Glossary Note: As most of us attempt to figure out the meaning of a German word, I chose to list the German words alphabetically with the English meaning secondary. I have done my best to keep this error-free, however keep in mind I typed out all 300 translated words and phrases with two fingers.
I would like to thank Stephen Case-Pall, Konstantin Hölzle, and Willems Hubert for correcting my grammar.
Grammar Notes: Each German noun has a gender which affects adjective endings; masculine (der), feminine (die) and neuter (das). The three articles der (pronounced dare), die (pronounced dee) and das all mean "the".
- Abt. (die) Abbreviation for Abteilung.
- Abteilung (die) - Detachment.
- Abzeichen (das) - Insignia/badge.
- Abzeichentuch (das) - Badge Cloth.
- Achselklappe (die) (plural - Achselklappen) - Enlisted mans shoulder strap.
- Achselstück (das) (plural- Achselstücke) - Officer's shoulder board.
- Adler (der) - Eagle.
- A.K. - Abbreviation for Armee Korps (Army Corps).
- A.K.O - Allerhöchste-Kabinetts-Ordre - "All Highest Cabinet Order", a directive issued by the Kaiser to proclaim an approved article of clothing or equipment for general issue.
- Armee (die) - Army / Heer
- Ärmelaufschlag (der) - Sleeve cuff.
- Ärmelnaht (die) - Sleeve seam.
- Ärmeltasche (die) - Fold-up barrel cuffs used on M15/16 Bluses.
- Ärmelumschlag (der) - Another word for M15/15 Blues barrel cuffs.
- Ärmelschlitz (der) - Adjustable slit in the back of enlisted cuffs.
- Armspiegel (der) - Arm badge.
- Artillerie (die) - Artillery.
- Artillerie-Messtruppen (AM) (die) - Foot Artillery survey troops.
- Arzt (der) - Doctor.
- Attila (der) - The distinctive corded tunic word by Hussars.
- Aufklärung (die) - Reconnaissance.
- Ausrüstung (die) - Equipment.
- Auszeichnungsknopf (der) - A button in the state "Wappen" worn by NCO's on each side of the collar to indicate their rank.
- B.A. - Abbreviaton for Bekleidungsamt on issue stamps.
- Bandeau (das) - Bandeau. The commemorative ribbon on a helmet plate.
- Bataillon (das) - Battalion.
- Bayern - The Kingdom of Bavaria. Supplied 11% of the German Army.
- Beamte (der) - Official.
- Bekleidungsamt (BA) (das) Army corps clothing depots.
- Besatztuch (das) - Medium-green Trim material normally seen on M15
- Bluse and greatcoat collars for all ranks and units except Bavaria.
- Blau - Blue.
- Bluse (die) - A universal tunic introduced in 1915 and 1916 (for Bavaria).
- Bogohl - Abbreviation for Bombengeschwader der OHL (Bomber groups of the High Command).
- Bombenstaffeln (die) - Twin-Engine Bomber Squadrons.
- Borte (die) - Braid used on the front, collar and cuffs of Kürassier and Jäger zu Pferd tunics in Regimental colors.
- Bosta - Abbreviation for Bombenstaffeln.
- Brandenburgischer Ärmelaufschlag (der) - Brandenburg cuff. Cuff with three vertical buttons worn by most Infantry and Foot Artillery units.
Braun -Brown.
- Chevauleger (der) - Bavarian light Cavalry similar to Dragoons.
- Degenkoppel (die) - Sword belt.
- Doppeldecker (der) - Twin Winged Aircraft.
- Deutscher Ärmelaufschlag (der) - German cuff, a cuff with two horizontal buttons often referred to as the "Saxon" cuff.
- Deutschland - Germany.
- Dolch (der) - Dagger.
- Drachen (der) - Kite Balloon.
- Dragoner (der) - Dragoon, mounted Infantry.
- Dreidecker (der) - Three-Winged Aircraft.
- Drillsachen (die) - Fatigue and drill uniform.
- Dunkelblau - A dark blue color. "Dunkelblau" is actually an adjective but is used as a noun to describe all uniforms and headgear of any color before the introduction of field grey tunics and equipment.
- Dunkelgrün - A dark green color.
- Eichenlaub (das) - Oakleaf.
