ALLGEMEINE-SS The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Mark C. Yerger The commands, units and leaders of the General SS are finally compiled into a single detailed reference book for both the historian and SS memorabilia collector. This complete volume begins with an explanation of the twelve administrative and command main offices involving the SS to include the development, components and functions of each as well as their respective office chiefs. The following section explores the most powerful posts in the SS, the Higher SS and Police Leaders, along with the subordinate SS and Police Leaders found in occupied territories - both the commands and the individual holders of these posts are examined in depth. The SS Main Districts are covered next including all their various subordinate components, title changes, development, commanders and chiefs of staff. The more than forty SS Districts follow, detailed in a similar format. Examining the more than one-hundred and twenty-five SS Foot Regiments in the General SS, the names and ranks of the hundreds of commanders, as well as details of unit location changes, popular and honor titles as well as other data for each are within a separate chapter. Finally, the elite SS Riding Districts and Regiments are covered similarly. Career biographies are included for more than two hundred senior SS commanders, many of whom served portions of their career in the Waffen-SS, Polizei, SD and other facets of Himmler's commands. The biographical data for individuals alone adds vast detail to this fascinating topic. Along with more than 120 rare photos of SS senior ranking officers and seven maps, a detailed index allows referencing of individual commands or personalities. Research historian Mark C. Yerger, a Pennsylvania native, has maintained a fascination with the SS since reading his first book on the topic. With an interest in all facets of the SS and Polizei, his priority as an author and researcher has been to examine, in detail, previously unexplored topics within the broad theme of the SS from its inauspicious beginnings in the early 1920s to the end of World War II. His first major studies were the first two volumes of Knights of Steel which presented new facets and details of the 2.SSPanzer-Division "Das Reich." Among his other works are Riding East, a history of the SS Cavalry Brigade, an authorized bilingual biography of Knight's Cross with Oakleaves holder Ernst August Krag, and a photo album titled Images of the Waffen-SS. All have been well received by readers on SS subjects. In addition to his own continuous work on a number of projects, he has contributed material or research to more than twenty books by other authors in the U.S. and Europe, including numerous official histories of Waffen-SS units. He is currently finishing the first of a multi-volume series on a Waffen-SS topic that has not been previously detailed by other authors.
Also by the
Author
R I D I N G EAST: T H E S S C A V A L R Y B R I G A D E IN P O L A N D A N D R U S S I A 1939-1942 IMAGES OF THE WAFFEN-SS: A PHOTO CHRONICLE OF G E R M A N Y ' S ELITE TROOPS SS-STURMBANNFÜHRER ERNST AUGUST KRAG
Schiffer Military History Atglen, PA
Dedication To Phil Nix In appreciation for more than a decade of friendship and guidance
Book Design by Robert Biondi. Copyright © 1997 by Mark C. Yerger. Library of Congress Catalog Number: 96-71386. All rights reserved. N o part of this work may be reproduced or used in any forms or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission from the copyright holder. Printed in the United States of America. ISBN: 0-7643-0145-4 We are interested in hearing from authors with book ideas on related topics.
Published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 77 L o w e r Valley Road Atglen. PA 19310 Phone: (610) 5 9 3 - 1 7 7 7 FAX: (610) 5 9 3 - 2 0 0 2 Please write for a f r e e catalog. This book may be purchased f r o m the publisher. Please include $2.95 postage. Try your bookstore first.
contents Acknowledgements
6
Introduction
8
Chapter 1
SS Command and Administration
11
Chapter 2
Higher SS and Police Leaders & SS and Police Leaders
22
Chapter 3
Main Districts
82
Chapter 4
Districts
117
Chapter 5
Foot Regiments
169
Chapter 6
Mounted Districts and Regiments
214
Maps
222
Bibliography
230
Glossary
234
Index
238
The part of any project I enjoy most is thanking the friends and associates who have helped. Though each is aware of my appreciation, it is also the reader who owes each of them thanks for their contributions. This volume is dedicated to my colleague and friend Phil Nix in appreciation for more than a decade of constant help and, more valued, friendship. Aside from simply wishing to dedicate this book to him, his assistance with photographs, corrections, information, explanations and detailing from his own research made the text possible in its final form. He is among the most knowledgeable people in the field of SS research. Ruth Sommers is confidant, teacher and friend. Without her as a sounding board during stressful research (and life) I would have probably quit many times. I also thank her for help in finding needed obscure texts and periodicals in her native Germany and for keeping me informed on the status of many older friends. To say I admire and respect her does not express my thoughts enough. Serious life situations almost made me quit researching. My special thanks to James Lucas for his friendship, logic and humor used to prevent that mistake from happening. I have a valued group of individuals who support me mentally and emotionally as they are aware of the stress and frustration with this type of work. Most are researchers with interest and knowledge only of the Waffen-SS, the topic I will permanently return to with the conclusion of this volume. Though they did not assist directly with this book, their friendship, material and support in many ways provide the inspiration and motivation needed by this researcher for multiple ongoing projects. Each is aware of their contribution and all are within any text devoted to the Waffen-SS. Most of my friends not connected to writing or research describe me as focused, driven and intense. I value and appreciate the better parts of those characteristics and owe them to my initial teacher Henry Deemer. He has known me since I was in high school and hopefully I have turned out to be the type of constructive contributor he envisioned. Special thanks must go to Robin Cookson and the staff of the National Archives. They have saved me massive time and eased the frustrations of assimilating thousands of documents and pouring over thousands of texts. George Nipe continued with his cartographic skills as he had in my history of the SS Cavalry Brigade. For that, constant phone calls and help with archive research for me I give my thanks as well as appreciation for the most recent friendship obtained within my circle of colleagues and friends. His text on one of the pivotal armor battles of the Eastern Front will soon be published and be welcomed by all readers of WaffenSS history.
AI Brandt is both a friend and energetic researcher. His help with linguistic proofreading, cross reference checking and a host of other aspects with this and other projects in progress deserves more than these brief lines. Those with an interest in Waffen-SS Knight's Cross holders can look forward to his biography of Remy Schrijnen, one of the bravest holders of Germany's highest WWII decoration. John Moore is my most helpful colleague and friend. Our phone bills could pay for an extended vacation. He has always made his complete holdings available and I the reverse, the result of which is a collaboration for a text that has already begun. His superior knowledge of the Waffen-SS and abilities as a researcher is evident in his book on Waffen-SS signals officers. I also owe him for pushing me into the computer age thus preserving my sanity. My sister Leslie hears it all despite having absolutely no interest in the SS aside from confirming my name is correctly spelled on the book cover. I know few siblings as close as we are, being each other's friend, confidant and advisor. She is also one of the most intelligent women I know and among those I most admire. I want to thank my publisher Peter Schiffer and designer Bob Biondi for everything as well as allowing me the freedom of choosing my topics within this field. Their support and using many of my design suggestions reduces much stress. I would also like to thank Linda Lease, George Lepre, Jim Marks, Bob Ruman of "Articles of War" and Emmett Lehmann, including his entire family, for their help and friendship. A special acknowledgment goes to John Wissler for honesty, humor and keeping my land yacht operational until it could be replaced. Also my appreciation goes out to BÖC for focus and energy release. I would also like to thank the many readers who respond, all of which I enjoyed replying. Finally, the resident best known by my research friends must be given his due credit. Fred, my cat, has sat patiently, though unimpressed, through it all, providing companionship, stress relief and humor. Research continues to ascertain the location of his depository for all my missing writing instruments and disposable cigarette lighters. Those who have received letters signed in pencil, crayon or simply typed "can't find pen" can attest to his skills at confiscation and hiding of these items. Mark C. Yerger 1997
7
introduction
The SS is probably the most famous, yet overall unknown, organization to exist during the Third Reich. The uniform flash and connection with the concentration camps give a layman the misconception that all of its members were concentration camp guards. Studying this vast topic, the written knowledge of which really just started, proves with each fact unearthed and its resulting answers that more needs to be understood. In a sense the more an individual learns the less one feels he knows in comparison to the overall vastness of the topic. While some aspects of the SS, such as its wartime combat troops, the Waffen-SS, have received concentrated attention while other facets have not. All SS units began with the scattered squads that began forming after the activities of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter Partei (the National Socialist German Workers' Party or Nazi Party, or NSDAP) became legal again following the dismal failure of the November 9, 1923, Munich Putsch. While one can logically argue for the actual beginning of the SS being the "Stosstrupp" formed by Emil Maurice prior to November, 1923, the post-ban period began the uninterrupted start and growth of the SS. These initial small formations were simply SS, at that time there was no specifically designated Allgemeine-SS, Waffen-SS or the other parts of this eventual multiple tentacle Party organization that became the most powerful in Hitler's Germany. In the early period many SA (and SS) men were not even members of the N S D A P though this was not the norm later, especially for the SS. As will be seen many early SS leaders had been veterans of WWI, the Freikorps or the Stahlhelm. 1 The story of the SS units and commands as they pertain to this book generally start with the second creation of the SS when the ban on the N S D A P and its affiliated groups was lifted following Hitler's release from prison. 2 Many of the personalities within the text were involved with the Socialist movement in Germany (or other countries) prior to the Munich Putsch of November 9, 1923 that resulted in a prison term for Hitler.
1 T h e Freikorps (Free C o r p s ) were c o m p o s e d of G e r m a n troops w h o fought c o m m u n i s t infiltration during the chaotic 1919-1920 period. T h o u g h not officially supported by the g o v e r n m e n t they were tolerated, primarily because they were better able to counter the threat than the g o v e r n m e n t . Most units were n a m e d for their leaders, for w h o m most of the troops had more loyalty than official government leaders. By 1923, the border activities of the Freikorps ceased and their leaders faded into obscurity. T h e Stahlhelm (Steel Helmet) veterans organization was founded in December, 1918, and w a s the strongest radical minded g r o u p during the period the SA and N S D A P were outlawed f o l l o w i n g the disastrous November, 1923, Putsch. Following a period of competition with the S A . it was later absorbed by that organization in July 1933 (thus c o m i n g under Ernst R ö h m ' s c o m m a n d ) and was finally dissolved in November, 1935. Grill, " T h e Nazi Party in Baden 1920-1945," page 436. 2 It can logically be argued that the orginal "Stosstrupp" developed into the "Leibstandarte" verses the A l l g e m e i n e - S S though in both early development phases there was simply the SS. the separate designations (and duties of each) c o m i n g several years later. S o m e m e m b e r s of the initial " S t o s s t r u p p " lasted to b e c o m e involved in its early re-established f o r m as " S c h u t z s t a f f e l n " (protection squads). T h o u g h generally considered to start in 1933. the " S t o s s t r u p p " and the " L e i b s t a n d a r t e " w e r e more similar as to function in their early forms than the f o r m e r was with the Allgemeine-SS. W h e n the N S D A P and SA w e r e outlawed following the Munich Putsch, m a n y S A m e m b e r s served with the disguised Frontbann which was actually the SA under another name.
8
Some degree of connection can be drawn from the Allgemeine-SS to all other parts of the SS as a whole since it existed first and successive facets grew from its inauspicious beginnings. Though it fell from its dominating place among the multiple spheres of the SS as the war progressed, the Allgemeine-SS still had the leaders with the most actual power, be they heads of administrative main offices or the Higher SS and Police Leaders. The massive size of the SS and Polizei and their continuous explosive growth makes reading or writing about it fascinating though, at the same time, one must limit a research project. An individual can continue studying on a single tangent for a lifetime but at that end there is no sharing of knowledge, the primary motivation for any research historian. Each text hopefully contributes a significant portion of its pages to new data and understanding, thus providing readers to make logical conclusions. Each volume then becomes a small piece in this huge puzzle that captivates so many readers as well as this researcher. My interest for this book started with an untitled and partially complete pre-war compilation done by the statistical department of the SS Personalkanzlei (Personnel Chancellery) in December 1938, hereafter referred to as the "statistical" or "official" history. The nearly total primary source for the data contained in this volume is period records. The first and primary source is the personnel records formerly managed by the U.S. Mission Berlin as the Berlin Document Center from which voluminous copies were obtained during the 1980s. This facility's material has recently been returned to the German National Archives (Bundesarchiv) and at time of writing is being relocated. Filmed copies have been deposited within the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Also extensively used were higher echelon personnel directives and inter-departmental orders and correspondence, all of which are microfilmed and deposited in the National Archives. These bulk of these are within RG T-175 encompassing the records of the Reichsführer SS and Chief of the German Police to include SS-Befehlsblatt and SS-Personalbefehlsblatt. The Chancellery history provided an initial direction to begin which led to hundreds of individual files for confirmation or specifics. Among other gaps the Chancellery history lacks first names, gave only the highest held rank at time of its compilation, failed to show position or unit designation changes and gave no specific dates for individual months (in some cases years). Naturally this caused more than minimal frustration when using other materials, even lower level research tools such as the SS officer listing ("Dienstalterliste"). It is also interesting that this compilation reflects Himmler's sense of exaggeration. No matter how early a unit existed or how many men or units were under his command, Himmler seemed habitual in bending the written facts towards earlier, more or better. This is evident throughout all areas of the SS as far as record keeping in Berlin. Following a chapter covering administrative commands of the entire SS, the primary material within this volume will be specifics for the following: Higher SS and Police Leaders and their subordinate SS and Police Leaders Main Districts and their commanders as well as chiefs of staff Districts and their commanders as well as chiefs of staff Regiments (both foot and mounted) and their commanders These positions and units have been superficially examined in a few texts but this volume will provide more complete data than available previously for both the historian and SS memorabilia collector. Not only will the commands and their relevant data be examined but the commanders and, in the case of main districts and districts, the senior staff officer as well. Due to its complexity, the search for all material on specific individuals is best accomplished by scanning all index notations. Units and commands are self-explaining. Biographical data is more complex and covers the vast majority of those relevant senior officers (Oberführer or senior colonel and above in rank) from birth to death (when the latter is specifically known). World War One awards are limited to those primary decorations familiar to readers of the Second World War: the Iron Crosses, Wound Badge and Pour-le-Merit (Blue Max). The decorations awarded by the individual German Länder (states) or Germany's WWI allies are not listed though those interested in such awards would find research of the individual personnel records of great use as many received numerous decorations in this category. The second anniversary date of the Munich Putsch (November 9, 1925) is given in the statistical history as the "official" formation date of the SS and became, along with January 30 (Hitler's date of assuming power), one of the two traditional dates for SS promotions. 3 Initially there were only Stürme (platoons or 3 T h e initial SS units were referred to as " S c h u t z s t a f f e l n " (protection squads) prior to the "official" f o r m a t i o n date used for the first SS Standarte in M u n i c h (which at the time of its official formation was actually far smaller than a regiment or Standarte). B e t w e e n the
9
squad size formations) which grew to Sturmbann (battalion) and Standarte (regiment) sized units. Stürme and Standarten were designated by Arabic numerals with Sturmbann and Abschnitt (district) by Roman Numerals. 4 Oberabschnitte (main districts) were titled without a numerical designation. Primary awards for individuals are given for the Third Reich era but not base level required minimal qualification badges, such as the SA Sports Badge in Bronze or the Cross of Honor 1914-1918 for service in WWI. 5 Multiple and overlapping commands were very commonplace in the Allgemeine-SS. A man could hold one post while temporarily assigned to another and hold rank in the Allgemeine-SS, Waffen-SS and Polizei simultaneously. He could also be a member of other N S D A P organizations and/or hold civil (state) posts such as a seat in the Reichstag, though the latter was a figurehead post since Germany was run by Hitler and the Cabinet composed of his Ministers. Many commanders held posts officially while fighting at the front as reserve officers (designated d.R after their rank for Waffen-SS reserve) with some attaining permanent (fully active) status and Waffen-SS rank. Ranks given are for the period of assignment, giving SS and for Polizei those above Oberst (colonel). A few also held reserve rank in the Army, Navy or Air Force. Their replacements while they were at the front were temporary or substitutes, either one of which often became the full (official) holder of the post eventually. Similarly a man could command a regiment and be on the staff of a district at the same time or be in a senior posting and serve as both commander as well as chief of staff. The higher the rank the more common these overlapping posts or commands became. Officers were paid according to actual duty performed. Individual terms are explained, translated or within the glossary for the numerous posts of the various personalities during their diverse careers. The complexity of finding these men, especially early details, can be seen in the SS Officers Listing ("Dienstalterliste"). Prior to 1930 there were less than thirty SS officers of any rank (initially they were simply "SS-Ftihrer" or SS Leaders) while by the end of the war nearly a thousand officers had held General rank, with many times more than that existing in the lower ranks. In examining individual records or higher echelon reports while comparing predecessors and successors in individual posts, I'm thoroughly convinced even Berlin was not 100% sure who was in certain positions at exact points in time, confirmed by individual BDC records. In cases of specialized smaller formations such as Nachrichtensturmbann and Pioniersturmbann (signal and engineer battalions) as well as Kraftfharstürme (car platoons), these are listed under the relevant Main District they were components of with their specific unit location noted. Any one of a number of commands, units or persons mentioned within this volume are sufficiently interesting and influential to warrant a separate text gleaned from surviving documentation. This is particularly so in the case of the massive Polizei organization which also came under Himmler's (and thus SS) control on June 17, 1936. That is an as yet basically untouched field by researchers with the exception of the SS-Polizei Division of the Waffen-SS/' I hope this volume makes some contribution to this complicated theme and adds something to historical understanding. If that is accomplished then the major portion of my daily life spent sitting at a rather cluttered desk has been worthwhile. Readers with additional information, especially photographic material, are welcome to contact me directly. I also welcome contact with other researchers of any facet of the SS. Mark C. Yerger P.O. Box 4485 Lancaster, PA 17604 U.S.A.
period of squads and f o r m e d regiments, the individual c o m p a n i e s (Stürme) were numbered by Arabic numerals which were eventually used to designate Standarten. From biographical records at least 147 numbered Stürme existed. An individual often had t w o dates for the s a m e promotion: the date promoted and its effective date which determined his seniority within the SS. Most took effect the date of promotion but many cases can be found where the date was retroactive up to a year. 4 For a brief period during early development, the Standarten were designated by R o m a n numerals though this soon changed and that n u m b e r i n g style given to Brigaden (which later b e c a m e Abschnitte as f a r as c o m p o n e n t size within the SS). 5 See Angolia, John R. "Political and Civil Awards of the 3rd R e i c h " and its c o m p a n i o n v o l u m e on military awards for details of the decorations listed including their requirements. Although only a f e w titles are listed in the bibliography, the topic of uniforms, insignia and related topics pertaining to collecting has been written about in vast detail. 6 To date the best technical history of the Ordnungspolizei is Neufeldt. Huck and Tessin "Zur Geschichte der Ordnungspolizei 19361945."
10
1
A comprehensive study of the SS and Polizei administrative command offices, as well as their numerous significant personalities, would encompass a vast separate volume. This topic will be hopefully be examined independently in minute detail at some point in time, especially since the required documentation has survived. Due to this complexity, varied responsibilities, exchange of those relevant responsibilities and large number of individuals assigned within the eventual twelve Hauptämter (Main Offices), which collectively formed the Reichsführung SS (SS High Command), a comprehensive examination is impossible within the scope of this work. However, some examination of these command and administrative offices is required. At peak expansion the Main Offices were divided into Amtsgruppen (Office Groups) and Ämter (Offices) which in turn were further divided into desks to supervise the almost infinite number of SS controlled affairs or interests. Many Main Offices had direct effect on the Allgemeine-SS commands or positions positions primarily being examined here, as well as being involved with the various careers of individuals specifically detailed within footnoted or captioned biographical data. When first established, the SS was subordinated to the Sturmabteilung (Storm Troops, hereafter SA). As such, its administrative command body was the Oberste SA Führung (SA High Command) which was led by the Oberste SA Führer (Supreme SA Commander). Holding this post by the late summer of 1926 was former Freikorps leader Franz Felix Pfeffer von Salomon who had previously formed the SA units in the Ruhr and been Gauleiter of that area. 1 His tenure in the post resulted in creating much of the initial command administration for the SA which would later be emulated by the SS by the time it became an independent formation in 1934 following the purge of the SA leadership. Most of Hitler's energies prior to the early 1930s were spent cementing his position and control over the various previously independent operating organizations and individuals. Personal power and its resulting influence were primary goals of all leaders during the political struggle of the late 1920s. Many SA members were not members of the N S D A P and held more loyalty towards their local commanders than to Hitler. Removed from office by Hitler in 1930 in response to his inability to control (and questionable personal involvement with) revolting factions of the SA, von Pfeffer's position during this tumultuous period of power struggle was permanently undertaken by Hitler himself who designated the same year an SA Stabschef (Chief of Staff) in the person of former Reichswehr officer Ernst
' T h e first c o m m a n d e r of what developed officially into the S A f r o m a "sporting" club in November, 1921, w a s Emil M a u r i c e f r o m November. 1920. then Hans Ulrich Klintzsch until May, 1923, followed by W W I ace and later Reichsmarschall H e r m a n n Goring. Halcomb. " T h e SA, a Historical Perspective." Goring held the post through the 1923 M u n i c h Putsch and while the N S D A P (and S A ) were d e e m e d illegal following the failed revolt until von S a l o m o n was appointed. T h e actual post of Oberste SA Führer was first held by von Salomon w h o faded into obscurity after losing the post, ending the war in c o m m a n d of an A r m y Volkssturmdivision ( H o m e Guard Division). He died in the early 1970s. H ö f f k e s , "Hitlers politische Generale, Die Gauleiter des Dritten R e i c h e s , " page 249.
11
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Heinrich Himmler (1900-1945) shown here in both a black dress uniform and in the field wearing a gray tunic, the latter displaying a Pilot Observers Badge in Gold with Diamonds presented to him by power rival Herman Goring. His collar and shoulder insignia were unique to his position as Reichsfiihrer-SS. After serving as deputy to the commander of the SS, he took over leadership in January 1929 of the then insignificant group and set about its expansion. His small group destroyed the SA leadership in June 1934, gaining independence for the SS as a separate NSDAP organization. Little doubt surrounds his loyalty to Hitler (at least until the end) or his diligence, as well as his lack of ability in many areas. Though he became the head of the German police in 1936 as well as Minister of the Interior during the war, it was the expertise of his subordinates that allowed the SS to expand and become all powerful within the Third Reich. Incompetent as a military leader, his greatest skill was to divide and disperse the authority of those under his command which resulted in no challenge to his position after Heydrich and Daluege were out of the power structure. Feared by many but respected by few, he was ignored and disobeyed, more often than generally known, by SS leaders with a greater grasp of situation reality. (Jess Lukens)
Röhm. 2 These senior SA leaders and their area subordinates were not only responsible for command of the then infant SS but were also supposed to supply recruits for it. When Heinrich Himmler became the fourth commander of the SS in January, 1929, he had less than 300 men under his command and performed all command functions. 3 In the first half decade of Himmler's command the control of the SS was a relatively simple task though Himmler often tended to over-exaggerate the number of authority levels needed as well as the actual man2 R ö h m ' s power and influence with the numerically strong SA resulted in his death in June 1934 as well as numerous other SA leaders (and many innocents) in the "Night of the Long Knives." The causes of this leadership purge, whether real or imagined, are available in several texts (see bibliography). The destruction of the SA as the supreme N S D A P physical power organization not only cemented Hitler's assertion the military would be the supreme armed body in Germany but also resulted in the SS gaining its independence f r o m the SA. While Himmler and the heads of his Main Offices managed to create a huge bureaucracy, its elemental start was patterned after the organization and command structure created by von Salomon and Röhm for the SA. A biography of Röhm would reveal his importance in the early years of the N S D A P and credit him a significant influence in the socialist movement of the 1920s. Being involved with but not fully loyal or subordinated to Hitler and the N S D A P since 1920, he envisioned himself as commanding an S A army more than as an ally of Hitler's own political aims. See Bessel, "The History of the S A i n the Eastern Regions of Germany 19243 4 " and Koehl. "The Black Corps." After R ö h m ' s death, Viktor Lutze became the SA Stabschef until his death in May. 1943. Wilhelm Schepmann then took the post and held c o m m a n d of the by then almost insignificantly influential SA until the end of the war. Neither of R ö h m ' s replacements had his drive, energy or leadership abilities. A large amount of documented data for the SA is also within the 42 Nuremberg Trials volumes. 3 Himmler, previously deputy commander of the SS. was the fourth man to c o m m a n d the organization after Julius Schreck, Joseph Berchtold and Erhard Heiden. See Koehl. "The Black C o r p s " for an excellent insight into the intrigues and early struggles within the NSDAP, SA and SS. In the final collapsing days of the Third Reich, Hitler's last will and testament dismissed Himmler from all his posts and c o m m a n d s while designated the N S D A P Gauleiter for Niederschlesien, SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Hanke, as his successor as ReichsfUhrer-SS. Himmler's post as Minister of the Interior was given to the Gauleiter of Upper Bavaria, SA-Obergruppenführer Paul Giesler.
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Chapter 1: SS Command and Administration
Siegfried Seidel-Dittmarsch (left) was Himmler's early adjutant and head of a liaison staff that dissolved after his death in 1934. Above is Paul Scharfe, after Dr. Ernst Bach, head of the SS legal office until his death. (Phil Nix and BDC)
power numbers under his command, the latter trait lasting until the end of the war. He created an SS-Amt (SS Office) upon assuming his post for administration and tried several early variations of command office form, title and function. The heads of the SS-Amt were Dr. Ernst Bach (December, 1932 to June 12, 1933), Siegfried Seidel-Dittmarsch (June 12, 1933 to February 1, 1934) and Kurt Wittje (February 1, 1934 to January 30, 1935). The SS-Oberstab (SS High Staff) existed in the earliest days of separate Sturm prior to Hitler assuming power and was all encompassing though short lived. Himmler's own personal staff also had considerable command authority in the early years. He also experimented with a liaison office in the early 1930s for communicating with the various other N S D A P organizations as they related to the SS. This, the Führungsstab (Leadership Staff) was supervised by Himmler's previous adjutant Siegfried Seidel-Dittmarsch during its 1933-34 existence until the death of Seidel-Dittmarsch on February 1, 1934. Himmler also briefly had a Gruppenstab z.b. V or Special Duties Staff for acting as liaison between the various N S D A P affiliated organizations and state governmental agencies as they affected the SS but this also faded out by the summer of 1935. Two early offices which survived and expanded were the Rasse und Siedlungsamt (Race and Resettlement Office) and the Ic Dienst (Intelligence Service), both of which were added in 1931 to the Reichsführung SS. These humble beginnings ended with the existence of the following twelve Main Offices whose chief or chief of staff normally held the rank of SS-Obergruppenführer or SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer. The SS Hauptamt (SS Main Office or SS-HA) was the primary command center for the entire SS in the pre-war years. Established on January 30, 1935, by greatly expanding the power of the original SS Amt, it controlled all facets of the SS when initially established with the exception of racial and security matters to include command, administration, personnel and SS courts. When the SS Hauptamt formed, it included the Allgemeine-SS, concentration camps, Political Readiness Detachments (which developed into the SSVerfügungstruppe and later the Waffen-SS) as well as the frontier or border units and their personnel. It expanded constantly during the initial years of its existence to include offices for physical training, welfare and supply, SS officer schools, communications and SS garrisons. 4 Following the outbreak of the war other 4 F o r t h e S S Hauptamt in 1939 see Gelwick, "Personnel Policies and Procedures of the Waffen-SS," page 91 a n d f o r 1943 page 126. This thesis also provides changes at the Office Group and Office level as they were absorbed by newly created main offices, ending with four main office groups. For a view of the complete SS-Hauptamt during the later years down to sub-office level at that point see "Übersicht der Gliederung Verbrecherischer Nazi Organisationen," pages 11-16.
13
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Above (center) is Hans Jiittner who took over as chief of the SSFiihrungshauptamt from Himmler after serving as chief of staff. A holder of the German Cross in Silver, he died on May 24, 1965. To the left of Jiittner is the commander of the SS NCO school in Arnheim, Willy Fortenbacher. (Right) Richard Darre, the racial theorist of the SS, who served as first head of the SS-Rasse-und Siedlungshauptamt. He survived the war and died in Munich on September 6, 1953. (Author's collection and BDC)
14
Chapter 1: SS Command and Administration Main Offices absorbed a considerable number of its functions though it retained the critical task of recruitment, which resulted in the multi-national units that later became the successful Waffen-SS, physical training and Germanic education. Though Himmler commanded all the SS and Polizei, he normally appointed a Chief or Chief of Staff to each Main Office to control its normal operations. For the SS Hauptamt, the men who held command were Kurt Wittje (January 30, 1935 to May 22, 1935), August Heissmeyer (May 22, 1935 to April 1, 1940), and finally Gottlob Berger until the end of the war. 5 It was Berger's energy as a recruiter and finder of manpower that provided the required personnel for creating most of the foreign combat formations of the Waffen-SS as well as needed replacements for heavy combat losses. The SS Rasse- und Siedlungshauptamt (SS Race and Resettlement Main Office or RuSHA) was created from the existing office of the same name which had existed since 1931. It was expanded to main office status on the same day that the SS-Hauptamt was created. This office supervised the near obsessive aspects of race with regard to the SS, to include individual family ancestry, marriage authorizations and genealogy. It was divided into eleven offices. 6 It's duties also included approval of recruits via initially strict guidelines, though these relaxed considerably as the war progressed. Its chiefs were Walter Darre (January 30, 1935 to September 11, 1938), Günther Pancke (September 11, 1938 to July 9, 1940), Otto Hofmann (July 9, 1940 to April 20, 1943) then finally Richard Hildebrandt until the end of the war. 7 T h e m o s t p o w e r f u l a n d f e a r e d m a i n o f f i c e in H i m m l e r ' s a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a r s e n a l w a s t h e Reichssicherheitshauptamt (Reich Central Security Main Office or RSHA). 8 It was formed on September 27, 1939 from two existing main offices, both of which had been under the control of Reinhard Heydrich, who also commanded the RSHA as Chef der Sicherheitspolizei und des Sicherheitsdienst (Chief of the Security Police and Security Service). The first was the Hauptamt Sicherheitspolizei (Security Police Main Office), the units themselves hereafter referred to as the Sipo, which controlled the Geheime Staatspolizei (Secret State Polizei or Gestapo formed in Prussia and Bavaria, incorporating and expanding upon the Political Police of the Weimar period) and the Kriminalpolizei (Criminal Police or Kripo). 9 The other was the Sicherheits Hauptamt (Security Service Main Office) controlling the SD. The Sipo was technically a governmental force while the SD an N S D A P organization, though the technical differences as to authority and jurisdiction were bent as fitted the situation since the N S D A P and the State literally became one and the same during the Third Reich. The RSHA also created and manned the Einsatzgruppen (Actions Groups) primarily known for their actions in Russia. When formed the RSHA had six primary offices: I) Administrative Law, II) Ideology, III) Security (inside Germany), IV) Gestapo, V) Kripo and VI) SD (foreign intelligence). As this Main Office expanded in power, so did the number of offices and sections needed to oversee its responsibilities. 10 The SD was divided into Oberabschnitte like the Allgemeine-SS, generally corresponding to military districts and the leaders of these SD territories were on the staff of the Allgemeine-SS Oberabschnitt. 11 A higher actual power post was the Befehlshaber (Senior Area Commander) der Sipo und SD, located primarily in occupied areas, followed by commanders of specific cities or local areas. Inspectors were also assigned for individual areas as well as larger cities within the Reich proper, reporting directly and separately from the commander or area leader to the Main Office. They coordinated operations between other State and Party groups as well as the military while insuring units were formed or functioned as per directives. In the latter half of the war some Sipo and SD Inspectors became the Befehlshaber for their area of operation. One of the largest and most complex main offices, it was commanded by Reinhard Heydrich until his assassination on June 6, 1942, and then by Himmler 5
See index to find data and p h o t o g r a p h s of these three individuals. See "Übersicht der Gliederung Verbrecherischer Nazi Organisationen," page 19. 7 Darre w a s initially the racial theorist and expert of the Nazi m o v e m e n t . T h o u g h an SS-Obergruppenfiihrer, his power under Himmler eventually faded. He b e c a m e Reichsminister for Food and Agriculture until May, 1942, while remaining a m e m b e r of H i m m l e r ' s staff and remained Reich Farmers Leader until 1945. See index for Pancke, H o f m a n n and Hildebrandt. 8 Not to be c o n f u s e d with the Reichssicherheitsdienst (Reich Special Security Service) which w a s entrusted with guarding Hitler and other leaders of the NSDAP. 9 T h e G e s t a p o was originally f o r m e d in Prussia under the leadership of H e r m a n n G o r i n g which H i m m l e r took control of after acquiring the balance of security related posts. It was the information held by the R S H A and its predecessor units that m a d e it the most powerful SS resource. T h e data collected not only included potential e n e m i e s but m e m b e r s of the N S D A P and armed forces as well. 10 By March 1941 it already e x p a n d e d to seven primary offices, each with n u m e r o u s desks for specific duties. See "Topographie des Terrors" page 7 2 - 7 3 for a b r e a k d o w n of desk assignments at that time period as well as other texts in the bibliography. By then the personnel office had been separated f r o m administration and organization. T h e seventh office was for written documentation and research. Later A m t VIII covered signals. 11 An Inspektor (Inspector) for each main area reported for both the Sipo and SD. Thirteen SD-Oberabschnitten (they b e c a m e S D Leitabschnitte) existed prior to the start of the w a r with the next lower level c o m m a n d area being SD-Unterabschnitten (they b e c a m e SDAbschnitten in S e p t e m b e r 1939 and were to correspond to the N S D A P Gaue). T h e status of various c o m m a n d s c h a n g e d with s o m e e x p a n d i n g to larger c o m m a n d areas and others being reduced, especially after 1942. T h e G e s t a p o and Kripo also had Leitstellen (main posts for larger cities) and Stellen (posts for local areas). 6
15
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Maximilian von Hetff( left) as last head of the SS-Personalhauptamt, wearing the Knight's Cross he won as a battle group commander in Africa with the Army. Shortly after the war in Europe ended, he died on September 6, 1945. On the right is Alfred Wünnenberg who took over for Kurt Daluege as second and last head of the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei. He died on December 30, 1963. (Phil Nix and BDC)
himself until appointing Ernst Kaltenbrunner to the post on January 31, 1943.12 Kaltenbrunner held the post until the end of the war and was thus the senior SS defendant at Nuremberg. 1 3 A main office was formed from Himmler's personal staff (Hauptamt Persönlicher Stab "ReichsführerSS") and functioned both as a central source for matters within Himmler's personal interest as well as handling routing of inquires to other specific main offices. It handled protocol, Himmler's personal correspondence as well as the awarding of decorations to SS men. Among Himmler's interests with this main office were press relations, Germanic cultural research, the Lebensborn agency for children fathered by SS men, and the Kommandostab "Reichsführer-SS" (Field Command Staff "RFSS") which controlled armed second line units under Himmler's direct command. 1 4 The adjutants of the RFSS were also within this main office. Many of the areas under the personal staff eventually became components in other main offices including the legal area, which became a separate main office. The chief of the Persönlicher Stab " R F S S " from June 8, 1939, to the end of the war was Karl Wolff. Many officers assigned to Himmler's personal staff also held posts or offices in the SS-Hauptamt such as Oswald Pohl who was SS Head of Administration (Persönlicher Stab "Reichsführer-SS") and Head of the Administrative Office (SS-Hauptamt).
12 See bibliography for material on various aspects of the Sipo. SD and Einsatzgruppen and leaders as well as the R S H A overall. To date, after the Waffen-SS. the R S H A and its elements have been the most written-about facet of the SS with several biographies of Heydrich alone. The RSHA's main competition in the intelligence field was the Abwehr, the military intelligence service under Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, which was finally absorbed by the RSHA in February, 1944. Kahn, "Hitler's Spies," page 268-269. Photo and data for Kaltenbrunner, who commanded the RSHA until the end of the war, appears on page 135. 13 Seyss-Inquart. also on trial, held the rank of SS-Obergruppenfiihrer but was tried more for his actions in Austria, Poland and finally the Netherlands as Reichskommissar. Both Kaltenbrunner and Inquart were hanged. 14 As the war progressed these units were eventually absorbed by the Waffen-SS and thus came under Army control in the field though some smaller units remained attached to the Kommandostab "Reichsführer-SS" under Himmler's control until the end of the war. For the early units and development of the Kommandostab as well as operations of one component (the SS Kavallerie Brigade) see Yerger. Mark C „ "Riding East, The SS Cavalry Brigade in Poland and Russia 1939-1942."
16
Chapter 1: SS Command and Administration
Reichsführer-SS Himmler (center) during a diplomatic function with Italy in 1938. On the left with his hands clasped is Ullrich von Hassell, the German Ambassador to Rome until 1938, who was executed in September, 1944, in the wake of the assassination attempt on Hitler. Behind Hassell is Kurt Daluege, head of the Ordnungspolizei and an early power rival of Himmler, though by this time he had subordinated himself and given up his quest for equality of authority. Behind Himmler's shoulder is Karl Wolff, his adjutant and head of Himmler's Personal Staff (he ended the war as the Supreme SS and Police Leader in Italy). On the far right is Reinhard Heydrich, head of SS intelligence and security. As Chief of the RSHA and Reichs Protector for Bohemia and Moravia he was the closest thing Himmler had to a rival but his actual desire to become Reichsführer-SS is questionable. (Bundesarchiv via Schiffer Publishing).
17
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Reinhard Heydrich (above) as head of the RSHA and (opposite) Kurt Daluege as chief of the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei in the uniform of a General der Polizei (the SS insignia below his pocket indicate full SS membership as well). Heydrich had the imagination, skills and initiative to be the most effective of the security and intelligence heads of the SS organization, traits somewhat lacking in his successors Heinrich Himmler and Ernst Kaltenbrunner. (BDC and Author's collection)
The SS-Personalhauptamt (Personnel Main Office) was formed on June 1, 1939, from the Personnel Chancellery of Himmler's personal staff. It was responsible for recording the personnel records of all SS men and produced the periodic "Dienstalterliste" listing the officers of the SS. Its chiefs were Walter Schmitt until October 1, 1942, followed by Maximilian von Herff until the end of the war. Legal matters, primarily to include courts, as pertaining to the SS and Polizei, were handled by the Hauptamt SS-Gericht (Main Legal Office) which expanded from the SS Gerichtsamt (Legal Office) attached to the SS-Hauptamt. The SS provided its own courts and investigations except in cases where offenses were committed while assigned to one of the armed forces. SS courts were within each Oberabschnitt and legal officers were assigned to all branches of the SS and Polizei at various levels. This included Waffen-SS corps and divisions who had a Richter (judge advocate) on their staff. Cases of the death penalty were personally reviewed by Himmler, while the main SS court in Munich tried serious offenses and officers of General rank. The head of this main office was Paul Scharfe from June 1, 1939, until his death on August 15, 1942, followed by Franz Breithaupt who held the post until his death on April 29, 1945, and finally Dr. Günther Reinecke. The SS-Führungshauptamt (SS Main Operational Office or SS-FHA) was officially created on August 15,1940 from the then existing Kommandoamt der Waffen-SS (Waffen-SS Headquarters). As seen by its title, it was primarily responsible for the training, supervision and supply of the Waffen-SS and expanded greatly during its first two years of existence. 15 It took over officer training and had Inspectorates and Inspectors for each combat and support element of the Waffen-SS. The Inspectors acted as coordinators for the various 15 See Bender/Taylor, "Uniforms, Organization and History of the Waffen-SS," volume 2, pages 11-15. "Personnel Policies and Procedures of the Waffen-SS," and "Übersicht der Gliederung Verbrecherischer Nazi Organisationen" for partial further breakdowns of the SS-FHA components.
18
Chapter 1: SS Command and Administration
weapons branches within the SS command and in relations with the Army. When created, many offices and responsibilities of the SS-Führungshauptamt came from the SS-Hauptamt. It also took command of the Allgemeine-SS within its Amt I (Kommandoamt der Allgemeine-SS/General SS Headquarters). From 1940 to mid-March, 1942, it also controlled the concentration camps. 16 This main office was not responsible to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Armed Forces High Command) and it had no control of Waffen-SS troops in combat areas who were led by the Army. It was also not responsible to the SS-Hauptamt, though a part of the SS as a whole, since it served as the Armed SS headquarters. Himmler took command of this main office at its creation and appointed Hans Jüttner as chief of staff (Jüttner headed the office after January 30, 1943, until the end of the war). Two main offices were involved with the resettlement of conquered eastern areas as German colonies and assimilation of Volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans) into the Reich and its other new or occupied territories. The Hauptamt Reichskommissar für die Festigung Deutschen Volkstums (Main Office of the Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation of German Nationhood or RKFDV). 1 7 This commissioner was Heinrich Himmler who was appointed to the position by Hitler on October 7, 1939. In early December, 1940, Himmler took over authority for Volksdeutsche affairs from deputy Führer Rudolf Hess. His main office for this post was headed by Ullrich Greifelt who was also Himmler's deputy at the post and had previously headed the Central Office for Immigration in the SS-Hauptamt. Greifelt took command of the main office on November 6, 1941, and held the post until the end of the war. This main office was concerned with maintenance of racial standards as well as general protection and enlargement of the German race. The first major resettling was in the General Government of Poland with the former residents being sent to resettlement camps in the eastern part of that region. 16 See Helmut Krausnick, " A n a t o m y of the SS," for details of the subordination changes of the c a m p system between the SSHauptamt, SS-Fiihrungshauptamt and finally the SS Wirtschaft- und Verwaltungshauptamt. 17 See bibliography for texts pertaining to both organizations.
19
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
The primary administrators of the SS-WVHA and in so being were the economic minds (and power) of the SS. From left are Richard Glücks (Inspector of Concentration Camps and head of Office Group "D" responsible for them, a holder of the German Cross in Silver), August Frank (deputy chief of the SS-WVHA, head of Office Group "A " covering troop administration and holder of the German Cross in Silver), Oswald Pohl (chief of the SS-WVHA), Georg Lörner (deputy to Pohl and head of Office Group "B" for supply and economy as well as deputy head of Office Group "W" for business and economic enterprises, holder of the German Cross in Silver) and Dr. Hans Kammler (head of Office Group "C" for construction and holder of the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross as well as the German Cross in Gold). (Phil Nix)
The second was the Hauptamt Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle (Racial German Assistance Main Office or VOMI) was headed by Werner Lorenz from establishment on June 15, 1941, until the main office dissolved in early February 1945. It originally formed in 1936 as the Büro von Kursell but was retitled in January, 1937, as the Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle and placed under the RKFDV, with Werner Lorenz still as its chief, from November 1939 until it became a separate main office. This administrative command was primarily concerned with returning the Volksdeutsche descendants of German colonists from Russia and eastern Europe to the Reich. T h e Dienstelle S S - O b e r g r u p p e n f ü h r e r H e i s s m e y e r was a main o f f i c e n a m e d f o r its head, SSObergruppenführer August Heissmeyer. Its interest and administration was for the SS supplied and/or supported boarding schools and, most importantly, the forty three educational institutions of the Nationalpolitische Erziehungsanstalten (National Political Educational Institutes or NPEA). These schools trained future leaders and hopefully SS support and influence would lead the graduates to chose an SS or Polizei career. 18 Heissmeyer held the post from its creation on August 15, 1940, until Germany surrendered. Economic and administrative aspects were handled by the SS Wirtschaft- und Verwaltungshauptamt (SS Economic and Administration Main Office or SS-WVHA) formed from two existing main offices and another administrative office under the leadership of Oswald Pohl on January 31, 1942. Pohl had previously been head of the administration office (Amt IV, Verwaltungsamt-SS) of the SS-Hauptamt as well as being Verwaltungs-Chef der SS (head of SS administration) on Himmler's personal staff. The Economic and Administrative Main Office was formed from Pohl's existing SS administrative posting which became the SSHauptamt Verwaltung und Wirtschaft (SS Main Office of Administration and Economics) on April 20, 1939, and the Hauptamt Haushalt und Bauten (Budget and Buildings Main Office, a State verses SS main office)
18 Other N S D A P supported institutions existed and were overseen by the Hitler Youth, see David Littlejohn, "The Hitler Youth." pages 129-149 to include a list of the N P E A schools with location and formation dates.
20
Chapter 1: SS Command and Administration formed simultaneously which Pohl also headed. 19 When this final main office was formed, its two precursor main o f f i c e s were disbanded as was Pohl's Verwaltungshauptamt-SS, which had moved to the SSFührungshauptamt in mid-August, 1940. Pohl's command had five office groups covering administration, supply, buildings, concentration camps (which it took from the SS-Führungshauptamt in mid-March, 1942) and economic undertakings. The later ranged from real estate and confiscated art to SS owned industries and natural resources. The SS was also a major shareholder in numerous civilian companies in the building, printing and arts fields. With these enterprises, and the money gleaned from slave labor for industries, the SS was undoubtly the wealthiest organization in Germany during the Third Reich. Though often overlooked, the numerically largest body controlling main office was the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei (Main Office of the Order Police or Orpo). Numbering hundreds of thousands of personnel at its zenith, the variety of units under control of the Ordnungspolizei went far beyond the Schutzpolizei ( P r o t e c t i o n Police), G e m e i n d e p o l i z e i ( M u n i c i p a l P o l i c e ) and G e n d a r m e r i e (Rural Police). 2 0 The O r d n u n g s p o l i z e i also controlled specialist police units such as the B a h n s c h u t z (Railway Police), Luftschutzpolizei (Air Raid Protection Police, formed in 1942 from police reservists) and Wasserschutzpolizei (Waterways Protection Police). The Landespolizei (Land Police) was placed under the authority of the Army. Border customs personnel came under Ordnungspolizei jurisdiction as did all the Feuerwehren (fire fighting departments) and Feuerpolizei (Fire Police). As well as controlling air raid protection personnel and units, the Ordnungspolizei controlled the Technische Nothilfe (Technical Emergency Corps or TENO) which became a part of the SS. having existed in Germany since 1919. The Ordnungspolizei had its own schools as well as a large number of armed regiments and battalions. These were used in second line defensive duties and for antipartisan warfare. 21 In the latter instances they were often formed into Kampfgruppen (battle groups) under a H S S P F c o m m a n d , the resulting combats producing several awards of the German Cross in Gold for Ordnungspolizei commanders or staff officers. In occupied territories these Ordnungspolizei controlled units also included Schutzmannschaft Bataillone (Auxiliary Police Battalions) of several nationalities which incorporated primarily Estonian, Latvian and Ukrainian troops under German leadership. The head of the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei (and an early power competitor with Himmler) from its creation in June, 1936, until August 31, 1943 was Kurt Daluege followed by Alfred Wünnenberg who performed the duties of the post until the end of the war while Daluege served elsewhere. The Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei also was heavily involved with the supply, training and other aspects of the SS-Polizei-Division of the Waffen-SS. The executive commanders of the regular police headquarters in larger cities were designated police presidents and for smaller cities, police directors (both were titular Kripo commanders while daily running of those offices was by a trained police officer). Their position encompassed all Ordnungspolizei units which individually had their own commanders. Like the Sipo and SD, Inspectors existed within the Orpo having similar tactical command functions as well as Senior Area Commanders. Within the Cabinet the police came under the Minister of the Interior, so initially Himmler had a semi-superior in the person of Minister Wilhelm Frick. Himmler himself later obtained that cabinet post and became Minister of the Interior and Reich Plenipotentiary for Reich Administration in August, 1943. Mention should be made of the Ehrenführer (Honorary Leaders) given SS rank, priviledges and uniform but without any command authority. Used to gain support and influence for the SS, Himmler gave these ranks to ministers, state officials, military leaders and heads of industry. Generally the concept failed and in some cases Ehrenführer became enemies of the Reichsführer-SS in the power struggles of the Nazi heirarchy, such as Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop. " Pohl was also a financial administrator of the NSDAP, the head of G e r m a n y ' s rocket program (which he delegated) and a Director in the Ministry of the Interior. Pohl was a m o n g the last persons executed by the United States as a result of the m a j o r w a r crimes trials when he was hanged in 1951. 20 See Neufeldt, H u c k and Tessin "Die Stäbe und Truppeneinheiten der O r d n u n g s p o l i z e i " for detailed technical data for the Ordnungspolizei. Teil 1 of this publication ("Zur Geschichte der Ordnungspolizei 1939-1945") covers the Ordnungspolizei Hauptamt with Teil II covering the actual Regimenter, Bataillone and the Polizei Division. Aside f r o m detailing the individual units it lists some of the H S S P F with regard to their assigned Ordnungspolizei units. Aside f r o m G e r m a n troops, Latvian and especially Ukranian personnel were used in large quantities. M a n y of the large H S S P F c o m m a n d s had Ordnungspolizei units equal to s o m e two divisions or m o r e to include infantry, motorized and horse mounted units as well as supporting elements. M.I.R.S., " T h e G e r m a n Police" also includes effective data on the Ordnungspolizei, SD. Kripo and G e s t a p o at all c o m m a n d levels including a good partial compilation listing of the officers holding the various posts during the latter war period. M a n y G e s t a p o and Polizei officials did not hold SS rank. 21 All O r d n u n g s p o l i z e i f i e l d units (Polizei R e g i m e n t e r , Polizei S c h ü t z e n r e g i m e n t e r , P o l i z e i - R e i t e r - A b t e i l u n g e n , Polizei K a m p f g r u p p e n , etc.) received the " S S " prefix to their title on February 24. 1943, in recognition of c o m b a t contributions in Russia. Tessin. " U m b e n e n n u n g in SS-Polizei-Regimenter" in "Zur Geschichte der Ordungszpolizei 1939-1945." Teil II. page 31.
21
The Higher SS and Police Leaders or HSSPF and their subordinate SS and Police Leaders (SSPF) were the most powerful (and feared) SS posts created by Himmler. In two cases an even higher post, Höchste SS und Polizeiführer (Supreme SS and Police Leader or HöSSPF), were created for Italy and Central Russia. Established on November 13, 1937, upon mobilization Germany's forces, the HSSPF post served as the superior liaison and unifier of SS and Police commands under Himmler's direct authority. For those holding the position within the Reich (area considered Germany itself) they were usually the head of the AllgemeineSS Main District (Oberabschnitt). After the Polish campaign HSSPF were also designated for occupied territories. Their equivalent (and often nominal superior) in power for Germany proper representing the N S D A P were the Party Gauleiter who headed their designated areas and were appointed personally by Hitler. In occupied territories, the designated N S D A P senior official could be a Reichskommissar (normally either a Gauleiter or a senior ranked officer of an N S D A P organization such as the SS, SA or NSKK) or, in the case of the General Government of Poland, a designated Governor. 1 Co-operation between these two posts varied. Some individuals in these two positions worked well together, such as Josef Terboven and Wilhelm Rediess in Norway. Others, in particular Dr. Hans Frank and Friedrich-Wilhelm Krüger in the General Government, fought a constant battle for authority and associated power (in this case eventually Krüger lost). The powers and influence of the Gauleiter increased during the war when they became defense commissioners within the Reich, though Himmler managed to counter the effects in many cases as some of the Gauleiter also held senior SS rank. Within the area of a SSPF the senior Party official in occupied territory was a Generalkommissar, also normally an otherwise senior ranked N S D A P designated official, often a former Gauleiter or Polizei official. 2 In the case of the Reich, the HSSPF, with his dual position as Oberabschnitt commander, headed all Allgemeine-SS units. In all cases, he also oversaw designated units and offices of the Ordnungspolizei, SD, Sipo and other armed SS units such as the Totenkopfstandarten, though direct control was more limited than in occupied areas.-1 These units included the Volksdeutsche composed Selbstschutz (Self Police) which ex1 See Karl H ö f f k e s , "Hitlers Politische Generale, Die Gauleiter des Dritten R e i c h e s " for capsule biographies of the m e n assigned as Gauleiter to the eventual 4 3 G a u e . T h e only N S D A P rank above Gauleiter was Reichsleiter, most of w h o m had a ministerial position and were the actual c o m m a n d g r o u p of the Third Reich under Hitler's direct control. 2 See "Übersicht der Gliederung Verbrecherischer Nazi Organisationen," page 72 for a list of Russia's Generalkommissar. T h e area under a G e n e r a l k o m m i s s a r was a Generalbezirk (district) which was broken down, at least in the case of "Weißruthenien," into Hauptbezirk (sub-districts) controlled by H a u p t k o m m i s s a r w h o was most often a Kreisleiter ( N S D A P rank below Gauleiter). 3 See C o m m a n d and Administration chapter for a b r e a k d o w n of the offices and c o m p o n e n t s of the SD, Sipo and Ordnungspolizei assigned to the Main District and/or H S S P F c o m m a n d s .
22
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders isted only in the early war years in occupied countries as well as auxiliary police units of occupied territory personnel. This also included numerous armed Ordnungspolizei battalions and regiments. The senior commanders of each of these groups were on the staff of the HSSPF. All HSSPF could also utilize troops not assigned to the front, both SS and Army, in emergency situations, especially in Russia where Kampfgruppen were often formed for anti-partisan warfare. 4 The commands in the east often equaled the strength of a corps in assigned troops between German and foreign volunteer units. T h o u g h the SD, O r d n u n g s p o l i z e i , Totenkopfverbände and Sipo received orders from the respective main offices of which these groups were components for administrative direction, the H S S P F could bypass those command channels under the guise of an emergency situation and operationally control them directly or through administrative directives. The HSSPF reported directly to and received their orders directly from Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler whose authority was absolute, at least in theory. Generally the Ordnungspolizei was more cooperative than the Sipo and SD of the RSHA and its precursor command offices, though this resistance eased following the death of Reinhard Heydrich in 1942. The Befehlshaber der Sipo und SD and the Befehlshaber der Ordnungspolizei were the primary armed or legal force controllers on the staff of the HSSPF though Waffen-SS units could be used if within the rear echelon command area of the HSSPF. The respective Main Offices (and the senior commanders of these subordinate groups) generally handled the administrative duties while the HSSPF handled operation tasks as determined by Himmler. The SSPF were created initially for occupied territories of Poland and Russia due to geographical size of the areas to absorb some of the numerous duties assigned to the HSSPF. All HSSPF and SSPF were personally designated by Himmler and could be assigned special tasks directly by him along with their normal duties. These ranged from destroying the Warsaw ghetto (Jürgen Stroop as SSPF "Warsaw") and suppression of armed rebellion (HSSPF "Slowakian") to anti-partisan operations (all HSSPF in Russia) or implementing Himmler's political or economic goals in their respective areas. Generally, except in a temporary or substitute situation, the H S S P F was to be above the rank of SS-Brigadeführer, so as to have senior rank over the Ordnungspolizei and Sipo/SD commander, and in most cases held Polizei rank as well. This is why, for example, Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein was HSSPF for "Süd" and "Main" while the Oberabschnitt commander (SS-Brigadeführer Dr. Benno Martin) held only that post until promoted to a rank equal or superior to the Sipo and SD commanders with the Oberabschnitt. Those HSSPF in the occupied territories were especially brutal while some within the Reich, such as Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein and Dr. Benno Martin, retained a degree of humanity in fulfilling their duties. Many chose suicide at the end of the war or were later tried and executed. 5
Der Höchste SS und Polizeiführer "Italien" (Italy) Created in September, 1943, this post combined control of the existing H S S P F "Oberitalien West" 6 and the HSSPF "Adriatisches Küstenland" (Adriatic Coastland). 7 Headquartered in Rome, Verona and Bozen, on February 1, 1944 the area of Tirol-Voralberg under the HSSPF "Alpenland" was added to its control. 8 Centered in Italy, it had the SSPF "Mitteitalien-Verona," "Oberitalien-Mitte," "Oberitalien-West" and "Bozen" under its jurisdiction. With the division and partial collapse of Italy this became the center administrative post in the Axis controlled area. Aside from German Ordnungspolizei units, the HöSSPF had a dozen volunteer battalions of Italian police troops commanded by German officers. 9 Wolff later officially surrendered the area to the allies having been overall military commander since August 1, 1944. Führer September 23, 1943 to May 8, 1945
SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Wolff
4 T h e H S S P F cooperated with but did not actually control the Einsatzgruppen which were created by the R S H A f r o m its o w n personnel and obtained their operational orders f r o m that c o m m a n d office. T h e y also were assisted (and often requested) by the A r m y but were not under their control even when operating in their jurisdictional areas. 5 See bibliography for v o l u m e s to extract data on the actions of specific H S S P F in greater detail. For details of the senior officers assigned to the H S S P F " O s t " see Mark C. Yerger. "Riding East, T h e SS Cavalry Brigade in Poland and Russia 1939-1942," chapter 2. Separate v o l u m e s on the individual H S S P F or their c o m m a n d s have yet to be written. 6 Formed on February 18. 1943. its headquarters b e c a m e that of " D e r Höchster SS und Polizeiführer Italien." Karl Wolff w a s H S S P F "Oberitalien West" f r o m its creation until expansion of the post to H ö S S P F status. 7 As created its full title was " D e r Höchste SS und Polizeiführer beim O b e r b e f e h l s h a b e r im Gebiet der Heeresgruppe B und Oberbefehlshaber Süd." " Erwin Rösener reported to Wolff f o r this area of his c o m m a n d only. 9 T h e G e r m a n Ordnungspolizei units, as well as troops of their allies, were in a constant state or numerical change, restructuring and c o m b i n i n g with other units. See Tessin, pages 9 6 - 1 0 9 for a partial listing of the G e r m a n R e g i m e n t e r and Bataillone as well as the S c h u t z m a n n s c h a f t Bataillone.
23
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Karl Wolff is second from the left in this 1941 photo taken in Russia. On the far left is Hermann Fegelein (then commander of the SSKavallerie-Brigade) and on the far right is HSSPF Erich von dem Bach. Heinrich Himmler is speaking to Fegelein. Born in Darmstadt on May 13, 1900, Wolff joined the Army in April, 1917, and ended the conflict as a Leutnant in the infantry having won both classes of the Iron Cross. He served in the Freikorps during 1919 as a company commander then left the Army in May, 1920. After studying law and political economics he worked as a bank clerk, then ran his own advertising agency until it dissolved in 1931. Joining the NSDAP and SS on October 7, 1931, he first served with the 2./11./1 .SS-Standarte. On January 19, 1932, he took command of his Sturm until midSeptember, 1932, and was commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on February 18, 1932. From September 20, 1932, to mid-March, 1933, he was adjutant of the IUI. SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptführer on January 30, 1933. /4.v adjutant to Franz Ritter von Epp (then Reich Commissioner for Bavaria) he served from mid-March to mid-June, 1933, and attended the first SS course at the Reich Leader School during Februar)1, 1932. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on November 9, 1933, and to SS-Obersturmbannführer on January 30, 1934, he was Himmler's personal adjutant from March, 1934, to November, 1935. He then was upgraded to Himmler's chief adjutant as well as being chief of Himmler's personal staff after that command was combined with the post of chief adjutant in November 1936. Holding this combined assignment until until June, 1939, he was also a member of the Reichstag from March, 1933 to May, 1945. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on April 20, 1934, to SS-Oberführer on July 4, 1934, to SS-Brigadeführer on November 9, 1935 and to SS-Gruppenführer on January 30, 1937, he was Chief of the Personal Staff Main Office from June, 1939 to May, 1945 but a designated deputy commanded in his place after February, 1943. On May 3, 1940, he became a Generalleutnant der WaJfen-SS. Promoted to SSObergruppenfiihrer und General der Waffen-SS on January 30, 1942, from August, 1939, to February, 1943, Wolff served as Himmler's liaison officer in Hitler's headquarters and then became HSSPF "Oberitalien West. " When that post expanded he became the HöSSPF "Italien " in September, 1943. He was also military governor for northern Italy from February to October, 1943 and official representative for the Wehrmacht in Italy from August, 1944, to May, 1945. From February to May, 1945, he was titular commander of the 29.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (italienische Nr. 1) though actual command was undertaken by his chief of staff (and later his deputy). Among his awards were the Gold Party Badge, the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class, both classes of the Iron Cross, the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, the War Service Cross with Swords 1st class, the Social Welfare Badge and finally the German Cross in Gold awarded on December 9, 1944. A natural diplomat, he endured Himmler's abuse and acted as a buffer between his chief and the numerous personalities around him though he himself made enemies including RSHA Chief Ernst Kaltenbrunner. He incured Himmler's wrath when the latter refused to grant his divorce, Wolff then obtaining permission directly from Hitler. Wolff prevented implementation of the scorched earth policy in Italy and later testified at the Nuremberg Trials. Arrested in 1962, he served a term in prison from 1964 to 1971 for transporting Italian Jews and died in Rosenheim on July 17, 1984. (National Archives)
24
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders Der Höchste SS und Polizeiführer "Ukraine" (Ukraine) This second and final established supreme post controlled the HSSPF "Schwarzes Meer" (Black Sea) 1 " and the H S S P F "Rußland-Süd." 1 1 It dissolved as its areas of control were abandoned during the retreat from Russia and it had covered the largest control area of Russia. Under its jurisdiction were the SSPF "WolhynienLusk," SSPF "Charkow," SSPF "Kiew," SSPF "Nikolajew," SSPF "Rostow," SSPF "Dnjepropetrowsk," SSPF "Shitomir," SSPF "Simferopol," SSPF "Stalino" and SSPF "Tschernigow." The command was headquartered in Kiev. This command also included the SSPF given to the H S S P F "Rußland-Süd" that had been created for the HSSPF "Kaukasien" (Caucasus) that did not appear. 12 Temporary Special Duties SSPF were attached to it for anit-partisan duties (as they were throughout Russia). At its peak, the HöSSPF "Ukraine" controlled the largest contigent of Ordnungspolizei and Schutzmannschaft Bataillone in Russia. Following the situation reversal in Russia, the units under Prützmann's command were formed into an effective Kampfgruppe (Battle Group). 13 Führer October 29, 1943 14 to September 1944
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Hans-Adolf Prützmann
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Nordost" (Northeast) Established on June 28, 1938, with headquarters in Königsberg, this HSSPF encompassed Ostpreußen (East Prussia) which was expanded in August, 1941. 15 The SSPF "Bialystok" was under its control area and this HSSPF area also encompassed SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost." Führer June 28, 1938 to June 19, 1940 June 21, 1940 to May 1, 1941 May 1, 1941 to May 8, 1945
SS-Gruppenführer Wilhelm Rediess SS-Gruppenführer Jakob Sporrenburg SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after November 9, 1941 SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Hans-Adolf Prützmann SS-Oberführer, after June 21, 1942 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after November 9, 1943 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei George Ebrecht 17
June 21, 1941 to December 1944 (substitute) 16
1,1 T h e H S S P F was retitled " S i e b e n b ü r g e n " on August 25, 1944, when it was moved to R o m a n i a on the opposite side of the Black Sea. Richard Hildebrandt held the post during August-September. 1944, b e f o r e the post was abolished and he returned to the R u S H A t o reassume his main office chief duties. 11 Its full title was " D e r Höchste SS und Polizeiführer im Reichskommissariat Ukraine und Rußland S ü d . " Prützmann was both H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - S ü d " and Höhste SS und Polizeiführer " U k r a i n e . " 12 See H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - S ü d . " 13 Several awards of the G e r m a n Cross in Gold were awarded to m e m b e r s of the K a m p f g r u p p e including S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r Hans Schmitz (awarded July 2, 1944 as Ic or intelligence officer on the battle group staff). 14 Notified by H i m m l e r of the creation of the c o m m a n d and his appointment on October 6 and formally assigned as of October 22, the date given is his actual arrival. 15 Created as " D e r Höhere SS und Polizeiführer beim Oberpräsidenten von Ostpreußen im Wehrkreis I," after February. 1944, the revised titles emphasized m o r e the control of N S D A P over State. In this case " D e r Höhere SS und Polizeiführer im Gau Ostpreußen und im Wehrkreis I." T h e earlier titles showed areas by state or provinces with the latter designation s h o w i n g the technical subordination of the H S S P F to the N S D A P with Gau being the term for geographical area in Party terminology (and a Gauleiter the senior N S D A P official) rather than the State. In reality the H S S P F continued to ignore any chain of c o m m a n d aside f r o m orders received f r o m Himmler. 16 Substituted for Prützmann (had been his standing deputy) when Prützmann was assigned in Russia. 17 Born on July 24. 1895 in H a m b u r g , he served as a volunteer in W W I with a flight replacement detachment, several artillery units and finally the 112.1nfanterie Division. He c o m m a n d e d a Freikorps unit in Bremen and traveled extensively in the Far East b e f o r e b e c o m i n g a planter in A f r i c a f r o m 1926 to 1931. Returning to Germany, he served in the SA during 1931-1932. Joining the SS in April. 1935 as an S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r , he served on the staff of the R u S H A and b e c a m e Stabsführer in June, 1935, serving with this Main O f f i c e until the end of 1936. He c o m m a n d e d 33.SS-Standarte f r o m January. 1937, until April. 1937. Returning as Stabsführer in the R u S H A until July 1938, he was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on April 20, 1937, and to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937. Transferred as Führer SS-Abschnitt X X X I I . he led the district f r o m July 1. 1938 to N o v e m b e r 14, 1938. Following a leave of absence he c o m m a n d e d SS-Abschnitt XVIII f r o m January 1, 1939. to October 9, 1939. He next c o m m a n d e d the West Prussian Selbstschutz (Self Police) f r o m October, 1939 to the end of March, 1940. From May, 1940, to December, 1941. he led SS-Abschnitt X X V I . Assigned as deputy to Hans-Adolf Prützmann, he substituted for him as H S S P F " N o r d o s t " and Führer SS-Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t , " as well as being
25
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
July 7, 1944' 8 to January 9, 1945 (substitute)
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Hans Haltermann 19 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei Otto Hellwig 2 "
January 9, 1945 to May 8, 1945 (substitute)
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Ostsee" (Baltic Sea) Based in Stettin, this command was originally established on August 28, 1938, as the HSSPF "Nord" and changed its title to "Ostsee" on April 20, 1940 when a new area "Nord" was created in Norway. 21 In the area of the Oberabschnitt of the same name (covering Wehrkreis II), it controlled elements in Pomerania, Mecklenburg and portions of Mark Brandenburg. The latter areas were removed from its jurisdiction in April 1944. Führer August 28, 1938 to May 1945
SS-Gruppenführer, after April 15, 1941 Generalleutnant der Polizei, after April 20, 1942 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after April 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Emil Mazuw
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Spree' Created on September 2, 1939, as the HSSPF "Ost" (East), this command's title was changed to "Spree" on November 1, 1939, when a new "Ost" was established in occupied Poland. In the area of Wehrkreis III (Oberabschnitt "Spree") it included Berlin and portions of Mark Brandenburg. In April, 1944, it absorbed the remaining portions of Mark Brandenburg from the HSSPF "Ostsee" and lost Berlin. The H S S P F command was headquartered in Berlin. SS garrison c o m m a n d e r for Danzig and Z o p p o t f r o m December, 1941 to D e c e m b e r . 1944. He was ill beginning in July. 1944 and was injured during a S e p t e m b e r 1, 1944 air raid on Königsberg which forced him into reserve status for the rest of the war. Fluent in English and Swahili, he had been an artist and painter in his early life and was married three times (one son and three daughters). A f t e r the w a r he served in post war civil service in the G e r m a n Democratic Republic and died in Lindau. Lake Constance, on D e c e m b e r 21. 1977. ,s Deputised for G e o r g e Ebrecht until his illness forced him into permanent retirement. Haltermann b e c a m e Prtitzmann's deputy on D e c e m b e r 1, 1944 and officially replaced Ebrecht beginning that date. 19 Born in Berlin on April 20, 1898 the son of a bank official. He served in W W I f r o m August 1914 with artillery units and was discharged in 1919. Working as an engineer after the war, he joined the Frontbann in June, 1925. He j o i n e d the N S D A P and SA on S e p t e m b e r 25. 1926, first c o m m a n d i n g an SA Sturm in Stieglitz f r o m September, 1926 to 1927. Attached to S A Standarte II (BerlinBrandenburg) f r o m 1927 to 1929, he was c o m m i s s i o n e d an S A - S t u r m f ü h r e r in 1928. From 1929 to April, 1936. he served in serveral senior SA c o m m a n d s as a Special Assignments Officer, primarily with SA Gruppen " B e r l i n - B r a n d e n b u r g " and " N o r d s e e . " On April 19, 1936. he left the SA and joined the SS as an SS-StandartenfUhrer, first serving with the staff of Abschnitt XIV until January, 1942. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on January 30, 1939, and to SS-BrigadefUhrer on April 20, 1940, he was recalled to the A r m y as a reserve Leutnant and served with the senior armed forces c o m m a n d e r in Belgrade until June. 1941. where he was promoted to reserve Oberleutnant in January. 1940. He then served with the similar Wehrmacht post in the Ukraine for t w o months until returning to the SS and Police, at H i m m l e r ' s request, in August, 1941. As S S P F " K i e w " he served f r o m October, 1941, to May, 1943, and was m a d e a G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on January 30, 1942, as well as being promoted to S S - G r u p p e n f ü h r e r on January 30, 1943. From M a y to September. 1943, he was S S P F " C h a r k o w " and then S S P F " M o g i l e w " f r o m September, 1943, until the post was abolished in July, 1944. From July, 1944, to January, 1945 he headed a special staff f o r m e d to allocate materials and build defensive positions in the General G o v e r n m e n t of Poland against the advancing Russians. During this time he also held his H S S P F substitute assignment, substituting for George Ebrecht w h o was ill. After briefly serving in the SS Personalhauptamt during its m o v e to Setzen, he served f r o m mid-March, 1945. to May, 1945. with the Police President of Bremen. He died in Paderborn, West Germany, on J u n e 17, 1981. 20 Born on February 24. 1898, in Nordhausen, he served in W W I with the Army. A s a police H a u p t m a n n he was borrowed f r o m Prussia to head the State Police in Lippe in early 1934 and j o i n e d the SS on July 1. 1935, as an SS-Hauptsturmführer. From July, 1935, to December, 1944. he served with the S D Hauptamt and later the R S H A . Hellwig c o m m a n d e d the leaders school for the Sipo and S D in Berlin-Charlottenburg f r o m July. 1935, to March, 1941. During August, 1939, he c o m m a n d e d an Einsatzgruppe under U d o von Woyrsch. From March, 1941, to October. 1942, he was Inspector of Sipo and S D units in Stettin and also headed the G e s t a p o area office in Stettin during March to May, 1941. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on October 9, 1941, to SS-Oberführer on April 20, 1942, to SS-Brigadeführer und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei o n J a n u a r y 3 0 , 1943, he was S S P F " S h i t o m i r " f r o m October 1941 to May 1943 and then S S P F " B i a l y s t o k " until mid-July, 1944. In July, 1942 he received the rank of Oberst der Polizei. He b e c a m e the third substitute Hans-Adolf Prützmann (actually replacing Ebrecht w h o was the substitute but ill) as temporary c o m m a n d e r of Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t " f r o m December, 1944. to the end of the w a r and was also H S S P F " N o r d o s t " after January, 1945. O n D e c e m b e r 1. 1944, he b e c a m e an S S - G r u p p e n f ü h r e r und Generalleutnant der W a f f e n - S S und Polizei and was awarded both classes of the War Service Cross 1st class with Swords, the AntiPartisan Badge in Bronze, the Gold Party Badge, the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Silver. He died in H a n n o v e r on August 20, 1962. All permanent H S S P F were given W a f f e n - S S rank, in addition to that held in the Allgemeine-SS, by H i m m l e r by late 1944 to afford them protection under the Hague Convention. That agreement applied to military but not police officials, an agreement predominately ignored previously, and allowed them authority over prisoners of war. 21 W h e n first established its formal full title was " D e r Höhere SS und Polizeiführer beim Reichsstatthalter in Mecklenburg und beim Oberpräsidenten von Brandenburg im Wehrkreis II."
26
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Hans-Adolf Prützmann was born on August 31, 1901, in Tollkemit, East Prussia. He worked as a farmer and entered local politics, serving as a senator for East Prussia. On August 12, 1930, he joined the SS and first served with SS Sturm 24. Commissioned as an SSSturmfuhrer on November 10, 1930, he became adjutant of the 30.SS-Standarte in late March 1931 and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on August 3, 1931. In August, 1931, he moved to the 19.SS-Standarte as administrative officer then took command until early September, 1932 during which time he was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on January I, 1932. From late August, 1932, to mid-December, 1933, he commanded the 18.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Oberführer on June 26, 1933, and to SS-Brigadeführer on November 9, 1933. He was a member of the Reichstag from April, 1938, until the end of the war and also led Abschnitt X from mid-July to midNovember, 1933. Prützmann took command of Oberabschnitt "Südwest" in mid-November, 1933, and left that command at the end of February, 1937, during which he was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on February 28, 1934. He commanded Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" (which became "Nordsee") and was HSSPF "Nordsee" from June, 1938, to May, 1941. He was then officially HSSPF "Nordost" and commander of the area Oberabschnitt until the end of the war but was in Russia and his duties were undertaken by substitutes. In Russia he ser\'ed as the HSSPF "Rußland-Nord" from June to November, 1941, and then changed posts with Friedrich Jeckeln and became the HSSPF "Rußland-Süd" until mid-March, 1944. Becoming a Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 1, 1941, and promoted to SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei on November 9, 1941, from October, 1943, to September, 1944 he was the also the HöSSPF "Ukraine." In June, 1944, he became Himmler's liaison officer with the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Armed Forces High Command) and for all of 1945 he also was Inspector of special guerrilla units ("Wehrwolf"). He became a General der Waffen-SS on July 1. 1944, and during the final weeks of the war served with the Dönitz government as Himmler's representative. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1941, the Iron Cross 1st class in 1943, both classes of the War Merit Cross with Swords and the German Cross in Gold on June 16, 1944 for leading Kampfgruppe "Prützmann" in Russia (composed of Ordnungspolizei and foreign units under his command). His German Cross recommendation was personally submitted by Himmler. Prützmann was cultured, creative, a talented organizer, and was feared by subordinates. His command in Russia was also brutal and resulted in the deaths of more than 360,000 people from August to October, 1942 alone, more than the totals for several of the Einsatzgruppen in Russia. Captured by the British, he committed suicide on May 21, 1945. (BDC)
27
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Jakob Sporrenburg was born the son of a gardener in Düsseldorf on September 16, 1902. He lost a brother killed and one seriously wounded in WWI. While training as a mechanic in 1919 he joined the Freikorps and served for 1 l/2years. He joined the NSDAP in 1922 and was arrested by the French for sabotage activities in the Ruhr for which he was in jail from March, 1924, to August, 1925. After his release he worked as a telephone installer in Düsseldorf. He joined the SA on August 25, 1925, and rejoined the NSDAP on December 15, 1925. As an SA-Truppführer he served with SA-Standarte 39 until late September, 1930. He also joined the Hitler Youth on August 1, 1929 and was the Hitler Youth leader for Düsseldorf for the remainder of 1929. On October 1, 1930, he joined the SS and was commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on December 15, 1930. He then took command of SS Sturm 54 until being promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on November 21, 1931. After commanding the l./20.SS-Standarte from November, 1931 to early July, 1932, he took command of the entire Standarte until July, 1933, and was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on November 9, 1932. From September, 1933 to September, 1936. he commanded Abschnitt XX and also commanded the SS garrison in Kiel (November, 1933 to September, 1936) as well as holding a seat in the Reichstag from April / 938 until the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on November 9, 1933, and to SS-Ilrigadefiihrer on January 30, 1936, during tha autumn of 1935 he sewed as a reserve Leutnant in the Army with Infanterie-Regiment 26. Reassigned to the RSHA. from the start of 1937 to September, 1 939, he was Inspector of the Sipo and SDfor Königsberg and was head ofSD Oberabschnitt "Nordost. " From September, 1939, to July, 1940, he led Oberabschnitt "Rhein " (see " Rhein-Westmark ") and was HSSPF "Rhein "from October, 1939, to July, 1940. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfuhrer on January 1, 1940, he led Oberabschnitt "Nordost" and was HSSPF "Nordost" from mid-June 1940 to the start of May, 1941. After training with the Ordnungspolizei and the RSHA he was assigned as SSPF " Weißruthenien " during July and August 1941 then became a special assignments officer to Gauleiter Erich Koch until mid-March 1943. Given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei on July 7, 1943, he was next with the HSSPF "Rußland-Mitte" and the anti-partisan command until mid-August 1943 when he became SSPF "Lublin" and held that posting until November 1944. In November, 1944 he was attached to the staff of Oberabschnitt "Ost" then held a transitional staff posting for two weeks with Oberabschnitt "Nord. " At the end of November, / 944 he took the newly created post of SSPF "Siid-Norwegen " and held that assignment until the end of the war. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1942, the Iron Cross 2nd class (June 20, 1941) and also the first class (November 30, 1944), both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords in 1943, The NSDAP Long Service Award in Gold on January 30, 1942, the Gold Hitler Youth Honor Badge, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. His involvement with Einsatzgruppen operations caused him to suffer from depression and have a breakdown in 1941. Despite this fact he was active in executions throughout 1943 and won high accolades from HSSPF Curt von Gottberg and Wilhelm Koppe. He was tried in Warsaw in 1950 and hanged there on December 6, 1952. (Phi! Nix)
28
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Hans-Adolf
Prützmann
(right) with Dr. Max Thomas (commander
Einsatzgruppe
"C"). (Phil
Nix)
Führer September 2 , 1 9 3 9 to May 8, 1945
SS-Obergruppenführer, after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS und Polizei August Heissmeyer 22 SS-Brigadeführer, after April 20, 1943 SS-Gruppenführer Max Schneller 23
February 20, 1943 to May 8, 1945 (substitute)
Der Hörere SS und Polizeiführer "Elbe" The command area of the HSSPF "Elbe" (Wehrkreis IV) was created in June, 1938, and included Oberabschnitt "Elbe." The area included Sachsen and portions of Halle-Merseburg, Thüringen, Niederschlesien and the Sudetenland. In April, 1944, the inclusive areas were Sachsen and Halle-Merseburg. HSSPF headquarters was in Dresden. Führer June 28, 1938 to April 20, 1940 April 20, 1940 to February 11, 1944
SS-Gruppenführer Theodor Berkelmann SS-Obergruppenführer, after April 15, 1941 also General der Polizei Udo von Woyrsch SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei Ludolf von Alvensleben
February 11, 1944 to May 8, 1945
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Südwest" (Southwest) The HSSPF "Südwest" was headquartered in Stuttgart and had the SSPF "Elsass" subordinated to it.24 Formed in early September, 1939, it was the operational area of SS-Oberabschnitt "Südwest" (Wehrkreis V). It encompassed the areas of Baden and Württemberg and the civil administration of Elsass. 22
The only H S S P F not to ever command the Oberabschnitt of his area. Born in Wiltauten, East Prussia on January 15, 1886, he joined the Imperial Navy in 1904 and served sea duty in Europe as well as with the East Asia Squadron. He left the Navy in March, 1920, as a sub-Lieutenant and joined the N S D A P in October, 1930. On February 7, 1931. he joined the SS and served first with the4.SS-Standarte. with II. and later the III.Sturmbann. Commissioned as an SSSturmfiihreron June I, 1931, he then served as a staff officer in III.Sturmbann until February, 1934. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on February 2, 1934. he was special duties officer and counselor for Abschnitt XX from that date until May 1934 and was also promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer on March 28, 1934. From May, 1934, to April, 1941, he was formation and organizational advisor to the staff of Oberabschnitt "Ost" (later "Spree") during which he was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on July 4, 1934, and to SS-Obertuhrer on January 1, 1936. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on April 20, 1941. he led Oberabschnitt "Spree" from February, 1943, until the end of the war. From December, 1942 on, he was also deputy Civil Defense Commissioner for Berlin under Josef Goebbels and from April, 1943, to the end of the war he was also HSSPF "Spree." Goebbels assigned him to c o m b out men from the N S D A P and Government for service in the Waffen-SS and was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer by recommendation of Sepp Dietrich on April 20, 1943. Awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1943, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords in 1944 as well as the Olympic G a m e s decoration 1 st class and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. Schneller died on May 25. 1948. 23
24 The full initial title of the H S S P F was "Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer Südwest im Zivilverwaltungsbereich Elsaß, in den Gauen Baden, Württemberg-Hohenzollern und im Wehrkreis V."
29
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Theodor Berkelmann was born in Matinsbann near Metz on April 17, 1894, the son of a customs official. He joined the Army in October 1913 with a Jägerbataillon and was commissioned as a reserve Leutnant in the autumn of 1914. From 1914 to 1919, he served on three fronts, finally as adjutant to an infantry regiment, and was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross as well as the Wound Badge in Black. He left the Army in December 1919 after serving nine months with the Freikorps. From October, 1926, to October, 1930, he taught and organized athletics then worked as a farm laborer in Canada for six months. Berkelmann joined the NSDAP in early May, 1929, and the SS on March 1, 1931. He formed the 23.SS-Standarte in early March 1931 and stayed on to assist Udo von Woyrsch, who was given actual command, until mid-June, 1931. Given the rank of SA-Standartenführer on June 15, 1931, he taught at the Reich Leaders School in Munich from mid-June 1931, to the start of March, 1932. He gave up SA rank and became an SS-Standartenfülirer on March 1, 1932 with seniority from June 15, 1931. From early March to the beginning of October, 1932, he was Himmler's adjutant and then became Stabsführer of SS Gruppe "Nord" until the start of April, 1933. /4s commander of Abschnitt VI he served from mid-December, 1933, to the start of April, 1936. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on January 30, 1934, and to SS-Brigadeführer on September 9, 1934, he led Oberabschnitt "Elbe" (previously titled "Mitte") from the beginning of April, 1936, to mid-April, 1940, as well as being HSSPF "Elbe" from late June, 1938, to mid-April, 1940. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on September 13, 1936, he also served in the Reichstag from April, 1936, to late December, 1943. He led Oberabschnitt "West" from April to July, 1940, and was HSSPF "West" from mid-April to early July, 1940. From July, 1940, he held three different titled HSSPF posts which eventually combined to form "Rhine-Westmark." In its final designation he held the post from May to November, 1943 and was promoted to Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 10, 1941. Promoted to SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei on January 30, 1942, his final post was as leader of Oberabschnitt "Warthe" (November to late December, 1943) and HSSPF "Warthe" from September, 1943, until his death from a brain tumor in Posen on December 27, 1943. Well educated, he spoke English and French and adhered to officially SS policy in all cases. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. (Phil Nix)
Führer September 6, 1939 to April 21, 1943
SS-Gruppenführer, after May 1, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei Kurt Kaul SS-Gruppenführer, after June 21, 1943 SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 General der Waffen-SS Otto Hofmann
April 21, 1943 to May 1945
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "West" Created in the area of SS-Oberabschnitt West (Wehrkreis VI) this HSSPF was headquartered in Düsseldorf. It included all or parts of Essen, Düsseldorf, Köln-Aachen, Westfalen-Nord, Westfalen-Süd and Wesrer-Ems. Führer SS-Obergruppenführer Fritz Weitzel SS-Gruppenführer Theodor Berkelmann SS-Obergruppenführer, after April 1, 1941 also General der Polizei Friedrich Jeckeln
June 11, 1938 to April 20, 1940 April 20, 1940 to July 9, 1940 July 12, 1940 to June 29, 1941
30
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders May 1. 1941 25 to May 8, 1945
SS-Brigadeführer, after November 9, 1942 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after August 1, 1944 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Karl Gutenberger
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Süd" (South) This H S S P F command was headquartered in Munich. It operated in Wehrkreis VII in the area of MünchenOberbayern and parts of Schwaben, Franken and Bayreuth. Its area was also SS-Oberabschnitt Süd. After April. 1940, its territory encompassed all of Schwaben and Miinchen-Oberbayem (Munich-Upper Bavaria). Führer April 12, 1938 to April, 1945
SS-Obergruppenführer, after April 8, 1941 also General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 General der Waffen-SS Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Anton Vogler SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Wilhelm Koppe
February 1, 1945 to April, 1945 (substitute) April, 1945 to May, 1945
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Südost" (Southeast) This H S S P F was headquartered in Breslau (Wehrkreis VII/SS-Oberabschnitt "Südost"). When the post was originally created it encompassed Oberschlesien and portions of Niederschlesien and the Sudetenland. In April 1944 the post's administrative area was all of Oberschlesien and Niederschlesien. From the end of 1944 it controlled the SSPF post in Kattowitz. Führer SS-Gruppenführer Erich von dem Bach 26 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 General der Waffen-SS Heinrich Schmauser SS-Brigadeführer der Generalmajor der Polizei Dr. Walter Bierkamp 28 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Richard Hildebrandt
June 28, 1938 to May 20, 1941 May 20, 1941 to February 20, 1945
February 20, 194527 to March 17, 1945 (temporary) March 17, 1945 to May 8, 1945
25
Deputised to Jeckeln while he prepared for a c o m m a n d in Russia and was given the post permanently on June, 29. 1941. N a m e d Erich von d e m Bach-Zelewski until N o v e m b e r 1940 when he legally had the end of his n a m e removed due to its Polish appearance. Effective M a y 1, 1941 he was reassigned to H i m m l e r ' s staff to head Anti-Partisan operations but did not surrender the post until his replacement arrived. 27 S c h m a u s e r was reported missing as of February 15, 1945 and B i e r k a m p was appointed as temporary Führer five days later. Bierkamp got the appointment permanently on February 23, 1945. 28 Born in H a m b u r g on D e c e m b e r 17, 1901, the son of an industrial buyer. He studied law and passed his state e x a m s in 1928. He served as a lawyer with the state court in H a m b u r g until 1937, as well as serving with the Freikorps f r o m 1919 to 1921. He led Kripo headquarters in H a m b u r g f r o m February. 1937, to mid-February, 1941. On April 1. 1939, he joined the SS as a S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r and served with the S D Hauptamt (later R S H A ) until S e p t e m b e r that year, during which he was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1939. He remained listed as an officer in the expanded R S H A until the end of the w a r between various specific assignments and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 15, 1940. He was Inspector for the Sipo and SD in Düsseldorf f r o m February 15, 1941, to June 24, 1942. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on April 20, 1941, as chief of the Sipo and S D for Belgium and Northern France f r o m September, 1941, to April, 1942, he was headquartered in Paris. Promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on M a y 1. 1942, and to Oberst der Polizei on May 15th, after undergoing training in anti-partisan and anti-Jewish affairs he went to Russia and b e c a m e c o m m a n d e r of Einsatzgruppe D in June, 1942, succeeding Otto Ohlendorf. Periodic reports written by this action g r o u p show it was responsible for the deaths of over 9 0 . 0 0 0 people during its operations. T h e unit b e c a m e K a m p f g r u p p e " B i e r k a m p " in May, 1943 and B i e r k a m p led it, consisting of the remnants of Einsatzgruppe D, until it was dissolved on June 15, 1943. F r o m mid-June, 1943, to mid-February, 1945, he was senior c o m m a n d e r of the Sipo and S D in Krakau and was p r o m o t e d to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1944. Bierkamp was deputy H S S P F " S ü d o s t " and then b e c a m e temporary H S S P F " S ü d o s t " when S c h m a u s e r was captured by the Russians, later officially and permanently received the post. His final position was the senior c o m m a n d e r of the Sipo and S D " S o u t h w e s t " headquartered in Stuttgart f r o m January to m i d - M a r c h 1945. He w a s killed in H a m b u r g on April 16, 1945. 26
31
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Fulda-Werra" This H S S P F was the only man to hold the position as well as leading SS-Oberabschnitt Fulda Werra. Headquartered in Kassel, it operated in the areas of Kurhessen and portions of Thüringen, Halle-Merseburg, Südhannover-Braunschweig, Hessen-Nassau, Mainfranken and Westfalen Süd (Southern Westfalia). It was revised to include all of Thüringen and Kurhessen in 1944. Headquarters for the H S S P F was the family ancestral home of the commander. Führer October 6, 1938 to May 8, 1945
SS-Obergruppenführer , after April 8, 1941 also General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Josias Erbrinz zu Waldeck-Pyrmont
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Nordsee" (North Sea) Created as the H S S P F "Nordwest," it was retitled on April 20, 1940, when a new H S S P F "Nordwest" was assigned to Holland. Covering Wehrkreis X (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordsee"), it encompassed Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg and portions of Osthannover, Weser-Ems and Südhannover-Braunschweig. After April, 1944, it took the complete areas for those it previously controlled only parts of. The HSSPF headquarters was in Hamburg. Führer June 28, 1938 to May 1, 1941
SS-Gruppenführer, after April 9, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei Hans-Adolf Prützmann SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Rudolf Querner SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after April 20, 1943 SSGruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Georg Graf von Bassewitz-Behr
April 30, 1941 to January 30, 1943 February 16, 1943 29 to May 8, 1945
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Mitte" (Center) Headquartered in Braunschweig, 3 0 the H S S P F operated in the area of Wehrkreis XI and included Gau Magdeburg-Anhalt and portions of Südhannover-Braunschweig, Osthannover and Westfalen. In April, 1944, it controlled all of Magdeburg-Anhalt and Südhannover-Braunschweig. Führer June 28, 1938 to July 11, 1940 July 11, 1940 to September 15, 1943
SS-Obergruppenführer Friedrich Jeckeln SS-Gruppenführer, after April 10, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei, after June 21, 1943 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Günther Pancke SS-Oberführer und Oberst der Polizei Wilhelm Fuchs
July 8, 1943 to September 15, 1943 (substitute) September 15, 1943 to October 5, 1944
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after April 20, 1944 SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der WaffenSS Hermann Höfle 31
M Was temporary c o m m a n d e r until April 20, 1943, due to j u n i o r rank of B r i g a d e f ü h r e r being considered insufficient to be officially and permanently assigned the post. U p o n promotion to G r u p p e n f ü h r e r he was given the post officially and with p e r m a n e n t versus temporary status. 30 Its headquarters were m o v e d temporarily during November, 1944, to Bad Harzburg due to air raids. 31 Born in Augsburg on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1898, the son of a postal official. He fought in W W I with the infantry and later as an observer with the Bavarian flying corps winning both classes of the Iron Cross as well as the Wound Badge in Gold. He served in the Freikorps and
32
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
August Heissmeyer was born in Gellersen on January 11, 1897, the son of a farmer. He joined the Army in August 1914 and became a Leutnant in the reserves on August 6, 1916. After serving with the infantry until June, 1917, he became a divisional ordnance officer and then commanded an assault company. He transferred to the Flying Corps in March, 1918, winning the Pilot Observers Badge, both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. After serving in the Freikorps and studying law, he joined the NSDAP on January 30, 1925. He commanded the SA in Göttingen from 1925 to 1928 and then became deputy Gauleiter for Siid-HannoverBraunschweig from October, 1928, to 1930. Joining the SS in 1930, he commanded SS Sturm 55 until the start of April, 1931, and was commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on March 31, 1931. During August/September 1931 he commanded the III./12.SS-Standarte and then commanded the entire 12.SS-Standartefrom mid-November, 1931, until early November, 1932, during which he was promoted to SSSturmbannfiihrer on August 25, 1931, to SS-Standartenführer on March 18, 1932 and to SS-Oberfiihrer on October 6, 1932. From early October, 1932, to mid-November, 1933, he was the first commander of Abschnitt XVII and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on November 9, 1933. A member of the Reichstag from March, 1933 to the end of the war, he was the first commander of Oberabschnitt "Mitte " from mid-November 1933 to the end of that year and then was the first to lead Oberabschnitt "Rhein" until mid-May, 1935, (see "RheinWestmark"). Promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on February 28, 1934, he was Chief of the SS-Hauptamt from May 1935 to the start of October, 1940, and also personally headed Amt I (Leadership Office) of the SS-Hauptamt from November 1935 to the end of January 1936, being promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer on November 9, 1936. From mid-November, 1939, to mid-August, 1940, he was the Inspector of Concentration Camps and the SS-Totenkopfstandarten though he had little influence or interest in the posting. He was HSSPF "Spree" from early September 1939 to the end of the war but a deputy performed his duties from April 1943. In April 1938 he became head of the Reichsbund für Kinderreiche (Reichs Association for Child Abundant Families) to help low income groups to have large families and assist the the education of the children. In February, 1936, he became Inspector of the Adolf Hitler Schools and NPEA and in mid-August, 1940, he became Chief of the Hauptamt Dienstelle Heissmeyer involving those schools until the end of the war. During ApriJ 1945, he commanded Kampfgruppe "Heissmeyer" composed of Home Guard and Hitler Youth to defend Spandau airfield in Berlin. During the war he became a General der Waffen-SS und Polizei on July 1, 1944, and was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class. After the war he was arrested by the French in 1948 and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Released in 1949, he worked after the war as the director of a Coca-Cola plant in West Germany and died in Schwabish Hall on January 16, 1979. (Phil Nix)
October 5, 1944 to May 8, 1945
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Rudolf Querner
then left the Army as a Major d.R. in July, 1934. In August. 1934, he joined the N S K K (National Socialist Motor Corps) as an N S K K Standartenführer. He led the N S K K in Munich until January, 1937, during which he was promoted to NSKK-Oberführer on April 20, 1935, and to NSKK-Brigadefiihrer on January 30, 1936. For the first half of 1937 he headed the N S K K Leader School and then commanded NSKK Brigade "Ostmark" from June to September, 1937. He commanded N S K K Motorgruppe "Niederschlesien" f r o m September, 1939, to December. 1941, and then Motorgruppe "Oberschlesien" until July, 1943. Joining the SS on July 1, 1943 as a SSGruppenführer, he commanded Oberabschnitt "Mitte" from mid-September, 1943, to early October, 1944, and was also H S S P F "Mitte" from September, 1943, to October. 1944. On July 1, 1943. he was given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei. From September, 1944, until the end of the war he was HSSPF for Slovakia, replacing Berger who had less military experience and was needed in Berlin (in the final month Höfle's "Mitte" posts were probably handled by the s t a f f ) . On April 20, 1944, he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei and on July 1, 1944, became a General der Waffen-SS. He joined the SS at Himmler's request but remained more loyal to his Army contacts and had been of friend of Ernst Röhm until R ö h m ' s death. He was awarded Blood Order number 1491 on November 9, 1933, a bar to his W W I Iron Cross 1 st class and the Spanish Cross in Bronze. By late October, 1944, he and his units crushed the uprising in Slovakia. He was hanged in Yugoslavia on December 9, 1947.
