Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht) - Revision history

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "\[\[[a-z][a-z]\:(.*)\]\]" to ""

2024-02-29T04:58:43Z

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	~~[[de:Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht)]]~~
	~~[[sv:Luftwaffe]]~~

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "Category:words" to "Category:Definitions"

2024-02-19T01:04:08Z

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𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "Category:World War II" to "Category:WWAC"

2024-02-19T00:37:29Z

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	[[Category:~~World War II~~ flying aces]]		[[Category:WWAC flying aces]]
	[[Category:words]]		[[Category:words]]

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "Nationalist" to "Fascist"

2024-02-15T20:42:58Z

Text replacement - "Nationalist" to "Fascist"

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:42, 15 February 2024
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	Hermann Göring personally chose an insignia for the Luftwaffe that differed from that of the other armed branches. The eagle (''Reichsadler''), an old symbol of the German Empire back to the [[Holy Roman Empire]], was used, but in a different posture. Since 1933, when Hitler's National Socialist Party came to power, the eagle held between his claws the symbol of the party—the [[swastika]] (an old symbol of sunrise)—which usually was enveloped by an oak wreath. Göring rejected the old heraldic eagle because he felt it was too stylized, too static, and too massive; instead he chose a younger, more natural and lighter eagle with wings spread as if in flight, as he considered this a more suitable symbol for an air force. While the Wehrmacht eagle held the symbol of the National Socialist Party firmly in its claws, the Luftwaffe eagle held the swastika with only one claw while the other was bent in a threatening gesture.		Hermann Göring personally chose an insignia for the Luftwaffe that differed from that of the other armed branches. The eagle (''Reichsadler''), an old symbol of the German Empire back to the [[Holy Roman Empire]], was used, but in a different posture. Since 1933, when Hitler's National Socialist Party came to power, the eagle held between his claws the symbol of the party—the [[swastika]] (an old symbol of sunrise)—which usually was enveloped by an oak wreath. Göring rejected the old heraldic eagle because he felt it was too stylized, too static, and too massive; instead he chose a younger, more natural and lighter eagle with wings spread as if in flight, as he considered this a more suitable symbol for an air force. While the Wehrmacht eagle held the symbol of the National Socialist Party firmly in its claws, the Luftwaffe eagle held the swastika with only one claw while the other was bent in a threatening gesture.

	The Luftwaffe had the ideal opportunity to test its pilots, aircraft and tactics in the [[Spanish Civil War]] of 1936–1939, when the [[Condor Legion]] was sent to [[Spain]] in support of the anti-Republican government revolt led by [[Francisco Franco]]. Modern machines included names which would become world famous: the [[Junkers Ju 87]] Stuka dive-bomber and the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] fighter plane. However, since the aircraft were seconded to Franco's ~~Nationalist~~ air force, Luftwaffe markings were replaced to avoid giving the world the impression that Germany was actively supporting the revolt. Instead of the National Socialist Party's [[swastika]] on the tail, the German planes used the fascist air force aircraft markings (a Saint Andrew's cross over a white background, painted on the rudder of the aircraft and a black disc on fuselage and wings). All aircraft in the Legion were affiliated to units given a designation ending in the number 88. For example, bombers were in Kampfgruppe (combat group) 88, abbreviated K/88; and fighters, in Jagdgruppe (fighter group) 88, J/88.		The Luftwaffe had the ideal opportunity to test its pilots, aircraft and tactics in the [[Spanish Civil War]] of 1936–1939, when the [[Condor Legion]] was sent to [[Spain]] in support of the anti-Republican government revolt led by [[Francisco Franco]]. Modern machines included names which would become world famous: the [[Junkers Ju 87]] Stuka dive-bomber and the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] fighter plane. However, since the aircraft were seconded to Franco's Fascist air force, Luftwaffe markings were replaced to avoid giving the world the impression that Germany was actively supporting the revolt. Instead of the National Socialist Party's [[swastika]] on the tail, the German planes used the fascist air force aircraft markings (a Saint Andrew's cross over a white background, painted on the rudder of the aircraft and a black disc on fuselage and wings). All aircraft in the Legion were affiliated to units given a designation ending in the number 88. For example, bombers were in Kampfgruppe (combat group) 88, abbreviated K/88; and fighters, in Jagdgruppe (fighter group) 88, J/88.

