Summary
Vizeadmiral (abbreviated VAdm) is a senior naval flag officer rank in several German-speaking countries, equivalent to Vice admiral.
Austria-Hungary edit
In the Austro-Hungarian Navy there were the flag-officer ranks Kontreadmiral (also spelled Konterdmiral in the 20th century), Viceadmiral , and Admiral, as well as Großadmiral.
Belgium edit
In the Belgian Navy, the rank is known as Vizeadmiral (in German), Vice-admiraal (in Flemish) and Vice-amiral (in French).[1]
Germany edit
| Vice admiral Vizeadmiral | |
|---|---|
  Shoulder board and mounting loop | |
 Cuff title | |
| Country |  Germany |
| Service branch |  German Navy |
| Abbreviation | VAdm |
| Rank group | Flag officer |
| NATO rank code | OF-8 |
| Pay grade | B8 |
| Next higher rank | Admiral |
| Next lower rank | Konteradmiral |
| Equivalent ranks | Generalleutnant |
Rank insignia and rating edit
Its rank insignia, worn on the sleeves and shoulders, are one five-pointed star above a big gold stripe and two normal ones (without the star when rank loops are worn). It is grade B8 in the pay rules of the Federal Ministry of Defence.
The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in that particular group is as follows:
- OF-9: Admiral (Germany) / General (Germany)
- OF-8: Vizeadmiral / Generalleutnant
- OF-7: Konteradmiral / Generalmajor
- OF-6: Flottillenadmiral / Brigadegeneral
History edit
edit
In the Kaiserliche Marine and Kriegsmarine, Vizeadmiral was a flag officer rank equivalent to a Heer or Luftwaffe Generalleutnant, and to an SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant of the Waffen-SS.
The rank insignia consisted of shoulder strap and sleeve stripes. Shoulder straps had to be worn on uniform jackets and consisted of twisted gold-braids (one pip or star) on padding in navy blue weapon color.
Cuff insignia consisted of one golden big stripe, two normal stripes, and a five-point naval star above. The sleeve rings encircled the lower cuffs.
National People's Army edit
Vizeadmiral was the second lowest flag officer grade of the Volksamarine, equivalent to the Generalleutnant.
In the GDR Volksmarine there were 3 flag officer ranks: Konteradmiral, Vizeadmiral, and Admiral. The GDR State Council decided 25 March 1982 to introduce the rank of Flottenadmiral.
Insignia edit
| Insignia | Shoulder | Sleeve | Rank flag | Higher/lower rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Imperial German Navy[2]
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Admiral Konteradmiral |
 Reichsmarine[3]
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 Kriegsmarine[4]
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 Volksmarine[5]
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| German Navy[6]
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References edit
- ^ "Dienstgrade und Uniformen". kleiner-kreuzer-dresden.de (in German). Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ Hoyer, K; Brennecke, F (1925). Die Uniformen des Reichsheeres und der Reichsmarine nebst amtlichen Uniformtafeln; mit Genehmigung des Reichswehrministeriums (in German). Charlottenburg: Verlag "Offene Worte, ". OCLC 44571687.
- ^ Mollo 2001, p. 19.
- ^ Luft, Kathleen (1988). "National Security". In Burant, Stephen R. (ed.). East Germany: a country study. Area Handbook (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. pp. 264–265. LCCN 87600490. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Dienstgradabzeichen Marine". bundeswehr.de (in German). Bundeswehr. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- Mollo, Andrew (2001). The Armed Forces of World War II: Uniforms, Insignia & Organisation. Leicester: Silverdale books. ISBN 1-85605-603-1.