von Ribbentrop's SS-Obergruppenführer rank

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von Ribbentrop's SS-Obergruppenführer rank

#1

Post by Account deleted » 18 Apr 2018, 18:33

Does anyone know why Ribbentrop had the rank of SS-Obergruppenführer, and wore that uniform while other ministers wore their party uniforms. I don't recall ever reading that he held an office in the SS and I haven't found anything on why he had that rank.

Br. James
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Re: von Ribbentrop's SS-Obergruppenführer rank.

#2

Post by Br. James » 18 Apr 2018, 22:30

Most of the high-ranking officials of the German Government also held ranks in the various political organizations -- the Political Leaders of the NSDAP, the SA, SS, NSKK, RAD, DAF, etc. Himmler was quite active in recruiting SS memberships from among the governmental leadership, and as the war drew on, the attraction of the SS uniform -- which by 1940 greatly resembled the uniforms of the Wehrmacht -- seemed to make a public statement that the wearer was doing everything he could to serve and support his country and his Führer. Ribbentrop joined the SS two months after Hitler became Chancellor of Germany and he was accorded the rank of SS-Standartenführer on the Staff of the RFSS. He remained on Himmler's staff -- as did all honorary SS members -- till the end of the war, and when Ribbentrop's official rank of Foreign Minister was no longer publicly respected due to the downturn of events, he could still wear his SS General's uniform proudly in public.

Br. James


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Georges JEROME
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Re: von Ribbentrop's SS-Obergruppenführer rank

#3

Post by Georges JEROME » 20 Apr 2018, 12:07

Reichsminister ranked SS-Obergruppenführer wearing their SS-uniform during the war:

Dr. Seys-Inquart (held title of RM) as Reichskommissar in The Netherlands.
Dr. Lammers as Chef der Reichskanzlei.
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Georges

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