33
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Udo von Woyrsch was born in Schwanowitz on July 24, 1895. After some private schooling he joined the cadet corps, attending BerlinLichterfelde as a cadet and then the advanced school there until August, 1914, when he was commissioned as a Leutnant. During WWI he served as an ordnance officer, machine gun officer, cavalry squadron and staff officer with a cavalry brigade. In February, 1919, lie moved to a border unit in Silesia and left the Army in October, 1920, as an Oberleutnant having won both classes of the Iron Cross. He studied estate management and when his father died in May, 1923, took over running the family estate. Joining the NSDAP on October 1, 1929, and the SS on June 10, 1930, he led the SS in Silesia until the start of March, 1931, and was made an SS-Sturmbannführer on November 13, 1930followed by promotion to SS-Standartenfiihrer on March 1, 1931. He served as Gau SS Führer for Silesia from early June, 1930, to the start of March, 1931. With the rapid expansion of the SS he commanded the 16., 8., and 23.SS-Standarten simultaneously from March to September, 1931. He then commanded Abschnitt VIfrom September, 1931 to mid-March, 1932, and was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on March 15, 1932. From mid-March, 1932, to the end of 1934 he commanded SS-Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt) "Südost. " Serving on Himmler's staff from January 1935 to April 1940, he commanded an Einsatzgruppe in West Prussia during September to November, 1939 and was promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer on January I, 1935. From April, 1940, to February, 1944, he was HSSPF "Elbe" and commander of that area Oberabschnitt. Given the rank of General der Polizei on April 15, 1941, he spent the rest of the war assigned to Himmler's personal staff. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Sen'ice Cross with Swords and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. Heavily involved in the June, 1934, purge of the S/t leadership, he was the first SS commander given orders to make arrests. Ruthless, he pushed for and obtained the dismissal of his area Gauleiter (Hellmuth Bruckner) in October, 1934. His Action Group command was to deport persons to central Poland but he exceeded his orders and mass killings took place which resulted in protests from the Army, forcing his return to Germany. He was the only HSSPF not given Waffen-SS rank until no longer a HSSPF. His last post was taken from him when he lost a battle with the Gauleiter for his area (Martin Mutsclimann) after von Woyrsch implied he was a coward. He was twice arrested, tried and sentenced after the war. While living in Swabia, he died on January 14, 1983. (Phil Nix)
34
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Rhein-Westmark" This HSSPF post was the result of combining two existing HSSPF and was headquartered in Wiesbaden. It controlled the area of Wehrkreis XII and in its form when established on May 21, 1943, it controlled Moselland, Westmark and portions of Hessen-Nassau and Baden as well as the administrative areas of Lothringen and Luxemburg. In April, 1944, it lost the portions of Baden and gained all of Hessen-Nassau. Subordinated to it was the SSPF "Metz." It developed from the following HSSPF which existed previously: The H S S P F "Rhein" was established in April, 1939, headquartered in Wiesbaden, and covered the Wehrkreis area of the eventual H S S P F "Rhein-Westmark." Its final Führer before becoming part of the area supervised by the HSSPF "Rhein-Westmark" was also HSSPF for the area combined to form "Rhein-Westmark." The HSSPF "Saar-Lothringen" was headquartered in Metz when established in July, 1940, to cover Lorraine. It was retitled "Lothringen-Saarpfalz" in October, 1940. The H S S P F headquarters moved to Saarbrücken in February, 1941. when it was retitled again, this time to the H S S P F "Westmark." Combined with the jurisdiction of the HSSPF "Rhein," the post became the H S S P F "Rhein-Westmark." Führer (HSSPF "Rhein") April 1, 1939 to October 1, 1939 October 1, 1939 to July 24, 1940
SS-Gruppenführer Richard Hildebrandt SS-Brigadeführer, after January 1, 1940 SS-Gruppenführer Jakob Sporrenburg SS-Brigadeführer, after April 15, 1941 also Generalmajor der Polizei, after November 9, 1941 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Erwin Rösener SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after January 30, 1942 SSObergruppenfiihrer und General der Polizei Theodor Berkelmann
July 24, 1940 to November 11, 1941
December 10, 1941 to May 21, 1943
(HSSPF "Saar-Lothringen," "Lothringen-Saarpfalz," "Westmark") SS-Gruppenführer, after April 10, 1941 July 19, 1940 to May 21, 1943 Generalleutnant der Polizei, January 30, 1942 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Theodor Berkelmann (HSSPF "Rhein-Westmark") May 21, 1943 to November 11, 1943
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Theodor Berkelmann SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also Generalleutnant derWaffen-SS Jürgen Stroop 32
November 11, 1943 to May 8, 1945
32 Born on S e p t e m b e r 26, 1895 as Josef Stroop in Detmold, the son of a police official (he changed his n a m e in May 1941 to honor his dead son). He was w o u n d e d serving in the infantry during W W I and w o n the Iron Cross 2nd class as well as the Wound Badge in Black. Between the wars he worked with the Land Registry until 1933 in Detmold, joining the N S D A P in July, 1932, and the SS in Detmold on July 7, 1932. From July to October, 1932, he served with the 3./IV./19.SS-Standarte and then led his Sturm f r o m October 1932 to January, 1933, being p r o m o t e d to S S - S c h a r f ü h r e r on October 22, 1932. As c o m m a n d e r of the II./72.SS-Standarte he led f r o m January, 1933 to May, 1934, and was p r o m o t e d to S S - T r u p p f ü h r e r on February 15, 1933 then c o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on March 8, 1934. From May, 1934. to June. 1935, he was Stabsführer of Abschnitt XVII and was p r o m o t e d to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1935. He led the 28.SS-Standarte f r o m June, 1935, to November, 1938. during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r o n A p r i l 2 0 , 1936 and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937. Between 1936 and 1938 he attended courses in c o m m a n d function, political education and administration at the SS Main Riding School in M u n i c h , a Berlin course with the R u S H A , and a leaders class at Dachau. He c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X X V I I I f r o m November, 1938, to March. 1940. and also led the Self Police in Posen in S e p t e m b e r / October 1939. Promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r o n S e p t e m b e r 10, 1939, he l e d A b s c h n i t t X X X X I I f r o m March, 1940, to N o v e m b e r , 1942. He saw c o m b a t as a c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r with SS-Infanterie-Regiment 3 ( " T o t e n k o p f ' Division) during July to S e p t e m b e r 1941 and then spent a month as a reserve officer in the replacement battalion of the "Leibstandarte." C o m m i s s i o n e d an Oberst der Polizei on January 1, 1942, he was assigned to the H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - S ü d " and charged with the security of the main road connecting L e m b e r g . Poland with Stalino in Southern Russia as Inspector of the Sipo and S D f r o m December, 1941, to October, 1942. From October to N o v e m b e r , 1942, he was posted to S S P F training in Russia. A f t e r briefly c o m m a n d i n g the SS garrisons in Kiviograd and Kherson, he was recalled to head a Vienna based staff in December. 1942, preparing to supervise SS and Police actions. He attended a R S H A ten week course for senior SS and Police leaders. He b e c a m e S S P F " L e m b e r g " f r o m February to April, 1943. and then b e c a m e S S P F " W a r s a w " until J u n e 1943. He w a s
35
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Main" The HSSPF post was formed on March 12, 1938, and was seated in Nuremberg. Covering Wehrkreis XIII, "Main." It encompassed portions of Mainfranken, Franken, Bayreuth, Wiirttemberg-Hohenzollern, Baden, Schwaben. Thüringen and the Sudetenland. In April, 1944, it covered all of Mainfranken, Franken and Bayreuth. Führer March 12, 1938 to December 17, 1942
SS-Obergruppenführer, after April 8, 1941 also General der Polizei, Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein 33 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after April 20, 1944 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after July 1, 1944, also General der Waffen-SS, after August 1, 1944 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Dr. Benno Martin 34
December 17, 1942 to May 8, 1945
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Donau" This HSSPF covered the area of Austria (Wehrkreis XVII) and was headquartered in Vienna. It encompassed Gaue Wien (Vienna), Niederdonau and Oberdonau. Führer September 11, 1938 to January 31, 1943
SS-Brigadeführer, after September 11, 1938 SS-Gruppenführer, after April 1, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei Dr. Ernst Kaltenbrunner SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after June 21, 1943 SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Rudolf Querner
January 31, 1943 to October 5, 1944
primarily responsible for the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto ordered by H i m m l e r and planned by von S a m m e r n - F r a n k e n e g g . Stroop took over the operation on April 19. 1943. because von S a m m e r n was too slow with results and left Poland in September. In the Ghetto action he c o m m a n d e d a variety of SS and Police units, including SS cavalry and Polish police elements. H e b e c a m e the H S S P F for Greece f r o m S e p t e m b e r to October, 1943, then went on leave, having been p r o m o t e d to S S - G r u p p e n f ü h r e r und Generalleutnant der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943. From N o v e m b e r , 1943, to May, 1945, he was H S S P F " R h e i n - W e s t m a r k " and c o m m a n d e d Oberabschnitt " R h e i n - W e s t m a r k . " He b e c a m e a W a f f e n - S S Generalleutnant on July I. 1944, and was awarded the Iron Cross 1st class on J u n e 18, 1944, and a clasp to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd class in September, 1941. He also was awarded the Infantry Assault Badge in S e p t e m b e r 1941. the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords, the R e i c h ' s Sports B a d g e in Gold and in D e c e m b e r 1942 the Gau Wartheland Honor Badge. Arrested in May, 1945, he w a s found guilty and sentenced to death by a U.S. court for killing Allied airmen. Extradited to Poland, he was tried for his actions in Warsaw and hanged at the f o r m e r site of the Warsaw Ghetto on March 6, 1952. 33 He held the post concurrently with that of H S S P F " S ü d " though Martin actually p e r f o r m e d the duties during Eberstein's tenure as senior SS officer in N u r e m b e r g despite his rank being initially too j u n i o r to have the c o m m a n d independently. 34 Born in Kaiserslautern on February 12, 1893, the son of a lawyer. A f t e r studying law at the University of Munich, he joined the A r m y in May, 1914, and served with a Bavarian artillery regiment. Promoted to Leutnant in March, 1915, he ended W W I as a regimental adjutant having won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound B a d g e in Silver. During April and May. 1919, he served with the Freikorps, j o i n i n g the Schutzpolizei the f o l l o w i n g year as a Leutnant. Continuing his education, he received a doctorate in law and education, later writing a book that b e c a m e a teaching aid for the Polizei. He left the Landespolizei as an Oberleutnant and served as a lawyer with the Police Director of N u r e m b e r g . Joining the N S D A P on M a y 1. 1933, he later joined the SS as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on April 10, 1934, and was assigned to the 3.SS-Standarte. F r o m March, 1934, to October, 1936, he was Police Director for N u r e m b e r g and then Police President for the s a m e city until December. 1942. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on September 9, 1934. to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1935, and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 15, 1936, he served as Special Duties O f f i c e r of the 3.SS-Standarte until April 1936. A f t e r a month with the staff of Abschnitt IX, he transferred to the S S - H a u p t a m t until early December, 1938. Martim then moved to the S D - H a u p t a m t (later R S H A ) until May, 1941, and was Senior C o m m a n d e r of the Sipo and S D in N u r e m b e r g f r o m October. 1936, to mid-December, 1942. Promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937, to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1938. and to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on April 20, 1941, he served as head of Oberabschnitt " M a i n " f r o m early May, 1941, to the end of the war. Given the rank of G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on January 30, 1942, and promoted to S S - G r u p p e n f ü h r e r und Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 20, 1942, he also served as H S S P F " M a i n " f r o m mid-December, 1942, to the end of the war. Promoted to S S - O b e r g r u p p e n f ü h r e r August 1, 1944. he had been a General der W a f f e n - S S und Polizei since July 1, 1944. Awarded clasps to both his W W I Iron Crosses, he finally held both senior posts after attaining sufficient rank. A m o n g the m o r e civil acting HSSPF, he was held by the Allies until 1949 and died in 1979.
36
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Emil Mazuw was born in Essen on September 21, 1900, the son of a cloth worker. After formal schooling he trained as a machinist and mechanic. He joined the technical branch of the Imperial Navy in early April 1918 and was serving on the cruiser "Dresden " at the end of the war. Mazuw stayed in the Navy until June 1921, after WWI serving on torpedo boats. He worked as a machinist and locksmith, joining the NSDAP on April 1, 1928. He also served in the SA from 1928 to 1930. Joining the SS on June 7, 1930, he was commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on November 18, 1930, and from that date to early February 1932 led SS Sturm 63 in Coburg. Promoted to SSSturmhauptfUhrer on February 4, 1932, he next commanded the I./41 .SS-Stcmdarte until early September, 1932, and was promoted to SSSturmbannfUhrer on April 11, 1932. He then led the 41 .SS-Standarle as its first commander until mid-November, 1933, and was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on January 30, 1933. the first commander of Abschnitt XXVIII he led from late November 1933 to the beginning of September, 1934, followed by command of Abschnitt XIII until the start of April, 1936, being promoted to SS-Oberführer on March 20, 1934. From the start of April, 1936, to the end of the war he was the only leader of Oberabschnitt "Nord" (in April 1940 retitled "Ostsee") and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on January 30, 1936, and to SS-Gruppenfülirer on September 13, 1936. He was also HSSPF for the area from August, 1938, to the end of the war. Commissioned as an Army Leutnant d.R. on April 12, 1937, he trained with Infanterie-Regiment 25 during during several months in 1936/1937and also served early in the war as an SS-Hauptsturmführer d.R. with the "Leibstandarte. " He held a seat in the Reichstag from May, 1936, to May, 1945 and was given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 15, 1941. On April 20, 1942, he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei and on July 1, 1944 became a General der Waffen-SS. Awarded the SA Sports Badge in Gold, the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1940. He was given a term in prison after the war for his actions in Pomerania and died on December 11, 1987. (Jess Lukens)
October 5, 1944 to May 8, 1945
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei Walter Schimana
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Alpenland" (Alpine) Headquartered in Salzburg, this position encompassed Wehrkreis XVIII (SS-Oberabschnitt "Alpenland") and subordinated to it was the SS und Polizeiführer "Salzburg." It covered Gaue Salzburg, Kärnten, Steiermark and Tirol-Vorarlberg. The latter Gau was transferred to the Höchster SS und Polizeiführer "Italien" in 1943 but remained directly under the HSSPF "Alpenland."
37
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
A pre-1941 occasion shows SS leaders in full dress uniform, all of whom already held General rank with many later heading Oberabschnitte or becoming HSSPF. From left to right are Fritz Weitzel, Erich von dem Bach, Wilhelm Rediess, Joachim von Ribbentrop (Foreign Minister and an Ehrenführer or honorary SS General), Paul Moder, Friedrich-Wilhelm Krüger and August Heissmeyer. Note the sleeve insignia indicating Abschnitt (Roman numeral) or Oberabsclmitt (title). (National Archives)
Führer April 25, 1939 to April 30, 1941 April 30, 1941 to November 24, 1941
SS-Brigadeführer Alfred Rodenbücher SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Dr. Gustav-Adolf Scheel 35 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 General der Waffen-SS, after August 1, 1944 SSObergruppenführer und General der WaffenSS und Polizei Erwin Rösener SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Erwin Schulz 37 and Oberst der Polizei Walter Griep
November 24, 1941 to May 8, 1945
May 1, 1944 to May 28, 1944 36 (temporary)
35 Born in Rosenberg on November 22, 1907, the son of a priest. He passed his state medical exams and received a doctorate in medicine in 1934. On October 1, 1930 he joined the N S D A P and became N S D A P student leader at Heidelberg University from 1930 to November 1935 a s w e l l a s j o i n i n g t h e S A i n 1933. He was Gau student leader for Baden in 1934 and became an honorary senator. In 1934 he joined the SD and trained in security matters in Berlin, joining the SS as an SS-Untersturmführer on September 15, 1934, with the SD. After serving in the SD Hauptamt he was head of SD Oberabschnitt "Südwest" from 1935 to 1939, during which he was promoted to SSObersturmführer on April 20, 1935, to SS-Hauptsturmführer on January 30, 1936, to SS-Sturmbannführer on April 20, 1936, to SSObersturmbannführer on November 9. 1936 and to SS-Standartenführer on January 30, 1937. From 1937 to June. 1939 he was Inspector of the Sipo and SD for Stuttgart and was promoted to SS-Oberführer on April 20, 1938. He was Inspector of the Sipo and SD in Munich from October, 1939, to May, 1941 and was senior commander of the Sipo and SD in Straßburg from July, 1940, until removed from the post in August 1941 following differences with Reinhard Heydrich. From late April. 1940. to mid-November. 1941. he was H S S P F "Alpenland" and Führer of Oberabschnitt "Alpenland." Promoted to SS-Brigadefuhrer on April 20, 1941 and to SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on June 21, 1942. Appointed Reich University Lecturers Leader by Rudolf Hess, he held that post from November, 1936, to May, 1945, and had a seat in the Reichstag from 1938 to May. 1945. In mid-November, 1941, he left the SD and then became N S D A P Gauleiter for Salzburg until the end of the war. In Hitler's last testament he was made Minister for Culture, having been Reich University Lecturers Leader since late June, 1944. He attempted to prevent offenses against religious beliefs or the church as well as being against the death penalty for opposition political activity. Having been heavily involved with numerous aspects of the N S D A P relating to students, he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei on August 1, 1944, and died in Hamburg on March 25, 1979 after practicing medicine in the post war years until 1977. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. 36
Rösener was on leave and his position taken over by the Befehlshaber der Sipo und SD and the Befehlshaber der Orpo jointly. Schulz controlled Sipo and SD duties during the period while Walter Griep (The senior Ordnungspolizei commander) took over the Ordnungspolizei in the area during that time, making them actually dual substitutes. 37
38
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders November 1944 to May 1945 38 (substitute)
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Hermann Harm 39
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Böhmen und Mähren" (Bohemia and Moravia) Covering Czechoslovakia except the Sudetenland, this post was created in September, 1939, as the " H S S P F beim Protektorat für Böhmen und Mähren" and had its title shortened in mid-February, 1944. It was headquartered in Prague. Frank also became the German State Minister in August, 1943. Führer April 28, 1939 to April 1945
SS-Brigadeführer, after November 9, 1939, SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after June 21, 1943 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Karl-Hermann Frank SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Richard Hildebrandt
April 1945 to May 1945
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Weichsel" This post was created on September 21, 1939, as the H S S P F "Danzig-Westpreussen" (Danzig-West Prussia) covering Wehrkreis XX. Its title changed on November 9, 1939. Headquartered in Danzig, it encompassed Danzig-West Prussia (Oberabschnitt "Weichsel"). Führer September 21, 1939 to April 20, 1943
SS-Gruppenführer, after January 30, 1942 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Richard Hildebrandt SS-Oberführer und Oberst der Polizei Hellmuth Willich SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after July 1, 1944, Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Fritz Katzmann 4 "
February 9, 1942 to March 9, 1942 (substitute) April 20, 1943 to May 1945
38 Rösener was on leave starting in April and then b e c a m e ill in September. He returned to duty in October but Harm continued as administrative head while Rösener controlled anti-partisan activities. 3 ' Born on S e p t e m b e r 30, 1894, in Halle an der Saale, the son of a railway inspector. He studied electronics until July, 1914, and joined the A r m y the following month. In W W I he served with the artillery and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant in the reserves in September, 1915. He left the A r m y in 1919 having won both classes of the Iron Cross and took training in agriculture before running an estate. Joining the N S D A P on February 1, 1930, and the S A on August 1, 1930, he was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S A - S t u r m f ü h r e r o n June 15, 1932. Transferring to the SS in m i d - D e c e m b e r 1931, he was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r o n February 1, 1932. From February to December, 1932, he led the II./40.SS-Standarte and was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n t u h r e r on D e c e m b e r 24, 1932. He then c o m m a n d e d the 4.SS-Standarte f r o m December. 1932, to June, 1933. As Stabsführer of G r u p p e (later Oberabschnitt) " N o r d " he was posted f r o m March to D e c e m b e r 1933 (see "Ostsee"). Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on J u n e 23, 1933, and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 30, 1933, he led Abschnitt XIV f r o m December, 1933, to March, 1935. He then served as Stabsführer in the R u S H A until the start of April 1937 and was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on April 20, 1934, then to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936. From April. 1937, to June. 1938. he was deputy chief of Paul S c h a r f e ' s Gerichtsamt (Court O f f i c e ) within H i m m l e r ' s staff. In May, 1939, he also b e c a m e Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt " N o r d " (later titled " O s t s e e " ) until July, 1942. Transferring to police duties, he was Special Duties S S P F under the H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - S ü d " during July, 1942, then b e c a m e S S P F " D n j e p r o p e t r o w s k " f r o m August to October, 1942. A f t e r again serving as a Special Duties SSPF, he was S S P F " L i t h a u e n " f r o m July, 1943, to April, 1944. He was then assigned to the H ö S S P F " U k r a i n e " until N o v e m b e r 1944. From N o v e m b e r 1944 to the end of the war he served as standing deputy head of Oberabschnitt " A l p e n l a n d " and p e r f o r m e d the administrative duties of the H S S P F " A l p e n l a n d . " Harm was a w a r d e d the War Service Cross with S w o r d s 1 st class on January 30. 1943, the War Service Cross 2nd class on April 20, 1942, a clasp to his W W I Iron Crosses and the N S D A P L o n g Service Award in Silver. Married with one daughter, he died in Hartenholm on N o v e m b e r 28, 1985. 40 Born in Westphalia on M a y 6, 1906, the sixth son of a coal miner. He worked as a carpenter and decorator f r o m 1920-1924 and was then unemployed until July 1933. He joined the S A in December, 1927, and left as an S A - S c h a r f ü h r e r on July 1, 1930, when he j o i n e d the SS. He served with SS Sturm 99 in Duisburg c o m p o s e d of miners until January. 1931. and was promoted to S c h a r f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 5, 1930 and to S S - T r u p p f ü h r e r on January 23, 1931. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on A u g u s t 20, 1931, he led the 5.Sturm/II.Sturmbann of the 25.SS-Standarte until December. 1932, when he took c o m m a n d of the II.Sturmbann until January 1934. Promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 1, 1932, to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1933 and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on January 30, 1934. he was special duties o f f i c e r of Oberabschnitt "West" f r o m January to April. 1934. He c o m m a n d e d the 75.SS-Standarte f r o m April. 1934, to March, 1938. and then led Abschnitt VI until January, 1942, during which he was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on August 1 7 , 1 9 3 4 and to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1938. He was attached to A r m e e k o m m a n d o 14 during the Polish c a m p a i g n as SS representative to the senior c o m m a n d e r of Ordnungspolizei units. Staying in Poland after the campaign, he was S S P F " R a d o m " f r o m November. 1939, to April, 1942, then S S P F " L e m b e r g " until April, 1943. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on June 21. 1943, to G e n e r a l m a j o r
39
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Warthe" Covering Wehrkreis XXI and headquarted in Posen, this HSSPF oversaw the new area of Gau "Wartheland." This HSSPF was also the Führer of SS-Oberabschnitt "Warthe." Führer SS-Gruppenführer, after April 20, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei, after January 20, 1942 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Wilhelm Koppe SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Theodor Berkelmann SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS und Polizei, after July 1, 1944 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei Heinz Reinefarth 43 SS-Oberführer Friedrich Gehrhardt
October 9, 1939 to November 9, 1943
September 11, 194341 to December 27, 1943 January 29, 194442 to December 30, 1944
August 1944 to December 30, 1944 (substitute) December 30, 1944 to May 1945
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei Willy Schmeicher 4 4
der Polizei on S e p t e m b e r 26, 1941 and to S S - G r u p p e n f ü h r e r und Generalleutnant der Polizei on January 30. 1943, he b e c a m e Führer of Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" and H S S P F " W e i c h s e l " f r o m April, 1943, until May, 1945. T h o u g h considered young for a S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r promotion, he received the promotion by virtue of his actions in Poland where he was particularly brutal against the J e w s in Galicia. He was also promoted to W a f f e n - S S Generalleutnant on July 1, 1944. He wanted an H S S P F post and promotion but got only the former. He was a w a r d e d the Gold Party Badge on April 15, 1940, the N S D A P L o n g Service Awards in Bronze and Silver, both classes of the War Service Cross as well as the Olympic G a m e s decoration 2nd class. A f t e r the war he returned to his h o m e town and died on S e p t e m b e r 19, 1957. 41
During the first months of his appointment was also H S S P F " R h e i n - W e s t m a r k . " Reinefarth took over f r o m Berkelmann w h o died on D e c e m b e r 27, 1943, f r o m a brain tumor. He had been in Poland training as a H S S P F under Wilhelm Koppe ( H S S P F "Ost"). T h e Stabsführer would have taken the duties during the brief transition period. 43 Born on D e c e m b e r 26, 1903. in Gnesen, West Prussia, he studied law at the University of Jena and b e c a m e a lawyer. A f t e r serving in a Freikorps he joined the N S D A P on August 1, 1932, and the SA one month later. Joining the SS in December, 1932, he was c o m m i s sioned as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1934, and served f r o m that date until April, 1937, with Abschnitt XII. Promoted to SSO b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 15, 1935, and to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1937, he then held a staff post with Abschnitt XII until January 1942. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1939, to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1940, to SS-Standartenführer on April 20, 1941, to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on January 30, 1942 and to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on April 20, 1942, he served as H S S P F " W a r t h e " f r o m late January, 1944, to late D e c e m b e r that year and also led Oberabschnitt " W a r t h e " f r o m December, 1943, to December. 1944. Before the w a r he trained with the A r m y and served in combat with Infanterie-Regiment 337 as a platoon leader f r o m 1939 to 1942. leaving the A r m y as a Leutnant in the reserves and transferred to the Polizei as a G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on April 20. 1942. From June, 1942, to June, 1943, he w a s General Inspector of the civil administration in Czechoslovakia. He served in the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei as an office group head and then trained for H S S P F duties during December, 1943/January, 1944. He replaced the deceased T h e o d o r Berkelmann in both the H S S P F and Oberabschnitt " W a r t h e " posts but m o v e d to W a f f e n - S S duties and those tasks were taken by substitutes. Promoted to S S - G r u p p e n f ü h r e r und Generalleutnant der W a f f e n - S S und Polizei on August 1, 1944. he lead a Battie G r o u p under Erich von d e m B a c h ' s corps c o m m a n d f r o m August to November, 1944, then led the X V I I I . S S - A r m e e k o r p s f r o m December. 1944, to early February, 1945. He also c o m m a n d e d the fortress Kürstin-an-der-Oder during January to March 1945. In March, 1945, he led the short lived XIV.SS-Armeekorps. He was awarded the Knight's Cross as an A r m y N C O on J u n e 25. 1940 while with the 208.Infanterie-Division and the Oakleaves on October 4, 1944 for the d e f e n s e against the H o m e A r m y in Warsaw. In addition he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords. T h o u g h lacking the formal training to be an effective corps leader, he w a s praised for his leadership by A r m y c o m m a n d e r s and was undoubtedly brave having won the Knight's Cross as an N C O in combat. A f t e r the war he served for a period as mayor of Westland-Sylt and died there on M a y 7. 1979. 42
44 Born on October 25. 1894. as the son of a glass worker. He j o i n e d the A r m y in August 1914 and served with combat engineer units. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant of the reserves in July 1917, he then transferred to a land mine unit. Captured by the British in 1918, he won the Iron Cross 2nd class on January 21, 1916. the Iron Cross 1st class on March 5, 1918, and the Wound Badge in Silver. A f t e r W W I he continued his studies in Stuttgart then worked as a construction engineer. He j o i n e d the N S D A P and SA on J u n e 2 1 . 1 9 2 8 , and initially served as Gau SA leader for Baden until August, 1930. A m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m December. 1933, to the end of the war, he left the S A as an S A - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on August 1. 1930, having joined the SS on J u n e 17. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on January 30. 1931, he led the 4./II./10.SS-Standarte f r o m January, 1931, to September, 1932. Promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r on Sept e m b e r 9, 1932, and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r the next day, he led the lO.SS-Standarte f r o m September. 1932, to July, 1935. Promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1933, and to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r o n S e p t e m b e r 15, 1935, he served as Special Duties O f f i c e r on the staff of Abschnitt X X I X f r o m July. 1935. to April, 1936. He then held staff posts with Oberabschnitt " S ü d w e s t " (April 1936 to January 1937) and " R h e i n " (January. 1937 to December, 1938). During the Western campaign of 1940, he served with the A r m y as a Leutnant d.R. with Infanterieregiment 70. Promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on S e p t e m b e r 16, 1942, and to S S - G r u p p e n f ü h r e r und Generalleutnant der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943, he served with the S D H a u p t a m t (later R S H A ) f r o m December, 1938, to May, 1944. He then served on H i m m l e r ' s staff until late December, 1944, w h e n he took leadership of Oberabschnitt " W a r t h e " and b e c a m e H S S P F "Warthe"until the end of the war. From M a r c h . 1935, to October, 1942, he was Police President of Saarbrücken and f r o m D e c e m ber. 1942 to October. 1943, was Police President for Metz. In 1940-1941 he headed the civil administration within the area of Armeeoberk o m m a n d o I. Posted to police duties in N o v e m b e r 1941. he served as S S P F " T s c h e r n i g o w " f r o m November, 1941. to July, 1942. and was also S S P F " S h i t o m i r " f r o m May to September, 1943. He also headed the T E N O office within the H a u p t a m t Ordnungspolizei to combat air raid d a m a g e f r o m October 1943 to the end of the war. S c h m e l c h e r was awarded the Gold Party Badge, clasps to both his W W I Iron Crosses, both classes of the War Service Cross with S w o r d s and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold. He died in Saarbrücken on February 15. 1974.
40
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Friederich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein (left) was born in Halle an der Saale on January 14, 1894, the son of a retired Army major. He attended the Prussian Army Cadet School in Naumburg and then the main cadet school in Berlin-Lichteifelde from 1904 to 1912 but did not enter service due to ill health. Studying agriculture and farming economics at the University of Halle an der Saale until August, 1914, he volunteered for the Army that month. Sen'ing with the artillery in WWI, he was a battery commander and regimental adjutant. Commissioned as a Leutnant in the reserves on November 25, 1915, he also sen'ed as a balloon observer and won both classes of the Iron Cross. During 1920 he sen'ed as a battery commander with Artillerie Regiment 16 of the Reichswehl: A fter serving with the Freikorps and the volunteer Protection Police in Halle, he trained and worked in banking. In 1928 he formed and ran his own company in Gotha. He first joined the NSDAP in October, 1922, but left after the Munich Putsch, rejoining on August 17,1925. On April I, 1929, he joined the SS as an SS-SturmfUlirer (one of the earliest officers). From April, 1929, to July, 1930, he was adjutant to SS Staffel VIII "Thüringen" and then was adjutant to the SS Oberführer "Thüringen" in Weimar until the end of January, 1931. Keeping his SS rank he joined the SA in July 1930 and also was adjutant to the staff of the Gausturms in Weimar from July, 1930, to the end of January, 1931. Promoted to SA-Standartenführer on February 1, 1931, and to SA-Oberführer on September 15, 1931, he served as adjutant to the Quartermaster of the 5/1 High Command from February to September, 1931. He then commanded a detachment within the Quartermaster's office until mid-November, 1931. From November, 1931, to the start of July, 1932 he was Gau SA-Sturmführer (post versus rank) for MünchenOberbayern (Munich-Upper Bavaria). He then led S/t Gruppe "Hochland" from July, 1932, to February, 1933, and was promoted to SAGruppenführer on September 1, 1932. Leaving the SA and returning to full time duties with the SS in February, 1933, he had meanwhile been promoted to SS-Standartenführer on February 1, 1931, to SS-Oberfiihrer on September 15, 1931, and to SS-Gruppenführer on September 1, 1932. From February, 1933, to September, 1933, he was the first commander of Abschnitt XVIII (he held titular command until November). From November, 1933, to May, 1934, he commanded Oberabschnitt "Mitte. " He then led Oberabschnitt "Elbe" (retitled as a new "Mitte" in June 1934 then again changed to "Elbe") from May, 1934, to April, 1936. Eberstein then held official command of Oberabschnitt " Süd" from April, 1936, to April, 1945. A member of the Reichstag continuously from January, 1937, to April, 1945, he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer on January 30, 1936. From April, ! 937, to October, 1941, he was Police President for Munich and served in the Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior from October, 1942, to April, 1945. From April, 1938, to April, 1945, he was HSSPF "Süd, " becoming a General der Polizei on April 8, 1941, then a General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944. From May, 1938, to December, 1942, he was also HSSPF "Main. " In April, 1945 he was dismissed from all his posts by Gauleiter Paul Geisler on orders of Martin Bormann for defeatism (having a reality grasp of the war situation). He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the both classes of the War Service Cross, the Social Welfare Cross 1st class and the NSDA P Long Service Award in Silver. It was Eberstein who introduced Reinhard Heydrich to Himmler (his mother was Heydrich's godmother). Moderate politically, he was appalled by the pre-war treatment of the Jews during "Crystal Night." He was the only officer to hold two HSSPF posts at the same time ("Süd" and "Main"). Von Eberstein testified at the International Military Tribunal regarding the Allgemeine-SS and had an admirable SS career considering the acts of other HSSPF. He died in Bavaria on February 10, 1979. (Jess Lukens)
41
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Friedrich Jeckeln was bom in Hamburg on February 2, 1895. Trained as an engineer, he joined the Army in 1914 and served first with the artillery and then trained as a pilot. Jeckeln left the military as a Leutnant having won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge in Black. Joining the NSDAP on October 1, 1929, he was a member of the Reichstag from July 1932 to the end of the war. He joined the SS on March 15, 1930, as ail SS-Sturmbannfiihrer. From mid-March, 1930 to mid-March, 1931 he led the I./I2.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiilirer on June 22, 1931. He was entrusted with forming and leading the 12. and I7.SS-Standarten in 1931 and served as commander and administrative officer until September 20, 1931 when promoted to SS-Oberführer. Jeckeln then commanded Abschnitt IV from September, 1931, to late January, 1933, and was promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on February 4, 1933. From late January, 1933 to mid-July that year he led SS Gruppe "Süd" and commanded the Political Police in Braunschweig from February, 1932, to July, 1933. He then led Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" (later retitled "Mitte") from mid-November, 1933, to early July, 1940, and was promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer on September 13, 1936. From July, 1940, to late June, 1941, he was head of Oberabschnitt "West" and the HSSPF "West" though a substitute held the posts when he left to prepare for duty in Russia in early May 1941. He saw active duty in the Western campaign as commander of I./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 2 of the "Totenkopf" Division. During May, 1941, he prepared for HSSPF duties in Russia and became HSSPF "Rußland-Süd. " In November, 1941, Iiis HSSPF command and that of HansAdolf Prützmann were switched and Jeckeln became HSSPF "Rußland-Nord," officially holding the latter post until the end of the war (the command lost "Weißruthenien " in April, 1943). In Russia he commanded several Kampfgruppen composed of troops assigned to his HSSPF command and was promoted to General der Polizei on April I, 1941, and also became a General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944. He was the titular HSSPF "Belgien-Nordfrankreich "from September, 1944, to mid-January, 1945, with Christoph Diehm performing his duties. During January and February, 1945, he was the commander of all replacement units within the area of the HSSPF "Südost" and commanded the V.SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Korps from mid-February to the end of the war. He was awarded the Knight's Cross on September 5, 1944, the Oakleaves on March 8, 1945, the German Cross in Gold on December 19, 1943, the Iron Cross 1st class on May 12, 1942, (and a clasp to his WWI 2nd class), both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the Wound Badge in Silver on June 27, 1942, the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1939, and the Police Long Sen'ice Award 3rd class. An extremist, he was cruel and short tempered with those under him. Often making rash decisions without considering the eventual results, he got along well with Theodor Eicke as they had similar temperament and outlook. His HSSPF command was responsible for numerous massacres in Russia and Latvia, later being more involved with anti-partisan duties. With little military knowledge and poor command abilities, his corps command functioned on the skill of his staff and divisional commanders. Captured by the Russians, he was heavily interrogated and placed on trial in Riga, Latvia, on February 3, 1946. He was hanged later the same day. (BDC)
42
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Ost" (East) This was among the most powerful HSSPF posts. It began as an HSSPF command for the rear area of Armeeoberkommando 8 and 10 on September 10, 1939, for the Polish campaign. Assigned to the area of the General Government of Poland, it was retitled the HSSPF "Lodz" on October 1, 1939, and headquartered in Krakau. It was retitled H S S P F "Ost" on October 31, 1939. Subordinated to it were the SSPF "Krakau," "Radom," "Lublin" and "Warsaw." After August, 1941, an SSPF "Lemberg" was added for that district which was added to the General Government after the invasion of Russia. The fate of the Polish population and those deported to that area were among the responsibilities of this H S S P F and his subordinate commands. In addition to numerous German Polizei Regimenter and Bataillone, "Ost" controlled four Galizische SS-FreiwilligeRegimenter composed of volunteer Ukranians under German command after the invasion of Russia. Numbered 4 through 7, these regiments were supplemented by an additional eleven Schutzmannschaft Bataillone by 1944. 45 In the first year and a half the command also had the two Totenkopf-Reiterstandarten (which became the SS-Kavallerie-Brigade in 1941) until mid-1941, as well as the 8. and 11 .SS-Totenkopfstandarten under its command until mid-1940. Führer September 10, 1939 to October 1,1939 October 4, 1939 to November 9, 194346
SS-Gruppenführer Theodor Eicke SS-Obergruppenführer, after April 8, 1941 also General der Polizei Friedrich-Wilhelm Krüger SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Koppe
November 9, 1943 to April 1945
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Nord" (North) Headquartered in Oslo, this post was assigned in April, 1940, and encompassed Norway. Three SSPF were appointed in November, 1944, and subordinated to the senior position. These were the SSPF "Nordnorwegen," (Northern Norway) "Mittelnorwegen" (Central Norway) and "Südnorwegen" (South Norway). Führer April 20, 1940 to June 19, 1940 June 19, 1940 to May 8, 1945
SS-Obergruppenführer Fritz Weitzel SS-Gruppenführer, after April 9, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei, after November 9, 1941 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1. 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Rediess
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Nordwest" (Northwest) Covering Holland, this post was assigned in May, 1940, as the HSSPF for the Netherlands and took the title "Nordwest" officially on February 20, 1944, although it had been referred by that title since its creation. Headquartered in Den Haag, an SS und Polizei Gebietsführer (SS and Police Area Commander) was subordinated to it and covered Den Haag. Führer June 26, 1940 to May 8, 1945
SS-Brigadeführer, after April 20, 1941 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after June 21, 1943 SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei after July 1, 1944 also General der WaffenSS Hans-Albin Rauter 47
45 Tessin. "Zur Geschichte zur Ordnungspolizei 1936-1945." Teil II, page 52-53. Infantry gun or mortar c o m p a n i e s and batteries, as well as police cavalry squadrons, were also assigned to " O s t . " 4,1 H i m m l e r ' s transfer order gives this as the last effective day of his c o m m a n d but the transition and briefing period between the t w o c o m m a n d e r s started October 22nd. 47 Injured in a partisan attack in March 1945 and under medical care for the duration of the war.
43
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
March 10, 1945 to April 1945 (substitute)
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Dr. Eberhard Schöngarth
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Ostland und Rußland-Nord" (North Russia) This post was formed for the invasion of Russia as the rear area HSSPF for Heeresgruppe (Army Group) " A " in June, 1941. Headquartered in Riga, Latvia, it was retitled in November, 1941, as the HSSPF "Ostland und R u ß l a n d N o r d . " 4 8 It controlled the S S P F " E s t l a n d , " " L e t t l a n d , " " L i t a u e n " and, until April, 1943, "Weißruthenien." Estonian and Latvian police troops formed into Abteilungen (detachments) supplemented the four Ordnungspolizei Regimenter and seventeen independent Bataillone for an available armed force of of more than 55,000 men. In 1944, more than a dozen Latvian and Estonian self police and border regiments were also formed for subordination to the command. 4 '' Führer June 29, 1941 to November 1, 1941 November 1, 1941 50 to May 1945
SS-Gruppenführer Hans-Adolf Prützmann SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der Polizei Friedrich Jeckeln SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Dr. Hermann Behrends
January 30, 1945 to May 1945 (substitute) 51
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Rußland-Süd" (South Russia) Created for the rear area of Heeresgruppe " B " during the invasion of Russia, this post was headquartered in Kiev. At a later time Prützmann retained both the H S S P F and the HöSSPF "Ukraine" posts. "Rußland-Süd" was the most extensive control area of the eastern area HSSPF. In addition to its originally subordinated SSPF, it absorbed the SSPF that would have been subordinated to the HSSPF "Kaukasien," which never was established. 5 2 They were the S S P F " N o r d - K a u k a s i e n , " " A w d e j e w k a , " " K a u k a s i e n - K u b a n , " "BergvolkerOrdshonikidse," "Aserbeidschan in Baku" and "Kertsch-Tamanhalbinsel." During December, 1942/January, 1943, the command had ten SS-Polizei Regimenter and seventy Schutzmannschaft Bataillone totaling some 80,000 police troops under its command. Führer June 23, 1941 to December 1 1, 1941 53
SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Polizei Friedrich Jeckeln SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Polizei Hans-Adolf Prützmann
December II, 1941 to March 18, 1944
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Schwarzes-Meer" (Black Sea) Headquartered in Nikolajew, this HSSPF was created in late October, 1943, as the HSSPF "Schwarzes-Meer" (Black Sea). On October 29, 1943, control of the post was incorporated into and subordinated to the HöSSPF "Ukraine." The post was dissolved on September 13, 1944, with the staff and commander moving to the Siebenbürgen area of Rumania on the Black Sea. Reformed as a new and distinct command, its title changed to the HSSPF "Siebenbürgen." This later post was disbanded on September 18, 1944. 48 Ostland controlled the area of Weißruthenien (White Russia) until the area was transfered to the control of the H S S P F "RußlandMitte" in 1943. From that point the post actually only covered the rear area of Northern Russia. 49 Tessin, pages 60-61. 50 Prützmann ( H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - N o r d " ) and Jeckeln ( H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - S ü d " ) e x c h a n g e d their respective post assignments on this date. 51 Jeckeln was on duty with the W a f f e n - S S during this period. 52 Gerrett K o r s e m a n n was the titular holder of the post before it was dropped and the S S P F created for it were assigned to the H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - S ü d . " See H ö S S P F " U k r a i n e " S S P F section for those positions assigned to " R u ß l a n d - S ü d " and later within the H ö S S P F "Ukraine." 53 W h e n Jeckeln and Prützmann e x c h a n g e d c o m m a n d s this was the second to be taken over by the respective new HSSPF.
44
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
In the foreground from left are Heinrich Himmler, Karl Wolff, Anton Vogler and Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein. Vogler was born in Munich, the son of a doctor, on September 5, 1882. He served in the artillery with the Bavarian Army starting in July 1901 as a battery officer then detachment, brigade and regimental adjutant. Commissioned a Leutnant in 1908, he was promoted to Oberleutnant on November 26, 1911. During WWI he served as a brigade adjutant and battery commander, during which he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. He fought in the Freikorps during 1919 and was promoted to Major in in 1919. Leaving the Army in 1922 he worked in the textile industry. On May I, 1933, he joined the NSDAP and the SA with I6.SA-Standarte. With the SA training command he was an artillery instructor June, 1933, until mid-February, 1935. He joined the SS on February II, 1935, as an SSHauptsturmfiihrer and instructor at SS Officer School "Bad Tölz" where he stayed until the start of March, 1937 and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on June 1, 1935, as well as to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on January 1, 1936. From March, 1937, to the end of January, 1938, he taught at SS Officer School "Braunschweig" before returning to "Bad Tölz" until the start of November, 1938. During this time he was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on January 30, 1938. Moving to the staff of Oberabschnitt "Süd, " he eventually ser\'ed as Stabsführer from April, 1943, until the start of February, 1945, and was promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on November 9, 1940, as well as to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS on January 30, 1943. He twice served as an SS garrison commander: for Dachau from August, 1943, to the end of that year and for Munich from the start of 1944 to the end of July that year. Vogler substituted for von Eberstein as HSSPF "Siid"'and head of Oberabschnitt "Süd" when von Eberstein was dismissed in early February, 1945 until being replaced by Wilhelm Koppe at both posts in April, 1945. (Jess Lukens)
October 29, 1943 to December 25, 1943
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after November 9, 1943 SSGruppenftihrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Ludolf von Alvensleben 5 4 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Richard Hildebrandt SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Artur Phleps
December 25, 1943 to September 16, 1944 September 16, 1944 to September 18, 1944
54 Born in Halle-an-der-Saale on March 17, 1901, the son of a Generalmajor. He joined the Prussian cadet corps in 1911 and saw service in WWI. After brief service with the Freikorps in 1920 he ran the family estate and joined the Stahlhelm from 1923 to 1930. He joined the N S D A P on August 1, 1929, and served in the SA from July, 1931, to February, 1932. Joining the SS on April 1. 1934. he was commissioned as an SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on April 5, 1934, and commanded the 46.SS-Standarte from April, 1934, to the end of September, 1935. From October, 1935, to late September, 1936, he led the 26.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-StandartenfUhrer on April 20, 1936. He commanded Abschnitt X from September, 1936, to late January 1939, as well as leading Abschnitt XXXIII from July to November, 1938. He became Himmler's chief adjutant in November, 1938 until after the Polish campaign. From October, 1939, to
45
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Kurt Kaul (far right, with Rudolf Lohse on the far left)) was born in Brodowo on October 5, 1890, the son of an estate owner in the province of Posen. He studied at an agricultural high school before joining the Army in early September 1914. Serving with the artillery, he was awarded the Wound Badge in Black and both classes of the Iron Cross. He left the Army in early April 1920 as a Leutnant and moved to Danzig where he worked as a mechanic. After membership in several post-war political groups, he joined the NSDAP on March 1, 1930, having served in the SA since December. 1929. He joined the SS on August 29, 1930, and was commissioned as an SSSturmbannführer on October 13, 1931. From that date until early July, 1932, he was commander of the V./6.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-StandartenfUhrer on July 10, 1932. He then acted as Stabsführer for Abschnitt VI from July, 1932, to August, 1933, and held the same post with SS-Gruppe "Südost" during the same period. He then led Abschnitt IV until the beginning of March, 1934, and was promoted to SS-Oberführer on November 9, 1933. ,4s commander of Abschnitt XXI1 from the start of March, 1934, to the beginning of March 1937 he underwent training with the Army in artillery and became an Army Leutnant d.R. as well as being promoted to SSBrigadeführer on January 30, 1936. He led Oberabschnitt "Südwest" from September, 1937 until becoming ill in April, 1943, and was a member of the Reichstag from April, 1938, to late December. 1944. From May, 1940, to April, 1943, he also held a post with the RKFDV in Wehrkreis V. Promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on April 20, 1937, he became a Generalleutnant der Polizei on May 1, 1941, and sen'ed as HSSPF "Südwest" from September, 1939, until April, 1943. He had a falling out with Gottlob Berger over recruiting in his area and never got another high posting. After his recovery he ran two horse breeding farms and in September 22, 1944, went to the SS Artillerie Schule II "Beneschau " as an SS-Sturmbannführer d.R. He then took command of the 11./Artillerie-Regiment 22 of the Waffen-SS cavalry division "Maria Theresia " in November, 1944. Awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1939, a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class, the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords, the Olympic Games decoration 1st class and the German Horseman's Badge in Silver, he was killed leading his artillery unit during the Budapest siege fighting on Christmas Day, 1944. (Phil Nix)
46
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Griechenland" (Greece) Headquartered in Athens, this post was among the smallest (no subordinated SSPF) and covered occupied Greece. The post was dissolved on November 18, 1944, and the staff subordinated to the H S S P F "Ungarn." Führer September 8, 1943 to October 4, 1943
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Jürgen Stroop SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS und Polizei, after April 20, 1944 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS, after July 1, 1944 also Generalleutnant der Polizei Walter Schimana 55 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Hermann Franz
October 18, 1943 to September 24, 1944
September 24, 1944 to November 18, 1944
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Adriatisches-Küstenland" (Adriatic Coastland) Headquartered in Trieste, this HSSPF (subordinated to the HöSSPF "Italien") had subordinated to it SS und Polizei Gebietskommandeur (SS and Police area commanders) "Quarnero," "Istrien," "Triest," "Görz" and "Friaul." All these subordinated posts were created on October 27, 1944. Their operational areas covered the Adriatic sea coastal zone. Führer September 13, 1943 to May 1945
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Odilio Globocnik
Der Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Danmark" (Denmark) Headquartered in Copenhagen, this H S S P F controlled the Polizeigebietsführer (Police area leader) for Copenhagen and North-Jutland. It was created in October, 1943, after the Danish police went on strike and civil unrest surfaced. As a result Hitler decided a firmer occupational policy was needed. Prior to this Himmler only had an SS representative (Paul Kanstein) on the staff of the Reichskommissar. Führer October 6, 1943 to May 5, 1945
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after April 20, 1944 SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after March 2 1 , 1 9 4 5 also General der Waffen-SS Günther Pancke
Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Albanien" (Albania) This H S S P F was headquartered in Tirana and covered Albania. It was established from the existing SSPF for the area on August 1, 1944. December, 1940, he c o m m a n d e d the Selbstschutz in Danzig-West Prussia. Promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on January 30, 1937, and to SSBrigadefiihrer on August 1, 1940, he also served with Regiment " G e r m a n i a " as an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. in the s u m m e r of 1940. After training in Polizei duties he served under the H S S P F " O s t " until b e c o m i n g S S P F " T s c h e r n i g o w " in October. 1941. In N o v e m b e r , 1941, he left that c o m m a n d and b e c a m e S S P F "Taurien-Krim" in S i m f e r o p o l as well as area garrison c o m m a n d e r until October 1943. Given the rank of G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on January 7, 1942. and p r o m o t e d to S S - G r u p p e n f ü h r e r und Generalleutnant der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943. he then served as S S P F " N i k o l a j e w " f r o m October, 1943, to February, 1944. F r o m October to Christmas, 1943, he b e c a m e H S S P F " S c h w a r z e s - M e e r " and was given the rank of Generalleutnant der W a f f e n - S S on July 1, 1944. After an illness of several months he b e c a m e the H S S P F " E l b e " and head of Oberabschnitt " E l b e " f r o m February, 1944, to the end of the war. He was a w a r d e d the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the Iron Cross 2nd class, the C r i m e a Shield, the Danzig Cross 1st class, the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver, the S A Sports B a d g e in Silver and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Silver. Energetic, practical and intelligent, he was a radical believer in the m o v e m e n t , he shot one of his o w n relatives in December, 1939, for associating with Poles and J e w s then reported the incident to Karl Wolff. Escaping to South A m e r i c a after the war, he eventually headed the department of fishing, hunting and yachting in the Rio area and died in Argentina on March 1 7 , 1 9 7 0 . 55
Left the Polizei in 1943 and transferred to the W a f f e n - S S as a Generalmajor, he was later further promoted in Polizei rank.
47
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Führer SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after August 1, 1944 SSGruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei Josef Fitzthum
August 1, 1944 to January 1, 1945
Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Ungarn" (Hungary) This position existed from January 3, 1944, until the capital city ceased to be under German control in February, 1945. 56 Headquartered in Budapest, the SS und Polizei Standortkommandant "Budapest" was created for defense of the city and subordinated to the HSSPF on August 28, 1944. The post was created after the change in Hungarian government and that country attempted to break its alliance with Germany. Führer March 19, 194457 to February 11,1945
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after December 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Otto Winkelmann
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Belgien-Nordfrankreich" (Belgium and Northern France) This post was headquartered in Brussels from August, 1944 until dissolved in January, 1945. It covered the area assigned to the military command since 1940 and the HSSPF became military commander on August 14, 1944. Führer August 1, 1944 to September 16, 1944
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Richard Jungclaus SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Friedrich Jeckeln 58 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after November 9, 1944 also Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Christoph Diehm
September 22, 1944 to January 18, 1945 September 16, 1944 to January 18, 1945 (substitute)
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Slowakien" (Slovakia) Based in Pressburg, this post became the senior German command for the area. It was created to combat the revolt by Slovakian Nationalists against the German controlled puppet government. Führer August 31, 1944 to September 20, 1944
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Gottlob Berger SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Hermann Höfle
September 20, 1944 to May 1945
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Rußland-Mitte (Central Russia) und Weißruthenien" (White Russia) This post was the third created for the invasion of Russia, this one being attached to Heeresgruppe " C " and was first headquartered in Mogilew. It was officially redesignated "Rußland-Mitte" (Central Russia) in February 1942 and was headquartered in Minsk after July 24, 1943. The post expanded to its final form in April, 56 51 58
T h e post w a s created in January but the only m a n to hold the post w a s n ' t assigned until March. Appointed on this date and arrived to a s s u m e the post on March 31. Titular posting only, he remained in Russia with his H S S P F c o m m a n d and Diehm actually held this H S S P F post during that
period.
48
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Born in Innsbruck, Austria, on March 16, 1896, Otto Hofmann joined the Royal Bavarian Army in August, 1914. He served in the artillery on both fronts before joining the flying service in March of 1917. Wounded in Rumania on June 31, 1917, he was captured by the Russians but escaped and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in December, 1916, and the 1st class on November 18, 1918. In 1919 he was a Leutnant in the reserves with Flight Detachment I and was awarded the Observers Badge in January, 1919. From April, 1919 to September that year he served in the artillery with the Freikorps. After a period of civilian employment with his father-in law, he joined the NSDAP in 1929 and the SS on December 17, 1931, as a Sturmführer with the 3.SS-Motorstandarte. From September 9, 1932, to April 20, 1933, he served with SS-Abschnitt IX as Motoroberstaffelführer {motorized section leader) and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on January 30, 1933. As Special Duties Officer he served with the staff of SS-Gruppe "Süd" from April 20, 1933, to August 10, 1933, and then became the first Stabsführer of SS-Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt) "Nordwest" until mid-March, 1934. Promoted to SSObersturmbannfiihrer on January 15, 1934, he commanded 21. SS-Standarte from mid-March, 1935, to mid-April, 1935. Promoted to SSStandartenführer on April 20, 1934, he next led the 28.SS-Standarte from early February, 1934, to late May, 1935. He commanded SSAbschnitt XVfrom May, 1935, to January, 1937, and was promoted to SS-Oberführer on September 15, 1935. From January 1, 1937, he served with the RuSHA and was racial officer for SS-Oberabschnitt "West" until early February, 1939. Returning to the RuSHA he served as racial examination office head from February to August, 1939, then genealogical office head until December, 1940, during which he was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on September 10, 1939. He then headed the RuSHA from September, 1939, to April, 1943, and was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on April 20, 1941. As' head of the RuSHA, he was initially a substitute for Günther Pancke until July, 1940, then became full Chief. He became a Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS on June 27, 1942, and commanded SS-Oberabschnitt "Südwest" as well as being HSSPF "Südwest" from April 1943, to May, 1945. Promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei on June 21,1943, lie became a General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944. Twice married, he had three children. A racial expert and doctor, he was replaced by Himmler as head of RuSHA by Richard Hildebrandl. Awarded the Gold Party Badge and both classes of the War Sen'ice Cross with Swords, he was a defendant in the RuSHA war crimes trial (case VIII). Sentenced to 25 years, he was released in 1954 and died in Bad Mergentheirn on December 31, 1982. (Phil Nix)
1943 when it absorbed "Weißruthenien" (White Russia) from the HSSPF "Rußland-Nord." It controlled the SSPF "Minsk," SSPF "Mogilew," SSPF "Pripet" and, from 1943 onwards, the SSPF "Weißruthenien." With nine Ordnungspolizei Regimenter and fifteen Bataillone, the c o m m a n d also controlled a significant Schutzmannschaft force. 59 Führer May 1. 1941 to June 2 1 , 1 9 4 4
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after November 9, 1941 SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Erich von dem Bach 60
59 Schutzmannschaft Bataillon 57 would form the cadre for the 30.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (russische Nr.2) under its Commander SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Siegling. Awarded the German Cross in Gold on April 11,1944, as commander of the battalion, Siegling led the later division until the end of the war. 60 Absent during most of his command tenure from January, 1942, onwards while assigned to the Anti-Partisan C o m m a n d and its duties. He still signed significant papers such as the German Cross in Gold recommendation for Major der Polizei Siegfried Binz (commander l./SS-Polizei-Regiment 23) dated April 18, 1943. Binz commanded the battle group his battalion was a component of for the H S S P F "Rußland-Mitte" and his award was approved on May 26, 1943. He previously led a company in Polizei Bataillon 323 then commanded Polizei Bataillon 307.
49
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Karl Gutenberger was the son of a marine engineer and was born on April 18, 1905 in Essen. After schooling he trained in banking and worked in that field until 1929. He joined the NSDAP and SA on December 15, 1929, serving in several units including SA Standarten 159 (Essen-Mulheim), 60 (Essen) and 138 (Duisburg) until September, 1933, and was promoted to SA-Standartenführer that year. Promoted to SA-Oherfiihrer in 1934, he led SA-Brigade 74 (Wesel) from September. 1933, to April, 1934, then became first commander of SA Brigade 173 (Duisburg) until March, 1935. From May, 1937, to November, 1939, he served as Police President of Duisburg. Gutenberger also commanded SA Brigade 73 (Essen) from March, 1935, until mid-December, 1939, and was Police President for Essen from November, 1939, to late June, 1941. As special duties officer for SA Gruppe "Niederrhein " he was promoted to SA-Brigadefiihrer in 1939 and serwd in the Reichstag from 1933 to 1945. He transferred to the SS on June 1, 1940, as an SS-Brigadefiihrer at the request of Fritz Weitzel. After serving on the staff of Oberabschnitt "West" until the start of May, 1941, he was HSSPF "West" and from late June, 1941, was also head of Oberabschnitt "West. " He held both posts until the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on November 9, 1942, and to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei on August 1, 1944, he was the Inspector of a guerrilla warfare organization ordered by Himmler under the command of Hans-Adolf Prützmann from November, 1944, to May, 1945. Highly decorated, he was awarded the Gold Party Badge on October 25, 1933, the NSDAP Long Service award in Silver on April 20, 1940, the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1944, the NSDA P Long Service Award in Gold on January 30, 1942, the War Sen'ice Cross 1st class with Swords on June 2, 1942, and the Wound Badge in Black on May 20, 1943. Following a post-war trial, he served five years in prison then started a wholesale business. He died in Essen on July 8, 1961. (Phil Nix)
January 2, 1942 to March 24, 1943 (substitute)
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Carl Graf von Pückler-Burghaus'' 1 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Gerrett Korsemann
March 24, 1943 to July 5, 1943 (substitute)
61 Born in Breslau on October 7, 1886, the son of a retired Major in the Prussian Army. He served with the infantry and on the General Staff in W W I , winning both classes of the Iron Cross. After serving with Freikorps units in Silesia he returned to run his family's estate. In 1931 he joined the N S D A P and then the SA as an SA-Brigadeführer in 1937. In the SA he served as an office chief with SA headquarters and rejoined the Army as a Hauptmann in 1938. From the start of April. 1938, to early January, 1940, he was IIa (adjutant) of the 4.Leichte Division and then held the same post with the 9.Panzer Division. Promoted to Major in the General Staff in 1940. he served as la (First Staff Officer) of the 337.Infanterie Division from January, 1941 to mid-August that year. Joining the SS as an SSBrigadefuhrer on July 1, 1940, he was initially listed as a staff officer with Oberabschnitte "Südost" and "Spree" until the start of January 1942. After replacing von dem Bach as HSSPF "Rußland-Mitte" from January. 1942, to March. 1943, he served as commander of the 15.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (one of the best foreign divisions and composed of Latvians) from May. 1943. to mid-February, 1944. He was then posted as senior Waffen-SS commander in Czechoslovakia until the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS on September 1, 1944, he was awarded a clasp to both his W W I Iron Crosses and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. After helping the civil German population escape from the Russians in Prague, he committed suicide in Pilsen on May 12, 1945.
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Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders July 5, 1943 to August 7, 194462 (substitute)
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after June 30, 1944 SSObergruppenführer und General der WaffenSS und Polizei Curt von Gottberg
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Serbien, Sandschak und Montenegro" Encompassing south and eastern Yugoslavia, this position was created as the HSSPF "Serbien" in January, 1942. Montenegro was added in October, 1943, and Sandschak in September 1943. Headquartered in Belgrade, it controlled the SSPF "Montenegro" and SSPF "Sandschak." Its 1943 expansion was a result of the surrender of Italy's army. Führer SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei August Edler von Meyszner SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after August 1, 1944 SSGruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Dr. Hermann Behrends 61
January 24, 1942 to April 1, 1944 April 1, 1944 to October 1944
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Frankreich" (France) Headquartered in Paris, this post was created on March 9, 1942, and existed until dissolved on November 28, 1944.64 Führer SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after April 20, 1943 SSGruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after August 1, 1944 SSObergruppenführer, after March 10, 1945 General der Waffen-SS Carl Oberg
May 5, 1942 to November 28, 1944
Der Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Kroatien" (Croatia) This position covered Croatia and western Yugoslavia and was headquartered in Zagreb. It controlled the Polizeigebietsführer (Police Area Commanders) for Agram, Banja-Luca, Esseg, Knin and Sarajewo. Its headquarters moved to Esseg on February 7, 1944, and the HSSPF also became the senior military commander for the area on December 5, 1944. Führer March 13, 1943 65 to January 10, 1945
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after July 1, 1943 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Konstantin Kammerhofer
62
Substituted until June 26. 1944, when given the post permanently. T h e H S S P F post w a s disbanded in October, 1944. Had previously been responsible for V O M I matters for the area. O b e r g was the only holder of the post though he didn't arrive until May. Duties where undertaken by the c o m m a n d e r s of the Sipo and S D f r o m March to May. 65 Date the post was created, it is uncertain exactly when K a m m e r h o f e r arrived. 63 w
51
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS und Polizeiführer The SS and Police Leaders (SSPF) were subordinate commands created because of the vast areas involved to relieve the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer of some of their mounting duties. Officers holding SS und Polizeiführer posts are listed under the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer their command was subordinated to. Many HSSPF served at the lower SS und Polizeiführer positions early in their careers. Unlike the relationship between the Führer des Oberabschnitts and Höherer SS und Polizeiführer, this post was not held by an Allgemeine-SS Abschnitt Führer as the position existed only in occupied territories. In some instances, as in Yugoslavia, the title Polizeigebietsführer (Police Area Commander) was used though it was equivalent to a SSPF. The Ordnungspolizei command at SSPF level was a Kommandeur, be it Ordnungspolizei, Gendarmerie and/or Schutzpolizei. The same title applied to Sipo and SD commands. Subordinate to the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Ost" SS und Polizeiführer "Krakau" November 24, 1939 to October 1, 1940 October 1, 1940 to August 4, 1941 August 4, 1941 to March 1, 1944 March 1, 1944 to January 19, 1945 68
SS-Gruppenführer Karl Zech SS-Oberführer Hans Schwedler 66 SS-Oberführer Julian Schemer 6 7 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Theobald Thier 69
66 Born in Berlin on O c t o b e r 17, 1878, the son of a businessman. He j o i n e d the A r m y and w a s c o m m i s s i o n e d a Leutnant in 1898. S c h w e d l e r served in W W I as a c o m p a n y and battalion c o m m a n d e r , leaving A r m y service as a M a j o r in February 1919 having won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. Schwedler joined the Stahlhelm in 1920 and the N S D A P in February 1931. Joining the SS in November. 1932, he first served with the 2./II./34.SS-Standarte until the end of July 1933 and promoted to SS-Scharfiihrer on March 1. 1933 and to SS-Oberscharfiihrer on M a y 15. 1933. He was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on July 31. 1933. A s Stabsführer of Abschnitt I he served f r o m mid-July, 1933, to June. 1934, and was p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, and to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1934. From J u n e to December, 1934, he led the 79.SS-Standarte and then was an instructor at the SS officer school in Bad Tölz f r o m December, 1934, to January, 1938, when he b e c a m e deputy school c o m m a n d e r . He left Tölz in N o v e m b e r . 1938, and taught at the SS officer school in B r a u n s c h w e i g until January, 1940. From N o v e m b e r , 1939, to January, 1940, he was also la to the Stabsführer of the T o t e n k o p f v e r b ä n d e Inspectorate and was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on January 30, 1940. From January to July, 1940, he returned to Bad Tölz and was also assigned to the T o t e n k o p f v e r b ä n d e inspectorate. He b e c a m e Inspector of the Totenkopfstandarten f r o m July to October, 1940, w h e n he b e c a m e S S P F " K r a k a u . " Leaving Krakau in August, 1941, he b e a m e SS garrison c o m m a n d e r in Prague until March, 1942, and was promoted to Waffen-SS Oberführer on August 4, 1941, and to SS-Brigadetuhrer und G e n e r a l m a j o r der W a f f e n - S S on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942. From March, 1942, to August, 1943, he was W a f f e n - S S und Polizei supply officer for " R u ß l a n d - S ü d " under Hans-Adolf Prützmann. He was then assigned to the S S - F ü h r u n g s h a u p t a m t f r o m August, 1943, to March, 1944, in charge of officer training and held another as yet u n k n o w n post with that main office until the end of the war. Awarded both classes of the War Service Cross, he c o m m i t t e d suicide in Hechendorf on M a y 2, 1945. 67 Born in G e r m a n East A f r i c a on S e p t e m b e r 23, 1895, he attended the cadet schools in Karlsruhe and Berlin-Lichterfelde f r o m 1911 to 1914. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant in August, 1914, he served as a platoon leader and c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r in W W I , leaving the A r m y in March 1920 having won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge in Black. He worked as a bank clerk and shop assistant before becoming a partner in a merchants firm f r o m 1930 to 1934. Joining the SS on D e c e m b e r 28, 1932, he was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an SSS t u r m f ü h r e r on July 31, 1933. From the end of July. 1933, to the end of January, 1934, he led the 5./II./1.SS-Standarte and then c o m m a n d e d the entire Standarte f r o m January, 1934, to early January, 1935. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 24, 1933, to SSH a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on March I, 1934 and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on A u g u s t 12, 1934, he was assigned to the staff of Oberabschnitt " S ü d o s t " in January, 1935, and the following month b e c a m e Stabsführer. He held that post until mid-February, 1936, when he m o v e d to the s a m e post with Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t " until January, 1937, and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on January 1. 1935 and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on January 30, 1936. A f t e r leading Abschnitt X I V f r o m January to October, 1937, he c o m m a n d e d the AllgemeineSS Leaders School at Dachau f r o m October, 1937. to March, 1940, and was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937. He transferred to the SS officer school in Bad Tölz f r o m April to July, 1940, and then led the 6.SS-Totenkopfstandarte f r o m late August to early N o v e m b e r , 1939. S c h e m e r led the recruiting regiment of the Totenkopfstandarten f r o m early November, 1939, to April, 1940. and b e c a m e a W a f f e n - S S O b e r f ü h r e r d.R. on March 1. 1940. From January to August, 1941, he c o m m a n d e d S S - T r u p p e n ü b u n g s p l a t z (SS Troop Training Area) " B e n e s c h a u " and was also SS garrison c o m m a n d e r for Prague. While S S P F " K r a k a u " f r o m August, 1941, to March, 1944, he also c o m m a n d e d the staff c o m p a n y of the H S S P F " O s t " f r o m October, 1942 to N o v e m b e r , 1942. He was also special assignment S S P F for the H S S P F " O s t " f r o m N o v e m b e r , 1943, to October, 1944. While in Krakau he set up the i n f a m o u s and corrupt c a m p in Plaszow, Poland and was charged by an SS court with benefiting f r o m the proceeds of the c a m p (the c a m p c o m m a n d e r was sent to prison). R e d u c e d in rank to W a f f e n - S S H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R.. he was reassigned to the punishment Dirlewanger Brigade and was killed in action on April 28, 1945. He was a w a r d e d Blood O r d e r # 1 7 5 on N o v e m b e r 30, 1933 and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. 08
T h e General G o v e r n m e n t of Poland was abandoned in the face of the January/February 1945 Russian offensive. Born in Stuttgart on April 12, 1897, the son of a merchant. He served in W W I with the artillery and mountain troops, b e c o m i n g a Leutnant and c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r as well as winning both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. He joined the N S D A P in February, 1923. M o v i n g to Chile as a farmer, he learned fluent Spanish and married, as well as starting a branch of the NSDAP. He returned to G e r m a n y and rejoined the N S D A P and the SS in May, 1933, as an SS-Obersturmführer. A f t e r serving on the staff of Abschnitt X X V I and later as Hans- Adolf Priitzmann's adjutant f r o m June to August 1935, he then moved to a staff post with Oberabschnitt " S ü d w e s t " until March, 1936. From M a r c h . 1936, to May, 1937, he c o m m a n d e d I.Sturmbann of 13. SS-Standarte and w a s p r o m o t e d to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1936. On May 1, 1937, he was also m a d e an A r m y reserve Leutnant with Infanterieregiment 65. 69
52
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Josias Erbrinz zu Waldeck-Pyrmont was born May 13, 1896, in the family ancestral castle in Schaumburg, the son of the ruler of the Princedom ofWaldeck-Pyrmont. He was a nephew of Dutch queen Emma and related by marriage to Britain's royal family. He joined the Army cadet corps in 1912 and served in WWI with infantry and assault units. Promoted to Leutnant in 1917, he was wounded and awarded both classes of the Iron Cross. During 1918-1919 he served with the Freikorps and then ran the family estate after completing his education. Joining the NSDAP in early November, 1929, and the SS on March 2, 1930, he served with the Munich Sturm and then the 1 .SS-Standarte. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on April 6, 1930, he was adjutant to the 1 .SS-Standarte during April and May, 1930. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on May 11, 1930, he served from that date until mid-September, 1930, as adjutant for SS-Brigade "Bayern " (Bavaria) and then spent two months as adjutant to SS-Oberführerbereich "Siid. " He was the only person to simultaneously be both Himmler's personal adjutant and head his personal staff, holding these personal and executive posts from mid-September 1930 to mid-June, 1933. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on September 15, 1931, and to SS-Gruppenführer on March 15, 1932, he sat on courts martial proceedings that sentenced 5/1 leaders to death during the June 30, 1934 purge of the SA leadership. He ted the Gruppenstab z.b.V. (the SS liaison office) from June I, 1934, until it was disbanded in June 1935. From June, 1935, to the end of 1936 he was head of Oberabschnitt "Rhein" (see "Rhein-Westmark") and then led Oberabschnitt " Fulda-Werra" from the start of 1937 to the end of the war. When the HSSPF "Fulda-Werra " was created in 1938 he also received that post until May, 1945. His HSSPF headquarters was in Kassel and the Oberabschnitt HQ was in his family's castle. Promoted to General der Polizei on April 8, 1941, and General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944, he served in the Reichstag from November, 1933, to May, 1945. Awarded the Golden Party Badge on January 30, 1939 and a clasp to both classes of the Iron Cross in 1940, he was Himmler's first recruit from the nobility, in part to enhance the reputation of the SS. Aside from his SS interests, he was involved with the foreign office. In addition to placing SS officers in the foreign office, he ser\>ed as an emissary of Himmler to settle differences between Socialist factions in Austria but was recalled. He was involved heavily in the SA purge of 1934 and selected the spot where "guilty" leaders were to he shot in Stadelheim prison. A long time friend of Sepp Dietrich, he initiated the SS court case against concentration camp commander Karl Koch of Buchenwald which ended with Koch being shot in 1945. He was awarded the Golden Party Badge on January 30, 1939, clasps to Iiis WWI Iron Crosses in 1940, the Infantry Assault Badge and the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver. Tried and sentenced to life in prison after the war, he was released due to poor health in 1950. Eventually returning to his home, which he turned over to the Red Cross for their tracing of missing persons, he died in Schloss Schaumburg on November 30, 1967. (Jess Lukens)
53
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Erich von dem Bach was born in Lauenburg on March 1, 1899, the son of an estate owner. His full name was Bach-Zelewski until November, 1940, when he legally removed the latter part due to its Polish sound. He served in WWI as a Leutnant in the infantry and was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross as well as the Wound Badge in Black after being gassed. He stayed in the Army after WWI but was dismissed for political activity in 1924. Joining the NSDAP in 1930 and the SS the following year, he organized SS units on the Austrian frontier in early 1931. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on July 20, 1931, and promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on December 6, 1931, he served in the Reichstag from July, 1932, to the end of the war. As commander of the 27.SS-Standarte he served from December, 1931, to July, 1932, and then commanded Abschnitt VIII from December, 1932, to June, 1933. He also led Abschnitte XII (July, 1932 to January, 1934) and VII (February-March, 1934). Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on September 10, 1932, to SS-Oberführer on October 6, 1932, to SS-Brigadeführer on December 15, 1933, and to SS-Gruppenführer on July 11,1934, he commanded Oberabschnitt "Nordost" from February, 1934 to February, 1936. He then commanded Oberabschnitt "Südost" from February, 1936, to May, 1941. In addition he was the HSSPF "Südost" from late June, 1938, into May, 1941. Given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 10, 1941, he served as HSSPF "Rußland-Mitte und Weißruthenien "from May to June, 1944, but others took his duties when he was involved with the anti-partisan command ("Weißruthenien " was added to the command in April 1943). Promoted to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Polizei on November 9, 1941, and made a General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944, he headed Himmler's anti-partisan command from October, 1942, to November, 1944. From November, 1944, to early February, 1945, he commanded the X1V.SS-Armeekorps and briefly in February, 1945, led the X.SS-Armeekorps. He ended the war in command of the Oderkorps composed of whatever troops could be found in his command area. Von dem Bach was awarded the Knight's Cross on September 30, 1944, the German Cross in Gold on February 23, ! 943, clasps to both his WWI Iron Crosses, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. He was brutal in Russia against Jews and partisans and suffered stomach problems, probably from guilt. Ambitious, he was admired by Hitler but failed totally as a corps commander. He testified for the prosecution at the War Crimes Trials and was himself released in 1950. Working as a night watchman, he was retried and sentenced to four and a half years in 1961. Tried again in 1962for killing communists, he was sentenced to life in prison. He died in a Munich hospital on March 8, 1972. (Jess Lukens)
54
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders SS und Polizeiführer "Lublin" November 1939 to August 16, 1943
SS-Brigadeführer (after September 9, 1941 also Generalmajor der Polizei), after November 9, 1942 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Odilio Globocnik SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Jakob Sporrenburg
August 16, 1943 to November 25, 1944
SS und Polizeiführer "Radom" November 30, 1939 to August 8. 1941
SS-Oberführer, after June 21, 1941 SS-Brigadeführer Fritz Katzmann SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Carl Oberg SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1943 SS-Oberführer, after November 1, 1943 also Oberst der Polizei, after November 9, 1944 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Dr. Herbert Böttcher 70
A u g u s t s . 1941 to May 12, 1942 May 12, 1942 to January 16, 1945
SS und Polizeiführer "Warsaw" November 14, 1939 to August 4, 1941 August 4, 1941 to April 23, 1943
SS-Gruppenführer Paul Moder SS-Oberführer Arpad Wigand 71
Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on M a y 1. 1937 and to SS-Standartenführer on N o v e m b e r 1, 1938. he c o m m a n d e d 55.SS-Standarte f r o m May, 1937, to November, 1938, when he took c o m m a n d of Abschnitt XVII until A u g u s t . 1939 (he also retained titular c o m m a n d of 55.SS-Standarte until June 1939). From M a y to October, 1939, he also c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X V and then served on the staff of Oberabschnitt " W e i c h s e l " f r o m December, 1939, to N o v e m b e r , 1940, where he was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1940. He also served as Stabsführer to the H S S P F DanzigAVest Prussia f r o m October, 1939. to June, 1941. and was official Stabsführer for Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" f r o m November. 1940, to November. 1942. From June to December, 1941. he served with Einsatzstab "Wegener" in Norway and then spent three months with the information office of the R S H A . Attached to the H S S P F " O s t " in April 1942. he held several S S P F posts: " K a u k a s i e n - K u b a n , " "Kertsch-Tamanhalbinsel," " L e m b e r g " and finally " K r a k a u . " Promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942, he was awarded the clasp to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd class in 1943 and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. Thier died in Krakau on July 12, 1949. 70 Born April 24, 1907 in M e m e l l a n d , the son of a local politician, he received a doctorate in law in 1931. He joined the SS as an SSS t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on March 23, 1939, with 105.SS-Standarte. Böttcher led I.Sturmbann until August 1939 and then c o m m a n d e d the Standarte until March 1941, during which he was p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on August 1, 1940. From March to October, 1940, he was also Police Director for the M e m e l area. For the next year he was assigned to the staff of Abschnitt X X X and w a s promoted to SS-Standartenführer on October 9, 1941, to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on April 20, 1943, and to SS-Brigadetuhrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1944 as well as obtaining Polizei rank. From March to October, 1942, he served on the staff of the R S H A and after that was officially on the staff of Oberabschnitt " O s t " for the duration. He served as Police President of Kassel f r o m October, 1940, to May, 1942. As S S P F " R a d o m " he served f r o m May, 1942, to January, 1945. He was tried by the Poles and hanged in Warsaw on June 12. 1950. 71 Born in M a n n h e i m on January 13, 1906, he joined the SS in the early 1930s and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on August 17, 1931. From mid-August, 1931, to the beginning of N o v e m b e r , 1932, he served as adjutant to the 20.SS-Standarte and was promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1932. He served as Stabsführer of Abschnitt XI f r o m N o v e m b e r , 1932, to early July, 1934. and was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on June 11, 1933, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on M a y 14, 1934. Wigand was c o m m a n d e r of the Political Readiness Detachment in H a m b u r g f r o m July, 1934, to mid-February, 1935, and then led the III./1.SSStandarte for one month. He then took c o m m a n d of the 70.SS-Standarte until the start of July, 1936, followed by c o m m a n d of the 16.SSStandarte until early S e p t e m b e r 1937. He then was posted within the S D - H a u p t a m t (later R S H A ) until May, 1945 and in 1937 was S D leader for Oberabschnitt "Ost." Promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on April 20. 1938, he was Inspector of the Sipo and S D in Breslau f r o m September, 1937, to August, 1941, when he b e c a m e S S P F "Warsaw." He originally r e c o m m e n d e d Auschwitz as a site for a concentration c a m p due to its geography and accesibility by rail. After leaving Warsaw he joined the "Prinz E u g e n " Division and served as adjutant to SS-Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13 f r o m February to N o v e m b e r , 1943, having been a W a f f e n - S S U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. since June 1, 1942. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on February 24, 1943, he c o m m a n d e d III./SS-Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13 "Artur P h l e p s " f r o m November, 1943, to February, 1945, and was promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on January 30, 1944. He remained with "Prinz E u g e n " until the end of the war. Captured by the British, he was extradited to Poland where he was tried and sentenced to 15 years in prison and released in 1956. He was tried again in H a m b u r g and given a 12 year sentence in 1981. Wigand died on July 26. 1983 in Monschau/Eifel.
55
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS July 22, 1942 to April 19, 1943 (substitute)
SS-Oberführer Dr. Ferdinand von Sammern-Frankenegg 7 2 SS-Brigadeführer Jürgen Stroop SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Franz Kutschera 74 SS-Oberführer Walter Stein 75 SS-Oberführer, after October 26, 1944 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Paul Otto Geibel 76
April 19, 1943 to September 13, 1943 73 September 25, 1943 to February 1, 1944 February 1, 1944 to March 3 1 , 1 9 4 4 (temporary) March 31, 1944 to February 1, 1945
SS und Polizeiführer "Lemberg" April 8, 1941 to April 20, 1943
SS-Oberführer, after June 21, 1941 SS-Brigadeführer, after September 21, 1941 Generalmajor der Polizei, after January 30, 1943 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Fritz Katzmann SS-Standartenführer Willi Ost 77
April 20, 1943 to July 29, 1943
72 Born in Grieskirchen in Upper Austria on March 17, 1897, he joined the Austrian army in July, 1915, and was a prisoner of war of the Italians f r o m November, 1918. to August, 1919. He left the A r m y in February, 1920, as a Leutnant. After the war he studied law at the university in Innsbruck and received a degree. He joined the Austrian Nazi Party in June, 1932, the SS in December, 1932, and the G e r m a n N S D A P in M a r c h . 1933. F r o m December, 1932, to June, 1935, he served with the 37.SS-Standarte and was c o m m i s s i o n e d an SS-Untersturmfiihrer on April 20, 1935. He c o m m a n d e d the 37.SS-Standarte f r o m June, 1935 to March. 1939, and was promoted to SSO b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1936, to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1937, to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9. 1937 and then directly to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1938. A m e m b e r of the Reichstag for the northern area of f o r m e r Austria f r o m April. 1938. to September. 1944, he c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt IX f r o m March to July, 1939, at which time he e x c h a n g e d posts with Constantin H e l d m a n n and b e c a m e Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt " M a i n " f r o m July to September, 1939. He next c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt IX f r o m September. 1939. to July, 1943, and he was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on January 30, 1941. As S S P F " W a r s a w " he replaced Arpad Wigand while he served with the Waffen-SS. He w a s H i m m l e r ' s representative to the Senior C o m m a n d e r of G e r m a n troops in Croatia f r o m April to July. 1943. and then S S P F " E s s e g g " f r o m mid-July, 1943, to September, 1944, at which post he b e c a m e an S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on April 20, 1944. A l o n g with Jürgen Stroop he was responsible for the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto but did not get along with H S S P F Friedrich-Wilhelm Krüger and was replaced by Jürgen Stroop. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1943 and was awarded the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold. S a m m e r n - F r a n k e n e g g died f r o m w o u n d s received during an artillery barrage on S e p t e m b e r 20. 1944, during fighting against Tito's Yugoslavian partisans and was buried with honors the next day. 73
Substitute until April 23, 1943, then full c o m m a n d . He was primarily responsible for the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto. Born on February 22, 1904, in Oberwaltersdorf in Austria, he joined the Navy and served during 1918-1919. He worked as a gardener (the trade of his father) between the wars and joined the N S D A P on D e c e m b e r 5, 1930, and the SS on N o v e m b e r 1, 1931, in Austria, being promoted to S S - H a u p t s c h a r f ü h r e r in February. 1933. From July, 1935, to mid-March. 1938. he c o m m a n d e d what b e c a m e in November, 1935, the 90.SS-Standarte and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1935. Promoted to SSO b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1936, directly to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 17, 1937, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on March 14. 1938, he served on the staff of Abschnitt X X X f r o m mid-March, 1938, to the start of June, 1943. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on July 25. 1938. and to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on January 30, 1939, he also held N S D A P posts and served as Gauleiter for Kärnten during February-March. 1938 (he was previously deputy Gauleiter). A f t e r the Anschluss he was deputy Gauleiter for Karten until m i d - N o v e m ber. 1941, and was promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1940. During 1940, he served as an officer candidate in the reserves with an A r m y mountain regiment and also held a seat in the Reichstag f r o m April, 1938, to February, 1934. Reassigned to Police duties in January, 1942. he trained with Erich von d e m B a c h ' s staff and then b e c a m e S S P F " M o g i l e w " f r o m April to September, 1943, b e c o m ing a G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942. He then b e c a m e S S P F " W a r s a w " f r o m September. 1943, until being killed by partisans on the way to his office on February 1. 1944. The 90.SS-Standarte was given his n a m e as its honor title. He w a s awarded the Gold Party B a d g e on January 30, 1939, both classes of the Iron Cross and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. 71
75 Born in S c h w e l m in Westphalia on N o v e m b e r 6, 1896, he served in the infantry in W W I with reserve Infantry Regiment 32 and was awarded the Wound Badge in Silver as well as the Iron Cross 2nd class. A f t e r serving in the Freikorps he m o v e d to Berlin and worked as a shopkeeper. He j o i n e d the N S D A P in M a y 1929 and the S A the s a m e year, serving with S A T r u p p " H u l t e n " until N o v e m b e r 1930. His business failed in 1933 and he joined the G e r m a n Labor Front, remaining a m e m b e r until March, 1936, when he b e c a m e a full-time paid SS leader. He left the S A and joined the SS on N o v e m b e r 1. 1930, and was c o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 6, 1931. Leading the 2.Sturm/I.Sturmbann/6.SS-Standarte f r o m December, 1931, to October, 1932, he was promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r on October 1. 1932. He then led the I.Sturmbann of that Standarte until mid-June, 1933. From June to December, 1933, he was motorized section leader of Abschnitt III and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on September 3, 1933. He then held a similar post for Oberabschnitt " O s t " until March, 1936, during which he b e c a m e an S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r I. 1933 and an SS-Standartenführer on March 22, 1934. From April. 1935, to mid-March, 1936, he also c o m m a n d e d the 3.SS-Motorstandarte and was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on January I. 1936. He c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X I X f r o m mid-March, 1936, to m i d - N o v e m b e r . 1938, and then went to the staff of Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " until August, 1941. when he moved to the staff of Abschnitt XI until October, 1942. From October, 1942, to May,
1945, he was officially assigned to the R S H A . He served as Police President for C o n s t a n c e f r o m November, 1938, to March, 1941, and then held the s a m e post for Thorn until October, 1941. His four requests for further promotion were refused by H i m m l e r on the basis that the Police President posts he held didn't warrant higher promotion. He was also administrative head of the Kripo detachment in T h o r n during that period. A f t e r service in Thorn he was Police President for Danzig and Zoppot f r o m October, 1941, to May, 1945 and held the same post for Litzmannstadt f r o m November, 1944, to January, 1945. He b e c a m e temporary S S P F " W a r s a w " when Kutschera w a s killed until permanent replacement Paul Otto Geibel arrived. From January, 1945, to May, 1945 he replaced G e r m a n Cross in Silver holder Wilhelm Jeppe as IVa (administration officer) on the staff of XII. S S - A r m e e k o r p s . Married with two children, he died on August 11, 1985, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
56
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Wilhelm Koppe (foreground as an SS-Obergruppenfiihrer with Dr. Hans Frank wearing a white coat in Poland) was born the son of a court bailiff in Hildesheim on June 15, 1896. He joined the Army in mid-August 1914 with Engineer Battalion 9 and was commissioned as a reserve Leutnant in December, 1916. After leaving the Army, having won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black, he started his own wholesale business at the end of 1919. He joined the NSDAP on September I, 1930, and the SA the following year. Enlisting in the SS on January 2, 1932, as an SS-Truppführer, he ted the 3./1II./12.SS-Standarte until commissioned as an SSSturmhauptführer on September 1. 1932. He then commanded the 17.SS-Standarte until the start of December 1933 during which he was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on January 30, 1933. and to SS-Standartenführer on April 20, 1933. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on April 20, 1934, Koppe commanded Abschnitt XVII from mid-November; 1933, (he still also commanded 17.SS Standarte) until August 23, 1934, when he was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer. He was a member of the Reichstag for Weser-Ems from mid-December 1933 until the end of the war and commanded Abschnitt XXVI from October, 1934, to the start of November, 1935. From the start of November 1935 until promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on September 13, / 936, he was Stabsfiihrer of Oberabschnitt "Ost." He then served as Sipo Inspector and Führer of SD Oberabschnitt "Elbe" until early October, 1939 and was head of the Gestapo for Saxony. He was the senior commander of the Sipo and SD in Dresden from mid-September, 1936, to early October, 1939. From late October, 1939, to early November, 1943, he officially commanded Oberabschnitt "Warthe" and was also HSSPF "Warthe," during which he was given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 20, 1941, and promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei on January 30, 1942. He actually left these posts with substitutes in October to go to Poland and start command exchange with Friedrich-Wilhelm Krüger. From October, 1943, to April, 1945, he was HSSPF "Ost" and became a General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944. During the the final weeks of the war he sen'ed as commander of Oberabschnitt "Süd" and HSSPF "Siid." He was awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1943, a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class. During the winter of 1941 he was involved with setting up the killing center at Chelmo which came under his direct command as HSSPF. Dedicated, he got along better with Dr. Hans Frank in the General Government than his predesessor Friedrich-Wilhelm Kriiger, and like Krüger, survived an assassination attempt in Poland (July 11, 1944). After the war he was a success in business and became director of a chocolate factory. He was arrested in the 1960s and was to be tried for deaths at Chelmo but was released on medical grounds in August, 1965, prior to a trial. Koppe died in Bonn on July 2, 1975. (Phi! Nix)
Born on Dortmund on June 10, 1898, the son of a school director. He enlisted in the Imperial Navy and served in WWI at sea duty and with the artillery, finally on the armored crusier "Hindenburg" attaining the rank of Lieutenant J.G.. From 1920 to 1933 he worked for an insurance company. He joined the N S D A P and SA in mid-December, 1931, serving with SA-Standarte 81 in its signals section and the elite SA-Feldjägerkorps. Promoted to SA-Sturmführer on December. 1933, he eventually became an SA-Sturmbannführer. From December, 1933, to March. 1935, he was an advisor in the Feldjäger command headquarters in Berlin. He joined the Gendarmerie in April 1935 as a Major serving on the staff of the Ministry of the Interior concerned wth motorized Gendarmerie units until October, 1942. Joining the SS in December, 1938, as an SS-Sturmbannführer, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer on July 1, 1939, to SSStandartenführer on October 1, 1942, to SS-Oberführer on April 20, 1943, and to Oberst der Gendarmerie on July 14. 1942. From October, 1942 to late March, 1944, he headed an office group in the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei. He served as S S P F "Warsaw" from March 1944 to February, 1945 and led a Battle Group formed in that area during August to October 1944, during which he was promoted to SSBrigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei on October 26, 1944. From February. 1945, until the end of the war he was senior Ordnungspolizei commander in Prague as well as heading the uniformed police in the Protectorate. He was listed with the SS-Hauptamt from July. 1938, to the start of October, 1941, then was listed with the SS-Führungshauptamt until the end of the war. Geibel was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross in 1944. both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Olympic games decoration. Captured in Prague, he was handed over to the Poles and served a long sentence after which he returned to Germany. He died on November 12, 1966. 77
He was the StabsfUhrer for the post.
