Hauptsturmführer
| Hauptsturmführer | |
|---|---|
 SS collar patches | |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Service branch |  Schutzstaffel Sturmabteilung National Socialist Motor Corps National Socialist Flyers Corps |
| Abbreviation | Hstuf |
| NATOrank code | OF-2 |
| Formation | 1934 |
| Abolished | 1945 |
| Next higher rank | Sturmbannführer |
| Next lower rank | Obersturmführer |
| Equivalent ranks | Hauptmann |
Hauptsturmführer(German:[ˈhaʊpt.ʃtʊʁmˌfyːʁɐ],lit. 'head storm leader';short:Hstuf) was aNazi Party paramilitary rankthat was used in several Nazi organizations such as theSS,NSKKand theNSFK.The rank ofHauptsturmführerwas a mid-level commander and had equivalent seniority to acaptain(Hauptmann) in theGerman Armyand also the equivalency of captain in foreign armies.[1]
The rank ofHauptsturmführerevolved from the older rank ofSturmhauptführer,created as a rank of theSturmabteilung(SA). The SS used the rank ofSturmhauptführerfrom 1930 to 1934 at which time, following theNight of the Long Knives,the name of the rank was changed toHauptsturmführeralthough the insignia remained the same.[2][3]Sturmhauptführerremained an SA rank until 1939/40.[4]
Some of the most infamous SS members are known to have held the rank ofHauptsturmführer.Among them areJosef Mengele,the infamous doctor assigned to Auschwitz;Joseph Kramer,commandant ofBergen-Belsen concentration camp;Franz Stangl,commandant ofSobiborandTreblinka;Alois Brunner,Adolf Eichmann's assistant; andAmon Göth,who was sentenced to death and hanged for committing multiple waves of mass murder (liquidations of theghettosatTarnówandKraków,the camp atSzebnie,theKraków-Płaszów concentration camp,as portrayed in the filmSchindler's List).
The insignia ofHauptsturmführerwas three silver pips and two silver stripes on a black collar patch, worn opposite aunit insignia patch.[1]On the field grey duty uniform, the shoulder boards of an armyHauptmannwere also displayed. The rank ofHauptsturmführerwas senior to the rank ofObersturmführerand junior toSturmbannführer.[1]
Rank insignia
[edit]| Hauptsturmführer SS, SA, NSKK, and NSFK | ||||||
|
Schutzstaffel(SS) |
 Sturmabteilung(SA) |
NS Motor Corps(NSKK) |
NS Flyers Corps(NSFK) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Waffen-SS |
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collar insignia | ||||
| Sequence of ranks in comparison with theWehrmacht(Heer) | ||
|---|---|---|
| junior rank SA-Obersturmführer |
SA rank Hauptsturmführer (until 1939/40:Sturmhauptführer) |
senior rank SA-Sturmbannführer |
| junior rank SS-Obersturmführer |
SS rank Hauptsturmführer (until 1934:Sturmhauptführer) |
senior rank SS-Sturmbannführer |
| junior rank Oberleutnant(OF-1) |
 Wehrmacht rankHauptmann/Rittmeister(OF-2) |
senior rank Major(OF-3) |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcFlaherty 2004,p. 148.
- ^McNab 2009a,pp. 29, 30.
- ^Miller 2006,p. 521.
- ^McNab 2009b,p. 15.
Bibliography
[edit]- Flaherty, T. H. (2004) [1988].The Third Reich: The SS.Time-Life Books, Inc.ISBN1-84447-073-3.
- McNab, Chris (2009a).The SS: 1923–1945.Amber Books Ltd.ISBN978-1-906626-49-5.
- McNab, Chris (2009b).The Third Reich.Amber Books Ltd.ISBN978-1-906626-51-8.
- Miller, Michael (2006).Leaders of the SS and German Police, Vol. 1.R. James Bender Publishing.ISBN93-297-0037-3.