German army
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German Army Heer |
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|---|---|
 Logo of the German Army
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| Active | 1955–present |
| Country |
 Federal Republic of Germany
|
| Type | Land force |
| Size | 60,303 (20 January 2017) 226 aircraft |
| Motto(s) | To protect, help, moderate, and fight Schützen, helfen, vermitteln, kämpfen |
| Colors | Green, "Sand" and White |
| Anniversaries | November 12, 1955 |
| Engagements |
United Nations Operations in Somalia Aftermath of the Balkan Wars 1995-1999 Operation Libelle Kosovo War Battle of Tetovo Operation Essential Harvest War in Afghanistan North Kosovo crisis |
| Decorations |
Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr Military Proficiency Badge Badge of Marksmanship Service Medal Flood Service Medal |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lieutenant General Jörg Vollmer |
| Notable commanders |
General Ulrich de Maizière |
General Ulrich de Maizière
General Ernst Ferber, COMAFCENT 1973–1975
The German Army (German: Deutsches Heer) is the land component of the armed forces of Germany. The present-day German Army was founded in 1955 as part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr together with the Marine (German Navy) and the Luftwaffe (German Air Force). As of 20 January 2017, the German Army has a strength of 60,303 soldiers.
A German Army, equipped, organized and trained following a single doctrine, and permanently unified under one command dates from 1871, and the unification of Germany under the leadership of Prussia. From 1871 to 1919 the title Deutsches Heer (German Army) was the official name of the German land forces. Following the German defeat in World War I and the end of the German Empire the main army was dissolved. From 1921 to 1935 the name of the German land forces was Reichsheer (Army of the Realm) and from 1935 to 1945 the name Heer was used. The Heer was one of two ground forces of the Third Reich during World War II, but unlike the Heer, the Waffen-SS was not a branch of the Wehrmacht, but was a combat force under the Nazi Party's own Schutzstaffel forces. The Heer was formally disbanded in August 1946.
After World War II Germany was split into two sovereign states and both formed their own militaries: on 12 November 1955 the first recruits began their service in the West German Heer, while on 1 March 1956 the East German Landstreitkräfte der NVA (Land Forces of the National People's Army) were founded. During the Cold War the West German Army was fully integrated into NATOs command structure, while the Landstreitkräfte were part of the Warsaw Pact. Following the German reunification in 1990 the Landstreitkräfte were partially integrated into the German Army. Since then the German Army has been employed in peacekeeping operations worldwide and since 2002 also in combat operations in Afghanistan as part of NATOs International Security Assistance Force.
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Wikipedia