Military ranks of the Luftwaffe (1935–45)
The ranks of the Luftwaffe were similar to other branches of the Wehrmacht.
Rank insignia
rank |
Insignia | Titul | Approximate US[1]/UK equivalent during World War II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shoulder | Collar | Sleeve, (Flight suit) | ||||
General officer ranks | ||||||
Reichsmarschall | No equivalent | |||||
OF-10[2] | Generalfeldmarschall | General of the Army | Marshal of the Air Force | |||
OF-9 | Generaloberst | General | Air Chief Marshal | |||
OF-8 | General of the branch |
Lieutenant General | Air Marshal | |||
OF-7 | Generalleutnant | Major General | Air Vice-Marshal | |||
OF-6 | Generalmajor | Brigadier General | Air Commodore | |||
Officer ranks | ||||||
OF-5 | Oberst | Colonel | Group Captain | |||
OF-4 | Oberstleutnant | Lieutenant Colonel | Wing Commander | |||
OF-3 | Major | Major | Squadron Leader | |||
OF-2 | Hauptmann | Captain | Flight Lieutenant | |||
OF-1a | Oberleutnant | First Lieutenant | Flying Officer | |||
OF-1 | Leutnant | Second Lieutenant | Pilot Officer | |||
Non-Commissioned Officer ranks | ||||||
OR-8[3] | Stabsfeldwebel | Master Sergeant | Warrant Officer | |||
OR-7 | Oberfähnrich | Flight cadet | Acting pilot officer | |||
Oberfeldwebel | Technical Sergeant | Flight Sergeant | ||||
OR-6 | Feldwebel | Staff Sergeant | Sergeant | |||
OR-5 | Fähnrich | Flight Cadet | Officer Cadet | |||
Unterfeldwebel | Sergeant | Corporal | ||||
OR-4 | Fahnenjunker | Flight Cadet | Officer Cadet | |||
Unteroffizier | Corporal | Corporal | ||||
Enlisted ranks | ||||||
OR-3 | Stabsgefreiter from 1944 | Private First Class | Senior Aircraftman | |||
Hauptgefreiter until 1944 | Private First Class | Senior Aircraftman | ||||
Obergefreiter | Private First Class | Leading Aircraftman | ||||
OR-2 | Gefreiter | Private First Class | Aircraftman 1st Class | |||
OR-1 | Flieger | Private | Aircraftman 2nd Class |
See also main articles
Luftwaffe war badges
Combined Pilots-Observation Badge | Pilot's Badge | Luftwaffe Paratrooper Badge |
---|---|---|
Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge | Tank Combat Badge of the Luftwaffe | Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe |
Observer Badge | ||
- Aircrew Badge
- Glider Pilot Badge
- Radio Operator Badge
- Air Gunner Badge
Luftwaffe flying clasps
Luftwaffe Flying Clasps |
---|
Luftwaffe Flying Clasps were awarded in Bronze, Silver, and Gold with upgrade possible to include diamonds. Pennants suspended from the clasp indicated the number of missions carried out in a given type of aircraft. Flying Clasps were issued for missions completed in the following Luftwaffe aircraft
- Day Fighters
- Night Fighters
- Long-Range Night Fighters
- Heavy Fighters
- Air to Ground Support Fighters
- Bombers
- Reconnaissance
- Transport and Glider
References
- ↑ WAR DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL MANUAL TM-E 30-451, p. I-6/7
- ↑ The abbreviation "OF" stands for de: "Offizier / en: officer / fr: officier / ru: офицер"
- ↑ The abbreviation "OR" stands for "Other Ranks / fr: sous-officiers et militaires du rang / ru:другие ранги, кроме офицероф"
- Mitcham, Samuel W. (2008). The Rise of the Wehrmacht: The German Armed Forces and World War II, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-275-99659-8.
- Ruffner, Kevin Conley (1990). Luftwaffe Field Divisions 1941-45. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-100-7.
|