- Eigentumshelm (der) - Private purchase helmet, literally, "Property helmet"
- Eigentumsstück (das) - Private purchase piece of equipment, literally, "Property piece"
- Eigentum -Helme (das) - Private purchase helmet, literally, "Property Helmet"
- Eindecker (der) - Single Winged Aircraft.
- Einheits-Kavalleriestiefel (der) - Black universal pattern Cavalry boots introduced in 1915 to replace all the previous various boot patterns.
- Einheitsmütze (die) - Universal pattern cap introduced in 1917 to replace all previous patterns of cap. The new cap had a medium green band and piping with a field grey top.
- Einjährig-Freiwilliger (der) - One year volunteer. Usually of a higher social status, these soldiers served for only one year and paid for their own up-keep and equipment.
- Eisenbahn (E) (die) - Railway Troops.
- Eiserne Kreuz (das) - Iron Cross.
- Epauletten (die) - Epaulettes.
- Ersatz (der) - Replacement or substitute.
- Fähnrich (der) - An Officer-aspirant and also a senior NCO rank.
- Fahne (die) - Flag.
- Fahnenträger-Abzeichen (das) - Flag bearer's insignia consisting of cloth crossed regimental flags sewn to the upper right sleeve.
- Fahrer (der) - Driver.
- Fangschnur (die) - Helmet cords.
- Faschinenmesser (das) - Short Sword.
- FEA (Flieger-Ersatz-Abteilung) (die) - Flying Replacement Unit.
- Feldartillerie (die) - Field Artillery.
- Feldbinde (die) - Officer's metallic brocade belt with state colors woven in up to 1915. In 1915 the metallic weave was changed to subdued grey and shortly after the belt was made from brown leather.
- Feldflieger (der) - Field Flying Unit.
- Feldgendarmerie (die) - Military Police.
- Feldgrau - A green/grey color. Feldgrau is actually an adjective but is used as a noun to describe all tunics headgear and equipment produced in field grey.
- Feldjägerkorps (das) - Special courier formations consisting of forestry trained subaltern Officers.
- Feldmarschall (der) - Highest rank of General.
- Feldmütze (die) - The round visorless field cap worn by enlisted men.
- Feldpfarrer ( der) - Field Chaplain.
- Feldrock (der) - Field tunic.
- Feldwebel (der) - Senior Sergeant. Usually a Regimental Sgt. Major.
- Feldzeichen (das) - Cloth field badge in state colors worn on the top of Ulan Tschapkas, Hussar Busbies and Jäger shakos.
- Fernsprech-Truppen (die) - Telephone troops.
- Festung (die) - Fortress.
- Filzhelm (der) - Felt Helmet.
- Fliegertruppen (die) - Flight troops.
- Flug-Abwehr-Kanonen (FLAK) (die) - Anti-Aircraft Artillery.
- Flugzeug (das) - Aircraft.
- Flugzeugführer (der) - Pilot.
- Freiwilliger (ein) - A Volunteer. Also, der Freiwillige (the volounteer)
- Friedensrock (der) - Future peacetime field grey tunics introduced in 1915/1916 for parade and peace-time use.
- Führer (der) - Leader, Pilot, etc.
- Füllung (die) - The fill between the bars (Litzen) on Guard collar lace.
- Füsilier (der) - A traditional term for some Infantry units.
- Fuß - Foot (pronounced Foos).
- Fußartillerie (die) - Foot Artillery.
- Futter (das) - Lining or liner.
- Gamasche (die) - Gaiters.
- Garde (die) - Guard.
- Garnitur (die) - A system of indicating the use of issue clothing and equipment based upon it's condition and stamping the lining with the level;
- 1st Garnitur - Parade and special occasions;
- 2nd Garnitur - Walking out dress;
- 3rd Garnitur - Work detail; and
- 4th Garnitur - Daily duty and field use.
- Gebirgs-Artillerie (GA) (die) - Mountain Artillerie.
- Gebirgs-Regiment (das) - Mountain Regiment.
- Gefreiter (ein) - A Corporal.
- Gelb - Yellow.
- G.K. - Guard Corps.
- General (der) - General.
- Goldgelb - A golden yellow color.
- Grau -Grey.
- Grenadier (der) - Originally a term for a soldier who threw grenades but later used as a traditional name for some Infantry units.
- Großflugzeugabteilung (die) - Large Aircraft Detachment.
