Wehrmacht

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For the band, see Wehrmacht (band).
Wehrmacht
Armed Forces of Nazi Germany
Balkenkreuz.svg
The Wehrmacht's emblem, the straight-armed Balkenkreuz, a stylized version of the
Iron Cross
Active 193545[1]
Country Nazi Germany
Allegiance Adolf Hitler
Branch Heer (army)
Kriegsmarine (navy)
Luftwaffe (air force)
Role Armed forces of Nazi Germany
Size 18,200,000 (total who served)
Colors Feldgrau
Engagements Spanish Civil War
World War II
Decorations See List of military decorations of Nazi Germany
Commanders
Notable
commanders Hermann Gring
Wilhelm Keitel
Alfred Jodl
Erich Raeder
Karl Dnitz
Heinz Guderian
Erwin Rommel
Erich von Manstein
Gerd von Rundstedt
Insignia
Identification
symbol Balkenkreuz
Identification
symbol Nazi swastika
The Wehrmacht (German pronunciation: ['ve???maxt] (About this sound listen), lit.
"defence force")[N 1] was the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to
1946. It consisted of the Heer (army), the Kriegsmarine (navy) and the Luftwaffe
(air force).[2] The designation Wehrmacht for Nazi Germany's military replaced the
previously used term, Reichswehr (191935), and was the manifestation of Nazi
Germany's efforts to rearm the nation to a greater extent than the Treaty of
Versailles permitted.[3]
After the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, one of Adolf Hitlers most overt and
audacious moves was to establish the Wehrmacht, a modern armed force fully capable
of offensive use. Fulfilling the Nazi regimes long-term goals of regaining lost
territory and dominating its neighbors required the reinstatement of conscription
and massive investment and spending on the armaments industry.[4] In December 1941,
Hitler designated himself as commander-in-chief of the Wehrmacht.[5]
The Wehrmacht formed the heart of Germanys politico-military power. In the early
part of World War II, Hitler's generals employed the Wehrmacht through innovative
combined arms tactics (close cover air-support, mechanized armor, and infantry) to
devastating effect in what was called a Blitzkrieg (lightning war). The Wehrmacht's
new military structure, unique combat techniques, newly developed weapons, and
unprecedented speed and brutality crushed their opponents.[6]
Closely cooperating with the SS (especially on the Eastern Front), the German armed
forces committed numerous war crimes and atrocities, despite later denials.[7] By
the time the war ended in Europe in May 1945, the Wehrmacht had lost approximately
11,300,000 men,[8] about half of which were killed in action. Only a few of the
Wehrmachts upper leadership were tried for war crimes, despite evidence suggesting
that more were involved in illegal actions.[9]