NCO Rank Insignia
of the Schutztruppe and Other Imperial German Overseas Forces

Non Commissioned Officers of the Schutztruppe, Marine Infantry, East Asian Troops and units serving in the Middle East had the same ranks as the Imperial German army back home.

Note that the German word "Unteroffizier" (literally of a rank under an officer) refers both specifically to the rank of a corporal and also as a general term for NCOs between the rank of corporal and sergeant-major.

Imperial Army and Schutztruppe NCO Ranks
There were five basic ranks of NCO in the Imperial Army and Schutztruppe. These and the private soldiers were divided into three categories: private ranks, junior NCOs and senior NCOs. Their German titles and rough British translations/equivalents were:

Gefreiter
Unteroffizier
Sergeant
Vize-Feldwebel
Feldwebel

-
-
-
-
-

 Lance Corporal
 Corporal
 Sergeant
 Senior Sergeant
 Sergeant Major

Private Ranks- Mannschaften
These were the privates and first class privates ("Gefreiter"). Privates' titles depended on the unit they served in.  

A private mounted infantryman of the German South West African Schutztruppe was known as a "Reiter". There were no German private soldiers in the East African or Cameroon Schutztruppe before the First World War, nor in the Polizeitruppe. An askari of the German East African Schutztruppe was of course called an "Askari", while an East African police askari was called a "Polizei-Askari". An African soldier of the Cameroon Schutztruppe was called simply a "Soldat" or "Farbige-Soldat". A locally recruited policeman from Cameroon, Togo, New Guinea, or Samoa was called a "Polizei-Soldat", while one in Tsingtao was called a "Gendarm". A marine in the Seebataillone was called a "See-Soldat". In the East Asian Army private soldiers were known by their arm of service as in the home army. An infantryman was a "Musketier", a light infantryman was a "Jäger" and a cavalryman was a "Reiter" as in the South West African Schutztruppe. An artilleryman was an "Artillerist" and a pioneer was a "Pionier". The same system was used for German units on Ottoman fronts during the First World War. Reservists called up in the colonies during the Fist World War had the title "Reservist", "Landwehrmannn" or "Landsturmann" depending on their band of service. When reservists held NCO titles they were known by their NCO title and reserve status such as "Sergeant der Landwehr".

The private first class ("Gefreiter") was not technically counted as a true NCO though he did out rank the ordinary private soldier. This rank was not in use among the German personnel of the East African and Cameroon Schutztruppe.

Both the privates and privates first class wore bayonets with bayonet knots ("Troddel") in company colours (see Bayonet Knots). Cavalry and mounted artillery other ranks such as those in East Asia and Palestine carried a sword and sword knot ("Faustriemen"). African and other locally recruited soldiers did not wear bayonet knots.

Junior NCOs- Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee
These were the junior NCOs, holding the ranks of corporal and sergeant ("Unteroffizier" and "Sergeant").

Junior NCOs in the Schutztruppe, Marine Infantry and East Asian Occupation Brigade carried bayonets but wore their Troddel knots in imperial colours rather than company colours. Those in the Imperial army back home (and those in the East Asian Expeditionary Corps) wore Troddel knots in state colours.

Cavalry and mounted artillery junior NCOs such as those in East Asia and Palestine carried a sword and Faustriemen sword knot in state colours.

Senior NCOs- Unteroffiziere mit Portepee
These were the senior NCOs, Senior Sergeant or literally Vice Sergeant Major ("Vize-Feldwebel") and full Sergeant Major ("Feldwebel"). In cavalry units the ranks were titled "Vize-Wachtmeister" and "Wachtmeister" respectively.

These ranks carried the sword on parade and with it a sword knot ("Portepee") in Imperial colours (state colours for the Imperial Army in Germany). This sword knot was worn on a bayonet on campaign. For this reason the senior NCOs were known as "Unteroffiziere mit Portepee" (NCO's with sword knots) as opposed to the junior NCOs "Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee" (NCOs without sword knots).

There was no difference in that rank insignia on the home uniform from Sergeant to Vize-Feldwebel. The only clue being the addition of a Portepee rather than a Troddel.

In the cavalry and mounted artillery the rank of Feldwebel was known as Wachtmeister, while that of Vize-Feldewebel was correspondingly known as Vize-Wachtmeister.

