Ranks and insignia of the German Army (1935–1945)

The {{lang|de|Reichswehr's}} visual acknowledgement of the new National Socialist reality came on 17 February 1934, when the Commander-in-Chief, Werner von Blomberg, ordered the Nazi Party eagle-and-swastika, then Germany's National Emblem, to be worn on uniform blouses and headgear effective 1 May.{{sfn|Wheeler-Bennett|1967|p=312}} The design adopted, in silver for the {{lang|de|Reichsheer}} (army) and in gold for the {{lang|de|Reichsmarine}} (navy), was a stylized eagle with outstretched, beveled wings clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, later to be called the {{lang|de|Wehrmachtsadler}} ("armed forces eagle").{{efn|The {{lang|de|Luftwaffe}}, although a branch of the {{lang|de|Wehrmacht}}, would use its own eagle design.}}

{{multiple image

| direction = horizontal

| align = right

| width = 100

| header = Wehrmachtsadler

| image1 = Wehrmachtsadler-1935.svg

| caption1 = 1935

| image2 = Wehrmachtsadler-1939.svg

| caption2 = 1939

| image3 = Wehrmachtsadler-1940.svg

| caption3 = 1940

| image4 = Wehrmachtsadler-1944.svg

| caption4 = 1944

| image5 = Wehrmachtsadler-Trop 1.svg

| caption5 = Tropical

}}

On tunics this took the form of a cloth patch about {{cvt|9|cm}} wide worn on the right breast, above the pocket. For enlisted uniforms it was jacquard-woven ("BeVo") or sometimes machine-embroidered in silver-grey rayon, for officers machine- or hand-embroidered in white silk or bright aluminum wire, and for generals hand-embroidered in gold bullion.{{efn|"Gold bullion" in this context does not (usually) refer to actual gold, but to gold-colored wire, typically a bronze alloy}} The backing was "badge-cloth" ({{lang|de|Abzeichentuch}}), a close-woven velvetish fabric; this was originally {{lang|de|Reichsheer}} grey, but in late 1935 the renamed {{lang|de|Wehrmacht Heer}} changed its {{lang|de|Abzeichentuch}} color to a dark blue-green called {{lang|de|flaschengrün}} (bottle-green).

The war brought several variations to the breast eagle, although it should be kept in mind that none of them was replaced or de-authorized, and all were being worn side by side at war's end. When hostilities began in 1939, on the enlisted {{lang|de|Feldbluse}} or field blouse the eagle was changed from silver-white to matte grey for reduced visibility; and in 1940 backings began to be produced in field-grey ({{lang|de|feldgrau}}). Another version appeared with the advent of the Model 1944 Field Blouse, which used a triangular backing for speed and simplicity of manufacture. Very late in the war some {{lang|de|Hoheitszeichen}} were simply printed on thin fabric.

There were also versions for other uniforms: both white and grey variants on black for the Panzer uniform, and in dull grey-blue on tan backing for the tropical ({{lang|de|Afrikakorps}}) uniform. A stamped metal pin-on breast eagle was worn with the officers' white summer tunic.{{Clear}}

File:Schirmmutze cap badges.jpg File:Insignias casco.svg

Caps and helmets bore two common insignia elements, in various forms: the National Emblem and the national colors. World War I caps had carried dual cockades or roundels, one in Imperial black-white-red and one in the colors of the particular State within the Empire. The {{lang|de|Reichswehr}} changed this to a single cockade in the Weimar Republic's black, red and gold; almost as soon as Hitler took power he restored the pre-1919 tricolor flag, and ordered the Army to return to black-white-red.

File:Koppelschloss Wehrmacht.jpg

Belt buckles for enlisted men were of box type, made of aluminum or stamped steel and bearing a circular device with a version of the {{lang|de|Hoheitszeichen}} called the Army eagle or {{lang|de|Heeresadler}} (an eagle with downswept wings clutching an unwreathed swastika) surmounted by the motto {{lang|de|Gott mit uns}} ("God with us"). For field wear these were usually painted field-grey to reduce visibility and had a smooth finish; on the other hand, dress buckles were silver-washed with a pebbled surface surrounding the {{lang|de|Hoheitszeichen}}.

Officers' field and service buckles were of a two-pronged frame type. With dress uniform officers wore a belt of silver braid with a circular silver-washed or -plated aluminum buckle, in the form of an oakleaf wreath surrounding a {{lang|de|Heeresadler}}. Generals' were the same but gilt or gold-plated.

With the tropical uniform and its belt of cotton webbing, officers wore a buckle identical to the dress buckle but painted olive-drab.

File:Ausgehuniform Württ Ulanenregiment 19 nach1900 Collar Detail.jpg

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| caption_align = center

| width = 100

| image1 = Offiziere Litzen Dress.svg

| caption1 = dress

| image2 = Offiziere Litzen Field.svg

| caption2 = field & service

| header = Officers' version
(embroidered)

| footer = Waffenfarbe (cavalry corps)

| footer_align = center

| footer_background = #FFD700

}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| width = 100

| header = NCO version
(machine-woven with encircling braid)

| caption_align = center

| image2 = Unteroffizier Litzen und Tresse 1935.svg

| caption2 = field

| image1 = Unteroffizier Litzen und Tresse Dress.svg

| caption1 = dress

| footer = Waffenfarbe (armored corps)

| footer_align = center

| footer_background = #FF99CC

}}

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| width = 100

| header = Enlisted version

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Mannschaft Litzen 1934.svg

| alt1 = Mannschaft Litzen 1935

| caption1 = field 1934

| footer = Waffenfarbe (artillery)

| footer_align = center

| footer_background = red

}}

In 19th century German armies, Guard and other elite regiments wore lengths of double braid ({{lang|de|Doppellitze}}) encircling all or most of the collar as a mark of distinction. By the middle of World War I these ornate collars had been reduced to an embroidered representation of short lengths of braid joined at the ends, sewn to patches worn at the front of the collar. When the {{lang|de|Reichsheer}} was established in 1921 as Germany's first national army{{efn|The German Army of Imperial times comprised in wartime the armies of the Kingdoms of Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria and Württemberg under the Prussian General Staff ({{lang|de|Generalstab}}).}} {{lang|de|Litzen}} were prescribed as the universal collar device for all personnel other than generals, and the Third Reich continued the practice.

