In May 1941, Felmy was called up by the High Command of the Armed Forces (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, or OKW) to be the commander of Special Staff F,[3] the failed military mission to Iraq. While Felmy was a General der Flieger, he was not responsible for commanding the air force component of the Special Staff.[4] Sonderstab F lasted from 20 May to 20 June.