Swedish/English Dictionary, Military terms

Swedish

English

Adelsfanan

Cavalry Corps of the Nobility

Adjutant (mil.)

Adjutant, a military position, normally held by an [commissioned] officer.
Adjutant is an officer assisting a higher ranked officer. This position was introduced in the beginning of the 1700's and was then manned by non-commissioned officers, NCOs. The post as an adjutant got an officer's rank in 1734 but then with a salary of a NCO.
For example, a Lieutenant could be an adjutant to a Colonel.

Ammunition

Ammunition

Amiral

Admiral

Anfall

Charge - attack, assault

Anfalla

Engage

Arklimästare, artilleriet

An arklimästare in the artillery was in charge of an artillery depot, i.e. the artillery pieces and ammunition. The word “arkli” actually means arms depot. Today the term tygförråd is used instead of arkli.
There were also a national arklimästare in charge of all the arms depots. His title was Överstearklimästare (Colonel arklimästare). Later his title became Rikstygmästare.

Arklimästare, flottan

A navy arklimästare was a NCO working with the sea artillery onboard the ships. It was the lowest NCO rank in the sea artillery and he was responsible for the loading and aiming of a certain number of artillery pieces. This rank was in use until 1824.

Armén

The Army

Arméfördelning

Army division

Arméns Flotta

The Army Fleet, See
http://www.algonet.se/~hogman/navy_o_army_fleet.htm#Army%20Fleet

Artilleri

The Artillery

Artillerist

A soldier in the Artillery

Avsked

Discharge from the Army, Navy etc

Bajonett

Bayonet

Bataljon

Battalion, Infantry unit of 600 soldiers (4 companies)

Bataljonschef

Battalion Commander

Bataljonsstab

Battalion headquarters

Belägring

Siege

Beväringen

"Beväringen" was a forerunner to the National Service System. Every male between the age of 21 to 25 was required to serve in the military.
The first muster for the "beväringen" was held in 1813.

Beväring

A person called up for military service within the “Beväringen” was called a “beväring”. The word “beväring” could be abbreviated to “bev”.

Blankvapen

Edged weapons

Blodbad

Carnage

Brigad

Brigade

Brigadgeneral

Brigadier (UK) / Brigadier General (USA). An Army military rank - [commissioned] officer.

Båtsman

"Båtsmän" was the Swedish name of the navy seamen provided by the Allotment System. The "båtsmän" was provided in the same manner as the soldiers in the Army, that is through the "rote" farmers.
The "båtsmän" were deck hands doing all sorts of duties plus manning the guns during battle. Generally you could say that the "båtsmän" were low in rank and duties.  

It is difficult to find English translation of the title "Båtsman". They were a type of seamen serving onboard the Navy ships as explained above. The special thing about the "båtsmän" was the way they were provided - recruited - trained.
The title seaman is not incorrect but "seaman" doesn't pin point this special type of seaman the "båtsmän" were. A direct translation would be boatsman, however there is no such seaman title in the English language. It is one "båtsman" but two "båtsmän". See also: http://www.algonet.se/~hogman/regiments_navy_eng.htm

Båtsmanshåll

A term used for the Navy part of the Allotment System. This was the system of recruiting and maintaining the båtsmän by "rote" farmers.

Båtsmanstorp

Båtsman's croft (provided for the Navy seamen of the allotted Navy companies)

Distinktionskorpral

Corporal, a lower military rank. The rank of Distinktionskorpral was used between 1858 and 1914 when it was replaced with the reintroduced rank of Furir (Sergeant). Between 1858 and 1914 the Distinktionskorpral was the highest rank among the lower NCO:s. normally a corporal with many service years was promoted to Distinktionskorpral (First Corporal?).

Drabantkåren

Garde du Corps

Dragon

Dragoon: Dragoon was formerly mounted infantry. They traveled on horseback to the battlefield but they fought as foot soldiers. As mounted infantry they were very mobile units. It happened that dragoons fought as cavalry in battles. However, this was a type of warfare they weren't trained for and could end up in disaster. During the 18^th century the dragoons were more and more used as cavalry and therefore also trained as cavalry. Finally it was only the name that separated them from other cavalry. During the 19^th century dragoons was a term for heavy cavalry.

