Comparative officer ranks of World War I

The following table shows comparative officer ranks of several Allied and Central powers during World War I.

Table

Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
Austro-Hungarian Army ^[a]^[1]^[2]
Austro-Hungarian Army ^[a]^[1]^[2]	Feldmarschall Tábornagy		Generaloberst Vezérezredes	General der Waffengattung Tábornok	Feldmarschall-Leutnant Altábornagy	Generalmajor Vezérőrnagy	Oberst Ezredes	Oberstleutnant Alezredes	Major Őrnagy	Hauptmann / Rittmeister Százados / Kapitány		Oberleutnant Főhadnagy		Leutnant Hadnagy
Austro-Hungarian Navy ^[a]^[3]^[4]
Austro-Hungarian Navy ^[a]^[3]^[4]	Großadmiral Főtengernagy			Admiral Tengernagy	Vizeadmiral Altengernagy	Kontreadmiral Ellentengernagy	Linienschiffkapitän Sorhajókapitány	Fregattenkapitän Fregattkapitány	Korvettenkapitän Korvettkapitány	Linienschiffsleutnant Sorhajóhadnagy		Fregattenleutnant Fregatthadnagy		Korvettenleutnant Korvetthadnagy
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
British Army ^[5]^[6]
British Army ^[5]^[6]	Field marshal		General	Lieutenant-general	Major-general	Brigadier-general	Colonel	Lieutenant-colonel	Major	Captain		Lieutenant		Second lieutenant
Royal Navy ^[7]^[8]
Royal Navy ^[7]^[8]	Admiral of the Fleet		Admiral	Vice-admiral	Rear-admiral	Commodore 1st class^[9]	Commodore 2nd class	Captain	Commander	Lieutenant commander		Lieutenant		Sub-lieutenant
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
Royal Bulgarian Army & Air Force^[10]
Royal Bulgarian Army & Air Force^[10]			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
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
French Army ^[11]^[12]^[13]^[14]
French Army ^[11]^[12]^[13]^[14]	Maréchal de France^[b]		Général de division ayant un commandement supérieur (général)^[c]		Général de division	Général de brigade	Colonel	Lieutenant-colonel	Commandant	Capitaine		Lieutenant		Sous-lieutenant
French Navy ^[16]^[17]^[18]
French Navy ^[16]^[17]^[18]	Amiral de France^[b]		Vice-amiral commandant (amiralissime)^[19]		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
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
Imperial German Army^[20]^[21]
Imperial German Army^[20]^[21]	Generalfeldmarschall	Generaloberst mit dem Rang als Generalfeldmarschall	Generaloberst	General der Waffengattung	Generalleutnant	Generalmajor	Oberst	Oberstleutnant	Major	Hauptmann / Rittmeister		Oberleutnant		Leutnant
Imperial German Navy ^[22]^[23]
Imperial German Navy ^[22]^[23]	Großadmiral			Admiral	Vizeadmiral	Konteradmiral	Kapitän zur See/ Kommodore	Fregattenkapitän	Korvettenkapitän	Kapitänleutnant		Oberleutnant zur See		Leutnant zur See
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
Royal Italian Army ^[24]^[25]
Royal Italian Army ^[24]^[25]			Generale d'esercito^[26]	Tenente generale^[d]	Maggior generale^[e]	Brigadier generale	Colonnello	Tenente colonnello	Maggiore	Primo capitano	Capitano	Tenente		Sottotenente
Royal Italian Navy^[27]^[28]
Royal Italian Navy^[27]^[28]			Ammiraglio^[29]	Vice ammiraglio	Contrammiraglio	Sottoammiraglio	Capitano di vascello	Capitano di frigata	Capitano di corvetta	Tenente di vascello		Sottotenent di vascello		Guardiamarina
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
Imperial Japanese Army ^[30]^[31]
Imperial Japanese Army ^[30]^[31]	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 ^[32]^[33]
Imperial Japanese Navy ^[32]^[33]	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 Hēsōchō
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
Ottoman Army^[34]
Ottoman Army^[34]	Müşir		Ferik-i evvel	Ferik-i sânî	Mirliva		Miralay	Kaymakam	Binbaşı	Yüzbaşı		Mülâzım-ı evvel	Mülâzım-ı sânî
Ottoman Navy^[34]
Ottoman Navy^[34]	Müşir amiral		Amiral	Vice amiral	Liva amiral	Komodor	Kalyon kaptanı	Fırkateyn kaptanı	Korvet kaptanı	Birinci sınıf yüzbaşı	Yüzbaşı	Mülâzım-ı evvel	Mülâzım-ı sânî		Mühendis^[f]
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
Portuguese Army ^[35]
Portuguese Army ^[35]	Marechal^[g]		General^[h]			Brigadeiro	Coronel	Tenente-coronel	Major	Capitão		Tenente		Alferes
Portuguese Navy ^[35]
Portuguese Navy ^[35]	Almirante^[g]		Vice-almirante			Contra-almirante	Capitão de mar e guerra	Capitão de fragata	Capitão-tenente	Primeiro-tenente		Segundo-tenente		Guarda-marinha
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
Imperial Russian Army^[i] ^[36]^[37]
Imperial Russian Army^[i] ^[36]^[37]	Генерал-фельдмаршал General-fel'dmarshal		Генерал рода войск General roda voysk	Генерал-лейтенант General-leytenant	Генерал-майор General-mayor		Полковник Polkovnik	Подполковник Podpolkovnik		Капитан Kapitan^[j]	Штабс-капитан Shtabs-kapitan^[k]	Поручик Poruchik	Подпоручик Podporuchik^[l]		Прапорщик Praporshik
Imperial Russian Navy
Imperial Russian Navy	Генерал-адмирал General-admiral		Адмирал Admiral	Вице-адмирал Vitse-admiral	Контр-адмирал Kontr-admiral		Капитан I ранга Kapitan 1-go ranga	Капитан II ранга Kapitan 2-go ranga		Старший лейтенант Starshiy-leytenant		Лейтенант Leytenant		Мичман Michman
Provisional Russian Navy (from 1917) ^[38]^[39]
Provisional Russian Navy (from 1917) ^[38]^[39]			Адмирал Admiral	Вице-адмирал Vitse-admiral	Контр-адмирал Kontr-admiral		Капитан I ранга Kapitan 1-go ranga	Капитан II ранга Kapitan 2-go ranga		Старший лейтенант Starshiy-leytenant		Лейтенант Leytenant		Мичман Michman
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
Royal Serbian Army ^[40]
Royal Serbian Army ^[40]	Bojni Vojvoda^[m]		General^[n]				Pukovnik	Potpukovnik	Major	Kapetan 1. klase	Kapetan 2. klase	Poručnik		Potporučnik
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers
United States Army ^[41]
United States Army ^[41]	General of the Armies^[o]		General	Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier General	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain		First Lieutenant		Second Lieutenant
United States Navy ^[42]
United States Navy ^[42]	Admiral of the Navy^[o]		Admiral	Vice Admiral	Rear Admiral	Commodore	Captain	Commander	Lieutenant Commander	Lieutenant		Lieutenant (junior grade)		Ensign
Rank group	General / flag officers						Senior officers			Junior officers

