General Wehrmacht Information

1
General Wehrmacht
Information
2
Equivalent Wehrmacht Ranks

Heer Junior Enlisted
Rank Grenadier Obergrenadier
Gefreiter /
Stabsgefreiter
Obergefreiter /
Stabsobereite
Collar

Shoulder

Sleeve

Camo
Uniforms
NA
Luftwaffe Junior Enlisted
Rank Flieger Gefreiter Obergefreiter Hauptgefreiter
Shoulder

Sleeve

Collar

Camo
Uniforms
NA
3

Kriegsmarine Junior Enlisted
Rank Matrose
Gefreiter /
Stabsgefreiter
Obergefreiter /
Oberstabsgefreiter
Hauptgefreiter

Blue
Uniform
Sleeve

Gray
Uniform
Sleeve

Shoulder

Gray
Uniform
Collar

Waffen-SS Junior Enlisted
Rank Soldat Obersoldat Sturmmann Rottenfhrer
Shoulder

Sleeve

Collar

Camo
Uniforms
NA

4

Heer NCO
Rank Unteroffizer Unterfeldwebel Feldwebel
Oberfeldwebel /
Hauptfeldwebel
Stabsfeldwebel
Collar

Shoulder

Sleeve NA
Camo
Uniforms

Luftwaffe NCO
Rank Unteroffizer Unterfeldwebel Feldwebel
Oberfeldwebel /
Hauptfeldwebel
Stabsfeldwebel
Shoulder

Sleeve NA
Collar

Camo
Uniforms

5

Kriegsmarine NCO
Stabsbootsmann
Rank Maat Obermaat Bootsmann
Oberbootsmann
Stabsoberbootsmann

Blue
Uniform
Sleeve

NA
Gray
Uniform
Sleeve
NA
Shoulder

Gray
Uniform
Collar

Waffen-SS NCO
Rank Unterscharfhrer Scharfhrer Oberscharfhrer Hauptscharfhrer Sturmscharfhrer
Shoulder

Sleeve NA
Collar

Camo
Uniforms

6
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14
Award Hierarchy

Valor Awards
Award Criteria
Iron Cross 2nd Class

A single act of bravery in the face of the enemy, or actions that were
clearly above and beyond the call of duty.
Iron Cross 1st Class

In order to receive the Iron Cross 1st Class a soldat would have to
perform three to four further acts of courage from the one that earned
him the 2nd Class. The Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine had similar
criteria, and in addition the award was regularly awarded to U-boat
Commander upon sinking 50,000 tons and to Luftwaffe pilots when
they achieved six or seven confirmed kills.
Honor Roll Clasp of the German Army

The Clasp was to be presented to all those members of the Heer and
Waffen SS who committed acts of heroism or distinguished
themselves by their honorable behavior. These acts, however, were
of such of a degree that neither the Knights Cross to the Iron Cross or
the German Cross could be recommended. A prerequisite for eligibly
was that the individual be in possession of both the Iron Cross 2
nd
and
1
st
Class. Instituted January 1, 1944.
War Merit Cross 2d Class w/swords

The War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords was presented to
Military Personnel for bravery not necessarily in the face of the
enemy.
War Merit Cross 1st Class w/swords

The War Merit Cross 1
st
Class with Swords was presented to military
personnel for courage and achievements that needed not occur while
facing the enemy. The War Merit Cross 1st Class was not as liberally
awarded as the War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords and was
therefore more respected. The War Merit Cross 1st Class was
permanently worn on the left tunic pocket.
German Cross in Silver

The German Cross in Silver was to reward significant performance in
military conduct of the war. It was not in any way part of the classes
of the Iron Cross.
German Cross in Gold

The German Cross in Gold had as its objective the recognition of
repeated acts of bravery or exceptional command not justifying the
award of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, but superior to
requirements for award of the Iron Cross 1st Class. It was not in any
way part of the classes of the Iron Cross.
Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross

The Knights Cross to the War Merit Cross with Swords was
presented for outstanding military bravery not directly under enemy
fire. This bravery was generally of a degree not deserving of the
Knights Cross. The Knight Cross to the War Merit Cross with
Swords was presented to those who already held the previous two
grades. Its ranking in the German award structure it was above the
German Cross in Silver and Gold, but below the Knights Cross to the
Iron Cross.
15
Award Criteria
Knight's Cross

Those who were awarded the Knights Cross deserved it; there was
little room for political manipulation. Hitler had stated that the Cross
would be distributed evenly among the ranks, and it was. This can be
proved by the fact that only 7% of recipients held the rank of General
at the time they were presented with the Knights Cross.
Recommendations were submitted by the individuals commanding
officer, and were reviewed by Hitler for approval.

In order to be recommended Heer and SS personnel needed to
perform an additional five to seven acts of distinction above and
beyond those which earned them the Iron Cross 1st Class before
being considered, although a single act of great significance could
earn them the award. It was not only awarded for bravery, however,
but also for particularly successful commands of attack or withdrawal
operations, career achievements or services rendered.

Luftwaffe pilots operated on a point system in which one point was
achieved for downing a single-engine aircraft, two points for a twin-
engine, and three points for a four-engine plane. Points were doubled
for night fighting actions. U-boat commanders of the Kriegsmarine
could expect to be recommended for the Knights Cross upon sinking
100,000 tons of shipping, but as was the norm in all branches it was
also awarded for a single outstanding action or particularly successful
patrol.
Knight's Cross, w/ Oakleaves

Criteria for the Oak Leaves were based on continued excellence in
command, bravery of the highest order or actions of significant
importance.
Knight's Cross, w/ Oakleaves and Swords

The criteria for the Swords followed the same pattern as the Oak
Leaves. Individuals presented with this award represented the best
fighting men Germany had to offer. Members of the Heer and SS
needed to have the most impressive portfolio in order to be
considered, not only bravery but also combat and leadership skills
were needed to rise above the rest and be recognized with the
Swords. Luftwaffe personnel followed the same points system as in
the preceding classes, with only the most experienced aces reaching
the points required

16
Wound Badges
Wound Badge Black

Wound Badge Silver

Wound Badge Gold

Awarded for one or two wounds.
Awarded for three or four wounds.
It could also be awarded for more
serious wounds if such wound
included loss of hearing, a hand, a
foot, an eye, brain damage, or facial
disfigurement.
Awarded for five or more wounds,
and also awarded for serious wounds
in cases of total blindness or total
disability.

Campaign Awards
Eastern Front Medal

Kuban Shield

Crimea Shield

The award was presented to those
who met the following criteria
during November 15, 1941 and
April 26, 1942.
-Fourteen days of combat
participation, 30 combat sorties for
Luftwaffe pilots.
-Or Sixty days of service in the
combat zone (even if not engaged in
actual combat).
-Or having received wounds, or
frostbite severe enough to warrant a
Wound Badge.

Institued 26th of May 1942
The shield was presented to those
who defended the bridgeheads from
February 1943 until they were
abandoned in October. The criteria
for Heer and auxiliary forces was as
follows:
-To have served in the bridgehead
for 60 days.
-To have been wounded while
serving on the bridgehead.
-To have been engaged in one major
operation at the bridgehead.
The award was presented to all
members of the 11th German Army
and the 3rd Rumanian Army that
participate in the campaign. The
specific criterion follows,
-To have served in the region for 3
months
-To have taken part in at least one
major combat operation.
-To have been wounded while
serving in the region.
These specifications were set up in
part to prevent General Staff officers
to receive the award from official
visits to the area.
Cholm

Demanjsk

Narvik

17
German Orders and Decorations

Eisernes Kreuz 1939

Eisernes Kreuz 1914 mit
der Wiederholungsspange
am schwarz-weien Band

Eisernes Kreuz 1914 mit
der Wiederholungsspange
am wei-schwarzen Band

Eisernes Kreuz 1914 am
schwarz-weien Band

Eisernes Kreuz 1914 am
wei-schwarzen Band

Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2.
Klasse mit Schwertern
(1939)

Klasse ohne Schwerter
(1939)

Ehrenzeichen fr deutsche
Volkspflege 3. Klasse mit
Schwertern auf dem Bande
(1942)

Medaille fr deutsche
Volkspflege mit
Schwertern auf dem Bande
(1942)

Medaille "Winterschlacht
im Osten 1941/42" (1942)

Kriegsverdienstmedaille
(1939)

Prussia
Hausorden von
Hohenzollern mit
Schwertern am Kriegsband

Prussia
Roter Adlerorden 3. u. 4.
Klasse mit Schwertern am
Kriegsband
Kronenorden 3. u. 4.
Klasse mit Schwertern am
Kriegsband

Prussia
Kronenorden 3. u. 4 Klasse
am Sanittsband

Prussia
Goldenes
Militrverdienstkreuz
Militrehrenzeichen 1. und
2. Klasse am schwarz-
weien Band

Prussia
Militrehrenzeichen 1. und
2. Klasse am wei-
schwarzen Band

Prussia
Verdienstkreuz fr
Kriegshilfe

Austria
Militr-Maria-Theresien-
Orden - Ritterkreuz

Austria
Leopold-Orden mit der
Kriegsdekoration -
Ritterkreuz

Austria
Orden der Eisernen Krone
3. Klasse mit der
Kriegsdekoration

Austria
Franz-Joseph-Orden -
Ritterkreuz am Kriegsband

Austria
Tapferkeitsmedaille fr
Offiziere (G, S)

Austria
Militr-Verdienstkreuz - 3.
Klasse mit der
Kriegsdekoration

Austria
Geistliches Verdienstkreuz
am Kriegsband (g, s)

Austria
Militr-Verdienstmedaille
("Signum Laudis") am
Kriegsband (silver)

Austria
("Signum Laudis") am
Kriegsband (bronze)

Austria
Tapferkeitsmedaille (G, S,
s, b)
Verdienstkreuz am
Kriegsband (g, s, e)

Austria
Karl-Truppenkreuz

Austria
Ehrenzeichen vom Roten
Kreuz 2. Klasse mit der
Kriegsdekoration
Ehrenmedaille vom Roten
Kreuz mit der
Kriegsdekoration (s, b)

Austria
Verwundetenmedaille

Bavaria
Militr-Max-Joseph-Orden
- Ritterkreuz
Mlilitr-Sanittsorden 2.
Klasse
Tapferkeits-Medaille (g, s)

Bavaria
Militr-Verdienstorden 3.
Klasse mit der Krone am
Kriegsband

Bavaria
Klasse am Kriegsband
Militr-Verdienstkreuz am
Kriegsband (g)

Bavaria
Klasse mit der Krone am
Kriegsband

Bavaria
Klasse am Band fr
Militrbeamte
Band fr Militrbeamte (s)
18

Bavaria
Kriegsband (b)

Bavaria
Verdienstkreuz fr
freiwillige Kriegshilfe (mit
der Krone)

Bavaria
Knig-Ludwig-Kreuz

Saxony
Militr-St.-Heinrich-Orden
- Ritterkreuz
Medaille des St.-Heinrich-
Ordens (g, s)

Saxony
Zivilverdienstorden -
Ritterkreuz 1. Klasse mit
Schwertern

Saxony
Ritterkreuz 2 Klasse mit
Schwertern
Verdienstkreuz des
Zivilverdienstordens mit
Schwertern

Saxony
Albrechts-Orden -
Ritterkreuz 1. u. 3 Klasse
mit Schwertern

Saxony
Verdienstkreuz des
Albrechts-Ordens mit
Schwertern

Saxony
Ehrenkreuz mit
Schwertern

Saxony
Friedrich-August-Medaille
am Kriegsband (s, b)

Saxony
Ehrenkreuz fr freiwillige
Wohlfartspflege im Kriege

Saxony
Kriegsverdienstkreuz

Wrttemberg
Militr-Verdienstorden -
Ritterkreuz

Wrttemberg
(g, s)

Wrttemberg
Wilhelmskreuz am Bande
(mit Schwertern)

Wrttemberg
Orden der
Wrttembergischen Krone
- Ritterkreuz 1. u. 2 Klasse
m. Schwertern

Wrttemberg
Friedrichs-Orden -
Ritterkreuz 1. u. 2. Klasse
m. Schwertern

Wrttemberg
Verdienstkreuz mit
Schwertern

Wrttemberg
Charlottenkreuz

Baden
Militrischer Karl-
Friedrich-Verdienstorden -
Ritterkreuz
Militrische Karl-
Friedrich-
Verdienstmedaille (g, s)

Baden
Orden Berthold des Ersten
- Ritterkreuz mit
Schwertern

Baden
Orden vom Zhringer
Lwen - Ritterkreuz 1. u.
2. Klasse m. Schwertern

Baden

Baden
Kreuz fr freiwillige
Kriegshilfe

Baden
Kriegsverdienstkreuz

Hessen-Darmstadt
Orden Philipp des
Gromtingen -
Schwertern

Hessen-Darmstadt
Orden Philipp des
Gromtingen -
Schwertern
Verdienstkreuz des Ordens
Philipps des Gromtingen
mit Schwertern

Hessen-Darmstadt
Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen
fr Tapferkeit
fr Kriegsverdienste

Hessen-Darmstadt
Militr-Sanittstkreuz

Hessen-Darmstadt
Ehrenzeichen fr
Kriegsfrsorge
Kriegsehrenzeichen

Mecklenburg
Orden der Wendischen
Krone - Ritterkreuz mit
Schwertern

Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Militrverdienstkreuz 2.
Klasse am Band fr
Kmpfer

Militrverdienstkreuz 2.
Klasse am Band fr
Nichtkmpfer

Friedrich Franz-Kreuz

Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Kreuz fr Auszeichnung
im Kriege 2. Klasse am
Band fr Kmpfer
19

Kreuz fr Auszeichnung
im Kriege 2. Klasse am
Band fr Nichtkmpfer

Adolf Friedrich-Kreuz

Oldenburg
Haus- u. Verdienstorden
von Herzog Peter Friedrich
Ludwig - Ritterkreuz 1.

