Comparative officer ranks of World War II

The following table offers an approximate comparison for the officer ranks appointed by the major Allied powers, the major Axis powers and various occupied countries and co-belligerents during World War II.

Table[edit]

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

British Empire
Army
^[1]

British Empire
Air Force
^[1]

Pilot Officer
/Acting Pilot Officer

Officer Cadet

British Empire
Navy
^[1]

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Kingdom of Bulgaria
Army & Air Force
^[2]

No equivalent

General-pukovnik

General-leitenant

General-maior

Plukovník

Podplukovník

Maior

Kapitan

Starshy leytenant

Leytenant

Mladsy Leytenant

Kingdom of Bulgaria
Navy

No equivalent

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Republic of China
Army & Air Force
^[1]

No equivalent

Generalissimo
特級上將

Colonel General
一級上將

General
二級上將

Lieutenant General
中將

Major General
少將

Colonel
上校

Lieutenant Colonel
中校

Major
少校

Captain
上尉

First Lieutenant
中尉

Second Lieutenant
少尉

Warrant Officer
准尉

Republic of China
Navy

No equivalent

General Admiral
一級上將

Admiral
二級上將

Vice admiral
中將

Rear admiral
少將

Captain
上校

Commander
中校

Lieutenant commander
少校

Lieutenant
上尉

Lieutenant (junior grade)
中尉

Ensign
少尉

Warrant Officer
准尉

Officer cadet
軍校生

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Czechoslovakia
Army

No equivalent

Armádní generál

Divizní generál

Brigádní generál

Plukovník

Podplukovník

Major

Kapitán

Nadporučík

Poručík

Podporuchik

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Denmark
Army
^[3]

No equivalent

General

Generalløjtnant

Generalmajor

Oberst

Oberstløjtnant

Kaptajn

Kaptajnløjtnant

Premierløjtnant

Løjtnant

Sekondløjtnant

Denmark
Navy
^[4]

No equivalent

Søløjtnant II

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Finland
Army & Air Force
^[5]

No equivalent

Sotamarsalkka
Fältmarskalk

Kenraali
General

Kenraaliluutnantti
Generallöjtnant

Kenraalimajuri
Generalmajor

Eversti
Överste

Everstiluutnantti
Överstelöjtnant

Majuri
Major

Kapteeni
Kapten

Luutnantti
Löjtnant

Vänrikki
Fänrik

Upseerikokelas
Officersaspirant

Upseerioppilas
Officerselev

Finland
Navy
^[5]

No equivalent

Upseerikokelas

Upseerioppilas

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

France
Army & Air Force
^[1]

Maréchal de France

Général d'armée

Général de corps d'armée

Général de division

Général de brigade

Colonel

Lieutenant-Colonel

Commandant

Capitaine

Lieutenant

Sous-Lieutenant

Aspirant

Élève-officier

France
Navy
^[1]

Amiral de France

Amiral de la Flotte

Amiral

Vice-amiral d'escadre

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

Élève-officier

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Nazi Germany
Army & Air Force
^[6]