For clarification, however, a distinction must be made between a "collar patch" ({{langx|de|Kragenpatte or Kragenspiegel}}), and NCO braid ({{lang|de|Unteroffizierslitze}} or {{lang|de|Kragenlitze}} – the badge of rank of all German NCO ranks), encircling the collar of the uniform tunic. An NCO wore both collar patches and the braid encircling the collar. Commissioned officers wore collar patches only.

{{main|Corps colours of the German Army (1935–1945)}}

On both collar points of any uniform jacket there was a collar patch. Each patch consisted of the padding, and two parallel facings ({{langx|de|Patten}}), the so-called {{lang|de|Litzenspiegel}}, symbolising the double braid of the 19th century.

The padding of full-dress collar patches showed the wearer's {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}} (corps color). The dress tunic version was embroidered in fine aluminum thread on a patch of badge cloth ({{langx|de|Abzeichentuch}}). The backing also showed through in the space between the two parallel facings of the collar patch, and formed so a colour center stripe.

On field – and service uniforms, beginning in late 1935, the collar patch was dark bottle-green to match the collar; the {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}} "showed through" (in fact colored cord was sewn into) the center strip of each braid, the {{lang|de|Litzenspiegel}}.

For enlisted men, service collar patches were machine-woven in silver-grey rayon; COs' were embroidered more elaborately in white silk or aluminium thread, and were somewhat larger to match their higher collars.

NCOs ({{langx|de|Unteroffiziere}}) wore standard enlisted collar patches but were distinguished by a strip of 9mm silver-grey diamond-woven rayon braid ({{lang|de|Unteroffoziers-Tressen}}, NCO-{{lang|de|Tressen}}), sewn around the collar, except on the dress, where the NCO-{{lang|de|Tresse}} was bright aluminum. However, the aluminum-embroidered NCO-{{lang|de|Tressen}} on dress uniforms ({{langx|de|Ausgangsuniform, Paradeuniform}}) encircled the collar's upper edge, the simpler NCO-{{lang|de|Tressen}} on service – or field uniform encircled the collar's lower edge.{{Clear}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| width = 100

| header = Enlisted versions

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Mannschaft Litzen Dress.svg

| caption1 = Dress

| image2 = Mannschaft Litzen 1938.svg

| caption2 = Field, 1938

| image3 = Mannschaft Litzen 1940.svg

| caption3 = Field, 1940

}}

File:Feldgendarmerie.JPG, post 1940.]]

By 1938 the fast-growing {{lang|de|Heer}} had found that it was impractical, for the enlisted field uniform, to manufacture and stock a multitude of collar patches in assorted {{lang|de|Waffenfarben}} which also had to be sewn on and frequently changed by unit tailors. Accordingly, new universal collar patches were introduced with the {{lang|de|Litzenspiegel}} and {{lang|de|Mittelstreifen}}{{Explain|date=March 2018}} woven in dark green to match the backing patch, and which could be applied at the factory; {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}} was now displayed on the shoulder-straps, which simply buttoned on and were easily switched.

With the wartime change to lower-visibility insignia enlisted collar patches were woven in matte "mouse-grey" stripes, which were at first sewn to green collar patches as before but increasingly directly to the collar, which beginning in 1940 was made in {{lang|de|feldgrau}} like the uniform; grey collar patches were never produced. The troops however preferred the green patches (and collars) if they had or could get them, especially on "clean" uniforms for walking-out; and long-service veterans took particular pride in pre-38 versions.

In contrast, officers' service uniform collar patches never changed. While most officers in the front lines wore the enlisted field uniform as per wartime regulations, many opted to have their green-and-silver collar patches added instead of (or on top of) the factory versions.

On olive tropical uniforms the collar patches were tan with dull grey-blue {{lang|de|Litzenspiegel}} for all personnel; officers again sometimes added their green collar patches. Tropical NCO collar {{lang|de|Tressen}} were copper-brown, or sometimes olive drab.{{Clear}}

{{multiple image

| align = left

| width = 45

| header = AFV crew collar insignia

| image1 = Sturmartillerie Kragenpatten mit Totenkopf.jpg

| caption1 =

| image2 = Sturmartillerie Kragenpatten mit Litzen.jpg

| caption2 =

| image3 = Sturmartillerie Kragenpatten ohne Abzeichen.jpg

| footer = Waffenfarbe (assault artillery)

| footer_background =

}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| width =

| image3 = Panzer Totenkopf.jpg

| caption3 = Death's-head

| width3 = 60

| image1 = Panzersonderbekleidung Kragenpatten.jpg

| caption1 = collar patch

| width1 = 40

| image2 = WMacht H Pz OR4-1 Mannschaften 1945.png

| caption2 = shoulder strap

| width2 = 60

| header = rank insignias armored troops

| footer = Waffenfarbe (armored corps)

| footer_background =

}}

A major exception to the wearing of {{lang|de|Litzen}} was the "panzer wrap" ({{langx|de|Panzerjacke}}), the double-breasted jacket worn by crews of tanks and other armored vehicles. When the {{lang|de|Panzertruppe}} were established in 1935 they were issued a distinctive black uniform and as a badge the {{lang|de|Totenkopf}} or Death's-head, versions of which had formerly been worn by the Imperial tank corps and various cavalry units. These skulls took the form of white-metal pins attached to black {{lang|de|Kragenpatten}} which were edged in {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}} piping.

