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

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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

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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

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References

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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