Hi Barry,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Coates
David Irving gives slightly different dates in his book 'The Rise And Fall Of The Luftwaffe - The Life Of Erhard Milch'. He talks about it coming into existence on 15 May 1933 with the Order d/d 10 May 1933.
|
Just to add to what Steve said:
President Hindenburg decreed the creation of the RLM on April 27 1933.
On May 10 1933, Document no. 41 was issued by Reich Defence Minister Werner von Blomberg, ordering the formation of the Air Ministry. It was to be formally activated on May 15.
Sources:
-Völker "Die deutsche Luftwaffe 1933-1939: Aufbau, Führung, Rüstung", p.12
-Völker "Dokumente und Dokumentarfotos zur Geschichte der deutschen Luftwaffe", pp.131-133
(These are volumes 8 and 9 of the series "Beiträge zur Militär- und Kriegsgeschichte", published by Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt in 1967 & 1968, respectively.)
Leon Venter