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Officials of the Third Reich. SS military ranks. Wehrmacht and SS ranks

Brigadefuhrer (German: Brigadefuhrer)- rank in the SS and SA, corresponding to the rank of major general.

May 19, 1933 introduced into the SS structure as the rank of leaders of the main territorial divisions of the SS Oberabschnitte (SS-Oberabschnitte). This is the highest structural unit of the SS organization. There were 17 of them. It can be equated to an army district, especially since the territorial boundaries of each oberabshnit coincided with the boundaries of the army districts. Oberabschnit did not have a clearly defined number of abschnites. This depended on the size of the territory, the number of SS units stationed on it, and the population size. Most often, an oberabschnit had three abschnites and several special formations: one signal battalion (SS Nachrichtensturmbann), one engineer battalion (SS Pioniersturmbann), one sanitary company (SS Sanitaetssturm), an auxiliary reserve squad of members over 45 years of age, or a women's auxiliary squad ( SS Helferinnen). Since 1936 in the Waffen-SS it corresponded to the rank of major general and the position of division commander.

The change in the insignia of senior SS Fuhrers (generals) in April 1942 was caused by the introduction of the rank of Oberstgruppenführer and the desire to unify the number of stars on buttonholes and on shoulder straps, which were worn on all other types of uniforms, except for the party one, since with the increase in the number of Waffen-SS units, more and more There were problems with the correct recognition of SS ranks by ordinary Wehrmacht soldiers.

Starting from this SS rank, if its holder was appointed to a military (since 1936) or police (since 1933) position, he received a duplicate rank in accordance with the nature of the service:

SS Brigadeführer and Major General of Police - German. SS Brigadefuehrer und der General-maior der Polizei
SS Brigadeführer and Major General of the Waffen-SS - German. SS Brigadefuehrer und der General-major der Waffen SS

One of the most cruel and merciless organizations of the 20th century is the SS. Ranks, distinctive insignia, functions - all this was different from those in other types and branches of troops in Nazi Germany. Reich Minister Himmler completely brought together all the scattered security detachments (SS) into a single army - the Waffen SS. In the article we will take a closer look at the military ranks and insignia of the SS troops. And first, a little about the history of the creation of this organization.

Prerequisites for the formation of the SS

In March 1923, Hitler was concerned that the leaders of the assault troops (SA) were beginning to feel their power and importance in the NSDAP party. This was due to the fact that both the party and the SA had the same sponsors, for whom the goal of the National Socialists was important - to carry out a coup, and they did not have much sympathy for the leaders themselves. Sometimes it even came to an open confrontation between the leader of the SA, Ernst Röhm, and Adolf Hitler. It was at this time, apparently, that the future Fuhrer decided to strengthen his personal power by creating a detachment of bodyguards - the headquarters guard. He was the first prototype of the future SS. They had no ranks, but insignia had already appeared. The abbreviation for the Staff Guard was also SS, but it came from the German word Stawsbache. In every hundred of the SA, Hitler allocated 10-20 people, supposedly to protect high-ranking party leaders. They personally had to take an oath to Hitler, and their selection was carried out carefully.

A few months later, Hitler renamed the organization Stosstruppe - this was the name of the shock troops of the Kaiser's army during the First World War. The abbreviation SS nevertheless remained the same, despite the fundamentally new name. It is worth noting that the entire Nazi ideology was associated with an aura of mystery, historical continuity, allegorical symbols, pictograms, runes, etc. Even the symbol of the NSDAP - the swastika - Hitler took from ancient Indian mythology.

Stosstrup Adolf Hitler - strike force"Adolf Hitler" - acquired the final features of the future SS. They did not yet have their own ranks, but insignia appeared that Himmler would later retain - a skull on their headdress, a black distinctive color of the uniform, etc. The “Death's Head” on the uniform symbolized the readiness of the detachment to defend Hitler himself at the cost of their lives. The basis for future usurpation of power was prepared.

Appearance of Strumstaffel - SS

After the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler went to prison, where he remained until December 1924. The circumstances that allowed the future Fuhrer to be released after an attempted armed seizure of power are still unclear.

Upon his release, Hitler first banned the SA from carrying weapons and positioning itself as an alternative to the German army. The fact is that the Weimar Republic could only have a limited contingent of troops under the terms of the Versailles Peace Treaty after the First World War. It seemed to many that the armed units of the SA - legal way avoid restrictions.

At the beginning of 1925, the NSDAP was restored again, and in November the “shock detachment” was restored. At first it was called Strumstaffen, and on November 9, 1925 it received its final name - Schutzstaffel - “cover squadron”. The organization had nothing to do with aviation. This name was invented by Hermann Goering, a famous fighter pilot of the First World War. He liked to use aviation terms in everyday life. Over time, the “aviation term” was forgotten, and the abbreviation was always translated as “security detachments.” It was headed by Hitler's favorites - Schreck and Schaub.

Selection for the SS

The SS gradually became an elite unit with good salaries in foreign currency, which was considered a luxury for the Weimar Republic with its hyperinflation and unemployment. All Germans of working age were eager to join the SS detachments. Hitler himself carefully selected his personal guard. The following requirements were imposed on candidates:

1. Age from 25 to 35 years.
2. Having two recommendations from current members of the CC.
3. Permanent residence in one place for five years.
4. The presence of such positive qualities as sobriety, strength, health, discipline.

New development under Heinrich Himmler

The SS, despite the fact that it was personally subordinate to Hitler and the Reichsführer SS - from November 1926, this position was held by Josef Berthold, was still part of the SA structures. The attitude towards the “elite” in the assault detachments was contradictory: the commanders did not want to have SS members in their units, so they shouldered various responsibilities, for example, distributing leaflets, subscribing to Nazi propaganda, etc.

In 1929, Heinrich Himmler became leader of the SS. Under him, the size of the organization began to grow rapidly. The SS turns into an elite closed organization with its own charter, a mystical ritual of entry, imitating the traditions of medieval knightly Orders. A real SS man had to marry a “model woman.” Heinrich Himmler introduced a new mandatory requirement for joining the renewed organization: the candidate had to prove evidence of purity of descent in three generations. However, that was not all: the new Reichsführer of the SS ordered all members of the organization to look for brides only with a “pure” genealogy. Himmler managed to nullify the subordination of his organization to the SA, and then completely leave it after he helped Hitler get rid of the leader of the SA, Ernst Röhm, who sought to turn his organization into a massive people's army.

The bodyguard detachment was transformed first into the Fuhrer's personal guard regiment, and then into the personal SS army. Ranks, insignia, uniforms - everything indicated that the unit was independent. Next, we’ll talk in more detail about insignia. Let's start with the rank of the SS in the Third Reich.

Reichsführer SS

At its head was the Reichsführer SS - Heinrich Himmler. Many historians claim that he intended to usurp power in the future. In the hands of this man was control not only over the SS, but also over the Gestapo - the secret police, the political police and the security service (SD). Despite the fact that many of the above organizations were subordinate to one person, they were completely different structures, which sometimes even were at odds with each other. Himmler well understood the importance of a branched structure of different services concentrated in the same hands, so he was not afraid of Germany’s defeat in the war, believing that Western allies such a person would be useful. However, his plans were not destined to come true, and he died in May 1945, biting into an ampoule of poison in his mouth.

Let's look at the highest ranks of the SS among the Germans and their correspondence with the German army.

Hierarchy of the SS High Command

The insignia of the SS high command consisted of Nordic ritual symbols and oak leaves on both sides of the lapels. The exceptions - SS Standartenführer and SS Oberführer - wore oak leaf, but belonged to senior officers. The more of them there were on the buttonholes, the higher the rank of their owner.

The highest ranks of the SS among the Germans and their correspondence with the ground army:

SS officers

Let's consider the features of the officer corps. The SS Hauptsturmführer and lower ranks no longer had oak leaves on their buttonholes. Also on their right buttonhole was the SS coat of arms - a Nordic symbol of two lightning bolts.

