Gefreiter

Template:Short description Template:Italic title

Gefreiter ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}, abbr. Gefr.; plural Gefreite) is a military rank used in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria since the 16th century. It is typically the second rank or grade to which an enlisted soldier, airman, or sailor can be promoted.<ref name="DDN">Duden; Definition of Gefreiter, in German. [1]</ref><ref name="BDWRUS">Official Website (Bundeswehr): Dienstgrade und Uniformen der Bundeswehr (Service Ranks and Uniforms of the German Federal Defence Forces), in German. [2]</ref>

The word has also been lent into the Russian language as {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Template:Langx) and is in use in several Russian and post-Soviet militaries.

HistoryEdit

File:Hannoversches Jaegar Bataillon Nr.10.png

lang}}), Light Infantry, Royal Prussian Army.

Historically, the military rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (female and plural form: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}})<ref name="DDN2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> emerged in 16th-century Europe for the German {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} foot soldiers.<ref name="DDN4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These soldiers were predominantly composed of German and Swiss mercenary pikemen and supporting infantry foot soldiers.<ref name="AEWK">Template:Citation</ref><ref name="CJMHRE">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="LKTSD1">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="LKTSD">Template:Cite book</ref> Soldiers who proved especially reliable and experienced were appointed to {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (exempted/freed servants/soldiers, a cognate to 'knight'). They were positioned in critical battlefield roles and, along with their extra rank privileges, they were generally exempted from sentry duties.<ref name="DDN" /><ref name="AEWK" /><ref name="CJMHRE" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

From the 18th century, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} were the frontline members of a military company, with every {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} leading and commanding a section or squad of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}<ref name="DDN5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (ordinary-rank soldiers). The rank existed in the cavalry, infantry, pioneers, and artillery, where {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rank held a higher rank-class status.<ref name="AEWK" /><ref name="CJMHRE" />

{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was the only enlisted rank within the Royal Prussian Army and the imperial army of the German Empire until 1918, to which an exceptional enlisted soldier could be promoted on the recommendation of the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Captain) or {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Cavalry-Master), and ultimately endorsed by the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Regimental Colonel). An exception to this was the rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (since 1859) in the foot artillery, which later replaced the artillery {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Corporal) rank.<ref name="AEWK" />

The {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rank was also considered a transition rank for promotion to and from which replacements were selected to the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Corporal)<ref name="DDN1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> rank.<ref name="AEWK" /> Within the Royal Prussian Army and the imperial army of the German Empire, the rank {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} served as a deputy to the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Corporal) and was distinguished by the wearing of an {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (rank distinction button) known as the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}} button) on each side of their uniform collar, similar to the slightly larger rank collar side-buttons worn by both the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} and {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ranks.<ref name="AEWK" />

In the Royal Prussian Army until its reorganization after 1806, there existed, along with the rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, the rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}},<ref name="AEWK" /> who wore a silver {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (sword lanyard). These officer cadets were specifically selected for higher advancement and stood equal with their officer cadet counterpart, the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.<ref name="AEWK" /> The rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} also existed alongside {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} in the Austrian Army during the Thirty Years' War.<ref name="AEWK" />

Since the 1920s, the German rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} has expanded into several additional ranks and duties:

{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Senior Lance Corporal, otherwise Second Corporal in the Prussian Army since 1859)
{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Leading Lance Corporal in the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} from 1935 to 1944, the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} from 1938 to 1945, and the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} from 1955)
{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Staff Lance Corporal in the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} since 1927, the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} until 1945, and the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} from 1944, temporarily replacing the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rank)
{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Senior Staff Lance Corporal in the Kriegsmarine since 1940, not in the Heer or Luftwaffe until 1996)

All {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ranks are currently in use with the German army, air force, and navy.

The female form, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, is not used by the military; the formal address is {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

AustriaEdit

Template:Infobox military rank

Gefreiter (abbr. Gfr) is a military rank of the Austrian Bundesheer. It is officially translated as lance corporal.Template:Sfn

Austro-Hungarian ArmyEdit

Template:See also In the Austro-Hungarian Army (1867–1918), {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Template:Langx) corresponded to {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} and {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}. It was used by the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} as well as the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} troops, cavalry, medical corps, and infantry.

Then rank insignia was a single white celluloid star on the stand-up collar of the so-called {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (tunic) on gorget patch (Template:Langx). The stand-up collar and background of the gorget patch displayed a particular egalisation colour.