- Grün - Green.
- Halsbinde (die) - Cloth neck covering worn by Officers.
- Haken (der) - Hook.
- Halbschuh (der) - Shoe.
- Halstuch (das) - Cloth neck covering worn by enlisted men.
- Handschuhe (die) - Gloves.
- Haarbusch (der) - Parade plume for helmets.
- Hauptmann (der) - Captain.
- Heer (das) - Army.
- Hellblau - Light blue color.
- Helm (der) - Helmet.
- Horcher (der) - Listener.
- Hosen (die) - Trousers.
- Hufschmied-Abzeichen (das) Farrier's insignia consisting of an inverted cloth horse shoe sewn to the lower right sleeve.
- Husaren (die) - Hussars (Light Cavalry).
- Infanterie (die) - Infantry.
- Jacke (die) - Jacket.
- Jagdstaffeln (die) - Fighter Squadrons.
- Jagdgeschwader (das) - Fighter Aircraft Group.
- Jäger (der) - Light Infantry or "sharpshooters".
- Jäger zu Pferde (der) - Originally raised from Meldareiter (mounted dispatch riders) in 1887, the Jäger-zu-Pferde ceased to be used in that function after becoming a regiment in 1901 and were employed as mounted light infantry, similar to Dragoon Regiments.
- Jasta - Abbreviation for Jagdstaffeln.
- Kagohl - Abbreviation for Kampfgeschwader der OHL (Combat groups of the High Command).
- Kaiser (der) - Imperial German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II and also a small well-known Dachshund. The King of the Wiener Dogs.
- Kaiserzeit (die) - The era of the Kaiser's, usually refered to as "Imperial Germany" 1871 to 1918.
- Kaliber (das) - Calibre.
- Kammerstempel (der) -Army BA issue stamping.
- Kammerstück (das) - Army depot issued item.
- Kampfstaffeln (die) - Combat Squadrons.
- Kapitulant (der) - A re-enlisted solder.
- Karabinier (der) - A private in the Saxon Heavy cavalry.
- Kaserne (die) - Barracks.
- Kartusche (die) - Ammo pouch.
- Kasta - Abbreviation for Kampfstaffeln.
- Kavallerie (die) - Cavalry.
- Klappkragen (der) - A soft fold-over style collar worn by enlisted men on field grey tunics and greatcoats.
- Kleine Rock (der) - A light grey Officer's double breasted off-duty jacket worn after 1915.
- Knopf (der) - Button.
- Kogenluft - Abreviation for Kommandierende General der Luftstreitkräfte (Commander General of the Airforce).
- Kokarde (die) - State cockades worn under the leather chinstrap or metal chinscales on helmets.
- Koller (der) - The long, distinctive coat worn by some Heavy Cavalry units. The front was closed along the front by hook and eye and had Regimental Borte (lace) in Regimental colors along the front, collar and cuffs.
- Kolpak (der) - The colored bag on the side of a Hussar Busby.
- Kompanie (die) - Company.
- König (der) - King.
- Königreich (das) - Kingdom.
- Koppel (der) - Belt.
- Kornblumeblau - Cornflower blue. A medium blue color.
- Knebel (der) - Toggle fastener used on Hussar Attila.
- Kragen (der) - Collar.
- Kraftfahrer (der) - (Lierally the Driver) Mechanized Transport.
- Kraftwagen (K) (der) - Vehicle.
- Krankenwarter (die) - Medical orderly.
- Krankenträger (der) - Stretcher bearer.
- Krapprot - A deep-red color.
- Krätzchen (das) - The round visorless field cap worn by enlisted men.
- Kriegsministerium (das) - War Ministry.
- Kugel (die) - Ball. "Kugelhelm" is the Artillery spiked helmet. Kugel" also means a bullet and appears often in military
literature in its second sense.
- Küraß (der) - Metal breast plate worn by heavy cavalry.
- Kürassier (der) - Member of Heavy Cavalry
- Kürassiere (die) - Heavy Cavalry.
- Landsturm (der) - A level of service similar to reserves.
- Landwehr (die) - Home defense units. Last level of military service.
- Landwehr-Kavallerie (die) Home defense cavalry.
- Lanze (die) - Lance.
- Lanzenfechten-Abzeichen (das) - Lance proficiency chevrons worn by cavalry on the right sleeve.
