Oberst is a military rank in several German-speaking countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway, although the latter two are not German-speaking. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation.

History

Translated as "superior" or "supreme", the rank of Oberst can trace its origins to the Middle Ages where the term most likely described the senior knight on a battlefield. With the founding of professional armies in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, an Oberst became the officer in charge of regiment or battalion-sized formations.

By the eighteenth century, Obersts were typically afforded aides or lieutenants, often called by the title Oberstleutnant. This led to formation of the modern German rank of the same name, translated as Lieutenant Colonel.

Oberst was used in the militaries of Germany and Austria during both World Wars. Oberst was also used as the prefix of the now obsolete SS rank of Oberstgruppenführer. The direct SS equivalent to an Oberst was known as a Standartenführer. A Colonel General during the World Wars was called Generaloberst.

Popular culture

The rank of Oberst is known in American cinema, since several popular movies (such as The Great Escape, Stalag 17, and Hart's War) have featured characters holding the rank. 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 of the television series Hogan's Heroes was a caricature of such a stereotype.

Military ranks of Germany | Oberst | Oberst