Oldenburg
Ehrenkreuz mit
Schwertern

Oldenburg
Friedrich August-Kreuz 2.
Klasse am Band fr
Kmpfer

Oldenburg
Friedrich August-Kreuz 2.
Klasse am Band fr
Nichtkmpfer

Oldenburg
Kriegsverdienstmedaille

Sachsen-Weimar
Orden der Wachsamkeit
oder vom Weien Falken -
Schwertern

Sachsen-Weimar
Schwertern
Verdienstkreuz mit
Schwetrern

Sachsen-Weimar
mit Schwertern

Sachsen-Weimar
Ehrenkreuz fr
Heimatverdienste

Brunswick
Orden Heinrichs des
Lwen - Ritterkreuz 1.

Brunswick
Orden Heinrichs des
Lwen - Ritterkreuz 2.
Orden Heinrichs des
Lwen - Kreuz 4. Klasse
mit Schwertern

Brunswick
Klasse (mit dem
Bewhrungszeichen)

Brunswick
Klasse am Band fr
Nichtkmpfer

Saxon Duchies
Herzoglich Sachsen-
Ernestinischer Hausorden -
Schwertern

Saxon Duchies
Herzoglich Sachsen-
Schwertern
Verdienstkreuz zum
Sachsen-Ernestinischen
Hausorden mit Schwertern
Verdienstmedaillen zum
Hausorden mit Schwertern

Sachsen-Altenburg
Herzog Ernst-Medaille mit
Schwertern auf dem Band

Sachsen-Altenburg
Tapferkeits-Medaille

Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha
Herzog Carl Eduard-
Medaille mit Schwertern

Kriegs-Erinnerungskreuz
am Bande

Sachsen-Meiningen
Kreuz fr Verdienst im
Kriege am Band fr
Kmpfer
Medaille fr Verdienst im
Kriege am Band fr
Kmpfer

Sachsen-Meiningen
Kreuz fr Verdienst im
Kriege am Band fr
Nichtkmpfer
Medaille fr Verdienst im
Kriege am Band fr
Nichtkmpfer

Anhalt
Hausorden Albrechts des
Bren - Ritterkreuz 1. u. 2.

Anhalt
Friedrichs-Kreuz 2. Klasse
am Band fr Kmpfer

Anhalt
Friedrichs-Kreuz 2. Klasse
am Band fr Nichtkmpfer

Hohenzollern
Frstlich
hohenzollernscher
Hausorden - Ehrenkreuz 2.
und 3. Klasse mit
Schwertern

Lippe-Detmold
Frstlich Lippesches
Ehrenkreuz 4. Klasse mit
Schwertern

Lippe-Detmold
Klasse am Band fr
Kmpfer
Kriegs-Ehrenmedaille am
Band fr Kmpfer

Lippe-Detmold
Klasse am Band fr
Nichtkmpfer
Kriegs-Ehrenmedaille am
Band fr Nichtkmpfer
20

Lippe-Detmold
Militrverdienstmedaille
mit Schwertern auf dem
Band

Schaumburg-Lippe
Frstlich Schaumburg-
Lippescher Hausorden -
Schwertern

Schaumburg-Lippe
Schwertern

Schaumburg-Lippe
Kreuz fr treue Dienste 2.
Klasse am Band fr
Kmpfer

Schaumburg-Lippe
Kreuz fr treue Dienste 2.
Klasse am Band fr
Nichtkmpfer

Schaumburg-Lippe
Militr-Verdienst-Medaille

Reuss

Reuss
Ehrenkreuz 3. u. 4. Klasse
mit Schwertern am
Kriegsband

Schwarzburg
Ehrenkreuz 2. u. 3. Klasse
mit Schwertern

Schwarzburg
Schwertern

Waldeck
Verdienst-Kreuz 3. Klasse
mit Schwertern am
Kriegsband

Waldeck
Verdienst-Kreuz 4. Klasse
mit Schwertern am
Kriegsband
Verdienst-Medaille mit

Bremen
Bremisches
Hanseatenkreuz

Lbeck
Lbeckisches
Hanseatenkreuz

Hamburg
Hamburgisches
Hanseatenkreuz

Ehrenkreuz des
Weltkrieges fr
Frontkmpfer (1934)

Ehrenkreuz des
Weltkrieges fr
Kriegsteilnehmer (1934)

Ehrenkreuz des
Weltkrieges fr
Hinterbliebene (1934)

Austria
sterreichische
Kriegserinnerungs-
Medaille mit Schwertern
auf dem Bande (1932)

Austria
sterreichische
Kriegserinnerungs-
Medaille (1932)

Ehrenkreuz fr
Hinterbliebene deutscher
Spanienkmpfer (1939)

Austria
sterreichische Kriegs-
Medaille

Sdwestafrikadenkmnze

Kolonialdenkmnze

Chinadenkmnze

Schlesisches
Bewhrungsabzeichen
(Schlesischer Adler) 2.
Klasse

Baltenkreuz 2. Klasse

Austria
Krntner-Kreuz 2. Klasse
(1919)

Austria
Tiroler Landesdenkmnze
(1928)

Rettungsmedaille am
Bande
Prussia: Rettungsmedaille

Bavaria
Rettungsmedaille

Saxony
Rettungsmedaille

Wrttemberg
Rettungsmedaille

Baden
Rettungsmedaille

Hessen-Darmstadt
Rettungsmedaille

Oldenburg
Rettungsmedaille

Sachsen-Weimar
Rettungsmedaille

Brunswick
Rettungsmedaille

Sachsen-Altenburg
Rettungsmedaille

Rettungsmedaille

Sachsen-Meiningen
Rettungsmedaille

Lippe-Detmold
Rettungsmedaille

Schaumburg-Lippe
Rettungsmedaille

Reuss-Older Line
Rettungsmedaille

Reuss-Younger Line
Rettungsmedaille
21

Schwarzburg-
Sondershausen
Rettungsmedaille

Bremen
Rettungsmedaille

Hamburg
Rettungsmedaille

Lbeck
Rettungsmedaille

Danzig
Rettungsmedaille

Dienstauszeichnung der
Wehrmacht (40 Jahre -
Heer u. Kriegsmarine)
(1936)

Luftwaffe)


Luftwaffe)


Luftwaffe)


Luftwaffe)

Wehrmacht (4 Jahre - Heer
u. Kriegsmarine)

Luftwaffe)

Austria
sterreichisches
Militrdienstzeichen
(1934)

SS-Dienstauszeichnung
(25 Jahre) (1938)

SS-Dienstauszeichnung
(12 Jahre)

SS-Dienstauszeichnung (8
Jahre)

SS-Dienstauszeichnung (4
Jahre)

Polizeidienstauszeichnung
(25 Jahre) (1938)

(18 Jahre)

(8 Jahre)

Zollgrenzschutz-
Dienstauszeichnung (8/4
Jahre) (1938)

Dienstauszeichnung fr
den Reichsarbeitsdienst
(25 Jahre) (1938)

(18 Jahre)

(12 Jahre, 4 Jahre)

Treuedienst-Ehrenzeichen
(50 Jahre) (1942)

(40 Jahre) (1938)

(25 Jahre)

NSDAP (25 Jahre) (1939)

NSDAP (15 Jahre)

NSDAP (10 Jahre)

Luftschutz-Ehrenzeichen
(g cross, s medal) (1938)

Feuerwehr-Ehrenzeichen
(g, s) (1936)

Grubenwehr-Ehrenzeichen
(1935)

Ehrenzeichen fr deutsche
Volkspflege 3. Klasse
(1939)
Medaille fr deutsche
Volkspflege (1939)

Deutsches Olympia-
Ehrenzeichen 2. Klasse
(1936)

Medaille zur Erinnerung
an den 13. Mrz 1938
(1938)

an den 1. Oktober 1938
("Prager Burg") (1938)

an den 1. Oktober 1938
(1938)

an die Heimkehr des
Memellandes (1939)

Deutsches Schutzwall-
Ehrenzeichen (1939)

Deutsche Olympia-
Erinnerungsrnedaille
(1936)

Ehrenzeichen 2. Klasse des
Deutschen Roten Kreuzes
(1922-39)
Medaille des Deutschen
Roten Kreuzes (1937-39)
22

Prussia
Hausorden von
Hohenzollern - Ritterkreuz
und Inhaberkreuz

Prussia
Roter Adlerorden 3. und 4.
Klasse

Prussia
Kronenorden 3. und 4.
Klasse

Prussia

Prussia
Verdienstkreuz (g, s)

Prussia
Dienstauszeichnungskreuz
(25 Dienstjahre)

Prussia
Kaiser Wilhelm-
Erinnerungsmedaille, 1897

Prussia
Rote-Kreuz-Medaille 2.
und 3. Klasse

Austria
Ritterorden vom Heiligen
Stephan - Ritterkreuz

Austria
Leopold-Orden -
Ritterkreuz

Austria
Orden der Eisernen Krone
3. Klasse

Austria
Franz-Joseph-Orden -
Ritterkreuz
Verdienstkreuz (g, s, e)

Austria
Militr-Verdienstkreuz - 3.
Klasse

Austria
Geistliches Verdienstkreuz
(g, s)

Austria
("Signum Laudis")

Austria
Ehrenzeichen vom Roten
Kreuz 2. Klasse
Ehrenmedaille vom Roten
Kreuz (s, b)

Austria
Militr-Dienstzeichen

Austria
Jubilums-
Erinnerungsmedaille fr
die Befaffnete Macht,
1898

Austria
Jubilumskreuz fr die
Befaffnete Macht, 1908

Austria
Bosnisch-Herzegowinische
Erinnerungsmedaille, 1909

Austria
Mobilisierungs-
Erinnerungskreuz, 1912-13

Bavaria
Civil-Verdienstorden der
Bayerischen Krone -
Ritterkreuz

Bavaria
Verdienstorden vom
heiligen Michael 3. und 4.
Klasse

Bavaria
und 4. Klasse
Militr-Verdienstkreuz (g,
s, b)

Bavaria
Verdienstmedaille vom
Verdienstorden der
Bayerischen Krone (g, s)

Bavaria
Verdienstkreuz vom
heiligen Michael

Bavaria
Verdienstmedaille vom
heiligen Michael (s, b)

Bavaria
Jubilumsmedaille fr der
Armee,1905

Bavaria
Militr-
Dienstauszeichnung

Saxony
Ritterkreuz 1. und 2.
Klasse

Saxony
Albrechts-Orden -
Ritterkreuz 1. u. 2 Klasse
Verdienstkreuz des
Albrechts-Ordens

Saxony
Ehrenkreuz

Saxony
Friedrich-August-Medaille
am Friedensband (s, b)