Hierarchy of SS officers:

SS rank	Lapels	Compliance in the military
SS Oberführer	Double oak leaf	No match
Standartenführer SS	Single sheet	Colonel
Obersturmbannführer SS	4 stars and two rows of aluminum thread	Lieutenant colonel
SS Sturmbannführer	4 stars
SS Hauptsturmführer	3 stars and 4 rows of thread	Hauptmann
SS Obersturmführer	3 stars and 2 rows	Chief Lieutenant
SS Untersturmführer	3 stars	Lieutenant

I would like to immediately note that the German stars did not resemble the five-pointed Soviet ones - they were four-pointed, rather reminiscent of squares or rhombuses. Next in the hierarchy are the SS non-commissioned officer ranks in the Third Reich. More details about them in the next paragraph.

Non-commissioned officers

Hierarchy of non-commissioned officers:

SS rank	Lapels	Compliance in the military
SS Sturmscharführer	2 stars, 4 rows of thread	Staff sergeant major
Standartenoberunker SS	2 stars, 2 rows of thread, silver edging	Chief Sergeant Major
SS Hauptscharführer	2 stars, 2 rows of thread	Oberfenrich
SS Oberscharführer	2 stars	Sergeant major
Standartenjunker SS	1 star and 2 rows of thread (differing in shoulder straps)	Fanenjunker-sergeant-major
Scharführer SS		Non-commissioned sergeant major
SS Unterscharführer	2 threads at the bottom	Non-commissioned officer

Buttonholes are the main, but not the only insignia of ranks. Also, the hierarchy could be determined by shoulder straps and stripes. Military ranks The SS was sometimes subject to change. However, above we presented the hierarchy and the main differences at the end of World War II.

SS-Mann/Schutze-SS- Private, rifleman, grenadier, gunner
SS-mann (German: SS-Mann) - the lowest military rank in the SS, SA and some other paramilitary organizations Nazi Germany, which existed from 1925 to 1945. Corresponded to the rank of private in the Wehrmacht.
In 1938, due to the increase in SS troops, the rank of Mann was replaced by the military rank of Schütze (rifleman), but in the general SS the rank of Mann was retained.

Schütze (German: SS-Schütze, shooter) is an SS military rank that existed in SS formations from 1939 to 1945, and corresponded to the rank of Mann in the general SS.
The rank of Schutze has existed in the German armed forces since the First World War. Translated from German it means "shooter". By 1918, this title was awarded to machine gunners and some elite units (for example, the 108th Saxon Schutze Regiment). This rank was the lowest in the infantry. In other branches of the military, he corresponded to such ranks as gunner, pioneer, etc.

Obermann- Oberschutze (German: SS-Oberschütze) - SS military rank, used in Waffen-SS formations from 1942 to 1945. Corresponded to the rank of Obermann in the general SS.

The rank of Oberschutze was first used in the Bavarian army at the end of the 19th century. After the First World War, this rank appeared in the Reichswehr and in 1920 became an intermediate rank between the ranks of soldier and corporal. This rank was awarded to military personnel with significant military experience and skills, but who were too early to be given the rank of corporal.

In the US Army, this rank is equivalent to Private First Class.

In the Waffen-SS, this rank was awarded to military personnel with the rank of Schutze after 6 months of service.

Sturmmann- Sturmmann - rank in the SS and SA. Corresponded to the rank of corporal in the Wehrmacht.

Translated, the word Sturmmann means “assault soldier.” The title's origins date back to the First World War, when advanced assault units (also called "shock troops") created assault groups to break through fortifications enemy.

After the defeat of Germany in 1918, members of the paramilitary revanchist formations of the so-called “free corps”, created from former military personnel dissatisfied with the results of the Versailles Peace, began to be called navigators.

Since 1921, paramilitary organizations (the future SA) have been created from Sturmanns to protect the Nazi Party and fight the leftist parties of the post-war period.

The rank of Sturmmann was awarded after service in the ranks of the SA from 6 months to 1 year, if available basic knowledge and abilities. Sturmmann is senior over the rank of Mann, with the exception of the SS, where in 1941 the rank of Obermann was separately introduced, and in the SS troops the rank of Oberschutze.

Rottenführer- Rottenführer (German: Rottenführer, squad leader) - a rank in the SS and SA that existed from 1932 to 1945. The Rottenführer in the SS troops corresponded in rank to the chief corporal in the Wehrmacht.

The Rottenführer commanded a detachment (Rotte) of 5-7 people and was subordinate to the Scharführer (SA) or Unterscharführer (SS). The Rottenführer's buttonholes consisted of two silver stripes on a black background.

The Hitler Youth also had the title of Rottenführer.

Unterscharführer- Unterscharführer is a rank in the SS that existed from 1934 to 1945. Corresponded to the rank of non-commissioned officer in the Wehrmacht. The rank of Unterscharführer was created during the SS reorganization that followed the Night of the Long Knives, during which several new ranks were created to separate the SS from the SA.

The rank of SS Unterscharführer was created from the old SA rank of Scharführer. After 1934, the rank of SS Unterscharführer became equal to the title of SA Scharführer.

The rank of Unterscharführer was the first non-commissioned officer rank in the SS. This rank was the most common in the SS.

In the General SS, an Unterscharführer usually commanded a squad of seven to fifteen men. The rank was also widely used throughout the Nazi security services, such as the Gestapo, SD and Einsatzgruppen.

In concentration camps, Unterscharführers usually held the position of blockführer, whose duty was to monitor order in the barracks. The position of blockführer is a symbol of the Holocaust, since it was blockführers, together with various Sonderkommandos, who carried out actions to suffocate with gas Jews and other “undesirable” elements for the Third Reich.

In the SS troops, the rank of Unterscharführer was one of the ranks of junior command personnel at the company and platoon level. The rank was also equal to the first candidate rank of SS officer - SS Junker.

Since the requirements for combat non-commissioned officers were higher than for general SS non-commissioned officers, applicants for this rank were subject to observation and selection in the SS troops. During this time, the applicant was considered a candidate for Unterführer and received this title after appropriate assessment, training and examination.

Scharführer- Scharführer is a rank in the SS and SA that existed from 1925 to 1945. Corresponded to the rank of Unterfeldwebel in the Wehrmacht. The use of the title Scharführer can be traced back to World War I, when Scharführer was often the name given to a non-commissioned officer who commanded an assault group in special operations. It was used as a position in the SA for the first time in 1921, and became a rank in 1928. The rank of Scharführer was the first non-commissioned officer rank in the SA. In 1930, a new rank of Oberscharführer SA was created for senior Scharführers.

The rank insignia of an SS Scharführer was initially the same as in the SA, but was changed in 1934 during the reorganization of the SS rank structure that followed the Night of the Long Knives. At the same time, the old rank of SS Scharführer began to be called SS Unterscharführer, and SS Scharführer began to correspond to the rank of SA Oberscharführer. The rank of Troupführer SS was replaced by Oberscharführer SS and the new rank of Hauptscharführer SS. An even higher rank was introduced into the Waffen-SS - SS Sturmscharführer. In the SS troops, the Scharführer usually held the position of squad commander (crew, tank) or deputy platoon commander (headquarters squad commander).

The title Scharführer was also used in lesser-known Nazi organizations; among others NSFK, NSMK and Hitler Youth.

Oberscharführer- Oberscharführer - a rank in the SS and SA that existed from 1932 to 1945. Corresponded to the rank of sergeant major in the Wehrmacht.

At first, the ranks in the SS were identical to the ranks of the SA and the rank of Oberscharführer was introduced into the SS simultaneously with the SA. The rank of SS Oberscharführer was equal to that of the SA. However, after the Night of the Long Knives, this ratio was changed.

