlift at Stalingrad. The Messerschmidt Bf 109 was the most produce plane by the Germans in World War 2. After losing Stalingrad many historians believe the Luftwaffe would decline until if was outright gone if Hermann Göring hadn't been assassinated. In 1942 after Hermann Göring was assassinated Robert Ritter von Greim was placed in command of the Luftwaffe. Greim first ordered the kidnapping of Swiss pilots who defeated them in air battles before. The operation went into effect and SS and Swiss pilots were withdrawn from Switzerland. With the introduction of new techniques the Luftwaffe won a string of victories against the Allies which ended their bombing campaign. Soon the Luftwaffe began bombing Britain again. More planes were produced the planes technology advanced quickly. Thus rose the legend of the Foo Fighter, which appeared a number of times over Britain. Only the German Government knows the truth about the Foo Fighters. The Messerschmidt Me 163 Komet rocket powered fighter was inefective at first but years of development improved its design greatly and became the starting point of the Luftwaffe Rocket-Powered Fighter program. The Messerschmidt Me 163 C became one of the most produced fighters of the time as it was improved greatly. By the end of the war the Luftwaffe flew over Britain, continental Europe, Russia, Sicily, and North Africa and was one of the most powerful in the world.
German-EUSSR War[]
During the German-EUSSR War new designs were tried by the Luftwaffe, which included the Messerschmidt Me 193 C, Junkers Ju 338 K, and the Dornier Do 17 Z-3. The Germans' considerable success using their Blitzkriegs against the Soviets. However, the Germans soon became overstretched and the Luftwaffe suffered huge defeats at the Battle of Omsk. The Luftwaffe was damaged and it took some time before all its planes could be replaced. After German forces retreated to the Urals the Luftwaffe was repaired and began Operation Hailstorm, the bombing of the EUSSR. For a period of about a year German planes bombed several cities in the EUSSR. In one of the most famous bombings the Germans destroyed the entire city of Omsk with bombings. The EUSSR was suffering greatly as most of its factories were destroyed. The British and Americans wanted the Russians to win, and sent supplies to the country. The British and Americans used the war to their advantage to as they tested weapons against the Germans. The Germans soon realised they were fighting Western aircraft and complained to the Western Powers. In order to not bring war the Western Powers marked their planes with EUSSR markings, the Star roundel. Germany and the EUSSR signed a peace treaty ended the war.
New Planes[]
After the German-EUSSR War the Germans continued to test new technologies. In 1951 Germany got a nuclear chain reaction, making Germany a nuclear power. Germany needed planes to carry the atomic bombs and had several new craft created. One of the most well-known new technologies was the Riesig Luftschiff, or the Super Zeppelin. The Super Zeppelin was the most advanced aircraft in the world as it held a hangar for several German aircraft and could hold an atomic bomb. The Zeppelin as a result was the biggest aircraft flown at the time. Hitler had 2 more produced. As Zeppelins were slow Germany needed planes that could carry tomic bombs. The new Dornier Do 17 Z-4, which was made just for carrying atomic bombs, was produced and carried the infamous atomic bomb that destroyed Moscow.