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Ranks and insignia of the Luftwaffe (1935–1945)

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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
Image Image N/a Reichsmarschall N/a N/a
Image Image Image Generalfeldmarschall General of the Army Marshal of the Royal Air Force
Image Image Image Generaloberst General Air chief marshal
Image Image Image General der Waffengattung Lieutenant general Air marshal
Image Image Image Generalleutnant Major general Air vice-marshal
Image Image Image Generalmajor Brigadier general Air commodore
Offiziersränge
Image Image Image Oberst Colonel Group captain
Image Image Image Oberstleutnant Lieutenant colonel Wing commander
Image Image Image Major Major Squadron leader
Image Image Image Hauptmann Captain Flight lieutenant
Image Image Image Oberleutnant First lieutenant Flying officer
Image Image Image Leutnant Second lieutenant Pilot officer
Unteroffiziere and Offizieranwärter (OA)
Image Image Image Stabsfeldwebel-Fahnenjunker N/A
Image Stabsfeldwebel Master Sergeant Warrant officer
Image Image Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel Flight cadet Acting pilot officer
Image Oberfeldwebel Master sergeant N/a
Image Image Image Fahnenjunker-Feldwebel N/A
Image Feldwebel Technical sergeant Flight sergeant
Image Image Image Fahnenjunker-Unterfeldwebel Flight cadet Officer cadet
Image Unterfeldwebel Staff sergeant Sergeant
Image Image Image Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier Flight cadet Officer cadet
Image Unteroffizier Sergeant Corporal
Mannschaften
Image Image Image Stabsgefreiter Corporal Leading aircraftman
Image Hauptgefreiter
(used until 1944)
Image Image Obergefreiter Private first class
Image Image Gefreiter Private
Image N/a Flieger Private Aircraftman 2nd class

Condor Legion

[edit]
Insignia German Rank Spanish
equivalent
Chest Cuff
N/a Image Generalleutnant General de división
N/a Image Generalmajor General de brigada
N/a Image Oberst Coronel
Image N/a Oberstleutnant
Image N/a Major Teniente coronel
Image N/a Hauptmann Comandante
Image N/a Oberleutnant Capitán
Image N/a Leutnant Teniente
Image N/a Feldwebel, Oberfeldwebel, Stabsfeldwebel Alférez
Image N/a Unteroffizier, Unterfeldwebel Sargento
Image N/a 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
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