Ranks and insignia of the Luftwaffe (1935–1945)

The Luftwaffe, from its founding in 1933 to the end of World War II in 1945, used ranks similar to other air forces at the time; however, some Luftwaffe ranks had no equivalent in the Allied air forces. While many ranks might have equivalents in other air forces, in reality the Luftwaffe military had a far greater responsibility; while officers of the Royal Air Force, the British Air Force, were graded to a higher rank when performing higher rank functions, Luftwaffe officers maintained their rank while performing functions, regardless of size of the responsibility assigned to them.[1][2][better source needed]

Luftwaffe

[edit]
Insignia[3] Title Approximate equivalents during World War II
Collar Shoulder Sleeve
(Flight suit)
US[4] UK[5]
Generalsränge
Reichsmarschall
Generalfeldmarschall General of the Army Marshal of the Royal Air Force
Generaloberst General Air chief marshal
General der Waffengattung Lieutenant general Air marshal
Generalleutnant Major general Air vice-marshal
Generalmajor Brigadier general Air commodore
Offiziersränge
Oberst Colonel Group captain
Oberstleutnant Lieutenant colonel Wing commander
Major Major Squadron leader
Hauptmann Captain Flight lieutenant
Oberleutnant First lieutenant Flying officer
Leutnant Second lieutenant Pilot officer
Unteroffiziere and Offizieranwärter (OA)
Stabsfeldwebel-Fahnenjunker N/A
Stabsfeldwebel Sergeant major Warrant officer
Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel Flight cadet Acting pilot officer
Oberfeldwebel Master sergeant
Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel N/A
Feldwebel Technical sergeant Flight sergeant
Fahnenjunker-Unterfeldwebel Flight cadet Officer cadet
Unterfeldwebel Staff sergeant Sergeant
Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier Flight cadet Officer cadet
Unteroffizier Sergeant Corporal
Mannschaften
Stabsgefreiter Senior airman Leading aircraftman
Hauptgefreiter
(used until 1944)
Obergefreiter Airman first class
Gefreiter Airman
Flieger Airman basic Aircraftman 2nd class

Condor Legion

[edit]
Insignia German Rank Spanish
equivalent
Chest Cuff
Generalleutnant General de división
Generalmajor General de brigada
Oberst Coronel
Oberstleutnant
Major Teniente coronel
Hauptmann Comandante
Oberleutnant Capitán
Leutnant Teniente
Feldwebel, Oberfeldwebel, Stabsfeldwebel Alférez
Unteroffizier, Unterfeldwebel Sargento
Legionär Cabo
Source:[6][7]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Citations
  1. ^ "World war 2 German officer hats and equipments". www.worldwar2-militaria.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
  2. ^ "Hierarquia e insígnias da Luftwaffe". www.luftwaffe39-45.historia.nom.br (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
  3. ^ Stedman 2002, pp. 17–19.
  4. ^ War Department 1945.
  5. ^ CIA 1999, p. 18.
  6. ^ Davis 1999, pp. 58–64.
  7. ^ Jurado, Carlos Caballero (2006). The Condor Legion. Elite. Osprey Publishing. p. 19. ISBN 978-1841768991.
Bibliography