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ALLGEMEINE-SS

The Commands, Units and Leaders


of the General SS
Mark C. Yerger
The commands, units and leaders of the General SS are
finally compiled into a single detailed reference book for
both the historian and SS memorabilia collector. This com-
plete volume begins with an explanation of the twelve ad-
ministrative and command main offices involving the SS
to include the development, components and functions of
each as well as their respective office chiefs. The follow-
ing section explores the most powerful posts in the SS, the
Higher SS and Police Leaders, along with the subordinate
SS and Police Leaders found in occupied territories - both
the commands and the individual holders of these posts
are examined in depth. The SS Main Districts are covered
next including all their various subordinate components,
title changes, development, commanders and chiefs of staff.
The more than forty SS Districts follow, detailed in a simi-
lar format. Examining the more than one-hundred and
twenty-five SS Foot Regiments in the General SS, the
names and ranks of the hundreds of commanders, as well
as details of unit location changes, popular and honor titles
as well as other data for each are within a separate chapter.
Finally, the elite SS Riding Districts and Regiments are
covered similarly. Career biographies are included for more
than two hundred senior SS commanders, many of whom
served portions of their career in the Waffen-SS, Polizei,
SD and other facets of Himmler's commands. The bio-
graphical data for individuals alone adds vast detail to this
fascinating topic. Along with more than 120 rare photos of
SS senior ranking officers and seven maps, a detailed in-
dex allows referencing of individual commands or person-
alities.
Research historian Mark C. Yerger, a Pennsylvania
native, has maintained a fascination with the SS since read-
ing his first book on the topic. With an interest in all facets
of the SS and Polizei, his priority as an author and researcher
has been to examine, in detail, previously unexplored top-
ics within the broad theme of the SS from its inauspicious
beginnings in the early 1920s to the end of World War II.
His first major studies were the first two volumes of Knights
of Steel which presented new facets and details of the 2.SS-
Panzer-Division "Das Reich." Among his other works are
Riding East, a history of the SS Cavalry Brigade, an au-
thorized bilingual biography of Knight's Cross with Oak-
leaves holder Ernst August Krag, and a photo album titled
Images of the Waffen-SS. All have been well received by
readers on SS subjects. In addition to his own continuous
work on a number of projects, he has contributed material
or research to more than twenty books by other authors in
the U.S. and Europe, including numerous official histories
of Waffen-SS units. He is currently finishing the first of a
multi-volume series on a Waffen-SS topic that has not been
previously detailed by other authors.
Also by the Author
R I D I N G EAST: T H E S S C A V A L R Y B R I G A D E IN P O L A N D A N D R U S S I A 1939-1942
IMAGES OF THE WAFFEN-SS: A PHOTO CHRONICLE OF G E R M A N Y ' S ELITE TROOPS
SS-STURMBANNFHRER ERNST AUGUST KRAG
Schiffer Military History
Atglen, PA
Dedication

To Phil Nix
In appreciation for more than a decade of friendship and guidance

Book Design by Robert Biondi.

Copyright 1997 by Mark C. Yerger.


Library of Congress Catalog Number: 96-71386.

All rights reserved. N o part of this work may be reproduced or used in any forms or by any means
- graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval
systems - without written permission from the copyright holder.

Printed in the United States of America.


ISBN: 0-7643-0145-4

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contents
Acknowledgements 6
Introduction 8

Chapter 1 SS Command and Administration 11


Chapter 2 Higher SS and Police Leaders & SS and Police Leaders 22
Chapter 3 Main Districts 82
Chapter 4 Districts 117
Chapter 5 Foot Regiments 169
Chapter 6 Mounted Districts and Regiments 214

Maps 222
Bibliography 230
Glossary 234
Index 238
The part of any project I enjoy most is thanking the friends and associates who have helped. Though each
is aware of my appreciation, it is also the reader who owes each of them thanks for their contributions.
This volume is dedicated to my colleague and friend Phil Nix in appreciation for more than a decade of
constant help and, more valued, friendship. Aside from simply wishing to dedicate this book to him, his
assistance with photographs, corrections, information, explanations and detailing from his own research made
the text possible in its final form. He is among the most knowledgeable people in the field of SS research.
Ruth Sommers is confidant, teacher and friend. Without her as a sounding board during stressful research
(and life) I would have probably quit many times. I also thank her for help in finding needed obscure texts and
periodicals in her native Germany and for keeping me informed on the status of many older friends. To say I
admire and respect her does not express my thoughts enough.
Serious life situations almost made me quit researching. My special thanks to James Lucas for his friend-
ship, logic and humor used to prevent that mistake from happening.
I have a valued group of individuals who support me mentally and emotionally as they are aware of the
stress and frustration with this type of work. Most are researchers with interest and knowledge only of the
Waffen-SS, the topic I will permanently return to with the conclusion of this volume. Though they did not
assist directly with this book, their friendship, material and support in many ways provide the inspiration and
motivation needed by this researcher for multiple ongoing projects. Each is aware of their contribution and all
are within any text devoted to the Waffen-SS.
Most of my friends not connected to writing or research describe me as focused, driven and intense. I
value and appreciate the better parts of those characteristics and owe them to my initial teacher Henry Deemer.
He has known me since I was in high school and hopefully I have turned out to be the type of constructive
contributor he envisioned. Special thanks must go to Robin Cookson and the staff of the National Archives.
They have saved me massive time and eased the frustrations of assimilating thousands of documents and
pouring over thousands of texts.
George Nipe continued with his cartographic skills as he had in my history of the SS Cavalry Brigade.
For that, constant phone calls and help with archive research for me I give my thanks as well as appreciation
for the most recent friendship obtained within my circle of colleagues and friends. His text on one of the
pivotal armor battles of the Eastern Front will soon be published and be welcomed by all readers of Waffen-
SS history.
AI Brandt is both a friend and energetic researcher. His help with linguistic proofreading, cross reference
checking and a host of other aspects with this and other projects in progress deserves more than these brief
lines. Those with an interest in Waffen-SS Knight's Cross holders can look forward to his biography of Remy
Schrijnen, one of the bravest holders of Germany's highest WWII decoration.
John Moore is my most helpful colleague and friend. Our phone bills could pay for an extended vacation.
He has always made his complete holdings available and I the reverse, the result of which is a collaboration
for a text that has already begun. His superior knowledge of the Waffen-SS and abilities as a researcher is
evident in his book on Waffen-SS signals officers. I also owe him for pushing me into the computer age thus
preserving my sanity.
My sister Leslie hears it all despite having absolutely no interest in the SS aside from confirming my
name is correctly spelled on the book cover. I know few siblings as close as we are, being each other's friend,
confidant and advisor. She is also one of the most intelligent women I know and among those I most admire.
I want to thank my publisher Peter Schiffer and designer Bob Biondi for everything as well as allowing
me the freedom of choosing my topics within this field. Their support and using many of my design sugges-
tions reduces much stress.
I would also like to thank Linda Lease, George Lepre, Jim Marks, Bob Ruman of "Articles of War" and
Emmett Lehmann, including his entire family, for their help and friendship. A special acknowledgment goes
to John Wissler for honesty, humor and keeping my land yacht operational until it could be replaced. Also my
appreciation goes out to BC for focus and energy release. I would also like to thank the many readers who
respond, all of which I enjoyed replying.
Finally, the resident best known by my research friends must be given his due credit. Fred, my cat, has sat
patiently, though unimpressed, through it all, providing companionship, stress relief and humor. Research
continues to ascertain the location of his depository for all my missing writing instruments and disposable
cigarette lighters. Those who have received letters signed in pencil, crayon or simply typed "can't find pen"
can attest to his skills at confiscation and hiding of these items.

Mark C. Yerger
1997

7
introduction

The SS is probably the most famous, yet overall unknown, organization to exist during the Third Reich.
The uniform flash and connection with the concentration camps give a layman the misconception that all of its
members were concentration camp guards. Studying this vast topic, the written knowledge of which really
just started, proves with each fact unearthed and its resulting answers that more needs to be understood. In a
sense the more an individual learns the less one feels he knows in comparison to the overall vastness of the
topic. While some aspects of the SS, such as its wartime combat troops, the Waffen-SS, have received concen-
trated attention while other facets have not. All SS units began with the scattered squads that began forming
after the activities of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter Partei (the National Socialist German Workers'
Party or Nazi Party, or NSDAP) became legal again following the dismal failure of the November 9, 1923,
Munich Putsch. While one can logically argue for the actual beginning of the SS being the "Stosstrupp"
formed by Emil Maurice prior to November, 1923, the post-ban period began the uninterrupted start and
growth of the SS. These initial small formations were simply SS, at that time there was no specifically desig-
nated Allgemeine-SS, Waffen-SS or the other parts of this eventual multiple tentacle Party organization that
became the most powerful in Hitler's Germany. In the early period many SA (and SS) men were not even
members of the N S D A P though this was not the norm later, especially for the SS. As will be seen many early
SS leaders had been veterans of WWI, the Freikorps or the Stahlhelm. 1 The story of the SS units and com-
mands as they pertain to this book generally start with the second creation of the SS when the ban on the
N S D A P and its affiliated groups was lifted following Hitler's release from prison. 2 Many of the personalities
within the text were involved with the Socialist movement in Germany (or other countries) prior to the Munich
Putsch of November 9, 1923 that resulted in a prison term for Hitler.