Notes

^ ^a ^b Austro-Hungarian ranks are shown in both German and Hungarian, as would have been contemporary practice.
^ ^a ^b Maréchal de France and Amiral de France were as much a dignity of state as a military title. Thus British Field Marshals consulted with French Generals in 1914. The elevation of Joseph Joffre to Maréchal in 1916 actually marked a diminution of his powers of command. There was no Amiral de France alive during World War I.
^ Unofficial rank insignia.^[15]
^ There were four grades of Tenente generale: capo di stato maggiore esercito, in comando d'armata, in comando di corpo d'armata and in comando di divisione.
^ There were two grades of Maggior generale: in comando di divisione and in comando di brigata.
^ Worn on the collar.
^ ^a ^b Almirante and Marechal were only honorary ranks, not held by anyone during World War I.
^ The Portuguese Army had the particularity of having only a single rank of General Officer. A Portuguese General could be assigned to command from a brigade to the entire Army.
^ Army/cavalry ranks shown. The cossack cavalry had distinct ranks.
^ Cavalry rank: Rotmistr (Russian: Ротмистр)
^ Cavalry rank: Shtabs-rotmistr (Russian: Штабс-ротмистр)
^ Cavalry rank: Kornet (Russian: Корнет)
^ Field Marshal of Serbia (Voivode) was the highest rank in the army of the Kingdom of Serbia. Radomir Putnik held title from beginning of the war since he was promoted in 1912.
^ Like the Portuguese Army, the Serbian Army had only a single rank of General Officer. A Serbian General could be assigned to command from a division to the entire Army.
^ ^a ^b The US rank Admiral of the Navy was a unique rank created for Admiral George Dewey after the Spanish–American War; it has never been held by any other person. General of the Armies was granted to General Pershing at the end of the war.