Eldhandvapen

Firearms

Fanjunkare

Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Master Sergeant).
A military rank introduced in 1833 when it replaced the former fältväbel. Fanjunkare was the highest NCO rank until 1945 when a new rank, Förvaltare became a rank above Fanjunkare.
Fanjunkare was used för staff NCO:s until 1983.

Flaggskepp

Flagship

Flintlåsmusköt

Flintlock musket

Fotjägare

Rifleman (infantry). Riflemen were specially trained infantry soldiers.  

Flottan

The Navy

Flotta

Fleet

Flotteskader

Navy squadron

Fotfolk (military term)

Soldiers at Foot or foot soldiers (infantry)

Fred

Peace

Fredsföredrag

Peace treaty

Fredsvillkor

Peace terms

Fregatt

Frigate (midsize man of war)

Furir

Military rank ("underofficer" = non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army until 1875 when this rank was replaced with Fanjunkare.
The rank of Furir was reintroduced in 1914 but now as a lower rank (underbefäl) corresponding to the English/American rank of sergeant.
In former days the Furir’s responsibility was to choose the company campsite. He also received the company food supplies and distributed it to the soldiers.

Fånge

Prisoner

Fältartilleri

Field artillery

Fältherre

Commander, general

Fältjägare

Rifleman. Riflemen were specially trained infantry soldiers.  

Fältmarskalk

Field Marshal

Fältpräst

Army chaplain, clergy

Fältsjuka

"Fältsjuka" = field disease (military) = camp fever, normally dysentery or typhus fever.

This was a group name of diseases that often infected soldiers when large amount of troopers was gathered together. Lack of hygiene and sanitation in those days caused many infectious diseases.
The disease spread very quickly if, for example, sewage disposal and human waste came in contact with water supplies.
Throughout all wars before the 20th century field diseases have killed more soldiers than the battles.Normally the field disease was typhus fever (fläckfeber) or dysentery (rödsot).In the Navy these types of diseases were called the Navy Disease (marinsjukan) or the Ship Disease/Ship fever (skeppsjukan) 

Fältskär / barberare

Military surgeon

Fälttåg

Campaign

Fältväbel

Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Master Sergeant).
In former days the Swedish Fältväbel’s responsibility was to line up the troops before a battle and he had the right to punish the company soldiers if they misbehaved. It was normally a fältväbel who held a position as the quartermaster-sergeant (kompanikvartermästare).
The rank Fältväbel was used in the Swedish Army until 1833 when it was replaced with the rank Fanjunkare.

Fänrik

Second Lieutenant, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. Fänrik was used in the Swedish Army until 1835 when it was replaced with the rank Underlöjtnat. The rank of Fänrik was reintroduced in 1937. 
In former days the Fänrik was in charge of the company colors during combat.

Fästning

Fortress, fort

Fästningsvall

Rampart

Förare

Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Master Sergeant).
A ”förare” was in charge of the company colors. Before a battle he handed the company colors to the Second Lieutenant who was in charge of the company colors during combat. The “förare” was also in charge of the company’s wounded and sick plus the company baggage, clearing the march route etc. He was also an assistant to the Second Lieutenant.
The rank Förare was used in the Swedish Army until the beginning of the 1800's. 

Förlust / nederlag

Defeat

Förstärkningsmanskapet

Reinforcement troopers

Försvarslinje

Line of defense

Förvaltare

Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Sergeant Major).
A military rank introduced in 1945 and was used until 1972. The NCo rank Fanjunkare had an official standing between Lieutenant and Captain.

Galär

Galley

Galärflottan

The Galley Fleet, see the Army Fleet

Gatlopp

Gauntlet, to run the gauntlet; A military disciplinary punishment where the soldier to be disciplined was stripped to the waist and forced to run between two lines of soldiers equipped with sticks, receiving a blow from each soldier’s stick. The number of soldiers in the lines depended of the crime committed and could vary between 100 and 300. The number of times the soldier had to run the gauntlet also varied and could be repeated for several days.
In Sweden the gauntlet was abolished as a military punishment in 1812.