In mid-1940 crews of assault guns ({{lang|de|Sturmgeschütze}}) received a uniform of their own, identical in cut to the {{lang|de|Panzerjacke}} but in standard field-grey, which they wore with red artillery piping. Over the course of the war a bewildering and changing series of regulations governed the uniforms and insignia for assault guns, tank destroyers, armored cars and self-propelled guns (SPG). Depending on the unit and the date either the black or grey wrap or the standard {{lang|de|Feldbluse}} might be authorized, and on the grey "assault gun" jacket the regulation collar patches could be black with skulls, or grey with skulls, {{lang|de|Litzen}}, or no device at all. The result in practice was chaos; wartime photos show a mix of uniforms and insignia worn not only in the same battalion, but even in the same vehicle.

Officially both colours of panzer wrap were working and field uniforms to be worn only in or around the vehicle; this regulation was universally ignored. {{lang|de|Panzertruppen}} were issued standard uniforms for service-dress and walking out but rarely wore them, much preferring their unique jackets.

In North Africa, AFV crews wore the same tropical uniform as the other branches, including collar patches; many tankers however pinned their {{lang|de|Totenkopf}} badges to their lapels.{{Clear}}

File:Special Single Litzen for NCO ranks of Großdeutschland IR.jpg

In June 1939, the Wehrmacht Heer wanted to renew its ties with the Old Army tradition by introducing a new uniform for its most prestigious unit: {{lang|de|Wachregiment "Berlin"}} which was renamed Infantry Regiment "Großdeutschland". The new dress uniform for I.R. "{{lang|de|Großdeutschland}}" had an elongated collar patch with single {{lang|de|Litzenspiegel}} for NCOs and two for enlisted. Although shown to the press, this new uniform was not provided to the unit due to the outbreak of World War II and was placed in depot storage.{{Clear}}

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1976-130-51, Rudolf-Christoph v. Gersdorff.jpg as {{lang|de|Oberst im Generalstab}}.]]

{{multiple image

| width = 80

| align = left

| direction = horizontal

| header = Collar patches of General Staff officers

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Generalstaboffiziere Litzen Field.svg

| alt1 = Offizer im Generalstab Litzen

| caption1 = field & service

| image2 = Generalstaboffiziere Litzen Dress.svg

| caption2 = dress uniform

| image3 = Offiziere Litzen OKW&OKH Dress.svg

| caption3 = OKW/OKH dress uniform

| footer = Waffenfarbe (generalstaff)

| footer_align = center

| footer_background = #D14152

}}

{{lang|de|Generalstaboffiziere}} were officers carefully selected and trained to represent the German General Staff Corps in both command and staff functions. They ranked from {{lang|de|Hauptmann im Generalstab}} (captain) through {{lang|de|Oberst i.G.}} (colonel). All were, before 1939, graduates of the Military Academy, the {{lang|de|Kriegsakademie}}. On division staffs they held the position of Ia (operational chief of staff) or Ib (chief of the rear echelon). In the higher echelons, the intelligence and training staff sections were most of the time in the personal charge of General Staff Corps officers. The General Staff Officers had their own distinctive Litzen called {{lang|de|alt-Preußische}} (old Prussian), or {{lang|de|Kolbenstickerei}} ("lobe-embroidery"). These were the same whether on carmine dress {{lang|de|Kragenpatten}} or green service patches; colored {{lang|de|Litzenspiegel}} were unnecessary. General Staff officers assigned to the supreme headquarters (the {{lang|de|Reichskriegsministerium}}, later the OKH and the OKW), the {{lang|de|Kriegsakademie}}, and military attaches were further distinguished by having their Litzen in gold rather than silver. These {{lang|de|Generalstaboffiziere}} were called "{{lang|de|des Generalstabs}}", {{lang|de|Oberst d.G.}}, etc. The special golden Litzen were abolished in November 1942. Only Military attaches kept their Litzen as long as they were in their present position. The Führer wanted a closer union between the front and the OKW and OKH.

In addition to their collar patches, General Staff Officers wore trouser-stripes, of the same design as generals' but in carmine rather than scarlet.

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| image1 = WMacht arabesques OF10toOF6-hor 1945.jpg

| caption1 = WWII variants

| width1 = 142

| image2 = HD S Kragenspiegel Gen horizontal.svg

| caption2 = Modern day {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}

| width2 = 142

| header = Arabesques

}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| image1 = Bundesarchiv Bild 183-W0408-503, Walter v. Reichenau.jpg

| caption1 = As Generalmajor

| width1 = 160

| image2 = Bundesarchiv Bild 183-B05284, Walter v. Reichenau.jpg

| caption2 = As Field Marshal

| width2 = 142

| header = Walter von Reichenau

}}

From 1900 and on Prussian generals had worn ornate collar patches embroidered in a style called {{lang|de|alt-Larisch}}, which had first been worn in the 18th century by the {{ill|26th Infantry Regiment (Prussia)|de|Altpreußisches Infanterieregiment No. 26 (1806)|lt=26th (älterer von Larisch) Infantry Regiment}}; the {{lang|de|Reichsheer}} and the {{lang|de|Wehrmacht}} continued the tradition. These devices, sometimes called {{lang|de|Arabesken}} (arabesques), were embroidered in gold bullion or golden synthetic {{lang|de|Celleon}} on {{lang|de|Hochrot}} (scarlet) backing.

Field Marshals wore the same {{lang|de|Arabesken}} as generals until April 1941, when they were authorized a longer variant with three rather than two iterations of the repeating pattern, for a total of six "prongs".{{sfn|Rosignoli|1975|p=209}} In some cases GFM did not bother to replace their generals' tabs, or did so only on their dress uniforms.

