High Command (OKH) located approximately 20 miles west of Berlin in Zossen, Germany. Zug – platoon or train. Zugführer – platoon leader Zugtruppführer – platoon HQ section leader Zur besonderen Verwendung (z.b.V.) – for special employment. Sometimes a killing squad/unit, but also used for divisions raised for special reasons (e.g., the Division zbV Afrika). Zyklon-B – commercial name for the prussic acid (hydrocyanic acid) gas used in German extermination camps. List of German military ranks Approximate ranks relative to US ranks: Reichsmarschall – "Marshal of the Empire", the highest rank in the German armed forces during World War II (specifically created for Hermann Göring to distinguish him from the other field marshals). Equivalent to General of the Armies of the United States Generalfeldmarschall – General of the Army during World War II. Generaloberst – General, literally "highest" or "supreme general", usually translated "Colonel-general"; not used in the Bundeswehr General der Infanterie, Kavallerie, etc. – General (before 1956 equivalent to US Lieutenant General) Generalleutnant – Lieutenant-General (before 1956 equivalent to US Major General) Generalmajor – Major-General (before 1956 equivalent to US Brigadier General) Brigadegeneral – Brigadier General; not used prior to the Bundeswehr Oberst – Colonel, literally "highest" Oberstleutnant – Lieutenant Colonel Major – Major Hauptmann/Rittmeister – Captain Oberleutnant – First Lieutenant Leutnant – (Second) Lieutenant Oberstabsfeldwebel/Oberstabsbootsmann – (Senior NCO) Stabsfeldwebel/Hauptbootsmann – master sergeant (senior NCO) Oberfeldwebel/Bootsmannsmaat – technical sergeant (senior NCO) Fähnrich/Oberfähnrich – no perfect equivalent. Senior officer cadet with something like warrant officer status, used in functions like ensign, passed midshipman or 2nd lieutenant but not commissioned. Fahnenjunker – no perfect equivalent. Most junior officer cadet with sergeant (US) or corporal (UK) status. Feldwebel/Wachtmeister/Bootsmann – staff sergeant (senior NCO) Unterfeldwebel – sergeant; formerly called Sergeant prior to 1921 (not in use in the Bundeswehr) Stabsunteroffizer/Obermaat (junior NCO) Unteroffizier/Maat – corporal (junior NCO) (since the Bundeswehr more comparable to petty officer) Oberstabsgefreiter – (enlisted personnel); not used prior to the Bundeswehr. Stabsgefreiter – (enlisted personnel) Hauptgefreiter – (enlisted personnel); not used prior to the Bundeswehr. Obergefreiter – Lance Corporal (enlisted personnel). Historically, and up until 1945, the rank of Obergefreiter was considered in English the equivalent to a British Army Lance Corporal with seniority, therefore named "Senior Lance Corporal", or rather Second Corporal in the Artillery. Gefreiter – Private First Class (enlisted personnel). Historically, and up until 1945, the rank of Gefreiter was considered in English the equivalent to a