Luftwaffe

Definition

The Luftwaffe was the aerial warfare branch of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. It was responsible for the air defense of the Third Reich and the provision of air support to the German ground and naval forces.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Luftwaffe was established in 1935 as part of the re-militarization of Germany, and it quickly became one of the most advanced and powerful air forces in the world.
2. The Luftwaffe played a crucial role in the early German victories, providing air support and bombing campaigns that helped the German ground forces achieve rapid success in Poland, France, and the Low Countries.
3. The Luftwaffe's failure to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain in 1940 was a significant setback for the Germans and prevented a planned invasion of Britain.
4. The Luftwaffe's strategic bombing campaign against the Soviet Union, known as Operation Barbarossa, was a key component of the German invasion, but it ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.
5. The Luftwaffe's power and effectiveness declined as the war progressed, due to a lack of resources, the growing strength of the Allied air forces, and the increasing sophistication of Allied air defenses.

Review Questions

• Describe the role of the Luftwaffe in the early German victories during World War II.
  • The Luftwaffe played a crucial role in the early German victories during World War II. Its lightning-fast, coordinated air strikes were a key component of the German Blitzkrieg tactics, which overwhelmed enemy forces through the surprise and speed of the assault. The Luftwaffe provided vital air support and bombing campaigns that helped the German ground forces achieve rapid success in Poland, France, and the Low Countries, demonstrating the power and effectiveness of the German air force in the early stages of the war.
• Analyze the significance of the Luftwaffe's failure to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain.
  • The Luftwaffe's failure to gain air superiority over the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain in 1940 was a significant setback for the Germans and a crucial turning point in World War II. This failure prevented the planned German invasion of Britain and marked the beginning of the Luftwaffe's decline as the war progressed. The Battle of Britain demonstrated the growing strength of the Allied air forces and the increasing sophistication of their air defenses, which the Luftwaffe was unable to overcome despite its initial advantages. This setback ultimately contributed to the Luftwaffe's diminishing power and effectiveness as the war continued.
• Evaluate the Luftwaffe's strategic bombing campaign against the Soviet Union during Operation Barbarossa and its impact on the overall German invasion.
  • The Luftwaffe's strategic bombing campaign against the Soviet Union, known as Operation Barbarossa, was a key component of the German invasion, but it ultimately failed to achieve its objectives. While the Luftwaffe's air strikes provided some initial support for the German ground forces, the campaign was hampered by a lack of resources, the growing strength of the Soviet air defenses, and the increasing sophistication of Allied air power. The Luftwaffe's inability to gain and maintain air superiority over the Soviet Union contributed to the overall failure of the German invasion, as the Soviets were able to mount a robust defense and eventually push back the German forces. This setback, along with the Luftwaffe's declining power and effectiveness, had a significant impact on the course of the war and the eventual defeat of the German military.

Related terms

Blitzkrieg: The Luftwaffe's lightning-fast, coordinated air strikes were a key component of the German Blitzkrieg tactics, which overwhelmed enemy forces through the surprise and speed of the assault.

Battle of Britain:

The Luftwaffe's failed attempt to gain air superiority over the British Royal Air Force, a crucial turning point in World War II that prevented a German invasion of Britain.

Hermann Göring: The commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe, who was responsible for the force's organization, training, and deployment during the war.