Oberleutnant (lit. 'Upper lieutenant') is the highest lieutenant officer rank in the German-speaking armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the Swiss Armed Forces.

Occupied Austria

Germany

Senior lieutenant
Oberleutnant
Army and Air Force insignia
Country Germany
Service branch German Army
 German Air Force
AbbreviationOLt
NATO rank codeOF-1
Formation1871
Next higher rankHauptmann
Next lower rankLeutnant
Equivalent ranksOberleutnant zur See

In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "senior lieutenant", 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.[1][2]

Rank insignias Oberleutnant/Oberleutnant zur See (OF-1)
Service uniform
(basic form)
(Armored corps)		 Field uniform
(Armored infantry)		 San OA Service uniform
(basic form)		 Field uniform San OA Shoulder strap Sleeve insignia Mountain loop San 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
Land forces Air Force GDR Border troops Volksmarine
N/A
Oberleutnant Oberleutnant zur See

Switzerland

See also

References

Bibliography

  • Flaherty, T. H. (2004) [1988]. The Third Reich: The SS. Time-Life Books, Inc. ISBN 1-84447-073-3.
  • McNab, Chris (2009). The Third Reich. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-51-8.
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