General officers of the Special Troop Service ({{lang|de|Truppensonderdienst}} – TDS) and of the specialist careers (medical, veterinary, ordnance, and motor park) wore the same insignia until April 1944, when they were ordered to exchange their scarlet {{lang|de|Kragenpatten}} for {{lang|de|alt-Larisch}} tabs backed in their respective {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe:}}

• {{Farbindex|93CCEA|bright blue}} – TDS administrative;
• {{Farbindex|6495ED|cornflower blue}} – medical;
• {{Farbindex|FF7538|orange}} – ordnance;{{efn|Before June 1944 their Waffenfarbe was bright red.}}
• {{Farbindex|FFC0CB|pink}} – motor park;
• {{Farbindex|960018|carmine}} – veterinary;
• {{Farbindex|900020|wine red}} – TDS judiciary.

In October 1944, the wear-out period of the scarlet backing color for Generals of the specialist careers was extended for an undetermined period.

These arabesque collar patches are still worn today by general officers of the present-day Bundeswehr.{{sfn|Federal Ministry of Defense|2016|p=32}}

File:VonRundstedt-Shoulderboards.svg & Epaulette of von Rundstedt]]

In the {{lang|de|Wehrmacht Heer}}, upon retirement, certain senior German generals were awarded the honorary post of {{lang|de|Chef}} (Chief) of a regiment, much like the Honorary Colonel in the British Army. It was a German custom dating from the late 18th century. These generals were authorized to wear the tunic and insignia of an officer of the regiment, including ordinary officers' {{lang|de|Litzen}}. Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, {{lang|de|Chef}} of the {{ill|18th Infantry Regiment (Germany)|lt=18th Infantry Regiment|de|18. Infanterie-Regiment (Reichswehr)}}, wore a big 18 on his shoulder boards, and for everyday wear favored the ornamented tunic of an infantry officer with white piping rather than a general's uniform.

Hitler appointed first {{lang|de|Generaloberst}} Hans von Seeckt, the old {{lang|de|Chef der Heeresleitung}}, to be {{lang|de|Chef}} of the 67th Infantry Regiment on his 70th birthday in April 1936, a few months before he died. Only seven German generals were appointed {{lang|de|Chef}}s: in addition to Seeckt and Rundstedt they were {{lang|de|General der Infanterie}} Ritter von Epp ({{lang|de|Chef}} of the 61st Infantry Regiment in Munich); {{lang|de|Generalfeldmarschall}} von Mackensen ({{lang|de|Chef}} of the 5th Cavalry Regiment in Stolp); {{lang|de|Generaloberst}} von Fritsch ({{lang|de|Chef}} of the 12th Artillery Regiment in Schwerin); and {{lang|de|Generalfeldmarschall}} von Böhm-Ermolli ({{lang|de|Chef}} of the 28th Infantry Regiment in Troppau). {{lang|de|Generalfeldmarschall}} von Blomberg was appointed {{lang|de|Chef}} of the 73rd Infantry Regiment and wore a big 73 superimposed over the crossed batons of his shoulder board, but on 4 February 1938 he was dismissed and his name was deleted from the seniority list.{{sfn|Henner|Böhler|2013|p=20}}

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| width = 100

| image1 = RWehr H Inf OR4-1 Mannschaften h 1933.svg

| caption1 = until 1933

| image3 = WMacht H Inf OR4-1 Mannschaften01 h 1935-1945.svg

| caption3 = 1945

| image2 = WMacht H Pz OR4-1 Mannschaften h 1945.svg

| caption2 = Panzer

}}

The {{lang|de|Reichsheer's}} shoulder-straps to enlisted men ({{langx|de|Mannschaften}}) were very similar to those of World War I, made of {{lang|de|feldgrau}} uniform cloth with pointed or "gable" button ends. In December 1934 the material was changed to grey badge-cloth ({{lang|de|Abzeichentuch}}) and in September 1935 changed again to dark bottle-green ({{lang|de|flaschengrün}}). These "first pattern" shoulder-straps were not edged in {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}} piping.

In 1938, simultaneous with the removal of {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}} from field-uniform collar patches, new shoulder-straps were issued. These "second pattern" straps had round rather than pointed ends, and were edged on three sides with wool (later rayon) piping in {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}}. This pattern would be used through the end of the war, although in 1940 manufacture reverted to field-grey uniform cloth, and as usual alternate versions were made to go with the Panzer uniform (black), tropical uniform (olive cotton) and HBT summer uniform (reed-green twill). {{lang|de|Schulterklappen}} were not worn with the fatigue uniform, nor with camouflage smocks and parkas which used an alternate system of rank insignia.

For junior enlisted men ({{lang|de|Mannschaften}}), rank insignia if any was worn on the left sleeve. However the epaulettes did indicate the wearer's unit (usually regiment or independent battalion) together with his sub-branch if any, machine-embroidered in branch-color. For example, a {{lang|de|Schulterklappe}} with rose-pink piping and number "4" would indicate the 4th Panzer Regiment; but if it carried a pink number "4" and letter "A" it would indicate the 4th Armored Reconnaissance ({{lang|de|Aufklärungs}}) Battalion. The German Army used a very large assortment of Latin initials, Gothic initials, script ciphers, Arabic numerals, Roman numerals and symbols to designate all its various service branches and installations. Before the war, shoulder-buttons were embossed with the number of the wearer's company as well, this practice was discontinued "for the duration."

Beginning in January 1940, shoulder-straps with unit insignia were (supposed to be) phased out as a security measure, and removable fabric loops with devices were issued instead. In May 1944 the embroidery was changed from {{lang|de|waffenfarbe}} to light gray.

