A glossary of military-based abbreviations, acronyms and initials used throughout the First World War, the Second World War and through to present day. The abbreviations are associated with various different nations, primarily the United Kingdom but also including, India, South Africa, USA, New Zealand and Australia. Abbreviations also have a strong focus on various armed forces such as the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Use the browse prefix below to navigate to glossaries beginning with a specific letter.
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| Abbreviation
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Definition 1
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Definition 2 (if applicable)
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| P
|
Pioneers
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| PAYR
|
Paymaster (RN)
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| P BTY
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Pack Battery (Indian)
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| P BTY FF
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Pack Battery Frontier Force (Indian)
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| P CR
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Paymaster Commander (RN)
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| PE
|
Peace Establishment
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| PEMBROKE YEO
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Pembrokeshire Yeomanry
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| PFF
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Path Finder Force (No 8 Group, Bomber Command) (RAF)
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Punjab Frontier Force
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| PJBIS
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Punjabis (Indian)
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| PJBS
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Punjabis (Indian)
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| PLT OFF
|
Pilot Officer (RAF)
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| PLY
|
Prefix of Plymouth Division RNVR numbers
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| PMRAFNS
|
Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service
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| PN BN AIF
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Pioneer Battalion Australian Imperial Force
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| PNR
|
Pioneer
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| PNRS
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Pioneers (Indian)
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| PO
|
Petty Officer (RN)
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| P/O
|
Pilot officer (RAF)
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| POM
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Petty Officer Mechanic (RNAS)
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| PO RIF
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Post Office Rifles
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| POSM
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Petty Officer Stoker Mechanic (RN)
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| POW
|
Prisoner of War
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| PPCLI
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Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
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| PRES CH
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Presbyterian Chaplain (RN)
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| PROVL
|
Provisional
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| PRU
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Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (RAF)
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| P & SS
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Printing and Stationary Service
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| PSTO
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Principal Sea Transport Officer
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| PTE
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Private
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| PT TFC
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Port Traffic (Indian)
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| PVO
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Principal Veterinary Officer
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| PWE
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Political Warfare Executive
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| PWO
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Prince of Wales’s Own
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