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Nazi military

Wehrmacht
Armed Forces of Nazi Germany
Balkenkreuz.svg
The Wehrmacht's emblem, the straight-armed Balkenkreuz, a stylized version of the Iron Cross
Active 1935–45
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 Göring
Wilhelm Keitel
Alfred Jodl
Erich Raeder
Karl Dönitz
Heinz Guderian
Erwin Rommel
Erich von Manstein
Gerd von Rundstedt
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Balkenkreuz
Identification
symbol
Nazi swastika

The Wehrmacht (German pronunciation: [ˈveːɐ̯maxt], lit. "defence force") 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). The designation Wehrmacht replaced the previously used term Reichswehr, and was the manifestation of Nazi Germany's efforts to rearm the nation to a greater extent than the Treaty of Versailles permitted.

After the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, one of Adolf Hitler's most overt and audacious moves was to establish the Wehrmacht, a modern armed force fully capable of offensive use. Fulfilling the Nazi regime's long-term goals of regaining lost territory and dominating its neighbours required the reinstatement of conscription and massive investment and spending on the armaments industry. In December 1941, Hitler designated himself as commander-in-chief of the Wehrmacht.

The Wehrmacht formed the heart of Germany's 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.

Closely cooperating with the SS (especially on the Eastern Front), the German armed forces committed numerous war crimes and atrocities, despite later denials. By the time the war ended in Europe in May 1945, the Wehrmacht had lost approximately 11,300,000 men, about half of which were missing or killed during the war. Only a few of the Wehrmacht's upper leadership were tried for war crimes, despite evidence suggesting that more were involved in illegal actions.


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