Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Gefreiter
Gefreiter is the German word for Corporal and has existed as a military rank since at least the 18th century. Through its development, Gefreiter has expanded into several ranks, those being Obergefreiter, Stabsgefreiter, and Hauptgefreiter. The German Navy has also periodically maintained a rank known as Matrosengefreiter, translated as "Seaman Corporal", and equivalent to a Leading Seaman.
During World War I and World War II, Gefreiter was considered more to be a lance corporal, with the rank of full corporal known as Unteroffizier, ranking between an American sergeant and corporal and approximately equivalent to a British corporal in responsibility.
One of the most famous holders of the rank of Gefreiter was Adolf Hitler, who held the rank in the Bavarian Infantry during World War I.
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details