German ranks. SS troops: ranks and insignia. SS Standartenführer. SS Hauptsturmführer
Allgemeine SS officer's cap
Although the SS was the most complex of all the structures that made up the NSDAP, the rank system changed little throughout the history of this organization. In 1942, the rank system took its final form and lasted until the end of the war.
Mannschaften (lower ranks):
SS-Bewerber - SS candidate
SS-Anwaerter - cadet
SS-Mann (SS-Schuetze in the Waffen-SS) - Private
SS-Oberschuetze (Waffen-SS) - private after six months of service
SS-Strummann - junior corporal
SS-Rollenfuehrer - Corporal
Unterfuehrer (non-commissioned officers)
SS-Unterscharfuehrer - Corporal
SS-Scharfuehrer - junior sergeant
SS-Oberscharfuehrer - sergeant
SS-Hauptscharfuehrer - senior sergeant
SS-Sturmscharfuerer (Waffen-SS) - company senior sergeant
Left buttonhole with insignia of an SS Obergruppenführer, front and back view
SS Sturmbannführer's buttonholes
Patch eagle ss
On Labor Day, 1935, the Fuehrer watched a parade of members of the Hitler Youth. To Hitler's left is SS Grupnenführer Philipp Bowler, head of the Führer's personal office. A dagger hangs from Bowler's belt. Bowler and Goebbels (behind the Fuhrer) wear a badge on their chests, issued specifically for Tag der Arbeit 1935, while Hitler, who avoided wearing jewelry on his clothes, limited himself to only one Iron Cross. The Fuhrer did not even put on the Golden Party Badge.
Samples of SS insignia
From left - from top to bottom: buttonhole of the Oberstgruppenführer, buttonhole of the Obergruppenführer, buttonhole of the Gruppenführer (until 1942)
In the middle - from top to bottom: Gruppenfuhrer's shoulder strap, Gruppenfuhrer's buttonhole, Brigadeführer's buttonhole. Bottom left: Oberführer's buttonhole, Standartenführer's buttonhole.
Bottom right: Obersturmbannführer's buttonhole, Hauptsturmführer's collar with buttonhole, Hauptscharführer's buttonhole.
Below in the middle: shoulder strap of an infantry obersturmbannfuehrer, shoulder strap of an untersturmführer of the communications units of the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler division, shoulder strap of an oberscharführer of anti-tank self-propelled artillery.
From top to bottom: Oberscharführer collar, Scharführer collar, Rottenführer buttonhole.
Top right: officer's all-SS buttonhole, soldier's buttonhole of the Totenkopf (Dead Head) division, buttonhole of the 20th Estonian SS Grenadier Division, buttonhole of the 19th Latvian SS Grenadier Division
Reverse side of buttonhole
In the Waffen-SS, non-commissioned officers could receive the position of SS-Stabscharfuerer'a (non-commissioned officer on duty). The duties of the non-commissioned officer on duty included various administrative, disciplinary and reporting functions, the SS Staffscharführers had the unofficial nickname "tier Spiess" and wore a tunic, the cuffs of which were decorated with a double piping of aluminum galloon (Tresse).
Untere Fuehrer (junior officers):
SS-Untersturmfuehrer - lieutenant
SS-Obcrstrumfuehrer - Oberleutnant
SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer - Captain
Mittlere Fuehrer (senior officers):
SS-Sturmbannfuehrer - major
SS-Obersturmbannfuehrer - lieutenant colonel
SS“Standar£enfuehrer - Colonel
SS-Oberfuehrer - Senior Colonel
Hoehere Fuehrer (higher officers)
SS-Brigadefuehrer - brigadier general
SS-Gruppenl "uchrer - major general
SS-Obergruppertfuehrer - lieutenant general
SS-Oberstgruppenfuehrer - Colonel General
In 1940, all SS generals also received the corresponding army ranks, For example
SS-Obergruppcnfuehrer und General der Waffen-SS. In 1943, the ranks of generals were supplemented by a police rank, since by this time the police had already been practically absorbed by the SS. The same general in 1943 was called SS-Obergruppenfuehrer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei. In 1944, some of Himmler's deputies in charge of the Allgemeine-SS. Waffen-SS and police, received the rank of Hoehere SS- und Polizei fuehrer (HSSPI).
Himmler retained his title of Reichsführer-SS. Hitler, who by his position headed the SA. NSKK, Hitler Youth and other formations of the NSDAP. He was Commander-in-Chief of the SS and held the title of Der Oberste Fuehrer der Schutzstaffel.
Allgemeine-SS ranks usually took precedence over the corresponding Waffen-SS and police ranks, so members of the Allgemeine-SS were transferred to the Waffen-SS and police while maintaining their ranks and if they received a promotion, this was automatically taken into account in their rank in the Allgemeine-SS.
Candidate officers of the Waffen-SS (Fuehrerbewerber) served in non-commissioned officer positions until they received the officer rank. For 18 months SS- Fuhreranwarter(cadet) received the ranks of SS-Junker, SS-Standartenjunker and SS-Standartenoberjunker, which corresponded to the ranks of SS Unterscharführer, SS Scharführer and SS Haupgscharführer. Officers and candidate officers of the SS enrolled in the reserve received a appendage der Reserve to their rank. . A similar scheme was applied to candidates for non-commissioned officers. Civilian specialists (translators, doctors, etc.) who served in the ranks of the SS received the addition of Sonderfuehrer or Fach fuehrer to their rank.
Cap patch CC (trapezoid)
Skull cockade ss
30.09.2007 22:54
In Germany from autumn 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, you need to understand the essence of this organization. Many believe that the SS Troops are the entire organization of the SS. However, the SS troops were only a part of it (although the most visible). Therefore, the table of ranks will be preceded by a brief historical background. I recommend that in order to understand the SS, first familiarize yourself with historical reference by SA.
In April 1925, Hitler, concerned about the growing influence of the leaders of the SA and the aggravation of contradictions with them, instructed one of the commanders of the SA, Julius Schreck, to create the Schutzstaffel (literal translation "protection squad") in abbreviated form - SS. To this end, it was supposed to allocate in each SA Hundert (SA hundred) one SS Gruppe (SS branch) in the amount of 10-20 people. The newly created SS divisions within the SA were destined for a small and insignificant role - the physical protection of the top leaders of the party (a kind of bodyguard service). On September 21, 1925, Shrek issued a circular on the creation of SS units. At this time, there was no need to talk about any structure of the SS. However, the SS rank system was immediately born, however, these were not titles yet, 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 begins the secret separation of SS units from the SA. For this, the position of SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenführer) is introduced, i.e. senior leader of the SS groups. Thus, the SS received dual control (through the SA and directly through its own line). Josef Berthtold becomes the first Obergruppenführer. In the spring of 1927 he is replaced by Erhard Heiden.
