Wehrmacht

War_ensign_of_Germany_(1938–1945)

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Wehrmacht
File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1973-138-14, Warschau, Parade der Wehrmacht.jpg Wehrmacht parade in Warsaw, Poland, 1939
Active	1935–1945
Country	Nazi Germany
Allegiance	Adolf Hitler
Branch	Heer (Army) Kriegsmarine (Navy) Luftwaffe (Air Force)
Type	Combined military forces
Role	Military operations
Size	18 million (total served)
Engagements	World War II
Commanders
Supreme Commander	Adolf Hitler
Chief of the OKW	Wilhelm Keitel

The Wehrmacht ([ˈveːɐ̯maxt] ) was the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer (Army), the Kriegsmarine (Navy), and the Luftwaffe (Air Force). The Wehrmacht was established by the Nazi Party under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, who sought to rearm Germany in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.

Formation and Structure

The Wehrmacht was officially formed on March 16, 1935, following the introduction of compulsory military service. This marked a significant expansion and reorganization of the Reichswehr, the military organization of the Weimar Republic. The Wehrmacht was overseen by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), which was responsible for the overall strategic direction of the armed forces.

Heer

The Heer was the land forces component of the Wehrmacht. It was the largest branch and played a crucial role in the Blitzkrieg tactics that characterized early German victories in World War II.

Kriegsmarine

The Kriegsmarine was the naval warfare branch of the Wehrmacht. It was involved in major naval battles and operations, including the Battle of the Atlantic.

Luftwaffe

The Luftwaffe was the aerial warfare branch of the Wehrmacht. It was instrumental in the Battle of Britain and provided air support for ground operations throughout the war.

World War II

The Wehrmacht played a central role in the aggressive expansionist policies of Nazi Germany, leading to the outbreak of World War II in 1939. It was involved in numerous campaigns and battles across Europe, North Africa, and the Eastern Front.

Major Campaigns

• Invasion of Poland
• Battle of France
• Operation Barbarossa
• North African Campaign
• Battle of Stalingrad
• Normandy Invasion

War Crimes and Atrocities

The Wehrmacht was implicated in numerous war crimes and atrocities during World War II, including the Holocaust, the Massacre of Oradour-sur-Glane, and the Malmedy massacre. The extent of the Wehrmacht's involvement in these crimes has been the subject of extensive historical research and debate.

Dissolution

Following Germany's defeat in 1945, the Wehrmacht was officially dissolved by the Allied Control Council. Many of its leaders were tried and convicted for war crimes during the Nuremberg Trials.

Legacy

The legacy of the Wehrmacht is complex, with ongoing debates about its role in Nazi Germany and its involvement in war crimes. The modern Bundeswehr of Germany was established in 1955 and is distinct from the Wehrmacht.

Related Pages

• Nazi Germany
• World War II
• Blitzkrieg
• Oberkommando der Wehrmacht
• Reichswehr
• Bundeswehr