Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

the photo shows a member of the navy in rank of at least Bootsmann, also called in these days as they are today. Portepee-Unteroffizier, see ranks for navy:

[www.deutschekriegsmarine.de]


[de.wikipedia.org]

Excerpt:
„Das Portepee (frz. porte-épée = Degentrage, Degengehenk) war ursprünglich eine um Griff und Bügel einer Hiebwaffe und das Handgelenk des Kämpfers geschlungene Schlaufe, die das Herabfallen der Waffe im Kampf verhindern sollte. Später entwickelte sich daraus ein Standesabzeichen für Offiziere und Feldwebel.
Bei der Bundeswehr werden noch heute die Feldwebeldienstgrade als Unteroffiziere mit Portepee bezeichnet. Gemeinsames äußeres Kennzeichen dieser Dienstgradgruppe ist eine Paspelierung aus einer altgoldenen Kordel am Uniformkragen des Dienstanzugs. In der Marine ist der Begriff "PO" oder "PUO" für die Bootsleute (Pl. zu Bootsmann) heute noch gebräuchlich.“
Translation:

Portepee (French, s.o.) = epee – hanger/loop of baton/dagger twined around the wrist to prevent these instruments form falling off during battle. Later on it developed into an insignia of Officers and Sergeants, e.g. the today German Feldwebel = E7 of US Army. In the German Bundeswehr these type of sergeants – ranks are called Unteroffiziere mit Portepee.

It should be added, that after WWII in the Bundeswehr such sergeants were not permitted anymore to carry a type of dagger as depicted on the photo and for this matter also the officers were not allowed anymore to carry their respective batons. Politics at that time in the mid fifties of the last century had it, that these soldiers were looking to much “militaristic”. On the other hand the Feldwebels were also called informally “Offiziertuer”, meaning that they qualified for performing jobs of Lieutenants, be that 2nd or 1st.

Appearance of portepée sergeants were to be recognized by their old gold string piping on the collar of their uniform. In the navy they still use to call Bootsleute (Pl of Bootsmann) PO or PUO, meaning portepée officers or portepée Unteroffiziere.

I believe our friends from France made fun about the German “le Feldwebel” in a famous movie, maybe Casablance?

Hope this helps

You all have a nice day.
Sincerely Yours
VEK