WW2 German Infantry unit rank structure

[combat-agent 0]

Im compiling some ww2 addons together to try to make a realistic mod for ofp. Im basing all the weapons and units (squads,platoons,companies) information from the game Combat Missions, which im sure some of you played. To the point of this topic. Could someone inform me the rank structure of Wehrmacht infantry company, platoon, and squad. I tried to interprit some stuff from a bunch of other historical websites. Learning these ranks is like learning a new language. And really its kinda like that, i Know the US Armys ranks and the postions that go with them like the back of my hand. I suppose thats because im in the Army. But anyway, can anyone help me out here?

Also, can you include the appropriate distinguishing insignia that denotes that rank, if possible.

Im going to go ahead and put in what I know or think I know.

Starting from the bottom:

a Schütze: I know theres a bunch of other names for this, like grenadier. What one is a common one for wehrmacht. Equal to private no insignia e-1.

OberSchütze: Translates to upper Schütze: which i presume would be equal to a private e-2.

Gefreiter: Google says its PFC and a website confirmed it, but is it right?

Obergefreiter: An upper gefreiter. equal to corporal?

Unteroffizier: Sergeant? I know this rank retains the position of squad leader. I believe these guys start the NCO chain of command

Unterfeldwebel: a Under sergeant. Maybe a platoon sergeant of some sort?

Feldwebel: flat sergeat: no ideas. MSG maybe? staff NCO?

Oberfeldwebel: Upper sergeant: no ideas,

Hauptfeldwebel: Due to its name i presume its a Company level NCO, maybe first sergeant.

Stabsfeldwebel: google says CSM, i bet its something like a sergeant major, since its the last nco rank i dug up.

Now the officers, the easy ones.

I know ther officers basic rank, but you can add all the fancy der ... s to em.

Leutnant: platoon commander

Oberleutnant: Company XO?

Hauptmann: Company Commander

Major: battalion XO?

Oberstleutnant:Battalion CMDR?

Oberst: Colonel: Brigade CMDR?

im not too worried about generals or even battalion level officers due to some specific limitations that the game offers. Anyway you know all that i know.

Also, I remember (reading) that alot of senior ncos werent faught, or didnt fight because the higher up thought it was a waste of talent. This true?

Grefreiter

Thanks

CA

[Donnervogel 0]

hmm I don't know anything about the Wehrmacht structure. Only thing that I know is how the swiss army handles it and I can maybe tell you a bit about the functions of the ranks.

on the Schütze and such stuff. It might be different in the Wehmacht but here is how it is in the swiss army today:

Every Soldier depending on his function has a attribute (it's not a rank, since his rank is soldier or gefreiter or something like that) like Schütze (Rifleman), Grenadier (some sort of better trained soldier or rather more specialised - grenadier obviously refering to grenades although today every soldier gets grenade training), Panzergrenadier (Grenadiers that support tanks and ususally are carried in APCs or IFVs to the battlefield), Pionier (engineers), Funkpionier (Radio specialist) and so on. There are lots of those attributes because there are lots of functions.

next we have Gefreiter (since we don't autmaticly get promoted to higher ranks with duration of service this rank is basicly only given to soldiers that have done something special that made the NCO proud of them - might be different in the wehrmacht)

then the Obergefreiter (this rank is also given as kind of award to soldiers that show extraordinary spirit in ass-kissing their NCOs or to sevral specialists like the cooks, sports instructors, soldiers that have special occupation like organising the ammo depot etc. - might be different in the wehrmacht)

those three are the "Mannschaftsgrade" (crew ranks)

now the "Unteroffizierränge" (Sub-officer ranks)

I gonna write something about those that you mentioned.

Unteroffizier: I do not know if that was real rank in the wehrmacht but it means "sub-officer" and there are a number of sub-officer ranks. The lowest sub-officer rank is ususally the Korporal (Corporal) and is the rank for group leaders and some functions that require to have the power to give orders to soldiers. other sub officer ranks are swiss army specific so I won't go into them. it also changed a lot since 2000)

generally speaking on "Feldwebel" (old spelling also "Feldweibel")

It is the same as Sergeant. Other german Names for this rank include "Sergant", "Wachtmeister" and the nickname "Spieß".

it's still a sub-officer rank. his functions are to organise everything concerning the barracks, hygene and logistical stuff.

there are different feldwebel ranks. ascending: Unterfeldwebel, Feldwebel, Oberfeldwebel, Hauptfeldwebel, Stabsfeldwebel, Oberstabsfeldwebel

I dunno if the functions change much with the different Feldwebel ranks. IMHO it's just to make room for a clear command structure in places where it would be crowded with feldwebels (like large barracks) and to get those guys some awards with longer period of service.

the officers. hmm well I think you're kinda right there. I can olny tell you how it is in the swiss army here but I think it would be similar in the wehmacht.