Reichsmarschall

General-feldmarschall

Generaloberst

General der Waffengattung

Generalleutnant

Generalmajor

Oberst

Oberstleutnant

Major

Hauptmann

Oberleutnant

Leutnant

Oberfähnrich

Fähnrich

Fahnenjunker

Nazi Germany
Navy

Großadmiral

Generaladmiral

Admiral

Vizeadmiral

Konteradmiral

Kommodore

Kapitän zur See

Fregatten-
kapitän

Korvetten-
kapitän

Kapitän-
leutnant

Oberleutnant
zur See

Leutnant
zur See

Oberfähnrich
zur See

Fähnrich
zur See

Seekadett

Offiziersanwärter

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Kingdom of Greece
Army

No equivalent

Field Marshal
Στρατάρχης

General
Στρατηγός

Lieutenant-General
Αντιστράτηγος

Major-General
Υποστράτηγος

Colonel
Συνταγματάρχης

Lieutenant-Colonel
Αντισυνταγματάρχης

Major
Ταγματάρχης

Captain
Λοχαγός

Lieutenant
Υπολοχαγός

Second Lieutenant
Ανθυπολοχαγός

Officer Cadet
Δόκιμος

Kingdom of Greece
Air Force

No equivalent

Marshal of the air force
Αιθεράρχης

Air Chief Marshal
Πτέραρχος

Air Marshal
Αντιπτέραρχος

Air Vice-Marshal
Υποπτέραρχος

Group Captain
Σμήναρχος

Wing Commander
Αντισμήναρχος

Squadron Leader
Επισμηναγός

Flight Lieutenant
Σμηναγός

Flying Officer
Υποσμηναγός

Pilot Officer
/Acting Pilot Officer
Ανθυποσμηναγός

Kingdom of Greece
Navy

No equivalent

Admiral of the Fleet
Αρχιναύαρχος

Admiral
Ναύαρχος

Vice admiral
Αντιναύαρχος

Rear admiral
Υποναύαρχος

Captain
Πλοίαρχος

Commander
Αντιπλοίαρχος

Lieutenant commander
Πλωτάρχης

Lieutenant
Υποπλοίαρχος

Sub lieutenant
Ανθυποπλοίαρχος

Midshipman
Σημαιοφόρος

Officer cadet
Δόκιμος

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Imperial Japan
Army & Air Force

No equivalent

Daigensui-Rikugun-Taishō
大元帥陸軍大将
Grand Marshal

Gensui-Rikugun-Taishō
元帥陸軍大将
Field Marshal

Rikugun-Taishō
陸軍大将
General

Rikugun-Chūjō
陸軍中将
Lieutenant General

Rikugun-Shōshō
陸軍少将
Major General

Rikugun-Taisa
陸軍大佐
Colonel

Rikugun-Chūsa
陸軍中佐
Lieutenant Colonel

Rikugun-Shōsa
陸軍少佐
Major

Rikugun-Tai-i
陸軍大尉
Captain

Rikugun-Chūi
陸軍中尉
Lieutenant

Rikugun-Shōi
陸軍少尉
Junior Lieutenant

Jun-i
准尉
Warrant Officer

Imperial Japan
Navy
^[7]

