What does Luftwaffe stand for?
The Luftwaffe ( German pronunciation: [ˈlʊftvafə] ( listen)) was the aerial-warfare branch of the German Wehrmacht before and during World War II.
Why was the Luftwaffe so powerful in WW2?
World War II. When World War II began, the Luftwaffe was one of the most technologically advanced air forces in the world. During the Polish Campaign that triggered the war, it quickly established air superiority, and then air supremacy.
How was the Luftwaffe formed?
The first steps towards the Luftwaffe ‘ s formation were undertaken just months after Adolf Hitler came to power. Hermann Göring, a World War I ace, became National Kommissar for aviation with former Luft Hansa director Erhard Milch as his deputy. In April 1933 the Reich Aviation Ministry ( Reichsluftfahrtministerium or RLM) was established.
Who was in charge of the Luftwaffe during WW2?
The Luftwaffe had only two commanders-in-chief throughout its history: Hermann Göring and later Generalfeldmarschall Robert Ritter von Greim for the last two weeks of the war. The Luftwaffe was deeply involved in Nazi war crimes.
What role did the Luftwaffe play in the Holocaust?
The Luftwaffe’s demand for labor was one of the factors that led to the deportation and murder of hundreds of thousands of Hungarian Jews in 1944. The Oberkommando der Luftwaffe organized Nazi human experimentation, and Luftwaffe ground troops committed massacres in Italy, Greece, and Poland.
How strong was the Luftwaffe?
The Luftwaffe ‘ s strength at this time stood at 373,000 personnel (208,000 flying troops, 107,000 in the Flak Corps and 58,000 in the Signals Corps). Aircraft strength was 4,201 operational aircraft: 1,191 bombers, 361 dive bombers, 788 fighters, 431 heavy fighters, and 488 transports. Despite deficiencies, it was an impressive force.