The Luftwaffe was the aerial warfare branch of the Wehrmacht during World War II. Established in 1935, it played a pivotal role in the military operations of Nazi Germany from its inception until the end of the war in 1945.
The creation of the Luftwaffe was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which prohibited Germany from having an air force. However, under the guise of civilian aviation, secret training and development occurred through organizations like the Deutsche Luft Hansa and the Lipetsk Fighter-Pilot School in the Soviet Union. The official establishment came with the passing of the Luftwaffe Law on March 9, 1935, by the Reichstag.
The Luftwaffe was initially very successful, providing air support during the Blitzkrieg tactics in Poland, France, and the Battle of Britain. Its role included:
As the war progressed, the Luftwaffe faced numerous challenges:
By 1944, the Luftwaffe had lost air superiority in most theaters of operation, and its effectiveness significantly diminished. The final major operation was the Battle of Berlin (1943-1945), where it faced overwhelming odds.
After the war, the Luftwaffe was disbanded, and Germany was prohibited from having an air force until the formation of the German Air Force (Bundesluftwaffe) in 1955.