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
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 British Army
[1]
Field marshal General Lieutenant-general Major-general Brigadier[lower-alpha 1] Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Officer cadet
 Royal Air Force
[2]
Marshal of the RAF Air chief marshal Air marshal Air vice-marshal Air commodore Group captain Wing commander Squadron leader Flight lieutenant Flying officer Pilot officer
/Acting pilot officer		 Officer cadet
 Royal Navy
[3]
Admiral of the Fleet Admiral Vice admiral Rear admiral Commodore Captain Commander Lieutenant commander Lieutenant Sub lieutenant Midshipman Officer cadet
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Belgian Army & Military Aviation
[4]
Luitenant-generaal Generaal-majoor Kolonel Luitenant-kolonel Majoor Kapitein-commandant Kapitein Luitenant Onderluitenant
Belgian Naval Corps
[5]
Kolonel Luitenant-kolonel Majoor Kapitein-commandant Kapitein Luitenant Onderluitenant
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Royal Bulgarian Army & Air Force
[6]
Генерал-полковник
General-pukovnik		 Генерал-лейтенант
General-leytenant		 Генерал-майор
General-mayor		 Полковник
Polkovnik		 Подполковник
Podpolkovnik		 Майор
Mayor		 Капитан
Kapitan		 Старши лейтенант
Starshi leytenant		 Лейтенант
Leytenant		 Младши лейтенант
Mladsy leytenant
 Royal Bulgarian Navy[7]
Адмирал
Admiral		 Вицеадмирал
Vitseadmiral		 Контраадмирал
Kontraadmiral		 Капитан I ранг
Kapitan I rang		 Капитан II ранг
Kapitan II rang		 Капитан III ранг
Kapitan III rang		 Лейтенант
Leytenant		 Michman I rang Michman II rang
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Republic of China National Army
[8]
特級上將
Teji shangjiang		 二級上將
Erji shangjiang		 中將
Zhongjiang		 少將
Shaojiang		 上校
Shangxiao		 中校
Zhongxiao		 少校
Shaoxiao		 上尉
Shangwei		 中尉
Zhongwei		 少尉
Shaowei		 准尉
Zhunwei
Republic of China Air Force
[8]
二級上將
Erji shangjiang		 中將
Zhongjiang		 少將
Shaojiang		 上校
Shangxiao		 中校
Zhongxiao		 少校
Shaoxiao		 上尉
Shangwei		 中尉
Zhongwei		 少尉
Shaowei		 准尉
Zhunwei
Republic of China Navy
[9]
特級上將
Teji shangjiang		 二級上將
Erji shangjiang		 中將
Zhongjiang		 少將
Shaojiang		 代將
Daijiang		 上校
Shangxiao		 中校
Zhongxiao		 少校
Shaoxiao		 上尉
Shangwei		 中尉
Zhongwei		 少尉
Shaowei		 准尉
Zhunwei		 軍校生
Junxiaosheng
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Czechoslovak Army
[10]
Armádní generál Divizní generál Brigádní generál Plukovník Podplukovník Major Kapitán Nadporučík Poručík Podporuchik
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Royal Danish Army
[11]
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstløjtnant Kaptajn Kaptajnløjtnant Premierløjtnant Løjtnant Sekondløjtnant
 Royal Danish Navy
[11]
Admiral Viceadmiral Kontreadmiral Kommandør Kommandørkaptajn Orlogskaptajn Kaptajnløjtnant Søløjtnant I Løjtnant Søløjtnant II
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Finnish Army & Air Force
[12]
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
[12]
Amiraali Vara-amiraali Kontra-amiraali Kommodori Komentaja Komentajakapteeni Kapteeniluutnantti Luutnantti Aliluutnantti Upseerikokelas Upseerioppilas
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
French Army
[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
French Air Force
[13]
Général d'armée aérienne Général de corps aérien Général de division aérienne Général de brigade aérienne Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Commandant Capitaine Lieutenant Sous-lieutenant Aspirant Élève-pilote
 French Navy
[14]
Amiral de France Amiral de la Flotte[15] 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 1re classe Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe Aspirant Élève-officier
