Unteroffiziere mit Portepee
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Script error: No such module "Lang"., also Portepeeunteroffizier(e) (Template:Translation), is the designation for German senior non-commissioned officers in the armed forces of Germany. The title derives from the French porte-épée ("sword bearer"), as senior enlisted men would historically carry a sword into battle.
History
Coloured sidearm tassels were introduced in the Prussian army in 1808. They were used as a decorative equipment and to differentiate companies within a regiment. Ranks below Script error: No such module "Lang". were issued either the Script error: No such module "Lang". or Script error: No such module "Lang". depending on their unit.Template:Sfn The Script error: No such module "Lang". was used by infantry, artillery, pioneer, signal, anti-tank and supply troops, while the Script error: No such module "Lang". was worn by cavalry and rifle troops. Some units would wear honorary tassels of Russian red leather, to indicate their relation to the 1st Regiment of (Prussian) Grenadier Guards.Template:Sfn Script error: No such module "Lang". would wear tassels independently of their company relations.Template:Sfn
The top-down sequence of ranks in that group is:
- OR-9: Oberstabsfeldwebel / Oberstabsbootsmann this rank was introduced by the Bundeswehr in 1983
- OR-8: Stabsfeldwebel / Stabsbootsmann (in the Kriegsmarine Stabsoberbootsmann, Stabsobersteuermann, and Stabsobermaschinist)
- OR-7: Hauptfeldwebel (Oberfähnrich)/ Hauptbootsmann (Oberfähnrich zur See), this rank was introduced by the Bundeswehr after an assignment/position of service (informally Spieß and officially now Kompaniefeldwebel in the Reichswehr, Wehrmacht, and National People's Army)
- OR-6a: Oberfeldwebel / Oberbootsmann
- OR-6b: Feldwebel / Bootsmann
Naval equivalents—replacing Feldwebel with Bootsmann—and, historically, the Cavalry and Artillery (replacing with Wachtmeister). The latter is not to be confused with the Navy's "Kompaniefeldwebel" of today which are also called Wachtmeister.
German NCOs were identified by the use of metallic lace (called Tresse) on the collar of the uniform jacket, as well as the edges of the shoulder straps. Senior non-commissioned officers in the Wehrmacht 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.
Table of Portepee-ranks
See also
- Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee - NCOs without portepee
- Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr
References
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