	====Training and education====		====Training and education====

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "nationalist" to "fascist"

2024-02-15T20:35:47Z

Text replacement - "nationalist" to "fascist"

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:35, 15 February 2024
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	Hermann Göring personally chose an insignia for the Luftwaffe that differed from that of the other armed branches. The eagle (''Reichsadler''), an old symbol of the German Empire back to the [[Holy Roman Empire]], was used, but in a different posture. Since 1933, when Hitler's National Socialist Party came to power, the eagle held between his claws the symbol of the party—the [[swastika]] (an old symbol of sunrise)—which usually was enveloped by an oak wreath. Göring rejected the old heraldic eagle because he felt it was too stylized, too static, and too massive; instead he chose a younger, more natural and lighter eagle with wings spread as if in flight, as he considered this a more suitable symbol for an air force. While the Wehrmacht eagle held the symbol of the National Socialist Party firmly in its claws, the Luftwaffe eagle held the swastika with only one claw while the other was bent in a threatening gesture.		Hermann Göring personally chose an insignia for the Luftwaffe that differed from that of the other armed branches. The eagle (''Reichsadler''), an old symbol of the German Empire back to the [[Holy Roman Empire]], was used, but in a different posture. Since 1933, when Hitler's National Socialist Party came to power, the eagle held between his claws the symbol of the party—the [[swastika]] (an old symbol of sunrise)—which usually was enveloped by an oak wreath. Göring rejected the old heraldic eagle because he felt it was too stylized, too static, and too massive; instead he chose a younger, more natural and lighter eagle with wings spread as if in flight, as he considered this a more suitable symbol for an air force. While the Wehrmacht eagle held the symbol of the National Socialist Party firmly in its claws, the Luftwaffe eagle held the swastika with only one claw while the other was bent in a threatening gesture.

	The Luftwaffe had the ideal opportunity to test its pilots, aircraft and tactics in the [[Spanish Civil War]] of 1936–1939, when the [[Condor Legion]] was sent to [[Spain]] in support of the anti-Republican government revolt led by [[Francisco Franco]]. Modern machines included names which would become world famous: the [[Junkers Ju 87]] Stuka dive-bomber and the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] fighter plane. However, since the aircraft were seconded to Franco's Nationalist air force, Luftwaffe markings were replaced to avoid giving the world the impression that Germany was actively supporting the revolt. Instead of the National Socialist Party's [[swastika]] on the tail, the German planes used the ~~nationalist~~ air force aircraft markings (a Saint Andrew's cross over a white background, painted on the rudder of the aircraft and a black disc on fuselage and wings). All aircraft in the Legion were affiliated to units given a designation ending in the number 88. For example, bombers were in Kampfgruppe (combat group) 88, abbreviated K/88; and fighters, in Jagdgruppe (fighter group) 88, J/88.		The Luftwaffe had the ideal opportunity to test its pilots, aircraft and tactics in the [[Spanish Civil War]] of 1936–1939, when the [[Condor Legion]] was sent to [[Spain]] in support of the anti-Republican government revolt led by [[Francisco Franco]]. Modern machines included names which would become world famous: the [[Junkers Ju 87]] Stuka dive-bomber and the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] fighter plane. However, since the aircraft were seconded to Franco's Nationalist air force, Luftwaffe markings were replaced to avoid giving the world the impression that Germany was actively supporting the revolt. Instead of the National Socialist Party's [[swastika]] on the tail, the German planes used the fascist air force aircraft markings (a Saint Andrew's cross over a white background, painted on the rudder of the aircraft and a black disc on fuselage and wings). All aircraft in the Legion were affiliated to units given a designation ending in the number 88. For example, bombers were in Kampfgruppe (combat group) 88, abbreviated K/88; and fighters, in Jagdgruppe (fighter group) 88, J/88.