57
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Otto Winkelmann was bom in Otterndorfon September 4, 1894, the only child of a clerk. He studied three semesters of law and joined the Army in 1912. Commissioned as a Leutnant in December, 1913, he continued his law studies while in the military until the war started. During WWI he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver, leaving the Army as a Oberleutnant in December 1919 after service with the Freikorps. He joined the Schutzpolizei as a Oberleutnant in November 1919 and was promoted to Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei on May 16, 1923. Arrested for political offenses by the French in 1923, he spent a year in prison and then returned to the Polizei and was promoted to Major der Schutzpolizei in 1933. He joined the NSDAP on November I, 1932, and was Police Director for Görlitzfrom 1930 to 1937. Serving within the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei into the early war years and was promoted to Oberstleutant der Schutzpolizei on June 12, 1938, he also joined the SS on September 11, 1938, as an SS-Sturmbannführer. From November, 1937 to November, 1940, he held a staff post with the Ordnungspolizei in Berlin, being promoted to Oberst der Schutzpolizei on April 1, 1940, and to Generalmajor der Polizei on December 22,1941. He was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on September 7, 1938, to SS-Standartenführer on April 1, 1940, to SS-Oberführer on December 9, 1941, to SS-Brigadeführer on March 26, 1942, to SS-Gruppenjuhrer on November 9, 1942, and to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer on March 15, 1944. He also became a General der Waffen-SS on December I, 1944. From November / 940 to March 1944 he was Chief of Amtsgruppe Kommando I (Command Office Group) in the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei (this became the Kommandoamt in October 1942). Promoted to Generalleutnant der Polizei on August 9, 1942, he was HSSPF " Ungarn " from mid-March, 1944, to mid-February, 1945, and was promoted to General der Polizei on March 15, 1944. From December, 1944 to February, 1945, he also effectively acted as Battle Commander of the besieged city of Budapest. For the rest of the war he was a senior Orpo commander in Austria supervising operations of the HSSPF acting as deputy chief of the Orpo for the Sudetenland. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the War Service Cross with Swords on December 21, 1944for preventing the Hungarians from surrendering, the German Cross in Silver on November 5, 1943, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Social Welfare decoration 2nd class. A professional police officer, he did well in Hungary but was appalled by the deportations of the Jews which he could not stop. He was president of the Association of Former Police Officers after the war and died in Bordesholm on September 24, 1977. (Phil Nix)
July 29, 1943 to February 25, 1944
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Theobald Thier SS-Brigadeführer, und Generalmajor der Polizei Christoph Diehm
February 25. 1944 to September 16, 1944
Subordinate to the Höhere SS und Polizeiführer "Ostland und Rußland-Nord" SS und Polizeiführer "Estland" August 4. 1941 to April 1, 1944
78
SS-Oberführer, after June 11, 1943 also Oberst der Polizei, after January 30, 1944 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Hinrich Möller 79
78
Headquartered in Reval. ' Born on April 20, 1906 in Gravenkop, he served two months in the Army with Pionier Bataillon 6 during 1924 and joined the N S D A P as well as the SA on February 1, 1929. He joined the Schutzpolizei from April. 1930, to July, 1934, leaving the SA in October, 1930 when he joined the SS. He first served with the III./40.SS-Standarte and was commissioned as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r o n November 21. 7
58
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders April 1. 1944 to October 19, 1944
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Walter Schröder
SS und Polizeiführer "Lettland" 80 August 4, 1941 to October 19, 1944
SS-Oberführer, after September 27, 1941 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Walter Schröder 81 SS-Oberführer Karl Schäfer 82 SS-Oberführer und Oberst der Polizei Wilhelm Fuchs
April 7, 1942 to April 26, 1942 (substitute) June 1942 (substitute) 83
SS und Polizeiführer "Litauen" 8 4 August 11, 1941 to July 2. 1943
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Lucian Wysocki SS-Oberführer Karl Schäfer SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Hermann Harm SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Kurt Hintze 85
April 25, 1942 to May 22, 1942 (substitute) July 2, 1943 to April 8, 1944 April 4, 1944 to September 15, 1944
1931. C o m m a n d i n g the 5./II./40.SS-Standarte f r o m N o v e m b e r . 1931, to December, 1932, he was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer on April 20, 1933 and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on March I, 1934. He led the II./40.SS-Standarte f r o m December. 1932. to July, 1934, and then c o m m a n d e d the 5 0 . S S - S t a n d a r t e until S e p t e m b e r . 1942. P r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on J a n u a r y 30, 1935, to SSStandartenführer on January 1, 1936. and to SS-OberfUhrer on August 1, 1941, he was Police Director for Flensburg f r o m September, 1937, to August, 1941. He was listed with H i m m l e r ' s personal staff (September. 1942, to April, 1944) and then the staff of Oberabschnitt " O s t l a n d " (April, 1944, to May, 1945). From September, 1940, to August, 1941. he served as a W a f f e n - S S H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. following disciplinary action and then transferred to Police duties. He was accused and cleared of m u r d e r charges in 1941. As S S P F "Estland" he served f r o m August, 1941, to April, 1944, and b e c a m e an Oberst der Polizei on J u n e 11.1943. Promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on January 30, 1944, he served under Carl Oberg with A r m y G r o u p "Weichsel" f r o m mid-February. 1945, to May, 1945. In 1945 he helped with f o r m i n g the d o o m e d National Latvian g o v e r n m e n t in Kurland. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class, the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver as well as both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. Möller died in Kiel in 1974. 80
Headquartered in Riga, Schröder was given the post after it was refused by Alfred Rodenbücher. Born in Lübeck on N o v e m b e r 26, 1902. he studied engineering and, after receiving his diploma, worked for a ship building c o m p a n y and a machine works. He joined the SA on May 5, 1925, and the N S D A P in 1926. Promoted to S A - S t u r m f ü h r e r in September 1927, he led an SA Sturm in M e c k l e n b u r g - L ü b e c k f r o m 1927-1929 and then worked in the propaganda section for the Lübeck area f r o m June, 1928, to 1930. He was a Kreisleiter in Gau M e c k l e n b u r g - L ü b e c k f r o m 1930 to 1934 and Gau Inspektor for Mecklenburg-Lübeck f r o m 1934 to April, 1937. A m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m April, 1938, to May, 1945, he was appointed deputy for police affairs in Lübeck f r o m March to May, 1933 and was a state senator for Lübeck f r o m May, 1933, to July, 1937. He was Police President and administrative head of the Kripo for Lübeck f r o m April, 1937, to May, 1945. Schröder left the S A and joined the N S K K in September, 1936 as an N S K K - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r , serving with the staff of N S K K Motorobergruppe " N o r d " f r o m September, 1936, to May, 1938, and was promoted to N S K K - O b e r f i i h r e r on January 30, 1938. He left the N S K K and joined the SS as an S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on April 20, 1938 and w a s posted to the S D H a u p t a m t and later the R S H A . He was S S P F " L e t t l a n d " f r o m August, 1941, to October, 1944, and S S P F " E s t l a n d " f r o m April to October, 1944, during which he was promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on September 27, 1941. From October. 1944, to January, 1945, he p e r f o r m e d duties concluding the S S P F "Lettland" post and then retreated towards G e r m a n y where he took up his Police President post again and served in reserve until the end of the war. He despised his H S S P F superior (Friedrich Jeckeln) and did his best to help Latvians allied with the Germans, many of w h o m he kept in contact with a f t e r the war. Awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class as well as both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, he received the pension for a General after the war and died in Lübeck on N o v e m b e r 3, 1973. 81
8: Born in Görlitz on June 17, 1892. he worked as an interpreter in A f r i c a (German, English, French and Dutch) f r o m 1911 to 1914. He joined the Imperial Navy in August, 1914, and won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver during W W I . Joining the N S D A P in 1922, he left following the N o v e m b e r , 1923, Putsch and rejoined in August, 1930. He joined the SS in October. 1931 and f r o m December, 1931, to May, 1934, served with the 35.SS-Standarte. Promoted to S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 1, 1932 and to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r n July 31, 1933, he c o m m a n d e d the 5.Sturm after December, 1932, and the II.Sturmbann after July, 1933. From November, 1934, to April, 1936, he c o m m a n d e d the 18.SS-Standarte and then led Abschnitt XXII f r o m April, 1936, to March, 1937. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1934, in March, 1937, he took c o m m a n d of Abschnitt XII and officially still held the post while serving in Russia after April, 1942. Schäfer was promoted to SS-Oberführer on September 13. 1936, and to SS-Brigadeführer on J u n e 21, 1943. He"was S S P F " L e t t l a n d " during April. 1942, S S P F Litauen f r o m April to May, 1942, and finally S S P F "Weißruthenien" f r o m M a y to July, 1942. He went to the staff of Oberabschnitt Weichsel for t w o months in July. 1942. and then returned to the staff of the H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - S ü d . " He b e c a m e S S P F " D n j e p r o p e t r o w s k - K r i v o i - R o g " in October. 1942, and was killed holding that c o m m a n d on N o v e m b e r 2, 1943. 83
Schröder on leave during this time period. Headquartered in Kauen, it was also referred to as the S S P F " K a u e n . " Born the son of a w a t c h m a k e r on October 8, 1901, in Fehrbellin, he worked in a factory and on a farm after completing schooling in 1915. He joined the N S D A P and the S A on S e p t e m b e r 1. 1928, and served in the 8.Sturm of SA Standarte VII until June 18, 1931. when he was c o m m i s s i o n e d an S A - S t u r m f ü h r e r and given c o m m a n d of the Sturm until S e p t e m b e r 9. 1932, when p r o m o t e d to S A Sturmbannführer. From September, 1932 to early December. 1933 he led the V./39.SA-Standarte and then b e c a m e a detachment head at the Reich Leader School in Munich until late September, 1934. In November, 1934, he took c o m m a n d of S A Brigade 7. which he led until 84 85
59
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS und Polizeiführer "Weißruthenien" July 21, 1941 to August 14, 1941
86
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Jakob Sporrenburg SS-Brigadeführer, after September 26, 1941 also Generalmajor der Polizei Carl Zenner SS-Oberführer Karl Schäfer SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after July 15, 1943 SSGruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Curt von Gottberg SS-Oberführer, after November 9, 1942 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Walter Schimina SS-Standartenführer Erich Ehrlinger 87
August 14, 1941 to May 22, 1942 May 22, 1942 to July 21, 1942 July 21, 1942 to September 22, 1943
July 21, 1942 to July 15, 1943 (substitute)
September 6, 1943 to April 1, 1944
Subordinate to the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer und Polizeiführer "Rußland-Süd," later the Höchster SS und Polizeiführer "Ukraine" SS und Polizeiführer "Wolhynien-Brest-Litovsk" September 4, 1941 to September 1, 1942
88
SS-Oberführer, after September 27, 1941 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Waldemar Wappenhans 8 9
N o v e m b e r 1936, and was promoted to S A - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1934, to S A - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1935, and to S A - O b e r f ü h r e r o n N o v e m b e r 9, 1935. He was dismissed f r o m his brigade c o m m a n d by Hitler's order and joined the G e r m a n Labor Front while retaining his S A rank. A m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m August, 1932, to November, 1934, he left the S A and joined the SS on July I, 1937, as an SS-Oberführer. A f t e r three months in the S S - H a u p t a m t he took c o m m a n d of Abschnitt XI f r o m October. 1937. until February, 1940. He went to Poland as SS und Selbstschutz Führer f r o m m i d - N o v e m b e r . 1939, to February, 1940, and then c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X X X I until mid-January, 1941. Joining the W a f f e n - S S as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on S e p t e m b e r 5, 1940, he led a supply column in the " L e i b s t a n d a r t e " f r o m S e p t e m b e r to N o v e m b e r , 1940, and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on N o v e m b e r I. 1940, when he left the W a f f e n - S S but retained his rank. From January. 1941. to October. 1943. he served with the RKFDV. f r o m April. 1941 as an office chief in the main staff and was promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on January 30, 1942. As a special representative of H i m m l e r he was assigned to SS-Truppenübungsplatz (Troop Training Area) " K u r m a r k " f r o m October. 1943, to February, 1944, and was given the honorary rank of G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on February 2 1 , 1 9 4 4 . Attached to Friedrich Jeckeln's staff in February, 1944 (for w h o m he briefly substituted), he b e c a m e S S P F " L i t a u e n " f r o m April to September, 1944. Awarded the Gold Party Badge on March 3, 1934, the War Service Cross with S w o r d s 1st and 2nd classes, the G e r m a n Social Welfare Cross 3rd class and the S A Sports Badge in Gold, he b e c a m e Reich C o m m i s s a r for the Fortress Staff U p p e r Silesia in Kattowitz in m i d - S e p t e m b e r 1944. He was killed during an air raid on N o v e m b e r 13, 1944. "•Transferred to " R u ß l a n d - M i t t e " in 1943. T h e post was headquartered in Minsk and also referred to as the S S P F " M i n s k . " 87 Born in G i e n g e n on O c t o b e r 14, 1910. the son of the town mayor. He studied law at the universities in Kiel and Berlin. Joining the N S D A P and SA in J u n e 1931, he led an S A Sturm in the l . S A - S t a n d a r t e until October. 1931, then a similar c o m m a n d in the 125.SAStandarte until N o v e m b e r 1932. He c o m m a n d e d the IV.Sturmbann in the 15.SA-Standarte f r o m December. 1932, to June. 1933, and then the Il.Sturmbann with the 216.SA-Standarte f r o m June, 1933, to June, 1934. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S A - S t u r m f ü h r e r in May, 1933, he was promoted to S A - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r in December, 1933. From March, 1934 to June, 1935, he taught an SA supervised sports schooling class for students. Leaving the SA for the SS on June 22, 1935. he served with the S D Abschnitt IX for three months and was c o m m i s sioned an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on July 1. 1935. He formally joined the S D in September. 1935, and served with the S D - H a u p t a m t / R S H A until September, 1939, as a detachment head and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1936, to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9 , 1936, and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on March 12, 1938. From September, 1935, to the end of the Polish campaign he headed the desk for press relations in the S D Hauptamt. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on January 30, 1939, he led an E i n s a t z k o m m a n d o in Prague f r o m March to September, 1939, as well as helping set up the S D offices in Vienna (1938) and Prague (1939). During the Polish campaign he served with Einsatzgruppe 4 and was a detachment head of the Sipo and S D c o m m a n d e r for Warsaw f r o m N o v e m b e r , 1939. to March. 1940. when he j o i n e d the Waffen-SS. H e served with the w a r correspondent c o m p a n y of the "Leibstandarte" until leaving the W a f f e n - S S in August, 1940. From August, 1940, to February, 1941, he acted as H i m m l e r ' s representative in Norway, helping to set up the SS organization there. Following two months as an office head in the R S H A , he c o m m a n d e d S o n d e r k o m m a n d o l b (Einsatzgruppe A) headquartered in Riga (Latvia) f r o m May to December, 1941. As c o m m a n d e r of the Sipo and S D in Kiev he served f r o m D e c e m b e r 1941 to August, 1943, then b e c a m e adjutant to the senior Sipo and S D c o m m a n d e r for the Ukraine. He held the position as substitute c o m m a n d e r for the Sipo and S D in the Ukraine f r o m September, 1942, to August, 1943, while Dr. M a x T h o m a s was ill. As c o m m a n d e r of Einsatzgruppe B, as well as senior Sipo and SD c o m m a n d e r for White Russia headquartered in Minsk, he served f r o m September, 1943, to April, 1944, during which he was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 1, 1943. For the remainder of the w a r he w a s with the R S H A and w a s Inspector of Sipo and S D schools, being promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1944, and was given the rank of Oberst der Polizei on J u n e 27, 1944. During the w a r he won the Iron Cross 2nd class on July 2, 1940 and the 1st class award on August 27, 1943. He lived under his o w n n a m e after the war, w o r k i n g in a casino and running a V W agency until arrested in 1958. Ehrlinger was tried and sentenced to 12 years in prison but was released in D e c e m b e r 1964.
60
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
From left to right are Alfred Wünnenberg, Johann Mörschel and Georg Graf von Bassewilz-Behr. von Bassewitz-Behr was born in Lützow, Mecklenburg, on March 21, 1900, the son of a cavalry officer. He served with the infantry in WWI then studied agriculture, serving in the Stahlhelm during most of 1930. Joining the SS on February 1, 1931, he first served with the motorized section of the 22.SSStandarte and led that Staffel from August 1932 to December 1933. Promoted to SS-Scharfiihrer in September, 1932, to SS-Truppführer on March 9, 1933, to SS-Obertruppfiihrer on September 2, 1933, and commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on November 9, 1933, he led the 15.SS-Motorstandarte from December, 1933, to early April, 1934. He then served as Staffelführer to Oberabschnitt "Nord" until the start of April 1936. Promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer on May 29, 1934, to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on June 17, 1934, and to SSObersturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1935, he led the 4.SS-Motorstandrte from April, 1935, to August, 1936. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on April 20, 1936, he visited the USA and toured the motor vehicle industry in June-July, 1935. He returned to Germany and headed the Allgemeine-SS motorized office in the SS-Hauptamt from August, 1936, to April, 1941 and was also Inspector of motorized vehicles from August, 1936, to October, 1940. Moving to the SS-Führungshauptamt, he was also Inspector for motorized vehicles there from October, 1940, to April, 1941. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on September 11, 1938, and to Waffen-SS Obersturmbannführer on June 1, 1940, he commanded the anti-tank detachment of 6.SS-TotenkopfStandarte during May /940 and was attached to the Einsatzstab (later Kommandostab " Reichsfiihrer-SS") from April to November 1941. Reassigned to the staff of the HSSPF "Ostland" from September to November, 1941, he also served as SSPF " Dnjepropetrowsk" as well as SS garrison commander for that area from'November, 1941 to the start of August, 1942. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei on January 1, 1942, he was SSPF "Mogilew "from August, 1942, to April, 1943. As deputy HSSPF "Rußland-Mitte" from November, 1942, to March, 1943, he acted as HSSPF while Bach was on anti-partisan operations (the assignment was to train as a HSSPF). Promoted to SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 20, 1943, he led Oberabschnitt "Nordsee" from April, 1943, to May, 1945, and was HSSPF "Nordsee" from mid-February, 1943 to the end of the war. He became a Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS on July I, 1944 and was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the NSKK Motor Sports Badge in Silver and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. He was a leading Allgemeine-SS officer for motorized aspects of the formations and well thought of by his superiors and a qualified motor sportsman. Captured by the British, he was extradited to Russia and died there in captivity during January 1949. (Phil Nix)
88 The posts of SSPF"Wolhynien-Brest Livosk" and " R o w n o " were combined on January 1. 1942. The headquarters was in Rovno with Wappenhans as initial commander of the combined posts until September 1, 1942 followed by Günther. Its headquarters moved to Luzk in early September, 1942, and was titled "Wolhynien-Luzk.". 89 Born in Berlin on October 2 1 . 1 8 9 3 . the son of a school director, he joined the cadet corps at age nine and was commissioned a Leutnant in July 1914. His last military school was Berlin-Lichterfelde, later the home of the "Leibstandarte." He served in W W I with the infantry including time as adjutant of Infanterieregiment 239 from 1914 to 1916. Transferring to the flying corps as an observer with Flying Detachment 55, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and qualified as a pilot. As a pilot he served with Flying Detachments 300 and 305. He left the military in 1920 after serving in Silesia and Poland with border flying units. After leaving the military he attended the university in Breslau. He was introduced to Himmler by Werner Lorenz in 1930, joining the N S D A P and SS on February 1, 1931. Wappenhans served as Stabsführer of Abschnitt VII from February to November. 1931. and then stayed with the unit until returning to Stabsführer duty from February until September. 1932. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on July 22, 1932, he led the 19.SS-Standarte from September, 1932, to April, 1933, and then led the 55.SS-Standarte until December, 1933. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on December 24. 1932, from December, 1933, to October, 1934, he led 24.SS-Standarte followed by posting as special duties officer of Oberabschnitt "Nordost" until April, 1935. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on November 9. 1934. he led Abschnitt IX f r o m April, 1935, to April. 1936. then commanded Abschnitt XXXII (which he formed) until May. 1938. As Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt " N o r d " he served from May to November. 1938, and then officially commanded Abschnitt XXXIII until January. 1942. He joined the L u f t w a f f e as a Leutnant d.R. in January, 1936 and served with aerial reconnaissance units until December, 1940, ending service as a Major d.R. He underwent training with the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei and the R S H A before assuming his first SSPF post. He then held both the Nikolajev and Dnjepropetrovsk positions, simultaneously through the first part of 1943. Next becoming S S P F for special assignments under Prützmann in October 1943. he led a Battle Group into January, 1944, and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei on September 27. 1941, and to SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on November 9, 1943. From mid-1942 on he was ill for various periods and was listed as a reserve officer after March, 1944. He would have served on Field Marshal Walter Model's staff in January, 1945, but illness prevented this and he was ordered to Berlin. However, he went elsewhere with his family and discarded his uniform as well as changing his name. Awarded the Iron Cross 1st class and a clasp to his W W I 2nd class in 1940, he ran a small business after the war and was eventually discovered but received a war pension. He later ran a coffee house in Braunschweig and died in Hannover on December 2. 1967.
61
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Heinrich Schmauser was born in Hof-an-der-Saale on January 18, 1890, the son of a merchant. He joined the Army in October 1911 and served first with an infantry regiment. After attending the War School in Hannover he was commissioned as a Leutnant, becoming a platoon, company and temporary battalion commander. Twice wounded, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver. Promoted to Oberleutnant, he left the Army in February, 1919, and worked as a bank clerk. Joining the NSDAP and the SA on March I, 1930, he led a Sturm in SA-Standarte 10 based in Zwickau from March, 1930, until joining the SS on October 14, 1930, following a meeting with Himmler. Commissioned as an SS-Standartenführer on October 15, 1930, he led the early form of the eventual 7.SS-Standarte from December, 1930, to August, 1932. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on October 6, 1932, he led Abschnitt XVI from August, 1932, to July, 1933. A member of the Reichstag from July, 1932, to the end of the war, he was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on July 3, 1933. From July, 1933, to April, 1936, he commanded Oberabschnitt "Sud" and its earlier titled forms. During the June, 1934, purge of the SA leadership he was Himmler's liaison officer with the Reichswehr. Promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on September 15, 1933, and to SS-Obergruppenführer on April 20, 1937, from April, 1936, to May, 1941, he headed Oberabschnitt "Main." He trained with the "Totenkopf" Division during March and April, 1940, and became HSSPF "Südost" from May, 1941, to February, 1945. He also officially headed Oberabschnitt "Südost" from June, 1941, to February, 1945 though assuming the post from Erich von dem Bach several weeks earlier. Given the ranks of General der Polizei on April 10, 1941, and General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944, he was awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1940, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class. More popular (and less destructive in all ways) than von dem Bach who he replaced, Schmauser was captured by the Russians with his Gendarmerie escort on February 10, 1945 and died in Russian captivity on December 31, 1945. (Phil Nix)
SS und Polizeiführer "Rowno" August 1, 1941 to January 1, 1942 September 1, 1942 to June 6, 1944
February 10, 1944 to September 6, 1944 (substitute) 92
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Gerrett Korsemann SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1943 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Wilhelm Günther 91 SS-Oberführer, after August 1, 1944 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Ernst Hartmann
" Born April 2 1 , 1 8 9 9 , he served in W W I with signals units and won the Iron Cross 2nd class before leaving the Army in October 1919. After the war studied electrical engineering and spent time in prison for spying on French occupational forces. He joined the N S D A P in May 1932 and the SS on March 14, 1933, first serving as a signals man on the staff of Abschnitt XI from March, 1933, to April, 1935. An SS-Untersturmfiihrer after April 20. 1935. he served with SD Oberabschnitt "Rhein" until April. 1937, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmführer on January 30, 1936 and to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer on April 20, 1937. He then headed SD Oberabschnitt "Südost" from April 1937 until November 1938 and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on January 30. 1938. to SS-Obersturmbannführer on September 11. 1938. and to SS-Standartenführer on September 10, 1939. He served with the SD during the Sudetenland takeover and was promoted to SS-Oberführer on November 9, 1941. As Inspector of the Sipo and SD in Stettin he served from October, 1939 to March, 1941 then held the same post in Kassel until September, 1942. Günther served as S S P F "Bergvolker-Ordshonikidse" f r o m May to August. 1942. He then held his S S P F " R o w n o " post during which Prützmann, who thought well of him, recommended him for promotion to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei (April 20, 1943). He was senior Sipo and SD commander in Triest from May, 1944, to mid-February. 1945, then spent the remainder of the war in a staff position with the RSHA. Awarded a clasp to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd class, the Iron Cross 1st class and the Olympic games decoration 2nd class, he died on December 31, 1945. 92
Was official deputy to Wilhelm Günther.
62
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
From right to left are Rudolf Querner, Karl Wolff, Heinrich Himmler and Luftwaffe General Ludwig Wolff. Rudolf Querner was born in Lehndorf, Saxony, on June 10, 1893, the son of an estate owner. He became a cadet in 1906 in Dresden, later attending the war college in Hannover. Commissioned as a Leutnant in February 1912, during WWI he was a French prisoner of war from August, 1914 to December, 1918, and won the Iron Cross 2nd class. In September, 1919, he joined the Saxony Security• Police as a Leutnant and later transferred to the Gendarmerie. Promoted to Hauptmann in 1922, he served as an adjutant, section and company commander. He left the Gendarmerie in 1935 having been a Oberstleutnant since 1933. Also a member of the Hitler Youth from 1930 to 1933, he joined the NSDAP in early May, 1933, and transferred to the Schutzpolizei in mid-March, 1935, as a Oberstleutnant. Promoted to Oberst on September 1, 1936, he commanded the Schutzpolizei in Hamburg from that date until the start of April, 1937. He was then Inspector of the Schutzpolizei in Hamburg, Bremen, and Oldenburg until the end of October, 1940. Joining the SS as an SS-Standartenführer on May 22, 1938, he first served on the staff of Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" (later "Nordsee") until early November, 1940, and was promoted to SSOberfiihrer on June 18, 1939. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on April 20, 1940, he led an Einsatzgruppe in Bohemia during early 1939 as well as being senior commander of the Ordnungspolizei in Prague from March to June, 1939. Again promoted on April 20, 1939, to Generalmajor der Polizei and on November 9, 1940 to SS-Gruppenführer, he was General Inspector of the Gendarmerie and Schutzpolizei in the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei from the start of November, 1940, to late April, 1941, and was also promoted to Generalleutnant der Polizei on November 9, 1940. As HSSPF "Nordsee" he served from late April, 1941 to late January, 1943, and also led Oberabschnitt "Nordsee" from April, 1941, to April, 1943. From early May, 1943 to October, 1944, he led Oberabschnitt "Donau" and was HSSPF "Donau " from the start of February, 1943, until early October, 1944, being promoted to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Polizei on June 21, 1943. In the later post he replaced Ernst Kaltenbrunner who left to take command of the RSHA. Given the rank of General der Waffen-SS on July I, 1944, he was commander of Oberabsclmitt " Mitte" and HSSPF "Mitte" from early October, 1944, to the end of the war as a replacement for Hermann Hofie who went to Slovakia. Well educated with interests in forestry and land management, he was fluent in French and one of the least forceful of the HSSPF. Awarded both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the Olympic Games Decoration 2nd class and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, he committed suicide in Magdeburg on May 27, 1945. (Phil Nix)
SS und Polizeiführer "Charkow" August 4, 1941 to May 19, 1943
SS-Brigadeführer, after June 1. 1942 also Generalmajor der Polizei Willy Tensfeld 92
92 Born on November 27, 1893, he joined the Imperial Navy in 1909 and served in W W I with U-boats. After leaving the Navy in 1923 he worked in the Kiel shipyards until 1931. He joined the SS on September 1. 1931, and the N S D A P in early December that year. First serving with the l./III./40.SS-Standarte, he was promoted to SS-Scharfiihrer on November 19, 1931. and to SS-Truppführer on November 26, 1931. From late November, 1931, to mid-August, 1932, he was adjutant of the III./40.SS-Standarte and was commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on March 14. 1932. He was StabsfUhrer of Abschnitt XIV from mid-August, 1932, to the end of November. 1933, being promoted to SS-SturmhauptfUhrer on October 7. 1932. to SS-Sturmbannführer on January 30, 1933 and to SS-Obersturmbannführer on September 3, 1933. As commander of the 17.SS-Standarte he served from June, 1934, to March, 1935. and then led the ^ . S S Standarte until April 1936. He led Abschnitt IX from April, 1936. to January, 1939, and then was StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" (later "Nordsee") from January, 1939, to June, 1942. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on January 30. 1941, and to Generalmajor der Polizei on June 1. 1942, he served as SSPF " C h a r k o w " (August, 1941, to May, 1943, he also commanded the garrison there), SSPF "Stalino" (May to September, 1943), SSPF "Shitomir" (April/May, 1943), S S P F for special assignment to the H ö S S P F "Italien" (September. 1943 to January, 1944) and SSPF "Oberitalien West" (January, 1944 to May, 1945). Tensfeld was awarded the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver, the Iron Cross 2nd class on March 31, 1943, the Iron Cross 1st class on September 25, 1943, and both classes of the War Service
63
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS-Oberführer Bernhard Fischer-Schweder 9 3 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Hans Haltermann SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Dr. Günther Merk
October 10, 1942 to October 22, 1942 (substitute) May 19, 1943 to September 11, 1943 September 11, 1943 to October 18, 1943
SS und Polizeiführer "Dnjepropetrowsk-Krivoi-Rog" November 11, 1941 to August 1, 1942
August 1, 1942 to October 4. 1942 October 4, 1942 to October 4, 1943 October 4, 1943 to November 2, 1943
SS und Polizeiführer "Kiew" October 1, 1941 to May 19, 1943
SS-Oberführer, after January 1, 1942 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Georg Graf von Bassewitz-Behr SS-Brigadeführer, after September 16, 1942 also Generalmajor der Polizei Hermann Harm SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Waldemar Wappenhans SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Karl Schäfer
SS-Brigadeführer, after January 30, 1942 also Generalmajor der Polizei, after January 30, 1943 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Hans Haltermann SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Paul Hennicke SS-Oberführer Bernhard Fischer-Schweder
May 1, 1943 to December 1943 October 10, 1942 to October 22, 1942 (substitute) SS und Polizeiführer "Nikolajew" October 22, 1941 to September I, 1942 September 1. 1942 to April 1943
SS-Brigadeführer Fritz Tittmann 94 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Waldemar Wappenhans
Cross with Swords. He was also awarded the G e r m a n Cross in Gold on February 15, 1945, by r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of H ö S S P F Karl Wolff for c o m m a n d i n g a force of 3,000 G e r m a n s and Italian Blackshirts in defeating 6.000 partisans in D o m o d o s s o l a during mid-October, 1944. Tensfeld was an efficient supply administrator for Wolff in Italy. He was liaison officer with those Italian Facists still loyal to G e r m a n y after September, 1943, until the surrender and died in H a m b u r g on S e p t e m b e r 2, 1982. 93 Born on January 12, 1904. in Berlin-Spandau, he served with the Freikorps in 1921 and joined the S A in August 1925 as well as the N S D A P for the second time in April, 1929. In 1930 he was promoted to SA-Sturmbannfiihrer and in 1931 to SA-Standartenführer, serving with S A G r u p p e "Schlesien" (Silesia) until the R ö h m Putsch of June, 1934. He w a s arrested and nearly executed during that time but was found innocent by the G e s t a p o and released in September, 1934. Promoted to SA-OberfUhrer in 1935, he held S A rank until August 1941. Joining the G e s t a p o after his release, he took Police training and then served with the espionage and intelligence detachment of the G e s t a p o in Liegnitz then Breslau (where he eventually led the office) until October, 1940. He also headed a similar detachment in Vienna f r o m March to August, 1938. After serving as Police Director in M e m e l f r o m October, 1 9 4 0 , t o J u n e , 1941 (he held titular c o m m a n d until October. 1942), he served in Russia where he led a Schutzpolizei K o m m a n d o attached to Einsatzgruppe A. Joining the SS as an S S - O b e r f ü h r e r in 1941. he led the Schutzpolizei attached to E i n z a t z k o m m a n d o "Tilsit" until October, 1942. A f t e r briefly serving as the S S P F " C h a r k o w , " he went to Kiev with the Schutzpolizei unit he had led in Tilsit. After being tried and convicted for public drunkeness he was posted to the W a f f e n - S S as an enlisted man in September, 1943. He served with training and replacement units and later with the S S - P a n z e r - G r e n a d i e r - S c h u l e " K i e n s c h l a g . " P r o m o t e d to S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d . R . on O c t o b e r 2 6 . 1944. a f t e r b e i n g an S S Standartenoberjunker, he served as a c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r with the 12.SS-Panzer-Division " H i t l e r j u g e n d " f r o m January, 1945, to May, 1945. He w a s awarded the Gold Party Badge and War Service Cross 2nd class. Arrested after the war and sentenced to 10 years in prision. he was later released and died on N o v e m b e r 28. 1960. 94 Born in Leipzig on July 18, 1889, he served in W W I with the infantry, was w o u n d e d three times and won both classes of the Iron Cross. He joined the N S D A P in July, 1921. and founded the first N S D A P g r o u p outside Bavaria. Tittmann was Gauleiter for Saxony f r o m October, 1921, to early N o v e m b e r , 1923, and attended the 1922 Coburg rally. He left the N S D A P in the w a k e of the N o v e m b e r 1923 Putsch. Rejoining the N S D A P and S A in 1925, he was Gauleiter of Saxony (July/August, 1925) and Gau Inspector for Kurmark (193032) then Reich Inspector for K u r m a r k , Berlin and Silesia until September, 1936, when the posts were abolished. He was originally in the SS in the late 1920s but left in 1929, he also headed the press corps for the 1933 and 1934 N S D A P rallies. Rejoining the SS as an SSO b e r f ü h r e r on April 20, 1938, he served on H i m m l e r ' s staff as H i m m l e r ' s ethnic G e r m a n plenipotentiary for receiving SS Sudeten e m i g r e s by the designated N S D A P organization until the autumn of 1941. Reassigned to Police duties he was S S P F " N i k o l a j e w " f r o m October. 1941, to the start of September, 1942, and then stayed with the staff of the H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - S ü d " until September, 1944. Reprimanded for allocating forced labor for private use, he was transferred to Italy as a district head until the end of the war. His family w a s killed in an air raid and Tittmann burned to death in Treuenbrietzen on April 20, 1945.
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Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Richard Hildebrandt was born on March 13, 1897 in Worms am Rhein, the sixth son of a school teacher. He joined the Army in early May 1915, serving with the artillery as an observer and battery commander. Commissioned as a Leutnant in the reserves in February 1918, he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class and served in Russia and France. Between the wars he attended a university and worked in the banking field. Joining the NSDAP and £4 in May, 1922, but left after the Munich Putsch. He worked in the United States from 1928 to 1930, rejoining the NSDAP and SA on June I, 1928. Leaving the SA he joined the SS in February, 1931, and was commissioned as an SSSturmfiihrer on June 24, 1931. He served with Abschnitt I from June to August 1931 and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on August 14, 1931. From mid-August, 1931, to the start of October, 1932, he was the first StabsfUhrer of Abschnitt I as well as being Sepp Dietrich's adjutant. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on October 18, 1931, and to SS-Oberführer on January I, 1932, he also served as StabsfUhrer to SS Gruppe "Süd" from August, 1931, to October, 1932, after which he commanded the Gruppe until late January, 1933. Assigned to Gruppe "West" from late January to early November, 1933, he was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on November 9, 1933. From November, 1933, to mid-April, 1935, he was the first commander of Abschnitt XXI and then commanded Abschnitt XI to the end of 1936. Promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on September 13, 1936, he led Oberabschnitt "Rhein "from early January, 1937, to September, 1939. As HSSPF "Rhein" (see "Rhein-Westmark") he served from April to October, 1939, and headed Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" from November, 1939, to April, 1943. Given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 10, 1941, and promoted to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Polizei on January 30, 1942, he was HSSPF "Schwarzes Meer" from December 1943 to September 1944 and was also SSPF "Simferopol" during the same period. During August and September; 1944 he also held the briefly existing HSSPF "Siebenbürgen " post. In the final months of the war he was HSSPF "Südost" and leader of Oberabschnitt "Südost" (March, 1945 to the end of the war), HSSPF "Böhmen Mähren" (April-May, 1945) and head of Oberabschnitt "Süd" from February, 1945, to the end of the war. Given the rank of General der Waffen-SS on December 1, 1944, from April, 1943, to the end of the war he headed the RuSHA with deputies performing his duties when he was involved with his other posts. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross and the Iron Cross 1st class in 1944, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, The NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. He was most effective in making the RuSHA a smoother running main office, eliminating existing red tape. Tried by the allies after the war he was sentenced to 25 years in prison then extradited to Poland for trial. Sentenced to death by the Poles in 1949, he was hanged on March 10, 1952. (Phil Nix)
April 1943 to October 10, 1943
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Paul Zimmermann 9 5 SS-Brigadeführer Rudolf Weiss SS-Brigadeführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Gruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Ludolf von Alvensleben
October 10, 1943 to March 21, 1944 (substitute) October 6, 1943 to February 11. 1944
95 Born in Münster on July 2, 1895, the son of a government surveyor. He served in W W I and won both classes of the Iron Cross. After the war got a degree in construction engineering specializing in roads and railways. Joining the N S D A P in 1931, he entered the SS as an SS-Standartenführer in 1936. First serving on the staff of the SS-Hauptamt, he became StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Elbe" from October, 1937, to the end of June, 1938, and was promoted to SS-Oberführer on April 20, 1938. From June, 1938, to April, 1943, he was involved with the SS interests in the "Four Year Plan" and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on August 1, 1940, and in the spring of 1943 became a Generalmajor der Polizei. After serving as SSPF "Nikolajew" he was special duties officer for the H ö S S P F "Ukraine" until 1944. In 1944/1945, he was assigned to Wolff's H ö S S P F "Italien" staff and also was a civilian company director. Awarded a clasp to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd class and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold, he died on May 21, 1980.
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Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Karl Hermann Frank (shown in Prague on the far right while on the left is Reinhard Heydrich) was horn in Karlsbad on January 24, 1898, the son of a school teacher. He studied law at the University of Prague for four semesters. Starting in 1920 he worked as a bookkeeper, joining the Austrian Nazi Party and later became a bookseller specializing in Socialist propaganda until 1933. Elected to the Czech parliment in May 1935, he became a senator that same month. He led the Sudetenland Freikorps and became deputy Gauleiter of the area from late 1938 to the end of April, 1939, as well as being deputy commissioner. Joining the SS on November 1, 1938, he became an SS-Brigadefuhrer effective November I, 1938, and when Constantin Freiherr von Neurath became Reichsprotector of Czechoslovakia, Frank became State Secretary on March 18, 1939. From April, 1939, to April, 1945, he was HSSPF "Böhmen und Mähren" and was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on November 9, 1939, as well as being made a Generalleutnant der Polizei. He also headed Oberabschnitt "Böhmen und Mähren" from the start of April, 1944, to May, 1945. A member of the Reichstag for the Sudetenland from April, 1939 to August, 1943, he became deputy Reichsprotector under Neurath and Heydrich, also becoming a Reichsminister in August, 1943 to head the civil administration in Czechoslovakia until the area was retaken by the Allies in 1945. He was confirmed as a General der Polizei and General der Waffen-SS in 1944. Awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Gold Hitler Youth Honor Badge, the War Sen'ice Cross 1st class with Swords and the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver, he was ambitious and hated the Czechs. A fanatical Socialist and radical in his beliefs, he fought for SS control within his area regarding all respects including armaments. A close confident of Heydrich, he was the actual power behind Heydrich's successors. Very active in supressing political agitation and in deporting Czech Jews, he was married and had three children. Tried by the Czechs in 1946, he was publicallv hanged in front of4,000 spectators on May 22, 1946. (Author's archive)
SS und Polizeiführer "Stanislav-Rostow" 9 6 August 4, 1941 to May 27, 1942
SS-Oberführer, after September 27, 1941 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Dr. Richard Wendler SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei , after July 1, 1942 SSGruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Gerrett Korsemann SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Paul Hennicke
May 27, 1942 to October 1, 1942
October 1, 1942 to May 1, 1943
" Retitled "Rostow-Awdejewka" on January 27, 1942.
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Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders SS und Polizeiführer "Shitomir" October 22, 1941 to May 20, 1943
SS-Standartenführer, after April 20,1942 SS-Oberführer, after January 30, 1943 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Otto Hellwig SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Willy Tensfeld SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Willy Schmeicher SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Traupe SS-Oberführer Ernst Hartmann SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Christoph Diehm
April 19, 1943 to May 20, 1943 (substitute) 97 May 5, 1943 to September 25, 1943 September 25, 1943 to October 21, 1943 October 31, 1943 to January 25, 1944 January 25, 1944 to February 25, 1944
SS und Polizeiführer "Taurien-Krim-Simferopol" November 19, 1941 to October 6, 1943
March 3, 1943 to December 25, 1943 (substitute) December 25, 1943 to September 5, 1944 (substitute)
SS und Polizeiführer "Stalino-Donezgebiet" November 19, 1941 to May 19, 1943
SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1942 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Hans Döring SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Willy Tensfeld SS-Oberführer Dr. Rudolf Heuckenkamp
May 19, 1943 to September 4, 1943 August 1942 (substitute) SS und Polizeiführer "Tschernigow" October 22, 1941 to November 19, 1941 November 19, 1941 to July 1, 1943
SS-Brigadeführer Ludolf von Alvensleben SS-Oberführer, after September 16, 1942 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Willy Schmeicher SS-Oberführer Ernst Hartmann
July 1, 1943 to October 31, 1943 SS und Polizeiführer "Nord-Kaukasien" August 21, 1942 to October 1, 1942
SS-Brigadeführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Ludolf von Alvensleben SS-Oberführer und Oberst der Polizei Heinz Roch SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Polizei Richard Hildebrandt
98
SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 1, 1942 SS-Standartenführer und Oberst der Polizei Karl-Heinz Bürger 99
97
Hellwig was on leave during this period. Created for the Höhere SS und Polizeiführer z.b.V. " K a u k a s i e n " and when the post w a s not established was subordinated to " R u ß l a n d - S ü d . " It was f o r m e d and initially headquartered in Woroschilowsk. A s with the other five SS und Polizeiführer for the C a u c a s u s areas their existence w a s short-lived. 99 Born in Güstrow in M e c k l e n b u r g on February 16. 1904, the son of a teacher. He m o v e d to N u r e m b e r g in June, 1923, and joined the SA, later m o v i n g to M u n i c h where he was a m e m b e r of the 11.Kompanie of SA Standarte 6 there beginning in June, 1923, and participated in the N o v e m b e r , 1923 Putsch. After w o r k i n g in the aircraft industry during 1924-25, he returned to university studies in Potsdam and b e c a m e a teacher. He joined the N S D A P on October 1 3 , 1 9 2 7 and rejoined the S A in 1928. Bürger b e c a m e the S A leader for Geusen until August, 1930. when he joined the Hitlerjugend and b e c a m e HJ GaufUhrer for M e c k l e n b u r g - L ü b e c k until May. 1931, as well as being HJ O b e r f ü h r e r " N o r d . " Joining the SS on January 30, 1933, he served with the II./22.SS-Standarte until April, 1934. He m o v e d to the R u S H A f r o m April. 1934, until August, 1935, and then went to the staff of Oberabschnitt " N o r d " until the end of January, 1936. Promoted to S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r January 30, 1936, he was posted as R u S H A officer on the staff of Oberabschnitt " N o r d " until July 1936 and then held a similar post with Oberabschnitt " S ü d o s t " until April, 1937, during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on July 1, 1936, to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936, and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1937. He then returned to Oberabschnitt " N o r d " as R u S H A representative until September, 1938, followed by three months as head of training for the Oberabschnitt. Reassigned to the SS O f f i c e r School in Braunschweig, he served there f r o m N o v e m b e r , 1938, to M a r c h , 1940, on the school staff and then went to the inspection staff of the T o t e n k o p f v e r b ä n d e for three months. Transferring to the staff of August Heissmayer, he was sent 98
67
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS und Polizeiführer "Awdejewka" 100 October 1, 1942 to December 1, 1943
SS-Standartenfiihrer und Oberst der Polizei Karl-Heinz Bürger
SS und Polizeiführer "Kaukasien-Kuban" August 21, 1942 to November 11, 1942
101
SS-Brigadeführer, after September 16, 1942 also Generalmajor der Polizei Konstantin Kammerhofer SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Theobald Thier
November 14, 1942 to May 3, 1943
SS und Polizeiführer "Bergvolker-Ordshonikidse" May 7, 1942 to August 23, 1942 SS und Polizeiführer "Aserbeidschan" November 14, 1942 to April 21, 1943
1032
SS-Oberführer Wilhelm Günther
103
SS und Polizeiführer "Kertsch-Tamanhalbinsel" May 3, 1943 to July 29, 1943
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Konstantin Kammerhofer 104
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Theobald Thier
Subordinate to the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Rußland-Mitte und Weißruthenien" SS und Polizeiführer "Mogilew" SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Georg Graf von Bassewitz-Behr SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Franz Kutschera SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Hans Haltermann
August 1, 1942 to April 20, 1943 April 20, 1943 to September 20, 1943 September 20, 1943 to July 12, 1944 SS und Polizeiführer "Pripet" 105 December 18, 1943 to September 6, 1944
SS-Oberführer, after August 1, 1944 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Ernst Hartmann
to Russia in April, 1941, after a drinking binge and shooting his pistol in public. He served with the K o m m a n d o s t a b " R F S S " and its replacement unit Ersatz Bataillon " O s t " f r o m April. 1941. to the start of N o v e m b e r , 1942, and was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r und Oberst der Polizei on September 1, 1942. His final three positions were as an S S P F in southern Russia and Italy, his c o m m a n d being basically the s a m e unit (also called E i n s a t z k o m m a n d o " B ü r g e r " ) m o v i n g under different senior c o m m a n d e r s under w h o m he also served in a staff o f f i c e r capacity. Promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r und Oberst der Polizei on April 20, 1944, he was awarded the Gold Party Badge on D e c e m b e r 30, 1933, the Blood Order in December, 1934, T h e Iron Cross 2nd class in 1939. the Anti-partisan Badge in Bronze on October 30. 1944 and the Iron Cross 1st class on the latter date as well. He died in Karlsbad on D e c e m b e r 2, 1988. 100 F o r m e d f r o m portions of the SS und Polizeiführer Rostow and created for the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer z.b.V. " K a u k a s i e n . " It was attached to " R u ß l a n d - S ü d " when the post was not permanently established. 101 Created for the H S S P F z.b.V. " K a u k a s i e n " and then attached to " R u ß l a n d - S ü d . " It was f o r m e d and headquartered in Krasnodar. 102 Created for the H S S P F " K a u k a s i e n , " its headquarters was in Ordoshonikidse and was referred to by both names. Headquartered in Baku. IM Initially created for the H S S P F " K a u k a s u s . " Also envisioned for the c o m m a n d were the S S P F " G e o r g i e n " in Tiflis and the S S P F " A r m e n i e n " in Eriwan. 105 Headquartered in Pinsk.
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Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Alfred Rodenbücher was born in Schopfheim on September 29, 1900. He started working in a factory when he was 15 years old and lost both parents as a child. Joining the Imperial Navy in October 1916, he served with torpedo boats until 1919. Present at Scapa Flow, he later served on the battleship "Hannover" and the cruiser "Berlin." Transferring to land duty, he left the Navy as an NCO in September, 1930, after serving with several naval training schools, joining the NSDAP the same year. He joined the SS on as an SS-Sturmfuhrer on June 15, 1931, and led the 1 V111./4.SS-Standarte until September 10, 1931, when he was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer. He then served as administration officer of the 40.SS-Standarte until mid-October, 1931, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on October 18, 1931. He next commanded 40. SS-Standarte until October 6, 1932, when he was promoted to SS-Oberführer and took command of Abschnitt XIV. Leaving that post in mid-December, 1933, he took command of Abschnitt VIIIfrom June, 1933, until mid-February, 1934. (command of Abschnitt XIV was handled by Iiis StabsfUhrer when he moved to the Linz command) and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on December 15, 1933. From February to September, 1934, he organized and commanded Oberabschnitt "Osterreich" but actually returned to Germany in May, 1934, following the death of Chancellor Dollfuss. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on September 9, 1934, he was a member of the Reichstag for Düsseldorf from 1936 until the end of the war. Following the putsch attempt in Austria he ran an assistance organization for SS refugees with Hans-Albin Rauter as his chief of staff. From the start of June, 1939, to late April, 1941, he formed and commanded Oberabschnitt "Alpenland" and was also HSSPF "Alpenland" from April, 1939, to late April, 1941. He was dismissed from both posts for conspiring with Franz Kutschern to help him add control of the Salzburg Gau to his Gait Carinthia command. Rodenbücher was listed for the remainder of the war on Himmler's staff and with the SS-Personalhauptamt but actually served on active duty with the Navy beginning in May, 1941. He became a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy reserves on February 16, 1942, and a Commander (Korvettenkapitän d.R.) in 1942 winning both classes of the Iron Cross. Rodenbücher was assigned as SSPF for Latvia in June, 1941, but refused the posting. He died in Emmendingen on March 29. 1980. (Phil Nix)
69
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Above and two opposite: Three views showing a review of SS-Totenkopfstandarten in Prague. In the photo walking and inspecting the troops from right is Constantin von Neurath (in dark coat) who was the first Foreign Minister under Hitler and initial Reichsprotektor for Bohemia and Moravia, beside him is Karl-Hermann Frank and on the far left is the SS garrison commander in Prague, SS-OberfUhrer d.R. Julian Schemer. In the other two photos Frank reviews a parade and gives his speech. (Phil Nix)
SS und Polizeiführer "Bialystok" January 18, 1942 to January 30, 1943 May 20, 1943 to July 18, 1944
SS-Standartenfiihrer Werner Fromm 1 0 6 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Otto Hellwig SS-Oberführer und Oberst der Polizei Heinz Roch
July 18, 1944 to October 22, 1944
SS und Polizeiführer "Saratow" September 4, 1941 to November 30, 1941 107
SS-Standartenführer Walter Schimana
106 Born April 9, 1905, he worked as a banker before joining the SS on June 15, 1931, and the N S D A P in December that year. Promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer in 1932, he served with the Nachrichtensturmbann of Oberabschnitt "Nord" from February, 1934, to March. 1934. Promoted to SS-Untersturmführer on March 14, 1934, to SS-Obersturmführer on June 1, 1934, and to SS-Hauptsturmführer on January 30, 1935. he led SS-Nachrichtensturmbann 6 from April, 1935, to 1936 (the unit attached to Oberabschnitt "Nord"). From January I, 1936, to January 1, 1937. he was adjutant (Ha) of Oberabschnitt "Südost" and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer January 13, 1936. For the next three months he led the I.Sturmbann of the 54.SS-Standarte and then became Stabsführer of Abschnitt VII until March, 1938. He led the 60.SS-Standarte from March, 1938. to January, 1943. and was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on November 9, 1940. then to SS-Oberführer und Oberst der Polizei on January 30, 1943. From August ,1939, to November, 1940, he served with an Army signals company. He headed the personnel bureau of the H S S P F "Ostland" from September to December, 1941. As a special duties officer he was on the staff of the H S S P F "Rußland-Süd" from early December, 1941, to mid-January, 1942, then became SSPF "Bialystok" until the end of January, 1943. He then served as SSPF "Sarajevo," officially holding the post until the end of the war. He joined the Waffen-SS reserve in January, 1945, with the 16.SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Reichsführer-SS" and became an SS-Untersturmführer d.R. on January 25, 1945. Awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1940 and the Reich and SA Sports Badges in Silver, he died in Bielefeld on May 10. 1981. 107
The post was dissolved on this date.
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Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Subordinate to the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Serbien' SS und Polizeiführer "Montenegro' October 1, 1943 to October 20, 1944
SS-Brigadeführer, in 1944 also Generalmajor der Polizei Richard Fiedler
SS und Polizeiführer "Sandschak" September 1943 to June 21, 1944 June 21, 1944 to November 28, 1944
SS-Standartenfiihrer Karl von Krempler 1.108 SS-Oberführer Richard Kaaserer
Subordinate to the Höchster SS und Polizeiführer "Italien" SS und Polizeiführer "Oberitalien-West" January 23, 1944 to May 1945
110
SS und Polizeiführer "Oberitalien-Mitte" April 1944 to October 1944
111
109
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Willy Tensfeld
SS und Polizeiführer "Mitteitalien-Verona" December 1, 1943 to May 1945
SS-Oberführer Ernst Hildebrandt 112 113
SS-Standartenführer, after April 20,1944 SS-Oberführer und Oberst der Polizei Karl-Heinz Bürger"1144
108 A Serb born in Pirot, he served with the Austrian army in W W I and b e c a m e a Leutnant on N o v e m b e r 1. 1918, having served with the infantry since April 1915. In 1919-1920 he was assigned to the War Ministry. He joined the SS in March, 1942, as an SS-Obersturmführer and served with the "Prinz E u g e n " Division f r o m March, 1942, to September, 1943. He was promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on April 20, 1943. Krempler officially left the W a f f e n - S S for Police duties and served as S S P F " S a n d s c h a k " f r o m September, 1943 to midJune, 1944, as well as being promoted to SS-Standartenführer (Allgemeine-SS) and SS-Standartenführer d.R. (Waffen-SS) on N o v e m b e r 9, 1944. A f t e r serving as S S P F " S a n d s c h a k , " he was involved with forming the eventual " H a n d s c h a r " Division and served on the divisional staff as administrative o f f i c e r f r o m March. 1944, to May, 1945. He was awarded a single handed tank destruction strip, the W o u n d Badge in Black and the Iron Cross 2nd class. lm
All the S S P F and their staffs attached to the H ö S S P F "Italien" c a m e f r o m existing S S P F posts in the Caucasus. Headquartered in M o n z a . 111 It was f o r m e d in Bologna and later m o v e d to Desenzano. Born on May 31, 1895, in Offstein, the son of the town mayor and a factory director. He served in the infantry during W W I and was a P O W f r o m 1917 to 1919. He left the A r m y as a Leutnant in 1920 after having won the Iron Cross 2nd class and Wound Badge in Black. He then studied social and e c o n o m i c sciences for t w o semesters at the University of Frankfurt. Serving with the Freikorps in 19221923, he joined the N S D A P in 1922 and left after the 1923 Putsch. He joined the SS with a signals position on February 1, 1932, and then rejoined the N S D A P in April. 1933. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on April 2, 1932, and promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 15, 1932, he served as intelligence officer for SS G r u p p e " S ü d " f r o m March to May, 1933, and then headed an S D detachment in the area of G r u p p e " S ü d " until April, 1934 (this G r u p p e b e c a m e an Oberabschnitt in November, 1933). He was special duties officer for the 15.SS-Standarte and the 75.SS-Standarte f r o m February, 1934. to April. 1937, and then returned to his S D position with Oberabschnitt " S ü d " until August, 1937. F r o m August, 1937, to May, 1945. he was assigned to the S D Hauptamt and later R S H A . He served as Police President in Hof an der Saale f r o m August, 1937, to July, 1940. then for Dessau f r o m July, 1940 to the end of the war, joining the W a f f e n SS as an S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on June 21, 1942. He fought in Battle G r o u p " J e c k e l n " f r o m J u n e until September, 1942, and then in SS-Gebirgsjäger Regiment 1 until June of 1943. He was awarded the clasp to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd class as well as the Iron Cross 1st class in 1943 as well as the R e i c h ' s Sports B a d g e in Gold. As adjutant (IIa) of "Prinz E u g e n " Division he served f r o m June to August 1943 and then headed the staff c o m p a n y of the H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - S ü d " until April, 1944. He served as S S P F "Oberitalien-Mitte" f r o m April to October, 1944, and after that special duties officer for the H S S P F " S ü d o s t " until February, 1945. From February, 1945. until the end he was special duties officer of the H S S P F "West." He w a s awarded the R e i c h ' s Sports B a d g e in Gold, a clasp to his W W I 2nd class Iron Cross and the Iron Cross 1st class in 1943. Well educated, two of his three brothers also obtained senior SS positions including the head of the R u S H A S S - O b e r g r u p p e n f ü h r e r Richard Hildebrandt and the c o m m a n d e r of 33.SS-Standarte, Fritz Hildebrandt. Ernst Hildebrandt died in N u r e m b e r g on March 28, 1970. 110
1,3 This post was the S S P F "West E m i l i e n " f r o m December, 1943, to April, 1944, and headquartered in Verona. F r o m January to April 1944 it was under the S S P F "Oberitalien-West." IIJ Promoted S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on April 20, 1945, by Karl Wolff but almost all of these promotions were not m a d e official.
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Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Walter Schimana was born in Austrian Silesia on March 12, 1898, the son of publisher Anton Schimana. He joined the Austrian cadet corps and graduated in December, 1918, upon which he joined the Army as a corporal. He left the Army in April, 1920, having served with the infantry and being promoted to Leutnant in the reserves. After the war he worked as a bookeeper and bank clerk before joining the NSDAP and SA on December 7, 1926. He first served with SA Sturm 1 in Munich until promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on October 1, 1929, and being given command of a separate SA Trupp in SA-Standarte X until the start of May 1930. Commissioned as an SASturmführer on November 22, 1930, he led SA Sturm 80 from May, 1930, to March, 1931, and then commanded the I./2.SA-Standarte until August 1932. Schimana then formed and led the SA school "Kleinols" from August, 1932, to May, 1933. Returning to a unit command, he led the 1,/50.SA-Standarte as well as the lll./230.SA-Standarte from May, 1933, to mid-March, 1934, and was promoted to SA-Sturmbannfiihrer on August 10, 1933. He attended the SA leader school at Nimptech and trained with Wehrmacht border protection units from July, 1933, to April, 1934. Serving as a special duties officer with SA Gruppe "Donau" from March, 1934, to July ,1939, he was promoted to SA-Obersturmbannführer on March 31, 1935 and to SA-Standartenführer in 1938. His lastSA assignment, with the elite SA Feldjägerkorps in Waldenburg, lasted from March, 1934, to April, 1935. Schimana also joined the Schutzpolizei in 1934 as a Hauptamn and transferred to the Gendarmerie as a Major on April 1, 1936. From April, 1936, to April, 1938, he held a staff post with the Chief of the Ordnungspolizei and was on the staff of the Police President of Vienna from April, 1938, to mid-March, 1939. He left the SA and joined the SS as an SS-Standartenfiihrer on August 15, 1939. Serving with administrative district 11 until mid-February, 1941, he then went to posts in the SS-Personalhauptamt (February, 1941, to July, 1942) and Himmler's personal staff (July, 1942, to October, 1944). Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on July 1, 1942, to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei on November 9, 1942, and became a Waffen-SS Generalmajor on July 14. 1943. Promoted SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS on April 20, 1944, he led Oberabschnitt "Donau "from early October, 1944, until the end of the war. For most of 1940 he commanded the Gendarmerie school in Suhl and a similar (motorized) school in Deggingen from November, 1940, to September, 1941, during which he was promoted to Oberstleutnant der Polizei in November, 1940. After serving as SSPF "Saratow" from early September, 1941, to late November, 1941, he was assigned to the staff of the HSSPF "Rußland-Mitte " until July, 1942. Promoted to Oberst der Polizei on December 9, 1941, he led a Battle Group of the 137.Infanterie-Division during December, 1941, and January, 1942. He then commanded Ordnungspolizei Polizei Regiment "Mitte" from January to July, 1942. From July, 1942, to July, 1943, he was SS garrison commander and SSPF "Minsk" as well as taking special assignments for the HSSPF "Rußland-Mitte." Schimana was also the battle group commander for the Ukraine and during July, 1942 commanded Polizeiregiment 13. From mid-July, 1943 to October that year, he formed and led the SS-FreiwilligenDivision "Galizien," then attended a divisional commanders course during September/October, 1943. Assigned as the HSSPF "Griechenland" in October, 1943, he held the post until September, 1944 and was promoted to Generalleutnant der Polizei on July 1, 1944. From October, 1944, to the end of the war he sensed as HSSPF "Donau." Awarded the German Cross in Gold on August 7, 1943, both classes of the Iron Cross, the Gold Party Badge, the SA and Reich's Sports Badges in Gold and the War Sen'ice Cross 2nd class with Swords, he was a personal friend of Ernst Kaltenbrunner. Serving as military advisor to Curt von Gottberg he gained a positive reputation and had ample political finesse. He organized Greek volunteer police units to assist the Germans and had little interest in or in helping with the "Final Solution " policies of the SS. He was to be tried but committed suicide in his cell in Salzburg during the night of September 12, 1948. (BDC)
73
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Erwin Rösener is shown in these three photos in 1945 as an SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei and HSSPF "Alpenland" during an inspection with Army General der Gebirgstruppen Franz Böhme (wearing Knight's Cross). Both men wear the German Cross in Gold. Rösener was born in Westphalia on February 2, 1902, the second son of a business manager. He trained as an electrical engineer and worked in that field prior to joining the NSDAP and SA on November 6, 1926. He served with the S/t in Aachen until December, 1929, commanding SA Sturm 16 from 1927 to the end of 1929 and was commissioned an SA-Sturmführer in that year. He applied for SS membership in October, 1929, and was accepted the following year, being appointed an SS-Truppfiihrer on November 4, 1930. Assigned to SS Sturm 73 until mid-February, 1931, he was commissioned an SS-Sturmführer on February 18, 1931, and took command of the 3. /111. /5. SS-Standarte until mid-December, 1931. Promoted to SS-Sturmhauptführer on December 21, 1931, he took over command of the IV./58.SS-Standarte then commanded the Standarte from mid-March, 1932, to December that year. Promoted to SSSturmbannfiihrer on January 30, 1933, and to SS-Obersturmbannführer on November 9, 1933, he led a Sturmbann again until taking command of the 20.SS-Standarte from July, 1933, to September, 1934. From September, 1934, to mid-September, 1936, he led the 61.SSStandarte and was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on May 12, 1934. During the Party rallies in 1937 and 1938 he was charged with traffic control, parking and similar functions. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on September 13,1936, he served as StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Ost" from mid-September, 1936, to the end of October, 1938, followed by a similar post with Oberabschnitt "Rhein" (see "Rhein Westmark") from the start of November, 1938, until mid-June, 1940. From February to March, 1940, he trained with the Ordnungspolizei then from March to mid-May continued training with the Inspector of the Sipo and SDfor Wiesbaden. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on January 24, 1940, and becoming a Generalmajor der Polizei on April 15, 1941, he took command of Oberabschnitt "Rhein" from midJune, 1940, to mid-December, 1941. He was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on November 9, 1941, and then led Oberabschnitt "Alpenland" from mid-December, 1941, until the end of the war. Given the rank of General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944, then promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer und General Polizei on August 1, 1944, he was also HSSPF "Rhein "from July, 1940, to November, 1941, then HSSPF "Alpenland" from mid-November, 1941, to the end of the war. He was also a member of the Reichstag from November, 1933, to the end of the war. From October, 1944, to May, 1945, he headed the leadership staff for anti-partisan warfare in Laibach. Rösener was awarded the German Cross in Gold on January 27, 1945, the Iron Cross 1st class on December 14, 1943, the Iron Cross 2nd class on August 15, 1942, the Anti-Partisan War Badge in Silver on August 12, 1944, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords in 1942, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. Well educated, he was a fully competent leader and administrator, enjoying good relations with the Army in his command areas. Married three times, after the war he was captured by the British and extradited to Yugoslavia for trial. He was sentenced to death and hanged in Belgrade on September 8, 1946. (Author's archive)
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Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS und Polizeiführer "Bozen" 115 September 15, 1943 to May 1945
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Karl Brunner" 6
Subordinated to the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Nord" SS und Polizeiführer "Nord-Norwegen' November 21, 1944 to May 1945
117
SS-Oberführer und Oberst der Polizei Heinz Roch
SS und Polizeiführer "Mitte-Norwegen' November 28, 1944 to May 1945
SS-Oberführer Richard Kaaserer" 8
SS und Polizeiführer "Süd-Norwegen' November 21, 1944 to May 1945
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Jakob Sporrenburg
115
E n c o m p a s s e d the area of the Italian Alps. Born on July 26, 1900, in Passau, the eldest son of a postal Inspector, he joined the Royal Bavarian A r m y in September, 1917. He served in the 16th Bavarian Infantry Regiment " G r o ß h e r z o g Ferdinand von T o s c a n a " until April 1919 then served in the Freikorps until J u n e 1919. Brunner stayed in the Reichswehr with 44.Infanterieregiment and left the A r m y as a Leutnant in November, 1919, having won the Iron Cross 2nd class. He studied law at the University of Munich and passed his legal e x a m s in 1927 after which he served as a lawyer with the state service. In 1922-1923 he served with the Brigade Erhardt and then joined the S A in m i d - M a r c h . 1933. From N o v e m b e r . 1933, to June, 1934, he served with the 6.SA Standarte b e f o r e joining the SS as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on J u n e 15, 1934. In the SS he first served in the Reich Security Service (SD) and f r o m January, 1935, to S e p t e m b e r that year w a s posted to the Reich Security Service Main O f f i c e ( S D - H a u p t a m t ) . He was promoted quickly and b e c a m e an S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1935, an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1936, an S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1937, and an S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1938. He headed the G e s t a p o office in Munich f r o m April, 1937, to June, 1940. From June, 1939, to April, 1944, he was Inspector of the Sipo and SD in Salzburg and also headed a desk of the personnel office (Amt la) in the R S H A after March, 1941. During this period he w a s promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on May 1, 1942, to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942, to Oberst der Polizei on April 19. 1941, and to G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on O c t o b e r 21. 1942. He retained his R S H A post while assigned as S S P F " B o z e n " f r o m mid-September. 1943, to the end of the war. Awarded the Iron Cross 1 st class on January 10, 1945, the O l y m p i c g a m e s decoration 2nd class and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold. He also served as an S S P F for the operational area of Heeresgruppe " B " in the final months of the war. Brunner died on D e c e m b e r 7, 1980. 116
117 Several SS und Polizeigebietsführer (area leaders) were also established in N o r w a y (under the relevant S S P F ) and Denmark (under the H S S P F ) but details of the individuals assigned to the posts are as yet u n k n o w n . 118 Born in Triest in the Austrian Tyrol on August 21, 1896, the son of a police official. He joined the A r m y in August 1916 as a Leutnant and served in W W I as a platoon leader, battalion adjutant, c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r and technical officer until 1918. Promoted to Oberleutnant in August, 1917, he served on the Eastern and Italian fronts. He did not see combat after being gassed in June 1918 and left the A r m y in February, 1922, as a H a u p t m a n n . He was a m e m b e r of the Austrian Socialist "Steierischen H e i m a t s c h u t z " f r o m 1927 to 1930 and j o i n e d the N S D A P in February 1932. He j o i n e d the SS on July 15. 1932, and was c o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on September 25, 1932. A f t e r leading the I . / l l . S S - S t a n d a r t e f r o m mid-August, 1932, to December, 1932, he b e c a m e the first c o m m a n d e r of the 52.SSStandarte f r o m December, 1932, to July, 1933. He m o v e d to G e r m a n y in July. 1933, after the N S D A P was banned in Austria and organized Austrian Nazis w h o fled to Germany. Promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 24, 1932, to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on March 9, 1933 and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933. he served as Special Duties O f f i c e r for Oberabschnitt " S ü d w e s t " and was an o f f i c e r with the Political Readiness Detachment in W ü r t t e m b e r g f r o m December, 1933. to July, 1934. He returned to Austria in July, 1934, where he was arrested and imprisoned until October, 1937. Returning to G e r m a n y after his release, he headed the R u S H A section assigned to Oberabschnitt " O s t " f r o m December, 1937, to June, 1938. A f t e r three months in the R u S H A , during which he was p r o m o t e d to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on June 21, 1938, he returned to Austria in September, 1939. and was head of SS education for Oberabschnitt " D o n a u " f r o m September, 1938, to January, 1939. Returning to G e r m a n y once again in January, 1939, he served as StabsfUhrer for Abschnitt X X X I I f r o m January, 1939 to December, 1940. He next went to the R u S H A and f r o m December. 1940, to December, 1941, w a s the last chief of the Genealogical O f f i c e (Sippenamts) within the R u S H A . He then headed the Ancestry O f f i c e ( A h n e n t a f e l a m t ) of the R u S H A until February, 1942. R e m a i n i n g with the R u S H A . he served as a staff officer until July, 1943. On June 20, 1942, he j o i n e d the W a f f e n - S S as an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. and was the first c o m m a n d e r of I./SS-Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 2 in "Prinz E u g e n " Division f r o m June, 1942, to February, 1943. Promoted to SS-SturmbannfUhrer d.R. on October 18, 1942, following charges by divisional c o m m a n d e r August S c h m i d h u b e r and other officers, he w a s court martialed for brutality against recruits and transferred f r o m the division. He then c o m m a n d e d an SS Vehicle Replacement Battalion f r o m March to May, 1943, then led SS-PanzerG r e n a d i e r - A u s b i l d u n g s und Ersatz Bataillon (training and replacement battalion) 10 created for the " F r u n d s b e r g " Division. Leaving the W a f f e n - S S for Police duties c o m b a t i n g partisans, he w a s Polizeigebietsführer " K n i n " f r o m July. 1943. to May, 1944, covering the coast of Bosnia. In S e p t e m b e r / O c t o b e r 1943 he conducted anti-partisan operations on behalf of Constantin K a m m e r h o f e r in A g r a m . He served as S S P F " S a n d s c h a k " f r o m J u n e to N o v e m b e r 1944 and then S S P F " M i t t e - N o r w e g e n " (Central N o r w a y ) f r o m N o v e m b e r 1944 to M a y 1945. He was awarded the Blood O r d e r on A u g u s t 14. 1940, the Iron Cross 2nd class, the War Service Cross 2nd class with S w o r d s and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold. Surrendering in Norway, he was extradited to Yugoslavia where he w a s tried and executed.
76
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders Subordinate to the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Alpenland" SS und Polizeiführer "Salzburg" April 1945 to May 1945
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Erwin Schulz" 9
Subordinate to the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Südost" SS und Polizeiführer "Kattowitz'" 20 October 1944 to 1945
Subordinate to the Höherer
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after November 9, 1944 also Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Christoph Diehm 121
und Polizeiführer "Frankreich"
SS und Polizeiführer "Metz" October 1, 1944 to November 18, 1944
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Anton Dunckern 122
SS und Polizeiführer "Ober-Elsaß" December 1, 1944 to May 1945
SS-Obersturmbannführer Friedrich Suhr' 2 3
Born in Berlin on N o v e m b e r 27, 1900. he served in W W I with the A r m y f r o m April, 1918 to February, 1919. He then returned to studies in Cologne, later attending the University of Berlin for a year. He then worked in banking and joined the Security Police in Bremen in 1923 and the Prussian Political Police in 1926. Joining the N S D A P on N o v e m b e r 5, 1933. he joined the SS and S D on April 20. 1935, as an SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer. He was with the S D - H a u p t a m t (later the R S H A ) f r o m April, 1935, to April, 1940, and was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f i i h r e r o n S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937 and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20. 1939. Serving with the G e s t a p o in Austria and the Sudetenland during 1938, he was then posted in B r e m e n G e s t a p o headquarters until 1939. He was Police Director in O l m ü t z during 1939 and headed the G e s t a p o office in Reichenberg during 1939-1940 before b e c o m i n g Inspector of the Sipo and S D in H a m b u r g f r o m April, 1940. to March. 1941. Returning to the R S H A he led groups charged with school forming and curriculum planning. Posted to Russia in May, 1941, he led E i n s a t z k o m m a n d o 5 (Einsatzgruppe C) until late September, 1941. Returning to Germany, he c o m m a n d e d the Sipo and S D school in Berlin-Charlottenburg until February 1943 and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942. He next headed the personnel office of the R S H A and was also Inspector of Sipo and S D schools f r o m September, 1942, until April. 1944. F r o m April, 1944, to mid-May, 1945, he was Inspector of the Sipo and S D in Salzburg and was senior c o m m a n d e r for those units as well. He substituted for Rösener as H S S P F " A l p e n l a n d " in May, 1944, and assumed the S S P F post in Salzburg when it was created to relieve Rösener of s o m e of his duties. He was awarded both classes of the War Service Cross with S w o r d s and the Iron Cross 2nd class. Sentenced to twenty years imprisonment in the Einsatzgruppen trial (Case 9) and released in 1954, he w o r k e d in Bremen until his death on N o v e m b e r 11. 1981. 120
Created f r o m the fortress staff " U p p e r Silesia," it used S S P F staff f r o m southern Russia. He was probably only titular holder of the post while serving in his H S S P F assignment and Inspector of Volksturm post. 122 Born in Munich on J u n e 29, 1905, he was a practising lawyer and served in the Freikorps during the early 1920s. A f t e r participating in the 1923 Munich Putsch he joined the N S D A P and SS in September, 1930. He joined the Bavarian Political Police in 1933 and the Prussian G e s t a p o in Berlin during 1934. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r o n July 12, 1933, then p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on March 20, 1934, to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20. 1934, to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on July 4, 1934, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on January 1, 1939, he remained with the G e s t a p o in Berlin until early February, 1935. From early February, 1935, to March, 1936, he headed the regional headquarters of the G e s t a p o in Breslau, then held the s a m e position in Saarbrücken until June, 1941. Promoted to SSStandartenführer on D e c e m b e r 24, 1935, he was also leader of S D Oberabschnitt " M i t t e " f r o m the beginning of February, 1939, to September. 1939, then head of the S D in Brunswick until March, 1941. As senior Sipo and S D c o m m a n d e r for Lothringen-Saarpfalz he was headquartered in Metz f r o m July, 1940, to July, 1944. From July to October, 1944, he was attached to XIII.SS-Korps and also led the office of the R K F D V for Lothringen-Saarpfalz f r o m July, 1940 to the end of June, 1944. A s S S P F " M e t z " he was ordered f r o m the area by the military c o m m a n d e r but remained due to H i m m l e r ' s orders and took charge of an assembly point for straggling troops. Awarded Blood O r d e r n u m b e r 325 and both classes of the War Service Cross, he was captured by A m e r i c a n troops and appeared as a witness at Nuremberg. He was later tried in France and served a period in prison b e f o r e being released in 1954. 121
123 Born in Lüneburg on May 6, 1907, Suhr was a lawyer w h e n he joined the SS in 1933. C o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r in the Sipo on N o v e m b e r 9, 1938, he served as a consultant to the c o m m a n d e r of the Sipo in Prague f r o m July, 1939, to May, 1940, and w a s promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r o n S e p t e m b e r 10, 1939. He served as a temporary office head in the R S H A and after March, 1941, was a lawyer for the R S H A . From July, 1941, he was involved with Jewish affairs outside the Reich and went to Russia in N o v e m b e r , 1942 where he c o m m a n d e d E i n s a t z k o m m a n d o 4 b of Einsatzgruppe C until August, 1943. He next took over E i n s a t z k o m m a n d o 6 (also part of Einsatzgruppe C) and led it until N o v e m b e r . 1943. when he returned to Germany. In December, 1943, he took c o m m a n d of the Sipo and S D in France and was p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1944. On D e c e m b e r 11. 1944, he won the K n i g h t ' s Cross for his actions at this post f r o m what originally was a r e c o m m e n d a t i o n by H S S P F Carl Oberg f o r the G e r m a n Cross in G o l d . On D e c e m b e r 1, 1944 he b e c a m e S S P F " O b e r - E l s a ß " and held that post until the area was evacuated. Also a w a r d e d both classes of the Iron Cross, the War Merit Cross 2nd class with Swords, the Close C o m b a t Clasp in B r o n z e and the Infantry Assault Badge, he died on M a y 31, 1946.
77
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Hans-Albin Ranter was born in Klagenfurt, Austria, on February 4, 1895. He joined the Austria-Hungarian Army in 1914 and saw service in WWI as an adjutant, signals officer, and finally company commander in a mountain unit. Severely wounded in 1915, he ended his service as an Oberleutnant d.R. having been promoted on July I, 1918. From 1919 to 1921 he saw service with the Freikorps, in the end with units in the Sudetenland. Between the wars he became involved with several Austrian political movements and was a primary leader in the Austrian Socialist organization the Steierischen Heimatschutz which dissolved in mid-1933. Joining the NSDAP in 1933, from 1933 to 1935 he sewed with the SA and reached the rank of SA-Standartenfiihrer, serving as a deputy to Alfred Rodenbücher. He joined the SS as an SS-Oberfiihrer on February 20, 1935, and first served as a Special Duties Officer for Himmler. In early April, 1936, he went to a staff post with the SS-Hauptamt for two months before returning to Himmler's personal staff until November, 1938. Moving to Oberabschnitt "Südost" he was Stabsführer from November, 1938, to May, 1940, and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on December 21, 1939. From late June, 1940, to the end of the war he served in Holland as HSSPF " Nordwest" and leader of Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" from June, 1940 to the conclusion of the war. His duties were taken by a substitute after being wounded in March, 1945. Promoted to SSGruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 20, 1941, and to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Polizei on June 21, 1943, he was also given Waffen-SS General rank on June 1, 1944. He won both classes of the Iron Cross, the War Merit Cross with Swords in 1942 and was also an Oberleutnant d.R. in the Army and held a seat in the Reichstag. Married with five children, he was tried after the war for his brutal actions in his wartime HSSPF post and was hanged on March 25, 1949. (Author's archive)
78
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders Subordinate to the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Danmark" Polizeigebietsführer "Copenhagen" 1944 to 1945
124
SS-Sturmbannführer und Major der Polizei Jakob Grobben
Subordinate to the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Kroatien" Polizeigebietsführer "Agram" July 10, 1943 to December 28, 1944 125
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Willi Brandner SS-Oberführer (also Waffen-SS Oberführer) Otto Reich
December 28, 1944 to January 6, 1945126
Polizeigebietsführer "Banja-Luca" August 2, 1943 to April 20, 1945
SS-Standartenführer, after early 1944 also Oberst der Polizei Paul Dahm
Polizeigebietsführer "Essegg" July 15, 1943 to September 20, 1944
SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1944 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Dr. Ferdinand von SammernFrankenegg SS-Standartenführer und Oberst der Polizei Paul Dahm
September 20, 1944 to April 20, 1945'
Polizeigebietsführer "Knin" July 27, 1943 to May 20, 1944
SS-Oberführer Richard Kaaserer
Polizeigebietsführer "Sarajewo" January 1, 1943 to April 26, 1944
SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1943 SS-Oberführer und Oberst der Polizei Werner Fromm
Subordinate to the Höherer SS und Polizeiführer "Adriatisches Kurstenland" SS und Polizeigebietskommandeur "Quarnero"
128
1329
October 27, 1944 to 1945
SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Traub
SS und Polizeigebietskommandeur "Istrien" October 27, 1944 to 1945
SS-Brigadeführer Erasmus Freiherr von Malsen-Ponickau
SS und Polizeigebietskommandeur "Triest" October 27, 1944 to 1945
SS-Sturmbannführer Wilhelm Michaisen
124
T h e holder of the second area post under this HSSPF, for "Nord-Jutland," is u n k n o w n . W o u n d e d on this date, he was also deputy H S S P F " K r o a t i e n " during this period. 126 T h e post dissolved on this date. I3 ' D a h m held t w o posts (Banja-Luca and Essegg) simultaneously as well as a degree of control of other S S P F posts within this H S S P F area following the death of von S a m m e r n - F r a n k e n e g g . T h e S S P F " G ö r z " and "Triest" were headquartered in those cities. T h e other headquarters were S S P F " Q u a r n e r o " in Fiume. S S P F "Istrien" in Pola and the S S P F " F r i a u l " in Udine. A letter f r o m H i m m l e r lists the prior and current S S P F attached to this H S S P F post and is dated October 27, 1944, the d o c u m e n t e d date used for all the posts except Taus w h o s e Dienstlaufbahn gives M a y 1. It is probable, but not c o n f i r m e d , that the other four posts were assigned simultaneously and assumed their positions on that date as well. 129 All posts under this H S S P F are also referred to as SS und PolizeifUhrer. Kdo.g I Org/Ia (3) I Nr. 760/44 dated O c t o b e r 27, 1944 "Nachrichtenblatt des C h e f s der Ordnungspolizei." 125
79
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Wilhelm Rediess was born on October 10, 1900 in Heinsberg, the son of a legal official. After schooling he trained as an electrical engineer and joined the Army in June 1918 where he served with the infantry. Leaving the Army in November 1918, he worked as an electrical engineer and continued also studies with the agriculture industry until losing his job during the depression in 1929. He joined the SA on May 25, 1925 and NSDAP on December 15 the same year. After serving with the SA Sturm in Düsseldorf until the end of 1926, he was commissioned as an SA-Sturmführer on January 1, 1927, then commanded SA Sturm 88 until leaving the SA on April 30, 1929. He joined the SS on July 22, 1930, and served in the Düsseldorf based Sturm, being promoted to SS-Scharführer on August 13, 1930, then commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on September 18, 1930. Rediess then commanded SS Sturm 54 in Düsseldorf during mid-November, 1930, Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on January I, 1931, he became administrator for 11 .SS-Standarte until late January, 1930 (the unit was numbered as XI. during part ofthat early period). He then became administrator for SS Brigaden 20 and 25 until early March, 1931, as well as being promoted to SS-Standartenführer on March 8, 1931. As commander of the 20.SS-Standarte as well as administrator for the 25.SS-Standarte he served from early March, 1931, to early July, 1932. He the first to commanded Abschnitt XII during July, 1932, then led Abschnitt XI until mid-March, 1934, during which he was promoted to SS-Oberführer on October 6, 1932. From late July, 1933, to the end of March, 1934, he also served as Police President for Wiesbaden. In late March, 1934, he took command of Abschnitt XVI and held command until the start of 1935 and was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on March 15, 1934. From the start of 1935 until mid-February, 1936, he commanded Oberabschnitt "Südost" and then led Oberabschnitl "Nordost" until mid-June, 1940. As HSSPF "Nordost" he served from late June, 1938, to mid-June, 1940, having been promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on April 20, 1935. In October and November, 1939, he organized and led two Totenkopf units in Prussia to evacuate Jews. After Fritz Weitzel was killed, Rediess led Oberabschnitt "Nord" and was HSSPF "Nord" from mid-June, 1940 until the end of the war. Given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 9, 1941, he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei on November 9, 1941, and became a General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the War Service Cross with Swords 2nd class on January 30, 1942, the Iron Cross 2nd class on November 11,1943, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver, the War Service Cross 1st class with Swords in 1942, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver on August 13, 1937. In Norway he created native Norwegan SS units. His success and actions in Oslo, along with-that of the area Reichskommissar Josef Terboven, would have resulted in a trial. Rediess and Terboven killed themselves by detonating a landmine on May 9, 1945 in Norway. (PhiI Nix)
80
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders SS und Polizeigebietskommandeur "Görz' May I. 1944 to May 1945
SS-Brigadeführer Karl Taus 130
SS und Polizeigebietskommandeur "Friaur' October 27, 1944 to 1945
SS-Standartenführer Ludolf von Alvensleben 131
1 B o r n in Gleisdorf. Austria on September 24. 1893. he joined the Austrian army in 1914 and served with a machine gun unit in Gebirgs-Jäger Regiment 1 where he led a platoon. Captured by the Italians, he returned h o m e in 1919. He worked as a typesetter in Switzerland and France for two years and joined the N S D A P on October 20, 1930. On D e c e m b e r 27, 1930. he j o i n e d the SS and served with the 38.SS-Standarte in its 1.Sturm of II.Sturmbann and was the prominent Austrian SS leader. He was promoted to SS-Unterscharführer on April I. 1931, and to S S - O b e r s c h a r f ü h r e r on February 15. 1932. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on February 16. 1932, he then c o m m a n d e d his Sturm until S e p t e m b e r 25. 1932, when promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r and given c o m m a n d of II.Sturmbann. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r o n March 9. 1933. he also led III.Sturmbann and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9. 1933. He c o m m a n d e d the 38.SS-Standarte f r o m mid-June, 1934, to N o v e m b e r . 1934. F r o m November, 1934, to January, 1937. he led Oberabschnitt "Österreich" (became " D o n a u " ) . He also c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt VIII f r o m N o v e m b e r . 1934. to June. 1935, and was promoted directly to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on September 10, 1939. The N S D A P was then illegal in Austria in this c o m m a n d period so the c o m m a n d was honorary and he assisted Nazi r e f u g e e s along with Alfred Rodenbücher. From October. 1937, to March. 1938. he was Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt " N o r d " (eventual "Ostsee") and then was assigned to the Inspektion of the T o t e n k o p f v e r b ä n d e until the start of July, 1938. He was trained to be a c a m p c o m m a n d e r but T h e o d o r Eicke. Karl Koch and Hans Loritz considered him too soft towards the prisoners so he never received a c a m p c o m m a n d . From July, 1938. until the end he was officially StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt " E l b e " but served in Russia during wartime. He trained in SS and Police duties with the several S S P F ("Lettland," " D n j e p r o p e t r o w s k " and " C h a r k o w " ) and the H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - S ü d . " Taus c o m m a n d e d the staff c o m p a n y of that latter post f r o m October, 1943, until May, 1944. His S S P F post in G ö r z lasted until the end of the war. Awarded the Blood O r d e r on March 31, 1939. and fluent in English, he died in Austria on N o v e m b e r 19, 1977.
Brother of the H S S P F of the same name.
81
oberabschnitte (main districts)
The final designation of the largest Allgemeine-SS area command was the Oberabschnitt, commanded by its Führer des Oberabschnitt. This final designation only came into being in November, 1933, developing from several previous command designations. Like all SS units (and ranks), the general composition of the SS command levels was copied from the patterns initiated by the SA. When the Schutzstaffeln were first created, their numbers were small enough that an SS Gau-Führer (SS Area Leader) was the commander per se and as well as the sole command echelon, though many units reported directly to N S D A P headquarters in Munich. These SS Gau-Führer were often SA or Party officials as SS ranks and commander status did not exist in the first phase of development. 1 As the number of Stürme increased, higher echelons of command were emulated from those instituted by the Sturmabteilung. The initial geographical commands were the trio of SS-Oberführerbereiche designated for Eastern, Western and Southern Germany. During 1930-1931, this senior post became the expanded SSGruppen (Groups) also designated by area with these in turn becoming the initial SS-Oberabschnitte beginning in November, 1933. : In most cases the Führer des Oberabschnittes was also the HSSPF of his area within the Reich after the latter post was created in November, 1937. Generally the Oberabschnitte were to conform to the Military Districts (Wehrkreis) and normally encompassed more than one state or parts of several states (provinces). The staff for the Main Districts were headed by a Stabsführer (chief of staff). His primary staff officers were a Verwaltungsführer (administration officer), Oberabschnittarzt (main district medical officer), Oberabschnitt Ausbildungsführer (main district training officer), Oberabschnitt Personnalchef (main district personnel officer) and Nachrichtenführer (signals officer). Apart from the subordinate Abschnitte (districts) with their Standarten, the Oberabschnitt also normally had a Nachrichtensturmbann (signals battalion) and Pionierbataillion (engineer battalion). Aside from the short-lived period of Reiterabschnitte (mounted districts), the Oberabschnitte also had a directly attached Reiterstandarte (mounted regiment). The commanders of these units were naturally also an integral part of the main district staff as were liaison officers for N S D A P offices and the military. A primary function of the Oberabschnitte in the pre-war years was recruiting and offices for this were assigned to each Oberabschnitt. In the early years the composition of each Oberabschnitt (or equivalent earlier command) varied widely and often as seen by the following components list for Abschnitte and Standarten assigned to "Süd" between 1 Sources vary as to when the initial ranks w e r e designated, but D A L show officers with the rank of SS-Sturmfiihrer by 1928, possibly retroactive to that date after the rank was created. 2 In rare instances, an Oberabschnitt was f o r m e d by e x p a n d i n g an existing Abschnitt.
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Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts) November, 1932 and April, 1936. 3 Roman numerals indicate districts and Arabic numbers the attached Standarten for each: November, 1932: Abschnitte I (1, 29, 31, 34), IX (3, 41, 56) and X (13, 32) August, 1933: Abschnitte I (1, 29, 31, 34) and IX (3, 41, 56) January, 1934: Abschnitte I (1, 29, 34), IX (41, 56, 73) and XXVIII (31, 68) and 3.SS-Standarte (attached directly to the Oberabschnitt and not assigned to an Abschnitt) June, 1934: Abschnitte I (1, 29, 34), IX (3, 41, 56, 73) and XXVIII (31, 68) February, 1935: Abschnitte 1 (1, 29, 34), IX (3, 56, 73) and XVIII (31, 41, 68) and Reiterstandarten 15 and 17 directly attached to the Oberabschnitt 4 April, 1936: Abschnitte I (1, 31, 34) and XXXII (29, 92) and directly attached Reiterstandarte 15 which wasn't assigned to a Reiterabschnitt The Oberabschnitte are listed with their final title designations with earlier titles and unit components for each explained. C o m p o n e n t s shown are for the years 1938 and 1944. C o m m a n d e r s are followed by Oberabschnitt Stabsführer in each case. All Oberabschnitte were titled with personnel attached to them wearing a sleeve stripe or cufftitle with the name of the Oberabschnitt. 5 The Oberabschnitte were subordinated to Himmler's existing command office, the SS-Oberstab then later the SS-Amt which finally became the SSHauptamt on January 30, 1935. Himmler's offices were subordinate to the SA (and thus all his levels of command) until June, 1934, when the SS became a self-controlled organization.
SS-Oberabschnitt "Alpenland" This district formed on June 1, 1939, from part of Oberabschnitt "Donau." 6 Its composition and title remained unchanged throughout its existence. The district headquarters were in Salzburg, encompassing the area of Wehrkreis XVIII, which included Salzburg, the Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Carinthia, Styria and part of the Burgenland. Führer June 1, 1939 to May 15, 1941
SS-Gruppenführer und Korvettenkapitän der Reserve Alfred Rodenbücher SS-Brigadeführer Dr. Gustav-Adolf Scheel SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 General der Waffen-SS, after August 1, 1944 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Erwin Rösener SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Hermann Harm
May 15, 1941 to November 18, 1941 November 18, 1941 to May 8, 1945
November 1, 1944 to May 1945 (substitute) 7
Stabsführer June 1, 1939 to July 8, 1943 July 8, 1943 to June 15, 1944 June 15, 1944 to May 8, 1945
SS-Oberführer Wilhelm Schröder SS-Sturmbannführer Otto Eysell SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Konrad Hornung 8
3
Diagram f r o m the Personalkanzlei history of 1938. It is interesting to note the diagram does not show Reiterabschnitt V which existed at that time (attached to " S ü d " ) and controlled Reiterstandarten 15 and 17. See chapter for the cavalry units "Reiterabschnitte and Reiterstandarten." 5 See Angolia. John "Cloth Insignia of the S S " for e x a m p l e s of these insignia. 6 T h e c o m p o n e n t Abschnitt of " A l p e n l a n d " were transferred f r o m the control of SS-Oberabschnitt " D o n a u " in late June. 1939. 7 W a l d e m a r W a p p e n h a n s was to have substituted for Rösener (on his r e c o m m e n d a t i o n ) during May, 1944. but ill health prevented his accepting the assignment. 8 Born in Eggenburg. Austria, on N o v e m b e r 16, 1877, he joined the Austrian cadet program and attended the cadet school in Vienna. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant in 1896. he served with Field Artillery Brigade 5 f r o m 1904 to 1914 and was promoted to Hauptmann in 1911. He led an artillery detachment, then later an artillery g r o u p in W W I and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class. He remained in the artillery branch until retiring f r o m the Austrian A r m y in mid-January. 1929, having been a G e n e r a l m a j o r since November, 1926. His last field posting was as an artillery staff officer f r o m 1920 to 1924 and ended his career as head of a military c o m m i s s i o n . Joining the Austrian Nazi Party in May 1932. he also joined the SS on April 20, 1939, as an SS-Standartenführer. He first served with the staff of Oberabschnitt " D o n a u " f r o m April, 1939, to April, 1942, then m o v e d to the staff of Oberabschnitt " A l p e n l a n d " until the start of August 4
83
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Fritz Weitzel was born in Frankfurt-am-Main on April 27, 1904, the son of an Army Leutnant. He trained then worked as a locksmith and mechanic, joining the SA in 1924 then the NSDA P in September 1925. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer in 192 7, he helped form and then led the SS in Frankfurt/Main through 1927. In 1927, he became Gau SS-Führer for "Hessen-Nassau-Süd" and then held the same position during 1928-1929for Gaue "Rheinland-Süd," "Rheinpfalz" and "Hessen-Nassau-Nord. " From May, 1928, to July, 1930, he led the 2.SS-Standarte and then became SS Standartenführer II, during the brief period of Roman numeral designations, from May, 1928, to November, 1929. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on November 18, 1929, he was Gau SS-Führer "Rheinland" from November, 1929, to July, 1930. He was SS Oberführerbereich "West" from July 1930 into 1931, then headed Brigade "West as well as commanding Abschnitt Vfrom July, 1930, to October, 1932. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on July 11, 1930, his command developed into SS Gruppe "West" and finally Oberabschnitt "West" in mid-November, 1933, with Weitzel in command continously from November, 1929, to April, 1940. He was a member of the Reichstag from September, 1930, until his death. Promoted directly to SS-Gruppenführer on December 18, 1931, and to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer on September 9, 1934, he served as Police President for Düsseldorf from May, 1933, to June, 1940. Weitzel was also HSSPF "West" from June 1938 to April 1940. His fined post was in Norway as head of Oberabschnitt "Nord" and HSSPF "Nord" from April 1940 until his death in an air raid on Düsseldorf while returning home on leave on June 19, 1940. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Coburg Badge, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. A fully trained pilot, the 20.SS-Standarte was later named in his honor. (Phil Nix)
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Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts) Components in 1944: Abschnitte: XXXV and XXXVI Standarten: 38, 76, 87, 90 and 94 Pioniersturmbann 15 (Salzburg) Kraftfahrsturm 15 (Graz/Innsbruck)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Böhmen-Mähren" (Bohemia-Moravia) The district encompassed Bohemia and Moravia (Czechoslovakia) and was formed on April 1, 1944 by expanding the existing SS-Abschnitt XXXIX. The Führer of the Abschnitt used as a formative basis (which was later reconstituted) became the Stabsführer of the Oberabschnitt. Headquartered in Prag, there was no corresponding Wehrkreis for the area as it was an occupied territory. Führer April 1. 1944 to May 1945
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Karl Hermann Frank SS-Oberführer Emanuel Sladek 9
February 2, 1945 to May 8, 1945 (substitute) Stabsführer March 1, 1944 to December 1944 December, 1944 to May, 1945
SS-Brigadeführer Walter Opländer SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Neurath
Components in 1944: Abschnitt XXXIX 1 0 Standarten: 107 and 108 Nachrichtensturmbann 19 (Prague) Kraftfahrsturm 19 (Asch/Reichenberg/Brünn)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Donau" Formed on February 15, 1934, in Leoben, this eventual main district based in Austria was illegal in that country until Austria became part of the Reich in 1938." It was initially titled "Österreich" (Austria) and was renamed "Donau" in May, 1938. Headquarters moved to Linz in January, 1937, and finally to Vienna in March, 1938. Corresponding to the area of Wehrkreis XVII, the district headquarters was Vienna and encompassed Vienna, Upper and Lower Austria as well as part of the Burgenland. Führer February 15, 1934 to September 9, 1934 November 18, 1934 to January 20, 1937
SS-Brigadeführer Alfred Rodenbücher SS-Obersturmbannführer, after February 15, 1935 SS-Oberführer Karl Taus
1943. Returning to the staff of Oberabschnitt " D o n a u " he b e c a m e Stabsführer for both " D o n a u " and " A l p e n l a n d " f r o m J u n e 15, 1944, to M a y 1945. Promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on September 10, 1939, and to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on April 20, 1943, he b e c a m e an honorary G e n e r a l m a j o r der W a f f e n - S S on April 1. 1944. F r o m 1939 to 1943 he was on the A r m y "at disposal list" as a M a j o r General. Awarded the War Service Cross 2nd class with and without Swords, he died on June 3, 1964. 9 Born on August 16, 1902, in Iglau, Bohemia, he j o i n e d the Czechoslovakian A r m y in October, 1922, where he served with a heavy artillery regiment and in N C O training. He was a Nazi supporter and imprisoned f r o m S e p t e m b e r 1938 until the country was annexed in March, 1939. Joining the SS in April, 1939, he b e c a m e a S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on July 1, l 9 3 9 , f r o m which date until May, 1945. he c o m m a n d e d 107.SS-Standarte. He was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1940, and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r I, 1942. From August, 1943, to May, 1945, he was Police Director in Iglau, both G e r m a n and Czech units. He c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X X I X f r o m August to October. 1943, and then was in reserve with the W a f f e n - S S posted to the SS Personalhauptamt until December, 1944. In April, 1944, he again took c o m m a n d of Abschnitt X X X I X which he c o m m a n d e d to the end as well as being Führer of Oberabschnitt " B ö h m e n - M ä h r e n " f r o m February, 1944, until the end as deputy to Karl-Hermann Frank. His last promotion, on January 30, 1945. was to SS-Obertuhrer. It is rumored that he was executed by the C z e c h s in late 1946/early 1947. 10 T h e statistical listing in the November, 1944, "Dienstalterliste" assigns SS-Abschnitte X X X V I I and X X X V I I I to SS-Oberabschnitt "Böhmen-Mähren." 11 The Austrian Nazi Party, bolstered with the support of the N S D A P in Germany, advocated the removal of the regime in p o w e r thus resulting in the banning of the Austrian Nazis and their affiliated organizations f r o m J u n e 19. 1933 by the g o v e r n m e n t of Engelbert Dollfuss. T h e ban remained in effect (though violated) until Austria b e c a m e part of the Reich. M a n y Party and SS men served prison terms for their radical actions and policies during the outlawed period, especially after D o l l f u s s was killed during the failed attempt to overthrow the appointed Austrian g o v e r n m e n t on July 25. 1934.
85
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS January 20, 1937 to January 31, 1943
SS-Oberführer, after March 12, 1938 SS-Brigadeführer, after September II, 1938 SS-Gruppenführer, after April 1, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei Ernst Kaltenbrunner
February 1, 1943 to October 5, 1944
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after June 21, 1943 SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Rudolf Querner SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei Walter Schimana
October 5, 1944 to May 8, 1945
Stabsführer SS-Standartenführer Karl Schuster SS-Obersturmbannführer Alfred Fleischmann SS-Hauptsturmführer Heinz Korb SS-Hauptsturmführer Felix Rinner SS-Oberführer Erich Cassel 13 SS-Standartenführer Fritz Bock SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der 14 Waffen-SS Konrad Hornung 14
February 15, 1934 to August 15, 1934 January, 1937'January, 1937 to September, 1937 September, 1937 to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to July 1, 1942 July 1, 1942 to June 14, 1944 June 15. 1944 to May 8, 1945
Components in 1938: Abschnitte: VIII, XXXI, X X X V and XXXVI Standarten: 11, 37, 38, 52, 76, 87, 89, 90, 94, 99 Reiterstandarte 18 Nachrichtensturmbann 14 (Vienna) Pioniersturmbann 14 (Vienna) Kraftfahrsturm 8 (Linz/Vienna) Components in 1944: Abschnitte: VIII and XXXI Standarten: 11, 37, 52, 89 and 99 remainder the same as 1938
SS-Oberabschnitt "Elbe' Created from the existing SS-Gruppe "Ost" on November 16, 1933, this district was headquartered in Dresden. On June 15,1934, its name was changed to "Mitte" and then reverted to "Elbe" on April 4, 1936. On November 15, 1933, another Oberabschnitt "Mitte" was formed in Halle by expanding the independent Abschnitt XVIII and including Abschnitt XXXVII. Commanded by Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein, on May 1, 1934, this Oberabschnitt "Mitte" and its units were absorbed by SS-Oberabschnitt "Elbe." 15 The SS-Hauptamt (Main Office) daily report issued for April 3, 1945, stated that the SS-Oberabschnitt "Elbe" headquarters were destroyed in an air raid. Führer SS-Brigadeführer, after April 28, 1934 SS-Gruppenführer August Heissmeyer
November 16, 1933 to May 1. 1934
12 N o one was officially appointed to the post between Schuster and Fleischmann, probably due to its illegal (thus underground) status during this period. 13 Left the position (and b e c a m e an honorary SS Leader) to head the H a u p t a m t f ü r Volkstums Fragen (Main O f f i c e for National Peoples Questions) to work between the N S D A P and the RKFDV. 14 Was also StabsfUhrer of SS-Oberabschnitt " A l p e n l a n d " during the same period. 15 Abschnitte X X V I I and the c o m p o n e n t Standarten of both Abschnitte later b e c a m e part of Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra" in January, 1937.
