Oberkommando der Luftwaffe

The High Command of the Air Force ( OKL ) was the supreme command authority of the German Luftwaffe during World War II. It was introduced in analogy to the High Command of the Army in February 1944 and ended with the German surrender 1945. Previously built by Adolf Hitler as separate branches of the armed force on February 26, 1935 Air Force reported directly to the Ministry of Aviation was founded in 1933.

Supreme Commander

Supreme Commander of the Air Force were

  • Reichsmarschall (from 1935) Hermann Goering ( until his expulsion from the Wehrmacht and the party by Hitler on April 23, 1945). Goering was also the first Reich Minister of Aviation.
  • Field Marshal Robert Ritter von Greim (26 April 1945 until his arrest on 8 May 1945 by American troops ).
  • Colonel-General Hans -Jürgen Stumpff ( with the capture of Robert Ritter von Greim Stumpff was the signing of the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht on May 9, 1945 in Berlin -Karl Horst by the (last ) Reich President Karl Dönitz as the representative of the Commander of the Air Force authorized ).

Flags

Command flag of the Reich Air Ministry

The flag of the Ministry was conducted from 1933 to 1935.

Front red; center a silver laurel wreath with the same colored, down depending shortened vierfedrigen swing it in white, a black eagle with inverted right red beak and golden fangs; Hanging it in natural color the Pour le Mérite; from the rim, starting confess changes four white broadening rays with a black border; in each corner a black swastika. Back with exchanged places of swastika and eagles. ( Variants)

Reich Minister of Aviation 1933-1935 ( back)

Reich Minister of Aviation ( alternative version ) (Front )

Command flag of the Reich Air Minister and Commander in Chief Air

In late 1935, amended the Flag: front and back reversed swastikas all golden now, wreath without wings, now occupied by ganzgoldenem eagle with outstretched wings, from the right on a swastika landing. Border of swastikas. From 1938 two side roof-like touching batons have been added to the back order.

The operational headquarters was located in the bunker elector in Potsdam.

Colonel general Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Oberkommando der Marine
365365
de