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 German Army & Luftwaffe
[16]
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
[17]
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
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Royal Hellenic Army
[18]
Στρατάρχης
Stratarches		 Στρατηγός
Stratigos		 Αντιστράτηγος
Antistratigos		 Υποστράτηγος
Ypostratigos		 Συνταγματάρχης
Syntagmatarchis		 Αντισυνταγματάρχης
Antisyntagmatarchis		 Ταγματάρχης
Tagmatarchis		 Λοχαγός
Lochagos		 Υπολοχαγός
Ypolochagos		 Ανθυπολοχαγός
Anthypolochagos		 Δόκιμος Έφεδρος Αξιωματικός
Dokimos efedros aksio­matikos
 Royal Hellenic Air Force
[19]
Αἰθεράρχης
Aitherárchis		 Πτέραρχος
Ptérarchos		 Ἀντιπτέραρχος
Antiptérarchos		 Ὑποπτέραρχος
Ypoptérarchos		 Σμήναρχος
Smínarchos		 Ἀντισμήναρχος
Antismínarchos		 Ἐπισμηναγός
Episminagós		 Σμηναγός
Sminagós		 Ὑποσμηναγός
Yposminagós		 Ἀνθυποσμηναγός
Anthyposminagós
 Royal Hellenic Navy
[19]
Στολάρχης
Stolarchis		 Ναύαρχος
Navarchos		 Αντιναύαρχος
Antinavarchos		 Υποναύαρχος
Yponavarchos		 Πλοίαρχος
Ploiarchos		 Αντιπλοίαρχος
Antiploiarchos		 Πλωτάρχης
Plotarchis		 Υποπλοίαρχος
Ypoploiarchos		 Ανθυποπλοίαρχος
Anthypoploiarchos		 Σημαιοφόρος
Simaioforos		 Σημαιοφόρος Επίκουρος Αξιωματικός
Simaioforos epikouros axiomatikos
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Royal Hungarian Army
[20][21]
Tábornagy Vezérezredes Altábornagy Vezérőrnagy Ezredes Alezredes Őrnagy Százados Főhadnagy Hadnagy
 Royal Hungarian Air Force
[22]
Altábornagy Vezérőrnagy Ezredes Alezredes Őrnagy Százados Főhadnagy Hadnagy
 Royal Hungarian River Guard
[21]
Vezérfökapitány Vezérkapitány Fötörzskapitány Törzskapitány Törzsalkapitány Kapitány Föhajónagy Hajónagy Folyami zászlós
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Imperial Japanese Army & Army Air Service
[23]
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
[24][25]

[lower-alpha 2]
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
Heisōchō		 海軍少尉候補生
Kaigun shōi kōhosei		 海軍兵学校生徒
Kaigun-heigakō-seito
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Royal Italian Army
[26]
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
[27]		 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
[28]
Grande ammiraglio Ammiraglio d'armata Ammiraglio designato d'armata Ammiraglio di squadra Ammiraglio di divisione Contrammiraglio Capitano di vascello Capitano di fregata Capitano di corvetta Primo tenente di vascello Tenente di vascello Sottotenente di vascello Guardiamarina Aspirante guardiamarina
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Royal Netherlands Army
[29]
Generaal Luitenant-generaal Generaal-majoor Kolonel Luitenant-kolonel Majoor Kapitein/Ritmeester 1e Luitenant 2e Luitenant
 Royal Netherlands Navy
[29]
Admiraal Luitenant-Admiraal Vice-Admiraal Schout-bij-Nacht Kapitein ter zee Kapitein-luitenant ter zee Luitenant ter zee der 1ste klasse Luitenant ter zee der 2de klasse oudste categorie Luitenant ter zee der 2de klasse Luitenant ter zee der 3de klasse
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Norwegian Army
[30]
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstløitnant Major Kaptein/
Rittmester		 Premierløitnant Sekondløitnant
 Royal Norwegian Navy
[31][24]
Admiral Viceadmiral Kontreadmiral Kommandør Kommandørkaptein Kapteinløytnant Kaptein Løitnant Sekundløitnant
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Polish Army & Air Force
[32]
Marszałek Polski Generał broni Generał dywizji Generał brygady Pułkownik Podpułkownik Major Kapitan/
Rotmistrz		 Porucznik Podporucznik
 Polish Navy
[33]		 Various
