German WW1 pilot ranks

10 July 2001, 02:41 PM

Hi, I've been wondering if there were any German pilots (or observers) in WW1 who were in the private or corporal ranks...it seems every flier was at least a Sergeant, was this a rule?

Rick · 10 July 2001, 06:16 PM

In a word - NO! Pilots could and did hold the rank of Pion. (Pvt. - Bavarian), Flg., Gefr., Uffz., Sgt., Vzfw., Feldwbl., FwbLtn., Ltn., Ltn.d.R, Ltn.d.L., Oblt., Oblt.d.R., Hptm., Hptm.d.R., Rittm., Rittm.d.R., and even Major, while on active service. And this doesn't even address the Naval ranks!