SS ranks from XI-1926 to I-1929
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Code* |
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SS Mann (SS Mann) |
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SS Gruppenfuehrer (SS Gruppenführer) |
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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 2727 of them.
At the same time, an independent structure of SS units appeared.
Hierarchy of SS divisions from I-1929 to 1932
|
Rotten |
|
|
Scharen |
abteilung (branch) |
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Truppen |
zug (platoon) |
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Stuerme |
company (company) |
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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 the similarity in numbers, but not in tasks, tactical mission and combat capabilities
The rank system also changes accordingly. However, these are not titles, but positions.
SS rank system from I-1929 to 1932
|
Code* |
Names of ranks (positions) |
|
SS Mann (SS Mann) |
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SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenführer) |
|
The last title was awarded to A. Hitler. It meant roughly the following "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 the highest leaders of the SS.
In the middle of 1930, Hitler forbade the SA to interfere in the activities of the SS with an order that said "... 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 division of the Oberabschnitte (Oberabschnitte) was introduced into the structure of the SS and SS structure takes on its completion. Please note that this is not about the SS troops (there are still no trace of them), but about public organization, which is part of the Nazi Party, and all SS men are engaged in this activity on a voluntary basis in parallel with their main labor activity (workers, shopkeepers, artisans, unemployed, peasants, small employees, etc.)
Hierarchy of SS divisions since 1932
|
SA subdivision 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 rank table takes on the following form (although it is still more job titles than titles):
SS rank system from 1932 to V-1933
|
Code* |
Names of ranks (positions) |
|
SS Mann (SS Mann) |
|
|
SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenführer) |
|
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SS Sharfuehrer (SS Scharführer) |
|
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SS Truppfuehrer (SS Truppführer) |
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SS Sturmfuehrer (SS Sturmführer) |
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SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannführer) |
|
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SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenführer) |
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SS Gruppenfuehrer (SA Gruppenführer) |
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SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenführer) |
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Der Oberste Fuehrer der Schutzstaffel. (Der Oberste Fuhrer der Schutzstaffel) |
The last title was worn only by A. Hitler. It meant roughly the following "Supreme Leader of the SS."
On January 30, 1933, Field Marshal Hindenburg, President of Germany, appoints A. Hitler 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 formation of the SS - Leibstandarte-SS " Adolf Hitler(LSSAH). This was Hitler's bodyguard company (120 men). From that momentSS is divided into two parts:
1.Allgemeine-SS - general SS.
2.Leibstandarte-SS - armed formation of the SS.
The difference was that membership in the SS 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 in the Leibstandarte-SS, being also members of the CC, were already in the service (not in the state, but in the service of the Nazi Party), received uniforms and salaries from the NSDAP. Members of the CC, being people personally devoted 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 posts in state apparatus, starting with the chiefs of the district post office, police, telegraph, railway stations, etc. up to the highest government positions. Thus, Allgemeine-SS began to gradually turn into a source management personnel state, simultaneously 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 supervises 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 separated from the rapidly growing Leibstandarte-SS. The organization of the SS 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 was not enough 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 ranks (positions) |
|
SS Mann (SS Mann) |
|
|
SS Sturmann (SS Sturmann) |
|
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SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenführer) |
|
|
SS Sharfuehrer (SS Scharführer) |
|
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SS Truppfuehrer (SS Truppführer) |
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SS Obertruppfuehrer (SS Obertruppführer) |
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SS Sturmfuehrer (SS Sturmführer) |
|
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SS Sturmhauptfuehrer (SS Sturmhauptfuehrer) |
|
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SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannführer) |
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SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenführer) |
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SS Oberfuehrer (SS Oberführer) |
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SS Gruppenfuehrer (SA Gruppenführer) |
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SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenführer) |
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|
Der Oberste Fuehrer der Schutzstaffel. (Der Oberste Fuhrer der Schutzstaffel) |
On the night of June 30, 1934, the SS, on the orders of Hitler, 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 structure of the SA and gave it the status of an independent organization within the framework of the NSDAP. The role of the SS in the life of the country continued to grow, there were many who wanted to join this now powerful organization, and on October 15, 1934, Himmler again changed the SS rank scale. 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 titles have changed. A title is introduced specifically for Himmler SS Reichsfuehrer (SS Reichsführer).
This scale lasted until 1942. There was no official division into privates, non-commissioned officers, officers, generals in Allgemeine-SS. This, as it were, emphasized the SS camaraderie and equality. The same scale of ranks until 1936 was used in the Leibstandarte "Adolf Hitler" and in parts of the concentration camp guards
General ranks of the SS from 15.X.1934 to 1942
|
Code* |
Names of ranks (positions) |
|
SS Bewerber (SS Bewerber) |
|
|
SS Anwarter (SS Anwarter) |
|
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SS Mann (SS Mann) |
|
|
SS Sturmann (SS Sturmann) |
|
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SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenführer) |
|
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SS Sharfuehrer (SS Scharführer) |
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SS Obersharfuehrer (SS Oberscharführer) |
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SS Obersturmfuehrer (SS Obersturmführer) |
|
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SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannführer) |
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SS Oberturmbannfuehrer (SS Obersturmbannführer) |
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SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenführer) |
|
|
SS Oberfuehrer (SS Oberführer) |
|
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SS Brigadenfuehrer (SS Brigadenführer) |
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SS Gruppenfuehrer (SA Gruppenführer) |
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SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenführer) |
|
From October 1936, on the basis of the Leibstandarte-SS, the creation of the SS troops (Waffen SS) began. From that time on, the SS finally acquires its three main components:
1.Allgemeine-SS - general CC.
2. Waffen SS - CC troops.
3.SS-Totenkopfrerbaende - parts of the guards of concentration camps.
Moreover, the Allgemeine-SS actually merges with the state apparatus, some institutions of the state become departments and departments of the Allgemeine-SS, and the SS troops and the guards of concentration camps, in the view 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 guards of the concentration camps receive their own system of ranks, which differs from the general SS. The idea that the SS troops were engaged in the protection of 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 very structure of the Waffen SS units was not general SS, but of an army model (squad, platoon, company, battalion, regiment, division). There were no permanent formations larger than a division in the Waffen SS. More about SS divisions can be found on the Arsenal website .
