Difference between revisions of "Luftwaffe"
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| − | '''Luftwaffe''' is | + | '''Luftwaffe''' is [[German]] for air force (the Geman words ''Luft - air'' and ''Waffe - weapon''). The modern '''Deutsche Luftwaffe''' is one of the three branches of the '''Bundeswehr''', the German Federal Defense Force. The Luftwaffe is mainly equipped with US made or designed aircraft. In 2004 the German defense minister announced a planned reduction in the number of fighter aircraft and the future purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon. |
==Beginnings== | ==Beginnings== | ||
| − | + | The German Air Force began as the '''Luftstreitkräfte''' (Air Force) of the Imperial German Army in 1912. During [[World_War_I|World War One]] the German Air Force was greatly increased in size and capacity. A famous fighter ace of this period was Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron. | |
| − | == | + | ==Inter-war years== |
| − | The [[Treaty of | + | The [[Treaty of Versailles]] caused the total dismantling of the German Air Force. To maneuver around this the German authorities used [[Lufthansa]] (the civil airline) to train pilots and ground crews. It was not until the advent of the Nazi regime that an air force (Luftwaffe) was created. |
| + | |||
| + | ==Luftwaffe in World War II== | ||
| + | [[Image:LuftwaffeBadge.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Luftwaffe Nazi insignia]] | ||
| + | Early in the war the Luftwaffe played a very successful role in the destruction of enemy targets. As part of the German tactic of '''Blitzkrieg''' the Luftwaffe was most effective. | ||
| + | |||
| + | During the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe lost about 1,000 planes and about 2,000 men. Because of its superior man power and size the Luftwaffe was set back but not knocked down by the smaller RAF. | ||
| + | |||
| + | After the Battle of Britain the Luftwaffe saw a steady decline. Despite the creation of technologically advanced jet fighters such as the [[Me-262]], at war's end the Luftwaffe had ceased to be an effective fighting force. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Image:Luftwaffe-logo-large.jpg|thumb|200px|left]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Image:luftwaffebombing.jpg]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Post war re-creation== | ||
| + | It was not until 1955 that the Luftwaffe was recreated in West Germany. Former members of the WW2 era Luftwaffe were brought together to plan the formation of a new air force. The creation of a post war Luftwaffe was the result of the heightened tensions of the [[Cold War]]. The [[German Democratic Republic|East German]] authorities created the '''Luftstreitkräfte''' of the NVA (National People's Army) during the same period. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[category:Germany]] | ||
| + | [[category:World War II]] | ||
| + | [[category:weaponry]] | ||
Revision as of 17:59, March 24, 2008
Luftwaffe is German for air force (the Geman words Luft - air and Waffe - weapon). The modern Deutsche Luftwaffe is one of the three branches of the Bundeswehr, the German Federal Defense Force. The Luftwaffe is mainly equipped with US made or designed aircraft. In 2004 the German defense minister announced a planned reduction in the number of fighter aircraft and the future purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Beginnings
The German Air Force began as the Luftstreitkräfte (Air Force) of the Imperial German Army in 1912. During World War One the German Air Force was greatly increased in size and capacity. A famous fighter ace of this period was Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron.
Inter-war years
The Treaty of Versailles caused the total dismantling of the German Air Force. To maneuver around this the German authorities used Lufthansa (the civil airline) to train pilots and ground crews. It was not until the advent of the Nazi regime that an air force (Luftwaffe) was created.
Luftwaffe in World War II
Early in the war the Luftwaffe played a very successful role in the destruction of enemy targets. As part of the German tactic of Blitzkrieg the Luftwaffe was most effective.
During the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe lost about 1,000 planes and about 2,000 men. Because of its superior man power and size the Luftwaffe was set back but not knocked down by the smaller RAF.
After the Battle of Britain the Luftwaffe saw a steady decline. Despite the creation of technologically advanced jet fighters such as the Me-262, at war's end the Luftwaffe had ceased to be an effective fighting force.
Post war re-creation
It was not until 1955 that the Luftwaffe was recreated in West Germany. Former members of the WW2 era Luftwaffe were brought together to plan the formation of a new air force. The creation of a post war Luftwaffe was the result of the heightened tensions of the Cold War. The East German authorities created the Luftstreitkräfte of the NVA (National People's Army) during the same period.