No equivalent

Daigensui-Kaigun-Taishō
大元帥海軍大将
Grand Admiral

Gensui-kaigun-Taishō
元帥海軍大将
Fleet Admiral

Kaigun-Taishō
海軍大将
Admiral

Kaigun-Chūjō
海軍中将
Vice Admiral

Kaigun-Shōshō
海軍少将
Rear Admiral

Kaigun-Daisa
海軍大佐
Captain

Kaigun-Chūsa
海軍中佐
Commander

Kaigun-Shōsa
海軍少佐
Lieutenant Commander

Kaigun-Dai-i
海軍大尉
Lieutenant

Kaigun-Chūi
海軍中尉
Sub Lieutenant

Kaigun-Shōi
海軍少尉
Ensign

Hēsōchō
兵曹長
Warrant Officer

Kaigun shōi kōhosei
海軍少尉候補生
Midshipman

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Italy
Army

Primo maresciallo dell'Impero

Maresciallo d'Italia

Generale d'Armata

Generale designato d'Armata

Generale di Corpo d'Armata

Generale di Divisione

Generale di Brigata

Colonnello Comandante

Colonnello

Tenente Colonnello

Maggiore

Primo capitano

Capitano

Primo Tenente

Tenente

Sottotenente

Aspirante

Italy
Air Force

Maresciallo dell'Aria

Generale d'Armata Aerea

Generale designato d'Armata Aerea

Generale di Corpo d'Armata Aerea

Generale di Divisione Aerea

Generale di Brigata Aerea

Colonnello

Tenente Colonnello

Maggiore

Primo Capitano

Capitano

Tenente

Sottotenente

Aspirante

Italy
Navy

Grande ammiraglio
/Great Admiral

Ammiraglio d'armata
/Army Admiral

Ammiraglio designato d'armata
/Appointed Army Admiral

Ammiraglio di Squadra
/Squadron Admiral

Ammiraglio di Divisione
/Divisional Admiral

Contrammiraglio
/Rear Admiral

Capitano di Vascello
/Vessel Captain

Capitano di Fregata
/Frigate Captain

Capitano di Corvetta
/Corvette Captain

Primo Tenente di Vascello
/First Vessel Lieutenant

Tenente di Vascello
/Vessel Lieutenant

Sottotenente di Vascello
/Vessel Sub Lieutenant

Guardiamarina
/Navy Guard

Aspirante Guardiamarina
/Aspirant

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Manchukuo
Army

No equivalent

General of the Army
總司令

Army General
上將

Lieutenant General
中將

Major General
少將

Colonel
上校

Lieutenant Colonel
中校

Major
少校

Captain
上尉

First Lieutenant
中尉

Second Lieutenant
少尉

Warrant Officer
准尉

Manchukuo
Navy

No equivalent

Acting Sub-Lieutenant

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Mengjiang
Army

No equivalent

General
上将

Lieutenant General
中将

Major General
少将

Colonel
上校

Lieutenant-colonel
中校

Major
少校

Captain
上尉

Lieutenant
中尉

Junior Lieutenant
少尉

Warrant Officer
准尉

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Norway
Army
^[8]

No equivalent

General

Generalløjtnant

Generalmajor

Oberst

Oberstløitnant

Major

Kaptein/
Rittmester

Premierløitnant

Sekondløitnant

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Poland
Army & Air Force
^[1]

No equivalent

Kapitan^[a]

Poland
Navy
^[1]

No equivalent

Various

Komandor podporucznik

Kapitan marynarki

Porucznik marynarki

Podporucznik marynarki

Chorąży marynarki

Podchorąży

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

USA
Army & Air Force
^[1]

Various

General of the Armies^[b]

USA
Navy
^[1]

Various

Admiral of the Navy^[b]

Commodore^[c]

Lieutenant (junior grade)

Ensign

Midshipman/Officer Candidate

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

USSR
Army & Air Force
^[1]


Glavny marshal roda voysk	Marshal roda voysk	General armii

Generalissimus Sovétskogo Soyuza^[d]

Marshal Sovétskogo Soyuza

USSR
Navy
^[1]

No equivalent

Admiral of the fleet
Адмирал флота^[e]

Admiral
Адмирал

Vice Admiral
Вице-адмирал

Rear admiral
Контр-адмирал

Captain 1st rank
Капитан 1-го ранга

Captain 2nd rank
Капитан 2-го ранга

Captain 3rd rank
Капитан 3-го ранга

Captain Lieutenant
Капитан-лейтенант

Senior lieutenant
Старший лейтенант

Lieutenant
Лейтенант

Junior lieutenant
Младший лейтенант

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Kingdom of Yugoslavia
(before 1943)
Army
^[9]

No equivalent

Vojvoda
Војвода

Army general
Армијски генерал

Divisional General
Дивизијски генерал

Brigadier General
Бригадни генерал

Colonel
Пуковник

Lieutenant Colonel
Потпуковник

Major
Мајор

Captain First Class
Капетан Прве Класе

Captain Second Class
Капетан Друге Класе

Lieutenant
Поручник

Sub-Lieutenant
Потпоручник

Kingdom of Yugoslavia
(before 1943)
Air Force
^[9]

No equivalent

Army general
Армијски генерал

Divisional General
Дивизијски генерал

Brigadier General
Бригадни генерал

Colonel
Пуковник

Lieutenant Colonel
Потпуковник

Major
Мајор

Captain First Class
Капетан Прве Класе

Captain Second Class
Капетан Друге Класе

Lieutenant
Поручник

Sub-Lieutenant
Потпоручник

Kingdom of Yugoslavia
(before 1943)
Navy
^[9]

No equivalent

Admiral
Адмирал

Vice Admiral
Вице Адмирал

Counter Admiral
Контра Адмирал

Captain at sea
Капетан Бојног Брода

Frigate captain
Капетан Фрегате

Corvette captain
Капетан Корвете

Lieutenant
Поручник Бојног Брода Прве Класе

Lieutenant (junior grade)
Поручник Бојног Брода Друге Класе

Frigate captain
Поручник Фрегате

Corvette lieutenant
Поручник Корвете

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Yugoslav Partisans
(after 1943)
Army