Ranks of the Waffen SS and SS-Totenkopfrerbaende from X-1936 to 1942
|
Code* |
Names of ranks |
|
|
Mannschaften |
SS Schutze (SS Schutze) |
|
|
SS Sturmann (SS Sturmann) |
||
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SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenführer) |
||
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Unterfuehrer |
SS Unterscharfuehrer (SS Unterscharführer) |
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SS Sharfuehrer (SS Scharführer) |
||
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SS Obersharfuehrer (SS Oberscharführer) |
||
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SS Hauptscharfuehrer (SS Hauptscharführer) |
||
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Untere Fuehrer |
SS Untersturmfuehrer (SS Untersturmführer) |
|
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SS Hauptsturmfuehrer (SS Hauptsturmführer) |
||
|
Mittlere Fuehrer |
SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannführer) |
|
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SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenführer) |
||
|
SS Oberfuehrer (SS Oberführer) |
||
|
Hoehere Fuehrer |
||
Why the generals of the Waffen SS added the words "... and general ... of the police" to the general SS rank, the author does not know, but in most of the primary sources available to the author in German (official documents) these ranks are called that way, although the SS men remaining 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 last changes in the SS rank scale. Three years remained before the end of the thousand-year Reich.
General ranks of the SS from 1942 to 1945.
|
Code* |
Names of ranks (positions) |
|
SS Bewerber (SS Bewerber) |
|
|
SS Anwarter (SS Anwarter) |
|
|
SS Mann (SS Mann) |
|
|
SS Sturmann (SS Sturmann) |
|
|
SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenführer) |
|
|
SS Unterscharfuehrer (SS Unterscharführer) |
|
|
SS Sharfuehrer (SS Scharführer) |
|
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SS Obersharfuehrer (SS Oberscharführer) |
|
|
SS Hauptscharfuehrer (SS Hauptscharführer) |
|
|
SS Sturmscharfuehrer (SS Sturmscharfuehrer) |
|
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SS Untersturmfuehrer (SS Untersturmführer) |
|
|
SS Obersturmfuehrer (SS Obersturmführer) |
|
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SS Hauptsturmfuehrer (SS Hauptsturmführer) |
|
|
SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannführer) |
|
|
SS Oberturmbannfuehrer (SS Obersturmbannführer) |
|
|
SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenführer) |
|
|
SS Oberfuehrer (SS Oberführer) |
|
|
SS Brigadenfuehrer (SS Brigadenführer) |
|
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SS Gruppenfuehrer (SA Gruppenführer) |
|
|
16a |
SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenführer) |
|
16b |
SS-Oberstgruppenfuehrer (SS Oberstgruppenfuehrer) |
|
SS Reichsfuehrer (SS Reichsführer) Only G. Himmler had this title |
|
|
Der Oberste Fuehrer der Schutzstaffel. (Der Oberste Fuhrer der Schutzstaffel) Only A. Hitler had this title |
Waffen SS and SS-Totenkopfrerbaende ranks from V-1942 to 1945
|
Code* |
Names of ranks |
|
|
Mannschaften |
SS Schutze (SS Schutze) |
|
|
SS Oberschutze (SS Oberschutze) |
||
|
SS Sturmann (SS Sturmann) |
||
|
SS Rottenfuehrer (SS Rottenführer) |
||
|
Unterfuehrer |
SS-Unterscharfuehrer (SS Unterscharführer) |
|
|
SS Sharfuehrer (SS Scharführer) |
||
|
SS Obersharfuehrer (SS Oberscharführer) |
||
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SS Hauptscharfuehrer (SS Hauptscharführer) |
||
|
SS-Sturmscharfuehrer (SS Sturmscharfuehrer) |
||
|
Untere Fuehrer |
SS Untersturmfuehrer (SS Untersturmführer) |
|
|
SS Obersturmfuehrer (SS Obersturmführer) |
||
|
SS Hauptsturmfuehrer (SS Hauptsturmführer) |
||
|
Mittlere Fuehrer |
SS Sturmbannfuehrer (SS Sturmbannführer) |
|
|
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer (SS Obersturmbannführer) |
||
|
SS Standartenfuehrer (SS Standartenführer) |
||
|
SS Oberfuehrer (SS Oberführer) |
||
|
Hoehere Fuehrer |
SS Brigadenfuehrer und der General-maior der Polizei (SS Brigadenführer und der Major General der Polizei) |
|
|
SS Gruppenfuehrer und der General-leutnant der Polizei |
||
|
16a |
SS Obergruppenfuehrer und der General der Polizei (SS Obergruppenführer und der General der Polizei) |
|
|
16b |
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 forces. Formally, the activities of the SS were terminated, and the organization itself was dissolved in the fall of 1945 on the basis of the decisions of the Potsdam Allied Conference on the denazification of Germany. By the verdict of the international tribunal in Nuremberg in the autumn of 1946. The SS was recognized as a criminal organization, and membership in it a crime. However, only top 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 taken prisoner, and they were treated like criminals. From the camps of the USSR, convicted soldiers and officers of the SS troops were released under an amnesty at the end of 1955
The system of military ranks in the German army was based on a hierarchical system of military ranks, established on December 6, 1920. Officers were divided into four groups: generals, staff officers, captains and junior officers. By tradition, the rank from lieutenant to general assumed an indication of the initial type of troops, but in combat units there was no diversity in officer insignia.
France, June 1940. Hauptfeldwebel in everyday uniform. The double galloon on the cuff of his sleeve and the magazine of orders, which he is entitled to according to his position, are clearly visible. Shoulder straps are turned inside out to hide the insignia of its part. The ribbon for long service in the Wehrmacht attracts attention. The peaceful, relaxed look and lack of equipment suggest that the picture was taken when the battle for France had already ended. (Friedrich Hermann)
On March 31, 1936, military musicians in officer ranks - conductors, senior and junior bandmasters - were allocated to a special group of military ranks. Although they had no authority (because they did not command anyone), they not only wore officer uniforms and officer insignia, but also enjoyed all the advantages of an officer position, equivalent to that of officers in the armies of Great Britain and the United States. The conductors under the High Command of the Army were considered staff officers, while the bandmasters directed the activities of the regimental bands of the infantry, light infantry, cavalry, artillery and battalion bands in the engineer troops.
