Comparative officer ranks of World War I
Appearance
The following table shows comparative officer ranks of several Allied and Central powers during World War I.
Table
[edit]Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austro-Hungarian Army [a][1][2] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Feldmarschall Tábornagy |
Generaloberst Vezérezredes |
General der Waffengattung Tábornok |
Feldmarschall-Leutnant Altábornagy |
Generalmajor Vezérőrnagy |
Oberst Ezredes |
Oberstleutnant Alezredes |
Major Őrnagy |
Hauptmann / Rittmeister Százados / Kapitány |
Oberleutnant Főhadnagy |
Leutnant Hadnagy | ||||||||||||||
Austro-Hungarian Navy [a][3][4] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Großadmiral Főtengernagy |
Admiral Tengernagy |
Vizeadmiral Altengernagy |
Kontreadmiral Ellentengernagy |
Linienschiffkapitän Sorhajókapitány |
Fregattenkapitän Fregattkapitány |
Korvettenkapitän Korvettkapitány |
Linienschiffsleutnant Sorhajóhadnagy |
Fregattenleutnant Fregatthadnagy |
Korvettenleutnant Korvetthadnagy | |||||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
British Army [5][6] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Field marshal | General | Lieutenant-general | Major-general | Brigadier-general | Colonel | Lieutenant-colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Second lieutenant | ||||||||||||||
Royal Navy [7][8] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Admiral of the Fleet | Admiral | Vice-admiral | Rear-admiral | Commodore 1st class[9] | Commodore 2nd class | Captain | Commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | ||||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
Royal Bulgarian Army & Air Force[10] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Генерал-полковник General-pukovnik |
Генерал-лейтенант General-leytenant |
Генерал-майор General-mayor |
Полковник Polkovnik |
Подполковник Podpolkovnik |
Майор Mayor |
Капитан Kapitan |
Старши лейтенант Starshi leytenant |
Лейтенант Leytenant | ||||||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
French Army [11][12][13][14] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maréchal de France[b] | Général de division ayant un commandement supérieur (général)[c] |
Général de division | Général de brigade | Colonel | Lieutenant-colonel | Commandant | Capitaine | Lieutenant | Sous-lieutenant | |||||||||||||||
French Navy [16][17][18] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amiral de France[b] | Vice-amiral commandant (amiralissime)[19] |
Vice-amiral | Contre-amiral | Capitaine de vaisseau | Capitaine de frégate | Capitaine de corvette | Lieutenant de vaisseau | Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe | |||||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
Imperial German Army[20][21] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Generalfeldmarschall | Generaloberst mit dem Rang als Generalfeldmarschall | Generaloberst | General der Waffengattung | Generalleutnant | Generalmajor | Oberst | Oberstleutnant | Major | Hauptmann / Rittmeister | Oberleutnant | Leutnant | |||||||||||||
Imperial German Navy [22][23] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Großadmiral | Admiral | Vizeadmiral | Konteradmiral | Kapitän zur See/ Kommodore |
Fregattenkapitän | Korvettenkapitän | Kapitänleutnant | Oberleutnant zur See | Leutnant zur See | |||||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
Royal Italian Army [24][25] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Generale d'esercito | Tenente generale[d] | Maggior generale[e] | Brigadier generale | Colonnello | Tenente colonnello | Maggiore | Primo capitano | Capitano | Tenente | Sottotenente | ||||||||||||||
Royal Italian Navy[26][27] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ammiraglio | Vice ammiraglio | Contrammiraglio | Sottoammiraglio | Capitano di vascello | Capitano di frigata | Capitano di corvetta | Tenente di vascello | Sottotenent di vascello | Guardiamarina | |||||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
Imperial Japanese Army [28][29] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
大元帥陸軍大将 Daigensui-Rikugun-Taishō |
元帥陸軍大将 Gensui-Rikugun-Taishō |
陸軍大将 Rikugun-Taishō |
陸軍中将 Rikugun-Chūjō |
陸軍少将 Rikugun-Shōshō |
