The German Federal Army, or Bundeswehr, has been in existence for 60 years by now, longer than any previous German army. The Bundeswehr was established after the “zero hour” of 1945, and its creation was marked by continuities as well as fundamental change in comparison with past German armed forces. This study analyzes adjustments and transformations in the development of the Bundeswehr in an international comparison.



Heiner Möllers und Rudolf Schlaffer, Zentrum für Militärgeschichte und Sozialwissenschaften der Bundeswehr, Potsdam.