The roots of the German Luftwaffe that flew in World War II had its genesis in World War I.

To invade England Germany needed mastery of the air and the English Channel.

By October 1941 the Japanese Navy was preparing for war against the United Stated and the primary target at Pearl Harbor was the American aircraft carriers.

After Midway the Japanese Navy tried to regain the initiative by engaging the U.S. naval forces in the southern Solomon Islands supporting the Guadalcanal landings.

The Soviet Air Force fought in the Spanish Civil War as did many Luftwaffe pilots as a prelude to what was to come.

While the MIG 3 was comparable to the German ME 109, the YAK 9 became the main fighter of the Soviet Air Forces..