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Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Dr. Eberhard Schöngarth was born in Leipzig on April 22, 1903. He studied law, achieved a doctorate, and first joined the NSDAP in 1922 but left the same year. After serving in the Army during 1924 he worked as a university professor in Leibnitz. He rejoined the NSDAP in 1933 and joined the SS on March 1, 1933, as well as the Prussian Gestapo in 1935. From November, 1935, to 1936 he was assigned to the press section in the Berlin Gestapo office and during the first half ofthat year also acted in a capacity as a political lawyer. He headed the Gestapo office in Arnsberg from May, 1936, through 1937 and was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmfiihrer on November 9, 1936. He was assigned to the SD Hauptamt I later the RSHA )from November, 1936, to October, 1939, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmfiihrer on January 30, 1938, to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer on April 20, 1938, and to SS-Sturmbannführer on August 1, 1938. Promoted to SSObersturmbannfiihrer on Himmler's order on September 10, 1939, he headed the Gestapo office in Bielefeld during 1937-1938 and then the Gestapo office in Dortmund in the first quarter of 1938. From March, 1938, to October, 1939, he headed the Gestapo office in Münster. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on January 1, 1940, and also made an Oberst der Polizei on March 1, 1941, he was Senior Inspector of the Sipo and SD in Dresden from early October, 1939, until he went to the General Government in January, 1941 (he was officially Senior Commander until March). In Krakau he was Senior Commander of the Sipo and SDfrom mid-March, 1941, to mid-June, 1943, and was promoted to SS-Obeifiihrer on January 30, 1941, and to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei on January 30, 1943. In July and August, 1941, he also led a special duties Einsatzgruppe in Russia. In early July, 1943, he joined the 4.SS-PolizeiDivision in Greece and served there until early July, 1944. From early July, 1944 to the end of the war he was the Senior Commander of the Sipo and SD in Den Haag (Holland) and after Hans-Albin Rauter was wounded, served as HSSPF for the area during March and April, 1945. He also led the area Kampfgruppe "Rauter. " Awarded the Reich s Sports Badge and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, he was among the more ruthless security commanders and heavily involved with the killing of Jews within the General Government. Arrogant towards those not in the SS and egotistical of his education, he was ruthless in Holland where he was sent to maintain a hard line against the population. An art and porcelain collector who felt the killing in Poland was wrong but continued, he was tried and hanged by the British in Hameln on May 15, 1946. (Phi! Nix)
87
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Friedrich-Wilhelm Kriiger (far right) in a pre-war photo inspecting a model village. Second from left is the leader of the Hitler Youth. Baldur von Schiracli. Kriiger was born in Strassbourg on May 8, 1894, the son of a Oberst who was later killed as a regimental commander in WWI. Friedrich-Wilhelm graduated as a cadet and was commissioned as a Leutnant in March, 1914. He served in WWI with Infanterie-Regiment "von Liitzow" serving as a platoon and company commander, adjutant. In 1919 he became a staff officer with the 20.Infanterie-Division. From August, 1919, to May, 1920, he serwd in the Freikorps and won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver, leaving the Army in 1920 as a Oberleutnant. He joined the NSDAP in mid-November, 1920, and the SS in August. 1930. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on March 16, 1931, he served as a special duties officer with Abschnitt 111 from mid-March, 1931 to January, 1935. Joining the SA on April 3, 1931, as an SA-Gruppenführer, he served briefly as StabsfUhrer of SA Gruppe "Ostland" and then commanded the Gruppe until the start of July, / 932. From July, 1932, to July, 1933, he was chief of the Special Duties Staff of the commander of the SA. He then commanded the training section and SA border units until early August, 1934, being promoted to S-4Obergruppenfiihrer in 1934. From 1933 to the end of the war he was a member of the Reichstag and returned to the SS on January 25, 1935, and was immediately promoted to SS-Obergruppenfiihrei: He had no post until March, 1936. From March, 1936, to October, 1939, he commanded the SS Border Units and was also Inspector of Allgemeine-SS mounted units from May, 1938, to October, 1939, when lie became HSSPF "Ost." He served as HSSPF "Ost" until going to Himmler's staff in early November, 1943, and became a General der Polizei on August 8, 1941, then later a General der Waffen-SS on May 20, 1944. He also commanded Oberabschnitt "Ost" from midSeptember, 1939, to October, 1943, as well as being deputy Reichskommissar for the General Government from April, 1942, until his departure from Poland. After losing the power battle with Dr. Hans Frank he requested a combat assignment and trained for a divisional command with "Prinz Eugen" from November, 1943, to April, 1944. From May to August, 1944, he led the 6.SS-Gebirgs-Division "Nord" and then commanded the V.SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Korps until mid-February, 1945. During the remainder of the war he was assigned to the HSSPF command area in East Prussia. He was awarded the KnightIs Cross on Himmler's recommendation on October 22, 1944for his "Nord" command, the clasp to his Iron Cross 1st class in 1944, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords in May, 1942, the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1939, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the German Horseman's Badge in Silver. His friendship with Ernst Rohm and high pre-war rank in the SA and SS made him controversial among other SS leaders. The power struggle with Frank is legendary (Kriiger lost) and he appears to have been a reasonably competent divisional commander, as it was an Army commander who recommended him as a corps commander. The actions of his HSSPF command resulted in massive suffering for both the Poles and Germans deported to the General Government, with several assassination attempts being made during Iiis posting. He committed suicide in Libau, Courland on May 9, 1945. (Author's archive)
SS-Gruppenführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Obergruppenführer Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein SS-Brigadeführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Gruppenführer Theodor Berkelmann SS-Obergruppenführer, after April 15, 1941 also General der Polizei Udo von Woyrsch
May 1, 1934 to April 1. 1936
April 1, 1936 to April 20, 1940 April 20, 1940 to February 11, 1944
88
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts) February 11. 1944 to May, 1945
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Ludolf von Alvensleben Stabsführer
November 16, 1933 to January 1, 1934
SS-Sturmhauptführer, after January 30, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 30. 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after August 16, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Walter Burghardt SS-Obersturmführer Walter Schmitt 16 SS-Sturmbannführer Ulrich Greifelt SS-Obersturmbannführer, after August 16, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Walter Burghardt 17 SS-Oberführer Alfred Bigler SS-Standartenführer Franz Jaegy SS-Oberfiihrer Franz Fischer 18 SS-Standartenführer Paul Zimmermann SS-Oberführer, after September 10, 1939 SS-Brigadeführer Karl Taus
January I, 1934 to March 1, 1934 March I. 1934 to June 15, 1934 June 15, 1934 to May 6, 1935 October 23, 1934 to March 23, 1935 (substitute) May 6, 1935 to January 15, 1937 January 15, 1937 to October 1, 1937 October 1, 1937 to June 30, 1938 June 30, 1938 to May, 1945
Components in 1938 and 1944: Abschnitte: II. XVIII and XXXVII Standarten: 7, 26, 46, 48, 84, 91. 96, 100, 103 Reiterstandarte 16 and in 1944 also 22 19 Nachrichtensturmbann 9 (Dresden) 1./Pioniersturmbann 9 (Dresden) 1. and 2./Kraftfahrsturm 6 (Dresden/Chemnitz)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra" "Fulda-Werra" was formed on January 1. 1937, from Abschnitt XXVII with its headquarters in Arolsen, the ancestorial seat of its nobleman commander. Its geographical territory came from part of the existing SSOberabschnitt "Rhein" and encompassed the area of Wehrkreis IX. Führer January 1, 1937 to May 1945
SS-Obergruppenführer, after April 8, 1941 also General der Polizei, after July 7, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Josias Erbrinz zu Waldeck-Pyrmont
"'As a G r u p p e n f ü h r e r and after April 20, 1942, S S - O b e r g r u p p e n f ü h r e r he was chief of the SS-Personalhauptamt f r o m June I, 1939, to October I. 1942. 17 Was StabsfUhrer under von Eberstein for the Halle based " M i t t e " f r o m February 1, 1934 until the Obersbaschnitt was absorbed by " E l b e . " Eberstein's original Stabsführer f r o m formation in Halle until February 1, 1934 was Fritz Hildebrandt. Is Born on January 4. 1896. in Nuremberg, the son of a policeman. He joined the A r m y in 1914 and served with a Bavarian infantry regiment where he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant in October. 1916. he later served in the Freikorps and the Reichswehr. Joining the N S D A P in early February, 1929. and the SS in January, 1930, he served first with 3.SS-Standarte. Promoted to S S - T r u p p f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 15. 1930. and c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 30, 1931, he led the 4.Sturm of that Standarte f r o m late September. 1931. until mid-August, 1932. Promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r on August 24, 1932, he next led the I.Sturmbann until m i d - N o v e m b e r . 1933, and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 1, 1933. From m i d - N o v e m b e r , 1933, to the start of April. 1934, he c o m m a n d e d the 7 3 . S S - S t a n d a r t e and w a s p r o m o t e d to SSStandartenführer on April I. 1934. Returning to the 3.SS-Standarte as c o m m a n d e r , he led the unit f r o m the beginning of April, 1934, to the end of September, 1936. As Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt " E l b e " he served f r o m mid-January, 1937, to the start of October that year and held the s a m e post with Oberabschnitt " M a i n " f r o m September, 1939, to May ,1945. Between his StabsfUhrer posts he was a district administrative Inspector for district "Mitte" and was promoted to SS-OberfUhrer on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936, and to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9. 1942. Awarded the War Service Cross 1st class with S w o r d s and both classes o f t h a t decoration without Swords, he spoke fluent English and French and died at Stein near Nuremberg on July 26, 1983. " Dissolved at the end of October. 1936, and reformed in August, 1940.
89
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Stabsführer January I, 1937 to September 31, 1937 October 1, 1937 to May, 1945
SS-Sturmbannführer Arnold Hamke SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1938 SS-Standartenfiihrer Joachim Richter 20
Components in 1938 and 1944: Abschnitte: XXVII and XXX Standarten: 2, 14, 35, 47, 57, 67, 83 Reiterstandarte 10 Nachrichtensturmbann 3 (Arolsen) Pioniersturmbann 3 (Arolsen) Kraftfahrsturm 2 (Erfurt)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Main" Headquartered in Nuremberg, this district formed on April 1. 1936, from a portion of SS-Oberabschnitt "Süd.' Its territory corresponded to Wehrkreis XIII. Führer April I, 1936 to May 7, 1941
SS-Gruppenführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Obergruppenführer, after April 10, 1941 also General der Polizei Heinrich Schmauser SS-Brigadeführer, after January 20, 1942 Generalmajor der Polizei, after April 20, 1942 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after August 1, 1944 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Dr. Benno Martin
May 7, 1941 to May, 1945
Stabsführer April I, 1936 to June, 1937 June, 1937 to July 31, 1937 July 31. 1937 to July 1, 1939
SS-Hauptsturmführer Georg Schmidt SS-Untersturmführer Eduard Hirschböck SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 11, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Constantin Heldmann SS-Standartenfiihrer Dr. Ferdinand von Sammern-Frankenegg SS-Oberführer, after November 9. 1942 SS-Brigadeführer Franz Fischer SS-Brigadeführer Dr. Richard Wagner
July 1, 1939 to September 1, 1939 September 1. 1939 to January 20, 1945 January 20. 1945 to May, 1945 Components in 1938 and 1944: Abschnitte: IX, XXVIII and XXXVIII Standarten: 3, 41, 56, 68, 73, 81, 97, 101 Reiterstandarte 17 Nachrichtensturmbann 11 (Nuremberg) Kraftfahrsturm 12 (Magdeburg)
20 A veteran of W W I . his duties were taken by a substitute during the w a r as Richter went to a Totenkopfstandarte in October, 1939 as an SS-Hauptsturmführer. He m o v e d to the " W i k i n g " Division and eventually c o m m a n d e d Artillerie-Regiment 5 where he won the K n i g h t ' s Cross (February 23, 1944) and the G e r m a n Cross in Gold ( N o v e m b e r 17, 1943). Promoted to W a f f e n - S S Standartenführer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943. in February, 1945, he took c o m m a n d of the 3 2 . S S - F r e i w i l l i g e - G r e n a d i e r - D i v i s i o n " 3 0 J a n u a r . " He died in M e n g e r i n g h a u s e n on March 19, 1970.
90
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Günther Pancke (left) was born in Gnesen, West Prussia, the son of an Army Hauptmann on May 1, 1889. He joined the Prussian cadet corps in 1910 and graduated in 1917. Commissioned as a Leutnant in June 1918, he won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge in Black. After service with an East Prussian border protection unit he left the military in 1920. Fluent in Spanish, he moved to South America in 1920 and worked there as a farmer until 1927 when he returned to Germany to work in a technical physics laboratory in Kiel until 1931. Joining the NSDAP on August I, 1930, he lost his job and was jailed for six weeks for his political activities. He joined the SS on June 1, 1931, teaching at and later heading the SS school in Kreinsen until mid-June, 1932. He then served as adjutant to the 12.SSStandarte until Christmas eve that year and on that date was commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer. As commander of the 50.SS-Standarte he then served until December, 1933, during which he was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptführer on January 30, 1933, to SS-Sturmbannführer on June 12, 1933, to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on September 3, 1933, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on December 15, 1933. Moving to command an Abschnitt, he ted XXII until mid-February, 1934, and then commanded Abschnitt XIII until mid-September, 1934, during which he was promoted to SS-Oberführer on April 20, 1934. He then led Abschnitt XV until late May, 1935, and returned to the Army as a Leutnant for training with reconnaissance troops. From March, 1935, to the start of July, 1936, he was Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt "Nord" and "Nordwest" after its title changed (see "Nordsee"). Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on September 13, 1936, and to SSGruppenfiihrer on September I, 1938, he was chief of the RuSHA from September, 1938 to July, 1940 (he actually took over for Darre as his substitute in July). From October to the start of December, 1939, he was a special police commander with Armeeoberkommando 8, transmitting orders from Hitler's HQ and Theodor Eicke to units of the Totenkopfverbände and Einsatzgruppen of the SD. He then served as HSSPF "Mitte " and led Oberabschnitt "Mitte "from July, 1940 to mid-September, 1943, being made a Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 10, 1941. From October, 1943, until the end of the war he was HSSPF "Danmark" during which he was promoted to SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei on April 20, 1944, and on March 21, 1945, became a General der Waffen-SS. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. He was sentenced to 20years in prison by a Danish court after the war and then lived in retirement until his death on August 17, 1973. (Phil Nix)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Mitte" Formed on August 10, 1933, as SS-Gruppe "Nordwest" from part of SS-Gruppe "West" which had been formed in August, 1932. This district had its headquarters in Braunschweig. It became SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" on November 16, 1933, and was redesignated "Mitte" on April 1, 1936. Its territory was the area of Wehrkreis XI. Führer SS-Gruppenführer, after September 13. 1936 SS-Obergruppenführer Friedrich Jeckeln SS-Gruppenführer, after April 10, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei Günther Pancke SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after April 20, 1944 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Hermann Höfle SS-Obergruppenführer und General
August 10, 1933 to July 9, 1940 July 9, 1940 to September 15, 1943 September 15, 1943 to October 5, 1944
October 5, 1944 to May, 1945
der Waffen-SS und Polizei Rudolf Querner
91
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Hermann Franz was born on August 16, 1891, in Leipzig-Stötteritz, the son of a farmer. He attended an NCO school from 1905 to 1911 when he joined the Army with an infantry regiment. During WWI he ser\>ed on the Western Front, being awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge in Black. In early January 1920 he joined the Saxon Landespolizei and was commissioned as a Leutnant on December 1. 1920. Serving in Plauen and Zwickau, he headed the Schutzpolizei office in Plauen during the first months of 1923. He then taught at the police school in Plauen from July, 1923, to March, 1925, and was promoted to Oberleutnant on December 1, 1923. After attending a higher police school, he served as adjutant to the commander of the Border Police in Dresden from January 1926 to March 1933. He joined the NSDAP on December 1, 1931 and transferred to the civil police service on March 8, 1933. A ? Police Director for Plauen lie served from June, 1933, to mid-May, 1938, and was promoted to Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei on June 1, 1933, and to Major der Schutzpolizei! on December 1, 1933. From May, 1933, to March, 1937, he was also a leader in the Hitler Youth. Promoted to Oberstleutnant der Schutzpolizei on April 20, 1938, lte returned to military police service on September I, 1938. Rejoining the Hitler Youth, he sen'ed again as a leader in the Elbe area from January, 1939, to August, 1940, and joined the SS as an SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on August 1, 1940. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on April 1, 1941, to SS-Obeifiihrer on December 21, 1943, and to SS-Brigadefiihrer on November 9, 1944, he commanded Polizeiregiment "Süd" from July, 1941, to February, 1942. He then led Polizeiregiment 10 from February to mid-May, 1942, when he took command of SS-Polizei-Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 18 which lasted until August 1943. Promoted to Generalmajor der Polizei on September 14, 1944, he became the HSSPF "Griechenland" from September 1944 until the post was dissolved in November that year. Franz also served as Senior Commander of the Orpo in Greece from November, 1943 to February, 1945. He won a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class, the Iron Cross 1st class, the War Service Cross 1st class with Swords, the Police Long Service Award in Silver, the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold and the German Life Saving Medal in Gold. Hermann Franz died on February 18, 1960. (Jess Lukens)
92
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts) Stabsführer SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 15, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Hofmann SS-Obersturmführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after July 1, 1934 SSSturmbannführer, after January 1, 1935 SSObersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Standartenführer Erich Schräge SS-Obersturmbannführer Albert Steiner SS-Obersturmbannführer Francis Müller SS-Oberführer Erich Schräge SS-Obersturmbannführer Walther Curth SS-Standartenführer Ludwig Heusmann SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1944 SS-Oberführer Francis Müller
August 10, 1933 to March 15, 1934 March 15, 1934 to February 24, 1937
February 24, 1937 to December 31, 1937 December 31, 1937 to November 14, 1938 November 14, 1938 to December 1, 1940 October 1, 1940 to 1943 (substitute) December 1, 1940 to October 15, 1943 October 15, 1943 to May, 1945
Components in 1938: Abschnitte: IV and XVI Standarten: 12, 17, 21, 49, 51, 59 Reiterstandarte 21 Pioniersturmbann 12 (Magdeburg) Kraftfahrsturm 11 (Magdeburg/Hannover) 1944: same as 1938 with the addition of Nachrichtensturmbann 5 (Braunschweig)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord" The third and final designated Oberabschnitt "Nord" was formed on April 20, 1940. It was headquartered in Oslo and, as an occupied area, did not have a corresponding Wehrkreis, and until the end of the war, did not have any subordinated districts (only Standarte 127). Its Führer was the HSSPF of the area. Führer April 20, 1940 to June 19, 1940 June 19, 1940 to May 1945
SS-Obergruppenführer Fritz Weitzel SS-Gruppenführer, after April 9, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei, after November 9, 1941 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1,1944 also General der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Rediess Stabsführer
April 1, 1941 to December 1, 1944
SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Oberführer Erdmann Skudlarek Lief Schjoren 21
December 1, 1944 to May 1945
SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost" Headquartered in Königsberg (Prussia), "Nordost" was formed on December 15, 1933. It originated from a portion of the previously existing SS-Gruppe "Nord" and covered most of East Prussia. When "Nordost" was created, it contained Abschnitt VII (based in Königsberg since 1932 and sole Abschnitt of that geographical area when earlier designated SS-Gruppe "Ost") and XXII (Allenstein). By the end of 1938, Abschnitt XXVI (Zoppot) was added while Abschnitt XXXXIV (Gumbinnen) replaced SS-Abschnitt XXVI in November, 1939. Its control area corresponded to Wehrkreis I. 21 A m e m b e r of the N o r w e g e n Hird ( N o r w a y ' s equivalent of the S A ) he did not hold SS or Polizei rank. He w a s Chief of Staff (Stabsleiter) of the G e r m a n i c (and G e r m a n supervised) SS Norge until March, 1945.
93
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Führer SS-Gruppenführer Werner Lorenz 22 SS-Brigadeführer, after July 11, 1934 SS-Gruppenführer Erich von dem Bach SS-Gruppenführer Wilhelm Rediess SS-Gruppenführer Jakob Sporrenburg SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after November 9, 1941 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Hans-Adolf Prützmann SS-Oberführer, after June 21, 1942 SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei, after November 9, 1943 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei George Ebrecht 23 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei Otto Hellwig 24
December 15, 1933 to February 1, 1934 February 1, 1934 to February 15, 1936 Februray 15, 1936 to June 18, 1940 June 18, 1940 to April 30, 1941 April 30, 1941 to May, 1945
December 8, 1941 to December 1, 1944 (substitute)
December 1, 1944 to May, 1945 (substitute)
Stabsführer SS-Obersturmbannführer Johannes Zingler SS-Standartenführer Fritz Jahnke SS-Oberführer Otto Brass SS-Oberführer Georg Altner SS-Sturmbannführer, after June 16, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Kersten SS-Standartenführer Julian Schemer SS-Standartenführer, after September 12, 1937 SS-Oberführer Karl Schuster SS-Standartenführer Rudolf Bösel SS-Standartenführer, after January 30. 1942 SS-Oberführer Friedrich Schlums SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Neurath SS-Standartenführer Rudolf Bösel
December 15, 1933 to March 12, 1934 March 12, 1934 to August 23, 1934 August 23, 1934 to Februray 23, 1935 Februray 23, 1935 to May 1, 1935 May 1, 1935 to March 1, 1936 February 15, 1936 to December 31, 1936 December 31. 1936 to October 7, 1939 October 7, 1939 to November 1, 1941 November I. 1941 to August 1, 1943 June 10, 1943 to August 1, 1943 (substitute) August 1, 1943 to May, 1945 Components in 1938: Abschnitte: VII, XXII and XXVI 2 5 Standarten: 18, 36, 60, 61, 64, 66 26 and 71 Reiterstandarten: 1, 2 and 3
" L o r e n z would gain m a j o r influence as a main office head leading V O M I . He took c o m m a n d of the office in January. 1937, when it was still the " B ü r o Kursell" ( n a m e d for its first head Otto von Kurseil). Lorenz was selected officially by Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess (on H i m m l e r ' s recommendation). Himmler later obtained authority over all affairs pertaining to ethnic G e r m a n s as R K F D V in c o m b i n a tion with V O M I (both of which b e c a m e main offices). Lorenz remained with V O M I , an ambitious but failed concept of e x p a n d i n g the future G e r m a n empire. See L u m a n s , Valdis O.. " H i m m l e r ' s Auxiliaries." 21 Born 24 July 1895, in Hamburg, the son of a shop keeper. During W W I he served with a flying unit and saw combat with the artillery where he won the Iron Cross 2nd class and b e c a m e a Leutnant in March 1918. He served with the Freikorps in Bremen f r o m 1921 to 1923. Ebrecht served in the S A f r o m December. 1931. to mid-September. 1932, b e f o r e joining the SS on April 17, 1935, as an SSS t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r . He was first assigned to the R u S H A f r o m 1935 to 1937 and was Stabsführer of the R u S H A genealogy office f r o m f r o m J u n e to October, 1935. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936, to SS-Standartenführer on April 20, 1937, and to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937. he served as Stabsführer for the R u S H A f r o m the start of April. 1937, to the beginning of July, 1938. From October, 1939, to March, 1940, he was Self Police Leader of West Prussia. He next b e c a m e Führer of Abschnitte X X V I f r o m May, 1940, to December, 1941. and then substitute H S S P F " N o r d o s t " and Führer Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t . " Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on June 21, 1942, and to S S - G r u p p e n f ü h r e r und Generalleutnant der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943, he was head of Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t " f r o m early D e c e m b e r 1941 to the start of D e c e m b e r 1944. He was ill f r o m December, 1944. to May, 1945, and died on January 26, 1977. 24 Replaced George Ebrecht w h o had been w o u n d e d in an air raid. 25 On N o v e m b e r 9. 1939, this Abschnitt was used to f o r m SS-Oberabschnitt "Weichsel." 26 66.Standarte was added to Abschnitt XXII in M a r c h . 1936.
94
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Odilo Globocnik (shown as an SS-Standartenfiihrer and in civilian clothes) was born in Trieste on April 21, 1904, the son of an Austrian cavalry Hauptmann. He served in the Austrian Cadet Corps in 1918 and then trained as an engineer and builder. Joining the Austrian NSDAP in 1922, he worked for the Party in Carinthia. Moving to Klagenfurt, he joined the NSDAP in Germany on January 1, 1931 and ser\'ed as head of propaganda in Carinthia then temporary Gauleiter for the area in January, 1933. In August, 1935, he was sentenced to a year in prison for killing a Jewish jeweler. He joined the SS on September I, 1932, and was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmführer on November 9. 1937. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on March 12, 1938, he held a staff position on Oberabschnitt "Donau "from its creation until the end of the war. He also held a seat in the Reichstag for Vienna from March, 1938, until the end of the war. From May, 1939. to the end of January, 1939, he was Gauleiter of Vienna and resigned from the post after being involved with illegal foreign currency speculations. He was pardoned by Himmler in November, 1939, and joined the Waffen-SS as an SS-Untersturmführer d.R. for one month. Transferring to the police duties, he became SSPF "Lublin " as well as district NSDAP garrison commander from November, 1939, to mid-August, 1943. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on November 9, 1942, his command within the General Government was especially brutal and he was violently anti-Semitic. On Himmler's orders he commanded Operation "Reinhard" which created the death camps in Treblinka, Belzec and Sobibor. From March to October, 1943, he was business manager for Ostindustrie GmbH, a company formed by the SS to make goods with slave labor. From mid-September, 1943, to the end of the war he was HSSPF "Adriatisches Küstenland " under Karl Wolff's HöSSPF "Italien " command. Ambitous, greedy, fanatical and power hungry, he was among the most brutal senior SS commanders. Globocnik was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1939, the German Cross in Gold on February 7, 1945, the German Cross in Silver on January 20, 1945, the Anti-Partisan Badge in Silver on September 17, 1944 and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. He committed suicide on May 31, 1945 in Carinthia.
Nachrichtensturmbann 7 (Königsberg) Pioniersturmbann 7 (Königsberg) Kraftfahrsturm 7 (Königsberg) Components in 1944: 27 Abschnitte: VII, XXII and XXXXIV Standarten: 18, 60, 61, 66, 105 and 115 Reiterstandarten: 1,3 and 20 Nachrichtensturmbann 7 Pioniersturmbann 7 Kraftfahrsturm 7
21
Those units removed between the 1938 and 1944 compositions went to form SS-Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" in November, 1939.
95
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
SS-Obergruppenführer Friedrich Karl Freiherr Maximilian Freiherr von Weichs. (Phil Nix)
von Eberstein
(left) in conversation
with Generaloberst
(later
Generalfeldmarschall)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordsee" Formed in 1932 as SS-Gruppe "Nord," it became SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord" on November 16, 1933. On April 1, 1936 it was divided into SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord" (see Oberabschnitt "Ostsee") and SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordwest." SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" was retitled SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordsee" on April 20, 1940 and a new district received its old title. With headquarters in Hamburg/Altona, the area encompassed Wehrkreis X. Führer SS-Gruppenführer Josef "Sepp" Dietrich SS-Oberführer, after July 3, 1933 SSBrigadeführer. after September 15, 1933 SS-Gruppenführer Kurt Wittje SS-Gruppenführer, after November 9, 1936 SS-Obergruppenführer Werner Lorenz SS-Gruppenführer, after April 1, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei Hans-Adolf Prützmann
October 1, 1932 to April 19, 1933 April 19, 1933 to February 12, 1934
February 12, 1934 to March 1, 1937 March 1, 1937 to April 30, 1941
April 30, 1941 to April 20, 1943
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Rudolf Querner SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Georg von Bassewitz-Behr
April 20, 1943 to May, 1945
Stabsführer February 8, 1932 to October 1, 1932 October 1, 1932 to April 1, 1933 March 20, 1933 28 to December 2, 1933 December 2, 1933 to March 15, 1934
SS-Sturmführer Johannes Zingler SS-Standartenführer Theodor Berkelmann SS-Obersturmbannführer Hermann Harm SS-Oberführer Alfred Bigler
"Temporary Stabsführer until April 1, then held the position permanently.
96
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Josef Fitzthum was born in Loiersdorf, Austria, on September 14, 1896. He attended classes at a military school and served in WWI with the Austrian Army from August, 1916, to November, 1918, leaving service as an Oberleutnant. He joined the SS in April, 1932, with the 11 .SS-Standarte, commanding the unit from September, 1932, to March, 1933. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmbannfülirer on November 25, 1932, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on November 9, 1933, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on March 7, 1936. From May to October, 1936, he took military training with II./Germania and commanded the 58.SS-Standarte from January to September, 1937, after holding a staff post. From October, 1937, to March 12, 1938, when he was promoted to SS-Oberführer he served in the SDHauptamt as well as being Police Vice-President for Vienna from 1938 to 1940. Moving to the Waffen-SS with the 9.SS-Totenkopf Standarte, he then commanded a battalion in the 4.SS-Totenkopf Standarte from January 1941 to mid-July 1941 when he took temporary command of SS-lnfanterie-Regiment 4. One month later he got command of l./SS-lnfanterie-Regiment 5 for two weeks before returning to his previous unit to lead l./SS-lnfanterie-Regiment 4. He was given the rank of SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer d.R. on April 1, 1940, then promoted to SS-Sturmbannfülirer d.R. on January 30, 1941, and to SS-Obersturmbannführer d.R. on April 20, 1942. As commander of the Freiwilligen Legion "Flandern " he served from April to early June, 1943 (the unit became the SS-Freiwilligen Legion "Niederlande" in September, 1942). He became an active Waffen-SS officer on September 1, 1942 to coincide with his "Niederlande" command and was promoted to Waffen-SS Standartenführer on November 9, 1942. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS und Polizei on October 30, 1943, and to SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei on July 30, 1944, he was Himmler's representative in Albania from October 1943 and served as HSSPF "Albanien "from August, 1944, until January, 1945. Awarded the Blood Order on November 30, 1939, he was killed in an automobile accident in Vienna on January 10, 1945. (Author's archive)
March 1, 1934 to June 18, 1934 June 18, 1934 to May 25, 1935
SS-Obersturmbannführer Werner Ballauf SS-Sturmbannführer, after August 29, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Standartenführer Hans Weinert SS-Oberführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Brigadeführer Günther Pancke SS-Oberführer Karl Bock SS-Oberführer, after January 30, 1941 SSBrigadeführer Willy Tensfeld SS-Brigadeführer, after April 20, 1943 also Generalmajor der Polizei Johann Mörschel SS-Standartenführer Heinz Liedtke
March 25, 1935 to July 1, 1938 July 1, 1938 to January 1, 1939 January 1, 1939 to June 1, 1942 June 1, 1942 to September I, 1943 September 1, 1943 to May 1945
97
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Components in 1938 ("Nordwest") and 1944 ("Nordsee"): Abschnitte: XIV, XV and XX Standarten: 4, 24, 28, 40, 50, 55, 53 and 88 Reiterstandarten 4 and 9 Nachrichtensturmbann 6 (Hamburg) Pioniersturmbann 5 (Hamburg/Wilhelmsburg) Kraftfahrsturm 4 (Hamburg/Kiel/Bremen)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" The final area "Nordwest" was the second to have that title and was formed in The Hague (Holland) on May 23, 1940. As an occupied area, it had no subordinated Allgemeine-SS units or corresponding Wehrkreis and was headquartered in Den Haag. Its title had become available when the previous "Nordwest" was retitled in April, 1940, to allow this Oberabschnitt to be given the name "Nordwest." Führer SS-Brigadeführer, after April 20, 1941 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after June 21, 1943 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei (also in 1944 General der Waffen-SS) Hans-Albin Rauter
June 12, 1940 to May, 1945
Stabsführer 1941 to 1944
SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Montel
SS-Oberabschnitt "Ost" This district encompassed the area and districts of the General Government of Poland, the largest area after that country was divided and its other portions were absorbed into the Reich. SS-Sondersturmbann "Ost" was formed on March 3, 1941, under SS-Hauptsturmführer Georg Rüger, and this unit was the basis of the SSOberabschnitt. As an occupied area it had no corresponding Wehrkreis. It became SS-Oberabschnitt "Ost" on September 15, 1942, and was commanded by the Higher SS and Police Leader for the area (FriederichWilhelm Krüger until October, 1943, then Wilhelm Koppe). It had no independent units, but subordinated to it were the Führer der Allgemeine-SS for the five districts of Radom, Krakau, Lublin, Warsaw and Lemberg. Its headquarters was in Krakau, also the headquarters of the Higher SS and Police Leader, and was the final SS-Oberabschnitt formed. During 1942/1943, Harry Specht was Stabsführer with later holders of the position being unknown. Likewise, research has been unable to determine the Führer der Allgemeine-SS, if in fact anyone was assigned the position.
SS-Oberabschnitt "Ostland" With headquarters in Riga, Latvia, this SS-Oberabschnitt was formed on December 1, 1941 and encompassed the "liberated" Soviet occupied areas after the invasion of Russia. No Allgemeine-SS units were formed or subordinated to it. The Stabsführer, if one was assigned, are unknown. Its Führer was the H S S P F of the area. Führer December 12, 1941 to March 1945
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Friedrich Jeckeln
98
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Gottlob Berger was born in Gerstetten on July 16, 1896, the son of a carpenter. He served in WWI and was commissioned as a Leutnant in 1916, commanding an assault company then ser\>ing as adjutant to an infantry battalion. Wounded four times and suffering 70% physical disability, he was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver. He trained in sports education after the war and became a physical education teacher. Berger first joined the NSDA P in November, 1922, and was briefly held under arrest after the Munich Putsch. Rejoining the NSDAP and the SA on January 1, 1931, he entered the SA as an SA-Sturmführer commanding SA Sturm 10 then SA Standarte 125 through November 1931. Promoted to SA-Standartenführer in 1931 and to SA-Oberfiihrer on October 15, 1932, he next commanded SA Untergruppe "Nord-Wiirttenberg" and left the SA in April 1933. Training with the Army in the pre-war years he became a Major d.R. in 1939. Throughout his career he held a keen interest in physical training and education, holding several posts related to sports training within the state and SS. He joined the SS at the requests of Himmler and Hans-Adolf Prützmann on January 30, 1936, as an SS-Oberfiihrer Berger was with Oberabschnitt "Südwest" until the start of October, 1937, primarily as head of sports training and as a staff officer. From August, 1938, to April, 1940, he headed the Sports Office within Himmler's staff. During 19381940 he headed several different offices in the SS-Hauptamt. From April 1940 to the end of the war he was Chief of the SS-Hauptamt and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS on April 20, 1940. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS on April 20, 1942, and to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Waffen-SS on June 21,1943, he also headed the political staff of the Reich Ministry for Eastern Territories from the autumn of 1943 to early January, 1945, and was a member of the Reichstag from January, 1943 to the end of the war. From late August, 1944, into September he was HSSPF "Slowakien " and from October, 1944, to the end of the war headed the office responsible for POWs in the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht. His greatest contribution was in the field of recruiting for the Waffen-SS, obtaining the manpower needed to create many of the Waffen-SS foreign volunteer units. He was awarded the Knight's Cross to the War Service Cross with Swords on September 26, 1944, the Germern Cross in Silver on July 1, 1943, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1943, the Gold Hitler Youth Badge on January 30, 1944, the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class on August 16, 1936, and numerous foreign awards. Having great energy and drive as well as being an excellent administrator, lie took special interest as head of the physical training department of the SS and head of the German Life Saving Organization as it related to the SS and Polizei. Although wanting a front line combat command (he wished to lead the "Hitlerjugend" Division), he was kept in Berlin where his skills were more valuable. Tried and put in prison in 1949, he was released in 1951. He aided historians after the war and died in Gerstetten on January 5, 1975. (Pliil Nix)
99
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Richard Jungclaus was born on March 17, 1905 in Freiburg, the son of a salesman. He worked as a textile salesman and joined the NSDAP and the SA in 1930. Leaving the SA in 1931, he joined the SS on April 29, 1931, and was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmführer in command of I./I./17.SS-Standarte. He led this Sturm until early June, 1934, and was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer on October 1, 1932. Taking command of the I1./24. SS-Standarte in November 1934, he held the post until early June, 1935, and was promoted to SSSturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1935. Moving to the SS-Hauptamt as adjutant to the Chief ofthat main office, he served in that capacity from June, 1935, until the start of November, 1937, during which he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer on November 9, 1936 and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on September 12, 1937. From October, 1937, to October, 1938, he commanded the 12.SS-Standarte then led Abschnitt IVfrom November, 1938, to the start of April, 1942. He was promoted to SS-Oberfuhrer on April 20,1941, and to SS-Brigadefiihrer on April 20, 1942. Promoted to Generalmajor der Polizei on July 30, 1943, and to SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on November 9, 1943, also served in the Waffen-SS from January, 1940 ,as an NCO. He was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmführer d.R. in May, 1940, after five months with SS-Junkerschule "Braunschweig." Jungclaus then served with the 11. and 4.SS-Totenkopfstandarten until April, 1941. From mid-June, 1941, to the start of October he was a reserve officer in Regiment "Westland" of the "Wiking" Division and became an SS-Obersturmführer d.R. in August, 1941. From September, 1941, to April, 1942, he served as advisor to the Dutch SS then from April, 1942, to August, 1944, was advisor and helped to form the Flemish SS. He also acted as Himmler's representative in the latter area. During August and September, 1944, he was HSSPF " Belgien-Nordfrankreich " and senior military commander for the area after mid-August, 1944. His command in Belgium included a strong anti-terriost movement and he had total control in the area by midAugust, 1944. In late 1944 through April, 1945, he was again serving as an SS-Obersturmführer d.R., now with the "Prinz Eugen" Division. Jungclaus won the Iron Cross 2nd class, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the War Service Cross 2nd class without Swords and the SA Sports Badge in Gold. He was downgraded in rank in mid-September 1944for retreating and releasing 600 political prisoners. Posted to Friedrich Jeckeln i' command there was no post for him so he returned to the Waffen-SS. He was killed fighting in Sadovice, Yugoslavia, as a member of the "Prinz Eugen" Division on April 14, 1945. (Phil Nix)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Ostsee" Headquartered in Stettin, Pomerania, the SS-Oberabschnitt eventually titled "Ostsee" was formed on April 1, 1936 from portions of the then existing SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord" (which traced its own formation origin back to 1932). "Ostsee" was at first titled "Nord" after being formed, while the original Oberabschnitt "Nord" had its name changed to "Nordwest." On February 1,1940, this second "Nord" was redesignated SS-Oberabschnitt "Ostsee" while a new (third and final) "Nord" was formed in Oslo. "Ostsee" remained headquartered in Stettin and corresponded to Wehrkreis II. Führer April 1, 1936 to May, 1945
29
SS-Gruppenführer, after April 15, 1941 Generalleutnant der Polizei, after April 20, 1942 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Emil Mazuw 2 9
"Ostsee" and "Fulda-Werra" were the only Oberabschnitte to have a single commander throughout their existence.
100
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Gerrett Korsemann was born in Nebel on June 8, 1895 and ser\'ed in WWI where he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. After serving in the Freikorps during 1918-1919, he left the military and worked in the Baltic States until 1923. He joined the NSDAP and SA in the early 1920s, leading SA Standarte VI until early September, 1927. Promoted to SA-Brigadefiihrer in 1931, he led the SA in Hannover-Süd from 1931 to October 15, 1932, when he was promoted to SA-Gruppenführer. He then led SA Gruppe "Niedersachsen" until leaving the SA in the wake of several scandals in January, 1937. Korsemann joined the Polizei on January 30, 1937, and was assigned as an administrator to the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei until April, 1939. Promoted to Major der Polizei on January 18, 1938, and to Oberstleutnant der Polizei the following year, he commanded the police school in Fürstenfeldbruck from April, 1939, to late October that year. He then went to the General Government as a police administrator until early March, 1940. Taking command of the Ordnungspolizei in Lublin from March, 1940, to early February, 1941, he also commanded Polizei Regiment "Lublin" in the same period and was promoted to Oberst der Polizei in March, 1941. He left police service on February I, 1941, having joined the SS as an SS-Oberführer on April 20, 1939. From mid-January, 1941, to early April that year he led the 14.SS-Totenkopfstandarte and then served in the RSHA until July, 1942. On August 1, 1941, Korsemann was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer und Generalmajor der Polizei. From August, 1941, to the start of 1942, he was SSPF "Rowno" and served with the HSSPF "Rußland-Mitte" command until mid-August, 1942, during which he was promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on July 1, 1942. After serving a s SSPF "Stanislav-Rostow" from late May, 1942, to the start of October that year, he returned to the HSSPF "Rußland-Mitte" command as von dem Bach's designated deputy, taking his command duties as a substitute while Bach was with his anti-partisan command from March, 1943, to July that year (in April the command absorbed "Weißruthenian"). In September, 1943, he was relieved of his command for alleged cowardice during a hasty retreat in the Caucasus and was posted to the Waffen-SS as an SS-Hauptsturmführer d.R. He ended the war commanding a company in the "Totenkopf' Division and was captured by the Russians. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge and the War Service Cross with Swords 2nd class. Turned over to the Poles, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 1947 and was released in 1949. Korsemann died in Munich on July 16, 1958. (Phil Nix)
Stabsführer April 1, 1936 to October 1, 1937 October 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to May 16, 1938 May 16, 1938 to November 14, 1938 November 14, 1938 to April 24, 1939 30 April 3, 1939 to May 15, 1939 (substitute) May 15, 1939 to July 1, 1942 July 1, 1942 to December 23, 1942 December 23, 1942 to May, 1945
SS-Obersturmbannführer Bruno Hofbauer SS-Oberführer Karl Taus SS-Standartenführer Erhard Müller SS-Oberführer Waldemar Wappenhans SS-Standartenführer Robert Wagner SS-Hauptsturmführer Georg Riedel SS-Brigadeführer Hermann Harm SS-Sturmbannführer Otto Müller SS-Brigadeführer Franz Claasen
' Wagner died on this date.
101
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Components in 1938 ("Nord") and 1944 ("Ostsee"): Abschnitte XIII and XXXIII Standarten: 9, 22, 39, 74 and 77 Reiterstandarten: 5 and 12 Nachrichtensturmbann 12 (Stettin) Pioniersturmbann 6 (Stettin) Kraftfahrsturm 13 (Schwerin/Stettin)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Rhein-Westmark" This SS-Oberabschnitt was a combination of two main districts and, when finalized, was headquartered in Wiesbaden (Wehrkreis XII). The first portion formed was SS-Oberabschnitt "Rhein," which was created on January 1, 1934, in Koblenz from part of SS-Oberabschnitt "West." Its headquarters were moved to Arolsen in December, 1936, and finally to Wiesbaden during January, 1937. The second element was SS-Oberabschnitt "Lothringen-Saarpfalz," which formed in Saarbrücken in August, 1940, and became SS-Oberabschnitt "Westmark" in October, 1941. Its headquarters were moved to Neustadt and then Metz before being combined with "Rhein," and contained SS-Abschnitt XXXIV. These two SS-Oberabschnitte combined on September 11, 1943, to form "Rhein-Westmark," from which point the command was headquartered in Wiesbaden. Führer January 1, 1934 to May 22, 1935
SS-Brigadeführer, after February 28, 1934 SS-Gruppenführer August Heissmeyer SS-Gruppenführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Obergruppenführer Josias Erbrinz zu Waldeck-Pyrmont SS-Gruppenführer Richard Hildebrandt SS-Brigadeführer, after January 1, 1940 SS-Gruppenführer Jakob Sporrenburg SS-Brigadeführer, after November 9, 1941 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Erwin Rösener SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after January 30, 1942 SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei Theodor Berkelmann 3 2 SS-Gruppenführer, und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei Jürgen Stroop
June 20, 1935 to December 31, 1936
January 1, 1937 to September 25, 1939 September 26, 1939 to June 18, 1940 June 18, 1940 to November 18, 194131
November 18, 1941 to November 9, 1943
November 9, 1943 to March 24, 1945
Stabsführer June 15, 1934 to May 1, 1935 May 1, 1935 to autumn 1935 autumn 1935 to April 1936 April 1936 to December 31, 1936 December 31, 1936 to October 31, 1938
SS-Sturmbannführer Ulrich Greifelt Georg Vöggenaus SS-Sturmbannführer Willi Schinke SS-Sturmbannführer Arnold Hamke SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Hoffmann SS-Oberführer, after January 24, 1940 SS-Brigadeführer Erwin Rösener SS-Oberführer Gustav Stolle
November 1, 1938 to June 19, 1940 September 10, 1940 to April 30, 1942 33 31
Conflicting documentation with his successsor's personal records has Rösener in c o m m a n d until early December. Was Führer of SS-Oberabschnitt " L o t h r i n g e n - S a a r p f a l z " ("Westmark") f r o m October, 1940, during its existence, chosen partly due to the fact he was born near Metz. 33 StabsfUhrer of " L o t h r i n g e n - S a a r p f a l z " / " W e s t m a r k . " his successor is u n k n o w n . All others on the list are for " R h e i n " prior to the t w o Oberabschnitte combining. 32
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Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Himmler (foreground) walks with Knight's Cross holder Jakob Fick. Behind them in black Panzer uniform is Sepp Dietrich talking with HSSPF Carl Oberg. Oberg was born on January 27, 1897, in Hamburg, the son of a doctor of medicine. After attending private school he joined the Army in August 1914 and was assigned to the artillery. He served as a battery officer, signals officer, orderly and detachment adjutant. Commissioned as a Leutnant in the reserves in November, 1915, he was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross. After the war he worked in manufacturing as a branch manager and director until becoming unemployed in 1930. He joined the NSDAP on April 1, 1931, and the SS on April 7, 1932. Meeting Reinhard Heydrich in May, 1933, he asked him for a job and joined the SD on May 15, 1933, as Heydrich's adjutant. He held that post until mid-June, 1934, and was also StabsfUhrer of the SD (later the SD-Huuptamt) from May 1933 to October 1935. During that time he also headed the Zentralamt (Central Office) until leaving the SD after differences with Heydrich. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on July 1, 1933, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmfulirer on September 25, 1933, to SSHauptsturmführer on March 7, 1934, to SS-Sturmbannführer on June 15, 1934, to SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer on July 4, 1934, and to SSStandartenführer on April 20, 1935. He ted the 22.SS-Standarte from November, 1935, to the start of 1937, then served as StabsfUhrer of Abschnitt IV until late December, 1938. He stayed with Abschnitt IV until mid-March, 1939, in a staff post and was promoted to SSOberfiihrer on April 20, 1939. As police administrator for Hannover he served from September, 1938 to January, 1939, and then was Police President for Zwickau until late September, 1941. Undertaking police duties, he served as SSPF "Radom "from August 1941 to May, 1942, during which he was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on April 20, 1942, and given the rank of Generalmajor der Polizei on March 31, 1942. He served in Paris as the HSSPF "Frankreich" from May, 1942, to November, 1944, and was promoted to SSGruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 20, 1943, and to SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei on September 1, 1944. Oberg also became a General der Waffen-SS on March 10, 1945. He served with Heeresgruppe "Weichsel" from late November, 1944, to late January, 1945, as a staff and then operations officer in command of all Orpo, Sipo and SD units within the command. From February to May, 1945, he was a Special Duties Officer for Himmler in Munich within the main SS and Polizei court. He was awarded a bar to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class on November 28, 1944, the War Service Cross with Swords 2nd class in 1942 and the 1st class with Swords on January 30, 1943. Patient, he treated his subordinates well and was considered decent of character by his colleagues. In France he introduced the Jewish badge decree for identification and as HSSPF was involved with the deporting of over 40,000 Jews from that country by personal orders from Reinhard Heydrich. When he arrived in France the shooting of hostages declined until armed resistance hardened. He was arrested by U.S. military police in June, 1945, and sentenced to death by a British court the same year before being handed over to the French. Sentenced to death by the French in October, 1954, the sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1958 and later reduced to 20 years hard labor. He was pardoned in November, 1962, and returned to Germany where he died in Flensburg on June 3, 1965. (Jess Lukens)
June 19, 1940 to August 1, 1943 August 1, 1943 to April 1945 April 1945 to May 1945
SS-Oberführer Karl Schuster SS-Oberführer Friedrich Schlums SS-Standartenführer Ludwig Hettesheimer
Components in 1938 ("Rhein" only): Abschnitte: XI and XXXIV Standarten: 5, 10, 32, 33, 78, 85 and 93 Reiterstandarte 13 Nachrichtensturmbann 13 (Wiesbaden) Pioniersturmbann 13 (Frankfurt (Main)/Ludwigshafen/Weilburg) Kraftfahrsturm 14 (Frankfurt (Main)AViesbaden)
103
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Curt von Gottberg was an East Prussian born the son of an estate owner on February 11, 1896. He joined the Army in early August 1914 and was commissioned a Leutnant in the autumn of that year. Promoted to Oberleutnant on April 20, 1919, he was wounded in 1917 and ended the war awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. After serving in the Freikorps he worked in agriculture, visiting Sweden and Italy. He joined the SA on November 15, 1931 and the NSDAP on February I, 1932. Joining the SS on January 12, 1933, he became an SS-Scharführer on April I, 1933. Promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on April 25, 1933, to Obertruppfiihrer on October 20, 1933 and commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiilirer on November 6, 1933, he served as a Special Assignments Officer with SSGruppe "West" then Oberabschnitt "Südwest" until late March, 1934. Promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer December 15, 1933, andtoSSSturmbannfiilirer on January 30, 1934, he led the Political Readiness Detachment "Ellwangen " within Oberabschnitt "Südwest" until the start of October, 1934. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on March 25, 1934, he led the lll./SS-Standarte 1 (which later became Regiment "Deutschland"), which formed from his unit in Ellwangen. He led the III.Sturmbann until the start of June, 1935 and handed over command after losing a leg in a motorcycle accident. A.v commander of the 49.SS-Standarte he led that unit from June, 1935 until mid-April, 1936. After serving as an Inspector with Oberabschnitt "Mitte" until the start of October, 1937, he moved to the RuSHA as chief of the settlement office until early November, 1939 (a deputy performed this post after April, 1939). Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on November 9, 1937 and to SS-Oberführer on January 30, 1939, he served with the Reichsprotektor of Böhmen und Mähren as an office head from mid-April until early November, 1939, as well as being a State Minister responsible for forestry from June to November, 1939. He also headed an SS real estate office in Prague to purchase kind on behalf of the SS in 1939 and controlled RuSHA activities with the Einsatzgruppe operating during the Polish campaign through November, 1939. After a period without an assignment beginning in November, 1939, he transferred to the SS-Hauptamt in late July, 1940, to its settlement office and headed it from October, 1940, to late July, 1942. On December /, 1940, he became a Waffen-SS Obersturmbannführer d.R. and was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer und Generalmajor der Polizei on April 20, 1942. From July, 1942, to September, 1943, he was SSPF "Weißruthenien" and then became General Commissioner of White Russia until early August, 1944, during which he was promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on July 15, 1943. From early July, 1943, until the post dissolved in early August, 1944, he was HSSPF "Rußland-Mitte und Weißruthenien " and was promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei on June 30, 1944. Transferring to France he commanded anti-partisan warfare in that country from early August until mid-October, 1944. During the same time he also commanded the XII.SS-Armeekorps which he tried to refuse being aware he was unqualified. After recovering from illness in December, 1944, he became deputy commander of the Replacement Army until the end of the war as well as heading a special staff to recruit stragglers for Army Group "Nordwest" during late April and early May, 1945. He was awarded the SA Sports Badge in Silver, the antipartisan Badge in Silver in 1944, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class on December 6, 1942, the clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 1st class on February 20, 1943, the German Cross in Gold on August 7, 1943, and the Knight's Cross on June 30, 1944, for combating partisans in White Russia. Arrogant and ambitious, he was reprimanded several times for overstepping his authority. Domineering and crude, he also used his positions forfinancial gain to an extent that Himmler intervened. He committed suicide on May 31, 1945 in Flensburg.
104
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts) Components in 1944 ("Rhein-Westmark") were the same as 1938 with the addition of : Standarte 125 Reiterstandarte 23 Nachrichtensturmbann 23 (?) Pioniersturmbann 23 (?) Kraftfahrsturm 18 (?)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Spree" "Spree" was one of the first area commands created as Oberführerbereich "Ost" in August, 1930. On March 1, 1932, it became SS-Gruppe "Ost" and on November 16, 1933, SS-Oberabschnitt "Ost" Its title was changed to "Spree" on November 14, 1939. Headquartered in Berlin it encompassed Wehrkreis III. Führer mid-September, 1929 34 to December, 1930 December, 1930 to September 1, 1931 September 1. 1931 to July 11. 1932 July 11, 1932 to October 1, 1933 October 1, 1933 to May, 1945
November 1, 1938 to November 14, 1939 (substitute) November 14, 1939 to May, 1945 (substitute)
SS-Standartenführer, after August 1. 1930 SS-Oberführer Kurt Wege SS-Oberfiihrer Kurt Daluege SS-Oberführer Kurt Wege SS-Gruppenführer Kurt Daluege 35 SS-Gruppenführer, after July 1, 1934 SSObergruppenführer, after April 20, 1942 SSOberstgruppenführer Josef "Sepp" Dietrich SS-Gruppenführer Paul Moder SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1941 SS-Brigadeführer, after April 20, 1943 SS-Gruppenführer Max Schneller
Stabsführer SS-Oberführer Kurt Wege 36 SS-Standartenführer Annacker 3 7 SS-Standartenführer Fritz Engel SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after July 4, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Siegfried Taubert SS-Brigadeführer Wilhelm Koppe SS-Oberführer Erwin Rösener SS-Oberführer, after November 9, 1942 SSBrigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Bernhard Voss SS-Oberführer Paul Leffler 3 8
July 11, 1932 to late 1932 late 1932 to June 12, 1933 June 12, 1933 to September 15, 1933 September 15, 1933 to November 1, 1935
November 1, 1935 to September 13, 1936 September 13, 1936 to October 31, 1938 October 31. 1938 to August 8, 1944
August 8, 1944 to May, 1945
34 From this time until August, 1930 he held the post of SS Brigadenführer " O s t " (not to be confused with the rank of Brigadeführer), then Oberführerbereich " O s t " until D e c e m b e r 1930, these being the titles at those times for the next senior c o m m a n d level above the equivalent of Abschnitt for that geographical area. 35 Returned f r o m his Berlin Polizei duties when the Oberabschnitt b e c a m e too important for a j u n i o r ranked officer. 36 Wege b e c a m e StabsfUhrer upon D a l u e g e ' s return f r o m other Police duties. 37 Listed in the J u n e 12, 1933 SS-Befehlsblatt without (per n o r m in those earlier orders) his first name. He died in the s u m m e r of 1933. 38 Born in Braunschweig on D e c e m b e r 1, 1890, the son of an engineer. He joined the Imperial Navy for a year in 1910, then traveled to England, A m e r i c a and Central America. Rejoining the Navy in July. 1914, he trained and served as an aerial observer. C o m m i s s i o n e d Leutnant zur See in 1915, he was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and left the Navy in 1920 as an Oberleutnant in the reserves after being a battalion adjutant in Braunschweig. Between the wars he studied engineering and ship construction and received an engineering degree. He served in the Stahlhelm f r o m 1921 to 1923, then joined the N S D A P in July, 1923. Leaving the N S D A P after the Munich Putsch, he rejoined it on J u n e 1. 1929, and also joined the SS in N o v e m b e r 1931. First serving with the motorized elements of the 12.SSStandarte until 1933, he was then reassigned to Abschnitt IV as OberstaffelfUhrer until mid-June, 1934. Promoted to S S - T r u p p f ü h r e r o n January 10, 1932, to S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 11, 1932, and to SS-SturmhauptfUhrer on April 3, 1933, he joined the S D in May, 1932, and headed the S D headquarters for Braunschweig until the start of March, 1933. Serving as adjutant to the Chief of the S D (Reinhard Heydrich, w h o had persuaded him initially to join the S D ) f r o m September, 1932, to May, 1933, he then served in the S D Hauptamt until mid-June, 1934. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on January 1, 1934. to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on J u n e 15. 1934, and
J 05
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Components in 1938: Abschnitte: III, XII and XXIII Standarten: 4, 6, 15, 27, 42, 44, 54, 75 and 80 Reiterstandarte 7 Nachrichtensturmbann 8 (Berlin) Pioniersturmbann 8 (Berlin) Kraftfahrsturm 3 (Berlin/Senftenberg) Components in 1944: same as 1938 with deletion of Standarte 4.
SS-Oberabschnitt "Süd" This, the oldest area command, began years before the SS was an independent organization. It was created in 1929 by combining the areas of the Gau SS-Führer Franken, Niederbayern and Oberbayern. During 19301931 it was Oberführerbereich "Süd" and in 1931-1932 was SS-Brigade "Süd." On July 1, 1932, it became SS-Gruppe "Süd" and was designated SS-Oberabschnitt "Süd" on November 16, 1933. Based in Munich, it occupied the area of Wehrkreis VII. Centered in the primary area of early N S D A P activity and influence, it was first commanded by Hitler's designated deputy. Führer SS-Obergruppenführer Rudolf Hess 39 SS-Oberführer, after December 18,1931 SS-Gruppenführer Josef "Sepp" Dietrich SS-Oberführer Richard Hildebrandt SS-Oberführer und Oberst der Schutzpolizei, after February 4, 1933 SS-Gruppenführer Friedrich Jeckeln SS-Brigadeführer, after September 15, 1933 SS-Gruppenführer Heinrich Schmauser SS-Obergruppenführer, after April 8, 1941 General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 General der Waffen-SS Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein SS-Brigadeführer Hermann Freiherr von Schade 41
1929 to October 31, 1930 October 31, 1930 to October 1, 1932 October 1, 1932 to January 30, 1933 January 30, 1933 to July 15, 1933
July 15, 1933 to April 1, 1936 April 1, 1936 to April 20, 1945 40
June 12, 1939 to July 1939 (substitute)
to SS-Standartenführer on April 20, 1935, he c o m m a n d e d the 14.SS-Standarte f r o m m i d - M a r c h , 1936 until the end of that year. As Stabsführer of Abschnitt XXXIV. he served f r o m early January, 1937, to the start of September. 1939. He then served in the newly f o r m e d R S H A until early August, 1944, and was promoted to SS-Oberführer on January 24, 1940. He held other posts in addition to his StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt " S p r e e " post which he occupied f r o m August, 1944, to May, 1945. F r o m the end of September, 1939, to mid-June, 1944, he was Police President for Reichenberg and administrative head of the Kripo office there, then held the s a m e police post in Cologne until May, 1945. He was also a special assignments S S P F to the H S S P F " W e s t " f r o m October, 1944, to May, 1945. Able to speak English, he survived the war and served as a town councillor in Wolfsburg after the war. 39 T h o u g h no doubt an SS m e m b e r (he is listed in D A L ) . Hitler's Deputy Führer had no SS rank or SS n u m b e r though granted the privileges of an honorary SS-Obergruppenführer. 4,1 Dismissed f r o m all his posts on this date for defeatism, in actuality he had a realistic appreciation of the war situation. His testimony at N u r e m b e r g gives good insight into the reduction of importance the A l l g e m e i n e - S S had during the war years c o m p a r e d to other SS elements. 41 Born in M ü n s t e r on October 3, 1888, the son of a Oberstleutnant. H e joined the A r m y in 1907 and served in W W I , ending as a H a u p t m a n n and battalion c o m m a n d e r in the infantry and staff officer having won both classes of the Iron Cross as well as the Wound Badge in Black. Joining the N S D A P and S A reserve in July, 1931. Joining the SS on February 6, 1932, he w a s adjutant to Kurt Daluege until A u g u s t 1932. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on A u g u s t 3, 1932, and promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9. 1932, then to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on January 30. 1933, he was then adjutant of H i m m l e r ' s Leadership Staff (FUhrungsstab) until March, 1933, followed by a posting as leader of H i m m l e r ' s organizational detachment until December. 1933. He then led the recruiting section o f t h a t c o m m a n d body until January, 1934, and was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on March 21, 1933, and to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on January 30, 1934. Serving on H i m m l e r ' s staff f r o m January to September, 1934, he was SS special duties o f f i c e r with the SA high c o m m a n d for central G e r m a n y f r o m M a r c h to September, 1934. From September, 1934, to March, 1936, he was temporary head of the legal department of the S S - A m t (later S S - H a u p t a m t ) while Paul Scharfe was on leave. He c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt VII f r o m mid-March, 1936, to until the start of October, 1937, and was promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 1 3 , 1 9 3 6 . A s last head of the organizational section in the S D - H a u p t a m t he served in that section until September, 1939 (this post in R S H A was reorganized), and and was Inspector of the Sipo and S D in Düsseldorf f r o m May, 1939, until February ,1940, at which time he gave up full time SS service. F r o m October, 1937, to mid-June, 1936, he also headed S D Oberabschnitt " S ü d . " S c h a d e headed S D Oberabschnitt " W e s t " f r o m May, 1939, to Septem-
106
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Konstantin Kammerhofer was born in Austria on January 23, 1899, the son of a farmer and mill owner. He quit trade school to enter the Austrian Army in May, 1915, at the age of sixteen. Wounded three times, he was captured by the Italians in early November 1918 and was not released until August, 1919. He won the Wound Badge in Black and ran his own business as a wine seller after the war. From 1921 to 1924 he was a member of the Austrian Nazi Party and joined the Austrian &4 in November, 1933, leading SA Brigade "Obersteiermark" until late June, 1934. Attaining the rank of SA-Obersturmbannfiihrer, he left Austria after the assassination of Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss. He went to Croatia and along with Alfred Rodenbiicher helped Nazis escaping from Austria. Leaving Croatia and arriving in Germany by ship in December, 1934, he joined the SS on February 15, 1935, as an SS-Oberfiihrer, From April, 1936, to October, 1937, he led the 25. SS-Standarte and then commanded Abschnitt XXV until mid-March, 1938. He then became the first commander of Abschnitt XXXI from mid-March, 1938, to October, 1942, and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on January 30, 1941. A member of the Reichstag from April, 1938, to the end of the war, he also was on Himmler's staff beginning in October, 1942. Joining the NSDAP at the start of May, 1938, he also served as a reservist with the Waffen-SSfrom March, 1941, to June, 1942, and led SS Abschnitt "Flandern" (Flanders) from July, 1941, to the start of April, 1942. He trained for police duties with the Hauptamt Orpo in Berlin and with the SSPF "Dnjepropetrowsk" from April to August, 1942. From August to November, 1942, hewas the SSPF "Kaukasien-Kuban" and then held the SSPF "Aserbeidschan" post in Baku from November, 1942, until the post was dissolved in April 1943. Given the rank of Generalmajor der Polizei on September 16, 1942 and promoted to SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on July I, 1943, he became the only HSSPF "Kroatien" when the post was created in mid-March, 1943. He ended the war as the Wehrmachtsbefehlshaber (Senior Armed Forces Commander) in Croatia. Kammerhofer won both classes of the Iron Cross, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. An ardent Socialist, he was an early advocate of Austria becoming part of the Reich. He formed the Flemish SS with three Standarten and was Himmler's representative in Croatia. Captured by the U.S. Army, he worked as a laborer in Hannover until his death on September 29, 1958. (Phil Nix)
ber, 1939. From mid-June to July, 1939, he headed Oberabschnitt " S ü d " (von Eberstein was ill) and from February, 1940, to October, 1942, he was with Himmler's direct reserve but basically returned to industry for the duration of the war. He headed the Düsseldorf area SD from September, 1939, to February, 1940. As a part time staff officer he was assigned Oberabschnitt "Elbe" from October, 1942, to May, 1944, and then with the staff of Abschnitt XXVII until the end. His wife was a close friend of Himmler's wife, and he spoke fluent French. Awarded the Olympic G a m e s decoration 1st class and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold, he died in Bielefeld on October 26, 1966.
107
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
August Edler von Meyszner (above left) was born in Graz, Austria, on August 3, 1886, the son of a Oberstleutnant. After attending cadet school he served with an infantry regiment from 1906-1914 and was commissioned as a Leutnant on May 1, 1908. In May 1914 he transferred to the Gendarmerie and commanded a police detachment in Görz in 1914. As a fortress commander in Grado after 1914 he also commanded the Gendarmerie in the Tolmein district until 1917. He then commanded a mountain troop company and from 1917 to 1919 commanded the Gendarmerie in Graz, Austria. Promoted to Hauptmann in August, 1919, he was awarded the Wound Badge in Black. Active in Austrian National Socialist politics (the Steirischen Heimatschutz) from 1919 to 1933, when the NSDAP was banned in May, 1933, he was pensioned from the Gendarmerie as a Major and joined the Austrian SA, serving as deputy leader of SA Brigade "Mittelsteiermark" from November, 1933, to July, 1934. He was in prison for three months in 1934for political offenses and escaped to Germany in July 1934 after the attempted Austrian Putsch. Joining the Schutzpolizei in Berlin as a Major, he joined the SS on February 20, 1935, as an SS-Oberfiihrer. After serving as a Special Duties Officer for Himmler until October, 1935, he left the SSat his own request hut rejoined as an SS-Oberfiihrer in 1937 retaining the seniority of his rank. Serving on the staff of Abschnitt 111 in 1937-1938, he held staff posts with Oberabschnitte "Donau " and "Nord" until January, 1942. Promoted to Oberstleutnant der Polizei on April I, 1937, he led the Schutzpolizei Abschnitt "Mitte" and the Schutzpolizei Gruppe "Ost-Berlin" from April, 1937, to April, 1938. Promoted to Oberst der Polizei on March 18, 1938, he was a member of the Reichstag from March, 1938 to the end of the war. During March and April, 1938, he was Inspector of the Ordnungspolizei in Vienna and was an Ordnungspolizei detachment commander in the Sudetenland from October, 1938, to October, 1939. From June, 1939, to September, 1940, he was the Ordnungspolizei Inspector in Kassel and was promoted to Generalmajor der Polizei on April I, 1939, then to SS-Brigadeführer on April 20, 1940. He took over as Senior Commander of the Ordnungspolizei in Oslo in August, 1940, and held the post to mid-January, 1942, during which he was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on January 1, 1942, and to Generalleutnant der Polizei on January 30, 1942. Moving to Yugoslavia he became the HSSPF "Serbia, " his command eventually expanding to the HSSPF "Serbien-Sandschak-Montenegro, "from January 1942 to April 1944. For the rest of the war he ser\'ed in the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei as General Inspector of the Gendarmerie and Schutzpolizei. Awarded both classes of the Iron Cross as well as both classes of the War Sen'ice Cross with Swords, he was a very independent, intense and forceful personality. He resisted military interference with Iiis Yugoslavian command and became a rival administrator to the Wehrmacht. Tried in Yugoslavia after the war, he was hanged in Belgrade on January 24, 1947. (Jess Lukens)
February 1, 1945 to April 20, 1945 (temporary)
SS-Brigedeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Anton Vogler SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Wilhelm Koppe
April 20, 1945 to May, 1945 (temporary)
Stabsführer SS-Sturmbannführer, after October 18, 1931 SS-Standartenführer, after January 1. 1932 SS-Oberführer Richard Hildebrandt SS-Sturmführer, after December 1, 1932 SS-Sturmhauptführer, after March 21, 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Brandes
August 14, 1931 to October 1, 1932
October 1, 1932 to April, 1933
108
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts) April, 1933 to June 1, 1933 June 1, 1933 to September 1, 1933 September 26, 1933 to May 7, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmführer Dr. Hans Burkhardt SS-Untersturmführer Robert Braun SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Dr. Eugen Mohr SS-Obersturmführer, after June 30, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer Robert Braun SS-Hauptsturmführer Bruno Schulz SS-Oberführer Carl Zenner SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Oberführer, after January 1, 1940 SS-Brigadeführer Franz Jaegy SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Hoffmann SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Anton Vogler SS-Brigadeführer Erhard Müller
May 7, 1934 to October 15, 1934 May 7, 1934 to January, 1935 (substitute) January, 1935 to January 15, 1937 January 15, 1937 to April 1, 1943
1937 to November 30, 1938 (substitute) April 1, 1943 to February 1, 1945 February 1, 1945 to May, 1945
Components in 1938: Abschnitte: I and XXXII Standarten: 1 , 2 9 , 3 1 , 3 4 , 92 Reiterstandarte 15 Nachrichtensturmbann I (München) Pioniersturmbann 1 (München) Kraftfahrsturm 1 (München/Augsburg) Components in 1944: same as 1938 with addition of Standarte 106
SS-Oberabschnitt "Südost" Formed in early 1930 as Oberbereich "Schlesien," this area command became SS-Gruppe "Südost" in 1931. Designated SS-Oberabschnitt "Südost" on November 16, 1933, it was first headquartered in Brieg and after January 1, 1936, in Breslau. Its area encompassed Wehrkreis VIII. Führer March 15, 1932 to January 1, 1935 January 1, 1935 to February 15, 1936
SS-Gruppenführer Udo von Woyrsch SS-Brigadeführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Gruppenführer Wilhelm Rediess SS-Gruppenführer Erich von dem Bach SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS Heinrich Schmauser SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Walter Bierkamp SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Richard Hildebrandt
February 15, 1936 to June 26, 1941 42 June 26, 1941 to February 23, 1945 43
February 23, 1945 to March 17, 1945 (temporary) 44 February 23, 1945 to May, 1945
Stabsführer July 10, 1932 to August 10, 1933 August 10, 1933 to October 26, 1934 45
SS-Standartenführer Kurt Kaul SS-Sturmbannführer, after October 5, 1932 SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Oberführer Berthold Maack
42 Held titular c o m m a n d in the latter period as he had been reassigned to head the Anti-Partisan c o m m a n d as well as being H S S P F " R u ß l a n d - M i t t e " since May, 1941. His temporary substitute during those w e e k s was S c h m a u s e r w h o got the c o m m a n d officially in June. 43 Officially reported missing on this date, his patrol had been captured by the Russians on February 10. 44 Had previously been deputy HSSPF. 45 Also d o c u m e n t e d as October 16.
109
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS October 26, 1934 to February 15, 1935 February 15, 1935 to February 15, 1936
SS-Standartenführer Karl Bock SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Julian Scherner SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer Joachim Richter SS-Standartenführer Erich Cassel SS-Sturmbannführer Herbert Strauss SS-Oberführer, after December 21, 1939 SS-Brigadeführer Hans-Albin Rauter SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1940 SS-Standartenführer Karl Burk SS-Obersturmbannführer Kurt Braun
February 15, 1936 to September 1, 1937 September 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to November I, 1938 November 1, 1938 to September 1, 1940 September 1, 1940 to November 1, 1943 November 1, 1943 to May, 1945 Components in 1938: Abschnitte: VI, XXI, XXIV Standarten: 8, 16, 23, 43, 45, 70, 95, 98, 102, 104 Reiterstandarte 11 Nachrichtensturmbann 10 (Breslau) Pioniersturmbann 10 (Breslau) Kraftfahrsturm 9 (Breslau)
Components in 1944: same as 1938 with addition of Standarte 124
SS-Oberabschnitt "Südwest" Formed on November 16, 1933, from a portion of the existing SS-Gruppe "West" which had existed since July, 1932. This district was headquartered in Stuttgart and encompassed Wehrkreis V. Führer November 16, 1933 to February 28, 1937 March 1,1937 to April 21, 1943
SS-Gruppenführer Hans-Adolf Prützmann SS-Brigadeführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Gruppenführer, after May 1, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei Kurt Kaul SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after June 21, 1943 SSObergruppenführer und General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 General der Waffen-SS Otto Hofmann
April 21, 1943 to May, 1945
Stabsführer November 16, 1933 to April 5, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Ernst Brandes 46 SS-Standartenführer Willy Weidermann SS-Oberführer Georg Altner SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1938 SS-Oberführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Brigadeführer Erhard Müller SS-Oberführer Friedrich Demehl
March 15, 1934 to May 1, 1935 (temporary) April 5, 1935 to May 16, 1938 May 15, 1938 to February 1, 1945
February 1, 1945 to May, 1945 Components in 1938: Abschnitte: X, XIX and XXIX Standarten: 13, 62, 63, 65, 79, 86 Reiterstandarte 14 Nachrichtensturmbann 2 (Stuttgart) 46
Left the SS and j o i n e d the A r m y in J u n e 1935.
110
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Karl Zech was born in Swinemünde, Pomerania, on February 6, 1892. He served in WWI with the infantry as a company commander from 1915 to 1917 and was commissioned a Leutnant. For the rest of the war he served as a brigade adjutant and staff officer, ending the war as a Hauptmann with the 4.Infanterie-Brigade having won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. After the war he worked as a miner and mining official, joining the Stahlhelm from 1921 to 1929. He joined the NSDAP and SS in January, 1931, and was commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on March 31, 1931. From April to July, 1931, he led the 1 ,/I./25.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-SturmbannfUhrer on July 4, 1931, and to SS-Standartenführer on August 8, 1931. He commanded I./25.SS-Standarte during July-August, 1931, and then led the entire Standarte until July, 1932. From October, 1932 to October, 1937, he commanded Abschnitt V and also led the 25.SS-Standarte again from December, 1933, to January, 1934. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on January /, 1934, he was Chief of Amt I (Leadership Office) in the SS-Hauptamt from October, 1937, to October, 1940, when it was absorbed by the SS-Fiihrungshauptamt and was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on January 30, 1938. He then served on Himmler's staff until midNovember, 1942, when he officially began a staff post with Oberabschnitt "Elbe" until mid-March, 1944. From mid-July, 1933 to October, 1937, he was also Police President for Essen and held the same post in Krakau from September, 1939, until the post was abolished in mid-November, 1939. From October, 1937, he was also head of SD-Oberabschnitt "Ost. " As SSPF "Krakau" he served from November, 1939, to October, 1940, when he was removed from the post for refusing to move Jews into the Crakow ghetto. He then served as a section leader in industry and after investigation was dismissed from the SS on March 14, 1944. This partly it is assumed was for his stand in Crakow as well as problems with the firm he was assigned to. Awarded the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords in 1941 and the Red Cross Decoration 1st class in 1939, he committed suicide on April 1, 1944 in Altenberg, Thuringia due to the disgrace of his dismissal and to avoid a probable jail sentence. (Phil Nix)
Pioniersturmbann 2 (Stuttgart) Kraftfahrsturm 10 (Stuttgart/Karlsruhe/Freiburg) Components in 1944: same as 1938 with addition of Abschnitt X X X X V with Standarten 122 and 123
SS-Oberabschnitt "Ukraine" Covering this area of Russia, "Ukraine" was formed on December 1, 1941, and dissolved on April 20, 1944. Headquartered in Kiev, it was a command of the Higher SS and Police Leader for that area (Hans-Adolf Priitzmann) and contained no Allgemeine-SS subordinated units and had no Wehrkreis equivalent. No Stabsführer has been identified and the duties normally associated with that position may have been performed by the administrative officer, Josef Spacil, who held the post from 1943 until the Oberabschnitt was dissolved.
SS-Oberabschnitt "Warthe" Headquartered in Posen, for which it may have briefly have been named, this SS-Oberabschnitt formed on October 26, 1939, from parts of former Poland incorporated into the Reich and encompassed Wehrkreis XXI.
Ill
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Left: Lucian Wvsocki (shown in SA uniform as a Standartenführer) was a West Prussian born on January 18, 1899, the son of a priest. He joined the Army in April 1917 and served in the infantry. Captured by the Americans in September 1918, the same month he won the Iron Cross 2nd class, he was released in 1919. Leaving the Army as an NCO in 1919, he worked as a miner and in a quarry beginning in 1920. He joined the SA on February 1, 1929 and the NSDAP on May 1, 1929. Promoted to SA-Scharfiihrer on May 1, 1929, to SA-Truppführer in September, 1930, and commissioned as an SA-Sturmführer in October, 1931, he led an SA Sturmbann in the Essen area from October, 1931, to mid-August, 1933. Promoted to SA-Sturmbannführer in January, 1932, and to SA-Obersturmbannführer in August, 1933, he led SA Standarte 138 in Duisburg from mid-August, 1933, to mid-August, 1934. He then commanded SA Standarte 171 in Wuppertal until January, 1937, and was promoted to SA-Standartenführer on November 9, 1933. From January, 1937, to the end of May, 1940, he commanded SA Brigade 73 in the Essen area and was a member of the Reichstag from July, 1932, to the end of the war. Promoted to SAOberführer in May, 1937, and to SA-Brigadeführer in January, 1939, he transferred to the SS as an SS-Brigadeführer on June 21, 1940. Wysocki was Police President in Oberhausen from September, 1937, to November, 1939, after which he was Police President for Duisburg until August 1941. He also served as titular head of the Kripo office in Duisburg from January, 1940, to June, 1941, and was SS garrison commander in Wilna during June to August, 1941. Given the rank of Generalmajor der Polizei on September 27, 1940, he sen'ed as SSPF "Litauen" from August, 1941, to July, 1943. Reassigned to the HSSPF "Weißruthenien" as a Special Duties SSPF for anti-partisan operations from July, 1943, to March, 1944, he then spent the rest of the war as Police President of Kassel. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge and the NSDAP Long Serx'ice Award in Silver. Twice married with a total of five children, after the war he lived in retirement in Duisburg and died in Rheinhausen on December 13, 1964. (Phil Nix) Right: Carl Zenner was born in Oberlimburg on June 11, 1899. He served in WWI and won the Iron Cross 2nd class then served with the Freikorps. After the war he received a diploma in merchandising and joined the NSDAP in 1925 along with the SS the following year. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on April 2, 1930, and promoted to SS-Standartenführer on August 8, 1931, he also led the Rheinland SA with the rank of SA-Standartenführer. He formed SS units in Aachen, Koblenz and Trier. From Januaiy to April, 1931, he led SSStandarte III then commanded SS Brigade V until the start of July, 1931. For the remainder of 1931 he commanded SS Gausturm "Rhein " and was deputy leader of Abschnitt "West." From the beginning of 1932 to early April that year he commanded the 5.SSStandarte and commanded Abschnitt IV from May, 1934, to the start of 1935. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on April 5, 1934, Zenner served as Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt "Süd" from January, 1935, to January, 1937. He then transferred to the RSHA and was the Police President of Aachen from January, 1937, until January, 1943. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on June 21, 1941, and to Generalmajor der Polizei on September 26, 1941, he sensed in Minsk as SSPF "Weißruthenien" from mid-August, 1941, tomid-May, 1942. He spent the rest of the war with the SS-Hauptamt as head of Amt BII (Requisitioning) and held a seat in the Reichstag from 1932 to the end of the war. Zenner was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. One of the first SS leaders posted to the Ukraine, he was arrested by the French and turned over to the British. He was given a five year prison term and released in 1950 but was arrested again, receiving a 15 year sentence by a Koblenz court in July, 1961. He died in Andernach on June 16, 1969. (Phil Nix)
112
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Dr. Günther Merk was born in Miinsterberg on March 14, 1888. He was in the Army from 1908 to 1920, seeing combat in WWI, assigned to the artillery as an officer where he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. A fter serving in the Freikorps, he left the Army as a Hauptmann and joined the Schutzpolizei as a Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei in mid-July, 1921. He obtained a doctorate in law in 1926 after attending the University of Berlin and was promoted to Major der Polizei on April 7, 1924. Merk served as an instructor and administrator, then detachment and group commander. Posted in Wuppertal, Berlin, Frankfurt-am-Main and finally in / 939 in Dortmund, as commander of the Schutzpolizei, he ended Polizei service with the rank of Oberst der Polizei in 1939. He joined the SS as an SS-Standartenführer on November I, 1939, and at the same time was made a Waffen-SS Standartenführer d.R. From November, 1939, to December, 1940, he was assigned to the staff of Abschnitt XXV and then moved to the SS-Personalhauptamt. Promoted to SSOberführer (still also an Oberst der Polizei) on April 20, 1941, as well as becoming a Waffen-SS Oberführer d.R., he commanded the SSArtillerie-Ersatz-Regiment from April to mid-August 1941 then went to the artillery regiment of the "Reich" Division as its regimental commander from August, 1941, to January, 1942 (replaced by Curt Brasack, Merk remained titular commander until April). Transferred to the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei, he became SSPF "Charkow" during September and October, 1943, leading the retreating Orpo units out of the city. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer lind Generalmajor der Polizei on August 1, 1943, he retired in 1944. Due to the war situation he was re-activated and was attached to the HSSPF "Ost" as a Special Duties Officer and an Orpo commander. He was awarded a clasp to both his WWI Iron Crosses while serving with "Reich " and was listed as missing, later confirmed killed, on February 20, 1945. (BDC)
Führer SS-Gruppenführer, after after April 20, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei, after January 30, 1942 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Wilhelm Koppe SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Theodor Berkelmann SS-Brigadeführer, after July 1, 1944 also Generalleutnant der Polizei, after August 1, 1944 SS-Gruppenführer und General der Polizei Heinz Reinefarth SS-Oberführer Friedrich Gehrhardt SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei Willy Schmeleher
October 26, 1939 to November 9, 1943
November 9, 1943 to December 27, 1943 December 29, 1943 to December 30, 194447
1944 to December 30, 1944 (substitute) December 30, 1944 to May, 1945
47 On duty in Russia, as with his H S S P F post, this is the last day he was titular commander even though leaving for other duties prior to this date.
113
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Stabsführer October 1, 1939 to October 29, 1939 October 29, 1939 to January 15, 1940 January 15, 1940 to May, 1945
SS-Standartenführer Walter Moreth SS-Standartenführer Hans Scheider SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1942 SS-Oberführer Friedrich Gehrhardt
Components in 1944: Abschnitte: XXXXII and XXXXIII Standarten: 109, 110, 111, 112, 113 and 114 Reiterstandarte 22 Nachrichtensturmbann 17 (Posen) Kraftfahrsturm 17 (Posen/Litzmannstadt)
SS-Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" Headquartered in Danzig, SS-Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" formed on November 9, 1939. Its basis unit was SSAbschnitt XXVI, which had previously been a component of SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost." Its area was equal to Wehrkreis XX. Führer November 9, 1939 to April 20, 1943 SS-Gruppenführer, after April 10, 1941 Generalleutnant der Polizei, after January 30, 1942 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei Richard Hildebrandt April 20, 1943 to May, 1945 SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS Fritz Katzmann Stabslührer November 9, 1939 to November 9, 1940 November 9, 1940 to November 9, 1942 November 9, 1942 to May, 1945
SS-Standartenführer Hermann Dethof SS-Oberführer Theobald Thier SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1943 SS-Standartenfiihrer Rudolf Freiherr von Geyr
Components in 1944: Abschnitte: XXVI, X X X X and XXXXI Standarten: 3 6 , 6 4 , 7 1 , 116, 117, 118, 119, 120 and 121 Reiterstandarten 2 and 19 Nachrichtensturmbann 16 (Danzig) Pioniersturmbann 16 (Danzig) Kraftfahrsturm 16 (Danzig/Elbing)
SS-Oberabschnitt "West" Beginning as Oberführerbereich "West" in 1930, this command became SS-Brigade "West" the following year. On April 1, 1931, it was designated SS-Gruppe "West" and became SS-Oberabschnitt "West" on November 16, 1933. Controlling the area equal to Wehrkreis VI, its headquarters were in Düsseldorf. Führer November 18, 1929 48 to April 20, 1940
SS-Standartenführer, after July 11. 1930 SS-Oberführer, after December 18, 1931 SS-Gruppenführer, after September 9, 1934 SS-Obergruppenführer Fritz Weitzel
48 At this early date the term Oberabschnitt did not exist and his c o m m a n d was actually Gau SS Führer, then SS Oberführerbereich "West", c o m m a n d e r of SS Brigade " W e s t " then Führer SS G r u p p e "West" b e f o r e the term Oberabschnitt was adopted in m i d - N o v e m b e r , 1933.
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Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Ernst Hartmann was born in Barmen, Silesia on May 10, 1897, the second child of a railway official. He attended trade school to become a locksmith and joined the Army in November, 1914. Serving in the infantry until September, 1916, and winning the Iron Cross 2nd class, he then transferred to a military railway company until January, 1917. He then went to the Flying Corps and was captured by the British in October, 1918. After the war he was a locksmith and engineer for an aircraft firm. From 1925 to 1928, he was a flying instructor for the Chinese Air Force. Returning to Europe he worked as an aero engineer in four European countries before returning to Germany and working for the Junkers firm from 1930 to 1933. He then spent two years as a flight leader for the Junkers company, earlier joining the NSDAP and 5/4 on November 1, 1929. Hartmann transferred to the 5 5 on October 24, 1930, and served with the 21.SS-Standarte until leaving the SS on October 1, 1932. He rejoined the 5 5 as an SS-Standartenfiihrer on April 20, 1937, and served on the staff of Abschnitt XVI until mid-March, 1939. Transferring to Oberabschnitt "Mitte," he served on the staff until dismissed from the 5 5 for drunkenness on August 18, 1939. He was re-admitted at his old rank on October 1, 1939, returning to the staff of Oberabschnitt "Mitte" and was promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on January 30, 1942. As commander of the II./SS-Polizei-Regiment 2 he served from early February to late June, 1943 and was then SSPF "Tschernigow" from July to October 1943. From October, 1943, to January, 1944, he was the SSPF "Shitomir" as well as being the only SSPF "Pripet" from December, 1943, to September, 1944. He also served as a substitute for the designated SSPF "Wolhynien-Luzk" (See "Rowno") from February to September, 1944, and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei on August 1, 1944. Hartmann spent the balance of the war in reserx'e and as a Special Duties SSPF attached to the HSSPF "Nordost." He was awarded a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class in 1943, the War Service Cross with Swords 2nd class in 1944 and the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver. Although an alcoholic, he was undaunted as an anti-partisan commander as well as when fighting regular Russian troops. Intelligent and occasionally egotistical, he spoke English, and was killed in Czechoslovakia on February 3, 1945. (Phil Nix)
April 20, 1940 to July 9, 1940 July 9, 1940 to June 29, 1941
SS-Gruppenführer Theodor Berkelmann SS-Obergruppenführer, after April 1, 1941 also General der Polizei Friedrich Jeckeln SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, after August 1, 1944 SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei Karl Gutenberger
June 29, 1941 to May 1945
Stabsführer 1931 to June 12, 1933 June 12, 1933 to September 6, 1933 49
SS-Standartenführer Fritz Engel SS-Sturmbannführer Caesar 49
Confirmed by SS Befehlsblatt without first name, he was not in the SS by the time the first D A L was issued in 1934.
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Paul Hennicke was the son of an innkeeper and was born in Erfurt on January 31, 1893. After serving in the army in 1906-07 he worked as a locksmith and engineer. He rejoined the army in 1914 as a railway technical official until June, 1915 then served with the infantry. Commissioned a Leutnant in 1916, he transferred to the Abwehr (intelligence service) in 1917 and won both classes of the Iron Cross. After leaving the army he served with the Freikorps in Erfurt during 1920 and worked at the locomotive works in Eifurt as an Inspector until 1933. He met Hitler in Erfurt during April, 1922 and joined the Party that month, leaving in the wake of the Munich Putsch and rejoined in May 1926. Joining the SS on February 24, 1929 as an SS-Sturmbannfiihrer, he was Standartenführer VIII (this became the 8.SS-Standarte) until mid-April, 1931. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on April 12, 1931, he was given command of the 14.SS-Standarte from that date until mid-November, 1933. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on November 9, 1933, he became the first commander of Abschnitt XXVII until the start of October, 1942. As Police President of Weimar he served from April, 1938, to early October, 1942, and was given Generalleutnant der Polizei rank on September 16, 1942, when transferred to police duties in Russia. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on April 20, 1934 and to SS-Gruppenführer on January 30, 1938, he served on Himmler's staff from October, 1942, to early June, 1944, then reassigned to the SS-Hauptamt until January, 1945. He was also member of the Reichstag from December, 1933, to May, 1945. From January to May, / 945, he was designated deputy of Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra." As SSPF " Rostow-Awdejewka " he served from early October, 1942, till the post was dissolved in the start of May, 1943, and became a Generalleutnant der Polizei on September 16, 1942. He next became SSPF "Kiew" from early May, to December, 1943. As a special assigments SSPF he served under Hans-Adolf Priitzmann with the HöSSPF "Ukraine" from December, 1943, to early June, 1944. Hennicke then ran a special commission in the SS-Hauptamt until January, 1945. His final assignment was as Inspector of the Volkssturm "Mitte" until May, 1945. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd clasp in 1944. A close friend of Karl Wolff, he was one of the initial SS leaders in Thuringia and served his early career in Weimar. Captured and tried in 1949, he was found not guilty and released. He died in Brunswick on July 25, 1967. (Phil Nix)
September 6, 1933 to June 20, 1935
after November 9, 1933 SS-Untersturmführer, after January 30, 1934 SS-Obersturmführer, after March 15, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after May 12, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer Richard Glücks SS-Oberführer Helmut Wähmann SS-Oberführer Otto Heider SS-Oberführer Günther Claasen SS-Standartenführer Karl Raddatz
June 20, 1935 to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to November 1, 1938 November I, 1938 to August 31, 1939 September 1, 1939 to May, 1945 Components in 1938: Abschnitte: V, XVII and XXV Standarten: 19, 20, 25, 30, 58, 69, 72, 82 Reiterstandarten 6 and 8 Nachrichtensturmbann 4 (Düsseldorf) Pioniersturmbann 4 (Köln) Kraftfahrsturm 5 (Düsseldorf)
Components in 1944: same as 1938 with Reiterstandarte 8 removed.
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4 ss-abschnitte (districts)
The Abschnitte (Districts) were similar to the Oberabschnitte but were at a lower level. They only existed within the Reich and areas assimilated from Austria, Czechoslovakia, as well as postions of France and Poland. Their predecessors at this command level were Brigaden (Brigades) and these existed prior to 1930 and lasted until early March, 1931, but they actually reverted at that time in most cases to a Standarte command since the SS was then to small for so many command levels. In theory, the Brigaden were to correspond to each of the N S D A P Gau (and titled accordingly), but in actuality the SS was insufficient in numerical strength during its first half-decade for each Gau to have a Brigade. Personnel attached to the Abschnitte, which were designated by Roman numerals, wore a sleeve stripe (cufftitle) with their designation. The following Abschnitte are listed in chronological order with commanders and senior staff officer, as well as the component Standarten as finalized during the early war years. The first seven Abschnitte were created simultaneously in 1931 with the remainder following, most prior to 1939. The commanders are those who would have held the actual post versus earlier periods when this command level existed on paper only (with the exception of a few notable personalities listed as initial leaders when the Brigade designation existed). Many Abschnitt (and Standarte) commanders were absent during wartime and the post operated by the Stabsführer (for Abschnitt) or Sturmbannführer (a position versus the rank of the same designation in the case of commanding a Standarte).
SS-Abschnitt I, the oldest district, was based in Munich. This was the largest of the initial Abschnitte when formed and in mid-1931 contained Standarten 1 , 3 , 10, 13, 29, 31, 32, 34 and 37. By 1938 its control was reduced to Standarten 1,31 and 34. Führer: SS-Oberführer Josef Dietrich unknown 1 SS-Oberführer Erasmus Freiherr von Malsen-Ponickau
July 11, 1930 to October 31, 1930 November 1930 to mid-August 1932 August 11, 1932 to May 2, 1933
1
Dietrich may have retained titular c o m m a n d following his a d v a n c e m e n t to his next c o m m a n d position (Oberabschnitt "Süd").
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Heinrich Jiirs (left, wearing adjutant's
cords) and Karl Wolff (far right) at a pre-war function
May 2, 1933 to April 17, 1934 2
in dress
uniform.
SS-Standartenfiihrer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Oberführer Wilhelm Starck 1 SS-Oberführer Heinz Roch SS-Brigadeführer Christoph Diehm SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1942 SSBrigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Hans Döring
April 17, 1934 to March 15, 1936 March 15, 1936 to March 1, 1939 March 1, 1939 to October I, 1942
2
Temporary commander until November 1933 when he became full commander. Born in Germersheim am Rhein on May 20. 1891. the son of a finance official. He served with Bavarian Infantry Regiment 22 from 1910 to 1919. Promoted to Hauptmann in October 1918, he was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross in WWI. One of his recruits while an Army instructor, was Heinrich Himmler. His final Army post was as an ordnance officer with an army corps. He joined the Bavarian Landespolizei in 1920 and the N S D A P in 1923, taking part in the November, 1923, Putsch, after which he left the N S D A P and was dismissed from the Landespolizei. In August, 1929, he rejoined the N S D A P and enlisted in the SS as an SS-Sturmbannführer. He was also reactivated in the Landespolizei as a Major from April to September. 1933. As Himmler's adjutant he served from August, 1929, to January, 1932. and was then adjutant to SA Gruppenführer Franz Ritter von Epp from January to July, 1932. From January, 1932. to May, 1933, he headed Himmler's Personal Detachment as Chief Adjutant. He then led Abschnitt I from early May, 1933, to mid-April, 1934. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on November 9, 1933, he was the first to command Abschnitt XXIX f r o m April. 1934, to January, 1935. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on April 20, 1934, he then led Abschnitt IX from January to April, 1935. After a year without an assignment he was posted to a staff position with Abschnitt XXXII until May, 1938. From April. 1937. to May. 1941. he also headed the Augsburg area office of the Gestapo and from mid-March. 1936 to the end of the war was Police Director (after May, 1938 Police President) for Augsburg. He also joined the police section of the NSKK in June. 1936. From May. 1938. to January, 1943. he served with the SD Hauptamt and then RSHA. He commanded Abschnitt XXXII from December, 1943, to May, 1945. Starck was also honorary commander of the Augsburg Kripo from March, 1936 to the end of the war. In January. 1945. he became presiding judge for the senior commander of the Replacement Army. Awarded Blood Order #54 on November 9. 1933, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver, he served a four year sentence after a 1948 trial and died in Regensburg on November 21, 1968.
