Adolf Eichmann rank?

[jkw1]

Why was Adolf Eichmann not promoted higher considering the power he held?
He was only a SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lt. Col.) which was for his level of responsibility was a low rank.

[WTW26]

It corresponded to his position within the RSHA, which was only a head of department. If you look at the RSHA organization chart, you'll see that higher ranks were normally reserved for those higher up the ladder.

[Mayer]

Didn't Eichmann's education in part, limit his progression up the rank as well?

[Ian Hulley]

Didn't Eichmann's education in part, limit his progression up the rank as well?

No, he was considered a 'specialist' in Jewish Affairs .. he had 'superb' organisational skills and could speak some Yiddish which were seemingly all the qualifications needed for his particular task .. he hit the ceiling rank-wise because he reached the top of his particular tree.
It would have been interesting to see what became of him had things turned out differently for the Reich and his task been completed.

Ian

[coburg22]

I am surprised that for all of Eichmann's effort that he only received the War Merit Cross 2nd Class during the war so they must not have put too much emphasis on his career compared to those who commanded SS-Einsatzgruppen, SS-Sonderkommando, SS-Einsatzkommando and Concentration Camps.

Best,

James

[Michael Miller]

I think I've read- in Avner Less (ed.), Eichmann Interrogated (ca. 1980)- that, according to Eichmann, he received the KVK I m. Schw. and the EK II (for his part in evacuating Volksdeutsche civilians from Hungary, ca. Nov./Dec. 1944). But my copy of the book is about 3,000 miles away, so I can't verify that.

~ Mike

[Michael Miller]

Per Andreas Schulz, at http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=38512 :

03.12.1944 Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse mit Schwertern

~ Mike

[coburg22]

Thanks for the correction Mike. I was going off of my copy of the Oct. 1st 1944 SS-Dienstalterliste.
Best,

James

[AliasDavid]

In his testimony in the Eichmann trial Kurt Becher gave background information on the KVK 1st class (see http://www.kokhavivpublications.com/kuc ... c0005.html. According to that information Eichmann was summoned to Himmler in December 1944 with regard to the Hungarian jews. Becher said (answer to question 42, my translation):

As far as I remember, I recommended Himmler to bestow a decoration on Eichmann, because I was under the impression that Eichmann would be receptive to such a salutation by Himmler.

[Oberst Stucks]

Didn't Eichmann's education in part, limit his progression up the rank as well?

No, he was considered a 'specialist' in Jewish Affairs .. he had 'superb' organisational skills and could speak some Yiddish which were seemingly all the qualifications needed for his particular task .. he hit the ceiling rank-wise because he reached the top of his particular tree.
It would have been interesting to see what became of him had things turned out differently for the Reich and his task been completed.

Ian

That's exactly why he wasn't promoted further. The only way to climb up to new ranks would have been to be in favor with Hitler or Himmler (which he wasn't) or another SS General - in which case, he had Heydrich until 1942. With his death, he lost his hook-up to the higher ranks - not that Heydrich was particularly rewarding even to his most successful subordinates.
The other way, could have been at the front. People like him, without particular hook-ups and higher qualifications could only make it this way.

[Georges JEROME]

Interesting to notice that this former SD Führer moved into Gestapo as part of Amt IV RSHA. But remain a full SS-member not Gestapo official.
In a chart from 01.10.43
Gruppe IV B: no titular
IV B 1 SS-Stubaf. Regierungsrat Roth
IV B 2 SS-Stubaf. Regierungsrat Hannenbruch
IV B 3 SS-Ostubaf. Regierungsrat Wandesleben
IV B 4 SS-Ostubaf. Eichmann
The level of Lieutenant Colonel in SD at the age of 35 y.o. without academic background translate a successfull career: SS-Ustuf. (1937), SS-Ostuf. (1938), SS-Hstuf. (1939),SS-Stubaf. (1940), SS-Ostubaf. (1941).

[Oberst Stucks]

Interesting... for his choice of career then, he was a sort of role model, am I right?
But there would still be the possibility he could have been promoted further had the war gone another way, or he remained under Heydrich's wing?

[Georges JEROME]

The fact he didn't have any more promotion and change in his career till the war end indicate he was the "right man at the right place". He was at his top : he was a "specialist".

[Oberst Stucks]

That's a very interesting insight, and I think it shreds much light on this man's career. He had the right amount of authority for his task: not too lown, not too much. Thank you for your help and insight

[Ian Hulley]

That's a very interesting insight, and I think it shreds much light on this man's career. He had the right amount of authority for his task: not too lown, not too much. Thank you for your help and insight

No, he actually lacked the personal authority but had the authority of Heydrich, Mueller (his line manager in modern parlance) and Himmler to open doors shut in his face by those of higher rank, something he had to do on numerous occasions to acquire the transport or co-operation in the local areas to access the Jewish population.

He was certainly no 'role model'.

Ian