{{clear}}

File:Rank insignia of Stabsfeldwebel of the Wehrmacht.gif

Non-commissioned officers ({{langx|de|Unteroffiziere}}) wore their rank insignia on their shoulder-straps, consisting of braid and white-metal rank stars. An {{lang|de|Unteroffizier's}} epaulette was edged with {{lang|de|Tresse}} on three sides and an {{lang|de|Unterfeldwebel's}} on all four. Senior NCO's ({{lang|de|Unteroffiziere mit Portepee}}) added one to three stars; in addition, their unit identifiers took the form of white-metal insignia rather than embroidery.

Shoulder-straps were made in both a standard width ({{cvt|4.5|cm|disp=comma}}) and a wider one for three-digit unit numbers ({{cvt|5.3|cm|disp=comma}}), and in three lengths depending on the size of the man. There was in addition an extra-large size for the overcoat ({{lang|de|Mantel}}).

{{clear}}

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| width1 = 105

| image1 = Hauptmann Epaulette.jpg

| caption1 = company-grade officers

| width2 = 110

| image2 = Heer-Major h.svg

| caption2 = field-grade officer

}}

Officers' shoulder boards were constructed from "Russia" braid, an aluminum-thread double piping. Company-grade officers ({{lang|de|Leutnant}} through {{lang|de|Hauptmann/Rittmeister}}) wore epaulettes constructed by wrapping two side-by-side lengths of braid around the buttonhole and back, giving the appearance of eight parallel cords; the whole was sewn to an underlay ({{lang|de|Unterlagen}}) of {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}} badge-cloth. Until 1938 the underlay was of the same outer dimensions as the braid, and only visible edge-on; in that year the underlay was made wider, so as to create the impression of edge piping like the enlisted shoulder-strap. Rank was indicated by zero to two gilt-metal rank stars; unit designators were also of gilt metal.

Field-grade officer ({{lang|de|Stabsoffizier}}) shoulder boards were made by plaiting together double widths of Russia braid and looping them to form a buttonhole, sewn to a {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}} underlay; rank again was displayed by zero to two gilt stars.

Once the war began, dull grey aluminum braid appeared, but bright aluminum continued in use.

{{clear}}

File:WMacht H OF10-6 Generale 1945.svg

• 1 {{lang|de|Generalfeldmarschall}} (Shoulder strap from April 1941)
• 2 {{lang|de|Generalfeldmarschall}} (Shoulder strap prior to April 1941)
• 3 {{lang|de|Generaloberst}}
• 4 {{lang|de|General of the branch}}
• 5 {{lang|de|Generalleutnant}}
• 6 {{lang|de|Generalmajor}}

{{clear}}

Generals' shoulder boards were constructed similarly to those of field-grade officers, but comprised a length of silver Russia braid between two braided cords of gold bullion or {{lang|de|Celleon}}. Since the resulting combination was wider, generals' boards were plaited in four 'loops' rather than five. Their buttons were gilt, and rank was indicated by zero to three silver rank stars, or crossed batons in the case of field marshals. The underlay was scarlet, except (from 1944) for generals of staff corps, who were instructed to wear {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}} instead.

In April 1941, {{lang|de|Generalfeldmarschall}} epaulettes were changed to incorporate a central gold cord instead of silver.{{sfn|Henner|Böhler|2013|p=19}}

Colonels-in-chief wearing that uniform wore gold generals' shoulder boards underlaid with the {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}} of the regiment rather than scarlet; GFM von Rundstedt sometimes simply pinned his crossed batons to an infantry colonel's epaulettes.

File:WMacht H OF6 GenMaj a.D. h 1945.jpg

By order of Marshal Hindenburg in March 1932, soldiers who retired after 15 years of service received the right to wear the uniform of the unit they left. The shoulder boards and shoulder straps of retired soldiers had a bridle 1.5 cm wide attached under the middle.

During the winter of 1938, certain rank were issued insignia to the wear with the denim uniform ({{langx|de|Drillichrock}}).{{sfn|Davis|1998|p=43}}

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-701-0357-14, Russland, Graf von Strachwitz im Gespräch mit Offizieren.jpg

When wearing uniforms without epaulettes, such as smocks, parkas and mountain windbreakers; generals, officers and NCOs instead wore sleeve rank insignia. These were made up of bars & oak leaves and were introduced by the late summer of 1942.{{sfn|Henner|Böhler|2013|p=100}}{{sfn|Davis|1998|p=43}} The ranks were used by the army and the Waffen-SS.{{sfn|Davis|1998|p=43}} By 1943, the ranks were also introduced to the {{lang|de|Wehrmachtbeamte}} and the {{lang|de|Sonderführer}}.{{sfn|Henner|Böhler|2013|p=100}}

First introduced in the Prussian army in 1808, the coloured sidearm tassels were used as a decorative piece of equipment and to differentiate between companies within a regiment. Ranks below {{lang|de|Fänrich}} were issued either the {{lang|de|Troddel}} or {{lang|de|Faustriemen}} depending on their unit.{{sfn|Davis|1998|p=70}} The {{lang|de|Troddel}} was used by infantry, artillery, pioneer, signal, anti-tank and supply troops. While the {{lang|de|Faustriemen}} was worn by cavalry and rifle troops. Additionally, some units would wear honorary tassels of Russian red leather, to indicate their relation to the 1st Regiment of (Prussian) Grenadier Guards.{{sfn|Davis|1998|p=70}} {{lang|de|Unteroffiziere mit Portepee}} would wear tassels independently of their company relations.{{sfn|Davis|1998|p=70}}

The tassels are shown below, where Arabic numerals refer to the company/battery/squadron:{{sfn|Davis|1998|p=25}}