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Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Dr. Richard Wendler was horn in Oberndorf on January 22, 1898, the son of a customs official. He joined the army in October 1916. serving with signal units and then a Freikorps before leaving the army in 1920. After the war, he attended the university in Munich and received a doctorate in law then practiced as a lawyer. He joined the NSDAP and SA in July 1928. Leaving the SA, he joined the SS as an SS-Sturmbannführer on April 1, 1933 and served in the SD Hauptamt and finally the RSHA until May 1945. /4s a civil servant he was mayor of Hof from 1933 to 1942. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1934 and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on April 20. 1935, he went to Poland in September, 1939, as commissar for Kielce until June, 1940, then moved to a similar post in Radom until August, 1941, during which he was promoted to SS-Oberführer on August 1, 1941. While sen'ing as SSPF "Stanislav-Rostow" (later titled " Rostow-Awdejewka") from early April, 1941, to late May, 1942, he was also temporary governor of the Lublin district in Poland from mid-February to April, 1942, and then held the same post for the Krakau district from January, 1942, to May, 1943. From June, 1943, to July, / 944, he was governor of the Lubin district and managed to effect the escape of most of his staff in the face of the Russian advance after transporting massive quantities of confiscated goods to the Reich. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei on September 27, 1941, then to SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on June 21, 1943, Wendler was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross, the NSDAP Long Sen'ice Award in Silver and the Social Welfare Decoration 3rd class. He died in Prien, Bavaria on August 24, 1972. (Phil Nix)
unknown 4 SS-Brigadeführer Franz Jaegy
November 1942 to April 1943 April 1, 1943 to May, 1945 Stabsführer: August 14, 1931 to October 1. 1932
SS-Sturmführer, after October 18, 1931 SS-Standartenfiihrer, after January 1, 1932 SS-Oberfiihrer Richard Hildebrandt SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer Max Humps SS-Hauptsturmführer Hans Schwedler SS-Oberscharführer, after August 25, 1934 SS-Untersturmführer Horst Bender 5 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Bruno Hebron
October 1, 1932 to July 15, 1933 July 15, 1933 to June 10, 1934 June 20, 1934 to March 20, 1935 March 20, 1935 to December 1, 1937
4
Possibly Karl H o f f m a n n (Stabsführer) as a temporary assignment. A professional lawyer, born on February 24. 1905 in East Prussia, he spent his later career in legal posts with the SS-Verfügungstruppe, SS Hauptamt and Hauptamt SS Gericht. He ended the war as an SS-Oberführer (promoted January I, 1945) and head of the legal detachment assigned to Himmler's personal staff. Awarded the Olympic Games decoration 2nd class and the War Merit Cross 1st and 2nd classes. He died in Schonberg on November 8, 1987. 5
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Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Hubert Erhart SS-Sturmbannführer Edmund Brey SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Hoffmann
December 1, 1937 to July 1, 1938 July 1, 1938 to November 1, 1938 November 1, 1938 to May 5, 1945
SS-Abschnitt II was headquartered in Chemnitz except for the period from April 1933 to May 1937 when Dresden served as its headquarters. It controlled Standarten 7, 46 and 84. Führer: SS-Oberführer Friedrich Schlegel 6 SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Oberführer Hans Döring SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Oberführer Walter Burghardt SS-Brigadeführer Emil Popp SS-Oberführer Willi Brandner SS-Brigadeführer Robert Knapp 7
October 1, 1930 to September 15, 1933 September 15, 1933 to May 6, 1935 May 6, 1935 to September 16, 1936 September 16, 1936 to August 1, 1944 January 1, 1941 to April 1, 1942 (temporary) August 1, 1944 to May 8, 1945 Stabsführer:
SS-Sturmbannführer Werner Lorenz SS-Hauptsturmführer, after June 14, 1932 SS-Sturmbannführer Helmut Lorenz SS-Untersturmführer, after February 16, 1934 SS-Obersturmführer, after June 30, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer Robert Braun SS-Obersturmführer Rudolf Creutz SS-Sturmbannführer Günther Leder SS-Standartenführer Walther von Petersen SS-Obersturmbannführer Johannes Luther SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Bergrath SS-Obersturmbannführer Robert Knapp SS-Standartenführer Arno Dressler
March 31. 1931 to November 9, 1931 September 10, 1932 to March 1, 1933 September 1, 1933 to October 1, 1935
October 1, 1935 to January 15, 1936 January 15, 1936 to August 17, 1936 August 17, 1936 to March 1, 1937 March 1, 1937 to February 1938 February 1938 to June 16, 1938 June 16, 1938 to December 27, 1939 December 27, 1939 to May 8, 1945
SS-Abschnitt III was headquartered in Berlin, and by 1938, controlled Standarten 6, 42 and 75. In mid-1931 it had been the third largest Abschnitt, controlling Standarten 6, 9, 15, 21, 22 and 27. Führer August 1, 1930 to March 1,1931
SS-Oberführer Kurt Wege
6 Born in Aue in Saxony on March 25, 1894. he served in W W I winning both classes of the Iron Cross. A f t e r the war he worked as an engineer and joined the SS on D e c e m b e r 27, 1926. C o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r o n M a y 27, 1927. he led SS Standarten IV and XIII (they were later redesignated with Arabic numerials) f r o m M a y to September. 1927, and then all SS units in Sachsen until October. 1930. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on October 1, 1930, he b e c a m e the first c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt II until mid-September, 1933, and then was special assignments officer for S S - G r u p p e (after November, 1933, Oberabschnitt) " S ü d o s t " until m i d - D e c e m b e r , 1933. Promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 9, 1934, he then held the s a m e post with Oberabschnitt " M i t t e " until 1936. His last posts were with the staff of Oberabschnitt " E l b e " beginning in May, 1934, as special assignments officer and, after April, 1935, also President of the G e s t a p o offices for Sachsen (this post was absorbed later by the Inspector of the Sipo and SD). He died of illness on S e p t e m b e r 2, 1936 and the 7.SS-Standarte was later n a m e d in his honor. 1 A B o h e m i a n born in B u d w e i s on October 1, 1885, he served in the A r m y f r o m 1904 to 1912 when placed in reserve. Recalled in July 1914 and serving until 1918. he attained the rank of Rittmeister d.R. and was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross as well as the Wound B a d g e in Black. He j o i n e d the Austrian Nazi Party in January, 1932, and the Austrian SS in October. 1931, serving as a Kreisleiter in Steiermark f r o m August, 1932, to October, 1936. He served with 38.SS-Standarte as c o m m a n d e r f r o m October, 1931, to June, 1932. H e left the SS in 1932 and after the Austrian Putsch and was sentenced to five years in prison and served more than t w o years. Rejoining the SS in October, 1937, he was immediatly p r o m o t e d to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r and involved until January, 1938, with assimilating Austrian Nazis w h o had fled to Germany. He then served with Oberabschnitt " E l b e " and was its la f r o m March to June, 1938. As StabsfUhrer of Abschnitt II he served f r o m mid-June. 1938. to late December, 1939, and was promoted to SS-SturmbannfUhrer on April 20, 1938 and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1939. He next c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X X V I I f r o m N o v e m b e r . 1940, until August, 1941. and was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1940 and to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1940. From June to August 1944 he was on the staff of Oberabschnitt " E l b e " and then c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt II until the end of the war. He was awarded the Blood O r d e r on March 3 1 , 1 9 3 9 and the War Service Cross 2nd class with and without Swords. Married with t w o sons, he died in Regensburg on February 21, 1954.
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Fritz Tittmann was born in Leipzig on July 18, 1898, and studied mechanical engineering. He joined the Army on September 21, 1914, as a volunteer. Attaining the rank ofNCO, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black in WWI. After the war he attended business school and worked as a locksmith. He joined the NSDAP in July, 1921, and was a founding Party member in Zwickau, the first Party group formed outside Bavaria. He left the NSDAP after the Munich Putsch and joined the Frontbann in 1924, later joining the reformed SA as well as the again legal NSDAP in July, 1925. During July/August, 1925, he was Gauleiter for Sachsen. He served in the SS in the late 1920s but left in 1929. From 1930 to 1932 lie was Gau Inspector for Kurmark and was a member of the Reichstag from November, 1933 to the end of the war. At the 1933 and 1934 NSDAP rallies he was press corps chief. After assignment as an Inspector for Rudolf Hess in 1934-1936, he was a liaison for Himmler with NSDAP headquarters for racial matters until the end of the war. On April 20, 1938 he rejoined the SS as an SS-Oberführer assigned to Himmler's staff. Posted to Police duties in the Ukraine, he served as SSPF "Nikolajew" from October, 1941, to September, 1942, and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on November 9, 1940. He was then assigned to the HSSPF "Rußland-Sud" until September 1944 and spent the rest of the war as a district head in Italy after a reprimandfor using forced labor for his own use. Awarded the Gold Party Badge and the Coburg Badge, his family was killed in an air raid. Tittmann was burned to death in Irevenbrietzen on April 25, 1945. (Phil Nix)
SS-Oberführer, after July 1. 1932 SSGruppenführer Kurt Daluege SS-Oberführer, after December 15, 1933 SS-Brigadeführer, in 1944 also Generalmajor der Polizei Max Henze SS-Brigadeführer, after November 9, 1936 SS-Gruppenführer Paul Moder SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1939 SS-Oberführer Hans Kersten 9 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1940
March I. 1931 to August 7, 1932 August 7, 1932 8 to February 20, 1934
February 20, 1934 to November 1, 1938 November 1, 1938 to July 2, 1941 September 10, 19391" to May 8, 1945
* Also given in some documentation as July 22, possibly during the period of Daluege's transfer to his next command. 9 Born in Berlin on May 10. 1886, he served in the Army from 1907 to 1918 with artillery units and won both classes of the Iron Cross in WWI. Leaving the Army as a Hauptmann, he joined the N S D A P in May 1932 and the SS as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on November 1, 1933. He served with Himmler's early command offices (SS-Führungsabteilung and later the SS-Führungsamt) until May, 1935, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmführer on June 15, 1934, to SS-Hauptsturmführer on September 9, 1934 and to SS-Sturmbannführer on January 30, 1935. From May, 1935, to March, 1936, he served as Oberabschnitt "Nordost" Stabsführer and was promoted to SSObersturmbannführer on June 16. 1935. As commander of the 4.SS-Standarte he served from March. 1936, to November, 1938. and was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on September 13, 1936 and to SS-Oberführer on April 20, 1939. He commanded Abschnitt III from November 1, 1938, until his death. Joining the Waffen-SS as an SS-Obersturmbannführer d.R. in October. 1939, he commanded III./ Artillerie Regiment of "Reich" (initially the S S - V T Division and later "Das Reich"). Awarded a clasp to both classes of the Iron Cross, he was killed in action in the area of the Beresina river on July 2, 1941. 10 Substitute commander until July 2, 1941 (date Kersten was killed in Russia) then full commander from that date on.
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Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Heinz Roch was the son of a laborer and was born in Essen on January 17, 1905. He held several jobs after attending trade school including work in agriculture, forestry, factory worker and as a miner. From 1928 to 1931 he worked for a car dealership and joined the NSDAP in 1922. He was arrested by the French for political activities in Essen during March, 1923. Leaving the Party after the Munich Putsch, he was given amnesty by the French and returned to Essen where he was in the Frontbann from September, 1925 to June, 1926. He joined the SA in May, 1926 and rejoined the NSDAP on June 19, 1926. Leaving the SA, he joined the SS on August 1, 1930, with SS Sturm 47 in Essen. Promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on November 18, 1930, and commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on August 20, 1931, he led the 1 ./I./25. SS-Standarte from August to October, 1931. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on September 14, 1931, he commanded the 1./25.SS-Standarte from early October to mid-November, 1931. As commander of the 25.SS-Standarte from July, 1932 to early December 1933 he was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on November 6, 1932. From mid-December, 1933 to early April, 1934 he commanded the 46.SS-Standarte and then led the 7.SS-Standarte during April/May, 1934. He led Abschnitt I from mid-April, 1934 to mid-March, 1936. and then served two weeks as the first commander of Abschnitt XXXII. During this first Abschnitt command period he was promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on May 5, 1934. Returning to a Standarte command, he led the 18.SS-Standarte from April, 1936, to March, 1937, and then commanded Abschnitt XXII until the end of the war. During the pre-war years he served with the Army for training and became an officer candidate in the reserves. He joined the Waffen-SS on May, 1940, and became an SS-Untersturmführer d.R. onJune21. 1940, with the "Totenkopf" Division. Promoted to SS-Obersturmführer d.R. on September I, 1941, with the "Leibstandarte," he left the Waffen-SS for police duties but retained his reserve rank. Assigned to the HSSPF "Rußland-Mitte" in January, 1942, he was entrusted with security for a main supply road being built from Poland to Southern Russia until mid-November that year. Given the rank of Oberst der Polizei on April 20, 1942, he served as Inspector of the staff concerned with building the road until early March 1943. As SSPF "Simferopol "from early March, 1943, to late December that year he stood in for Ludolf von Alvensleben who had been promoted. After briefly serving as an SS und Polizeigebietsführer in Aleschki, he took command of an office under the Sipo and SD commander for Simferopol until May, 1943, when he beccame the Sipo and SD commander for Simferopol, holding that post until May 1944. In May 1944 he was the last SS garrison commander in Simferopol and was then reassigned to the HöSSPF "Ukraine." From July to October 1944 he was the last SSPF "Bialystok." Charged with handling POWs in Wehrkreis I in October and November, 1944, he then became SSPF "Nord-Norwegen "from November, 1944, until the end of the war. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the Iron Cross, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the Infantry Assault Badge, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the German Horseman's Badge in Silver. It is probable his lack of advanced education caused his failure to be promoted after 1934 and he committed suicide in Oslo, Norway, on May 10, 1945. (Phil Nix)
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Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts) SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1942 SS-Oberführer Georg Sieber" Stabsführer: March I. 1931 to August 7, 1932 August 7, 1932 to June 12, 1933 June 12, 1933 to June 30, 1935
SS-Oberführer Kurt Wege SS-Sturmbannführer Dr. Hans Kolzow SS-Hauptsturmführer, after July 31, 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer, after December 24, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after March 21, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Horst Pelz SS-Obersturmführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Rees SS-Untersturmfiihrer Hans Schönfeldt SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Kennerknecht SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Feichtmayr SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after April 20, 1940 SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1942 SS-Oberführer Georg Sieber SS-Obersturmbannführer Horst Töffling
June 30, 1935 to July 1935 July 1935 to October 1935 October 1935 to May 31, 1936 June 1, 1936 to March 1, 1939 March 1, 1939 to June 1, 1942
June I, 1942 to May 8. 1945
SS-Abschnitt IV was based in Braunschweig when formed to control Standarten 4, 12, 17, 24 and 28. In July, 1936 headquarters moved to Hannover. It contained Standarten 12, 49 and 51 by the end of 1938. Führer: SS-Oberführer Josef Dietrich SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Heyer SS-Oberführer Friedrich Jeckeln SS-Standartenführer Berthold Maack SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Oberführer Kurt Kaul SS-Standartenführer, after April 5, 1934 SS-Oberführer Carl Zenner SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Oberführer Carl Sattler SS-Oberführer Kurt Benson 12 SS-Standartenführer, after October 10, 1941
July 11, 1931 to August 1, 1931 August 1, 1931 to September 20, 1931 September 20, 1931 to January 30, 1933 January 30, 1933 to August 10, 1933 August 10, 1933 to February 28, 1934 April 5, 1934 to January 1, 1935 January 1, 1935 to June 30, 1935 June 30, 1935 to November 30, 1938 November 30, 1938 to April 1, 1942
" Born in Koblenz on October 27, 1894, the son of an A r m y N C O . A f t e r training in administration he worked as an administrative assistant in the m a y o r ' s office in Koblenz for t w o years beginning in October 1908. Joining the A r m y in 1913. he served with the infantry and assault troops, where he won the Iron Cross 2nd class on February 22, 1915 and the Wound Badge in Black. Sieber left the A r m y in 1919. He worked as a wine producer in a G e r m a n colony in Russia and as an industrial supervisor between the wars. Joining the N S D A P and SA reserve in O c t o b e r 1930, he left the SA and joined the SS on June 16, 1931, where he first served with SS Sturm 34. From July to October, 1931, he served with 2.Sturm/II.Sturmbann/6.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on D e c e m b e r 16, 1931 and to SS-Haupttruppfiihrer on March 18. 1932. After October, 1931, he led his Sturm in the 6.SS-Standarte until April, 1932, and then spent two months as special duties officer in the 42.SS-Standarte. Promoted to SS-Sturmfiihrer on September 3, 1933 and to SS-Obersturmfiihrer on January 30, 1934, he served as adjutant to the 42.SS-Standarte f r o m mid-June, 1934, to April, 1936. Reduced in rank by an SS court in May 1934, he was again promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on July 20, 1935. From April. 1936, to March, 1939, he led the II.Sturmbann of the 42.SS-Standarte and was promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936 and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r o n S e p t e m b e r 12. 1937. During that time he attended the first class at the SS Riding and Vehicle School "Forst" during June/July, 1936. He trained with A r m y armored troops and was a Leutnant d.R. after January 1, 1940, after which he served as a reserve officer with Panzerregiment 5 until October, 1943. From March, 1939, to June, 1942, he was Stabsführer of Abschnitt II and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 10, 1939 and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1940. He then led Abschnitt III f r o m September. 1939 until the end of the war. A f t e r serving as a fulltime SS leader in Berlin throughout the war, he died on April 30, 1945. He was a w a r d e d the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold, the War Service Cross 2nd class with S w o r d s in 1942 and the 1 st class with S w o r d s of the latter decoration on February 9. 1944. 12 Born in Königsberg (East Prussia) on October 13. 1902, he served after W W I in the Freikorps " O b e r l a n d " and the Frontbann (East Prussia). He served in the S A f r o m 1926 to 1929 in Königsberg and was head of propaganda for that area in 1929-1930. Joining the SS in August 1929, he served with the i . S S - S t u r m in Königsberg until December. 1931, and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r o n December 9, 1931. Next leading the 1.Sturm of the 18.SS-Standarte until April 30. 1933, he was promoted that day to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r
123
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS-Oberführer Richard Jungclaus SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Bühnemann SS-Standartenfiihrer Constantin Heldmann 1 3
April 1, 1942 to February 2, 1943 (temporary) February I, 1943 to May 8, 1945 Stabsführer: March 21. 1932 to January 30, 1933
SS-Sturmbannführer, after October 5, 1932 SS-Standartenführer Berthold Maack SS-Obersturmführer Herbert Otto Gille SS-Obersturmführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after November 9, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer Helmut Schöne SS-Hauptsturmführer Walter Fürstenberg SS-Obersturmführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmführer Ernst Dressler after September 13, 1936 SS-Untersturmführer Rudolf Zopf SS-Standartenführer Carl Oberg SS-Hauptsturmführer Hans Paul
April 20, 1933 to April 4, 1934 October 12, 1933 to January 7. 1935 (substitute)
January 7, 1935 to April 30, 1935 April 30, 1935 to September 1, 1936 September 1, 1936 to January 1, 1937 January 1, 1937 to December 29, 1938 December 29, 1938 to May 8, 1945
SS-Abschnitt V was headquartered in Essen and originally contained Standarten 2, 5, 19, 20, 25, 30, 33, and 35. Its units were reduced by 1938 to Standarten 20, 25 and 58. Führer: SS-Oberführer Fritz Weitzel SS-Sturmbannführer, after August 8, 1931 SS-Standartenführer Karl Zech SS-Brigadeführer Fritz Schlessmann 14 SS-Oberführer Johannes Zingler.14 SS-Oberführer Kurt Ludwig SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Krebs
July 20, 1930 to October 6, 1932 October 6, 1932 to October 1, 1937 October I, 1937 to February I, 1939 February 1, 1939 to April 5, 1941 February 1, 1943 15 to January 1, 1944 January 1, 1944 to May 8, 1945 (substitute)
and given c o m m a n d of the l.Sturmbann/18.SS-Standarte which he led until m i d - D e c e m b e r 1933. From m i d - D e c e m b e r . 1933, to early May, 1934, he c o m m a n d e d the 18.SS-Standarte then took c o m m a n d of the 88.SS-Standarte until June 20, 1935. Promoted to SSObersturmbannfiihrer on March 12, 1934 and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on M a y 7, 1934. he b e c a m e an S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on June 20, 1935. He next c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt IV f r o m late June, 1935 to November, 1938. Officially serving on the staff of Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t " f r o m late N o v e m b e r . 1938, he w a s called for active duty in the A r m y in 1939 and served with Infanterieregiment 46. A s a c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r with the rank of Leutnant d.R. he was killed on S e p t e m b e r 9, 1942 at Ilmensee. He w a s awarded the Golden Party Badge and Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. " Born in Detmold on March 7, 1893, he joined the Imperial N a v y as a sea cadet in February, 1912, and served with the A r m y infantry in W W I . He attained the rank of Leutnant and was captured by the French. R e m a i n i n g in the military until March, 1920, he then worked as an export merchant. He joined the N S D A P in April. 1931 and the SS in March, 1933. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 24. 1933. he w a s assigned to the staff of Abschnitt XIII and then b e c a m e StabsfUhrer until S e p t e m b e r 1934. Promoted to SSHauptsturmführer on June 17, 1934 and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1935, he led the 22.SS-Standarte f r o m October 1934 to October 1935. After serving as Special Duties O f f i c e r of Abschnitt X V during October and N o v e m b e r , 1935, he was Stabsführer of Abschnitt IX f r o m N o v e m b e r . 1935. to March, 1937, and w a s promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on January 30, 1937. He c o m manded the c a m p in Tutzing f r o m March to August. 1937. and then b e c a m e StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt " M a i n " until July, 1939. where he was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 11. 1938. A s c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt IX he served f r o m July to September. 1939, and then returned to a staff posting with Oberabschnitt " M i t t e " until February, 1943. A s last c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt IV he held the post f r o m February, 1943, to the end. During the pre-war years he trained with the A r m y as a reserve officer and joined the W a f f e n - S S as an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. in N o v e m b e r , 1939, where he first served as a battery c o m m a n d e r in the SS Artillery Replacement Detachment until mid-December, 1939. From mid-December, 1939, to January, 1941, he c o m m a n d e d the replacement artillery unit of the " T o t e n k o p f ' Division and then became the first c o m m a n d e r of IV./Artillerie Regiment " W i k i n g " until June, 1941. From June. 1941, to September. 1941, he was a detachment c o m m a n d e r in the SS artillery replacement unit which had e x p a n d e d to regimental size. He c o m m a n d e d the artillery regiment of the " N o r d " Division f r o m October, 1941, to March, 1942, and then c o m m a n d e d the SS artillery replacement regiment f r o m July to August, 1942. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r d.R. on April 20, 1943. he w a s assigned responsibility for replacements and w e l f a r e of the Finnish SS Battalion f r o m August, 1942, to March, 1944. U n d e r the H ö S S P F "Italien" he was Inspector for heavy w e a p o n s f r o m March. 1944. to May, 1945, and was la (First General Staff Officer) of the Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS (italienische Nr. 1) during the s a m e period. From November, 1944, on he c o m m a n d e d the unit (which b e c a m e a division) as deputy to Otto J u n g k u n z w h o retained titular c o m m a n d and after February 15, 1945 H e l d m a n n b e c a m e full commander. He was awarded the Iron Cross 1st class and was promoted to W a f f e n - S S Standartenführer d.R. 14 A West Prussian born on May 29, 1901, Zingler served with Infanterie Regiment 5 in W W I and ended the conflict as an N C O . leaving the A r m y in S e p t e m b e r 1920. He then served with the Schutzpolizei in Berlin and Danzig f r o m September, 1920, until April, 1925. Joining the N S D A P and SS in March, 1931, he was Stabsführer of Abschnitt VII f r o m November, 1931, to February, 1932. and was
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Chapter3:Oberabschnitte(MainDistricts)
Richard Fiedler was born to a Berlin Catholic family on April 24, 1908. He received technical training and trained to be a locksmith. A member of the Frontbahn from 1924 to 1926, he joined the NSDAP in 1926. Commissioned an SA-Sturmführer in 1929, he served with SA Standarte IV until 1933. Promoted to SA-Sturmbannfiihrer and SA-Standartenfiihrer in 1931, he ted the 1. Sturmbann from early 1931 to mid-September that year, then commanded the entire Standarte. Promoted to SA-Oberführer on April 24, 1933, he commanded &4 Brigade Berlin-Mitte from September, 1933, to February, 1935. He then was on the staff of SA Gruppe "Niederrhein" until August, 1936. Promoted to SA-Brigadeführer in 1936, from August, 1936, to early August, 1939, he was on the staff of SA Gruppe "Mitte" and commanded SA Brigade 38. Transferring to the SS as an SS-Brigadefiihrer on August 1, 1939, he took command of Abschnitt XVII until the start of October, 1940. From October, 1940, to August, 1944, he was commander of Abschnitt XXXXI1I though a deputy served while Fiedler was in Russia. He joined the Waffen-SS as an Obersturmfüher d.R. in 1940 with the Polizei Division and served with " Wiking " from 1941 to October, 1943. Promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer d. R. on November 9, 1943, he had already returned to police duties and became a Generalmajor der Polizei in 1944. He was the only man to hold the post of SSPF "Montenegro" and was hospitalized from October, 1944, to the end of the war. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class, the War Service Cross 2nd class and the the Wound Badge in Black. Given the rank of Generalmajor der Polizei in 1944, he died in Munich on December 14, 1974. (Phil Nix)
Stabsfiihrer: November 16, 1933 to March 1, 1934 March 1, 1934 to April 1, 1936
SS-Sturmbannführer Helmut Schulz after April 20, 1934 SS-Untersturmführer, after November 9, 1935 SS-Obersturmführer Ernst Adolf Schmidt SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Standartenluhrer Hermann Dethof SS-Sturmbannführer, after September I, 1940 SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Krebs
April 1. 1936 to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to May 8, 1945
commissioned an SS-Sturmfiihrer on January 15, 1932. As Stabsfiihrer of SS-Gruppe " N o r d " he served from February to October, 1932, and then remained in another staff position there until November 1933 during which he was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer on December 1, 1932, to SS-Sturmbannfiihreron January 30, 1933 and to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9 , 1933. He commanded the 40.SS-Standarte f r o m November, 1933 to September, 1934, and then led the 43.SS-Standarte from October, 1934, to June, 1936, during which he was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on September 15, 1935. From July, 1936, to January, 1939, he commanded the 45.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on January 30, 1939. He then commanded Abschnitt V from February, 1939, to April, 1941. He was tried and convicted before an SS court for misappropriation of funds and after several months in prison was allowed to join the Waffen-SS. As an enlisted man, he served with the engineers from June, 1941, until the end of the war, finally posted to 4./ Pionier Bataillon 23, and was commissioned as a Waffen-SS Untersturmführer on January 5, 1945. 15 C o m m a n d e r between Zingler and Ludwig is as yet unknown, the post was vacant for a period.
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Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Paul Dahm, son of a state official, was horn in Wuppertal on June 6, 1904. He trained as a dental assistant and ran his father's practice until becoming a full time SS officer. During 1922-1923, he fought with the Freikorps and joined the NSDAP on March 26, 1923. He was an SA leader in Wuppertal-Langsfeld until leaving the Party after the Munich Putsch. He rejoined the NSDAP in mid-December 1925 as well as the SA, serving in the SA within his old area until early March, 1931. Joining the SS on March 2, 1931, he served as adjutant of SS Brigade "West" from early March, 1931, to mid-July that year then held the same position with SS Gruppe "West" until mid-March, 1932. Promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on April 6, 1931, and commissioned an SS-Sturmfiihrer on March 21, 1932, he led the 4.Sturm/ ll.Sturmbann/20. SS-Standarte from mid-March, 1932, to early July, 1934, when he took command of II.Sturmbann. Promoted to SSObersturmfiihrer on November 9, 1933, to SS-Hauptsturmführer on November 9, 1934, and to SS-Sturmbannführer on April 20, 1935, he led II.Sturmbann of the 20.SS-Standarte until the start of April, 1936. He next commanded I.Sturmbann of the same unit until midJanuary, 1937, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on November 9, 1936. From mid-January, 1937, to the end of the war he was commander of the 20.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on January 30, 1938. In early 1944, he was given the rank of Oberst der Polizei to conform with his Allgemeine-SS rank. From August, 1940, to May, 1945, he served in the Reichstag, taking the seat vacated by Fritz Weitzel. Joining the Waffen-SS in September, 1939, he served with recruiting posts until mid-April, 1942, first in Düsseldorf and in the final year headed the Waffen-SS recruiting offices for Norway. Moving to the "Wiking " Division he served as an anti-tank gun commander from mid-July to mid-October, 1942, then headed the staff company of the anti-tank detachment as well as being its ordnance officer until early August, 1943. He then left active service but retained his reserve rank of SS-Sturmbannführer d.R. which he received on April 20, 1941. Reassigned to Police duties in Yugoslavia, he was Polizeigebietsführer "Banja-Luca" from early August, 1943, to late April, 1945, and simultaneously was Polizeigebietsführer "Eßegg" from September, 1944, to late April, 1945. From the start of July, 1943, to May, 1945, he was also on the staff of the SS-Personalhauptamt. Awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, the Iron Cross 2nd class on October 10, 1942, the General Assault Badge on December 24, 1942, and the War Merit Cross 1st class with Swords in 1944, he worked after the war for a dental instrument company and then restarted his dental practice. He died after several strokes in the early 1970s. (Phil Nix)
SS-Abschnitt VI was based in Brieg from creation until June. 1934, when headquarters moved to Breslau. It contained Standarten 16, 43 and 98. Führer: September 1, 1931 to March 15, 1932 March 15, 1932 to December 11, 1933
SS-Oberführer Udo von Woyrsch SS-Standartenführer, after October 6, 1932 SS-Oberführer Emil Sembach 1 6
"' Born on March 2, 1891, in Forsthaus Stifting, he served in W W I and worked in commerce between the wars. Joining the N S D A P in 1925 and the SS in 1930. he commanded the 15.SS-Standarte from February, 1931. to July. 1932. He also commanded Abschnitt VI
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Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte December 11, 1933 to April I. 1936
(Districts) SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1934 SS-Oberführer, after September 9. 1934 SS-Brigadeführer Theodor Berkelmann SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Oberführer Otto Jungkunz SS-Standartenführer, after June 21, 1941 SS-Brigadeführer, after September 26, 1941 Generalmajor der Polizei Fritz Katzmann SS-Standartenführer, after June 21, 1944 SS-Oberführer Friedrich Dernehl 17
April I, 1936 to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to January 1, 1942
January 1, 1942 to May 5, 1945
Stabsführer: September 1, 1931 to July 10, 1932 18
SS-Oberführer, after July 1, 1932 SS-Gruppenführer Kurt Daluege SS-Standartenführer Kurt Kaul SS-Truppführer Dr. Arno Hermann 1 9 SS-Hauptsturmführer Friedrich Graf von Pfeil-Burghauss
July 10, 1932 to August 10, 1933 January 30, 1933 to May 31, 1933 (temporary) August 10, 1933 to March 16, 1935 March 16, 1935 to April 30, 1937
SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Schilling SS-Standartenführer Werner Pögel SS-Standartenführer Maximilian Brand SS-Standartenführer Fritz Meyer SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1942 SS-Standartenführer Willi Ost
April 30, 1937 to January 31, 1938 January 1, 1938 to October 31, 1938 October 7, 1938 to July 1, 1939 July I, 1939 to May 8, 1945
SS-Abschnitt VII formed in Danzig-Mariensee and on July 1, 1933 moved to Königsberg. It contained Standarten 18 and 60. Führer: November 9, 1931 to February 12, 1934 February 12, 1934 to March 20, 1934
SS-Oberführer Werner Lorenz SS-Brigadeführer, after July 11, 1934 SS-Gruppenftihrer Erich von dem Bach SS-Oberführer Georg Altner
March 20, 1934 to February 23, 193520
f r o m March to December, 1933. From December, 1933, to February, 1934, he was with the staff of Oberabschnitt " S ü d o s t . " He was a m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m November, 1933, to June, 1934. Expelled f r o m the SS in February, 1934 for e m b e z z l e m e n t , he incured the intense wrath of U d o von Woyrsch w h o convinced H i m m l e r he should be arrested. Himmler ordered that and he be sent to Berlin, but instead he was shot by an SS c o m m a n d o (probably on von W o y r s c h ' s orders) on July 1, 1934. 17 Born on N o v e m b e r 28, 1907, in Mecklenburg, the son of a builder. His early education was privately taught and then he attended the technical high schools in Braunschweig and Darmstadt. He also studied university mathematics and received a d i p l o m a in October 1931. giving up further studies due to financial problems in 1932. In early May 1932 he j o i n e d the S A in Darmstadt and served with S A Sturm 24 until early November, 1932. Transferring to the SS on N o v e m b e r 9, 1928, he served with Fritz Weitzel's staff until the beginning of February, 1931. Having joined the N S D A P on March 1, 1929, he was promoted to S S - T r u p p f ü h r e r on January 5, 1931. After serving with the 30.SS-Standarte f r o m February to April, 1931, he m o v e d to the I2.SS-Standarte until m i d - N o v e m b e r that year. C o m m i s sioned as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 26, 1931, he led the 1 .Sturm/I.Sturmbann/33.SS-Standarte until early April. 1932. Promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r on April 2, 1932, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he led the I./33.SS-Standarte f r o m early April, 1932, until mid-May, 1935. As Stabsführer of Abschnitt X X I V f r o m March, 1935, to mid-January, 1936, he was promoted to SSStandartenführer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1935. He c o m m a n d e d the 43.SS-Standarte f r o m July, 1937, to July, 1943, and then c o m m a n d e d the 124.SS-Standarte until May, 1945. He was also c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt VI f r o m the start of January, 1942, to May, 1945. Recalled for active service in the A r m y in September, 1939, he served in Infantry Regiment 4 4 2 and f r o m October. 1940. to July. 1942, was adjutant of its III.Bataillon. Promoted to Leutnant in the reserves, he next served as a c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r with that regiment's 2nd bataillon until w o u n d e d on September 9, 1942. P r o m o t e d to reserve H a u p t m a n n on S e p t e m b e r 1, 1943, he was a w a r d e d both classes of the Iron Cross, the Wound Badge in Silver, the A r m y Honor Roll Clasp and the S A Sports Badge in Silver. From N o v e m b e r , 1943 to the end o f t h a t year he was an office chief in the S S - H a u p t a m t and was also Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt " S ü d w e s t " f r o m February to May, 1945. In addition to his A l l g e m e i n e - S S duties, he b e c a m e a W a f f e n - S S HauptsturmfUhrer d.R. on M a y 26, 1944, and served with several school and replacement positions. He was promoted to W a f f e n - S S S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r d.R. on January 30, 1945. '* He was also c o m m a n d i n g Abschnitt III at that time and was the initial Stabsführer during creation of the staff. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on January 30, 1934 and promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942. 20 C o m m a n d between Altner and Brass handled most probably by the Stabsführer. 19
127
Allgemeine-SS.
Probably taken at the headquarters of the HöSSPF "Italien. " shown here are (bottom row left to right) SS-Brigadeführer Paul Zimmermann (Himmler's representative for "Total War Action Group"), SS-Brigadeführer Willy Tensfeld (SSPF "Oberitalien-West"), SSObergruppenfiihrer Karl Wolff (HöSSPF "Italien "), SS-Gruppenführer Erwin Rösener (HSSPF "Alpenland"), (back row left to right) SS-Brigadeführer Karl Brunner (SSPF "Bozen "), SS-Brigadeführer Jürgen von Kamptz (senior Orpo commander in Italy), SS-Brigadeführer Dr. Wilhelm Harster (Sipo and SD commander in Verona) and SS-Standartenfiihrer Harro With (attached to Hauptamt VOMI). (Phil Nix)
SS-Oberführer Otto Brass SS-Brigadeführer Hermann Freiherr von Schade SS-Oberführer Erich Schräge 21 SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1939 SS-Oberführer Walter Gerlach 22
February 28, 1935 to March 15, 1936 March 15, 1936 to October 1, 1937 October 1, 1937 to November 14, 1938 November 14, 1938 to July 1, 1942
21 Born in Stettin on November 16, 1899, he joined the Imperial Navy in March 1916 and saw duty with several ships including the "Rheinland" and the "Ostfriesland." He specialized in navigation and torpedoes. Commissioned a sub-Lieutenant, he was serving as an ordnance officer on the " L ö w e n " when he served in the Freikorps during 1919 and left the Navy in October, 1919. He worked for serveral German companies and spent a year in Brazil between the wars. Joining the N S D A P and SA reserve in January, 1930, he left the SA for the SS on December 1, 1930. Promoted to SS-Scharführer on May 23, 1931 and to SS-Truppführer on June 19, 1931, he led the 1 .Sturm/ II.Sturmbann/12.SS-Standarte from June to November. 1939 and then was adjutant to the II.Sturmbann from November, 1931, to October. 1932. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on October 1, 1932, he led the I.Sturmbann of the 42.SS-Standarte from that date until April, 1933. He then served as Himmler's liaison officer with SS Gruppe " N o r d " from April to October. 1933. After serving as commander of the 4.SS-Motorstandarte from December. 1933, to mid-March, 1934, he was StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" from March, 1934, to February, 1937 (retitled "Mitte" in January, 1936). During that time he was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer on April 20. 1934, and to SS-Sturmbannführer on July I, 1934. He then spent seven months with the SS-Hauptamt and was promoted to SSOberführer on April 20, 1937 before commanding Abschnitt VII from the start of October, 1937, to mid-November, 1938. Serving as Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt "Mitte" from mid-November, 1938, to December, 1940, he was at the disposal of the Navy for the last three years of the war (he became a Lieutenant-Commander of the reserves on February 1, 1944). He remained listed as assigned as a staff officer of Oberabschnitt "Mitte" after leaving his StabsfUhrer post until May, 1945. From mid-January, 1945. until the end of the war he served with the SS Artillery Training and Replacement Detachment based in Prague. He was awarded the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver and German Life Saving Badge in Silver. 22 Born on August 25, 1896. in Gunow. the son of a fisherman, he studied building before joining the Army in 1914. He served with the artillery winning the Iron Cross 2nd class and was discharged in January 1919. Continuing his academic studies, he then worked as a mason. He joined the N S D A P in September, 1930, and served in the SA from October, 1930, to February, 1931. Joining the SS on February 1. 1931. he first served with the 1 ,/III./27.SS-Standarte and led his Sturm from April to late October, 1931. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on October 29, 1931, he led the III./27.SS-Standarte from early July to August, 1932, then commanded the entire Standarte until August, 1934. Promoted to SS-SturmhauptfUhrer on December 1, 1932, to SS-Sturmbannführer on April 7, 1934, and to SS-Obersturmbannführer on August 17, 1934. he commanded the infamous c a m p at Columbia-Haus in Berlin from August to December,
128
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
Shown in late September 1940 during a diplomatic function Minister and Franz Ritter von Epp.
(Districts)
are (from right) Friedrich
July 1, 1942 to August 1, 1943 23 June 10, 1943 to July 10, 1943 (substitute)
Karl Freiherr von Eherstein,
the Spanish
Foreign
SS-Oberführer Friedrich Schlums SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Neurath Stabsführer: SS-Truppführer Waldemar Wappenhans 2 4 after January 15, 1932 SS-Sturmführer Johannes Zingler SS-Sturmführer, after July 22, 1932 SSSturmbannführer Waldemar Wappenhans SS-Sturmbannführer Fritz Jahnke Sturmhauptführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Johannes Zingler SS-Obersturmführer Walter Fürstenberg SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Bruno Hebron SS-Hauptsturmführer Georg Schröder SS-Hauptsturmführer Hubert Köblinger SS-Sturmbannführer Hubert Erhart SS-Sturmbannführer Paul Lindner SS-Oberführer Johannes Schäfer SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannführer Werner Fromm
February 1931 to November 9, 1931 November 9, 1931 to February 8, 1932 (temporary) February 8, 1932 to September 6, 1932 September 6, 1932 to September 10, 1933 January 30, 193325 to February 1, 1934 February 1, 1934 to March 1, 1934 March I, 1934 to March 20, 1935 March 20, 1935 to late April 1936 October 15, 1935 to March 1, 1936 (substitute) March 19, 1936 to May 30, 1936 (substitute) May 30, 1936 to October 1, 1936 October 1, 1936 to March 1, 1937 March 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938
1934. As special duties officer assigned to Himmler he served from August, 1934, to April, 1935, followed by posting as adjutant to the commander of Dachau from April, 1935, to January. 1936. He also served as Stabsfiihrer to the commander of Dachau from January to September. 1936. and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on January 30, 1936. As commander of the 64.SS-Standarte he led from September, 1936, to November, 1938, and then commanded Abschnitt VII from November, 1938, to July, 1942, during which he was promoted to SS-Oberführer on January 30, 1939. Reassigned to the R K D F V he headed the office in Königsberg from July, 1942, to December, 1944. and then a similar posting in Denmark. He also headed the personnel bureau of the H S S P F in Denmark from December, 1944, to May, 1945, as well as heading the R K F D V office there. Awarded both classes of the War Service Cross, after the war he was a witness at Nuremberg and died in Bavaria on August 31, 1963. 23 Designated Führer after this date unknown, but Schlums may have undertaken those duties as he was Stabsführer of the Oberabschnitt. 24 Served in this capacity as an NCO. he was commissioned an SS-Sturmführer on February 8, 1932. 25 Both Jahnke's and Zingler's position are confirmed by the SS-Befehlsblatt. with Zingler probably being a substitute until September 1933.
129
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
March 21, 1938 to November 30, 1938 November 30, 1938 to January 1939 January 1939 to May 1, 1939 May I, 1939 to July 7, 1942
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Otto Böttcher SS-Sturmbannführer Hermann Jenke SS-Hauptsturmführer Waldemar Roos SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1942 SS-Oberführer Friedrich Schlums 26
SS-Abschnitt V I I I was headquartered in Linz, Austria. Officially it was dissolved due to its illegality from February. 1934, until being reformed in March, 1938, but it existed underground during the ban on the Austrian Nazi Party and SS. When officially reformed, it contained Standarten 37 and 52. Führer June 16, 1932 to December 1, 1932
SS-Standartenführer, after September 23,1932 SS-Oberführer Dr. Walter Graeschke SS-Oberführer Dr. Ernst Bach 27 SS-Oberführer, after December 15, 1933 SS-Brigadeführer Alfred Rodenbiicher Hans Hiedler 28
December 1, 1932 to June 1933 June 1933 to February 15, 1934 February 15, 1934 to November 18, 1934 November 18, 1934 to June 15, 1935
SS-Obersturmbannführer, after February 15, 1935 SS-Oberführer Karl Taus SS-Oberführer Ernst Kaltenbrunner SS-Oberführer Otto Jungkunz 2 9
June 15, 1935 to March 12, 1938 March 21, 1938 to May 8, 1945 Stabsführer:
SS-Standartenführer Walter Turza 3 " SS-Sturmführer, after October 7, 1932 SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 9, 1933 SS-Standartenführer Alfred Bigler
October 1931 to September 23, 1932 late September 1932 to August 23, 1933
!< ' Born on January 26, 1892, in Nimptsch, he joined the army in October 1913. H e served in the infantry until July 1917 and was c o m m i s s i o n e d a Leutnant in the reserves on February 1, 1915. From S e p t e m b e r i 915 to July 1915 he was a K o m p a n i e Chef in Infanterie Regiment 22. Transferring to the Flying Corps, he served in a fighter unit until discharged in D e c e m b e r 1918 after having won the Iron Cross 2nd class. During the s u m m e r of 1921 he was with the Freikorps and was a teacher f r o m August, 1922, to April. 1926. A m e m b e r of the Stahlhelm f r o m 1922 to 1926, he j o i n e d the N S D A P in January, 1931. and the SS on May 15, 1931. Promoted to SS-TruppfUhrer on March 1, 1933, and c o m m i s s i o n e d as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he c o m m a n d e d the 3./V./16.SS-Standarte f r o m November, 1933, to late April, 1934, when he took c o m m a n d of the I.Sturmbann. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 28, 1934, to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on July 4, 1934, and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1935, he c o m m a n d e d the 16.SS-Standarte f r o m the start of April to the beginning of July, 1936. He then c o m m a n d e d the 60.SS-Standarte until late March. 1938, during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9. 1936, and to SS-Standartenführer on January 30, 1938. As Stabsführer of Abschnitt VII he served f r o m the start of May, 1939, to the beginning of July, 1942, when he took c o m m a n d of the Abschnitt and was promoted to SSO b e r f ü h r e r on January 30, 1942. A f t e r serving as Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t " f r o m November. 1941, to August, 1943, he held the s a m e post with Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " (later " R h e i n - W e s t m a r k " ) until April. 1945. Injured in a sports accident during June, 1944, he was awarded the War Service Cross with S w o r d s 1st and 2nd class. 27 Born in Herford on N o v e m b e r 26, 1889, he was also chief of the SS A m t f r o m D e c e m b e r 24, 1932 until June 12, 1933, as well as heading the SS Gericht (SS court) f r o m its formation until his death. 28 M e m b e r of the Austrian Nazi Party of u n k n o w n rank (if indeed a m e m b e r of the Austrian SS) during the initial period of the ban. 2 " Born in WUrzburg on July 23. 1892, the son of a businessman. He served with Bavarian infantry units in W W I f r o m July 1914 to March 1919, and w o n the Iron Cross 2nd class, ending the war as an N C O . He served in the W ü r z b u r g Freikorps during 1919 and then joined the N S D A P and SS on January 1. 1932. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he led the 4./I./56.SSStandarte f r o m October, 1933, to January, 1934, and then c o m m a n d e d the I./56.SS-Standarte until March. 1934. A s c o m m a n d e r of the 56.SS-Standarte he served f r o m March. 1934, to April, 1936, and was p r o m o t e d to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on June 18, 1934, to SSS t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r o n N o v e m b e r 9, 1934. to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1935, and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on April 1, 1936. He then next led SS Abschnitt VI f r o m April. 1936, to March, 1938. during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r t u h r e r on April 20, 1937, then c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt VIII f r o m March, 1938. until May, 1945. He left the A r m y reserve as a Leutnant d.R. and joined the W a f f e n SS as an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. in February, 1940. As c o m m a n d e r of the SS Vehicle Replacement Detachment he served f r o m February. 1940, to August, 1942, and was p r o m o t e d to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r d.R. on August 1, 1940, to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r d.R. on April 20, 1941, and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r d.R. on August 10. 1942. He b e c a m e SS garrison and area c o m m a n d e r for H e g e w a l d f r o m September, 1942, to January, 1944 (the location of H i m m l e r ' s field headquarters in the Ukraine). A f t e r serving with the H ö S S P F "Italien" during the first half of February, 1945, he c o m m a n d e d the Waffen-SS Italien Brigade (which later b e c a m e the 29.Waffen-GrenadierDivision der SS [italienische Nr. 1]). From mid-February, 1945. to May, 1945, he was chief of the technical section of the arms office (Amt V l l l / W a f f e n a m t ) within the S S - F ü h r u n g s h a u p t a m t . J u n g k u n z won a clasp to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd class on February 15, 1945, the War Service Cross 1st class with S w o r d s on January 30, 1943 and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold. He died in Bruck on J u n e 9, 1945. 3,1 Turza j o i n e d the SS in January, 1930, and reached the rank of SS-Standartenführer on June 19, 1931. Dismissed f r o m the SS in N o v e m b e r . 1932. he rejoined in September. 1937, as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r and attained the rank of S S - O b e r f u h r e r on April 20, 1944.
130
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Willi Brandner was born on August 12, 1909, in Schönbach, the son of a violin maker. He followed in his father's trade and after training became a master violin maker. Joining the Czech army in early October 1931, he sen'ed in a motorized mountain unit until mid-January 1933 then returned to sporting activities with political overtones. He led several German-Czech sports groups and joined the NSDAP on November I, 1938. Brandner was given charge of all sporting activities in Czechoslovakia and was a member of the Reichstag from 1939 to late December, 1944. He joined the SS as an SS-Oberfiihrer on October 8, 1938, and led Abschnitt XXXVII until the start of 1941 followed by temporary command of Abschnitt II until April, 1942. As a staff officer with Oberabschnitt "Elbe" he sen'ed from April, 1942, to the start of July, 1943, and then went to Himmler 's staff where he was assigned security duties until his death in late December, 1944. He served with the SS/VT and Waffen-SS starting in early December, 1939, and was commissioned as a Waffen-SS Untersturmführer d.R. on August 1, 1940. From August, 1940, to the end of January, 1941, he was with the "Totenkopf' replacement regiment and was the battalion adjutant from early December, 1940. He then went to the "Leibstandarte" as a reserve officer until November, 1941. Promoted to SS-Obersturmführer d.R. on November 9, 1941, he was wounded in Russia and afterwards suffered partial paralysis as a result. After his recovery he served with the replacement battalion of Regiment "Deutschland " until October 1, 1942, when he resigned his Waffen-SS rank and was posted to security duties. Assigned to the HSSPF " Rußland-Mitte" for training in October, 1942, he actually arrived there in mid-February, 1943, and was not considered fully recovered from his wounds until July, 1943. Given the rank of Oberst der Polizei on October 20, 1942, he became Polizeigebietsführer "Agram" in Croatia from July, 1943 until wounded in a partisan attack during an inspection on December 28, 1944. He also served as deputy to the HSSPF "Kroatien " during the same period. Brandner died from his wounds on December 29, 1944, having been been promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei on July 10, 1943. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1939, the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1941 and the 1st class in 1944, the War Sen'ice Cross with Swords in 1944, the Wound Badge in Black in 1941 and the 2nd class Olympic Games decoration. (Phil Nix)
August 23, 1933 to November 30, 1933
SS-Untersturmführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Obersturmführer Franz Schwarz SS-Hauptsturmführer Heinz K o r b " SS-Obersturmführer, after April 20, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after December 12, 1941 SS-Sturmbannführer Wilhelm Stichnoth
specific date unknown to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to May 8, 1945
31 He probably held the post for only a short time as there was doubtfully a Stabsführer assigned during the period the Party was banned and none officially designated until after Austria became part of the Reich.
131
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Otto Reich (left) is shown here decorating foreign volunteers. Born in Waldhausen, East Prussia on December 5, 1891, he attended an NCO school from 1907 to 1911 and was thereafter in the Army until November 1918. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge in Silver in WWI. After the Army he was unemployed until 1921 then worked in the food industry until 1930. Joining the NSDAP in November, 1929, and the SS on January 10, 1930, he first served with the 1 ,/V./6.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-SturmfUhrer on December 6, 1931. As adjutant to the 51.SS-Standarte he served from December, 1931, to October, 1932, then commanded the 1./II./6.SSStandarte until mid-March, 1933. He was an initial member of the Stabswache Berlin and SS-Sonderkommando Berlin (which became the "Leibstandarte"). Staying with the eventual "Leibstandarte" until February, 1935, he served as StabsfUhrer after August, 1933, until February, 1935. In February/March, 1935, he was posted to the Inspectorate of concentration camps then commanded the camp in Lichtenburgfrom March, 1935, to April, 1936. From April, 1936, to July, 1937, he commanded a Sturmbann in a Totenkopf Standarte and then led the 2.SS-Totenkopf Standarte "Brandenberg" until mid-May, 1938. In mid-November, 1938 he took command of the 4.SSTotenkopfStandarte "Ostmark" and led until December, 1940. After four months at a troop training area he took command of SSFreiwilligen-Standarte "Nordwest" from April, 1941, to April, 1942, training and supplying replacements for the "Niederlande" and "Flandern " legions. Promoted to Allgemeine-SS and Waffen-SS Oberführer on September 1, 1941, he was supply commander for the Waffen-SS and Police in northern Russia from April to October, 1942. After four months leave and training he did not receive another assignment until August, 1943, when given command of a Police Regiment of the Ordnungspolizei until March, 1944. He then served with several main offices before being assigned Ordnungspolizei commander in Agram during late July to late September, 1944, then Polizeigebietsführer "Agram" from late December, 1944, to early January, 1945, when the post was dissolved. Reich was awarded a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class, the Iron Cross 1st class in 1942 and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. He sen'ed the final months of the war in the staff detachment of the SS-Personalhauptamt and died in Düsseldorf on September 20, 1955. His son also joined the SS, attending the first class at SS Führerschule "Bad Tölz" in 1934. He was killed in action during June, 1944. (Phil Nix)
SS-Abschnitt IX was formed in Kulmbach on June 1, 1932, and moved to Nuremberg in April, 1933. Headquarters was moved to Würzburg from September, 1933, to March, 1936, when it returned to Nuremberg. In January, 1938, Würzburg again became headquarters and remained for the rest of the war. It contained Standarten 56, 73 and 81. Führer: SS-Oberführer Kurt Wittje SS-Oberführer Erasmus Freiherr von Malsen-Ponickau SS-Standartenführer, after December 24, 1933 SS-Oberführer Emil Popp SS-Brigadeführer Wilhelm Starck SS-Oberführer Waldemar Wappenhans SS-Standartenführer, after September 13,1936 SS-Oberführer Willy Tensfeld SS-Oberführer Hans Döring SS-Standartenführer Dr. Ferdinand von Sammern-Frankenegg SS-Standartenführer Constantin Heldmann SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1941 SS-Oberführer Dr. Ferdinand von SammernFrankenegg
June 1, 1932 to April 19, 1933 April 19, 1933 to August 15, 1933 August 15, 1933 to January 7, 1935 January 7, 1935 to April 1, 1935 April 1, 1935 to March 31, 1936 April 1, 1936 to January 1, 1939 January 1. 1939 to March 1, 1939 March 1, 1939 to July 1, 1939 July 1, 1939 to September 1, 1939 September 1, 1939 to July 1, 1943
132
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte June 16, 194332 to May 8, 1945
(Districts) SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Oberführer Theodor Zittel 33
Stabsführer: June 1, 1932 to January 26, 1933
SS-Untersturmführer, after August 24, 1932 SS-Hauptsturmführer Herbert Rohr SS-Standartenführer Karl Pflomm SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 1, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Dr. Eugen Mohr SS-Untersturmführer, after March 16, 1934 SS-Obersturmführer Alfred Buchs SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Ring SS-Untersturmführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Obersturmführer Wilhelm Dyroff SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer Constantin Heldmann
January 26, 1933 to March 6, 1933 April 20, 1933 to September 26, 1933 September 26, 1933 to February 1, 1934 February 1, 1934 to March 1, 1934 March 1, 1934 to November 1, 1935 November 1, 1935 to March 15, 1937
March 15, 1937 to June 27, 1937
SS-Untersturmführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Obersturmführer Ludwig Ebert SS-Obersturmbannführer Ludwig Eschholdt SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans von Uslar SS-Obersturmbannführer Erich Spaarmann SS-Hauptsturmführer, after September 10, 1939 SS-Sturmbannführer Martin Luther SS-Sturmbannführer Ludwig Ebert
June 27, 1937 to January 31, 1938 January 31, 1938 to May 1938 May 1938 to July 1, 1938 July 1, 1938 to 1942 1942 to May 8, 1945
SS-Abschnitt X was based in Stuttgart. It contained Standarten 13 and 63. Führer: March 22, 1932 to July 15, 1933 July 15, 1933 to November 16, 1933
SS-Oberführer Christoph Diehm SS-Oberführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Brigadeführer Hans-Adolf Prützmann SS-Brigadeführer Erasmus Freiherr von Malsen-Ponickau
January 15, 1934 to September 20, 1936 September 20, 1936 to January 30, 1939
SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Oberführer Ludolf von Alvensleben SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1939 SS-Oberführer Hermann Peter 36
July 1, 193834 to May 8, 1945 35
12
Zittel served as a substitute f r o m this date until given full c o m m a n d on S e p t e m b e r 1, 1943. Born in Kolomar on October 29, 1900. the son of a senior railway official. He served with the infantry in W W I and between the wars worked as a f a r m e r and a banker. He joined the N S D A P in July 1929 and the SS on D e c e m b e r 1, 1930 where he served with the 3.Sturm/II.Sturmbann/32.SS-Standarte until February, 1932. Promoted to S S - T r u p p f ü h r e r on July I, 1931. he led the 3.Sturm f r o m that date until mid-September, 1933. M o v i n g to the 62.SS-Standarte he led its Ill.Sturmbann f r o m September. 1933, to May, 1934, and was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on February 13, 1934. C o m m a n d i n g the 7.SS-Standarte f r o m M a y to December, 1934 and the 79.SSStandarte f r o m December, 1934, to July, 1938, he w a s p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 15. 1935, and to SSStandartenführer on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936. He led Abschnitt X X V I I f r o m July to December. 1938, and after a course at Dachau was assigned to the staff of Oberabschnitt " M a i n " f r o m December, 1938, to January, 1939. Zittel led the 56.SS-Standarte f r o m January. 1939, to May, 1945, in addition to his other positions. From July,1943, to May, 1945, he c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt IX and Abschnitt X X X V I I I f r o m July, 1943, to September, 1943. Promoted S S - O b e r f ü h r e r o n N o v e m b e r 9, 1943, he served as a reserve W a f f e n - S S O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r with the lö.SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division " R e i c h s f ü h r e r - S S " f r o m early December, 1944, until killed on April 15, 1945, as c o m m a n d e r of the 8./SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 36. He was awarded the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, the S A Sports Badge in Silver. T h e War Service Cross 2nd class with S w o r d s in 1944 and the Iron Cross 2nd class. 33
34
Peter took over for von Alvensleben w h o was posted to H i m m l e r ' s staff as chief adjutant. He b e c a m e full c o m m a n d e r in January,
1939. 35
George Raabe probably served as a substitute while Peter was serving with the W a f f e n - S S after N o v e m b e r 1939. A West Prussian born in S i e w a k o w i t z on July 27, 1893, he served with the infantry f r o m August, 1914, to July, 1918. Wounded four times and awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class and Wound Badge in Silver, he ended the w a r a Leutnant d.R and spoke English and French. A f t e r serving in the Stahlhelm f r o m 1921 to 1926, he joined the N S D A P and SS in October, 1930. He served f r o m October, 1930, to June, 1935. with the the 21.SS-Standarte. A s c o m m a n d e r of the 4.Sturm/II.Sturmbann he served f r o m March, 1932, to April, 1933. and 36
133
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Erasmus Freiherr von Maisen-Ponickau was born on June 5, 1895, in Munich, the son of an officer in the Royal Bavarian Army. He attended the cadet school at Berlin-Lichterfelde and was commissioned as a Leutnant in September, 1914. Serving in the infantry, in the final year of the war he was the ordnance officer and adjutant of the 215.Infanterie-Division, winning the Iron Cross 2nd class. After the war he studied farming and ran his family's estate beginning in 1922, the same year he joined the NSDAP. He left after the Munich Putsch and rejoined on March 1, 1930, later joining the SS as an SS-Truppführer on November 1, 1930. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on February 1, 1931, he was the first commander of the 29.SS-Standarte from mid-January, 1931, to mid-April, 1933. Promoted to SSSturmbannfiihrer on June 1, 1931, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on October 18, 1931, he led Abschnitt I from August, 1932, to early May, 1933. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on August II, 1932, he next commanded Abschnitt IX from mid-April, 1933, to mid-August that year. After serving as a Special Duties Officer for Himmler from mid-August, 1933, to mid-January, 1934, he commanded Abschnitt X until mid-September, 1936. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on August 15, 1933, he was also the Police President for Zwickau from September, 1936, to April, 1938, then transferred to the same post in Frankfurt an der Oder until the end of May, 1940. From June. 1940, to September, 1943, he was the Police President for Posen as well as being titular head of the Kripo office there from June, 1940, to August, 1943. Transferring to Halle an der Saale, he was the Police President there from September to December, 1943, and headed the Kripo office from August to December, 1943. From October, 1944, to the end of the war he was the SS and Police Area Commander "Istrien" although he never held Polizei rank. He was cavalier in his attitude towards his duties and was reprimanded numerous times to the point of almost being dismissed. Maisen-Ponickau preferred horses and women, divorcing his wife and marrying his mistress. He ser\>ed a term in prison after being tried by the Poles and died on June 12, 1956. (Phil Nix)
was promoted to SS-Scharführer on March 15, 1932, to SS-Truppführer on August 20, 1932, and commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on April 20, 1933. He then led the II.Sturmbann until June, 1935, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmführer on June 22, 1934, and to SSHauptsturmführer on April 20, 1935. From June, 1935, to October, 1937, he commanded the 6.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SSSturmbannführer on September 15, 1935, to SS-Obersturmbannführer on April 20, 1936. and to SS-Standartenführer on April 20. 1937. He next commanded the 19.SS-Standarte from October, 1937, to July, 1938. From July, 1938, to May, 1945, he was full commander of Abschnitt X and was promoted to SS-Oberführer on January 30, 1939. He joined the Waffen-SS as an SS-Obersturmbannführer d.R. in mid-November. 1939, and commanded I./9.SS-Totenkopfstandarte from December, 1939, to December, 1940. in Prague. He led the Totenkopf-Wach-Bataillon Prague until August. 1942, and then commanded the SS garrison in Prague until July. 1943. Transferred to Hans-Adolf Prützmann's c o m m a n d in Southern Russia, he was SS garrison commander in Kiev f r o m July, 1943, to January, 1944, and was also SS und Police garrison commander in Rovno from November, 1943, to January, 1944. As headquarters Kommandant for Prützmann's battle group he served f r o m January to March. 1944, and also commanded the Waffen-SS staff company assigned to the HSSPF "Rußland-Süd." As a battalion commander he led part of SS-Polizei-Schützenregiment 11 during March. 1944 and was wounded by a grenade. After his recovery he was adjutant to V.SS-Gebirgs-Korps until May, 1945, and also led SS-Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 27 from June to September, 1944. He was awarded a bar to the Iron Cross 2nd class on March 9, 1944, the Infantry Assault Badge, the Olympic games decoration 2nd class and both classes of the War Merit Cross with Swords.
134
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Dr. Ernst Kaltenbrunner, the son of a lawyer, was born on October 4, 1903 in Ried, Austria. Attending the University of Graz he first studied chemistry but changed to law and received his doctorate in I926. Following that he practiced in Linz and became involved in the political movement. He joined the Austrian Nazi Party in mid-October, 1930, and the SS on August 31, 1931. First serving on the staff of Abschnitt VIII. he was arrested by the government and imprisoned from January to April, 1934. Promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer effective September 25, 1932, he commanded the 37.SS-Standarte for a year beginning in mid-June, 1934. Re-arrested on suspicion of treason in May, 1935, he was sentenced to six months for his political views and not allowed to practice law. Though the SS was outlawed at the time in Austria, he led Abschnitt VIII from mid-June, 1935, to mid-March, 1938, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on April, 20, 1936, as well as to SS-Oberfiihrer on April 20, 1937. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on March, 12, 1938, he then served as state commissioner in the Ostmark until mid-August, 1938, and was a member of the Reichstag from January, 1939, to the end of the war. From mid-March, / 937, to the end of January, 1943, he led the eventual Oberabschnitt "Donau " and its earlier forms as highest SS command post in Austria. After Austria became a part of the Reich, Kaltenbrunner was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on September 11,1938. He also served as HSSPF "Donau "from mid-September, 1938, until the end of his Oberabschnitt command. He then headed the RSHA until the end of the war, replacing Himmler who had commanded since Heydrich's death. With this post he gained considerable power but was not the threat Heydrich had been over Himmler's position. As chief of the RSHA he was also a State Secretary in the Ministry of the Interior. Given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 1, 1941, and promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei on June 21, 1943, he then became a General der Waffen-SS on December I, 1944. He was awarded the Golden Party Badge on January 30, 1939, the Blood Order on May 6, 1942, the War Service Cross 1st class with Swords on January 30, 1943, the German Cross in Silver on October 22, 1943, and the Knight's Cross of the War Service Cross with Swords on November 15, 1944. He was an extremist and devoted SS man as well as being a chain smoker and a heavy drinker, and was a major figure in the early Austrian SS. A capable administrator, he presented less of a threat than Heydrich to Himmler's authority. He was involved with investigating the July 20, 1944 plot against Hitler and the harsh measures that followed. He fled to Tirol at the end of the war but was captured and tried by the Allies at Nuremberg as the major SS respresentative. Kaltenbrunner was hanged at midnight on October 16, 1946, in Nuremberg.
135
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Stabsführer: March 21, 1932 to January 26, 1933 February 1, 1934 to May 7, 1934
SS-Standartenführer Karl Pflomm SS-Hauptsturmführer, after March 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer Hilmar Wäckerle SS-Hauptsturmführer Wilhelm Mann SS-Untersturmführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Obersturmführer, after November 9, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmführer Kurt Hoffmann SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans-Georg Weber SS-Obersturmbannführer Georg Raabe
May 7, 1934 to January 1, 1935 January 1, 1935 to April 1936
April 1936 to October 20, 1938 October 20, 1938 to May 8, 1945
S S - A b s c h n i t t X I was headquartered in Frankfurt/Main when formed in July, 1932, then moved to Wiesbaden from October 1933 to the end of December 1936. Koblenz became headquarters in January 1937 and remained so for the duration. It contained Standarten 5, 33, 78 and 93. Führer SS-Standartenführer, after October 6, 1932 SS-Oberführer Wilhelm Rediess SS-Oberführer Alfred Bigler SS-Standartenführer, after November 25, 1934 SS-Oberführer Hermann Behme SS-Brigadeführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Gruppenführer Richard Hildebrandt SS-Standartenführer Curt Brasack SS-Oberführer Kurt Hintze SS-Brigadeführer Friedrich Hauser 17 SS-Oberführer, after June 21, 1943 SS-Brigadeführer Dr. Gerhard Mischke 38
July 12, 1932 to March 15, 1934 March 15, 1934 to September 19, 1934 September 19, 1934 to April 15, 1935 April 15, 1935 to December 31, 1936 December 3 1 , 1 9 3 6 to September 22, 1937 September 22, 1937 to February 1, 1940 October 1, 1940 to March 15, 1943 March 15, 1943 to May 8, 1945
Stabsführer: SS-Hauptsturmführer, after June 11. 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer, after May 13, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Arpad Wigand SS-Obersturmbannführer Gustav Stolle SS-Untersturmführer Rudolf Creutz SS-Obersturmbannführer Norbert Scharfe SS-Obersturmführer Hans Werner
November 9, 1932 to July 7, 1934
July 7, 1934 to April 26, 1935 April 26, 1935 to October 1, 1935 October 1, 1935 to January 1936 January 1936 to February 1936
37 Born in L u d w i g s h a f e n in the Rheinland on D e c e m b e r 28, 1898, the son of a cabinet maker. He joined the army in W W I and served with the infantry until w o u n d e d in May 1918, winning the Wound Badge in Black. Between the wars he worked for I.G. Farben f r o m 1919 to 1934. He joined the SS on D e c e m b e r 22, 1930 and the N S D A P on January 1, 1931. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 20, 1931, he was contributions administrator for the lO.SS-Standarte f r o m December, 1931, to October. 1932, and then held a similar position for friends of the Standarte w h o contributed f u n d s and gained a status as official contributors until May, 1934. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on February 28. 1934. he was administrative officer for Abschnitt X X I X f r o m May to mid-December, 1934. A s administrative head of Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " he served f r o m April to June, 1935, and then was posted to the recruiting office in the SSH a u p t a m t until April, 1937. From April, 1937, to September, 1940, he headed the office for statistics in the S S - H a u p t a m t and was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on April 20, 1937, and to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on August 1, 1940. As c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt XI he served f r o m October. 1940 until his death on March 1 5 . 1 9 4 3 , f r o m a lung h e m o r r h a g e following a car crash while trying to recapture an escaped R A F officer. He was awarded both classes of the War Service Cross 2nd class. 3 * Born in Kiel on Christmas day 1898. the son of Vice-Admiral Robert Mischke. He served with the Imperial N a v y in W W I f r o m April, 1917, until discharged in January, 1919, winning the Iron Cross 2nd class. He served with the Freikorps during March-April, 1920. in Thuringia and w a s in the Stahlhelm f r o m 1928 to May, 1930. Well educated, he received a law degree in 1924 f r o m the University of Bonn, studied English and Russian in Britain and Russia between 1928 and 1930 and was a m e m b e r of the Stahlhelm during that period. A f t e r holding several civil legal commission posts as well as being Gau- Inspector for Hessen-Nassau f r o m June, 1934, to the end of 1936, he rejoined the Navy in October, 1936 as a sub-Lieutenant in the artillery. He joined the SS on N o v e m b e r 9. 1937, as an SSO b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r assigned to the legal staff of Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " and was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 21, 1938 and to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on April 20, 1939. He led Abschnitt XI f r o m M a r c h . 1943. to May, 1945, and was awarded the War Service Cross 1 st and 2nd class as well as the naval anti-aircraft badge. M i s c h k e died on S e p t e m b e r 4. 1987.
136
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Born in Frankfurt-am-Main on September 1, 1905, Erich Cassel worked as a bank clerk and joined the NSDAP in 1923. Leaving after the Munich Putsch, he rejoined in 1926. He was a member of the SAfrom 1921 until joining the SS in October, 1932, as an SS-Sturmfiihrer. Cassels first command was the 2./I11/24.SS-Standarte which he led for a month beginning in October, 1932. He then commanded the III./ 24.SS-Standarte from November, 1932, to November, 1933, then took command of the 49.SS-Standarte until the start of June, 1935. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on January 30. 1934 and to SS-Obersturmbannführer on April 20, 1934, he next served as a department head in the RuSHA until the end of September, 1937. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on April 20, 1936, he was Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt "Südost" from September, 1937, toMarch, 1938, then held the same post for Oberabschnitt "Osterreich" (later "Donau") until July, 1942. Promoted to SS-Obeifiihrer on March 12, 1938, and to SS-Brigadefiihrer on July 20, 1942, he served from July, 1942, until May, 1945 in a Party appointment. He was posted as office head for Volkstum matters on Himmler's personal staffelnd liaison to NSDAP headquarters representing Himmler, as well as being head of the NSDAP Main Office for the Volkstum. From July, 1942, to September, 1943, he also held a position on the staff of Oberabschnitt "Süd. " Cassel was awarded the Gold Party Badge and the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver. He died in Osnabrück, Austria, on January 30, 1966. (Phi! Nix)
February 1936 to September 1936 September 1936 to December 1936 December 1936 to December 31, 1937
SS-Hauptsturmführer James Legau SS-Hauptsturmführer Kurt Hoffmann SS-Obersturmführer, after September 12, 1937 SS-Hauptsturmführer Dr. Hanns Rohrich SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Heinrich Scheingraber SS-Hauptsturmführer Walter Hartebrodt SS-Standartenführer Ludwig Hettesheimer
December 31, 1937 to June 1, 1939 June 1, 1939 to ? (substitute) June 1, 1939 to May 1945
137
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Kurt Wege was born the son of a high school teacher in Berlin on September 15, 1891. In October, 1911, he joined the army and served with the artillery. Commissioned a Leutnant in June, 1913, he served in WWI as a battery commander, detachment adjutant and finally detachment commander. Wounded in May, 1915, he was promoted to Oberleutnant in August, 1918 and won both classes of the Iron Cross. After leaving the army in 1920 he served in the Stahlhelm in 1925-1926 and also the Teno from 1924-1926. He joined the SS on July 8, 1926 and became one of the first important SS leaders as initial SS leader in Berlin. First serving as a deputy leader and senior staff officer of the Berlin SS until August, 1928, he became an SS-Standartenfiihrer (the only SS rank at that time) on August 15, 1928. From August, 1928, to September, 1929, he was SS-Standartenführer V and then SS-Brigadenführer "Ost" (later Oberfiihrerbereich "Ost") until December, 1930. A.v head of the Berlin SS and in his "Ost" post he was replaced by the more aggressive Kurt Daluege. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on August I, 1930, he commanded Abschnitt III from August, 1930, to March, 1931, and then became Stabsführer ofthat Abschnitt. He again led Abschnitt III from August, 1932, to September, 1933, and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on September 15, 1933. After serving as StabsfUhrer of Abschnitt III from March, 1931, to August, 1932, he led Abschnitt XIII until midSeptember, 1933. As special assignments officer he was attached to SS-Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt) "Ost" from mid-September, 1933, to February, 1934, and then was posted to the training and formation section of the SA high command until early March, 1935. He returned to his previous assignment with Oberabschnitt "Ost" and served there until April, 1936 when he transferred to the SS Hauptamt until June, 1936. From March, 1933, to May, 1945, he was a member of the Reichstag and was listed with Himmler's staff from June, 1936 to the end of the war. Recalled to the Army in June, 1939 on the "at disposal" list, he got a command in early October, 1941 and served as a supply officer in Germany and Russia for the duration of the war, ending the war as a Hauptmann d.R. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the War Service Cross with Swords 2nd class and the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver. An important founding member of the NSDAP and SS in Berlin who lacked the forceful personality needed to hold power, he died in Rothenburg on April 15, 1947. (Phil Nix)
SS-Abschnitt XII formed in Diihringhof and moved that month to Liebenow until January, 1933. It then returned to its original seat for one month before changing headquarters to Frankfurt for the duration of its existence. It contained Standarten 27 and 54. Führer July 4, 1932 to July 12, 1932 July 12, 1932 to January 31, 1934
SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Rediess SS-Standartenführer, after October 6, 1932 SS-Oberführer, after December 15, 1933 SS-Brigadeführer Erich von dem Bach SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Oberführer Johann Harnys SS-Oberführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Brigadeführer Emil Popp
February 12, 1934 to January 16, 1935 January 1, 1935 to September 16, 1936
138
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
From right lo left in 1942 are SS-Gruppenführer SS Heinrich Himmler, SS-Obergruppenführer Dr. Hermann Behrends. (Phil Nix)
(Districts)
Johannes Johst (officer in Himmler's staff), SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Wolff, ReichsfiihrerHans-Adolf Prützmann, SS-Brigadeführer Ludolf von Alvensleben and SS-Brigadeführer
SS-Standartenfiihrer Gustav Stolle 39 SS-Oberführer, after June 21, 1943 SS-Brigadeführer Karl Schäfer SS-Obersturmbannführer Josef Kubitzky SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1943 SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1945 SS-Brigadeführer Ernst Engelhardt 42
September 16, 1936 to March 1, 1937 March 1. 1937 to November 2, 1943 40 April 16, 1942 to September 1942 (substitute) September 194241 to May 1945
Stabsführer: August 1, 1932 to May 31, 1933
after October 1, 1932 SS-Untersturmführer Erich Daluege SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Franz Jaegy SS-Sturmbannführer Paul Zaremba
March 15, 1933 to January 15, 1934 January 15, 1934 to November 1, 1934
39 Born in Minden in Westphalia on January 14, 1899, he served in WWI. He joined the N S D A P in the 1920s and the SS on May 10, 1931 as an SS-Sturmfiihrer He first served as adjutant to the 24.SS-Standarte from May, 1931, to December, 1932, and was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptführer on December 1. 1932. When promoted he took command of the I.Sturmbann of the Standarte until November, 1933 and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on June 12, 1933. From early October, 1933, to January. 1934, he was Stabsführer of Abschnitt XX and then commanded the 50.SS-Standarte until July, 1934, during which he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer on March 12, 1934. As Stabsführer he served with Abschnitt XI from July, 1934, to April, 1935, then stayed with the c o m m a n d staff as a special assignments officer until May when he became adjutant of the Abschnitt until June, 1936. From June. 1935, to September. 1936, he commanded the 65.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on September 15, 1935. He commanded Abschnitt XII from mid-September, 1936, to March, 1937, and Abschnitt XXIII from March, 1937, to September. 1940. during which he was promoted to SS-Oberführer on April 20, 1937. During the Polish campaign and until February. 1940, he was Selbstschutz Führer attached to Armeeoberkommando 8 and held the same post in Krakau for the General Government from February, 1940. until July, 1940, while the post was being dissolved. As Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt "Lothringen-Saarpfalz" he served from July, 1940, to April. 1942 (this became Oberabschnitt "Westmark" in September 1940), and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei on November 9, 1942. As special assignments officer for the HSSPF "Rußland-Süd" he served from April to November, 1942 and then was SSPF for special duties with the H ö S S P F "Ukraine" from November, 1942, to the autumn of 1943. Transferring to the Waffen-SS as an NCO. he served as a platoon leader with Flak Abteilung 505 (V.SS-Gebirgs-Korps), and was promoted to SS-Untersturmführer d.R. on June 21, 1944. He was killed in action on February 5, 1945. 4
" Killed in action serving in Russia on this date. Served first as substitute (he was Schäfer's designated deputy commander) and then full commander after November 2, 1943. It was Engelhardt who informed Schäfer's family of his death in Russia. 42 Born in Landsberg on July 31 1890, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and Wound Badge in Black in W W I . Joining the SS as an SS-Sturmführer on September 3, 1933, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmführer on January 30, 1934. and to SS-Hauptsturmführer on April 20, 1934. From 1934 to January, 1935 he led the I.Sturmbann of the 67.SS-Standarte and then commanded the 54.SS-Standarte until mid-November. 1939, during which he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer on April 20, 1936. and to SS-Standartenführer on April 20, 1937. He commanded Abschnitt XXIII from early September. 1940, to early November, 1943, and also commanded Abschnitt XII from September, 1942 until attaining full command upon the death of Karl Schäfer whose family he notified of his death in Russia. Engelhardt was reported missing in Berlin in May, 1945. Physically proficient, he was awarded the higher grade SA Sports Badge in Silver. 41
139
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS-Sturmbannführer Fridolin Glass 41 SS-Obersturmführer, after September 15, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Sturmbannführer Adolf Vasel SS-Standartenführer Friedrich Gehrhardt SS-Obersturmbannführer Josef Kubitzky
November 1, 1934 to April 30, 1935 April 30, 1935 to October 1, 1937
October 1, 1937 to January 15, 1940 January 15, 1940 to May 8, 1945
SS-Abschnitt X I I I was headquartered in Stettin and controlled Standarten 9, 39 and 77.
SS-Oberführer Kurt Wege SS-Oberführer Fritz Engel 44 SS-Oberführer Günther Pancke SS-Oberführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Brigadeführer Emil Mazuw SS-Oberführer Rudolf Weiss 45 SS-Oberführer Walter Langleist 47 SS-Brigadeführer Johannes Schäfer 48 SS-Standartenführer Willi Richardt
August 7, 1932 to September 15, 1933 September 15, 1933 to February 20, 1934 April 1934 to September 1934 September 1, 1934 to April 1, 1936 March 15, 1936 to July 1. 1938 July 1, 1938 to October 1, 1940 4 " October 1, 1940 to May 5, 1945 October 1942 to May 1945 49 (substitute)
43 Being an Austrian, to protect his true identity his n a m e is given in d o c u m e n t s as S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r M e r k m a n n during this period when the SS was illegal in Austria. 44 Listed as the first c o m m a n d e r of the Abschnitt, Wege c o m m a n d e d the administration level above Standarte prior to actual establishment of the first eight Abschnitte. 45 A native of Berlin-Zehlendorf. born on M a y 31. 1899, he served in W W I f r o m October, 1915 to 1918 with the infantry, winning the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1917 and the Wound Badge in Black the following year. He later fought with the Freikorps. He joined the postal service in 1919 and b e c a m e an Inspector and then w o r k e d in the Reich and Prussian Interior Ministries as an office advisor. Joining the N S D A P a n d SS on M a y 1, 1930, he was a m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m November, 1933, to February. 1945. In the SS he first served with SS Sturm 34 f r o m May, 1930, to mid-October. 1931, being promoted to S S - T r u p p f ü h r e r on February 11, 1931, and c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on October 13, 1931. From October. 1931, to August, 1932, he led the II./6.SS-Standarte and then c o m m a n d e d the 42.SS-Standarte until August, 1934. As c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt XXIII he served f r o m August, 1934, to January, 1935, and w a s promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on August 24. 1932. H e then led Abschnitt X X I X f r o m January, 1935, to m i d - M a r c h . 1936, and Abschnitt XIII f r o m mid-March. 1936. to July, 1938. Training with the A r m y for periods in 1936-1937, he was also a leader in the Reichsluftschutzbund (Air Raid Protection or RLB). A f t e r serving as S S P F " N i k o l a j e w " f r o m October. 1943, to March, 1944. he w a s posted to the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei. As Police President for SaarbUcken and Metz he served f r o m January, 1944, to May, 1944. and then held the s a m e post just for Metz. He left the area prematurely as the allies approached and was punished for this by Himmler. Reduced in rank to SS-Unterscharführer, he was posted to the Dirlewanger Brigade. Promoted to S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on S e p t e m b e r 24, 1944. he w a s killed in Lieberose on February 22, 1945. His final promotion was retroactive with seniority f r o m S e p t e m b e r 1. 1940.
Langleist w a s temporary c o m m a n d e r until April, 1939, and afterwards he b e c a m e full commander. Born in Dresden on August 5, 1893, he joined the A r m y in October, 1913, and served with Artillerie Regiment 64 until w o u n d e d in August 1916. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge in Black. Working as a mechanic after the war, he joined the N S D A P in October 1930 and the SS in March, 1931. From May. 1931, to August, 1932, he served with the 15.Standarte. Promoted to SST r u p p f ü h r e r o n July 1. 1931. and commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on December 6. 1931, he c o m m a n d e d the 2.Sturm in the V.Sturmbann of the Standarte f r o m March to August. 1932. Transferring to the 44.SS-Standarte he led the II.Sturmbann until January, 1935. during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on January 30, 1934, and to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on March I, 1934. He was then special duties officer of the Standarte until April, 1935. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r o n April 20. 1935, he moved to the 21.SS-Standarte as special duties officer and then c o m m a n d e d the Standarte f r o m April, 1935, to July, 1938. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on January 30, 1937, and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on July 1, 1938, he c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt XIII f r o m July, 1938, to October, 1940. During the first half of the Polish c a m p a i g n he w a s the SS leader attached to the senior O r d n u n g s p o l i z e i c o m m a n d e r s u b o r d i n a t e d to A r m e e o b e r k o m m a n d o 4. In April. 1941, he moved to the concentration c a m p system as an S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. despite a request to be posted with Friedrich Jeckeln in Russia. After two months training under the Inspector of the c a m p system, he was posted to Buchenwald as a c o m p a n y leader from June, 1941. to April. 1942. Promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r d. R. on April 20, 1942, he m o v e d to the Lublin c a m p in Poland as c o m m a n d e r of its T o t e n k o p f s t u r m b a n n until August. 1943, and then went to Dachau as c o m m a n d e r of that c a m p ' s T o t e n k o p f s t u r m b a n n until May, 1945. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r d.R. on June 21, 1944. he c o m m a n d e d Dachau prisoners and others f r o m its outlying c a m p s for clearing b o m b d a m a g e and reconstruction. Awarded the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold, he was tried by the U.S. A r m y in the Dachau trial and hanged at Landsberg in 1946. 47
48 Born in Leipzig on D e c e m b e r 14, 1903, the son of a senior goods Inspector. He joined the Freikorps " O b e r l a n d " f r o m 1921 until 1923. Enlisting in the A r m y in October. 1923, he served in Infanterieregiment 11 until December. 1925 following which he worked for t w o years in c o m m e r c e . In mid-January. 1927 he joined the N S D A P and SS, serving as a Political Leader in Halle an der Saale until February, 1929, when he j o i n e d the SA. He was promoted to SA Standartenführer in 1930 and to S A O b e r f ü h r e r in 1933, during which he served in S A training assignments. Rejoining the SS on July 7, 1935, as an SS-Standartenführer, he led the 2.SS-Standarte until midMay, 1936, and then served with the staff of the SS-Hauptamt until October that year. As Stabsführer of Abschnitt VII he served f r o m October, 1936, to M a r c h . 1937, and then led 18.SS-Standarte until M a r c h . 1938. He c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X V f r o m m i d - M a r c h to mid-April, 1938 and then led Abschnitt X X V I until May, 1940, during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 11, 1938, and to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on January 24, 1940. From M a y to October, 1940 he c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X X X I I I and served in general police duties in Danzig. In June. 1939, he took c o m m a n d of all Danzig SS and Polizei troops until S e p t e m b e r that year and f r o m October.
140
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Werner Lorenz was the son of a farmer and horn on October 2, 1891, in Griinhof. He became an Army cadet in 1911 and joined an artillery regiment the following October. Commissioned a Leutnant in 1914, he served in several units and briefly as a staff officer. Promoted to Oberleutnant, he transferred to the flying service in 1917 and received his pilot's wings. Awarded both classes of the Iron Cross, he commanded a border protection squadron after the war. Leaving the military in 1920 he aquired and ran an estate. He was introduced to Himmler by Albert Forster (Gauleiter of Danzig) who convinced him to help with the SS in that area which only numbered 20 men. Lorenz joined the NSDAP on December 1, 1930, and the SS on the last day of January, 1931. Commissioned as an SSSturmbannführer on March 31, 1931, he was Stabsführer of Abschnitt II from that date until early November, 1931. Promoted to SSStandartenführer on July 7, 1931, and to SS-Oberführer on November 9, 1931, he became the first commander of Abschnitt VII in November, 1931 and led it until mid-February, 1934. He commanded Oberabschnitt "Nordost" from mid-December, 1933 to the beginning of February, 1934, which included his Abschnitt command that had previously been independent. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on July 3, 1933, and to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on November 1, 1933, he led Oberabschnitt "Nord" (later "Nordwest, " see "Nordsee") from mid-February, 1934, to the start of March, 1937. Promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer on November 9, 1936, he was a member of the Reichstag from December, 1933 to the end of the war. He led the Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle from the start of January, 1937, and continued as its Chief through its expansion to the Hauptamt Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle until February, 1945. Given the rank of General der Polizei on August 15, 1942, and General der Waffen-SS on November 9, 1944, he served with Army Group "Weichsel" until the end of the war, maintaining order and rounding of straggling Army troops. Decent, objective and honorable according to his contemporaries, he was awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1936, the War Service Cross 1st class with Swords on January 30, 1942 and the Reich i Sports Badge in Gold. Tried in 1948 and sentenced to 15 years, he was released in 1955 and died in Düsseldorf on May 13, 1974. (Phil Nix)
1939, to October, 1940, was Selbstschutz inspection leader for southern East Prussia. From May to October. 1940, he was also Police President for Lodz (renamed Litzmannstadt after a W W I General on April 25, 1941). As a member of the Reichstag for Magdeburg from 1943 until the end of the war. He was then the official commander of Abschnitt XIII from October, 1940, until the end of the war. Joining the Waffen-SS as a Private, he served with "Das Reich" in Russia until June, 1943, and then went to the Polizei Division with the staff legal section during June-July, 1943. Commissioned an SS-Untersturmführer d. R. on June 2 1 . 1 9 4 3 . he served from July, 1943 on with SS-Panzergrenadier Ausbildung und Ersatz-Bataillon 4. His highest command was as a platoon leader and substitute company commander with that training and replacement unit and he was promoted to SS-Obersturmführer d. R. on April 20, 1944. Awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class in April. 1940. the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver and the SA Sports Badge in Gold in 1935, he died in Bielefeld on April 28, 1993. 49 He was the Stabsführer at that time and substituted for Schäfer who was serving with the Waffen-SS.
141
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Kurt Wittje was born in Wandsbek, on October 2, 1894, and joined the army in 1912. During WWI he served in the artillery as a battery and detachment commander, adjutant, then finally a General Staff officer. He left the army in 1929 with the rank of Hauptmann. In June, 1931, he joined the NSDAP and the SS, serving in the Reichstag from March, 1933, to April, 1938. Commissioned an SS-Sturmführer on June 26, 1931, promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on November 2, 1931, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on November 15, 1931, he formed and led the 41 .SS-Standarte from November, 1931, to June, 1932. From June, 1932, to April, 1933, he commanded Abschnitt IX as well as forming and leading the 57.SS-Standarte from November, 1932, to April, 1933. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on August 11, 1932, he led SS-Gruppe "Nord" (later Oberabschnitt "Nord," see "Nordsee") from April, 1933, into February, 1934, and was promoted to SSBrigadefiihrer on July 3, 1933. From February, 1934, to January, 1935, he was chief of the SS Office (SSAmt) which gained importance after Himmler dissolved the Führungsstab (Leadership Staff) and was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on September 15, 1933. Wittje then became the first Chief of the SS-Hauptamt when it formed in late January, 1935, and held the post until dismissed from the SS on May 22, 1935. The intrigue behind the sudden dismissal was aledged homosexual offenses while in the Army which were pursued by Himmler in the wake of the SA leadership purge. Among the most capable and important early officers, he developed the SS-Hauptamt into its basic administrative form. He was captured by the Czechs in 1945 and died as a prisoner on March 16, 1947. (Phil Nix)
Stabsfiihrer: October 7, 1932 to June 12, 1933
SS-Untersturmführer, after November 9, 1932 SS-Hauptsturmführer Horst Pelz SS-Hauptsturmführer Alfred Seeger SS-Obersturmführer Wilhelm Biermann SS-Obersturmführer, after June 17, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer Constantin Heldmann SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1935 SS-Sturmbannführer Bruno Hofbauer SS-Obersturmführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Hauptsturmführer Kurt Gladisch SS-Standartenführer Robert Wagner SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl-Franz Grimme SS-Standartenführer Willi Richardt SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl-Franz Grimme SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1944 SS-Oberführer Willi Richardt
June 12, 1933 to September 15, 1933 September 15, 1933 to January 15, 1934 January 15, 1934 to September 19, 1934 September 19, 1934 to March 31, 1936 March 31, 1936 to May 28, 1938 May 28, 1938 to November 14, 1938 November 14, 1938 to March 27, 1940 March 27, 1940 to February 1, 1942 February 1, 1942 to November 1, 1942 November 1, 1942 to May 8, 1945
142
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
Karl Wolff (far left) and Hermann
(Districts)
Freiherr von Schade (far
right).
