Comparative officer ranks of World War I

The following table shows comparative officer ranks of several Allied and Central powers during World War I. Not all combatant countries are shown in the table, only the central and entente powers. For modern ranks refer to List of comparative military ranks. See also: Comparative officer ranks of World War II

Table

Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet
Austro-Hungarian Army ^[a]^[1]^[2]
Austro-Hungarian Army ^[a]^[1]^[2]	Feldmarschall Tábornagy		Generaloberst Vezérezredes	General der Waffengattung Tábornok	Feldmarschall-Leutnant Altábornagy	Generalmajor Vezérőrnagy	Oberst Ezredes		Oberstleutnant Alezredes	Major Őrnagy	Hauptmann / Rittmeister Százados / Kapitány		Oberleutnant Főhadnagy		Leutnant Hadnagy
Austro-Hungarian Navy ^[a]^[3]^[4]
Austro-Hungarian Navy ^[a]^[3]^[4]	Großadmiral Főtengernagy			Admiral Tengernagy	Vizeadmiral Altengernagy	Kontreadmiral Ellentengernagy	Linienschiffkapitän Sorhajókapitány		Fregattenkapitän Fregattkapitány	Korvettenkapitän Korvettkapitány	Linienschiffsleutnant Sorhajóhadnagy		Fregattenleutnant Fregatthadnagy		Korvettenleutnant Korvetthadnagy		Seekadett
Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet
British Army ^[5]^[6]
British Army ^[5]^[6]	Field marshal		General	Lieutenant-general	Major-general	Brigadier-general	Colonel		Lieutenant-colonel	Major	Captain		Lieutenant		Second lieutenant
Royal Navy ^[7]^[8]
Royal Navy ^[7]^[8]	Admiral of the Fleet		Admiral	Vice-admiral	Rear-admiral	Commodore 1st class^[9]	Commodore 2nd class		Captain	Commander	Lieutenant commander		Lieutenant		Sub-lieutenant		Chief commissioned warrant officer	Commissioned warrant officer/ Midshipman
Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet
French Army ^[10]^[11]^[12]^[13]
French Army ^[10]^[11]^[12]^[13]	Maréchal de France^[b]		Général de division ayant un commandement supérieur (général)^[c]		Général de division	Général de brigade	Colonel		Lieutenant-Colonel	Commandant	Capitaine		Lieutenant		Sous-Lieutenant		Aspirant
French Navy ^[15]^[16]^[17]
French Navy ^[15]^[16]^[17]	Amiral de France^[b]		Vice-amiral commandant (amiralissime)^[18]		Vice-amiral	Contre-amiral	Capitaine de vaisseau		Capitaine de frégate	Capitaine de corvette	Lieutenant de vaisseau		Enseigne de vaisseau de 1^re classe		Enseigne de vaisseau de 2^e classe		Aspirant
Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet
Imperial German Army^[19]^[20]
Imperial German Army^[19]^[20]	Generalfeldmarschall	Generaloberst mit dem Rang als Generalfeldmarschall	Generaloberst	General der Waffengattung	Generalleutnant	Generalmajor	Oberst		Oberstleutnant	Major	Hauptmann / Rittmeister		Oberleutnant		Leutnant
Imperial German Navy ^[21]^[22]
Imperial German Navy ^[21]^[22]	Großadmiral			Admiral	Vizeadmiral	Konteradmiral	Kommodore	Kapitän zur See	Fregattenkapitän	Korvettenkapitän	Kapitänleutnant		Oberleutnant zur See		Leutnant zur See		Seekadett
Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet
Royal Italian Army ^[23]^[24]
Royal Italian Army ^[23]^[24]	Generale d'esercito		Tenente generale capo di stato maggiore esercito in comando d'armata	Tenente Generale in comando di corpo d'armata in comando di divisione	Maggior Generale in comando di divisione in comando di brigata	Brigadier generale	Colonello		Tenente colonello	Maggiore	Capitano		Tenente		Sottotenente		Aspirante