Leutnant commands a "Zug" (Platoon) each platoon is speerated in "Gruppen" (squads or teams) which are commanded by Korporals.

next higher rank is Oberleutnant (mostly also Platoon commanders or deputy company commander)

next ist Hauptmann (Company commander)

next is Major (mostly Batallion commanders or part of a staff)

next ist Oberstleutnant (mostly Batallion commanders or part of a staff)

next Oberst (batallion commanders or part of the general staff then called "Oberst im Generalstab")

I won't go into the higher ranks as there the german structure differs very much from the swiss one.

hope it gives you a betetr idea.

[combat-agent 0]

All very interesting. When I first started my project, I assumed the German army would be organized similarily to US army (structure wise). Then for some reason I took in the concept that they all had the same ranks, just diffrent names (damn games).

A US Army squad is comanded by a staff sergeant. It sounds as if a Wehrmacht squad leader would be commanded by a rank of some thing like corporal. So, im taking it theres only one actual NCO per squad. Is this correct?

And for the platoons. A US platoon is usually comanded by a 2nd lieutenant with a experienced sergeant first class as the second in charge(in a sense). I found that or assumed that there is some sort of senior NCO within the platoon level(Wehrmacht), but like i said before, would he go into combat?

I find it interesting you dont get promoted over time. In the US Army there a slogan, "Up or out". Meaning you better stay promotable and get promoted. Im a Private First Class right now, and I went in the Army as a PFC, and thats 2 ranks above a regular soldier would go in as. Within the next 18 (now 12) months I will be promoted to specialist, which is pretty much a corporal.

Anyway thanks for the reply Donnervogel, I find it interesting to read about foreign armies.

CA

[Donnervogel 0]

well a swiss "Zug" is commanded by a Leutnant normally. A Leutnant is not supposed to actually go into fighting. He's commanding. Of course he got very good training in all areas of combat and would be able to go into combat but his task is to make the others fight in an organised manner and not to go in first

fighting is done on group basis. One infantry "Gruppe" is 8 soldiers and a group commander, a Korporal (although since the army reform of 2000 the Korporal rank is repalced by Wachtmeister). The corporal leads his group into combat and does the micro management within his group and reports to the "Zug" comander.

a "Gruppe" may still be split into smaller teams or "detachement" for special tasks and those are led by by a Gefreiter or Obergefreiter if available. Otherwise by some capable Soldier.

one "Zug" consists of sevral "Gruppen". I don't know how many exactly in the infantry since I'm not in the infantry but I'm a signal man here a "Zug" is about 20-35 people depending on tasks and availabillity of officers

as far as I know the german Wehrmacht structure was similar. At least they got both type of units. Zug and Gruppe. I don't know how many people they had in a "Zug" or "Gruppe" though.

But I would assume the functions of the different officers and and suboffices are the same as they exist in pretty much the same way in the German, the Austrian and the Swiss army.

Also the various Feldweibels is not a rank you would find in the heat of battle at all. A Feldweibel stays in the base or near a HQ/command post ususally.

EDIT: The reason I'm telling ti to you is that I guess this organisation would be similiar to the wehrmacht as our organisation and rank concepts are hugley influenced by the prussian army refoms in the 19th century and also a bit by the french army of the 19th century and that applies for the wehrmacht aswell. and is seen up until today in the armies of the german speaking countries

[harley 3 1185 0]

Pictures of rank insignia, along with equivalent SS titles;

Here.

As far as the utilisation of NCOs and Officers goes, from my reading the German method of handling things was superior to any the British and Americans used. Divisions were raised in "Waves" from a local area; all men would be conscripted from that area as much as possible, and all replacements would be from that region. When a division in combat reached a certain level of effectives (60%, say) it would be taken out of line far away from the front for a long period, and brought up to strength with cadres from the Home Divisional area. As much as possible NCOs (the backbone of any army) were retained. In this manner, German divisions could rest and also "wise-up" new replacements before going back in the line, with the NCOs and officers providing guidance and spine, and ultimately a better fighting division than the British or American (in the early years of the war). The German policy of raising large units from one area and keeping it that way contrasted rather harshly with the American (and to a lesser extent, British) practice of just replacing soldiers like a rifle - send for it. From what I've read of WWII memoirs, "Up and out" seems to have been quite justifiably a well-used motto amongst American troops in the ETO and Pacific. I'm not sure that that kind of oppurtunity was available to Germans though - with a war on two fronts, promotion, even from Soldier to Batallion Commander, just meant another battle somewhere...

[JdB 151]

The term ''Grenadier'' was given to all Wehrmacht infantry (Schütze) in 1942, supposedly to raise their morale.

[der bastler 0]

Some sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki....y_ranks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...._War_II

http://www.uniforminsignia.net/browse.....20Reich

[combat-agent 0]

I guess I searched for everything except for "wehrmacht ranks" in google. I appreciate all the input.

I got the basic ranks and position for a squad. But Im still in the dart about a platoons(zug) and companys structure, except for the officer positions. They main thing i need to know, is there a Senior NCO(s) advising the commander.

