Luftwaffe

German air force used both in World War I and (as reorganized by the Nazi leader Hermann Goering in 1933) in World War II. The Luftwaffe also covered anti-aircraft defence and the launching of the flying bombs V1 and V2.

Germany was not supposed to have an air force under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles 1918, so the Luftwaffe was covertly trained and organized using Lufthansa, the national airline, as a cover; its existence was officially announced 1 April 1935. It was an entirely tactical force under the command of Hermann Goering but headed by Field Marshal Milch from 1936, subordinated to the General Staff as a direct support arm for the army, and was one of the vital components of the Blitzkrieg tactics. Although some officers advocated strategic long-range bombing, they were ignored, and except for maritime reconnaissance, the Luftwaffe never operated any long-range aircraft. The Luftwaffe was also responsible for Germany's anti-aircraft defences, operating both guns and aircraft.