{{multiple image

| align = center

| width = 100

| header = Enlisted collar {{lang|de|Litzen}}

| footer = Red {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}}: artillery

| image1 = Mannschaft Litzen 1934.svg

| alt1 = Mannschaft Litzen 1935

| caption1 = 1935

| image2 = Mannschaft Litzen 1938.svg

| caption2 = 1938

| image3 = Mannschaft Litzen 1940.svg

| caption3 = 1940

| image4 = Mannschaft Litzen Dress.svg

| caption4 = Dress

| image5 = Mannschaft Litzen Trop 1.svg

| caption5 = Tropical

}}

{{multiple image

| align = center

| width = 100

| header = Enlisted {{lang|de|Schulterklappen}}

| footer = White {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}}: infantry, rose pink: armor

| image1 = RWehr H Inf OR4-1 Mannschaften h 1933.svg

| caption1 = until 1933

| image2 = WMacht H Inf OR4-1 Mannschaften02 h 1945.svg

| caption2 = 1938

| image3 = WMacht H Inf OR4-1 Mannschaften01 h 1935-1945.svg

| caption3 = 1940

| image4 = WMacht H Pz OR4-1 Mannschaften h 1945.svg

| caption4 = Panzer uniform

| image5 = WMacht H Inf OR4-1 Mannschaften Trop h 1945.svg

| caption5 = Tropical

}}

{{multiple image

| align = center

| width = 100

| header = NCO {{lang|de|Litzen}} and {{lang|de|Tresse}}

| footer = Rose-pink {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}}: armored troops

| image1 = Unteroffizier Litzen und Tresse 1935.svg

| alt1 = Unteroffizier Litzen und Tresse

| caption1 = 1935

| image2 = Unteroffizier Litzen und Tresse 1938.svg

| caption2 = 1938

| image3 = Unteroffizier Litzen und Tresse 1940.svg

| caption3 = 1940

| image4 = Unteroffizier Litzen und Tresse Dress.svg

| caption4 = Dress

| image5 = Unteroffizier Litzen und Tresse Trop 1.svg

| caption5 = Tropical

}}

{{multiple image

| align = center

| width = 100

| header = NCO {{lang|de|Schulterklappen}}

| image1 = RWehr H Pi OR5b Uffz 1933.svg

| caption1 = until 1933

| image2 = WMacht H OT5b Uffz Pz02 h.svg

| caption2 = 1938

| image3 = WMacht H OR5b Uffz Pz01 h.svg

| caption3 = 1940

| image4 = WMacht H OT5b Uffz Pz03 h.svg

| caption4 = Panzer uniform

| image5 = WMacht H OR5b Uffz Pz Trop h.svg

| caption5 = Tropical

}}

File:Statuszeichen HptFw WMacht, NVA und Stascha SS.svg

{{lang|de|Hauptfeldwebel/Hauptwachtmeister}}: {{lang|de|Hauptfeldwebel}} was not a rank but an appointment: the administrative and mustering NCO of a company and the commander's logistical assistant. He was therefore roughly analogous to a Company Sergeant-Major or First Sergeant, although his duties did not usually involve combat leadership. {{lang|de|Der Spieß}}{{efn|"The spear." This may refer to the sergeant of a flintlock-era company having carried a polearm rather than a musket, or it may relate to Latin {{lang|la|pilus prior}} "leading spear," the senior centurion in a cohort.}} or {{lang|de|die Mutter der Kompanie}}, as he was called, was not necessarily the ranking {{lang|de|Unteroffizier}} in the company, especially since typically two of the platoons were commanded by senior NCOs rather than officers. A {{lang|de|Hauptfeldwebel}} however had to be

of {{lang|de|Portepee}} grade; a junior NCO filling the role was a {{lang|de|Hauptfeldwebeldiensttuer}}, "one doing {{lang|de|Hauptfeldwebel}} duties."

The insignia for a {{lang|de|Hauptfeldwebel}} was a pair of NCO {{lang|de|Tressen}} encircling each lower sleeve, nicknamed "piston rings;" he also carried a leather {{lang|de|Meldetasche}} or report-case tucked into his tunic front.

In two specialist career paths it was possible to attain rank above {{lang|de|Stabsfeldwebel}}: fortifications engineers ({{lang|de|Festungspioniere}}) and farriers ({{lang|de|Hufbeschlagschmieder}}).{{efn|Farriers, blacksmiths specializing in the shoeing and care of horses, were a very important component of the WWII German army, 70–80% of which depended on horse-drawn transport. A standard infantry division had nearly 5,000 horses, one for every three soldiers.}} They were actual NCOs with command authority, not {{lang|de|Heeresbeamten}} (uniformed Army civil servants). There was no direct equivalent in the English-speaking world; perhaps the closest examples of the time would be the British Royal Navy's and United States Navy's ranks of Warrant Officer.

These men wore shoulder boards braided in a unique pattern, orange-red and silver on black underlay with Gothic "Fp" for fortress engineers,{{efn|Combining the {{lang|de|Waffenfarben}} of the ordnance and engineer branches}} and gold-yellow and silver on carmine with a horseshoe device for farriers.{{efn|Combining the {{lang|de|Waffenfarben}} of the cavalry and veterinary branches; farriers were responsible for basic equine healthcare and assisting veterinary officers}}