No equivalent

Maršal Jugoslavije^[f]

General-pukovnik

General-lajtant

General-major

Pukovnik

Potpukovnik

Major

Kapetan

Poručnik

Potporučnik

Zastavnik

Equivalent
NATO code

OF-10

OF-9

OF-8

OF-7

OF-6

OF-5

OF-4

OF-3

OF-2

OF-1

OF(D) and student officer

Notes[edit]

^ Traditionally captains of Polish cavalry held the rank of rotmistrz, a direct equivalent of the rank of kapitan in other branches of the military.
^ ^a ^b This rank was never awarded during the War.
^ Reintroduced in 1943.
^ This rank was only proposed and never used.
^ Elevated to position equal to Marshal of the Soviet Union after 1944.
^ This was the highest rank of (equivalent to Soviet Marshal) and simultaneously a Yugoslav honorific title.

References[edit]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l DI (15 June 2015). "World War 2 Allied Officers Rank Insignia". Daily Infographics. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
^ "Bulgarian Army/Air Force Insignia". Retrieved 21 July 2018.
^ "Danish Army Insignia". Retrieved 6 May 2018.
^ Balsved, Johnny (22 March 2008). "Distinktioner og gradstegn" [Rank Insignia]. Navalhistory.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 May 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Finnish Insignia". Retrieved 21 October 2018.
^ CIA (24 August 1999). "Records Integration Title Book" (PDF). p. 18. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
^ Rosignoli, Guido (1980). Naval and Marine Badges and Insignia of World War 2. Blandford Colour Series. Link House, West Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1LL: Blandford Press Ltd. pp. 152–153.
^ Rühl, Moritz. "The Army of Norway 1939". Uniformology. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c u oruzanim snagama KJUG - Kraljevske Jugoslovenske vojske (KJUG) - Ranks of Royal Yugoslav Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia - Royal Yugoslav Armed Forces (RYAF).jpg File:Ranks of Royal Yugoslav Armed Forces.jpg

External links[edit]

German WWII Army & SS Rank & Insignia

[9] Traditionally captains of Polish cavalry held the rank of rotmistrz, a direct equivalent of the rank of kapitan in other branches of the military.

[N-Used-10] This rank was never awarded during the War.

[11] Reintroduced in 1943.

[12] This rank was only proposed and never used.

[13] Elevated to position equal to Marshal of the Soviet Union after 1944.

[15] This was the highest rank of (equivalent to Soviet Marshal) and simultaneously a Yugoslav honorific title.

[Allied_ranks-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l DI (15 June 2015). "World War 2 Allied Officers Rank Insignia". Daily Infographics. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2018.

[2] "Bulgarian Army/Air Force Insignia". Retrieved 21 July 2018.

[3] "Danish Army Insignia". Retrieved 6 May 2018.

[4] Balsved, Johnny (22 March 2008). "Distinktioner og gradstegn" [Rank Insignia]. Navalhistory.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 May 2018.

[Finland-5] "Finnish Insignia". Retrieved 21 October 2018.

[6] CIA (24 August 1999). "Records Integration Title Book" (PDF). p. 18. Retrieved 11 December 2018.

[7] Rosignoli, Guido (1980). Naval and Marine Badges and Insignia of World War 2. Blandford Colour Series. Link House, West Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1LL: Blandford Press Ltd. pp. 152–153.

[8] Rühl, Moritz. "The Army of Norway 1939". Uniformology. Retrieved 30 April 2019.

[Yugo-14] u oruzanim snagama KJUG - Kraljevske Jugoslovenske vojske (KJUG) - Ranks of Royal Yugoslav Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia - Royal Yugoslav Armed Forces (RYAF).jpg File:Ranks of Royal Yugoslav Armed Forces.jpg

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[a]

[b]

[c]

[d]

[e]

[9]

[f]

Comparative officer ranks of World War II

Contents

Table[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]