Saxony
Dienstauszeichnung

Wrttemberg
Orden der
Wrttembergischen Krone
- Ritterkreuz 1. u. 2 Klasse
m. Schwertern

Wrttemberg
Friedrichs-Orden -
Ritterkreuz 1. u. 2. Klasse

Wrttemberg
Verdienstkreuz

Wrttemberg
Dienstauszeichnung

Baden
Orden Berthold des Ersten
- Ritterkreuz

Baden
Orden vom Zhringer
Lwen - Ritterkreuz 1. u.
2. Klasse
23

Baden
Verdienstkreuz vom
Zhringer Lwen

Baden

Baden
Regierungs-
Jubilumsmedaille, 1902

Baden
Friedrich-Luisen-Medaille,
1906

Baden
Dienstauszeichnung

Hessen-Darmstadt
Ludewigs-Orden
Medaille des
Ludwigsordens

Hessen-Darmstadt
Orden Philipp des
Gromtingen -
Klasse
Verdienstkreuz des Ordens
Philipps des Gromtingen

Hessen-Darmstadt
Orden des Stern von
Brabant

Hessen-Darmstadt
(zivil)

Hessen-Darmstadt
Dienstauszeichnung

Mecklenburg
Orden der Wendischen
Krone - Ritterkreuz

Mecklenburg
Greifen-Orden -
Ritterkreuz

Mecklenburg
Dienstauszeichnung

Oldenburg
und 2. Klasse
Ehrenkreuz

Oldenburg
Dienstauszeichnung

Sachsen-Weimar
Verdienstkreuz

Sachsen-Weimar
Dienstauszeichnung

Brunswick
Orden Heinrichs des
Lwen - Ritterkreuz 1. und
2. Klasse
Kreuz 4. Klasse

Saxon Duchies
Herzoglich Sachsen-
Klasse
Verdienstkreuz zum
Hausorden
Verdienstmedaillen zum
Hausorden

Sachsen-Altenburg
Herzog Ernst-Medaille

Herzog Carl Eduard-
Medaille

Ehejubilums-Medaille,
1899

Saxon Duchies
Dienstauszeichnung

Anhalt
Hausorden Albrechts des
Bren - Ritterkreuz 1. u. 2.
Klasse

Anhalt
Dienstauszeichnung

Hohenzollern
Frstlich
hohenzollernscher
Hausorden - Ehrenkreuz 2.
und 3. Klasse

Lippe-Detmold
Frstlich Lippesches
Ehrenkreuz 4. Klasse

Lippe-Detmold
Verdienstmedaille

Lippe-Detmold
Militrverdienstmedaille

Schaumburg-Lippe
Ehrenkreuz 3. und 4.
Klasse

Schaumburg-Lippe
Verdienstmedaille

Reuss
Ehrenkreuz 2. 3. u. 4.
Klasse
Dienstauszeichnung

Schwarzburg
Ehrenkreuz 2. 3. u. 4.
Klasse

Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt
Anerkennungsmedaille

Schwarzburg-
Sondershausen
Erinnerungs-Medaille,
1905
24

Schwarzburg-
Sondershausen
Dienstauszeichnung

Waldeck
Verdienst-Kreuz 3. und 4.
Klasse
Verdienst-Medaille

Waldeck
Dienstauszeichnung

Danzig
Danzig-Kreuz

25
Identification
Based on information supplied by: Fredrick Clemens and Jason Pipes

All German soldiers in all branches of the Wehrmacht kept at a minimum the following items
pertaining to themselves and their military service.

Soldbuch:

The basic pay and identity document booklet for
all active-duty German soldiers. The Soldbuch
was created and issued to a soldier soon after his
entry on active duty service during wartime.
Initially the Soldbuch did not contain a photo, but
a military-dress photo was later required around
1943 as a security measure. Other security
measures added later included the addition of a
quarterly check by the soldiers unit.

The Soldbuch contained information on the
soldiers pay grade, clothing, equipment, weapons
issued, current unit of assignment, as well as his assigned replacement unit. All previous
replacement units were crossed out in such a way as to remain legible. Medical information such
as eye and tooth care and hospitalizations was also included, as well as awards and leaves.

The Soldbuch was the document the field military police were most interested in when stopping
soldiers for questioning. A soldier was required to have the equipment listed in the Soldbuch on
his person and to also be wearing the correct awards as listed.

The Soldbuch was first conceived as a document for receiving pay from units other than a
soldiers initial home unit, but as seen above, soon evolved into a much more detailed
identification document. Upon discharge the Soldbuch was intended to be destroyed, but due to
collapse of the Wehrmacht, many soldiers retained their Soldbuch as a surrogate Wehrpass.

The Soldbuch was, generally speaking, kept up to date by the company to which the soldier
belonged, either by the Hauptfeldwebel or a company clerk, though many entries required an
26
officer's or official's (as an example the paymaster or doctor) signature. The pages were not
removable, and it was consequently extremely difficult to type on the pages, so the entries were
invariably either handwritten, or stamped.

Handwriting was generally done in blue-gray ink, though other (dark) colors may have been
used. Black was not used. Also popular was the use of indelible colored pencils, usually in dark
colors, though red seems to have been sometimes used (for example when stroking out an entry).

Stamps were quite commonly used, and while unit stamps are the most recognizable (being
circular, with the national emblem of eagle and swastika in the middle and surrounded by the
text (generally in Fraktur script), there were stamps for many other things, such as dates, officer's
names and positions, or stamps of common entries to the book such as GASPLANE to denote
the issue of a gas sheet. Ink was generally in dark blue or a dark shade of purple.

27

28

29

30
Erkennungsmarke

The Erkennungsmarke was instituted and
first issued in August of 1939 to all
members of the German Wehrmacht.
Thereafter, the tag was issued to all
soldiers shortly after they were first
inducted into the Wehrmacht.

The tag, an oval 2 3/4 x 2 inches,
consisted of a thin aluminum, zinc, steel,
or tin oval disc that was worn around the
neck on a chain, string, or lace 33 inches
long. Wear of the tag was required at all
times by all soldiers in the field or field
conditions. It was perforated in the
middle and was stamped with identical
information above and below the
perforation line.

The information on the tag was the same
on the top and bottom half. This
information consisted (officially) of:

Line 1: The name or abbreviated name of
the unit the wearer belonged to when he
entered service.
Line 2: The wearers personnel number
in the unit listed on line 1.

The tag can be broken into two pieces, if the soldier wearing it is killed. The lower half would
be collected if at all possible, and given to the unit HQ for grave registration and notification.
The upper half would remain with the body itself.

Unit information was usually recorded in the following format: Company (identified by either
an Arabic numeral, or abbreviation such as St. (for Stamm- this was the reception company of a
basic training unit), then a slash ("/"), with the name and number of the unit. Roman numerals,
when used, generally indicated a battalion-sized unit.

The information on the tag varied throughout the war, but generally consisted of the designation
of the individuals initial replacement unit (the unit all soldiers were inducted to before being sent
to a regular field unit), a soldier number. After 1941 many tags also contained the wearers
blood type (A, B, O or AB, not Rh as this factor was not yet understood). The position of the
information varied considerably, some were stamped along the arch while others were just lined
straight across.
31
Initially, all German units of Kompanie size were required to maintain complete lists of all
soldiers and their Erkennungsmarke. These lists would be updated as needed once a month with
any additions and subtractions based on men lost as KIA, MIA, through transfers or sick leave,
or that were gained through replacements and transfers or soldiers returned from sick leave. This
official Kompanie listing was registered with the German Armed Forces Information Office for
Casualties and War Prisoners, and was kept as up-to-date as possible.

The updates of course included the tag numbers of men who joined the unit and those who were
transferred or had become casualties. The field units also kept a supply of tags equal to 20% of
their strength, with the result that replacement tags for those who lost them contained the name
of the unit to which they belonged to at that moment.

In the even that the soldier was injured or killed in action, the part with the cord/chain was left
with the body, while the bottom half was broken off and returned to the unit for processing.

Common Abbreviations for Erkennungsmarke and Soldbuch
Abbr. German Term English Translation
Abt. Abteilung Unit, generally of battalion size
Ausb. Ausbildungs Training
Art Artillerie Artillery
Btl Battaillon Battalion
EK Eisernes Kreuz Iron Cross
Ers. Ersatz Replacement
Fs Fsilier A type of infantry unit
Gren Grenadier Infantry (42-45)
Kp Kompanie Company
Inf Infantrie infantry
MG Maschinengewehr Machine Gun
Pi Pionier Engineers
Pz Panzer Tank
Pz Gren Panzer Grenadier Armored or Motorized Infantry
St. or Stm. Stamm Reception
Regt Regiment Regiment
u. und and
Werf Werfer Nebelwerfer or mortar unit

32
Wehrpass:

The basic field personnel record for all draft-eligible males. It was created and issued during the
first visit to a draft/recruiting office by the soldier in question, and was maintained by the
individual at home until called up for duty, including in the service of the RAD. Upon entry of
duty by a soldier, the Wehrpass was turned over to the soldiers unit for administration. The
Wehrpass usually contained a civilian-dress photo on the inside front cover.

Many things were recorded in each soldiers Wehrpass including unit administrative notes and
records, dates of assignments, promotions, awards, battles, major injuries or illnesses, etc. Upon
a soldiers discharge his Wehrpass was returned after all the field entries were transferred to the
Wehrstammbuch - a series of documents covering national veterans used to document a soldiers
service for claiming benefits, etc. If a soldier was killed or became MIA while on duty, the
Wehrpass was sent to his next of kin by the soldiers original recruiting office.

33
Additional Documents

Befristeter Ausweis: Soldiers stationed near cities could receive a pass to visit the city. The
rear of the pass (Befristeter Ausweis) included information concerning curfew hours for different
ranks and a stamp of the hotel the soldier stayed at.

This specific ausweis was issued to individuals in the vicinity of Paris. This Card was issued to
Reichsbahnprasident Wilhelm Enrich who stayed at the Grand Hotel.

34
Kleiner Wehrmachtfahrschein: Kleiner Wehrmachtfahschein, Teil 1 u. 2 (Small Military
Travel Pass, Part 1 & 2) was issued as a travel ticket for use on the Ostbahn or Reichbahn. Part
one was for outbound trips and part two for the return trip. The diagonal stripe distinguished the
pass as free of charge while the non-stripe version was at the soldiers expense.

Marschbefehl: Marschbefehl (March or Movement order) was issued to soldiers for the
purpose of duty changes (order to or from the fronts) or schooling. This document was usually
issued with the Sonderausweis D and a Wehrmachtfahrschein Teil 1 u. 2.

35
Personalausweis fr Hilfskrankentrger: Personalausweis fr Hilfskrankentrger was issued
to Wehrmacht soldiers who were specially trained were authorized to act as stretcher-bearers.

Sonderausweis D: Sonderausweis D (Special Identity Document D), D meaning Dienstreisen
(Service Travel). This document was issued for purposes of official military travel. The purpose
of the document was to state that you are authorized to travel. If you were leaving the front
without one of these documents you would be considered a deserter. Below are two variants
using different fonts.

36
Wehrmacht Fhrerschein: Before a service member could operate a Wehrmacht vehicle he
had to be trained to drive that vehicle and pass an examination. The license, Wehrmacht
Fhrerschein (Wehrmacht Drivers License), contained information concerning unit, birth date,
training unit, date of issue, issue number, class of license and picture.

37

Der Spiess
Each Wehrmacht company sized unit had a soldier appointed Hauptfeldwebel (in horsed units
this was called Hauptwachtmeister). While any NCO could presumably hold this appointment, it
generally went to a soldier holding the rank of Oberfeldwebel.

His duties, similar to his counterparts in Allied armies (called a
Company Sergeant Major in the British and Commonwealth,
and a Company First Sergeant in the US Army), included
administrative tasks necessary to running the company,
including personnel and supply issues.

The German soldier had a fondness for nicknames, and the
Hauptfeldwebel acquired several. Informally, he was called
"der Spiess" (The Spear), in homage to the ancient practice of
arming NCOs with edged weapons rather than firearms.
Specifically, this related to a time when the senior NCO in a
company was armed with an officer's style called a "spiess."

