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air force, east germany, german air force, luftwaffe, Military History, Soviet Union, West Germany -

In 1956 the new German (West German) Air Force was formed once more into a fighting force. Still named the Luftwaffe, which is a German designation for any airforce. The new Luftwaffe, like all of the Bundeswehr, follows no traditions from the Wehrmacht’s days. After it was formed many well-known ace pilots of the Second World War’s Luftwaffe of the Wehrmacht joined up, including Erich Hartmann, Günther Rall, Gerhard Barkhorn and Johannes Steinhoff. Any old pilots underwent new training in the United States before returning to Germany. Steinhoff actually became the commander of the Lufwaffe, with Rall his second. POST-WAR GERMAN LUFTWAFFE The Luftwaffe were equipped...

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