1
T h e Freikorps (Free C o r p s ) were c o m p o s e d of G e r m a n troops w h o fought c o m m u n i s t infiltration during the chaotic 1919-1920
period. T h o u g h not officially supported by the g o v e r n m e n t they were tolerated, primarily because they were better able to counter the
threat than the g o v e r n m e n t . Most units were n a m e d for their leaders, for w h o m most of the troops had more loyalty than official govern-
ment leaders. By 1923, the border activities of the Freikorps ceased and their leaders faded into obscurity. T h e Stahlhelm (Steel Helmet)
veterans organization was founded in December, 1918, and w a s the strongest radical minded g r o u p during the period the SA and N S D A P
were outlawed f o l l o w i n g the disastrous November, 1923, Putsch. Following a period of competition with the S A . it was later absorbed by
that organization in July 1933 (thus c o m i n g under Ernst R h m ' s c o m m a n d ) and was finally dissolved in November, 1935. Grill, " T h e
Nazi Party in Baden 1920-1945," page 436.
2
It can logically be argued that the orginal "Stosstrupp" developed into the "Leibstandarte" verses the A l l g e m e i n e - S S though in
both early development phases there was simply the SS. the separate designations (and duties of each) c o m i n g several years later. S o m e
m e m b e r s of the initial " S t o s s t r u p p " lasted to b e c o m e involved in its early re-established f o r m as " S c h u t z s t a f f e l n " (protection squads).
T h o u g h generally considered to start in 1933. the " S t o s s t r u p p " and the " L e i b s t a n d a r t e " w e r e more similar as to function in their early
forms than the f o r m e r was with the Allgemeine-SS. W h e n the N S D A P and SA w e r e outlawed following the Munich Putsch, m a n y S A
m e m b e r s served with the disguised Frontbann which was actually the SA under another name.

8
Some degree of connection can be drawn from the Allgemeine-SS to all other parts of the SS as a whole
since it existed first and successive facets grew from its inauspicious beginnings. Though it fell from its
dominating place among the multiple spheres of the SS as the war progressed, the Allgemeine-SS still had the
leaders with the most actual power, be they heads of administrative main offices or the Higher SS and Police
Leaders.
The massive size of the SS and Polizei and their continuous explosive growth makes reading or writing
about it fascinating though, at the same time, one must limit a research project. An individual can continue
studying on a single tangent for a lifetime but at that end there is no sharing of knowledge, the primary
motivation for any research historian. Each text hopefully contributes a significant portion of its pages to new
data and understanding, thus providing readers to make logical conclusions. Each volume then becomes a
small piece in this huge puzzle that captivates so many readers as well as this researcher.
My interest for this book started with an untitled and partially complete pre-war compilation done by the
statistical department of the SS Personalkanzlei (Personnel Chancellery) in December 1938, hereafter re-
ferred to as the "statistical" or "official" history. The nearly total primary source for the data contained in this
volume is period records. The first and primary source is the personnel records formerly managed by the U.S.
Mission Berlin as the Berlin Document Center from which voluminous copies were obtained during the
1980s. This facility's material has recently been returned to the German National Archives (Bundesarchiv)
and at time of writing is being relocated. Filmed copies have been deposited within the National Archives in
Washington, D.C. Also extensively used were higher echelon personnel directives and inter-departmental
orders and correspondence, all of which are microfilmed and deposited in the National Archives. These bulk
of these are within RG T-175 encompassing the records of the Reichsfhrer SS and Chief of the German
Police to include SS-Befehlsblatt and SS-Personalbefehlsblatt. The Chancellery history provided an initial
direction to begin which led to hundreds of individual files for confirmation or specifics. Among other gaps
the Chancellery history lacks first names, gave only the highest held rank at time of its compilation, failed to
show position or unit designation changes and gave no specific dates for individual months (in some cases
years). Naturally this caused more than minimal frustration when using other materials, even lower level
research tools such as the SS officer listing ("Dienstalterliste"). It is also interesting that this compilation
reflects Himmler's sense of exaggeration. No matter how early a unit existed or how many men or units were
under his command, Himmler seemed habitual in bending the written facts towards earlier, more or better.
This is evident throughout all areas of the SS as far as record keeping in Berlin.
Following a chapter covering administrative commands of the entire SS, the primary material within this
volume will be specifics for the following:

Higher SS and Police Leaders and their subordinate SS and Police Leaders
Main Districts and their commanders as well as chiefs of staff
Districts and their commanders as well as chiefs of staff
Regiments (both foot and mounted) and their commanders

These positions and units have been superficially examined in a few texts but this volume will provide
more complete data than available previously for both the historian and SS memorabilia collector. Not only
will the commands and their relevant data be examined but the commanders and, in the case of main districts
and districts, the senior staff officer as well. Due to its complexity, the search for all material on specific
individuals is best accomplished by scanning all index notations.
Units and commands are self-explaining. Biographical data is more complex and covers the vast majority
of those relevant senior officers (Oberfhrer or senior colonel and above in rank) from birth to death (when
the latter is specifically known). World War One awards are limited to those primary decorations familiar to
readers of the Second World War: the Iron Crosses, Wound Badge and Pour-le-Merit (Blue Max). The deco-
rations awarded by the individual German Lnder (states) or Germany's WWI allies are not listed though
those interested in such awards would find research of the individual personnel records of great use as many
received numerous decorations in this category.
The second anniversary date of the Munich Putsch (November 9, 1925) is given in the statistical history
as the "official" formation date of the SS and became, along with January 30 (Hitler's date of assuming
power), one of the two traditional dates for SS promotions. 3 Initially there were only Strme (platoons or

3
T h e initial SS units were referred to as " S c h u t z s t a f f e l n " (protection squads) prior to the "official" f o r m a t i o n date used for the first
SS Standarte in M u n i c h (which at the time of its official formation was actually far smaller than a regiment or Standarte). B e t w e e n the

9
squad size formations) which grew to Sturmbann (battalion) and Standarte (regiment) sized units. Strme and
Standarten were designated by Arabic numerals with Sturmbann and Abschnitt (district) by Roman Numer-
als. 4 Oberabschnitte (main districts) were titled without a numerical designation.
Primary awards for individuals are given for the Third Reich era but not base level required minimal
qualification badges, such as the SA Sports Badge in Bronze or the Cross of Honor 1914-1918 for service in
WWI. 5 Multiple and overlapping commands were very commonplace in the Allgemeine-SS. A man could
hold one post while temporarily assigned to another and hold rank in the Allgemeine-SS, Waffen-SS and
Polizei simultaneously. He could also be a member of other N S D A P organizations and/or hold civil (state)
posts such as a seat in the Reichstag, though the latter was a figurehead post since Germany was run by Hitler
and the Cabinet composed of his Ministers. Many commanders held posts officially while fighting at the front
as reserve officers (designated d.R after their rank for Waffen-SS reserve) with some attaining permanent
(fully active) status and Waffen-SS rank. Ranks given are for the period of assignment, giving SS and for
Polizei those above Oberst (colonel). A few also held reserve rank in the Army, Navy or Air Force. Their
replacements while they were at the front were temporary or substitutes, either one of which often became the
full (official) holder of the post eventually. Similarly a man could command a regiment and be on the staff of
a district at the same time or be in a senior posting and serve as both commander as well as chief of staff. The
higher the rank the more common these overlapping posts or commands became. Officers were paid accord-
ing to actual duty performed.
Individual terms are explained, translated or within the glossary for the numerous posts of the various
personalities during their diverse careers. The complexity of finding these men, especially early details, can
be seen in the SS Officers Listing ("Dienstalterliste"). Prior to 1930 there were less than thirty SS officers of
any rank (initially they were simply "SS-Ftihrer" or SS Leaders) while by the end of the war nearly a thousand
officers had held General rank, with many times more than that existing in the lower ranks. In examining
individual records or higher echelon reports while comparing predecessors and successors in individual posts,
I'm thoroughly convinced even Berlin was not 100% sure who was in certain positions at exact points in time,
confirmed by individual BDC records.
In cases of specialized smaller formations such as Nachrichtensturmbann and Pioniersturmbann (signal
and engineer battalions) as well as Kraftfharstrme (car platoons), these are listed under the relevant Main
District they were components of with their specific unit location noted. Any one of a number of commands,
units or persons mentioned within this volume are sufficiently interesting and influential to warrant a separate
text gleaned from surviving documentation. This is particularly so in the case of the massive Polizei organiza-
tion which also came under Himmler's (and thus SS) control on June 17, 1936. That is an as yet basically
untouched field by researchers with the exception of the SS-Polizei Division of the Waffen-SS/'
I hope this volume makes some contribution to this complicated theme and adds something to historical
understanding. If that is accomplished then the major portion of my daily life spent sitting at a rather cluttered
desk has been worthwhile. Readers with additional information, especially photographic material, are wel-
come to contact me directly. I also welcome contact with other researchers of any facet of the SS.