{{multiple image

| align = center

| width = 100

| header = Officer candidate collar insignia

| image1 = Mannschaft Litzen 1940.svg

| caption1 = {{lang|de|Offizier-Bewerber}}

| image2 = Unteroffizier Litzen und Tresse 1940.svg

| caption2 = {{lang|de|Offizier-Anwärter}}

| image3 = Offiziere Litzen Field.svg

| caption3 = {{lang|de|Oberfähnrich}}

}}

{{multiple image

| align = center

| header = Officers' collar insignia

| header_align = center

| footer = Gold-yellow {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}}: cavalry

| footer_align = center

| footer_background = #FFD700

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Offiziere Litzen Field.svg

| alt1 = Offizier Litzen

| caption1 = Field and service

| width1 = 100

| image2 = Offiziere Litzen Dress.svg

| caption2 = Dress

| width2 = 100

}}

{{clear}}

In addition to their {{lang|de|alt-Larisch}} collar tabs and braided gold epaulettes, general officers' uniforms were distinguished by gold rather than silver cap badges, cap cords, breast eagles, belt buckles and buttons, a pair of 40mm {{lang|de|Hochrot}} (scarlet) stripes down the outside of each trouser-leg, overcoat lapels faced in scarlet, and dress uniforms piped in {{lang|de|Hochrot}} rather than {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}}.

From May 1944 generals in the various staff corps (medical, legal, TSD etc.) were supposed to replace {{lang|de|Hochrot}} with the appropriate {{lang|de|Waffenfarben}} of their branches of service; in practice this directive was imperfectly heeded and a subsequent order extended the wear-out date for scarlet insignia indefinitely.

{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}

File:HV-Heeresverwaltung.jpg

Officials in administrative, legal, and technical service positions were usually placed in a category unique to the Wehrmacht. They consist of civil service personnel performing functions within the Armed Forces and are recruited, in part, from former professional non-commissioned officers who became military candidates for civil service ({{langx|de|Militäranwärter}}) at the end of their 12-year contractual period of active military service.

Up to 1944, none of these officials were classified as soldiers; in that year certain groups were converted into officers in the Special Troop Service ({{lang|de|Truppensonderdienst}} or TSD). These were the higher administrative officers ({{lang|de|Intendanten}}) in ranks from captain to lieutenant general; the lower administrative officers ({{lang|de|Zahlmeister}}) in the ranks of first and second lieutenant, and the judge advocates ({{lang|de|Richter}}) in ranks from captain to lieutenant general. At this time all personnel of the Field Post Office were made soldiers as well, but formed a corps of their own rather than belonging to the TSD. It was also made possible for qualified reserve technical service officials to become reserve officers of the motor maintenance troops.

The officials had civil service grades, not ranks: {{lang|de|Intendant, Direktor, Rat, Vorsteher, Inspektor, Meister, Assistent}}. This is a complex subject as each branch had its own grades.

{{main|Corps colours of the German Army (1935–1945)#Corps colours of the Heeresverwaltung}}

With certain exceptions, military officials ({{langx|de|Militär-Beamte}}) wore shoulder boards similar to those of soldiers of equivalent rank, but distinguished by the addition of dark green elements: those equivalent to generals had a central cord in their braided shoulder boards which incorporated green chevrons, and those equivalent to officers wore a narrow green stripe between the rows of braid. WO-equivalent officials wore a complex braided shoulderboard made of green, black and silver cords. In nearly all cases the shoulderboard underlay was a double layer of dark green under {{lang|de|Nebenfarbe}}, and metal pins with the HV (German abbreviation of {{lang|de|Heeresverwaltung}}, "Army Administration") cipher were worn.

Certain services had insignia of their own: for example the {{lang|de|Feldpost}} ("Field Post Office") wore shoulder boards with gold rather than green elements and the initials FP; and musical officials wore silver-and-red shoulder boards with a lyre insignia. {{lang|de|Beamten}} in the employ of a military administration authority in the occupied territories wore MV (German abbreviation of {{lang|de|Militärverwaltung}}, "Military Administration") pins rather than HV ciphers.

Most officials wore in addition to their dark green {{lang|de|Waffenfarbe}} a secondary colour ({{lang|de|Nebenfarbe}}) denoting their branch:

In March 1940 distinct {{lang|de|Nebenfarben}} were abolished and replaced with light grey.

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = horizontal

| width =

| caption_align = center

| image1 =

| caption1 = General officer ranks (1 to 3) and Officer ranks (4 to 6)

| width1 = 400

| image2 =

| caption2 = Officer ranks (7 to 9), and Warrant officer ranks (10-111)

| width2 = 345

| header = Rank insignias to officials of the {{lang|de|Militärverwaltung}} (MV)

| footer = Shoulder straps

| footer_align = center

| footer_background =

}}

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = horizontal

| caption_align = center

| image1 =

| caption1 = General officer ranks (1-2), Officer ranks (3 to 7), and Warrant officer ranks (8-9)

| width1 = 600

| header = File 2: Rank insignias to officials on the "Reich´s court-martial" ({{lang|de|Reichskriegsgericht}})

| footer = Shoulder straps 1935 until 1945

| footer_align = center

| footer_background =

}}

{{clear}}

{{lang|de|Heeresbeamten}} wore distinctive collar patches; these tabs indicated not the official's rank or grade, but rather the "career" of the service in which the official was employed. These were classified by the minimum educational requirement, and ranged from {{lang|de|Einfacher Dienst}} (Basic Services), for which a grade-school education was sufficient, through {{lang|de|Mittlerer}} (Middle) and {{lang|de|Gehobener}} (Elevated) {{lang|de|Dienst}}, to {{lang|de|Höherer Dienst}} (Higher Services) which required a university degree.

Officials in the Basic Services wore collar patches similar to (but larger than) enlisted soldiers', grey {{lang|de|Litzen}} on dark green {{lang|de|Patten}}, but the patch was piped on three sides in {{lang|de|Nebenfarbe}}; similarly officials in the Middle and Elevated services wore officer-pattern {{lang|de|Litzen}}, again with {{lang|de|Nebenfarbe}}-piped patches. Officials of the Higher Services wore unique {{lang|de|Kragenpatten}} with {{lang|de|alt-Preussische Litzen}} in gold like {{lang|de|Offiziere des Generalstabs}}, but on dark green with, again, {{lang|de|Nebenfarbe}} piping. General officer-equivalents wore green patches with generals' arabesques, similarly bordered.