The junior command staff was divided into three groups. The technical junior command staff, approved on September 23, 1937, included senior instructors of the engineering fortress troops, and later non-commissioned officers of the veterinary service. The highest junior command staff (that is, senior non-commissioned officers) were called "non-commissioned officers with a lanyard", and junior or lower ranks of junior command personnel were called "non-commissioned officers without a lanyard". The rank of the staff sergeant major (Stabsfeldwebel), approved on September 14, 1938, was assigned in the order of recertification to non-commissioned officers with 12 years of service. Initially, this military rank was assigned only to veterans of the First World War. Haupt sergeant major (Hauptfeldwebel) is not a rank, but a military position established on September 28, 1938. He was the senior commander of the junior command staff of the company, was listed at the company headquarters, and he was usually called (at least behind his back) "peak" (der Spieb). In other words, it was a company foreman, usually in the rank of chief sergeant major. (Oberfeldwebel). In terms of seniority, this rank was considered higher than the rank of staff sergeant major. (Stabsfeldwebel), who could also be promoted to the position of company foreman. Other military personnel from the junior command staff, who could also be appointed to this position, were called "acting company foremen" (Hauptfeldwebeldiensttuer). However, usually such junior commanders were quickly promoted to the rank of chief sergeant major.
France, May 1940. Motorcyclists of the military police (Felgendarmerie) from the traffic control battalion lead a convoy of trucks. Both motorcyclists are dressed in rubberized field overcoats of the 1934 model, but they have very little equipment. The driver has a 98k carbine on his back and a 1938 gas mask canister on his chest. His wheelchair passenger is holding a traffic officer's baton. The emblem of the division is applied to the side of the stroller, and under the headlight on the wing of the front wheel is fixed the number of the motorcycle, starting with the letters WH (short for Wehrmacht-Heer - Wehrmacht ground forces). (Brian Davis)
Class of military ranks "ordinary" (Mannschaften) united all the actual privates, as well as corporals. The corporals, the most experienced privates, made up a much more prominent proportion of the privates than in the armies of other countries.
Most military ranks existed in several equivalent versions: in different branches of the military, similar ranks could be called differently. Thus, in the medical units, ranks were assigned in order to mark the level of a specialist officer, although the rank itself did not provide any authority or the right to command on the battlefield. Other military ranks, such as captain (Rittmeister) or chief huntsman (Oberjäger) kept by tradition.
Officers of almost all military ranks could occupy positions corresponding not to their own rank, but to the next in seniority, thereby becoming candidates for promotion or acting. Therefore, German officers and junior commanders often held higher command posts than their British counterparts of equivalent military ranks. The lieutenant who commanded the company - in the German army this did not surprise anyone. And if the first platoon of a rifle company was commanded by a lieutenant (as it should be), then a chief sergeant major, or even a sergeant major, often turned out to be at the head of the second and third platoons. Promotion to the infantry military ranks of non-commissioned officer, sergeant major and chief sergeant major depended on the staffing of the unit and occurred among capable non-commissioned officers, in a natural way - people moved up the career ladder in the order of successive career growth. All other ranks of junior officers and lower ranks could count on promotion in the order of encouragement for service. Even if it was impossible for a soldier to be made at least a corporal (due to the lack of the necessary abilities or qualities), there was still an opportunity to encourage his diligence or reward him for long service - for this, the Germans invented the title of senior soldier (Obersoldat). An old campaigner who was not fit to be a non-commissioned officer became, in a similar way and for similar reasons, a staff corporal.
Military rank insignia
The insignia indicating the rank of a soldier was issued, as a rule, in two versions: weekend - for the dress uniform, output overcoat and field uniform with piping, and field - for the field uniform and field overcoat.
Generals with a uniform of any kind, wicker shoulder straps of the output sample were worn. Two gold cast cords 4 mm thick (or, from July 15, 1938, two golden yellow "celluloid" threads) were intertwined with a central cord of shiny flat aluminum braid 4 mm wide on a bright red background of finishing fabric. On the shoulder straps of the general field marshal, two stylized crossed marshal's batons of silver color were depicted, generals of other ranks wore shoulder straps with "asterisks". There could be up to three such "stars" of a square shape with a square width of 2.8 to 3.8 cm, and they were made of "German silver" (that is, an alloy of zinc, copper and nickel - the one from which dental fillings are made ) or white aluminium. The insignia of the branch of service was made of silver-plated aluminum. From April 3, 1941, all three cords on the shoulder straps of the general field marshal began to be made from artificial "celluloid" fiber of bright gold or golden yellow color, placing miniature silver marshal's batons on top of the weaving.
Issued for staff officers wicker shoulder straps of the output sample consisted of two shiny flat galloons 5 mm wide on the lining of the finishing fabric in the color of the military branch, on top of which “stars” of copper-plated aluminum were fixed. From November 7, 1935, gold-plated aluminum was used. There could be up to two square "stars", and the width of the square was 1.5 cm, 2 cm or 2.4 cm. war time the material for the stars was the same aluminum, but gilded by the galvanic method, or gray lacquered aluminum. The epaulettes of the field sample were distinguished by the fact that the galloon was not shiny, but matte (subsequently the color of "feldgrau"). The insignia of the military branch, approved on September 10, 1935, from November 7, 1935, was made of copper-plated with metallization or gilded aluminum, and in wartime, gold-colored aluminum or zinc alloy, obtained by electroplating, began to be used for the same purpose, or gray color- V last case aluminum was varnished.
Captain and Lieutenant shoulder straps of the output sample consisted of two galloons 7-8 mm wide made of shiny flat aluminum, which were laid side by side on the finishing fabric of the color of the military branch, and up to two “stars” of gilded aluminum were attached on top, and insignia of the military branch, relying on the headquarters -officers. On the shoulder straps of the field sample, a galloon of brushed aluminum was laid, and later - a galloon of the "feldgrau" color.
