German insignia of the Second World War. SS uniform: before and during the Second World War

One of the most cruel and merciless organizations of the 20th century is the SS. Ranks, distinctive insignia, functions - all this was different from those in other types and branches of troops in Nazi Germany. Reich Minister Himmler completely brought together all the scattered security detachments (SS) into a single army - the Waffen SS. In the article we will take a closer look at the military ranks and insignia of the SS troops. And first, a little about the history of the creation of this organization.

Prerequisites for the formation of the SS

In March 1923, Hitler was concerned that the leaders of the assault troops (SA) were beginning to feel their power and importance in the NSDAP party. This was due to the fact that both the party and the SA had the same sponsors, for whom the goal of the National Socialists was important - to carry out a coup, and they did not have much sympathy for the leaders themselves. Sometimes it even came to an open confrontation between the leader of the SA, Ernst Röhm, and Adolf Hitler. It was at this time, apparently, that the future Fuhrer decided to strengthen his personal power by creating a detachment of bodyguards - the headquarters guard. He was the first prototype of the future SS. They had no ranks, but insignia had already appeared. The abbreviation for the Staff Guard was also SS, but it came from the German word Stawsbache. In every hundred of the SA, Hitler allocated 10-20 people, supposedly to protect high-ranking party leaders. They personally had to take an oath to Hitler, and their selection was carried out carefully.

A few months later, Hitler renamed the organization Stosstruppe - this was the name of the shock units of the Kaiser's army during the First World War. The abbreviation SS nevertheless remained the same, despite the fundamentally new name. It is worth noting that the entire Nazi ideology was associated with an aura of mystery, historical continuity, allegorical symbols, pictograms, runes, etc. Even the symbol of the NSDAP - the swastika - Hitler took from ancient Indian mythology.

Stosstrup Adolf Hitler - the Adolf Hitler strike force - acquired the final features of the future SS. They did not yet have their own ranks, but insignia appeared that Himmler would later retain - a skull on their headdress, a black distinctive color of the uniform, etc. The “Death's Head” on the uniform symbolized the readiness of the detachment to defend Hitler himself at the cost of their lives. The basis for future usurpation of power was prepared.

Appearance of Strumstaffel - SS

After the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler went to prison, where he remained until December 1924. The circumstances that allowed the future Fuhrer to be released after an attempted armed seizure of power are still unclear.

Upon his release, Hitler first of all banned the SA from carrying weapons and positioning itself as an alternative to the German army. The fact is that the Weimar Republic could only have a limited contingent of troops under the terms of the Versailles Peace Treaty after the First World War. It seemed to many that armed SA units were a legitimate way to avoid restrictions.

At the beginning of 1925, the NSDAP was restored again, and in November the “shock detachment” was restored. At first it was called Strumstaffen, and on November 9, 1925 it received its final name - Schutzstaffel - “cover squadron”. The organization had nothing to do with aviation. This name was invented by Hermann Goering, a famous fighter pilot of the First World War. He liked to use aviation terms in Everyday life. Over time, the “aviation term” was forgotten, and the abbreviation was always translated as “security detachments.” It was headed by Hitler's favorites - Schreck and Schaub.

Selection for the SS

The SS gradually became an elite unit with good salaries in foreign currency, which was considered a luxury for the Weimar Republic with its hyperinflation and unemployment. All Germans of working age were eager to join the SS detachments. Hitler himself carefully selected his personal guard. The following requirements were imposed on candidates:

1. Age from 25 to 35 years.
2. Having two recommendations from current members of the CC.
3. Permanent residence in one place for five years.
4. The presence of such positive qualities as sobriety, strength, health, discipline.

New development under Heinrich Himmler

The SS, despite the fact that it was personally subordinate to Hitler and the Reichsführer SS - from November 1926, this position was held by Josef Berthold, was still part of the SA structures. The attitude towards the “elite” in the assault detachments was contradictory: the commanders did not want to have SS members in their units, so they shouldered various responsibilities, for example, distributing leaflets, subscribing to Nazi propaganda, etc.

In 1929, Heinrich Himmler became leader of the SS. Under him, the size of the organization began to grow rapidly. The SS turns into an elite closed organization with its own charter, a mystical ritual of entry, imitating the traditions of medieval knightly Orders. A real SS man had to marry a “model woman.” Heinrich Himmler introduced a new mandatory requirement for joining the renewed organization: the candidate had to prove evidence of purity of descent in three generations. However, that was not all: the new Reichsführer SS ordered all members of the organization to look for brides only with a “pure” genealogy. Himmler managed to nullify the subordination of his organization to the SA, and then completely leave it after he helped Hitler get rid of the leader of the SA, Ernst Röhm, who sought to turn his organization into a massive people's army.

The bodyguard detachment was transformed first into the Fuhrer's personal guard regiment, and then into the personal SS army. Ranks, insignia, uniforms - everything indicated that the unit was independent. Next, we’ll talk in more detail about insignia. Let's start with the rank of the SS in the Third Reich.

Reichsführer SS

At its head was the Reichsführer SS - Heinrich Himmler. Many historians claim that he intended to usurp power in the future. In the hands of this man was control not only over the SS, but also over the Gestapo - the secret police, the political police and the security service (SD). Despite the fact that many of the above organizations were subordinate to one person, they were completely different structures, which sometimes even were at odds with each other. Himmler well understood the importance of a branched structure of different services concentrated in the same hands, so he was not afraid of Germany’s defeat in the war, believing that the Western allies would need such a person. However, his plans were not destined to come true, and he died in May 1945, biting into an ampoule of poison in his mouth.

Let's look at the highest ranks of the SS among the Germans and their correspondence with the German army.

Hierarchy of the SS High Command

The insignia of the SS high command consisted of Nordic ritual symbols and oak leaves on both sides of the lapels. The exceptions - SS Standartenführer and SS Oberführer - wore oak leaf, but belonged to senior officers. The more of them there were on the buttonholes, the higher the rank of their owner.

The highest ranks of the SS among the Germans and their correspondence with the ground army:

SS officers

Let's consider the features of the officer corps. The SS Hauptsturmführer and lower ranks no longer had oak leaves on their buttonholes. Also on their right buttonhole was the SS coat of arms - a Nordic symbol of two lightning bolts.

