Gruppenführer

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Gruppenführer
O-8
Formation1925
Abolished1945
Next higher rankObergruppenführer
Next lower rankBrigadeführer
Equivalent ranksGeneralleutnant

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.

Insignia

Junior Rank
Brigadeführer
SA rank

Gruppenführer
Senior Rank
Obergruppenführer

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b McNab 2009b, p. 15.
  2. ^ McNab 2009, pp. 29, 30.
  3. ^ Stein 2002, pp. 297, 298 chart, 300 chart.
  4. ^ Flaherty 2004, p. 148.

Bibliography

  • Flaherty, T. H. (2004) [1988]. The Third Reich: The SS. Time-Life Books, Inc. .
  • McNab, Chris (2009). The SS: 1923–1945. Amber Books Ltd. .
  • McNab, Chris (2009b). The Third Reich. Amber Books Ltd. .
  • Stein, George (2002) [1966]. The Waffen-SS: Hitler's Elite Guard at War 1939–1945. Cerberus Publishing Ltd. .