As well as the sword, German Senior NCOs were entitled to wear some items of officer's uniforms such as metallic embossed cockades and the officers lace belt on parade. Their uniforms were often privately purchased and of higher quality.

NCO Ranks in Wartime Officer Positions
During the First World War a shortage of officers led to NCOs being given officer duties. These men received two new titles, "Feldwebelleutnant" and "Offizierstellvertreter" (Deputy Officer). These ranks were not awarded in the colonies but some NCO/Officers may have served on Ottoman Fronts, Macedonia and in Georgia. The ranks would also have been used by the Marine Infantry on the Western Front.

Rank Insignia
As well as the bayonet knot to distinguish weather the holder was of private rank, junior NCO or senior NCO, NCOs displayed their rank insignia in two different ways on different uniforms.

Collar Buttons and Cuff Lace
On the grey Home Uniforms rank was displayed by a series of buttons and lace bars on the collar and cuffs. This was the same system as used by the regular imperial army on their peacetime dark blue and wartime field grey uniforms.

Chevrons on the Sleeve
On the tropical white and khaki uniforms Schutztruppe NCOs displayed their rank in the form of chevrons on the upper left arm. This was a similar system as used by the regular imperial army on the Litewka uniforms.

 


Feldwebel
South West African Schutztruppe
He wears the home uniform with his rank displayed as lace bars on the collar and cuff and a button on the collar.
Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv


Unteroffizier
East African Schutztruppe
He wears the tropical uniform with his rank displayed as a chevron on the left sleeve.
Photo © JW Collection


Schausch
12. FK, Mahenge, East Africa
His rank as Schausch or Unteroffizier is shown by two red chevrons on his upper left arm.
Photo © Joe Robinson

 
     
 

Collar and Cuff NCO Rank Insignia of the Schutztruppe
worn on the Home and Corduroy Uniforms

Figure A
Gefreiter
SW African Schutztruppe
1897 Home Uniform
Figure B
Unteroffizier
East African Schutztruppe
1897 Home Uniform
Figure C
Sergeant
SW African Schutztruppe
1894 Corduroy Uniform
Figure D
Vize-Feldwebel
Cameroon Schutztruppe
1897 Home Uniform
Figure E
Feldwebel
SW African Schutztruppe
1897 Home Uniform
     

On the grey Home Uniform and South West African Corduroy Waffenrock rank was displayed by a series of buttons and lace bars on the collar and cuffs. This was the same system as used by the regular imperial army on their peacetime dark blue and wartime field grey uniforms.

Figure A shows the insignia worn by a Gefreiter or Lance Corporal of the South West African Schutztruppe on the 1897 home uniform. This rank was not in use among the German personnel of the East African and Cameroon Schutztruppe. The insignia consisted of one small white metal button bearing the Imperial Eagle on either side of the the collar in line with the shoulder straps.

Figure B shows the insignia worn by an Unteroffizier or Corporal of the East African Schutztruppe on the 1897 home uniform. The insignia consisted of a white metallic lace bar around the collar and cuffs.

Note that the collar Litzen is partially under the lace bar. This was common among junior NCOs who had added the lace bar to their old uniforms where the Litzen used to fill the collar area. When new uniforms were made for the NCO, smaller Litzen was used that fitted above the lace bar.

Figure C shows the insignia worn by a Sergeant of the South West African Schutztruppe on the 1894 corduroy uniform. The most notable difference on these early Schutztruppe tunics was the pointed Polish cuff. The insignia consisted of a white metallic lace bar around the collar and cuffs (in this case note how they follow the line of the Polish cuffs) and one large white metal button bearing the Imperial Eagle on either side of the the collar in line with the shoulder straps.

Figure D shows the insignia worn by a Vize-Feldwebel or Senior Sergeant of the Cameroon Schutztruppe on the 1897 home uniform.

The insignia consisted of a white metallic lace bar around the collar and cuffs and one large white metal button bearing the Imperial Eagle on either side of the the collar in line with the shoulder straps. This insignia was identical to that of the Sergeant but with the addition of a sword and sword knot.

Figure E shows the insignia worn by a Feldwebel or Sergeant Major of the South West African Schutztruppe on the 1897 home uniform.

The insignia consisted of a white metallic lace bar around the collar and cuffs with an additional bar above the cuff and one large white metal button bearing the Imperial Eagle on either side of the the collar in line with the shoulder straps. They also carried a sword and sword knot.