Mark C. Yerger
P.O. Box 4485
Lancaster, PA 17604
U.S.A.

period of squads and f o r m e d regiments, the individual c o m p a n i e s (Strme) were numbered by Arabic numerals which were eventually
used to designate Standarten. From biographical records at least 147 numbered Strme existed. An individual often had t w o dates for the
s a m e promotion: the date promoted and its effective date which determined his seniority within the SS. Most took effect the date of
promotion but many cases can be found where the date was retroactive up to a year.
4
For a brief period during early development, the Standarten were designated by R o m a n numerals though this soon changed and
that n u m b e r i n g style given to Brigaden (which later b e c a m e Abschnitte as f a r as c o m p o n e n t size within the SS).
5
See Angolia, John R. "Political and Civil Awards of the 3rd R e i c h " and its c o m p a n i o n v o l u m e on military awards for details of the
decorations listed including their requirements. Although only a f e w titles are listed in the bibliography, the topic of uniforms, insignia
and related topics pertaining to collecting has been written about in vast detail.
6
To date the best technical history of the Ordnungspolizei is Neufeldt. Huck and Tessin "Zur Geschichte der Ordnungspolizei 1936-
1945."

10
1

A comprehensive study of the SS and Polizei administrative command offices, as well as their numerous
significant personalities, would encompass a vast separate volume. This topic will be hopefully be examined
independently in minute detail at some point in time, especially since the required documentation has sur-
vived. Due to this complexity, varied responsibilities, exchange of those relevant responsibilities and large
number of individuals assigned within the eventual twelve Hauptmter (Main Offices), which collectively
formed the Reichsfhrung SS (SS High Command), a comprehensive examination is impossible within the
scope of this work. However, some examination of these command and administrative offices is required. At
peak expansion the Main Offices were divided into Amtsgruppen (Office Groups) and mter (Offices) which
in turn were further divided into desks to supervise the almost infinite number of SS controlled affairs or
interests. Many Main Offices had direct effect on the Allgemeine-SS commands or positions positions prima-
rily being examined here, as well as being involved with the various careers of individuals specifically de-
tailed within footnoted or captioned biographical data.
When first established, the SS was subordinated to the Sturmabteilung (Storm Troops, hereafter SA). As
such, its administrative command body was the Oberste SA Fhrung (SA High Command) which was led by
the Oberste SA Fhrer (Supreme SA Commander). Holding this post by the late summer of 1926 was former
Freikorps leader Franz Felix Pfeffer von Salomon who had previously formed the SA units in the Ruhr and
been Gauleiter of that area. 1 His tenure in the post resulted in creating much of the initial command adminis-
tration for the SA which would later be emulated by the SS by the time it became an independent formation in
1934 following the purge of the SA leadership. Most of Hitler's energies prior to the early 1930s were spent
cementing his position and control over the various previously independent operating organizations and indi-
viduals. Personal power and its resulting influence were primary goals of all leaders during the political
struggle of the late 1920s. Many SA members were not members of the N S D A P and held more loyalty
towards their local commanders than to Hitler. Removed from office by Hitler in 1930 in response to his
inability to control (and questionable personal involvement with) revolting factions of the SA, von Pfeffer's
position during this tumultuous period of power struggle was permanently undertaken by Hitler himself who
designated the same year an SA Stabschef (Chief of Staff) in the person of former Reichswehr officer Ernst

' T h e first c o m m a n d e r of what developed officially into the S A f r o m a "sporting" club in November, 1921, w a s Emil M a u r i c e f r o m
November. 1920. then Hans Ulrich Klintzsch until May, 1923, followed by W W I ace and later Reichsmarschall H e r m a n n Goring.
Halcomb. " T h e SA, a Historical Perspective." Goring held the post through the 1923 M u n i c h Putsch and while the N S D A P (and S A )
were d e e m e d illegal following the failed revolt until von S a l o m o n was appointed. T h e actual post of Oberste SA Fhrer was first held by
von Salomon w h o faded into obscurity after losing the post, ending the war in c o m m a n d of an A r m y Volkssturmdivision ( H o m e Guard
Division). He died in the early 1970s. H f f k e s , "Hitlers politische Generale, Die Gauleiter des Dritten R e i c h e s , " page 249.

11
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Heinrich Himmler (1900-1945) shown here in both a black dress uniform and in the field wearing a gray tunic, the latter displaying a
Pilot Observers Badge in Gold with Diamonds presented to him by power rival Herman Goring. His collar and shoulder insignia were
unique to his position as Reichsfiihrer-SS. After serving as deputy to the commander of the SS, he took over leadership in January 1929
of the then insignificant group and set about its expansion. His small group destroyed the SA leadership in June 1934, gaining indepen-
dence for the SS as a separate NSDAP organization. Little doubt surrounds his loyalty to Hitler (at least until the end) or his diligence,
as well as his lack of ability in many areas. Though he became the head of the German police in 1936 as well as Minister of the Interior
during the war, it was the expertise of his subordinates that allowed the SS to expand and become all powerful within the Third Reich.
Incompetent as a military leader, his greatest skill was to divide and disperse the authority of those under his command which resulted in
no challenge to his position after Heydrich and Daluege were out of the power structure. Feared by many but respected by few, he was
ignored and disobeyed, more often than generally known, by SS leaders with a greater grasp of situation reality. (Jess Lukens)

Rhm. 2 These senior SA leaders and their area subordinates were not only responsible for command of the
then infant SS but were also supposed to supply recruits for it. When Heinrich Himmler became the fourth
commander of the SS in January, 1929, he had less than 300 men under his command and performed all
command functions. 3
In the first half decade of Himmler's command the control of the SS was a relatively simple task though
Himmler often tended to over-exaggerate the number of authority levels needed as well as the actual man-
2
R h m ' s power and influence with the numerically strong SA resulted in his death in June 1934 as well as numerous other SA
leaders (and many innocents) in the "Night of the Long Knives." The causes of this leadership purge, whether real or imagined, are
available in several texts (see bibliography). The destruction of the SA as the supreme N S D A P physical power organization not only
cemented Hitler's assertion the military would be the supreme armed body in Germany but also resulted in the SS gaining its indepen-
dence f r o m the SA. While Himmler and the heads of his Main Offices managed to create a huge bureaucracy, its elemental start was
patterned after the organization and command structure created by von Salomon and Rhm for the SA. A biography of Rhm would
reveal his importance in the early years of the N S D A P and credit him a significant influence in the socialist movement of the 1920s.
Being involved with but not fully loyal or subordinated to Hitler and the N S D A P since 1920, he envisioned himself as commanding an
S A army more than as an ally of Hitler's own political aims. See Bessel, "The History of the S A i n the Eastern Regions of Germany 1924-
3 4 " and Koehl. "The Black Corps." After R h m ' s death, Viktor Lutze became the SA Stabschef until his death in May. 1943. Wilhelm
Schepmann then took the post and held c o m m a n d of the by then almost insignificantly influential SA until the end of the war. Neither of
R h m ' s replacements had his drive, energy or leadership abilities. A large amount of documented data for the SA is also within the 42
Nuremberg Trials volumes.
3
Himmler, previously deputy commander of the SS. was the fourth man to c o m m a n d the organization after Julius Schreck, Joseph
Berchtold and Erhard Heiden. See Koehl. "The Black C o r p s " for an excellent insight into the intrigues and early struggles within the
NSDAP, SA and SS. In the final collapsing days of the Third Reich, Hitler's last will and testament dismissed Himmler from all his posts
and c o m m a n d s while designated the N S D A P Gauleiter for Niederschlesien, SS-Obergruppenfhrer Karl Hanke, as his successor as
ReichsfUhrer-SS. Himmler's post as Minister of the Interior was given to the Gauleiter of Upper Bavaria, SA-Obergruppenfhrer Paul
Giesler.