陸軍大佐 Rikugun-Taisa |
陸軍中佐 Rikugun-Chūsa |
陸軍少佐 Rikugun-Shōsa |
陸軍大尉 Rikugun-Tai-i |
陸軍中尉 Rikugun-Chūi |
陸軍少尉 Rikugun-Shōi |
准尉 Jun-i | |||||||||||||
Imperial Japanese Navy [30][31] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
大元帥海軍大将 Daigensui-Kaigun-Taishō |
元帥海軍大将 Gensui-kaigun-Taishō |
海軍大将 Kaigun-Taishō |
海軍中将 Kaigun-Chūjō |
海軍少将 Kaigun-Shōshō |
海軍大佐 Kaigun-Daisa |
海軍中佐 Kaigun-Chūsa |
海軍少佐 Kaigun-Shōsa |
海軍大尉 Kaigun-Dai-i |
海軍中尉 Kaigun-Chūi |
海軍少尉 Kaigun-Shōi |
兵曹長 Hēsōchō | |||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
Ottoman Army[32] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Müşir | Ferik-i evvel | Ferik-i sânî | Mirliva | Miralay | Kaymakam | Binbaşı | Yüzbaşı | Mülâzım-ı evvel | Mülâzım-ı sânî | |||||||||||||||
Ottoman Navy[32] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Müşir amiral | Amiral | Vice amiral | Liva amiral | Komodor | Kalyon kaptanı | Fırkateyn kaptanı | Korvet kaptanı | Birinci sınıf yüzbaşı | Yüzbaşı | Mülâzım-ı evvel | Mülâzım-ı sânî | Mühendis[f] | ||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
Portuguese Army [33] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marechal[g] | General[h] | Brigadeiro | Coronel | Tenente-coronel | Major | Capitão | Tenente | Alferes | ||||||||||||||||
Portuguese Navy [33] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Almirante[g] | Vice-almirante | Contra-almirante | Capitão de mar e guerra | Capitão de fragata | Capitão-tenente | Primeiro-tenente | Segundo-tenente | Guarda-marinha | ||||||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
Imperial Russian Army[i] [34][35] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Генерал-фельдмаршал General-fel'dmarshal |
Генерал рода войск General roda voysk |
Генерал-лейтенант General-leytenant |
Генерал-майор General-mayor |
Полковник Polkovnik |
Подполковник Podpolkovnik |
Капитан Kapitan[j] |
Штабс-капитан Shtabs-kapitan[k] |
Поручик Poruchik |
Подпоручик Podporuchik[l] |
Прапорщик Praporshik | ||||||||||||||
Imperial Russian Navy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Генерал-адмирал General-admiral |
Адмирал Admiral |
Вице-адмирал Vitse-admiral |
Контр-адмирал Kontr-admiral |
Капитан I ранга Kapitan 1-go ranga |
Капитан II ранга Kapitan 2-go ranga |
Старший лейтенант Starshiy-leytenant |
Лейтенант Leytenant |
Мичман Michman | ||||||||||||||||
Provisional Russian Navy (from 1917) [36][37] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Адмирал Admiral |
Вице-адмирал Vitse-admiral |
Контр-адмирал Kontr-admiral |
Капитан I ранга Kapitan 1-go ranga |
Капитан II ранга Kapitan 2-go ranga |
Старший лейтенант Starshiy-leytenant |
Лейтенант Leytenant |
Мичман Michman | |||||||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
Royal Serbian Army [38] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bojni Vojvoda[m] | General[n] | Pukovnik | Potpukovnik | Major | Kapetan 1. klase | Kapetan 2. klase | Poručnik | Potporučnik | ||||||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
United States Army [39] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
General of the Armies[o] | General | Lieutenant General | Major General | Brigadier General | Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major | Captain | First Lieutenant | Second Lieutenant | ||||||||||||||
United States Navy [40] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Admiral of the Navy[o] | Admiral | Vice Admiral | Rear Admiral | Commodore | Captain | Commander | Lieutenant Commander | Lieutenant | Lieutenant (junior grade) | Ensign | ||||||||||||||
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Austro-Hungarian ranks are shown in both German and Hungarian, as would have been contemporary practice.
- ^ a b Maréchal de France and Amiral de France were as much a dignity of state as a military title. Thus British Field Marshals consulted with French Generals in 1914. The elevation of Joseph Joffre to Maréchal in 1916 actually marked a diminution of his powers of command. There was no Amiral de France alive during World War I.
- ^ Unofficial rank insignia.[15]
- ^ There were four grades of Tenente generale: capo di stato maggiore esercito, in comando d'armata, in comando di corpo d'armata and in comando di divisione.