 


Collar of a Schutztruppe Sergeant
This is the collar of a South West African Schutztruppe 1897 home uniform. Note the Sergeant's white metallic collar lace and the large white metal collar button.
Photo © Traditionsverband
at the
Rödelsee Kolonial Museum, Germany


Cuff of a Schutztruppe Unteroffizier
This is the cuff of a South West African Schutztruppe 1897 home uniform. Note the Unteroffizier's white metallic lace around the cuff.
Photo © Private Collector

     

Unteroffizier Brodertz
South West African Schutztruppe
He wears the 1897 grey home uniform and Südwester hat all faced in blue for South West Africa. Note the single row of lace on collar and cuffs and no collar button.
Photo © Peter Klein

Vizefeldwebel Buschan
South West African Schutztruppe
He wears the 1897 grey home uniform and peaked field cap all faced in blue for South West Africa. Note the single row of lace on collar and cuffs, just visible collar button and the senior NCOs sword.
Photo © Karsten Herzogenrath

Feldwebel
Cameroon Schutztruppe
He wears the 1897 grey home uniform and Südwester hat all faced in red for Cameroon. Note the double row of lace on the cuffs, single lace and button on the collar and the senior NCOs sword.
Photo © Karsten Herzogenrath
     

Arm Chevron NCO Rank Insignia of the Schutztruppe
worn on the White and Khaki Tropical Uniforms

Figure A
Gefreiter
SW African Schutztruppe
Figure B
Unteroffizier
Schutztruppe
Figure C
Sergeant
Schutztruppe
Figure D
Vize-Feldwebel
Schutztruppe
Figure E
Feldwebel
Schutztruppe
   

On the tropical white and khaki uniforms and South West African Corduroy Litewka Schutztruppe NCOs displayed their rank in the form of chevrons on the upper left arm. This was a similar system as used by the regular imperial army on the Litewka uniforms.

Figure A shows the insignia worn by a Gefreiter or Lance Corporal of the South West African Schutztruppe. This rank was not in use among the German personnel of the East African and Cameroon Schutztruppe. The insignia consisted of one small metal button on either side of the the collar in line with the shoulder straps.

Figure B shows the insignia worn by a Unteroffizier or Corporal of the Schutztruppe. The insignia consisted of a single chevron on the upper left arm.

Figure C shows the insignia worn by a Sergeant of the Schutztruppe. The insignia consisted of two chevrons on the upper left arm.

Figure D shows the insignia worn by a Vize-Feldwebel or Senior Sergeant of the Schutztruppe. The insignia consisted of three chevrons on the upper left arm.

Figure E shows the insignia worn by a Feldwebel or Sergeant Major of the Schutztruppe. The insignia consisted of four chevrons on the upper left arm.

NCO chevrons were removable, being held onto the sleeve by three hooks holding onto three loops on the left sleeve. This often gave the impression of them almost hanging off the uniform (see right). The chevrons were removed when washing the uniform and also sometimes in action.

Early East African Schutztruppe NCOs (c1891-96) wore the same system of chevrons but their chevrons were in ellow metallic lace and sometimes wider and with vertical ends.

Early South West African Schutztruppe NCOs (c1894-96) wore the collar and cuff lace insignia but period photos also show them with  chevrons in the imperial colours on their right sleeves

 


Feldwebel Chevrons
 (See Schutztruppe Khaki Uniform Page)
Photo
© Doppler Collection


Detail of how the chevrons were attached
Photo ©  Doppler Collection

     


Gefreiter
South West African Schutztruppe
Artillery Battery, Narubis
He wears the 1896 khaki tropical uniform and Südwester hat all faced in blue for South West Africa. Note the single collar button.
Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv


Unteroffizier
East African Schutztruppe c1891-96
This NCO wears the 1891 tropical uniform notable by the three buttons on his Brandenburg cuff. Note the shape of the early rank chevron being wider and with vertical ends.

Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv

Feldwebel
East African Schutztruppe
He wears the 1896 white tropical uniform and peaked field cap, the latter faced in white for East Africa. Note the four chevrons in a triangle on the left sleeve and the senior NCOs sword.
Photo © Peter Klein
     

East African Askari Rank Insignia

Figure A
Ombascha
Polizeitruppe
Figure B
Schausch
Schutztruppe
Figure C
Bet-Schausch
Schutztruppe
Figure D
Sol
Schutztruppe
Figure E
Effendi
Schutztruppe
     

Note that the insignia of African ranks differed by one chevron from German ranks (eg. a German Gefreiter wore no chevrons, an African wore one, a German Unteroffizier wore one chevron, and African wore two etc).

