SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer

[Mark Costa]

There are many photos of both Sepp Dietrich and Kurt Daluege wearing the collar tabs of this rank. But does anyone know of photos of Paul Hausser or Franz Xaver Schwarz wearing the collar tabs of an SS Oberst-Gruppenführer ????


Mark

[fanatic]

Anybody???

fanatic

[Al Carter]

Franz Schwarz was an honorary Oberst-Gruppenführer right? Was that in title only, or were they allowed to also don the SS uniform at functions? Would Schwarz have wore an SS uniform or an NSDAP uniform seeing as his station as national treasurer was so high in the NSDAP?

I will check my books for a Paul Hausser picture.

Al Carter

[Mark Costa]

In the days of the Party, Schwarz was seen in SS uniform quite a bit. Eventually he seems to have opted for the Reichsleiter uniform. His relationship with Himmler hit its zenith during the war years. Believe it or not, Himmler asked Martin Bormann to secure a loan from the Party through Schwarz. Himmler was looking to build a home for his mistress and needed money (hard to believe but Himmler never used his position for monetary advancement) He actually lived on his Reichsfuhrer SS salary. In any case Himmler needed ready cash and Schwarz provided it. Consequently, Himmler awarded him the rank of SS Oberst-gruppenfuhrer. Obviously a rare rank and it seems only Dietrich and Daluege are photographed in the uniform.


Mark

[Matt Gibbs]

I remember a photo in the Cruel Hunters of Hausser talking to another officer and as it was late war I wonder if he was wearing Oberst Gruppehfuhrer collar tabs.? If I recall rightly he was promoted after recieving the Knights Cross..?
Regards
Matt Gibbs

[Al Carter]

Mark,

Thanks for the info.

Matt,

He was promoted to Oberst-Grup in August 1944. Same time he was awarded Swords to the Oakleaves. Not sure which happened first. I checked my books I thought might mention him, but did not find any of him as Oberst-Grupp. I have Cruel Hunters but dont remember that picture, I will check when I get of work.

Al Carter

[HPL2008]

Al & Matt: I checked my copy of "Cruel Hunters". Sorry, but the picture of Hausser with Heinz Lammerding shows him wearing his Obergruppenführer tabs.

[GFM2000]

Thought I might add that the pics I have of SS OberstGF are only of those of Dietrich and Daluege, and Hausser weaing the 2-star collar tabs. I don't think I've got a pic of Schwarz, even though I have read about him! Pics of Hausser and Schwarz in that wear seems pretty rare!

[Stuckes58]

saw this image doin some research on him. im not sure if its been touched up like some photos are

stuckes

[Stuckes58]

also i have noticed that the shoulder boards he is wearing within this photo are that of an SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer with the 3 pips in the shoulderboards.

and as far as im aware i dont think there are any known phots of Franz Xaver Schwarz in SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer uniform

regards

stuckes

[Andrey]

also i have noticed that the shoulder boards he is wearing within this photo are that of an SS Oberst-Gruppenfuhrer with the 3 pips in the shoulderboards.

and as far as im aware i dont think there are any known phots of Franz Xaver Schwarz in SS Oberst-Gruppenfuhrer uniform

regards

stuckes

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... it=Schwarz

Andrey.

[Max Williams]

The Hausser photo is retouched to increase rank in my opinion.
Max.

[coburg22]

I agree with Max on this one and they forgot to add the Oakleaves to his RK he had been awarded a year prior to this rank.

James

[Stuckes58]

does appear that the pips on the collar tabs dont quite fit in with the photo. and didnt realise about the adding of the oakleaves. nice comments

stuckes

[coburg22]

Either way it is still a nice photo, thanks for posting.

Best,

James