The Luftwaffe, meaning “air weapon” in German, was established before World War I and resurrected in 1935. The Wehrmacht-era Luftwaffe dominated WWII with highly skilled pilots and advanced aircraft. Disbanded in 1946, it was reestablished as part of the modern German defense force, the Bundeswehr. The modern Luftwaffe has participated in NATO-led missions and faces controversy over its role in Germany today.
The word “Luftwaffe” in German literally translates as “air weapon” and is a generic term used to describe an air force. Many people associate the Luftwaffe specifically with the Wehrmacht-era air force, which dominated the skies of World War II. Today the Luftwaffe is part of the Bundeswehr, the modern German defense force.
Germany began exploring the possibilities of military aircraft before World War I when the Imperial German Army Air Service was established. Germany and Europe soon realized the potential of military aircraft, developing fighters, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. At the end of World War I, the German Air Force was dissolved by treaty, remaining inactive until 1935, when the Air Force was resurrected in the form of the Luftwaffe.
The Luftwaffe of the Wehrmacht era was a formidable aerial opponent. Germany invested a large amount of money in developing an air force and supporting infrastructure, focusing on creating fast, powerful and easy to maneuver fighter aircraft such as the Messerschmitt 109 and bombers such as the Stuka dive bomber. Luftwaffe pilots were highly trained and highly skilled, giving Germany a distinct advantage when war broke out.
The Luftwaffe was again disbanded in 1946 after the defeat of Germany and the Axis powers, and the air infrastructure that had supported it was left to decay. In 1955, West Germany was invited to join NATO and the need for a military force became apparent, leading the nation to establish the modern Bundeswehr. Many former Luftwaffe pilots have been brought into service to train and retool the national air force, and the modern Luftwaffe contains a number of talented pilots and support crews who utilize innovative military technology for tasks as diverse as humanitarian missions and air shows.
When East and West Germany were reunited, both nations’ respective air forces joined. For a short time, the Luftwaffe contained a bewildering mix of equipment, largely of Soviet origin, thanks to the fact that the East German air force had been supplied by Russia, but eventually the Russian equipment was phased out and a unified air force was created.
The first combat mission for the modern Luftwaffe occurred in 1999 when Luftwaffe pilots supported the NATO-led invasion of Kosovo. Many newspapers made much of the fact that the Royal Air Force and Luftwaffe pilots were participating in military action together, as the two had been deadly enemies during World War II.
The role of the Luftwaffe in Germany today is controversial. Under a treaty, Germany is not allowed to engage in war of aggression, and many Germans with pacifist leanings would like to see the Luftwaffe disbanded or severely reduced. However, other Germans argue that Germany has the right to defend itself and to support military operations led by its allies, necessitating a thoroughly modern and efficient Luftwaffe.
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