The SS rank system was reorganized and several new ranks were introduced that had no analogues in the SA. The rank of SS Oberscharführer “rose” and became equal to the rank of SA Troupführer. The SS rank buttonhole was changed to have two silver squares, as opposed to the SA's single square with a silver stripe.

In the SA, Oberscharführers were usually commanders of auxiliary platoons, in which the position of commander belonged to the regular category of non-commissioned officers.

After 1938, when the SS began to use gray field uniforms, SS Oberscharführers wore the shoulder straps of Wehrmacht sergeants. In the SS troops, Oberscharführers served as commanders of third (and sometimes second) platoons of infantry, sapper and other companies, and company foremen. In tank units, Oberscharführers were often tank commanders.

Hauptscharführer- Hauptscharführer - a rank in the SS that existed from 1934 to 1945. Corresponded to the rank of Oberfeldwebel in the Wehrmacht and was the highest non-commissioned officer rank in the SS organization, with the exception of the SS troops, where there was a special rank of Sturmscharführer. The rank of Hauptscharführer became an SS rank following the reorganization of the SS following the Night of the Long Knives. This rank was first awarded in June 1934, when it replaced the old rank of Obertrupführer, which was used in the SA.

In the SS, the rank of Hauptscharführer was usually awarded to the acting sergeant major in an SS company, the commander of the third (sometimes second) platoon in the company, or was a rank used for non-commissioned officer rank personnel serving on SS headquarters or security services (such as the Gestapo and SD ).

The title Hauptscharführer was also often used for concentration camp personnel and Einsatzgruppen personnel. SS-Hauptscharführer was older than SS-Oberscharführer and younger than SS-Sturmscharführer, with the exception of the General SS, where Hauptscharführer was a junior rank, immediately after SS-Untersturmführer.

In the SS troops, Hauptscharführer was the second most senior rank of non-commissioned officer after Sturmscharführer. There was also the position of Staffscharführer, which in its range of responsibilities corresponded to the position of a company or battalion sergeant major in the Soviet army.

Sturmscharführer- Sturmscharführer is a rank in the SS troops that existed from 1934 to 1945. Corresponded to the rank of staffsfeldwebel in the Wehrmacht and was the highest rank of SS non-commissioned officers. The rank of Sturmscharführer existed only in the SS troops; in the General SS, the highest rank in this category was Hauptscharführer.

The title of Sturmscharführer was established in June 1934, after the Night of the Long Knives. During the reorganization of the SS, the rank of Sturmscharführer was created as the highest rank of non-commissioned officers in the "Troops at the disposal of the SS" instead of the rank of Haupttruppführer used in the SA.

In 1941, on the basis of “Troops at the disposal of the SS”, an organization of SS troops arose, which inherited the title of Sturmscharführer from its predecessor.

The rank of Sturmscharführer should not be confused with the title of the position of Staffscharführer, which corresponded to the position of company sergeant major in the Soviet army.

Untersturmführer- Untersturmführer - a rank in the SS, corresponding to the rank of lieutenant in the Wehrmacht.

The title arose in 1934 from the position of head of the SS Truppen unit. Truppen (SS Truppen) covered an urban area, a rural district, was about the size of an army platoon from 18 to 45 people and consisted of three sections (SS Sharen). This unit was led by the SS-Truppfuehrer or the SS Untersturmfuehrer, depending on the number. In the SS troops, the Untersturmführer, as a rule, held the position of platoon commander.

Obersturmführer- Obersturmführer - a rank in the SA and SS, corresponding to the rank of Oberleutnant in the Wehrmacht.

The title arose from the title of the position of deputy leader of the SS Sturme (SS Stuerme). The structural unit of the SS Stürme organization, which can be equated in size to an army company, consisted of three or four SS Truppen, about the size of a platoon. This division geographically covered a small city and a rural area. There were from 54 to 180 people in Sturm. In the SS troops, the Obersturmführer, as a rule, held the position of platoon commander. Also, military personnel with this rank occupied a wide range of staff positions in the SS troops - commission officers, adjutants, heads of technical services, etc.

Hauptsturmführer- Hauptsturmführer (German: Hauptsturmführer) - a special rank in the SS.

Of three or four Troupes (SS Truppe), the Sturm (SS Sturm) was formed, which can be equated in size to an army company. This division geographically covered a small city and a rural area. Sturm numbered between 54 and 180 people. Until 1934, that is, before the Night of the Long Knives, the head of the territorial unit of the SS Sturm was called Sturmführer. After 1934, the rank was changed to Hauptsturmführer, which meant the same thing, and the insignia remained the same.

After the creation of the SS troops in 1936, the rank corresponded to captain (Hauptmann) of the Wehrmacht.
Accordingly, Hauptsturmführers in the SS troops, as a rule, occupied the positions of company commander, as well as a number of administrative and staff positions, such as regimental adjutant, etc. This title was held by famous Nazi doctors August Hirt and Josef Mengele.

Sturmbannführer- Sturmbannführer - rank in the SA and SS.

The rank of Sturmbannführer was introduced into the SS structure in 1929 as a leadership rank. Then, from 1933, it was used as a title for deputy leaders of territorial SS units - SS Sturmbann. The Sturmbann consisted of four small units - an assault (SS Sturme), approximately equal in size to an army company (from 54 to 180 people), one medical unit, equal in size to an army platoon (Sanitätsstaffel) and an orchestra (Spielmannzug). The number of Sturmbann reached 500-800 people. Subsequently, from October 1936, when the SS troops were created, the position of battalion commander and the rank of major in the Wehrmacht corresponded, as well as a wide range of staff and administrative positions, such as aide-de-camp to the corps commander.

Obersturmbannführer- Obersturmbannführer - a rank in the SS and SA, corresponding to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

On May 19, 1933, it was introduced into the SS structure as the rank of heads of territorial divisions of the SS Sturmbann. The Sturmbann (battalion) consisted of four Sturm (companies), small units approximately equal in size to an army company (from 54 to 180 people), one platoon of orderlies and a military band group. The number of Sturmbann was 500-800 people. Since 1936, after the creation of the SS troops, it corresponded to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Wehrmacht and the position of battalion commander, as well as a wide range of staff and administrative positions, such as chief of staff of a division.

The most famous historical figures who had this title
Otto Skorzeny is a famous saboteur who freed Mussolini.

Standartenführer- Standartenführer (German: Standartenführer) - a rank in the SS and SA, corresponding to the rank of colonel.

In 1929, this rank was introduced into the SS structure as the rank of heads of territorial units of the SS Standarte. Usually the Standarte was recruited from members of the SS big city or two or three smaller cities. The Standard included three Sturmbann (SS Sturmbann), one reserve Sturmbann (from among senior SS members aged 35-45) and Spielmanzug (orchestra). The strength of the standard (SS Standarte) reached 3,500 people.

Since 1936, after the creation of the SS troops, the rank of Standartenführer corresponded to the rank of colonel and the position of regimental commander.

Oberführer- Oberführer is a title introduced into the Nazi Party back in 1921. The SS organization (the so-called General SS) was introduced into the structure of the organization in 1932, as the title of head of the SS structural unit Abschnitt (German: Abschnitt). Abshnit was named after the territory on which it was located. It can rather be called a garrison than a brigade or division. Abshnit usually had three Standards (SS Standarte) and a number of special units (automotive, sapper, medical, etc.). In the SS troops and police structures, SS Oberführers in all types of uniforms, except for the party uniform, wore the shoulder straps of an Oberst (German: Oberst, colonel) just like the SS Standartenführers, but, contrary to popular belief, this rank could not be conventionally compared with the military rank of Colonel. In reality, this rank was intermediate between the ranks of senior officers and generals and, in theory, corresponded to the position of SS brigade commander, but in practice, as a rule, SS Oberführers commanded Einsatzgruppen and “native” SS divisions staffed by local nationalists and Nazis. In personal communications, SS Standartenführers were usually referred to by other military and police officers as “colonels,” while Oberführers were referred to exclusively by their SS rank.

