Oberst (rank)

Please see "Oberst" for other meanings of the word

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Oberst is a military rank in several German speaking countries which translates as Colonel.

Related Topics:
German - Colonel

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The rank is well known in American cinema since several popular movies (such as The Great Escape and Stalag 17) have featured characters who held the rank of Oberst. American stereotypes of an Oberst usually entail a World War II era Wehrmacht Officer, sometimes wearing a monocle, speaking English with a heavy German accent and usually up to some sinister plan to foil Americans. Colonel Klink was a comical version of such a sterotype.

Related Topics:
Cinema - The Great Escape - Stalag 17 - Stereotype - World War II - Wehrmacht - Monocle - English - Colonel Klink

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The rank of Oberst may currently be found in the militaries of Austria, Germany, and Liechtenstein. In the past, Bavaria used the rank when the German state existed as a kingdom. Prussia also maintained the rank giving rise to the 19th century perception of the "German Oberst" commanding troops in the Napoleonic Wars.

Related Topics:
Austria - Germany - Liechtenstein - Bavaria - Prussia - 19th century - Napoleonic Wars

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Oberst is also a prefix to other German ranks such as Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant Colonel) and the now obsolete SS rank of Oberstgruppenführer.

Related Topics:
Lieutenant Colonel - SS rank - Oberstgruppenführer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~