In addition to the career {{lang|de|Beamten}}, wartime needs led to the creation of "Officials for the duration of the war," or {{lang|de|Beamter auf Kriegsdauer}}. These men had needed skills but either did not possess all the qualifications to become full-fledged {{lang|de|Beamten}}, or were effectively drafted from civilian jobs. The matter was further confused by the fact that {{lang|de|Beamter a. K.}} did the same jobs and held the same titles as career officials.

Nonetheless, {{lang|de|Beamter a. K.}} wore entirely distinct collar patches. The backing patch was large and piped on three sides like that worn by career {{lang|de|Beamten}}, but was light grey edged in green. The device was a rectangle pointed at the upper end with braid down the center, much like a British general's gorget patch, the colors indicating the degree of the {{lang|de|Beamter's}} service: grey with green braid for basic services, silver with green braid for middle and elevated services, and gold on gold for higher services.

Officials of the Wehrmacht who worked in Military Supreme Courts wore shoulder straps without the "HV" and had the secondary colour of Bordeaux red ({{lang|de|Bordorot}}').

{{Main|Sonderführer}}

{{lang|de|Sonderführer}} (short: Sdf; or Sf) – in the meaning of specialist leader (literal: special leader) – introduced to the Wehrmacht in the year 1937,{{cite book |author1=Oberkommando des Heeres |title=Mobilmachungsplan für das Heer vom 12. März 1937 |date=1937 |location=Berlin |publisher=Reichsdruckerei |trans-title=Mobilization plan for the Army from 12 March 1937 |url=http://wwii.germandocsinrussia.org/de/nodes/830-delo-7-sbornik-okh-mobilizatsionnyy-plan-suhoputnoy-armii-ot-12-03-1937g-organizatsiya-deystvuyu#page/3/mode/inspect/zoom/4 |language=de}}{{page needed|date=December 2018}} wore the standard military uniform but their collars and cap bands were blue-grey rather than Army green, with unique shoulder and collar insignia.

• World War II German uniforms
• Waffenfarbe
• Glossary of German World War II military terms
• Comparative officer ranks of World War II

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last1=Angolia |first1=John R. |title=Uniforms & Traditions of the German Army, 1933–1945, Vol. 1 |date=1992 |publisher=R. James Bender Publishing |isbn=0-912138-30-0}}
• {{cite web |author1=CIA |author-link1=CIA |title=Records Integration Title Book |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78-02646R000600030012-6.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123031622/https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78-02646R000600030012-6.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 January 2017 |access-date=11 December 2018 |date=24 August 1999}}
• {{cite book |last1=Davis |first1=Brian L. |title=German Army: Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945 |date=1998 |publisher=Brockhampton Press |location=London |isbn=1-86019-869-4}}
• {{cite book |author1=Federal Ministry of Defense |title=Uniformen der Bundeswehr |trans-title=Uniforms of the Federal Armed Forces |date=2016 |publisher=Federal Ministry of Defense Press and Information Staff |language=de}}
• {{cite book |last1=Henner |first1=Sigurd |last2=Böhler |first2=Wolfgang |title=Die deutsche Wehrmacht: Dienstgrade und Waffenfarben des Heeres 1939-1945 |trans-title=The German Wehrmacht: ranks and weapon colors of the army 1939-1945 |date=2013 |publisher=Motorbuch |location=Czech Republic |isbn=978-3613036017 |language=de}}
• {{cite book |last1=Hettler |first1=Eberhard |title=Uniformen der Deutschen Wehrmacht : Heer, Kriegsmarine, Luftwaffe |trans-title=Uniforms of the German Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force |date=1939 |publisher=O. Dietrich |location=Berlin |language=de}}
• {{cite book |last1=Rosignoli |first1=Guido |title=Army Badges and Insignia of World War 2 Book One |date=1975 |publisher=Blanford Press |location=New York |edition=Second}}
• {{cite book |author1=Verlag Moritz Ruhl |title=Deutsche Uniformen |trans-title=German Uniforms |date=1936 |publisher=Verlag Moritz Ruhl |location=Leipzig |language=de}}
• {{cite book |author1=War Department |title=TM-E 30-451 Handbook on German Military Forces |date=1 September 1943 |publisher=War Department |location=Washington, D.C.}}
• {{cite book |author1=War Department |title=War Department Technical Manual TM-E 30-451 |date=15 March 1945 |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/Germany/HB/HB-9.html |chapter=Chapter IX: Uniforms, Insignia, and Individual Equipment}}
• {{cite book |author1=War Department |title=TM 30-506 German Military Dictionary |date=20 May 1944 |publisher=War Department |location=Washington, D.C. |url=http://www.talpo.it/files/-tm-30-506-20-may-1944-german-military-dictionary-german-english-english-german.pdf}}
• {{cite book |last=Wheeler-Bennett |first=John |year=1967 |title=The Nemesis of Power: The German Army in Politics 1918–1945 |location=London, UK |publisher=Macmillan |pages=295–96}}

{{refend}}

{{Commons category|Military rank insignia of the Heer}}

• [http://www.alanhamby.com/ranks/rank.htm German WWII Army & SS Rank & Insignia]
• [https://handgrenadedivision.com/germanranks/ranks.htm German Army ranks]

{{Uniforms, insignia and ranks of Nazi Germany}}

{{Military ranks by country}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:World War II German Army Ranks And Insignia}}

Category:Military insignia

Category:Wehrmacht

Category:Military of Nazi Germany

Category:Embroidery in Germany