"Der Spiess" was not necessarily the highest-ranking soldier in
the company. While Oberfeldwebel (or those career NCOs
who made it to Stabsfeldwebel) was the standard rank, it was
not a prerequisite. Other NCOs, especially specialists such as
the transport sergeant, may well have been senior in rank or
experience to the Hauptfeldwebel, whose duties were less technical and more oriented to
administration and troop leading.

The Hauptfeldwebel led the company headquarters and supply troops, supervising discipline and
all work done in the company rear. He also set up a company writing room, and oversaw all
paperwork in the company, including reports, incoming orders, promotions, inventories, etc. He
maintained each company soldier's Soldbuch, and coordinated all incoming messages from home
to daily mail deliveries. He maintained the rotation of furloughs and passes, watched over food
supplies (including the Company canteen) and rest facilities for the company, and when
necessary, in the event of a killed or wounded NCO, could also be called upon to lead a platoon-
sized subunit.

As a sign of his status, the uniform of a Hauptfeldwebel bore two rows of
rank braid (tress) around the cuffs; this was seen both on the field blouse
and on the greatcoat. These rows of braid were referred to in slang as Piston
Rings (Kolbenringe).

Another visible sign of his office was the Meldetasche (Reporting Pouch); a
black leather case that was carried in the tunic front. In this case he carried
papers, rosters and other information he needed to fulfill his duties. The
pouch had no straps or method of attachment to the uniform; the second
button on the tunic was left undone and the pouch simply thrust in.
38

Air Force Hauptfeldwebel conferring with an
officer; note the Reporting Pouch tucked into the
tunic front, and the rows of braid on the cuff.

Hauptfeldwebel photographed in the US; a
Stabsfeldwebel, this soldier has silver braid sewn to his
tropical uniform jacket (though possibly the darker
tropical lace sewn to the collar). The Army Long
Service ribbon can be seen on his ribbon bar; this
combined with his rank can allow one to conclude that
this man was a prewar career soldier. In fact,
Hauptfeldwebel J. Berbert Blueck had been a medical
orderly in the infantry and had indeed been in the Army
for 12 years prior to his capture at Tunisia on 30 April
1943. (US Army Signal Corps photo)

39
Rendering Honors And Saluting
As in most of the world's militaries, rendering honors was a complex subject in the German
Army. A soldier in uniform was taught from early on to pay respects to appropriate persons and
objects, whether he was on the parade square or off duty altogether.

When in uniform, a German soldier was required to render honors to:

The Fuehrer
Superiors of all the armed services in uniform (including retired members of the Imperial
German forces, the Reichswehr, and the former Austrian Federal Army)
Superiors in civilian clothes that were recognized by the soldier
Flags and standards
War memorials with honor guards posted in front of them

"Superiors" were defined as such:

A commissioned officer is considered superior to: all lower ranking officers regardless
of unit all NCOs and men, regardless of unit
A senior NCO (Unteroffizier mit Portepee) is considered superior to: all lower ranking
NCOs of his own unit (only)
A non-commissioned officer of any grade is considered superior to: all Men

There were three methods of rendering honors:

Passing by the superior or object while at attention
Coming to the position of attention while stationary and facing the superior (accompanied
by the clicking of the heels)
Coming to the position of attention while seated and facing the superior

The military hand salute was similar to the British and American
salutes; always rendered with the right hand, the hand was
brought up to the outside and raised, palm forward, to the edge
of the headdress. Nothing was to be in either the soldier's mouth
or hand when a salute was given. Also, hand salutes were only
given when the soldier was in uniform, and wearing his
headdress. The outside of the hand was inclined slightly from
the vertical. On 24 July 1944, the Nazi Party Salute, as a result
of an Order by Goring, replaced the hand salute.

The various circumstances in which the need to render honors
arose could be varied and complex. In general, when a soldier
was in uniform and wearing his headdress, the hand salute was
given when, for example, walking past a superior. If a group of
soldiers was together, the first person seeing the superior was
expected to warn the others, so that all could salute.

40
Every member of street patrols and other groups not in military formation were expected to
salute individually. Normal walking pace was continued, and the salute was rendered 6 paces
from the person/object receiving the salute, and held until 2 paces past.

If in civilian clothes, the German greeting was used instead of the hand salute.

If a German soldier was carrying something in his hands, he was not expected to salute, but was
expected to pass a superior at attention, or if stationary, to stand at attention until the superior
had passed him.

When a German soldier reported to a superior in an enclosed
space such as an office, the German Greeting was executed, and
the superior in this case was not expected to return it; therefore the
salute was done very quickly. As well, the man reporting was
expected to remove his cap and hold it in the left hand, with the
inside of the cap facing his left leg, and the cap's insignia facing to
the front. When the soldier was dismissed, he repeated the salute,
followed by a crisp about-face and exit.

When a superior entered a room or classroom in which soldiers
were present, the first soldier to see him called the room to
attention (with the call "Achtung") If the superior was a NCO in
the soldiers' company, battery or squadron, the senior soldier was
expected to report the room - i.e. "Room 21, occupied with 2
Gefreiten and 7 Schtzen. Two men on leave, one in hospital."

When part of a formed unit, only the
commander was expected to render a
hand salute to superiors. Other units not
formed, such as a work detail, were
expected to continue working when a
superior came along; the commander of
the party still saluted in the appropriate
manner.

In all cases, if a soldier was engaged in
work he was not expected to stop and
salute, especially if doing so would
place him or others in danger, or
adversely affect their duty.

Armed sentries, regardless of the type of weapon they carried, did not render hand salutes, but
instead came to attention and did an eyes right or eyes left. If an armed soldier was on the
march, but not as part of a formation, he saluted by facing the person or object, but did not
41
salute. If his weapon was slung across his back, his hands remained at his side, if slung over the
right shoulder, his right hand rested on the sling at the level of the breast pocket.

When seated in a vehicle, or if mounted on horse, bicycle or motorcycle, honors were paid by
coming to attention and facing the superior or object. Officers would perform a hand salute if
doing so was safe. Vehicle drivers never saluted; co-drivers or vehicle commanders did,
however. The seated salute was rare and generally used only when circumstances did not permit
standing (such as a crowded restaurant.)

In the Commonwealth and US militaries, soldiers greet their superiors, in the German Army it
was the opposite. A superior decided whether or not he would greet his subordinate. The typical
greeting was "Heil" or "Heil" followed by the rank. Since the soldier was a subordinate, the
word "Herr" was not required, i.e. "Heil, Unteroffizier." The junior was expected to respond
with "Heil, Herr" followed by the rank. It was also possible for the superior to substitute "Hitler"
for the junior's rank, in which case the response was always "Heil Hitler." If the superior was
actually Hitler, the response was "Heil, mein Fuehrer."

A Canadian Army training pamphlet said, "The solidarity of all rank is exemplified in the
German use of the military salute. The basic principle that the salute is a military greeting
exchanged by brothers in arms is made real by the requirement that it is exchanged between all
individuals in the military service. Thus the salute has ceased to be a caste symbol associated in
the soldier's mind with the officer corps."
42
Military Courtesy:
In the German Military military courtesy was carefully followed.

Terms of Address:
NCOs are addressed as "Herr" (as in "Herr Unteroffizier," "Herr Feldwebel," etc.). The Spiess
is ALWAYS addressed as "Herr Hauptfeldwebel!"

Officers were also addressed in the same manner. (i.e. "Herr Leutnant" or "Herr Hauptmann").

Saluting:
In the German army, both officers and Unteroffizier mit Portepee (Feldwebel and above) were
saluted. The German hand salute is best described as a "loose" version of the British hand salute,
the right hand is brought up closely to the outside, then raised, palm-forward to the visor or cap
edge. The outside (heel) of the hand at a very slight angle away from the vertical with the hand
loosely together and the arm horizontal to the elbow and angled to the visor. NEVER give the
"Hitler Gruss" (Nazi salute).

Headgear:
Headgear was removed while indoors unless on duty. His headgear indicated the level of
preparedness of a German soldier on duty. As an example: If he came up to you bareheaded, he
probably just wanted to talk. If he came up to you with his cap on (indoors), he is probably on
official business. If he came up to you with his helmet on, he means action.

43
German Wehrkreise (Military Districts or Corps Areas)

I.
East Prussia
II.
Mecklenburg and Pomerania
III.
Brandenburg and Neumark
IV.
Saxony and part Thuringia
V.
Wurttemberg and part of Baden
VI.
Westphalia and the Rhineland
VII.
Southern Bavaria
VIII.
Silesia and Sudetenland
IX.
Part of Thuringia and Hesse
X.
Schleswig Holstein and part Hanno
XI.
Brunswick, Anhalt and part of Hannover
XII.
Eiffel, part of Hesse, Saar, Palatinate, Saar
XIII.
Northern Bavaria
XIV.
Upper and Lower Austria
XV.
Styria, Carinthia, Tyrol
XVI.
Danzig, western part of East Prussia
XVII.
West Poland

Wehrkreis XVII (Corps Areas)

HQ: Wien

Territory: Northern Austria & southern Czechoslovakia

Wehrersatzinspektionen: Wien, Linz

Commanders:
General der Flieger Otto von Stlpnagel (1 Sep 1939 - 24 Oct 1940)
General der Artillerie Alfred Streccius (25 Oct 1940 - 21 Aug 1943)
General der Infanterie Albrecht Schubert (21 Aug 1943 - ? Apr 1945)

The Wehrkreis was an administrative area within German territory. Wehrmacht units were
assigned to a Wehrkries, and a units home garrison, and training units were located within the
Wehrkries, and the units recruited heavily within the Wehrkries.
44
Small Arms

P08 (Luger)
Caliber: 9mm
8 rounds / Clip fed
Action: Semi-Auto
Weight: 2 lbs
P38
Caliber: 9mm
8 rounds / Clip fed
Action: Semi-Auto
Weight: 2 lbs

K98k
Year Built: 1935-1945
Caliber: 7.9mm
5 rounds / stripper clip fed
Action: Bolt
Weight: 8.4lbs

G43
Caliber: 7.9mm
10 rounds / Magazine fed
Action: Semi - Automatic,
Gas - Operated, Air Cooled
Weight: 8.6 lbs

MP 38/40
Caliber: 9mm
Action: Fully-Automatic,
Blowback
Weight: 8.9 lbs

MP44
Caliber: 7.92mm (Kurtz)
Rate of Fire: 500-600 rpm
Weight: 11.5 lbs

MG34
Caliber: 7.92mm
Belt feed / 75-round drum
Rate of Fire: 800-900 rpm
Weight: 26.7 lbs

MG42
Caliber: 7.92mm
Belt feed
Action: Fully-Automatic, Air
Cooled
Rate of Fire: approx. 1200
rpm
Weight: 25.5 lbs

45
5.0 cm (50mm) Mortar

8.0 cm (80mm) Mortar

46
K98 by M. P. Weber

Model Designation: Karbiner 98 Kurz Caliber: 7.92mm (7.92X57)
Overall Length: 1,110mm (43.7")
Weight: Solid stock; 3.8kg (8.38lbs.)
Laminated stock: 4kg.
Magazine: 5 round, fixed box
Front sight: inverted "V" notch (later models had a sight hood cover)
Rear sight: "V" notch adjustable up to 2,000 meters
Rifling: 4 grooves, right hand twist, one turn every 240mm
Safety: 3-way safety lever on rear of bolt. Left to fire, right to safe, center to load.
Markings: With few exceptions, every K98 was stamped with manufacturers' code and date on
top of receiver.

In June 1934, the German army adopted the Mauser Karbiner 98 kurz as the standard service
rifle of the German army. It remained in service until the end of the war in May 1945. Eleven
years in production produced over 14 million K98s, and out of the 14 million produced, there are
over 100 combinations of maker codes and production years. All of this combined with the fact
that the Mauser K98 is one of the best bolt actions designs of all time, makes the K98k one of the
most collectable rifles of WWII, and perhaps of all time.

Dates, Makers, and Codes :
In 1934 only two manufacturers where assigned to produce the K98k. These were the Mauser
plant at Obendorf, and the firm of J.P. Sauer & Sohn at Suhl. Mauser, Obendorf was the only
manufacturer to produce the K98 from 1934-1945. Each year later, other makers were added to
produce the K98k, while some makers where dropped due to production demands or interests in
producing other weapons, such as machine guns, machine pistols, or other small arms that were
needed. By 1943 there were at least 7 factories that were producers of the rifle.

