TV Gold

Hello all.

Watching series 3 on Sky at the moment. Thoroughly enjoying revisiting childhood memories.

One thing, largely irrelevant to the plot leaves me confused. Google hasn't helped so I thought I'd ask here: how do the ranks for the SS/Gestapo, Luftwaffe, and RAF etc pan out? Do certain ranks have real equivalents in other branches and nations? What trumps Bomb Aimer or Sturmbarnfarther (can't pronounce or spell that one <!--emo&:P-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> ) Just how high up in the hierarchy is Kessler? Was his promotion substantive, or was it just an excuse for a new ribbon? Does a Knight's Cross allow for insubordination without risk?

Thanks everyone. That's all for my first post. Look out, there may be more later.

jermec

<!--QuoteBegin-jermec+Oct 5 2005, 12:29 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jermec @ Oct 5 2005, 12:29 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hello all.

Watching series 3 on Sky at the moment. Thoroughly enjoying revisiting childhood memories.

One thing, largely irrelevant to the plot leaves me confused. Google hasn't helped so I thought I'd ask here: how do the ranks for the SS/Gestapo, Luftwaffe, and RAF etc pan out? Do certain ranks have real equivalents in other branches and nations? What trumps Bomb Aimer or Sturmbarnfarther (can't pronounce or spell that one  <!--emo&:P-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> ) Just how high up in the hierarchy is Kessler? Was his promotion substantive, or was it just an excuse for a new ribbon? Does a Knight's Cross allow for insubordination without risk?

Thanks everyone. That's all for my first post. Look out, there may be more later.

jermec
[right][snapback]900[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

There is an article on the online encyclopedie Wikipedia called Comparative Military Ranks of World War II compares ranks within and between countries which should help

Kessler was originally a Sturmbannfuhrer which made him (technically) equivalent to Brandt and subsequently Reinhardt who were both Majors in the Luftwaffe. When he was promoted Kessler became a Standartenfuhrer. The Luftwaffe equivalent ot Standartenfuhrer was Oberst which is two ranks above Major

Verence

This is a handy little site <a href='http://www.angelfire.com/sk2/germanuniforms/' target='_blank'>http://www.angelfire.com/sk2/germanuniforms/</a>

Thanks for those hints. Things now seem a little clearer.

As far as the story goes, I'm getting worried now, as the series approaches its end. The tension works well, doesn't it? I can't remember how things resolve, and I'm desperate to avoid spoilers.

I hope they decide to show "Kessler" as a follow up.

jermec

<!--QuoteBegin-jermec+Oct 6 2005, 05:45 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jermec @ Oct 6 2005, 05:45 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Thanks for those hints. Things now seem a little clearer.

As far as the story goes, I'm getting worried now, as the series approaches its end. The tension works well, doesn't it? I can't remember how things resolve, and I'm desperate to avoid spoilers.

I hope they decide to show "Kessler" as a follow up.

jermec
[right][snapback]907[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

It looks like UKTV Drama is showing the sitcom "You Rang, M'Lud?" in the Secret Army slot from Wednesday <!--emo&:angry:-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->