Gruppenführer
Gruppenführer | |
---|---|
O-8 | |
Formation | 1925 |
Abolished | 1945 |
Next higher rank | Obergruppenführer |
Next lower rank | Brigadeführer |
Equivalent ranks | Generalleutnant |
Gruppenführer (rank of the SA.[1] Since then, the term Gruppenführer is also used for leaders of groups/teams of the police, fire departments, military and several other organizations.
History
In 1930, Gruppenführer became an
SS-Oberabschnitte which were the largest SS units in Germany.[2]
Initially in the SA,
Second World War, when the Waffen-SS began using the rank, an SS-Gruppenführer was considered equal to a Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht and was referred to as SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS. Waffen-SS Gruppenführer also displayed the shoulder boards of a Wehrmacht Generalleutnant.[3]
The insignia for SS-Gruppenführer consisted of three oak leaves centred on both collars of an
SS uniform. From 1930 to 1942, the SS insignia was the same as the SA badge of rank; however the SS modified the Gruppenführer insignia slightly to include a collar pip (stern, a star), upon the creation of the rank SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer in April 1942.[4]
In the
German Army (Heer), Waffen-SS, or Luftwaffe
ground troops.
-
Hitler's Chief AdjutantNARA
-
SS-Gruppenführer Heinz Reinefarth wearing the post-April 1942 SS rank insignia.
Insignia
-
Gorget patches
1942–1945
(Allgemeine SS and Waffen-SS) -
Shoulder board
(Waffen-SS) -
NSFK Gorget patch
-
NSKK Gorget patch
Junior Rank Brigadeführer |
SA rank Gruppenführer |
Senior Rank Obergruppenführer |
See also
- List of SS-Gruppenführer
- Comparative ranks of Nazi Germany
- Uniforms and insignia of the Sturmabteilung
- Uniforms and insignia of the Schutzstaffel
- Corps colours (Waffen-SS)
- Table of ranks and insignia of the Waffen-SS
References
Notes
- ^ a b McNab 2009b, p. 15.
- ^ McNab 2009, pp. 29, 30.
- ^ Stein 2002, pp. 297, 298 chart, 300 chart.
- ^ Flaherty 2004, p. 148.
Bibliography
- Flaherty, T. H. (2004) [1988]. The Third Reich: The SS. Time-Life Books, Inc. ISBN 1-84447-073-3.
- McNab, Chris (2009). The SS: 1923–1945. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-49-5.
- McNab, Chris (2009b). The Third Reich. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-51-8.
- Stein, George (2002) [1966]. The Waffen-SS: Hitler's Elite Guard at War 1939–1945. Cerberus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1841451008.