France, June 1940. A detachment of the Grossdeutchland regiment in the guard uniform of the 1935 model. Those who served in this elite unit wore an armband with the name of the regiment on the cuff of the sleeve and a monogram on shoulder straps with any kind of uniform, even field uniform. Attention is drawn to the "cords of a sharpshooter" and the warlike ceremonial appearance of a soldier's system. (ESRA)
Kapellmeisters wore officer epaulettes with two galloons 4 mm wide each of a flat strip of shiny aluminum. A bright red middle cord 3 mm thick was laid between the galloons. The whole structure was placed on a bright red lining made of finishing fabric (from February 18, 1943, bright red was approved as the color of the military branch of the musicians) and was decorated with a gilded aluminum lyre and an aluminum "asterisk". Senior and junior Kapellmeisters had striped epaulettes: five stripes 7 mm wide of flat shiny aluminum galloon interspersed with four stripes 5 mm wide of bright red silk, all of this was located on the lining of the color of the military branch (finishing fabric of white, light green, bright red, golden yellow or black) and decorated with a gilded aluminum lyre and the same design "stars". The galloon on the shoulder straps of the field sample was made of dull aluminum, later - of feldgrau-colored fabric.
Technical specialists in the ranks of junior officers they wore wicker shoulder straps with symbols and “stars” made of white aluminum that were very prominent in their appearance; in wartime, gray aluminum or zinc alloy went to the "stars". From January 9, 1937, horse shoeing instructors (as military veterinarians of the lowest ranks were called) wore shoulder straps with three interlaced golden-yellow woolen cords, framed around the perimeter with the same, but double cord, with crimson, the color of the military branch, lining, horseshoe with or without an asterisk. From January 9, 1939, the inspectors of the engineering-fortress troops wore similar shoulder straps, but with artificial black silk cords inside the shoulder strap and a white artificial silk cord around the perimeter, and all this on a black - the color of the type of troops - lining; an image of a lantern wheel (“gear”) was attached to the chase, and from June 9, 1939, the letters “Fp” (letters of the Gothic alphabet), there could also be one “asterisk”. On May 7, 1942, the shoulder straps of both veterinarians-blacksmiths and instructors of the engineer-fortress troops changed their colors to red: intertwined shiny aluminum and red braided cords were placed in the shoulder strap field, and a double red cord ran along the perimeter. The lining of horse shoeing instructors was crimson, and a small horseshoe was preserved on the new pursuit; for instructors of the engineering-fortress troops, the lining was black and “asterisks”, one or two, and the letters “Fp” were placed on the pursuit, as on the previous pursuit.
Output quality insignia for senior ranks of junior command staff were “stars”, from three to one (a square with a side of 1.8 cm, 2 cm and 2.4 cm, respectively), made of bright aluminum, placed on cloth dark green and blue shoulder straps of the 1934 sample with a finish according to perimeter with a galloon 9 mm wide of shiny aluminum yarn of the “ordinary rhombus” pattern, which was approved on September 1, 1935. The field quality marks were the same, but were located on unedged field shoulder straps of the 1933, 1934 or 1935 model. or on field shoulder straps with piping of the 1938 or 1940 model. In wartime, a 9 mm wide galloon was also made of silver-gray rayon, and stars were made of gray aluminum and zinc alloy, and from April 25, 1940, shoulder straps began to be trimmed with a galloon of matte feldgrau-colored artificial silk or wool with cellulose wire. The same metal was used for the insignia as for the "asterisks". The company foreman and the acting company foreman (Hauptfeldwebel or Hauptfeldwebeldinsttuer) wore another 1.5 cm wide lace on the cuff of the sleeve of the front uniform, made of shiny aluminum yarn of the “double rhombus” pattern, and on the cuffs of the sleeves of uniforms of other shapes - two galloons 9 mm wide each .
At lower ranks of junior command staff shoulder straps And the galloons were the same as those of the senior non-commissioned officers, for the non-commissioned sergeant major the perimeter of the shoulder strap was sheathed with a galloon, and the non-commissioned officer did not have a galloon at the base of the shoulder strap. The insignia of the output quality on the pursuit were embroidered with a thread of the color of the branch of service, while the insignia of the field quality, not differing from the output colors, were made of woolen or cotton thread, and from March 19, 1937, the "tambour line" pattern was also used, embroidered with a thread of artificial silks. The black insignia of the units of the engineering troops and the dark blue insignia of the units of the medical service were bordered with a white tambour line, which made them more noticeable against the dark green and blue background of the shoulder strap. In wartime, these embroideries were often completely replaced by a flat thin thread.
Norway, June 1940. Mountain riflemen dressed in 1935 field uniforms and equipped with goggles general purpose with round glasses, they cross the Norwegian fjord in boats designed for eight people. The participants of the crossing do not notice any tension, and they have no equipment, so the picture was probably taken after the end of hostilities. (Brian Davis)
Other ranks wore the same shoulder straps as junior non-commissioned officers, with insignia in the colors of the military branch, but without galloon. The insignia of the military rank of the 1936 model included triangular chevrons, with their apex down, from a non-commissioned officer galloon 9 mm wide, in combination with “asterisks” embroidered with silver-gray or aluminum thread (if the uniform was sewn to order, the “asterisk” could be a bright aluminum button, like an ingot, made using the technique of hand sewing). The insignia was sewn onto a triangle (for a senior soldier - a circle) from a dark green and blue finishing fabric. In May 1940, the fabric of the triangle (circle) was changed to a fieldgrau fabric, and for tankers - to black fabric. These rank insignia, adopted on September 25, 1936 (the order came into effect on October 1, 1936), continued the tradition of the Reichswehr insignia system that was adopted on December 22, 1920.
Since November 26, 1938 on white and straw green pique work uniform it was supposed to wear insignia of 1 cm wide feldgrau galloon with an “ordinary rhombus” pattern and two thin black piping inside the galloon strip. The staff sergeant wore a galloon ring under two galloon chevrons, pointing up, on both sleeves, below the elbow. The hauptfeldwebel (foreman of the company) wore two rings, the chief sergeant-major wore a ring and a chevron, the sergeant-major had only a ring. Unterfeld-febel and non-commissioned officer were limited only to galloon along the edge of the collar. All insignia of junior command personnel on August 22, 1942 were replaced by a new system of sleeve insignia. The rank and file wore chevrons of the same galloon and the same feldgrau fabric, with galloon "stars" sewn on a white or straw green background.
Insignia of military branches and military units
The branch of service to which the military unit of a serviceman belonged was designated by the color of the branch of service (instrument color), in which the piping was painted on the collar, shoulder straps, headgear, uniform and trousers. The system of colors of military branches (continuing and developing the traditions of the system of regimental decoration colors of the imperial army) was approved on December 22, 1920 and remained, changing relatively little, until May 9, 1945.