Code Manufacturer
duv
S/237
237
Berlin-Luebecker Maschinenfabriken, Werk Luebeck
S/27
S/27G
27
Erfurter Maschinenfabrik (ERMA)
ax Feinmechanische Werke GmbH, Erfurt, Altonaerstr. 25
337
bcd
Gustloff Werke, Werk Weimar, Weimar
bcd/ar Gustloff Werke in Weimar, and Mauser-Werke AG, Berlin
ce
S/147
S/147G
147
S/147K
J.P. Sauer & Sohn, Suhl
47
Code Manufacturer
svw
byf
Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorf a./N
S/42
42
Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorf a./N, early code
S/42K Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorf a./N, production in 1934
S/42G Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorf a./N, production in 1935
ar
S243
S243G
243
Mauser-Werke AG, Werke Borsigwalde, Berlin-Borsigwalde,
Eichborndamm
660 Steyr-Daimler Puch, Steyr, Austria
bnz Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Werke Steyr, Steyr, Austria
swap
dot
945
Waffenwerke Bruenn AG, Brno, Czechoslovakia
dou Waffenwerke Bruenn AG, Werke Bystrica

K98 Variations-
During the war several changes and/or alterations were made to the K98. Most of these changes
were simply design alterations that were made to simplify or increase production of the rifle.
Another example of the changes made to the K98 late in the war is the introduction of the
Kriegsmodell K98.

The Kriegsmodell K98 is basically the most simplified version of the K98. Several design
changes were made to produce the Kriegsmodell. Several items were completely eliminated,
such as: bayonet lug, cleaning rod, bolt disassembly disk, bolt guide, barrel band spring, and
even the locking screws for the floor plate.

Kriegsmodell K98s are usually late 1944 or 1945 production. They will usually have very rough
machined parts, and stocks will be rough and usually unfinished. Below are pictures of a
Kriegsmodell K98, that was made by Mauser, Obendorf in 1945, and is marked "byf 45." Note
also in the pictures below the differences between the standard K98, and the Kriegsmodell K98.

48

K98 made by Mauser, Obendorf
in 1945, and labeled "byf 45".
Notice the phosphated finish to
this piece, and also notice that
the model designation "Mod. 98"
has been moved from the side of
the receiver to the top of the
receiver.

K98 made by Waffen Werke,
Brunn, Brunn in 1944, and is
marked "dot 1944". Note that
this late war K98 is marked
with the full year 1944, and not
just the partial year "44" or
simply "4".
Also notice the rough machine
markings on this late war piece.

K98 made by Waffen
Werke, Brunn, Bystrica in
1943, and is marked "dou
43".

Typical mid-war production
and finish on this piece
49

Comparison of the standard K98 bolt (right),
and the Kriegsmodell K98 bolt (left). Notice
the bolt on the right has typical milled out, oval
shaped cooling holes, while the bolt on the left
has round, drilled out cooling holes.

This picture shows us 2 K98 bolts. Notice that
the bolt on the left is missing the bolt guide.
That's because this bolt is a Kriegsmodell K98
bolt. Notice also that it is parkerized. The one
on the right is a standard K98 bolt, and is blued.
50

Two floor plates for the K98. The one on the
right is a milled floorplate. This type can be
found on pre-war, and early war time K98
models. The left one is a stamped floor plate,
and is found on late war K98s. Notice also on
this one that it is also missing the locking
screws. That is because this floor plate is for a
Kriegsmodell K98.

Two K98 trigger guards. The one on the right is
a milled trigger guard. Again these are found on
pre-war and early war K98s. The one on the left
is a stamped trigger guard, and is found on late
war K98s. Notice again that this stamped trigger
guard is missing the locking screws, which
means that this trigger guard is for a
Kriegsmodell K98.

The test firing proof will be located on the aft
of the bolt handle.

Front barrel band. This is a mid-war production
barrel band. It is milled type, but not formed like
the "H" types. Serial number are marked on
these, but late war stamped barrel bands usually
won't have serial numbers on them. This is a
1943 date K98.
51

Serial numbers on the k98 stocks are usually
located under the stock, half way between the
hand grip, and the buttplate.

Bolt of the K98 shows 3 serial number locations:
top of bolt, safety lever, and bolt handle.

Serial numbers as found on the rear sight leaf,
and sight adjustment.

Note that very late war K98s might not have
any serial numbers marked on these parts. All
early war or pre-war K98s should have serial
numbers on these though.

This K98 is a 1943 date.

Serial numbers for the receiver and barrel on a
K98. Note also the acceptance proof markings.
Serial numbers also found on rear sight base.
This is also a 1943 k98

52
Ordnance Codes For Rifles

Code Manufacturer
duv
S/237
237
Berlin-Luebecker Maschinenfabriken, Werk Luebeck
S/27
S/27G
27
Erfurter Maschinenfabrik (ERMA)
ax Feinmechanische Werke GmbH, Erfurt, Altonaerstr. 25
337
bcd
Gustloff Werke, Werk Weimar, Weimar
bcd/ar Gustloff Werke in Weimar, and Mauser-Werke AG, Berlin
ce
S/147
S/147G
147
S/147K
J.P. Sauer & Sohn, Suhl
svw
byf
Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorf a./N
S/42
42
Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorf a./N, early code
S/42K Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorf a./N, production in 1934
S/42G Mauser-Werke AG, Oberndorf a./N, production in 1935
ar
S243
S243G
243
Mauser-Werke AG, Werke Borsigwalde, Berlin-Borsigwalde, Eichborndamm
660 Steyr-Daimler Puch, Steyr, Austria
bnz Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Werke Steyr, Steyr, Austria
swap
dot
945
Waffenwerke Bruenn AG, Brno, Czechoslovakia
dou Waffenwerke Bruenn AG, Werke Bystrica

53
P38 Pistol Manufacturer Codes

Code Manufacturer Dates
Walther Walther 37 - mid 40
480 Walther mid 40 - Oct 42
ac Walther Oct 42 to end of war
byf Mauser Nov 42 to Jan 45
SvW Mauser Jan 45 to end of war
cyg Spreewerk Mar 41 to end of war

Serial numbers were never to exceed 10,000 in a series. Second series included suffix a being
added, third series had suffix of b and so on. As an example: AC44 9875c means a Walther
pistol manufactured in 1944, 4
th
series, 9875 pistol of that series, though some sources say not all
serial numbers were sequential.

Helmet Manufacturer Codes

Code Manufacturer
ET (or ckl) Eisenhttenwerke
NS Vereinigte Deutsche Nikelwerke
Q Quist
SE (or hkp) Sachsische Emaillier und Stanzwewerke
FS (or EF) Emaillierwerke A.G.

54
German Small Arms

Submachine Guns
Weapon Caliber Comment
MP.18,I WWI Bergmann
MP.28 improved MP.18,I
MP.30 () ex-Austrian S1-100 variant
MP.34 () ex-Austrian Steyr Solothurn
MP.34 Bgm. Bergmann
MP.35 Bergmann version of the MP.34 Bgm
MP.38 9 mm Predecessor to the MP40
MP.38/40 9 mm
produced as production of the MP.40 was starting, this
model had elements of both designs
MP.40 9 mm
MP.40/II 9 mm MP40 w/ dual magazine
MP.41 9 mm MP.40 w/ MP.28-like stock
EMP44 cheap weapon made by Erma
MP.704(f) ex-Frence PM Vollmar Erma
MP.715(r) 7.62x25 mm PPD 34/38
MP.716(r) 7.62x25 mm PPD 40
MP.717(r) 7.62x25 mm PPSh 41
MP.719 (r) Captured Russian PPs-43
MP.722 (f) Captured French Mas-38
MP.738 (i) 9 mm Beretta model 38/42
MP.739(i) 9 mm Beretta Mo.938
MP.740(b) ex-Belgian Mi.Schmeisser-Bayard Mle.34
MP.741 (d) license built Bergman made in Denmark
MP.746 (d) Madsen M-42
MP.749 (e) 9 mm Captured British Sten Mk II
MP.751 (e) 9 mm Captured British Sten Mk II with silencer
MP.760 (e)/(j)/(a)/(r) .45 Cal
Captured Thompson M-28 from British, US, Yugoslavian
or Soviet
MP.761 (f) .45 Cal Captured Thompson M-1921 purchased by France in 1939
MP.3008 9 mm German near-copy of the Sten Mk.II
MP.E Erma
55
Semi-automatic Rifles
Gewehr 41 (W) 7.92 mm Walther self-loading rifle adopted as standard in 1942
Gewehr 43 7.92 mm Modification of G 41 (W) to gas-operated
Karabiner 43 7.92 mm Shorter version of G 43, introduced in 1944
MP 43 7.92x33 mm
First series completed in July 43, first combat use in
Eastern Front
MP 43/1 7.92x33 mm
Variant of MP 43 with provision for an screw-on
grenade launcher
MP 44 7.92x33 mm Name of MP 43 altered in the spring of 1944
Sturmgewehr 44 7.92x33 mm New name for the MP 44, no changes in design
Sturmgewehr 45 7.92x33 mm
MP 45 (M) only prototypes built prior to end of war.
Forerunner of the Spanish CETME 58
Volkssturmgewehr 1-5 7.92x33 mm
Intended as a cheap and mass-produced self-loading
weapon. First completed in late 44
Fallschirmjgergewehr 42 7.92 mm
Evolved by Rheinmetall from a Luftwaffe
requirement. Accepted for service in 1942
Selbstladegewehr 257 (r) 7.62 mm Russian AVS-36
Selbstladegewehr 258 (r) 7.62 mm Russian SVT-38
Selbstladegewehr 259 (r) 7.62 mm Russian SVT-40
Selbstladegewehr 251 (a) 7.62 mm American M1 Garand
Selbstladekarabiner 455 (a) 7.62 mm American M1Carbine
56
Bolt Action Rifles
G-98 7.92 mm
Gewehr 24 (Czech) Built under license
Gew 29/40 (Austrian)
Gew 262 (Belgian)
Gew 289 (Polish)
Gew 290/298 (Jugoslavian) Built under license
Gewehr 98/40 8 mm Huzagol 35M from Hungary
Gewehr 33/40 Basically a shortened version of the K98
Gewehr 98 8 mm Austrian Repetier Gewehr 1895 in
Gewehr 306 Greek, Italian or jugoslavian G-9
Gewehr 294 7.9 mm G-98 recalibrated by the jugoslavians
Gewehr 33 Musketon vz 16/33 the standard Czech Army carbine
Gewehr 209 6.5 mm Italian Fucille modelo 38
Gewehr 211 6.5 mm Dutch Gewehr M95 Manlicher
Gewehr 215 6.5 mm Greek mannlicher-Schnauer Model 03/14
Gewehr 241 7.5 mm French model 07-15 M34
Gewehr 242 7.5 mm French MAS-36
Gewehr 249 7.62 mm American M1903
Gewehr 252 7.62 mm Russian Mosin M-91 and Jugoslavian Puska M91R
Gewehr 254 7.62 mm Russian Mosin M-91/30
Gewehr 256 7.62 mm Russian Mosin M-91/30 with 3.5 telescope
Gewehr 261 7.65 mm Belgian Fusil 1889 Mauser
Gewehr 263 7.65 mm Belgian Fusil 36 Mauser
Gewehr 281 7.7 mm British Rifle N 1 Mk III
Gewehr 301 8 mm French model 1886 transformed 1893
Gewehr 302 8 mm French model 1907 transformed 1915
Gewehr 303 8 mm French model 1886 racroche 1935
Gewehr 304 8 mm French model 1916
Gewehr 305 8 mm French model 1907 dit colonial
Gewehr 307 8 mm Jugoslavian Puska M93
Gewehr 311 8 mm Danish Gevaer m/89-10
K-98a 7.92 mm
K-98b 7.92 mm
K98k 7.92 mm
Karabiner 408 6.5 mm Italian Moschetto modello 38
Karabiner 409 6.5 mm Italian Moschetto modello 91 for cavalry
Karabiner 410 6.5 mm Italian Moschetto m 91 for technical troops
Karabiner 411 6.5 mm Dutch Karabijn aantal 1
Karabiner 412 6.5 mm Dutch Karabijn aantal 1 OM en NM
57
Karabiner 411(n) 6.5 mm Norwegian Kavalerikarabin m/1894
Karabiner 412(n 6.5 mm Norwegian Kavalerikarabin m/1895
Karabiner 413(n) 6.5 mm Norwegian Ingenieorkarabin m/1904
Karabiner 414(n) 6.5 mm Norwegian Artillerikarabin m/1907
Karabiner 415 6.5 mm Norwegian Karabin m/1912
Karabiner 416 6.5 mm Italian moschetto modello 91/24
Karabiner 430 7.35 mm Italian moschetto modello 38
Karabiner 451 7.65 mm Belgian Carabine 1889
Karabiner 453 7.65 mm Belgian Carabine 1916
Karabiner 454 7.62 mm Russian Karabin obr 1938 g
Karabiner 457 7.62 mm Russian Karabin obr 1944 g
Karabiner 494 Greek S-95
Karabiner 497 7.92 mm Polish Karabinek 91/98/25 in [ex Mosin])
Karabiner 505 Italian or jugoslavian S-95
Karabiner 506/1 8 mm Danish Artilleriekarabin m/89-24
Karabiner 506/2 8 mm Danish Fodfolkskarabin m/89-24
Karabiner 506/3 8 mm Danish Ingeniorkarabin m/89-24
Karabiner 506/1 8 mm Danish Rytterkarabin m/89-24
Karabiner 551 8 mm French model 1890
Sttzen 95 () 8 mm Austrian Repetier-Sttzen-Gewehr m-1895
VG 1 7.92 mm Volksturgewehr 1
VG 2 7.92 mm
Volksturmkarabinerb 98 7.92 mm