	====Training and education====		====Training and education====

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "\[\[Cat(.)Military(.)\]\]" to ""

2024-02-13T09:09:20Z

Text replacement - "\[\[Cat(.*)Military(.*)\]\]" to ""

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:09, 13 February 2024
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	~~[[Category:Military awards and decorations of World War II]]~~

	[[de:Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht)]]		[[de:Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht)]]
	[[sv:Luftwaffe]]		[[sv:Luftwaffe]]

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "\[\[Category(.)German(.)\]\]" to ""

2024-02-12T08:30:36Z

Text replacement - "\[\[Category(.*)German(.*)\]\]" to ""

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:30, 11 February 2024
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	~~[[Category:National Socialist Germany]]~~
	[[Category:Wehrmacht]]		[[Category:Wehrmacht]]
	[[Category:Luftwaffe\| ]]		[[Category:Luftwaffe\| ]]
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	~~[[Category:Military orders, decorations, and medals of National Socialist Germany]]~~
	[[Category:Military awards and decorations of World War II]]		[[Category:Military awards and decorations of World War II]]

	[[de:Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht)]]		[[de:Luftwaffe (Wehrmacht)]]
	[[sv:Luftwaffe]]		[[sv:Luftwaffe]]

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "Category:German " to "Category:"

2024-02-08T07:20:37Z

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	[[Category:Wehrmacht]]		[[Category:Wehrmacht]]
	[[Category:Luftwaffe\| ]]		[[Category:Luftwaffe\| ]]
	[[Category:~~German~~ aircraft]]		[[Category:aircraft]]
	[[Category:~~German~~ World War II flying aces]]		[[Category:World War II flying aces]]
	[[Category:~~German~~ words]]		[[Category:words]]
	[[Category:Military orders, decorations, and medals of National Socialist Germany]]		[[Category:Military orders, decorations, and medals of National Socialist Germany]]
	[[Category:Military awards and decorations of World War II]]		[[Category:Military awards and decorations of World War II]]

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "{{reflist}}" to "{{reflist|2}}"

2024-02-07T06:21:37Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 21:21, 6 February 2024
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	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist\|2}}

	[[Category:National Socialist Germany]]		[[Category:National Socialist Germany]]

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹: Text replacement - "File:(.*).jpg" to "File:$1.png"

2024-02-04T09:41:44Z

Text replacement - "File:(.*).jpg" to "File:$1.png"

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:41, 4 February 2024
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	[[File:Luftwaffe eagle.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Luftwaffe eagle]]		[[File:Luftwaffe eagle.png\|thumb\|300px\|Luftwaffe eagle]]
	[[File:L.BAU Luftwaffe Construction Workers Badge.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Luftwaffe Construction Workers Badge (''Luftwaffen-Baubataillon'')]]		[[File:L.BAU Luftwaffe Construction Workers Badge.png\|thumb\|300px\|Luftwaffe Construction Workers Badge (''Luftwaffen-Baubataillon'')]]
	The '''Luftwaffe''' was the air force or air weapon of the [[German Wehrmacht]] from the 1 March 1935 until the end of [[World War Two]]. It must not be confused with the [[Luftwaffe]] of the [[Bundeswehr]] as of 1955.		The '''Luftwaffe''' was the air force or air weapon of the [[German Wehrmacht]] from the 1 March 1935 until the end of [[World War Two]]. It must not be confused with the [[Luftwaffe]] of the [[Bundeswehr]] as of 1955.

