Organisation Research Organization of the Luftwaffe

Organisation Research based on old WWII structures of the Luftwaffe, RAF, and other naval fleets, IIS will have a similar structure making it more diverse.

Organization of the Luftwaffe

Organization of the WWII German Luftwaffe from the U.S. War Department’s Handbook for Combat Air Intelligence Officers, Army Air Forces Air Intelligence School, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, March 1944.

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1. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE GERMAN AIR FORCE

a. Versailles Treaty.

1. The treaty required Germany to disband her Air Force, and forbade her to possess military aircraft, or to subsidize sports flying. Accordingly she surrendered 15,714 aircraft and 27,757 engines to the Allies. Even as she did so, she was planning to circumvent the treaty. Several methods were used:

   a) "Civil aviation" factories, were built, airdromes constructed and aircraft which later could be used as military prototypes were developed. "Recreational" flying schools were inaugurated and "individuals" subsidized sports flying clubs so successfully that by 1932 the major German club had 60,000 members.

   b) Despite the treaty, which forbade Germany to send naval, military or air missions abroad, and forbade service in foreign military forces, German officers were attached in large numbers to air forces in other countries: in Russia, a German air mission played an important part in training the Soviet Air Force. Likewise, Germans flew and worked as ground crews for civilian air lines in foreign countries, especially South America; these airlines later provided a good number of air and ground personnel to the German Air Force.

   c) Forbidden to build or import military aircraft, Germany subsidized aircraft and engine factories in Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Russia and Turkey. She thus kept informed of the latest manufacturing processes, and also trained large numbers of German technical personnel.

   d) After Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, one of his first acts was to appoint Hermann Göring Director of Civil Aviation. Göring immediately combined all private flying clubs and expanded all aviation schools. Students and officers were put into uniform. Old airfields were made larger and new ones built.

   e) In May 1933, the German Air Ministry was created and Göring named Air Minister. Two years later, in March 1935, the new German Air Force was officially announced. The existence of 1,000 military aircraft and 20,000 trained officers and men was admitted. Shortly afterward, all antiaircraft artillery and the necessary signal organizations were taken from the Army into the Air Force.

   f) At the Nazi Party Rally in September 1937, 250 military aircraft of new design flew in formation. In 1938, 400 German aircraft played their part in the occupation of Austria, particularly the 160 transports which carried 2,000 fully equipped German soldiers to Vienna. Shortly afterward, the Austrian Air Force disappeared into the GAF and the expansion of Austrian aircraft industries was begun.

   g) At the outbreak of war, September 1939, Germany faced Europe with 4,300 first-line aircraft, including 1,750 long-range bombers and 1,200 fighters. This strength was backed by an industry employing more than 200,000 workers and capable of turning out each month 1,100 aircraft.

b. Polish Campaign (September, 1939).

1. In its first campaign, the GAF employed 1,360 aircraft. The Poles were able to muster 490, many of them obsolescent by German standards. The main preliminary objective of the GAF was the elimination of the Polish Air Force, which was accomplished in three days. The Germans lost 150-200 first-line aircraft.
2. After destroying the Polish Air Force, the GAF extensively disorganized Polish communications, destroyed factories and indiscriminately attacked non-military objectives. The success of these attacks on civilian targets encouraged German commanders to repeat them in later campaigns—Rotterdam, London, Belgrade and Moscow.

c. Norwegian Campaign (April-May, 1940).

1. In the Norwegian Campaign the GAF used 800 operational aircraft, of which 400 were long-range bombers, 250-300 transports. The Germans quickly gained and held complete mastery of the air.

d. Campaigns in Lowlands and France (May-June, 1940).

1. At the beginning of the campaign against Holland and Belgium, May 10, 1940, all available operational units of the German Air Force were put into action on the Western Front, with the exception of three long-range bomber units in Norway. Again air mastery was quickly gained and held.

e. Battle of Britain (July-December, 1940).