SS-Abschnitt X I V was centered in Bremen and had Standarten 24, 55 and 88. Führer: September 10, 1932 50 to December 15, 1933 December 15, 1933 to March 20, 1935
SS-Oberführer Alfred Rodenbücher SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Oberführer Hermann Harm SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Oberführer Heinrich Jürs 51 SS-Standartenführer, after September 12,1937 SS-Oberführer Julian Schemer SS-Oberführer Kurt Ludwig SS-Oberführer Hans Weinert 53
March 20, 1935 to December 31, 1936 January 1, 1937 to October 1, 1937 October 1, 1937 to February 1, 1943 November I, 194352 to May 8, 1945 50
His personnel file indicates October but this date is found in SS-Personalbefehl v. 1 O.September 1932. Born in Altona on January 17,1897. he trained as a machinist before joining the Army in August 1914. He served with mounted horse squadrons of several units and ended the war with Flying Detachment 78. He left the Army in 1919 as an Unteroffizier, having won both classes of the Iron Cross and Wound Badge in Black, and joined the Schutzpolizei. Joining the N S D A P in June, 1921, and the SS the following month, he was commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on January 30, 1933. From late January until Christmas Eve, 1933 he led the 5.Sturm/I.Sturmbann/28.SS-Standarte. Promoted to SS-Obersturmführer on September 3, 1933, and to SS-SturmhauptfUhrer on December 24, 1933. he commanded the Ill.Sturmbann of the 29.SS-Standarte from December, 1933, to March, 1934, then led the 9.SSStandarte until March, 1935. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on March 20, 1935, he led SS-Abschnitt XIV from mid-March, 1935, to the end of December. 1936, and was promoted to SS-Oberführer on January 30, 1936. From January, 1937, to November, 1938, he headed schooling for the R u S H A in Oberabschnitt "Süd" and was promoted to SS-Brigadeführeron January 30, 1939. As commander of Abschnitt XXXII he served from November, 1938. to October, 1940, then headed the Personnel Office of the SS-Hauptamt until midJanuary, 1941. when the office transferred to the SS-Personalhauptamt. Given the rank of Waffen-SS Standartenführer on October 1, 1940, and Generalmajor der Polizei on January 30, 1942, he moved to the personnel and recruiting offices of the Waffen-SS until midJanuary. 1941. when he took command of the entire recruiting office of the SS-Hauptamt until August, 1942. Promoted to SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on June 21. 1943, from August, 1943, to May, 1945, he led the expanded recruiting office group of the SS-Hauptamt. He was in charge of transferring the staff of the 29th SS Division to the newly forming 30th Division under Hans Siegling. Given the rank of Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944, he was killed in a car crash at Bach on April 28, 1945. A m o n g other awards he received were both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the SA Sports Badge in Silver and the Finnish Cross of Freedom with Swords 1st class. 51
52
The commander between Ludwig and Weinert is unknown but was probably the Stabsführer serving as a temporary substitute. Born on January 18, 1888 in Demmin, Pommerania, he served in W W I with the infantry in Pommeranian infantry regiments and was a Hauptmann after April, 1916. He was a POW from November, 1916, until March, 1920, and won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. He led a unit of the Freikorps for two months before joining the SA Feldjägerkorps from 1924-1926. Joining the N S D A P in June, 1930, he also joined the SS on January 7, 1931. First serving with the 30.SS-Standarte, he was promoted to SSTruppführer on April 20. 1931, and to SS-Sturmführer on April 2, 1932. He led the 5.Sturm from April to December, 1932 then commanded the I.Sturmbann until December, 1933. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on December 24, 1933, he c o m m a n d e d the 72.SSStandarte from December, 1933, to June. 1934. From June, 1934, to May, 1935, he was StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Nord" and was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer on August 29. 1934, and to SS-Standartenführer on April 20, 1935. He was District Inspector "Nordwest" from April, 1936, to April, 1940, then had the same assignment for "Nordsee" until June, 1942, during which time he was promoted to SS-Oberführer on January 30, 1939. From June, 1942, to September, 1943, he commanded Abschnitt XV and also led Abschnitt XX from January to September, 1943 when Karl Bock was killed in action. His last command was Abschnitt XIV which he led from November, 1943, until the end of the war. 53
143
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Sepp Dietrich, shown above seated with Fritz Weitzel and (opposite) during the war as a Waffen-SS commander. He was probably the most famous SS officer, better remembered for his career with the "Leibstandarte" and Waffen-SS. A Swabian born on May 28, 1892, he served in WWI with a variety of artillery, assault units and a tank detachment. He was awarded both Iron Crosses and the Tank Battle Badge in Silver. After the war he joined the Bavarian Landespolizei in October, 1919, and became a Hauptmann in 1924, leaving the police in 1927. He took part in the Munich Putsch but only became a member of the NSDAP on May I, 1928, and joined the SS four days later. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on June I, 1928, he led SS Sturm I in Munich from May to June, 1928, and then led the 1.SSStandarte until mid-September, 1929. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on August 1, 1928, to SS-Standartenfiihrer on September 18, 1929, and to SS-Oberführer on July 11, 1930, he served as leader of SS Brigade "Bayern" (September, 1929, to July, 1930) and was Gau SS Führer for Upper Bavaria durng the same period. From July to late October, 1930, he headed SS Oberführerbereich "Siid." He also held a seat in the Reichstag from April, 1938, until the end of the war. As commander of Abschnitt I he led from mid-July to late October, 1930, then led SS-Gruppe "Siid" until early October, 1932. He also led Abschnitt IV during July, 1931. From October, 1932, to April, 1933, he commanded SS Gruppe "Nord" then SS Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt) "Ost" until mid-November, 1939. He was official commander of Oberabschnitt "Spree" from late 1933 throughout the war though a deputy performed the command while Dietrich handled his "Leibstandarte " command. Dietrich was never a HSSPF, the only commander of an Oberabschnitt not to hold that post a some point also. As Hitler's bodyguard and commander of his unofficial bodyguard unit since 1929 he was a trusted and respected SS officer with influence. During the pre-war years he was an active sportsman and qualified racing car driver. He commanded the precursor units in 1933 that developed into the "Leibstandarte" and ted the unit as a division until early June, 1943. Promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on December 18, 1931, to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer on July 1, 1934, and to SS-Oberst-Grupenführer und Panzer Generaloberst der Waffen-SS on April 20, 1942, he commanded the I.SS-Panzer-Korps from July, 1943, to October, 1944, but actually took command of the 5. Panzerarmee in early August, 1944. He then led 7. Armee during early September, 1944, before taking command of the 6.Panzerarmee (later the 6.SSPanzerarmee) until the end of the war. Although not a great military strategist he was an inspiring leader to his men who adored him. He was awarded the Knight's Cross (July 5, 1940), the Oakleaves (December 31, 1940), the Swords (March 16, 1943) and the Diamonds (August 6, 1944). He also won clasps to both his WWI Iron Crosses in 1939, the Pilot Observers Badge in Gold with Diamonds, the Blood Order (Nr. 10), the NSDAP Long Service Award in Gold as well as the SA and Reich's Sports Badges in Gold. After several periods in prison for doubtful guilt in various pre-war and wartime activities, he retired in Ludwigsburg where he was involved with H1AG and enjoyed hunting. He died of a heart attack on April 21, 1966 and his funeral was attended by hundreds of his former men with Waffen-SS General and Swords holder Wilhelm Bittrich giving the eulogy. (Jess Lukens and Author's archive)
144
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Stabsführer: August 15, 1932 to November 30, 1933
SS-Sturmführer, after January 30, 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Willy Tensfeld SS-Obersturmbannführer, after August 6, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Reinhold Schulze SS-Obersturmführer, after September 15,1935 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20. 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer Julius Kopp SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1943 SS-Sturmbannführer Erich Tintemann SS-Obersturmbannführer Kurt Heuwer
December 16, 1933 to May 15, 1935 May 15, 1935 to March 21, 1938
March 21, 1938 to November 1944 November 1944 to May 8, 1945
145
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS-Abschnitt XV was headquartered in Altona except for July 1933 when Kiel was headquarters. It contained Standarten 4 and 28. Its headquarters moved to Hamburg on May 25, 1940 and by 1944 it was seated in Dortmund. Führer: September 10, 193254 to February 20, 1934
SS-Standartenführer, after October 6, 1932 SS-Oberführer, after December 15, 1933 SS-Brigadeführer Paul Moder SS-Brigadeführer Max Henze SS-Oberführer Otto Teetzmann SS-Oberführer Günther Pancke SS-Standartenführer, after September 15, 1935 SS-Oberführer Otto Hofmann SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1937 SS-Oberführer Wilhelm Schröder SS-Standartenführer Theobald Thier unknown 5 5 SS-Brigadeführer Johann Mörschel 56 SS-Oberführer Hans Weinert SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Johann Mörschel
February 20, 1934 to August 25, 1934 August 25, 1934 to August 31, 1934 August 31, 1934 to May 25, 1935 May 25, 1935 to January 1, 1937 January 1. 1937 to May 20, 1939 May 20, 1939 to October 9, 1939 October 1939 to May, 1942 May 1, 1942 to June 1, 1942 June 1, 1942 to September 1, 1943 September I. 1943 to May 8, 1945
Stabsführer: SS-Hauptsturmführer, after June 20. 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Reinhold Schulze SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 12, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Albrecht Sommer SS-Untersturmführer, after August 23. 1934 SS-Obersturmführer, after after April 20, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Thiede SS-Standartenführer Bruno Hebron
December 1, 1932 to December 16, 1933
December 16, 193357 to July, 1934 July, 1934 to November 30, 1937
December 1, 1937 to May 8, 1945
54 SS-Personalbefehl v. 10. September 1932. As with the c o m m a n d start of R o d e n b u c h e r (SS-Abschnitt X I V ) his personnel file gives October which may be the date he a s s u m e d c o m m a n d versus the appointment. 55 It is possible that a permanent c o m m a n d e r was unassigned during this period with the Stabsfiihrer assigned c o m m a n d duties. 5,1 Born on October 29, 1880, he joined the A r m y in 1901. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant, he left the service in 1908 and went to Argentina where he worked as a f a r m e r until January, 1910. He returned to G e r m a n y and re-entered the Army, serving in the artillery as a regimental adjutant, c o m m a n d e r of the regiment's infantry c o m p a n y then c o m m a n d e r of the regimental medical company. He ended W W I on the staff of the X X I . A r m e e k o r p s with the rank of H a u p t m a n n having won both Iron Crosses and the Wound Badge in Black. Beginning in May, 1920, he served in the Schutzpolizei as a H a u p t m a n n , being promoted to Oberstleutnant in November, 1933, and became an Oberst in D e c e m b e r 1934. From 1920 to 1926, he was posted in East Prussia c o m m a n d i n g a barracked Schutzpolizei unit. With the Schutzpolizei in Kiel he was assigned to the Polizei school there f r o m 1926 to 1931. A f t e r serving as Inspector for the Kiel Schutzpolizei during 1931 and early 1932, he then was c o m m a n d e r of the Schutzpolizei there f r o m April, 1933. to December, 1934, when he left the Polizei. He joined the N S D A P in August, 1932, and the SS on D e c e m b e r 28, 1934. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on January 30, 1935, he was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on February 12, 1934, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on January 30. 1936, while assigned to Oberabschnitt " N o r d . " In April, 1936, he b e c a m e Reiterführer of Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " and c o m m a n d e r of Reiterabschnitt IX until mid-June, 1936. He then taught at the SS Reiterschule " F o r s t " until the start of March, 1938. From March to December, 1938, he c o m m a n d e d the 6.SS-Reiterstandarte and was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 11, 1938. A f t e r serving on the staffs of several Oberabschnitte and being promoted to S S - O b e r f u h r e r on April 20. 1941. he was c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt X V during May/June, 1942, then Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt " N o r d s e e " f r o m June, 1942, to September, 1943. Mörschel was also standing deputy to the H S S P F " N o r d s e e " f r o m January, 1942, to the start of September, 1943. From September, 1943, to the end of the war he again c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X V and was m a d e a G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on April 20, 1943. Mörschel was awarded both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the G e r m a n Social Welfare Decoration, the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver and the G e r m a n H o r s e m a n ' s B a d g e in Silver. He died in H a m b u r g on October 13, 1960. 57
Fully appointed f r o m this date, he had held the position as a substitute beginning in March, 1934.
146
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Bernhard Voss (shown reviewing troops and alone) was born in Elberfeld on June 26, 1892, the son of a government surveyor. He studied construction engineering in Hannover and Aachen until joining the Army in 1914. Commissioned as a Leutnant in October, 1915, he served with the engineers, a mine unit and finally as adjutant to a mine warfare school. Promoted to Oberleutnant in 1919, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. He was a member of the Stahlhelm beginning in 1923 and served in the Schutzpolizei from 1920 to 1936, leaving with the rank of Oberstleutnant der Schutzpolizei. Joining the NSDAP on March 1. 1933, he joined the SS as an SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on April 2, 1935. After three months on Himmler's staff he became commandant of SS Officer School "Bad Tölz" from July, 1935, to November, 1937, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on November 9, 1935. He returned to the same school command during late January, 1938, to the start of November the same year and was promoted to SSOberfiilirer on January 30, 1938. As StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Ost" (later retitled "Spree") he served from November, 1938, to August, 1944. He commanded the 6.SS-Totenkopfstandarte from November, 1939, to June, 1941 (it became SS-Infanterie-Regiment 6 in January 1941), and became an SS-Oberführer d.R. in December, 1939. After several months in reserve with the SS garrison in Berlin, from November, 1941, to June, 1942, he was commander of SS-Truppenübungsplatz (Troop Training Area) "Beneschau." Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS oil November 9, 1942, from June, 1942, to September, 1944, he commanded SSTruppenUbungsplatz "Debica" (later renamed "Heidelager") in Poland. He spent the rest of the war in reserve with the SSFUhrungshauptamt. When promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS, he became a fully active Waffen-SS officer and was awarded both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. Handed over to the Czechs in 1947, he was tried and hanged in Prague on February 4, 1947. (Phil Nix and Author's archive)
SS-Abschnitt XVI, first headquartered in Zwickau until July, 1933, then moved to Halle until April, 1934. From April, 1934, Magdeburg was the seat of its headquarters until March, 1939, when it moved to Dessau. By 1944, its headquarters was based in Zoppot. It contained Standarten 17, 21 and 59. Führer: August 27, 1932 to July 31, 1933
SS-Standartenführer, after July 3, 1933 SS-Brigadeführer Heinrich Schmauser SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Oberführer Georg Altner SS-Brigadeführer Wilhelm Rediess SS-Oberführer Johann Harnys SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1938 SS-Oberführer Hans Kühtz
July 22, 1933 to March 20, 1934 March 20, 1934 to January 1, 1935 January 16, 1935 to January 1, 1937 January 1, 1937 to March 7, 1942 58
' No later commander is shown in wartime "Dienstalterliste" and probably Stabsführer Kaspar Koenig ran the district.
147
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Kurt Daluege is shown here in a Prague opera house near the camera wearing his German Cross in Silver. At the end of the same row sits Karl-Hermann Frank. Daluege was among the most powerful early SA, SS and Police leaders. Born ill Kreuzburg in Upper Silesia on May 15, 1897, he joined the Army in January, 1916. Badly wounded in the shoulder and head in 1918, he suffered 25% disability and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class as well as the Wound Badge in Black. After the war he obtained a degree in engineering and among other jobs worked as a technical assistant for the Prussian Agriculture Ministry. He was a section leader with the Freikorps in 19221923, and joined the NSDAP in 1922 but left after the Munich Putsch. He headed the northern area Frontbann from 1924 to March 22, 1926, and rejoined the NSDAP on March 12, 1926. He also joined the SA on November 1, 1926, having led SA Gruppen "Berlin-Nord" and "Ostmark" since March. From the start of November, 1926, until late July, 1930, he led SA Gruppe "Berlin-Brandenburg." He also served as a sports leader in Berlin from 1926 to 1928. During November, 1926, to the start of November, 1930, he served in the Berlin area as a deputy Gauleiter. As commander of all SS units in Berlin and North Germany from January, 1929, to August, 1930, he preser\'ed a degree of independence from new SS commander Himmler but finally left the SA and officially joined the SS as an SS-Oberführer on July 25, 1930. From December, 1930, to September, 1931, he was Oberführerbereich "Ost" (early form of Gruppe, later Oberabschnitt "Spree"), and then as the SS expanded led Abschnitt 111from March, 1931, to August, 1932 (actually a larger command than his previous one). He became the first Stabsführer of Abschnitt VIfrom September, 1931, to early July, 1932. During April, 1931, to July, 1932, he also managed the property holdings of SA Gruppe "Ost" (his earlier post since retitled) after its leader was dismissed. Promoted to SSGruppenfiihrer on July 1, 1932, he commanded SS Gruppe "Ost" from July, 1932, to the start of October, 1933. From October, 1933, to April, 1936, he was a special assignment officer on Himmler's staff as well as having several posts in Prussia including a seat in the Prussian state parliament and being special commissioner in the Prussian Ministry of the Interior. He commanded the barracked Landspolizei from mid-September, 1933, to mid-September, 1936, and in the weeks following the "Night of the Long Knives" took temporary command of five SA Gruppen until new commanders were appointed: "Berlin-Brandenburg, " "Pommern, " "Grenzmark, " "Schlesien, " and "Mitte." During the Röhm purge Daluege was given overall supervision of the Gestapo and Political Police. He joined the Landspolizei on September 13, 1933, and became a Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 20, 1935. From November, 1934, to midJune, 1936, he headed Abteilung 111 (Police) in the Ministry of the Interior and was promoted to General der Polizei on June 17, 1936, as a reward for his actions during the SA purge. He was officially chief of the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei from its creation in June, 1936 until the end of the war but due to illness and other duties a standing deputy (Alfred Wünnenberg) took over the post duties from the end of August, 1943 until the surrender in 1945. Promoted to Generaloberst der Polizei on April 20, 1942, after the death of Reinhard Heydrich, Daluege became Reichsprotektor in Bohemia and Moravia in May, 1942, and held the post until mid-October, 1943. In addition to his Polizei rank he was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on July I, 1932, to SS-Obergruppenführer on September 9, 1934, and on April 20, 1942, became one of only four men to hold the rank of SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer. A s the only Polizei officer at that rank he also became a Generaloberst der Polizei. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the War Service Cross with Swords on September 7, 1943, the German Cross in Gold and Silver, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the Gold Party Badge on July 15, 1943, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver and the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class. A good organizer, he infiltrated the Polizei with SS men and removed many SA Police Presidents, replacing them with SS. He suggested, and later revised and brought into National Socialist thinking, the combined German Police following the Landespolizei becoming a component of the Army. Initially an ally of Hermann Goring to broaden his own power, he later became a loyal subordinate of Himmler in 1934. His influence in Czechoslovakia angered HSSPF Karl-Hermann Frank since Daluege also appointed his own man (Heinz Reinefarth) as head of the civil administration which eroded Frank's power. Daluege lived a relaxed semi-retired life in Prague and after the war was put on trial there. He was carried to the gallows semi-conscious on a stretcher and hanged oil October 20, 1946. (Author's archive)
148
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Stabsführer: September 9, 1932 to December 15, 1933 December 15, 1933 to August 31, 1934 59
SS-Sturmbannführer Walter Loos SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 15, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Werner Pögel SS-Sturmbannführer Karl von Pichl SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudolf Bösel SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Sturmbannführer Arno Zehring SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Plesch SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 11, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannführer Berndt von Steuben
August 31. 1934 to November 1, 1934 November 1, 1934 to January 1, 1935 January. I, 1935 to April 15, 1936 April 15, 1936 to May 31. 1937 May 31, 1937 to July I. 1939
July 1, 1939 to May 8, 1945
SS-Standartenführer Kaspar Koenig
Abschnitt XVII was based in Münster controlling Standarten 19, 72 and 82. Führer: October 6, 1932 to November 16, 1933 November 16, 1933 to August 23, 1934 August 23, 1934 to January 1, 193760
SS-Oberführer August Heissmyer SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Koppe SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Oberführer Rolf von Humann-Hainhofen 61 SS-Standartenführer, after September 12, 1937 SS-Oberführer Günther Claasen SS-Standartenführer Theobald Thier SS-Brigadeführer Richard Fiedler SS-Oberführer Walther Langleist SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1945 SS-Brigadeführer Kurt Ludwig
January 1, 1937 to November 1, 193862 November 1, 1938 to August 1, 1939 (temporary) August I, 1939 to October 1, 1940 October 1, 1940 to May 8, 1945 February I, 1943 to May 8, 1945 (substitute) 63
Stabsführer: October 10, 1932 to May 25, 1934
SS-Untersturmführer, after June II, 1933 SS-Hauptsturmführer Ludwig Teichmann SS-Sturmbannführer Jürgen Stroop SS-Standartenführer Günther Claasen SS-Obersturmbannführer Ewald Strohm SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1942 SS-Sturmbannführer Edmund Schmitz
May 25, 1934 to June 1, 1935 June I. 1935 to January I, 1937 January 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to May 8, 1945
59
He substituted until March 15, 1934 and then assumed the post permanently. He served as temporary c o m m a n d e r until April 20, 1934. Born in H a n n o v e r on June 15, 1885, the son of a Lieutenant-Oberst. He joined the A r m y in 1907 and served in several infantry regiments, becoming a battalion c o m m a n d e r and finally a General Staff ordnance officer. Promoted to Lieutnant and then Rittmeister in 1918, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and left the A r m y in January, 1919. Working in the forestry and agriculture fields after W W I . he was in the Stahlhelm f r o m 1923 to 1929. He joined the N S D A P i n January, 1932. and the SS on March 25, 1932. C o m m i s s i o n e d an SSSturmfiihrer on September 15. 1932, he served with the 29.SS-Standarte and led its II.Motorsturmbann f r o m September. 1932, to July, 1933. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on July 15, 1933, he led the II./29.SS-Standarte f r o m mid-July to mid-December, 1933. From June. 1933, to October, 1934, he headed the Municipal Police headquarters in Augsburg. He c o m m a n d e d the 29.SS-Standarte f r o m midDecember. 1933. to August, 1934, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on June 8, 1934. From August, 1934. to January. 1937, he led SS-Abschnitt XVII and then served within the S D - H a u p t a m t (later R S H A ) f r o m January, 1937. to May. 1945. Promoted to SSO b e r f ü h r e r on April 20, 1935, and to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 17, 1937. he was a m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m January. 1937. to May, 1945. He was then president of the G e r m a n - F r e n c h and G e r m a n - B u l g a r i a n Societies (an SS diplomatic posting) f r o m January, 1937 to 1940. He rejoined the A r m y as a M a j o r in 1940 and first served as intelligence and security officer on the c o m m a n d staff of the senior military c o m m a n d e r for Belgium-Northern France until m i d - N o v e m b e r . 1942. An A r m y Field C o m m a n d a n t in Southern France f r o m m i d - N o v e m b e r 1942 on. he held that post until captured on August 26, 1944. He died in Augsburg on N o v e m b e r 24, 1961. 611 61
62 63
He was temporary c o m m a n d e r until S e p t e m b e r 13, 1937, w h e n he assumed full c o m m a n d . He was deputy c o m m a n d e r at that time and Langleist was with the c a m p system after mid-1941.
149
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
SS-Abschnitt XVIII was headquartered in Weimar when formed and moved to Halle in January 1937. It controlled Standarten 26, 48 and 91. Führer: February 21. 1933 to September 9, 1933
SS-Gruppenführer Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Brigadeführer Karl Pflomm SS-Oberführer Hans Döring SS-Oberführer George Ebrecht SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1940 SS-Oberführer Albert Steiner 65 SS-Standartenführer Egon Dalski
November 9, 1933 to December 31, 1936 January 1, 1936 to January 1, 1939 January 1, 1939 to October 9, 1939 October 23, 1939 to April 1, 194464 April I, 1944 to May 5, 1945 Stabsführer: March 6, 1933 to November 9, 1933 March 13, 1933 66 to February 12, 1935
SS-Standartenführer Karl Pflomm SS-Untersturmführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Obersturmführer, after March I. 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer Fritz Hildenbrandt SS-Hauptsturmführer Ferdinand Schröder SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Heinz Stiebler SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer, after September 12, 1937 SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Bergrath SS-Obersturmbannführer Johannes Luther SS-Standartenführer Josef Wagner 67
February 12, 1935 to July, 1935 July, 1935 to April, 1936 April 1936 to February 28, 1938 March 1, 1938 to May 16, 1938 May 16, 1938 to May 8, 1945
SS-Abschnitt XIX (Karlsruhe) contained Standarten 62 and 86. Führer: July 15, 1933 to March 15. 1936
SS-Oberführer, after March 21, 1934 SS-Brigadefiihrer Christoph Diehm SS-Standartenführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Oberführer Dr. Georg Eckhardt 68
March 15, 1936 to July 1, 1938
w
He w a s temporary c o m m a n d e r until February 5, 1941 when he b e c a m e full commander. Born in T h e m o r on August 25, 1897. the second son of a schoolmaster. Educated as a chemist, he j o i n e d the A r m y in July, 1916. and served in W W I as liaison between the flying corps and ground forces b e f o r e leaving the A r m y in January, 1919. Between the wars he worked in the ceramic and porcelain industries as a chemist. Joining the N S D A P in 1922. he attended the 1922 C o b u r g and 1923 Nuremberg rallies. Leaving the N S D A P in November, 1923, f o l l o w i n g the M u n i c h Putsch and rejoining in September. 1925, he joined the SS on D e c e m b e r 10, 1931 with the 21.SS-Standarte. With this unit he c o m m a n d e d a Sturm (V. and II.Sturmbann) until February, 1932 and was promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on April 10, 1932. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1933, he was staff administration officer of the V.Sturmbann in the 21.SS-Standarte f r o m February to March, 1933, then was the V.Sturmbann adjutant until July. 1933. From July, 1933, to mid-June, 1934, he c o m m a n d e d the V.Sturmbann of the s a m e Standarte then led the II.Sturmbann until April. 1935, during which he was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1934. He w a s head of investigations for Oberabschnitt " N o r d w e s t " f r o m April, 1935, to April, 1936, and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1935. He then held the s a m e post with Oberabschnitt " M i t t e " until February. 1937. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1936. he was StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt " M i t t e " f r o m February, 1937, to January, 1938. Assigned to the SS H a u p t a m t f r o m January. 1938, to M a r c h . 1939. he was posted to the office covering w e l f a r e and provision where he w a s promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r on January 30, 1939. He next c o m manded the 91.Standarte f r o m March, 1939, to February. 1941, and led Abschnitt XVIII f r o m October, 1939, to the start of April, 1944. during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1940. From April. 1944, to May, 1945, he also led both Abschnitte XIX and X X I X . He also served in State positions for B r a u n s c h w e i g and Sachsen throughout the war. He was a w a r d e d the Gold Party Badge and in 1942 the War Service Cross 2nd class. 65
66
He w a s a substitute until N o v e m b e r 9. 1933. An SS personnel order dated M a y 16, 1938 refers to him as an S S - S t a n d a r t e n f ü h r e r but he is listed in the 1938 D A L as an SSU n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r f r o m April 20, 1934. A reference to him at this higher rank (at which he isn't confirmed by in later d o c u m e n t s ) may be an information or typographical error in the original order. 68 Born in Kassel on J u n e 29, 1890, he served as a doctor in W W I winning both classes of the Iron Cross. He left the A r m y as a Leutnant d.R. having served with Infanterie-Regiment 235 and Flying Detachment 40. Joining the N S D A P in August, 1929, and the S A in 1930, he left the S A a n d joined the SS in October, 1932, where he served with the 14.SS-Standarte. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on June 12. 1933, he b e c a m e M o t o r s t a f f e l f ü h r e r of Abschnitt XVII f r o m June, 1933. to November, 1933. and was promoted to SS67
150
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
During a visit to the Senior Waffen-SS Commander for the Netherlands (Carl-Maria Demelhuher), nearest the camera in the uniform of an SS-Obergruppenführer is Artur Seyss-Inquart, Reichskommissar for the Netherlands. The tall SS-Gruppenführer beside him is the HSSPF "Nordwest." Hans-Albin Rauter.
SS-Oberführer Rudolf Lohse 69 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1942 SS-Standartenführer Hans Enzner SS-Oberführer Albert Steiner SS-Standartenführer Paul Becker
July I. 1938 to December I, 1940 December 1, 1940 to April 20, 1944 April 20, 1944 to May 8, 1945 1943 to May 1945 (substitute) Stabsfiihrer: November 25, 1933 to April 20, 1935
SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Hiller SS-Sturmbannführer Ludwig Eschholdt SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudi Kreuder SS-Standartenführer Josef Nagele SS-Standartenfiihrer Alfons Graf SS-Obersturmbannführer Franz Voss
April 20, 1935 to March I, 1937 March 1, 1937 to May 16, 1938 March 16, 1938 to July 1, 1938 July I. 1938 to July 1, 1942 July I. 1942 to May 8, 1945
Obersturmführer on N o v e m b e r 9 , 1933. As commander of the 14.SS-Standarte from November 1933 to March 1936 he was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptführer on December 24, 1933, to SS-Sturmbannführer on March 1. 1934, to SS-Obersturmbannführer March 21. 1934, and to SS-Standartenführer on May 5, 1934. He led Abschnitt XIX from March, 1936, to July, 1938, and then served on the staff of Oberabschnitt "Südwest" until November, 1938. Listed as a staff officer of Abschnitt XXVII for the duration, he also served in numerous units and positions as a medical doctor. He joined the Waffen-SS as a SS-Sturmbannführer d.R. on October 10. 1939, and served at the SS hospital in Prague from December, 1939, to January, 1941, where he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer d.R. on January 30, 1941. As regimental surgeon for the artillery regiment of "Das Reich" he served from January to March, 1941, and then was head surgeon of the SS hospital in Berlin until May, 1942. From June to November, 1942, he was chief surgeon for the HSSPF "Serbien" where he was promoted to SS-Standartenführer d.R. on November 9, 1942 followed by posting to the SS-Sanitätsamt (Medical Office) in Berlin until February. 1943. He transferred to the SS Officer School in Braunschweig from February to October, 1943 as a surgeon and then went to Russia as Brigade Surgeon of 1 .SS-Infanterie-Brigade (mot) from October, 194,3 to January, 1944. After several months on reserve status with Amtsgruppe D of the SS-Führungshauptamt he was attached to the H S S P F in Hungary as head surgeon and finally became Corps Surgeon of the XI.SS-Armeekorps from late A u g u s t , 1944 to the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Oberführer d.R. on November 9, 1944, he was awarded a clasp to his Iron Cross 1st class in 1943. He died in Kassel on June 14. 1958. ® Born in Zwickau on February 18,1904, the son of a company owner. He worked as a bank clerk until 1926 and then joined the family firm. He joined the N S D A P and S A in May, 1922, attending the Coburg (1922) and Munich (1923) N S D A P rallies. After the 1923 Putsch he rejoined the N S D A P and SA in June, 1925. Leaving the SA. he joined the SS on March 1, 1926, and served with the 1.Sturm/ 11. Sturmbann/7. SS-Standarte. Commissioned as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r o n March 10. 1931, he served as adjutant to the II.Sturmbann March
151
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Born in Rottenacker on the Danube on March 1, 1892, Christoph Diehm was the son of a farm worker. He joined the Army in 1912, serving in WWI with the infantry, an assault unit and then with the 478.Infanterie Regiment. Wounded four limes, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver. After serving with the Freikorps in Württemberg he joined the Reichswehr in 1919 and served with a machine gun company in Infanterie Regiment 13. Promoted to Leutnant, he left the Army in 1925. From October, 1926, to January, 1928, he was a member of the Stahlhelm and then joined the SA and NSDAP on March I, 1930. From March, 1928, to 1931, he was the adjutant of S/4 Gruppe "Südwest" and then commanded SA Untergruppe "Südwest" until joining the SS on March 22, 1932, as an SS-Oberfiihrer. As a member of the Reichstag representing Baden he held a seat from November, 1933 until the end of the war. From March, 1932, to mid-July, 1933, he commanded Abschnitt X then led Abschnitt XIX to mid-March, 1936, during which he was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on March 21, 1934. His final Abschnitt command was from mid-March, 1936, to the start of March, 1939, when he commanded Abschnitt I. During that time he also sen'ed as a resen'e Leutnant with the Army, being promoted to that rank on May 1, 1936, and saw combat in the Polish campaign assigned to Infanterie Regiment 61. He then sen'ed with Oberabschnitt "West" until early January, 1942, followed by more than a year on Himmler's staff. From March, 1942, to early November, 1944, he was with the RSHA and then the SS-Hauptamt until the end of the war. He served as Police President for Gotenhafen from early March, 1939, to mid-October, 1941, as well as being administrative head the Kripo headquarters for the same area. Diehm then held the same Police President post for Saarbrucken and Metz until late January, 1944. Appointed a Generalmajor der Polizei on April 1, 1942, he went to the Ukraine in April, 1943 for training in police duties under the HSSPF for the area from late April, 1943 to January, 1944, then became SSPF "Shitomir" until late February, 1944. From late February, 1944. to mid-September that year he was SSPF "Lemberg." After serving with the defensive fortress staff "Upper Silesia" near Kattowitz {which became an SSPF post) he was Himmler's representative with Army Group "Springer" on the Western Front from mid-September. 1944, to late December. Appointed a Waffen-SS Generalmajor on November 9, 1944, as a divisional commander, he began the formation of the 29. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS {russische Nr.!) from tale August to early October, 1944, but the unit never became operational and its number redesignated for an Italian volunteer unit. He also served as HSSPF " Belgien-Nord-Frankreich" from mid-September to mid-January, 1945. Throughout 1945 until the end of the war, he was Inspector for the Volkssturm in the southwest areas. Awarded a clasp to both his WWI Iron Crosses, both classes of the War Sen'ice Cross with Swords, the Wound Badge in Gold and the Gold Party Badge, he died in Rottenacker on February 21,1960. {Phil Nix)
1931 to mid-September, 1932, then commanded the IV.Sturmbann of the 7.SS-Standarte from September, 1932, to March, 1934. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer on April 20, 1934, and to SS-Standartenführer on July 4, 1934. he commanded the 16.SS-Standarte from July. 1934, to April, 1936. As commander of Abschnitt XXXIII he led from April. 1936, to July, 1938, and was promoted to SSOberführer on September 13, 1936. He next led Abschnitt XIX from July, 1938, to December, 1940, and then Abschnitt X X X X V from December, 1940, to November, 1944. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on November 9, 1943, he was killed by an American combat patrol in Strassbourg on November 23, 1944. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, Coburg Badge, War Service Cross 1 st class with Swords, the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver and the Hitler Youth Honor Badge in Gold.
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Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
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SS-Abschnitt XX , based in Kiel, contained Standarten 40, 50 and 53. Führer: SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Oberführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Brigadeführer Jakob Sporrenburg SS-Standartenführer Helmut Schulz SS-Oberführer, after December 21, 1942 SS-Brigadeführer Karl Bock 70 SS-Oberführer Hans Weinert SS-Standartenfiihrer, after January 30, 1944 SS-Oberführer Georg Langosch 71
September 20, 1933 to September 20, 1936
September 20, 1936 to December 31, 1938 January 1, 1939 to January 20, 1943 January 20, 1943 to September 1, 1943 September 1, 1943 to May 8, 1945
Stabsfiihrer: SS-Sturmbannführer Gustav Stolle SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 12. 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannführer Arno Dressler SS-Hauptsturmführer Oskar Freiherr Luchner von Huttenbach SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Sturmbannführer Rudolf Hegeler SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 11, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Arved Theuermann SS-Standartenführer Alfred Scholz
October 1, 1933 to January 1, 1934 April 9, 1934 to April 30, 1935
April 30, 1935 to May 1936 May 1936 to September 30, 1937 September 30, 1937 to 1944 1944 to May 8, 1945
SS-Abschnitt XXI was based in Liegnitz when created and moved to Görlitz in November 1933. In September 1936 headquarters moved to Hirschberg and it contained Standarten 8, 70 and 95. Führer: SS-Brigadefiihrer Richard Hildebrandt SS-Oberführer Hermann Behme
November 9, 1933 to April 15, 1935 April 15, 1935 to January 24, 1938
70 Born on N o v e m b e r 9, 1899, the son of a pastor. He served with the infantry in W W I f r o m July 1917 winning the Iron Cross 2nd class and w a s a prisoner of the French until February, 1920. After the war he got a degree in engineering and was fluent in English and French. He joined the N S D A P in June, 1923, and left after the N o v e m b e r 1923 Putsch. Rejoining in the s u m m e r of 1930, he also joined the SS on N o v e m b e r 20 that year. From November, 1930, to November, 1933, he served with the 32.Standarte and was p r o m o t e d to SST r u p p f ü h r e r on January 4, 1932, to S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on M a r c h 21, 1932, to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1933, and to SSObersturmbannfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933. He c o m m a n d e d the 5.Sturm (II.Sturmbann) of the 32.Standarte f r o m March. 1932, to September, 1932, and then led the II.Sturmbann until leaving the Standarte. Bock next led the 62.Standarte f r o m N o v e m b e r . 1933, to May, 1934, during which he was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on February 1 5 , 1 9 3 4 . From M a y to October, 1934, he served with the Political Readiness Detachment in Württemburg which later evolved into a portion of the SS/VT. Transferred as Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt " S ü d o s t " he served there f r o m October, 1934. to February, 1935. He then c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X V I I until July. 1938, during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 15, 1935. Returning to a Stabsführer position with Oberabschnitt " N o r d w e s t " until January, 1939, he then next c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt XX until January 20, 1943, even though he was for most of that period serving with the Army. Recalled to the A r m y as a Leutnant d.R. in A u g u s t , 1939, he served as a c o m p a n y and later 3rd battalion c o m m a n d e r in Infanterieregiment 97 fighting in Poland, France and Russia. Awarded the G e r m a n Cross in Gold on March 16, 1942, and the Knight's Cross on May 3, 1942, he was killed in action in the C a u c a s u s on January 20. 1943. 71 Born in Rostock on July 29, 1902, the son of a Catholic city official. He studied law and business and received a degree in Berlin during May, 1932. Joining the N S D A P a n d its legal organization on May 1, 1933, he also joined the SS on June 25, 1933. He served in the II[./4.SS-Standarte until December, 1933, and was promoted to S S - S c h a r f ü h r e r on February 8, 1934, to S S - T r u p p f ü h r e r on J u n e 19, 1934, and to ObertruppfUhrer on July 9, 1934. Langosch then assumed a legal post with Oberabschnitt " N o r d " (later " N o r d s e e " ) until September, 1943, and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1936, then promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1937. and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on January 30. 1939. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 1. 1940, and to SSStandartenführer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943, he led Abschnitt X X f r o m September, 1943, to May, 1945. Between May, 1936. and August. 1942, he served for periods in the A r m y as a private and N C O , seeing extensive service in the first Russian campaign with Infanterie Regiment 76. From 1939 to the end of 1942, he was also deputy chief in the state police administration for Hamburg. A f t e r recovery f r o m an illness contracted in Russia, he joined the W a f f e n - S S as an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 1, 1942. He served with the SSHauptamt involved with replacements and recruiting until September. 1943 when he gave up his W a f f e n - S S rank. Langosch then returned to civil service as Police President for Kiel f r o m December, 1942, to May, 1945. He was c o m m i s s i o n e d as a W a f f e n - S S U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on August 1, 1944, and won the War Service Cross 1 st class with S w o r d s in 1944.
153
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
January 24, 1938 to June 15, 1939 July 15, 1939 to November 28, 1941 November, 1941 to May, 1945
SS-Oberführer Walter Opländer SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Hiller unknown 7 2 Stabsführer:
January 1, 1934 to July 31, 1935
SS-Hauptsturmführer, after February 28, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 19, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Heinz Sawatzki SS-Hauptsturmführer Otto Paetsch SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Sturmbannführer Wilhelm Montel SS-Standartenführer Hugo Lohmann SS-Sturmbannführer Artur Preuss SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Krieber SS-Sturmbannführer Fritz Schöckel
August 1, 1935 to August 1. 1936 August 1, 1936 to November 30, 1938 November 30, 1938 to December 26, 1941 December 26, 1941 to 1942 1942 to 1944 1944 to May, 1945
SS-Abschnitt XXII, with headquarters in Allenstein, had Standarten 61 and 64 and added Standarte 66 after March 1936. Führer December 15, 1933 to February 20, 1934 March 1, 1934 to May 6, 1935 May 6, 1935 to March 15, 1936 March 15, 1936 to March 1, 1937
SS-Standartenführer Günther Pancke SS-Oberführer Kurt Kaul SS-Oberführer Hans Döring SS-Standartenführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Oberführer Karl Schäfer SS-Oberführer, after January 20, 1942 also Oberst der Polizei Heinz Roch
March 1, 1937 to May. 1945
Stabsführer December 16, 1932 to March, 1934 March, 1934 to December 31, 1934 December 31, 1934 to March, 1936
SS-Sturmbannführer Bruno Hebron SS-Hauptsturmführer Walter Fürstenberg SS-Hauptsturmführer, after June 16, 1935 SS-Sturmbannführer Wilhelm Mann SS-Hauptsturmführer, after September 11, 1938 SS-Sturmbannführer Kurt Eimann SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Hoffmann SS-Sturmbannführer Gustav Mertsch SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1941 SS-Standartenführer Fritz Vogt SS-Sturmbannführer Artur Preuss
March, 1936 to July, 1938 July, 1938 to February 1, 1939 February 1, 1939 to April 1, 1939 April 1, 1939 to 1942 1942 to May. 1945
SS-Abschnitt XXIII (Berlin) controlled Standarten 15, 44 and 80. Führer November 16, 1933 to August 23, 1934
SS-Standartenführer, after March 18. 1934 SS-Oberführer Otto Brass SS-Standartenführer, after September 9, 1934 SS-Oberführer Rudolf Weiss SS-Standartenführer Peter Johannsen SS-Obersturmführer Erich Werner
August 23, 1934 to January 7 , 1 9 3 5 December 3 1 , 1 9 3 4 to March 31,1935 7 3 March 3 1 . 1 9 3 5 to May 6, 1935 (temporary) 74 72 73 74
Possibly the StabsfUhrer in a temporary capacity. Johannsen died on this date. As StabsfUhrer he served as temporary substitute c o m m a n d e r .
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Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Walter Burghardt was born in Höngeda on March 7, 1885 and joined the army in 1903. Serving with the infantry, he was commissioned a Leutnant in and later Oberleutnant, serving as an infantry battalion adjutant from 1909-1912. He then served two years as an infantry regiment adjutant and was promoted to Hauptmann in 1915. After service as a company commander in 1915-1916 he became divisional adjutant to 39.Infanteriedivision. His final post was with the Prussian War Ministry and he was promoted to Major in 1919. He won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. Working as a farmer after the war, he joined the NSDAP in 1923 and after the Munich Putsch, rejoined in 1926. He joined the SS in 1933 and was commissioned an SS-Sturmfiihrer on March 9, 1933, first serving with SS Gruppe "Ost." Promoted to SS-Obersturmfiihrer on July 31, 1933, and to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer on November 9, 1933, he served as Stabsfiihrer of Oberabschnitt "Elbe" from mid-November, 1933, to the start of 1935. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on January 30, 1934, to SS-Obersturmbannführer on April 30, 1934, and to SS-Standartenführer on August 16, 1934, he led Abschnitt II from early May, 1935, to mid-September, 1936. He then served on Himmler's staffuntil mid-August, 1938, and was a member of the Reichstag from March 3, 1936 to August 17, 1938. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on January 30, 1936, from the beginning of October, 1938, to his death on August 17, 1938, he served in the staff office of the deputy Führer (Rudolf Hess). (Phil Nix)
May 6, 1935 to March 1, 1937
SS-Oberführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Brigadeführer Kurt Kaul SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Oberführer Gustav Stolle SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1943 SS-Oberführer Ernst Engelhardt SS-Standartenführer Paul Kuhn
March 1, 1937 to September 10, 1940 September 10, 1940 to November 2, 1943 November 2, 1943 to May 1945 Stabsführer December 20, 1933 to September 1935
SS-Obersturmführer, after May 10, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after August 23, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer Erich Werner SS-Hauptsturmführer, after November 9, 1936 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannführer Heinrich Sielaff
September 1935 to May 1945
155
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Hans Döring (left) was the son of a police official and was born in Hannover on August 31, 1901. After WWI he sen'ed with a naval Freikorps unit. Between the wars he worked as a salesman in the Wiesbaden area until 1931. He joined the 5-4 on November 15, 1928, and the NSDAP on December I, 1928. Sen'ing in Berlin with the SA, he transferred to the SS on January 6, 1929, and sen'ed with the SS Sturm in Wiesbaden until mid-January, 1930. Promoted to SS-Truppführer on July 24, 1929, he was commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on January 15, 1930. From mid-January, 1930, to July that year, he commanded the SS Sturm in Wiesbaden and then moved to Hessen as Standarte commander (Standarte II) until the end of 1931. He was also administrator for SS Brigade 2 from late January, 1931, for the rest of the year. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on March 8, 1931, he led the 33.SS-Standarte from early January, 1932, to the start of July that year. He then commanded the 35.SS-Standarte until mid-September, 1933. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on November 9, 1933, he held a seat in the Reichstag for Dresden-Bautzen from 1933 to the end of the war. From mid-September, 1933, to early May, 1935, he led Abschnitt II and then commanded Abschnitt XXII until mid-March, 1936. Following a reprimand he commanded 31 .SS-Standarte from June. 1936, until the end of the year. From the start of January, 1937, until the end of 1938, he led Abschnitt XVIII and then led Abschnitt IX until the start of March that year. Döring next commanded Abschnitt 1 from early March, 1939, to the start of October, 1942, and was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer und Generalmajor der Polizei on April 20, 1942. After sen'ing on Himmler's staff until the start of April. 1944, he also held a staff post with Oberabschnitt "Warthe" until the end of the war. As a Scharführer d.R. in the Waffen-SS he served with the "Leibstandarte" in 1941 as a platoon leader, and was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmführer d.R. on November 9, 1941. He undertook police duties that year after training with the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei during October to December, 1941. As SSPF "Stalino" from mid-November, 1941, to mid-May, 1943, he was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei on April 20. 1942. He returned to Waffen-SS sen'ice as a reserve officer in late September, 1943. Training and serving the anti-tank units, he was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer d.R. on April 20, 1944, and sen'ed with the ll./SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 36 from mid-March, 1944, until the end of the war. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in August 1941, the Iron Cross 1st class in 1944, the Infantry Assault Badge in September 1941, the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. Döring died in Nuremberg on July 2, 1970. (Phil Nix)
SS-Abschnitt XXIV was based in Neustadt when formed then moved to Kattowitz in April 1935 and finally to Oppeln in the latter part of August, 1940. It contained Standarten 23, 45, 102 and 104. After the start of the war, Standarte 124 was added. Führer November 16, 1933 to August 1, 1935
SS-Standartenführer, after March 18, 1934 SS-Oberführer Wilhelm Werner 75
75 Born in Apolda bei Weimar on June 6, 1898. the son of a public prosecutor. He joined the Imperial Navy as a cadet in 1905 and was commissioned a Lieutenant J.G. in August 1910. Transferring to submarine duty at the start of WWI. he served as a U-Boat commander until 1918 and was awarded the Pour-Le-Merite as well as both classes of the Iron Cross. He moved to Brazil in 1920 where he worked as an architect until 1925. Returning to Germany, he ran his wife's estate in Upper Silesia and joined the N S D A P in 1930. Joining the SS as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on July 15, 1931, he was a member of the Reichstag from November, 1938, to May, 1945. Promoted to SSStandartenführer on March 16, 1932, he commanded the 23.SS-Standarte from September. 1931. to early July. 1932. He then served on the staff of Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt) "Südost" until the beginning of 1934. Taking command of Abschnitt XXIV from early midNovember, 1933, to the start of August, 1935, he was promoted to SS-OberfUhrer on March 18. 1934. then to SS-Brigadefiihrer on September 15. 1935. He also served on Himmler's personal staff from August, 1939. to May, 1945. In 1938-1939, he was Himmler's liaison officer with the Gauleiter of the Sudetenland. He went on reserve duty with the army and was promoted Oberstleutnant in the reserves in 1940. Werner was promoted to Oberst and activated in early December. 1942. He commanded a Luftwaffe field artillery regiment and then became Arko (senior artillery commander) of XIII.SS-Armee-Korps until late January, 1945, winning a clasp to both his W W I Iron Crosses. He died in Falkenau on May 14. 1945.
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Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
SS-Obergruppenfiihrer Hans-Adolf Priitzmann (left) in Russia during the summer of 1943 before being appointed HöSSPF speaking with SS-Brigadeführer Hermann Fegelein (commander of the SS-Kavallerie-Division). (Author's archive)
"Ukraine"
SS-Oberführer Konrad Unger 76
August 1, 1935 to May 1945 Stabsfiihrer April 15, 1934 to December 1934 December 1934 to March 20, 1935 March 20, 1935 to January 15, 1936
SS-Hauptsturmführer Helmut Barnstedt SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Schilling SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1935 Standartenführer Friedrich Dernehl SS-Hauptsturmführer, after September 12, 1937 Sturmbannführer Karl Burk 77 SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Streibel SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1941 SS-Obersturmbannführer Kurt Heuwer
January 15. 1936 to February 1, 1938 February 1, 1938 to April 1938 April 1938 to May 1945
n Born in Hannover on July 5, 1899, he served with an East Prussian infantry regiment from October, 1918, to April, 1920, and left the Army as an N C O in May, 1921. From May, 1921, to October, 1922, he was in the Hannover Schutzpolizei and then worked as a civilian until 1933. He joined the N S D A P on November 17, 1928, and the SS on November 12, 1928, serving with the SS in Hannover where he was promoted to SS-Truppführer on July 1. 1929. From January to April. 1930, he was attached to the S A. Commissioned as an SS-SturmfUhrer on May 22, 1930. he led I./12.SS-Standarte from September, 1931, until October 18, 1931, and was promoted to SSSturmbannfUhrer on September 4, 1931. He next took command of the 12.SS-Standarte which he led until mid-February, 1933. From February to June. 1933, he commanded the 36.SS-Standarte and next led the 54.SS-Standarte until early May, 1934. Promoted to SSObersturmbannführer on September 3, 1933, and to SS-Standartenführer on November 9. 1933, he led Abschnitt X X X from May, 1934, to August, 1935, and then commanded Abschnitt X X I V until the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on September 9, 1934, as an SS-Hauptsturmführer d.R. with the Waffen-SS, he served with II./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 2 from June, 1940, to February, 1941, and then with V./"Leibstandarte" until October, 1941. From October, 1941, to March, 1943, he was assigned to the training and replacement battalions of the "Leibstandarte." As headquarters company commander of II./SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte" he served from May, 1943, to mid-January, 1944, and then was commandant of the headquarters of I.SS-Panzerkorps from mid-January, 1944, to January, 1945. He ended the war attached to the SS Hauptamt assigned to the Volkstum and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer d.R. on January 30, 1944, and to SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer d.R. on April 20, 1945. Unger was highly decorated by both the N S D A P and military while with the "Leibstandarte," being awarded the N S D A P Long Service Awards in Bronze and Silver on April 20, 1940, Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, the Wound Badges in Black and Silver, the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords on January 30, 1944, the Iron Cross 2nd class on July 18, 1941, the Infantry Assault Badge on April 29, 1942, the Iron Cross I st class in 1944, and the Gold Party Badge on February 23, 1934.
157
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
SS-Abschnitt XXV, based initially in Bochum, contained Standarten 30 and 69. Its headquarters eventually moved to Dortmund. Führer November 16, 1933 to October 1, 1937
SS-Oberführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Brigadeführer Fritz Schlessmann SS-Oberführer Konstantin Kammerhofer SS-Oberführer Johannes Schäfer SS-Brigadeführer, after April 20, 1945 also Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Berthold Maack 78
October 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to April 15, 1938 April 15, 1938 to May, 1945
Stabsfiihrer SS-Unterturmführer, after March 16, 1934 SS-Obersturmführer, after June 20, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer Alfred Bauer SS-Hauptsturmführer, after November 9, 1936 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1941 SS-Standartenführer August Flasche SS-Sturmbannführer Harald Broking
December 5, 1933 to August 17, 1936
August 17, 1936 to February 1, 1943
February 1, 1943 to May 1945
SS-Abschnitt XXVI (Danzig) controlled Standarten 36 and 71. Führer SS-Oberführer Dr. Alexander Reiner 79 SS-Brigadeführer Wilhelm Koppe SS-Oberführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Brigadeführer Berthold Maack SS-Oberführer, after September I. 1939 SS-Brigadeführer Johannes Schäfer SS-Oberführer George Ebrecht SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1944 SS-Standartenführer Hermann Jenke
November 13, 1933 to October 19, 1934 October 19, 1934 to November 1, 1935 November 1,1935 to April 15,1938 April 15, 1938 to May 1, 1940 80 May 1, 1940 to December 8, 1941 December 8, 1941 to May 1945
77 Awarded the G e r m a n Cross in Gold on N o v e m b e r 5, 1942, as c o m m a n d e r of SS-Flak Abteilung "Ost," he later c o m m a n d e d the 15.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr. 1) f r o m February 15, 1945, until the division surrendered. At that time he w a s a W a f f e n - S S Oberführer. 78 T h o u g h officially holding the post, he served in the W a f f e n - S S f r o m March 1940 so it is assumed the Stabsführer p e r f o r m e d all required duties during the war. ™ Born on March 4, 1885, in Panschwitz, he received a doctorate in dentistry f r o m the University in Leipzig at the end of D e c e m b e r 1912. He served in that capacity in W W I , ending with X V I I . A r m e e k o r p s . He served in the Freikorps in the Danzig area which was c o m p o s e d of f o r m e r m e m b e r s of his old corps. He practiced as a dentist in Danzig f r o m 1919 and joined the N S D A P in July, 1931. Joining the SS in February. 1932, he was assigned to the 36.SS-Standarte and b e c a m e the unit's dentist f r o m mid-June, 1932, to mid-June, 1933. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on January 30, 1933, and promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r on April 30, 1933, he led the 36.SS-Standarte f r o m June, 1933, to m i d - N o v e m b e r that year. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 3, 1933, and to SSO b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he led Abschnitt X X V I f r o m m i d - N o v e m b e r . 1933, to mid-October. 1934. during which he w a s promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f u h r e r on N o v e m b e r 13, 1933, and to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on March 12, 1934. As a concentration c a m p c o m m a n d e r he c o m m a n d e d Dachau f r o m O c t o b e r 19, 1934, to October 22, 1934, was the first c o m m a n d e r of S a c h s e n b u r g f r o m N o v e m ber 2 to N o v e m b e r 30, 1934, and finally c o m m a n d e d C o l u m b i a - H a u s in Berlin f r o m D e c e m b e r 1, 1934, to April 18, 1935. Corrupt and brutal, he w a s dismissed f r o m his Abschnitt c o m m a n d for poor leadership and financial irregularities. Later arrested by the G e s t a p o on H i m m l e r ' s orders, he w a s tried and sentenced to death but the sentence was c o m m u t e d . Dismissed f r o m the SS and N S D A P in June. 1935, after a prison sentence, he obtained a dentistry post in the office of the Deputy Führer (Rudolf Hess) with the help of his friend Gauleiter Albert Forster. His early rapid rise in SS rank was due to being a protege of Werner Lorenz w h o initially g a v e him his dentist post with the 36.SS-Standarte. 80
He was temporary c o m m a n d e r until September, 1938 when he a s s u m e d full c o m m a n d .
158
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Paul Moder was born on October /, 1896, in Neheim and joined the Army in early August, 1914. Serving with the artillery and finally a flying replacement unit, he was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. He was with the Freikorps from 1922 and joined the SA in January, 1924. Joining the NSDAP on July 6, 1925, he served with the SA until late August, 1931. He was a member of the Reichstag from August, 1932, to early February, 1942. Joining the SS on September 1, 1931 as an SS-Sturmführer, he sen'ed as adjutant of Abschnitt IV for three weeks before becoming administrator of 4.SS-Standarte until mid-October, 1931. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on September 20, 1931, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on October 18, 1931, and to SS-Oberfiihrer on October 6, 1932, he commanded the 4.SS-Standarte from mid-October, 1931, to late December, 1932, and was appointed commander of Abschnitt XV in September, 1932. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on December 15, 1933, he next led Abschnitt III from February, 1934, to the start of November, / 938, and was promoted to SS-Gruppenführer on November 9, 1936. As a substitute for Sepp Dietrich while he was with the "Leibstandarte, " Moder led Oberabschnitt "Ost" (see "Spree")from November, 1938, to mid-November, 1939, and then was the deputy commander of Oberabschnitt "Spree " until early February, 1942, although he sen'ed in the Waffen-SS and in Polizei duties during that period. While SSPF "Warsaw" from mid-November, 1939, to early August, 1941, he trained briefly in the artillery field with the "Totenkopf' Division and became an SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer d.R. on July 19, 1941. After leaving Warsaw he joined the Artillerie Regiment of "Totenkopf' and later the Kradschützen Bataillon. He led Kampfgruppe "Moder" consisting of an infantry battalion and an artillery battery from "Totenkopf' as well as a battalion of Army troops with two tanks. Moder was killed leading his battle group in the Demjansk fighting south of Lake lllmen in the village of Kalinitz on February 8, 1942. Also killed with him was Army Knight's Cross holder Leutnant KarlHeinz Becker. Moder was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class, a clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd class on June 26, 1940, and a clasp to the Iron Cross 1st class on November 9, 1941. (Phil Nix)
Stabsführer January 30, 1934 to May 8, 1935
SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer, after July 4, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Josef Nagele SS-Obersturmführer Theobald Thier SS-Hauptsturmführer Werner Praescke SS-Sturmbannführer Paul Exner SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1939 SS-Sturmbannführer Waldemar Roos SS-Standartenführer Hermann Dethof SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Burger SS-Sturmbannführer Franz Maxa
May 8, 1935 to May 25, 1935 May 25, 1935 to September, 1936 September, 1936 to May, 1937 May, 1937 to October, 1939 October, 1939 to November 9, 1939 November 9, 1939 to 1943 1943 to May, 1945
159
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Max Henze was born on September 23, 1899, in Kothen, attending school there and in Berlin. He joined the army in 1917 and served with a machine gun unit in several infantry regiments. Gassed and wounded twice, he won the Iron Cross 2nd class and Wound Badge in Black. He served with the Freikorps "Rossbach "from Januaiy 1923 to 1926 and joined the NSDAP on April 1, 1928. Joining the SS on June 7, 1927, he initially served in a minor SS unit named for him until November, 1929. Promoted to SS-Truppführer on July 13, 1929, and commissioned an SS-Sturmfiihrer on November 7, 1929, he led SS Sturm 6 from mid-October, 1929, to the start of September, 1930, followed by becoming Standartenführer V until early February, 1931. He then served four months with SS-Brigade 6 and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on February 1, 1931. After serving as administrator of the 6.SS-Standarte from June to mid-October, 1931, he then led the Standarte until July, 1932, and was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on October 18, 1931, to SS-Oberführer on July 22, 1932, and to SS-Brigadeführer on December 15, 1933. From early August, 1932, to mid-February, 1934, he commanded Abschnitt III, and also served with the Prussian Gestapo in 1933-1934. He commanded Abschnitt XV from mid-February, 1934, to late August, 1934, and was also a special assignments officer for Himmler from October, 1934, to March, 1935. Next serving as special duties officer and in other staff posts for Oberabschnitt "Ost" until early April, 1936, he moved to the staff of Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra" from midJanuary, 1937, to early November, 1938. Henze was also an officer in the SD-Hauptamt (later RSHA) from November, 1938, to May, 1945. A member of the Reichstag from May, 1936, to May, 1945, he also served as Police President for Kassel (October, 1937, to October, 1940) then the same post for Danzig until October, 1941, for Essen (June, 1941, to April, 1945 while also Kripo titular commander) and finally the same position for Bromberg in April-May, 1945. He became an honorary Generalmajor der Polizei in 1944, and was awarded the Gold Party Badge, as well as the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords. One of the earliest SS officers, he was instrumental in forming units in the Berlin area. Tried and sentenced in 1949, he was hanged in Poland along with Richard Hildebrandt on March 10, 1951. (Phil Nix)
SS-Abschnitt XXVII formed in Gotha and from April, 1938, was seated in Weimar controlling Standarten 14, 47, 57 and 67. 81 Führer SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Brigadeführer, after January 30, 1938 SS-Gruppenführer, after September 16, 1942 also Generalleutnant der Polizei Paul Hennicke SS-Gruppenführer Wilhelm von Holzschuher SS-Brigadeführer Johann Harnys SS-Standartenführer Walter Schmidt
November 15, 1933 to October 1, 1942
May 1, 1939 to November 1, 1939 (substitute) October 1, 1942 to May, 1945 June 22, 1943 to May, 1945 (substitute) Stabsführer
SS-Hauptsturmführer Walter Reichert
December 6, 1933 to May, 1934
81
Other period documents give the move to Weimar during January 1937.
160
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Wilhelm Koppe (later HSSPF "Ost") shown here (left) in a pre-war photo when commander of an Abschnitt. On the right as an SSOberst-Gruppenfiilirer und Generaloberst der Polizei is Kurt Daluege. One of only four to attain the rank of Oberst-Gruppenführer, he was the only one to also hold equivalent Polizei rank. (Phil Nix)
May 1934 to April 1936
SS-Obersturmführer, after June 4, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Sturmbannführer Ludwig Güldener SS-Sturmbannführer Werner Praescke SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1936 SS-Standartenführer August Jakober SS-Standartenfiihrer Horst Schmischke SS-Obersturmbannführer Paul Henning
April 1936 to May 25, 1936 May 25, 1936 to June 30, 1938 July 1, 1938 to 1943 1943 to May, 1945
SS-Abschnitt XXVIII formed in Regensburg and in September, 1934, moved its headquarters to Bayreuth. It contained Standarten 3, 41 and 68. Führer November 20, 1933 to September 1, 1934
SS-Standartenführer, after March 24, 1934 SS-Oberführer Emil Mazuw SS-Oberführer Otto Teetzmann 82
September 1, 1934 to February 15, 1935
82 The son of a factory manager, Teetzmann was born in Berlin on July 30, 1899. He joined the army in September 1917. serving until October, 1919, with the artillery and a cavalry division, ending the war as an NCO. After working as a bank clerk and being a member of the Stahlhelm, he joined the N S D A P and SS on early June 1, 1930. First serving with the 6.SS-Standarte. he led the 1 .Sturm of its I.Sturmbann from mid-March to mid-July, 1931, then commanded the I V.Sturmbann until the middle of July, 1932. Promoted to SSSturmbannführer on October 13, 1931, he became the first commander of the 44.SS-Standarte in July, 1932, and led it until late August, 1934. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on November 9, 1932, and to SS-OberfUhrer on August 25, 1934, he commanded Abschnitt XV during the end of August, 1934, and then led Abschnitt XXVIII until mid-February, 1935. Teetzmann also served with the Air Ministry after 1934. Reassigned to Oberabschnitt "Ost," he was brought before an SS court for converting SS funds to personal use and dismissed from the SS on November 29, 1935. During the war he was assigned to a post with the office for the "Four Year Plan" under Goring.
161
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS February 15, 1935 to July 1, 1938
SS-Standartenführer, after September 15, 1935 SS-Oberführer Karl Bock SS-Standartenführer Theodor Zittel SS-Oberführer Hans Ring SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1942 SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1944 SS-Brigadeführer Ludwig Eschholdt
July 1, 1938 to November 14, 1938 November 14, 1938 to February 1, 1942 February 1, 1942 to May 1945
Stabsführer January 15, 1934 to July 1935
after April 20, 1935 SS-Untersturmführer Lorenz Wangemann SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer Max Wittrien SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm von Woikowski-Biedau SS-Untersturmführer Josef Wagner SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Ihle SS-Hauptsturmführer Paul Hainbach SS-Sturmbannführer Dr. Hans Hofmann
July 1935 to March 20, 1938 November 1, 1938 to May 16, 193883 May 16, 1938 to May 28, 1938 (substitute) May 28, 1938 to October 15, 1938 October 15, 1938 to March 6, 1940 March 6, 1940 to May 1945
SS-Abschnitt X X I X formed in April, 1934, in Mannheim and moved to Konstanz in April, 1936. It controlled Standarten 65 and 79. Führer April 17, 1934 to January 7, 1935
SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Brigadeführer und (honorary) Generalmajor der Polizei Wilhelm Starck SS-Oberführer Rudolf Weiss SS-Oberführer Walter Stein SS-Oberführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Brigadeführer Rudolf Lohse SS-Oberführer Albert Steiner
January 7, 1935 to March 15, 1936 March 15, 1936 to November 14, 1938 November 14, 1938 to April 1. 1944 April 1. 1944 to May 1945 Stabsführer
SS-Untersturmführer Dr. Eduard Betz 84 SS-Obersturmbannführer Paul Nostitz SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Josef Nagele SS-Standartenführer Alfons Graf SS-Sturmbannführer Heinrich von Holdt
April 1934 to May 1935 May 1935 to June 1, 1935 June I, 1935 to May 16, 1938 May 16, 1938 to July 1, 1942 July 1, 1942 to May 1945
SS-Abschnitt XXX formed in Kassel during early April, 1934. It contained Standarten 2, 35 and 83. Führer May 7, 1934 to July 31, 1935
SS-Standartenführer, after September 9, 1934 SS-Oberführer Konrad Unger SS-Standartenführer, after September 15,1935 SS-Oberführer Kurt Ludwig SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1938 SS-Oberführer, after January 30, 1945
August 17, 1935 to October 1, 1937 October 1, 1937 to May 1945 85 8
' He served as substitute until March 20 and then b e c a m e full c o m m a n d e r . An O b e r t r u p p f ü h r e r Heubach (first n a m e u n k n o w n ) is also referred to in the initial formation period during April. 1934. by SSPersonalbefehl Nr. 13 dated M a y 4. 1934. 85 Titular c o m m a n d e r after joining the S S / V T (later W a f f e n - S S ) in December, 1939, his c o m m a n d would have been taken by a substitute (most probably StabsfUhrer Josef Pfefferkorn). 84
162
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts) SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Curt Brasack 86
Stabsführer SS-Untersturmführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Obersturmführer, after September 15, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmführer Arnold Hamke SS-Obersturmbannführer, after June 1, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1938 SS-Sturmbannführer Konrad Perwitzschky SS-Sturmbannführer Josef Pfefferkorn
April 1, 1934 to April 1936
April 1936 to September 10, 1939
September 10, 1939 to May 1945
SS-Abschnitt XXXI was based in Vienna and contained Standarten 11, 89 and 99. Führer SS-Oberführer, after January 30, 1941 SS-Brigadeführer, after September 16, 1942 also Generalmajor der Polizei Konstantin Kammerhofer SS-Standartenführer Fritz Bock
March 15, 1938 to October 1, 1942
October 1, 1942 to May 1945 Stabsführer
SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Julius Kopp SS-Hauptsturmführer Alfred Schutzenhofer
March 21, 1938 t o ? ? to May 1945
SS-Abschnitt XXXII was established in early April 1936 and headquartered in Augsburg. It contained Standarten 29 and 92. Later Standarte 106 was added. Führer SS-Oberführer Heinz Roch SS-Oberführer Waldemar Wappenhans SS-Oberführer George Ebrecht SS-Oberführer Heinrich Jürs SS-Brigadeführer und (honorary) Generalmajor der Polizei Wilhelm Starck
March 15, 1936 to April 1, 1936 April I, 1936 to May 16, 1938 July 1, 1938 to November 14, 1938 November 14, 1938 to January 1, 1943 January 1, 1943 to May 1945
86 Born in Schönebeck on April 6, 1892, the son of a businessman. He served in W W I with the artillery and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant in the reserves on January 11, 1916. During W W I he served as an ordnance officer, regimental adjutant, battery c o m m a n d e r and finally as adjutant to a replacement artillery unit. Awarded both classes of the Iron Cross, he joined the Stahlhelm f r o m May. 1921 until j o i n i n g the N S D A P on July 1. 1930. Joining the SS on March 1. 1931, he served with the II./21.SS-Standarte and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an SS-Sturmführer on October 18, 1931. From mid-October, 1931, to early March, 1932, he was administrative officer for Iiis Sturmbann and then b e c a m e its c o m m a n d e r until April. 1934. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1933, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9. 1933, he f o r m e d then led the 91.SS-Standarte f r o m early May, 1934, to the start of 1937. From January, 1937, into September that year, he led Abschnitt XI and was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r o n January 30, 1938. As c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt X X X . he held that post f r o m September, 1937, to the end of the war. He trained with the A r m y in artillery and b e c a m e a reserve Lieutenant before j o i n i n g the W a f f e n - S S as an S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r d.R. on D e c e m b e r 1, 1939. From December, 1939. to April, 1941, he c o m m a n d e d the I. Artillerie-Regiment " T o t e n k o p f ' and then c o m m a n d e d the I./Artillerie Regiment "Wiking." He next c o m m a n d e d the IV(s.)./Artillerie Regiment " W i k i n g " until m o v i n g to Division " R e i c h " as artillery regimental c o m m a n d e r in January, 1942, where he remained until early March, 1943. During July to October, 1942, he was also A r k o (Senior Artillery C o m m a n d e r ) of the SS-Panzerkorps. A f t e r serving in reserve with " D a s R e i c h " he was supply transport c o m m a n d e r for the W a f f e n - S S and Polizei in Northern Russia. From June to N o v e m ber, 1943, he led the artillery regiment of the SS Brigade " N e d e r l a n d " and then b e c a m e Arko for the VII. (later absorbed by the IV.) SSPanzerkorps until March. 1945. Promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r und G e n e r a l m a j o r der W a f f e n - S S on January 30. 1945. he was awarded the G e r m a n Cross in Gold on October 19, 1944, clasps to both his W W I Iron Crosses in 1939, the General Assault Badge, the Wound Badge in Black, and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. He was a brave and capable leader and was rated by his superiors as an outstanding SS leader of open character and soldierly manner. Brasack died in H a m b u r g on S e p t e m b e r 28, 1978.
163
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Stabsfiihrer March 15, 1936 to April 1, 1936 April 1, 1936 to December 31, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannführer Julius Plaichinger SS-Obersturmführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannführer Ludwig Hettesheimer SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer, after November 9, 1937 SS-Sturmbannführer Gerhard Rouenhoff SS-Standartenführer, Richard Kaaserer SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1943 SS-Sturmbannführer Michael Göstler SS-Standartenführer Fritz Vogt
December 31, 1936 to December 19, 1938 January 1, 1939 to December 1, 1940 December 1, 1940 to 1944 1944 to May 1945
SS-Abschnitt XXXIII (Schwerin) controlled Standarten 22 and 74. Führer April I, 1936 to April 21, 1936 April 22, 1936 to July 1, 1938
SS-Standartenführer Hans Himpe SS-Standartenführer, after September 15, 1936 SS-Oberführer Rudolf Lohse SS-Oberführer Ludolf von Alvensleben SS-Oberführer, after September 27, 1941 SS-Brigadefiihrer und Generalmajor der Polizei Waldemar Wappenhans SS-Standartenführer Francis Müller SS-Standartenführer Otto Müller SS-Obersturmbannführer Fritz Krüger
July 1, 1938 to November 14, 1938 November 14, 1938 to January 1, 1942
October 1. 1941 to January 1, 1942 (substitute) January 1, 1942 to December 23, 1942 December 23, 1942 to May 1945 Stabsführer April I, 1936 to January 1, 1942
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after September 15, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after September 11, 1938 SS-Sturmbannführer Fritz Festerling SS-Sturmbannführer Herbert Schack
January 1, 1942 to May 1945
SS-Abschnitt X X X I V (Neustadt) contained Standarten 10, 32 and 85. After the start of the war Standarte 125 was added. Führer January 1, 1937 to October 31, 1938
SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1937 SS-Oberführer Dr. Adolf Katz SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1939 SS-Oberführer Wilhelm Ihle 87 SS-Standartenführer Karl Wichmann SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1945 SS-Oberfiihrer Emanuel Sladek
November 1, 1938 to February 1, 1940 February 1, 1940 to January 22, 1944 January 22, 1944 to May 1945
87 Born in M e s c h e d e on October 23, 1889. he served with the A r m y in W W I . Joining the N S D A P and SA in 1926, he served with the S A in B o c h u m until 1929. He joined the SS as an S S - S t u r m f ü h r e r on June 24, 1931. and served initially with the staff of the 30.SSStandarte until August 24, 1932, when promoted to SS-Sturmhauptführer. From that date to N o v e m b e r I. 1932, he led the I./30.SSStandarte followed by c o m m a n d of the I./l 8.SS-Standarte until early September, 1933. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1932. and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on July 31, 1933, he led the 18.SS-Standarte f r o m April, 1933, to January, 1934. F r o m J a n u a r y to March, 1934, he c o m m a n d e d 65.SS-Standarte and then led the 13.SS-Standarte until January, 1938. As Stabsführer for Abschnitt XVIII he served f r o m January to March, 1938, and again f r o m M a y to October that year. From November, 1938, to February, 1940, he led Abschnitt X X X I V followed by c o m m a n d of Abschnitt X X X until his death. He joined the W a f f e n - S S as an S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on February 1, 1942, and served with SS-Di vision " R e i c h " until his death on March 7, 1942. Highly thought of by SS leaders in Königsberg. Ihle w o n the Iron Cross 2nd class, as well as being awarded both classes of the War Service Cross 2nd class, the S A Sports Badge in Gold, and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold.
164
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Stabsführer January 1, 1937 to September 1, 1939
SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1939 SS-Oberführer Paul Leffler SS-Sturmbannführer Georg Rüger
September 1, 1939 to May. 1945
SS-Abschnitt X X X V was headquarters in Graz containing Standarten 38, 90 and 94. Führer SS-Oberführer Helmut Schöne 88 SS-Oberführer Hans Loritz SS-Oberführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Brigadeführer Hans Kelz 8 ''
March 21, 1938 to July I. 1939 July 1, 1939 to April 1, 1943 April 1, 1943 to May, 1945
Stabsführer March 18, 1938 to May 31, 1938 June 1, 1938 to April 20, 1939 April 20, 1939 to May, 1945
SS-Obersturmbannführer Rupert Pinter SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Bergrath SS-Sturmbannführer Fritz Suhren 90
SS-Abschnitt XXXVI (Innsbruck, Austria) controlled Standarten 76 and 87. Führer March 20, 1938 to May, 1945
SS-Oberführer und Waffen-SS Standartenführer d.R. Johann von Feil 9 '
88 Brought before an SS court for habitual drunkeness and misuse of service transport, he was reduced in rank to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r in July, 1939, at which rank he c o m m a n d e d 105.SS-Standarte during the war years. 89 Born in Ingolstadt on the D a n u b e on D e c e m b e r 10, 1899, the son of a fireman. He joined the A r m y in March 1917 and served with a Bavarian reserve artillery regiment. Between the wars he worked in foundries, as a traveling engineer as well as in construction. He joined the N S D A P and SA in June, 1925, and b e c a m e an S A - S t u r m f ü h r e r in 1929. From 1929 to the end of 1931. he led SA Sturm 25 and later Sturm 40. Joining the SS on January 1, 1932, he served first with the 3./III./1.SS-Standarte until the start of October. 1932. when he m o v e d to H i m m l e r ' s staff until late April, 1935. Promoted to S S - S c h a r f ü h r e r on July 20, 1932, to SS-Truppführer on August 30, 1933, and to S S - O b e r t r u p p f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on January 30, 1934. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on J u n e 20, 1934. and to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r on January 30, 1935, he m o v e d f r o m H i m m l e r ' s staff to the Personalhauptamt f r o m April, 1935, to the start of June, 1939. With this Main O f f i c e he served as a detachment head and deputy leader of the SS Personal Chancellory, during which he was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1935, to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on January 30, 1936, and to SS-Standartenführer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1936. He c o m m a n d e d the 11./90.SS-Standarte during May. 1939. and was office chief for officer personnel in the SS-Personalhauptamt f r o m June, 1939. to April, 1943. During September to October, 1939, he was the SS officer assigned to the senior Ordnungspolizei c o m m a n d e r in Posen as well as being a Selbstschutz leader. Promoted to SSO b e r f ü h r e r on January 30, 1938. he b e c a m e a W a f f e n - S S U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on April 1, 1940. He served with the replacement artillery detachment for the SS-Verfügungsdivision, and f r o m J u n e to mid-December, 1940, led that division's 15th artillery battery. Next leading the 12th battery of the s a m e division until the start of October, 1941, when he b e c a m e ill in Russia, he was promoted to SSO b e r s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on June I. 1940, and to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f ü h r e r d.R. on D e c e m b e r 2 1 . 1940. He was assigned to the H S S P F "RußlandS ü d " April to October. 1942. then led the W a f f e n - S S staff c o m p a n y assigned to that H S S P F until April. 1943. Promoted to W a f f e n - S S O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on April 20, 1942, and to Allgemeine-SS B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943, he went to the W a f f e n - S S reserves in April. 1943. A s c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt X X X V from April, 1943, to the end of the war, he also headed the R K F D V office for Oberabschnitt " A l p e n l a n d " f r o m July, 1944. to May. 1945. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Iron Cross 1st class, a bar to his W W I 2nd class Iron Cross, the General Assault Badge, the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver, and the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords. Kelz also held a post on H i m m l e r ' s staff f r o m January, 1939 until the end of the war. He died in Pasing near M u n i c h on March 18, 1974. 90
He was also c o m m a n d a n t of Ravensbruck concentration c a m p f r o m August 1942 to early 1945 and was executed in 1950. Born in Leonfelden. Austria, on June 13, 1896 he joined the A r m y in April 1915 and served in several storm troop units, leaving the A r m y at the end of March 1919 as a Leutnant in the reserves. A f t e r the war he worked as an arts and crafts teacher until January 1934 and joined the N S D A P and SA in Linz on April 1, 1932. After a prison term and j o b suspension, he returned to teaching then left Austria for C z e c h o s l o v a k i a after the Austrian Putsch, j o i n i n g the SS on July 1. 1932. He was promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f ü h r e r personally by H i m m l e r on September 25, 1932. Given c o m m a n d of the 37.SS-Standarte f r o m September. 1932, to June, 1934. He was promoted to SSS t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on D e c e m b e r 24, 1932, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933. He led the 76.SS-Standarte f r o m midJune, 1934, to mid-November, 1934, first as designated deputy and after July 1 as full commander. He attended courses at Dachau and then b e c a m e a staff officer there f r o m August. 1934, to October, 1935. From October, 1935, to March, 1938, he led the 17.SS-Standarte and then b e c a m e the only c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt X X X V I f r o m March. 1938, until the end of the war, during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on March 20, 1938. From May, 1940, until it dissolved in mid-February, 1941, he led the 111./12.SS-Totenkopfstandarte, and then c o m m a n d e d the SS-Totenkopf-Wachbataillon " O r a n i e n b u r g " until mid-August, 1941. He then led Abschnitt X X X X I I f r o m August. 1942, to October. 1943, while Richard Fiedler was in Russia with the " W i k i n g " division. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a W a f f e n - S S S t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r d.R.on M a y 11. 1940, and p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f ü h r e r d.R. on April 20. 1941. he c o m m a n d e d SST r u p p e n ü b u n g s p l a t z (Troop Training Area) " D e b i c a " f r o m August, 1941, to April. 1942, and SS-Truppenübungsplatz " B e n e s c h a u " f r o m 91
165
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Stabsfiihrer March 19, 1938 to 1944
SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer, after November 9, 1938 SS-Sturmbannführer Eduard Koller SS-Obersturmbannführer Fritz Mundhenke
1944 to May 1945
SS-Abschnitt X X X V I I (Reichenberg) commanded Standarten 96, 100 and 103. Führer October 8, 1938 to January 1, 1941 December 27, 1939 to August 1. 194492
SS-Oberführer Willi Brandner SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1940 SS-Standartenführer, after October 1. 1943 SS-Brigadeführer Robert Knapp SS-Sturmbannführer Johann Burkhart unknown
August 1, 1944 to December 1944 December 1944 to May 1945 Stabsführer October 17, 1938 to July 1, 1939 July 1, 1939 to April 20, 1940 April 20, 1940 to May 1945
SS-Standartenfiihrer Arno Dressler SS-Sturmbannführer Karl-Heinz Rusch SS-Hauptsturmführer, after November 9, 1942 SS-Sturmbannführer Dr. Karl Feitenhansl
SS-Abschnitt X X X V I I I (Karlsbad) controlled Standarten 97 and 101. Führer November 14, 1938 to March 6, 1940
SS-Standartenführer, after September 10,1939 SS-Oberführer Jürgen Stroop SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 1, 1942 SS-Obersturmbannführer Paul Hainbach SS-Standartenfiihrer Theodor Zittel
March 6, 1940 to May 1945 July I. 1943 to September 1, 1943 (substitute) 93 Stabsführer June 1, 1939 to November 9. 1941 November 9, 1941 to May 1945
SS-Obersturmbannführer Georg Martin SS-Hauptsturmführer, after November 9, 1942 SS-Sturmbannführer Richard Rusy
SS-Abschnitt X X X I X (Prag) formed in June, 1939. It served as the basis for Oberabschnitt Böhmen-Mähren when that Main District formed in January, 1944, with Opländer as Oberabschnitt Stabsführer. Later reconstituted, it contained Standarten 107 and 108. Führer June 15, 1939 to April 1, 1944
SS-Oberführer, after April 20, 1943 SS-Brigadeführer Walter Opländer SS-Standartenführer Emanuel Sladek SS-Oberführer Willy Weidermann SS-Standartenfiihrer, after January 30, 1945 SS-Oberführer Emanuel Sladek
March 2, 1941 to July 1, 1943 (temporary) July I, 1943 to August 1, 1943 (temporary) April 1, 1944 to May 1945
mid-July. 1942, to October 1. 1942, when he left active W a f f e n - S S service and returned to his Abschnitt c o m m a n d . He also served with the "Prinz E u g e n " and " N o r d " Divisions as a reserve officer during April to June, 1940, as well as being SS garrison c o m m a n d e r in Prague during June-July. 1942. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer d.R. on S e p t e m b e r 1, 1942, he lived in Argentina after the war and returned to G e r m a n y in the mid-1950s, when for a period he lived with Konstantin K a m m e r h o f e r . He died in Innsbruck. Austria on January 30, 1957. 92 He served as a substitute c o m m a n d e r f r o m D e c e m b e r 27. 1939 to January 1, 1941, and f r o m that date b e c a m e full commander. 93 A s deputy c o m m a n d e r he substituted for Hainbach during the latter's illness.
166
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte
(Districts)
Stabsführer July 1, 1939 to August 1. 1943
SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1942 SS-Standartenführer Emil Schuran SS-Hauptsturmführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Keppel
August 1, 1943 to May 1945
SS-Abschnitt X X X X (Bromberg) controlled Standarten 116, 117 and 118. Führer February 1, 1940 to March 7, 1942 March 7, 1942 to May 1945
SS-Oberführer Wilhelm Ihle SS-Oberführer Hans Kühtz Stabsführer
February 1, 1940 to May 1945
SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1940 SS-Obersturmbannführer Christian Haller
SS-Abschnitt X X X X I (Thorn) controlled Standarten 119, 120 and 121. Führer February I, 1940 to January 13, 1941 January 13, 1941 to July 1, 1942 July 1, 1942 to May 1945
SS-Oberführer Kurt Hintze SS-Oberführer Hans Kühtz SS-Standartenführer Alfons Graf Stabsführer unknown (possibly none appointed)
SS-Abschnitt X X X X I I (Gnesen) contained Standarten 109, 110 and 111. Führer March 6, 1940 to November 1, 1942
SS-Oberführer, after September 16, 1942 SSBrigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei Jürgen Stroop SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1942 SS-Standartenführer Harry Specht
November 1, 1942 to May 1945
Stabsführer ? to May 1945
SS-Sturmbannführer Heinz Hecker
SS-Abschnitt X X X X I I I was headquartered Lodsch until April, 1941, then moved to Litzmannstadt (formerly part of Poland). It controlled contained Standarten 112. 113 and 114. Führer May 1, 1940 to October 1, 1940 October 1, 1940 to August 1, 1944
SS-Brigadeführer Johannes Schäfer SS-Brigadeführer, in 1944 also Generalmajor der Polizei Richard Fiedler SS-Oberführer Johann von Feil SS-Oberführer Hans Ring 94
August 27, 1942 to October 1. 1943 (substitute) August 1, 1944 to May 1945
94 Born on O c t o b e r 31, 1898. in Worms am Rhein, the son of a Leutnant. He studied agriculture and joined the A r m y in May, 1917, serving on the Eastern Front specializing in machine guns and mines. C o m m i s s i o n e d a Leutnant in N o v e m b e r . 1918, he won the Iron Cross 2nd class and served in the Freikorps during 1919. He worked on estates in Saxony and Upper Bavaria f r o m 1923 to 1933. Joining the N S D A P in January. 1931. he also joined the SS on January 1. 1931 at the request of Sepp Dietrich. From January. 1931. to N o v e m b e r .
167
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS StabsfUhrer SS-ObersturmbannfUhrer Werner Heinke
May 1, 1940 to 1943
SS-Abschnitt X X X X I V was based in Gumbinen. It contained Standarten 105 and 115 but the Abschnitt Führer and Stabsführer are unknown.
SS-Abschnitt X X X X Y (Straßburg) controlled Standarten 122 and 123. Führer December 1, 1940 to November 23, 1944 95
SS-Oberführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Brigadeführer Rudolf Lohse Stabsführer SS-Obersturmbannführer Hugo Prechter SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Stürtz
June 1940 to 1944 1944 to May 1945
1931, he led the 3./II./34.SS-Standarte and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on April 30, 1931. He then c o m m a n d e d the II./ 34.SS-Standarte f r o m November, 1931, to November, 1933, and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on February 13, 1932. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he was special c o m m i s s i o n e r for the N S D A P in Parsberg during March/April, 1933, and then held the same position for Keilheim f r o m mid-April, 1933, to January, 1934. In January/February, 1934, he w a s special duties officer for Abschnitt IX and then b e c a m e Abschnitt Stabsführer in January and February, 1934. He next returned to his special assignments position until June, 1934. From mid-June, 1934, to m i d - N o v e m b e r , 1938, he c o m m a n d e d 56.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on S e p t e m b e r 15, 1935. Ring led Abschnitt XXVIII f r o m mid-November, 1938, to August, 1942, during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r f ü h r e r on January 30, 1939. In August, 1942, he headed the office of the R K F V D attached to Oberabschnitt "Warthe" and c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X X X I I I f r o m August, 1944, to May, 1945. He was a w a r d e d the War Service Cross 2nd class, the Hitler Youth Pin in Gold, the G e r m a n H o r s e m a n ' s Badge in Silver, and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Silver. 95
Killed on this date by an American patrol in Strassburg, later c o m m a n d e r ( s ) , if appointed, are u n k n o w n .
168
The Standarten were the basic units of the Allgemeine-SS. When the initial Schutzstaffeln formed they numbered only some ten men each. As these numbers grew they were designated Stürme and given a Roman, later Arabic number, for identification. These Stürme combined and formed the Standarten that were then designated by Arabic numbers. The official formation date for 1.SS-Standarte was November 9, 1925, the second anniversary of the 1923 Munich Putsch, though the unit was a Standarte in strength on paper only at that time. Though Standarten finalized with Arabic designations, for a period they had Roman numerals until that method of identification was given to the Abschnitte. Each Standarte was sub-divided into several Sturmbanne (battalions) of which one was usually a replacement unit. Each Standarte also contained a Sanitätsstaffel (medical detachment). The Sturmbann were divided into Stürme (companies), normally 3 to 5 per Sturmbann. A Sturm contained 3-4 Züge or Trupps (platoons), each of which was composed of Scharen (sections, 3 per platoon). The smallest element of an Allgemeine-SS Standarte was a Rotte (file). Though heavily depleted during the war years, at peak strength a Sturmbann was to have 500-800 individuals and a Sturm 120 to 180. Ergänzungs-Sturmbanne (reserve battalions) were units undergoing primary training before transfer to the Waffen-SS in wartime. The Standarte were generally equal in strength to a military regiment. Each Standarte had a sleeve stripe (cufftitle) with the number of the unit except those which received an official honor title (some Stürme had a sleeve stripe with that honor title). Popular names were used for Standarten as well with those not utilizing such a name generally being referred to by the location of the Standarte. These were not official honor titles with a designated sleeve insignia. As seen, honor titles were normally SS or N S D A P members killed during the time of struggle prior to Hitler assuming power, though some are named for persons killed after January 30, 1933.
l.SS-Standarte (Munich) was formed from the initial Staffel established in 1925. It was commanded by Josef "Sepp" Dietrich and given the honor title "Julius Schreck" on August 25, 1936.' Four of its Stürme also had honor titles: 1: "Karl Ostberg," 2: "Theodor Casella," 5: "Franz Hellinger," and 10: "Carl Laforce." 2 August 1, 1928 to September 18, 1929 September 18, 1929 to February 10, 1933
SS-Sturmführer Josef Dietrich SS-Oberführer Heinrich Höflich
' Schreck was Hitler's original c h a u f f e u r and bodyguard. He died with the rank of S S - B r i g a d e f ü h r e r on May 16, 1936. SS-Standartenführer Karl Ostberg served on the staff of Oberabschnitt " S ü d " and died on June 1, 1935. T h e o d o r Casella and Carl L a f o r c e were killed during the failed Munich Putsch on N o v e m b e r 9, 1923. 2
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS February 10, 1933 to November 9, 1933 November 9, 1933 to January 1, 1934 January 1, 1934 to January 9, 1935
SS-Standartenführer Emil Wäckerle SS-Standartenführer Johann Maier SS-Obersturmführer, after March I. 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after August 12, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer Julian Scherner SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Buchner SS-Obersturmbannführer Willibald Fleichmann
Jan 9, 1935 to November 1936 November 1936 to October 1, 1937 October 1, 1937 to May 1945
SS-Standartenfiihrer Erich Buchmann
2.SS-Standarte was based in Frankfurt/Main. Its 4.Stürm received the honor title "Josef Bleser." 1 The Standarte was popularly known as "Hessen." May 1, 1928 to July 11, 1930
SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 18, 1929 SS-Standartenfiihrer Fritz Weitzel SS-Sturmbannführer, after July 29, 1932 SS-Standartenführer Willy Herbert SS-Hauptsturmführer Dr. Eugen Mohr SS-Standartenführer Franz Schwarz SS-Oberführer Johannes Schäfer SS-Sturmbannführer Tom Kirchstein SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Walter Moreth
January 25, 1932 to April 1, 1933 April 1, 1933 to June 12, 1933 June 12, 1933 to July 7, 1935 July 7, 1935 to May 21, 1936 May 21, 1936 to August 1936 August 1936 to May 8, 1945
3.SS-Standarte was situated in Nuremberg. July 1, 1930 to April 1, 1934 April 1, 1934 to September 20, 1936
SS-Oberführer Johann Beck SS-Standartenfiihrer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Oberführer Franz Fischer SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 12, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans von Uslar SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1938 SS-Standartenfiihrer Ludwig Eschholdt SS-Standartenführer Willibald Faust
September 20, 1936 to January 1, 1938
February 1, 1938 to February 1. 1942 February 1, 1942 to May 1945
4.SS-Standarte was finally headquartered in Altona after forming in Wesselburen. From September, 1932, to April, 1933, it was in Hartenholm and spent part of the pre-war period in Hamburg. Its popular title was "Schleswig-Holstein." May 27, 1927 to September 14, 1927 4 March 1931 5 to October 18, 1931 October 18, 1931 to December 24, 1932
SS-Sturmführer Friedrich Schlegel SS-Sturmbannführer Wilhelm Heyer SS-Standartenführer, after October 6, 1932 SS-Oberführer Paul Moder SS-Sturmbannführer Hermann Harm SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Fritz Jahnke
December 24, 1932 to June 10, 1933 June 10, 1933 to February 1, 1934
3
An N S D A P m e m b e r killed in Frankfurt/Main on February 28. 1933. During this period the Standarten were designated with R o m a n numerals in keeping with the often changing SA unit designations, Schlegel c o m m a n d e d both IV and XIII Standarten during that period. 5 C o m m a n d e r ( s ) between Schlegel and Heyer u n k n o w n at this time. 4
170
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Carl Sattler was born in Lippstadt on October 6, 1891 and served in WWI, where he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Gold. After joining the NSDAP and SA in 1929, he commanded 30.SA-Standarte in 1930-1931, then joined the SS. Commissioned an SS-Sturmfiihrer on April 2, 1932, he was NSDAP liaison for Lippstadt from March to June, 1933, then held a Polizei post Lippstadt until 1934. He was also a member of the Reichstag from November, 1933, to August, 1936. Promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer on September 15, 1932, and to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on November 9, 1933, he commanded the 30.SS-Standarte from mid-December, 1933, to January, 1935, having previously led its IV.Sturmbann. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on March 16, 1934, to SSStandartenfiihrer on June 3, 1934, and to SS-Oberführer on April 20, 1935, he commanded Abschnitt IVfrom January to June, 1935, and then went on the "at disposal" list, serving on special duty for Himmler than Abschnitt XXV until August, 1936. He was dismissed from the SS by Himmler in August, 1936, and re-admitted at his original rank in 1937, sen'ing in an administrative post until 1938. He served with the RuSHA staff from 1938 until 1945. He joined the Waffen-SS as an Obersturmbannführer d.R. in January, 1940. From January 1940 to late April 1942 he commanded a replacement battalion of the "Totenkopf' Division and was then transferred to the l.SSInfanterie-Brigade (mot) until 1943. He served the rest of the war as a reserve officer attached to the SS-Personalhauptamt after being wounded in 1943. (Phi! Nix)
SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1935 SS-Standartenführer Hermann Barnowski SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Hans Kersten SS-Standartenführer Dr. Rudolf Heuckenkamp SS-Standartenführer, after August 13, 1943 SS-Oberführer Karl Petersen
February 1, 1934 to March I, 1936
March 1, 1936 to November 1, 1938 November 1, 1938 to May 10, 1940 May 10, 1940 to May 1945
5.SS-Standarte was formed in Brohl and in September, 1934, moved to Koblenz. From December, 1936, to January, 1938, it was located in Traben, after which it was based in Trier. The Sturm which formed its basis existed since 1926 and the Standarte popular name was "Mosel."
171
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Ernst Georg Altner was a Saxon born in Waldheim on December 4, 1901. After schooling he worked as an engineer and was a member of the Stahlhelm from 1922 to 1925. He joined the NSDAP in April, 1926 and the SA in 1925 as an SA-Truppfiihrer. Commissioned an SASturmfiihrer in 1929, he sensed with SA Sturm 26 until joining the SS on May 10, 1 929. First serving with SS Sturm 21 until the start of March, 1931, he then led the 1.Sturm/I.Sturmbann/26.SS-Standarte until early July, 1931. Promoted to SS-Truppführer on April 30, 1931, he led I.Sturmbann of 26.SS-Standarte from early July to mid-November, 1931, and was commissioned an SS-Sturmführer July 1. 1931. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on November 15, 1931, and to SS-Standartenführer on December 24, 1932, he led the 26.SS-Standarte from mid-November, 1931, to mid-July, 1933. He then commanded Abschnitt XVI until mid-March, 1934, and was promoted to SSOberführer on November 9, 1933. He served as a Stabsführer for Oberabschnitt "Nordost" for two months before having the same post with Oberabschnitt "Südwest" until mid-May, 1938. He was then posted to Oberabschnitt "West" until early December that year. Training with the Army (engineers) in the pre-war years, he became a reserve Leutnant and was a member of the Reichstag for Württemberg from May, 1936, until the end of the war. As Police President for Plauen (later Dortmund-Plauen) he sensed from mid-May, 1938, until April, 1945. He served with the Army in the Western campaign of 1940, and was severely wounded while commanding an engineer company on June 15, 1940. From July, 1939, to mid-January, 1942, he also commanded the Kripo headquarters in Plauen and was chief of the Dortmund Kripo in January, 1942. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on January I, 1942, and at the same time made an honorary Generalmajor der Polizei, he won the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1940, the Gold Party Badge, the War Service Cross 1st class with Swords, the Wound Badge in Black in 1940, as well as the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. He was shot and killed in Dortmund on April 12, 1945. (Phil Nix)
SS-Standartenfiihrer Carl Zenner SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Karl Otto SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Horst Schmischke SS-Obersturmbannführer, after July 1, 1937 SS-Standartenführer Norbert Scharfe SS-Standartenführer Kurt Kubat
January 1, 1932 to April 5, 1934 April 5, 1934 to April 10, 1935 April 10, 1935 to December 31, 1936 December 31, 1936 to October 20, 1938 October 20. 1938 to May 1945
6.SS-Standarte was based in Berlin and was bestowed the Standarte honor title "Eduard Felsen" in October, 1944. Its ö.Sturm had the honor title "Eduard Felsen," 8.Sturm "Oskar Göll" and 9.Sturm "Kurt von der Ahe." 6 Its earlier popular Standarte title was "Charlottenburg." 6
Eduard Felsen was killed in Berlin on February 28, 1933 and Kurt von der Ahe was also killed in the same city on February 19,
1933.