Junior rank
Soldat (Honvéd)

File:Austrian Imperial Standard - Infantry pattern mix early 19th century.svg
Rank insignias of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces
Gefreiter
Patrouilleführer
Vormeister

Senior rank
Korporal

Rank insignia
Desigahntion	Austrian Imperial and Royal (k. u. k.) Army enlisted ranks
	File:Patrouilleführer der k.k. Gebirgstruppe 1907-18.png	File:Patrouilleführer k.u.k.Jäger & k.k. Landwehr.png	File:Patrouilleführer der k.u.k. Husaren mit lichtblauer Attila.png	File:Gefreiter der k.u.k. Maschinengewehrtruppe.png	File:Gefreiter der k.u.k. Infanterie.png	File:Gefreiter der k.u.k.Truppenpioniere.png	File:Vormeister der k.u.k. Artillerie.png
insignia

description	Patrouilleführer			Gefreiter			Vormeister
	k. u. k. Mountain troops	k. u. k. Rifles		Machine-gun units	Infantry IR 7
branch	Rifles		Cavalry	Infantry		Military engineering	Artillery

Gefreiter in the context of infantry

Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 7.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 25.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 33.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 37.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 41.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 50.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 62.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 69.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 77.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 87.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 92.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 99.png
```
style }}
```
Gefreiter im k.u.k. InfRgt 101.png
```
style }}
```

GermanyEdit

BundeswehrEdit

Template:Infobox military rank {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (abbr. Gefr. or G.) is the second enlisted rank grade within the modern-day Army ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), Air Force ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), and Navy ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) of the Bundeswehr.<ref>Brockhaus, The encyclopedia in 24 volumes (1796–2001), Volume 8: 3-7653-3668-8, page 231; definition "Gefreiter".</ref> Following the NATO ranking system, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} equates to OR-2 on the NATO-standard rank scale, making the rank equivalent to either private, private first class, vice corporal, lance corporal, or corporal, depending on the chosen NATO-allied force used for the comparison.<ref name="BDWRUS"/> It is grade A4 in the pay scale of the Federal Ministry of Defence.

The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in this particular group is as follows:

OR-4a: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}
OR-4b: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}
OR-3a: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}
OR-3b: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}
OR-2: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}
OR-1: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Army), {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Air Force), {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Navy)

In line with Bundeswehr rank advancement conditions, enlisted personnel at the OR-1 level may be promoted to the OR-2 level after passing primary recruit training (usually after three months) to the rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.

Junior rank
{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}

File:Bundeswehr Logo Heer with lettering.svg File:Bundeswehr Logo Luftwaffe with lettering.svg File:Bundeswehr Logo Marine with lettering.svg

(German enlisted rank)
{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}

Senior rank
{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}

{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 1935–1945Edit

File:WMacht H OR2 Gefr 1935-1945.svg

Illustration of former German Army (Heer) Gefreiter rank insignia, worn on the upper left arm sleeve. The backing is made of blue-green cloth (Version from 1 October 1936 to 1945, previously two chevrons in the Reichswehr).

Throughout the periods of the Royal Prussian Army, the Imperial Army of the German Empire, the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, and the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, the rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was considered equivalent to that of a lance corporal.

The {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was regarded as senior lance corporal or rather second corporal in the artillery, and the full corporal rank known as {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}<ref name="DDN1" /> (subordinate non-commissioned officer) replaced the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rank from 1856.

Within the army branch (Heer) of the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, a rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (senior rifleman) once existed between the ranks of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} and {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ("[enlisted] ordinary-rank rifleman/soldier").

A {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was considered an "exempted man", who was not typically assigned more menial duties, such as guard detail. A soldier promoted to {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was seen as showing some promise of leadership capability, while those who did not were promoted to {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.

Since the unmasking of the Luftwaffe on 1 March 1935, the Gefreiter was also part of their ranks. Prior to this, the Luftwaffe operated secretly under the guise of the German Air Sports Association (DLV). The Gefreiter emerged from the Flieger-Gefreiter (Airman Lance Corporal) of the DLV flying corps, where this rank served as an assistant aircraft pilot (DLV-Hilfsflugzeugführer), assistant radio operator (DLV-Hilfsbordfunker), or assistant supervisor (DLV-Unterwart).

File:Luftwaffe collar tabs Gefreiter 3D.svg

In addition to wearing the chevron on the left upper arm, the Luftwaffe Gefreiter had collar tabs showing two aluminium wings. In this illustration, the red colour on the Luftwaffe Gefreiter collar tabs identifies the branch as the Flak Corps.