Royal Italian Navy^[25]^[26]
Royal Italian Navy^[25]^[26]	Ammiraglio		Vice ammiraglio		Contrammiraglio	Sottoammiraglio	Capitano di vascello		Capitano di frigata	Capitano di corvetta	Tenente di vascello		Sottotenent di vascello		Guardiamarina		Aspirante guardiamarina
Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet
Imperial Japanese Army ^[27]^[28]
Imperial Japanese Army ^[27]^[28]	大元帥陸軍大将 Daigensui-Rikugun-Taishō	元帥陸軍大将 Gensui-Rikugun-Taishō	陸軍大将 Rikugun-Taishō	陸軍中将 Rikugun-Chūjō	陸軍少将 Rikugun-Shōshō		陸軍大佐 Rikugun-Taisa		陸軍中佐 Rikugun-Chūsa	陸軍少佐 Rikugun-Shōsa	陸軍大尉 Rikugun-Tai-i		陸軍中尉 Rikugun-Chūi	陸軍少尉 Rikugun-Shōi		准尉 Jun-i
Imperial Japanese Navy ^[29]^[30]
Imperial Japanese Navy ^[29]^[30]	大元帥海軍大将 Daigensui-Kaigun-Taishō	元帥海軍大将 Gensui-kaigun-Taishō	海軍大将 Kaigun-Taishō	海軍中将 Kaigun-Chūjō	海軍少将 Kaigun-Shōshō		海軍大佐 Kaigun-Daisa		海軍中佐 Kaigun-Chūsa	海軍少佐 Kaigun-Shōsa	海軍大尉 Kaigun-Dai-i		海軍中尉 Kaigun-Chūi	海軍少尉 Kaigun-Shōi		兵曹長 Hēsōchō
Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet
Ottoman Army ^[31]
Ottoman Army ^[31]	Müşir		Birinci Ferik	Ferik	Mirliva		Miralay		Kaymakam	Binbaşı	Kolağası	Yüzbaşı	Mülazım-ı evvel		Mülazım-ı sani
Ottoman Navy ^[32]
Ottoman Navy ^[32]	Müşir Amiral		Birinci Ferik Amiral	Ferik Amiral	Liva Amiral		Kalyon Kaptanı		Fırkateyn Kaptanı	Korvet Kaptanı	Yüzbaşı		Mülazım
Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet
Portuguese Army ^[33]
Portuguese Army ^[33]	Marechal^[d]		General^[e]			Brigadeiro	Coronel		Tenente-coronel	Major	Capitão		Tenente		Alferes		Aspirante
Portuguese Navy ^[33]
Portuguese Navy ^[33]	Almirante^[d]		Vice-almirante			Contra-almirante	Capitão de mar e guerra		Capitão de fragata	Capitão-tenente	Primeiro-tenente		Segundo-tenente		Guarda-marinha		Aspirante
Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet
Imperial Russian Army^[f] ^[34]^[35]
Imperial Russian Army^[f] ^[34]^[35]	Генерал-фельдмаршал General-fel'dmarshal		Генерал рода войск General roda voysk		Генерал-лейтенант General-leytenant	Генерал-майор General-mayor	Полковник Polkovnik		Подполковник Podpolkovnik		Капитан Kapitan^[g]	Штабс-капитан Shtabs-kapitan^[h]	Поручик Poruchik	Подпоручик Podporuchik^[i]		Прапорщик Praporshik
Imperial Russian Navy ^[36]^[37]
Imperial Russian Navy ^[36]^[37]	Генерал-адмирал General-admiral		Адмирал Admiral		Вице-адмирал Vitse-admiral	Контр-адмирал Kontr-admiral	Капитан I ранга Kapitan 1-go ranga		Капитан II ранга Kapitan 2-go ranga		Капитан-лейтенант Kapitan-leytenant		Лейтенант Leytenant		Мичман Michman
Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet
Royal Serbian Army ^[38]
Royal Serbian Army ^[38]	Bojni Vojvoda^[j]		General^[k]				Pukovnik		Potpukovnik	Major	Kapetan 1. klase	Kapetan 2. klase	Poručnik		Potporučnik		Pitomac
Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet
United States Army ^[39]
United States Army ^[39]	General of the Armies^[l]		General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier General	Colonel		Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain		First Lieutenant		Second Lieutenant
United States Navy ^[40]																	Various
United States Navy ^[40]	Admiral of the Navy^[l]		Admiral	Vice Admiral	Rear Admiral	Commodore	Captain		Commander	Lieutenant Commander	Lieutenant		Lieutenant (junior grade)		Ensign		Midshipman
Rank group	General/flag officers						Field/senior officers				Junior officers						Officer cadet

