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

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 Army
[1][2]

Officer Cadet

Royal Air Force
[1][3]

Pilot Officer
/Acting Pilot Officer

Officer Cadet

Royal Navy
[1][4]

Officer cadet

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

Bulgarian Army & Air Force
[5]

No equivalent

General-pukovnik

General-leitenant

General-maior

Plukovník

Podplukovník

Maior

Kapitan

Starshy leytenant

Leytenant

Mladsy Leytenant

Bulgarian Navy

No equivalent

Kontra-admiral

Kapitan I rang

Kapitan II rang

Kapitan III rang

Leytenant

Michman I rang

Michman II rang

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 National Army
[1][6]

No equivalent

Teji shangjiang
特級上將
Generalissimo

Yiji shangjiang
一級上將
Colonel General

Erji shangjiang
二級上將
General

Zhongjiang
中將
Lieutenant General

Shaojiang
少將
Major General

Shangxiao
上校
Colonel

Zhongxiao
中校
Lieutenant Colonel

Shaoxiao
少校
Major

Shangwei
上尉
Captain

Zhongwei
中尉
First Lieutenant

Shaowei
少尉
Second Lieutenant

Zhunwei
准尉
Warrant Officer

Republic of China Navy
[7]

Teji shangjiang
特級上將
Admiralissimo

Yiji shangjiang
一級上將
General Admiral

Erji shangjiang
二級上將
Admiral

Zhongjiang
中將
Vice admiral

Shaojiang
少將
Rear admiral

Daijiang
代將
Commodore

Shangxiao
上校
Captain

Zhongxiao
中校
Commander

Shaoxiao
少校
Lieutenant commander

Shangwei
上尉
Lieutenant

Zhongwei
中尉
Lieutenant (junior grade)

Shaowei
少尉
Ensign

Zhunwei
准尉
Warrant Officer

Junxiaosheng
軍校生
Officer cadet

Republic of China Air Force
[1][6]

No equivalent

Erji shangjiang
二級上將
General

Zhongjiang
中將
Lieutenant General

Shaojiang
少將
Major General

Shangxiao
上校
Colonel

Zhongxiao
中校
Lieutenant Colonel

Shaoxiao
少校
Major

Shangwei
上尉
Captain

Zhongwei
中尉
First Lieutenant

Shaowei
少尉
Second Lieutenant

Zhunwei
准尉
Warrant Officer

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

Czechoslovak 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

Royal Danish Army
[8][9]

No equivalent

General

Generalløjtnant

Generalmajor

Oberst

Oberstløjtnant

Kaptajn

Kaptajnløjtnant

Premierløjtnant

Løjtnant

Sekondløjtnant

Royal Danish Navy
[9][10]

No equivalent

Admiral

Viceadmiral

Kontreadmiral

Kommandør

Kommandørkaptajn

Orlogskaptajn

Kaptajnløjtnant

Søløjtnant I

Løjtnant

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

Finnish Army & Air Force
[11][12]

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

Finnish Navy
[11][12]

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

Free French Army & Air Forces
[1][13]

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

Free French Naval Forces
[1][14]

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

German Army & Luftwaffe
[15]

Reichsmarschall

General-feldmarschall

Generaloberst

General der Waffengattung

Generalleutnant

Generalmajor

Oberst

Oberstleutnant

Major

Hauptmann

Oberleutnant

Leutnant

Fhj-StFw

Fhj-OFw

Fhj-Fw

Fhj-UFw

Fhj-Uffz

Kriegsmarine
[16]

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

Royal Hellenic Army
[17]

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

Royal Hellenic Air Force
[18]

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

Royal Hellenic Navy
[18]

No equivalent

Admiral of the Fleet
Στόλαρχος

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 Japanese Army & Army Air Service
[19]

No equivalent

Daigensui-Rikugun-Taishō
大元帥陸軍大将
Generalissimo

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
First Lieutenant

Rikugun-Shōi
陸軍少尉
Second Lieutenant

Jun-i
准尉
Warrant Officer

Imperial Japanese Navy
[20][21]

No equivalent

Daigensui-Kaigun-Taishō
大元帥海軍大将
Admiralissimo

Gensui-kaigun-Taishō
元帥海軍大将
Grand 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

Royal Italian Army
[22]

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

Royal Italian Air Force
[23]

No insignia

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

Royal Italian Navy
[24]

Grande ammiraglio
Grand admiral

Ammiraglio d'armata
Full admiral

Ammiraglio designato d'armata
Appointed full admiral

Ammiraglio di Squadra
Squadron admiral

Ammiraglio di Divisione
Divisional admiral
or
Vice admiral

Contrammiraglio
Counter admiral

Capitano di Vascello
Ship of the line captain

Capitano di Fregata
Frigate captain

Capitano di Corvetta
Corvette captain

Primo Tenente di Vascello
First ship of the line lieutenant

Tenente di Vascello
Ship of the line lieutenant

Sottotenente di Vascello
Ship of line 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 Imperial 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 Imperial 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 National 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

Royal Netherlands Army
[25]

No equivalent

Generaal

Luitenant-generaal

Generaal-majoor

Kolonel

Luitenant-kolonel

Majoor

Kapitein/Ritmeester

1e Luitenant

2e Luitenant

Royal Netherlands Navy
[25]

No equivalent

Admiraal

Luitenant-Admiraal

Vice-Admiraal

Schout-bij-Nacht

Kapitein ter zee

Kapitein-luitenant ter zee

Luitenant ter zee der 1^ste klasse

Luitenant ter zee der 2^de klasse oudste categorie

Luitenant ter zee der 2^de klasse

Luitenant ter zee der 3^de klasse

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

Norwegian Army
[26][27]