In addition, the type of troops was designated by a symbol or a letter - a letter of the Gothic alphabet. This symbol denoted some special units within a certain kind of troops. The symbol of the branch of service was placed above the insignia of the military unit - usually the unit number, which was written in Arabic or Roman numerals, but military schools were designated in Gothic letters. This designation system was diverse, and in this work only a limited selection of insignia of the most important combat units is given.
The insignia, accurately informing about the unit, was supposed to strengthen the morale of the soldiers and officers and contribute to the cohesion of the military unit, but in combat conditions they violated the conspiracy, and therefore, from September 1, 1939, field troops were ordered to remove or hide too detailed and therefore too eloquent insignia. In many troops, the unit numbers indicated on shoulder straps were hidden by putting on detachable feldgrau-colored sleeves (black in tank troops) on the shoulder strap, or, for the same purpose, they turned shoulder straps over. The insignia of the branch of service did not have such a revealing meaning as the insignia of the units, and therefore they were usually not hidden. In the Reserve Army and in field units left in Germany or temporarily located at home, the insignia of the units continued to be worn as it was in peacetime. In fact, even in a combat situation, they often continued to wear these insignia, neglecting the orders of their superiors. On January 24, 1940, for junior officers and lower ranks, detachable sleeves for shoulder straps 3 cm wide were introduced from feldgrau-colored fabric, on which insignia were embroidered with a thread of the color of the military branch with a tambour line, indicating the military branch and unit, but senior non-commissioned it was not uncommon for officers to continue to wear their former white aluminum rank insignia.
France, May 1940. An infantry colonel in a field uniform of the 1935 model. The “saddle shape” of his officer's cap is noticeable. Characteristic officer buttonholes, in contrast to the buttonholes of the lower ranks, retained the piping of the color of the military branch throughout the Second World War. This officer was awarded the Knight's Cross, and the number of his regiment on the shoulder strap is deliberately covered with a detachable feldgrau-colored muff. (Brian Davis)
The pre-war system, which required the buttons of the lower ranks to be placed on the buttons of the shoulder straps of the lower ranks in the regiments of the figure (empty buttons for the regimental headquarters, I -111 for the battalion headquarters, 1-14 for the companies included in the regiment), was canceled in wartime, and all buttons became empty.
Separate specialized or elite formations or individual units included in larger military formations, distinguished by the fact that they claimed continuity with parts of the imperial army and sought to preserve the traditions of the old regiments, had special insignia. Usually these were badges on headdresses, fixed between an eagle with a swastika and a cockade. Another manifestation of the same special fidelity to tradition, which has grown stronger over time, is the armbands with honorary names borrowed from the CA stormtroopers.
Table 4 provides a list of the most important military units that existed from September 1, 1939 to June 25, 1940, and data on the colors of the military branches, the insignia of the military branches, units and special insignia. The existence of the units listed in the list is not necessarily limited to the specified time frame, and not all of these units participated in the battles.
From May 2, 1939, all ranks of the mountain rifle divisions were ordered to wear insignia with the image alpine flower edelweiss - this emblem was borrowed from the mountain units of the German and Austro-Hungarian armies during the First World War. A white aluminum edelweiss with gilded stamens was worn on a cap over a cockade. A white aluminum edelweiss with a gilded stem, two leaves and gilded stamens (grey aluminum was used in wartime, and the stamens were made yellow) was worn on the mountain cap on the left. The Austrians who served in the Wehrmacht often added a lining of dark green and blue from the finishing fabric. Loom-woven white edelweiss with yellow stamens and light green leaves on a light green stem inside a loop of mouse gray rope on an oval of dark green finishing fabric (feldgrau after May 1940) was worn on the right sleeve uniforms and overcoats above the elbow.
The six infantry battalions retained the light green color of the chasseur troops - in a sign of fidelity to the traditions of light infantry, although the battalions themselves remained ordinary infantry battalions - at least until June 28, 1942, when special chasseur units were created.
Some regiments also wore special badges. Two icons of this kind are known. In such a regiment, they were worn by military personnel of all ranks on a combat headdress between an eagle and a cockade and, unofficially, on a field headdress. Since February 25, 1938, in the 17th Infantry Regiment, in memory of the imperial 92nd Infantry Regiment, they wore an emblem with the Braunschweig skull and crossbones. On June 21, 1937, the 3rd reconnaissance battalion of motorcyclists received the right to wear the emblem with the dragoon eagle (Schwedter Adler), in memory of the imperial 2nd dragoon regiment, and from August 26, 1939, the 179th dragoon eagle could also be worn. th cavalry, and 33rd, 34th and 36th divisional reconnaissance battalions.
The captain in full dress uniform with his bride on his wedding day in July 1940. He was awarded the Iron Crosses of the 1st and 2nd classes, medals for long service, "Flower Wars" and the badge "For the attack." (Brian Davis)
Infantry Regiment "Grossdeutschland" (grobdeutschland) was created on June 12, 1939 by transforming the Berlin Security Regiment (Wachregiment Berlin). In complete disregard for field security, the insignia in this elite regiment flaunted the entire war. Shoulder straps were decorated with the monogram "GD" (approved on June 20, 1939), and on a dark green with a blue bandage on the cuff, the inscription was embroidered with aluminum thread Grobdeutschland between two lines along the edges of the bandage, embroidered with the same thread. Instead of this inscription, another one was introduced for a short time - inf. Rgt Grobdeutschland, with Gothic letters embroidered with a silver-gray thread - it was worn on the cuff of the right sleeve of a uniform or overcoat of any kind of shape. One battalion of the Grossdeutschland regiment was assigned to Hitler's field headquarters - this "Führer escort battalion" (Fuhrerbegleitbataillon) distinguished by a black wool armband with the inscription "Fuhrer-Hauptquartier"(Führer's headquarters). The inscription in Gothic letters was embroidered with golden-yellow (sometimes silver-gray) thread by hand or by machine; two lines were also embroidered along the edges of the bandage with the same thread.
On June 21, 1939, the Tank Training Battalion and the Communications Training Battalion received the right to wear a maroon-red armband with a machine-embroidered gold inscription on the cuff of the left sleeve "1936Spanien1939" in memory of the service of these units in Spain - during the Spanish Civil War, both battalions were part of the Imker group (Gruppe Imker). From August 16, 1938, the military personnel of the newly formed propaganda companies were granted the right to wear a black armband with a hand-embroidered or machine-embroidered aluminum thread inscribed in Gothic letters on the cuff of the right sleeve "Propaganda company".