	==Overview==		==Overview==
	[[File:Balkenkreuz, insignia for aircraft of the Luftwaffe.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|[[Balkenkreuz]], insignia for aircraft of the Luftwaffe (fuselage and wing undersurfaces)]]		[[File:Balkenkreuz, insignia for aircraft of the Luftwaffe.png\|thumb\|300px\|[[Balkenkreuz]], insignia for aircraft of the Luftwaffe (fuselage and wing undersurfaces)]]
	[[File:Combined Pilot-Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Combined Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds]]		[[File:Combined Pilot-Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds.png\|thumb\|300px\|Combined Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds]]
	[[File:Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C Condor.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Focke-Wulf Fw 200 „Condor“ (Luftwaffe version)]]		[[File:Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C Condor.png\|thumb\|300px\|Focke-Wulf Fw 200 „Condor“ (Luftwaffe version)]]
	[[File:Stahlhem M38 für Fallschirmjäger.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|[[Stahlhelm]] M38 for [[Fallschirmjäger]] with the eagle of the Luftwaffe which differed from the eagle of the army.]]		[[File:Stahlhem M38 für Fallschirmjäger.png\|thumb\|300px\|[[Stahlhelm]] M38 for [[Fallschirmjäger]] with the eagle of the Luftwaffe which differed from the eagle of the army.]]
	It was tasked with the air defense of Germany and the fulfillment of the country’s airpower commitments abroad. In the last year of the war it mainly was dedicated to the ''Reichsluftverteidigung'', the defense of German air space against enemy intruders, predominantly from the [[Royal Air Force\|RAF]] and the [[USAAF]], with fighter planes by day such as night and anti-aircraft guns, but was also dedicated to the ''Reichsverteidigung'', as ground-attack aircraft against the invasion of the [[Red Army]] from the east leading up to the [[Battle of Berlin]].		It was tasked with the air defense of Germany and the fulfillment of the country’s airpower commitments abroad. In the last year of the war it mainly was dedicated to the ''Reichsluftverteidigung'', the defense of German air space against enemy intruders, predominantly from the [[Royal Air Force\|RAF]] and the [[USAAF]], with fighter planes by day such as night and anti-aircraft guns, but was also dedicated to the ''Reichsverteidigung'', as ground-attack aircraft against the invasion of the [[Red Army]] from the east leading up to the [[Battle of Berlin]].

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	==History==		==History==
	[[File:JG 52, Feindflug.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Combat mission ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Feindflug_(Luftwaffe)#Luftkampf ''Feindflug'']) of a typical fighting finger formation of four aircraft (''Vierfinger-Schwarm'' or [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Rottenflug ''doppelter Rottenflug''])]]		[[File:JG 52, Feindflug.png\|thumb\|300px\|Combat mission ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Feindflug_(Luftwaffe)#Luftkampf ''Feindflug'']) of a typical fighting finger formation of four aircraft (''Vierfinger-Schwarm'' or [https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Rottenflug ''doppelter Rottenflug''])]]
	[[File:Unternehmen Rösselsprung.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Luftwaffe assisting the [[Kriegsmarine]] during the Operation Rösselsprung (1942)]]		[[File:Unternehmen Rösselsprung.png\|thumb\|300px\|Luftwaffe assisting the [[Kriegsmarine]] during the Operation Rösselsprung (1942)]]
	[[File:Junkers Ju 88 A-4 von der 4. Staffel, II. Gruppe des KG 54 in Italien (1943).~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|[[Junkers Ju 88]] A-4 from the 4. Staffel/II. Gruppe/KG 54 in Italy ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Luftangriff_auf_den_Hafen_von_Bari_1943 air raid on the port of Bari in 1943])]]		[[File:Junkers Ju 88 A-4 von der 4. Staffel, II. Gruppe des KG 54 in Italien (1943).png\|thumb\|300px\|[[Junkers Ju 88]] A-4 from the 4. Staffel/II. Gruppe/KG 54 in Italy ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Luftangriff_auf_den_Hafen_von_Bari_1943 air raid on the port of Bari in 1943])]]
	[[File:Luftwaffe Honor Dagger.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Luftwaffe Honor Dagger for recipients of the [[Knight's Cross]] with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, the first five all being [[flying aces]] of the Luftwaffe: [[Werner Mölders]], [[Adolf Galland]], [[Gordon M. Gollob]], [[Hans-Joachim Marseille]], and [[Hermann Graf]].]]		[[File:Luftwaffe Honor Dagger.png\|thumb\|300px\|Luftwaffe Honor Dagger for recipients of the [[Knight's Cross]] with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, the first five all being [[flying aces]] of the Luftwaffe: [[Werner Mölders]], [[Adolf Galland]], [[Gordon M. Gollob]], [[Hans-Joachim Marseille]], and [[Hermann Graf]].]]
	[[File:Erich Hartmann.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|[[Erich Alfred Hartmann]] (1922–1993) was the most successful [[fighter ace]] in the history of aerial warfare. He flew 1,404 combat missions and participated in aerial combat on 825 separate occasions. He was credited with shooting down a total of 352 Allied aircraft: 345 Soviet and seven American ([[USAAF]]) while serving with the Luftwaffe. During the course of his career, Hartmann was forced to crash-land his fighter 16 times due either to mechanical failure or damage received from parts of enemy aircraft he had shot down; he was never shot down from direct enemy action. He would later serve as a Oberst (Colonel) in the Luftwaffe of the new [[Bundeswehr]].]]		[[File:Erich Hartmann.png\|thumb\|300px\|[[Erich Alfred Hartmann]] (1922–1993) was the most successful [[fighter ace]] in the history of aerial warfare. He flew 1,404 combat missions and participated in aerial combat on 825 separate occasions. He was credited with shooting down a total of 352 Allied aircraft: 345 Soviet and seven American ([[USAAF]]) while serving with the Luftwaffe. During the course of his career, Hartmann was forced to crash-land his fighter 16 times due either to mechanical failure or damage received from parts of enemy aircraft he had shot down; he was never shot down from direct enemy action. He would later serve as a Oberst (Colonel) in the Luftwaffe of the new [[Bundeswehr]].]]
	[[File:Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe, symbols.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe (symbols)]]		[[File:Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe, symbols.png\|thumb\|300px\|Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe (symbols)]]
	===[[World War I]]===		===[[World War I]]===
	{{main\|Luftstreitkräfte}}		{{main\|Luftstreitkräfte}}
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	===Interwar period===		===Interwar period===
	[[File:German Junkers Ju 87 “Stuka” dive-bomber.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|German Junkers Ju 87 “Stuka” dive-bomber]]		[[File:German Junkers Ju 87 “Stuka” dive-bomber.png\|thumb\|300px\|German Junkers Ju 87 “Stuka” dive-bomber]]
	====Lipetsk fighter-pilot school====		====Lipetsk fighter-pilot school====