58
German Commands

German Commands English Translation
Abteilung, Halt! (ab-Ty-loong halt) Squad(or other unit) halt!
Abzhlen! (ab-TSAHL-en) Count Off!
Achtung (AHCK-tooong) Snap to, pay attention, or return to attention in formation
Achtung! Prsentiert das Gewehr!
(Pray-sen TEERE das ge-VAIR)
Attention! Present, Arms!
Angetreten! (on-gay-tre-ten) Fall In! (at the position of attention)
Antreten! (on-tre-ten) Fall In! (not at attention)
Appell Roll call, muster, or inspection
Augen gerade, aus! (OW-gen ge-
Rah-deh ows)
Ready, Front! (eyes front)
Augen, links! (OW-gen leenks) Eyes, Left!
Augen, rechts! (OW-gen reckts) Eyes, Right!
In Doppelreihe, angetreten! In Column of Twos, Fall In!
Durchdecken! Dress and Cover!
Feuer! (foy-er) Fire!
Feuerkette (foy-er kett) Line of Skirmishers
Ganze Abteilung, Kehrt! (Gants ab-
Ty-loong kairt)
About, Face!
Gewehr, ab! (Ge-VAIR ahp) Order, Arms!
Gewehr, abnehmen! Unsling, Arms!
Gewehr in die, Hand! Take, Arms!
Das Gewehr, ber! (Dass ge-VAIR
OO-bur)
Left Shoulder, Arms!
Gewehr umhngen! (Ge-VAIR oom-
hahng -en)
Sling, Arms!
Im Gleichschritt, Marsch! Forward, March! (from the halt)
Im Gleichschritt! Quick Time! (from double time)
Halblinks schwenkt, Marsch! Column Half-left, March!
Halbrechts schwenkt, Marsch! Column Half-right, March!
Halt, wer da! Halt! Who is there?
Hande Hoch! Hands up
Habt Acht! Attention (Austrian - used in lieu of Stillgestanden)
Heraustreten! Fall Out! (as in out of a barracks for formation)
Im Halber schritt, Marsch! Half-step, March!
In Marschordung, angetreten! (enn
maarsch-ORD-oong, AHN-ge-tre-
ten)
In Column of Threes, Fall In!
Kommando zurck! As you were! (as in ignore the last command)
Laden und Sichern! Lock and Load!
Im Laufschritt, Marsch, Marsch! Double-time, March!
59
German Commands English Translation
In Linie zu einem Gliede,
angetreten!
In Single Rank, Fall In!
Links schwenkt, Marsch! (leenks
shvenkt maarsch)
Column Left, March!
Links, um! (Leenks oom) Left, Face! (from the halt)/ Left Flank, March! (while
marching)
Ohne Tritt, Marsch! Route Step, March!
Pass Auf! (Pass owf) Look Out!
Rechts schwenkt Marsch! (reckts
shvenkt, maarsch)
Column Right, March!
Rechts, um! (Reckts oom) Right, Face! (from the halt)/ Right Flank, March! (while
marching)
Richt, Euch! Right Dress!
Rhrt, Euch! (roort oych) At Ease!
Ruht! At Ease! (Austrian - in lieu of Rhrt, Euch)
Sei Ruhig! (ZY ROO-hig) Be Quiet!
Seitengewehr, an Ort! Unfix, Bayonets!
Seitengewehr, pflanzt auf! Fix, Bayonets!
Setzt die, Gewehr! Zusammen! Stack, Arms!
Schnell! Fast, Hurry!
Sicher Safe
Stillgestanden! (SHTILL-gay-Shtan-
den)
Attention!
Voran! (for-an) Go On!
Vorposten Raus! (FOR-pos-ten
rhows)
Outposts Out!
Vorsicht! (FOR-zeehkt) Careful!
Wegetreten! (VAY Gay-tren-ten) Dismissed!
Weiter machen! As you were (as in carry on)
Zu Befehl! (Tsoo Beh-fell) Yes Sir! (In acknowledgment of an order)

60
Conversational German

English Phonetic Pronunction German
Hello HA-lo Hallo
Good Morning goo-ten MAWR-gen Guten Morgen
Good day/afternoon goo-ten TAHK Guten Tag
Good evening goo-ten AH-bent Guten Abend
Good night goo-te NAHKT Gute Nacht
How are you vee GATE S e-nen Wie geht es Ihnen
I am well ess GATE meer GOOT Es geht mir gut
Thank you DAHN-ka Danke
Youre welcome BIT-a Bitte
Please BIT-a Bitte
Pardon me fer-TSAI-oong Verzeihung
My name is hish HAI-sa_____ Ich heisse_____
What is your name vee HAI-sen ZEE Wie heissen Sie
Glad to meet you ZAYR AHN-gnaym Sehr angenehm
Come in hay-RAIN Herein
Will you have a cig. VAWL-en zee ai-na tsig-ah-RET-a Wollen Sie eine Zigarette
Do you have a light HA-ben zee FOY-er Haben Sie Feuer
Good Bye LAY-ben zee VOAL Leben Sie wohl
See you again ouf VEE-der-zayn Auf Wiedersehen
See you tomorrow ouf MAWR-gen Auf morgen
See you soon ouf BAHLT Auf bald
Good Luck AH-less GOO-ta Alles Gute
YES YA Ja
No Nine Nein
I dont think so ish gloub-a NISHT Ich glaube nicht
I think so ish GLOUB-a Ich glaube
What VEE-bit-a Wie bitte
Please repeat BIT-a vee-der-HO-len ZEE Bitte wiederholen Sie
What do you call this VEE NEN-en zee DEESS Wie nennen Sie dies
What is this VAHSS ist DEESS Was ist dies
What is that VAHSS ist DAHSS Was ist das
Wait a moment VAR-ten zee ai-nen OW-gen-blik Warten Sie einen Augenblick
come with me KAWM-en zee mit MEER Kommen Sie mit meer
write the number SHRAI-ben zee dee TSAHL OUF Schreiben Sie die Zahl auf
Show your
identification
TSAI-gen zee ee-ren OUSS-vaiss Zeigen Sie Ihren Ausweis
Where are you going vo-hin GAY-en ZEE Wohin gehen Sie
where is your
superior
VO ist eer FOR-gzets-ter Wo ist Ihr Vorgesetzter
what is your rank VEL-shen RAHNG ha-ben zee Welchen Rang haben Sie
What is your_____ VEL-shess ist______ Welches ist_____
61
English Phonetic Pronunction German
outfit ee-ra AIN-hait Ihre Einheit
company ee-ra kawm-pa-NEE Ihre Kompanie
battalion eer ba-tahl-YOAN Ihr Bataillon
regiment eer rayg-ee-MEN Ihr Regiment
division ee-ra dee-veez- YOAN Ihre Division
How many men in
your
vee-feel MAHN zint in ee-rer Wievel Mann sind in Ihrer
where is there water VO gipt es VA-ser Wo gibt es Wasser
give this message
to__
GAY-ben zee dee-za MIT tai-loong Geben Sie diese Mitteilung
Help HIL-fa Hilfe
Call a first aid man ROOF-en zee ai-nen za-nee-TAY-
ter
Rufen Sie einen Sanitter
Give me ___ GAY-ben zee meer__ Geben Sie mir_____
this DEESS dies
that DAHSS das
a bandage ai-na BIN-da eine Binde
batteries ba-TREEN Batterien
cigarettes tsig-ah-RET-en Zigaretten
a flashlight ai-na TA-shen-lahm-pa eine Taschenlampe
matches SHTRAISCH-herl-tser Streichhlzer
Show me on the map TSAI-gen zee meer ouf DEE-zer
KAR-ta
Zeigen Sie mir auf dieser Karte
Have you a map HA-ben zee ai-na KAR-ta Haben Sie eine Karte
This way DEE-za RISH-toong Diese Richtung
That way YAY-na RISH-toong Jene Richtung
Here HEER Hier
There DAWRT Dort
How may km from
here
VEE-feel kee-lo-MAY-ter fawn Wievel Kilometer von hier
Danger GFAR Gefahr
Dont smoke nisht ROUKH-en Nicht rauchen
Careful FOR-zisht Vorsicht
Look out OUF-pa-sen Aufpassen
Lie down NEE-der Nieder
Take down DEK-oong- nay-men Deckung nehmen
dont shoot nisht SHEE-sen Nicht schiessen
dont move kai-na BVAY-goong Keine Bewegung
obey or Ill fire ven zee nisht GHAWR-shen SHEE-
sa ish
Wenn Sie nicht gehorchen
schiesse ich

62
German Phonetic Alphabet

Anton
Berta/Bruno
Caeser
Dora
Emil
Friedrich/Fritz
Gustav
Heinrich
Ida
Josef
Konrad/Kurfust
Ludwig
Martha
Nordpol
Otto
Paula
Quelle
Richard
Siegfried
Toni
Ulrich
Viktor
Wilhelm
Xantippe
Ypern
Zeppelin
63
Ten Commandments of the German Soldier

1. You are the chosen ones of the German Army. You will seek combat and train yourselves to
endure any manner of test. To you the battle shall be fulfillment.

2. Cultivate true comradeship, for by the aid of your comrades you will conquer or die.

3. Beware of talking. Be not corruptible. Men act while women chatter. Chatter may bring you
to the grave.

4. Be calm and prudent, strong and resolute. Valor and enthusiasm of an offensive spirit will
cause you to prevail in the attack.

5. The most precious thing in the presence of the foe is ammunition. He who shoots uselessly,
merely to comfort himself, is a man of straw who merits not the title of Soldier.

6. Never surrender. To you death or victory must be a point of honor.

7. You can triumph only if your weapons are good. See to it that you submit yourself to this
law--first my weapon and then myself.

8. You must grasp the full purpose of every enterprise, so that if your leader be killed you can
fulfill it.

9. Against an open foe fight with chivalry, but to a guerrilla extend no quarter.

10. Keep your eyes wide open. Tune yourself to the topmost pitch. Be nimble as a greyhound,
as tough as leather, as hard as Krupp steel, and so you shall be the German warrior incarnate.

