This is a wonderful photo, but I noticed the date on the left wing and number on the tail -- shouldn't they say "1935" and "81"?
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Good question. The German Bundeswehr does not trace it's roots or tradition to the former Wehrmacht. Same with the Luftwaffe.Originally posted by Scott C. View Post -
Bundeswehr was formed Nov. 1955, but only Heer training units were established at that time. First Lehrkompanie of the Luftwaffe with 100 volunteers was formed 9 Jan. 1956 in Nörvenich. This is dated as the official formation of the Luftwaffe.
The Luftwaffe of Wehrmacht and Bundeswehr are 2 separate organisations, only share name.
Regards
KlausComment
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No, they should not!shouldn't they say "1935" and "81"?
UweComment
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The only Bundeswehr unit that traces its lineage any further than before 1955 is the Wachbataillon which trace their lineage to a Prussian Guard unit but as with other German units they omit any reference to Wehrmacht organizationsComment
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Definitely NO. Germany very, very, VERY deliberately made sure that the new Germany was not perceived as having any ties to the Third Reich. Claiming direct "lineage" to the force which created the doctrine of bombing civilians into dust would have sent the wrong message. It is obvious why they did not do so.
SteveComment
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Gentlemen,
A side note to Steve's post above. When Germany was reunited and the Federal Government moved from Bonn to Berlin they were very careful at what buildings each federal department would occupy. If memory serves me right, the Department of Finance occupied the old TR Luftwaffe headquarters building. Lots of thought went into who resided where.
Regards,
GordonComment
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Apart from very similar blue uniforms, the same gold/yellow waffenfarbe, the same name, same enemy and the fact that it was created and run by former TR Luftwaffe officers. But no continuity officiallyOriginally posted by Proud Kraut View Post
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Sure, and the same thing could be said for Heer or Kriegsmarine. Same could be said for any nation that has a massive change of government and deliberately attempts to change their military to conform to new standards. The Soviet Red Army retained many of its traditions and structure from the Imperial Army, but I don't think anybody would seriously consider the founding of the Red Army to have happened under Tzars.Originally posted by Seigfried View PostApart from very similar blue uniforms, the same gold/yellow waffenfarbe, the same name, same enemy and the fact that it was created and run by former TR Luftwaffe officers. But no continuity officially
The most important fact is what the organization itself claims is it's "birth date". What anybody else thinks is irrelevant. The Bundes Luftwaffe considers its 50th birth day this year, and so that is what it is.
SteveComment
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Originally posted by Collectinsteve View Post
The 60th, Steve, the 60th. And we are only the Luftwaffe, not the Bundes-Luftwaffe.
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as i already mentioned, there is also over 10 year break between TR Luftwaffe and W German Luftwaffe, which remove any claims of continuity. The Luftstreitkräfte of the DDR not trace their founding to 1935 either...Comment
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Clearly I needed more sleep when I do even simple mathOriginally posted by RamJet View PostThe 60th, Steve, the 60th. And we are only the Luftwaffe, not the Bundes-Luftwaffe.
However, I deliberately put in "Bundes" on purpose to emphasize that I was not talking about the Wehrmacht Luftwaffe. Though looking back at my post I think it was rather obvious so I probably caused more confusion than less!
SteveComment
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