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. See also: Comparative officer ranks of World War I

Table
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 British Army
[1][2]
Field marshal General Lieutenant-general Major-general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Officer cadet
 Royal Air Force
[1][3]
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
[1][4]
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
[5]
Luitenant-generaal Generaal-majoor Kolonel Luitenant-kolonel Majoor Kapitein-commandant Kapitein Luitenant Onderluitenant
Belgian Naval Corps
[6]
Kolonel Luitenant-kolonel Majoor Kapitein-commandant Kapitein Luitenant Onderluitenant
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Bulgarian Army & Air Force
[7]
General-pukovnik General-leitenant General-maior Plukovník Podplukovník Maior Kapitan Starshy leytenant Leytenant Mladsy Leytenant
 Bulgarian Navy
Kontra-admiral Kapitan I rang Kapitan II rang Kapitan III rang Leytenant Michman I rang Michman II rang
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Republic of China National Army
[1][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
[1][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
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
[10][11]
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstløjtnant Kaptajn Kaptajnløjtnant Premierløjtnant Løjtnant Sekondløjtnant
 Royal Danish Army
[11][12]
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
[13][14]
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
[13][14]
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
Free French Army & Air Forces
[1][15]
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
 Free French Naval Forces
[1][16]
Amiral de France Amiral de la Flotte 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
[17]
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
[18]
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
[19]
Field Marshal
Στρατάρχης		 General
Στρατηγός		 Lieutenant-General
Ἀντιστράτηγος		 Major-General
Ὑποστράτηγος		 Colonel
Συνταγματάρχης		 Lieutenant-Colonel
Ἀντισυνταγματάρχης		 Major
Ταγματάρχης		 Captain
Λοχαγός		 Lieutenant
Ὑπολοχαγός		 Second Lieutenant
Ἀνθυπολοχαγός		 Officer Cadet
Δόκιμος (Ἀξιωματικός)
Royal Hellenic Air Force
[20]
Marshal of the Royal Hellenic Air Force
Αἰθεράρχης		 Air Chief Marshal
Πτέραρχος		 Air Marshal
Ἀντιπτέραρχος		 Air Vice-Marshal
Ὑποπτέραρχος		 Group Captain
Σμήναρχος		 Wing Commander
Ἀντισμήναρχος		 Squadron Leader
Ἐπισμηναγός		 Flight Lieutenant
Σμηναγός		 Flying Officer
Ὑποσμηναγός		 Pilot Officer
/Acting Pilot Officer
Ἀνθυποσμηναγός
Royal Hellenic Navy
[20]
Admiral of the Fleet
Στολάρχης		 Admiral
Ναύαρχος		 Vice admiral
Ἀντιναύαρχος		 Rear admiral
Ὑποναύαρχος		 Captain
Πλοίαρχος		 Commander
Ἀντιπλοίαρχος		 Lieutenant commander
Πλωτάρχης		 Lieutenant
Ὑποπλοίαρχος		 Sub lieutenant
Ἀνθυποπλοίαρχος		 Midshipman
Σημαιοφόρος		 Officer cadet
Δόκιμος (Ἀξιωματικός)
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Royal Hungarian Army
[21]
Tábornagy Vezérezredes Altábornagy Vezérőrnagy Ezredes Alezredes Őrnagy Százados Főhadnagy Hadnagy
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Imperial Japanese Army & Army Air Service
[22]
Daigensui-Rikugun-Taishō
大元帥陸軍大将
Grand Marshal		 Gensui-Rikugun-Taishō
元帥陸軍大将
Field Marshal		 Rikugun-Taishō
陸軍大将
General		 Rikugun-Chūjō
陸軍中将
Lieutenant General		 Rikugun-Shōshō
陸軍少将
Major General		 Rikugun-Taisa
陸軍大佐
Colonel		 Rikugun-Chūsa
陸軍中佐
Lieutenant Colonel		 Rikugun-Shōsa
陸軍少佐
Major		 Rikugun-Tai-i
陸軍大尉
Captain		 Rikugun-Chūi
陸軍中尉
Lieutenant		 Rikugun-Shōi
陸軍少尉
Second Lieutenant		 Jun-i
准尉
Warrant Officer
 Imperial Japanese Navy
[23][24]
Daigensui-Kaigun-Taishō
大元帥海軍大将
Grand Admiral		 Gensui-kaigun-Taishō
元帥海軍大将
Fleet Admiral		 Kaigun-Taishō
海軍大将
Admiral		 Kaigun-Chūjō
海軍中将
Vice Admiral		 Kaigun-Shōshō
海軍少将
Rear Admiral		 Kaigun-Daisa
海軍大佐
Captain		 Kaigun-Chūsa
海軍中佐
Commander		 Kaigun-Shōsa
海軍少佐
Lieutenant Commander		 Kaigun-Dai-i
海軍大尉
Lieutenant		 Kaigun-Chūi
海軍中尉
Sub Lieutenant		 Kaigun-Shōi
海軍少尉
Ensign		 Hēsōchō
兵曹長
Warrant Officer		 Kaigun shōi kōhosei
海軍少尉候補生
Midshipman
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Royal Italian Army
[25]
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
[26]		 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
[27]
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
Grand admiral Full admiral Appointed full admiral Squadron admiral Divisional admiral Counter admiral Ship of the line captain Frigate captain Corvette captain First ship of the line lieutenant Ship of the line lieutenant Ship of line Sub lieutenant Navy guard Aspirant
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Manchukuo Imperial Army
總司令
Zǒng sīlìng		 上将
Shàng jiàng		 中将
Zhōng jiàng		 少将
Shàojiàng		 上校
Shàngxiào		 中校
Zhōng xiào		 少校
Shàoxiào		 上尉
Shàngwèi		 中尉
Zhōngwèi		 少尉
Shàowèi		 准尉
Zhǔnwèi
 Manchukuo Imperial Navy
Admiral Vice admiral Rear admiral Captain Commander Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant Sub-Lieutenant Acting Sub-Lieutenant
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Mengjiang National Army
上将
Shàng jiàng		 中将
Zhōng jiàng		 少将
Shàojiàng		 上校
Shàngxiào		 中校
Zhōng xiào		 少校
Shàoxiào		 上尉
Shàngwèi		 中尉
Zhōngwèi		 少尉
Shàowèi		 准尉
Zhǔnwèi
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Royal Netherlands Army
[28]
Generaal Luitenant-generaal Generaal-majoor Kolonel Luitenant-kolonel Majoor Kapitein/Ritmeester 1e Luitenant 2e Luitenant
 Royal Netherlands Navy
[28]
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
[29][30]
General Generalløjtnant Generalmajor Oberst Oberstløitnant Major Kaptein/
Rittmester		 Premierløitnant Sekondløitnant
 Royal Norwegian Navy
[31]
Admiral Viceadmiral Kontreadmiral Kommandør Kommandørkaptein Kaptein Løitnant Sekundløitnant
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Polish Army & Air Force
[1][32]
Marszałek Polski Generał broni Generał dywizji Generał brygady Pułkownik Podpułkownik Major Kapitan[lower-alpha 1] Porucznik Podporucznik
 Polish Navy
[1][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]
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
[35]
 Royal Romanian Navy
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
United States Army & Army Air Force
[1][36]		 Various
General of the Armies[lower-alpha 2] 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
[1][36]		 Various
Admiral of the Navy[lower-alpha 2] Fleet Admiral Admiral Vice Admiral Rear Admiral Commodore[lower-alpha 3] 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)
[1][37]
Гла́вный ма́ршал рода войск
Glavny marshal roda voysk		 Маршал рода войск
Marshal roda voysk		 Генера́л а́рмии
General armii
Генерали́ссимус Сове́тского Сою́за
Generalíssimus Sovétskogo Soyúza[lower-alpha 4]		 Ма́ршал Сове́тского Сою́за
Marshal Sovétskogo Soyuza		 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
 Soviet Navy
[1]
Адмирал флота
Admiral flota[lower-alpha 5]		 Адмирал
Admiral		 Вице-адмирал
Vitse-admiral		 Контр-адмирал
Kontr-admiral		 Капитан 1-го ранга
Kapitan 1-go ranga		 Капитан 2-го ранга
Kapitan 2-go ranga		 Капитан 3-го ранга
Kapitan 3-go ranga		 Капитан-лейтенант
Kapitan-leytenant		 Старший лейтенант
Starshiy leytenant		 Лейтенант
Leytenant		 Младший лейтенант
Mladshiy leytenant
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Royal Yugoslav Army
(before 1943)
[38]
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)
[39]
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)
[39]
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
Yugoslav Partisans
(after 1943)
Maršal Jugoslavije[lower-alpha 6] General-pukovnik General-lajtant General-major Pukovnik Potpukovnik Major Kapetan Poručnik Potporučnik Zastavnik
Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet

See also

Notes
  1. Traditionally captains of Polish cavalry held the rank of rotmistrz, a direct equivalent of the rank of kapitan in other branches of the military.
  2. This rank was never awarded during the War.
  3. Reintroduced in 1943.
  4. This rank was only proposed and never used.
  5. Elevated to position equal to Marshal of the Soviet Union in 1945.
  6. This was the highest rank of (equivalent to Soviet Marshal) and simultaneously a Yugoslav honorific title.

References
Citations
  1. Military Courtesy 1943.
  2. Mollo 2001, p. 121.
  3. Mollo 2001, p. 123.
  4. Mollo 2001, p. 126.
  5. Mollo 2001, pp. 49, 51.
  6. Mollo 2001, p. 51.
  7. Littlejohn 1994b, p. 62-63.
  8. Mollo 2001, p. 192.
  9. Mollo 2001, p. 194.
  10. "Danish Army Insignia". Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  11. Mollo 2001, p. 39.
  12. Balsved, Johnny (22 March 2008). "Distinktioner og gradstegn" [Rank Insignia]. Navalhistory.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  13. "Finnish Insignia". Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  14. Mollo 2001, p. 29.
  15. Mollo 2001, p. 58.
  16. Mollo 2001, p. 61.
  17. Mollo 2001, pp. 11, 16.
  18. Mollo 2001, p. 19.
  19. Mollo 2001, p. 99.
  20. Mollo 2001, p. 101.
  21. Littlejohn 1994a, p. 129-131.
  22. Mollo 2001, p. 180.
  23. Rosignoli 1980, pp. 152–153.
  24. Mollo 2001, p. 187.
  25. Mollo 2001, p. 86.
  26. Mollo 2001, p. 89.
  27. Mollo 2001, p. 93.
  28. Mollo 2001, p. 47.
  29. Rühl n.d.
  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. Littlejohn 1994b, p. 98-99.
  36. Mollo 2001, p. 161.
  37. Shalito, Savchenkov & Mollo 1993, p. 5.
  38. Mollo 2001, p. 104.
  39. Mollo 2001, p. 105.
Bibliography
  • "Military Courtesy". Newsmap. 1 (48). 22 March 1943. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  • Mollo, Andrew (2001). The Armed Forces of World War II: Uniforms, Insignia & Organisation. Leicester: Silverdale books. ISBN 1-85605-603-1.
  • 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 (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.CS1 maint: location (link)
  • Rühl, Moritz (n.d.). "The Army of Norway 1939". Uniformology. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
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