Notes

^ ^a ^b Austro-Hungarian ranks are shown in both German and Hungarian, as would have been contemporary practice.
^ ^a ^b Maréchal de France and Amiral de France were as much a dignity of state as a military title. Thus British Field Marshals consulted with French Generals in 1914. The elevation of Joffre to Maréchal in 1916 actually marked a diminution of his powers of command. There was no Amiral de France alive during World War I.
^ Unofficial rank insignia.^[14]
^ ^a ^b Almirante and Marechal were only honorary ranks, not held by anyone during World War I.
^ The Portuguese Army had the particularity of having only a single rank of General Officer. A Portuguese General could be assigned to command from a brigade to the entire Army.
^ Army/cavalry ranks shown. The cossack cavalry had distinct ranks.
^ Cavalry rank: Rotmistr (Russian: Ротмистр)
^ Cavalry rank: Shtabs-rotmistr (Russian: Штабс-ротмистр)
^ Cavalry rank: Kornet (Russian: Корнет)
^ Field Marshal of Serbia (Voivode) was the highest rank in the army of the Kingdom of Serbia. Radomir Putnik held title from beginning of the war since he was promoted in 1912.
^ Like the Portuguese Army, the Serbian Army had only a single rank of General Officer. A Serbian General could be assigned to command from a division to the entire Army.
^ ^a ^b The US rank Admiral of the Navy was a unique rank created for Admiral George Dewey after the Spanish–American War; it has never been held by any other person and debate still goes on over whether it was a "five-star" or "six-star" rank. General of the Armies is similarly ambiguous; it was granted to General Pershing at the end of the war, and previously had been held (or a rank of the same name had been held) by Generals Grant and Sherman after the Civil War, but its equivalency to modern ranks is disputed.

References

^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 187–189.
^ Williams 1918, p. 264.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 190–192.
^ Williams 1918, p. 268.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 145.
^ Williams 1918, pp. 228–229.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 151.
^ Williams 1918, pp. 218–220.
^ "Royal Navy Ranks and Badges, World War 1".
^ Jouineau, André (2009). L'armée française de la Grande Guerre [The French Army of the Great War]. Officiers et soldats no. 12. Vol. II - 1915-1918. Histoire & Collections. p. 7. ISBN 978-2-35250-411-5. OCLC 470949883.
^ Almanach Hachette. Hachette (via genealomaniac.fr). 1917. p. 77.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 161.
^ Williams 1918, p. 237.
^ Champeaux, Antoine (2014). "Général de corps d'armée". Corps (in French). 12 (1): 123–124. doi:10.3917/corp1.012.0123. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
^ Funcken, Liliane; Funcken, Fred. L'uniforme et les armes des soldats de la guerre 1914-1918 (in French). Vol. 2. Cavalerie-Artillerie-Génie-Marine. Casterman. pp. 144–145.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 167.
^ Williams 1918, p. 242.
^ Le Hunsec, Mathieu (2012-03-15). "L'amiral, cet inconnu". Revue historique des armées (in French) (266): 91–107. ISSN 0035-3299.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 171–172.
^ Williams 1918, p. 282.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 174–175.
^ Williams 1918, p. 274.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 177–180.
^ Williams 1918, p. 246.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 181–183.
^ Williams 1918, p. 249.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 196–198.
^ Williams 1918, p. 260.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 201.
^ Williams 1918, p. 262.
^ "1909 TILL 1918 OTTOMAN RANK INSIGNIA". ottoman-uniforms.com. Ottoman Uniforms. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
^ "1916 TILL 1918 OTTOMAN NAVY". ottoman-uniforms.com. Ottoman Uniforms. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
^ ^a ^b Over the Front. "Portuguese Ranks". Over the Front. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 203.
^ Williams 1918, p. 254.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 204–205.
^ Williams 1918, p. 256.
^ Over the Front. "Serbian Ranks". Over the Front. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
^ Williams 1918, pp. 82–83.
^ Williams 1918, pp. 118–119.

Bunkley, Joel William (1918). Military And Naval Recognition Book: A Handbook On The Organization, Uniforms And Insignia Of Rank Of The World's Armed Forces (2nd ed.). New York: D. Van Nostrand Company. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
Williams, Dion (1918). "XI: Uniforms and Insignia of Foreign Armies and Navies". Army and Navy Uniforms and Insignia. New York, N.Y.: Frederick A. Stokes Company. pp. 216–292. Retrieved 5 July 2022.

[Austria-1] Austro-Hungarian ranks are shown in both German and Hungarian, as would have been contemporary practice.

[france-15] Maréchal de France and Amiral de France were as much a dignity of state as a military title. Thus British Field Marshals consulted with French Generals in 1914. The elevation of Joffre to Maréchal in 1916 actually marked a diminution of his powers of command. There was no Amiral de France alive during World War I.

[bar-17] Unofficial rank insignia.^[14]

[PORMar-37] Almirante and Marechal were only honorary ranks, not held by anyone during World War I.

[38] The Portuguese Army had the particularity of having only a single rank of General Officer. A Portuguese General could be assigned to command from a brigade to the entire Army.

