Heer facts for kids
Heer is a German word that generally means "army." It's used to describe the land forces of a country. You might hear this word when talking about the military history of Germany or other countries that speak German.
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What Does Heer Mean?
The word "Heer" comes from the German language. It is the common term for an army or ground forces. Many countries, especially those with German roots, use this word or similar ones to describe their military.
Armies Through History
Over time, different German-speaking countries have used the term "Heer" for their armies. Here are some examples:
Holy Roman Empire's Army
From 1422 to 1806, the Holy Roman Empire had its own army, sometimes called the Reichsheer. This army was made up of soldiers from different parts of the empire.
German Confederation's Army
Between 1815 and 1866, after the Holy Roman Empire, there was the German Confederation. Its army was known as the Bundesheer, or the German Federal Army.
German Empire's Army
From 1871 to 1919, during the time of the German Empire, the army was called the Deutsches Heer. This was a very important army during World War I.
Weimar Republic's Army
After World War I, Germany became the Weimar Republic. Its army, from 1919 to 1935, was known as the Reichswehr or Reichsheer. This army was smaller due to peace treaties.
World War II Army
From 1935 to 1946, during World War II, the army of Nazi Germany was part of the Wehrmacht. The Heer was the land branch of the Wehrmacht.
Modern German Army
Since 1955, the army of Germany has been called the German Army or Deutsches Heer. This army is part of the modern German military and works with other countries for peace and security.
Heer in Other Countries
The term "Heer" is also used for armies in other countries that speak German:
Austrian Army
The current army of Military of Austria is called the Österreichisches Bundesheer. It has been around since 1920.
Swiss Army
In Military of Switzerland, the ground forces are simply called Heer. They are an important part of Switzerland's defense.
Other Meanings of Heer
The word "Heer" can also refer to other things:
A Place in the Netherlands
There is an area called Heer, Netherlands in the city of Maastricht, which is located in the Limburg region of the Netherlands.
A Classic Punjabi Story
Heer Ranjha is a very famous classical folk story from the Punjabi region. It is a tale of love and tragedy.
See also
In Spanish: Heer (desambiguación) para niños