172
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments) October 18, 1931 to July 22, 1932 August 24, 19327 to November 16, 1933 November 16, 1933 to January 1, 1935 January 1, 1935 to June 1, 1936 June 1, 1936 to September 30, 1937
SS-Sturmbannführer Max Henze SS-Standartenführer Otto Brass SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Reck SS-Hauptsturmführer Richard Peter SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Standartenführer Hermann Peter SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Bruno Hofbauer SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1942 SS-Oberführer Viktor Knapp
September 30, 1937 to May 16, 1938 May 16, 1938 to May 1945
7.SS-Standarte was based in Plauen after initial formation in Zwickau and given the honor title "Fritz Schlegel" on September 25, 1936.8 Its 3.Sturm was honor named "Paul Fressonke" and the 6.Sturm "Paul Teubner." December 15, 1930 to August 27, 1932 September 15, 1932 to March 15, 1934
SS-Standartenfiihrer Heinrich Schmauser SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1933 SS-Standartenführer Willy Weidermann SS-Standartenführer, after May 5, 1934 SS-Oberführer Heinz Roch SS-Sturmbannführer Theodor Zittel SS-Obersturmführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Karl Wichmann SS-Sturmbannführer Walter Eisfeld SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannführer Albert Kraschinski SS-Sturmbannführer Walter Reinholdt
April 5, 1934 to May 5, 1934 9 May 5, 1934 to December 4, 1934 December 4, 1934 to November 1936
November 1936 to June 1938 June 1938 to 1943 1943 to May 1945
8.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Hirschberg after forming for a month in Liegnitz. Its popular title was "Niederschlesien." SS-Standartenführer Udo von Woyrsch 10 SS-Sturmbannführer Günther Arndt SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Himpe SS-Sturmhauptführer Alexander von Woedtke SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 1, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Himpe SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Wilhelm Goecke SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Heinrich Gerner SS-Sturmbannführer Fritz Meyer SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after November 9, 1940 SS-Standartenführer Karl Burk SS-Obersturmbannführer Oscar Freiherr Luchner von Huttenbach SS-Obersturmbannführer Erich Moschner
March II, 1931 to September 1, 1931 September 1, 1931 to June 1932 June 1932 to November 9, 1932 February 1, 1933 to December 8, 1933 December 8, 1933 to September 1, 1934 September I, 1934 to January 1, 1935 January 1. 1935 to January 9, 1939 April 1. 1937 to October I, 1937 (substitute) January 9, 1939 to March I, 1941 March I, 1941 to 1943 1943 to May 1945 7
Temporary until September when he became full commander, the initial date in August matches his promotion to SS-Standartenfiihrer. F o r m e r Abschnitt c o m m a n d e r and SS-Brigadeführer, Schlegel died on S e p t e m b e r 2, 1936 while assigned to the staff of SSOberabschnitt " E l b e . " ' T h e brief periods between the initial trio of c o m m a n d e r s , the Standarte w a s probably being supervised by the adjutant between arrivals of the replacement commander. 10 S h o w n as c o m m a n d i n g several Standarten during 1931. he was Gau SS Führer for Silesia f r o m June. 1930. 8
173
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS 9.SS-Standarte was formed in Wollin (Pomerania) and after December, 1931, was based in Stettin. Its popular name was "Pommern." June 16, 1931 to December 1931 December 1931 to September 1933
SS-Obersturmbannführer Dr. Werner Krug SS-Sturmbannführer, after July 7, 1932 SS-Standartenführer Richard Einspänner SS-Truppführer Fritz Scheible SS-Obersturmführer, after April 12, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfiihrer, after June 17, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Heinrich Jürs SS-Standartenführer Alexander von Woedtke SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Hiller SS-Obersturmbannführer Ewald Strohm
September 1933 to March 22, 1934 March 22, 1934 to March 20, 1935
March 20, 1935 to March 1, 1936 March 1, 1936 to March 1, 1938 March 1, 1938 to May 1945
lO.SS-Standarte was based in Kaiserslautern from popular name was "Pfalz." 1929 to December 21, 1931
1938, after having been formed in Neustadt. Its
SS-Untersturmführer, after January 30, 1931 SS-Standartenführer Fritz Berni SS-Standartenführer, after October 26, 1932 SS-Oberführer Theodor Eicke SS-Standartenführer Willy Schmeicher SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Arno Dressier SS-Sturmbannführer Herbert Strauss SS-Sturmbannführer Otto Leiner
December 21, 1931 to April 3, 1933 September 10, 1932" to July 1. 1935 July 1, 1935 to October 17, 1938 October 17, 1938 to May 1, 1942 May 1, 1942 to May 1945
11.SS-Standarte, based in Vienna, was given honor title "Planetta" in late 1938, and was also previously referred to as Standarte "Burgenland." 1 2 June 11, 1931 13 to November 12, 1931
SS-Sturmbannführer, after June 19, 1931 SS-Standartenführer Walter Turza SS-Sturmbannführer Anton Ziegler SS-Sturmbannführer Josef Fitzthum SS-Sturmbannführer Anton Ziegler SS-Sturmbannführer Hubert Köblinger SS-Sturmbannführer Georg Hof SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Musil SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Urban SS-Sturmbannführer Max Plobner SS-Sturmbannführer Leopold Koberl SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1943 SS-Obersturmbannführer Helmuth Breymann SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1944 SS-Oberführer Walter Turza
November 12, 1931 to September 9, 1932 September 9, 1932 to March 30, 1933 March 30, 1933 to August I, 1933 August 1, 1933 to August 23, 1933 March 23, 1933 to August 1, 1934 August 1, 1934 to February 1935 February 1935 to March 1937 March 1937 to July 1938 July 1938 to October 1, 1938 October 1, 1938 to January 9, 1944 January 9, 1944 to May 1945
12.SS-Standarte was based in Hannover except for most of 1932 when Braunschweig served as its headquarters. Its popular title was "Niedersachsen."
'1 Substitute c o m m a n d e r f r o m S e p t e m b e r 10. 1932, to April 3, 1933, then full commander. Eicke had been sent to Italy by Himmler. 12 Published sources give 1939 as the date but the honor title is listed in the 1938 statistical listing. Otto Planetta was killed in Vienna on July 31, 1934, during the attack on Chancellor Dollfuss.
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Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Otto Brass was born on July 8, 1887, in Oldenburg and studed law as well as national economics. He joined the army in early October 1913 and served with the infantry until 1915. He left but rejoined in 1915 and then served with the engineers. Awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge in Black, he served in the Freikorps after WWI until January 1923. Joining the NSDAP on March 1, 1930, and the SS on April 6, 1930, he first served with SS Sturm 6. Promoted to SS-Truppführer on December 11, 1930, and commissioned as an SSSturmfiihrer on February 24, 1931, he led the the 3. Sturm/1. Sturmbann/6. SS-Standarte from mid-February, 1931, to mid-October that year. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on October 13, 1931, then to SS-Standartenführer on August 24, 1932, he led the I.Sturmbann of the 6.SS-Standarte from mid-October, 1931, to mid-August, 1932, when he took command of the Standarte. Leaving his Standarte command in mid-November, 1933, he commanded Abschnitt XXI11 to mid-August, 1934, during which he was promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on March 18, 1934. He then served as StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Nordost" until late February, 1935, and held a seal in the Reichstag representing Berlin-West from 1933 to 1945. From the end of March, 1935, to mid-March, 1936, he commanded Abschnitt VII following which he was assigned to the SS Hauptamt as a border unit Inspector until the end of that year. For the rest of the war he held staff positions with several Oberabschnitte ("Ost, " "Spree," and "Südost"). On June 18, 1940, he joined the Waffen-SS reserves as an SSObersturmführer and was a company and reserve officer in Division "Germania " (which later became "Reich " then "Das Reich ") until the end of 1940. Promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer d.R. on December I, 1940, he commanded 6./"Westland" for all of 1941, and then served with the regimental replacement battalion until August, 1942. He was assigned to the reserve officer pool of the Reichsminister of the Interior for the duration of the war and also served as a civil official in the Breslau administrative district. He won both classes of the Iron Cross, the 2nd class being a clasp to his WWI award, as well as the Infantry Assault Badge, Wound Badge in Silver, War Sen'ice Cross 2nd class with Swords and Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. He was recommended for promotion to SS-Brigadefiihrer by Ernst Schmauser (who thought highly of him) but Himmler rejected the proposal. (Phil Nix)
March 31. 1931 to September 20, 1931
SS-Sturmbannführer, after June 22, 1931 SS-Standartenfiihrer Friedrich Jeckeln SS-Sturmbannführer Konrad Unger SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 18, 1932 SS-Standartenführer, after October 6, 1932 SS-Oberführer August Heissmeyer SS-Sturmbannführer Konrad Unger SS-Hauptsturmführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer Fritz Meyer SS-Obersturmbannführer Friedrich Gehrhardt SS-Standartenführer Richard Jungclaus SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Erwin Tzschoppe SS-Standartenführer Arno Zehring SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1944 SS-Oberführer Erwin Tzschoppe
October 18, 1931 to November 16, 1931 November 16, 1931 to November 9, 1932
November 9, 1932 to January 30, 1933 January 30, 1933 to February 14, 1934 March 15, 1934 to October 1, 1937 October 1, 1937 to November 14, 1938 November 14, 1938 to December I, 1938 December I. 1938 to February 1, 1943 February 1, 1943 to May 1945
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Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS 13.SS-Standarte was based in Stuttgart and was
known as "Württemberg." SS-Sturmführer Friedrich Schlegel SS-Sturmführer, after November 15, 1931 SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Schuster SS-Sturmbannführer, after May 15, 1931 SS-Standartenführer Karl Pflomm SS-Standartenführer Robert Zeller SS-Sturmbannführer Max Humps SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Greulich SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Ihle SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 11, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Hans von Uslar SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Standartenführer Kurt Hoffmann
May 27, 1927 to September 14, 1927 January 15, 1931 to March 19, 1932 March 19. 1931 to March 21, 1932 March 21, 1932 to July 31, 1933 July 15, 1933 to April 22, 1934 April 22, 1936 to March 15, 1936 March 15, 1936 to January 1, 1938 January 1, 1938 to November 30, 1938 December I, 1938 to May 1945
14.SS-Standarte was based in Gotha and received the Standarte honor title "Gothaland." Previously its popular title was "Thüringen." April 12, 1931 to November 15, 1933
SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Oberführer Paul Hennicke SS-Obersturmführer, after December 24, 1933 Sturmhauptführer, after March 21, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after May 5, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Dr. George Eckhardt SS-Standartenführer Paul Leffler SS-Standartenführer Horst Schmischke SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 11, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannführer Hermann Weinrich
November 16, 1933 to March 15, 1936
March 15, 1936 to December 31, 1936 December 31, 1936 to July 1, 1938 July 1, 1938 to late 1942
January 194314 January 1, 1943 to April 15, 1945 15
SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst-August Hintze SS-Standartenführer Hermann Florstedt
15.SS-Standarte formed in Berlin and was based in Neuruppin after November 1933. It was popularly known as "Brandenburg." February I, 1931 to July 1, 1932 July 1. 1932 to November 18, 1933 February 21, 1934 to August 1, 1938 August I, 1938 to September 9, 1938
SS-Standartenführer Emil Sembach SS-Sturmbannführer Wilhelm Reck SS-Standartenführer Kurt Krüger SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans-Georg Neumann SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 11, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannführer Paul Exner
September 9, 1938 to August 1, 1942
16.SS-Standarte was based in Breslau with the popular Standarte title "Unterelbe." March 1, 1931 to September 1, 1931 September 1, 1931 to July 1, 1932 13 14 15 16
SS-Standartenführer Udo von Woyrsch SS-Sturmführer von Klitzing' 6
It existed as a Sturm in March 1931. Briefly held the post, Florstedt and Hintze exchanged c o m m a n d s (see 35.SS-Standarte). Executed in B u c h e n w a l d by the SS on this date. N o first name given in a 1931 list of Führer and Stabsführer and the 1938 compilation does not give his rank or first name.
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Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Hermann Behme was born in Schönebeck on March 10, 1900. He trained for three years as an electrician before joining the Imperial Navy in 1918 and served on a torpedo boat until 1919 when he left the Navy. After working as an engine fitter until 1924, he became an electrician from 1925 to 1932. Joining the NSDAP in the 1920s, he served in the Reichstag from July, 1932, to April, 1938. Joining the SS on February 15, 1931, as an SS-Sturmfiihrer, he served with the command office in Munich until early September, 1932, when he took command of the 22. SS-Standarte. He led this unit until the start of October, 1934, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on August 10, 1932, then to SS-Oberführer on November 25, 1934. He commanded Abschnitt XI from September, 1934, to mid-April, 1935. From mid-April, 1935, until dismissed from the SS by Himmler on January 24, 1938, he commanded Abschnitt XXI. Awarded the SA Sports Badge in Gold, and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, he was dismissed from the NSDAP in April, 1938. The reasons for his downfall are unknown and after his dismissal he lived in Wismar. (Phil Nix)
SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Borchmann 1 7 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Kulas 18 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after July 4, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Rudolf Lohse SS-Obersturmbannführer Friedrich Schlums SS-Standartenführer Arpad Wigand SS-Oberführer Walter Opländer SS-Standartenführer Fritz Meyer SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1944 SS-Standartenführer Hans-Georg Weber
July 1, 1932 to September 3, 1933 September 3, 1933 to March 20, 1934 March 20, 1934 to April 22, 1936
April 22, 1936 to July 1, 1936 July 1, 1936 to September 1, 1937 September 1, 1937 to October 1, 1937 October 1, 1937 to November 1, 1938 November 1, 1938 to May 1945
17.SS-Standarte was formed in Harburg-Wilhelmsburg and after April, 1936, was based in Celle. March 31, 1931 to June 22, 1931 March 22, 1931 to October 1, 1932 September 1, 1932 to December 1, 1933
11 18
SS-Sturmbannführer Friederich Jeckeln SS-Hauptsturmführer Klaus Sieh SS-Sturmhauptführer, after January 30, 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1933
Rank and last name listed with the official compilation, he apparently left the SS prior to the first D A L being completed (1934). ibid.
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Wilhelm Schröder was horn in Leipzig on April 23, 1898, and first served in WWI with the infantry. Commissioned a reserve Leutnant in 1916, he transferred to the flying service in 1918 and was attached to a fighter unit, winning his pilot's badge and both classes of the Iron Cross. Joining the NSDAP in 1923. he left after the Munich Putsch and rejoined in 1926. He was a member of the Reichstag before Hitler assumed power and held a seal until July, 1943. Enlisting in the SA in 1932 as an SA-Sturmbannfiihrer, he was commander of SA Standarte 139 from 1932 to mid-February, 1935, and was promoted to SA-Standartenführer in 1933. Transferring to the SS as an SSStandartenfiihrer on February 12. 1935, he commanded 20.SS-Standarte from May, 1935, to January, 1937. As commander of Abschnitt XV he led from January, 1937, to May, 1939, and then was Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt "Alpenland" until his death, being promoted to SS-Obeiführer on November 9, 1937. He rejoined the Army as a reserve Leutnant in 1939, and the following year was promoted to Oberleutnant. Transferring to the Waffen-SS in 1943 as an SS-Obersturmführer d.R., he was killed during a partisan action in Carinthia on July 8, 1943. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. (Phil Nix)
SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Koppe SS-Obersturmbannführer, after June 18, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Willy Tensfeld SS-Obersturmbannführer Friederich Graf von Pfeil-Burghauss SS-Obersturmbannführer Johann von Feil SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30. 1943 SS-Standartenführer Johann Schlechl
December 1, 1933 to March 16, 1935 March 16, 1935 to October 1, 1935 October 1. 1935 to March 20, 1938 March 20, 1938 to May 1945
18.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Königsberg. Its popular title was "Ostpreußen." February 1, 193219 to August 31, 1932 August 31. I932 20 to December 12, 1933
SS-Hauptsturmführer Heinz Österreich SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Brigadeführer Hans-Adolf Prützmann SS-Sturmbannführer, after July 31, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Ihle
April 20, 1933 :i to December 31, 1933 (substitute)
" A Standartenverwalter (administrative official) Ziso is listed in the Personalkanzlei history as leading the earliest group of units that became the Standarte. 20 Also documented in early September. 21 Substitute from April 20. 1933, to December 24, 1933. then full commander.
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Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments) December 16, 1933 to May 7, 1934
SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 12, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Kurt Benson SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Schäfer SS-Oberführer Heinz Roch SS-Standartenführer Johannes Schäfer SS-Obersturmbannführer Friederich Schlums SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 10, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannführer Erich Raake
May 7, 1934 to April 1, 1936 April I, 1936 to March 1, 1937 March 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938 April I, 1938 to May 20, 1939 May 20. 1939 to May 1945
19.SS-Standarte was finally based in Münster after forming and being based in Gelsenkirchen until October 1932. The popular Standarte title was "Westfalen-Nord." August 15, 1931 to September 6, 1932
SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 1, 1932 SS-Standartenführer Hans-Adolf Prützmann SS-Sturmbannführer, after December 24, 1932 SS-Standartenführer Waldemar Wappenhans SS-Standartenführer Paul Brinkmann SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Schulz SS-Sturmbannführer Friederich Gehrhardt SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Fritz Meyer SS-Standartenführer Willy Tensfeld SS-Standartenführer Hermann Schmauser SS-Standartenführer Hermann Peter SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Asmus SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Neurath SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Asmus
September 6, 1932 to April 1, 1933 April I, 1933 to August 16, 1933 August 16, 1933 to June 12, 1934 June 12, 1933 to March 8, 1934 March 8, 1934 to December 14, 1934 December 14, 1934 to April 1. 1936 April I, 1936 to October I, 1937 October 1, 1937 to July 1, 1938 July 1, 1938 to November 12, 1940 November 12, 1940 to January I, 1943 January I, 1943 to May 1945
2().SS-Standarte. headquartered in Düsseldorf, received the honor title "Fritz Weitzel" in April, 1939." Four of its Stürme also had honor titles: 1: "Karl Vobis", 3: "Kurt Hilmer", 5: "Werner Hannemann" and 11: "Friedrich Schreiber." 23 March 8, 1931 to July 4, 1932 July 4, 1932 to July 20, 1933
SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Rediess SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1932 SS-Standartenführer Jakob Sporrenburg SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9. 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after May 12, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Erwin Rösener SS-Standartenführer Franz Jaegy SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Schröder SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1938 SS-Standartenführer, after early 1944 also Oberst der Polizei Paul Dahm 2 4
July 20, 1933 to September 25, 1934
September 25, 1934 to May 6, 1935 May 6, 1935 to January 15, 1937 January 15. 1937 to May 1945
21.SS-Standarte was based in Magdeburg. January 22, 1931 to August 24, 1933
SS-Standartenführer Walther Weiss
22
See photograph on page 84 for biography of Weitzel. Vobis was killed in Düsseldorf on S e p t e m b e r 4. 1931. Hilmer was killed on J u n e 20. 1932 in Erkrath and Schreiber was killed on February 5, 1933 in D o r m a g e n . 24 He was titular c o m m a n d e r during the war years when he served with the W a f f e n - S S and later in Yugoslavia as a senior SS and Police official (see photo on page 126 for biography). 23
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The son of an estate and factory owner, Günther Claasen (shown here as an SS-Oberführer with Hermann Fegelein at the Main SS Riding School in Munich) was born in Warsaw on December I, 1888. Claasen finished his education and worked in agriculture in East Prussia before joining the army in 1909. Serving in the artillery he was commissioned as a Leutnant of the reserves in 1912 and promoted to Oberleutnant in 1917. He served as an aerial observer and pilot from 1915 to 1918, winning both classes of the Iron Cross. Serving in the Freikorps and Stahlhelm, he was a sponsoring contributor of the SS from 1931 until actually joining on April 1, 1932. Commissioned an SS-Sturmfiihrer on July 25, 1932, he served in the SS Amt as adjutant and head of the personnel section from July, 1932, to September, 1934, during which he was promoted to SS-SturmhauptfUhrer on November 9, 1932, and to SS-Sturmbannführer on January 30, 1933. Moving to Himmler's staff, he headed the SS legal office until mid-November, 1934. then held the similar post in the SS Amt and later SSHauptamt until early June, 1935, during which he became an SS-Standartenfiihrer on September 4, 1934, and an SS-Oberfiihrer on September 12, 1937. During his control of these individual legal sections Paul Scharfe was the senior SS legal officer and he led the Hauptamt SS-Gericht when it was created from the legal office within Himmler's staff in June, 1939. Claasen then sen'ed as Abschnitt XVII Stabsführer from June, 1935, until the start of January, 1937, when he became commander until the beginning of November, 1938. He served as StabsfUhrer with Oberabschnitte "West" from November, 1938, to the end of August, 1939. For the next three years he held staff positions with Oberabschnitte "West" and "Südwest" until early July, 1942, when reassigned to the RSHA. Serving as Police President for Münster from mid-May, 1937, to early September, 1939, he then held the same post in Warsaw until mid-October, 1941. He commanded the 7.SS-Totenkopfstandarte from September, 1940, to mid-January, 1941, and the 8.SS-Totenkopfstandarte from April to September, 1941. His final post, as Police President for Karlsruhe, lasted from early April, 1942, to May, 1945. He also headed the SS garrison located there. Awarded the War Service Cross 2nd class, Claasen was an industrious man of open and honorable character. He died on July 22, 1946 in a POW camp. (Author's archive)
April 20, 1934 May 7, 1934 March 15, 1934 to April 20, 1935 25 April 20, 1935 to July 1, 1938
SS-Obersturmbannführer Curt Brasack SS-Standartenführer Otto Hofmann SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer Walter Langleist SS-Hauptsturmführer Hans Schmid SS-Obersturmbannführer Rudolf Stöweno SS-Sturmbannflihrer Walter Brey
July 1, 1938 to May 20, 1939 May 20, 1939 to March 1, 1941 March 1. 1941 to September 13, 1944 26
22.SS-Standarte, based in Schwerin, was given the honor title "von der Schulenburg" on July 25, 1939.27 Its earlier popular name was "Mecklenburg." October 15, 1931 to September 9, 1932 25 26 27
SS-Standartenführer Fritz Montag
Substitute until May 7, 1934. Brey was killed on this date with later commander(s), if assigned, being unknown. Named in honor of SS-Obergruppenführer Friedrich von der Schulenburg, who died on May 1, 1939.
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Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Waller Opländer is in the foreground in this winter photo at the SS Panzergrenadier school. Left of him is Karl-Hermann Frank and the tall officer is Hans Kempin, commander of the school. Opländer was horn in Boring, Westphalia, on February 27, 1906. He trained for a career in business and worked for the same company from 1924 to 1931 as a traveling representative. After joining the SA in October, 1924, he served until mid-November, 1930, and joined the NSDAP on June 1, 1925. He also joined the SS on October 1. 1930, where he sen'ed with SS Sturm 24 in Bochum until September, 1931. Promoted to SS-Schaifiihrer on March 15, 1931, and to SS-Truppführer on September 10, 1931, he was commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on January 1, 1932. As adjutant of the l9.SS-Standarte he served from January to October, 1932. From October, 1932, to mid-September, 1933, he was adjutant of the 18.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SSSturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1933. Opländer then led the 35.SS-Standarte from mid-September, 1933, to June, 1935, being promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on November 9, 1933, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on November 9, 1934. From June, 1935, to April, 1936, he was a special duties officer to Oberabschnitt "Nordwest, " and was Befehlshaber der Sipo and SD for Berlin from October, 1936, to October, 1937. From April, 1936, he headed SD Oberabschnitt "Ost" until October, 1937, during which he was promoted to SS-Oberführer on September 13, 1936. For a year beginning in October, 1936, he was the first to hold the new post of Inspector of the Sipo and SD in Berlin, and then he commanded the 23.SS-Standarte until mid-January, 1938. He then led Abschnitt XXI until mid-June, 1939, followed by becoming the first commander of Abschnitt XXXIX until April, 1944, and was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on April 20, 1943. He also served with the Waffen-SS beginning in March, 1941, with regiments "Westland" and "Nordland" until October, 1941, and was commissioned as a Waffen-SS Untersturmführer d. R. on October 2, 1941. Letter he also served with the Flak Abteilung of V.SS-FreiwilligeGebirgs-Korps from August, 1943, to March, 1944, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmführer d.R. on January 30, 1945. From March to December, 1944, he became the first Stabsfiihrer to the leader of the Oberabschnitt and HSSPF " Böhmen und Mähren " (the Oberabschnitt was expanded from his previous Abschnitt command). He served the remainder of the war as a special duties officer to Hans-Adolf Prützmann (December. 1944, to mid-January, 1945) and in a similar capacity with Friedrich Jeckeln (mid-January, 1945, until the end of the war). Fluent in English and Spanish, he was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Gold, the Iron Cross 2nd class on October 13, 1941, and the War Service Cross 1st class in 1943. He died in Brilon on October 26, 1947. (Author's archive)
September 9, 1932 to October 1, 1934 October 1, 1934 to October 1, 1935 October 1, November January 1, September November
SS-Standartenführer Hermann Behme SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Sturmbannführer Constantin Heldmann SS-Obersturmbannführer Erich Werner SS-Standartenführer Carl Oberg SS-Obersturmbannführer Jakob Kommer SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl-Franz Grimme SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1942 SS-Standartenführer Francis Müller SS-Hauptsturmführer Werner Wedde SS-Standartenführer Francis Müller
1935 to November 1, 1935 1, 1935 to January 1, 1937 1937 to September 1937 1, 1937 to November, 1938 1, 1938 to November, 1942
November 1, 1942 to October 1, 1943 October 1, 1943 to May, 1945
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Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
23.SS-Standarte was based in Beuthen after April, 1938. It was originally formed in Oppeln and then was in Gleiwitz from March, 1935, to April, 1938. "Oberschlesien" was its popular Standarte title. March 1, 1931 to June 15, 193128 March 11, 1931 to September 1, 1931 September I. 1931 to July 10, 1932
Theodor Berkelmann SS-Standartenführer Udo von Woyrsch SS-Unterturmführer, after March 16, 1932 SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Werner SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1933 SS-Standartenführer Johann Harnys SS-Sturmhauptführer, after May 26, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Alfred Kagelmann SS-Standartenführer Fritz Meyer SS-Oberführer Walter Opländer SS-Standartenführer Werner Pögel SS-Sturmbannführer Richard Fiegler
July 10, 1932 to February 12, 1934 February 12, 1934 to March 16, 1935 April 2. 1935 to April I, 1937 October 1, 1937 to January 15, 1938 January 15, 1938 to February I, 1942 February I, 1942 to May 1945
24.SS-Standarte was seated in Oldenburg and had the Standarte honor title "Ostfriesland.' SS-Standartenführer Kurt Brand SS-Standartenführer Theodor Berkelmann SS-Standartenführer Waldemar Wappenhans SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Schröder SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1936 SS-Standartenführer, after March 20, 1938 SS-Oberführer Helmut Schöne SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1943 SS-Obersturmbannführer Adolf Ellenberger
May 10, 1931 to February 7, 1933 April 1. 1933 to December 9, 1933 December 9, 1933 t o O c t o b e r 3 1 , 1934 October 31. 1934 to January 7, 1935 January 7, 1935 to March 21, 1938
March 21, 1938 to May 1945
25.SS-Standarte was based in Essen. Four of its Stürme had honor titles: 1: "Garthe", 3: "Friedrich Karpinski", 4: "Arnold Guse" and 5: "Leopold Paffrath." 2 '' The Standarte was known popularly as "Ruhr." SS-Sturmbannführer, after August 8, 1931 SS-Standartenführer Karl Zech SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1932 SS-Standartenführer Heinz Roch SS-Untersturmführer Martin Knellessen SS-Oberführer Karl Zech SS-Sturmbannführer Fritz Katzmann SS-Obersturmbannführer, after May 12, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Franz Jaegy SS-Hauptsturmführer Leo Czodrowski SS-Standartenführer Hans Himpe SS-Oberführer Konstantin Kammerhofer SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannführer Alfred Buchs SS-Standartenfiihrer Arnold Nöhles
August 24, 1931 to July 13, 1932 July 13, 1932 to December 16, 1933 June 12, 1933 to November 9, 1933 (substitute) December 16, 1933 to January 1, 1934 January 10, 1934 to January 15, 1934 January 15, 1934 to September 25, 1934 September 25, 1934 to November 1, 1934 November 1, 1934 to April 1, 1936 April 1, 1936 to October 1, 1937 October 1, 1937 to 1943 1943 to May 1945
26.SS-Standarte had the Standarte honor title "Paul Berck," which was also accorded its 1 .Sturm, and was headquartered in Halle. 28 Berkelmann was in the SA as well as the SS as a candidate. He was assigned to f o r m the unit and Woyrsch was given c o m m a n d on March 11th with B e r k e l m a n n staying on to assist until June 15th when he was promoted directly to SS-Standartenführer, having given up his SA rank on March 1. 1932. His seniority w a s backdated to J u n e 15, 1931.
182
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Friedrich
Karl Freiherr von Eherstein
(left) with Carl Zenner. (Jess
November 15, 1931 to July 22, 1933
Lukens)
SS-Sturmbannführer, after December 24, 1932 SS-Standartenführer Georg Altner SS-Hauptsturmführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 15, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Paul Kuhn SS-Standartenfiihrer Friederich Krause SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Ludolf von Alvensleben SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Bergrath SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 10, 1939 SS-Standartenfiihrer Karl Wichmann SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1941 SS-Standartenführer Albert Rüdiger SS-Standartenführer Albert Rüdiger
July 1933 to May 7, 1934
May 7, 1934 to September 30, 1935 October I, 1935 to September 20, 1936 September 20, 1936 to April 1937 April 1937 to January 22, 1944 June 1940 to June 1941 (substitute) January 22, 1944 to May 1945
27.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Frankfurt/Oder. Its popular title was Standarte "Ostmark." December 15, 1931 to July 12, 1932 August 7, 1932-10 to August 1. 1934
SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Erich von dem Bach SS-Sturmführer, after December 1, 1932 SS-Sturmhauptführer, after April 7, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer Walter Gerlach SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Standartenführer Fritz Teufel
August 1, 1934 to May 20, 1939
29 Erich Garthe was killed in Essen on October 5, 1941, and Karpinski was killed in the same city on July 2, 1932. Arnold Guse was killed on January 19, 1932, in Essen and Leopold Paffrath was killed on February 1, 1933. 30 C o m m a n d e r between these two men unknown but probably the adjutant on a temporary basis.
183
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Ludwig Eschholdt was born in Brebach on August 12, 1892. He joined the army in October, 1912, and served with a machine gun unit in an infantry regiment. Seriously wounded four times, he was discharged in November, 1916, having won the Iron Cross 2nd class and Wound Badge in Silver. He worked in the mining industry between the wars and joined the NSDAP in August 1931. Joining the SS with the 20.SS-Standarte on March 1, 1931, he was promoted to SS-Scharfiihrer on October 25, 1931, and to SS-Truppführer on December 24, 1931. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on February 21, 1932, he commanded the 2.Sturm of the 20.SS-Standarte from February, 1932, to early November, 1933, when he took command of the 2.Sturm/IV.Sturmbann./25.SS-Standarte until the end of February, 1934. Promoted to SS-Obersturmführer on November 9, 1933, he also served with the Schutzpolizei in Hamburg from April, 1933, to May, 1934, and was commissioned as a police Leutnant in 1934. From May to October, 1934, he served in Hamburg with the Gendarmerie. Promoted to SS-Hauptsturmführer on June 18, 1934, he led the IV.Sturmbann of the 25.SS-Standarte from the end of February to midJune, 1934. He then commanded II.Sturmbann until October, 1934, followed by leadership of the 7.SS-Motorstandarte until March, 1935. During April, 1935, to the start of March, 1937, he was Stabsführer of Abschnitt XIX being promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on April 20, 1935, and to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on January 30, 1936. He was ill from March to late June, 1937, then became Stabsführer of Abschnitt IX until the start of February, 1938. As commander he led the 3.SS-Standarte from early February, to early February, 1942, and was promoted SS-Standartenfiihrer on November 9,1938, and to SS-Oberführer on November 9, 1942. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on April 20, 1944, he commanded Abschnitt XXVIII from early November, 1942, to May, 1945. Welt regarded by his Oberabschnitt superior and area Gauleiter, he spoke fluent Rumanian, and was awarded the SA Sports Badge in Silver, and the War Service Cross 1st class on November 4, 1944. (Phil Nix)
184
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments) May 20, 1939 to May 1945
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after June 2 1 , 1 9 4 3 SS-Standartenführer Emil Klein
2 8 . S S - S t a n d a r t e , based in Hamburg, had two Stürme with honor titles 1: "Henry Kobert" and 9: "Hans Cyranka." February 23, 1931 to 1932 1932 to August 7, 1933
SS-Standartenführer Karl Hinrich SS-Sturmbannführer, after July 22, 1932 SS-Standartenführer Hans Hinsch SS-Sturmbannführer, after December 1, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Werner Ballauf SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer Robert Engewicht SS-Standartenführer Ernst Brandes SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Otto Hofmann SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 12, 1937 SS-Standartenführer Jürgen Stroop SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30,1943 SS-Standartenführer Ewald Schumacher SS-Standartenführer Karl Petersen SS-Standartenführer Ewald Schumacher
August 7, 1933 to March 1, 1934 March 1, 1934 to March 20, 1934 March 20, 1934 to April 2, 1935 April 2, 1934 to May 25, 1935 March 25, 1935 to December 1, 1938
December 1, 1938 to June 22, 1943 June 22, 1943 to August 13, 1943 (substitute) August 13, 1943 to May 1945
29.SS-Standarte was formed in Niderraunau and moved to Munich in 1932. In April, 1933, the Standarte moved to Augsburg and it was based in Lindau from October, 1934. Its popular name was "Schwaben." January 18, 1931 to April 19, 1933
SS-Sturmführer, after June 1, 1931 SSSturmbannführer, after October 18, 1931 SS-Standartenführer, after August 11, 1932 SS-Oberführer Erasmus Freiherr von MaisenPonickau
April 20, 1933 to December 15, 1933
SS-Sturmführer, after August 23, 1932 SS-Sturmbannführer, after July 15, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Loritz SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 22, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after June 18, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Rolf von HumannHainhofen
December 15, 1933 to August 23, 1934
August 23, 1934 to December 1937 December 1937 to January 1, 1943
SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Thyson SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1941 SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Neurath SS-Sturmbannführer Peter Höh
January 1, 1943 to May 1945
30.SS-Standarte was based in Bochum and received the Standarte honor title "Adolf Höh." Four of its Stürme were titled also: 1: "Fritz Borawski," 2 (until 1939): "Adolf Höh," 3: "August Pfaff" and 11 (after 1939) "Adolf Höh." 3 ' Its earlier popular Standarte name was "Westfalen-Süd." 31 All three men were killed in street fighting: Borawski on J u n e 26, 1932, in Wattenscheid. Höh on D e c e m b e r 7, 1930, in D o r t m u n d and Pfaff on October 22, 1932, in Castrop-Rauxel.
185
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS January 30. 1933 to November 16. 1933
SS-Standartenfiihrer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Oberfiihrer Fritz Schlessmann 3 2 SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 16, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after June 3, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Carl Sattler SS-Hauptsturmführer Robert Radamacher SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Alfred Scholz SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1940 SS-Standartenführer Arnold Nöhles SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1941 SS-Obersturmbannführer Adolf Vasel
December 14, 1933 to January 1. 1935
January 1. 1935 to December 31, 1935 January 1, 1936 to June 1940 June 1940 to 1941 1941 to May 1945
31.SS-Standarte was formed in Landshut. It moved to Dingolfing until March, 1933, then Regensburg until November, 1933, then Straubing until April, 1935, when it permanently returned to Landshut. Two Stürme received honor titles: 4: "Faust" and 12: "Andreas Zinkl." 33 The Standarte was popularly known as "Niederbayern." May 1, 1926 to October 28, 1934
after November 30, 1928 SSSturmbannfiihrer, after February 1. 1931 SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Deubel SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Sturmbannführer Emil Frels SS-Oberführer Hans Döring SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Paul Kröger
October 28, 1934 to June 1, 1936 June 1, 1936 to January 1. 1937 January 1, 1937 to May 1945
32.SS-Standarte was formed in Karlsruhe and moved to Heidelberg in August, 1933. Its popular name was "Baden." SS-Standartenführer Hans Helwig 34 SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after after February 15, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Konrad Zahn SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Ihle SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Nickel SS-Hauptsturmführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Sturmbannführer Johannes Kleinow SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20. 1938 SS-Obersturmbannführer Kurt Kleist SS-Standartenführer Paul Kröger SS-Obersturmbannführer Emil Schulz
February 25, 1931 to July 18, 1933 July 18, 1933 to March 10, 1934
March 10, 1934 to March 15, 1936 March 15, 1936 to June 1936 June 1936 to December 31, 1937 December 31, 1937 to December 6, 1943 December 6, 1943 to October 1944 October 1944 to May 1945
33.SS-Standarte was based in Darmstadt, except from November, 1933, to September, 1938, when headquartered in Mainz. It was created from portions of the existing 30.SS-Standarte and was popularly known as "Rhein-Hessen." 32 B e f o r e being designated a Standarte, it was a Brigade in conjunction with what b e c a m e the l9.SS-Standarte and Schlessmann had c o m m a n d of the Brigade f r o m January to early March, 1931, when his c o m m a n d consisted of just the 30.SS-Standarte. 33 Martin Faust was killed during the Munich Putsch on N o v e m b e r 9. 1923. The date of death for Andreas Zinkl is u n k n o w n . 34 Born on S e p t e m b e r 25. 1881. he c o m m a n d e d Sachsenhausen concentration c a m p f r o m August I. 1937, to May 1, 1938.
186
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments) January 1, 1932 to July I, 1932 July 1, 1932 to April I, 1933
SS-Standartenführer Hans Döring SS-Sturmbannführer, after July 13, 1932 SS-Standartenführer Paul Brinkmann SS-Standartenführer Willy Herbert SS-Standartenführer Reinhold Schulze SS-Obersturmbannführer George Ebrecht SS-Obersturmbannführer Walter Johst SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1939 SS-Standartenführer Fritz Hildebrandt SS-Obersturmbannführer Bodo von Gerdtell SS-Obersturmbannführer Xavier Schnöller
April 1, 1933 to May 15, 1935 May 15, 1935 to January 13, 1937 January 13. 1937 to March 31, 1937 April I, 1937 to January I, 1939 January 1, 1939 to 1944 January 1943 (substitute) 1944 to May 1945
34.SS-Standarte was based in München (Munich) with the popular name "Oberbayern." September 22, 1930 to February 10, 1934
SS-Sturmführer, after March 11. 1931 SS-Standartenführer Hermann Dolp SS-Obersturmbannführer Carl Weberpals SS-Standartenführer Alfred Müller SS-Standartenführer Albrecht Schoerner SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Willibald Fleischmann
February 10, 1934 to April 20, 1934 April 20, 1934 to June I, 1936 June 1, 1936 to October 1, 1937 October 1, 1937 to May 1945
35.SS-Standarte was based in Kassel. SS-Sturmbannführer Verne 35 SS-Standartenführer Hans Döring SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Walter Opländer SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Paul Nostitz SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Hermann Florstedt SS-Obersturmbannführer Ernst-August Hintze
December 1929 to July 1, 1932 July 1, 1932 to September 15, 1933 September 15, 1933 to June 1, 1935 June 1, 1935 to December 31, 1936 January 1, 1937 to January 1, 1943 January 1, 1943 to May 1945
36.SS-Standarte first formed as Standarte " D " under SS-Truppführer Kurt Schubert in the autumn of 1930, with Schubert holding command in that form until April, 1932. 36 Headquartered in Danzig, it later moved to Zoppot. Erich Peters 37 SS-Sturmbannführer Kurt Schubert SS-Sturmbannführer Verne SS-Sturmbannführer Konrad Unger SS-Standartenführer Dr. Alexander Reiner SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 12, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Franz Bannach SS-Sturmbannführer Gerhard Liebisch SS-Standartenfiihrer Willy Herbert SS-Standartenfiihrer Dr. Eugen Mohr
April 1932 April 1932 to December 1932 December 1932 to February 21, 1933 February 21, 1933 to June 21. 1933 June 21, 1933 to November 13, 1933 December 16, 1933 to December 1934 December 1934 to May 15, 1935 May 15, 1935 to January 15, 1936 January 15, 1936 to December 1, 1936
35 C o n f i r m e d by the pre-war compilation history and personnel orders without first name. He also later c o m m a n d e d the units in Danzig (36.SS-Standarte) and left the SS on M a y 1, 1933. 36 Not to be c o n f u s e d with Regiment " D e u t s c h l a n d " of the S S / V T and later W a f f e n - S S . 37 Appointed leader of the local SS by the Gauleiter for the area, he held no SS rank.
187
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Johann Harnys was born in Upper Silesia on December 11, 1894. The son of a farmer, he joined the army in April 1910 and attended three NCO schools. He joined an infantry regiment in April 1914. Wounded several times, he later served with an engineer unit and transferred to the flying sen'ice in the spring of 1918. Awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class and Wound Badge in Black, he served with the Freikorps border protection units in 1919-1920. Joining the Teno in 1924, he participated in civilian flying dubs from 1924-1929. He enlisted in the SA in Oppeln during early December, / 929, and joined the NSDAP on April 1, 1931. Transferring to the SS at the request of Udo von Woyrsch on August 15, 1930, he served with the 23,SS-Standarte and became adjutant until the start of March, 1932. Commissioned an SS-Sturmführer on March 1, 1932, he led the 1.Sturm of the I.Sturmbann from early March, 1932, to July that year. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on July 10, 1932, he then commanded the 23.SS-Standarte until mid-February, 1934, during which he was also promoted to SS-StandartenfUhrer on April 20, 1933. He next commanded Abschnitt Xll until mid-January, 1935, and was promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on April 20, 1934. From mid-January, 1935, to the start of January, 1937, he commanded Abschnitt XVI. After serving in inspection and staff assignments with Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra" until the beginning of October, 1942, he took command of Abschnitt XXVII until May, 1945, and was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on January 30, 1942. In the pre-war years he was a reserve flying officer with the Luftwaffe then became a Waffen-SS Hauptsturmführer d.R. on July 15, 1942, serving briefly with the HSSPF ••Rußland-Süd" in 1942. He died in Diemelstadt on June 4, 1981. (Phil Nix)
December 1, 1936 to February 1937 February 1937 to December 31, 1938
SS-Sturmbannführer Max Pauly SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer Manfred Körnich SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1943 SS-Obersturmbannführer Kurt Eimann
January 1, 1939 to May 1945
37.SS-Standarte was based in Linz (Austria) and known as "Ob der Enns." June 11, 1931 to July 1, 1932
SS-Sturmbannführer, after June 19, 1931 SS-Standartenführer Walter Turza Karl Hoffmann 3 8 SS-Sturmhauptführer, after December 24, 1932 SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Johann von Feil
July I, 1932 to September 25, 1932 September 25, 1932 to June 15, 1934
,8
Held c o m m a n d as an N C O and was commissioned on September 3. 1933.
188
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Hans Loritz (on the right shaking hands with Gauleiter Adolf Wagner) was born in Augsburg on December 21, 1895, the son of a police official. In Berlin when WWI started, he returned to Bavaria and joined the A rmy in early September, 1914. Serving in the infantry, he was gassed and wounded three times. He transferred to the Flying Corps and served with a bomber unit until shot down over France on July 17, 1918. Mistreated badly as a prisoner by the French, he was finally released in February, 1920. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1915, the Flying Badge on December 30, 1918, and the Wound Badge in Silver on February 7, 1921 (he suffered 30% disability). Having been a baker in civilian life, returning to Germany he joined the police and served in Augsburg until late January, 1931, when he took a civil post. Dismissed from his job, he joined the NSDAP on August I, 1930, and the SS one month later. From September, 1930, to late December that year, he served with SS Sturm 75 and then led the 1 ./II./29.SS-Standarte until mid-December, 1931. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmführeron November 15, 1931, and promoted to SS-Sturmhauptführer on April 11, 1932, he was the first commander of II./29. SSStandarte from August, 1932, to April 1933. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on August 23, 1932, he led the 29.SS-Standarte from April, 1933, to mid-December that year. He then served as special duties officer to both Abschnitt VIII and Oberabschnitt "Donau" until March, 1934, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer on July 15, 1933. During that time he also commanded the Austrian SS Standarte formed at Dachau. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on March 16, 1934, he had transferred to the concentration camp system in mid-December, 1933. From mid-December, 1933, to July, 1934, he was the only commander of the camp at Papenburg. When that camp dosed he became the first commandant at the Esterwegen camp until the start of April, 1936. From the end of March, 1936, to the start of July, 1939, he was commander of the camp at Dachau and was dismissed from his command by Hitler for being to harsh. Transferring to the Sachsenhausen as commander from April, 1940, to the end of August, 1942, he was dismissed for "financial irregularities" (personal labor use), but officially for being too lenient with the prisoners. From July, 1939, to April, 1943, he also commanded Abschnitt XXXV. Moving to Norway he was put in charge of all labor and POW camps in Norway under the HSSPF "Nord" until the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on September 15,1935, he was also made a Waffen-SS Oberführer during the war years. Awarded both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the 2nd class without Swords, he was among the most brutal camp commanders at Dachau. Arrogant and personally cruel, he allowed barbaric behavior by the guards and was liked by Theodor Eicke (commander of all the camps). It is possible his mistreatment as a prisoner in WW! added to his cruelty as a camp commander He lost his command at Sachsenhausen when an inquiry found he was using camp labor to build himself a yacht. Fluent in French learned as a POW in WWI, he was interned in Neumünster after the war, where he committed suicide on January 31, 1946. (Phil Nix)
June 15, 1934 to June 15, 1935 June 15, 1935 to March 1, 1939
SS-Hauptsturmführer Ernst Kaltenbrunner SS-Untersturmführer, after November 9, 1936 SS-Obersturmführer, after November 9, 1937 SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 17, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Dr. Ferdinand von Sammern-Frankenegg
March 1, 1939 to May 1945
SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1940 SS-Obersturmbannführer Gustav Glasewald
189
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
38.SS-Standarte was formed in Leoben and in August, 1934, moved to Bruck. It was based in Graz after March, 1938, when the SS again became legal in Austria. SS-Sturmbannfiihrer, after June 19, 1931 SS-Standartenführer Walter Turza SS-Sturmführer Robert Knapp 39 SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Taus SS-Unterturmführer, after November 9, 1935 SS-Obersturmführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmführer Rupert Pinter SS-Obersturmbannführer Erwin Remely SS-Sturmbannführer Werner Schmitz SS-Obersturmbannführer Viktor Nageler
June 11, 1931 to October 1931 October 1931 to June 1932 June 15, 1934 to November 18, 1934 November 18, 1934 to January 1937
January 1937 to December 1, 1938 December 1, 1938 to 1943 1943 to May 1945
39.SS-Standarte was formed in Kolberg and moved to Lauenburg in June, 1933. After July, 1934, it was based in Köslin. It was unofficially known as "Ostpommern." Hauptmann a.D. Willy Krieger 40 SS-Standartenführer Willy Fruggel SS-Sturmhauptführer, after June 17, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer Elimar Schulze SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Kumm SS-Oberführer Berthold Maack SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Standartenführer Hans Thumser SS-Standartenführer Norbert Scharfe
December 15, 1930 to October 7, 1932 October 7, 1932 to May 7, 1934 May 7, 1934 to October 1, 1934 October 1, 1934 to October 31, 1934 December 4, 1934 to November 1, 1935 November I. 1935 to January 1, 1939
January 1, 1939 to May 1945
40.SS-Standarte was based in Kiel. Two Stürme received honor titles: I: "Radke" and 8: "Martens." 4 1 October 18. 1931 to October 6, 1932 October 6, 1932 to November 25, 1933
SS-Standartenführer Alfred Rodenbücher SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1933 SS-Standartenführer Ludwig Reinhardt SS-Obersturmbannführer Johannes Zingler SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 15, 1935 SS-Standartenführer Werner Pögel SS-Standartenführer Heinz Stiebler
November 25, 1933 to September 1, 1934 September 1. 1934 to April 30. 1937 May 1, 1937 to May 1945
41.SS-Standarte was formed in Kulmbach and moved to Hof in May, 1932. From June, 1932, to the end of October, 1933, it was in Coburg and then moved to its final headquarters in Bayreuth. Its popular name was "Oberfranken." November 16, 1931 to June 1, 1932 June I, 1932 to September 9, 1932 September 10, 1932 to November 20, 1933
SS-Standartenführer Kurt Wittje SS-Sturmführer Paul Kuhn SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1933 SS-Standartenführer Emil Mazuw SS-Obersturmführer,after December 24, 1933 SS-Sturmhauptführer, after January 30, 1934
November 20, 1933 to August 1934
39
He j o i n e d the SS in 1931 and later left following the Austrian Putsch. W h e n he later rejoined the SS he obtained a new SS number. A retired A r m y Hauptmann, he appears to have held the post without SS rank and was later c o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on August 22, 1934. Ernst S c h m a u s e r held the position previously f r o m October to December. 1930, but it is doubtful if the unit had reached a n y w h e r e near regimental strength during those early months. 41 Karl Radke was killed on N o v e m b e r 9. 1931, in Eutin and Martin Martens was killed in NeumUnster on N o v e m b e r I I , 1931. 40
190
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Kurt Ludwig was born in Aschara in Gotha on March 28, 1902. He studied farming and agriculture, serving in the Freikorps during 1920-1923. Joining the NSDAP and SA in 1923, he left after the Munich Putsch. Joining the Frontbann until the NSDAP was again legal, he rejoined the Party and SA in August, 1925. From 1925 to 1929, he served with S/t Standarte 5 in Gotha and was a member of the Reichstag from December, 1933, to the end of the war. He joined the SS on April 1, 1929, and first served with the 2./1./14. SS-Standarte until August, 1931. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on August 27, 1931, he then led the 2./I./14.SS-Stanadarte from that date until early February, 1932. From February, 1932, to November, 1933, he led the I./14.SS-Standarte, being promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on February 8, 1932, and to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on September 3, 1933. As commander of the 67.SS-Standarte he sensed from November, 1933, to March, 1935, and then commanded the 57.SS-Standarte from March to August, 1935, being promoted to SSStandartenfUhrer on November 9, 1933. From August, 1935, toOctober, 1937, he led Abschnitt XXX and was promoted to SS-Obeiführer on September 15, 1935. He led Abschnitt XIV from October, 1937, to February, 1943, and also served with the staff of the RKFDVfrom May, 1942, to February, 1943. As Police President for Bremen he served from October, 1937, to December, 1941, but was dismissed for excessive drinking and poor conduct. Ludwig next commanded Abschnitt V then was commander of Abschnitt XVII from February, 1943, to January, 1944. He served on the staff of Oberabschnitt " Fulda-Werra" from January, 1944, to the end of the war and was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on April 20, 1945. Training with the Army in the pre-war years, he became a Waffen-SS reserve SS-Obersturmfiihrer on October 1, 1940, with Regiment "Germania. " Involved in a car accident he did not return to the Waffen-SS until March, 1944, at his previous reserve rank. Promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer d.R. on January 30, 1945, he sen'ed with Regiment "Westland" and as a staff officer in "Wiking. " In this second Waffen-SS sen'ice period he was well thought of by divisional commander Karl Ullrich who recommended him for his promotion to SS-Hauptsturmführer d. R. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class, the NSDA P Long Sen'ice Award in Silver, the SA Sports Badge in Gold, and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. Ludwig died in Bremen on April 2, 1989. (Phil Nix)
SS-Sturmbannführer, after May 25, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Rudolf Gutenberger SS-Sturmbannführer Lorenz Eichhorn SS-Hauptsturmführer Otto Schubert SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1937 Erich Buchmann
August, 1934 to February 1935 February 1935 to May 1936 May 1936 to October 1, 1937 October 1, 1937 to February 1, 1942 February 1, 1942 to May 1945
SS-Standartenführer Friedrich Stetter SS-Sturmbannführer Rudolf Jäger
191
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Erhard Müller was born in Nuremberg on November 17, 1906, the son of a factory worker. He worked in the insurance industry from 1922 to 1935 and joined the NSDAP in December, 1922. In April, 1923, he joined the SA and served under the command of Walter Buch (later the senior NSDAP judge). After the Munich Putsch he left the NSDAP but remained in the SA that was disguised as the Frontbann. He rejoined the NSDAP on September 21. 1925, and joined the SS on October 22, 1925. His first posting was with SS Sturm 3 until promoted to SS-Truppführer on February 1, 1929. Midler than led SS Sturm 3 until February, 1930, when he became adjutant of 2.SSStandarte (then designated SS-Standarte 11) until mid-March, 1931. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on March 12, 1931, he was adjutant of 3.SS-Standarte from that date until April, 1933, during which he was promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on November 2, 1931. From April, 1933, to mid-March, 1935, he led the 57. SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on September 3, 1933, then to SS-Standartenfiihrer on December 24, 1933. From late March to mid-May, 1938, he was Stabsfiihrer of Oberabschnitt "Nord" (see "Ostsee"). Beginning in January, 1937, he was a member of the Reichstag until the end of the war. He served as Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt "Südwest" from mid-May, 1938, to the start of February, 1945, being promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on November 9, 1938, and to SS-Brigadefiihrer on November 9, 1943. From the start of February, 1945, to the end of the war, he was the Stabsführer of Oberabschnitt "Siid. " He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, and the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver. Kurt Kaul considered him an outstanding chief of staff, the stress ofthat job causing a heart attack in January 1945. Miiller died in Söhrewald on June 1, 1977. (Phil Nix)
42.SS-Standarte, one of several Berlin based units, received the honor title "Fritz von Scholz" in November, 1944.42
August 24, 1932 43 to August 23, 1934 August 23, 1934 to May 6, 1935 May 6, 1935 to June 1, 1939
SS-Standartenfiihrer Rudolf Weiss SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Paul Kuhn SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 15, 1935 SS-Standartenführer Willi Richardt SS-Standartenführer Fritz Teufel SS-Sturmbannführer Kurt Seliger
May 20, 1939 to 1943 1943 to May 1945
43.SS-Standarte was formed in Glatz and moved to Frankenstein in May, 1935. July 10, 193244 to May 9, 1933 May 9, 1933 to October 15, 1934
SS-Sturmbannführer Josef Fieback SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 9, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Josef Makosch SS-Obersturmbannführer Johannes Zingler
October 15, 1934 to June 30, 1936 42 43 44
Named for the Waffen-SS Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords holder killed in action in 1944. SS-Amt assignment records give early September. SS-Amt assignment orders give the appointment in early September (and spell his name incorrectly).
192
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Fritz Schlessmann was born in Essen on March 11, 1899. He left school and joined the Imperial Navy in 1914, serving in U-boats until transferring to minesweepers in 1919. Awarded the U-boat Badge, he also served in the Freikorps during 1919-1920. After leaving the service he studied engineering and worked for Krupp in that field from 1926 to June, 1931. He joined the NSDAP in December, 1922, and the SA the same year. Leaving the NSDAP after the Putsch, he rejoined in mid-December, 1925, and stayed in the SA until 1930. Joining the SS on May 5, 1930, he served with the SS Sturm in Essen then Standarten 22 and 45 until late January, 1931. After three months as a Brigade commander, he became the first commander of the 30.SS-Standarte from early March, 1931, to mid-November, 1933. Given the rank of SS-Standartenfiihrer on March 8, 1931, he was the first commander of Abschnitt XXV from mid-November, 1933, to the start of October, 1937, when he took command of Abschnitt V until early February, 1939. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on January 30, 1936, and to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on January 30, 1942, he served in the Reichstag from November, 1933 to the end of the war. From late July, 1933, to August, 1938, he was Police President of Bochum and held the same post in Essen from October, 1937, to November, 1939. As deputy Gauleiter for Essen he served from November, 1939, to the end of the war, and served as standing deputy to Gauleiter Josef Terboven while he served as Reichskommissar in Norway. On November 9. 1944. he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the NSDA P Long Service Award in Gold, the SA Sports Badge in Gold, the Iron Cross 2nd class, and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. Tried and briefly imprisoned after the war, he later ran a gas station and died in Essen on March 31, 1964. (Phil Nix)
July 1, 1936 to July 1, 1943 July 1, 1943 to May 1945
SS-Standartenführer Friedrich Dernehl SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Kriebler
44.SS-Standarte formed in Berlin and then was popular title was "Uckermark."
in Eberswalde after September, 1934. Its
July 23, 1932 to August 25, 1934
SS-Standartenführer, after December 2, 1933 SS-Oberführer Otto Teetzmann SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannführer Alfred Rokiki SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 12, 1937 SS-Standartenführer Erich Werner SS-Sturmbannführer Arnold Harms
August 25, 1934 to November 1935 November 1935 to March 18, 1941 August 18, 1941 to May 1945
45.SS-Standarte was based in Oppeln from April, 1935, after being formed in Neisse. Its popular title remained "Neisse."
193
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
September 10, 1932 to December 24, 1933 December 24, 1933 to March 22, 1934 March 22, 1934 to January 15, 1936
SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Werner SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Alois Beck SS-Obersturmführer, after April 7, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after May 27, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer, after July 4, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Alfred Scholz SS-Standartenführer Friedrich Dernehl SS-Standartenführer Johannes Zingler SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 10, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Burkhardt
January 15, 1936 to July 1. 1936 July 1, 1936 to January 30, 1939 January 30, 1939 to May 1945
46.SS-Standarte was based in Dresden. September 1, 1932 to December 16, 1933
SS-Untersturmführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Fritz Schröder SS-Standartenführer, after May 5, 1934 SS-Oberführer Heinz Roch SS-Obersturmbannführer Ludolf von Alvensleben
December 16, 1933 to April 5, 1934 April 5, 1934 to September 31, 1935 October 1, 1935 to November 1, 1936
SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannführer Robert Braun SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Wichmann SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Sturmbannführer Karl-Heinz Rüsch SS-Sturmbannführer, after December I. 1938 SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Perthen SS-Standartenführer Arno Dressler SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1944 SS-Obersturmbannführer Edwin Schaller
November 1, 1936 to April 1937 April 1937 to May 1937 May 1937 to July 1, 1939 July 1, 1939 to 1944 1944 to May 1945
47.SS-Standarte was based in Gera. SS-Sturmbannführer Dr. Klipp 45 SS-Standartenführer Karl Pflomm SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Otto SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Norbert Scharfe SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Krause SS-Obersturmbannführer Walter Schmidt SS-Standartenfiihrer Horst Schmischke
April 20, 1933 to June 12, 1933 June 12, 1933 to November 9, 1933 December 4, 1933 to May 7, 1934 May 7, 1934 to September 30, 1935 September 30, 1935 to January 20, 1939 January 20, 1939 to March 1, 1942 March 1, 194246 to May 1945
48.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Leipzig and its 8.Sturm had the honor title "Gutsche." 4 7 September 1932 to May 1933 February 18, 1934 48 to May 15, 1935 May 15, 1935 to March 1936 March 1936 to January 1937
SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Heyer SS-Standartenführer Max Friedrich SS-Standartenführer Walter Gunst SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Miihling
45
C o n f i r m e d by personnel orders and the pre-war compilation without first name, he left the SS prior to issue of the first D A L . Also d o c u m e n t e d as the c o m m a n d starting on January I, 1943 in his personnel records indicating he may have held the post temporarily f r o m March 1942 to the end of that year. 4 ' Heinrich Gutsche was killed in C h e m n i t z on J u n e 7, 1931. 48 C o m m a n d e r between Heyer and Friedrich u n k n o w n at this time. 46
194
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Dr. Adolf Katz was born in Hannover on March 9, 1899, the son of a city official. He joined the Army in June 1917, serving with the artillery where he won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge in Black. From 1918 to 1920 he served with the Freikorps and border protection units. Katz also studied law at the University of Göttingen and received a Doctorate in 1923. Working for banks and insurance companies until 1936, he joined the NSDAP on September 1, 1929. Joining the SS on June 1, 1930, he was commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on October 1. 1930, and was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer on April 20, 1933. From April to July, 1933, he led the I./ 25.SS-Standarte then commanded the IV./58.SS-Standarte until the start February, 1934. From the end of January, 1934, through all of 1936, he commanded the 58.SS-Standarte, during which he was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on February 28, 1934, to SSObersturmbannführer on April 20, 1934, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on May 12, 1934. From the start of January, 1937, to the end of October, 1938, he was the first commander of Abschnitt XXXIV. He moved to the SS-Hauptamt in November, 1939, and acted as chief of the personnel office within the Central Chancellery until September, 1942. Katz also served as Police President for Aachen from midOctober, 1933, to the end of 1936. Training with the Army he became an Oberleutnant d.R. and transferred to the Waffen-SS as an SSSturmbannfiihrer d.R. on March 1, 1940. From March to November, 1940, he commanded the Totenkopf-Ersatz-Abteilung (Death's Head Replacement Detachment), and was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer d.R. on November 9, 1940. As commander of the l.( schwere )SSArtillerie-Ersatz-Abteilung (heavy artillery replacement detachment), he sen'ed from November, 1940, to the end of May, 1941. He then led the SS Artillerie-Ersatz-Regiment until mid-September, 1942. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer d.R. (Waffen-SS), and SS-Oberführer in the Allgemeine-SS on September 1, 1942, he returned to the Allgemeine-SS in September, 1942. For the remainder of the war he was assigned to the SS-Personalhauptamt heading the office, then office group, responsible for the promotion of SS officers. He was placed on the Waffen-SS active list in 1943, so Iiis last promotion, on January 30, 1944, was to SS-Brigadefiihrer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS. Awarded a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class, the Iron Cross 1st class, and the SA Sports Badge in Gold, he died in Rhöndorf on May 7, 1980. (Phil Nix)
January 1937 to April 1, 1944
SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20. 1939 SS-Standartenführer Egon Dalski SS-Obersturmbannführer Kurt Schramm
April 1, 1944 to May 1945
49.SS-Standarte was formed in Braunschweig and then was based in Goslar after March, 1934. Its 1 .Sturm received the title "Gerhard Landmann." 4 9 Its popular Standarte title was "Braunschweig." October 8, 1932 to May 3, 1933 May 3, 1933 to November 13, 1933
49
SS-Sturmbannführer Friedrich Alpers SS-Untersturmführer Josef Keppels
Killed on June 29, 1933, in Braunschweig.
195
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Hans Kiihtz was born in Wiessenburg on February 15, 1894. After serving in WWI, when he won the Iron Cross 2nd class he worked as a merchant and shopkeeper. In 1923 he joined the Stahlhelm in 1923, the NSDAP in 1926 and the SS in 1930. Commissioned as an SSSturmfiihrer on January 10, 1931, and promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on December 6, 1931, he led the III./15.SS-Standarte from October, 1932, to mid-May, 1934. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on November 9. 1933, he commanded the 78.SS-Standarte from mid-May, 1934, to the end of December, 1936. He then led Abschnitt XVI from the beginning of 1937, to March, 1942, and also led Abschnitt XXXXI from mid- January, 1941, to early March, 1942. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on January 30, 1938, for the rest of the war he commanded Abschnitt XXXX and was a member of the Reichstag from April, 1938, to May, 1945. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge and the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords. (Phil Nix)
November 13, 1933 to June 1, 1935
SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Erich Cassel SS-Obersturmbannführer Curt von Gottberg SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 11. 1938 SS-Standartenführer Arno Zehring SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1942 SS-Standartenführer, Erwin Tzschoppe SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1942 SS-Standartenführer Pergalius Herz
June 1, 1935 to April 15, 1936 April 15, 1936 to December 1, 1938
December 1, 1938 to February 1, 1943 February 1, 1943 to May 1945
50.SS-Standarte was based in Flensburg and popularly known as "Nordschleswig." December 24, 1932 to December 31, 1933
SS-Sturmführer, after January 30, 1933 SS-Sturmhauptführer, after June 12, 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 3 , 1 9 3 3 SS-Obersturmbannführer Günther Pancke Sturmbannführer, after March 12, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Gustav Stolle SS-Sturmbannführer Heinrich Möller SS-Standartenführer Hans Hinsch
January 1, 1934 to July 7, 1934 July 7, 1934 to September 1, 1942 September 1, 1942 to May 1945
196
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments) 51.SS-Standarte was based in Göttingen and the popular Standarte title was "Harz." September 15, 1932 to March 1, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmführer, after October 7, 1932 SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Albert Gnade SS-Sturmführer, after April 5, 1934 SS-Obersturmführer Otto Jungkunz SS-Standartenführer Albert Gnade SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 12, 1937 SS-Standartenführer Friedrich Steinbrinck
March 1, 1934 to April 1, 1936 April 1, 1936 to late April 1936 late April 1936 to May 1945
52.SS-Standarte was formed in Vienna and first moved to Krems in May 1934. From September 1935 to April, 1937, it relocated to Amstetten before returning permanently to Krems. The popular Standarte title was "Unter-Enns." December 9, 1932 to July 26, 193 3 50
SS-Sturmführer, after December 24, 1932 SS-Sturmhauptführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Richard Kaaserer SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Hiedler SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Walter Potzelt SS-Sturmbannführer, after March 12, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Sepp Dietz
July 26, 1933 to September 1935 September 1935 to April 30, 1937 May 1, 1937 to May 1945
5 3 . S S - S t a n d a r t e was headquartered in Heide after November, 1937. It was originally formed in Wesselburen and had the popular name "Dithmarschen." November 1. 1932 to May 1945
SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after March 1, 1934 SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1941 SS-Oberführer Karl Herwig
54.SS-Standarte was formed and based in Dühringshof until June, 1933, when its headquarters moved to Landsberg. It received the Standarte honor title "Seidel-Dittmarsch" in December, 1934.51 July 1, 1932 to May 7, 1934 May 7, 1934 to October 31, 1934 October 31, 1934 to January 1, 1935 January 1, 1935 to 1943
Helmut Mattke SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Weissflog SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Arthur Friderici SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Standartenführer Ernst Engelhardt SS-Standartenführer Paul Hirschberg
1943 to May 1945
55.SS-Standarte was formed in Nienburg and moved to Minden in March, 1934. After April, 1936, it was based in Berben. Its popular title was "Weser." 5 " Fled to G e r m a n y in July. 1933, following the w a k e of the Austrian Putsch and organized an SS legion of men w h o fled f r o m Austria until December. He was court martialed for brutality towards recruits of the "Prinz E u g e n " division in 1942. 51 Siegfried Seidel-Dittmarsch had been H i m m l e r ' s adjutant and then Chef des Führungsstabs (Chief of the Leadership Staff) until his death in 1934.
197
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
October 1. 1932 to April 1, 1933 April 1, 1933 to December 16, 1933 December 16, 1933 to May I, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmführer Dr. Eugen Mohr SS-Standartenführer Waldemar Wappenhans SS-Obersturmbannführer, after March I, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer Fritz Schröder SS-Obersturmbannführer, after July 10, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer, after after November 9, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Thiele
May 1. 1934 to April, 1936
April 1936 to April 30. 1937 April 30, 1937 to May 20, 1939
SS-Hauptsturmführer Wilhelm Mann SS-Hauptsturmführer, after May 1, 1937 SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannführer Theobald Thier SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1943 SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Riemer
May 20, 1939 to May, 1945
56.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Bamberg after a month of being formed in Würzburg. Its popular name was "Franken." October 1, 1932 to December 24, 1933
SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1933 SS-Standartenführer Emil Popp SS-Hauptsturmführer Helmut Schulz SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Schulz SS-Standartenführer Walter Potzelt SS-Standartenführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Oberführer Theodor Zittel
December 24, 1933 to March 1, 1934 March 1, 1934 to June 14, 1934 June 14, 1934 to January 1, 1939 January 1, 1939 to May, 1945
57.SS-Standarte was formed in Schleusingen until April, 1935, after which it was based in Meiningen. Its popular title was "Thüringer Wald." November I, 1932 to April 19, 1933 April 19, 1933 to March 16, 1935
SS-Oberführer Kurt Wittje SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after December 24, 1933 SS-Standartenführer Erhard Müller SS-Standartenführer Kurt Ludwig SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Heinz Sawatzki SS-Standartenführer Julius Jacobi SS-Sturmbannführer Walter Schmidt SS-Sturmbannführer Gerhard Rouenhoff SS-Hauptsturmführer Franz Eckhard SS-Obersturmbannführer Gerhard Rouenhoff
March 16, 1935 to August 17, 1935 August 17, 1935 to December 31, 1936 January 1, 1937 to August 1, 1938 August 1, 1938 to December 31, 1938 December 31, 1938 to January, 1939 January, 1939 to January, 1940 January, 1940 to May, 1945
58.SS-Standarte was based in Köln, except for January, 1934, to January, 1937, when it was headquartered in Aachen. It took over three districts of France after the Western campaign in May, 1940, and its 2.Sturm was honor titled "Franz Müller." 52 March 13, 1932 to December 1, 1932 53 December 1. 1932 to April 1, 1933 52 33
SS-Sturmhauptführer Erwin Rösener SS-Sturmbannführer Heinz Mozek
Killed on February 15, 1933, in Sieburg. Probably a temporary position when the unit w a s f o r m e d , his normal c o m m a n d was that of IV.Sturmbann.
198
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Karl Pflomm was born in Reutlingen on July 31, 1886. His family moved to the United States and he attended school in Pittsburg until 1894 when the family returned to Germany after his father died. Artistic, he trained as a glass blower and then worked in Switzerland as a mechanic from 1904 to 1912. Returning to Germany, he worked as a glass cutter in Stuttgart from 1912 until joining the Army in January, 1915. He served with the infantry until January, 1919, winning both classes of the Iron Cross, and the Wound Badge in Black after being wounded twice. After the war he returned to the glass industry, setting up his own glass works in Stuttgart in April, 1923, which he ran until June, 1929. He joined the NSDAP in November, 1922, and left after the Munich Putsch. After working in the United States from July, 1929, to January, 1930, he returned to Germany and rejoined the NSDAP on September 1, 1930. He also joined the SS on August 17, 1930, as an SS-Truppfiihrer and founded the SS in Stuttgart with twelve men. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmführer on November 18, 1931, he then commanded SS Sturm 13 in Stuttgart until mid-January, 1931. In November, 1931, he was involved in a car accident and received severe head injuries. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer on January 31, 1931, he led the I./13.SS-Standarte from January to mid-March, 1931, then served as administrative officer of the Standarte until May. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer on May 15, 1931, he commanded the 13.SS-Standarte from March, 1931, to March, 1932. After a car crash with severe injuries he did not obtain another post for five months. From March, 1932, to January, 1933, he was the first Stabsfiihrer of Abschnitt X and was then Stabsführer of Abschnitt IX until early March. 1933. Moving to Abschnitt XV1I1, he was the first Stabsführer ofthat district until early November, 1933. In April, 1933, he also formed the 47.SS-Standarte which he led until November, 1933, while remaining a Stabsfiihrer. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on November 9, 1933, he commanded Abschnitt XVIII from early November, 1933, to the end of December, 1936. From April, 1936, to mid-April, 1937, he was also Police President for Weimar and then held the same post in Erfurt until early November, 1939. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on April 20, 1936, he was then administrator and Police President in Dresden until November, 1944. Given the honorary rank of Generalmajor der Polizei on April I, 1944, he was placed in retirement on November 25, 1944. Pflomm was a man of open and honest character according to Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein. Twice married, his two wives had a total of four sons and three daughters. He committed suicide in Dresden on February 15, 1945. (PhiI Nix)
April 1, 1933 to January 31, 1934 January 31, 1934 to January 1, 1937
SS-Sturmbannführer Heinrich Marx SS-Sturmbannführer, after May 12, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Dr. Adolf Katz SS-Standartenführer Josef Fitzthum SS-Standartenführer Willy Herbert
January I, 1937 to September 30, 1937 October 1, 1937 to May, 1945 54
54 Edmund Schmitz is also recorded as leading the unit for an undetermined period in 1942, in all probability as a temporary substitute.
199
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Emil Popp was born in Heidingsfeld on April 26, 1897. He studied construction, the vocation of his father, and joined the Army in midSeptember, 1914. Serving with the artillery he was commissioned as a Leutnant in the reserves in June, 1918, winning both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black during WWI. After the war he worked for the family firm as an architect until 1933, joining the SA in 1930 and the NSDAP on January 1, 1931. Commissioned as an SA-SturmfUhrer in December, 1931, he joined the SS the same month and was commissioned as an SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer on March 8, 1932. He led the III./3.SS-Standarte from mid-February, 1932, to early October, 1932. Popp then commanded the 56.SS-Standarte from October, 1932, to December, 1933, and was promoted to SSStandartenfiihrer on January 30, 1933. From mid-August, 1933, to early January, 1935, he commanded Abschnitt IX then led Abschnitt XII until mid-September, 1936. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on December 24, 1933, and to SS-Brigadeführer on September 13, 1936, he commanded Abschnitt II from mid-September, 1936, to early August, 1944 (for a year a deputy performed his duties). From August, 1944, to the end of the war he held a staff post with Oberabschnitt "Ostsee" and was a member of the Reichstag from March, 1936, to the end ofthewar. Popp also held state posts of District President in Stettin. Köslin and Chemnitz from January, 1938, to the end of the war. He was awarded both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the SA Sports Badge in Gold, the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, as well as being given a presentation pistol by Gau "Mainfranken." Popp received excellent evaluations from numerous commanders, including Sepp Dietrich, who described him as honorable and energetic. He died in Würzburg on March 25, 1955. (Phil Nix)
59.SS-Standarte was formed in Dessau until October, 1935, when it moved to Strassfurt. In August, 1940, it moved to Quedling where it remained for the duration. The Standarte received the honor title "Loeper" in November, 1935. 55 SS-Sturmbannführer Friedrich Gehrhardt SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Hans Prestien SS-Obersturmführer. Rudolf Bösel SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Asmus SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1944 SS-Standartenführer Heinz Bock
December 24, 1932 to June 21, 1933 March 1, 1934 to October 1. 1934 October 1, 1934 to November 1. 1934 November 1, 1934 to June 30, 1938 July 1, 1938 to May 1945
60.SS-Standarte was based in Insterburg. September 3, 1933 to May 7, 1934 May 7, 1934 to October 22, 1934 55
SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Krause SS-Obersturmbannführer Dr. Eugen Mohr
Named for deceased SS-Gruppenführer and N S D A P Gauleiter Wilhelm Loeper.
200
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments) October 22, 1934 to June 1935 June 1935 to August 17, 1935 August 17, 1935 to June 30, 1936 July 1, 1936 to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to January 1, 1943 56
SS-Standartenfiihrer Josef Makosch SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Kennerknecht SS-Standartenführer Maximilian Brand SS-Obersturmbannführer Friedrich Schlums SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer. after November 9, 1940 SS-Standartenführer Werner Fromm SS-Standartenfiihrer Heinrich Neurath
January 1, 1943 to May 1945
61.SS-Standarte was based in Allenstein. Its popular title was "Masuren.'' SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Hermann Neufeldt SS-Hauptsturmführer Leo Czodrowski SS-Standartenführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Oberführer Erwin Rösener SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 11, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Martin Knellesen
June 19, 1933 to February 1, 1934 February 1. 1934 to September 10, 1934 September 10, 1934 to September 16, 1936 September 16, 1936 to May 1945
62.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Karlsruhe. November 9, 1933 to May 7, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannführer, after February 15, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Karl Bock SS-Standartenführer Georg Heitz SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Standartenfiihrer Viktor Knapp SS-Obersturmbannführer Albert Lohmann SS-Standartenführer Josef Nagele
May 7, 1934 to June 30, 1936 July 1, 1936 to May 16, 1938 May 16, 1938 to July 1, 1938 July 1, 1938 to May 1945
63.SS-Standarte was formed and based in Reutlingen until May, 1938, when it moved to Tübingen. Its popular name was "Württenberg Süd." SS-Hauptsturmführer Wilhelm Hiller SS-Standartenführer Ludwig Reinhardt SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 1, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer Georg Raabe SS-Obersturmbannführer Hans Hoffmann SS-Standartenführer Hans Thumser
September 18, 1933 to November 11, 1933 November 25, 1933 to March 23, 1937 March 23, 1937 to October 20, 1938 October 20, 1938 to January 1, 1939 January 1, 1939 to May 1945
64.SS-Standarte was based in Marienwerder when formed, moved to Zoppot in 1940, and moved again in mid-March, 1943, to Danzig. It was popularly known as "Marienburg." June 21, 1933 to May 7, 1934
SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Standartenführer Konrad Unger SS-Hauptsturmführer Josef Fritz SS-Obersturmbannführer, after June 16,1935 SS-Standartenführer Helmut Schulz SS-Oberführer Walter Gerlach SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Otto Böttcher
May 7, 1934 to September 20, 1934 September 20, 1934 to September 20, 1936 September 20, 1936 to November 14, 1938 November 14, 1938 to December 8, 1941 56
Titular c o m m a n d e r for part of this period when serving in Russia as an SSPF.
201
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after January 30, 1944 SS-Standartenführer Hermann Jenke SS-Obersturmbannführer Emil Wodrich
D e c e m b e r 8 , 1941 to 1944 1944 to May 1945
and moved to Freiburg in September, 1933. Its
65.SS-Standarte was based in Lahr/Baden when popular name was "Schwarzwald."
SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 3, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer Georg Heitz SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Ihle SS-Standartenführer Konrad Zahn SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 15, 1935 SS-Standartenführer Gustav Stolle SS-Standartenführer Walter Gunst SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Wieber
July 15. 1933 to January 1, 1934 January 1, 1934 to March 10, 1934 March 10, 1934 to June 1, 1935 June 1. 1935 to September 16, 1936 September 16, 1936 to 1941 1941 to May 1945
66.SS-Standarte was based in Elbing with the popular title "Friedland." Initially an NCO, after September 3, 1933 SS-Untersturmführer, after November 9, 1933 SS-Obersturmführer Ullrich Schmidt SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Standartenführer Walter Gunst SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 13, 1936 Friedrich Stetter SS-Standartenführer Albrecht Schoerner SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 10, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Götze
July 2, 1933 to January 8, 1934
December 16, 1934" to May 15, 1935 May 15, 1935 to October 1, 1937 October 1. 1937 to February 1, 1939 February 1. 1939 to 1943 58
67.SS-Standarte was formed and based in Langensalza until June, 1935, after which Erfurt was its headquarters. Its 12.Sturm had the title "Fritz Beubler." 59 The Standarte was popularly known as "Wartburg." SS-Standartenführer Kurt Ludwig SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 15, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Julius Jacobi SS-Obersturmbannführer Gustav-Adolf König SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannführer Julius Riepe
November 16, 1933 to March 16, 1935 March 16, 1935 to December 31, 1936
December 31, 1936 to March 1937 March 1937 to May 1945
68.SS-Standarte was formed in Arnberg and then based in Regensburg after June, 1935. Its popular name was "Oberpfalz." November 16, 1933 to January 27, 1938
SS-Sturmbannführer, after December 24, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Robert Wagner SS-Obersturmbannführer Max Wittrien
March 20, 1938 to May 1945
57 58 59
Initially a substitute and then full c o m m a n d e r , it was probably only a Sturm prior to that. Later c o m m a n d e r s as yet u n k n o w n . Killed on February 4, 1932, in Nägelstadt.
202
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments) 69.SS-Standarte. headquartered in Hägen, formed as SS Standarte "Sauerland" and was given its numerical designation in November, 1934. It retained "Sauerland" as a popular name after receiving its numerical designation. SS-Obersturmbannführer Arthur Friderici SS-Sturmbannführer Friedrich Conrau SS-Standartenfiihrer Erhard Müller SS-Standartenfiihrer Hermann Dethof SS-Obersturmbannführer Michael Lippert SS-Standartenfiihrer Hermann Dethof SS-Standartenführer Michael Lippert
December 15, 1933 to November 1, 1934 November 1, 1934 to March 16, 1935 March 16, 1935 to March 31, 1938 March 31, 1938 to May 20, 1939 June 1939 to August 1, 1939 60 (substitute) August 1, 1939 to January 1, 194361 January 1, 1943 to October 1, 1943
70.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Glogau after initial forming for a month in Liegnitz. SS-Sturmhauptführer, after March 22, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after after May 26. 1934 SS-Standartenführer Alexander von Woedtke SS-Standartenführer Arpad Wigand SS-Standartenführer Maximilian Brand SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Burk SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Gerner SS-Standartenführer Karl Burger
November 23, 1933 to March 20, 1935
March 20, 1935 to July 1, 1936 July 1, 1936 to February 1, 1938 February 1, 1938 to January 9, 1939 January 9, 1939 to 1944 1944 to May 1945
71.SS-Standarte was formed in Zoppot then moved its headquarters to Danzig in mid-March. 1943. Its 9.Sturm had the title "Ernst Ludwig." 6 2 The Standarte was popularly known as "Weichsel." SS-Sturmführer, after December 24. 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer, after March II, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannführer Emil Wodrich SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Standartenführer Dr. Eugen Mohr SS-Hauptsturmführer Harry Specht SS-Sturmbannführer Manfred Körnich SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after March 1,1945 SS-Standartenführer Max Pauly 63
November 16, 1933 to October 22, 1934
October 22, 1934 to January 15, 1936 January 15, 1936 to November 1936 November 1936 to February 1, 1937 February 1, 1937 to May 1945
72.SS-Standarte was based in Detmold after its initial month of forming in Minden. Its popular title was "Lippe." December 1. 1933 to June 18, 1934
SS-Sturmhauptführer, after December 24, 1933 SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weinert SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Julius Lassak SS-Standartenfiihrer Josef Makosch
June 18, 1934 to January 1936 January 1936 to February 25, 1936
611 Dates vary widely in his personnel records, as much as two years in a 1943 compilation of his career. As he b e c a m e a reserve m e m b e r of " T o t e n k o p f ' Division the temporary position may have lasted until October, 1939. In May. 1939. his permanent c o m m a n d was I.Sturmbann in 49.SS-Standarte. S o m e records list him as c o m m a n d e r until October. 1943, long after he had begun combat unit c o m m a n d in the W a f f e n - S S , further showing that many Allgemeine-SS units did not have c o m m a n d e r s as the w a r progressed and their importance (and numerical strength) diminished. 61 Killed on October 1, 1943 serving at the front with " W i k i n g " division. S o m e d o c u m e n t s s h o w c o m m a n d until his death. 62 Killed J u n e 13, 1936, in Danzig. 63 He was also c o m m a n d a n t of the Stutthof and N e u e n g a m m e concentration c a m p s and was executed in 1946.
203
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS-Standartenführer Walther von Petersen SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Georg Martin SS-Obersturmbannflihrer Richard Seltzmann
February 25, 1936 to August 17, 1936 August 17, 1936 to June 1, 1939 June 1, 1939 to May 1945
7 3 . S S - S t a n d a r t e was based in A n s b a c h after initial f o r m i n g in N u r e m b e r g . Its popular name was "Mittelfranken." SS-Obersturmbannführer Franz Fischer SS-Sturmbannführer Hermann Florstedt SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Alfons Graf SS-Sturmbannführer Horst Strathmann SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1943 SS-Standartenführer Paul Ruth
November 16, 1933 to April 1, 1934 April 1, 1934 to August 19, 1935 August 19, 1935 to May 16, 1938 May 16, 1938 to June 30, 1938 June 30, 1938 to May 1945
74.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Greifswald. Its popular title was "Ostsee." January 5, 1934 to March 8, 1934 March 8, 1934 to August 25, 1934 August 25, 1934 to February 28, 1935
SS-Obersturmführer Wilhelm Biermann SS-Hauptsturmführer Wilhelm Bittrich SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 9, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Heinz Mozek SS-Sturmbannfiihrer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after after April 20, 1937 SS-Standartenführer Otto Müller SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1942 SS-Obersturmbannführer Fritz Festerling
March 1, 1935 to January 1, 1942
January 1, 1942 to May 1945
75.SS-Standarte was one of several Berlin based units and the Standarte was popularly known as "Tempelhof." The Standarte eventually received the honor title was "Widukind" and its 8.Sturm had the honor title "Edmund Behnke." 6 4 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after August 17, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Fritz Katzmann SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 11, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Paul Kuhn SS-Sturmbannführer Johannes Hildebrandt
April 4. 1934 to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to December 1943 December 1943 to May 1945
76.SS-Standarte was based in Salzburg. Heinrich Weitmner Edler von Weitenturm 65 SS-Oberscharführer Hirscher SS-Hauptscharführer Ludwig Sperl SS-Obersturmbannführer Johann von Feil SS-Untersturmführer Robert Schweiger SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Wahl SS-Untersturmführer Paul Koppenwallner SS-Untersturmführer Robert Schweiger
April 1934 to July 1. 1934 May 1934 (substitute) May 1934 to June 15, 1934 (substitute) June 15, 1934 66 to November 21, 1934 November 21, 1934 to May 3 1 , 1 9 3 5 May 1, 1935 to May 31, 1935 May 31, 1935 to July 1935 July 1935 to December 1935 64 65 66
Behnke was killed on March 16, 1930. in Berlin. An Austrian, he was later c o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on April 20, 1936. Substitute until July 1, 1934, then full c o m m a n d e r .
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Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Berthold Maack was the son of a postal official and was horn on March 24, 1898, in Altona. He joined the Army in June, 1915, serving first with the artillery and then in the infantry. Commissioned as a Leutnant in the reserves in June, 1917, he won both classes of the Iron Cross, and the Wound Badge in Black. After the war he joined the Schutzpolizei from December, 1919, to April, 1920. He then worked as a shopkeeper and merchant until 1931. Maack joined the NSDAP and SA on October I, 1930, and commanded X4 Sturm 179 from November, 1930, to May, 1931. He then led the I1./31 .SA-Standarte followed by command of the l./15.SA-Standarte until the start of November, 1931. Leaving the SA he joined the SS on October 1, 1931, and was assigned to the 4.SS-Standarte. Commissioned as an SSSturmfiihrer on December 4, 1931, he then led the III./4.SS-Standarte until mid-March, 1932. After briefly being adjutant of Abschnitt IV in March, 1932, he became the first Stabsfiihrer of the Abschnitt until late January, 1933. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on October, 5, 1932, and to SS-Oberführer on November 9, 1933, he commanded Abschnitt IV from late January, 1933, to August that year. From August, 1933, to October, 1934, he was Stabsfiihrer ofSS Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt) "Südost. " Maack commanded the concentration camp at Dachau from October, 1934, to early December, 1934, then led the 39.SS-Standarte from December, 1934, to early November, 1935. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on September 13, 1936, he commanded Abschnitt XXVI from early November, 1935, to mid-April, 1938, then officially led Abschnitt XXV from mid-April, 1938, to the end of the war. He joined the Waffen-SS on March 8, 1940, and was given the rank of SS-Hauptsturmführer d.R. on April 20. 1940, then promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer d.R. on December 1, 1940. From March, 1940, to October, 1941, he was a reserve officer with Regiment "Germania" and led a battle group named for him composed of parts of "Wiking" during October to December, 1941. In November, 1941, he became the first commander of the anti-tank detachment of the "Wiking" Division until late January, 1942, when he took command of Regiment "Westland" until June, 1942. After serving as a battalion commander with the "Nord" Division, he took command of SS-Gebirgs-Jäger-Regiment 6 (later numbered 11, it received the honortitle "Reinhard Heydrich") from September, 1942, to December, 1944. Promoted to SS-Standartenführer d.R. oriApri!20, 1943, he took a divisional commanders course then was in charge of forming the 26. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (Ungarische Nr.2) from mid-January, 1945, into April at Truppenübungsplatz "Schierantz." Promoted to Generalmajor der Waffen-SS on April 20, 1945, he commanded the 20.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (estnische Nr. l)from March, 1945, until the end of the war while also serving as Chief of Staff of the VIIl.SS-Armeekorps during April and May, 1945. He was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross in 1940, the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords, the General Assault Badge, the Police Long Service Award in Gold, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver, the Olympic Games Honor Badge, the SA Sports Badge in Gold, and the German Horseman's Badge in Silver. A participant in arresting SA leaders during the "Night of the Long Knives, " he was an excellent combat commander and took great care in looking after the men in his commands. He died in Meran on September 26, 1981. (Jess Lukens)
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Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
December 1935 to January 1936 January 1936 to May 1945
SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Ernst Wahl SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 10, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannführer Georg Wall
77.SS-Standarte was based in Schneidemühl. January 26, 1934 to March 1934 March 1934 to June 1934 June 1934 to June 20, 1935 June 20, 1935 to April 1, 1936 April 1, 1936 to March 21, 1938 March 21, 1938 to March 1, 1939 March 1, 1939 to July 1, 1939 July I, 1939 to July 1, 1943
SS-Untersturmführer Hans-Georg Neumann SS-Obersturmführer Georg Schmidt SS-Hauptsturmführer Horst Felchner SS-Obersturmbannführer Richard Glücks SS-Standartenführer Simon Füss SS-Obersturmbannführer Ewald Strohm SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Hiller SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1943 SS-Standartenführer Paul Becker unknown (possibly unassigned)
July I, 1943 to May 1945
78.SS-Standarte was based in Wiesbaden. April 1, 1934 to May 15, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 5, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer Franz Kersten SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1934 SS-Standartenführer Hans Kühtz SS-Standartenführer Heinz Sawatzki SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Emil Schulz
May 15, 1934 to December 31, 1936 December 31, 1936 to 1943 1943 to May 1945
79.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Ulm. 1933 to May 7, 1934 May 7, 1934 to June 10, 1934 June 10, 1934 to December 4, 1934 December 4, 1934 to July 1, 1938
SS-Untersturmführer Fritz Teufel SS-Hauptsturmführer Wilhelm Mann SS-Hauptsturmführer Hans Schwedler SS-Sturmbannführer, after September 15, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 13, 1936 SS-Standartenführer Theodor Zittel SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1942 SS-Standartenführer Hans Enzner
July 1, 1938 to May 1945
80.SS-Standarte was based in Berlin. Its popular title was "Groß-Beeren.' May 7, 1934 to October 31, 1935
SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannführer Fritz Schröder SS-Standartenführer Heinz Mozek unknown
November I. 1935 to 1944 1944 to May 1945
206
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments) Sl.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Würzburg and its 2.Sturm had the honor title "Hans Purps." May 7, June 1, July 1, August
1934 to June 1, 1935 1935 to June 30, 1935 1935 to August 1. 1935 1, 1935 to March 1936
SS-Sturmbannführer Albert Wagner SS-Hauptsturmführer Willy Stemmler SS-Hauptsturmführer Oskar Druschel SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Sturmbannführer Hans-Georg Weber SS-Standartenführer Hugo Lohmann SS-Sturmbannführer Paul Jüttner
March 1936 to November 30, 1938 November 30, 1938 to May 1945
82.SS-Standarte was based in Bielefeld. SS-Untersturmführer, after March 16, 1934 SS-Obersturmführer Alfred Buchs SS-Obersturmbannführer Helmut Mattke SS-Hauptsturmführer Oskar Druschel SS-Standartenführer Horst Pelz SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Thiele SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Schröder
1933 to May 7, 1934 May 7, 1934 to February 1935 February 1935 to June 30, 1935 June 30, 1935 to April 1936 April 1936 to August 14, 1941 August 14, 1941 to 1944
83.SS-Standarte, based in Giessen, received the Standarte honor title "Oberhessen." May 7, 1934 to May 25, 1936
SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannführer August Jakober SS-Sturmbannführer Georg Müller SS-Standartenführer, after June 21, 1944 SS-Oberführer Edmund Frosch
May 25, 1936 to March 1, 1939 March 1. 1939 to May 1945
84.SS-Standarte was formed in Weissenfeis and remained there until January 1937, after which it was based in Chemnitz. Three of its Stürme had honor titles: 3: "Grobe", 9: "Steinbach" and 10: "Ludwig Frisch." 67 The Standarte was unofficially known as "Saale." May 7, 1934 to July 1935 July 1935 to February 1936 February 1936 to December 31, 1936 December 3 1 , 1 9 3 6 to May 1945 1943 to May 1945 (substitute)
SS-Obersturmbannführer Heinz Stiebler SS-Hauptsturmführer Ferdinand Schröder SS-Obersturmbannführer Heinrich Burmann SS-Obersturmbannführer Kurt Hellriegel Horst Muller-West
85.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Saarbrücken, and created from portions of 10.SS-Standarte. May 7, 1934 to August 1934
SS-Obersturmführer, after May 26, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer Fritz Teufel SS-Sturmbannführer Johann Burkhart SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 10, 1939 SS-Standartenführer Willy Stemmler SS-Sturmbannführer Friedrich Paulus SS-Sturmbannführer, after June 21, 1944 SS-Obersturmbannführer Gustav Sulzer
mid-May 1935 to January 1, 1939 January 1, 1939 to 1942 1942 to February 19, 1943 February 19, 1943 to May 1945
67 Herbert G r o b e was killed in Limbach on August 15, 1931, Edgar Steinbach w a s killed on June 7, 1931, in C h e m n i t z and L u d w i g Frisch was killed on June 13. 1936 in Danzig. Angoiia in "Cloth Insignia of the S S " page 93 shows the title G r o b e for 4. and 1 O.Stürme but this disagrees with "Mitteilungsblatt der Reichszeugmeisterei. SS Preislisten." It is probable the title was held by different units at different periods.
207
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
86.SS-Standarte was based in Offenburg and known as "Hanauer Land." May 7, 1934 to March 1936
SS-Hauptsturmführer, after April 20, 1935 SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Nickel SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 30, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannführer Ernst Greulich SS-Standartenführer Paul Becker
March 1936 to July 1. 1943 July I, 1943 to April 1, 1944
87.SS-Standarte was based in Innsbruck (Austria) and popularly known as "Tirol." SS-Untersturmführer Dr. Oskar Morawek SS-Hauptsturmführer Dr. Erich Gatternig SS-Unterturmführer Josef Pfefferkorn SS-Untersturmführer Rosse'' 8 SS-Hauptsturmführer Robert Hartwig SS-Hauptsturmführer, after March 22, 1938 SS-Sturmbannführer Erwin Fleiss SS-Standartenführer Otto Feichtmayer
1933 to April 1934 April 1934 to March 1935 March 1935 to May 1935 May 1935 to October 1936 October 1936 to November 1937 November 1937 to March 1, 1939 March 1, 1939 to May 1945
88.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Bremen and was popularly known as "Stedingen." April 5, 1934 to May 7, 1934 May 7, 1934 to June 20, 1935 June 20, 1935 to April 1, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannführer Robert Schulz SS-Standartenführer Kurt Benson SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1936 SS-Sturmbannführer Alex Piorkowski SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1937 SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Goecke
April 1, 1936 to October 20, 1944
89.SS-Standarte, based in Vienna (Austria) received the honor title "Holzweber" in April 1939.6" This Standarte (existing though illegal since June, 1933) was the primary unit involved with the July 1934 attack on the Austrian Federal Chancellery, instigating the attempted Austrian putsch that resulted in the death of Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss. April 1, 1934 to November 1, 1934 November 1, 1934 to November 1, 1938 November 1, 1938 to November 30, 1938 December 1, 1938 to February 15, 1943 February 15, 1943 to March 1, 1944 March 1, 1944 to May 1945
SS-Sturmbannführer Friedolin Glass SS-Obersturmbannführer Josef Bauer SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Urban SS-Standartenführer Rupert Pinter SS-Obersturmbannführer Fritz Mundhenke SS-Standartenführer, after April 20, 1944 SS-Oberführer Walter Turza
90.SS-Standarte, formed in Klagenfurt, relocated to Spittal during February, 1934, to April, 1936, and from September, 1936, to March, 1938. Klagenfurt was its base for the balance of its existence and it received the Standarte honor title "Franz Kutschera" in October, 1944. 70 Its previous popular title was "Kärnten." January 1934 to April 1934
SS-Obersturmführer, after February 14, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmführer Josef Fritz SS-Hauptsturmführer Otto Schatzmeyer
April 1934 to August 1934 68 69 70
An Austrian, he is not listed in the D A L for 1935. N a m e d for Franz Holzweber, an Austrian SS m a n killed on July 31, 1934. N a m e d for the S S P F killed in Warsaw by partisans.