General

General

Generalmönsterrulla

General Muster roll

Generalmönstring

General Muster

Gradbeteckning

Military rank insignia.

Grenadjär

A grenadier was originally a soldier armed with hand grenades. The grenadier first fired his musket and then he would light the fuse of the grenade and throw it. The next move was to charge the enemy with the bayonet mounted on the musket. In each company there were 12 grenadiers.
The grenadiers were the first to be equipped with bayonets (beginning of the 18tn century). They were also equipped with a kind of grenade rifles.
Later when the range of fire of the muskets increased the role of the grenadier changed. In stead the best grenadiers formed an elite unit.
The grenadiers wore a special hat.
At the end of the 18^th century the grenadier units became ordinary infantry units.

Handelsflottan

The Merchant Navy

Hjullåsmusköt

Wheellock musket

Husar

Hussar (a type of cavalry): Hussars was first a term for The Hungarian heavy cavalry. Hussar regiments were established in Sweden during the 1700's. They were armed with sabers and carbines (short rifles).

Här

Army

Häst

Horse

Hästjägare

Mounted rifleman. Mounted riflemen were specially trained cavalry soldiers.

Indelningsverket

The Allotment System, the system of organizing and financing the Swedish armed forces in earlier times (1682 - 1901).See, http://www.algonet.se/~hogman/slsoldat_eng.htm

Indelta regementen

Allotted regiments, regiments organized within the Allotment System

Indelt soldat

Allotted soldier, soldier recruited within the Allotment System

Infanteri

The Infantry

Infanterist

Infantryman, soldier

Inskriven

Enrolled or registered as in "enrolled in the Army". The word “inskriven” could be abbreviated to “inskr”.

Jägarförband

Special elite units of riflemen.
The first jägar corps in Sweden was established in 1745 when Savolaks jägarkår (kår = corps) was founded.
The mission of the jägar units was to advance in front of the infantry in extended order to reconnaissance and fight the enemy.
Fältjägare are riflemen by foot and hästjägare are mounted riflemen.
A lot more jägar units were established in the beginning of the 1800’s. These units were also specialized to combat in wasteland and in forests.
Later the extended order became regular practice by the infantry and the importance of the jägare units diminished. In the 1900’s “jägare” became a term used for special elite units.
So, now days “jägare” is a collective name for elite units, for example Fältjägare (riflemen) and fjälljägare (mountain riflemen or highlanders), kustjägare (soldiers in the amphibious corps – like the Marines), fallskärmsjägare (paratroopers) etc.

Kanon

Gun, cannon

Kapitulation

Surrender 

Kapten (Armén)

Army Captain, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. 
The captain was the Company Commander.

Kapten (Flottan)

Navy military rank - [commissioned] officer. The rank of a "kapten" corresponds to a Navy Lieutenant in the UK and USA.

Kaptensboställe

A officer's residence provided for a captain within the Allotment System

Kaptenlöjtnant

Kaptenlöjtnant, a military rank - [commissioned] officer.
A army rank used until 1833 and a Kaptenlöjtnant (Lieutenant Captain) held a rank between Lieutenant and Captain. A Kaptenlöjtnant was normally the company commander of the Life Company, the company who the Colonel formally was in charge of.

Karolin

A Carolean soldier. Name of the soldiers during the regime of King Karl XI and King Karl XII (1660 - 1721).

Kavalleri

The Cavalry
The term "cavalry" wasn't in use until around the 1650's. In Sweden the cavalry was called "rytteriet" (the riders or the horsemen) prior to that time. For example Smålands ryttare and Upplands ryttare (ryttare = horsemen).

Kavallerist

Horseman in the cavalry. The same as "ryttare"

Klart skepp (mil)

General quarters (naval term)

Knekt

Infantry soldier

Kofferdimatros

"Kofferdimatroser" were professional seamen drafted from the merchant navy. They were in charge of all the work that had to do with the actual sailing (with the help of the "båtsmän").
The “kofferdimatroser” were enlisted and had a personal contract with the Navy. They were paid in cash and had to serve in the Navy for 6 month per year. Rest of the year they served on merchant ships.

