Sturmbannführer
Sturmbannführer was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank equivalent to major[1] that was used in several Nazi organizations, such as the SA, SS, and the NSFK. Translated as “assault (or storm) unit leader”[2] (Sturmbann being the SA and early SS equivalent to a battalion), the rank originated from German shock troop units of the First World War where the title of Sturmbannführer would occasionally be held by the battalion commander.[citation needed]
Contents
History[edit]
The SA title of Sturmbannführer was first established in 1921. In 1928, the title became an actual rank and was also one of the first established SS ranks.[3] The insignia of a Sturmbannführer was four silver pips centered on a collar patch.[1]
The rank rated below Standartenführer until 1932, when Sturmbannführer became subordinate to the new rank of Obersturmbannführer.[3] In the Waffen-SS, Sturmbannführer was considered equivalent to a major in the German Wehrmacht.[4]
Notable recipients[edit]
One of the most notable recipients was Wernher von Braun, who developed the V-2 rocket, and later designed the Saturn V rocket for the U.S. space program. Also, Eberhard Heder, Otto Günsche[5] and war criminals, such as Otto Förschner.
Insignia of rank of Sturmbannführer of the Waffen-SS[edit]
See also[edit]
Citations[edit]
- ^ a b Flaherty 2004, p. 148.
- ^ McNab (II) 2009, p. 15.
- ^ a b McNab 2009, pp. 29, 30.
- ^ Yerger 1997, p. 237.
- ^ Joachimsthaler 1999, p. 281.
Bibliography[edit]
- Flaherty, T. H. (2004) [1988]. The Third Reich: The SS. Time-Life Books, Inc. ISBN 1-84447-073-3.
- Joachimsthaler, Anton (1999) [1995]. The Last Days of Hitler: The Legends, the Evidence, the Truth. Trans. Helmut Bögler. London: Brockhampton Press. ISBN 978-1-86019-902-8.
- McNab, Chris (2009). The SS: 1923–1945. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-49-5.
- McNab (II), Chris (2009). The Third Reich. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-51-8.
- Yerger, Mark C. (1997). Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7643-0145-4.
| Junior rank Hauptsturmführer |
SS rank Sturmbannführer |
Senior rank Obersturmbannführer |
| Junior rank Sturmhauptführer |
SA rank Sturmbannführer |
Senior rank Obersturmbannführer |
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