1. In July 1940, the German Air Force began cautious, exploratory air attacks against Britain. By August, Germany was trying with approximately 3,500 aircraft to wear down the British fighter force, daily increasing the power of the onslaught and giving the numerically-inferior Royal Air Force no time to rest its personnel or repair its aircraft.
2. In the early days of the Battle of Britain Ju-87's with fighter escort were employed. Their casualty rate was so high that within two weeks they were withdrawn. In their place long-range bombers with heavy fighter escort were sent over in daylight attacks on fighter airfields, communications and London docks. Again losses were so heavy that the plan of attack had to be changed, and while Göring had never believed in night attacks, he now sent his bombers over in darkness. Throughout September and into October the Germans each night flew in force over England. By the middle of October these night attacks ended: they were too costly. The German Air Force had set out to gain complete air superiority over Britain so that Hitler's forces, under a friendly umbrella, could invade the island. The failure of the plan cost the GAF 2,500 aircraft, 7,500 airmen.
3. Since the repulse of their night bombing attacks, the Germans have not attempted another large scale air offensive against Britain. Spasmodic reprisals and publicity raids have been undertaken but, forced to fight in Russia, North Africa and Italy, forced to defend Germany itself, as well as the satellite countries, the GAF has been unable to regain the offensive.

f. Battle of the Atlantic (1942-1944)

1. Having failed to reduce Britain by direct air attack, Germany attempted another method. She intensified air operations against British ports in an effort to damage ships, delay unloading and destroy cargoes. At the same time the famous Condor units equipped with FW-200's flew innumerable long-range antishipping patrols in an effort to locate and report Allied vessels to V-boats. Despite this increased German antishipping activity, British fighter patrols were able to prevent an increase in shipping losses.

g. Mediterranean Campaigns (January 1941-1944)

1. Malta, 1941-1942.
   1. a) After sending approximately 330 aircraft into Italy and Sicily, the GAF began intensive attacks on Malta, seeking to neutralize that island as a naval and air base. Although the Royal Navy was eventually forced to withdraw, the Royal Air Force was never knocked out, nor did the island surrender.
2. Balkan Campaign, April-May, 1941.
   1. a) For this campaign 900 aircraft were assembled to give close support to the army and destroy air fields and communications. Toward the end of April the emphasis of the air attack was shifted to the harbors and shipping in Greece. Successful against these targets, the GAF prepared for an airborne attack on Crete.
3. Crete, May, 1941
   1. a) Following 48 hours of intense air attack on airfields and round defenses, the Germans on May 20 landed parachutists and glider-bourne troops. They took the island, but their losses were severe, and important units were returned to central and eastern Germany for regrouping.
4. North Africa, July 1941-January 1944
   1. a) The GAF was not in force in this theater and, caught by surprise, was unprepared for the British offensive of November 18, 1941. By the middle of December the Germans had been compelled to withdraw to Tripolitania, where they faced a serious shortage of supplies. In January 1942, however, Rommel opened a sudden and fierce counter offensive which drove the British back toward Egypt. With success apparently in sight, Rommel's attack bogged down and he began the retreat which ended in the surrender of all German forces in North Africa.
   2. b) Throughout the latter part of this campaign, the bulk of German long-range bombers in the Mediterranean was based on Sicily, whence attacks were made on convoys and ports by torpedo-carrying aircraft, mainly Ju-88's and He-111's, which had been moved down from Russia and Norway.
5. Eastern Mediterranean, 1943-1944.
   1. a) During 1943, pressure on other fronts activities of the GAF in the Eastern Mediterranean to a minimum. Small attacks by both torpedo and glider bombers were made against Allied shipping from bases in Greece and Northern Italy and in the autumn of 1943 Stukas and high altitude, long-range bombers played their part in the German recapture of the Dodecanese Islands of Leros and Cos; otherwise, the GAF in this area accomplished little.

h. Russian Campaign (June 1941-January 1944).

1. June-September, 1941

a) German preparations for the attack on Russia were made long prior to 1941. The first indication of the coming attack was the movement of training organizations from airfields in East Prussia and Poland, and their replacement by GAF ground organizations charged with the final preparation of the airfields for the arrival of operational units.

b) Approximately, 2,500 aircraft were used by the Germans in the initial blows against Russia. Originally successful, the GAF was so seriously affected by adverse weather conditions in the winter of 1941 that air superiority passed from them to the Soviet Air Force. Since that time, particularly since the fall of Stalingrad in 1942, the Germans have never regained the air initiative in Russia.

i. Summary.