12
Chapter 1: SS Command and Administration

Siegfried Seidel-Dittmarsch (left) was Himmler's early adjutant and


head of a liaison staff that dissolved after his death in 1934. Above
is Paul Scharfe, after Dr. Ernst Bach, head of the SS legal office
until his death. (Phil Nix and BDC)

power numbers under his command, the latter trait lasting until the end of the war. He created an SS-Amt (SS
Office) upon assuming his post for administration and tried several early variations of command office form,
title and function. The heads of the SS-Amt were Dr. Ernst Bach (December, 1932 to June 12, 1933), Siegfried
Seidel-Dittmarsch (June 12, 1933 to February 1, 1934) and Kurt Wittje (February 1, 1934 to January 30,
1935). The SS-Oberstab (SS High Staff) existed in the earliest days of separate Sturm prior to Hitler assuming
power and was all encompassing though short lived. Himmler's own personal staff also had considerable
command authority in the early years. He also experimented with a liaison office in the early 1930s for
communicating with the various other N S D A P organizations as they related to the SS. This, the Fhrungsstab
(Leadership Staff) was supervised by Himmler's previous adjutant Siegfried Seidel-Dittmarsch during its
1933-34 existence until the death of Seidel-Dittmarsch on February 1, 1934. Himmler also briefly had a
Gruppenstab z.b. V or Special Duties Staff for acting as liaison between the various N S D A P affiliated organi-
zations and state governmental agencies as they affected the SS but this also faded out by the summer of 1935.
Two early offices which survived and expanded were the Rasse und Siedlungsamt (Race and Resettlement
Office) and the Ic Dienst (Intelligence Service), both of which were added in 1931 to the Reichsfhrung SS.
These humble beginnings ended with the existence of the following twelve Main Offices whose chief or chief
of staff normally held the rank of SS-Obergruppenfhrer or SS-Oberst-Gruppenfhrer.
The SS Hauptamt (SS Main Office or SS-HA) was the primary command center for the entire SS in the
pre-war years. Established on January 30, 1935, by greatly expanding the power of the original SS Amt, it
controlled all facets of the SS when initially established with the exception of racial and security matters to
include command, administration, personnel and SS courts. When the SS Hauptamt formed, it included the
Allgemeine-SS, concentration camps, Political Readiness Detachments (which developed into the SS-
Verfgungstruppe and later the Waffen-SS) as well as the frontier or border units and their personnel. It
expanded constantly during the initial years of its existence to include offices for physical training, welfare
and supply, SS officer schools, communications and SS garrisons. 4 Following the outbreak of the war other

4
F o r t h e S S Hauptamt in 1939 see Gelwick, "Personnel Policies and Procedures of the Waffen-SS," page 91 a n d f o r 1943 page 126.
This thesis also provides changes at the Office Group and Office level as they were absorbed by newly created main offices, ending with
four main office groups. For a view of the complete SS-Hauptamt during the later years down to sub-office level at that point see
"bersicht der Gliederung Verbrecherischer Nazi Organisationen," pages 11-16.

13
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Above (center) is Hans Jiittner who took over as chief of the SS-
Fiihrungshauptamt from Himmler after serving as chief of staff. A
holder of the German Cross in Silver, he died on May 24, 1965. To
the left of Jiittner is the commander of the SS NCO school in
Arnheim, Willy Fortenbacher. (Right) Richard Darre, the racial
theorist of the SS, who served as first head of the SS-Rasse-und
Siedlungshauptamt. He survived the war and died in Munich on
September 6, 1953. (Author's collection and BDC)

14
Chapter 1: SS Command and Administration

Main Offices absorbed a considerable number of its functions though it retained the critical task of recruit-
ment, which resulted in the multi-national units that later became the successful Waffen-SS, physical training
and Germanic education. Though Himmler commanded all the SS and Polizei, he normally appointed a Chief
or Chief of Staff to each Main Office to control its normal operations. For the SS Hauptamt, the men who held
command were Kurt Wittje (January 30, 1935 to May 22, 1935), August Heissmeyer (May 22, 1935 to April
1, 1940), and finally Gottlob Berger until the end of the war. 5 It was Berger's energy as a recruiter and finder
of manpower that provided the required personnel for creating most of the foreign combat formations of the
Waffen-SS as well as needed replacements for heavy combat losses.
The SS Rasse- und Siedlungshauptamt (SS Race and Resettlement Main Office or RuSHA) was created
from the existing office of the same name which had existed since 1931. It was expanded to main office status
on the same day that the SS-Hauptamt was created. This office supervised the near obsessive aspects of race
with regard to the SS, to include individual family ancestry, marriage authorizations and genealogy. It was
divided into eleven offices. 6 It's duties also included approval of recruits via initially strict guidelines, though
these relaxed considerably as the war progressed. Its chiefs were Walter Darre (January 30, 1935 to Septem-
ber 11, 1938), Gnther Pancke (September 11, 1938 to July 9, 1940), Otto Hofmann (July 9, 1940 to April 20,
1943) then finally Richard Hildebrandt until the end of the war. 7
T h e m o s t p o w e r f u l a n d f e a r e d m a i n o f f i c e in H i m m l e r ' s a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a r s e n a l w a s t h e
Reichssicherheitshauptamt (Reich Central Security Main Office or RSHA). 8 It was formed on September 27,
1939 from two existing main offices, both of which had been under the control of Reinhard Heydrich, who
also commanded the RSHA as Chef der Sicherheitspolizei und des Sicherheitsdienst (Chief of the Security
Police and Security Service). The first was the Hauptamt Sicherheitspolizei (Security Police Main Office), the
units themselves hereafter referred to as the Sipo, which controlled the Geheime Staatspolizei (Secret State
Polizei or Gestapo formed in Prussia and Bavaria, incorporating and expanding upon the Political Police of
the Weimar period) and the Kriminalpolizei (Criminal Police or Kripo). 9 The other was the Sicherheits Hauptamt
(Security Service Main Office) controlling the SD. The Sipo was technically a governmental force while the
SD an N S D A P organization, though the technical differences as to authority and jurisdiction were bent as
fitted the situation since the N S D A P and the State literally became one and the same during the Third Reich.
The RSHA also created and manned the Einsatzgruppen (Actions Groups) primarily known for their actions
in Russia. When formed the RSHA had six primary offices: I) Administrative Law, II) Ideology, III) Security
(inside Germany), IV) Gestapo, V) Kripo and VI) SD (foreign intelligence). As this Main Office expanded in
power, so did the number of offices and sections needed to oversee its responsibilities. 10 The SD was divided
into Oberabschnitte like the Allgemeine-SS, generally corresponding to military districts and the leaders of
these SD territories were on the staff of the Allgemeine-SS Oberabschnitt. 11 A higher actual power post was
the Befehlshaber (Senior Area Commander) der Sipo und SD, located primarily in occupied areas, followed
by commanders of specific cities or local areas. Inspectors were also assigned for individual areas as well as
larger cities within the Reich proper, reporting directly and separately from the commander or area leader to
the Main Office. They coordinated operations between other State and Party groups as well as the military
while insuring units were formed or functioned as per directives. In the latter half of the war some Sipo and
SD Inspectors became the Befehlshaber for their area of operation. One of the largest and most complex main
offices, it was commanded by Reinhard Heydrich until his assassination on June 6, 1942, and then by Himmler

5
See index to find data and p h o t o g r a p h s of these three individuals.
6
See "bersicht der Gliederung Verbrecherischer Nazi Organisationen," page 19.
7
Darre w a s initially the racial theorist and expert of the Nazi m o v e m e n t . T h o u g h an SS-Obergruppenfiihrer, his power under
Himmler eventually faded. He b e c a m e Reichsminister for Food and Agriculture until May, 1942, while remaining a m e m b e r of H i m m l e r ' s
staff and remained Reich Farmers Leader until 1945. See index for Pancke, H o f m a n n and Hildebrandt.
8
Not to be c o n f u s e d with the Reichssicherheitsdienst (Reich Special Security Service) which w a s entrusted with guarding Hitler
and other leaders of the NSDAP.
9
T h e G e s t a p o was originally f o r m e d in Prussia under the leadership of H e r m a n n G o r i n g which H i m m l e r took control of after
acquiring the balance of security related posts. It was the information held by the R S H A and its predecessor units that m a d e it the most
powerful SS resource. T h e data collected not only included potential e n e m i e s but m e m b e r s of the N S D A P and armed forces as well.
10
By March 1941 it already e x p a n d e d to seven primary offices, each with n u m e r o u s desks for specific duties. See "Topographie des
Terrors" page 7 2 - 7 3 for a b r e a k d o w n of desk assignments at that time period as well as other texts in the bibliography. By then the
personnel office had been separated f r o m administration and organization. T h e seventh office was for written documentation and re-
search. Later A m t VIII covered signals.
11
An Inspektor (Inspector) for each main area reported for both the Sipo and SD. Thirteen SD-Oberabschnitten (they b e c a m e S D -
Leitabschnitte) existed prior to the start of the w a r with the next lower level c o m m a n d area being SD-Unterabschnitten (they b e c a m e SD-
Abschnitten in S e p t e m b e r 1939 and were to correspond to the N S D A P Gaue). T h e status of various c o m m a n d s c h a n g e d with s o m e
e x p a n d i n g to larger c o m m a n d areas and others being reduced, especially after 1942. T h e G e s t a p o and Kripo also had Leitstellen (main
posts for larger cities) and Stellen (posts for local areas).

