Question about Unteroffizier mit Portepee rank

[Thomas]

Hello all, I am trying to understand the rank of Unteroffizier mit Portepee which was Feldwebel and Vizefeldwebel, which were the guys that wore the NCO cockade on thier helmets.

1. Can I assume that a Feldwebel was the equivilant to a Master-Sergeant here in the US, and a RSM in the UK?

2. If so, would there only be one in each regiment?

[Glenn J]

The Feldwebel can best be equated to a Company/Battery/Squadron Sergeant Major or First Sergeant (US). Each infantry battalion normally had four (one for each company). Similarly a five squadron cavalry regiment would have five Wachtmeister. There was no rank or indeed a position of RSM in Imperial times and the most senior line NCO on the staff of a regiment or battalion would have been the chief clerk usully in the rank of Vizefeldwebel or Sergeant. The Bandmaster held the same rank but was senior to the line Feldwebel/Wachtmeister.

Regards

Glenn

[Thomas]

The Feldwebel can best be equated to a Company/Battery/Squadron Sergeant Major or First Sergeant (US). Each infantry battalion normally had four (one for each company). Similarly a five squadron cavalry regiment would have five Wachtmeister. There was no rank or indeed a position of RSM in Imperial times and the most senior line NCO on the staff of a regiment or battalion would have been the chief clerk usully in the rank of Vizefeldwebel or Sergeant. The Bandmaster held the same rank but was senior to the line Feldwebel/Wachtmeister. Regards Glenn

Thank you, that clears things up. What about the appointment of an Etatm?ssiger Feldwebel - AKA "Der Spiess". These guys were Unteroffizier mit Portepee but also got the second loop of braid around the cuffs. How were they different from the 'average" Unteroffizier mit Portepee Feldwebel?

[Glenn J]

Thank you, that clears things up. What about the appointment of an Etatm?ssiger Feldwebel - AKA "Der Spiess". These guys were Unteroffizier mit Portepee but also got the second loop of braid around the cuffs. How were they different from the 'average" Unteroffizier mit Portepee Feldwebel?

Thomas,

the Feldwebel was the Etatm?ssiger Feldwebel - AKA "Der Spiess (one per company/battery/squadron). The series of Almark Imperial Cavary books from the seventies confuses the issue but each company Feldwebel wore the double cuff rings. Conversely the Vizefeldwebel had just the one row of cuff braid.

See the photo below showing 4 Feldwebel and one Vizefeldwebel from a Foot Guards Battalion.

Regards

Glenn

[Thomas]

Thank you VERY much. :cheers:

[Guest Rick Research]

And just top muddy the waters, there was a POSITION "Bezirksfeldwebel" back in each home district recruiting/administrative area whose holder could have been ANY actual rank-- Unteroffizier or whatever.

So if you come across references to a "Bezirksfeldwebel" that did NOT indicate an actual uniformed rank, just the duty position title.

[joerookery]

I am trying to understand the rank of Unteroffizier mit Portepee which was Feldwebel and Vizefeldwebel, which were the guys that wore the NCO cockade on thier helmets.

Don't forget about F?hnriche. While they were Unteroffizier mit Portepee they did not all wear the cockade. No American rank corresponds. :speechless1:

[bob lembke]

I love the touch of the cooling Sekt or Champagne in Glenn's photo of what seems to be a staff meeting, post # 5. Guys who seemed to know how to live well!

Bob

[Les]

So if you come across ..... a "Beserk feldwebel" .

Be vewy vewy careful if you do find one....