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Rotmistrz

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File:Rotmistrz choragwi pancernej.jpg
Rotmistrz of an armoured regiment.

Rotmistrz was a military rank in Poland from the 15th century to the mid-20th century. It is often Anglicized as rotamaster. In earlier times it was a field-grade rank, with the Rotmistrz serving as the commander of an infantry (rota piechoty) or cavalry regiment (chorągiew jazdy).

In the cavalry the rank continued until 1945 as a company-grade title. Applied to the commander of a troop, it was equivalent to a captain (Pol. Kapitan) in other branches of the army. This system is similar to the former German cavalry usage of Rittmeister for cavalry troop commanders, instead of Hauptman as for other branches.

Notable Rotamasters

File:Porucznik.jpg
Shoulder strap of a rotmistrz (1939)

See also