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	===[[World War II]]===		===[[World War II]]===
	[[File:German Luftwaffe against Bombers of the USAAF.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|German Luftwaffe [[Bombing of Germany during World War II\|against bombers]] of the [[USAAF]]]]		[[File:German Luftwaffe against Bombers of the USAAF.png\|thumb\|300px\|German Luftwaffe [[Bombing of Germany during World War II\|against bombers]] of the [[USAAF]]]]
	[[File:Deutsche Nachtjäger bei der Reichsluftverteidigung (Night fighter).~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|[[Night fighter]]]]		[[File:Deutsche Nachtjäger bei der Reichsluftverteidigung (Night fighter).png\|thumb\|300px\|[[Night fighter]]]]
	[[File:Me 262 der Luftwaffe bei der Reichsluftverteidigung gegen B-24-Terrorflieger.~~jpg~~\|thumb\|300px\|Me 262 during the ''Reichsluftverteidigung'' (RLV), the defensive aerial campaign of the Luftwaffe 1945.]]		[[File:Me 262 der Luftwaffe bei der Reichsluftverteidigung gegen B-24-Terrorflieger.png\|thumb\|300px\|Me 262 during the ''Reichsluftverteidigung'' (RLV), the defensive aerial campaign of the Luftwaffe 1945.]]
	At the outset of the war, the Luftwaffe was one of the most modern, powerful, and experienced air forces in the world, dominating the skies over Europe with aircraft much more advanced than their counterparts. The Luftwaffe was central to the German ''[[Blitzkrieg]]'' (lightning war) doctrine, as the close air support provided by various medium two-engine bombers, [[Stuka]] dive bombers and an overwhelming force of tactical fighters were key to several early successes. Unlike the British and American Air Forces, the Luftwaffe never developed four-engine bombers in any significant numbers, and was thus unable to conduct an effective long-range strategic bombing campaign against either the Russians or the Western Allies.		At the outset of the war, the Luftwaffe was one of the most modern, powerful, and experienced air forces in the world, dominating the skies over Europe with aircraft much more advanced than their counterparts. The Luftwaffe was central to the German ''[[Blitzkrieg]]'' (lightning war) doctrine, as the close air support provided by various medium two-engine bombers, [[Stuka]] dive bombers and an overwhelming force of tactical fighters were key to several early successes. Unlike the British and American Air Forces, the Luftwaffe never developed four-engine bombers in any significant numbers, and was thus unable to conduct an effective long-range strategic bombing campaign against either the Russians or the Western Allies.