Despite them having nominally similar ranks, German NCOs always outranked African NCOs.

Figure A shows the insignia worn by an askari Ombascha (or Gefreiter). The insignia consisted of a single red chevron worn on the upper left arm.

Figure B shows the insignia worn by an askari Schausch (or Unteroffizier). The insignia consisted of two red chevrons worn on the upper left arm.

Figure C shows the insignia worn by an askari Bet-Schausch (or Sergeant). The insignia consisted of three red chevrons worn on the upper left arm.

Figure D shows the insignia worn by an askari Sol (or Feldwebel). The insignia consisted of four red chevrons worn on the upper left arm.

Figure E shows the insignia worn by an askari Effendi (or Officer). The insignia consisted of three five-pointed white metal stars worn on each shoulder strap of a German officers uniform worn without the blue piping (see Effendi Uniforms).

African NCO Ranks Cameroon and Togo
The Cameroon Schutztruppe did not use Sudanese rank titles as the East Africans did but they did use the same insignia. Hence a Gefreiter wore a single red chevron, and Unteroffizier wore two, a Sergeant wore three and a Feldwebel wore four.
(See African Soldiers in the Cameroon Schutztruppe)

The African Feldwebel in Cameroon also was distinguished by wearing a similar uniform and Südwester hat to the German soldiers rather than the African other ranks.

The same rank insignia was used by the Cameroon Polizeitruppe.

African NCOs in the Togo Polizeitruppe used the same insignia but often on both sleeves and sometimes on the lower sleeve (see African Soldiers in the Togo Polizeitruppe).

 


Artillery Ombascha
East African Schutztruppe c1914
This askari wears the khaki uniform with tarbush. On his left sleeve is the white oval with exploding red grenade of a gun layer, the single red chevron of an Ombascha and two marksman ship awards as lace bars on the cuff.
Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv

     


Schausch
East African Schutztruppe c1890
This NCO wears a red fez and khaki uniform. Before the standardisation of askari rank insignia in the early 1890s several variations were seen. In this case the two red chevrons of his rank are worn on the lower right cuff above a band in the imperial colours. Note he wears a Prussian medal on his left breast, possibly the Military Honour Decoration.
Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv


Schausch
East African Schutztruppe c1917
This askari is typical of their appearance during the latter half of the First World War. He wears little if anything of his original uniform but the two red chevrons on his left sleeve still denote his rank.
Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv


Gefreiter
Cameroon Schutztruppe c1900-14
This NCO wears the standard khaki uniform of African soldiers in the Cameroon Schutztruppe with red collar and cuff bars. On his left sleeve partially obscured by the next soldier's JB71 rifle is the single red chevron of a Gefreiter.
Photo © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv
     

Marine Infantry NCO Rank Insignia

Figure A
Gefreiter
I. Seebataillon
Home Uniform
Figure B
Unteroffizier
III. Seebataillon
Home Uniform
Figure C
Sergeant
III. Seebataillon
Tropical Uniform
Figure D
Vize-Fedwebel
Marine Detachment Skutari
Tropical Uniform
Figure E
Feldwebel
III. Seebataillon
Litewka
     

In the Marine Infantry NCO rank insignia was worn in the style of the Imperial army, that is lace and buttons on the collar and cuffs. There were several variations depending on which uniform the insignia was worn with.

Dark Blue Home Uniform
On the dark blue home uniform rank insignia was shown as yellow metal imperial eagle buttons on the collar and yellow metallic lace on the upper edge of the collar and also on the cuffs. See figures A and B.

Khaki Tropical Uniform
On the khaki tropical uniform rank insignia was shown as yellow metal imperial eagle buttons unusually worn on the front edge of the collar and lace on the collar and cuffs. The lace was white with threads of red and black and is shown in different period photographs as being worn on the upper and lower edges of the collar.