The special rank of Oberführer as a staff officer was used in some paramilitary formations, for example in the raid warning service (German: Luftschutz-Warndienst) in the Reich air defense, assistance service (German: Sicherheits- und Hilfsdienst), etc.

Brigadefuhrer- Brigadeführer (German: Brigadeführer) - a special rank of the highest officials SS and SA.

Story

May 19, 1933 introduced into the SS structure as the rank of leaders of the main territorial divisions of the SS Oberabschnitt (SS-Oberabschnitt). This is the highest structural unit of the SS organization. There were 17 of them. It can be equated to an army district, especially since the territorial boundaries of each oberabshnit coincided with the boundaries of the army districts. Oberabschnit did not have a clearly defined number of abschnites in its composition. This depended on the size of the territory, the number of SS units stationed on it, and the population size. Most often, there were three abschnites and several special formations: one signal battalion (SS Nachrichtensturmbann), one engineer battalion (SS Pioniersturmbann), one sanitary company (SS Sanitätssturm), an auxiliary reserve squad of members over 45 years of age, or a women's auxiliary squad ( SS Helferinnen). Since 1936 in the SS troops it corresponded to the rank of major general and the position of division commander.

The change in the insignia of senior SS Fuhrers (generals) in April 1942 was caused by the introduction of the rank of Oberstgruppenführer and the desire to unify the number of stars on buttonholes and on shoulder straps, which were worn on all other types of uniforms, except for the party one, since with the increase in the number of units of SS troops, problems with the correct recognition of SS ranks by ordinary Wehrmacht soldiers.

Starting from this SS rank, if its holder was appointed to a military (since 1936) or police (since 1933) position, he received a duplicate rank in accordance with the nature of the service:
SS Brigadeführer and Major General of Police - German. SS Brigadeführer und der Generalmajor der Polizei
SS Brigadeführer and Major General of the SS troops - German. SS Brigadeführer und der Generalmajor der Waffen-SS

Gruppenführer- Gruppenführer - a rank in the SS and SA, since 1933 it corresponded to the rank of lieutenant general. Also a special rank in a number of paramilitary forces.

It was introduced in September 1925 as the title (at first - the only one) of the head of the main unit of the SS organization - group (German: SS-Gruppe). In the period from 1926 to 1936, it was the title of senior leaders of the territorial divisions of the SS organization - Abschnit (German: SS-Abschnitte), Oberabschnitte (German: SS-Oberabschnitte). Since the creation of the SS troops, it corresponded to the rank of lieutenant general and the position of deputy army commander, corps commander. In the central office of the SS, this title corresponded to the position of the head of one of the departments (German: SS-Hauptamt). For example, the RSHA was led until his death in 1942 by SS Gruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich, and then by SS Obergruppenführer Ernst Kaltenbrunner. The change in the insignia of senior SS Fuhrers (generals) in April 1942 was caused by the introduction of the rank of Oberstgruppenführer and the desire to unify the number of stars on buttonholes and on shoulder straps, which were worn on all other types of uniforms, except for the party one, since with the increase in the number of units of SS troops, problems with the correct recognition of SS ranks by ordinary Wehrmacht soldiers.

If the holder of this rank was appointed to a military (since 1936) or police (since 1933) position, he received a duplicate rank in accordance with the nature of the service:
SS Gruppenführer and Police Lieutenant General - German. SS Gruppenführer und der Generalleutnant der Polizei
SS Gruppenführer and Lieutenant General of the SS troops - German. SS Gruppenführer und der Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS

In particular, the mentioned R. Heydrich bore the duplicate rank of lieutenant general of police.

Obergruppenführer- Obergruppenführer (German: Obergruppenführer) - rank in the SS and SA. In fact (conditionally) corresponds to the rank of general of troops (General der) in the Wehrmacht.

Introduced in November 1926, initially as the highest rank in the structure of the SS organization. Joseph Berchtold was the first to receive the title of Obergruppenführer. Between 1926 and 1936 it was used as a rank for senior SS leaders.

In the SA, this title was held by the leaders of the “Obergruppen” (hence the name) - the largest formations, in numbers approaching “army groups” in wartime. Each “overgruppe” included several “groups” (closer in number to armies). The first to receive this title in the SA were Adolf Huenlein, Edmund Heines (deputy of E. Röhm), ​​Fritz von Krausser, Karl Litzmann and Victor Lutze. In 1934, August Schneidhuber and Hermann Reschny received the title. During the “night of the long knives”, many members of the top leadership of the SA (except A. Hühnlein, W. Lutze and K. Litzmann) were executed, and the rank was not awarded in the SA for several years, a new wave of rank assignments followed in the years of the 2nd world war.

With the advent of the SS troops, this rank can only be conditionally equated to the later Soviet rank of colonel general, since in the Red Army this military rank corresponds to the position of army commander, and there are no intermediate ranks between lieutenant general and colonel general. However, the SS troops did not have formations larger than a division [source not specified 65 days]. Therefore, this title was held either by division commanders or senior leaders of the SS central apparatus. For example, the SS Obergruppenführer was Ernst Kaltenbrunner.

The change in the insignia of the highest SS Fuhrers (generals) in April 1942 was caused by the introduction of the rank of Oberstgruppenführer and the desire to unify the number of stars on the buttonholes and on shoulder straps, which were worn on all other types of uniforms, except for the party one, since with the increase in the number of units of the SS troops, the appearance of problems with the correct recognition of SS ranks by ordinary Wehrmacht soldiers.

If the holder of this rank was appointed to a military (since 1939) or police (since 1933) position, he received a duplicate rank in accordance with the nature of the service:
SS Obergruppenführer and General of Police - German. SS Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei
SS Obergruppenführer and General of the SS Troops - German. SS Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS

In particular, the mentioned E. Kaltenbrunner held the duplicate rank of police general. Due to the sharp expansion of the SS troops in 1941-1942, some Gruppenführers and Obergruppenführers moved into the structure of the SS troops with police duplicate ranks.

109 people received the title of Obergruppenführer, including 2 Hungarians (Feketehalmi and Ruskai). Helldorff was demoted and executed for participating in a conspiracy against Hitler, 5 people (Schwarz, Daluege, Dietrich, Hausser and Wolf) were promoted to Oberstgruppenführer.

Oberstgruppenführer- Oberstgruppenführer - the highest rank in the SS since April 1942, with the exception of the rank of Reichsführer SS (held by Heinrich Himmler) and the rank of "Higher SS Fuhrer" (German: Der Oberste Führer der Schutzstaffel), which was held by Adolf Hitler since January 1929. Corresponded to the rank of Colonel General of the Wehrmacht. Only four SS members held this title:
April 20, 1942 - Franz Xaver Schwarz (1875-1947), SS Oberstgruppenführer.
April 20, 1942 - Kurt Daluge (1897-1946), SS Oberstgruppenführer and Colonel General of Police.
August 1, 1944 - Joseph Dietrich (1892-1966), SS Oberstgruppenführer and Colonel General of the SS Panzer Forces.
August 1, 1944 - Paul Hausser (1880-1972), SS Oberstgruppenführer and Colonel General of the SS troops.

According to unconfirmed data (there was no written order, there was an oral instruction from A. Hitler), on April 20, 1945, the rank of SS Oberstgruppenführer and Colonel General of the SS troops was also awarded to Karl Wolf (1900-1984).

The rank was introduced due to a sharp increase staffing level Waffen-SS in 1941-1942. When promoted to this CC rank, its holder, in accordance with the procedure adopted for other SS general ranks, received a duplicate rank in accordance with the existing rank:
SS Oberstgruppenführer and Colonel General of Police - German. SS Oberstgruppenführer und Generaloberst der Polizei
SS Oberstgruppenführer and Colonel General of the Waffen-SS - German. SS Oberstgruppenführer und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS

Reichsführer-SS- Reichsführer SS (German: Reichsführer-SS: “imperial leader of security detachments”) - a special rank in the SS that existed from 1926 to 1945 (in 1925-1926 - SS Oberleiter). Until 1933 this was a position, and starting from 1934 it became the highest rank in the SS.