15
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Maximilian von Hetff( left) as last head of the SS-Personalhauptamt, wearing the Knight's Cross he won as a battle group commander in
Africa with the Army. Shortly after the war in Europe ended, he died on September 6, 1945. On the right is Alfred Wnnenberg who took
over for Kurt Daluege as second and last head of the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei. He died on December 30, 1963. (Phil Nix and BDC)

himself until appointing Ernst Kaltenbrunner to the post on January 31, 1943.12 Kaltenbrunner held the post
until the end of the war and was thus the senior SS defendant at Nuremberg. 1 3
A main office was formed from Himmler's personal staff (Hauptamt Persnlicher Stab "Reichsfhrer-
SS") and functioned both as a central source for matters within Himmler's personal interest as well as han-
dling routing of inquires to other specific main offices. It handled protocol, Himmler's personal correspon-
dence as well as the awarding of decorations to SS men. Among Himmler's interests with this main office
were press relations, Germanic cultural research, the Lebensborn agency for children fathered by SS men, and
the Kommandostab "Reichsfhrer-SS" (Field Command Staff "RFSS") which controlled armed second line
units under Himmler's direct command. 1 4 The adjutants of the RFSS were also within this main office. Many
of the areas under the personal staff eventually became components in other main offices including the legal
area, which became a separate main office. The chief of the Persnlicher Stab " R F S S " from June 8, 1939, to
the end of the war was Karl Wolff. Many officers assigned to Himmler's personal staff also held posts or
offices in the SS-Hauptamt such as Oswald Pohl who was SS Head of Administration (Persnlicher Stab
"Reichsfhrer-SS") and Head of the Administrative Office (SS-Hauptamt).

12
See bibliography for material on various aspects of the Sipo. SD and Einsatzgruppen and leaders as well as the R S H A overall. To
date, after the Waffen-SS. the R S H A and its elements have been the most written-about facet of the SS with several biographies of
Heydrich alone. The RSHA's main competition in the intelligence field was the Abwehr, the military intelligence service under Admiral
Wilhelm Canaris, which was finally absorbed by the RSHA in February, 1944. Kahn, "Hitler's Spies," page 268-269. Photo and data for
Kaltenbrunner, who commanded the RSHA until the end of the war, appears on page 135.
13
Seyss-Inquart. also on trial, held the rank of SS-Obergruppenfiihrer but was tried more for his actions in Austria, Poland and
finally the Netherlands as Reichskommissar. Both Kaltenbrunner and Inquart were hanged.
14
As the war progressed these units were eventually absorbed by the Waffen-SS and thus came under Army control in the field
though some smaller units remained attached to the Kommandostab "Reichsfhrer-SS" under Himmler's control until the end of the war.
For the early units and development of the Kommandostab as well as operations of one component (the SS Kavallerie Brigade) see
Yerger. Mark C "Riding East, The SS Cavalry Brigade in Poland and Russia 1939-1942."

16
Chapter 1: SS Command and Administration

Reichsfhrer-SS Himmler (center) during a diplomatic function with Italy in 1938. On the left with his hands clasped is Ullrich von
Hassell, the German Ambassador to Rome until 1938, who was executed in September, 1944, in the wake of the assassination attempt on
Hitler. Behind Hassell is Kurt Daluege, head of the Ordnungspolizei and an early power rival of Himmler, though by this time he had
subordinated himself and given up his quest for equality of authority. Behind Himmler's shoulder is Karl Wolff, his adjutant and head of
Himmler's Personal Staff (he ended the war as the Supreme SS and Police Leader in Italy). On the far right is Reinhard Heydrich, head
of SS intelligence and security. As Chief of the RSHA and Reichs Protector for Bohemia and Moravia he was the closest thing Himmler
had to a rival but his actual desire to become Reichsfhrer-SS is questionable. (Bundesarchiv via Schiffer Publishing).

17
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Reinhard Heydrich (above) as head of the RSHA and (opposite) Kurt Daluege as chief of the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei in the uniform
of a General der Polizei (the SS insignia below his pocket indicate full SS membership as well). Heydrich had the imagination, skills and
initiative to be the most effective of the security and intelligence heads of the SS organization, traits somewhat lacking in his successors
Heinrich Himmler and Ernst Kaltenbrunner. (BDC and Author's collection)

The SS-Personalhauptamt (Personnel Main Office) was formed on June 1, 1939, from the Personnel
Chancellery of Himmler's personal staff. It was responsible for recording the personnel records of all SS men
and produced the periodic "Dienstalterliste" listing the officers of the SS. Its chiefs were Walter Schmitt until
October 1, 1942, followed by Maximilian von Herff until the end of the war.
Legal matters, primarily to include courts, as pertaining to the SS and Polizei, were handled by the
Hauptamt SS-Gericht (Main Legal Office) which expanded from the SS Gerichtsamt (Legal Office) attached
to the SS-Hauptamt. The SS provided its own courts and investigations except in cases where offenses were
committed while assigned to one of the armed forces. SS courts were within each Oberabschnitt and legal
officers were assigned to all branches of the SS and Polizei at various levels. This included Waffen-SS corps
and divisions who had a Richter (judge advocate) on their staff. Cases of the death penalty were personally
reviewed by Himmler, while the main SS court in Munich tried serious offenses and officers of General rank.
The head of this main office was Paul Scharfe from June 1, 1939, until his death on August 15, 1942, followed
by Franz Breithaupt who held the post until his death on April 29, 1945, and finally Dr. Gnther Reinecke.
The SS-Fhrungshauptamt (SS Main Operational Office or SS-FHA) was officially created on August
15,1940 from the then existing Kommandoamt der Waffen-SS (Waffen-SS Headquarters). As seen by its title,
it was primarily responsible for the training, supervision and supply of the Waffen-SS and expanded greatly
during its first two years of existence. 15 It took over officer training and had Inspectorates and Inspectors for
each combat and support element of the Waffen-SS. The Inspectors acted as coordinators for the various

15
See Bender/Taylor, "Uniforms, Organization and History of the Waffen-SS," volume 2, pages 11-15. "Personnel Policies and
Procedures of the Waffen-SS," and "bersicht der Gliederung Verbrecherischer Nazi Organisationen" for partial further breakdowns of
the SS-FHA components.

18
Chapter 1: SS Command and Administration

weapons branches within the SS command and in relations with the Army. When created, many offices and
responsibilities of the SS-Fhrungshauptamt came from the SS-Hauptamt. It also took command of the
Allgemeine-SS within its Amt I (Kommandoamt der Allgemeine-SS/General SS Headquarters). From 1940
to mid-March, 1942, it also controlled the concentration camps. 16 This main office was not responsible to the
Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Armed Forces High Command) and it had no control of Waffen-SS troops in
combat areas who were led by the Army. It was also not responsible to the SS-Hauptamt, though a part of the
SS as a whole, since it served as the Armed SS headquarters. Himmler took command of this main office at its
creation and appointed Hans Jttner as chief of staff (Jttner headed the office after January 30, 1943, until the
end of the war).
Two main offices were involved with the resettlement of conquered eastern areas as German colonies and
assimilation of Volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans) into the Reich and its other new or occupied territories. The
Hauptamt Reichskommissar fr die Festigung Deutschen Volkstums (Main Office of the Reich Commis-
sioner for the Consolidation of German Nationhood or RKFDV). 1 7 This commissioner was Heinrich Himmler
who was appointed to the position by Hitler on October 7, 1939. In early December, 1940, Himmler took over
authority for Volksdeutsche affairs from deputy Fhrer Rudolf Hess. His main office for this post was headed
by Ullrich Greifelt who was also Himmler's deputy at the post and had previously headed the Central Office
for Immigration in the SS-Hauptamt. Greifelt took command of the main office on November 6, 1941, and
held the post until the end of the war. This main office was concerned with maintenance of racial standards as
well as general protection and enlargement of the German race. The first major resettling was in the General
Government of Poland with the former residents being sent to resettlement camps in the eastern part of that
region.

16
See Helmut Krausnick, " A n a t o m y of the SS," for details of the subordination changes of the c a m p system between the SS-
Hauptamt, SS-Fiihrungshauptamt and finally the SS Wirtschaft- und Verwaltungshauptamt.
17
See bibliography for texts pertaining to both organizations.

19
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

The primary administrators of the SS-WVHA and in so being were the economic minds (and power) of the SS. From left are Richard
Glcks (Inspector of Concentration Camps and head of Office Group "D" responsible for them, a holder of the German Cross in Silver),
August Frank (deputy chief of the SS-WVHA, head of Office Group "A " covering troop administration and holder of the German Cross
in Silver), Oswald Pohl (chief of the SS-WVHA), Georg Lrner (deputy to Pohl and head of Office Group "B" for supply and economy as
well as deputy head of Office Group "W" for business and economic enterprises, holder of the German Cross in Silver) and Dr. Hans
Kammler (head of Office Group "C" for construction and holder of the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross as well as the German
Cross in Gold). (Phil Nix)