Photos of NCOs of the III Seebataillon in China show them with the lace on the upper edge. Knötel and Pietsch illustrate the Marine Detachment Skutari NCOs as having their lace on the lower edge. Period photographs of the Marine Expeditionskorps to South West Arica in 1904-05 show some NCOs with lace on the upper edge and some with lace on the lower edge. See figures C and D.

Litewka
NCO rank was shown in the form of buttons on the collar behind the collar patch and yellow metallic lace on the lower edge of the collar. The rank of Feldwebel was authorised also to wear four chevrons on the upper left sleeve. See Figure E.

Some photographs show lower ranking NCOs wearing fewer chevrons on the blue Litewka in China.

Period photographs of some captured wartime reservist NCOs of the III. Seebataillon at Tsingtao (seen at the Tsingtau.Info website) show them wearing the grey Litewka with shortened lace only around the front edge of the collar.

Field Grey
Like the Imperial Army, the Marine Infantry wore shortened dull coloured lace on their collar lower edge and cuffs and dull metal buttons on the collar on their 1910 field grey uniforms under wartime conditions. On the 1915 field grey uniform the lace was shortened to just the front lower edge and a short bar on the cuffs. The buttons remained the same dull metal.

 


Feldwebel of the II. Seebataillon
Wilhelmshaven, Germany

He wears the dark blue home uniform and peaked cap both with white facings. His sword with sword knot and yellow metallic double rank lace on the cuffs show him to be a Feldwebel. He wears  a marksmanship lanyard on the right chest and several medals on the left- the Prussian Military Honour Award, the South West African Medal with clasp, the Prussian Wilhelm I Centenary Medal and below it the Prussian other ranks Long Service Award third class.
Photo © Peter Klein

     


Gefreiter of the III. Seebataillon
Tsingtao, China
He wears the khaki tropical uniform with tropical helmet bearing the Imperial eagle over an anchor. Note the collar buttons are worn at the front of the collar on the Marine Infantry tropical uniform. Also note the company coloured bayonet knot rather than the Imperial coloured knot of higher ranks.
Photo © Joe Robinson


Soldiers and NCOs of the Marine Expeditionskorps
attached to the Schutztruppe Ostabteilung, South West Africa 1904
This photograph was taken on the Swakopmund to Windhuk train during the Herero Rebellion. It shows Marine Infantry wearing the khaki tropical uniform with tropical helmets. Note the two NCOs, second from left and right foreground with lace in Imperial colours on their collars and cuffs. Very interestingly the NCO on the left has lace on the lower edge of his collar while the NCO on the right has lace on the upper edge of his.
Photo by Jean Bantz © Frankfurt University Koloniales Bildarchiv

     

Overseas Army NCO Rank Insignia
in China and Palestine

Figure A
Gefreiter
East Asian Cavalry Regt
Tropical Uniform
China 1900-01
Figure B
Unteroffizier
3rd East Asian Infantry Regt
Litewka Uniform
China c1900-01
Figure C
Sergeant
1st East Asian Infantry Regt
Tropical Uniform
China c1901-04
Figure D
Vize-Feldwebel
Asienkorps
Palestine 1916-18
Figure E
Feldwebel
Asienkorps
Palestine c1916-18
     
The imperial army almost always used the collar and cuff style of rank insignia with a single button on the collar for Gefreiter, a lace bar on the collar and cuff for Unteroffizier, a lace bar on the collar and cuff and a button on the collar for Sergeant and Vize-Feldwebel and  a double row of lace and collar button for Feldwebel. On their deployments overseas in China and Palestine they wore variations on this system.

East Asian Expeditionary Corps Tropical Uniform 1900-01
On the khaki Drillichrock NCO rank was shown as collar buttons and lace at the front and top edge of the collar in the same colour as the buttons (yellow for most units, white for pioneers). Figure A shows the collar button without lace insignia of a Gefreiter of the East Asian Cavalry Regiment (with red shoulder straps) as worn in China 1900-01.

East Asian Expeditionary Corps Winter Uniform Uniform 1900-01
On the dark blue Litewka NCO rank was shown as collar buttons and lace at the front and top edge of the collar in the same colour as the buttons. Figure B shows the lace insignia without collar button of an Unteroffizier of the 3rd East Asian Infantry Regiment (with white shoulder straps and a red number 3) as worn in China 1900-01.

