Uniform Insignia Forum

hello,
in the German armies of the twentieth century
there are or were so-called " fahnrich's ".

In the former East-German army ,there were even three ranks :
fahnrich , stabsfahnrich , and oberstabsfahnrich.
My question is : what were their commands in the peacetime East-German army?
Did they normaly or sometimes command platoons ?
Or were these exceptional ( only in war ) ?
Or were they just officer cadets without a command , just like ensigns in other armies?Or maybe just warrant officers with special skills ?
Where can i find such info ?
Thanks in advance.
tiaan from Belgium.

there were four

Fähnrich , Oberfähnrich , Stabsfähnrich & Stabsoberfähnrich


the "Fähnrich" was an independent rank.it had to fulfill speziele functions.

Ammunition technician
Chief of the dog leaders of a regiment or a battalion of the border
troops.
Specialist with all branches of service.
Also driver for generals and high staff officers.
Bordfunker at helicopter crews.
etc. etc.