Rittmeister (in German language literally [Horse] riding master or Cavalry master) was the military rank of a commissioned cavalry officer in charge of a squadron (a troop in the United States), the equivalent of O3 or Captain, in the armies of German-speaking and Austro-Hungarian states.[1][2]
The Dutch equivalent, Ritmeester, still serves as the official designation for officers in the cavalry branches of the Royal Dutch Army.[3]
The Norwegian equivalent, Rittmester, still serves as the official designation for officers in the armoured and mechanized infantry branches of the Norwegian Army. In Sweden the rank was known as Ryttmästare, and in Denmark (until 1951) as Ritmester.
The Polish army also used a similar rank, Rotmistrz, which commanded rota. The Lithuanian name was rotmistra.
The rank was also adopted into Russian New Regiments as rotmistr (ротмистр) and later legalized in Table of Ranks as the cavalry position; in 1798, a lower-ranking Stabs-Rittmeister was created.
See also
- Comparative military ranks of World War I
- List of military ranks in Netherlands defense establishment (Dutch language)
- Ranks and insignia of NATO armies officers
Notes
- ^ Thomas, Nigel; G. A. Embleton (2003). The German Army of World War I (1): 1914-15. Translated by G. A. Embleton. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781841765655. http://books.google.com/books?id=XqG5mPez0AcC&dq=Rittmeister+Hauptmann&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
- ^ Jewison, Glenn; Jörg C. Steiner (2008-12-12). "Badges of Rank of the Austro-Hungarian Army 1914-1918". Austro-Hungarian Land Forces 1848-1918. http://www.austro-hungarian-army.co.uk/badges/badges.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-16. "Infantry: Hauptmann... Cavalry: Rittmeister"
- ^ "Wie is wie- De rangonderscheidingstekens van de krijgsmacht (Who is who - rank insignia of military establishment)" (in Dutch language) (PDF). Directie Voorlichting en Communicatie. Ministerie van Defensie. Oktober 2006. p. 2. http://www.mindef.nl/binaries/6073_Defensie_Rangen_NL_tcm15-23071.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
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