64
Abbreviations used with Individual Map (Figure) Symbols

Abr Title Translation Abr Title Translation
Adj Adjudant Adjutant o.O. Ordennanz Offizier Aid (-de-Camp)
B Fahnenschmied
Farrier / Horse
Smith
Ord Ordennanz Orderly
Be Beamte
Government
Service Official
Pf Pferdehalter Groom / Horse Holder
Beob Beobachtung Observation Pi Pionier Pioneer / Engineer
Bl Blinker Flash Signaler R Rechnungsfhrer Accounts Clerk
EM Entfernungsmesser
Distance
Measurer
R Richtkreis Direction Finder
F Feuermeister
Exposives
Specialist
S Scherenfernrohr Scissors Telescope
Fe Fernsprecher
Telephoneman /
Wireman
S Schirrmeister Foreman (alternate)
Fhr Fhrer Leader San Sanitts Medical / Medic
Ft Futter Fodder Sat Sattler Saddle Maker
Fu Funker Radio Man Schir Schirrmeister Foreman / Technical Sergeant
G Gert Equipment Schr Schreiber Clerk
Gas Gasschutz Gas Protection Schn Schneider Tailor
GewF Gewehrfher Gun Team Leader Schu Schuh Cobbler
H Handwerker Craftsman
H Hauptfeldwebel
Company First
Sergeant
Stell Stellmacher Wheelwright
K Koch Cook St Stellung Ranging
Kf Kraftfahr Motor V Verpflegung Commissary / Rations
L Ladeschtze Loader Vet Veterinr Veterinary
M Melder Messenger W Waffen Armorer
Me Messdienst Measurer WF Waffenfhrer Weapon Commander
Mot Motorenschlosser Motor Mechanic Wm Waffenmeister Master Armorer
Mun Munition Ammunition Zahl Zahlmeister Paymaster
N Nachrichten Signal

65

Glossary

Abschnitt [plural: Abschnitte]: Depending on its usage, this term could mean "Regiment" in
which it was mainly used for border troops, or it could refer roughly to a district or sector.
Abschnitt was originally a deceptive term originating from the time of the Treaty of Versailles to
hide the fact that Germany had combat capable border troops in addition to the units allowed by
the treaty.

Abschnittkommando: A divisional-sized administrative unit that controlled a number of
regimental-sized border units.

Absichtspfeil: A tactical term generally meaning intended direction of movement.

Abteilung [plural: Abteilungen]: Depending on its usage, this term could mean "detachment",
"department" or "battalion", but the vast majority of the time Abteilung meant "battalion",
precisely.

Abwehrkampfe: Defensive combat.

Alarmeinheiten: Alarm units. The term "alarm unit" was used in several contexts. The most
common were ad hoc units assembled by rear area support units and training units to respond to
local emergencies such as airborne landings, amphibious assaults, local uprisings, and partisan
activities.

Angriff: attack.

Armee [plural: Armeen]: A term meaning "Army". An organizational formation made up of
Korps units.

Armee-Abteilung [plural: Armee-Abteilungen]: A term meaning "Army Detachment." Usually
larger than a single Korps but smaller than a full Armee. Sometimes formed by grouping Korps
in an Armee together.

Armeegruppe [plural: Armeegruppen]: Literally, an "Army Grouping." By 1943 these were
usually two or three adjacent Armeen, possibly but not always one German and one Axis-allied,
with one of the Armee HQs (usually the German) temporarily placed in command over the
others. An Armeegruppe was always subordinate to the local Heeresgruppe. Before late 1943,
the term Armeegruppe had a less defined meaning, and could mean an Armee-sized grouping
(Panzergruppe 2 was reinforced in August 1941 and was called Armeegruppe Guderian) or even
a Korps-sized unit (such as Armeegruppe Felber).

Armeenachrichtenfhrer: Army Signals Officer.

Armeepionierfhrer: Army Engineer Officer.

Artillerie: Artillery.
66

Artilleriefhrer: Artillery Officer.

Artilleriekommandeur: Artillery Commander.

Auffrischung: Refresh (as in, to refresh a unit after combat).

Aufgestellt: Formed (as in, to form a unit).

Aufklrung: Reconnaissance.

Ausbildungs: Training.

Bataillon [plural: Bataillone]: A term meaning "Battalion." An organizational formation made of
Kompanien and usually attached to a Regiment.

Batterie [plural: Batterien]: A term meaning "Battery". An organizational equal to a Kompanie,
but used in place of that term for units of similar size but composed of artillery or anti-aircraft
weapons. An Infanterie-Bataillon was composed of 3 or 4 Infanterie-Kompanien, while an
Artillerie-Abteilung was made up of 3 or 4 Artillery-Batterien.

Bau: Construction.

Baupionier: Construction Engineers.

Beabsichtigen: Intended (as in, intended movement or action).

Befehlshaber der: Commander of...

Bereitstellungraum: Assembly area.

Bewhrung: This term means "punitive" or literally "probation". When speaking of actual units,
this type of unit was used as a punishment unit for soldiers guilty of serious violations of German
military law. If a soldier broke a military law, disobeyed an order or otherwise was found guilty
of a crime or criminal act, he could be sent to this type of unit. If he served well and survived, he
could be rehabilitated back to a regular unit.

bodenstndige (or "bo"): Static. Used as an adjective (and hence not capitalized) to indicate
certain units were not fully field-mobile.

Brigade [plural: Brigaden]: A term meaning "Brigade". Means the same in German as in
English. An organizational unit usually made up of 2 or more Regimenter. Brigade-sized units
served either as independent units or as an organic part of a Division. Sometimes they served as
an organic part of a Korps in place of a Division. Early in the war, many Divisionen consisted of
one or more Brigaden, each consisting of a number of Regimenter along with the usual attached
and organic units.
67

Brckenbau: A term meaning "Bridge building". Also refers to a type of unit known as
"Bridging Engineers".

Chef des Generalstabes: The Chief of General Staff.

Division [plural: Divisionen]: A term meaning "Division". Means the same in German as in
English. An organizational unit made up of Regimenter and usually controlled by a Korps.

Durchbruckskampfe: Breakthrough combat.

Einheit: Detachment or unit.

Einmarsch: March in (to).

Eisenbahn: Railroad.

Ersatz: Replacement.

Eroberung: Conquer.

Evangelischer Kriegspfarrer: Evangelical Priest, served on the general staff of Armeegruppen,
Amreen, Korps, and Disivionen within in the Personnel Group or Adjutantur staff position.

Fahrtruppen: Fast Troops.

Fallschirm: Parachute. Used in conjunction with other unit types.

Feld-: Field-. Used occasionally to designate certain rear-area units when they were deployed in
the combat zone (although usually as rear-area security and not in the front line). For example, a
Feldausbildungseinheit (Field Training Unit) was a Training Unit sent to the field forces.

Feldgendarmerie: Field Police.

Feldkommandantur [plural: Feldkommandanturen]: "Field Command," equivalent roughly to a
Regiment in importance, used for security purposes in occupied territory.

Feldlazarett: Field Hospital.

Festung: Fortress.

Fla (Fliegerabwehr): (light) Antiaircraft.

Flak (Fliegerabwehrkanone): Antiaircraft. Completely, Antiaircraft Gun. Originally, Fla were
mostly AA MGs, while Flak were larger-caliber guns.

68
Freiwillige: Volunteers. Used by mainly by the Waffen-SS to denote units composed of foreign
volunteers. For a time, it was applied to non-German but Germanic volunteers (e.g., Norwegians,
Danes, etc.), later it was applied to denote non-Germanic units (Ukrainians, etc.).

Flieger: Flyer.

Fliegerabwehrkanone: Antiaircraft Gun.

Fusilier: Infantry, or Heavy Infantry. An infantry formation with some recon abilities that
replaced an infantry division's recon battalion in mid-war (when the Germans reduced the
number of standard infantry battalions in their divisions from 9 to 6).

Granatwerfer: Mortar (literally "Grenade Thrower").

Gebirge: Mountains.

Gefecht: Combat action.

Gegensto: Counter-thrust.

Geheime Feldpolizei: Secret Field Police.

Geschtz: Gun.

Grabenkrieg: Trench warfare.

Grenadier: In 1942, the Germans needed to reinforce their field forces in some way. Since they
didn't have the men or equipment to send out in quantity, they decided to reinforce the morale of
their field forces, by resurrecting traditional military terms and thereby recalling Germany's
glorious military past. The most significant resurrection was Grenadier a traditional term for a
type of infantryman. Other resurrected infantry terms were Fusilier and Musketier.

Generalkommando: General Headquarters.

Generalstab des Heeres: Army General Staff.

Grenze: Border.

Grenzwacht: Border. Literally, "border watch," signified a separate branch of the border troops
from the Grenze above.

Gruppe [plural: Gruppen]: Group.

Handelsmarine: The German merchant marine during the WWII era.

Heer: Army; The regular German Army.
69

Heeresgruppe [plural: Heeresgruppen]: Literally, "Army Group". An organizational formation
made up of a number of Armeen. The largest single German organizational formation during
WWII. Usually consisted of hundreds of various units and upwards of a few hundred thousand
men, all of which operated in a far ranging geographic region of the front. An example would be
Heeresgruppe Afrika, which controlled all units fighting in North Afrika at the time of its
formation.

Hilfswillige: Auxiliary Volunteers. After the invasion of the USSR, many thousands of Soviet
citizens volunteered to fight the Soviet regime. At first, the German government refused to use
them, but later relented (no doubt in the face of mounting casualties) and allowed the German
Army to use them in non-combat roles. Hilfswillige served as auxiliaries to the front line troops
on various support tasks such as construction or carrying ammo.

Himmelfahrts Kommando: Literally translated means "Journey-to-heaven-mission" and
describes any operation with extremely high risk, although not necessarily suicidal. Generally, in
the ranks of the Wehrmacht, this black-humor term was understood to mean a mission where the
chances of survival were practically nil. Examples were rearguard actions of small groups to
cover the retreat of a larger unit by holding a position and delaying the enemy as long as possible
until it usually was too late for their own withdrawal, or reconnaissance and commando raids far
behind enemy lines.

Hochgebirgs: High mountains. Usually in reference to specialist units trained in high mountain
warfare and survival.

Infanterie: Infantry.

Jger: Light Infantry. Originated in 1942 (see Grenadier) to boost the morale of light infantry
units.

jger: 1) -infantry. Used in conjunction with other unit types, it indicated the infantry component
of that general type. Fallschirmjger: Parachute Infantry; Gebirgsjger: Mountain Infantry;
Skijger: Ski Infantry; etc. 2) When used in its hunting sense, "-jger" did not necessarily imply
infantry. Thus, Panzerjger meant antitank ("tank hunter") and not armored infantry.

Jagd-: Literally "hunting". Used in conjunction with another word to signify a units role. (see
below) Also applied to weapons; e.g., Jagdtiger was the special "tank hunter" version of the
Tiger tank (tactically it was actually used in an ambush role).

Jagd-Kommando: Literally, a "Hunting Command". In theory, a commando outfit that, when
the enemy overran an occupied area, would remain behind enemy lines and carry out sabotage
and other guerrilla actions. These units did not operate as such and were taken over by the SS and
used as front line combat troops in 1944-45.

70
Katholischer Kriegspfarrer: Catholic Priest, served on the general staff of Armeegruppen,
Amreen, Korps, and Disivionen within in the Personnel Group or Adjutantur staff position.

Kavallerie: Cavalry.

Kosaken: Cossack. Usually, but not always, was a cavalry unit. Formed from Russian Cossacks
fighting along side Germany.

Kettenkrad: Tracked motorcycle.

Kompanie [plural: Kompanien]: Company.

Kommandeur [plural: Kommandeure]: Typically, the person commanding a unit
(Divisionskommandeur: divisional commander). Other uses are rare, except for the artillery
branch. An Artillerie-Kommandeur (abbreviated Arko) was a numbered HQ used to control
artillery assets at Korps level. (Some were called Artillerie-Fhrer for a short period in the war.)
Later in the war, the Germans created the Hherer Artillerie-Kommandeur (abbreviated Harko)
to control artillery assets at Armee level.

Kommando [plural: Kommandos]: 1) A "Command" in the sense of a geographical area of
authority. 2) A headquarters. The HQ of an army group was a Heeresgruppe Kommando; an
Army HQ was an Armee Oberkommando; etc. German corps came in several varieties, of which
a Generalkommando was a general corps HQ and a Hhere Kommando, a "higher" HQ was a
corps HQ formed from a former "Border Regiment Command" (Grenzschutz-Abschnitt-
Kommando), established after the Polish campaign. The "Hhere Kommando" was supposedly
for positional or static troops, but by mid war there was little difference between it and a regular
field corps. 3) A "Detail" or some small ad hoc formation (e.g., Latrinenkommando was slang
for an outhouse cleaning squad).

Korps [plural: Korps]: Corps.