Definition

“Reichsführer SS” was a title and position at the same time. The position of Reichsführer was created in 1926 by Josef Berchtold. Berchtold's predecessor, Julius Schreck, never called himself "Reichsführer" (the position was called "Oberleiter", that is, "chief leader"), but this position was given to him retroactively in later years. In 1929, having become Reichsführer of the SS, Heinrich Himmler began to call himself that way, instead of his usual SS rank. This became a precedent.

In 1934, after the Night of the Long Knives, Himmler's position became an official title. From that moment on, the rank of Reichsführer SS became the highest rank in the SS and was equivalent to the rank of Field Marshal in the German army.

Reichsführer SS (in 1925-1926 - Oberleiter SS)
Julius Schreck (died 1936) - from 1925 to 1926, then in minor positions, posthumously promoted to SS Brigadeführer
Josef Berchtold (died 1962) - from 1926 to 1927
Erhard Heiden (killed 1933) - from 1927 to 1929
Heinrich Himmler (committed suicide in 1945) - from 1929 to April 29, 1945
Karl Hanke (killed in captivity in 1945) - from April 29, 1945 to May 8, 1945

Military insignia are present on the uniform of military personnel and indicate the corresponding personal rank, a specific affiliation with one of the branches of the armed forces (in this case, the Wehrmacht), branch of the military, department or service.

Interpretation of the concept "Wehrmacht"

These are the “defense forces” in 1935 - 1945. In other words, the Wehrmacht (photo below) is nothing more than an armed force fascist Germany. It is headed by the Supreme Command of the country's armed forces, which subordinates the ground forces, the Navy and Air Force, and the SS troops. They were led by the main commands (OKL, OKH, OKM) and commanders-in-chief various types Armed Forces (since 1940 also SS troops). Wehrmacht - Reich Chancellor A. Hitler. A photo of Wehrmacht soldiers is shown below.

According to historical data, the word in question in German-speaking countries denoted the armed forces of any country. It acquired its usual meaning when the NSDAP came to power.

On the eve of World War II, the Wehrmacht numbered approximately three million people, and its maximum strength was 11 million people (as of December 1943).

Types of military signs

These include:

Uniforms and insignia of the Wehrmacht

There were several types of uniforms and clothing. Each soldier had to independently monitor the condition of his weapons and uniform. They were replaced in accordance with the established procedure or in case of serious damage during the training process. Military uniforms lost color very quickly due to washing and daily brushing.

The soldiers' shoes were thoroughly inspected (at all times, bad boots were a serious problem).

Since the formation of the Reichswehr in the period 1919 - 1935), the military uniform has become unified for all existing German states. Its color is “feldgrau” (translated as “field gray”) - a wormwood shade with a predominant green pigment.

A new uniform (uniform of the Wehrmacht - the armed forces of Nazi Germany in the period 1935 - 1945) was introduced along with new model steel helmet. The ammunition, uniforms and helmets did not differ in appearance from their predecessors (which existed back in the Kaiser's era).

At the whim of the Fuhrer, the attire of the military personnel was emphasized a large number various elements (signs, stripes, piping, badges, etc.). By applying a black, white and red imperial cockade and a three-color shield to the helmet with right side devotion to National Socialism was expressed. The appearance of the imperial tricolor dates back to mid-March 1933. In October 1935, the uniform was supplemented by an imperial eagle holding a swastika in its claws. At this time, the Reichswehr was renamed the Wehrmacht (photo was shown earlier).

This topic will be considered in relation to the Ground Forces and SS troops.

Insignia of the Wehrmacht and specifically the SS troops

To begin with, we should clarify some points. Firstly, the SS troops and the SS organization itself are not identical concepts. The latter is the fighting component of the Nazi party, formed by members public organization, conducting their core activities parallel to the SS (worker, shopkeeper, civil servant, etc.). They were allowed to wear a black uniform, which since 1938 was replaced by a light gray uniform with two Wehrmacht-type shoulder straps. The latter reflected general SS ranks.

As for the SS troops, we can say that these are a kind of security detachments (“reserve troops” - “Totenkopf formations” - Hitler’s own troops), into which exclusively SS members were accepted. They were considered equal to Wehrmacht soldiers.

The difference in the ranks of members of the SS organization based on buttonholes existed until 1938. On the black uniform there was a single shoulder strap (on the right shoulder), by which it was possible to determine only the category of a particular SS member (private or non-commissioned officer, or junior or senior officer, or general). And after the light gray uniform was introduced (1938), another one was added distinctive feature- shoulder straps of the Wehrmacht type.

The SS insignia of both military personnel and members of the organization are the same. However, the former still wear a field uniform, which is an analogue of the Wehrmacht. It has two shoulder straps that are similar in appearance to those of the Wehrmacht, and their military rank insignia are identical.

The rank system, and therefore the insignia, was subject to changes many times, the last of which occurred in May 1942 (they were not transformed until May 1945).

Military ranks of the Wehrmacht were designated by buttonholes, shoulder straps, braid and chevrons on the collar, and the last two insignia on the sleeves, as well as special sleeve patches mainly on camouflage military clothing, various stripes (clearances contrasting color) on trousers, design of hats.

It was the SS field uniform that was finally established around 1938. If we consider cut as a comparison criterion, we can say that the Wehrmacht (ground forces) uniform and the SS uniform were no different. The second one was a little grayer and lighter in color, green tint almost never seen.

Also, if we describe the insignia of the SS (specifically the patch), we can highlight the following points: the imperial eagle was slightly above the middle of the segment from the shoulder to the elbow of the left sleeve, its design differed in the shape of the wings (there were often cases when the Wehrmacht eagle was sewn onto the SS field uniform ).

Also a distinctive feature, for example, on the SS tank uniform, was that the buttonholes, just like those of the Wehrmacht tankers, were surrounded by a pink border. The Wehrmacht insignia in this case is represented by the presence of a “dead head” in both buttonholes. SS tankmen could have rank insignia in the left buttonhole, and either a “dead head” or SS runes in the right buttonhole (in some cases there might not have been any insignia or, for example, in a number of divisions the tank crew emblem was placed there - skull with crossed bones). The collar had even buttonholes, the size of which was 45x45 mm.

Also, Wehrmacht insignia included the way battalion or company numbers were embossed on the buttons of the uniform, which was not done in the case of the SS military uniform.

The emblem of the shoulder straps, although identical to those of the Wehrmacht, was quite rare (the exception was the first tank division, where the monogram was regularly worn on the shoulder straps).

Another difference in the system accumulating SS insignia is how soldiers who were candidates for the rank of SS navigator wore a cord at the bottom of the shoulder strap of the same color as its piping. This rank is the equivalent of a gefreiter in the Wehrmacht. And candidates for SS Unterscharführer also wore a braid (braid embroidered with silver) nine millimeters wide at the bottom of their shoulder straps. This rank is equivalent to non-commissioned officer in the Wehrmacht.

As for the ranks of the rank and file, the difference was in the buttonholes and sleeve stripes, which were located above the elbow, but below the imperial eagle in the center of the left sleeve.

If we consider camouflage clothing (where there are no buttonholes or shoulder straps), we can say that the SS men never had rank insignia on it, but they preferred to wear collars with their own buttonholes over this one.

In general, the discipline of wearing a uniform in the Wehrmacht was much higher than in the troops, which allowed themselves a large number of liberties regarding this issue, and their generals and officers did not strive to stop this kind of violations; on the contrary, they often committed similar ones. And this is only a small part of the distinctive features of the uniforms of the Wehrmacht and SS troops.