- Leutnant (der) - Lieutenant.
- Licht-Messtruppen (LM) (die) - Foot Artillery light ranging troops.
- Litewka (der) - Double breasted off-duty jacket worn before 1915.
- Litze (die) (plural Litzen) - Embroidered cloth bars worn on the collar and cuffs of some formations.
- Löwe (der) - Lion.
- Luftaufklärung (die) - Air Reconnaissance.
- Luftschiff (das) - Airship or balloon.
- Luftschifftruppen (L) (die) - Balloon Troops.
- Luftstreitkräfte (die) - The Air Force.
- Maschinengewehr (das) - Machine gun.
- Machine-Kanone (M) (die) - Automatic Anti-Aircraft cannon.
- Mannschaften (die) - Other Ranks, or, Enlisted men.
- Mantel (der) - Overcoat.
- Major (der) - Major.
- Mastfernrohr (MF) (das) - Foot Artillery mast periscope.
- Messingkartusche.-Brass Shell Casing
- Minenwerfer (MF) (der) - Trench Mortars.
- Motorradfahrer (der) - Motorcycle Driver.
- Mütze (die) - Cap.
- Nachrichtentruppe (die) - Signals Troop.
- Nahkampf-Geschütze (NG) (das) - Close-Support Artillery.
- Namenszug (der) - Monogram or Cypher worn on shoulder straps and boards.
- Oberleutnant (der) - 1st Lieutenant.
- Obergefreiter (der) - Lance Corporal.
- Oberst (der) - Colonel.
- Offizier (der) - Officer.
- Offizier-Stellvertreter (der) - An NCO rank or acting Officer.
- Orstfestflak (O) (die) - Stationary Anti- Aircraft Artillery. Also called Ortsfeste Flak
- Paletot (das) - Officer's Overcoat.
- Paradeanzug (der) - Parade dress.
- Park-Kanone (PK) (die) - Foot Artillery park troops.
- Patte (die) - The vertical cloth panel on a Brandenburg cuff.
- Pallasch (der) - Long, straight sword used by heavy cavalry.
- Paspel (die) - Piping, usually on the front of a tunic.
- Pelzmütze (die) - The fur covered Busby worn by Hussars.
- Pickelhaube (die) - Spiked helmet. Generally, collectors and historians also refer to all Imperial German helmets including Tschapkas, Busbys and Shakos by this term.
- Pioniere (die) - The Pioneers or Engineers. One is der Pionier.
- Pistole (die) - Pistol.
- Plattschnur (die) The cord braiding on Hussar Attila.
- Ponceaurot - A poppy-red color.
- Portepee (das) - Sword and bayonet knots.
- Preußen - Prussia.
- Preußischblau - Prussian blue. A dark, deep blue.
- Probestück (das) - Prototype item.
- Rabbate (die) - Colored cloth item in Regimental colors worn over the neck of Ulan Tschapka (Helmets) and on the breast of Ulan Ulanka (Tunics) for parades.
- Reichsmarine (die) - Navy.
- Reithose (die) - Riding breeches for Officers and Cavalry.
- Richtkanonier (der) - Gun Layer. Another frequently used term for this is "der Richtschütze". Both indicate the gunner of a tank/panzer or an artillery piece, although "Richtschütze" is more often used in case of gunners of a vehicle/ship and "Richtkanonier" more often for gunners of artillery pieces.
- Riesenflugzeugabteilung (die) - Giant Airplane Detachment.
- Rittmeister (der) - Captain in cavalry and train formations.
- Rosa - Rose (Pink).
- Rot - Red.
- Rucksack (der) - Backpack.
- Russischblau - A deep blue color.
- Säbel (der) - Sabre.
- Säbelschlaufe (die) - Bayonet Frog/Sabre sheath.
- Sachsen - The Kingdom of Saxony. Supplied 7% of the German Army.
- Sanitätseinheit (die) - Ambulance unit .
- Sanitätskorps (das) - Medical Corps.
- Schall-Messtruppen (SM) (die) - Foot Artillery sound-ranging troops.
- Schärpe (die) Officer's Sash.
- Schasta - Abbreviation for Schutzstaffeln.
- Scheinwerfer (S) (der) - A Searchlight.
- Schiess-Schule - Shooting school.
- Schirmmütze (die) - Visor cap.