The second was the Hauptamt Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle (Racial German Assistance Main Office or
VOMI) was headed by Werner Lorenz from establishment on June 15, 1941, until the main office dissolved in
early February 1945. It originally formed in 1936 as the Bro von Kursell but was retitled in January, 1937, as
the Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle and placed under the RKFDV, with Werner Lorenz still as its chief, from No-
vember 1939 until it became a separate main office. This administrative command was primarily concerned
with returning the Volksdeutsche descendants of German colonists from Russia and eastern Europe to the
Reich.
T h e Dienstelle S S - O b e r g r u p p e n f h r e r H e i s s m e y e r was a main o f f i c e n a m e d f o r its head, SS-
Obergruppenfhrer August Heissmeyer. Its interest and administration was for the SS supplied and/or sup-
ported boarding schools and, most importantly, the forty three educational institutions of the Nationalpolitische
Erziehungsanstalten (National Political Educational Institutes or NPEA). These schools trained future leaders
and hopefully SS support and influence would lead the graduates to chose an SS or Polizei career. 18 Heissmeyer
held the post from its creation on August 15, 1940, until Germany surrendered.
Economic and administrative aspects were handled by the SS Wirtschaft- und Verwaltungshauptamt (SS
Economic and Administration Main Office or SS-WVHA) formed from two existing main offices and another
administrative office under the leadership of Oswald Pohl on January 31, 1942. Pohl had previously been
head of the administration office (Amt IV, Verwaltungsamt-SS) of the SS-Hauptamt as well as being
Verwaltungs-Chef der SS (head of SS administration) on Himmler's personal staff. The Economic and Ad-
ministrative Main Office was formed from Pohl's existing SS administrative posting which became the SS-
Hauptamt Verwaltung und Wirtschaft (SS Main Office of Administration and Economics) on April 20, 1939,
and the Hauptamt Haushalt und Bauten (Budget and Buildings Main Office, a State verses SS main office)

18
Other N S D A P supported institutions existed and were overseen by the Hitler Youth, see David Littlejohn, "The Hitler Youth."
pages 129-149 to include a list of the N P E A schools with location and formation dates.

20
Chapter 1: SS Command and Administration

formed simultaneously which Pohl also headed. 19 When this final main office was formed, its two precursor
main o f f i c e s were disbanded as was Pohl's Verwaltungshauptamt-SS, which had moved to the SS-
Fhrungshauptamt in mid-August, 1940. Pohl's command had five office groups covering administration,
supply, buildings, concentration camps (which it took from the SS-Fhrungshauptamt in mid-March, 1942)
and economic undertakings. The later ranged from real estate and confiscated art to SS owned industries and
natural resources. The SS was also a major shareholder in numerous civilian companies in the building,
printing and arts fields. With these enterprises, and the money gleaned from slave labor for industries, the SS
was undoubtly the wealthiest organization in Germany during the Third Reich.
Though often overlooked, the numerically largest body controlling main office was the Hauptamt
Ordnungspolizei (Main Office of the Order Police or Orpo). Numbering hundreds of thousands of personnel
at its zenith, the variety of units under control of the Ordnungspolizei went far beyond the Schutzpolizei
( P r o t e c t i o n Police), G e m e i n d e p o l i z e i ( M u n i c i p a l P o l i c e ) and G e n d a r m e r i e (Rural Police). 2 0 The
O r d n u n g s p o l i z e i also controlled specialist police units such as the B a h n s c h u t z (Railway Police),
Luftschutzpolizei (Air Raid Protection Police, formed in 1942 from police reservists) and Wasserschutzpolizei
(Waterways Protection Police). The Landespolizei (Land Police) was placed under the authority of the Army.
Border customs personnel came under Ordnungspolizei jurisdiction as did all the Feuerwehren (fire fighting
departments) and Feuerpolizei (Fire Police). As well as controlling air raid protection personnel and units, the
Ordnungspolizei controlled the Technische Nothilfe (Technical Emergency Corps or TENO) which became a
part of the SS. having existed in Germany since 1919. The Ordnungspolizei had its own schools as well as a
large number of armed regiments and battalions. These were used in second line defensive duties and for anti-
partisan warfare. 21 In the latter instances they were often formed into Kampfgruppen (battle groups) under a
H S S P F c o m m a n d , the resulting combats producing several awards of the German Cross in Gold for
Ordnungspolizei commanders or staff officers. In occupied territories these Ordnungspolizei controlled units
also included Schutzmannschaft Bataillone (Auxiliary Police Battalions) of several nationalities which incor-
porated primarily Estonian, Latvian and Ukrainian troops under German leadership. The head of the Hauptamt
Ordnungspolizei (and an early power competitor with Himmler) from its creation in June, 1936, until August
31, 1943 was Kurt Daluege followed by Alfred Wnnenberg who performed the duties of the post until the
end of the war while Daluege served elsewhere. The Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei also was heavily involved
with the supply, training and other aspects of the SS-Polizei-Division of the Waffen-SS. The executive com-
manders of the regular police headquarters in larger cities were designated police presidents and for smaller
cities, police directors (both were titular Kripo commanders while daily running of those offices was by a
trained police officer). Their position encompassed all Ordnungspolizei units which individually had their
own commanders. Like the Sipo and SD, Inspectors existed within the Orpo having similar tactical command
functions as well as Senior Area Commanders. Within the Cabinet the police came under the Minister of the
Interior, so initially Himmler had a semi-superior in the person of Minister Wilhelm Frick. Himmler himself
later obtained that cabinet post and became Minister of the Interior and Reich Plenipotentiary for Reich
Administration in August, 1943.

Mention should be made of the Ehrenfhrer (Honorary Leaders) given SS rank, priviledges and uniform
but without any command authority. Used to gain support and influence for the SS, Himmler gave these ranks
to ministers, state officials, military leaders and heads of industry. Generally the concept failed and in some
cases Ehrenfhrer became enemies of the Reichsfhrer-SS in the power struggles of the Nazi heirarchy, such
as Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop.

" Pohl was also a financial administrator of the NSDAP, the head of G e r m a n y ' s rocket program (which he delegated) and a Director
in the Ministry of the Interior. Pohl was a m o n g the last persons executed by the United States as a result of the m a j o r w a r crimes trials
when he was hanged in 1951.
20
See Neufeldt, H u c k and Tessin "Die Stbe und Truppeneinheiten der O r d n u n g s p o l i z e i " for detailed technical data for the
Ordnungspolizei. Teil 1 of this publication ("Zur Geschichte der Ordnungspolizei 1939-1945") covers the Ordnungspolizei Hauptamt
with Teil II covering the actual Regimenter, Bataillone and the Polizei Division. Aside f r o m detailing the individual units it lists some of
the H S S P F with regard to their assigned Ordnungspolizei units. Aside f r o m G e r m a n troops, Latvian and especially Ukranian personnel
were used in large quantities. M a n y of the large H S S P F c o m m a n d s had Ordnungspolizei units equal to s o m e two divisions or m o r e to
include infantry, motorized and horse mounted units as well as supporting elements. M.I.R.S., " T h e G e r m a n Police" also includes
effective data on the Ordnungspolizei, SD. Kripo and G e s t a p o at all c o m m a n d levels including a good partial compilation listing of the
officers holding the various posts during the latter war period. M a n y G e s t a p o and Polizei officials did not hold SS rank.
21
All O r d n u n g s p o l i z e i f i e l d units (Polizei R e g i m e n t e r , Polizei S c h t z e n r e g i m e n t e r , P o l i z e i - R e i t e r - A b t e i l u n g e n , Polizei
K a m p f g r u p p e n , etc.) received the " S S " prefix to their title on February 24. 1943, in recognition of c o m b a t contributions in Russia. Tessin.
" U m b e n e n n u n g in SS-Polizei-Regimenter" in "Zur Geschichte der Ordungszpolizei 1939-1945." Teil II. page 31.

21
The Higher SS and Police Leaders or HSSPF and their subordinate SS and Police Leaders (SSPF) were
the most powerful (and feared) SS posts created by Himmler. In two cases an even higher post, Hchste SS
und Polizeifhrer (Supreme SS and Police Leader or HSSPF), were created for Italy and Central Russia.
Established on November 13, 1937, upon mobilization Germany's forces, the HSSPF post served as the
superior liaison and unifier of SS and Police commands under Himmler's direct authority. For those holding
the position within the Reich (area considered Germany itself) they were usually the head of the Allgemeine-
SS Main District (Oberabschnitt). After the Polish campaign HSSPF were also designated for occupied terri-
tories.
Their equivalent (and often nominal superior) in power for Germany proper representing the N S D A P
were the Party Gauleiter who headed their designated areas and were appointed personally by Hitler. In occu-
pied territories, the designated N S D A P senior official could be a Reichskommissar (normally either a Gauleiter
or a senior ranked officer of an N S D A P organization such as the SS, SA or NSKK) or, in the case of the
General Government of Poland, a designated Governor. 1 Co-operation between these two posts varied. Some
individuals in these two positions worked well together, such as Josef Terboven and Wilhelm Rediess in
Norway. Others, in particular Dr. Hans Frank and Friedrich-Wilhelm Krger in the General Government,
fought a constant battle for authority and associated power (in this case eventually Krger lost). The powers
and influence of the Gauleiter increased during the war when they became defense commissioners within the
Reich, though Himmler managed to counter the effects in many cases as some of the Gauleiter also held
senior SS rank. Within the area of a SSPF the senior Party official in occupied territory was a Generalkommissar,
also normally an otherwise senior ranked N S D A P designated official, often a former Gauleiter or Polizei
official. 2
In the case of the Reich, the HSSPF, with his dual position as Oberabschnitt commander, headed all
Allgemeine-SS units. In all cases, he also oversaw designated units and offices of the Ordnungspolizei, SD,
Sipo and other armed SS units such as the Totenkopfstandarten, though direct control was more limited than
in occupied areas.-1 These units included the Volksdeutsche composed Selbstschutz (Self Police) which ex-

1
See Karl H f f k e s , "Hitlers Politische Generale, Die Gauleiter des Dritten R e i c h e s " for capsule biographies of the m e n assigned as
Gauleiter to the eventual 4 3 G a u e . T h e only N S D A P rank above Gauleiter was Reichsleiter, most of w h o m had a ministerial position and
were the actual c o m m a n d g r o u p of the Third Reich under Hitler's direct control.
2
See "bersicht der Gliederung Verbrecherischer Nazi Organisationen," page 72 for a list of Russia's Generalkommissar. T h e area
under a G e n e r a l k o m m i s s a r was a Generalbezirk (district) which was broken down, at least in the case of "Weiruthenien," into Hauptbezirk
(sub-districts) controlled by H a u p t k o m m i s s a r w h o was most often a Kreisleiter ( N S D A P rank below Gauleiter).
3
See C o m m a n d and Administration chapter for a b r e a k d o w n of the offices and c o m p o n e n t s of the SD, Sipo and Ordnungspolizei
assigned to the Main District and/or H S S P F c o m m a n d s .