1. The German air offensive against Britain was designed to (1) paralyze essential industry, (2) undermine morale, (3) enforce a blockade. The failure of these three designs, the failure of Germany to gain command of the daylight air over Britain, made impossible the invasion of England.
2. Since the time the three air fronts—Russia, the Mediterranean, Western Europe—became fully operational, the Germans have been unable to meet their simultaneous commitments. Since 1942, they have been on the defensive. At present, the GAF strategically is concerned chiefly with the conservation of German aircraft and crews.

2. ORGANIZATION

a. General.

1. The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) is one of three branches of the German Armed Forces (Wehrmacht) and is organized and administered independently of the Army and the Navy.
2. The Luftwaffe itself is divided into three parts: air, air signal, and antiaircraft artillery. Included in the Luftwaffe are parachute and airborne troops, air engineers, air medical corps, air police, and certain special air divisions used as regular fighting troops.
3. Organized on a territorial rather than a functional basis and with operational and administrative commands separated, the GAF achieved a mobility and flexibility which was largely responsible for its initial success. (Organization of the GAF is shown on Chart B,. page 98.)

Chart B

File:German Air Force.png ~ Page 98

b. German High Command.

1. The Germans have a single branch of the government known as the High Command of the Armed Forces (OKW-Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), with Hitler as Commander in Chief and Generalfeldmarschall Keitel as Chief of Staff of the High Command and Commander-in-Chief of the German Army.
2. In the background of all German military activities is, of course, the German General Staff Corps, the famous military "Junkers."
3. Each branch of the German Armed Forces has its own High Command: that of the Air Force is the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL). Commander-in-Chief of the GAF and German Minister for Air is Reichsmarschall Göring, with Generalfeldmarschall Milch as his Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Inspector General of the GAF.
4. The Air Force General Staff. (General stab der Luftwaffe) is divided into six Sections;
   1. Operational
   2. Organizational
   3. Training
   4. Supply and Administrative
   5. Intelligence, and
   6. Medical.

c. Luftflotte.

1. The Luftwaffe is divided into six tactical and territorial air commands known as Luftflotten, each of which is assigned to a particular command area and controls all air operations and activities in that area. Units subordinate to the Luftflotte are either operational (Fliegerkorps, Geschwader, Gruppen and Staffeln) or administrative (Luftgaue, Airfield Regional Commands and Operational Airfield Commands).
2. Operational Units.

   a) Fliegerkorps: Each Fliegerkorps is a composite, mobile command within its own geographical area.

   b) Geschwader: The Geschwader is the largest homogeneous unit in the GAF, and consists of either long-range bombers, dive bombers, ground attack aircraft, or single and twin-engine fighters. All planes within a Geschwader are of the same type, although the make and model may differ among the Gruppen. Ordinarily a Geschwader will contain three Gruppen, but occasionally will contain a fourth and sometimes a fifth.

   c) Lehrgeschwader: The Lehrgeschwader is a special unit whose primary function is the combat testing of the latest type of aircraft, defenses and signals. ~ Where IIS Role sits within UEE

   d) Gruppe: The Gruppe is the basic combat unit for both administrative and operational purposes. It is mobile and may operate separately in any command area.

   e) Staffel: The Staffel is the smallest operational unit. It consists of nine aircraft (I.E.-Initial Equipment) plus three additional planes held in reserve (IR.-Immediate Reserve). For tactical purposes it may be sub-divided into Schwärme of five planes, into Ketten of three planes, or into Rotten of two planes.

   f) Semi-autonomous Units: In addition to the units named above, there are others organized no higher than Gruppen. These include reconnaissance, coastal, army cooperation and naval cooperation aircraft.

   g) Special Commands: The Jagdführer (or Jafü) are separate fighter commands which direct fighter operations in any particular theater. Highly specialized operations, such as anti-shipping attacks, have often been put under the control of special commanders known as Fliegerführer.

3. Administrative Units.

   a) Luftgau: The Luftgaue are the administrative and supply organizations of the Luftwaffe. They are stationary, and their authority is limited to well-defined geographical areas. Each Luftgau is responsible for;

   a) administration, supply and maintenance of all flying units

   b) active and passive defense against air attack

   c) operations of signals units

   d) training other than that of auxiliary units, and

   e) recruiting, mobilizing, and training of reserve personnel.

