Who was responsible for building up the Luftwaffe in the 1930s?

One of the key figures responsible for the build up of the Luftwaffe in the 1930s was Hermann Göring. Göring, a prominent member of the German Nazi Party and a World War I fighter pilot, was appointed as the Reichsmarschall of the Luftwaffe in 1935. Under his leadership, the Luftwaffe underwent a massive expansion and modernization program, transforming it from a small and outdated air force into one of the most powerful in the world.

Göring's vision for the Luftwaffe was to create a formidable aerial force that could support the German military in its conquests. He oversaw the development of new aircraft, such as the iconic Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive bomber, which played crucial roles in the early successes of the German military in World War II.

Additionally, Göring was instrumental in the rearmament of Germany and the implementation of the Luftwaffe as a key component of the country's military strategy. He played a central role in the planning and execution of the Blitzkrieg tactics that allowed Germany to achieve swift victories in Poland, France, and other countries in the early stages of the war.

Despite his initial successes, Göring's leadership of the Luftwaffe came under increasing scrutiny as the war progressed. The Luftwaffe's inability to achieve air superiority over the United Kingdom during the Battle of Britain and the failure of the Luftwaffe to provide adequate support to German forces on the Eastern Front were significant setbacks for Göring and the German military.

Overall, Hermann Göring's tenure as the head of the Luftwaffe was marked by both triumphs and failures. His ambitious vision for the Luftwaffe transformed it into a powerful and modern air force, but ultimately, it was unable to secure victory for Germany in World War II.

For more information on Hermann Göring and the Luftwaffe, you can visit History.com or BBC History.

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