''Feuerwerker'' (ordnance technician or specialist, literally 'fire worker') are specialists in the armed forces of German-speaking countries responsible for the maintenance of
ammunition
Ammunition (informally ammo) is the material fired, scattered, dropped, or detonated from any weapon or weapon system. Ammunition is both expendable weapons (e.g., bombs, missiles, grenades, land mines) and the component parts of other weap ...
.
From the
late Middle Ages
The Late Middle Ages or Late Medieval Period was the Periodization, period of European history lasting from AD 1300 to 1500. The Late Middle Ages followed the High Middle Ages and preceded the onset of the early modern period (and in much of Eur ...
until the
Early modern period a ''Feuerwerker'' was a highly specialised artisan with detailed knowledge of the closely guarded secrets of making gunpowder. Since the 19th century ''Feuerwerker'' became a distinguished career in Austrian, German and Russian
(russian: Фейерверкер; Feyerverker) armed forces.
Germany
In the modern German
Bundeswehr
The ''Bundeswehr'' (, meaning literally: ''Federal Defence'') is the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. The ''Bundeswehr'' is divided into a military part (armed forces or ''Streitkräfte'') and a civil part, the military part con ...
, ''Feuerwerker'' is the collective designation to non-commissioned officers (OR5 to OR9) and officers of the military functional service
(german: Offizier(e) militärfachlischer Dienst, OF1 and OF2) with several years of special training pertaining to construction, maintenance, and destruction of ammunition.
Russian Imperial Army
Between 1700 and 1917, the ranks of Senior Feuerwerker (Senior Gunner) and Junior Feuerwerker (Vice-Feuerwerker, Junior Gunner) in the Russian Army were used in artillery. They were equal to the Junior and Senior
Unteroffizier
() is a junior non-commissioned officer rank used by the . It is also the collective name for all non-commissioned officers in Austria and Germany. It was formerly a rank in the Imperial Russian Army.
Austria
, also , is the collective name t ...
(Under Officer) in the land troops, respectively.
Austro-Hungarian Empire
''Feuerwerker'' was a
military rank
Military ranks are a system of hierarchical relationships, within armed forces, police, intelligence agencies or other institutions organized along military lines. The military rank system defines dominance, authority, and responsibility in a ...
of the Austro-Hungarian Armed Forces (1867–1918).
In the Austro-Hungarian Armed Forces ''Feuerwerker'' was equivalent to:
*''Beschlagmeister I. Klasse'' (Master-Blacksmith 1st class) cavalry,
*''
Feldwebel
''Feldwebel '' (Fw or F, ) is a non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank in several countries. The rank originated in Germany, and is also used in Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, and Estonia. The rank has also been used in Russia, Austria-Hungary, occupi ...
'' (en: Master-Sergeant) infantry,
*''Oberjäger'' (en: Master-Sergeant) of the mountain troops,
*''Rechnungs-Unteroffizier I. Klasse'' (en: Fiscal master-sergeant 1st class),
*''Regimentshornist'' (en: Regiment bugler),
*''Regimentstambour'' (en: Regiment drummer),
*''
Wachtmeister
(Wm; German for 'master-sentinel' or 'watch-master') is a military rank of non-commissioned officers (NCO) in Austria and Switzerland. The was initially responsible for the guard duty of the army. Later, it became the equivalent NCO-grade of ...
'' (en: Master-Sergeant) cavalry,
*''Waffenmeister I. Klasse'' (en: Weapon master 1st class) artillery and weapon arsenal,
**''Einjährig-Freiwilliger-Feldwebel'' (en:Feldwebel - volunteer serving one year), and
**''Kadett-Feldwebel'' (Officers-Aspirant in rank of Master-Sergeant).
The rank insignia was a gorget patch on the stand-up collar of the so-called ''
Waffenrock
( lso ) was originally a medieval German term for an outer garment, worn by knights over their armor.
Later, became the generic term for any military uniform, including dress and parade uniforms, and also referred to epaulettes or shoulder bo ...
'' (en: tunic), and consisted of three white stars on 13 mm ragged yellow silk galloon. The gorget patch and the stand-up collar showed the particular
Waffenfarbe
In the German military, ''Waffenfarbe'' (German: "branch-of-service colors" or "corps colors") is a visual method that the armed forces use to distinguish between different corps or troop functions in its armed services. The ''Waffenfarbe'' it ...
(en: corps colour).
;Examples (selection):
See also
References / sources
*Word and tradition in the German Army (de: Heer), by Transfeldt – v. Brand – Quenstedt, 6th increased edition, Hamburg 11 H.G. Schulz 1967, p. 80/§104, definition: ''Feuerwerker''.
*BROCKHAUS, The encyclopedia in 24 volumes (1796–2001), Volume 7: 3-7653-3676-9, page 267, definition: ''Feuerwerker'', ''Militärwesen''.
* Rest-Ortner-Ilmig: ''Des Kaisers Rock im 1. Weltkrieg – Uniformierung und Ausrüstung der österreichisch-ungarischen Armee von 1914 bis 1918''. Verlag Militaria, Wien 2002. .
{{DEFAULTSORT:Feuerwerker
Military ranks of Germany
Military ranks of Austria
Military ranks
Austro-Hungarian Army