Military Abbreviations

It must be recognized that there is no definitive listing of abbreviations used amongst WWI aviation historians. Even in official publications there are differences in commonly used abbreviations--both among official publications and within official publications. The partial listing of World War I abbreviations is based on a listing of abbreviations commonly used by authors of various WWI aviation journals, as well as in official publications and is provided with the objective of achieving a sense of uniformity and consistency in the material presented in the Journal.

Austro-Hungarian/German Abbreviations

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AbbreviationGerman/Austro-HungarianEnglish Translation or Equivalent
Abt. Abteilung section, unit
Ad Adler-Werke vorm. H. Kleyer AG, Frankfurt Adler works [as in Adler Ad.IV]
a.D. ausser Dienst not on military status, retired
AEG Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft, Hennigsdorf general electric company
AFP Armee-Flugpark army aviation park
AFS Artillerie-Flieger-Schule artillery flying school
AG Aktien-Gesellschaft stock company
Ago Ago Flugzeugwerke GmbH, Johannisthal Ago aircraft works
A-H Österreich-Ungarn Austro-Hungarian/Austria-Hungary
AK Armeekorps army corps
Alb Albatros Gesellschaft für Flugzeugunternehmungen mbH, Johannisthal Albatros company for aviation enterprises
AOK Armee-Oberkommando army high command
As Argus Motoren-Gesellschaft mbH, Berlin Argus engine company [as in Argus As.III]
Av Automobil und Aviatik AG, Leipzig Aviatik company
B bayerische   Bavarian (following or preceding an aviation section)
Bak Ballon-Abwehr-Kanone anti-balloon cannon (early war term for flak)
Batl Bataillon battalion
Battr Batterie battery
Bayru Bayerische Rumpler-Werke AG, Augsburg Bavarian Rumpler works [as in Rumpler C.IV (Bayru)]
Bay Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG, München Bavarian aircraft works [as in Albatros C.Ia (Bay)]
Be Seebacher Maschinenbau AG, (Becker) Seebach-Zürich Seebacher machine company [as in Argus As.III (Be)]
Beob Beobachter observer
Bus Basse & Selve, Altena Basse & Selve company [as in Basse & Selve Bus.IVa]
B-Zug Ballonzug balloon train
BAM Brieftauben-Abteilung Metz carrier pigeon section, Metz (code name for bombing section)
BAO Brieftauben-Abteilung Ostend carrier pigeon section, Ostend (code name for bombing section)
BFW Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG, München Bavarian aircraft works [as in BFW Cl.I]
BMW Bayerische Motoren-Werke AG, München Bavarian engine works [as in BMW.IIIa]
Bogohl, BG Bombengeschwader der Obersten Heeresleitung bombing squadron of the high command
Brand Hansa und Brandenburgische Flugzeugwerke AG, Briest Hansa-Brandenburg aircraft works
Bz Benz & Cie., Rheinische Automobil- und Motoren-Fabrik AG, Mannheim Benz automobile and engine factory [as in Benz Bz.IV]
Bzg Ballonzug balloon train
C Deutsche Motorenbau-Gesellschaft mbH, (Conrad), Berlin German engine company [as in Conrad C.III (Nag)]
D Daimler Motoren-Gesellschaft mbH, Stuttgart-Untertürkheim Daimler engine company [as in Mercedes D.IIIa]
DFW Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke GmbH, Leipzig German aircraft works
Dipl.-Ing. Diplom-Ingenieur graduate engineer
Div Division Division
