high command
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high command
The highest military command authority of a country's armed forces, responsible for strategic planning and issuing orders.
Das Oberkommando der Armee gab den Befehl zum Rückzug.
The army high command gave the order to retreat.
The word is made up of 'Ober-' and 'Kommando' (command). The prefix 'Ober-' means 'highest' or 'leading' and indicates a high position in a hierarchy.
Der Oberbürgermeister ist das Oberhaupt der Stadtverwaltung.
The Lord Mayor is the head of the city administration.
This word is used almost exclusively in military or historical contexts. It refers to the highest level of leadership in the armed forces.
Historiker analysierten die strategischen Fehler des Oberkommandos.
Historians analyzed the strategic mistakes of the high command.
'Das Oberkommando' (the high command) is very often combined with a genitive to specify which military unit is meant, for example 'das Oberkommando der Armee' (the army high command) or 'des Heeres' (of the army).
Das Oberkommando der Marine plante die nächste Operation.
The navy high command planned the next operation.
general staff
Oberkommando and Generalstab are both part of military leadership. The Oberkommando is the highest authority with the power to issue orders, while the Generalstab primarily prepares plans and advises the leadership. When the focus is on issuing an order, Oberkommando is the appropriate term; when it is on planning, Generalstab is the better choice.
Das Oberkommando erteilte den Befehl, die Soldaten in das nächste Gebiet zu verlegen.
The high command ordered the soldiers to move to the next area.
Der Generalstab erarbeitete mehrere Pläne für die Verlegung der Soldaten.
The general staff drew up several plans for moving the soldiers.