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

Polish Army & Air Force
[1][28]

No equivalent

Generał dywizji

Kapitan[lower-alpha 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

United States Army & Army Air Force
[1][30]

Various

General of the Armies[lower-alpha 2]

Officer Candidate

Officer Cadet

United States Navy
[1][30]

Various

Admiral of the Navy[lower-alpha 2]

Commodore[lower-alpha 3]

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

Red Army & Soviet Air Forces
(Since Oct. 1943)
[1][31]


Glavny marshal roda voysk	Marshal roda voysk	General armii

Generalissimus Sovétskogo Soyuza[lower-alpha 4]

Marshal Sovétskogo Soyuza

No equivalent

Admiral of the fleet
Адмирал флота[lower-alpha 5]

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

Royal Yugoslav Army
(before 1943)
[32]

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

Royal Yugoslav Air Force
(before 1943)
[33]

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

Royal Yugoslav Navy
(before 1943)
[33]

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)

No equivalent

Maršal Jugoslavije[lower-alpha 6]

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

Traditionally captains of Polish cavalry held the rank of rotmistrz, a direct equivalent of the rank of kapitan in other branches of the military.
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 in 1945.
This was the highest rank of (equivalent to Soviet Marshal) and simultaneously a Yugoslav honorific title.

References

Citations

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.
Mollo 2001, p. 121.
Mollo 2001, p. 123.
Mollo 2001, p. 126.
"Bulgarian Army/Air Force Insignia". Retrieved 21 July 2018.
Mollo 2001, p. 192.
Mollo 2001, p. 194.
"Danish Army Insignia". Retrieved 6 May 2018.
Mollo 2001, p. 39.
Balsved, Johnny (22 March 2008). "Distinktioner og gradstegn" [Rank Insignia]. Navalhistory.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 May 2018.
"Finnish Insignia". Retrieved 21 October 2018.
Mollo 2001, p. 29.
Mollo 2001, p. 58.
Mollo 2001, p. 61.
Mollo 2001, pp. 11, 16.
Mollo 2001, p. 19.
Mollo 2001, p. 99.
Mollo 2001, p. 101.
Mollo 2001, p. 180.
Rosignoli 1980, pp. 152-153.
Mollo 2001, p. 187.
Mollo 2001, p. 86.
Mollo 2001, p. 89.
Mollo 2001, p. 93.
Mollo 2001, p. 47.
Rühl n.d.
Mollo 2001, p. 41.
Mollo 2001, p. 23.
Mollo 2001, p. 25.
Mollo 2001, p. 161.
Shalito, Savchenkov & Mollo 1993, p. 5.
Mollo 2001, p. 104.
Mollo 2001, p. 105.

Bibliography

Mollo, Andrew (2001). The Armed Forces of World War II: Uniforms, Insignia & Organisation. Leicester: Silverdale books. ISBN 1-85605-603-1.
Shalito, Anton; Savchenkov, Ilya; Mollo, Andrew (1993). Red Army Uniforms of World War II in Colour Photographs. London: Windrow & Greene. ISBN 978-1872004594.
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.CS1 maint: location (link)
Rühl, Moritz (n.d.). "The Army of Norway 1939". Uniformology. Retrieved 30 April 2019.

External links

German WWII Army & SS Rank & Insignia

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[29] 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-32] This rank was never awarded during the War.

[33] Reintroduced in 1943.

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

[36] Elevated to position equal to Marshal of the Soviet Union in 1945.

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

[Allied_ranks-1] 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.

[FOOTNOTEMollo2001121-2] Mollo 2001, p. 121.

[FOOTNOTEMollo2001123-3] Mollo 2001, p. 123.

[FOOTNOTEMollo2001126-4] Mollo 2001, p. 126.

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

[FOOTNOTEMollo2001192-6] Mollo 2001, p. 192.

[FOOTNOTEMollo2001194-7] Mollo 2001, p. 194.

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

[FOOTNOTEMollo200139-9] Mollo 2001, p. 39.

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

[Finland-11] "Finnish Insignia". Retrieved 21 October 2018.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200129-12] Mollo 2001, p. 29.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200158-13] Mollo 2001, p. 58.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200161-14] Mollo 2001, p. 61.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200111,_16-15] Mollo 2001, pp. 11, 16.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200119-16] Mollo 2001, p. 19.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200199-17] Mollo 2001, p. 99.

[FOOTNOTEMollo2001101-18] Mollo 2001, p. 101.

[FOOTNOTEMollo2001180-19] Mollo 2001, p. 180.

[FOOTNOTERosignoli1980152-153-20] Rosignoli 1980, pp. 152-153.

[FOOTNOTEMollo2001187-21] Mollo 2001, p. 187.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200186-22] Mollo 2001, p. 86.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200189-23] Mollo 2001, p. 89.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200193-24] Mollo 2001, p. 93.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200147-25] Mollo 2001, p. 47.

[FOOTNOTERühln.d.-26] Rühl n.d.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200141-27] Mollo 2001, p. 41.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200123-28] Mollo 2001, p. 23.

[FOOTNOTEMollo200125-30] Mollo 2001, p. 25.

[FOOTNOTEMollo2001161-31] Mollo 2001, p. 161.

[FOOTNOTEShalitoSavchenkovMollo19935-34] Shalito, Savchenkov & Mollo 1993, p. 5.

[FOOTNOTEMollo2001104-37] Mollo 2001, p. 104.

[FOOTNOTEMollo2001105-38] Mollo 2001, p. 105.

Comparative officer ranks of World War II

Table

See also

Notes

References

External links