Visitor
(7/20/01 8:32:08 am)
Reply SS Oberstgruppenfuhrer
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In WaffenSS there was a military rank - SS Oberstgruppenfuhrer.
This rank was rare. I have found out only 4 persons had this rank. There is at whom an additional information on this question?
GFM2001
Member
Posts: 29
(7/20/01 10:46:55 am)
Reply Re: SS Oberstgruppenfuhrer
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What was the query?
Rundstedt
New Member
Posts: 3
(7/20/01 12:35:26 pm)
Reply Re: SS Oberstgruppenfuhrer
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Well, I think Oberstgruppenführer (not to be mistaken for Obergruppenführer) was the equivalent of the German Heer rank of Generaloberst, or translated into English the rank of Lt. General.
Best regards, Rundstedt
Helmuth Knochen
Member
Posts: 38
(7/20/01 12:46:27 pm)
Reply Re: SS Oberstgruppenfuhrer
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The rank was introduced in 1942. The had to change all the generals' collar patches after that.
David EM
Visitor
(7/20/01 12:48:55 pm)
Reply Oberstgruppenführer
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Hi can you tell me the ones you have found?
cheers DEM
Scott Smith
Veteran Member
Posts: 891
(7/20/01 1:08:30 pm)
Reply
Re: Oberstgruppenführer
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Herr Rundstedt, SS-Oberstgruppenführer would be equivalent in the Waffen-SS or Heer to Generaloberst or Colonel General. In the American Army this would be a full-general having four stars.
Michael Miller
Member
Posts: 62
(7/20/01 2:35:48 pm)
Reply SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer
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The following four men held the rank of SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer. I've read speculations that Karl Wolff and Hans-Adolf Prützmann were given promotions to the rank on 20. Apr. 1945, but if this is true, they don't appear to have been made official. Nevertheless, Karl Wolff continued to sign photos identifying himself as "Generaloberst der Waffen-SS a.D." until the time of his death.
Best wishes,
~ Mike Miller
Axis Biographical Research
Dipl.-Ing. Kurt Daluege
(1897 - 1946)
SS-Oberst-Gruppenfuhrer
und Generaloberst der Polizei / Preußischen Staatsrat /
M.d.R. / Stellvertretender Reichsprotektor
Born: 15. Sep. 1897 in Kreuzburg / Oberschlesien.
Hanged: 24. Oct. 1946 at Pankrac Prison, Prague.
NSDAP-Nr.: 31 981
(Joined 12. Mar. 1926)
SS-Nr.: 1 119
(Joined 25. Jul. 1930)
Promotions:
SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer und Generaloberst der Polizei: 20. Apr. 1942
General der Polizei: 17. Jun. 1936
Generalleutnant der Landespolizei: 20. Apr. 1935
SS-Obergruppenführer: 9. Sep. 1934
SS-Gruppenführer: 1. Jul. 1932
SS-Oberführer: 25. Jul. 1930
Vizefeldwebel: 1918
Career:
Stellvertrender Reichsprotektor, Böhmen und Mähren:
Jun. 1942 - May 1945.
Chef Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei:
Jun. 1936 - May 1945 (duties assumed by his standing deputy, SS-Ogruf.u.Gen.d.W-SS u.Pol. Alfred Wünnenberg, Aug. 1943 - 8. May 1945)
Chef Abteilung III (Polizei) in Reichsministerium des Innern:
Nov. 1934 - Jun. 1936.
Befehlshaber der Landespolizei:
13. Sep. 1933 - Sep. 1936.
Führer z.b.V. (special assignments officer), Stab Reichsführer-SS:
Oct. 1933 - Apr. 1936.
Member of the Reichstag (Electoral District Berlin-Ost):
12. Nov. 1933 - 1945
Führer SS-Gruppe “Ost”:
Jul. 1932 - Oct. 1933.
stellvertretender Gauleiter von Berlin / SA-Führer in Berlin:
1926 - 1928
Berlin section leader of the Freikorps Roßbach:
1922 - 1923.
Führer of “Selbstschutzes Oberschlesien” (SSOS [Upper Silesian Self Defense]; an Upper Silesian veterans’ organization which engaged in combat with the Poles in that region):
1918 - 1921.