The Luftwaffe Gefreiter ranked immediately above the lowest rank, Flieger (Airman, Aviator); there was no equivalent to the army rank of Oberschütze. Instead of the rank insignia of its DLV counterpart, which was three aluminum-colored wings on both collar patches, the Luftwaffe Gefreiter wore only two collar wings. The collar patches were in one of the respective Luftwaffe branch colours. Additionally, the Gefreiter wore a chevron on the left upper arm according to the army pattern, but on a base made of blue-grey fabric. The chevrons were made of aluminium-coloured braid (for service tunic, flight blouse, coat), grey-blue braid (for drill blouse, work protection suit), or dark brown braid (for tropical shirt).

Template:WWII German enlisted ranks

"Bohemian corporal"Edit

The best-known holder of the rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was Adolf Hitler, who held the rank in the Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 16 of the Royal Bavarian Army during World War I.

"Bohemian corporal" was a derogatory term used privately in World War II for Adolf Hitler by German generals (many of whom were Prussian aristocrats) dissatisfied with Hitler's military leadership and detailed control. Among the generals were Gerd von Rundstedt, Erich von Manstein, and Friedrich Paulus.

Rundstedt often remarked during and after the war, "Without Hitler's consent, I can't even move my own sentry from my front door around to the back!" Wilhelm Keitel once asked Hitler, "Do you realise that Rundstedt called you a Bohemian corporal?" Hitler replied, "Yes, but he is the best field marshal I have".

Von Rundstedt used the term {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, which Hitler had acquired in the 1930s from World War I hero, German President Paul von Hindenburg. Hindenburg, who took an instant mutual dislike to Hitler on their first meeting, mistook Hitler's hometown of Braunau in Austria (Braunau am Inn) for another town of the same name (Broumov, German: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) in Bohemia. Initially, he said "Austrian corporal", but later used "Bohemian corporal", which was a pejorative term, as he regarded Bohemians as "essentially gypsies", unlike the more cultured Prussians or even Austrians.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

RussiaEdit

Template:Infobox military rank

Yefreytor (Template:Langx) is a German loanword in Russian and denotes a similar rank in the Russian army.

In Russia, the rank of yefreytor was introduced by Peter I in 1716 to the infantry, cavalry, and engineer forces. The rank was not used after 1722. During the reign of Paul I, it was made an equivalent rank to private which, after the reign of Alexander I, was used only for the Imperial Guard. Yefreytor was re-introduced in the course of the military reforms of 1826.

In the armed forces of the Soviet Union (and later the Russian Federation), yefreytor is the highest rank of enlisted personnel. According to NATO-rank system, the rank might be comparable to OR-4 in Anglophone armed forces.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

**Sequence of ranks**
junior rank: Ryadovoy	File:Coat of Arms of the Russian Federation.svg Yefreytor	senior rank: Junior sergeant

Rank insigniaEdit

Imperial Russian ArmyEdit

1908ur03-e02.png
```
style }}
```
1911-ir001-p02-1.png
```
style }}
```
1914 Gefreiter of Russian Life Guards Uhlan Regiment of Her Majesty p02 (re-enlistee 2nd category in Guard).png
```
style }}
```

Red Army (RA) and Soviet Armed Forces (SA)Edit

RA A R2PVT col 1943.PNG
```
style }}
```
1943avia-p19-1.png
```
style }}
```
Rank insignia of ефрейтор of the Soviet Army.svg
```
style }}
```
Rank insignia of ефрейтор of the Soviet Air Force.svg
```
style }}
```

Russian Armed ForcesEdit

RAF AF-ABTr R2Kursant 2010.png
```
style }}
```
Rus efreitor.png
```
style }}
```
Rus efreitor field.svg
```
style }}
```
Russia-Army-OR-2-2010.svg
```
style }}
```
Russia-Airforce-OR-2-2010.svg
```
style }}
```
2efr.png
```
style }}
```

Other uses of YefreytorEdit

Armenia-Army-OR-2.svg

CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Russia-Army-OR-2-1994-field.svg

CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Bulgaria-Army-OR-4.svg

CitationClass=web }}</ref>
02-RKGF-SPV.svg

CitationClass=web }}</ref>
02.Kyrgyzstan Army-PFC.svg

CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Tajikistan-Army-OR-4.png

CitationClass=web }}</ref>

SwitzerlandEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist Template:German military ranks Template:Authority control