Courtesy of Juergen Steenken (steenkenj@netscape.net), answering the question:
What did German sailors in the Kaiserlichemarine and the Kriegsmarine say in response to a direct order to indicate they understood and would comply? In other words, what was their equivalent to the American "Aye-aye Sir"?
According to the Leitfaden für den Dienst=Unterricht in der Hochseeflotte XVII. Issue from 1914 Page 91, Chaper V "Verhalten in und außer Dienst" :
Unnötige Respektsäußerungen sind zu vermeiden und dienstliche Redensarten wie "zu Befehl" und "jawohl" zu bebrauchen."
The command had to be replied so that the Officer sees that he was well understood. If the man has not understood it, he has to ask:"
Wie Befehlen Herr (Rank) ?". The Officer was addressed as:
Kaiser: Euer Majestät
Kronprinz: Euer Kais. Hoheit
Prinzen des Kgl. Hauses (Prussia): Euer Königliche Hoheit
Flaggoffiziere(Großadmiral, Admiral, Vizeadmiral) und Staatssekretär
des RMA: Euer Exzellenz.
Offiziere, Decksoffiziere, Unteroffiziere und dienstuende
Unteroffiziere: with "Herr" and Rank
Grafen from Konteradmiral and lower: Herr Graf
In official things, the function was set before the rank like:
Seine Majestät der Kaiser, Seine königliche Hoheit der Prinz,
Seine Exzellenz der Generalinspekteur, Seine Exzellenz der
Geschwaderchef.
The Commander of the vessel was talked about with der Kommandant hat... and not Herr Kapitän hat (the Korvetten- and Fregattenkapitän were also called Kapitän).
In addressing "Sie" not allowed.
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