How did the army, air force, and navy differ in size within the Wehrmacht?

Within the Wehrmacht, the Heer (army) was by far the largest branch. While the Wehrmacht encompassed the entire German military, the term was frequently used to describe these land forces specifically.1

The relative sizes and operational roles of the three branches were defined by their distinct functions and strategic priorities:

• Heer (Army): As the primary component, the army was the largest force, structured around infantry and panzer divisions. At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Germany had mobilized 100 infantry divisions and six armoured divisions.2
• Luftwaffe (Air Force): Designed as a ground-cooperation force to support the army, the Luftwaffe was the most advanced air force of its kind in 1939, possessing an operational strength of 1,000 fighters and 1,050 bombers.2
• Kriegsmarine (Navy): The navy was significantly smaller than the Allied surface fleets. Due to Hitler’s limited interest in sea power and the influence of Luftwaffe chief Hermann Göring, the Kriegsmarine was restricted in its development, particularly regarding naval aviation.3