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Oberst#History and origins

{{Short description|Military rank}}

{{Other uses}}

{{Multiple issues|

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Oberst ({{IPA|de|ˈoːbɐst|-|De-Oberst.ogg}}) is a senior field officer rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel.{{sfn|STANAG 2116|pp=A-2, A-5, C-2, C-5}} It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti and the Icelandic rank ofursti.

History and origins

{{lang|de|Oberst}} is a German word. Spelled with a capital O, "{{lang|de|Oberst}}" is a noun and defines the military rank of colonel or group captain. Spelled with a lower case o, or "{{lang|de|oberst}}", it is an adjective, meaning "superior, top, topmost, uppermost, highest, chief, head, first, principal, or supreme". Both usages derive from the superlative of {{lang|de|ober(e)}}, "the upper" or "the uppermost".{{cn|date=April 2021}}

As a family name, Oberst is common in the southwest of Germany, in the area known as the Black Forest (Schwarzwald). The name is also concentrated in the north-central cantons of Switzerland (Aargau & Zürich). Here the Swiss version of Oberst is spelled Obrist. The name first appeared in the thirteenth century in the German-Swiss border area, and early forms were Zoberist and Oberist. The name most likely refers to the "tribe that lives the highest on the mountain" or "the family that lives the highest in the village".{{cn|date=April 2021}}

Translated as "superior" or "supreme", the rank of Oberst can trace its origins to the Middle Ages where the term most likely described the senior knight on a battlefield or the senior captain in a regiment. With the emergence of professional armies in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, an Oberst became the commander of regiment or battalion-sized formations.{{cn|date=April 2021}}

By the eighteenth century, {{lang|de|Obersten}} were typically afforded aides or lieutenants, often titled {{lang|de|Oberstleutnant}}. This led to formation of the modern German rank of the same name, translated as lieutenant colonel.{{cn|date=April 2021}}

Austria

Oberst is the fifth highest rank in the Austrian Armed Forces.

Bundesheer - Rank insignia - Oberst.png|Army

Denmark

{{see also|Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Army|Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Air Force}}

{{Infobox military rank

| name = {{lang|da|Oberst}}

| native_name =

| image = {{nobreak|50px 50px}}

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Army and air force insignia

| image2 =

| image_size2 =

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

| image3 =

| image_size3 =

| alt3 =

| caption3 =

| country = {{flag|Denmark}}

| service branch = {{ubl|{{army|Denmark}}|{{air force|Denmark}}}}

| abbreviation =

| rank group = Senior officer ({{lang|da|Chefniveau}})

| rank =

| NATO rank = OF-5

| Non-NATO rank =

| pay grade = M402

| formation = 1563

| abolished =

| higher rank = {{lang|da|Brigadegeneral}}

| lower rank = {{lang|da|Oberstløjtnant}}

| equivalents = {{lang|da|Kommandør}}

| history =

}}

The Danish rank of {{lang|da|oberst}} is based around the German term.{{sfn|Danske Soldater|1935|p=3}} Ranked OF-5 within NATO and having the paygrade of M402,{{sfn|Ministry of Defence|2017}} it is used in the Royal Danish Army and the Royal Danish Air Force.

=History=

The rank can be traced back to at least 1563, when Count Günther of Schwarzburg-Arnstadt was named {{lang|da|feltøverste}} ({{translation|Field colonel}}; {{literally|Superior [in the] field}}) of the Danish troops during the First Northern War.{{sfn|Madsen|1904|p=217}}

By 1586, {{ill|Steen Maltesen Sehested|da}} was named {{lang|da|Rigets oberst}} ({{translation|Colonel of the kingdom}}).{{sfn|Madsen|1904|p=215}}

On 25 May 1671, the ranks were codified, by King Christian V, with the publication of the Danish order of precedence. Here there were two types of {{lang|da|oberst}}s. The colonel of the Life Guards placed below major general, and above colonels of the infantry and cavalry, which in turn was placed above the rank lieutenant colonel of the Life Guards.{{sfn|danmarkshistorien.dk|2017}}

As part of the Army Reform of 1867, the ranks of Major, Lieutenant colonel were removed, making {{lang|da|oberst}} the only senior officer.{{sfn|Klint|1965|p=8}} By 1889, {{lang|da|oberstløjtnant}} was reintroduced.{{cite journal |last1=Hansen |first1=Bert |last2=Løvschall |first2=Frans |last3=Nilsson |first3=Birger |editor1-last=Skøtt |editor1-first=Ole |title=Den Danske Hær og Flådes Uniformer 1886 |trans-title=Uniforms of the Danish Army and Navy 1886 |journal=Vaabenhistoriske Aarsbøger |date=1997 |publisher=Devantier |volume=42 |language=da |page=196 |issn=0108-707X}}