East Asian Occupation Brigade Khaki and Field Grey Uniforms 1901-09
On the new khaki and field grey uniforms of the East Asian troops authorised in 1901 NCO rank was shown as collar buttons and lace at the front and top edge of the collar in imperial colours (see photo on the right). All officers and NCOs (above the rank of Gefreiter) wore a single chevron in imperial colours on the left arm. Figure C shows single chevron and the lace insignia with collar button of a Sergeant or Vize-Feldwebel of the 1st East Asian Infantry Regiment (with white piped shoulder straps and a red number 1) as worn in China 1900-04 (the khaki uniform was discarded in 1904 but the same insignia continued to be worn.

Pascha I and II 1916 Khaki Uniform
As with the army's field grey uniforms, on the khaki uniform of the Pascha Expeditions NCO rank insignia was shown as dull metal buttons and dull lace around the lower edge of the collar. Period photographs show that this was sometimes worn around the whole collar and at other times cut short around the front edge. Figure D shows the insignia of a Vize-Feldwebel of the Asienkorps as worn in Palestine c1916-18.

Pascha II Schutztruppe Uniforms
Period photographs show that some of the Pascha II Expedition were issued 1896 Schutztruppe khaki uniforms. On these uniforms NCO rank insignia was shown in the style of the Schutztruppe as white metallic chevrons on the upper left sleeve. Figure E shows the insignia of a Feldwebel of the Asienkorps as worn in Palestine c1916-18.

 


Collar Insignia of a Sergeant of the
East Asian Occupation Brigade
Note the imperial coloured lace and single yellow metal collar button.

 Photo by C Dale at the Imperial War Museum, London


Collar Insignia of an Unteroffizier of the Pascha Expeditions
Note the shortened dull grey lace and dull buttons.
Photo by C Dale at the Bavarian Army Museum, Ingolstadt

     
East Asian Army NCO Rank Insignia


Unteroffizier and Bugler
of an East Asian Infantry Regiment 1900
He wears the 1900 khaki uniform with straw hat. Note the musicians swallows nest insignia on the shoulder and the NCO lace on the collar. On his left breast he wears the Prussian Wilhelm I Centenary Medal.
Photo © Peter Klein


Gefreiter
1st East Asian Infantry Regt
Shanghai, China 1901
He wears the dark blue Litewka tunic with the khaki field cap. Note the collar button without lace around the edge, showing him to be a Gefreiter.

Photo © Johan Jansens

 


Unteroffizier Musician
Train Company,
East Asian Occupation Brigade c1901

He wears the 1900/01 Field Grey Uniform with the unique field grey shako worn only by the Train and the short lived Jäger company. Note the musicians swallows nests, NCO rank lace on the collar and cuffs along with a chevron on the left sleeve. He wears the Prussian Wilhelm I Centenary Medal.
Photo © Karsten Herzogenrath

     

First World War Overseas Army NCO Rank Insignia


Artillery Sergeant
Pascha I Expedition 1916
He wears the 1916 khaki tunic and 1900 Bortfeldt Tropical helmet with large imperial eagle. His rank, Sergeant, is shown by the use of wartime dull grey lace around the collar edge and a button towards the rear of his collar (just visible on his right side). As a mounted artilleryman he carries a sword but with the junior NCO Faustriemen sword knot rather than a Portepee as worn by senior NCOs.
Photo © Roy Williams


Transport Unteroffizier
Pascha II Expedition
He wears the 1900 Bortfeldt tropical helmet with a large imperial cockade in the centre and the Schutztruppe 1896 khaki uniform. To match his tunic his rank is shown in Schutztruppe style as a single white metallic chevron on the upper left sleeve. He wears musicians swallows nests on his shoulders, a Prussian Iron Cross Second class medal and ribbon in his buttonhole and a Turkish War Medal on his right breast.
Photo © Joe Robinson


Two Unteroffiziere
Pascha Expedition c1916-18
This photograph shows two Prisoners of War in captivity on Malta. They both wear the the 1916 Khaki Uniform worn by the German army in the Middle East. The standing NCO has early war collar lace extending around the lower edge of the collar while the seated NCO has shorter dull lace as introduced later in the war. Both men have the Prussian Iron Cross second class ribbon worn in their buttonholes. The seated NCO has another unidentified medal ribbon worn under his Iron Cross.
Photos © Malta Study Circle

 

 

 

Recommended External Link - Kaiser's Bunker Article on NCO Ranks.
 


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