Heer Heer Beamter

[Ulsterman]

I got this recently-it's of a staff officer I think of Hauptmann or Majors' rank. My reference is only Davis i'm afriad. Can anyone tell me what rank this old WW1 vet (Ek2/Aust. medal/Hkx) was? Thanks.

[Paul R]

Well, not to make things complicated, there are two answers to that question.

The Adminstrative Corps went by levels AND Paygrade. The level was determined by the level and type of formal education one received. For example, to qualify for the lowest level, one only had to complete High School and have some vocational training. The rank capped off at Stabsfeldwebel.

Yours is badged for an officer at the Highest Level. That means that he has a full college degree. This can be IDed by the style of collar tabs being used. The "Highest Level" opened the rank equivs. of Hauptman-General.

Your Officer is an Admin Officer, Highest Level. He his paygrade is that of a major. I would love to know the nebenfarbe on the boards!

Regards

PAul

[Guest Rick Research]

No name on back?

As a WILD guess, always a gamble with black and white photos, I'd say he's a pharmacist-- light lime green. Without knowing the branch, can't give the title, which varied by whatever kind of Beamter he was.

From the secret May 1939 list, a lot of this level were "direct commission" specialists without long military service.

[Ulsterman]

Thank you Gentlemen.

[DonC]

To further stir the pot, I am not sure that that is an "HV" cypher on his board - it looks more like the Wehrmachtsadler device, which would mean that he was serving in an even more arcane capacity... I'll have to dig out my Angolia tonight and have a look.

Don

[Laurence Strong]

The Wehrmacht adler would indicate a "War/Military Administration Official":

Created near the end of 1939 members of this branch had the duties of administering the domestic economy and other administrative tasks in the newly-occupied territories. They were first called "Kriegsverwaltungsbeamte" (War Administration Officials). This was changed during August of 1941. They were now called "Militarverwaltungsbeamte" (Military Administration Officials) The shoulder boards for officers and NCO's remained the same, except the HV was replaced with the adler device.

Hope this helps

Edited January 24, 2007 by Laurence Strong

[Ulsterman]

It does-thank you. the photo is fuzzy, but my money is on an eagle.

[Laurence Strong]

It does-thank you. the photo is fuzzy, but my money is on an eagle.

I would have to agree with you.

[DonC]

Thanks, Laurence - I feel vindicated!

Don