Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Literally "Non-commissioned officer without Swordknot", this is the designation for German junior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in the German army. The name derives from earlier traditions in which German senior NCOs (Feldwebel) would carry the officer's sidearms (sword, sabre) with the officer's swordknot (made from silver or gold lace).
Ranks in this category:
- Unteroffizier
- Unterfeldwebel/Unterwachtmeister (since 1955: Stabsunteroffizier)
and equivalents of the Waffen SS.
Generally, German NCOs were, and are still in the Bundeswehr, identified by the use of metallic lace (called Tresse) on the collar of the uniform jacket, as well as the edges of the shoulder straps.