References

^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 187–189.
^ Williams 1918, p. 264.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 190–192.
^ Williams 1918, p. 268.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 145.
^ Williams 1918, pp. 228–229.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 151.
^ Williams 1918, pp. 218–220.
^ "Royal Navy Ranks and Badges, World War 1".
^ Thomas & Babac 2001, p. 43.
^ Jouineau 2009, p. 7.
^ Almanach Hachette 1917, p. 77.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 161.
^ Williams 1918, p. 237.
^ Champeaux 2014, pp. 123–124.
^ Funcken & Funcken 1966, pp. 144–145.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 167.
^ Williams 1918, p. 242.
^ Le Hunsec 2012, pp. 91–107.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 171–172.
^ Williams 1918, p. 282.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 174–175.
^ Williams 1918, p. 274.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 177–180.
^ Williams 1918, p. 246.
^ Honorary ranks that can be reached by achievements in battle.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 181–183.
^ Williams 1918, p. 249.
^ Ranks that can be reached only dduring the wartime or mobilization.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 196–198.
^ Williams 1918, p. 260.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 201.
^ Williams 1918, p. 262.
^ ^a ^b Geçer 2022.
^ ^a ^b Over the Front. "Portuguese Ranks". Over the Front. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
^ Bunkley 1918, p. 203.
^ Williams 1918, p. 254.
^ Bunkley 1918, pp. 204–205.
^ Williams 1918, p. 256.
^ Thomas & Babac 2001, p. 39.
^ Williams 1918, pp. 82–83.
^ Williams 1918, pp. 118–119.

Almanach Hachette. Hachette (via genealomaniac.fr). 1917.
Bunkley, Joel William (1918). Military And Naval Recognition Book: A Handbook On The Organization, Uniforms And Insignia Of Rank Of The World's Armed Forces (2nd ed.). New York: D. Van Nostrand Company. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
Champeaux, Antoine (2014). "Général de corps d'armée". Corps (in French). 12 (1): 123. doi:10.3917/corp1.012.0123. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
Funcken, Liliane; Funcken, Fred (1966). L'uniforme et les armes des soldats de la guerre 1914-1918: Cavalerie-Artillerie-Génie-Marine [The uniform and arms of the soldiers of the 1914-1918 war: Cavalry-Artillery-Engineering-Marine] (in French). Vol. 2. Casterman. ASIN B0096OCAEK.
Geçer, Kadir (2022). Osmanlı İmparatorluğu Askerî Kıyafetleri 1826-1922 [Ottoman Empire Military Clothing 1826-1922] (in Turkish). Hisart Culture Publications. ISBN 9786050699814.
Le Hunsec, Mathieu (12 March 2012). "L'amiral, cet inconnu" [The Admiral, the Unknown]. Revue historique des armées (in French) (266): 91–107. ISSN 0035-3299.
Jouineau, André (2009). L'armée française de la Grande Guerre: 1915-1918 [The French Army of the Great War]. Officiers et soldats no. 12. Vol. II. Histoire & Collections. ISBN 978-2-35250-411-5. OCLC 470949883.
Thomas, Nigel; Babac, Dusan (2001). Armies in the Balkans 1914–18. Men-at-Arms. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1841761947.
Williams, Dion (1918). "XI: Uniforms and Insignia of Foreign Armies and Navies". Army and Navy Uniforms and Insignia. New York, N.Y.: Frederick A. Stokes Company. pp. 216–292. Retrieved 5 July 2022.

[Austria-1] Austro-Hungarian ranks are shown in both German and Hungarian, as would have been contemporary practice.

[france-16] Maréchal de France and Amiral de France were as much a dignity of state as a military title. Thus British Field Marshals consulted with French Generals in 1914. The elevation of Joseph Joffre to Maréchal in 1916 actually marked a diminution of his powers of command. There was no Amiral de France alive during World War I.