DL, d.L. der Landwehr of the territorial reserve
Do Dornier Dornier [as in Zep D.I (Do)]
DR,d.R. der Reserve of the reserve
Dz Gasmotoren Fabrik Deutz, Köln-Deutz Gas engine factory [as in Argus As.III(Dz)]
EFP Etappen-Flug-Park rear area aviation park (1914)
Ers. Ersatz Replacement
Eul Euler Werke, Frankfurt/M Euler works
FB Sch Flieger Beobachter Schule flying observer school
Fdh Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen GmbH, Friedrichshafen Friedrichshafen aircraft company
FdL Führer der Luftschiffe leader of airships
FEA Flieger Ersatz Abteilung aviation replacement unit
Feflish Feld-Fliegerschule (A-H) field flying school
Feldflugchef Chef des Feldflugwesens commander of the air service (until the fall of 1916)
FFA Feld-Flieger-Abteilung field aviation section
FLA Feld-Luftschiffer-Abteilung field lighter than air section
FlAbt Flieger-Abteilung aviation section
FlAbt (A) Flieger-Abteilung (A) aviation section equipped for artillery spotting
FlAbt (Lb) Flieger-Abteilung (Lb) aviation section equipped for taking strip photographs
Flak Fliegerabwehrkanone anti-aircraft cannon, flak
Flak Flugabwehrkanone anti-aircraft cannon
Flars Fliegerarsenal (A-H) aviation arsenal
Flek Fliegerersatzkompagnie (A-H) aviation replacement company
Flep Fliegeretappenpark (A-H) rear area aviation park
Flik Fliegerkompagnie (A-H) aviation company
Flip Fliegerpark (A-H) rear area aviation park
Flosch Fliegeroffizierschule (A-H) flying officer school
Flz Flugzeug Aircraft
FMF Freiwilliges Marine-Fliegerkorps volunteer naval fliers corps (1914)
FP Flugpark aviation park
Fp Feldpilot field pilot
Fok Fokker Flugzeugwerke, GmbH, Schwerin Fokker aircraft works
Frhr, Frh Freiherr Baron
FS Fliegerschule flying school
Gef Gefallen died in combat
Germ Germania Flugzeugwerke GmbH, Leipzig Germania aircraft works
GmbH Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung limited liability stock company
Go Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG, Gotha Gotha wagon factory
Goe Gandenbergische Maschinenfabrik, Inh. Georg Goebel, Darmstadt Gandenbergische machine factory (owner George Goebel) [as in Goebel Goe.II]
Grufl Gruppenführer der Flieger group leader of aviation
Gruja Gruppenführer der Jagdstaffeln group leader of Jastas
Güldner Motoren Gesellschaft, Aschaffenburg Güldner engine company [as in Argus As.III(Gü)]
Halb Halberstädter Flugzeugwerke GmbH, Halberstadt Halberstadt aircraft works
Han Hannoversche Waggonfabrik AG, Hannover Hannover wagon factory
Hansa Hanseatische Flugzeugwerke, Karl Caspar AG, Hamburg Hanseatic aircraft works Karl Caspar
HAWA Hannoversche Waggonfabrik AG, Hannover Hannover wagon factory
Idflieg Inspektion der Fliegertruppen Inspectorate of aviation troops
Ifl Infanterie Flieger infantry flier (i.e., aircraft or pilot)
Idluft Inspektion der Luftschiffertruppen Inspectorate of lighter-than-air troops
ILUK Interallierte Luftfahrt-Kontroll- Kommission Inter-Allied Aeronautical Control Commission (IAACC)
Ing Ingenieur Engineer
Insp Inspektion Inspectorate
Ja Jaray Jaray [as in Zep C.I (Ja)]
Jage Jagdgeschwader fighter squadron, later fighter wing
Jasta Jagdstaffel single-seat fighter section
Jasta (b) Jasta (bayerische) Bavarian Jasta
Jasta (s) Jasta (sächsische) Saxonian Jasta
Jasta (w) Jasta (württembergische) Württembergian Jasta