Hierarchy of SS officers:

I would like to immediately note that the German stars did not resemble the five-pointed Soviet ones - they were four-pointed, rather reminiscent of squares or rhombuses. Next in the hierarchy are the SS non-commissioned officer ranks in the Third Reich. More details about them in the next paragraph.

Non-commissioned officers

Hierarchy of non-commissioned officers:

Buttonholes are the main, but not the only insignia of ranks. Also, the hierarchy could be determined by shoulder straps and stripes. Military ranks The SS was sometimes subject to change. However, above we presented the hierarchy and the main differences at the end of World War II.

OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY

OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY, Reichsführer SS corresponded to the rank of Field Marshal of the Wehrmacht;
Oberstgruppenführer - Colonel General;
Obergruppenführer - general;
Gruppenführer - Lieutenant General;
brigadenführer - major general;
Standartenführer - colonel;
Obersturmbannführer - lieutenant colonel;
Sturmbannführer - major;
Hauptsturmführer - captain;
Obersturmführer - Oberleutnant;
Untersturmführer - Lieutenant.

encyclopedic Dictionary. 2009 .

See what "OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY" are in other dictionaries:

Officer ranks of the troops of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition and the Axis countries during the Second World War. Not marked: China ( Anti-Hitler coalition) Finland (Axis powers) Designations: Infantry Naval forces Military air force Waffen... ... Wikipedia

SS BRIGADENFUHRER, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

HAUPTSTURMFUHRER SS, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

SS GRUPPENFUHRER, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

OBERGRUPPENFUHRER SS, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

OBERSTGRUPPENFUHRER SS, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

OBERSTURMBANNFUHRER SS, see Officer ranks in Nazi Germany (see OFFICER RANKS IN FASCIST GERMANY) ... encyclopedic Dictionary

In addition to the insignia presented here, many others were used in the army, but this section contains the most important of them.

Memorial signs

They were supposed to remind the military units of the traditions of the old Prussian army, which ended its existence in 1918. These signs were awarded to the newly formed military units of the Reichswehr (from April 1922). and later - parts of the Wehrmacht. These signs were on caps, they were worn below the insignia (eagle with swastika). The presence of other signs is proven by photographs of that time. They were worn according to the regulations on field caps.

In memory of the former famous Prussian regiments of Life Hussars No. 1 and 2. In the Reichswehr, this honorary badge was awarded to the 1st and 2nd squadrons of the 5th (Prussian) Cavalry Regiment. According to the order of the OG on February 25, 1938, the traditions and powers of this sign were transferred to the headquarters with the trumpet corps and the 1st division of the 5th cavalry regiment. According to requirement modern warfare with the outbreak of hostilities, this cavalry regiment was first disbanded, and then a reconnaissance unit of the infantry division was formed on its basis. Not to be confused with the cavalry regiments of the 1st Cavalry Division, which still survives. So from the 5th Cavalry Regiment the 12th and 32nd reconnaissance battalions, as well as parts of the 175th reconnaissance battalion, were formed. The servicemen of this unit continued to wear the “Death’s Head” sign further.

According to the order of June 3, 1944, the cavalry regiment “North”, formed a year earlier, was renamed cavalry regiment No. 5. The regiment’s employees were secretly allowed to wear the traditional “Death’s Head” badge again, but without official approval. After a short time, they again received official permission to wear their former insignia.

Braunschweig Death's Head Sign

This Death's Head sign dates back to 1809 from the "Black Troop" of Duke Friedrich Wilhelm of Brauischweig-Ols. The skull was longer than on the Prussian example and rested with the upper jaw on the crossed bones. The sign was supposed to remind of the glorious military deeds of the former Brunswick military units: Infantry Regiment No. 92, Hussar Regiment No. 17, which during the 1st World War were part of the 10th Army Corps. This honorary badge was awarded in the Reichswehr to the 1st and 4th companies of the 1st Brunswick Battalion of the 13th Infantry Regiment and the 4th Squadron of the 13th Prussian Cavalry Regiment.

By order of February 25, 1938, this badge was awarded to: headquarters, 1st and 2nd battalions and 13th and 14th companies of the 17th infantry regiment. By the same order, the 2nd division of the 13th cavalry regiment received the right to wear this sign.

The corresponding order of February 10, 1939 was supposed to replace the Braunschweig Death's Head sign with a Prussian model, but this order, like other similar ones, was unlikely to be executed. Most of the military personnel of these units continued to wear the Brunswick pattern.

On the eve of September 1, 1939, the 13th cavalry regiment was disbanded and on its basis the 22nd and 30th were created. 152nd p 158th reconnaissance battalions, whose military personnel continued to wear the previous commemorative insignia.

On May 25, 1944, the cavalry regiment "South", formed in the same year, was renamed the 41st Cavalry Regiment, which retained the tradition of the right to wear the Brunswick "Death's Head" badge. A little later, this right extended to all military personnel of the 4th Cavalry Brigade, which included this regiment. Only the 5th Cavalry Regiment of the same brigade continued to wear the Prussian Death's Head pattern.

Dragoon Eagle

In memory of the glorious victory of the 2nd Brandenburg Dragoon Regiment in the Battle of Schwedt on the Oder in 1764, the “Swedt Dragoon” badge was established; later the name was changed to “Schwedt Eagle”.

In the Reichswehr, the "Swedt Dragoon" badge was first awarded to the 4th Squadron of the 6th (Prussian) Cavalry Regiment. By 1930, the 2nd squadron also received this memorial sign. Meanwhile, during the Weimar Republic, the eagle lost its crown and ribbon with the motto: “With God for the Kaiser and the Fatherland.” With Hitler's rise to power in 1933, all this was returned. In the Wehrmacht, this badge was awarded to the headquarters. 2nd and 4th squadrons of the 6th cavalry regiment. On October 1, 1937, the 3rd Battalion of Motorcycle Riflemen received the “Swedish Eagle” badge. When the 6th Cavalry Regiment was disbanded in August 1939, the 33rd, 34th and 36th reconnaissance battalions, as well as units of the 179th reconnaissance battalion, began to wear the “Schwedt Eagle” sign.

At the end of 1944, this badge was awarded to the 3rd Cavalry Brigade; previously, only the “Center” cavalry regiment was awarded it.

