Ranks and insignia of the Luftwaffe (1935–45)

The ranks of the Luftwaffe were similar to other branches of the Wehrmacht.

Rank insignia


rank		 Insignia Title 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

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

References

  1. ↑ WAR DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL MANUAL TM-E 30-451, p. I-6/7
  2. ↑ The abbreviation "OF" stands for de: "Offizier / en: officer / fr: officier / ru: офицер"
  3. ↑ The abbreviation "OR" stands for "Other Ranks / fr: sous-officiers et militaires du rang / ru:другие ранги, кроме офицероф"
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