Kompani

Company, an infantry unit of 150 soldiers

Kompaniofficer

Company officer. A generic term for the ranks of Captain (“Kapten”), First Lieutenant (“Löjtnant”) and Second Lieutenant (“Fänrik”).

Kommendör (Flottan)

Navy military rank - [commissioned] officer. The rank of a "Kommendör" corresponds to a Navy Captain in the UK and USA.

Kommendörkapten (Flottan)

Navy military rank - [commissioned] officer. The rank of a "Kommendörkapten" corresponds to a Navy Commander in the UK and USA.

Kornett

Kornett, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. Kornett is an old military rank used in the Swedish Cavalry corresponding to Second Lieutenant in the US.
The rank "Kornett" corresponds today to the rank of "Fänrik".

Korpral

Corporal, a lower military rank.

Korpralsboställe

A soldier's croft provided for a corporal within the Allotment System

Korpralskap

Each company had 6 "korpralskap" of 24 soldiers and one corporal, in total 25 men (Corporalship?).

Krig

War 

Krigsarkivet

War Archive / Swedish Military Record Office 

Krigsfartyg / Örlogsfartyg

War ship, Man of war

Krigsfånge

Prisoner of war

Krigsmakten

The Armed forces

Krigsrätt

Court Martial

Kungl. or kungliga

Royal

Kvartermästare  (kompani-
kvartermästare )

A military position (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Quartermaster Sergeant).
A NCO with the responsability to prepare a company's quarter and provision.
There were both a company Quartermasters and a regimental Quartermaster.

Kvartermästare  (regements-
kvartermästare)

Military position (commissioned officer) in the Swedish Army (Quartermaster).
An officer with the responsability to prepare a regiment's quarter and provision.
There were both a company Quartermasters and a regimental Quartermaster.

Kyrassiär

Cuirassier: The Cuirassiers were the heavy cavalry. The name originates from cuirass, which was the name of the armored protection they wore.
During the 17^th century it became too ungainly (too awkward) to wear a full cuirass. Instead a light cuirass came into use plus a helmet instead of the older full head protection. The cuirassiers were armed with a rapier (sword) and a handgun.
Fully equipped cuirassiers were quite heavy so they needed large horses to carry them.
During the 19^th century the cuirassier regiments didn't differ from other cavalry.  

Kölhalning

To be keelhauled, a punishment in the Navy. When a seaman was to be keelhauled he was fastened to two ropes, one to his hands and one to his feet. Then he was hauled under the ship’s keel from one side to the other. When he passed the keel his arms or legs (or neck) often were broken by the keel. Keelhauling was almost the same as a sentence to death.
This type of punishment was abolished in the Swedish Navy in 1755.

Linjeskepp

Ship of the line (larger man of war)

Livbataljon

The 1^st battalion in each Regiment was called the Life Battalion. 

Livgardet till fot

The Foot Life Guards

Livgardet till häst

Mounted Life Guards

Livkompani

The 1^st Company in each Regiment was called the Life Company or the LifeGuard Company. 

Luntlåsmusköt

Matchlock musket

Löjtnant

Lieutenant, a military rank - [commissioned] officer
(in the US First Lieutenant). Deputy to the Company Commander.

Läger

Camp

Major

Major, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. A rank immediatly above Captain.  
In the middle of the 1700's the rank "Andre Major" or Sekundmajor (Second Major) was introduced. These officers had the rank of a major but received a salary of a Captain.
During the 1800's a full major were also called "Förste Major" or Premiärmajor (First Major). In the 1800's there was also a rank "Tredje Major" (Third major).

Marsch

March

Manskap

Private soldiers, rank and file

Menig soldat

Private soldier

Miltära grader, gradbeteckningar

Military ranks, see: ranks

Miltärmusiker

Regimental bandsman

Mobilisering

Mobilization

Musköt

Musket (rifle)

Musköterare

Infantry soldiers armed with muskets

Mynningsladdare

Muzzle-loader

Mönsterskrivare

Military position (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army (Company scribe / Company clerk).
A Mönsterskrivare was a NCO who was in charge of the rolls/lists (roll keeping, accounts and other desk-work). The Mönsterskrivare held a rank equal to the highest NCO rank.
The number of Mönsterskrivare was reduced in the 1700's and 1800's and was abolished in 1875.

