Hauptwachmeister rank

[Angel Farré]

Usually I always thought that the Hauptfeldwebel/Hauptwachmeister were position rank rather than real ranks, but I have received this Soldbuch, as you can see in the first page is notated a promotion to this rank on December 1st 1.939 (and confirmed on page 3 dated January 25th 1.940) but next "promotion" is again to the rank of Oberwachmeister and the next also to the same rank. Can someone put some light on this mistery.

Thanks

Angel

[Ian Jewison]

Hi Angel,
Hauptwachmeister/Hauptfeldwebel were indeed "positions" rather than ranks.....for this position you had to be either Feldwebel/Wachtmeister or Oberfeldwebel/Oberwachtmeister. The positions was much like the Regimental Sergeant Major and he wore the double piston rings on his tunic "Der Spieß". Chances are he was transferred when no longer in this position or simply he handed over the role to someone else!
I will scan examples tomorrow showing this.....One at least has the entry "Feldwebel u. Hauptfeldwebel Dienst", later promoted to "Obfw. u. Hptfw. Dienst".

Does it actually say "Beförderung" on page 3 or "Ernennung"?

/Ian

[Angel Farré]

I have seen also this type of entries or similar saying Feldwebel and acting Hauptfeldwebel, but never as here that indicates a promotion here I add the page three to put some more light in this, also I can read what is writing in the first promotion to Oberwachmeister. It appears to be an entry in May 16th, 1.940 as he ended his acting as Hauptwachmeister and from here I'm lost, an appoinment and there a confirmation of his promotion (Janury 1st, 1.942 and April 24, 1.944) an entry on April 24th, 1.944 unknown for me and his final appointment as Fahnenjünker-Oberwachtmeister.

Angel

[Ian Jewison]

Lets see if we can work it out........
Entry:
1. Promotion to Hptwm. (wrong as it should be appointed!).
2. Cancellation of "Wachtmeister"...not Hptwm.?!?
3. Appointed Obwm. im Frw. Dienst? Voluntary Obwm. service/duty?
4. Promotion to Obwm.!?!?!
5. Alteration to page 2.
6. Appointment to Officer Candidate Obwm.

Does the Wehrsold/Stellengruppe correspond.
Wachtmeister group 12.
Oberwachtmeister group 11.

Was he demoted 16.5.1940 and promoted to the same rank again 1.4.1944?

/Ian

[Angel Farré]

When the Soldbuch was open, August 2nd, 1.939, his pay group was 12 and it changes on December 1t, 1.939 to group 11, no other changes till the end of the war.

Cheers

Angel

[Ian Jewison]

I think this is what has happend:

1. Promotion to Hptwm. 1.12.1939, entry made 25.1.1940.
2. Cancellation of the rank of "Wachtmeister" as "Dienstgrad" (first rank when book opened, not in the rank box and not cesation of Hptwm. position.
3. Appointed Obwm. im Frw. Dienst? Voluntary Obwm. service/duty on posting from Art.Rgt. 220 to Heeresfachschule II (?)
4. Promotion back to original rank of Obwm. on tranfer from HFS to s.Art.Abt. 858. (should not be Beforderung...this is where some confusion lies!)
5. Alteration to page 2.
6. Appointment to Officer Candidate.

Does this tie in with the rest of the book?

/Ian

[Angel Farré]

This could be what happen as clearly this man has two different wartime service, first ended around mid 1.943 and in it he mainly served in rear units and after this when he was transfered to the field and won several combat awards, KVK II mit schwerten November 15th, 1.943; EK II January 12th, 1.944 awarded by 296 I.D.; EK I July 22nd, 1.944 awarded by 12 Pz.Div. and Sturmabzeichen on August 16th, 1.944 awarded by s.Art.Abt. 858. Also the nature of his leaves changed being Fronturlaub and Sonderurlaub from end of 1.943 till the end of the war.

Cheers

Angel