3. NOMENCLATURE AND DESIGNATION

a. Echelons in the Luftwaffe are designated alternately by Arabic and Roman numerals:

• Luftflotten—Arabic;
• Fliegerkorps and Luftgaue—Roman;
• Geschwader and Airfield Regional Commands—Arabic;
• Gruppen—Roman;
• Staffeln—Arabic.

1. The Staffeln within a Geschwader are numbered consecutively from 1 to 9 (or 12 in case of four Gruppen). The three Staffeln in the first Gruppe are always numbered 1, 2 and 3 respectively: those in the second Gruppe 4, 5 and 6, etc.

b. A Geschwader is designated by the abbreviation for the type of unit:

Geschwader Unit Types

Unit Type	Unit Name	Unit Abbreviation
Bomber	Kampfgeschwader	KG
Divebomber	Sturzkampfgeschwader	StKG
Fighter	Jagdgeschwader	JG
Fighter-Bomber	Schnellkampfgeschwader	SKG
2 Eng. Fighter	Zerstörergeschwader	ZG
Night Fighter	Nachtjagdgeschwader	NJG
Anti-Tank	Schlachtgeschwader	SchG
Experimental Combat Unit	Lehrgeschwader	Lehr

Thus II/KG.26 is the 2nd Gruppe of Kampfgeschwader (Bomber Geschwader) No. 26. 5/KG.26 is the 5th Staffel of the 2nd Gruppe of Kampfgeschwader No. 26.

c. Certain special units carry special designations. These include Army Cooperation and Reconnaissance outfits.

Special Unit Designations

Unit Type	Unit Name	Unit Abbreviation
Tactical Reconnaissance	Heeresluftgruppe	(H) Gr
Long Range	Fernaufklärungsgruppe	(F) Gr
Coastal Groups	Küstenfliegergruppe	KFGr
Long Range Bomber	Kampfgruppe	KGr

Thus 3 (H) 22 is the 3rd Staffel of Tactical Reconnaissance Gruppe No. 22.

4. GAF AIRCRAFT MARKINGS

a. Bomber and Reconnaissance Aircraft.

1. Four characters are painted on the fuselage of each bomber or reconnaissance plane, two in front of the black cross and two after. The first two characters are a letter and a digit and give (in code) the Geschwader. The two characters after the cross are always letters, the first indicating the particular plane in the Staffel and the second indicating the Staffel to which the aircraft belongs.

b. Transport Aircraft.

1. Each transport is numbered with two letters which indicate its Geschwader.

c. Fighter Aircraft.

1. Single engine fighter aircraft are identified by chevrons, bars, stripes, etc. Various colors are used and certain pilots will on occasion have individual markings of their own.

5. German Aircraft

a. For detailed information on German Aircraft, see:

1. "German Aircraft and Armament," Informational Intelligence Summary No. 43-33, Office AC/AS, Intelligence,
2. "Handbook on German Military Forces," Tm-E 30 145, P. 269.

6. Uniforms. Ranks and Decorations

a. Uniforms.

1. The uniforms of all GAF personnel is grey-blue, the shirt a mixed blue, the tie black; the open jacket is lounge-cut.
2. The Air Force badge (an eagle in flight holding a swastika) is worn by all ranks on the right breast above the pocket. In addition, pilots, observers, wireless operators and flight engineers wear an Air Force badge with a surrounding wreath on the left breast below the pocket.
3. Various colors are worn to distinguish the branches of the Air Force such as yellow for flying, red for flak, brown for signals, etc.
4. Shoulder-straps and badges worn on the colored collar-patch indicate rank. (Comparative ranks and grades are listed in appendix N.)

b. Decorations and Awards.

1. The Germans are constantly inventing new awards to meet the mounting claims of GAF personnel. Each theater has its own requirements for particular awards which are ordinarily based on number of missions and victories. The following are listed in the order of their importance:

a) Iron Cross Class 2.

b) Iron Cross Class 1.

c) Knight's Insignia of the Iron Cross.

d) Knight's Insignia of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves.

e) Knight's Insignia of the Iron Cross with Swords.

f) Knight's Insignia of the Iron Cross with Diamonds.

1. The following are special a wards:

a) German Cross in Gold. A new award intended to fill the gap between the Iron Cross Class 1, and the Knight's Insignia of the Iron Cross.

b) War Flights Badges. Bronze, silver or gold badges indicate number of flights.

c) Russian Front Medal. This new medal was created to compensate personnel who spent the winter of 1941-42 in Russia.

d) Hermann Göring Cup. This is Göring's personal award for exceptional achievements. Perhaps because it does not carry with it any decoration which can be worn, it has never been especially popular.

e) War Cross of Merit. This is a high award for meritorious conduct at home.