{{clear}}

Germany

{{Infobox military rank

| name = {{lang|de|Oberst}}

| native_name =

| image = {{nowrap|80px80px}}

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| image2 =

| image_size2 =

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

| image3 =

| image_size3 =

| alt3 =

| caption3 =

| country = {{flagcountry|Germany}}

| service branch = {{army|Germany}}
{{air force|Germany}}

| abbreviation = O

| rank group = Commissioned officer

| rank =

| NATO rank = OF-5

| Non-NATO rank =

| pay grade = A16 or B3

| formation = 1956 {{small|(current)}}

| abolished =

| higher rank = {{lang|de|Brigadegeneral}}

| lower rank = {{lang|de|Oberstleutnant}}

| equivalents = {{lang|de|Kapitän zur See}}

| history =

}}

{{lang|de|Oberst}} (short: O) is the highest staff officer rank in the German Army (Heer) and the German Air Force (Luftwaffe).

=''Oberst'' in the ''Bundeswehr''=

{{main|Ranks of the German Bundeswehr|Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr}}

The rank is rated OF-5 in NATO, and is grade A16 or B3 in the pay rules of the Federal Ministry of Defence. It is equivalent to:

On the shoulder straps (Heer, Luftwaffe) there are three silver pips (stars) in silver oak leaves.

class="wikitable centered"
style="background-color:#CEDAF2"

! Heer

Luftwaffe

HA OS5 53 Oberst i.G..svg|{{center|Oberst i.G.
(Gen. staff service)}}

HA OS5 53 Oberst HLog.svg|{{center|Oberst
(Logistics troops)}}

HA OS5 53 Oberst d.R. PzGren.svg|{{center|Oberst a.D.
(Mech. infantry ret.)}}

|

LA OS5 53 Oberst.svg|{{center|Oberst
(field suit)}}

LA 5W5 53 Oberst.svg|{{center|Oberst
(Flecktarn)}}

= ''Oberst'' in East Germany=

{{main|Ranks of the National People's Army}}

{{lang|de|Oberst}} was in the so-called armed organs of the GDR ({{langx|de|Bewaffnete Organe der DDR}}), represented by Ministry of National Defence, and Ministry for State Security, the highest field officer rank, comparable to the colonel in many NATO-Armed forces (Rangcode OF-5). This was in reference to Soviet military doctrine and in line with other armed forces of the Warsaw Pact.

style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
bgcolor="#CCCCCC"

! Branch

! colspan="2"|Land forces

Armored corps / Medical service

! Air Force

! Border troops

! colspan=2| Volksmarine

style="text-align:center;"

! Shoulder board

| 50px

| 60px

| 95px

| 50px

| 50px

| 50px

style="text-align:center;"

! Rank
designation

| colspan=4| Oberst{{hr}}

| colspan=2| Kapitän zur See

class="wikitable centered darkmode-hintergrundfarbe-neutral" style="font-size: 95%; margin: 1em auto; background:#A0E0A0; color:#202122; text-align:center;"
colspan="3"| Rank (GDR)
style="width:33%;"| junior rank:
Oberstleutnant

|style="width:34%; background:#CFCFCF; color:#202122; font-weight:bold;"| 30px
Oberst

(Kapitän zur See)

|style="width:33%;"| senior renk:
Generalmajor

= ''Oberst'' in the ''Wehrmacht''=

{{lang|de|Oberst}} was in the German Reich and Nazi Germany the highest field officer rank, comparable to the OF-5 rank in many NATO-Armed forces. It was equivalent to Kapitän zur See in the Kriegsmarine, and SS-Standartenführer in the Waffen-SS until 1945.

style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
bgcolor="#CCCCCC"

! Branch

! German Army

! Luftwaffe

! Waffen-SS

! Kriegsmarine

style="text-align:center;"

! Collar

| 90px

| 90px

| 90px

| None

style="text-align:center;"

! Shoulder

| 100px

| 100px

| 100px

| 100px

style="text-align:center;"

! Sleeve

| 80px

| 80px

| 80px

| 50px

style="text-align:center;"

! Rank
designation

| colspan=2| Oberst{{hr}}

| Standartenführer
der Waffen-SS

| Kapitän zur See

align="center" class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0.5em auto; clear: both;"
width="30%" align="center" style="background:#cfcfcf;"|junior rank:
Oberstleutnant

|width="40%" align="center" style="background:#bfbfbf;"|28px

(German officer rank)
Oberst
(Kapitän zur See)

|width="30%" align="center" style="background:#afafaf;"|senior rank:
Generalmajor

Norway

{{expand section|date=April 2021}}

The rank of {{lang|no|oberst}} was introduced around the same time as Denmark, as Norway at the time was part of Denmark–Norway.{{sfn|Petersen|2014|p=493}}