Buckles, the Coat of Arms of the 3rd Reich was also located on the buckle of the waist belt and field belt: a ceremonial army belt for generals with a gold-plated buckle.	Ceremonial army belt for officers with aluminum buckle.
A series of stamped sheet steel belt buckles produced after 1941.	Aluminum alloy belt buckle with grained outer surface

Badge of the Jaeger and Mountain Rifle Units

Special signs were introduced for military personnel of mountain rifle units and ranger divisions, as well as the 1st ski ranger division. Since then, stamped metal signs were worn on headdresses, and embroidered sleeve patches on tunics, uniforms, etc.

Mountain rifle units (Mountain rangers)

Since May 1939, an oval cloth badge was worn on the right shoulder of all types of uniforms. It was an edelweiss flower embroidered on fabric with white petals and yellow stamens, with a pale green stem and leaves. The flower was framed by intertwined climbing rope, embroidered in matte gray thread, with a silver-white ringed crutch. The basis was an oval made of dark blue-green cloth. There were two versions of this badge: the highest quality - silk, machine embroidered, and the lower quality, made of felt. There is mention of badges embroidered entirely with pale green thread and copper-brown badges, also silk, machine embroidered, intended for the Afrika Korps.

On the cap, between an eagle with a swastika and a cockade, hung an edelweiss flower without a stem, made of white metal. On the left side of the mountain cap, and later on the military cap, a sign depicting an edelweiss with a stem and two leaves, made of matte metal, was attached white. There were also samples. made by hand embroidery.

Jaeger units

By order of October 2, 1942, a special huntsman badge was introduced. Like the sleeve badge of the mountain rangers, the ranger badge with oak leaves was introduced to be worn on the upper part of the right sleeve of a zero tunic, uniform jacket or overcoat by all personnel of the ranger divisions and ranger battalions. It featured three green oak leaves and one green acorn on a small brown branch, all embroidered on an oval piece of dark green fabric edged with pale green cord. This emblem also comes in two variants: more High Quality, machine embroidery with silk thread, and lower quality, made of felt. Made of white metal, it was attached to the left side of the cap. This badge was worn like the edelweiss of mountain rifle units.

Soldiers of the 1st Jaeger Regiment of the Brandenburg Division wore the badge of the Jaeger units. and the soldiers of the 2nd Jaeger Regiment of the same division received the badge of mountain rifle units.

Ski Jaeger Troops

Was introduced special sign for military personnel of the 1st ski ranger division, which was formed in September 1943, first under the name of the 1st ski ranger brigade, in August 1944. It had the same design and colors as the ranger badge, but in the center of it there were two intersecting copper-brown skis intertwined with green oak leaves. It was also worn on the right sleeve of the uniform by all personnel of rifle units serving in ski units.

Non-commissioned officer and officer candidate of the 17th Grenadier Regiment. On his right sleeve, a special sign of mountain rangers is sewn, not according to the regulations.	Mountain ranger in full dress uniform. On his cap is an edelweiss flower without a stem.

Insignia of the military branches

Privates and non-commissioned officers with special education wore an embroidered badge on the right forearm of their tunic, uniform and overcoat. He was usually depicted with a symbol and a letter embroidered from zologist-yellow wool on a round base of dark blue-green fabric or gray. See table 2.

Soldiers who completed combat training, but were not assigned to a unit, wore horizontal braids and insignia since 1935. They were filmed after receiving the appointment.

The original standard bearer sleeve shield was established by the German Army High Command on June 15, 1898, but this emblem was not used after 1919. On August 4, 1936 it was introduced a new version the original sleeve shield of the standard bearer and standard bearer. At first it was intended to be worn on a customary sleeve, in its upper part, only on a service, field and uniform jacket, but not on an overcoat.

The last restriction, however, was then lifted, and the overcoat was included in the list of uniforms on which this shield could be sewn. The sleeve shield served as a sign that distinguished the wearer as a linden, who occupied a special position in his military unit, namely as a standard bearer. The predominant color of the sleeve shield was the color of the branch of service of the standard bearer wearing it. It was sewn onto a dark blue-green fabric base.

Along with the badges of specialists intended to be worn on the right sleeve, there was also a series of badges that were supposed to be worn on the left sleeve. These were the insignia of signalmen, artillery gunners and multi-barrel rocket artillery launchers, as well as the insignia of helmsman boats. On the left sleeve of the tunic, uniform and overcoat, special insignia were worn by landing craft helmsmen and communications personnel. Initially, they represented aluminum-colored embroidery or babbitt stamping on dark green oval-shaped fabric. In December 1936, artillery gunners' insignia began to be made from artificial silk in a matte golden yellow color. It was a vertical yellow shell with a flame at the top, in a wreath of oak leaves yellow color on an oval made of dark green fabric. The badge was worn on the lower part of the sleeve. In February 1937, a special sign was introduced for smoke screen gunners. It was an upright white mine in a wreath of white oak leaves on an oval of dark green fabric. The badge was worn on the lower part of the right sleeve.

The tunic of the chief sergeant of the 7th battalion of the signal service with the sign of the standard bearer and standard bearer on the right sleeve	Colonel Joachim von Stoltzmann of the 17th Infantry Regiment. He wore the Brunswick Death's Head badge on his cap, the traditional badge of his military unit.
It is noticeable that the soldier in the foreground of the photo has a double stripe on the sleeve of his field jacket corresponding to the rank of Haupt-sergeant-major.	Since 1939, non-commissioned officers who have undergone special training and hold a regular position have worn an aluminum-colored cord ring as part of this training. On the right in the picture is a saddler. It is noticeable that the yellow Gothic “S” on the dark green fabric mug is located in an aluminum-colored cord ring. The badge was worn on the lower part of the right sleeve.
Detailed view of the "piston ring"

Fortification construction technician, sergeant major, gas defense non-commissioned officer (since 1944), pyrotechnician, artillery technician, gunner.
Medical service officer, with a silver edging (since 1939 for soldiers since 1944), medical service personnel without edging (since 1939), radio operator, smoke screen gunner.

