Kriegsmarine Ranks

Oberfähnrich zur See

Sub-Lieutenant


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During the last few months before promoting to the Leutnant rank the Fähnrichs became Oberfähnrich. In the pre-WWII time 6 months were normal, later it was shortened to one to three months.

In prewar times first the Oberfähnrich got the permission to wear the officer sabre. For this reason the Oberfähnrich's also were called as Säbelfähnrich (sabre Fähnrich)

They wear the same uniform like the officers, but only their shoulder-straps were narrower and they had no stripe on the shade of cap. On the sleeve they wear only the star.

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Oberfähnrich Karl-Heinz Moehle
later Knights Cross owner and
Commander of U-20 and U-123.


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Oberfähnrich Günther Prien on board the cruiser Königsberg. He later won the Oak Leaves and commanded U-47.
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Three proud 'Säbelfähnrich's of the 1926 crew. In the middle Oberfähnrich Karl-Friedrich Merten, later Oak Leaves owner and commander of U-68.


Fähnrich - Oberfähnrich - Leutnant zur See


Kriegsmarine Ranks