Norway-army-OF-5.svg|Army

Norway-air force-OF-5.svg|Air Force

Sweden

{{main|Överste}}

The Swedish variant {{lang|sv|överste}}, is the most senior field grade military officer rank in the Swedish Army and the Swedish Air Force, immediately above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general. It is equivalent to the naval rank of captain in the Swedish Navy.{{cite web |url=http://rkrattsdb.gov.se/SFSdoc/00/000556.PDF |publisher=Swedish Code of Statutes |title=Förordning om ändring i officersförordningen (1994:882) |page=2 |date=26 June 2000 |access-date=7 October 2020 |language=sv}}

Sweden-Field-OF-5 (2019).svg|Army

OF-5 Överste AMF hylsa.jpg|Amphibious Corps

OF-5 Överste FV hylsa.svg|Air Force

Switzerland

{{noref|section|date=November 2023}}

{{See also|Military ranks of Switzerland|Swiss Guard#Ranks and insignia}}

{{Infobox military rank

| name = {{lang|de|Oberst}}

| native_name =

| image = {{nobreak| 75px 50px}}

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Swiss and Swiss guard insignia

| image2 =

| image_size2 =

| alt2 =

| caption2 =

| image3 =

| image_size3 =

| alt3 =

| caption3 =

| country = {{flag|Switzerland}}
{{flag|Vatican}}

| service branch = Swiss Armed Forces {{small|(SAF)}}
Swiss Guard {{small|(SG)}}

| abbreviation =

| rank group = Senior officer

| rank =

| NATO rank =

| Non-NATO rank =

| pay grade =

| formation =

| abolished =

| higher rank = {{lang|de|Brigadier}} {{small|(SAF)}}

| lower rank = {{lang|de|Oberstleutnant}} {{small|(SAF & SG)}}

| equivalents =

| history =

}}

In the Swiss Army, the Oberst ranks above the lieutenant colonel ("Oberstleutnant") and below the brigadier general ("Brigadier"). In peacetime, it is the fourth highest officer rank.

The Oberst is the commander of a Kommando (Gren Kdo, Flpl Kdo), the army engineer staff, or an antiaircraft  (Flab) cluster. These formations are comparable to regiments. As a staff officer, the Oberst performs various specialized functions in the staffs of the Army, Air Force, and territorial regions. In the brigades, the Oberst (in the general staff - "Oberst i Gst") performs the role of deputy commander and/or chief of staff. In the military justice system, the presidents of the military courts hold the rank of Oberst.

References

;Citations

{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography

  • {{cite web |author1=danmarkshistorien.dk |title=Rangforordningen, 25. maj 1671 |url=https://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/rangforordningen-25-maj-1671/ |publisher=danmarkshistorien.dk |access-date=15 March 2021 |language=da |date=17 May 2017}}
  • {{cite journal |author1= |title=Grads-Betegnelserne i Hæren |journal=Danske Soldater |date=12 February 1935 |volume=2 |issue=2 |language=da |ref={{sfnref|Danske Soldater|1935}} }}
  • {{cite journal |last1=Klint |first1=Helge |title=Træk af Hærstabens historie |journal=Hærkommandoens Årsskrift |date=1965 |pages=5–11 |publisher=Nyt Nordisk Forlag |language=da}}
  • {{cite journal |last1=Madsen |first1=Emil |title=De nationale Tropper, samt Hærvæsenets Styrelse i det 16. Aarhundrede |trans-title=The National Troops, as well as the Administration of the Army in the 16th Century |journal=Historisk Tidsskrift |date=1904 |volume=5 |issue=7 |pages=199–200 |url=http://img.kb.dk/tidsskriftdk/pdf/hto/hto_7rk_0005-PDF/hto_7rk_0005_97050.pdf |access-date=6 August 2023 |language=da}}
  • {{cite book |author1=Military Committee Land Standardization Board |title=STANAG 2116 |date=13 January 2021 |publisher=NATO Standardization Agency |edition=7th |ref={{harvid|STANAG 2116}}}}
  • {{cite web |author1=Ministry of Defence |author1-link=Ministry of Defence (Denmark) |title=Historik |url=https://forpers.dk/hr/Pages/Historik.aspx |website=forpers.dk |publisher=Forsvarsministeriets Personalestyrelse |access-date=8 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222185850/https://forpers.dk/hr/Pages/Historik.aspx |archive-date=22 February 2019 |language=da |date=9 January 2017}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Petersen |first1=Karsten Skjold |title=Kongens klæder - Hærens uniformer og udrustning i Danmark-Norge |date=2014 |publisher=Historika |location=Slovenia |isbn=9788793229006 |edition=1st |language=da}}

{{German military ranks}}

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Oberst}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oberst}}

Category:Military ranks of Germany

Category:Military ranks of Austria

Category:Military ranks of Switzerland

Category:Military ranks of Denmark

Category:Military ranks of Norway

Category:Military ranks of Sweden

Category:Military ranks of Finland

da:Oberst

de:Oberst

no:Oberst