Ranks and insignia of the German Red Cross

Nurses of the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, DRK) wearing paramilitary uniforms at a leadership school in 1939

The ranks and insignia of the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, abbr. DRK) were the paramilitary rank system used by the national Red Cross Society in Germany during World War II.

Insignia

Armband of the DRK as part of a nurse's clothing
Armband with the DRK version of the "eagle-and-swastika"

Men's uniforms and insignia of the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, DRK) during the Nazi era would include helmets with special decals with the Red Cross eagle. Likewise, belt buckles were also issued with the same eagle.[1][2]

Rank insignia

Uniforms and rank insignia of male members of the German Red Cross during World War II. Book plate from Deutsche Uniformen ("German Uniforms") published around 1942
Shoulder insignia[3] Name[3] Translation Heer equivalent[4]
Generalhauptführer General chief leader Generalleutnant
Generalführer General leader Generalmajor
Oberstführer Colonel leader Oberst
Oberfeldführer Senior field leader Oberstleutnant
Feldführer Field leader Major
Hauptführer Chief leader Hauptmann
Oberwachführer Senior watch leader Oberleutnant
Wachführer Watch leader Leutnant
Enlisted
Haupthelfer mit Zugführer Prüfung Head helper with platoon exam Stabsfeldwebel
Haupthelfer Head helper Oberfeldwebel
Oberhelfer Senior helper Feldwebel
Vorhelfer mit Gruppenführer Prüfung Front helper with group leader exam Unterfeldwebel
Vorhelfer Front helper Unteroffizier
Helfer Helper Gefreiter
Anwärter Candidate Soldat

Nurse ranks

Uniforms and rank insignia of female members and nurses of the German Red Cross during World War II. Book plates from Deutsche Uniformen c. 1942
Collar insignia[5] Name[4] Translation Heer equivalent[4]
Generalhauptführerin General chief leader Generalleutnant
Generalführerin General leader Generalmajor
Oberstführerin Colonel leader Oberst
Oberfeldführerin Senior field leader Oberstleutnant
Feldführerin Field leader Major
Hauptführerin Chief leader Hauptmann
Oberwachführerin Senior latch leader Oberleutnant
Wachführerin Watch leader Leutnant
Haupthelferin Head helper Oberfeldwebel
Oberhelferin Senior helper Feldwebel
Vorhelferin Front helper Unteroffizier
Anwärter Candidate Soldat

See also

References

  1. ^ "German Red Cross". Germania International. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Deutsches Rotes Kreuz". Archived from the original on 25 November 2003. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Uniform und Abzeichen des Deutsches Rotes Kreuz". Deutsche Uniformen. Leipzig: Verlag Moritz Ruhl. 1943. p. Table 14. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  4. ^ a b c Davis 1980, p. 223.
  5. ^ "German Red Cross (Female)". Uniform Insignia. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  • Davis, Brian Leigh (1980). German Uniforms of the Third Reich 1933-1945 (1st ed.). Poole, Dorset: Blandford Press. ISBN 0-7137-0881-6.