I think we should stick to the "generals". The term "admiral" is an
honorary title for those who are actually commanding fleet(s). Mr.
Tanaka explains this in his novel, when he describes a meeting among
Kessler, Mecklinger and Wahlen. It reads, "...Kessler should not be
adressed as "Admiral Kessler", because he no longer commands a fleet.
But his colleaugues are used to it. The memory of the good old days is
still fresh in mind..." Also, the Chinese translation strongly suggests
that the the titles in land forces nowdays were used by Mr.
Tanaka. For example, the rank of Mueller et al after Reinhard becomes
Kaiser reads exactly as "Colonel-general". It is too obvious that this
word should have come from the German "Generaloberst", which is a rank
in the German ground forces before 1945. As far as the military ranks of
the Reich of the Goldenbaums or Reinhard is concerned, we should
stick to the systems of ground forces, especially the old German
Reich's. (I guess Rudolf I the Great Scum von Goldenbaum would love to
borrow this whole system for his Reich.)
Maybe we should have a table of military ranks, civil ranks, noble
titles posted in the mailing list. The following is my suggestion for
the latter:
Noble titles (for males)
borrowed English translation
from old German Reich
by Rudolf I the scum
1. Prinz Prince
2. Erherzog Archduke
3. Herzog Duke
4. Markgraf(?) Marquis
5. Graf Earl/Count(Comte in France)
6. ??? Baron
7. Freiherr ???
Examples:
1. trivial
2. Siegfried Kircheis seems to have become an "Erherzog" after his
death.
3. The damned Braunschweig, Lichtenlade are "Herzogs". Reinhard makes
himself a "Herzog" after the war with the nobles.
4. Littenheim is a "Markgraf". (I know this word from the Prussians.
Before the Hohenzollerns, became "Kings in Prussia", their only
title in the Holy Roman Empire was the "Markgraf" of Brandenburg.)
5. Besides Reinhard, Annerose is only a "Grafin" in the days of
Friedrich IV.
6. Flegel is such a ???.
7. This title should suit Fahrenheit and Merkatz well, perhaps
Reuental as well. They are of "lowly" noble origin.
I am looking forward to your suggestions.
Reinhard-Siegfried
p.s.: How is the translation of the novel from japanese to English
going on? It seems that somebody is working on it. Please tell
me if you have any information. Thank you!