Mönstring

Niosvansad katt  

Officer

Officer, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. A generic term for the military ranks from Second Lieutenant/Ensign and above.

Pallasch

Broadsword

Pik

Pike, during the Great Nordic War (1700 - 1721) a 1/3 of the soldiers in each company were armed with pikes while 2/3 were armed with muskets.

Pikenerare

Infantry soldiers armed with pikes

Pipare

Piper, a regimental bandsman, playing the pipe

Profoss (mil.)

Provost, a military position (non-commissioned officer, NCO). The full title was regementsprofoss, which later changed to regementsväbel. The provost supervised the order among the soldiers and executed punishments. The military punishment could be anything from death penalty to arrest, whipping/flogging or to run the gauntlet. Normally the provost had three assistant provosts (gemena profosser).
A higher ranked provost (generalprofoss) was the provost marshal.
There have also been civilian provosts.

Regemente

Regiment

Regementsofficer

Regimental officer (the regimental staff). A generic term for the ranks of Major (“Major”), Lieutenant Colonel (“Översteöjtnant”) and Colonel (“Överste”).

Regementsskrivare

Military position (commissioned officer) in the Swedish Army (Regimental scribe).
A Regementsskrivare was an officer who was in charge of the accounts and the correspondence). The Regementsskrivare was a part of the regemental staff.

Regementstaben

The regimental staff

Regementsprofoss /
Regementsväbel

See profoss (provost) above.

Reträtt

Retreat

Rote (militär rote)

Rote - Military ward, a subdivision of the Allotment system.
The farmers within each "rote" had to provide one soldier to the regiment of that province. In return the farmers were exempted from having to serve as a soldier (as long as they provided a soldier).See, http://www.algonet.se/~hogman/slsoldat_eng.htm

Rotebonde

"Rote" farmer. See also "rote". (pl. rotebönder)

Roteringen

A term used for the infantry part of the Allotment System. That is the way the infantry soldiers were recruited and maintained by "rote" farmers.

Rulla

Roll, list

Rusthåll

A term used for the cavalry part of the Allotment System. That is the way the horsemen were recruited and maintained by the "rusthållare".
A "rusthåll" was the correspondence to a "rote" in the infantry.

Rusthållare

A "rusthållare" was the correspondence to a "rote farmer" in the infantry. However there were a mojor difference, the farmer in a cavalry "rusthåll" had a personal contract with the Crown stating that he had to provide a cavalryman, horse and uniform. The contract was a voluntary agreement between the crown and the proprietor of an independent farm.

Rustmästare

Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army until 1835.
The rank of was also used between 1957 and 1972 but now as a lower rank NCO (underbefäl).
In former days the Rustmästare was in charge of the ammunition and handed the ammo to the soldiers according to the orders. He also had the responsibility to inspect the soldiers’ muskets and see to that the soldiers were clean and ready for duty.

Ryttare

Horseman in the cavalry

Ryttartorp

Horsman's croft (provided for the cavalry horsemen of the allotted regiments)

Rytteriet

The cavalry

Sabel

Saber

Sabelbalja

Saber sheath

An older naval officer rank corresponding to Rear Admiral, originally used by the Dutch Navy (Schout-bij-nacht). At the end of the 17th century the Swedish Navy adopted the rank as schoutbynacht. In 1771 the Swedish Navy changed the name of the rank to Counter-Admiral (Konteramiral in Swedish).

Seger

Victory

Sergeant

Military rank (non-commissioned officer, NCO) in the Swedish Army. A Swedish sergeant corresponds to a Staff Sergeant in the UK and USA.
In former days the Swedish Sergeant was in rank just below the fältväbel (Master Sergeant). His responsibilities were very much the same as the fältväbel but he had no right to punish the soldiers. The Swedish rank Furir corresponds to the US Sergeant.

