Vocabulary: Military
German military records are not as helpful as church records and are not generally used in German family history research, though available. Some military divisions did keep vital records in the 19th century, and these potentially useful documents is where you will find these words.
| German | English | Examples |
| Abteilung, Abt. | division | 
|
| Abwehr | defense | 
|
| Armee | army | 
|
| Artillerie | artillery | 
|
| Bataillon, Batl. | battalion | 
|
| Batterie | battery | 
|
| Bestrafung | punishment | 
|
| Dienst | service | 
|
| Dienstgrad | military rank | 
|
| Einheit | unit | 
|
| Eintritt | enlistment | 
|
| Entlassung | discharge | 
|
| Ersatz | reserves | 
|
| Feld | field | 
|
| Feldwebel | sergeant | 
|
| Flak | anti-aircraft | 
|
| Flieger | airplane | 
|
| Flugzeug | airplane | 
|
| Freiwillige | volunteer | 
|
| Führer | leader | 
|
| Führung | leadership | 
|
| Füsilier | heavy infantry unit | 
|
| gefallen | fallen in battle | 
|
| Gefreite | lance-corporal | 
|
| Geschütz | cannon | 
|
| Grenadier | rifleman, infantryman | 
|
| Heer | army | 
|
| Infanterie | infantry | 
|
| Kampf | fight, conflict, battle | 
|
| Kanone | cannon | 
|
| Kommander | commander | 
|
| Kompagnie | company | 
|
| Korps | corps | 
|
| Krieg | war | 
|
| Kriegsgefangene | prisoner of war | 
|
| Lazarett | field hospital | 
|
| Luftwaffe | airforce | 
|
| Marine | navy | 
|
| Militär | military | 
|
| Musketier | musketeer | 
|
| Orden | medals, decoration | 
|
| Regiment | regiment | 
|
| Schlacht | battle | 
|
| Soldat | soldier | 
|
| Stabsunteroffizier | sergeant | 
|
| Strafe | punishment | 
|
| Stab | staff | 
|
| Tot | dead | 
|
| Truppen | troops | 
|
| Verletzung | injury | 
|
| versetzt | transferred | 
|
| Wachtmeister | sergeant | 
|
| Waffen | arms | 
|
| Wehrmacht | armed forces | 
|