This page relates to the World War Two appointment. For information on the Bundeswehr rank, see Hauptfeldwebel (rank). Feldwebel is a German military rank which has existed since at least the 18th century with usage as a title dating to the Middle Ages. ...

In the German military, the appointment of Hauptfeldwebel was the German equivalent of a Commonwealth Company Sergeant Major or American Company First Sergeant. There was one such NCO in every infantry company, artillery battery, cavalry squadron, etc. his duties were largely administrative. He was the senior NCO of his subunit, and had many nicknames including 'der Spiess' ("the Spear") and 'die Mutter die Kompanie' ("company mother"). It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Sergeant Major. ...

He wore two rings of NCO braid around the cuff of his sleeves (nicknamed "piston rings") and carried a meldetasche (reporting pouch) tucked into the tunic front, in which he carried blank report forms, rosters, and other papers related to his duties.

The German Army had no equivalent of the Commonwealth Regimental Sergeant Major at the battalion level. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Sergeant Major. ...

This appointment could be held by any non-commissioned officer (Unteroffiziere mit Portepee or Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee) but was generally held by an Oberfeldwebel or Stabsfeldwebel. Feldwebel is a German military rank which has existed since at least the 18th century with usage as a title dating to the Middle Ages. ... Feldwebel is a German military rank which has existed since at least the 18th century with usage as a title dating to the Middle Ages. ...