Höherordnige

Höherordnige refers to higher-ranking officials or non-commissioned officers in the ranks of the German and Austro-Hungarian military. The term is often translated to "superior non-commissioned officers" or "upper non-commissioned officers".

In the German and Austro-Hungarian armies of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the rank of Höherordnung (singular) was typically held by non-commissioned officers who had been appointed to higher positions of authority due to their exceptional leadership and technical skills. Höherordnige were often responsible for supervising smaller units, such as companies or platoons, and were accountable for the training and welfare of the soldiers under their command.

The rank of Höherordnung was equivalent in rank to that of a commissioned officer, such as a lieutenant or a captain, but without the obligations and privileges of a commissioned officer. Höherordnige were considered to be part of the Unteroffizierskorps, a category of non-commissioned officers that also included ordinary Unteroffiziere (private soldiers or warrant officers).

In the German and Austro-Hungarian armies, Höherordnige played an important role in the functioning of the military hierarchy, serving as a link between the commissioned officers and the enlisted personnel. They were responsible for maintaining discipline, controlling the training and equipment of the troops under their command, and acting as advocates for the welfare of the soldiers.

The rank of Höherordnung was abolished in the German and Austro-Hungarian armies following World War I, as part of a broader reorganization of the military ranks.