22
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

isted only in the early war years in occupied countries as well as auxiliary police units of occupied territory
personnel. This also included numerous armed Ordnungspolizei battalions and regiments. The senior com-
manders of each of these groups were on the staff of the HSSPF. All HSSPF could also utilize troops not
assigned to the front, both SS and Army, in emergency situations, especially in Russia where Kampfgruppen
were often formed for anti-partisan warfare. 4 The commands in the east often equaled the strength of a corps
in assigned troops between German and foreign volunteer units. T h o u g h the SD, O r d n u n g s p o l i z e i ,
Totenkopfverbnde and Sipo received orders from the respective main offices of which these groups were
components for administrative direction, the H S S P F could bypass those command channels under the guise
of an emergency situation and operationally control them directly or through administrative directives. The
HSSPF reported directly to and received their orders directly from Reichsfhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler whose
authority was absolute, at least in theory. Generally the Ordnungspolizei was more cooperative than the Sipo
and SD of the RSHA and its precursor command offices, though this resistance eased following the death of
Reinhard Heydrich in 1942. The Befehlshaber der Sipo und SD and the Befehlshaber der Ordnungspolizei
were the primary armed or legal force controllers on the staff of the HSSPF though Waffen-SS units could be
used if within the rear echelon command area of the HSSPF. The respective Main Offices (and the senior
commanders of these subordinate groups) generally handled the administrative duties while the HSSPF handled
operation tasks as determined by Himmler. The SSPF were created initially for occupied territories of Poland
and Russia due to geographical size of the areas to absorb some of the numerous duties assigned to the
HSSPF.
All HSSPF and SSPF were personally designated by Himmler and could be assigned special tasks di-
rectly by him along with their normal duties. These ranged from destroying the Warsaw ghetto (Jrgen Stroop
as SSPF "Warsaw") and suppression of armed rebellion (HSSPF "Slowakian") to anti-partisan operations (all
HSSPF in Russia) or implementing Himmler's political or economic goals in their respective areas. Gener-
ally, except in a temporary or substitute situation, the H S S P F was to be above the rank of SS-Brigadefhrer, so
as to have senior rank over the Ordnungspolizei and Sipo/SD commander, and in most cases held Polizei rank
as well. This is why, for example, Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein was HSSPF for "Sd" and "Main"
while the Oberabschnitt commander (SS-Brigadefhrer Dr. Benno Martin) held only that post until promoted
to a rank equal or superior to the Sipo and SD commanders with the Oberabschnitt.
Those HSSPF in the occupied territories were especially brutal while some within the Reich, such as
Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein and Dr. Benno Martin, retained a degree of humanity in fulfilling their
duties. Many chose suicide at the end of the war or were later tried and executed. 5

Der Hchste SS und Polizeifhrer "Italien" (Italy)


Created in September, 1943, this post combined control of the existing H S S P F "Oberitalien West" 6 and the
HSSPF "Adriatisches Kstenland" (Adriatic Coastland). 7 Headquartered in Rome, Verona and Bozen, on
February 1, 1944 the area of Tirol-Voralberg under the HSSPF "Alpenland" was added to its control. 8 Cen-
tered in Italy, it had the SSPF "Mitteitalien-Verona," "Oberitalien-Mitte," "Oberitalien-West" and "Bozen"
under its jurisdiction. With the division and partial collapse of Italy this became the center administrative post
in the Axis controlled area. Aside from German Ordnungspolizei units, the HSSPF had a dozen volunteer
battalions of Italian police troops commanded by German officers. 9 Wolff later officially surrendered the area
to the allies having been overall military commander since August 1, 1944.

Fhrer
September 23, 1943 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer Karl Wolff
4
T h e H S S P F cooperated with but did not actually control the Einsatzgruppen which were created by the R S H A f r o m its o w n
personnel and obtained their operational orders f r o m that c o m m a n d office. T h e y also were assisted (and often requested) by the A r m y but
were not under their control even when operating in their jurisdictional areas.
5
See bibliography for v o l u m e s to extract data on the actions of specific H S S P F in greater detail. For details of the senior officers
assigned to the H S S P F " O s t " see Mark C. Yerger. "Riding East, T h e SS Cavalry Brigade in Poland and Russia 1939-1942," chapter 2.
Separate v o l u m e s on the individual H S S P F or their c o m m a n d s have yet to be written.
6
Formed on February 18. 1943. its headquarters b e c a m e that of " D e r Hchster SS und Polizeifhrer Italien." Karl Wolff w a s
H S S P F "Oberitalien West" f r o m its creation until expansion of the post to H S S P F status.
7
As created its full title was " D e r Hchste SS und Polizeifhrer beim O b e r b e f e h l s h a b e r im Gebiet der Heeresgruppe B und
Oberbefehlshaber Sd."
" Erwin Rsener reported to Wolff f o r this area of his c o m m a n d only.
9
T h e G e r m a n Ordnungspolizei units, as well as troops of their allies, were in a constant state or numerical change, restructuring and
c o m b i n i n g with other units. See Tessin, pages 9 6 - 1 0 9 for a partial listing of the G e r m a n R e g i m e n t e r and Bataillone as well as the
S c h u t z m a n n s c h a f t Bataillone.

23
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Karl Wolff is second from the left in this 1941 photo taken in Russia. On the far left is Hermann Fegelein (then commander of the SS-
Kavallerie-Brigade) and on the far right is HSSPF Erich von dem Bach. Heinrich Himmler is speaking to Fegelein. Born in Darmstadt
on May 13, 1900, Wolff joined the Army in April, 1917, and ended the conflict as a Leutnant in the infantry having won both classes of the
Iron Cross. He served in the Freikorps during 1919 as a company commander then left the Army in May, 1920. After studying law and
political economics he worked as a bank clerk, then ran his own advertising agency until it dissolved in 1931. Joining the NSDAP and SS
on October 7, 1931, he first served with the 2./11./1 .SS-Standarte. On January 19, 1932, he took command of his Sturm until mid-
September, 1932, and was commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on February 18, 1932. From September 20, 1932, to mid-March, 1933, he
was adjutant of the IUI. SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfhrer on January 30, 1933. /4.v adjutant to Franz Ritter von
Epp (then Reich Commissioner for Bavaria) he served from mid-March to mid-June, 1933, and attended the first SS course at the Reich
Leader School during Februar)1, 1932. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on November 9, 1933, and to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on
January 30, 1934, he was Himmler's personal adjutant from March, 1934, to November, 1935. He then was upgraded to Himmler's chief
adjutant as well as being chief of Himmler's personal staff after that command was combined with the post of chief adjutant in November
1936. Holding this combined assignment until until June, 1939, he was also a member of the Reichstag from March, 1933 to May, 1945.
Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on April 20, 1934, to SS-Oberfhrer on July 4, 1934, to SS-Brigadefhrer on November 9, 1935 and to
SS-Gruppenfhrer on January 30, 1937, he was Chief of the Personal Staff Main Office from June, 1939 to May, 1945 but a designated
deputy commanded in his place after February, 1943. On May 3, 1940, he became a Generalleutnant der WaJfen-SS. Promoted to SS-
Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Waffen-SS on January 30, 1942, from August, 1939, to February, 1943, Wolff served as Himmler's
liaison officer in Hitler's headquarters and then became HSSPF "Oberitalien West. " When that post expanded he became the HSSPF
"Italien " in September, 1943. He was also military governor for northern Italy from February to October, 1943 and official representa-
tive for the Wehrmacht in Italy from August, 1944, to May, 1945. From February to May, 1945, he was titular commander of the
29.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (italienische Nr. 1) though actual command was undertaken by his chief of staff (and later his
deputy). Among his awards were the Gold Party Badge, the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class, both classes of the Iron Cross, the
Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, the War Service Cross with Swords 1st class, the Social Welfare Badge and finally the German Cross in
Gold awarded on December 9, 1944. A natural diplomat, he endured Himmler's abuse and acted as a buffer between his chief and the
numerous personalities around him though he himself made enemies including RSHA Chief Ernst Kaltenbrunner. He incured Himmler's
wrath when the latter refused to grant his divorce, Wolff then obtaining permission directly from Hitler. Wolff prevented implementation
of the scorched earth policy in Italy and later testified at the Nuremberg Trials. Arrested in 1962, he served a term in prison from 1964 to
1971 for transporting Italian Jews and died in Rosenheim on July 17, 1984. (National Archives)