Marszałek Polski Admirał Wiceadmirał Kontradmirał Komandor Komandor porucznik Komandor podporucznik Kapitan marynarki Porucznik marynarki Podporucznik marynarki Podchorąży
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Romanian Army
[34][35]
Mareșal General de armată General de corp de armată General de divizie General de brigadă Colonel Locotenent-colonel Maior Căpitan Locotenent Sublocotenent
 Royal Romanian Air Force
[36][37]
General-locotenent General-maior Comandor Căpitan-comandor Locotenent-comandor Căpitan Locotenent Sublocotenent
 Royal Romanian Navy
[38]
Amiral Viceamiral Contraamiral Contraamiral de flotilă Comandor Căpitan-comandor Locotenent-comandor Căpitan Locotenent Sublocotenent Aspirant
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
United States Army & Army Air Force
[39]		 Various
General of the Armies[lower-alpha 3] General of the Army General Lieutenant General Major General Brigadier General Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Officer candidate Officer cadet
United States Navy
[39]		 Various
Fleet admiral Admiral Vice admiral Rear admiral Commodore[lower-alpha 4] Captain Commander Lieutenant commander Lieutenant Lieutenant (junior grade) Ensign Midshipman/Officer candidate
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Red Army & Soviet Air Forces
(Since Oct. 1943)[lower-alpha 5]
[40][41]
Генерали́ссимус Сове́тского Сою́за
Generalíssimus Sovétskogo Soyúza[lower-alpha 6]
Генера́л а́рмии
General armii
Ма́ршал Сове́тского Сою́за
Marshal Sovétskogo Soyuza
Гла́вный ма́ршал рода войск
Glavny marshal roda voysk[lower-alpha 7]		 Маршал рода войск
Marshal roda voysk[lower-alpha 7]
 Генера́л-полко́вник
Generál-polkóvnik		 Генера́л-лейтена́нт
Generál-leytenánt		 Генера́л-майо́р
Generál-mayór		 Полко́вник
Polkóvnik		 Подполко́вник
Podpolkóvnik		 Майо́р
Mayór		 Капита́н
Kapitán		 Ста́рший лейтена́нт
Stárshiy leytenánt		 Лейтена́нт
Leytenánt		 Мла́дший лейтена́нт
Mládshiy leytenánt		 Курса́нт
Kursánt
 Soviet Navy
[42]
Адмирал флота
Admirál flota[lower-alpha 8]		 Адмирал
Admirál		 Вице-адмирал
Vitse-admirál		 Контр-адмирал
Contre-admirál		 Капитан 1-го ранга
Kapitan 1-go ránga		 Капитан 2-го ранга
Kapitan 2-go ránga		 Капитан 3-го ранга
Kapitan 3-go ránga		 Капитан-лейтенант
Kapitan-leytenánt		 Старший лейтенант
Starshey leytenánt		 Лейтенант
Leytenánt		 Младший лейтенант
Mladshiy leytenánt		 Курсант
Kursánt
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Royal Yugoslav Army
(before 1943)
[44]
Бојни Војвода
Bojni Vojvoda		 Армијски генерал
Armiski general		 Дивизијски генерал
Divizijski general		 Бригадни генерал
Brigadni general		 Пуковник
Pukovnik		 Потпуковник
Potpukovnik		 Мајор
Major		 Капетан Прве Класе
Kapetan prve klase		 Капетан Друге Класе
Kapetan druge klase		 Поручник
Porucnik		 Потпоручник
Potporucnik
Royal Yugoslav Air Force
(before 1943)
[45]
Армијски генерал
Armiski general		 Дивизијски генерал
Diviziski general		 Бригадни генерал
Brigadni general		 Пуковник
Pukovnik		 Потпуковник
Potpukovnik		 Мајор
Major		 Капетан Прве Класе
Kapetan Prve Klase		 Капетан Друге Класе
Kapetan Druge Klase		 Поручник
Porucnik		 Потпоручник
Potporucnik
 Royal Yugoslav Navy
(before 1943)
[45]
Адмирал
Admiral		 Вицеадмирал
Viceadmiral		 Контраадмирал
Kontraadmiral		 Капетан Бојног Брода
Kapetan Bojnog Broda		 Капетан Фрегате
Kapetan Fregate		 Капетан Корвете
Kapetan Korvete		 Поручник Бојног Брода Прве Класе
Poručnik Bojnog Broda Prve Klase		 Поручник Бојног Брода Друге Класе
Poručnik Bojnog Broda Druge Klase		 Поручник Фрегате
Porucnik Fregate		 Поручник Корвете
Porucnik Korvete
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet

See also

