The incorrect translation of the rank Corporal was corrected and the new lowest NCO rank became known as Unteroffizier.
Together with Feldwebel and Stabsfeldwebel, he would form the standard trio of Axis NCO ranks for many campaigns.
In addition to the insignia for Hauptmann, Oberst and General, which was already in use since BFE#1, the ranks of Schütze, Unteroffizier, Feldwebel and Stabsfeldwebel got their own avatars.
A Feldwebel, Oberfeldwebel and Stabsfeldwebel also wore one, two and three silver pips respectively.
"Der Speiss" might be either an Oberfeldwebel or Stabsfeldwebel, and would also wear the shoulder straps of his rank.
These were constructed of dull silver cord on a backing of waffenfarbe which showed at the long and rounded edges; the straight outer edge of the strap was sewn down into the shoulder seam of the tunic.
Stabsfeldwebel (special rank reserved for 25-year volunteers only.)
The Stabsfeldwebel rank was reserved for those who had enlisted for 25 year terms of service in the pre-war German military and those who were enlisted for shorter terms were not eligible to hold this rank.
The appointment of Hauptfeldwebel (Company Sergeant Major) could be held by Stabsfeldwebels or Oberfeldwebels only.
German non-commissioned officers were and are identified by the use of metallic lace (called tress) on the collar of the uniform jacket, as well as the edges of the shoulder straps.
Senior non-commissioned officers also used silver "stars" on the shoulder strap to differentiate between ranks; one star for a Feldwebel, two for an Oberfeldwebel, and three for a Stabsfeldwebel.
This page was last modified 02:59, 2 December 2006.
Für die Piloten der Transall ist die Arbeit nun getan, für andere fängt sie erst jetzt richtig an.
Stabsfeldwebel Martin H. und seine neun Soldaten des Fallschirmgeräte- und Luftumschlagzuges des Luftlandeunterstützungsbataillons 262 machen ihre Arbeit schnell und professionell, denn die nächste Maschine ist schon im Landeanflug.
The platoon operates an ATP for Class V transloading.
Unteroffiziere mit Portepee means "NCO with Portepee", or in other words, those that did carry swords and wear sword knots.
The Stabsfeldwebel rank was generally reserved for those soldiers who had signed on for full enlistments in the Reichsheer (interwar German Army), which required a man to sign on for 12 years.
While the American, British and Canadian militaries didn't/don't draw much of a distinction in everyday conversation between a Second Lieutenant and a Lieutenant, the German Army was very conscious of the distinction and the full rank title "Oberleutnant" was always used.
-01.06.1939 transferred to the Ausbildungsstaffel / JZG 23 as a Stabsfeldwebel.
Hans-Peter was born on January 13th 1919 in Salzburg and was the only child of Karl and Maria Moelder.
In the beginning of 1939 he was promoted to Oberfeldwebel and at May he requested transfer to the Jagdgeschwader and at June1939 he was transferred to JZG 23´s Ausbildungsstaffel in the rank of Stabsfeldwebel.
It was "given" to Poland in 1945 and is now called "Skwierzyna".
It was a German garrison town where my father, who was a "career soldier" since the "100 000 Mann Heer" of the Weimar Republic, was stationed as a "Stabsfeldwebel" which is equal to a "sergeant major".
My mother told me that he hated the Army and had only joined during the Weimar Republic because there were no other jobs available.
Those shown here relect the range of ranks encountered on a typical U-Boat.
Senior NCO Ranks were based on those of the Army, running from the equivalent of Feldwebel, through Stabsfeldwebel, Oberfeldwebel and Stabsoberfeldwebel, though as can be seen the system of placing rank pips differed somewhat.
This Feldwebel rank strap is for the position of Funkmeister
According to the Gliederung of s.Pz.Jg.Abt.653 of 1.Juli 1944 the Fla-Zug of the Stabskompanie under command of Stabsfeldwebel Voigt had 1x 2cm Flak-Vierling, 1x 2cm Flak-Vierling auf russ.T-34, 1x 2cm Flak-Vierling auf Sfl.
According to the KTB the conversions were made by the Waffenmeister Stabsfeldwebel Anton Brunnthaler of the Werkstattkompanie 653 who was a skilled man and loved to do such experiments.
He made this 2cm Vierlings T-34, a Bergepanther with 2cm Vierling and 2 T-34 ammo transporter.
