The Versailles Treaty of 1918 ending World War I demanded the destruction of the German military. Specifically, it ordered the destruction of all warplanes and prohibited any kind of air force. The London Ultimatum of May 1921 forbade Germany from manufacturing all aircraft until the summer of 1922, and then only under tight restrictions. The cry “if we can’t fly with motors, we’ll fly without them” was heard across Germany as gliding clubs were established, teaching patriots to fly. the german military did not dissapear. IT just became dormat during the 20’s. Its staff still developed air doctrine and training programs, monitored technology developments, and built a civilian aviation industrial infrastructure–always ready to rearm when the Allies stopped watching. On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist (Nazi) party came to power, campaigning against the Versailles Treaty restrictions. Immediately, Hitler began rearming under what he believed was a veil of secrecy. In reality, the Allies knew but were unwilling to react.
On March 9, 1935, Hitler decided to test the Allies’ resolve to enforce the Versailles Treaty. He directed Goering to announce during an interview with English journalist Ward Price that Germany now boasted an air force- the Luftwaffe (air weapon). Since there was no reaction from abroad, Hitler began to publicly organize rearmament. He sent planes and personnel to fight in the Spanish Civil War, where they gained valuable experience. He brought engineers home from abroad and built a new fleet of modern aircraft. And he paraded airplanes in front of visiting dignitaries, hoping to arouse fear of his power. Yet throughout all of this, Hitler kept reiterating that “Germany desires peace and Germany needs peace,” keeping the Allies at bay as he prepared for war. HITLER WAS A LIAR.
AND NOW THE 40’s, “THE DECADE O’ WAR”
Poland was the first nation to encounter the Nazi style of war- the Blitzkrieg (lightning war). At a time when most governments were still fixated on trench warfare, the Germans were developing their theories around the new technologies of aviation and tanks. Blitzkrieg moved frighteningly fast–first, the air force moved in to gain control of the sky, bombing cities, and attacking point targets like bridges, fortification, and railroads. Then airborne troops and tank units moved in on the ground to clean up. To add to the shock value of the sudden, intense attacks, the Stuka dive bombers were fitted with wind-driven sirens, called “trumpets of Jericho.” This screaming sound became the hallmark of German attacks. The attacks required enormous coordination between land and air troops. They also required high concentrations of weapons and men, something the Germans were not able to sustain for too many invasions.
Great Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3,1939, but it was too late and Poland surrendered on September 17. After a winter break, Hitler launched “Operation Weser” against Denmark and Norway on April 6, 1940. Denmark surrendered that same day, but with the aid of the Allies, Norway fought until May. The Germans focused on airfields–using airborne troops to secure them. The Norwegians operated out of improvised airfields, even snowfields that had to be packed down by herds of reindeer. They flew Gloster Gladiators–biplanes acquired from the British. Although greatly outclassed by the Messerschmitts, the Gladiators gave it their best, scoring impressive victories. They were also reinforced by the planes from three British aircraft carriers, including the HMS Glorious, which was later sunk by German battleships while evacuating troops in June. When war on the Western Front began on May 10, Hitler had gained Scandinavia, but at a great cost.
German operations and plans, July 1940 – March 1941
‘THAT WAS THE BEGINING OF WAR’