If we summarize all of the above, we can conclude that the Wehrmacht insignia is much more sophisticated not only than the SS, but also the Soviet ones.

Army ranks

They were presented as follows:

• privates;
• non-commissioned officers without belts (a braided or belt sling for carrying a tashka, bladed weapons, and later firearms);
• non-commissioned officers with sword belts;
• lieutenants;
• captains;
• staff officers;
• generals.

Combat ranks also extended to military officials of various departments and departments. The military administration was divided into categories from the most junior non-commissioned officers to the noble generals.

Military colors of the Wehrmacht ground forces

In Germany, branches of the military were traditionally designated by the corresponding colors of edgings and buttonholes, hats and uniforms, and so on. They changed quite often. At the beginning of World War II, the following color division was in effect:

1. White - infantry and border guards, financiers and treasurers.
2. Scarlet - field, horse and self-propelled artillery, as well as general's piping, buttonholes and stripes.
3. Raspberry or carmine red - non-commissioned officers of the veterinary service, as well as buttonholes, stripes and shoulder straps Main apartment and the General Staff of the High Command of the Wehrmacht and ground forces.
4. Pink - anti-tank self-propelled artillery; edging of details of tank uniforms; gaps and selection of buttonholes of service jackets of officers, gray-green jackets of non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
5. Golden yellow - cavalry, reconnaissance units of tank units and scooters.
6. Lemon yellow - signal troops.
7. Burgundy - military chemists and courts; smoke curtains and multi-barrel rocket-propelled “chemical” mortars.
8. Cherny - engineering troops (sapper, railway, training units), technical service. Tank unit sappers have black and white edging.
9. Cornflower blue - medical and sanitary personnel (except generals).
10. Light blue - edgings of motor transport parts.
11. Light green - military pharmacists, rangers and mountain units.
12. Grass Green - motorized infantry regiment, motorcycle units.
13. Gray - army propagandists and officers of the Landwehr and reserve (edging on shoulder straps in military colors).
14. Gray-blue - registration service, officials of the American administration, specialist officers.
15. Orange - military police and officers of the engineering academy, recruiting service (edging color).
16. Purple - military priests
17. Dark green - military officials.
18. Light red - quartermasters.
19. Blue - military lawyers.
20. Yellow - horse reserve service.
21. Lemon - feld post.
22. Light brown - recruit training service.

Shoulder straps in German military uniform

They had a dual purpose: as a means of determining rank and as bearers of a unitary function (fastening on the shoulder various kinds equipment).

Shoulder straps of the Wehrmacht (rank and file) were made of simple cloth, but with edging, which had a certain color corresponding to the branch of the army. If we take into account the shoulder straps of a non-commissioned officer, we can note the presence of an additional edging consisting of braid (width - nine millimeters).

Until 1938, there was a special army shoulder strap exclusively for field uniforms, which was worn by all ranks below officer. It was entirely dark blue-green with a slightly tapered end towards the button. There was no edging attached to it, corresponding to the color of the branch of service. Wehrmacht soldiers embroidered insignia (numbers, letters, emblems) on them to highlight the color.

The officers (lieutenants, captains) had narrower shoulder straps, which looked like two intertwined strands made of flat silver “Russian braid” (the strand is woven in such a way that thinner threads are visible). All strands were sewn onto the flap in the color of the branch of service that is the basis of this shoulder strap. A special bend (U-shaped) of the braid in the place of the button hole helped create the illusion of eight strands of it, when in fact there were only two.

The Wehrmacht (staff officers) shoulder straps were also made using Russian braid, but in such a way as to demonstrate a row consisting of five separate loops located on either side of the shoulder strap, in addition to the loop around the button located at the top of it.

The general's shoulder straps had a distinctive feature - “Russian braid”. It was made from two separate gold strands, twisted on both sides with one silver ribbed thread. The weaving method implied the appearance of three knots in the middle and four loops on each side in addition to one loop located around the button at the top of the shoulder strap.

Wehrmacht officials, as a rule, had the same shoulder straps as those of the active army. However, they were still distinguished by the slight introduction of a thread of dark green braid and various kinds of emblems.

It would not be amiss to remind you once again that shoulder straps are insignia of the Wehrmacht.

Buttonholes and shoulder straps of generals

As mentioned earlier, Wehrmacht generals wore shoulder straps, which were woven using two thick gold-metal strands and a silver soutache between them.

They also had removable shoulder straps, having (as in the case of ground forces) lining made of scarlet cloth with a special figured cutout running along the edge of the strands (their lower edge). And the bent and sewn-in shoulder straps were distinguished by a straight lining.

The Wehrmacht generals wore silver stars on their shoulder straps, but there was some difference: major generals had no stars, lieutenant generals had one, a general of a certain type of troops (infantry, tank troops, cavalry, etc.) had two, and an oberst general had two. three (two stars located next to each other at the bottom of the shoulder strap and one slightly above them). Previously, there was such a rank as Colonel General in the position of Field Marshal General, which was not used at the beginning of the war. The shoulder strap of this rank had two stars, which were located in its upper and lower parts. A field marshal could be identified by the crossed silver batons along his shoulder straps.

There were also exceptional moments. So, for example, Gerd von Rundstedt (Field Marshal General, who was removed from command due to the defeat near Rostov, chief of the 18th Infantry Regiment) wore the regiment number on his shoulder straps on top of his field marshal's batons, as well as the white and silver ceremonial buttonholes of an infantry officer on his collar troops in return for the richly ornamented gold buttonholes embroidered on a scarlet cloth flap (size 40x90 mm) for generals. Their design was found back in the days of the Kaiser’s army and the Reichswehr; with the formation of the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany, it also appeared among generals.

From the beginning of April 1941, elongated buttonholes were introduced for field marshals, which had three (instead of the previous two) ornamental elements and shoulder straps made of golden thickened cords.

Another sign of the general's dignity is stripes.

The field marshal could also carry in his hand a natural staff, which was made of special wood valuable species, individually decorated, lavishly inlaid with silver and gold and decorated with reliefs.

Personal identification mark

It looked like an oval aluminum token with three longitudinal slots, which served so that at a certain moment (the hour of death) it could be broken into two halves (the first, with two holes, was left on the body of the deceased, and the second half with one hole was given to headquarters).

Wehrmacht soldiers usually wore this on a chain or neck cord. The following was stamped on each token: blood type, badge number, battalion number, regiment number where this badge was issued for the first time. This information was supposed to accompany the soldier throughout the entire period of service, if necessary supplemented by similar data from other units and troops.

An image of German military personnel can be seen in the photo “Wehrmacht Soldier” shown above.

Nakhodka in Besh-Kungei

According to official data, in April 2014, a treasure from the World War II era was found by citizen D. Lukichev in the village of Besh-Kungei (Kyrgyzstan). While digging a cesspool, he came across a metal army field locker from the Third Reich. Its contents are luggage items from 1944 - 1945. (age - more than 60 years), which was not damaged by moisture due to dense insulation through the rubber gasket of the box lid.

It included:

• a light-colored case with the inscription “Mastenbrille” containing glasses;
• a rolled-up travel bag with pockets filled with toiletries;
• mittens, replacement collars, socks with foot wraps, clothes brush, sweater, suspenders and dust protectors;
• a bundle tied with twine containing a supply of leather and fabric for repairs;
• granules of some kind of product (presumably anti-moth);
• an almost new jacket worn by a Wehrmacht officer, with a spare sewn-on emblem of the branch of service and a metal badge;
• headdresses (winter hat and cap) with insignia;
• military passes through front-line checkpoints;
• a banknote of five Reichsmarks;
• a couple of bottles of rum;
• box of cigars

Dmitry thought about passing most of uniforms to the museum. As for the bottles of rum, the box of cigars and the jacket worn by the Wehrmacht officer, he wants to keep them according to the legal 25% granted by the state when finding historical value.