Received severe wounds to shoulder and head, 1918, and declared 25% disabled.
Promoted Vizefeldwebel:
1918
Entered service as Kriegsfreiwilliger in 7.Garde Regiment West (service on Western Front; wounded several times):
1916.
Postwar Prosecution:
Arrested by U.S. troops in Lübeck, May 1945. Interned in Nuremberg until Sep. 1946 when he was extradited to Czechoslovakia. Tried by a Czech court, Prague, and sentenced to death, .
Decorations & Awards:
Ritterkreuz des Kriegsverdienstkreuz mit Schwertern: 7. Sep. 1943
Deutsches Kreuz in Silber
Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse mit Schwertern: 20. Apr. 1941
Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern: 30. Jan. 1941
1914 Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Verwundetenabzeichen, 1918 in Schwarz
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Medaille an die Heimkehr des Memellandes: 21. Nov. 1939
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938: 21. Nov. 1938
Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938: 4. May 1939
Spange "Prager Burg": 26. Oct. 1939
Danzig Kreuz 2. Klasse: 31. Aug. 1939
Goldenes Parteiabzeichen: 14. Jul. 1933
Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP in Silber: 1941 or 1942
Dienstauszeichnung der NSDAP in Bronze: 30. Jan. 1940
SS-Dienstauszeichnungen
Polizei-Dienstauszeichnungen
Gau-Traditionsabzeichen Berlin
Nürnberger Parteitagsabzeichen 1929
Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes 1. Klasse: 30. Jan. 1938
Deutsche Olympia-Ehrenzeichen 1. Klasse: 29. Oct. 1936
Ehrendegen des RF SS: 15. Sep. 1935
Totenkopfring der SS: 24. Dec. 1933
Grand Cross of the Order of the Italian Crown: 18. Oct. 1938
Grand Officer Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania: 22. Jun. 1942
Grand Cross of the Order of the Slovakian Cross: 28. Jul. 1943
Hungarian Service Cross 2nd Class
Notes:
* Married to Käthe Schwarz, 1926; 3 children.
* As Chief of the Ordnungspolizei, Daluege signed [on 24. Oct. 1941] the first deportation order for Jews from Germany, Austria, and the Reichsprotektorat Böhmen und Mähren to Riga and Minsk. 25,000 Jews from those areas arrived in Riga and a further 7,000 in Minsk during November and December 1941.
Josef (“Sepp”) Dietrich
(1892 - 1966)
SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer
und Panzer-Generaloberst der Waffen-SS /
Preußischen Staatsrat / M.d.R.
Born: 28. May. 1892 in Hawangen near Memmingen / Allgäu / Bayern
Died: 21. Apr. 1966, of a heart attack at his home in Ludwigsburg
NSDAP-Nr.: 89 015
(Joined 1. May 1928)
SS-Nr.: 1 177
(Joined 5. May 1928)
Promotions:
SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer und
Panzer-Generaloberst der Waffen-SS: 1. Aug. 1944 (mit RDA vom 20. Apr. 1942)
General der Waffen-SS: Mar. 1940 (mit RDA vom 1. Jul. 1934)
SS-Obergruppenführer: 1. Jul. 1934
SS-Gruppenführer: 18. Dec. 1931
SS-Oberführer: 10. Oct. 1930
SS-Standartenführer: 18. Sep. 1929
SS-Sturmbannführer: 1. Aug. 1928
SS-Sturmführer: 1. Jun. 1928
Oberwachtmeister (Landespolizei): 1920
Vizewachtmeister:
Career:
Oberbefehlshaber 6.SS-Panzer-Armee (known as 6.Panzer-Armee until 31. Jan. 1945, when "SS-" was added):
14. Sep. 1944 - 8. May 1945.
Oberbefehlshaber 5.Panzer-Armee:
9. Aug. 1944 - 11. Sep. 1944.
Kom.Gen. I.SS-Panzer-Korps “Leibstandarte”:
27. Jul. 1943 - 9. Aug. 1944.
Mitglied des Reichstages (Wahlkreis Niederbayern):
1930 -
Employment as manager of a gas station and forwarding agent with a large Bavarian publishing company:
1927 - 1930
Friekorps service with the “Bund Oberland”, assigned to 2.Kompanie / Surmbataillon “Teja” (participated in liberation of Oberschlesien from Polish insurgents, May 1921 and in the München Putsch of 9. Nov. 1923):
1920 - 1926
Zugführer in Bayerische Landespolizeigruppe 1:
1920 -
Discharged from Bavarian Army:
Mar. 1919
Bayerischen Sturmpanzerkraftwagen-Abteilung 13:
Sturmbataillon 2:
1917 -
I.Btl./Infanterie-Regiment 8:
1917 -
Infanteriegeschütz-Batterie 10:
1916 - 1917
Reserve-Feld-Artillierie-Regiment 6:
1. Aug. 1914 -
Unteroffizierschule (NCO school):
1912
Volunteer in 4.Bayerische Feld-Artillerie-Regiment “König”:
1911 -
Postwar Prosecution:
Accompanied by his wife, Dietrich surrendered to U.S. Army forces under General George Patton at Kufstein, Austria on 9. May 1945. Tried by U.S. Military Tribunal at Dachau (“Malmédy Case”) in 1946, he was sentenced to life imprisonment (later commuted to 25 years’ imprisonment) pm 16. Jul. 1946. He was secretly released on parole from Landsberg Prison, based on the recommendation of a combined Allied-German clemency board, on 22. Oct. 1955. Arrested again in Aug. 1956 and charged on 14. May 1957 for his role in the slaughter of SA leaders on 30. Jun. / 1. Jul. 1934, he was sentenced to 19 months’ imprisonment by a München court for being an accessory to premeditated murder. Released due to ill health, 2. Feb. 1958.
Decorations & Awards:
~ Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes: 5. Jul. 1940 as SS-OGruf.u.Gen.d.W-SS, Kdr., Leibstandarte SS "Adolf Hitler", Western Campaign.
~ Eichenlaub: 31. Dec. 1941 (Nr. 41) as Kdr., SS-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf
Hitler" (mot.)
~ Schwertern: 16. Mar. 1943 (Nr. 26), as Kdr., SS-Pz.Gren.Div. "Leibstandarte- SS Adolf Hitler."
~ Brillanten: 6. Aug. 1944 (Nr. 16) as Kom.Gen., I.SS-Panzer-Korps
"Leibstandarte"
1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse: 27. Oct. 1939
1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse: 25. Sep. 1939
1914 Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
1914 Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Medaille “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42”
Panzerwagenabzeichen, 1918 in Silber
Bayerische Militärverdienstkreuz 3. Klasse (WW I)
Tapferkeitsmedaille (Bravery Medal of Austria, WW I)
Schlesischer Adlerorden 1. und 2. Klasse: 1921
Goldenes Parteiabzeichen
Blutorden (Nr. 10): 9. Nov. 1933
Dienstauzeichnungen der NSDAP in Silber und Bronze
SS-Dienstauszeichnungen
Reichssportabzeichen in Gold
SA-Sportabzeichen in Gold
Ehrendegen des RF SS
Totenkopfring der SS
Notes:
* Dietrich’s first wife was Betti Seidl (Born 24. Apr. 1896; NSDAP-Nr. 233 700). In 1942, he moved on to another, much younger, woman named Ursula who had recently been the spouse of SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Polizei Karl-Heinrich Brenner (they had married in 1935). Dietrich and Ursula had a daughter before Brenner’s divorce was finalized; the two SS generals nonetheless remained friends.
* Dietrich’s funeral in Ludwigsburg was attended by some 7,000 people, most of them veterans of the Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht.
Paul (“Papa”) Hausser
(1880 - 1972)
SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer
und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS /
Generalleutnant a.D.
Born: 7. Oct. 1880 in Brandenburg an der Havel.
Died: 21. Dec. 1972 in Ludwigsburg / Württemberg.