Haupt-sergeant-major (company sergeant-major) or haupt-sergeant-major of the cavalry, etc. was the non-commissioned officer who was responsible for internal regulations in the company or headquarters. His rank reflected his position in service and his official function. Its distinctive sign is a double stripe on both sleeves of the jacket at the bottom (on the cuffs of the sleeves). This strip was informally called the "piston ring". The uniform jacket of the Haupt-sergeant major of the 30th anti-tank division.	The ceremonial jacket of a sergeant from the trumpeter detachment of the 8th Cavalry Rifle Regiment.	"Swallow's Nest" cavalry trumpeter, noticeable fringe decoration of 64 elements.

Swallow's Nest (musicians' shoulder badge)

Brass band musicians, drummers and buglers wore a special sign (the so-called “swallow’s nest”) on their uniform and uniform jacket, but not on their overcoat. These were special semicircular overlays with galloon sewn on them, located symmetrically on the shoulders of the uniform jacket. On the uniform, this crescent-shaped sign was sewn onto the seam of the sleeve; on the uniform, it was fastened with hooks. Each such nest was attached to the shoulder of the jacket with five long metal hooks, located at an equal distance from each other on the inner curved surface of the “swallow’s nest”.

They were inserted into five corresponding loops, sewn at equal intervals into the shoulder seam of the jacket. It consisted of a fabric base in the color of the military branches with piping or galloon at the edge. Since September 1935, this badge began to consist of 7 vertical and horizontal braids, while the new braids became thinner than the previous ones. The following variants of swallow's nests differed: drummers - gray border; musicians and trumpeters - light-alumen braid; battalion buglers - light-aluminum braid with a fringe 7 cm long.

Ceremonial and everyday aiguillette cords

The army had three types of different ceremonial cords (also called aiguillettes): aiguillettes for officers, adyotaites insignia, and riflemen's cords.

The adjutant's aiguette was woven from matte aluminum cords.	Generals and officials of the same rank wore gold-colored aiguillettes, otherwise their aiguillettes did not differ from those of officers
Aiguillettes, introduced for army officers in 1935, replaced the Reichswehr ones. The new aiguillettes were distinguished by the presence of a second cord and a second figured tip. For officers, the aiguillette was made from light aluminum thread, for generals - from yellow-gold artificial silk threads. The metal curly tips were of the appropriate color. The adjutant's aiguettes looked the same and were worn by officers only while performing the duties of an adjutant.	Uniform jacket of Lieutenant General Max Denerlein with a large medal block

Officer's aiguillettes

They were introduced into the Reichswehr on July 22, 1922 and were initially worn only on ceremonial uniforms. The harness and both loops were made of light silver or aluminum thread. Generals wore aiguillettes made of gold thread. It was attached to the officer's shoulder strap on one side and on the other on the 2nd and 3rd buttons of the uniform.

By order of June 29, 1935, a second cord was added and both cords ended with a metal figured tip. Introduced on June 29, 1935, the officer's aiguillette is nothing more than a decoration for the dress and dress uniform. There were silver and golden aiguillettes, shoulder straps, weaving, and those... what bandmasters wore when conducting. were distinguished by red stitching in silver cords. A long braided aiguillette and a folded sleeve cord ran through the right side onto the chest. A loop of wattle was thrown over the third button of the uniform from the top, and a bent cord knotted around a pair of breast cords with curly tips hanging freely along the side. The short wattle hung below the chest cords and was fastened to the second button. Under the shoulder strap there was a button or button for fastening a leather strap sewn to the junction of the cords and the wickerwork.

From July 9, 1937, officers began to wear aiguillette for their ceremonial uniform if Hitler himself was present at the parade - supreme commander Wehrmacht It was also supposed to be worn at parades dedicated to the Fuhrer’s birthday. It was worn in ceremonial uniforms and on certain occasions, for example, during ceremonial events, ceremonial marches, etc. However, aiguillettes were never worn on overcoats.

Aiguillette of Adjutants

We are talking about insignia directly related to the official duties of an adjutant, who belonged to the command (staff) structure of the troops. For example, the adjutant of the headquarters of a regiment, battalion or company. Since 1935, a wide bundle of two thin cords has been made from matte aluminum thread.

Aiguillette awarded to adjutants of generals. staff officers, worn while on duty. It consisted only of a chest braid, covered in the middle by a loop of a sleeve cord, the ends of which extended from under the right shoulder strap onto the chest with two tips hanging along the armhole line of the sleeve. The end of the aiguillette was fastened to the second button from the top of the uniform (or casual tunic, field jacket, overcoat). He leaned towards the right shoulder strap on one side and towards the first button of his jacket on the other side. However, the aiguillette was worn only while the officer served as adjutant.

Aiguillettes for excellent shooting

The Reichswehr had 10 initial levels of awards for shooters for excellent shooting. By order of January 27, 1928, such levels became 24. These awards were awarded to soldiers and non-commissioned officers for success in shooting with a carbine, rifle, light and heavy machine guns. as well as successes in the development of mortar and artillery weapons (military personnel of mortar and artillery companies. These were matte braids that were worn on the sleeve in the area of ​​the left forearm.

By order of June 29, 1936, instead of these signs, aiguillettes were introduced for excellent shooting. When creating its sample, traditions were used old army. The cord was made of threads of matte aluminum color, the matte sign with a pattern was stamped from aluminum alloy. There were 12 steps. For each of the 4 steps there was a specific sign.

Another difference was the presence of acorns at the lower end of the cord. They were woven from threads of gold or aluminum color, the number of acorns corresponded to a row from 10 to 12 degrees.

Badges for excellent shooting were worn on ceremonial, uniform, weekend and guard uniforms, but not on overcoats. The end of the cord with the sign was attached under the right shoulder strap with a button, the other end of the cord was fastened to the second button of the tunic or uniform.

Along with the factory ones, there were aiguillettes self made, which were distinguished by deviations from the standard in execution. Most of them were made from aluminum-colored threads. Over time, these deviations were approved, for example, aiguillettes received metal shells instead of acorns for the excellent shooting of artillerymen from December 16, 1936.

On October 17, 1938, a special sign for tank crews was introduced. From the 1st to the 4th stage it depicted the Pz.Kpfw.I tank under the Wehrmacht eagle. At the same time, the sign was framed by an oval of stylized caterpillar tracks. For steps from 5 to 8 the crown was made of oak leaves. The sign of the steps from 9 to 12 was the same. but was made of gold-colored metal. Shells made of aluminum or gold-colored metal were hung from the lower end of the tankers' aigullant for excellent shooting.

