As an expert in military history, I can provide an accurate and detailed response to your question regarding the size of Hitler's army in 1939. It is important to clarify that the term "Hitler's army" generally refers to the military forces of Nazi Germany, which were collectively known as the Wehrmacht. The Wehrmacht was not limited to ground forces but also included the Kriegsmarine (Navy) and the Luftwaffe (Air Force). In 1939, the year World War II began, the size of the German military was significantly smaller than the total number of soldiers that served throughout the entire conflict. The Wehrmacht's expansion was a gradual process that accelerated as the war progressed. At the beginning of the war, the German military was composed of the following components: 1. Heer (Army): The German Army was the largest branch of the Wehrmacht. In 1939, the Heer had been rapidly rearming and expanding since the early days of the Nazi regime. However, it was not yet at its full strength. The invasion of Poland, which marked the start of World War II, was carried out by an army of approximately 1.5 million men. 2. Kriegsmarine (Navy): The German Navy was also in the process of expansion under the guidance of Grand Admiral Erich Raeder. In 1939, it was not as large as it would become later in the war, but it was already a formidable force with a significant number of surface ships, U-boats, and other naval assets. 3. Luftwaffe (Air Force): The Luftwaffe, under the leadership of Hermann Göring, was one of the most technologically advanced air forces at the time. It played a crucial role in the early victories of the German military. In 1939, the Luftwaffe had a mix of modern and older aircraft, with a total strength that was smaller than the peak numbers it would reach later. It is important to note that the Wehrmacht's numbers grew substantially over the course of the war due to conscription and the incorporation of foreign volunteers and conscripts, particularly from occupied territories. The total number of military personnel who served in the German armed forces during World War II is estimated to be around 13 million, as you mentioned. However, this figure includes all those who served over the six years of the conflict, not just in 1939. The exact number of personnel in the German military at the start of the war is difficult to determine due to the rapid changes and the secretive nature of the Nazi regime's military planning. Nevertheless, it is clear that the German military was a formidable force in 1939, and it played a central role in the early stages of World War II. read more >>

Though often erroneously restricted to the ground forces, the Wehrmacht also included the Kriegsmarine (Navy) and the Luftwaffe (Air Force). During World War II, a total of about 13 million soldiers served in the German Army. Most army personnel were conscripted.read more >>