z. b. V. (also z.b.V., ZBV, ZbV, and zbV) is an

abbreviation An abbreviation (from Latin ''brevis'', meaning ''short'') is a shortened form of a word or phrase, by any method. It may consist of a group of letters or words taken from the full version of the word or phrase; for example, the word ''abbrevia ...

for the

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

phrase ''zur besonderen Verwendung'', or alternatively the synonymous phrase ''zur besonderen Verfügung''.

Translation

Translations for the phrases ''zur besonderen Verwendung'' and ''zur besonderen Verfügung'' include: * 'for special deployment'. * 'for special duties'.

Uses

Economy

During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, some German state-controlled businesses in the civilian and military economy received the ''z. b. V.'' designation.

German ''Wehrmacht''

In the

Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the ''Heer'' (army), the '' Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmacht''" replaced the previo ...

, the German armed forces during World War II, officer staffs designated ''z. b. V.'' were staffs without subordinate combat troops. These staffs stood by either in general reserves or in the reserves of particular armies or army groups, waiting to be activated as the staffs of new combat units. The German air force had similar ''z. b. V.'' staffs for regional air defense purposes, the ''Luftgaustäbe''. Next to officer staffs, singular officers could also be designated ''z. b. V.'', for example as ''Gen. z.b.V.b. ObdH'', ''General zur besonderen Verfügung beim Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres'', 'general attached to the commander-in-chief of the army'. Starting in 1941, Wehrmacht probationary- and punishment units would also receive the z.b.V. designation. These units were made up of men that were convicted of minor and disciplinary offenses and had a specific criteria for joining. However as the war progressed, the criteria would soon be limited only to fitness for combat and mental health. By the war's end, almost all of the requirements were dropped and these units were filled with men completely unfit for combat, thus losing any effectiveness.

Translation

Uses

Economy

German ''Wehrmacht''

References

See also