Finally, in January 1939, it appeared new sign for the first three levels for excellent shooting. It was the same as for steps 5-8, but had a narrower wreath.

Signs to distinguish individual levels were in the form of shells for artillerymen, for other branches of the military - in the form of acorns. For grades 9-12 they were gold in color	Aiguillette “For excellent shooting”, 1st stage. At the top there was a heeled stamping made of aluminum alloy. The picture shows a sample from 1939.	1. Three different badges for tank troops “For excellent shooting.” From right to left: steps 1-4,5-8 and 9-12. 2. Three different marks for shooters “For excellent shooting” (sample January 1939), which were attached to the aiguillette. From right to left: steps 1 -4.5-8 and 9-12.

She was worn on a ceremonial uniform and uniform jacket, but only on orders. This insignia was sewn onto the fabric of the uniform in the form of a block of zinc tin 4 cm wide. It was strengthened so that the block covered the patch.

The sequence of orders and insignia on the order block
The attached list shows the order in which the various orders and insignia were worn on the medal block. The attached instructions from 1943 differ from those issued in 1935 and 1937 primarily in the appearance of 6 new awards (in the list these are numbers 2 and 38). This list primarily concerns the awards of all Wehrmacht military personnel; there may be some changes made at a later time. 1. Iron Cross model 1914 and 1939. 2. Cross of military merit with swords (for military distinction) and without swords. 3. Insignia “For caring for the German people” with swords on a ribbon. 4. Medal “For Care of the German People” with swords on a ribbon. 5. Medal “FOR THE WINTER CAMPAIGN IN THE EAST 1941-42” 6. Military Merit Medal. 7. Royal Order of the House of HOHENZOLLERN (Prussia) 8. Prussian Order of the Red Eagle 3rd or 4th class with swords. 9. Order of the Crown of Prussia, 3rd or 4th class. 10. Austrian Military Order of Maria Theresa. 11. Austrian Imperial Order of Leopold with military honors. 12. Bavarian Military Order of Maskimilian Joseph. 13. Bavarian Military Order of the Red Cross. 14. Saxon Military Order of St. Henry. 15. Württemberg Order of Military Merit. 16. Baden Military Order of Merit of Karl Friedrich. 17. Prussian gold Cross of Military Merit. 18. Prussian military medal 1st and 2nd grades. 19. Austrian Golden medal"For bravery" 20. Bavarian gold and silver medals for bravery. 21. Saxon gold medal of the Order of St. Henry. 22. Württemberg Gold Medal of Military Merit. 23. Baden Military Medal of Merit of Karl Friedrich. 24. Other orders and insignia for service in the 1st World War in the ranks of your corps and within the same class the day after the award. 25. Cross of Honor of the 1st World War. 26. Austrian commemorative medal dedicated to the 1st World War. 27a. Commemorative coin of the war of 1864 276. Memorial Cross 1866 27s. Commemorative coin of the war of 1870-71.	28. Austrian war medal. 29th century South West Africa Commemorative Coin (Colonial Award) 296. Colonial Commemorative Coin. 29s. China Commemorative Coin (Colonial Award). 30. Silesian Badge of Merit (Silesian Eagle) 31. Medal “For Salvation” on a ribbon. 32a. Service badge of the Wehrmacht. 326. Austrian Military Service Badge. 33 Other state awards and awards of the NSDAP according to the degree of their significance and within the same level the day after the award. 34. Award for Olympic merit. 35. Commemorative medal March 13, 1938 36. Commemorative medal October 1, 1938 37. Medal in memory of the return of Memel. 38. Western Wall Medal of Honor. 39. German commemorative Olympic medal. 40.Honorary badge of the German Red Cross. 41. Order and honorary badge of the former German sovereign states in the ranks of their class and within the same class one day after the award. 42. Foreign orders and medals were arranged in a row as they were awarded.

On this medal block, which was worn on all other types of uniforms. there were only medal ribbons. They were located next to each other on a block 12-18 mm wide. It was made of aluminum sheet or plastic, sometimes even leather. Along with the traditional method of attaching order ribbons, the Bavarian method was also used, when the ribbons were laid in twos and placed one after another, due to which the entire block gave the appearance of a wider one.

Lieutenant Colonel in a ceremonial jacket - on the left chest there is a large order block	Knight's Cross holder Major General Georg-Wilhelm Postel wore a small order block with a leather lining
Small medal block of a participant in the 1st World War.	This magnificently decorated major general wore two small medal blocks, located on top of each other.
	Small order block with the Bavarian method of laying order ribbons

Rank insignia
German Security Service (SD) officers
(Sicherheitsdienst des RfSS, SD) 1939-1945.

Preface.
Before describing the insignia of security personnel (SD) in Germany during the Second World War, it is necessary to provide some clarification, which, however, will further confuse readers. And the point is not so much in these signs and uniforms themselves, which were repeatedly amended (which further confuses the picture), but in the complexity and intricacy of the entire structure of government bodies in Germany at that time, which was also closely intertwined with the party bodies of the Nazi Party , in which, in turn, the SS organization and its structures, often beyond the control of party bodies, played a huge role.

First of all, as if within the framework of the NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers' Party) and as if being the militant wing of the party, but at the same time not subordinate to party bodies, there was a certain public organization Schutzstaffel (SS), which was initially a group of activists who were engaged in the physical protection of rallies and meetings of the party, the protection of its senior leaders. This public, I emphasize, public organization after numerous reforms of 1923-1939. transformed and began to consist of the SS public organization itself (Algemeine SS), SS troops (Waffen SS) and concentration camp guard units (SS-Totenkopfrerbaende).

The entire SS organization (both the general SS, and the SS troops and camp guard units) was subordinate to the Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler, who, in addition, was the chief of police for all of Germany. Those. In addition to one of the highest party posts, he also held a government position.

To manage all structures involved in ensuring the security of the state and the ruling regime, law enforcement (police agencies), intelligence and counterintelligence, the Main Directorate of State Security (Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA)) was created in the fall of 1939.

