Luftwaffe
The Luftwaffe (literally, "air weapon") is the air force of Germany.
Founded during World War I with the emergence of military aircraft, it was dissolved after the war, as a part of the Treaty of Versailles. On February 26, 1935, Adolf Hitler ordered Hermann Göring to re-instate the Luftwaffe, although the treaty was still in force.
By 1939, on the eve of the outbreak of World War II, the Luftwaffe had become the most powerful air force in the world. As such it played a major role in Germany's early successes in the war, and formed a key part of the Blitzkrieg concept, much thanks to the use of the innovative Junkers Ju-87 dive bomber plane (Sturzkampfflugzeug -- "Stuka"). A contingent from the Luftwaffe was sent to support Franco's forces in the Spanish Civil War with planes (notably the Ju-87) and personnel.
The inability of the Luftwaffe to control the skies in the Battle of Britain after the tactical mistake of bombing industrial targets in cities instead of British airfields formed a key point in the war, and German air power diminished further with the arrival of the Americans, though it remained strong, especially on the Soviet front. The Luftwaffe were the first air force to fly jet fighters, with for example the Heinkel He-178 (1939), the Messerschmitt Me 163 (1941) and the Messerschmitt Me 262 (1942).
(more needed on post-war history)
In 1999, for the first time since 1945 the Luftwaffe engaged in combat operations as part of the NATO-led Kosovo War. No strike sorties were flown and the role of the Luftwaffe was restricted to providing support, for example with suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) sorties.
No Luftwaffe aircraft were lost during the campaign, but the force's role proved to be controversial in Germany because of the strong sentiment still present in the population that is opposed to the use of force by Germany in international affairs.
