The , from its founding in 1933 to the end of World War II in 1945, used ranks similar to other air forces at the time; however, some Luftwaffe ranks had no equivalent in the Allied air forces. While many ranks might have equivalents in other air forces, in reality the Luftwaffe military had a far greater responsibility; while officers of the Royal Air Force, the British Air Force, were graded to a higher rank when performing higher rank functions, Luftwaffe officers maintained their rank while performing functions, regardless of size of the responsibility assigned to them. Luftwaffe Insignia Title Approximate equivalents during World War II Collar Shoulder Sleeve US UK General of the Army Marshal of the Royal Air Force General Air chief marshal
Lieutenant general Air marshal Major general Air vice-marshal Brigadier general Air commodore Colonel Group captain Lieutenant colonel Wing commander Major Squadron leader Captain Flight lieutenant First lieutenant Flying officer Second lieutenant Pilot officer and (OA) N/A Master Sergeant Warrant officer Flight cadet Acting pilot officer Master sergeant N/A Technical sergeant Flight sergeant Flight cadet Officer cadet Staff sergeant Sergeant Flight cadet Officer cadet Sergeant Corporal Corporal Leading aircraftman Private first class Private Private Aircraftman 2nd class
Condor Legion
Insignia German Rank Spanish equivalent Chest Cuff Source:
See also World War II German Army ranks and insignia Corps colours of the Luftwaffe (1935–45) Luftwaffe personnel structure
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