Wehrmacht: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox military unit | {{Infobox military unit | ||
|unit_name=Wehrmacht | |unit_name=Wehrmacht | ||
|native_name= | |native_name= | ||
|image=Bundesarchiv Bild | |image=Bundesarchiv Bild 121-0723, Marburg-Drau, Adolf Hitler.jpg | ||
|caption= | |caption=undesarchiv Bild 121-0723, Marburg-Drau, Adolf Hitler | ||
|dates=1935–1945 | |dates=1935–1945 | ||
|country=Nazi Germany | |country=Nazi Germany | ||
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}} | }} | ||
[[File:War_ensign_of_Germany_(1938–1945).svg|thumb|War_ensign_of_Germany_(1938–1945)]] [[file:Balkenkreuz.svg|right|thumb|Balkenkreuz]] [[file:Bundesarchiv_Bild_102-16108,_Vereidigung_von_Reichswehr-Soldaten_auf_Hitler.jpg|left|thumb|Bundesarchiv_Bild_102-16108,_Vereidigung_von_Reichswehr-Soldaten_auf_Hitler]] [[file:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R43590,_Potsdam,_Musterung_für_die_Wehrmacht.jpg|left|thumb|Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R43590,_Potsdam,_Musterung_für_die_Wehrmacht]] [[file:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-177-1465-16,_Griechenland,_Soldaten_der_"Legion_Freies_Arabien".jpg|thumb|Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-177-1465-16,_Griechenland,_Soldaten_der_"Legion_Freies_Arabien"|left]] [[file:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-768-0147-15,_Paris,_Wehrmachtshelferinnen.jpg|thumb|Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-768-0147-15,_Paris,_Wehrmachtshelferinnen]] [[file:Wehrmacht_structure_(1935-1938).svg|thumb|Wehrmacht_structure_(1935-1938)]] | |||
The '''Wehrmacht''' ({{IPA-de|ˈveːɐ̯maxt|}}) was the unified armed forces of [[Nazi Germany]] from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the [[Heer (1935–1945)|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]]. | The '''Wehrmacht''' ({{IPA-de|ˈveːɐ̯maxt|}}) was the unified armed forces of [[Nazi Germany]] from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the [[Heer (1935–1945)|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]]. | ||
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[[Category:Military units and formations of Germany]] | [[Category:Military units and formations of Germany]] | ||
[[Category:Wehrmacht]] | [[Category:Wehrmacht]] | ||
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Latest revision as of 22:57, 18 November 2024
Unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945
| Active | 1935–1945 |
|---|---|
| Disbanded | |
| Country | Nazi Germany |
| Allegiance | Adolf Hitler |
| Branch | * Heer (Army)
|
| Type | Combined military forces |
| Role | Military operations |
| Size | 18 million (total served) |
| Part of | |
| Garrison/HQ |
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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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
- Invasion of Poland
- Battle of France
- Operation Barbarossa
- North African Campaign
- Battle of Stalingrad
- Normandy Invasion
War Crimes and Atrocities[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