NSDAP-Nr.: 4 138 779
(Joined 1. May 1937)
SS-Nr.: 239 795
(Joined, 15. Nov. 1934)
SS Promotions:
SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS: 1. Aug. 1944
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS: 1. Oct.1941
Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS: 19. Nov. 1939
SS-Gruppenführer: 1. Jun. 1939
SS-Brigadeführer: 22. May 1936
SS-Oberführer: 1. Jul. 1935
SS-Standartenführer: 15. Nov. 1934
(w/seniority from
1. Nov. 1934)
SA-Standartenführer (SA-Reserve):
Generalleutnant:
Generalmajor: 1. Feb. 1931
Oberst: 1. Nov. 1927
Oberstleutnant: 15.Nov. 1922
Major: 1919
Hauptmann: Mar. 1914
Oberleutnant: 1912
Leutnant: 18. Mar. 1899
Career:
Stab, Oberbefehlshaber "Südwest":
3. Apr. 1945 - 8. May 1945.
Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe "G":
28. Jan. 1945 - 3. Apr. 1945.
Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe "Oberrhein":
23. Jan. 1945 - 28. Jan. 1945
(command disbanded).
Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe "B":
(for two days during his command of 7.Armee).
Oberbefehlshaber 7.Armee:
28. Jun. 1944 - 20. Aug. 1944 (wounded during week of 20. Aug. 1944).
Kom.Gen. II.SS-Panzer-Korps:
May 1942 - 28. Jun. 1944.
Chef Kommandoamt der Waffen-SS in SS-Führungshauptamt:
Jun. 1940 - Aug. 1940.
Kdr. SS-Verfügungstruppen Division (mot) (later redesignated SS-Division "Reich" and "Das Reich"):
9. Oct. 1939 - 14. Oct. 1941 (relinquished command to Willi Bittrich due to severe wounds received that date).
Accompanied SS/VT units attached to Panzer-Division "Kempf" in Polish Campaign:
Sep / Oct. 1939.
Inspekteur der SS Verfügungstruppen:
1. Oct. 1936 - 10. Aug. 1939.
Chef Führungsamt, SS-Hauptamt:
1. Jun. 1936 - 1. Oct. 1937
Inspekteur der SS-Junkerschulen:
1. Aug. 1935 - 5. May 1937.
Kdr. SS-Junkerschule "Braunschweig":
1934 - 1. Jun. 1936.
SA Reserve Brigade 125:
Mar. 1934 - Nov. 1934.
Leader of Stahlhelm organization in Berlin-Brandenburg:
Feb. 1933 - Apr. 1934.
Retired from Reichsheer with rank of Generalleutnant:
31. Jan. 1932
Infanterieführer IV (temporary):
Dec. 1930 - 31. Jan. 1932.
Kdr. Truppenübungsplatz Minsingen:
1. Nov. 1930 - Dec. 1930.
Kdr., Inf.Rgt. 10:
1. Jul. 1927 - Nov. 1930.
Stab, Inf.Rgt. 10:
1. Jan. 1927 - 1. Jul. 1927.
Chef des Stabes, 2.Division:
Apr. 1925 - Dec. 1926.
Kdr. III.Btl. / Inf.Rgt. 4: Jan. 1923- Apr. 1925.
Ia, District Area Command II:
1922 - Jan. 1923.
Ia, Reichswehr Brigade 5:
1920 - 1922.
Liaison officer of Generalkommando in Glogau:
1919.
Service with Grenzschutz units along Germany's eastern borders:
1919.
Assigned to VI.Armee-Korps during WW I
Ia, 109.Inf.Div.:
Ia, I.Reserve-Korps. Kdr., Fusilier-Regiment "Generalfeldmarschall Graf Moltke" Nr. 88. Generalkommando 59 z.b.V.
Stab Kronprinz Rupprecht von Bayern:
Assigned to cartographic detachment:
Appointed as General Staff officer:
1912.
Aerial observer, Imperial German Navy:
1909 - 1912.
Kriegsakademie Posen:
1907-1909.
Assigned to West Prussian unit; served as Adjutant in a battalion of Inf.Rgt. 155, then Regimental Adjutant:
____ - 1907.
- Commissioned Lt.:
18. Mar. 1899.
Kadettenhaus Köslin, then Berlin-Lichterfelde.
Entered Prussian Kadettenkorps:
1892.
Postwar Activities:
Defense witness at Nuremberg Trials. Wrote Waffen-SS im Einsatz (Waffen-SS in
Action) (1953) and Soldaten wie andere auch (Soldiers Like Any Other). Senior
member, HIAG organization of Waffen-SS veterans to 1972.
