Claim: Gerd von Rundstedt was in the military.

The Wehrmacht -LRB- -LSB- ˈveːɐ̯maxt -RSB- , lit . `` defence force '' -RRB- From wehren , `` to defend '' and Macht , `` power , force '' . See the Wiktionary article for more information . was the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1946 . It consisted of the Heer -LRB- army -RRB- , the Kriegsmarine -LRB- navy -RRB- and the Luftwaffe -LRB- air force -RRB- . The designation Wehrmacht for Nazi Germany 's military replaced the previously used term , Reichswehr -LRB- 1919 -- 35 -RRB- , and was the manifestation of Nazi Germany 's efforts to rearm the nation to a greater extent than the Treaty of Versailles permitted .   After the Nazi seizure of power in 1933 , one of Adolf Hitler 's most overt and audacious moves was to establish the Wehrmacht , a modern armed forces fully capable of offensive use . Fulfilling the Nazi regime 's long-term goals of regaining lost territory and dominating its neighbors required the reinstatement of conscription and massive investment and spending on the armaments industry . In December 1941 , Hitler designated himself as commander-in-chief of the Wehrmacht .   The Wehrmacht formed the heart of Germany 's politico-military power . In the early part of World War II , Hitler 's generals employed the Wehrmacht through innovative combined arms tactics -LRB- close cover air-support , mechanized armor , and infantry -RRB- to devastating effect in what was called a Blitzkrieg -LRB- lightning war -RRB- . The Wehrmacht 's new military structure , unique combat techniques , newly developed weapons , and unprecedented speed and brutality crushed their opponents .   Closely cooperating with the SS -LRB- especially on the Eastern Front -RRB- , the German armed forces committed numerous war crimes and atrocities , despite later denials . By the time the war ended in Europe in May 1945 , the Wehrmacht had lost approximately 11,300,000 men , about half of which were killed in action . Only a few of the Wehrmacht 's upper leadership were tried for war crimes , despite evidence suggesting that more were involved in illegal actions .