[bar-18] Unofficial rank insignia.^[15]

[30] There were four grades of Tenente generale: capo di stato maggiore esercito, in comando d'armata, in comando di corpo d'armata and in comando di divisione.

[31] There were two grades of Maggior generale: in comando di divisione and in comando di brigata.

[collar-40] Worn on the collar.

[PORMar-42] Almirante and Marechal were only honorary ranks, not held by anyone during World War I.

[43] The Portuguese Army had the particularity of having only a single rank of General Officer. A Portuguese General could be assigned to command from a brigade to the entire Army.

[44] Army/cavalry ranks shown. The cossack cavalry had distinct ranks.

[47] Cavalry rank: Rotmistr (Russian: Ротмистр)

[48] Cavalry rank: Shtabs-rotmistr (Russian: Штабс-ротмистр)

[49] Cavalry rank: Kornet (Russian: Корнет)

[53] Field Marshal of Serbia (Voivode) was the highest rank in the army of the Kingdom of Serbia. Radomir Putnik held title from beginning of the war since he was promoted in 1912.

[54] Like the Portuguese Army, the Serbian Army had only a single rank of General Officer. A Serbian General could be assigned to command from a division to the entire Army.

[USA-56] The US rank Admiral of the Navy was a unique rank created for Admiral George Dewey after the Spanish–American War; it has never been held by any other person. General of the Armies was granted to General Pershing at the end of the war.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918187–189-2] Bunkley 1918, pp. 187–189.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918264-3] Williams 1918, p. 264.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918190–192-4] Bunkley 1918, pp. 190–192.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918268-5] Williams 1918, p. 268.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918145-6] Bunkley 1918, p. 145.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918228–229-7] Williams 1918, pp. 228–229.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918151-8] Bunkley 1918, p. 151.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918218–220-9] Williams 1918, pp. 218–220.

[10] "Royal Navy Ranks and Badges, World War 1".

[FOOTNOTEThomasBabac200143-11] Thomas & Babac 2001, p. 43.

[FOOTNOTEJouineau20097-12] Jouineau 2009, p. 7.

[FOOTNOTEAlmanach_Hachette191777-13] Almanach Hachette 1917, p. 77.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918161-14] Bunkley 1918, p. 161.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918237-15] Williams 1918, p. 237.

[FOOTNOTEChampeaux2014123–124-17] Champeaux 2014, pp. 123–124.

[FOOTNOTEFunckenFuncken1966144–145-19] Funcken & Funcken 1966, pp. 144–145.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918167-20] Bunkley 1918, p. 167.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918242-21] Williams 1918, p. 242.

[FOOTNOTELe_Hunsec201291–107-22] Le Hunsec 2012, pp. 91–107.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918171–172-23] Bunkley 1918, pp. 171–172.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918282-24] Williams 1918, p. 282.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918174–175-25] Bunkley 1918, pp. 174–175.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918274-26] Williams 1918, p. 274.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918177–180-27] Bunkley 1918, pp. 177–180.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918246-28] Williams 1918, p. 246.

[29] Honorary ranks that can be reached by achievements in battle.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918181–183-32] Bunkley 1918, pp. 181–183.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918249-33] Williams 1918, p. 249.

[34] Ranks that can be reached only dduring the wartime or mobilization.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918196–198-35] Bunkley 1918, pp. 196–198.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918260-36] Williams 1918, p. 260.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918201-37] Bunkley 1918, p. 201.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918262-38] Williams 1918, p. 262.

[FOOTNOTEGeçer2022-39] Geçer 2022.

[Portugal-41] Over the Front. "Portuguese Ranks". Over the Front. Retrieved 1 July 2018.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918203-45] Bunkley 1918, p. 203.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918254-46] Williams 1918, p. 254.

[FOOTNOTEBunkley1918204–205-50] Bunkley 1918, pp. 204–205.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918256-51] Williams 1918, p. 256.

[FOOTNOTEThomasBabac200139-52] Thomas & Babac 2001, p. 39.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams191882–83-55] Williams 1918, pp. 82–83.

[FOOTNOTEWilliams1918118–119-57] Williams 1918, pp. 118–119.

[a]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[b]

[c]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[d]

[e]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[f]

[35]

[g]

[h]

[i]

[36]

[37]

[j]

[k]

[l]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[m]

[n]

[41]

[o]

[42]

[15]

Table

See also

Notes

References