7. GAF Personalities

a. Reichsmarschall Göring. Commander-in-Chief of the GAF, Air Minister, Prime Minister of Prussia, President of the Reichstag, Economic Controller and Minister of the Four Year Plan, Game Warden of the Reich, Speaker of the Reichstag, etc., etc., etc. He is 50 years old and comes of a good family, his father having been Governor of German South-West Africa. During the last war he became an ace fighter pilot and took over the "Richthofen Circus" upon the death of its famous leader. After the Armistice he refused to give up his squadron to the Allies and thereby became something of a national hero.

b. Generalfeldmarschall Milch. Inspector-General, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the GAF and Deputy Air Minister. He is a self-made man with unlimited energy, ambition and extreme ruthlessness. With great efficiency he wields the power which Göring delegates to him.

c. Generaloberst Jeschonnek. In World War I he was Infantry Company Commander at the age of 16. Later in this same war he became a fighter pilot. At 40 he was Chief of the Air Staff of the GAF, and many of its early successes can attributed him him. He died August 1943.

d. General der Flieger Korten. This experienced staff officer has been an ardent Nazi since the Munich Putsch and is now Chief of the Air Staff. He is said to be modest, efficient, and well educated.

e. Generaloberst Keller. CO Luftflotte 1, age 60. Keller was a distinguished flier during the last war and at one time was in charge of a school for air line pilots at Staaken. He is now regarded as one of the outstanding commanders of the GAF.

f. Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring. Formerly CO Luftflotte 2, and now in command of the Mediterranean Area. At 58, he is one of the few high-ranking officers in the GAF who had no connection with the Air Service in the last war. He is now regarded as one of the most successful German Commanders, even though, he is known to be on bad terms with Sperrle.

g. Generalfeldmarschall Richthofen. CO Luftflotte 2, age 48, and a cousin of the late World War ace. He distinguished himself during the Low Countries operations and played a large part in the Balkan air campaign; more recently he has been operating in Russia. With his good name and appearance, brutal energy, and great personal courage, he is the German ideal of an Air Force General.

h. Generalfeldmarschall Sperrle. He was in the Air Service in World War I and commanded the Condor Legion in the Spanish War. He inspires terror rather than respect from his subordinates and is noted for his desire to surpass all other commanders in giving promotions and decorations to his officers.

i. Generalfeldmarschall Löhr. At one time in command of Luftflotte 4, Löhr during the summer of 1942 was given command of the German armed forces in the South-East, thus becoming one of the few GAR generals in command of army units.

j. General der Flieger Dessloch. Formerly in command of the 2nd Antiaircraft Artillery. Now CO of Luftflotte 4 in South Russia.

k. Generaloberst Stumpf. CO Luftflotte 5, age 54. He is an excellent organizer and is one of the outstanding officers in the GAF.

l. Generaloberst Greim. CO Luftflotte 6. He was a successful fighter pilot in the last war and at 52 is still a first-class pilot with unusual flying experience. In contrast to some of his colleagues, he is modest, well mannered, and likeable.

m. General der Flieger Kammhuber. A quiet, efficient Bavarian, age 47, Kamrohuber was shot down and captured in the attack on France but was released after the Armistice. He was in charge of the night-fighter division which has now expanded to Fliegerkorps XII.

n. Oberst Pelz. This officer is only 29 but has received virtually all the highest air awards. Long famous as a test pilot of all new types of German aircraft, he began the war as a Stuka pilot. Then, because of his extraordinary abilities, he was put in charge of air operations against England.

o. Major Gollob. He is a Viennese, age 31, who before being taken off operations was a top fighter pilot with 150 claimed victories, having operated with various Geschwader, largely in Southern Russia. It is rumored, however, that he is entirely unsuited for a staff post.

Sources

• Organization of the Luftwaffe
• handbook for combat air intelligence officers (1944) ~ PDF: Page 94-100.

Translation

Original German naming and translation to English equivalents.

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Breakdown

Glossary, Tables, Diagrams, etc.

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IIS Hierarchy Structure

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Notes

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