Editing Luftwaffe (section)

===Origins===
{{main|Luftstreitkräfte|Aviation in World War I}}
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2004-0430-501, Jagdstaffel 11, Manfred v. Richthofen.jpg|thumb|right|[[Manfred von Richthofen]] with other members of {{lang|de|[[Jagdstaffel 11|Jasta 11]]}}, 1917 as part of the {{lang|de|[[Luftstreitkräfte]]}}]]
The Imperial German Army Air Service was founded in 1910 with the name {{lang|de|Die Fliegertruppen des deutschen Kaiserreiches}}, most often shortened to {{lang|de|Fliegertruppe}}. It was renamed the {{lang|de|[[Luftstreitkräfte]]}} on 8 October 1916.<ref>{{harvnb|Blumberg|2014|p=39}}</ref> The air war on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] received the most attention in the annals of the earliest accounts of military aviation, since it produced aces such as [[Manfred von Richthofen]], [[Ernst Udet]], [[Oswald Boelcke]], and [[Max Immelmann]]. After the defeat of Germany, the service was dissolved on 8 May 1920 under the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles, which also mandated the destruction of all German military aircraft.

Since the Treaty of Versailles forbade Germany to have an air force, German pilots trained in secret. Initially, civil aviation schools within Germany were used, yet only light [[Trainer aircraft|trainers]] could be used in order to maintain the façade that the trainees were going to fly with civil airlines such as {{lang|de|[[Deutsche Luft Hansa]]}}. To train its pilots on the latest combat aircraft, Germany solicited the help of the Soviet Union, which was also isolated in Europe. A [[Lipetsk fighter-pilot school|secret training airfield was established at Lipetsk]] in 1924 and operated for approximately nine years using mostly Dutch and Soviet, but also some German, training aircraft before being closed in 1933. This base was officially known as the 4th squadron of the 40th wing of the [[Red Army]]. Hundreds of Luftwaffe pilots and technical personnel visited, studied, and were trained at Soviet Air Force schools in several locations in Central Russia.<ref>{{harvnb|Stein|1962|pp=54–71}}</ref> Roessing, Blume, Fosse, Teetsemann, Heini, Makratzki, Blumendaat, and many other future Luftwaffe aces were trained in the USSR in joint Soviet-German schools that were set up under the patronage of [[Ernst August Köstring]].

The first steps towards the Luftwaffe's formation were undertaken just months after [[Adolf Hitler]] came to power. [[Hermann Göring]], a World War I ace, became National {{lang|de|Kommissar}} for aviation with former ''Luft Hansa'' director [[Erhard Milch]] as his deputy. In April 1933, the [[Ministry of Aviation (Nazi Germany)|Reich Aviation Ministry]] ({{lang|de|Reichsluftfahrtministerium}} or RLM) was established. The RLM was in charge of the development and production of aircraft. Göring's control over all aspects of aviation became absolute. On 25 March 1933, the [[German Air Sports Association]] absorbed all private and national organisations, while retaining its 'sports' title. On 15 May 1933, all military aviation organisations in the RLM were merged, forming the Luftwaffe; its official 'birthday'.<ref>{{harvnb|Hooton|2007a|p=30}}</ref> The [[National Socialist Flyers Corps]] ({{lang|de|Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps}} or NSFK) was formed in 1937 to give pre-military flying training to male youths, and to engage adult sport aviators in the Nazi movement. Military-age members of the NSFK were drafted into the Luftwaffe. As all such prior NSFK members were also Nazi Party members, this gave the new Luftwaffe a strong Nazi ideological base in contrast to the other branches of the {{lang|de|Wehrmacht}} (the ''[[German Army (1935–1945)|Heer]]'' (army) and the {{lang|de|[[Kriegsmarine]]}} (navy)). Göring played a leading role in the buildup of the Luftwaffe in 1933–36, but had little further involvement in the development of the force after 1936, and Milch became the "''de facto''" minister until 1937.<ref>{{harvnb|Hooton|2007a|p=31}}</ref>

The absence of Göring in planning and production matters was fortunate. Göring had little knowledge of current aviation, had last flown in 1922, and had not kept himself informed of the latest events. Göring also displayed a lack of understanding of doctrine and technical issues in aerial warfare which he left to others more competent. The Commander-in-Chief left the organisation and building of the Luftwaffe, after 1936, to Erhard Milch. However, Göring, as a part of Hitler's inner circle, provided access to financial resources and materiel for rearming and equipping the Luftwaffe.<ref>{{harvnb|Corum|1997|pp=124–125}}</ref>

Another prominent figure in German air power construction this time was [[Helmuth Wilberg]]. Wilberg later played a large role in the development of German air doctrine. Having headed the {{lang|de|[[Reichswehr]]}} air staff for eight years in the 1920s, Wilberg had considerable experience and was ideal for a senior staff position.<ref>{{harvnb|Corum|1997|p=125}}</ref> Göring considered making Wilberg Chief of Staff (CS). However, it was revealed Wilberg had a Jewish mother. For that reason, Göring could not have him as CS. Not wishing his talent to go to waste, Göring ensured the [[racial policy of Nazi Germany]] did not apply to him. Wilberg remained in the air staff, and under [[Walther Wever (general)|Walther Wever]] helped draw up the Luftwaffe's principle doctrinal texts, "The Conduct of the Aerial War" and "Regulation 16".<ref>{{harvnb|Corum|1997|p=127}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Hooton|2010|pp=20–21}}</ref>