Other than that Im comprehending the rank better.

CA

[sander 14]

Hi,

The infantry Gruppe (group, squad) of the early war years had a paper strength of ten men, consisting of an NCO squad leader, a deputy, a machinegun team of three soldiers (firer, assistant and ammunition bearer) and five riflemen. In the later war years the paper strength was reduced to nine infantrymen.

Armoured infantry or Panzergrenadiere had eleven men to a Gruppe, of which two manned the infantry vehicle (supposedly a half track, though trucks were regularly stop gap substitutes) as driver and gunner. The nine dismounts would consist of the squad leader, two machinegun teams of each two soldiers, and four riflemen.

Actual strength would often vary from the paper establishment strength for various reasons (e.g. combat losses, detachment to other duties, leave), also the normal establishment of weaponry could vary, with infantry units acquiring extra machineguns above their normal alloted number.

An infantry Zug (platoon) consisted of a command element of six men including one junior officer and in the early years four squads (Gruppen) and a three man light mortar section, and in the later years three squads. Shortage of junior officers led to platoons in many cases being commanded by acting NCO's/warrant officers. Three platoons formed a company, with an additional company headquarters and some company level support sections (AT teams, radio communication team etc).

Regards,

Sander

[scars09 9]

Quote[/b] ]The term ''Grenadier'' was given to all Wehrmacht infantry (Schütze) in 1942, supposedly to raise their morale

Is wrong, below you see a list (its ss but wh was named same, just the prefix ss was missing). It was a specification to the task the individual soldier was trained. A machinegunner was never a grenadier, always a schütze. (well maybe a volksgrenadier schuetze but still a schuetze). I think the grenadiers carried k98 usually,maybe one in man team with mp38 or mp40 and half of team carry few m-24 grenades in suitcases. Close combat unit. No engagement against tanks, thats what the tank grenadier was for.

Quote[/b] ]

SS-Artillerie Einheit SS-Kanonier SS-Oberkanonier

SS-Bewährungs SS-Bewährungsschütze Bewährungsoberschütze

SS-Feldgendarmerie Einheit SS-Feldgendarm -

SS-Flak Einheit SS-Schütze SS-Oberschütze

SS-Gebirgs Artillerie Einheit SS-Kanonier SS-Oberkanonier

SS-Gebirgsjäger Einheit SS-Jäger SS-Oberschütze

SS-Grenadier Einheit SS-Grenadier SS-Obergrenadier

SS-Karstwehr Einhet SS-Jäger SS-Oberschütze

SS-Kradschützen Einheit SS-Schütze SS-Oberschütze

SS-Kriegberichter Einheit SS-Schütze SS-Oberschütze

SS-Nachrichten Einheit SS-Funker SS-Oberfunker

SS-Nachschub Einheit (besp.) SS-Fahrer SS-Oberfahrer

SS-Nachschub Einheit (mot)SS-Kraftfahrer SS-Oberkraftfahrer

SS-Panzer Einheit SS-Panzerschütze SS-Panzeroberschütze

SS-Panzergrenadier SS-Panzergrenadier SS-Panzerobergrenadier

SS-Panzerjäger Einheit SS-Schütze SS-Oberschütze

SS-Panzerspäh SS-Panzerschütze SS-Panzeroberschütze

SS-Pionier Einheit SS-Pionier SS-Oberpionier

SS-Radfahr Einheit SS-Schütze SS-Oberschütze

SS-Reiter Einheit SS-Reiter SS-Oberreiter

SS-Sanitäts Einheit SS-Schütze SS-Oberschütze

SS-Sturmgeschütz Einheit SS-Kanonier SS-Oberkanonier

SS-Wehrgeologen Einheit SS-Schütze SS-Oberschütze

SS-Werfer Einheit SS-Kanonier SS-Oberkanonier

SS-Werkstatt Einheit SS-Schütze SS-Oberschütze

SS-Veterinär Einheit SS-Reiter SS-Oberreiter

There were more then the listed above, list was taken from www.axishistory.com.

Im not sure up to what rank other countries let their officers take part in combat, but in germany it was quite common that even high ranking officer (major and up) lead a attack, good example is rommel, who was at every weak point of his front during the france campaign to help out, (the 88 story happend there, think he was major at that time allready). On one hand it was encouraging for the soldiers, on the other hand alot of good officers lost their lives cause of more or less heroic blindness (the favourite ek stories of officers that wanted it that much that they forgot everything they learned, some attacked units that allready had surrendered during france campaign, the french, the white flag in hand, didnt know what happen and of course started to shoot back at some point, so officers paid with the live of their own man and the live of the brave french soldiers to get something around the neck. The term for this kind of behaviour was, "er hatte halzschmerzen", (he had a cold throat). Steiner the iron cross is such a story, and alot are mentioned in reports of veterans. So fighting officers, with scars in the face, one arm, or leg missing were quite common.