Korps-Abteilung [plural: Korps-Abteilungen]: Corps "Detachment." On the eastern front, the
Germans took to grouping sets of three burnt-out divisions (each about regimental strength) in a
formation equivalent to a division. It was called a Korps Abteilung because the Germans for a
while had hopes of rebuilding the divisions. As the war in the east ground on without respite, the
Germans realized all these divisions would never be rebuilt, so they redesignated each Korps
Abteilung as a division, using a divisional number from one of its components.

Krad (Kraft-Radfahrzeug): Motorcycle.

Kradschtzen: Motorcycle soldier.

Kriegesgefangen: Prisoner of War. The Germans used, or at least attempted to use, some POW
construction units.

Kriegsmarine: Navy; The German navy.
71

Kriegstagebuch: Unit war diary.

Kolonne: Column.

Kste: Coast.

Landesschtzen: (traditional "Territorial Soldier") in effect, second-rate infantry. Some were
used as occupation/security troops in occupied areas; others were mobilized as home defense
units as enemy forces entered Germany.

Landwehr: (traditional "Territorial Army") in effect, second-rate infantry. Mostly gone by the
time war broke out.

Landsturm: See Volkssturm.

Legion [plural: Legionen]: "Legion," often used for units comprised of foreigners in German
service. Used by both the German Army and Waffen-SS. A Legion had no fixed size and usually
ranged in size from a battalion to a brigade.

leicht: Light. When used with another unit type, it meant a light version of the unit type. A
"Leichte Division" was a motorized/armored formation. In 1939, Light Divisions were similar to
Panzer Divisions but had fewer tanks. In 1941, the 5th Light Division had as many tanks as a
Panzer division but only half the infantry (it later was redesignated a Panzer division).

Luftlande: Air Landing.

Luftwaffe: Air force; The German air force.

Marine: Naval. For ground units, used with other unit types, such as Marine-Infanterie, Marine-
Schtzen: Naval Infantry. German naval infantry units were not elite ground troops like the US
or British Marines, but were sailors and other naval personnel the German Navy no longer
needed by late 1944.

Maschinengewehr: Machinegun.

motorisiert: Motorizied.

Musketier: the same as "Panzergrenadier," i.e., "Armored Infantry." Used rarely; for the WW2
origin of the term, see Grenadier.

Nebel: (literally "fog") Originally, chemical and smoke warfare units; later, units containing
Rocket Artillery. See Nebelwerfer.

Nachschub: Supply.

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Nachrichten: Signals/communication.

Nebelwerfer: Rocket Artillery. "Nebelwerfer" was originally a term for a chemical smoke
mortar. The Nebel units were subsequently used for the rocket artillery when these weapons
appeared -- 1) since chemical warfare was not being waged and 2) as a deception to hide the
appearance of a new weapon from enemy espionage -- and for a while (1941 particularly) a
Nebel unit could either be a 10-cm chemical mortar unit or a rocket artillery unit.

Oberfeldkommandantur [plural: Oberfeldkommandanturen]: "High Field Command,"
equivalent roughly to a division in importance, used for security purposes in occupied territory.
An "OFK" was mostly a territorial organization, controlling various security assets in its
assigned area, but it could function somewhat like a field unit in emergencies.

Oberbefehlshaber (abbreviated Ob. or OB, e.g., Ob. West) [plural: Oberbefehlshaber]:
"Theater," the highest field HQ, controlled all troops in a major geographic area. Usually (but not
always) controlled two or more army groups. Sometimes an army group HQ was simultaneously
an Ob.

Osttruppen: Eastern Troops. Initially, the Germans refused to arm Soviet citizens who
volunteered to fight the Soviet regime (see Hilfswillige above). Later in the war, as German
casualties continued to soar, the Germans changed their minds and formed "Eastern Troop" units.
"Eastern Troop" technically is not a unit type (there were infantry and cavalry Eastern Troop
units, for example), but in effect could be used as such: an "Ost Bataillon" meant an infantry
battalion of Eastern Troops.

Pak: Antitank. Short for Panzerabwehrkanone, Antitank Gun. The term was mostly used at the
tactical level.

Panzer: Armor/Armored, ("Panzer" was assimilated into English when referring to German
tanks and tank units).

Panzer-: When used in combination with other unit types (except for antitank unit types), it
signifies that unit was at least motorized and equipped to operate with the Panzer troops --
Panzerartillerie, Panzerpionier, etc.

Panzerabwehr: "Tank defense" or Antitank.

Panzergrenadier: "Armored Infantry". Panzergrenadier units were not necessarily armored -
most used trucks, as German industry was incapable of producing sufficient half tracks for all
units - but they were assigned to a Panzerdivision.

Panzerjger: Antitank. Literally, "tank hunter".

Panzerzerstrer: Antitank. Literally, "tank destroyer" - another attempted morale booster.

Pionier: Engineer.
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Radfahr-: Bicycle unit. Only a unit explicitly raised as (recon) bicycle troops was designated
"Radfahr," although other formations could and did use bicycles -- including some
Panzergrenadiers!

Regiment [plural: Regimenter]: Regiment.

Reiter: Literally "rider". Cavalryman.

Reserve: Reserve. A training/replacement unit that could handle security duties and combat
duties in emergencies.

Ruckwartige: "Behind the lines".

Ruckzug: Retreat/withdrawl.

Ruckzugkampfe: "Fighting withdrawl" (withdrawl or retreat combat).

Sanitts: Medical.

Schlacht: Battle.

Schlachtschiffe: Battleship.

Schnell: "Fast" or Mobile. "Schnelltruppen" usually meant motorized troops, although a
"Schnelle Brigade" (two were raised) was bicycle troops.

Schnellboot: Fast Attack Boat.

Schutzstaffel: Literally, Protection Force or Defense Squad; this complex organization was at
the heart of the German political and social revolution and later attempt to control all aspects of
German (and later European) life. It consisted of three main parts, the Allgemeine-SS, the SS-
Totenkopfverbande and the Waffen-SS. The well-known image of this organization was its
abreviation, the double 'SS'.

Schwadron [plural: Schwadronen]: A (cavalry) squadron (company-sized).

schwer, Schwer: Heavy.

Sicherung: Security. A Sicherungseinheit was a security detachment.

Ski (pronounced like "she"): Ski .

Sonderverband [plural: Sonderverbnde]: "Special Unit."

Stab [plural: Stbe]: HQ or Staff. Used to designate HQs that did not have organic subunits. An
74
"Infanterie Regiment" was an infantry regiment containing infantry battalions. An "Infanterie
Regiment Stab" was an infantry regiment HQ to which infantry assets could be attached but
which itself did not have organic subunits.

Standarte [plural: Standarten]: Regiment, initially used by the SA and SS. The National
Socialists eschewed using the standard unit size names for their political troops (below division
level), even when they actually followed standard unit organization. A Standarte was a regiment.
In 1940, the Waffen-SS adopted the standard unit size names.

Stellung: "Position." Roughly the same as static although with some implication of (field)
fortifications; usually used in conjunction with other unit types.

Stellungskampfe: Postional combat.

Strassenbau: Road building/Road Engineer.

Sturm: Assault. Used with other unit types, supposedly meant a skilled, offensive formation.
Sometimes used for morale purposes rather than to reflect actual assault ability.

Sturm [plural: Strme]: Company, used for SA and SS units until 1940. See Standarte.

Sturmartillerie: Assault Gun. Literally, "Assault Artillery," the early-war term for the assault
guns. (The assault guns were part of the artillery branch, and not Panzer troops. Interestingly, the
artillery branch had a better direct-fire theory (and training) of how shoot at tanks, and thus the
assault gunners could score hits faster on enemy tanks than could German tankers!)

Sturmbann [plural: Sturmbanne]: Battalion, used for SA and SS units until 1940. See Standarte.

Sturmgeschtz: Assault Gun. Not all assault guns were in assault gun units, as this weapon was
so useful it was used partly (or completely) in various antitank units and as replacements for
tanks in Panzer units -- it was cheaper and easier to build than a turreted tank.

Sturmpionier: Assault Engineer.

Teile:: A part or portion (of a unit).

Toten: Death.

Totenkopf: Death's head; the totenkopf is a relatively old concept, being the symbol or image of
the skull and cross-bones. It was used originally during WWI and earlier as a unit symbol or on
weapons and vehicles. During WWII the totenkopf symbol was used by the Panzer units of the
Heer as an emblem, although its most infamous use during WWII was by the SS in a distinctive
design different then the more traditional emblem used by the Panzer units.

Totenkopfverbande: Death's head organization, the organization formed as a sub-unit of the
political SS early in the 1930's, initially to guard the concentration camps of the Reich. Early in
75
its career, the Totenkopfverbande was formed as a separate armed organization under the control
of the SS, similar to the Waffen-SS. The Totenkopfverbande would later go on to form the 3rd
division of the Waffen-SS, the 3.SS-Panzer-Division "Totenkopf".

Umbenannt: Reformed or reorganized.

Unterabschnitt [plural: Unterabschnitte]: Battalion (literally, "Sub sector"); used for border
troops. See Abschnitt.

Unterkunfts: Billets.

Verfolgung: Pursuit.

Verlegt: Moved.

vernichtet: Annihilated.

Verteidigung: Defense/defensive.

Veterinr: Veterinarian.

Volksgrenadier: Infantry, "People's Infantry." See Grenadier. "Volk-" was a morale term used
to encourage the idea that the war was a peoples war.

Volkssturm: Traditionally, the Landsturm was third-class infantry, equivalent somewhat to
militia. Towards the end of the war, this concept was revived for small home-defense units
pulled together because of the crumbling situation on the Eastern Front, to augment the frontline
combat troops. The Volkssturm included all males aged 16-60 which meant those with
occupational deferrals were members. Typically units, which saw action, were composed of men
between 45 and 55 but there were exemptions for those with debilitating problems. Regarding
weapons, the Party deliberately avoided arming the Volkssturm with simply "old shotguns" and
the like, so that there would be no question as to the Volkssturm's legal status. Germans widely
refused to serve in any type of partisan organization for fear of being shot if captured. The
Volkssturm was armed, poorly, but with whatever military weapons were available, often with
captured weapons. The common assumption that the Volkssturm didn't really amount to much in
changing the course of the war is true, but it is untrue to claim as some do that that it hardly ever
saw any action. Volkssturm troops fought extensively on the Eastern Front, particularly in East
Prussia, Breslau, along the Oder River and in Berlin. The Nineteenth Army on the Upper Rhine
became so dependent on Volkssturm troops for infantry that it was nicknamed the
19.Volkssturm-Armee. Volkssturm troops also fought in other places along the Western Front.
While often ineffective, some Volkssturm units fought well in local defense, in static positions,
and in river positions.

Vormarsch: Advance.

Vormarschkampfe: Advance combat.
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Vormarschpfeil: A tactical term generally meaning "point of advance" (advance wedge, column
or point).

Vorsto: Assault.

Wach-: Watch, or Guard. Watch units were often motorized, so that they could move quickly in
urban areas for security reasons.

Waffen: Armed

Waffen-SS: Term for the armed units of the political organization of the SS, the German
Schutzstaffel. The Waffen-SS is often mistaken for the SS itself, and although a part of the larger
structure of the political SS, the Waffen-SS was a frontline fighting organization that would
grow to well over 500,000 members by the end of WWII. Not immune to committing war
crimes, most units of the Waffen-SS fought with a fierce bitterness against the Allies.

Werwolf: German guerrilla fighters dedicated to harass the rear areas of the invaders of
Germany. Initially conceived as an adjunct to the Jagd-Kommando units and placed under the
command of Otto Skorzeny, the idea was later appropriated by Goebbels to mean the general
rising up of the German people to defend the Fatherland against foreign invasion.

Werfer: Literally, "launcher" or "thrower". Rocket artillery units. See Nebelwerfer.

Wehrmacht: Armed forces; German term which encompassed the three major groupings of the
German military, the Heer, the Luftwaffe and the Kriegsmarine. As well, the Waffen-SS was a
part of this larger concept of the Wehrmacht, but only tactically.

Wehrmachtsgefolge: Armed Forces Auxiliaries; Those organizations that were not a part of the
armed forces, but which served such an important support role that they were given protection
under the Geneva Convention and/or militarized. The armed forces auxiliaries consisted in part
of the Reicharbeitsdienst, NSKK, Organization Todt, and the Deutscher Volksturm.

Wirtschaft: Administration.

z.b.V. (zur besonderen Verwendung): For special use.

Zwischen: Between/among

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