Sjöman

Sailor

Sjöslag

Naval (sea) battle

Skvadron

Squadron in the Cavalry

Skärgårdsflottan

The Archipelago Fleet, see the Army Fleet

Slagfält

Battlefield, battle scene/site

Slaglåsgevär

Percussion lock rifle

Slagordning

Order of Battle

Slutstycke
(i skjutvapen)

Bolt (firearms)

Snapplåsgevär

Snaphaunce lock rifle

Soldated

Soldier creed

Soldatkontrakt

Soldier contract

Soldatnamn

Soldier name. Every soldier were assigned a special soldier name when they were recruited. See also:
Naming practices in Sweden

Soldattorp

Soldier croft (provided for the soldiers of the allotted regiments)

Spelet

The regimental (music) band

Staben

The staff

Stabsofficer

Staff officer

Strid, drabbning, batalj, slag

Battle

Stridskolonn

Combat column

Stridsgruppering

Combat formation

Stridslarm

Battle noice

Stridslinje

Battle line

Stridsområde

Battle area

Stridsskada

Battle casualty

Stridsvan

Battle hardened

Stupad

Killed in action

Styrman

Coxswain/helmsman, a former Navy NCO rank.
However, in the merchant navy a styrman is "first mate" in English, in other words an officer.

Ständiga knekthållet

Another word for the infantry part of the Allotment System (Ständiga = permanent, Knekt = infantry soldier.). Also called "roteringen".

Tjänstegrad

Military rank, see: ranks

Tjänstgöring

Service, duty

Tjänsteställning

Military position. For example, Regimental Commander is a position normally held by an officer with the rank of colonel.

Tross

Baggage

Trosskusk

Baggage driver / baggage handler

Tillfångatagen

Captured in action

Transport (mil)

Transfer. A soldier was sometimes transferred from one "rote" to another "rote" (from one soldier number to another soldier number). This is noted as "transport" in the rolls.

Trumslagare

Drummer, a regimental bandsman

Truppbefäl

Officer of the line

Träffen; Andra träffen

Before each battle the opposing armies lined up in rows facing each other.
The second row was called "Andra träffen"  

Träffen; Första träffen

Before each battle the opposing armies lined up in rows facing each other.
The first row was called "första träffen"  

Tvåfrontskrig

War on two fronts

Underbefäl

A lower ranked Non Commissioned Officer, NCO (petty officer). A generic term for the lowest NCO military ranks .

Underlöjtnant

Second Lieutenant, a military rank - [commissioned] officer. Underlöjtnant replaced the former rank of Fänrik in 1835 and was used until 1937 when the rank of Fänrik was reintroduced. 

Underofficer

Non Commissioned Officer, NCO (warrant officers). A generic term for the military ranks below Second Lieutenant/Ensign.

Utskrivning

Involuntary conscription for the Army

Vapenför, tjänsteduglig

Able-bodied

Vargeringsman

In wartime the "rote" also had to recruit extra soldiers or reserve soldiers, called "vargeringsman".

Vice Korpral

Vice Corporal, a military rank below Corporal.

Värja

Rapier / Smallsword

Värnplikt or rather Allmän Värnplikt

  In 1901 Sweden reorganized its armed forces and adopted a National Service / Draft Service System ("Allmän Värnplikt") with a Conscript Army ("värnpliktsarmé"). This system is called Allmän Värnplikt in Swedish. 
Värnplikt really means “An obligation to defend Sweden."

Värnpliktig

A person drafted to this National Service System is called Värnpliktig in Swedish. An English translation would be “Draftee”. Värnpliktig (draftee) is abbreviated "vpl".

Värvade regementen

Enlisted regiments

Värvade sjömän (flottan)

Enlisted “båtsmän”/seamen. They were a kind of “elite” seamen and together with the crew drafted from the merchant navy they performed the more advanced sailing duties onboard the ships.  

Värvade soldater

Enlisted soldiers

Örlogsbas

Navy base

Örlogsflottan

The Navy, see
http://www.algonet.se/~hogman/navy_o_army_fleet.htm#The%20Navy

Örlogskapten (Flottan)

Navy military rank - [commissioned] officer. The rank of a "örlogskapten" corresponds to a Navy Lieutenant Commander in the UK and USA.

Örlogsstation

Navy station

Överste

Colonel, an Army military rank - [commissioned] officer. The Regimental Commander.

Överstelöjtnant

Lieutenant Colonel, an Army military rank - [commissioned] officer. Deputy to the Regimental Commander.