30.09.2007 22:54

In Germany from the autumn of 1936 to May 1945. As part of the Wehrmacht, there was a completely unique military organization - the SS Troops (Waffen SS), which were part of the Wehrmacht only operationally. The fact is that the SS Troops were not the military apparatus of the German state, but were an armed organization of the Nazi Party. But since the German state since 1933 has become an instrument for achieving the political goals of the Nazi Party, the German armed forces also carried out the tasks of the Nazis. That is why the SS Troops were operationally part of the Wehrmacht.

To understand the SS rank system, it is necessary to understand the essence of this organization. Many people believe that the SS Troops are the entire SS organization. However, the SS Troops were only part of it (albeit the most visible). Therefore, the table of ranks will be preceded by a brief historical background. In order to understand the SS, I recommend that you first familiarize yourself with historical information according to SA.

In April 1925, Hitler, concerned about the growing influence of SA leaders and the aggravation of contradictions with them, instructed one of the SA commanders, Julius Schreck, to create the Schutzstaffel (literal translation “defense squad”), abbreviated as SS. For this purpose, it was planned to allocate in each SA Hundert (SA hundred) one SS Gruppe (SS department) in the amount of 10-20 people. The newly created SS units within the SA were assigned a small and insignificant role - the physical protection of senior party leaders (a kind of bodyguard service). On September 21, 1925, Schreck issued a circular on the creation of SS units. At this time there was no need to talk about any SS structure. However, the SS rank system was immediately born; however, these were not yet ranks, but job titles. At this time, the SS was one of the many structural divisions of the SA.

SS ranks from IX-1925 to XI-1926

* Read more about rank encoding .

In November 1926, Hitler began secretly separating SS units from the SA. For this purpose, the position of SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenfuehrer) is being introduced, i.e. senior leader of SS groups. Thus, the SS received dual control (through the SA and directly along their line). Josef Bertchtold becomes the first Obergruppenführer. In the spring of 1927 he was replaced by Erhard Heiden.

SS ranks from XI-1926 to I-1929.

Code*
	SS Mann (SS Mann)
	SS Gruppenfuehrer (SS Gruppenfuehrer)

In January 1929, Heinrich Himmler (H. Himmler) was appointed head of the SS. SS begins to grow rapidly. If in January 1929 there were only 280 SS men, then by December 1930 there were already 2,727.

At the same time, an independent structure of SS units emerged.

Hierarchy of SS units from I-1929 to 1932

Rotten
Scharen	abteilung (branch)
Truppen	zug (platoon)
Stuerme	company (company)
Sturmbanne	battalion (battalion)
Standard	regiment (regiment)
Abschnitt	besatzung (garrison)

Note:Speaking about the equivalence of SS units (SS organizations (!), not SS Troops) to army units, the author means similarity in numbers, but not in the tasks performed, tactical purpose and combat capabilities

The rank system is changing accordingly. However, these are not titles, but positions.

SS rank system from I-1929 to 1932.

Code*	Names of titles (positions)
	SS Mann (SS Mann)
	SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenfuehrer)

The last title was awarded to himself by A. Hitler. It meant something like “Supreme Leader of the SS.”

This table clearly shows the influence of the SA rank system. In the SS at this moment there are no formations like Gruppe or Obergruppe, but there are ranks. They are worn by senior SS leaders.

In mid-1930, Hitler prohibited the SA from interfering in the activities of the SS with an order that stated “... no SA commander has the right to give orders to the SS.” Although the SS still remained within the SA, in fact it was independent.

In 1932, the largest unit Oberabschnitte (Oberabschnitte) was introduced into the SS structure and SS structure acquires its completeness. Please note that we are not talking about the SS troops (there is no trace of them yet), but about a public organization that is part of the Nazi party, and all SS men are engaged in this activity on a voluntary basis in parallel with their main work activity (workers, shopkeepers , artisans, unemployed, peasants, small employees, etc.)

Hierarchy of SS units since 1932

SA division name	Equivalent to an army unit….
Rotten	there is no equivalent. Approximately a cell of 3-5 people.
Scharen	abteilung (branch)
Truppen	zug (platoon)
Stuerme	company (company)
Sturmbanne	battalion (battalion)
Standard	regiment (regiment)
Abschnitt	besatzung (garrison)
Oberabschnitte	kreise (military district)

The table of ranks takes on the following form (although these are still more job titles than ranks):

SS rank system from 1932 to V-1933

Code*	Names of titles (positions)
	SS Mann (SS Mann)
	SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenfuehrer)
	SS Sharfuehrer (SS Sharfuehrer)
	SS Truppfuehrer (SS Truppführer)
	SS Sturmfuehrer (SS Sturmführer)
	SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannfuehrer)
	SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenfuehrer)
	SS Gruppenfuehrer (SA Gruppenfuehrer)
	SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenfuehrer)
	Der Oberste Fuehrer der Schutzstaffel. (Der Oberste Fuehrer der Schutzstaffel)

Only A. Hitler held the latter title. It meant something like “Supreme Leader of the SS.”

On January 30, 1933, German President Field Marshal Hindenburg appointed A. Hitler as Reich Chancellor, i.e. Power in the country passes into the hands of the Nazis.

In March 1933, Hitler ordered the formation of the first armed SS unit, the Leibstandarte-SS "Adolf Hitler" (LSSAH). This was Hitler's personal guard company (120 people). From now onSS is divided into its two components:

1.Allgemeine-SS - general SS.
2.Leibstandarte-SS - armed formation of the SS.

The difference was that membership in the CC was voluntary, and the SS men were engaged in SS affairs in parallel with their main activities (workers, peasants, shopkeepers, etc.). And those who were members of the Leibstandarte-SS, being also members of the CC, were already in service (not in the state service, but in the service of the Nazi Party), and received uniforms and pay at the expense of the NSDAP. Members of the CC, being people personally loyal to Hitler (Himmler took care of the selection of such people in the CC), after the Nazis came to power, began to be appointed to key positions in the state apparatus, starting with the heads of the district post office, police, telegraph, railway stations, etc. up to the highest government positions. Thus, the Allgemeine-SS began to gradually turn into a source of managerial personnel for the state, at the same time including a number of state institutions. Thus, the original role of the CC as a purely security unit was emasculated, and the CC quickly turned into the political and administrative basis of the Nazi regime, becoming a supranational organization, an organization that monitored the activities of state institutions in the interests of the Nazis. With the beginning of the creation of concentration camps by Himmler, concentration camp guard units were allocated from the rapidly growing Leibstandarte-SS. The SS organization now began to consist of three components:

1.Allgemeine-SS - general SS.
2.Leibstandarte-SS - armed formation of the CC.

The previous scale of ranks became insufficient and on May 19, 1933, a new scale of ranks was introduced:

SS rank system from May 19, 1933 to October 15, 1934.

Code*	Names of titles (positions)
	SS Mann (SS Mann)
	SS Sturmann (SS Sturmann)
	SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenfuehrer)
	SS Sharfuehrer (SS Sharfuehrer)
	SS Truppfuehrer (SS Truppführer)
	SS Obertruppfuehrer (SS Obertruppführer)
	SS Sturmfuehrer (SS Sturmführer)
	SS Sturmhauptfuehrer (SS Sturmhauptfuehrer)
	SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannfuehrer)
	SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenfuehrer)
	SS Oberfuehrer (SS Oberfuehrer)
	SS Gruppenfuehrer (SA Gruppenfuehrer)
	SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenfuehrer)
	Der Oberste Fuehrer der Schutzstaffel. (Der Oberste Fuehrer der Schutzstaffel)

On the night of June 30, 1934, the SS, on Hitler's orders, destroy the top of the SA. After this night the role of the SA in political life the country was reduced to zero, and the role of the SS increased many times over. On July 20, 1934, Hitler finally removed the SS from the SA structure and gave it the status of an independent organization within the NSDAP. The role of the SS in the life of the country continued to grow, there were many people who wanted to join this now powerful organization, and on October 15, 1934, Himmler again changed the scale of SS ranks. New ranks SS-Bewerber and SS-Anwarter are introduced, the first for an applicant for entry into the SS and the second for a person undergoing candidate experience. The names of some ranks are changing. The title SS Reichsfuehrer (SS Reichsfuehrer) was introduced specifically for Himmler.

