Luftflotte ReichFor an explanation of the meaning of Luftwaffe unit designation see

Luftwaffe Organisation The ''Luftwaffe'' () was the aerial-warfare branch of the German ''Wehrmacht'' before and during World War II. Germany's military air arms during World War I, the ''Luftstreitkräfte'' of the Imperial Army and the '' Marine-Fliegerabtei ...

(Air Fleet ''Reich'') was one of the primary divisions of the German

Luftwaffe The ''Luftwaffe'' () was the aerial-warfare branch of the German ''Wehrmacht'' before and during World War II. Germany's military air arms during World War I, the ''Luftstreitkräfte'' of the Imperial Army and the '' Marine-Fliegerabtei ...

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. It was formed on February 5, 1944 in

Berlin-Wannsee Wannsee () is a locality in the southwestern Berlin borough of Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Germany. It is the westernmost locality of Berlin. In the quarter there are two lakes, the larger ''Großer Wannsee'' (Greater Wannsee, "See" means lake) and the ...

from ''Luftwaffenbefehlshaber Mitte''. Its primary task was to defend German air space during the

Defense of the Reich The Defence of the Reich (german: Reichsverteidigung) is the name given to the strategic defensive aerial campaign fought by the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany over German-occupied Europe and Germany during World War II. Its aim was to prevent the ...

campaign. It was among the only Luftwaffe division that was in possession of a sizable number of

Me 262 The Messerschmitt Me 262, nicknamed ''Schwalbe'' (German: "Swallow") in fighter versions, or ''Sturmvogel'' (German: "Storm Bird") in fighter-bomber versions, is a fighter aircraft and fighter-bomber that was designed and produced by the German ...

s and

Me 163 The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet is a rocket-powered interceptor aircraft primarily designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt. It is the only operational rocket-powered fighter aircraft in history as well as ...

s fielding over 140 rocket aircraft as late as February 1945.

Commanding officers

* Generaloberst

Hans-Jürgen Stumpff __NOTOC__ Hans-Jürgen Stumpff (15 June 1889 – 9 March 1968), was a German general during World War II and was one of the signatories to Germany's unconditional surrender at the end of the war. Military career Stumpff joined the army in 190 ...

, 5 February 1944 – 8 May 1945

Chief of staff

* Generalmajor Sigismund Freiherr von Falkenstein, 5 February – 12 May 1944 * Generalmajor Andreas Nielsen, 12 May 1944 – 8 May 1945

References

Citations

Bibliography

* German Air Fleets in World War II Military units and formations established in 1944 Military units and formations disestablished in 1945 {{mil-unit-stub