From the author. Usually in our literature it is written “Main Directorate of Imperial Security” (RSHA). However, the German word Reich is translated as "state", and not at all as "empire". The word "empire" in German looks like this - Kaiserreich. Literally - "state of the emperor." There is another word for the concept of “empire” - Imperium.
Therefore, I use words translated from German as they mean, and not as is generally accepted. By the way, people who are not very knowledgeable in history and linguistics, but have an inquisitive mind, often ask: “Why was Hitler’s Germany called an empire, but there was not even a nominal emperor in it, like, say, in England?”

Thus, the RSHA is a state institution, and by no means a party institution and not part of the SS. It can be compared to some extent with our NKVD.
Another question is that this state institution is subordinate to the Reichsführer SS G. Himmler and he, naturally, first of all recruited members of the public organization CC (Algemeine SS) as employees of this institution.
However, we note that not all RSHA employees were members of the SS, and not all departments of the RSHA consisted of SS members. For example, the criminal police (5th department of the RSHA). Most of its leaders and employees were not members of the SS.

Even in the Gestapo there were quite a few senior officials who were not members of the SS. Yes, the famous Müller himself became a member of the SS only in the summer of 1941, although he had led the Gestapo since 1939.

Let's move on now to SD. Initially in 1931 (i.e. even before the Nazis came to power) the SD was created (from among the members of the general SS) as the internal security structure of the SS organization to combat various violations of order and rules, identify government agents and hostiles among SS members political parties
in 1934 (this was after the Nazis came to power) the SD extended its functions to the entire NSDAP, and actually left the subordination of the SS, but was still subordinate to the SS Reichsführer G. Himmler.

In 1939 with the creation of the Main Directorate State Security(Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA)) SD became part of its structure.

The SD in the structure of the RSHA was represented by two departments (Amt):

Amt III (Inland-SD), who dealt with issues of nation-building, immigration, race and public health, science and culture, industry and commerce.

Amt VI (Ausland-SD), who was engaged in intelligence work in the Northern, Western and Eastern Europe, USSR, USA, UK and South American countries. It was this department that Walter Schellenberg led.

And also many of the SD employees were not SS men. And even the head of subdivision VI A 1 was not a member of the SS.

So SS and SD are different organizations, although subordinate to the same leader.

From the author. In general, there is nothing strange here. This is a fairly common practice. For example, in today's Russia there is a Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), which is subordinate to two quite different structures - the police and the Internal Troops. And in Soviet times The structure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs also included fire protection and prison management structures

Thus, to summarize, it can be argued that the SS is one thing, and the SD is something else, although among the SD employees there are many SS members.

Now you can move on to the uniforms and insignia of SD employees.

End of the preface.

In the picture on the left: A soldier and an SD officer in service uniform.

First of all, SD officers wore a light gray open jacket with a white shirt and black tie, similar to the uniform of the general SS mod. 1934
(the replacement of the black SS uniform with a gray one lasted from 1934 to 1938), but with its own insignia.

The piping on the caps of officers is made of silver flagellum, while the piping of soldiers and non-commissioned officers is green. Only green and nothing else. The main difference in the uniform of SD employees is that there are no signs in the right buttonhole
(runes, skulls, etc.).

All SD ranks up to and including Obersturmannführer have a purely black buttonhole.

In the photo on the left: the sleeve patch of an SD officer and the buttonhole with the insignia of an SD Untersturmfuehrer (Untersturmfuehrer des SD).

On the left sleeve above the cuff of SD officers serving in headquarters and departments, it is obligatory a black ribbon with silver stripes along the edges, on which the place of service is indicated in silver letters.

In the photo on the left: an armband with an inscription indicating that the owner is serving in the SD Service Directorate.

In addition to the service uniform, which was used for all occasions (official, holiday, day off, etc.), SD employees could wear field uniforms similar to the field uniforms of the Wehrmacht and SS troops with their own insignia.

In the photo on the right: field uniform (feldgrau) of an SD Untersharfuehrer (Untersharfuehrer des SD) model 1943. This uniform has already been simplified - the collar is not black, but the same color as the uniform itself, the pockets and their valves are of a simpler design, there are no cuffs. The right clean buttonhole and a single star in the left, indicating rank, are clearly visible. Sleeve emblem in the form of an SS eagle, and at the bottom of the sleeve there is a patch with the letters SD.
pay attention to characteristic appearance shoulder strap and green edging of a police-style shoulder strap.

The system of ranks in the SD deserves special attention. SD officers were named after their SS ranks, but instead of the prefix SS- before the name of the rank, they had the letters SD behind the name. For example, not "SS-Untersharfuehrer", but "Untersharfuehrer des SD". If the employee was not a member of the SS, then he wore a police rank (and obviously a police uniform).

Shoulder straps of soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the SD, not army, but police type, but not brown, but black color. Please pay attention to the titles of the SD employees. They differed both from the ranks of the general SS and from the ranks of the SS troops.

In the photo on the left: SD Unterscharführer's shoulder straps.

The lining of the shoulder strap is grass green, on which are superimposed two rows of double soutache cord. The inner cord is black, the outer cord is silver with black highlights. They go around the button at the top of the shoulder strap. Those. In terms of its structure, it is a shoulder strap of a chief officer type, but with cords of other colors. SS-Mann (SS-Mann) . Black police-style shoulder straps without edging. Before

From the author. Why the very first two ranks in the SD are SS, and the ranks of the general SS, is not clear. It is possible that SD officers for the lowest positions were recruited from among ordinary members of the general SS, who were assigned police-style insignia, but were not given the status of SD officers.
These are my conjectures, since Böchler does not explain this incomprehensibility in any way, and I do not have the primary source at my disposal.

It is very bad to use secondary sources because errors inevitably arise. This is natural, since a secondary source is a retelling, an interpretation by the author of the primary source. But in the absence of anything, you have to use what you have. It's still better than nothing.

SS-Sturmmann (SS-Sturmmann) Black police style shoulder strap. The outer row of double soutache cord is black with silver highlights. Please note that in the SS troops and in the general SS, the shoulder straps of the SS-Mann and SS-Sturmmann are exactly the same, but here there is already a difference.
On the left buttonhole there is one row of double silver soutache cord.

Rottenfuehrer des SD (Rottenfuehrer SD) The shoulder strap is the same, but the usual German one is sewn at the bottom 9mm aluminum braid. The left buttonhole has two rows of double silver soutache cord.

From the author. Interesting moment. In the Wehrmacht and the SS troops, such a patch indicated that the owner was a candidate for non-commissioned officer rank.