This scale existed until 1942. There was no official division into privates, non-commissioned officers, officers, and generals in the Allgemeine-SS. This seemed to emphasize the SS camaraderie and equality. Until 1936, the same scale of ranks was used in the Leibstandarte "Adolf Hitler" and in the concentration camp guard units

General SS ranks from October 15, 1934 to 1942.

Code*	Names of titles (positions)
	SS Bewerber (SS Beverber)
	SS Anwarter (SS Anvaerter)
	SS Mann (SS Mann)
	SS Sturmann (SS Sturmann)
	SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenfuehrer)
	SS Sharfuehrer (SS Sharfuehrer)
	SS Obersharfuehrer (SS Obersharfuehrer)
	SS Obersturmfuehrer (SS Obersturmführer)
	SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannfuehrer)
	SS Oberturmbannfuehrer (SS Obersturmbannfuehrer)
	SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenfuehrer)
	SS Oberfuehrer (SS Oberfuehrer)
	SS Brigadenfuehrer (SS Brigadefuehrer)
	SS Gruppenfuehrer (SA Gruppenfuehrer)
	SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenfuehrer)

In October 1936, the creation of the SS troops (Waffen SS) began on the basis of the Leibstandarte-SS. From this time on, the SS finally acquired its three main components:
1.Allgemeine-SS - general CC.
2. Waffen SS - CC troops.
3.SS-Totenkopfrerbaende - concentration camp guard units.

Moreover, the Allgemeine-SS actually merges with the state apparatus, some state institutions become departments and departments of the Allgemeine-SS, and the SS Troops and the concentration camp guards, in the minds of many modern readers, merge into a single whole. Hence the fallacy of the idea that the SS is the SS Troops, especially since since 1936 they and the camp guards have received their own rank system, which differs from the general SS one. The idea that the SS troops were involved in guarding concentration camps is also erroneous. The camps were guarded by specially created units called SS-Totenkopfrerbaende, which were not part of the SS Troops. The structure of the Waffen SS units itself was not a general SS structure, but an army model (squad, platoon, company, battalion, regiment, division). There were no permanent formations larger than a division in the Waffen SS. More information about SS divisions can be read on the Arsenal website .

Waffen SS and SS-Totenkopfrerbaende ranks from X-1936 to 1942

Code*		Titles
	Mannschaften	SS Schutze (SS Schutze)
		SS Sturmann (SS Sturmann)
		SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenfuehrer)
	Unterfuehrer	SS Unterscharfuehrer (SS Unterscharfuehrer)
		SS Sharfuehrer (SS Sharfuehrer)
		SS Obersharfuehrer (SS Obersharfuehrer)
		SS Hauptscharfuehrer (SS Hauptscharfuehrer)
	Untere Fuehrer	SS Untersturmfuehrer (SS Untersturmführer)
		SS Hauptsturmfuehrer (SS Hauptsturmfuehrer)
	Mittlere Fuehrer	SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannfuehrer)
		SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenfuehrer)
		SS Oberfuehrer (SS Oberfuehrer)
	Hoehere Fuehrer

Why the Waffen SS generals added the words “... and general... of police” to their general SS rank is unknown to the author, but in most primary sources available to the author in German (official documents) these ranks are called that way, although the SS men who remain in the Allgemeine-SS have general ranks did not have this supplement.

In 1937, four officer schools were created in the Waffen SS, the students of which had the following ranks:

In May 1942, the ranks SS-Sturmscharfuehrer and SS-Oberstgruppenfuehrer were added to the SS rank scale. These were the last changes in the SS rank scale. There were three years left until the end of the thousand-year Reich.

General SS ranks from 1942 to 1945

Code*	Names of titles (positions)
	SS Bewerber (SS Beverber)
	SS Anwarter (SS Anvaerter)
	SS Mann (SS Mann)
	SS Sturmann (SS Sturmann)
	SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenfuehrer)
	SS Unterscharfuehrer (SS Unterscharfuehrer)
	SS Sharfuehrer (SS Sharfuehrer)
	SS Obersharfuehrer (SS Obersharfuehrer)
	SS Hauptscharfuehrer (SS Hauptscharfuehrer)
	SS Sturmscharfuehrer (SS Sturmscharfuehrer)
	SS Untersturmfuehrer (SS Untersturmführer)
	SS Obersturmfuehrer (SS Obersturmführer)
	SS Hauptsturmfuehrer (SS Hauptsturmfuehrer)
	SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannfuehrer)
	SS Oberturmbannfuehrer (SS Obersturmbannfuehrer)
	SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenfuehrer)
	SS Oberfuehrer (SS Oberfuehrer)
	SS Brigadenfuehrer (SS Brigadefuehrer)
	SS Gruppenfuehrer (SA Gruppenfuehrer)
16a	SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenfuehrer)
16b	SS-Oberstgruppenfuehrer (SS Oberstgruppenfuehrer)
	SS Reichsfuehrer (SS Reichsfuehrer) Only G. Himmler had this title
	Der Oberste Fuehrer der Schutzstaffel. (Der Oberste Fuehrer der Schutzstaffel) Only A. Hitler had this title

Waffen SS and SS-Totenkopfrerbaende ranks from V-1942 to 1945.

Code*		Titles
	Mannschaften	SS Schutze (SS Schutze)
		SS Oberschutze (SS Oberschutze)
		SS Sturmann (SS Sturmann)
		SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenfuehrer)
	Unterfuehrer	SS-Unterscharfuehrer (SS Unterscharfuehrer)
		SS Sharfuehrer (SS Sharfuehrer)
		SS Obersharfuehrer (SS Obersharfuehrer)
		SS Hauptscharfuehrer (SS Hauptscharfuehrer)
		SS-Sturmscharfuehrer (SS Sturmscharfuehrer)
	Untere Fuehrer	SS Untersturmfuehrer (SS Untersturmführer)
		SS Obersturmfuehrer (SS Obersturmführer)
		SS Hauptsturmfuehrer (SS Hauptsturmfuehrer)
	Mittlere Fuehrer	SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannfuehrer)
		SS Obersturmbannfuehrer (SS Obersturmbannfuehrer)
		SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenfuehrer)
		SS Oberfuehrer (SS Oberfuehrer)
	Hoehere Fuehrer	SS Brigadenfuehrer und der General-maior der Polizei (SS Brigadenfuehrer und der General-maior der Polizei)
		SS Gruppenfuehrer und der General-leutnant der Polizei (SA Gruppenfuehrer und der General-leutnant der Polizei)
16a		SS Obergruppenfuehrer und der General der Polizei (SS Obergruppenfuehrer und der General der Polizei)
16b		SS-Oberstgruppenfuehrer und der General-oberst der Polizei (SS Oberstgruppenfuehrer und der General-Oberst der Polizei)

At the final stage of the war, the activities of SS organizations ceased with the occupation of this territory by the Red Army or Allied troops. Formally, the activities of the SS were discontinued, and the organization itself was dissolved in the fall of 1945 based on the decisions of the Potsdam Allied Conference on the denazification of Germany. By the verdict of the international tribunal in Nuremberg in the fall of 1946. The SS was recognized as a criminal organization, and membership in it was a crime. However, only senior leaders and part of the middle SS personnel, as well as soldiers and officers of the SS Troops and concentration camp guards, were subjected to real criminal prosecution. They were not recognized as prisoners of war when captured, and were treated as if they were criminals. Convicted SS soldiers and officers were released from USSR camps under an amnesty at the end of 1955