Editing Luftwaffe (section)

====Mobilisation, 1938–1941====
By the summer of 1939, the Luftwaffe had ready for combat nine {{lang|de|Jagdgeschwader}} (fighter wings) mostly equipped with the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants|Messerschmitt Bf 109E]], four ''[[Organization of the Luftwaffe (1933–1945)|Zerstörergeschwader]]'' (destroyer wings) equipped with the [[Messerschmitt Bf 110]] heavy fighters, 11 {{lang|de|[[Kampfgeschwader]]}} (bomber wings) equipped mainly with the Heinkel He 111 and the Dornier Do 17Z, and four {{lang|de|Sturzkampfgeschwader}} (dive bomber wings) primarily armed with the iconic Junkers Ju 87B ''Stuka''.<ref>{{harvnb|Hooton|2007a|p=79}}</ref> The Luftwaffe was just starting to accept the Junkers Ju 88A for service, as it had encountered design difficulties, with only a dozen aircraft of the type considered combat-ready. The Luftwaffe's strength at this time stood at 373,000 personnel (208,000 flying troops, 107,000 in the Flak Corps, and 58,000 in the Signals Corps). Aircraft strength was 4,201 operational aircraft: 1,191 bombers, 361 dive bombers, 788 fighters, 431 heavy fighters, and 488 transports. Despite deficiencies, it was an impressive force.<ref>{{harvnb|Corum|1997|p=271}}</ref>

However, even by the spring of 1940, the Luftwaffe still had not mobilised fully. Despite the shortage of raw materials, Udet had increased production through introducing a 10-hour working day for aviation industries and rationalising production. During this period 30 {{lang|de|Kampfstaffeln}} and 16 {{lang|de|Jagdstaffeln}} were raised and equipped. A further five {{lang|de|Zerstörergruppen}} ("Destroyer groups") were created (JGr 101, 102, 126, 152 and 176), all equipped with the Bf 110.<ref>{{harvnb|Hooton|2007a|p=23}}</ref>

The Luftwaffe also greatly expanded its aircrew training programmes by 42%, to 63 flying schools. These facilities were moved to eastern Germany, away from possible Allied threats. The number of aircrew reached 4,727, an increase of 31%. However, the rush to complete this rapid expansion scheme resulted in the deaths of 997 personnel and another 700 wounded. 946 aircraft were also destroyed in these accidents. The number of aircrew completing their training was up to 3,941, The Luftwaffe's entire strength was now 2.2 million personnel.<ref>{{harvnb|Hooton|2007a|p=24}}</ref>

In April and May 1941, Udet headed the Luftwaffe delegation inspecting the Soviet aviation industry in compliance with the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]]. Udet informed Göring "that Soviet air forces are very strong and technically advanced." Göring decided not to report the facts to Hitler, hoping that a surprise attack would quickly destroy the USSR.<ref name="RF">"Боевые операции люфтваффе", Москва 2008 г., изд. Яуза-пресс, по "Rise and fall of the German Air Force", Лондон 1948 г., пер. П.Смирнов, {{ISBN|978-5-9955-0028-5}}</ref> {{page needed|date=May 2025}}Udet realised that the upcoming war with the USSR might cripple Germany. Udet, torn between truth and loyalty, suffered a psychological breakdown and even tried to tell Hitler the truth, but Göring told Hitler that Udet was lying, then took Udet under control by giving him drugs at drinking parties and hunting trips. Udet's drinking and psychological condition became a problem, but Göring used Udet's dependency to manipulate him.<ref name="RF2">Who is who in the Third Reich (Кто был кто в Третьем рейхе. Биографический энциклопедический словарь. М., 2003)</ref>{{page needed|date=May 2025}}