Germany, July 1940. Unther is an officer of the 17th Infantry Regiment in dress uniform with a commemorative Braunschweig skull and crossbones badge on his cap, a privilege of his regiment. One can see the "marksman's cord", the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd class in the lapel buttonhole and the typical pre-war style of numbers on shoulder straps. (Brian Davis)
When mobilized on August 26, 1939, the eight thousandth German gendarmerie was transformed into the Field Gendarmerie. Motorized battalions, three companies each, were assigned to field armies so that an infantry division had a command (Trupp) from 33 people, for a tank or motorized division - from 47 people, and for a part of the military district - a team of 32 people. Initially, field gendarmerie servicemen wore the uniform of the civilian gendarmerie of the 1936 model, adding only army shoulder straps and a soft green armband with an orange-yellow machine-embroidered inscription "Feldgendarmerie". At the beginning of 1940, the gendarmes received an army uniform with the addition of an imperial badge for the police - an orange eagle woven or machine-embroidered on the left sleeve above the elbow with a black swastika in an orange wreath (the officer's badge was embroidered with aluminum thread) against the background "feldgrau". A brown armband with a machine-embroidered aluminum thread inscription was put on the cuff of the left sleeve "Feldgendarmerie"; the edges of the bandage were trimmed with aluminum thread, later with machine embroidery on a silver-gray background. While performing their duties, military police officers wore a brushed aluminum badge with an eagle and the inscription "Feldgendarmerie" in aluminum letters on a stylized dark gray ribbon. Those military gendarmes who directed the traffic wore the uniform of the feldgendarmerie without the three above-mentioned insignia, making do with a salmon-colored armband on the left sleeve above the elbow and with an inscription woven in black cotton thread "Verkehrs-Aufsicht"(road supervision). The Army Patrol Service, equivalent to the British Regimental Police, wore the obsolete dull aluminum "marksman's cords" (small aiguillettes) of the 1920 pattern on field uniforms and field overcoats.
Conductors wore buttonholes and stripes with staff bright gold or matte gold patterns. Kolben, and from April 12, 1938, all musicians in officer ranks were required to wear special aiguillettes made of shiny aluminum and bright red silk with their official uniforms. The musicians of the regimental bands wore on their weekend and field uniforms shoulder pads of the "swallow's nest" type of bright aluminum non-commissioned officer galloon and bright red trim fabric. This decoration was introduced on September 10, 1935, with aluminum fringe added to the shoulder pads for drum majors. Badges of other specialists are supposed to be considered in the 2nd volume present work.
Luxembourg, September 18, 1940. A sergeant-major of the cavalry in dress uniform without the usual belt, but with a steel helmet in his hand, which he took off in favor of a 1938 model cap, is trying to make friends with a local girl. Usually such scenes look fake, but this one does not give the impression of insincere theatricality. The sergeant-major was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class and seems to have recently received the Iron Cross 2nd Class as well. It is noticeable that his high cavalry boots are diligently polished. (Joseph Charita)
One of the most cruel and merciless organizations of the 20th century is the SS. Ranks, decals, functions - all this was different from those in other types and branches of the troops in Nazi Germany. Reichsminister Himmler brought together all the disparate guard units (SS) into a single army - the Waffen SS. In the article we will analyze in more detail 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 Stormtroopers (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 did not have ranks, but the insignia had already appeared. The abbreviation for headquarters guards was also SS, but it came from the German word Stawsbache. In every hundred SA, Hitler allocated 10-20 people ostensibly 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 renames the organization Stosstruppe - that was the name of the shock units 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 a halo of mystery, historical continuity, allegorical symbols, pictograms, runes, etc. Even the NSDAP symbol - the swastika - was taken by Hitler 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 titles, however, insignia appeared that Himmler would later retain - a skull on headdresses, a black distinctive color of the uniform, etc. The "dead head" on the uniform symbolized the willingness of the detachment to defend Hitler himself at the cost of his life. The basis for the future usurpation of power was prepared.
Emergence of Strumstaffel - SS
After the Beer Putsch, Hitler went to prison, where he spent until December 1924. The circumstances that allowed the future Fuhrer to be released after an armed seizure of power are still incomprehensible.
Upon his release, Hitler first of all forbade the SA to carry weapons and position 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 were a legitimate way to avoid the restriction.
At the beginning of 1925, the NSDAP was restored again, and in November, the "shock detachment". 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 Göring, a famous fighter pilot of the First World War. He liked to apply terms from aviation in everyday life. Over time, the "aviation term" was forgotten, and the abbreviation was always translated as "security units." It was headed by Hitler's favorites - Shrek and Schaub.
Selection in the SS
The SS gradually became an elite unit with good salaries in foreign currency, which for the Weimar Republic with its hyperinflation and unemployment was considered a luxury. All Germans of working age were eager to join the SS detachments. Hitler himself carefully selected his personal guard. Candidates were required to:
- Age from 25 to 35 years.
- The presence of two recommendations from current members of the CC.
- Permanent residence in one place for five years.
- The existence of such positive qualities like 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 occupied 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 detachments, so they shouldered various duties, such as distributing leaflets, subscribing to Nazi agitation, etc.
In 1929, Heinrich Himmler became the leader of the SS. Under him, the size of the organization began to grow rapidly. The SS is turning into an elite closed organization with its 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 entry into the renewed organization: the candidate had to prove evidence of purity of lineage in three generations. However, that was not all: the new Reichsführer SS obliged all members of the organization to look for brides only with a “clean” genealogy. Himmler managed to nullify the subordination of his organization to the SA, and then completely withdraw from 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, let's talk more about insignia. Let's start with the rank of the SS in the Third Reich.
Reichsfuehrer SS
At the head was the Reichsfuehrer SS - Heinrich Himmler. Many historians claim that he was going 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 quarreled with each other. Himmler was well aware of the importance of a branched structure from different services concentrated in the same hands, so he was not afraid of Germany's defeat in the war, believing that such a person would be useful to the Western allies. However, his plans were not destined to come true, and he died in May 1945, biting a vial of poison in his mouth.
Consider 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 was that the buttonholes on both sides depicted Nordic ritual symbols and oak leaves. Exceptions - SS Standartenführer and SS Oberführer - wore an oak leaf, but belonged to senior officers. The more they 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 land army:
SS officers
Consider the features of the officer corps. SS Hauptsturmführer and lower ranks no longer had oak leaves on their buttonholes. Also on the right buttonhole they had the coat of arms of the SS - a Nordic symbol of two lightning bolts.