- Schnalle (die) - Buckle.
- Schnur (die) - Cord or string.
- Schulterklappe (die) - Another term for shoulder straps.
- Schuppenkette (die) - Chinscales on spiked helmets.
- Schützen (die) - Light Infantry similar to Jäger troops.
- Schützenschnur (die) - Shooting cord.
- Schutzstaffeln (die) - Two-seat Protection Squadrons.
- Schwalbenester (die) - Bandman's Moon-shaped shoulder devices.
- Schwarz - Black.
- Schwedischer Ärmelaufschlag (der) - Swedish cuff. A cuff with two buttons.
- Schweißband (das) - Sweatband on caps.
- Schwert (das) - Sword.
- Schwere-Reiter Regt. (das) - Heavy Cavalry Regiment used by Bavaria and Saxony.
- Seebataillon (das) - Sea Battalion.
- Sergeant (der) - Sergeant.
- Socken (die) - Socks.
- Soldat (der) - Soldier.
- Spiegel (der) - The colored stripe in the center of Litzen (Guard bars).
- Spiess (der) - Company Sgt. Major.
- Spitze (die) - Spike on spiked helmets.
- Spitze-Unterlage (die) Spike base on spiked helmets.
- Sporen (die) - Spurs.
- Stabsoffizier (der) - Field Officer.
- Stabsquartier (das) - Headquarters.
- Staffel (die) - Air Squadron.
- Stahlhelm (der) - Steel helmet introduced in 1916 to replace the Pickelhaube.
- Stahlgrün - A dark jade green color.
- Stellungskrieg (der) - Trench warfare.
- Stiefel (die) - Boots.
- Stiefelhose (die) - Boot trousers. Worn by most Infantry Officers.
- Sturmabteilung (die) - Storm troops.
- Taille (die) - waist or waistline.
- Taillenhaken (die) - Belt support hook.
- Telegraphen (die) - Telegraph Troops.
- Totenkopf (der) - Death's head, Skull.
- Train (der) - Supply and Service troops.
- Tschako (der) - Cylinder-shaped leather helmet worn by most Jäger, Telegraph, Aviation, Schützen, Marine and Machine gun detachments.
- Tschapka (die) - Leather square-topped leather helmet worn by Ulanen.
- Tresse (die) - Lace sewn around collar and cuffs to denote NCOs.
- Troddel (der) - Knot.
- Truppen (die) - Troops, Formation.
- Tuch (das) - Cloth material for uniforms.
- Tuchhose (die) - Cloth trousers worn by most ground troops.
- Überzug (der) - Cloth helmet cover.
- Ulanen (die) - The German Lancers.
- Ulanka - Tunic worn by Ulanen (Lancers).
- Umhang (der) - Cloak.
- Unterlage (die) - Colored cloth underlay on Officers shoulder boards.
- Unteroffizier (der) - Corporal.
- Verbandszeugtasche (die) - Bandage pocket.
- Verkehrstruppen (die) - Transportation Troops. These included all Eisenbahn (Railway), Telegraphen (Telegraph), Flieger (Flying), Luftschiffer (Balloon and Zeppelin)
- Vereinfachte Uniform (die) - Simplified uniform which appeared in 1915 before and during the issue of the M1915 Bluse.
- Versuchs - Experimental.
- Verwaltung (die) - Administration.
- Vizefeldwebel (der) - Junior Sergeant. Usually a Company Sgt. Major.
- Veterinärwesen (das) - Veterinary Corps.
- Vorschrift (die) - Regulation.
- Vorderschirm (der) - Front visor on spiked helmets.
- Vorstoss (der) - Piping.
- Wache (die) - Guard, Sentry.
- Wachtanzug (der) - Guard Dress.
- Wachtdienst (der) - Guard Duty.
- Waffenrock (der) - Tunic.
- Wappen (das) - Helmet front plate on spiked helmets. It also means coat of arms. For instance the white-blue flag with the golden
lion is Bavaria's "Wappen".
- Weiss - White.
- Winkerflaggen-Abzeichen (das) - Signals sleeve patch of two crossed signals flags worn on the right sleeve.
- Winkel (der) - Chevron.
- Württemberg- This Kingdom supplied 4% of the German Army.
- Zitronengelb - A lemon yellow color.
- Zug (der) - Platoon.
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