Ranks and insignia of the German Army (1935–1945)
In the German army during the years of 1935-1945, there were different ranks and levels of authority that soldiers could achieve. These ranks were shown on the soldiers’ uniforms through symbols and badges called insignia.
The lowest ranking soldiers wore no badges, while the highest-ranking soldiers had the most complicated and fancy ones. Think of it like a game where the higher level you are, the more special and decorative your uniform becomes.
The first rank you could reach was a Private, which is the lowest ranking soldier. They had no symbols or badges on their uniform to show their ranking. Next was the Private First Class, then the NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer).
The higher-ranking soldiers were called officers and were in charge of groups of soldiers. The first officer rank was the Leutnant, then the Oberleutnant, the Hauptmann, and the Major. These officers had little symbols on their uniforms, like a silver bar or two.
The highest-ranking officers were called Generals, and they were in charge of whole armies. There were different types of Generals, such as Generalmajor, Generaloberst, and General der Flieger. These Generals had the most intricate and ornate symbols on their uniforms, like eagles and crossed swords.
In summary, the German army during 1935-1945 had different levels of authority and rank, which were shown on soldiers’ uniforms through symbols and badges called insignia. The higher the rank, the fancier and more detailed the symbol on the uniform.
The lowest ranking soldiers wore no badges, while the highest-ranking soldiers had the most complicated and fancy ones. Think of it like a game where the higher level you are, the more special and decorative your uniform becomes.
The first rank you could reach was a Private, which is the lowest ranking soldier. They had no symbols or badges on their uniform to show their ranking. Next was the Private First Class, then the NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer).
The higher-ranking soldiers were called officers and were in charge of groups of soldiers. The first officer rank was the Leutnant, then the Oberleutnant, the Hauptmann, and the Major. These officers had little symbols on their uniforms, like a silver bar or two.
The highest-ranking officers were called Generals, and they were in charge of whole armies. There were different types of Generals, such as Generalmajor, Generaloberst, and General der Flieger. These Generals had the most intricate and ornate symbols on their uniforms, like eagles and crossed swords.
In summary, the German army during 1935-1945 had different levels of authority and rank, which were shown on soldiers’ uniforms through symbols and badges called insignia. The higher the rank, the fancier and more detailed the symbol on the uniform.