Hierarchy of SS officers:
SS rank | Buttonholes | Compliance in the army |
Oberführer SS | double oak leaf | No match |
SS Standartenführer | single sheet | Colonel |
Obersturmbannführer SS | 4 stars and two rows of aluminum thread | Lieutenant colonel |
Sturmbannführer SS | 4 stars | |
SS Hauptsturmführer | 3 stars and 4 rows of thread | Hauptmann |
Obersturmführer SS | 3 stars and 2 rows | Ober Lieutenant |
Untersturmführer SS | 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 resembling squares or rhombuses. Next in the hierarchy are non-commissioned officer ranks of the SS in the Third Reich. More about them in the next paragraph.
non-commissioned officers
Hierarchy of non-commissioned officers:
SS rank | Buttonholes | Compliance in the army |
Sturmscharführer SS | 2 stars, 4 rows of thread | Staff sergeant major |
Standartenoberjunker SS | 2 stars, 2 rows of thread, silver piping | Chief sergeant major |
SS Hauptscharführer | 2 stars, 2 rows of thread | Oberfenrich |
Oberscharführer SS | 2 stars | Feldwebel |
Standartenunker SS | 1 asterisk and 2 rows of thread (differed in shoulder straps) | Fanejunker sergeant major |
Scharführer SS | Unter sergeant major |
|
Unterscharführer SS | 2 strands 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 were sometimes modified. However, above we have presented the hierarchy and the main differences at the end of World War II.
One of the most cruel and merciless organizations of the 20th century is the SS. Ranks, decals, functions - all this was different from those in other types and branches of the troops in Nazi Germany. Reichsminister Himmler brought together all the disparate guard units (SS) into a single army - the Waffen SS. In the article we will analyze in more detail 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 Stormtroopers (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 did not have ranks, but the insignia had already appeared. The abbreviation for headquarters guards was also SS, but it came from the German word Stawsbache. In every hundred SA, Hitler allocated 10-20 people ostensibly 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 renames the organization Stosstruppe - that was the name of the shock units 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 a halo of mystery, historical continuity, allegorical symbols, pictograms, runes, etc. Even the NSDAP symbol - the swastika - was taken by Hitler from ancient Indian mythology.
Stosstrup Adolf Hitler - the strike force "Adolf Hitler" - acquired the final features of the future SS. They did not yet have their own titles, however, insignia appeared that Himmler would later retain - a skull on headdresses, a black distinctive color of the uniform, etc. The "dead head" on the uniform symbolized the willingness of the detachment to defend Hitler himself at the cost of his life. The basis for the future usurpation of power was prepared.
Emergence of Strumstaffel - SS
After the Beer Putsch, Hitler went to prison, where he spent until December 1924. The circumstances that allowed the future Fuhrer to be released after an armed seizure of power are still incomprehensible.
Upon his release, Hitler first of all forbade the SA to carry weapons and position 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 were a legitimate way to avoid the restriction.
At the beginning of 1925, the NSDAP was restored again, and in November, the "shock detachment". 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 Göring, a famous fighter pilot of the First World War. He liked to apply terms from aviation in everyday life. Over time, the "aviation term" was forgotten, and the abbreviation was always translated as "security units." It was headed by Hitler's favorites - Shrek and Schaub.
Selection in 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. Candidates were required to:
- Age from 25 to 35 years.
- The presence of two recommendations from current members of the CC.
- Permanent residence in one place for five years.
- 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 occupied 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 detachments, so they shouldered various duties, such as distributing leaflets, subscribing to Nazi agitation, etc.
In 1929, Heinrich Himmler became the 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 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 entry into the renewed organization: the candidate had to prove evidence of purity of lineage in three generations. However, that was not all: the new Reichsführer SS obliged all members of the organization to look for brides only with a “clean” genealogy. Himmler managed to nullify the subordination of his organization to the SA, and then completely withdraw from 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, let's talk more about insignia. Let's start with the rank of the SS in the Third Reich.
Reichsfuehrer SS
At the head was the Reichsfuehrer SS - Heinrich Himmler. Many historians claim that he was going 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 quarreled with each other. Himmler was well aware of the importance of a branched structure from different services concentrated in the same hands, so he was not afraid of Germany's defeat in the war, believing that such a person would be useful to the Western allies. However, his plans were not destined to come true, and he died in May 1945, biting a vial of poison in his mouth.
Consider 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 was that the buttonholes on both sides depicted Nordic ritual symbols and oak leaves. Exceptions - SS Standartenführer and SS Oberführer - wore an oak leaf, but belonged to senior officers. The more they 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 land army:
SS officers
Consider the features of the officer corps. SS Hauptsturmführer and lower ranks no longer had oak leaves on their buttonholes. Also on the right buttonhole they had the coat of arms of the SS - a Nordic symbol of two lightning bolts.
Hierarchy of SS officers:
SS rank | Buttonholes | Compliance in the army |
Oberführer SS | double oak leaf | No match |
SS Standartenführer | single sheet | Colonel |
Obersturmbannführer SS | 4 stars and two rows of aluminum thread | Lieutenant colonel |
Sturmbannführer SS | 4 stars | |
SS Hauptsturmführer | 3 stars and 4 rows of thread | Hauptmann |
Obersturmführer SS | 3 stars and 2 rows | Ober Lieutenant |
Untersturmführer SS | 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 resembling squares or rhombuses. Next in the hierarchy are non-commissioned officer ranks of the SS in the Third Reich. More about them in the next paragraph.
non-commissioned officers
Hierarchy of non-commissioned officers:
SS rank | Buttonholes | Compliance in the army |
Sturmscharführer SS | 2 stars, 4 rows of thread | Staff sergeant major |
Standartenoberjunker SS | 2 stars, 2 rows of thread, silver piping | Chief sergeant major |
SS Hauptscharführer | 2 stars, 2 rows of thread | Oberfenrich |
Oberscharführer SS | 2 stars | Feldwebel |
Standartenunker SS | 1 asterisk and 2 rows of thread (differed in shoulder straps) | Fanejunker sergeant major |
Scharführer SS | Unter sergeant major |
|
Unterscharführer SS | 2 strands 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. The military ranks of the SS were sometimes subject to change. However, above we have presented the hierarchy and the main differences at the end of World War II.