Decorations & Awards:
~ Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuzes: 8. Aug. 1941 as SS-Gruppenführer und
Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS & Kdr. SS-Division "Reich", Russian Front
~ Eichenlaub (Nr. 261): 28. Jul. 1943 as SS-Obergruppenführer und General der
Waffen-SS, Kom.Gen. SS-Panzer-Korps, Eastern Front
~ Schwertern (Nr. 90): 26. Aug. 1944 as SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer und Generaloberst
der Waffen-SS, Oberbefehlshaber 7.Armee, Western Front
1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse: 17. May 1940
1939 Spange zum 1914 Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse: Sep. 1939
1914 Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse
1914 Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse
Königlich-preußischen Ritterkreuz des Hausorden von Hohenzollern mit Schwertern
Bayerischen Militär-Verdienstorden 4. Klasse mit Schwertern
Ritterkreuz des Sächsischen Albrechtsordens 1. Klasse mit Schwertern
Ritterkreuz 1. Klasse des Württembergischen Friedrichs-Ordens mit Schwertern
Alhaltische Friedrich-Kreuz
Österreichisch-ungarisch Orden der Eisernen Krone 3. Klasse mit Kriegsdekoration
Österreichisch-ungarisch Militärverdienstkreuz 3. Klasse mit Kriegsdekoration
Verwundetenabzeichen, 1939 in Silber: 9. May 1942
(for wounds received 14. Oct. 1941- lost sight in left eye and jaw injuries)
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer
Goldenes Parteiabzeichen
Ehrendegen des RF SS
Totenkopfring der SS
Notes:
* Generally regarded as "Father" of the Waffen-SS.
* Married, 9. Nov. 1912 (wife~ Elizabeth) / 1 daughter).
Franz Xaver Schwarz
(1875 - 1947)
Reichsleiter / SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer /
M.d.R. / Leutnant der Reserve a.D.
Born: 27. Nov. 1875 in Günzburg / Bayern.
Died: 2. Dec. 1947 in Allied internment camp near Regensburg.
NSDAP-Nr.: 6
(Joined 1922)
SS-Nr.: 38 500
(Joined 13. Jun. 1932)
Promotions:
SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer: 20. Apr. 1942
SS-Obergruppenführer: 1. Jul. 1933
SS-Gruppenführer: 13. Jun. 1932
Leutnant d.R.:
Career:
Stab RF SS:
(1. Jul. 1933) - May 1945
Ehren-Oberstarbeitsführer (RAD):
1935 -
Reichsleiter der NSDAP:
1935 - May 1945.
Mitglied des Reichstages (Wahlkreis Franken):
Mar. 1933 - May 1945.
Stadtrat in München:
1929 -
Reichsschatzmeister der NSDAP (National Treasurer of the NSDAP):
28. Mar. 1925 - May 1945.
Army service:
Postwar Prosecution:
Posthumously classified by München de-Nazification court as a Hauptschuldiger (“Major Offender”), Sep. 1948.
Decorations & Awards:
Landesorden
Goldenes Parteiabzeichen
Blutorden
Dienstauszeichnungen der NSDAP in Gold, Silber und Bronze
Danzig Kreuz 1. Klasse
Ehrendegen des RF SS
Totenkopfring der SS
Al Carter
Member
Posts: 57
(7/20/01 2:39:05 pm)
Reply Re: Oberstgruppenführer
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The four that I see are Joseph Dietrich and Paul Hausser of the Waffen-SS, and Kurt Daluege and Franz Schwarz I do not believe that these two were of the Waffen-SS.
Michael Miller
Member
Posts: 63
(7/20/01 3:02:35 pm)
Reply That's correct-
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Since there were only four, thought I'd include them all. Dietrich & Hausser = Waffen-SS; Daluege = Chef, Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei; Schwarz = Reichsschatzmeister, Ehrenführer (honorary Allgemeine-SS leader)
~ Mike Miller
David E M
Visitor
(7/22/01 4:02:08 am)
Reply Thank you.
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Thanks guys I appreciate the info. Cheers DEM.
ORPO57
Member
Posts: 22
(7/22/01 8:49:22 pm)
Reply Oberstgruppenführer
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I agree with Michael
Prutzmann and Wolff never appointed Oberstgruf.
confusion come from the fact they were the two holder of the title "Hochster SS und Polizeiführer"
JG