[39] Army/cavalry ranks shown. The cossack cavalry had distinct ranks.

[42] Cavalry rank: Rotmistr (Russian: Ротмистр)

[43] Cavalry rank: Shtabs-rotmistr (Russian: Штабс-ротмистр)

[44] Cavalry rank: Kornet (Russian: Корнет)

[48] Field Marshal of Serbia (Voivode) was the highest rank in the army of the Kingdom of Serbia. Radomir Putnik held title from beginning of the war since he was promoted in 1912.

[49] Like the Portuguese Army, the Serbian Army had only a single rank of General Officer. A Serbian General could be assigned to command from a division to the entire Army.

[USA-51] The US rank Admiral of the Navy was a unique rank created for Admiral George Dewey after the Spanish–American War; it has never been held by any other person and debate still goes on over whether it was a "five-star" or "six-star" rank. General of the Armies is similarly ambiguous; it was granted to General Pershing at the end of the war, and previously had been held (or a rank of the same name had been held) by Generals Grant and Sherman after the Civil War, but its equivalency to modern ranks is disputed.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918187–189-2] Bunkley 1918, pp. 187–189.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918264-3] Williams 1918, p. 264.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918190–192-4] Bunkley 1918, pp. 190–192.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918268-5] Williams 1918, p. 268.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918145-6] Bunkley 1918, p. 145.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918228–229-7] Williams 1918, pp. 228–229.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918151-8] Bunkley 1918, p. 151.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918218–220-9] Williams 1918, pp. 218–220.

[10] "Royal Navy Ranks and Badges, World War 1".

[11] Jouineau, André (2009). L'armée française de la Grande Guerre [The French Army of the Great War]. Officiers et soldats no. 12. Vol. II - 1915-1918. Histoire & Collections. p. 7. ISBN 978-2-35250-411-5. OCLC 470949883.

[12] Almanach Hachette. Hachette (via genealomaniac.fr). 1917. p. 77.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918161-13] Bunkley 1918, p. 161.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918237-14] Williams 1918, p. 237.

[16] Champeaux, Antoine (2014). "Général de corps d'armée". Corps (in French). 12 (1): 123–124. doi:10.3917/corp1.012.0123. Retrieved 1 October 2022.

[18] Funcken, Liliane; Funcken, Fred. L'uniforme et les armes des soldats de la guerre 1914-1918 (in French). Vol. 2. Cavalerie-Artillerie-Génie-Marine. Casterman. pp. 144–145.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918167-19] Bunkley 1918, p. 167.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918242-20] Williams 1918, p. 242.

[21] Le Hunsec, Mathieu (2012-03-15). "L'amiral, cet inconnu". Revue historique des armées (in French) (266): 91–107. ISSN 0035-3299.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918171–172-22] Bunkley 1918, pp. 171–172.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918282-23] Williams 1918, p. 282.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918174–175-24] Bunkley 1918, pp. 174–175.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918274-25] Williams 1918, p. 274.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918177–180-26] Bunkley 1918, pp. 177–180.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918246-27] Williams 1918, p. 246.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918181–183-28] Bunkley 1918, pp. 181–183.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918249-29] Williams 1918, p. 249.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918196–198-30] Bunkley 1918, pp. 196–198.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918260-31] Williams 1918, p. 260.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918201-32] Bunkley 1918, p. 201.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918262-33] Williams 1918, p. 262.

[34] "1909 TILL 1918 OTTOMAN RANK INSIGNIA". ottoman-uniforms.com. Ottoman Uniforms. Retrieved 1 July 2018.

[35] "1916 TILL 1918 OTTOMAN NAVY". ottoman-uniforms.com. Ottoman Uniforms. Retrieved 2 July 2018.

[Portugal-36] Over the Front. "Portuguese Ranks". Over the Front. Retrieved 1 July 2018.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918203-40] Bunkley 1918, p. 203.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918254-41] Williams 1918, p. 254.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918204–205-45] Bunkley 1918, pp. 204–205.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918256-46] Williams 1918, p. 256.

[serbian-47] Over the Front. "Serbian Ranks". Over the Front. Retrieved 1 July 2018.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams191882–83-50] Williams 1918, pp. 82–83.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918118–119-52] Williams 1918, pp. 118–119.

[a]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[b]

[c]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[d]

[e]

[f]

[34]

[35]

[g]

[h]

[i]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[j]

[k]

[39]

[l]

[40]

[14]

Comparative officer ranks of World War I

Contents

Table

See also

Notes

References

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