208
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments)
Franz Jaegy (left) was born in Altaussee on February 20, 1898, the son of a private secretary. He joined the Army in mid-February, 1916 and served throughout WWI with the artillery and mountain troops. Commissioned as a Leutnant in May, 1916, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. After serving with the Freikorps in 1919-1920, he studied engineering then worked in that field until 1931. He joined the NSDAP and SA on November 1, 1930, being commissioned as an SA-Sturmführer on September 16, 1932. Serving with SA Sturm 18 until the start of July, 1932, he left and then rejoined in mid-September. From then until November, 1932, he was adjutant for 5/4 Gruppe "Hochland." He left the SA in February, 1933, having also joined the SS in July, 1932. Commissioned as an SS-Slurmfiihrer on September 15, 1932, he served with the 1. SS-Standarte during July through September, 1932, and was promoted to SSSturmbannfUhrer on November 15, 1932. From mid-March, 1933, to mid-January, 1934, he was the StabsfUhrer of Abschnitt XII, during which he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on September 3, 1933. He commanded the 25.SS-Standarte from mid-January, 1934, into September that year, and was promoted to SS-Standartenführer on May 12, 1934. From September, 1934, to early May, 1935, he commanded the 20.SS-Standarte. As StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Mitte" (later redesignated "Elbe") he served from early May, 1935, to mid-January, 1937, then held the same post in Oberabschnitt "Süd" until early April, 1943. Promoted to SS-Oberführer on January 30, 1937, he commanded Abschnitt I from April, 1943, to the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Brigadeführer on January I, 1940, he also joined the Luftwaffe, serving with Flak units and becoming a Major d.R. in March, 1939. Transferring to the Waffen-SS as an SSHauptsturmführer d.R. on November 21, 1940, he served with the I./SS-Artillerie-Ersatz-Regiment and became a battery commander with the unit in December, 1940. Moving to the SS Flak-Ersatz-Abteilung in mid-February, 1941, he served as its commander until the start of August, 1942. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer d.R. on April 20, 1941, from August, 1942, to July, 1943, he attended an artillery regimental commanders course at the SS Artillery School, being promoted there to SS-Obersturmbannführer d.R. on August 15, 1942, and to SS-Standartenführer d.R. on June 21, 1943. He then commanded the SS garrison in Prague until mid-February, 1944. For the next year he was a reserve officer assigned to the Senior Waffen-SS Commander for Bohemia and Moravia and acted as his deputy when the commander was absent. During mid-February to mid-March, 1945, he was assigned to the rear area of Armeeoberkommando 11 and then spent the rest of the war assigned to the HöSSPF "Italien." Fluent in Italian and French, he suffered from poor health that prevented him becoming an active Waffen-SS commander. He died in a military hospital in Berchtesgaden on September 24, 1953. (Phil Nix)
Bruno Pardatscher 7 ' Kurt Pohl 72 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after July 25, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Franz Kutschera SS-Obersturmführer Ernst Maurer SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 9, 1940 SS-Obersturmbannführer Viktor Nageler SS-Sturmbannführer Werner Schmitz
August 1934 to November 1934 November 1934 to June 1935 July 1, 1935 to March 16, 1938 April 1936 to September 1936 (substitute) March 16, 1938 to 1943 1943 to May 1945 71 72
A member of the Austrian SS of unknown rank. ibid.
209
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS 9 1 . S S - S t a n d a r t e was formed in Torgau then based in Wittenberg after November, 1934. SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after September 9, 1934 SS-Standartenfiihrer Curt Brasack SS-Obersturmbannführer, after April 20, 1938 SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Burmann SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Wieland SS-Standartenführer, after November 9. 1940 SS-Oberführer Albert Steiner SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Wieland
May 7, 1934 to December 31. 1936 December 31, 1936 to May 1938 May 1938 to March 1, 1939 March I. 1939 to February 5, 1941 February 5, 1941 to May 1945
92.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Ingolstadt and it had the popular name "Alt-Bayern." April 15, 1936 to 1944
SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1937 SS-Standartenführer Willi Bettenhauser
93.SS-Standarte was based in Koblenz. January 1, 1938 to May 1945
SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1941 SS-Standartenführer Johannes Kleinow
94.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Leoben and popularly known as "Obersteiermark." May 2, 1938 to July 1, 1938 July 1, 1938 to May 1945
SS-Obersturmbannführer Rupert Pinter SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1939 SS-Standartenführer Albert Lohmann
95.SS-Standarte was based in Trantenau. SS-Obersturmbannführer Erich Spaarmann SS-Obersturmbannführer, after January 30, 1944 SS-Standartenführer Karl Burger
November 1, 1938 to 1940 1940 to May 1945
96.SS-Standarte was based in Brüx. SS-Sturmbannführer Johann Burkhart SS-Hauptsturmführer Schiechel
January 1, 1939 to August 1, 1944 August 1, 1944 to May 1945
97.SS-Standarte was based in Eger. SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weibgen SS-Obersturmbannführer, after November 9, 1941 SS-Standartenführer Berndt von Steuben
November 1, 1938 to July 1, 1939 July 1, 1939 to May 1945
98.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Mährisch-Schönberg. November 1, 1938 to 1939 1939 to May 1945
SS-Obersturmbannführer Hermann Krumey SS-Obersturmbannführer, after July 1, 1944 SS-Standartenführer Friedrich Dem
210
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments) 99.SS-Standarte was based in Znaim. November I. 1938 to 1943
SS-Sturmbannführer, after January 30, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Urban SS-Sturmbannführer Otto Winter
1943 to May 1945
lOO.SS-Standarte was based in Reichenberg. November 1, 1938 to ?
SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Stange
101.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Saaz and then Karlsbad, after being founded in Elbogen. November 1, 1938 to May 1945
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Erwin Remely
102.SS-Standarte was based in Jägerndorf. SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Hans Butschek
November 1, 1938 to May 1945
103.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Aussig. November 1, 1938 to July 1, 1939 July 1, 1939 to December 1939 December 1939 to 1940 1940 to 1943 1943 to May 1945
SS-Sturmbannführer Karl-Heinz Rusch SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Karl Bergrath SS-Obersturmbannführer Paul Illing SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Bergrath SS-Obersturmbannführer Paul Illing 73
104.SS-Standarte was based in Troppau. November 1, 1938 to May 1945
SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Montel
105.SS-Standarte was based in Memel. SS-Standartenführer Hermann Dethof SS-Sturmbannführer, after August 1. 1940 SS-Obersturmbannführer Dr. Herbert Böttcher SS-Obersturmbannführer Michael Lippert" SS-Sturmbannführer Helmut Schöne
May 20, 1939 to August 1, 1939 August I. 1939 to March 15, 1941 August 1, 1939 to July 1, 1943 July 1, 1943 to May 1945
l()6.SS-Standarte was based in Augsburg. SS-Sturmbannführer Andreas Aichele SS-Standartenführer Simon Füss
May 1, 1939 t o ? 1943 to May 1945
73 7J 75
He was also on the staff of Abschnitt X X X V I I I until at least June, 1944. All Standarten beginning with l06.SS-Standarte were f o r m e d after April. 1939. By the end of 1939, was assigned to a W a f f e n - S S unit but remained "official substitute" and then full c o m m a n d e r for the period
shown.
211
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
107.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Brünn. SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1940 SS-Obersturmbannführer, after September 1, 1942 SS-Standartenführer, after January 30, 1945 SS-Oberführer Emmanuel Sladek
July 1, 1939 to May 1945
108.SS-Standarte was based in Prague. SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Weibgen SS-Standartenführer Heinrich Gerner
July 1, 1939 to 1944 1944 to May 1945
109.SS-Standarte was based in Posen. SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Götze
1943 to May 1945
llO.SS-Standarte was based in Hohensalza. SS-Sturmbannführer Max Schulz
January 1942 to May 1945
l l l . S S - S t a n d a r t e was headquartered in Kolmar. SS-Sturmbannführer Otto-Wilhelm Lange
May 1, 1944 to May 1945
112.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Litzmannstadt (previously named Lodz). March 15, 1941 to May 1945
SS-Sturmbannführer, after April 20, 1941 SS-Obersturmbannführer Willi Markus
113.SS-Standarte was based in Kalisch.
Commander(s) unknown
114.SS-Standarte (Lesslau) SS-Obersturmbannführer Fritz Leonhardt SS-Sturmbannführer Martin Beckmann
? to at least autumn 1944 late 1944 to May 1945
115.SS-Standarte (Ziecenau) 1941 to August 8, 1944 76
SS-Obersturmbannführer Paul Exner
llö.SS-Standarte (Bromberg)
Commander(s) unknown
117.SS-Standarte (Könitz)
Commander(s) unknown
76
Killed in action on this date.
212
Chapter 5: Fuß-Standarten (Foot Regiments) 118.SS-Standarte was centered in Prussia Stargard. June 1, 1940 to August 14, 1942
SS-Hauptsturmführer Hans Modrow
119.SS-Standarte was based in Graudenz. 1941 to May 1945
SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Böttcher
120.SS-Standarte was based in Kulm.
Commander(s) unknown
121.SS-Standarte was based in Straßburg, West Prussia.
Hans-Günther Holzel 77
specific dates unknown
122.SS-Standarte, based in Straßburg, formed in late August, 1940.
November 12, 1940 to May 1945
SS-Obersturmbannführer Ernst Greulich
123.SS-Standarte was based in Kolmar and formed in late August, 1940. November 12, 1940 to May 1945 SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Asmus
124.SS-Standarte was based in Kattowitz. SS-Obersturmbannführer Harry Specht SS-Standartenführer, after June 21, 1944 SS-Oberführer Friedrich Dernehl
? to September 15, 1942 July 1, 1943 to May 1945
125.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Metz. ? to November 12, 1940 November 12, 1940 to August 1944 78
SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm Hiller SS-Standartenführer Willy Stemmler
126.SS-Standarte was based in Marburg-Drau.
Commander(s) unknown
127.SS-Standarte was based in Oslo (Norway). SS-Oberführer Erdmann Skudlarek
December 1, 1944 to May 1945 77 78
Rank u n k n o w n , he has no surviving personnel records. Until withdrawal of G e r m a n forces f r o m the area.
213
reiterabschnitte u n d reiterstandarten (riding districts a n d riding regiments) The mounted SS began in the beginning of 1931 with the formation of a Berittene SS-Abteilung (mounted SS detachment) which, later the same year, became the initial SS-Reitersturm (mounted platoon) based in Munich. Unlike the normal SS-Fuß-Standarten the SS-Reiterstandarten were, for most of their existence, directly subordinated to the SS-Oberabschnitt controlling their operational area. Each SS-Reiterstandarte contained five or more Reiterstürme (cavalry troops or platoons and designated by Roman numerals) a SanitätsStaffel (medical detachment) and a Trompeterkorps (bugler section) with the various components spread throughout the area assigned the Reiterstandarte. They are normally abbreviated in documents (example: R. 1 equaled SS-Reiterstandarte 1). As with the Fuß-Standarten, cities given for the units listed are the Reiterstandarte headquarters area (Standort). Some SS-Oberabschnitte had an attached Reiterabschnitt (Riding District) level command combining one or more Reiterstandarten beginning in September, 1933, though this command level was short-lived and by the end of October, 1936, the cavalry regiments were directly subordinated to each SS-Oberabschnitt. 1 In addition, a Chef Reiterführer was attached to each Oberabschnitt, in some cases (such as Johann Mörschel) also being commander of the attached Reiterabschnitt. Reiterabschnitt I (Oberabschnitt "Nordwest") was formed in Hamburg on December 1, 1934, to control Reiterstandarten 4 and 9. December 1934 to October 31. 1936
SS-Sturmbannführer Wilhelm von Woikowski-Biedau
Reiterabschnitt II (Oberabschnitt "Nordost") was formed on April 1, 1935, to control Reiterstandarten 1, 2 and 3. Formation to October 31, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannführer Josef Fritz
1 From the Reich Chancellory history, not all Reiterstandarten were assigned to a Reiterabschnitt. N o data is within the history for Reiterabschnitte III or IV which may have been envisioned for those Reiterstandarten, which remained directly subordinate to their respective Oberabschnitt.
214
Chapter 6: Reiterabschnitte and
Reiterstandarten
SS-Obersturmbannführer Paul Brantenaar (left) with his adjutant SS-Untersturmführer insignia of the Allgemeine-SS cavalry for ranks under SS-Standartenführer. (Phil Nix)
Wolfgang Crass. Both wear the crossed
lances
Reiterabschnitt V (Oberabschnitt "Süd") formed on April 1, 1935, in Munich and controlled Reiterstandarten 15 and 17. Formation to October 31, 1936
SS-Hauptsturmführer Hermann Fegelein
Reiberabschnitt VI (Oberabschnitt "Südwest") was formed on July 9, 1934, in Dresden and controlled Reiterstandarte 14. Formation to August, 1935 August, 1935 to March, 1936 March, 1936 to October 31, 1936
SS-Standartenführer Dr. Fritz Hausamen SS-Obersturmbannführer Hermann Florstedt SS-Obersturmbannführer Kaspar König
Reiterabschnitt V I I (Oberabschnitt "West") formed in Düsseldorf during September, 1933, and controlled Reiterstandarten 6 and 8. September, 1933 to October 31, 1936
SS-Hauptsturmführer Ewald Zapp
Reiterabschnitt VIII (Oberabschnitt "Elbe") was formed on April 1, 1935, in Karlsruhe and controlled Reiterstandarten 16 and 22. Formation to July, 1936 July, 1936 to October, 1936
SS-Sturmbannführer Carl Deinhard SS-Hauptsturmführer Arthur Müller
R e i t e r a b s c h n i t t IX (Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " ) is c o n f i r m e d without c o n f i r m a t i o n of its s u b o r d i n a t e Reiterstandarten.
215
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS April 1, 1936 to June 15, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannführer Johann Mörschel
Reiterstandarten S S - R e i t e r s t a n d a r t e 1 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost") formed on January 15, 1934, in Insterburg (East Prussia). Formation to September, 1936 September, 1936 to September, 1939 September, 1939 to May, 1945
SS-Obersturmführer Horst von Skepsgardh SS-Sturmbannführer Philipp Hahn SS-Hauptsturmführer, after January 30, 1943 SS-Sturmbannführer Hubert Haars
SS-Reiterstandarte 2 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost") formed on January 1, 1934, in Marienburg (West Prussia) then moved to Danzig on April 25, 1941. SS-Obersturmführer Dr. Albert Sack SS-Standartenführer Dr. Helmut Kluck SS-Untersturmführer Klaus Lessing SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Kasch SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudolf Osterroth
Formation to May, 1934 May, 1934 to June, 1935 June, 1935 to January, 1936 January, 1936 to April, 1938 April, 1938 to May, 1945
SS-Reiterstandarte 3 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost") formed on January 1, 1934, in Lyck (East Prussia) and moved to Treuburg in February 1935. SS-Oberscharführer Wilhelm von Kulesza SS-Standartenführer Fritz Jahnke SS-Untersturmführer Philipp Hoffmann SS-Sturmbannführer Pelagius Herz SS-Sturmbannführer Erdmann Skudlarek SS-Hauptsturmführer Otto Hampel SS-Sturmbannführer Rudolf Freiherr von Geyr
Formation to August, 1934 August, 1934 to March, 1936 March, 1936 to November, 1936 November, 1936 to August, 1938 August, 1938 to May, 1939 May, 1939 to November, 1942 November, 1942 to 1943 2
SS-Reiterstandarte 4 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordwest") formed on February 1, 1934, and headquartered in Hamburg until August, 1934, then moved to Rhena until October 1935. Headquarters moved to Lübeck until April, 1936, when it returned to Hamburg. SS-Obersturmführer Wilhelm Jahn SS-Hauptsturmführer Fritz Krüger SS-Hauptsturmführer Hellmuth Otte SS-Hauptsturmführer Reinhold Kleemann
Formation to August, 1934 August, 1934 to March, 1936 March, 1936 to March, 1937 April, 1937 to May, 1945
SS-Reiterstandarte 5 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord") formed on March 1, 1934, in Pyritz and moved to Stetten in August 1936. It was not assigned to a Reiterabschnitt. SS-Scharführer von Heyden-Linden SS-Obersturmbannführer Wilhelm Messner SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Struve SS-Obersturmführer Walter Schadendorf SS-Sturmbannführer Willi Plank
March, 1934 to April, 1934 April, 1934 to November, 1936 November, 1936 to February, 1938 March, 1938 to 1943 1943 to May, 1945
:
Later c o m m a n d e r ( s ) , if assigned, are u n k n o w n .
216
Chapter 6: Reiterabschnitte and
Reiterstandarten
Hermann Fegelein during his sen'ice with the Allgemeine-SS cavalry. He ended the war as an SS-Gruppenführer der Waffen-SS. winning the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords as a brigade then divisional commander.
und Generalleutnant (BDC)
SS-Reiterstandarte 6 (SS-Oberabschnitt "West") formed on April 9, 1934, in Düsseldorf. SS-Sturmführer Hermann Müller SS-Obersturmführer Peter Wexel SS-Hauptsturmführer Ewald Zapp SS-Obersturmführer Dr. Günther von Wolff SS-Obersturmführer Heinz Offermann SS-Standartenführer Johann Mörschel SS-Obersturmführer Willi Plank
April, 1934 to October, 1934 October, 1934 to January, 1935 January, 1935 to September, 1935 September, 1935 to August, 1936 September, 1935 to August, 1936 March, 1938 to December, 1938 December, 1938 to May, 1945
SS-Reiterstandarte 7 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Ost") formed on April 23, 1934, in Berlin. It was not assigned to a Reiterabschnitt and was considered, due to its noticeable location, to be among the most elite units. SS-Standartenführer Paul Brantenaar SS-Obersturmführer Dr. August Schwedler SS-Standartenführer Paul Brantenaar
April, 1934 to March, 1936 March, 1936 to October, 1936 November, 1936 to January, 1942
217
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS SS-Reiterstandarte 8 3 (SS-Oberabschnitt West) formed on April 26, 1934, in Münster and in October, 1936, moved to Paderborn. April, 1934 to February, 1936
SS-Obersturmführer Carl von Bock und Polach SS-Sturmbannführer Otto Dorne SS-Hauptsturmführer Dr. Otto Fritzel SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Baumgardt
February, 1936 to October, 1936 October, 1936 to October, 1938 October, 1938 to May, 1945
SS-Reiterstandarte 9 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordwest") formed on May 1, 1934, in Oldenburg and moved to Bremen in December 1936. May, 1934 to September, 1934 September, 1934 to January, 1935
SS-Oberscharführer Robert Hartwig SS-Hauptsturmführer, after November 9, 1934 SS-Sturmbannführer Josef Fritz SS-Sturmbannführer Carl Deinhard SS-Untersturmführer Rudolf Osterroth SS-Sturmbannführer Hans von Salviati SS-Obersturmführer Bernhard Massury SS-Standartenführer Wilhelm von Woikowski-Biedau
January, 1935 to April, 1935 April, 1935 to October, 1936 October, 1936 to February, 1938 February, 1938 to July, 1938 July, 1938 to May, 1945
SS-Reiterstandarte 10 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra") formed on March 15,1935, in Koblenz and moved to Arolsen in February, 1936. It was directly subordinated to its Oberabschnitt and not assigned to a Reiterabschnitt. Dotharbus von Weyhe 4 SS-Sturmbannführer Kaspar König SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl von Pichl SS-Sturmbannführer Ludwig Land SS-Hauptsturmführer Rolf Becher
May, 1934 to mid-March, 1935 mid-March, 1935 to March, 1936 March, 1936 to April, 1937 April, 1937 to December, 1937 December, 1937 to May, 1945
SS-Reiterstandarte 11 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Südost") formed on April 1,1934, and Breslau, moved to Trebnitz in September, 1935, and returned to Breslau in November, 1935. It was subordinated directly to "Südost" and never assigned to a Reiterabschnitt. April, 1934 to September, 1934
SS-Untersturmführer Wilhelm von Woikowski-Biedau SS-Sturmbannführer Walter Moreth SS-Untersturmführer Karl von Fircks SS-Obersturmführer Rudolf Bösel SS-Untersturmführer Wilhelm Gervers SS-Obersturmbannführer Josef Fritz
September, 1934 to early 1935 early 1935 to August, 1935 August, 1935 to September, 1936 September, 1936 to December, 1936 December, 1936 to May, 1945
SS-Reiterstandarte 12 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord") formed on June 1, 1935, in Schwerin. It was not assigned to a Reiterabschnitt. Oswald Herde 5
June, 1934 to July, 1935
•'Absorbed the Stürme of 23.SS-Reiterstandarte in S e p t e m b e r 1936 when this Standarte was dissolved. J Held the post as an N C O and c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f ü h r e r on June 1, 1936. 5 Held the post as an N C O .
218
Chapter 6: Reiterabschnitte and July, 1935 to October, 1935 November, 1936 to September, 1938 September, 1938 to December, 1942
Reiterstandarten SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Krüger SS-Obersturmfiihrer Jakob Wein SS-Hauptsturmführer, after September 10, 1939 SS-Sturmbannführer Herbert Gilhofer SS-Sturmbannführer, after November 11,1942 SS-Obersturmbannführer Fritz Krüger
1942 to 1945
SS-Reiterstandarte 13 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Rhein") formed on July 1, 1934, in Mannheim and moved to Heidelberg in February 1937 before returning to Mannheim. It was not assigned to a Reiterabschnitt but remained directly under "Rhein." July, 1934 to January, 1935 January, 1935 to April, 1935 April, 1935 to September, 1936 September, 1936 to November, 1936 November, 1936 to June, 1938 July, 1938 to November, 19427
SS-Untersturmführer Karl Schnerr SS-Scharführer Dr. Otto Fritzel'' SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Floto SS-Sturmbannführer Kaspar König SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Floto SS-Sturmbannführer Rudolf Freiherr von Geyr
SS-Reiterstandarte 14 s (SS-Oberabschnitt "Südwest") formed on July 9, 1934, in Karlsruhe and moved to Stuttgart in February, 1937. July, 1934 to September, 1934 September, 1934 to May, 1935 May, 1935 to March, 1936 March, 1936 to October, 1936 October, 1936 to July, 1939 9
SS-Anwärter Freiherr von Rosen SS-Anwärter Klaus Lessing SS-Obersturmbannführer Hermann Florstedt SS-Sturmbannführer Phillip Hahn SS-Obersturmbannführer Kaspar König
SS-Reiterstandarte 15 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Süd") formed on July 15, 1934, in Regensburg, moved in May, 1936, to Landshut, and finally to München (Munich) in November, 1936. July, 1934 to September, 1934 September, 1934 to April, 1936 April. 1936 to October, 1936 October, 1936 to May, 1937 June, 1937 to May, 1945
SS-Obersturmführer Hermann Fegelein SS-Obersturmführer Eberhard von Kunsberg SS-Obersturmfiihrer Max Linbrunner SS-Sturmbannführer Franz Lang SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl von Pichl
SS-Reiterstandarte 16 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Elbe") formed on August 28, 1934, in Dresden. August, 1934 to August, 1935 August, 1935 to July, 1936 July, 1936 to May, 1945
SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Floto SS-Sturmbannführer Carl Deinhard SS-Obersturmbannführer Arthur Müller
SS-Reiterstandarte 17 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Süd" and SS-Oberabschnitt "Main") formed on September 1. 1934, in Oberstdorf and moved to Bad Wörishofen in March, 1935. During this time it was assigned to SSOberabschnitt "Siid." It dissolved at the end of October, 1936, and its personnel were absorbed by SSReiterstandarte 15. SS-Reiterstandarte 24 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Main") was formed in April, 1936, and existed
'' C o m i s s i o n e d S e p t e m b e r 15. 1935. See SS-Reiterstandarte 8. 7 Later c o m m a n d e r ( s ) u n k n o w n . 8 C o m b i n e d with 13.Reiterstandarte during N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r , 1936, and then again a separate unit. ' C o m m a n d e r s u n k n o w n after this date.
219
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
until October 1936, then obtaining the numerical designation 17 in November that year. It was not assigned to any of the Reiterabschnitte. September, 1934 to October 1936 (dissolved) November, 1936 (R.24 renumbered) to May 1945
SS-Sturmbannführer Ludwig Lang SS-Hauptsturmführer Franz Klebl
SS-Reiterstandarte 18 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Donau" when reformed) formed in 1935, and dissolved in late 1936. It was reformed in Vienna in 1938, at which time it became a component of SS-Oberabschnitt "Donau." Its pre-war commander(s) in Vienna are unknown. 1935 to November 1936 November, 1936 to ?
SS-Hauptsturmführer Hans von Treichel Franz Rinner (rank unknown)
SS-Reiterstandarte 19 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" when reformed) first formed in 1935, and dissolved in October 1936. It reformed in Graudenz after start of the war. 1935/1936 1936 to October, 1936 10
SS-Hauptsturmführer Anton Stebani SS-Sturmbannführer Franz Lang
SS-Reiterstandarte 20 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost") formed during March, 1939, in Tilsit. April, 1939 to June, 1939 June, 1939 to 1942 1942 to 1945
SS-Hauptsturmführer Gustav Mertsch SS-Sturmbannführer Ernst Rademacher SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Struve
SS-Reiterstandarte 21 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Mitte") formed on April 11, 1935, in Braunschweig and moved December 1938 to Hannover. It was never subordinated to a Reiterabschnitt, only directly to Oberabschnitt "Mitte." April, 1935 to October, 1936 October, 1936 to May, 1939 May, 1939 to February, 1943 February, 1943 to May, 1945
Koch (first name and rank unknown)" SS-Sturmbannführer Hubert von Wuthenau SS-Sturmbannführer Pelagius Herz SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudolf Stoweno
SS-Reiterstandarte 22 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Elbe") formed on April 1, 1935, in Halle. The unit was dissolved at the end of October, 1936, and its units incorporated into SS-Reiterstandarte 16. It reformed in Posen during late August, 1940. April, 1935 to February, 1936 February, 1936 to October, 1936 August, 1940 to May, 1945 (Posen)
SS-Sturmbannführer Peter Wexel SS-Untersturmführer Friedrich Prager SS-Standartenführer Paul Brantenaar
SS-Reiterstandarte 23 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Rhein") formed in March, 1935, in Freiburg and dissolved in September, 1936. It was reformed in late 1939 in Pirmasens and assigned to SS-Oberabschnitt "Südwest." Its commander(s) after reformation are unknown. March, 1935 to September, 1936
SS-Obersturmführer Dr. Otto Fritzel
10
Its c o m m a n d e r ( s ) after reformation are u n k n o w n . Last n a m e and c o m m a n d c o n f i r m e d by the SS-Personalkanzlei, but no o f f i c e r with that last n a m e is listed in the July, 1935, Dienstalterliste. 11
220
Chapter 6: Reiterabschnitte and
Reiterstandarten
SS-Reiterstandarte 24 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Main") formed in April, 1936, and was redesignated SSReiterstandarte 17 in November, 1936 (see SS-Reiterstandarte 17). Its commander (when designated R.24) was SS-Obersturmbannführer Josef Fritz.
221
222
NSDAP Gaue 1929
EP
HNB HSB
GB
APS HM
HNN RS
FS
Th
HNS NOB
NIB
W
Ba
OBS
APS B Ba D EP FS GB H HM HNB HNN HNS HSB LS
Anhalt Provinz Sachsen Brandenburg Baden Danzig East Prussia Freistaat Sachsen Gross Berlin Hamburg Halle-Merseburg Hannover Nord Bremen Hessen Nassau Nord Hessen Nassau Slid Hannover Süd Braunschweig Lüneberg Stade
Ml. Mecklenburg Lübeck NIB Niederbayem NOB Nordbayern OBS Oberbayern Schwaben P Pommern Palitinate Pa RN Rheinland Nord RS Rheinland Süd Ruhr Westfalen RW Schlesien S Schlesien Holstein SH Thuringia TH Würtemburg W
SS Gruppen and Abschnitte - 1932
ge
»0
3 2 3' <>5 Co
s
CIS o o 5 5 a
224
$ sj' a 3 o, r^ o ^
SCi Ob S
2
O-N
C/3 CO
SS Oberabschnitte and Abschnitte - 1933
Austria before the Rnschluss, 1938
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
226
SS Oberabschnitte and Standarten - 1938
SS Oberabschnitte and Standarten 81 to 127 - 1941
228
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS !>5
SS Oberabschnitte and Wehrkreise - 1941
bibliography Institutions: Berlin Document Center, US Mission Berlin Bundesarchiv, Koblenz Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford, CA Imperial War Museum, London National Archives, Washington D.C. Private archives of original material and collections of: George Lepre James Lucas Jess Lukens John Moore George Nipe Phil A. Nix Lennart Westberg Mark C. Yerger
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Angolia, John R.: For Führer and Fatherland, Bender, 1978.
the Political and Civil Awards of the Third Reich, R. James
Arad, Yitzhak: Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka, The Operation Reinhard Death Camps, Indiana University, 1987. Bender, Roger James and Taylor, Hugh Page: Uniforms, Organization 1 and 2, R. James Bender Publishing, 1970,1971.
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Berben, Paul: Dachau, The Official History, Norfolk, 1968. Bim, Ruth Bettina, Die Höheren SS-und Polizeiführer, Himmlers Vetreter im Reich und in den besetzen Droste, 1986. Black, Peter R.: Ernst Kaltenbrunner,
Ideological
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Bytwerk, Randall: Julius Streicher, The Man who Persuaded Crankshaw, Edward: Gestapo, Instrument
a Nation to Hate Jews, Dorset, 1983.
of Tyranny, Greenhill, 1956.
Delarue, Jacques: The Gestapo, A History of Horror, Morrow, 1964. Deschner, Günther: Heydrich,
The Pursuit of Total Power, Orbis, 1981.
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Purge of the SA, Harper and Row, 1972.
Gordon, Harold J.: Hitler and the Beer Hall Putsch, Princeton, 1972. Grill, Johnpeter Horst: The Nazi Party in Baden 1920-1945,
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Hausser, Paul: Soldaten wie andre auch, Munin Verlag, 1966. Halcomb, Jill: The SA, A Historical
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Hedland, Ronald, Messages of Murder, A Study of the Reports of the Einsatzgruppen and Security Service 1941-1943, Fairleigh Dickinson, 1992. Höffkes, Karl: Hitlers politische
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Grabert, 1986.
Höhne, Heinz: The Order of the Death's Head, The Story of Hitler's SS, Coward-McCann, 1970. International Military Tribunal: Trial of the Major War Criminals Before the International 42 volumes, Nuremberg, 1947-1949. Jurs, August: Estonian Freedomfighters
Military
in World War Two, Voitleja Relief Foundation, undated.
Kahn, David: Hitler's Spies, Macmillan, 1978.
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Tribunal,
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Kersten, Felix: The Kersten Memoirs,
Macmillan, 1957.
Kleitmann, K.G.: Die Wajfen-SS, Eine Dokumentation,
Osnabrück, 1965.
Koehl, Robert Lewis: The Black Corps, University of Wisconsin, 1983. Koehl, Robert Lewis: RKFDV: German Resettlement Krausnick, Helmut: Hitlers Einstazgruppen, 1993.
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Krausnick (Helmut), Bucheim (Hans), Broszat (Martin) and Jackobson (Hans-Adolf) [compilation]: of the SS State, Walker, 1968.
Anatomy
Lehmann, Rudolf: Die Leibstandarte,
Die Truppe des Weltanschauungskrieges
volume 1, J.J. Fedorowicz, 1987.
Littlejohn, David: Foreign Legions of the Third Reich Volume 1, Norway, Denmark, France, R. James Bender, 1979. Littlejohn, David: The Hitler Youth, Agincourt, 1988. Lumans, Valdis O.: Himmler's Auxiliaries, The Volksdeutsche ties of Europe, 1939-1945, Chapel Hill, 1993. Luza, Radomir: Austro-German
Relations
in the Anschluss
Macdonald, Callum, The Killing of SS-Obergruppenführer
Mittelstelle
and the German National
Era, Princeton, 1975. Reinhard Heydrich,
Free Press, 1989.
Messenger, Charles: Hitler's Gladiator, The Life and Times of SS-Oberstgruppenführer Oberst der Waffen-SS Sepp Dietrich, Brassey's, 1988. Mollo, Andrew: Uniforms of the SS-Volume
1- Allgemeine-SS
1923-1945,
Mollo, Andrew: Uniforms of the SS-Volume 5- Sicherheitsdienst Research Unit, 1970. Padfield, Peter: Himmler,
Minori-
und
Panzergeneral-
Historical Research Unit, 1969.
und Sicherheitzpolizei
1931-1945,
Historical
Henry Holt, 1990.
Reitlinger, Gerald: The SS, Alibi of a Nation 1922-1945, Rückerl, Adalbert: The Investigation
Prentice Hall, 1981.
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Rürup, Reinhard: Topographie des Terrors, Gestapo, SS und Reichssicherheitshauptamt Gelände Eine Dokumentation, Arenhövel, 1987. Scheibert, Horst: Die Träger des Deutschen Schellenberg, Walter: The Labyrinth,
auf dem
Prinz-Albreclit-
Kreuzes in Gold und Silber, Band 2, Podzun Pallas, undated.
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Seemen, Gerhard von: Die Ritterkreuzträger,
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Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force Evaluation and Dissemination Section, G-2 (Counter Intelligence Sub-Division): The Allgemeine-SS, WWII Investigator Limited, undated reprint of 1945 publication.
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Bibliography Neufeldt, H a n s - J o a c h i m and H u c k Jürgen (Teil I) and Tessin, G e o r g (Teil II): Zur Geschichte Ordnungspolizei 1936-1945, Bundesarchiv, 1957. Thompson, Larry V: Nazi Administrative Conflict: The Struggle for Power in the General Government Poland, 1939-1943, University of Wisconsin Ph.D. thesis, 1967.
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United States Office of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, 10 volumes, Government Printing Office, 1946-1948. Wagner, Dieter and Tomkowitz, Gerhard: Anschluss,
The Week Hitler Siezed Vienna, St. Martin's Press, 1971.
Wegner, Bernd: The Waffen-SS, Blackwell, 1990. Yerger, Mark C.: Riding East, The SS Cavalry Brigade in Poland and Russia 1939-1942, 1996.
Periodicals and Newspapers: Das Schwarze Korps Der Freiwillige Die Deutsche Polizei Wiking Ruf
233
Schiffer Publishing,
glossary
Designation for an SA or SS district
Abschnitt Abteilung Allgemeine-SS
district branch, section or detachment General SS
Amt Amtsgruppe
office office group
Bahnschutzpolizei Bataillon Befehlshaber
Railway Protection Police battalion Senior Commander
Brigadeführer der Reserve (d.R.)
Major General reserve
Ehrenführer Einsatzgruppe Einsatzkommando Ersatz Feldjägerkorps
an honorary SS general action group action command (component of an action group) replacement an elite armed SA formation absorbed by the Polizei in 1935 Field Police Fire Fighting Police Para-military groups formed during Free Corps 1919-1920 from former troops after WWI to combat potential communist unrest, they had the nominal support of the government and were most often named for their individual commanders
Feldpolizei Feuerschutzpolizei Freikorps
The civil section of the SS which was its largest component in the pre-war years the largest sub-section of a Main Office
234
for an area be it an official of the Army, Waffen-SS, Polizei, Sipo/SD for police: Generalmajor Suffix to ranks for reserve officers of the Waffen-SS
Glossary Frontbann
early para-military group
Führer Gau
leader area
Gauleiter
area leader
headed by Ernst Röhm until May 1925 Party designation for its largest territorial command area, they eventaully numbered 43 Senior Party official within an N S D A P area (Gau)
Geheimes Staatspolizei (Gestapo)Secret State Police Gemeindepolizei Municipal Police Gendarmerie Rural Police Generalbezirk N S D A P district in an occupied area Generalleutnant Lieutenant General Army or police rank Generalmajor Major General Army or police rank Grenzpolizei Border or Frontier Police Gruppe Group largest SA or SS area designation, for the SS they later became Oberabschnitte (Main Districts) Gruppenführer Lieutenant General for police:Generalleutnant Hauptamann Captain Army or police rank Hauptscharführer Master Sergeant Hauptamt Main Office Hauptamt SS Gericht SS Legal Department Main Office Hauptbezirk N S D A P sub-district in an occupied area Hauptsturmführer Captain SS and SA rank Hitlerjugend (HJ) Hitler Youth Höherer SS und Polizeiführer Higher SS and Police Leader (HSSPF) Inspektor senior representative for the Polizei, Inspector Sipo/SD and in many cases the post became that of Befehlshaber Junkerschule officer school SS leader training schools, the two primary being located in Braunschweis and Bad Tölz Korps corps Kreis province or administrative district Kreisleiter third highest N S D A P rank and in charge of a district Kriminalpolizei (Kripo) Criminal Police Land state The 15 territorial divisions of Republican Germany Landespolizei Land Police police authority within each German State Leutnant 2nd Leutnant Army or police rank Luftschutzpolizei Air Raid Protection Police Nachrichten signals or communications National Socialist German Nazi Party Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter Partei (NSDAP) Workers Party Nationalpolitische Erziehungsanstalten (NPEA) National Political Education Institutes Nationalsozialistische Kraftfahr-Korps (NSKK) National Socialist Motor Corps Oberführer Senior Colonel SS and SA rank Oberführerbereiche regional command area Obergruppenführer General Oberleutnant 1st Lieutenant Army or police rank Oberscharführer Technical Sergeant Oberst colonel Army or police rank
235
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Oberste SA Führung Oberste SA Führer Oberstleutnant Obersturmbannführer Oberst-Gruppenführer Obersturmführer Ordnungspolizei Persönlicher Stab RFSS Pionier Polizei Polizeidirektor
High Command of the SA Supreme SA Commander Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Colonel General 1st Lieutenant Order Police
Polizeigebeitsführer Polizeipräsident
Police Area Commander Police President
Polizeiregiment Reichsführer-SS
Police Regiment Reich Leader of the SS
Himmler's Personal Staff engineer police Police Director
Army or police rank SS and SA rank for police:Generaloberst SS and SA rank regular uniformed police later became a Main Office
The head of the municipal police headquarters in a medium sized town, also titular Kripo commander The head of the municipal police headquarters in a large city, also titular Kripo commander Himmler's rank as commander of the SS
SS High Command Reichsführung-SS Reichskommissar für die Festigung Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation of German Nationhood (Himmler) des deutschen Volkstums the highest rank for an N S D A P official Reichsleiter Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA) Reich Central Security Main Office Parliament Reichstag Mounted (cavalry) Reiter Captain (cavalry) Army rank Rittmeister Staff Sergeant later became Unterscharführer Scharführer Auxiliary Police Schutzmannschaft Protection Police Schutzpolizei protection detachment Schutzstaffel (SS) Self Police volunteer units composed primarily Selbstchutz Sicherheitsdienst (SD) Sicherheitshauptamt Sicherheitspolizei (Sipo) SS-Führungshauptamt SS-Hauptamt SS-Personalhauptamt SS-Rasse und Siedlungshauptamt (RuSHA) SS und Polizeiführer (SSPF) SS-Wirtschafts- und Verwaltungs-Hauptamt (WVHA) Stabschef Stabsführer Stabswache Stahlhelm
of ethnic Germans Security Service Central Security Office also known as the SD-Hauptamt Security Police SS Main Operational Office SS Main Office SS Personnel Main Office SS Race and Resettlement Main Office SS and Police Leader SS Economic and Administrative Main Office
Chief of Staff of the SA Chief of Staff the original N S D A P guard detachment veterans group formed in 1918 and a cover for the SA during the period after November 1923 when the N S D A P and SA were outlawed, absorbed by the SA in 1933
Steel Helmet
236
Glossary Standarte
regiment
Standartenführer Standortkonimandant Steirischer Heimatbund Sturm
Colonel garrison commander Styrian Home Defense League (Austria) platoon Term used primarily in the Allgemeine-SS and the early SS/ VT, designated by an Arabic numerial. In the Waffen-SS it became a Zug or Truppe Brownshirts, the first formed paraStorm Troops military muscle group of the NSDAP
Sturmabteilung (SA)
Para-military term equivalent to a regiment in the SA and SS SS and SA rank
Sturmbann
battalion
Sturmbannführer Sturmführer
Major 2nd Lieutenant
Sturmhauptführer
Captain
Technische Nothilfe (Teno) Totenkopfstandarten Totenkopfverbände Truppführer Unterscharführer Untersturmführer Volksdeutsche Verfügungstruppe (SS/VT) Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle Waffen-SS
Technical Emergency Corps Death's Head Regiments Death's Head Units Technical Sergeant Sergeant 2nd Lieutenant ethnic Germans Special Purpose Troops Racial German Assistance Office Armed SS
Wehrkreis Zollgrenzschutz
Military District Border Customs Protection Police
unit designation for both SA and SS, for the latter mostly with the Allgemeine-SS SS and SA rank lowest commissioned rank for both the SA and later the SS, it was later redesignated as Untersturmführer rank for both the SA and SS, it was later redesignated as Hauptsturmführer
237
camp guard units later redesignated Oberscharführer for police: Leutnant became the Waffen-SS The military component of the SS which fought beside the Army, composed of 38 divisions and numerous separate smaller units
INDEX
XXVII: 89-90, 107, 116, 133, 151, 153. 160, 188 XXVIII: 37, 8 3 , 9 0 , 161, 168, 184 XXIX: 40, 110, 118, 136, 140, 150, 162 XXX: 5 5 , 9 0 , 157, 162-164, 191 XXXI: 86, 107, 163 XXXII: 2 5 , 6 1 , 7 6 , 83, 109, 118, 122, 143, 163 XXXIII: 61, 102, 152, 164 XXXIV: 102-103, 106, 164, 195 XXXV: 85-86, 165, 189 XXXVI: 85-86, 165 XXXVII: 85-86, 89, 120, 131, 166 XXXVIII: 35, 85-86, 90, 133, 166, 211 XXXIX: 85, 166, 181 XXXX: 114, 167, 196 XXXXI: 60, 114, 167, 196 XXXXII: 35, 114, 167 XXXXIII: 114, 125, 167-168 XXXXIV: 93, 95, 168 XXXXV: 111, 152, 168
Abschnitte (Districts): 117 I: 83, 109, 117-118, 144 II: 89, 120, 123, 1 4 1 , 2 0 0 III: 88, 106, 120, 123, 127, 138, 148, 155, 160 IV: 46, 93, 100, 103, 105, 112, 123-124, 144, 171,205 V: 111, 116, 124-125, 191, 193 VI: 30, 34, 3 9 , 4 6 , 110, 126-127, 130 VII: 54, 70, 93-95, 106, 127, 129, 141, 148, 175 VIII: 54, 69, 86, 130, 135, 189 IX: 36, 60-61, 63, 83, 90, 118, 124, 132-134, 142, 168, 184, 199-200 X: 27, 83, 110, 133-134, 152, 199 XI: 60, 62, 80, 103, 136, 163, 177 XII: 40, 54, 59, 80, 91, 138, 200, 209 XIII: 3 7 , 9 1 , 102, 138-141 XIV: 26, 39, 6 3 , 6 9 , 98, 143, 191 XV: 55, 91, 98, 124, 143, 146, 159-161, 178 XVI: 62, 80, 93, 115, 147, 172, 188, 196 XVII: 25, 33, 35, 55, 57, 116, 125, 149-150, 180, 191 XVIII: 83, 86, 89, 150, 156, 199 XIX: 110, 150-152, 184 XX: 28-29, 98, 143, 153 XXI: 65, 110, 153, 177, 181 XXII: 46, 59, 93-95, 122, 139, 154, 156 XXIII: 106, 139-140, 154, 175 XXIV: 110, 127, 157 XXV: 107, 116, 140, 158, 171, 193,205 XXVI: 25, 52, 57, 93-94, 114, 140, 158
Ahe, Kurt von der: 172 Aichele, Andreas: 211 Alpers, Friedrich: 195 Altner, Georg: 94, 110, 127, 147, 172, 183 Alvensleben, Ludolf von: 29. 45, 65, 67, 81, 89, 133, 139, 164, 183, 194 Annacker: 105 Arndt, Günther: 173 Asmus, Wilhelm: 179, 200, 213
238
Index Bach, Erich von dem: 24, 31, 49, 54, 94, 109, 127, 130, 138, 183 Bach, Dr. Ernst: 13 Ballauf, Werner: 97, 185 Bannach, Franz: 187 Barnowski, Hermann: 171 Barnstedt, Helmut: 157
Brey, Edmund: 120 Brey, Walter: 180 Breymann, Helmuth: 174 Brigaden (brigades): 117 Bayern: 53, 144 Mittelsteiermark: 108 Obersteiermark: 107 West: 114 2: 156 6: 160 73: 50, 112 74: 50 173: 50
Bassewitz-Behr, Georg Graf von: 32, 61, 64, 68, 96 Bauer, Alfred: 158 Bauer, Josef: 208 Baumgardt, Hans: 218 Becher, Rolf: 218 Beck, Alois: 194 Beck, Johann: 170 Becker, Paul: 151, 206, 208 Beckmann, Martin: 212 Behme, Hermann: 136, 153, 177, 181 Behnke, Edmund: 204 Behrends, Dr. Hermann: 44, 51, 139 Bender, Horst: 119 Benson, Kurt: 123, 179, 208 Berchtold, Joseph: 12 Berger, Gottlob: 15, 48, 99 Bergrath, Karl: 120, 150, 165, 183,211 Berkelmann, Theodor: 29-30, 35, 40, 88, 96, 102, 113, 115, 127, 182 Berni, Fritz: 174 Bettenhauser, Willi: 210 Betz, Dr. Eduard: 162 Bierkamp, Dr. Walter: 31, 109 Biermann, Wilhelm: 142, 204 Bigler, Alfred: 89, 96, 130. 136 Binz. Siegfried: 49 Bittrich, Wilhelm: 204 Bleser, Josef: 170 Bock, Fritz: 85, 163 Bock, Heinz: 200 Bock, Karl: 97. 110, 153, 162, 201 Bock und Polack, Carl von: 218 Böhme, Franz: 74 Borawski, Fritz: 185 Borchmann: 177 Bösel, Rudolf: 94, 149, 200, 218 Böttcher, Dr. Herbert: 55, 211 Böttcher, Otto: 130, 201, 213 Brand, Kurt: 182
Brinkmann, Paul: 179, 187 Broking, Harald: 158 Brunner, Karl: 76, 128 Buchmann, Erich: 170, 191 Buchner, Hans: 170 Buchs, Alfred: 133, 182,207 Bühnemann, Karl: 124 Burger, Karl: 159, 203, 210 Bürger, Karl-Heinz: 67-68, 72 Burghardt. Dr. Hans: 109 Burghardt, Walter: 89, 120, 155 Burk, Karl: 110, 157-158, 173,203 Burkhardt, Karl: 194 Burkhart, Johann: 1 6 6 , 2 0 7 , 2 1 0 Burmann, Heinrich: 207, 210 Butschek, Hans: 211 Caesar: 115 Cassel, Erich: 85, 110, 137, 196 Claasen, Franz: 101 Claasen, Günther: 116, 149, 180 Conrau, Friedrich: 203 Casella, Theodor: 169 Craas, Wolfgang: 215 Creutz, Rudolf: 120, 136 Curth, Walther: 93 Cyranka, Hans: 185 Czodrowski, Leo: 182, 201 Dahm, Paul: 79, 126, 179 Dalski, Egon: 195 Daluege, Kurt: 16-17, 19, 21, 105, 121, 127, 139, 148, 161 Darre, Richard: 14-15 Deinhard, Carl: 2 1 5 , 2 1 8 - 2 1 9 Demelhuber, Carl-Maria: 151 Dem, Friedrich: 210 Dernehl, Friedrich: 110, 127, 157, 193-194,213 Dethof, Hermann: 114, 125, 159, 203, 211 Deubel: Heinrich: 186
Brand, Maximilian: 127, 201, 203 Brandes, Ernst: 108, 110, 185 Brandner, Willi: 79, 120, 131, 166 Brantenaar, Paul: 215, 217, 220 Brasack, Curt: 136, 163, 180, 210 Brass, Otto: 94, 128, 154, 173, 175 Braun, Robert: 110 Braun. Robert: 109, 120, 194 Breithaupt, Franz: 18
239
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Diehm, Christoph: 48, 58, 67, 77, 118, 133, 150, 152 Dietrich, Joseph: 96. 103, 105-106, 117, 123, 144145, 169 Dietz, Sepp: 197 Dolp, Hermann: 187 Döring, Hans: 67, 118, 120, 132, 154, 156, 186-187 Dorne, Otto: 218 Dressler, Arno: 120, 124, 153, 166, 174, 194 Druschel, Oskar: 207 Dunckern, Anton: 77 Dyroff, Wilhelm: 133 Eberstein, Friedrich Karl Freiherr von: 23, 31, 36, 4 1 , 4 5 , 8 6 , 88-89,96, 106-107, 129, 150, 183, 199 Ebert, Ludwig: 133 Ebrecht, George: 25-26, 94, 158, 163, 187 Eckhardt, Franz: 198 Eckhardt, Dr. Georg: 150, 176 Ehrlinger, Erich: 60 Eichhorn, Lorenz: 191 Eicke, Theodor: 43, 174 Eimann, Kurt: 154, 188 Einsatzgruppe: 15-16, 23, 30, 60, 63-64, 77 Einspänner. Richard: 174 Eisfeld, Walter: 173 El lenberger, Adolf: 182 Engel, Fritz: 105, 115, 140 Engelhardt, Ernst: 139, 155, 197 Engewicht, Robert: 185 Enzner, Hans: 151, 206 Epp, Franz Ritter von: 24, 129 Erhart, Hubert: 120, 129 Eschholdt, Ludwig: 133, 151, 162, 170, 184 Exner, Paul: 159, 176, 212 Eysell, Otto: 83 Faust, Martin: 186 Faust, Willibald: 170 Fegelein, Hermann: 24, 157, 180, 215, 217, 219 Feichtmayer, Otto: 123,208 Feil, Johann von: 165, 167, 178, 188,204 Feitenhansl, Dr. Karl: 166 Felchner, Horst: 206 Felsen, Eduard: 172 Festerling, Fritz: 164,204 Fick, Jakob: 103 Fieback, Josef: 192 Fiedler, Richard: 72, 125, 149, 167 Fiegler, Richard: 182 Fircks, Karl von: 218 Fischer, Franz: 89-90, 170, 204 Fischer-Schweder, Bernhard: 64 Fitzthum, Josef: 48, 97, 174, 199
Flasche, August: 158 Fleichmann, Willibald: 170, 187 Fleischmann, Alfred: 85 Fleiss, Erwin: 208 Florstedt, Hermann: 187, 204, 215, 219 Floto, Hans: 219 Fortenbacher, Willy: 14 Frank, August: 20 Frank, Dr. Hans: 22, 57 Frank: Karl-Hermann: 39, 66, 70, 85, 148 Franz, Hermann: 47, 92 Friderici, Arthur: 197,203 Fritz, Josef: 214, 218 Freikorps: 8, 24 Frels, Emil: 186 Fressonke, Paul: 173 Frick, Wilhelm: 21 Friedrich, Max: 194 Frisch, Ludwig: 207 Fritz, Josef: 200, 2 0 8 , 2 1 8 Fritzel, Dr. Otto: 218-220 Fromm, Werner: 70, 79, 129, 201 Frosch, Edmund: 207 Fruggel, Willy: 190 Fuchs, Wilhelm: 32, 59 Führungsamt: 121 Führungstab: 106, 142, 197 Fürstenberg, Walter: 124, 129, 154 Füss, Simon: 2 0 6 , 2 1 1 Garth, Erich: 182-183 Gatternig, Dr. Erich: 208 Gehrhardt, Friedrich: 40, 113-114, 140, 175, 179, 200 Geibel, Paul Otto: 56 Gerdteil. Bodo von: 187 Gerlach, Walter: 128, 183,201 Gerner, Heinrich: 173, 203, 212 Gervers, Wilhelm: 218 Geyr, Rudolf Freiherr von: 114, 216, 219 Giesler, Paul: 12 Gilhofer, Herbert: 219 Gille, Herbert Otto: 124 Gladisch, Kurt: 142 Glasewald, Gustav: 189 Glass, Fridolin: 140,208 Globocnik, Odilio: 47, 55, 95 Glücks, Richard: 20, 116, 206 Gnade, Albert: 196 Goecke, Wilhelm: 173,208 Göll, Oskar: 172 Göring, Hermann: 11-12, 15 Göstler, Michael: 164 Gottberg, Curt von: 28, 51, 60, 104, 196 Götze, Wilhelm: 2 0 2 , 2 1 2
240
Index Graeschke. Dr. Walter: 130 Graf, Alfons: 151, 162, 167, 204 Greifelt, Ullrich: 19, 89, 102 Greulich, Ernst: 176, 208, 213 Griep, Walter: 38 Grimme, Karl-Franz: 142, 181 Grobben, Jakob: 79 Grobe, Herbert: 207
Hartwig, Robert: 208, 218 Hauptämter (Main Offices) Dienstelle SS-Obergruppenführer Heissmeyer: 20, 33 Führungshauptamt: 14, 1 8 - 1 9 , 5 2 , 5 7 , 6 1 , 130, 151 Hauptamt: 13, 15-16, 33, 57, 65, 83, 86, 99100, 106, 111, 119, 128, 136, 138, 142143, 180 Hauptamt Haushalt und Bauten: 20 Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei: 16, 21, 58, 61, 63, 140, 148 Hauptamt Persönlicher Stab "ReichsführerSS": 16, 138, 165 Hauptamt Reichskommissar für die Festigung Deutschen Volkstums (RKFDV): 19, 46, 6 0 , 7 7 , 86, 129, 165, 168. 191 Hauptamt Sicherheitspolizei: 15 Hauptamt SS-Gericht: 18, 119 Hauptamt Verwaltung und Wirtschaft: 20 Hauptamt Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle (VOMI):
Gruppen (Groups): 82 Berlin-Brandenburg: 26, 148 Berlin-Mitte: 125 Berlin-Nord: 148 Donau: 73 Grenzmark: 148 Hochland: 41 Mitte: 148 Niederrhein: 50, 125 Niedersachsen: 101 Nord: 30, 39, 93, 96, 125, 128, 142, 144 Nordsee: 26 Nordwest: 49 Ost: 86, 93, 105, 138, 144, 148, 155 Ostland: 88 Ostmark: 148 Pommern: 148 Schlesien: 64, 148 Süd: 4 2 , 4 9 , 6 5 , 7 2 , 106, 144 Südost: 34, 46, 109, 120, 156, 205 Südwest: 152 West: 8 4 , 9 1 , 104, 110, 114, 126
2 0 , 5 1 , 9 4 , 128, 141 Personalhauptamt: 18, 69, 143, 165, 195 Rasse-und Siedlungshauptamt (RuSHA): 1415, 25, 28, 35-36, 49, 65, 67, 72, 76-77, 94, 104, 143, 171 Reichssicherheitsamt (RSHA): 15, 17, 23, 26, 40, 55,60-62, 8 7 , 9 1 , 101, 106, 112, 118119, 135, 149, 152, 160, 180 Sicherheitsdienst (SD) Hauptamt: 15, 26, 36, 38, 40, 60, 72, 77, 87, 97, 103, 105, 119, 149, 160
Gruppenstab z.b.V: 53 Güldener, Ludwig: 161 Gunst, Walter: 194,202 Günther, Wilhelm: 62, 68 Guse, Arnold: 182-183 Gutenberger, Karl: 31, 50, 115, 191 Gutsche, Heinrich: 194 Haars, Hubert: 216 Hainbach, Paul: 162, 166 Hahn, Philipp: 216, 219 Haller, Christian: 167 Haltermann, Hans: 26, 64, 68 Hamke, Arnold: 90, 102, 163 Hampel, Otto: 216 Hanke, Karl: 12 Hannemann, Werner: 179 Harm, Hermann: 39, 59, 64, 83, 96, 101, 143, 170 Harms, Arnold: 193 Harnys, Johann: 138, 147, 160, 182, 188 Harster, Dr. Wilhelm: 128 Hartebrodt, Walter: 137 Hartmann, Ernst: 62, 67-68, 115
Wirtschaft- und Verwaltungshauptamt: 19-20 Hassell, Ulrich von: 17 Hausamaen, Dr. Fritz: 215 Hauser, Friedrich: 136 Hebron, Bruno: 119, 129, 146, 154 Hecker, Heinz: 167 Hegeler, Rudolf: 153 Heiden, Erhard: 12 Heider, Otto: 116 Heinke, Werner: 168 Heissmeyer, August: 15, 29, 33, 38, 86, 102, 149, 175 Heitz, Georg: 200, 202 Heldmann, Constantin: 90, 124, 132-133, 142, 181 Helwig, Hans: 186 Hellinger, Franz: 169 Hellriegel, Kurt: 207 Hellwig, Otto: 26, 67, 70, 94 Hennicke, Paul: 64, 66, 116, 160, 176 Henning, Paul: 161 Henze, Max: 121, 146, 160, 173
241
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Herbert, Willy: 170, 187, 199 Herde, Oswald: 218 Herff, Maximilian von: 16, 18 Hermann, Dr. Arno: 127 Herwig, Karl: 197 Herz, Pergalius: 196, 216, 220 Hess, Rudolf: 19, 38, 106 Hettesheimer, Ludwig: 103, 137, 164 Heubach: 162
Slowakian: 23, 48, 99 Spree: 26, 33 Süd: 23, 3 1 , 3 6 , 4 1 , 4 5 , 5 7 Südost: 3 1 , 4 2 , 62, 6 5 , 7 2 , 77 Südwest: 29, 46, 49 Tschernigow: 29 Ungarn: 47-48, 58, 151 Warthe: 30, 40, 57 Weichsel: 39-40
Heukenkamp, Dr. Rudolf: 67, 171 Heusemann, Ludwig: 93 Heuwer, Kurt: 145, 157 Heydrich, Reinhard: 15, 17-18, 23, 66, 205 Heyden-Linden: 216 Heyer, Wilhelm: 123, 170, 194 Hiedler, Hans: 130, 197
Weißruthenien: 28, 48, 68, 104, 112 West: 30, 42, 50, 54, 72, 84, 106 Hildebrandt, Ernst: 72 Hildebrandt, Fritz: 72, 89, 150, 187 Hildebrandt, Johannes: 204 Hildebrandt, Richard: 15, 25, 31, 35, 39, 45, 49, 65, 6 7 , 7 2 , 102, 106, 108-109, 114, 119, 136, 153, 160
Higher SS and Police Leaders (HSSPF): 22-23 Adriatisches Küstenland: 23, 47, 79, 95 Albanien: 39, 47, 97 Alpenland: 23, 37-38, 69, 74, 77, 128 Belgien-Nordfrankreich: 42, 48, 100, 152 Böhmen und Mähren: 39, 65-66, 181 Danmark: 47, 79, 91, 129 Danzig-Westpreussen: 39 Donau: 3 6 , 6 1 , 7 3 , 135 Elbe: 29-30, 34, 46 Frankreich: 51, 77, 103 Fulda-Werra: 32, 53 Greichenland: 36, 47, 73, 92 Kaukasien: 25, 44, 68 Kroatien: 51, 79, 107, 131 Lodz: 43 Lothringen-Saarpfalz: 35 Main: 2 3 , 3 6 , 4 1 Mitte: 32-33, 6 3 , 9 1 , Nord: 26, 4 3 , 7 6 , 80, 84, 189 Nordost: 25-26, 28, 80, 94, 115 Nordsee: 3 2 , 6 1 , 6 3 , 146 Nordwest: 32, 4 3 , 7 8 , 151 Oberitalien West: 23, 24 Ost: 29, 40, 43, 47, 52, 55, 88, 113, 161 Ostland: 44, 58, 6 1 , 7 0 Ostsee: 26, 37 Rhein: 28, 35, 65 Rhein-Westmark: 30, 35-36, 40, 65 Rußland-Mitte: 28, 48-50, 54, 60-61, 68, 73, 101, 104, 109, 122, 131 Rußland-Nord: 27, 42, 44, 58 Rußland-Süd: 25, 27, 35, 42, 44, 59-60, 64, 676 8 , 7 0 , 8 1 , 121, 139, 165, 188 Saar-Lothringen: 35 Schwarzes Meer: 25, 44, 46, 65 Serbien: 51, 72, 108, 151 Siebenbürgen: 25, 44, 65
Hiller, Wilhelm: 151, 154, 174, 2 0 1 , 2 0 6 , 2 1 3 Hilmer, Kurt: 179 Himmler, Heinrich: 12, 15-22, 24, 43, 45, 99, 103, 139 Himpe, Hans: 164, 173, 182 Hinrich, Karl: 185 Hinsch, Hans: 185, 196 Hirscher: 204 Hintze, Ernst-August: 176, 187 Hintze, Kurt: 59, 136, 167 Hirschberg, Paul: 197 Hirschböck, Eduard: 90 Hof, Georg: 174 Hofbauer, Bruno: 101, 142, 173 Hoffmann, Hans: 102, 109, 201 Hoffmann, Karl: 120, 154, 188 Hoffmann, Kurt: 136-137, 176 Hoffmann, Philip: 216 Hofmann, Dr. Hans: 162 Hofmann, Otto: 15, 30, 49, 93, 110, 146, 180, 185 Höfle, Hermann: 32, 48, 63, 91 Höflich, Heinrich: 169 Höh, Adolf: 185 Höh, Peter: 185 Holdt, Heinrich von: 162 Holzel, Hans-Günther: 213 Holzschuher, Wilhelm von: 160 Hornung, Konrad: 83, 86 Humann-Hainhofen, Rolf von: 149, 185 Humps, Max: 119, 176 Huttenbach, Oscar Freiherr Luchner von: 153, 173 Ihle, Wilhelm: 162, 164, 167, 176, 178, 186,202 Illing, Paul: 211 Jacobi, Julius: 198,202 Jaegy, Franz: 89, 109, 119, 139, 179, 182, 209
242
Index Jäger, Rudolf: 191 Jahn, Wilhelm: 216 Jahnke, Fritz: 94, 129, 170, 216 Jakober, August: 161, 207 Jeckeln, Friedrich: 30, 42, 44, 48, 91, 98, 106, 115, 123, 175, 177 Jenke, Hermann: 130, 158,202 Johannsen, Peter: 154 Johst, Johannes: 139 Johst, Walter: 187
Kolzow, Dr. Hans: 123 Kommando der Waffen-SS: 18 Kommandostab "Reichsführer-SS": 16, 1 8 , 6 1 , 6 8 Kommer, Jakob: 181 König, Gustav-Adolf: 200 Koenig, Kaspar: 218-219 Kopp, Julius: 145, 163 Koppe, Wilhelm: 28, 31, 40, 43, 45, 57, 98, 105, 108, 113, 149, 158, 161, 178 Koppenwallner, Paul: 204 Korb, Heinz: 86, 131 Körnich, Manfred: 188, 203 Korsemann, Gerrett: 50, 62, 101
Jungclaus, Richard: 48, 100, 124, 175 Jungkunz, Otto: 127, 130, 197 Jürs, Heinrich: 143, 163, 174 Jüttner, Hans: 14, 19 Jüttner, Paul: 207
Kraftfahrstürme (car platoons) 1: 109 2: 90 3: 106 4: 98 5: 116 6: 89 7: 95 8: 86
Kaaserer, Richard: 72, 76, 79, 164, 197 Kagelmann, Alfred: 182 Kaltenbrunner, Ernst: 16, 18, 24, 36, 63, 86, 130, 135, 189 Kammerhofer, Konstantin: 51, 68, 107, 158, 163, 182
Kammler, Dr. Hans: 20 Kamptz, Jürgen von: 128 Kamstein, Paul: 47 Karpinski, Friedrich: 182-183 Kasch, Karl: 216 Katz, Dr. Adolf: 164, 195, 199 Katzmann, Fritz: 39, 55-56, 114, 127, 182, 204 Kaul, Kurt: 30, 46, 109-110, 123, 127, 154-155 Kavallerie-Brigade: 43 Kelz, Hans: 165 Kennerknecht, Karl: 123, 201 Keppel, Karl: 167 Keppels, Josef: 195 Kersten, Franz: 206 Kersten, Hans: 94, 121, 171 Kirchstein, Tom: 170 Klebl, Franz: 220 Kleemann, Reinhold: 216 Klein, Emil: 185 Kleinow, Johannes: 186,210 Kleist, Kurt: 186 Klipp, Dr.: 194 Klitzing: 176 Kluck, Dr. Helmut: 216 Knapp, Robert: 120, 166, 190 Knapp, Viktor: 173, 201 Knellesen, Martin: 182, 201 Koberl, Leopold, 174 Kobert, Henry: 185 Köblinger, Hubert: 129, 174 Koch: 220 Koenig, Kaspar: 147, 149, 215 Koller, Eduard: 166
9: 89, 110 11: 93, 111 12: 90 13: 103 14: 102 15: 83 16: 114 17: 114 18: 105 19: 85 Kraschinski, Albert: 173 Krause, Friedrich: 183 Krause, Heinrich: 194,200 Krebs, Hans: 124-125 Kreuder, Rudi: 151 Kriebler, Ernst: 154, 192 Krieger, Willy: 190 Kröger, Paul: 186 Krug, Dr. Werner: 174 Krüger, Friedrich-Wilhelm: 22, 38, 43, 57, 88, 98 Krüger, Fritz: 216, 219 Krüger, Hans: 219 Krüger, Kurt: 176 Krüger, Otto: 164 Krumy, Hermann: 210 Kubat, Kurt: 172 Kubitzky, Josef: 139-140 Kuhn, Paul: 155, 183, 190, 192, 204 Kühtz, Hans: 147, 167, 196, 206 Kulas: 177 Kulesza, Wilhelm von: 216
243
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Kumm, Otto: 190 Kunsberg, Eberhard von: 219 Kursell, Otto von: 20, 94 Kutschera, Franz: 56, 68, 208-209
Mazuw, Emil: 26, 37, 100, 140, 161, 190 Messner, Wilhelm: 216 Merk, Dr. Günther: 64, 113 Mertsch, Gustav: 154,220 Meyer, Fritz: 127, 173, 175, 177, 179, 182 Meyszner, August Edler von: 51, 108 Michaelsen, Wilhelm: 79 Mischke, Dr. Gerhard: 136 Model, Walter: 61 Moder, Paul: 3 8 , 5 5 , 105, 121, 146, 159, 170 Modrow, Hans: 213 Mohr, Dr. Eugen: 109, 133, 170, 187, 198, 200, 203 Möller, Heinrich: 58, 196 Montel, Wilhelm: 98, 154,211 Montag, Fritz: 180 Morawek, Dr. Oskar: 208 Moreth, Walter: 114, 170, 218 Mörschel, Johann: 60, 97, 146, 214, 216-217 Moschner, Erich: 173 Mozek, Heinz: 198, 204, 206 Mühling, Wilhelm: 194 Müller, Alfred: 187 Müller, Arthur: 215, 219 Müller, Erhard: 101, 109-110, 192, 198,203 Müller, Francis: 93, 164, 181 Muller, Franz: 197 Müller, Georg: 207 Müller, Hermann: 217 Müller, Otto: 101,204 Müller-West, Horst: 207 Mundhenke, Fritz: 166,208 Musil, Hans: 174 Mutschmann, Martin: 34
Laforce, Karl: 169 Land, Ludwig: 218, 220 Lang, Franz: 220 Lang, Fritz: 218 Lange, Otto-Wilhelm: 212 Langleist, Walter: 140, 149, 180 Langosch, Georg: 153 Lassak, Julius: 203 Leder, Günther: 120 Leffler, Paul: 105, 165, 176 Legau, James: 137 Leiner, Otto: 174 Leonhardt, Fritz: 212 Lessing, Klaus: 216, 219 Liebisch, Gerhard: 187 Liedtke, Heinz: 97 Linbrunner, Max: 219 Lindner, Paul: 129 Lippert, Michael, 203, 211 Loeper, Wilhelm: 200 Lohmann, Albert: 201, 210 Lohmann, Hugo: 154, 207 Lohse, Rudolf: 46, 151, 162, 164, 168, 177 Loos, Walter: 149 Lorenz, Helmut: 120 Lorenz, Werner: 20, 94, 96, 120, 127, 141 Loritz, Hans: 165, 185, 189 Lörner, Georg: 20 Ludwig, Ernst: 203 Ludwig, Kurt: 124, 143, 149, 162, 191, 198,202 Luther, Johannes: 120, 150 Luther, Martin: 133 Lutze, Viktor: 12 Maack, Berthold: 109, 123-124, 158, 190,205 Maier, Johann: 170 Makosch, Josef: 192, 201, 203 Malsen-Ponickau, Erasmus Freiherr von: 79, 117, 132-134, 185 Mann, Wilhelm: 136, 154, 198, 206 Markus, Willi: 212 Martin, Dr. Benno: 23, 36, 90 Martin, Georg: 166, 204 Martins, Martin: 190 Marx, Heinrich: 199 Massury, Bernhard: 218 Mattke, Helmut: 197, 207 Maurer, Ernst: 209 Maurice, Emil: 11 Maxa, Franz: 159
Nachrichtensturmbanne (signals battalions) 1: 109 2: 110 3: 90 4: 116 5: 93 7: 95 8: 106 9: 89 10: 11: 12: 13: 14: 16: 19: 23:
98, 110 90 102 103 86 114 85 105
Nagele, Josef: 151, 159, 162, 201 Nageler, Viktor: 190, 209 Nationalpolitische Erziehungsanstalten (NPEA): 20
244
Index Neufeldt, Hermann: 201 Neumann, Hans-Georg: 176, 206 Neurath, Constantine von: 70 Neurath, Heinrich: 85, 94, 129, 179, 185, 201 Nickel, Ernst: 186, 208 Nositz, Paul: 162, 187 Nöhles, Arnold: 182, 186 Oberabschnitte: 82-83 Alpenland: 37-39, 69, 74, 83, 85-86, 165, 178 Böhmen und Mähren: 66, 85 Donau: 63, 73, 76, 81, 83, 85, 95, 108, 135, 137, 1 8 9 , 2 2 0 Elbe: 2 9 - 3 0 , 4 1 , 4 6 , 5 7 , 6 5 , 86, 89, 107, 111, 120, 131, 155, 1 7 3 , 2 0 9 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 - 2 2 0 Fulda-Werra: 32, 53, 86, 89. 100, 116, 160, 188, 191 Lothringen-Saarpfalz: 102, 139 Main: 36, 62, 86, 90, 124, 219, 221 Mitte: 33,41-42, 6 3 , 8 9 , 9 1 , 115, 120, 124, 128, 150, 209, 220 Nord: 37, 39, 61, 67, 70, 80-81, 84, 91, 93, 96, 100, 102, 108. 141-143, 146, 153, 192,216 Nordost: 25-28, 52, 54, 80, 93-94, 114, 121, 124, 130, 1 7 2 , 2 1 4 , 2 1 6 , 220 Nordsee: 27, 32, 63, 94, 98, 141-143, 146, 153 Nordwest: 42, 49, 63, 78, 91, 96, 98, 100, 128, 141, 150, 153, 1 8 0 , 2 1 4 , 2 1 6 Ost: 29, 55, 57, 76, 88, 98, 105, 138, 144, 147, 159-161, 175,217 Österreich: 69, 85, 137 Ostland: 59, 98 Ostsee: 37, 39, 81, 96, 100, 102, 192, 200 Rhein: 28, 33, 40, 53, 65, 74, 102-103, 130, 136, 1 4 6 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 - 2 2 0 Rhein-Westmark: 33, 36, 65, 102, 105, 130 Spree: 26, 29, 50, 105-106, 144, 147-148, 159, 175 Süd: 3 1 , 4 1 , 4 5 , 5 7 , 6 5 , 9 0 , 106-107, 112, 117, 137, 1 4 3 , 2 0 9 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 Südost: 31, 33, 50, 52, 54, 62, 65, 67, 70, 78, 80, 109, 120, 127, 156, 175,205 Südwest: 27, 29, 40, 46, 49, 52, 76, 99, 104, 110, 127, 172, 180, 1 9 2 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 Ukraine: 111 Warthe: 30, 4 0 , 5 7 , 111, 156, 168 Weichsel: 39-40, 55, 59, 65, 94-95, 114, 220 West: 30, 42, 49-50, 84, 102, 114, 152, 172, 180,215,217 Westmark: 139 Oberführerbereich: 82 Ost: 105, 138, 148 Süd: 53, 106, 144 West: 84
245
Oberg, Carl: 51, 55, 77, 103, 124, 181 Oberstab: 13, 83 Offermann, Heinz: 217 Ohlendorf, Otto: 31 Opländer, Walter: 85, 154, 166, 177, 181-182, 187 Ost, Willi: 56, 127 Ostberg, Karl: 169 Österreich, Heinz: 178 Osterroth, Rudolf: 216, 218 Otte, Hellmuth: 216 Otto, Karl: 172, 194 Paetsch, Otto: 154 Paffrath, Leopold: 182-183 Pancke, Günther: 15, 32, 47, 91, 97, 140, 146, 154, 196 Pardatscher, Bruno: 209 Paul, Hans: 124 Paulus, Friedrich: 207 Pauly, Max: 188,203 Pelz, Horst: 123, 142, 207 Perthen, Karl: 194 Perwitzschky, Konrad: 163 Peter, Hermann: 133, 173, 179 Peter, Richard: 173 Peters, Kurt: 187 Petersen, Karl: 171, 185 Petersen, Walther von: 120, 204 Pfaff, August: 185 Pfeil-Burghauss, Friedrich Graf von: 127, 178 Pffefferkorn, Josef: 162-163,208 Pflomm, Karl: 133, 136, 150, 176, 194, 199 Phleps, Artur: 45 Pichl, Karl von: 149, 218-219 Pinter, Rupert: 165, 190, 208, 210 Piokowski, Alex: 208 Pioniersturmbann (engineer battalions) 1: 109 2: 1 1 1
3: 90 4: 116 5: 98 6: 102 7: 95 8: 106 9: 89 10: 110 12: 93 13: 103 14: 86 15: 85 16: 114 17: 114 23: 105
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Plaichinger, Julius: 164 Plank, Willi: 216-217 Plesch, Hans: 149 Plobner, Max: 174 Pögel, Werner: 127, 149, 190 Pohl, Kurt: 209 Pohl, Oswald: 1 6 , 2 0 - 2 1 Popp, Emil: 120, 132, 138, 198, 200 Potzelt, Walter: 197-198 Prechter, Hugo: 168 Praescke, Werner: 159, 161 Prager, Friedrich: 220 Prestien, Hans: 200 Preuss, Artur: 154 Prützmann, Hans-Adolf: 25-27, 29, 32, 44, 52, 61, 94, 96, 99, 110-111, 133-134, 139, 157, 178179 Piickler-Burghaus, Carl Graf von: 50
2: 94, 1 1 4 , 2 1 4 , 2 1 6 3:94-95,214,216 4:214,216 5: 83, 1 0 2 , 2 1 6 6: 116, 1 4 6 , 2 1 5 . 2 1 7 7: 1 0 6 , 2 1 7 8: 1 1 6 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 8 - 2 1 9 , 2 1 9 9: 9 8 , 2 1 4 , 2 1 8 10: 90, 9 8 , 2 1 8 11: 1 1 0 , 2 1 8
12: 102,218 13: 1 0 3 , 2 1 9 14: 1 1 0 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 15: 83, 1 0 9 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 16: 8 9 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 17: 8 3 , 9 0 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 , 221 18: 86, 220 19: 114, 220 20: 95, 220 21:93,220 22: 89, 1 1 4 , 2 1 5 , 2 2 0 23: 1 0 5 , 2 1 8 24: 221
Querner, Rudolf: 32-33, 36, 63, 86, 91, 96 Raabe, Georg: 136, 201 Raake, Erich: 179 Radamacher, Robert: 186 Raddatz, Karl: 116 Rademacher, Ernst: 220 Radke, Karl: 190 Rasse und Siedlungsamt: 13 Rauter, Hans-Albin: 43, 78, 8 7 , 9 8 , 110, 151 Reck, Wilhelm: 173, 176 Rediess, Wilhelm: 22, 25, 38, 43, 80, 93-94, 109, 136, 138, 147, 179 Rees, Karl: 123 Reich, Otto: 79, 132 Reichert, Walter: 160 R e i c h s f ü h r u n g SS: 11 Reichssicherheitsdienst: 15 Reidel, Georg: 101 Remely, Erwin: 190, 211 Reinecke, Dr. Günther: 18 Reinefarth, Heinz: 40, 113, 148 Reiner, Dr. Alexander: 158, 187 Reinhardt, Ludwig: 190, 201 Reinholdt, Walter: 173 Reiterabschnitte (Riding Districts): 214 I: 214 II: 214 V: 8 3 , 2 1 5 VI: 215 VII: 215 VIII: 215 IX: 1 4 6 , 2 1 5 Reiterstandarten (Riding Regiments): 214 1:94-95,214,216
Ribbentrop, Joachim von: 21, 38 Richardt, Willi: 140, 142, 192 Richter, Joachim: 90, 110 Riemer, Hans: 198 Riepe, Julius: 202 Ring, Hans: 133, 162, 167 Rinner, Felix: 86 Rinner, Franz: 220 Roch, Heinz: 6 7 , 7 0 , 76, 118, 122, 154, 163, 173, 179, 182, 194 Rodenbücher, Alfred: 38, 69, 78, 83, 85, 130, 143, 190 R ö h m , Ernst: 8, 11-12 Roos, Waldemar: 130, 159 Rohr, Herbert: 133 Rohrich, Dr. Hanns: 137 Rokiki, Alfred: 193 Rosen, Freiherr von: 219 Rösener, Erwin: 35, 38-39, 74-75, 83, 102, 105, 128, 179, 1 9 8 , 2 0 1 Rosse: 208 Rouenhoff, Gerhard: 164, 198 Rüdiger, Albert: 183 Rüger, Georg: 98, 165 Rusch, Karl-Heinz: 166, 194, 211 Rusy, Richard: 166 Ruth, Paul: 2 0 3 Sack, Dr. Albert: 216 Salomon, Franz Felix P f e f f e r von Salomon: 11 Salviati, Hans von: 218 Sammern-Frankenegg, Dr. Ferdinand von: 56, 79, 90, 132, 189
246
Index Sattler, Carl: 123, 171, 186 Sawatzki, Heinz: 154, 198, 206 Schack, Herbert: 164 Schade, Hermann Freiherr von: 106. 128, 143 Schadendorf, Walter: 216 Schäfer, Karl: 59-60, 64, 179 Schäfer, Johannes: 129, 140, 158, 167, 170, 179 Schaller, Edwin: 194 Schäfer, Karl: 139. 154 Scharfe, Norbert: 136, 172, 190, 194 Scharfe, Paul: 13, 18, 180 Schatzmeyer, Otto: 208 Scheel. Dr. Gustav-Adolf: 38, 83 Scheibe, Fritz: 174 Scheider, Hans: 114 Scheingruber, Heinrich: 137 Schepmann, Wilhelm: 12 Scherner, Julian: 52, 70, 94, 110, 143, 170 Schiechel: 210 Schilling, Karl: 127, 157 Schinke, Willi: 102 Schimana, Walter: 37, 47, 60, 70, 73, 86 Schirach, Baidur von: 88 Schjoren, Lief: 93 Schlechl, Johann: 178 Schlegel, Friedrich: 120, 170, 173, 176 Schlessmann, Fritz: 124, 158, 186, 193 Schlums, Friedrich: 94, 103, 129, 177, 179, 201 Schmauser, Ernst: 190
Schreiber, Friedrich: 179 Schröder, Ferdinand: 150, 207 Schröder, Fritz: 194, 198, 206 Schröder, Georg: 129 Schröder, Karl: 207 Schröder, Walter: 59
Schmauser, Heinrich: 31, 62, 90, 106, 109, 147, 173 Schmauser, Hermann: 179 Schmeicher, Willy: 40, 67, 113, 174 Schmid, Hans: 180 Schmidt, Ernst Adolf: 125 Schmidt, Georg: 90. 206 Schmidt, Ullrich: 202 Schmidt, Walter: 160, 198 Schmischke, Horst: 161, 172, 1 7 6 , 194 Schmitt, Walter: 18, 89, 197 Schmitz, Edmund: 149, 199 Schmitz, Hans: 25 Schmitz, Werner: 190, 209 Schneller, Max: 29, 105 Schnerr, Karl: 219 Schnöller, Xavier: 187 Schöckel, Fritz: 154 Schoerner, Albrecht: 187, 202 Scholz, Alfred: 153, 186, 194 Scholz, Fritz von: 192 Schöne, Helmut: 165, 182, 211 Schönfeldt, Hans: 123 Schöngarth: Dr. Eberhard: 44, 86, 87 Schräge, Erich: 93, 128 Schramm, Kurt: 195 Schreck, Julius: 12, 169
247
Schröder, Wilhelm: 83, 146, 178-179, 182 Schubert, Kurt: 187 Schubert, Otto: 191 Schulenburg, Friedrich von: 180 Schulz, Bruno: 109 Schulz, Emil: 186,206 Schulz, Erwin: 38, 77 Schulz, Helmut: 125, 153, 198,201 Schulz, Karl: 179, 198 Schulz, Max: 211 Schulz, Robert: 208 Schulze, Elimar: 190 Schulze, Reinhold: 145-146, 187 Schumacher, Ewald: 185 Schuran, Emil: 167 Schuster, Karl: 85, 94, 103, 176 Schutzenhofer, Alfred: 163 Schwarz, Franz: 131, 170 Schwedler, Dr. August: 217 Schwedler, Hans: 52, 119, 206 Schweiger, Robert: 204 Seeger, Alfred: 142 Seidel-Dittmarsch, Siegfried: 13, 197 Seliger, Kurt: 192 Seltzmann, Richard: 204 Sembach, Emil: 126, 176 Seyss-Inquart, Artur: 150 Sieber, Georg: 123, 123 Siegling, Hans: 49 Sieh, Klaus: 177 Sielaff, Heinrich: 155 Skepsgarth, Horst von: 216 Skudlarek, Erdmann: 93, 213, 216 Sladek, Emanuel: 85, 164, 166, 212 Sommer, Albrecht: 146 Spaarmann, Erich: 133, 210 Specht, Harry: 98, 167, 203, 213 Sperl, Ludwig: 204 Sporrenburg, Jakob: 25, 28, 35, 55, 60, 76. 94, 102, 153, 179 SS Amt: 180 SS and Police Area Commanders Agram: 5 1 , 7 9 , 131 Banja-Luca: 51, 79, 126 Copenhagen: 47, 79 Esseg: 5 1 , 7 9 , 126 Friaul: 47, 81 Görz: 47, 81
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS Istrien: 47, 79, 134 Knin: 5 1 , 7 6 , 79 Nord-Jutland: 47 Quarnero: 47, 79 Sarajewo: 51, 79 Triest: 47, 79
Taurien: 47, 67 Tschernigow: 25, 40, 47, 67, 115 Ungarn: 47 Warsaw: 23, 35, 43, 55, 57, 159 Weißruthenien: 44, 48, 54, 59-60, 101, 104, 112 West Emilien: 72 Wolhynien-Brest-Litvosk: 60-61
SS and Police Leaders (SSPF): 52 Albanien: 47 Armenien: 68 Aserbeidschan: 44, 68, 107 Awdejewka: 44, 68 Bergvolker-Ordshonikidse: 44, 62, 68 Bialystok: 25-26, 70, 122 Bozen: 23, 76, 128 Charkow: 25-26, 63-64, 8 1 , 1 1 3 Dnjepropetrowsk: 25, 39, 59, 61, 64, 81, 107 Elsass: 29 Estland: 44, 58-59 Georgien: 68 Greichenland: 47 Kattowitz: 31, 77 Kaukasien-Kuban: 44, 55, 68, 107 Kertsch-Tammanhalbinsel: 44, 55, 68 Kiew: 25-26,64, 116 Krakau: 43, 52, 55, 111 Lemberg: 35, 39, 43, 55-56, 152 Lettland: 59, 81 Litauen: 39, 4 4 , 5 9 - 6 0 , 112 Lublin: 28, 43, 55, 95 Metz: 77 Minsk: 48, 60, 73 Mittelitalien-Verona: 23, 72 Mitte-Norwegen: 43, 76 Mogilew: 28, 4 8 , 6 1 , 6 8 Montenegro: 51, 72, 125 Nikolajew: 25, 29, 47, 64-65, 121, 140 Nord-Kaukasien: 44, 67 Nordnorwegen: 43, 76, 122 Ober-Elsaß: 77 Oberitalien-Mitte: 23, 72 Oberitalien-West: 23, 63, 72, 128 Pripet: 4 8 , 6 8 , 115 Radom: 39, 4 3 , 5 5 , 103 Rostow: 25,
Stahlhelm: 8 Standarten (Regiments): 169 1:24, 26, 5 5 , 6 0 , 83, 109, 117, 144, 165, 169, 209 2: 7 3 , 9 0 , 140, 162, 170 3 : 3 6 , 83,89-90, 112, 117, 161, 170, 184, 200 4: 29, 39, 106, 120-121, 123, 146, 153, 159, 170, 205 5: 74, 103, 112, 136, 143, 171 6: 3 4 , 4 6 , 7 6 , 101, 106, 120, 123, 132, 134, 140, 160-161, 172, 175 7: 62, 89, 120, 122, 133, 151, 173 8: 34, 110, 116, 153, 173 9: 102, 120, 140, 143, 174 10: 40, 62, 73, 103, 117, 136, 164, 174 11: 76, 80, 86, 163, 174 12: 33, 42, 57, 91, 93, 100, 105, 123, 127-128, 157, 174 13: 52, 83, 110, 117, 120, 164, 176, 199 14: 90, 116, 150, 160, 176, 191 15: 60, 106, 120, 126, 176, 196, 205 16: 4 5 , 5 5 , 110, 126, 130, 152, 176 17: 42, 57, 63, 93, 123, 147, 165, 177 18: 2 7 , 5 9 , 94-95, 122-124, 140, 164, 178, 180 19: 27, 3 5 , 6 1 , 116, 134, 149, 179, 180, 186 20: 28, 74, 80, 116, 126, 178, 179, 184, 209 2 1 : 4 9 , 93, 115, 120, 133, 140, 147, 150, 179 22: 61, 67, 102-103, 120, 124, 164, 177, 180, 193 23: 34, 110, 156, 181, 182, 188 24: 100, 123, 137, 139, 143, 150, 182 25: 39, 111, 116, 122, 182, 184, 195,209 26: 89, 150, 172, 182 27: 54, 106, 120, 128, 138, 183 2 8 : 4 9 , 123, 146, 185 29: 83, 109, 117, 134, 143, 149, 163, 185, 189 30: 27, 116, 127, 158, 164, 171, 185-186, 193 31: 83, 109, 117, 156, 186, 205 32: 83, 103, 117, 127, 133, 153, 164, 186 33: 2 5 , 7 2 , 103, 136, 156, 186 34: 52, 83, 109, 117, 168, 187 35: 59, 90, 156, 162, 176, 180, 187 36: 94, 114, 157-158, 187 37: 86, 117, 130, 165, 188 38: 81,85-86, 165, 190 39: 2 8 , 5 9 , 102, 140, 190, 205 40: 39,58-59, 6 3 , 6 9 , 153, 190
Rostow-Awdejewka: 66, 116, 119 Rowno: 61-62, 115 Salzburg: 37, 77 Sandschak: 5 1 , 7 2 , 7 6 Saratow: 70, 73 Shitomir: 25-26, 40, 63, 67, 115, 152 Simferopol: 25, 122 Stalino: 2 5 , 6 3 , 6 7 , 156 Stanislav-Rostow: 66, 101, 119 Südnorwegen: 28, 43, 76
248
Index 41: 37, 83, 90, 142, 161, 190 42: 106, 120, 123, 128, 140, 192 43: 110, 125-127, 192 44: 106. 140, 161, 193 45: 110, 125, 156, 193 46: 89, 120-122, 194 47: 90, 160, 194, 199 48: 89, 150, 194 49: 93, 104, 123,203 50: 5 9 , 9 1 , 139, 153, 196 51: 93, 123, 132, 197 52: 76, 86, 130, 197 53: 98, 153, 197 54: 106, 138-139, 157, 197 5 5 : 5 2 , 5 5 , 6 1 , 143, 197 56: 8 3 , 9 0 , 130, 132-133, 198,200 57: 90, 160. 191-192, 198 58: 74, 97, 116, 195, 198 59: 93, 147, 200 60: 94-95, 130, 200 6 1 : 7 4 , 94-95, 154, 201 62: 110, 150, 201 63: 110, 153,201 64: 94, 129, 154,201 65: 110, 164,202 66: 94, 114, 154, 202 6 7 : 9 0 , 139, 160, 191,202 68: 8 3 , 9 0 , 161,202 69: 116, 158, 203 70: 55, 110, 153, 203 7 1 : 9 4 , 114, 158, 203 72: 116, 143, 149, 203 7 3 : 8 3 , 89-90, 132, 204 74: 102, 164, 204 75: 39, 106, 120, 204 76: 85-86, 165,204 77: 102, 139,206 78: 103, 136, 196,206 79: 52, 110, 133,206 80: 106, 154,206 81: 90, 132, 207 82: 116, 149,207 83: 90, 162, 207 84: 89, 120, 207 85: 103, 164,207 86: 110, 150, 208 87: 85, 165, 208 88: 98, 143,208 89: 86, 163,208 90: 85-86, 165,208 91:86,150,163,210 92: 83, 109, 163,210 93: 103, 136,210 94: 85-86, 165,210 95: 110, 152,210
96: 89, 166, 210 97: 90, 166, 210 98: 110, 126,210 99: 86, 163,211 100: 89, 166,211 101:90, 166,211 102: 110, 156,211 103:89, 166,211 104: 110, 156, 211 1 0 5 : 5 5 , 9 5 , 168,211 106: 109, 163,211 107: 85, 166, 212 108: 85, 166, 212 109: 114, 167,212 110: 114, 1 6 7 , 2 1 2 111: 114, 167,212 112: 114, 167, 212 113: 114, 1 6 7 , 2 1 2 114: 114, 1 6 7 , 2 1 2 115:95, 168,212 116: 114, 167,212 117: 114,212 118: 114, 167,213 119: 114, 167,213 120: 114, 167,213 121: 114, 167,213 122: 111, 168,213 123: 111, 168,213 124: 110, 127,213 125: 105,213 126: 213 127: 213 138: 112 171: 112 216: 60 230: 73
Stange, Hans: 211 Starck, Wilhelm: 118, 132, 162-163 Stebani, Anton: 220 Steibler, Heinz: 190, 207 Stein, Walter: 56, 162 Steinbrinck, Friedrich: 197 Steiner, Albert: 93, 151, 162, 210 Stemmler, Willy: 207, 213 Stetter, Friedrich: 191, 202 Steuben. Berndt von: 149, 210 Stichnoth, Wilhelm: 131 Stiebler, Heinz: 150 Stolle, Gustav: 102, 136, 139, 153, 155, 196,202 Stöweno, Rudolf: 180, 220 Strathmann, Horst: 203 Strauss, Herbert: 110, 174, 198 Streibel, Karl: 157 Strohm, Ewald: 149, 174,206
249
Allgemeine-SS:
The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Stroop, Jürgen: 3 5 , 4 7 , 5 6 , 102, 149. 166-167, 185 Struve, Karl: 216, 220 StUrtz, Ernst: 168 Suhr, Friedrich: 77 Suhren, Fritz: 165 Sulzer, Gustav: 207 Supreme SS and Police Leader (HöSSPF): 22-25, 27, 37, 39, 44, 47, 60, 63-65, 72, 95. 116, 122, 124, 128, 130, 139, 157,209 Taubert, Siegfried: 105 Taus, Karl: 81. 85, 89, 101. 130, 190 Teetzmann, Otto: 146, 161, 193 Teichmann, Ludwig: 149 Tensfeld, Willy: 63, 67, 72, 97, 128, 132, 145. 178179 Terboven. Josef: 22, 80 Teubner, Paul: 173 Teufel, Fritz: 183, 192, 206-207 Theide, Ernst: 146 Theuermann, Arved: 153 Thiele, Wilhelm: 198,207 Thier, Theobald: 52, 55, 58, 68, 114, 146, 149, 159, 198 Thomas, Dr. Max: 29 Thumser, Hans: 190, 201 Thy son, Wilhelm: 185 Tintemann, Erich: 145 Tittmann, Fritz: 64, 121 Töffling, Horst: 123 Traub, Wilhelm: 79 Treichel, Hans von: 220 Turza, Walter: 130. 174, 188, 190, 208 Tzschoppe, Erwin: 175, 196 Ulrich, Hans: 11 Ungar, Konrad: 157, 162, 175, 187, 201 Urban, Karl: 174,208,211 Uslar, Hans von: 133, 170, 176 Verne: 187 Vasel, Adolf: 140, 186 Verwaltungsamt: 20 Vobis, Karl: 179 Voggenaus, Georg: 102 Vogler, Anton: 31, 45, 108-109 Vogt, Fritz: 154, 164 Voss, Bernhard: 105, 147 Voss, Franz: 151 Wäckerle, Hilmar: 136. 170 Wagner, Adolf: 189 Wagner, Albert: 207 Wagner, Josef: 150, 162 Wagner, Dr. Richard: 90
Wagner. Robert: 101. 142,202 Wahl, Ernst: 204, 206 Wähmann, Helmut: 116 Waldeck-Pyrmont, Josias Erbrinz zu: 32, 53, 89, 102
Wall, Georg: 206 Wangemann, Lorenz: 162 Wappenhans, Waldemar: 60, 64, 83, 101, 129, 132, 163-164, 179, 182, 198 Wedde. Werner: 181 Weber, Hans-Georg: 136, 177, 207 Weberpais, Carl: 187 Wege, Kurt: 105, 120, 123, 138, 140 Weibgen, Hans: 210, 212 Weichs, Maximilian Freiherr von: 96 Weidermann, Willy: 110, 166, 173 Wein, Jakob: 219 Weinert, Hans: 97, 143, 146, 153, 203 Weinrich, Hermann: 176 Weiss, Rudolf: 65, 140, 154, 162, 192 Weiss, Walther: 179 Weissflog, Wilhelm: 197 Weitenturm, Heinrich Weitnmer Edler von: 204 Weitzel, Fritz: 30, 38, 43, 50, 84, 93, 114, 124, 127, 144, 170 Wendler, Dr. Richard: 66, 119 Werner, Erich: 154-155, 181, 193 Werner. Hans: 136 Werner, Wilhelm: 156, 182, 194 Wexel, Peter: 217, 220 Weyhe, Dotharbus von: 218 Wichmann, Karl: 164, 173, 183, 194 Wieber, Karl: 202 Wieland, Hans: 210 Wigand, Arpad: 55, 136, 177, 203 Willich, Hellmuth: 39 Winkelmann, Otto: 48 Winter, Otto: 211 With, Dr. Harro: 128 Wittje, Kurt: 13, 15, 96, 132, 142, 190, 198 Wittrien, Max: 162, 202 Wodrich, Emil: 202, 203 Woedtke, Alexander von: 173-174, 203 Woikowski-Biedau, Wilhelm von: 162, 214, 218 Wolff, Dr. Günther von: 217 Wolff, Karl: 16-17, 23-24, 45, 64, 128, 139, 143 Woyrsch, Udo von: 29, 34, 88, 109, 126-127, 173, 176, 182 Wünnenberg, Alfred: 16, 21, 61 Wuthenau, Hubert von: 220 Wysocki, Lucian: 59, 112 Zahn, Konrad: 186, 202 Zapp, Ewald: 215, 217 Zaremba, Paul: 139
250
Index Zech, Karl: 52, 111, 124, 182 Zehring, Arno: 149, 196 Zeller, Robert: 176 Zenner, Carl: 60, 109, 112, 123, 172, 183 Ziegler, Anton: 174
Zimmermann, Paul: 65, 89, 128 Zingler, Johannes: 9 4 , 9 6 , 124, 129, 190, 192, 197 Zinkl, Andreas: 186 Zittel, Theodor: 133, 162, 166, 173. 198, 206 Zopf, Rudolf: 123
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