Unterscharfuehrer des SD (Unterscharfuehrer SD) Black police style shoulder strap. The outer row of double soutache cord is silver or light gray (depending on what it is made of, aluminum or silk thread) with black linings. The lining of the shoulder strap, forming a sort of edging, is grass-green. This color is generally characteristic of the German police.
There is one silver star on the left buttonhole.

Scharfuehrer des SD (SD Scharfuehrer) Black police style shoulder strap. Outer row double soutache cord, silver with black highlights.
The lining of the shoulder strap, forming a kind of edging, is grass-green. The lower edge of the shoulder strap is closed with the same silver cord with black piping.

On the left buttonhole, in addition to the star, there is one row of double silver soutache lace. Oberscharfuehrer des SD (Oberscharfuehrer SD) police type. The outer row of double soutache cord is silver with black linings.
the lining of the shoulder strap, forming a sort of edging, is grass-green. The lower edge of the shoulder strap is closed with the same silver cord with black piping. In addition, there is one silver star on the shoulder strap.

On the left buttonhole there are two silver stars. Hauptscharfuehrer des SD (Hauptscharfuehrer SD) Shoulder strap black
police type. The outer row of double soutache cord is silver with black linings.

The lining of the shoulder strap, forming a kind of edging, is grass-green. The lower edge of the shoulder strap is closed with the same silver cord with black piping. In addition, there are two silver stars on the chase. Oberscharfuehrer des SD (Oberscharfuehrer SD) The left buttonhole has two silver stars and one row of double silver soutache cord.

Sturmscharfuehrer des SD (SD Sturmscharfuehrer)

From the author. police type. The outer row of double soutache cord is silver with black linings. In the middle part of the shoulder strap there is weaving from the same silver with black lining and black soutache laces. The lining of the shoulder strap, forming a kind of edging, is grass-green. On the left buttonhole there are two silver stars and two rows of double silver soutache cord.

It remains unclear whether this rank existed since the creation of the SD, or whether it was introduced simultaneously with the introduction of the rank of SS-Staffscharführer in the SS troops in May 1942.

One gets the impression that the rank of SS-Sturmscharführer mentioned in almost all Russian-language sources (including in my works) is erroneous. In fact, obviously, the rank of SS-Staffscharführer was introduced in the SS troops in May 1942, and Sturmscharführer in the SD. But this is my speculation.

The rank insignia of SD officers is described below. Let me remind you that their shoulder straps were similar to those of Wehrmacht and SS troops.

All SD officers, starting with the Unterschurmführer and ending with the Obersturmbannführer, have an empty right buttonhole, and insignia on the left. From Standartenführer and above, rank insignia is in both buttonholes.

The stars in the buttonholes are silver, and the stars on the shoulder straps are golden. Note that in the general SS and in the SS troops the stars on the shoulder straps were silver.

1. Untersturmfuehrer des SD (Untersturmfuehrer SD).
2.Obersturmfuehrer des SD (Obersturmfuehrer SD).
3.Hauptrsturmfuehrer des SD (Hauptsturmfuehrer SD).

From the author. If you start looking through the list of SD management personnel, the question arises what position “Comrade Stirlitz” held there. In Amt VI (Ausland-SD), where, judging by the book and film, he served, all leadership positions (except for the chief V. Schelenberg, who had the rank of general) by 1945 were occupied by officers with a rank no higher than Obersturmbannführer (that is, lieutenant colonel). There was only one Standarteführer there, who held a very high position as head of department VI B. A certain Eugen Steimle.
And Müller’s secretary, according to Böchler, Scholz could not have a rank higher than Unterscharführer.
And judging by what Stirlitz did in the film, i.e. ordinary operational work, then he could not possibly have a rank higher than non-commissioned officer.
For example, open the Internet and see that in 1941 the commandant of the huge Auschwitz concentration camp (Auschwitz, as the Poles call it) was an SS officer with the rank of Obersturmührer (senior lieutenant) named Karl Fritzsch. And none of the other commandants was above the captain level.
Of course, both the film and the book are purely artistic, but still, as Stanislavsky used to say, “there must be the truth of life in everything.” The Germans did not throw away ranks and appropriated them sparingly.

And even then, rank in military and police structures is a reflection of the officer’s qualification level and his ability to occupy the relevant positions. The title is assigned based on the position held. And even then, not right away. But it is by no means some kind of honorary title or reward for military or service success.

There are orders and medals for this.

The shoulder straps of senior SD officers were similar in structure to the shoulder straps of senior officers of the SS and Wehrmacht troops. The lining of the shoulder strap was grass-green in color.

In the picture on the left are shoulder straps and buttonholes:

From the author. I deliberately do not provide information here about the correspondence of the ranks of the SD, SS and Wehrmacht. And I certainly don’t compare these ranks with the ranks in the Red Army. Any comparisons, especially those based on the coincidence of insignia or the consonance of names, always carry a certain deceit. Even the comparison of titles based on positions that I proposed at one time cannot be considered 100% correct. For example, in our country a division commander could not have a rank higher than major general, while in the Wehrmacht the division commander was, as they say in the army, a “fork position,” i.e. the division commander could be a major general or a lieutenant general.

Starting with the rank of SD Standartenführer, rank insignia was placed on both buttonholes.

Moreover, there were differences in lapel insignia before May 1942 and after.
It's interesting that the shoulder straps

The Standarteführer and Oberführer were the same (with two stars, but the lapel insignia were different. And please note that the leaves before May 1942 were curved, and after that they were straight. This is important when dating the photographs.

6.Standartenfuehrer des SD (SD Standartenfuehrer).

From the author. 7.Oberfuehrer des SD (Oberfuehrer SD).
And again, if the Standartenführer can somehow be equated to an Oberst (colonel), based on the fact that there are two stars on his shoulder straps like the Oberst in the Wehrmacht, then to whom can the Oberführer be equated? The shoulder straps are of a colonel, and there are two leaves in the buttonholes.
"Colonel"? Or “Under General”, since until May 1942 the Brigadeführer also wore two leaves in his buttonholes, but with the addition of an asterisk. But the brigadeführer’s shoulder straps are those of a general.

Equate to a brigade commander in the Red Army? So our brigade commander clearly belonged to the senior command staff and wore in his buttonholes the insignia of senior, not senior command staff.