Jco Junkers & Co., Dessau Junkers & company
Jfa Junkers-Fokker Werke AG, Dessau Junkers-Fokker works
JG Jagdgeschwader fighter squadron, later fighter wing
JGr Jagdgruppe fighter group
Kagohl Kampfgeschwader der OHL fighting (bombing) squadron of the OHL
KdoRfa Kommando der Riesenflugzeug Abteilung Commander of the giant aircraft units
KeK Kampfeinsitzer Kommando single-seat fighter command
Kesta Kampfeinsitzerstaffel single-seat fighter section
Kg Gebrüder Körting AG, Hannover Körting company [as in Körting Kg.III]
KG Kampfgeschwader fighting (bombing) squadron
KM Kriegs-Ministerium war ministry
Kodofea Kommandeur der Flieger Ersatz Abteilungen Commander of aviation replacement units
Kofl Kommandeur der Fliegertruppe Commander of aviation troops of an army
Koflak Kommandeur der Flugabwehrkanonen Commander of anti-aircraft cannons of an army
Kogenluft Kommandierende General der Luftstreitkräfte commanding general of the air services
Koluft Kommandeur der Luftschiffertruppen Commander of lighter-than-air troops of an army
Kon Kondor Flugzeugwerke GmbH, Essen Kondor aircraft works
KS, Ks Kampfstaffel fighting section
KuK Kaiserlich und Königlich (A-H) royal and imperial
Ldst Landsturm territorial reserve
Ldw Landwehr Army reserves (age group 35-45)
LF Landflugzeug Land plane (navy)
LFG Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft mbH, Berlin aircraft company (tradename Roland)
LFT Luftfahrtruppen (A-H) aviation troops
Li Linke-HofmannWerke AG, Breslau Linke-Hofmann works
LMG leichtes Maschinengewehr light machine gun
LSA Luftschifferabteilung (A-H) airship section
LSB Luftschiffer-Bataillon airship (balloon) battalion
Luftfriko Luftfahrt Friedenskommission   German counterpart to the IAACC
LVG Luft-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft mbH, Johannisthal air transport company
MAA Militär-Aeronautische Anstalt (A-H) military aeronautical establishment
MAG Ungarische Allgemeine Maschinenfabrik AG (A-H) Hungarian general machine factory
MAN Machinenfabrik Ausburg-Nürnberg AG, Augsburg Machine factory Augsburg-Nürnberg [as in MAN Mana.III]
Mana Machinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg AG, Augsburg & Nürnberg Machine factory Augsburg-Nürnberg [as in MAN Mana.III]
Mark Märkische Flugzeugwerft GmbH, Golm/M Märkische aircraft company
Mb Motorenbau-GmbH (Maybach), Friedrichshafen Maybach engine factory [as in Maybach Mb.IVa]
Mer Mercur Flugzeugbau GmbH, Berlin Mercur aircraft company
MFFA Marine-Feldflieger-Abteilung naval field flying squadron
MG Maschinengewehr machine gun
MLFA Marine-Landflieger-Abteilung naval landplane squadron
m/n Marine Nummer marine serial number for aircraft
Nag Nationale Automobil-Gesellschaft, Berlin National automobile company [as in Conrad C.III(Nag)]
NFW Norddeutsche Flugzeugwerke, Teltow/M North German aircraft works
O Adam Opel, Rüsselsheim Opel company [as in BMW.IIIa(O)]
OAW Ostdeutsche Albatros-Werke GmbH, Schneidemühl East German Albatros works
OB Oberbefehlshaber supreme commander
Ob-Ing Oberingenieur chief engineer
OEFFAG Osterreischische Flugzeugfabrik AG (A-H) Austrian aircraft factory
Offz Offizier Officer
OHL Oberste Heeresleitung supreme command
Öst-ung österreichisch-ungarisch Austrian-Hungarian or Austro-Hungarian
