Oberleutnant

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Oberleutnant (English: First Lieutenant) [1] is a senior lieutenant officer rank in the German-speaking armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the Swiss Armed Forces. In Austria, Oberleutnant is also a designation for certain positions in the federal police and prison guards. In the former West Germany, it was also a rank in the Federal Border Guard ( Bundesgrenzschutz ).

Contents

Occupied Austria

Germany

First lieutenant
Oberleutnant
HD H 42 Oberleutnant Pz.svg LD B 42 Oberleutnant.svg
Army and Air Force insignia
CountryFlag of Germany.svg  Germany
Service branchColour of Germany.svg  German Army
Flag of Germany (state).svg  German Air Force
AbbreviationOLt
NATO rank code OF-1
Formation1871
Next higher rank Hauptmann
Next lower rank Leutnant
Equivalent ranks Oberleutnant zur See

In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "first lieutenant", [1] the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active-duty service.

Oberleutnant is used by both the German Army and the German Air Force. In the NATO military comparison system, a German Oberleutnant is the equivalent of a first lieutenant in the Army/Air Forces of Allied nations.

Other uses

The equivalent naval rank is Oberleutnant zur See .

In Nazi Germany, within the SS, SA and Waffen-SS, the rank of Obersturmführer was considered the equivalent of an Oberleutnant in the German Army. [2] [3]

Rank insignias Oberleutnant/Oberleutnant zur See (OF-1)
Bundeswehr Logo Heer with lettering.svg Bundeswehr Logo Luftwaffe with lettering.svg Bundeswehr Logo Marine with lettering.svg
HD H 42 Oberleutnant Pz.svg HA OS5 42 Oberleutnant PzGren.svg HA OS5 42 Oberleutnant SanOA San HM L.svg LD B 42 Oberleutnant.svg LA OS5 42 Oberleutnant.svg MDS 42 Oberleutnant zur See Trp.svg MDJA 42 Oberleutnant zur See Trp Lu.svg MA OG5 42 Oberleutnant zur See.svg
Service uniform
(basic form)
(Armored corps)
Field uniform
(Armored infantry)
San OAService uniform
(basic form)
Field uniformSan OAShoulder strapSleeve insigniaMountain loopSan OA

National People's Army

In the GDR National People's Army (NPA) the rank was the highest lieutenant rank, until 1990. This was in reference to Soviet military doctrine and in line with other armed forces of the Warsaw pact.

The equivalent rank in the Volksmarine (en: GDR Navy) was Oberleutnant zur See. Later it was shortened to simply Oberleutnant; however, internally Oberleutnant zur See continued to be used. With reference to the Soviet armed forces and to other armed forces of the Warsaw pact Oberleutnant was the second lowest officer rank until 1990.

Rank insignia
Emblem of the Ground Forces of NVA (East Germany).svg Land forces Emblem of aircraft of NVA (East Germany).svg Air Force Vehicle roundel of Border Troops of GDR.svg GDR Border troops Flag of warships of VM (East Germany).svg Volksmarine
GDR Army OF1 Oberleutnant.gif OF-1c Oberleutnant Pz.png N/A Oberleutnant GT Schulterstuck.jpg OF-1c Oberleutnant zur See.png OF-1c Oberleutnant zur See VM, Armelstreifen.png
OberleutnantOberleutnant zur See

Switzerland

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "German-English translation for "Oberleutnant"". Stuttgart: Langenscheidt. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  2. Flaherty 2004, p. 148.
  3. McNab 2009, p. 15.

Bibliography