Germany's air force, the Luftwaffe, played a critical role in the Third Reich's victories in the early part of World War II, providing the airborne component of the German forces' irresistible Blitzkrieg ("lightning war") tactics that swept all armies before it from 1939 to 1942. Broken down by campaign and key battles within each theater of war, Order of Battle: German Luftwaffe in World War II illustrates the strengths and organizational structures of the Third Reich's air force, building into a detailed compendium of information. Full-color order of battle tree diagrams at Luftflotten, Gruppe, Fliegerkorps and squadron level help the reader quickly understand how and where bomber (Kampfgeschwader), fighter (Jagdgeschwader), dive-bomber (Stukageschwader), and reconnaissance (Aufklarungsgruppe) units were employed. Quick reference tables provide unit strengths, aircraft types, and base locations, while profile diagrams show typical numbers of aircraft at squadron level.