cavalry captain
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cavalry captain
A historical rank for an officer in the cavalry (mounted troops), corresponding to a captain in the infantry.
Der Rittmeister von und zu der Tann führte seine Schwadron in die Schlacht.
Rittmeister von und zu der Tann led his squadron into battle.
The word is made up of 'Ritt' (ride, from 'reiten' (to ride)) and 'Meister' (master). So a Rittmeister was literally the 'master of riding' or the leader of a mounted unit.
Als Offizier der Kavallerie war er ein ausgezeichneter Reiter.
As an officer in the cavalry, he was an excellent rider.
'Rittmeister' (cavalry captain) is a historical rank that no longer exists in today's Bundeswehr. You mainly find it in texts, films, or conversations about the period before the Second World War.
Mein Urgroßvater war Rittmeister im Ersten Weltkrieg.
My great-grandfather was a cavalry captain in the First World War.
The term 'Rittmeister' (cavalry captain) is inseparably linked with the cavalry, that is, the mounted troop units of the army. His unit was often called a squadron.
Der Rittmeister befahl seiner Schwadron den Angriff.
The cavalry captain ordered his squadron to attack.
captain
Both words refer to a historical officer rank. Rittmeister, however, specifically referred to an officer in the cavalry, while Hauptmann refers to the corresponding rank outside this specific assignment. When mounted troops are involved, Rittmeister is the appropriate term; for a general military rank, Hauptmann is used.
Der Rittmeister der Kavallerie führte seine Reiter durch das Dorf.
The cavalry captain led his riders through the village.
Der Hauptmann der Infanterie führte seine Soldaten durch das Dorf.
The infantry captain led his soldiers through the village.