Ot Otto-Werke GmbH, Munich Otto works [as in LVG B.II (Ot)]
Pfal Pfalz Flugzeugwerke GmbH, Speyer Pfalz aircraft works
Ph Phönix Flugzeugwerke AG (A-H) Phönix aircraft works
PuW Prüfanstalt und Werft test establishment and workshops
Rb-Zug,Rbz Reihenbildzug Strip photography train
Rea Riesenflugzeug Ersatz Abteilung giant aircraft replacement section
Refla Albatros Militär Werkstätten, Warsaw Albatros military workshops [as in Albatros Alb B.II (Refla)]
Rfa Riesenflugzeug Abteilung giant aircraft section
RFlgz Riesenflugzeug giant aircraft
Rgt Regiment Regiment
Rh Rhemag Rhenania Motoren Fabrik AG, Mannheim Rhemag Rhenania engine factory [as in Siemens-Halske Sh.III(Rh)]
Rie L.A. Riedinger, Augsburg Riedinger company [as in Mercedes D.IIIav(Rie)]
Rin Albert Rinne Flugzeugwerke, Rummelsburg Rinne aircraft works
RMA Reichsmarineamt Reichs Marine Office
Rol Luftfahrzeug Gesellschaft mbH, Berlin aircraft company (tradename Roland)
Rp Rapp Motoren Werke GmbH, München Rapp engine works [as in Rapp Rp.III]
__ Regiebau Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract
Ru Rumpler Werke AG, Johannisthal Rumpler company
(s) sächsische Saxonian, following an aviation section
S Schulflugzeug   training aircraft (Navy)
Sab Sablatnig Flugzeugbau GmbH, Berlin Sablatnig aircraft company
Schlasta Schlachtstaffel aviation battle section
Schül Luftschiffbau Schütte-Lanz, Rheinau Schütte-Lanz lighter-than-air company
Schül Luftfahrzeugbau Schütte-Lanz, Zeesen Schütte-Lanz aircraft company
Schusta Schutzstaffel aviation protection section
SflAbt Seeflieger-Abteilung naval aircraft section
Sh Siemens & Halske AG, Berlin Siemens & Halske company [as in Siemens-Halske Sh.II]
s/n Serien-Nummer (plural Serien Nummern) serial or series number for aircraft (e.g., D.1234/17)
SSW Siemens-Schuckert-Werke GmbH, Berlin Siemens-Schuckert works
St Stab army staff
St Stoewer-Werke AG, Stettin Stower works [as in Argus As.II(St)]
Staak Zeppelin-Werke Staaken GmbH, Staaken Zeppelin works Staaken
Stofl Stabsoffizier der Flieger staff officer for aviation
Stoflak Stabsoffizier der Flugabwehrkanonen staff officer for anti-aircraft cannons
Stoluft Stabsoffizier der Luftschiffertruppen staff officer for lighter-than-air troops
SVK Seeflugzeug-Versuchs-Kommando seaplane testing command
Sw Otto Schwade & Co., Erfurt Otto Schwade & company [as in Basse & SelveBus.IVa(Sw)]
Th Thöne & Fiala (A-H) Thöne & Fiala company
TTCHECK! Typenprüfung NOT TP? type-test
U Motorenfabrik Oberursel, Oberursel Oberursel engine fctory [as in Oberursel U.I]
UFAG Ungarische Flugzeugwerke A.G. (A-H) Hungarian aircraft works
Ur Motorenfabrik Oberursel, Oberursel Oberursel engine factory [as in Oberursel Ur.II] (Le Rhône copy)
verm vermisst missing in combat
VPK Verkehrstechnische

Prüfungskommission

technical transport test commission
(w) württembergische Württembergian (following an aviation section)
WKF Wiener Karosserie und Flugzeugfabrik (A-H) Viennese coach body and aircraft factory
W/n Werk-Nummer (plural is Werk- Nummern) work number (Werke Nummer is incorrect in any case)
ZAK Zentral Abnahme-Kommission central acceptance commission
zbV zur besonderen Verwendung for special assignment
Zep Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH, Lindau Zeppelin airship company
zV zur Verfügung at disposal

List of Military