Or maybe it’s better not to compare and equate? Simply proceed from the existing scale of ranks and insignia for a given department.

Well, then there are ranks and insignia, which can definitely be considered general ones.

The weaving on the shoulder straps is not made from double silver soutache cord, but from a double cord, and the two outer cords are golden, and the middle one is silver. The stars on the shoulder straps are silver.

This title was awarded to the first head of the RSHA, Reinhard Heydrich, who was killed by agents of the British secret services on May 27, 1942, and to Ernst Kaltenbrunner, who held this post after Heydrich's death and until the end of the Third Reich.

However, it should be noted that the vast majority of the SD leadership were members of the SS organization (Algemeibe SS) and had the right to wear SS uniforms with SS insignia.

It is also worth noting that if members of the Algemeine SS of general rank who did not hold positions in the SS, police, or SD troops simply had the corresponding rank, for example, SS-Brigadefuehrer, then “... and general of the SS troops” was added to the SS rank in the SS troops. . For example, SS-Gruppenfuehrer und General-leutnant der Waffen SS. And for those who served in the police, SD, etc. “..and the police general” was added. For example, SS-Brigadefuehrer und General-major der Polizei.

This general rule, however, there were many exceptions. For example, the head of the SD, Walter Schelenberg, was called SS-Brigadefuehrer und General-major der Waffen SS. Those. SS-Brigadeführer and major general of the SS troops, although neither one day did not serve in the SS troops.

From the author. Along the way. Schelenberg received the rank of general only in June 1944. And before that, he led “the most important intelligence service of the Third Reich” with the rank of only Oberfuhrer. And nothing, I managed. Apparently, the SD was not such an important and comprehensive intelligence service in Germany. So, like our today's SVR (foreign intelligence service). And even then of a lower rank. The SVR is still an independent department, and the SD was just one of the departments of the RSHA.
Apparently the Gestapo was more important, if its leader from 1939 was not a member of the SS or a member of the NSDAP, Reichskriminaldirector G. Müller, who was accepted into the NSDAP only in 1939, was accepted into the SS in 1941 and immediately received the rank of SS-Gruppenfuehrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei, that is, SS-Gruppenführer und der Generalleutnant of Police.

In anticipation of questions and queries, although this is somewhat off topic, we note that the Reichsführer SS wore insignia that were slightly different from everyone else. On the gray all-SS uniform introduced in 1934, he wore his previous shoulder straps from the previous black uniform. Only there were now two shoulder straps.

In the picture on the left: shoulder strap and buttonhole of SS Reichsführer G. Himmler.

A few words in defense of filmmakers and their “film blunders.” The fact is that uniform discipline in the SS (both in the general SS and in the SS troops) and in the SD was very low, unlike the Wehrmacht. Therefore, it was possible in reality to encounter significant deviations from the rules. For example, a member of the SS somewhere in a provincial town, and not only, and in 1945 he could join the ranks of the city’s defenders in his black preserved uniform of the thirties.
This is what I found online when I was looking for illustrations for my article. This is a group of SD officials sitting in a car. The driver in front holds the rank of SD Rottenführer, although he is dressed in a gray uniform jacket. 1938, however, his shoulder straps are from an old black uniform (on which one shoulder strap was worn on the right shoulder). The cap, although gray arr. 38, but the eagle on it is a Wehrmacht uniform (on a dark fabric flap and sewn on the side, not the front. Behind him sits an SD Oberscharführer with buttonholes of the pre-May 1942 pattern (striped edging), but the collar is trimmed with galloon according to the Wehrmacht type. And shoulder straps not a police model, but an SS one. Perhaps there are no complaints only about the Untersturmführer sitting on the right. And even then, the shirt is brown, not white.

Literature and sources.

1. P. Lipatov. Uniforms of the Red Army and the Wehrmacht.
Publishing House "Technology for Youth". Moscow. 1996
2. Magazine "Sergeant". Chevron series. No. 1.
3.Nimmergut J. Das Eiserne Kreuz. Bonn. 1976.
4.Littlejohn D. Foreign legions of the III Reich. Volume 4. San Jose. 1994.
5.Buchner A. Das Handbuch der Waffen SS 1938-1945. Friedeberg. 1996
6. Brian L. Davis. German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945. London 1973
7.SA soldiers. NSDAP assault troops 1921-45. Ed.
"Tornado". 1997
8.Encyclopedia of the Third Reich. Ed.
"Lockheed Myth". Moscow. 1996
9. Brian Lee Davis. Uniform of the Third Reich. AST.
Moscow 2000
10. Website "Wehrmacht Rank Insignia" (http://www.kneler.com/Wehrmacht/).

May 19, 1933 introduced into the SS structure as the rank of leaders of the main territorial divisions of the SS Oberabschnitte (SS-Oberabschnitte). This is the highest structural unit of the SS organization. There were 17 of them. It can be equated to an army district, especially since the territorial boundaries of each oberabshnit coincided with the boundaries of the army districts. Oberabschnit did not have a clearly defined number of abschnites. This depended on the size of the territory, the number of SS units stationed on it, and the population size. Most often, the Oberabschnit had three abschnit and several special formations: one signal battalion (SS Nachrichtensturmbann), one engineer battalion (SS Pioniersturmbann), one sanitary company (SS Sanitaetssturm), an auxiliary reserve squad of members over 45 years of age, or a women's auxiliary squad ( SS Helferinnen). Since 1936 in the Waffen-SS it corresponded to the rank of major general and the position of division commander.

The change in the insignia of senior SS Fuhrers (generals) in April 1942 was caused by the introduction of the rank of Oberstgruppenführer and the desire to unify the number of stars on buttonholes and on shoulder straps, which were worn on all other types of uniforms, except for the party one, since with the increase in the number of Waffen-SS units, more and more There were problems with the correct recognition of SS ranks by ordinary Wehrmacht soldiers.

Starting from this SS rank, if its holder was appointed to a military (since 1936) or police (since 1933) position, he received a duplicate rank in accordance with the nature of the service:

SS Brigadeführer and Major General of Police - German. SS Brigadefuehrer und der General-maior der Polizei
SS Brigadeführer and Major General of the Waffen-SS - German. SS Brigadefuehrer und der General-major der Waffen SS