Notes
  1. an appointment rather than a substantive rank
  2. Three cherry blossoms were on the sleeve before 1942.
  3. Rank was never awarded during the War.
  4. Reintroduced in 1943.
  5. For ranks used before 1943, see 1935–1940 ranks and 1940–1943 ranks
  6. The rank was only proposed and never used.
  7. Awarded to artillery, aviation, armored troops, signal troops and engineer officers.
  8. Shoulder insignia was changed from 4-stars on 25 May 1945.[43]

References
Citations
  1. Mollo 2001, p. 121.
  2. Mollo 2001, p. 123.
  3. Mollo 2001, p. 126.
  4. Mollo 2001, pp. 49, 51.
  5. Mollo 2001, p. 51.
  6. Littlejohn 1994b, p. 62-63.
  7. Mollo 1981, p. 215.
  8. Mollo 2001, p. 192.
  9. Mollo 2001, p. 194.
  10. Rosignoli 1983, Plate 60.
  11. Mollo 2001, p. 39.
  12. Mollo 2001, p. 29.
  13. Mollo 2001, p. 58.
  14. Mollo 2001, p. 61.
  15. Le Hunsec 2012, p. 91–107.
  16. Mollo 2001, pp. 11, 16.
  17. Mollo 2001, p. 19.
  18. Mollo 2001, p. 99.
  19. Mollo 2001, p. 101.
  20. Littlejohn 1994a, p. 129-131.
  21. Mollo 1981, p. 209.
  22. Mollo 1981, p. 211.
  23. Mollo 2001, p. 180.
  24. Rosignoli 1980, pp. 152–153.
  25. Mollo 2001, p. 187.
  26. Mollo 2001, p. 86.
  27. Mollo 2001, p. 89.
  28. Mollo 2001, p. 93.
  29. Mollo 2001, p. 47.
  30. Mollo 2001, p. 41.
  31. Mollo 2001, p. 42.
  32. Mollo 2001, p. 23.
  33. Mollo 2001, p. 25.
  34. Littlejohn 1994b, p. 95-96.
  35. Mollo 1981, p. 203.
  36. Littlejohn 1994b, p. 98-99.
  37. Rosignoli 1983, Plate 76.
  38. Mollo 1981, p. 206.
  39. Mollo 2001, p. 161.
  40. Shalito, Savchenkov & Mollo 1993, p. 5.
  41. Rosignoli 1972, Plates 58–62.
  42. Mollo 1981, p. 177.
  43. Vedomosti 1945.
  44. Mollo 2001, p. 104.
  45. Mollo 2001, p. 105.
Bibliography
  • Mollo, Andrew (1981). The Armed Forces of World War II: Uniforms, insignia, and organization. New York, N.Y.: Crown Publishers. ISBN 0-517-54478-4. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  • Mollo, Andrew (2001). The Armed Forces of World War II: Uniforms, Insignia & Organisation. Leicester: Silverdale books. ISBN 1-85605-603-1.
  • Le Hunsec, Mathieu (2012-03-15). "L'amiral, cet inconnu". Revue historique des armées (in French) (266): 91–107. ISSN 0035-3299.
  • Littlejohn, David (1994a). Foreign Legions of the Third Reich. Volume 3 (2nd ed.). United States of America: R. James Publishing. ISBN 0-912138-29-7.
  • Littlejohn, David (1994b). Foreign Legions of the Third Reich. Volume 4 (2nd ed.). United States of America: R. James Publishing. ISBN 0-912138-36-X.
  • 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 (1972). Army badges and insignia of World War 2: Book 1. MacMillan Colour Series. New York: Blandford Press Ltd. LCCN 72-85765.
  • 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.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  • Rosignoli, Guido (1983). Badges and insignia of World War II: Air Force, Naval, Marine. Blandford Colour Series. New York: Blandford Press Ltd. ISBN 0-671-06008-2.
  • "Указ Президиума ВС СССР от 25.05.1945 об изменении знаков различия — погонов для адмиралов флота" [Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces of 25 May 1945 on changing the insignia - epaulettes for fleet admirals]. wikisource (in Russian). Vedomosti of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union. 1945. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
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