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Supporting the Army There is no question Germany developed its air force with a tactical role in mind. The importance attached to the close support role is evident in Luftwaffe publications such as The Conduct of Air Operations, Air Field Manual No. 16 issued as a field manual for the Luftwaffe in 1935 and prepared by the Air Ministry - formed in 1934. Seeking to attain air superiority ranked as the Luftwaffe's first priority, second, "combat and other air action in support of the army forces on the ground"(italics added by author), further missions include interdiction of road and rail leading to and from the front i.e. isolating the battlefield, with a strategic role coming second to last in order of priority.[2] |
The Globe At War |
Was The Luftwaffe Really Intended To Be Little More Than an Adjunct to the German Army? |
Messerschmitt Bf/Me-110 Fighter - Picture Courtesy of Deutsches Bundesarchiv (German Federal Archive), Bild 101I-382-0211-011 |
The Luftwaffe's first Chief of Staff, General Walther Wever played a key role in not only building a close air support component within the Luftwaffe, including training air liaison officers, but increasing ties and communication with the army; a vital prerequisite to successful tactical air support.[3] |