- ^ There were two grades of Maggior generale: in comando di divisione and in comando di brigata.
- ^ Worn on the collar.
- ^ a b Almirante and Marechal were only honorary ranks, not held by anyone during World War I.
- ^ The Portuguese Army had the particularity of having only a single rank of General Officer. A Portuguese General could be assigned to command from a brigade to the entire Army.
- ^ Army/cavalry ranks shown. The cossack cavalry had distinct ranks.
- ^ Cavalry rank: Rotmistr (Russian: Ротмистр)
- ^ Cavalry rank: Shtabs-rotmistr (Russian: Штабс-ротмистр)
- ^ Cavalry rank: Kornet (Russian: Корнет)
- ^ Field Marshal of Serbia (Voivode) was the highest rank in the army of the Kingdom of Serbia. Radomir Putnik held title from beginning of the war since he was promoted in 1912.
- ^ Like the Portuguese Army, the Serbian Army had only a single rank of General Officer. A Serbian General could be assigned to command from a division to the entire Army.
- ^ a b The US rank Admiral of the Navy was a unique rank created for Admiral George Dewey after the Spanish–American War; it has never been held by any other person. General of the Armies was granted to General Pershing at the end of the war.
References
[edit]- ^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 187–189.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 264.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 190–192.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 268.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, p. 145.
- ^ Williams 1918, pp. 228–229.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, p. 151.
- ^ Williams 1918, pp. 218–220.
- ^ "Royal Navy Ranks and Badges, World War 1".
- ^ Thomas & Babac 2001, p. 43.
- ^ Jouineau 2009, p. 7.
- ^ Almanach Hachette 1917, p. 77.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, p. 161.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 237.
- ^ Champeaux 2014, pp. 123–124.
- ^ Funcken & Funcken 1966, pp. 144–145.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, p. 167.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 242.
- ^ Le Hunsec 2012, pp. 91–107.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 171–172.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 282.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 174–175.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 274.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 177–180.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 246.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 181–183.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 249.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 196–198.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 260.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, p. 201.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 262.
- ^ a b Geçer 2022.
- ^ a b Over the Front. "Portuguese Ranks". Over the Front. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, p. 203.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 254.
- ^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 204–205.
- ^ Williams 1918, p. 256.
- ^ Thomas & Babac 2001, p. 39.
- ^ Williams 1918, pp. 82–83.
- ^ Williams 1918, pp. 118–119.
Sources
[edit]- Almanach Hachette. Hachette (via genealomaniac.fr). 1917.
- Bunkley, Joel William (1918). Military And Naval Recognition Book: A Handbook On The Organization, Uniforms And Insignia Of Rank Of The World's Armed Forces (2nd ed.). New York: D. Van Nostrand Company. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
- Champeaux, Antoine (2014). "Général de corps d'armée". Corps (in French). 12 (1): 123. doi:10.3917/corp1.012.0123. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- Funcken, Liliane; Funcken, Fred (1966). L'uniforme et les armes des soldats de la guerre 1914-1918: Cavalerie-Artillerie-Génie-Marine [The uniform and arms of the soldiers of the 1914-1918 war: Cavalry-Artillery-Engineering-Marine] (in French). Vol. 2. Casterman. ASIN B0096OCAEK.
- Geçer, Kadir (2022). Osmanlı İmparatorluğu Askerî Kıyafetleri 1826-1922 [Ottoman Empire Military Clothing 1826-1922] (in Turkish). Hisart Culture Publications. ISBN 9786050699814.
- Le Hunsec, Mathieu (12 March 2012). "L'amiral, cet inconnu" [The Admiral, the Unknown]. Revue historique des armées (in French) (266): 91–107. ISSN 0035-3299.
- Jouineau, André (2009). L'armée française de la Grande Guerre: 1915-1918 [The French Army of the Great War]. Officiers et soldats no. 12. Vol. II. Histoire & Collections. ISBN 978-2-35250-411-5. OCLC 470949883.
- Thomas, Nigel; Babac, Dusan (2001). Armies in the Balkans 1914–18. Men-at-Arms. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1841761947.
- Williams, Dion (1918). "XI: Uniforms and Insignia of Foreign Armies and Navies". Army and Navy Uniforms and Insignia. New York, N.Y.: Frederick A. Stokes Company. pp. 216–292. Retrieved 5 July 2022.