10 Welcome to the U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr. 1932 January The German government announces it will no longer adhere to the limitations set forth by the Versailles Treaty. In the summer of 1932, General Heinz Guderian tests his theories of mobility and maneuverability, and the possibilities of coordinated tank maneuvers with infantry and air power. 1933 January Hitler is elected Chancellor. The German National Socialist Party is on the rise. 1934 August German President Hindenberg dies. Hitler, as Reich Chancellor, transfers the president‘s powers to himself and appropriates authority of the German states. Bavaria, and all of its military posts, including the Grafenwoehr Training Area, are now directly under his authority. 1935 February Heavy Artillery fi ring at the Training Area commences. March Hitler reintroduces mandatory military service in the German Reich and the army is increased from 100,000 to 550,00 troops, and its name is changed from “Reichswehr” to “Wehrmacht”. The scope and tempo of training at the GTA grows exponentially. 1936 January The second great expansion of Grafenwoehr takes place by order of the War Ministry in Berlin. The GTA doubles by 35,000 acres to the west of the existing camp to accommodate the stupendous growth of the resurgent Wehrmacht, more than 3,500 civilians are relocated outside the training area. March 30,000 German soldiers march into the demilitarized Rhineland border region. The French back-down in the face or well-trained German troops. 1937 June The German Stuka, a ground attack aircraft and form of aerial artillery, is regularly participating in tank and infantry maneuvers at the GTA. The Stuka is a key element in the early success of the German Wehrmacht attacks across Europe, beginning in 1939. History of the Grafenwoehr Training Area
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