24
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Der Hchste SS und Polizeifhrer "Ukraine" (Ukraine)


This second and final established supreme post controlled the HSSPF "Schwarzes Meer" (Black Sea) 1 " and
the H S S P F "Ruland-Sd." 1 1 It dissolved as its areas of control were abandoned during the retreat from
Russia and it had covered the largest control area of Russia. Under its jurisdiction were the SSPF "Wolhynien-
Lusk," SSPF "Charkow," SSPF "Kiew," SSPF "Nikolajew," SSPF "Rostow," SSPF "Dnjepropetrowsk," SSPF
"Shitomir," SSPF "Simferopol," SSPF "Stalino" and SSPF "Tschernigow." The command was headquartered
in Kiev. This command also included the SSPF given to the H S S P F "Ruland-Sd" that had been created for
the HSSPF "Kaukasien" (Caucasus) that did not appear. 12 Temporary Special Duties SSPF were attached to it
for anit-partisan duties (as they were throughout Russia). At its peak, the HSSPF "Ukraine" controlled the
largest contigent of Ordnungspolizei and Schutzmannschaft Bataillone in Russia. Following the situation
reversal in Russia, the units under Prtzmann's command were formed into an effective Kampfgruppe (Battle
Group). 13
Fhrer
October 29, 1943 14 to September 1944 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der
Waffen-SS Hans-Adolf Prtzmann

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Nordost" (Northeast)


Established on June 28, 1938, with headquarters in Knigsberg, this HSSPF encompassed Ostpreuen (East
Prussia) which was expanded in August, 1941. 15 The SSPF "Bialystok" was under its control area and this
HSSPF area also encompassed SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost."

Fhrer
June 28, 1938 to June 19, 1940 SS-Gruppenfhrer Wilhelm Rediess
June 21, 1940 to May 1, 1941 SS-Gruppenfhrer Jakob Sporrenburg
May 1, 1941 to May 8, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after November 9, 1941 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei,
after July 1, 1944 also General der
Waffen-SS Hans-Adolf Prtzmann
June 21, 1941 to December 1944 (substitute) 16 SS-Oberfhrer, after June 21, 1942
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei, after November 9, 1943
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant
der Polizei George Ebrecht 17

1,1
T h e H S S P F was retitled " S i e b e n b r g e n " on August 25, 1944, when it was moved to R o m a n i a on the opposite side of the Black
Sea. Richard Hildebrandt held the post during August-September. 1944, b e f o r e the post was abolished and he returned to the R u S H A t o
reassume his main office chief duties.
11
Its full title was " D e r Hchste SS und Polizeifhrer im Reichskommissariat Ukraine und Ruland S d . " Prtzmann was both
H S S P F " R u l a n d - S d " and Hhste SS und Polizeifhrer " U k r a i n e . "
12
See H S S P F " R u l a n d - S d . "
13
Several awards of the G e r m a n Cross in Gold were awarded to m e m b e r s of the K a m p f g r u p p e including S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r
Hans Schmitz (awarded July 2, 1944 as Ic or intelligence officer on the battle group staff).
14
Notified by H i m m l e r of the creation of the c o m m a n d and his appointment on October 6 and formally assigned as of October 22,
the date given is his actual arrival.
15
Created as " D e r Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer beim Oberprsidenten von Ostpreuen im Wehrkreis I," after February. 1944, the
revised titles emphasized m o r e the control of N S D A P over State. In this case " D e r Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer im Gau Ostpreuen und
im Wehrkreis I." T h e earlier titles showed areas by state or provinces with the latter designation s h o w i n g the technical subordination of
the H S S P F to the N S D A P with Gau being the term for geographical area in Party terminology (and a Gauleiter the senior N S D A P
official) rather than the State. In reality the H S S P F continued to ignore any chain of c o m m a n d aside f r o m orders received f r o m Himmler.
16
Substituted for Prtzmann (had been his standing deputy) when Prtzmann was assigned in Russia.
17
Born on July 24. 1895 in H a m b u r g , he served as a volunteer in W W I with a flight replacement detachment, several artillery units
and finally the 112.1nfanterie Division. He c o m m a n d e d a Freikorps unit in Bremen and traveled extensively in the Far East b e f o r e
b e c o m i n g a planter in A f r i c a f r o m 1926 to 1931. Returning to Germany, he served in the SA during 1931-1932. Joining the SS in April.
1935 as an S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r , he served on the staff of the R u S H A and b e c a m e Stabsfhrer in June, 1935, serving with this Main
O f f i c e until the end of 1936. He c o m m a n d e d 33.SS-Standarte f r o m January. 1937, until April. 1937. Returning as Stabsfhrer in the
R u S H A until July 1938, he was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on April 20, 1937, and to S S - O b e r f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937.
Transferred as Fhrer SS-Abschnitt X X X I I . he led the district f r o m July 1. 1938 to N o v e m b e r 14, 1938. Following a leave of absence he
c o m m a n d e d SS-Abschnitt XVIII f r o m January 1, 1939. to October 9, 1939. He next c o m m a n d e d the West Prussian Selbstschutz (Self
Police) f r o m October, 1939 to the end of March, 1940. From May, 1940, to December, 1941. he led SS-Abschnitt X X V I . Assigned as
deputy to Hans-Adolf Prtzmann, he substituted for him as H S S P F " N o r d o s t " and Fhrer SS-Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t , " as well as being

25
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

July 7, 1944' 8 to January 9, 1945 (substitute) SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der


Polizei Hans Haltermann 19
January 9, 1945 to May 8, 1945 (substitute) SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Otto Hellwig 2 "

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Ostsee" (Baltic Sea)


Based in Stettin, this command was originally established on August 28, 1938, as the HSSPF "Nord" and
changed its title to "Ostsee" on April 20, 1940 when a new area "Nord" was created in Norway. 21 In the area
of the Oberabschnitt of the same name (covering Wehrkreis II), it controlled elements in Pomerania, Mecklen-
burg and portions of Mark Brandenburg. The latter areas were removed from its jurisdiction in April 1944.

Fhrer
August 28, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 15, 1941
Generalleutnant der Polizei, after April 20,
1942 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und
General der Polizei, after April 1, 1944 also
General der Waffen-SS Emil Mazuw

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Spree'


Created on September 2, 1939, as the HSSPF "Ost" (East), this command's title was changed to "Spree" on
November 1, 1939, when a new "Ost" was established in occupied Poland. In the area of Wehrkreis III
(Oberabschnitt "Spree") it included Berlin and portions of Mark Brandenburg. In April, 1944, it absorbed the
remaining portions of Mark Brandenburg from the HSSPF "Ostsee" and lost Berlin. The H S S P F command
was headquartered in Berlin.

SS garrison c o m m a n d e r for Danzig and Z o p p o t f r o m December, 1941 to D e c e m b e r . 1944. He was ill beginning in July. 1944 and was
injured during a S e p t e m b e r 1, 1944 air raid on Knigsberg which forced him into reserve status for the rest of the war. Fluent in English
and Swahili, he had been an artist and painter in his early life and was married three times (one son and three daughters). A f t e r the w a r he
served in post war civil service in the G e r m a n Democratic Republic and died in Lindau. Lake Constance, on D e c e m b e r 21. 1977.
,s
Deputised for G e o r g e Ebrecht until his illness forced him into permanent retirement. Haltermann b e c a m e Prtitzmann's deputy on
D e c e m b e r 1, 1944 and officially replaced Ebrecht beginning that date.
19
Born in Berlin on April 20, 1898 the son of a bank official. He served in W W I f r o m August 1914 with artillery units and was
discharged in 1919. Working as an engineer after the war, he joined the Frontbann in June, 1925. He j o i n e d the N S D A P and SA on
S e p t e m b e r 25. 1926, first c o m m a n d i n g an SA Sturm in Stieglitz f r o m September, 1926 to 1927. Attached to S A Standarte II (Berlin-
Brandenburg) f r o m 1927 to 1929, he was c o m m i s s i o n e d an S A - S t u r m f h r e r in 1928. From 1929 to April, 1936. he served in serveral
senior SA c o m m a n d s as a Special Assignments Officer, primarily with SA Gruppen " B e r l i n - B r a n d e n b u r g " and " N o r d s e e . " On April 19,
1936. he left the SA and joined the SS as an SS-StandartenfUhrer, first serving with the staff of Abschnitt XIV until January, 1942.
Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on January 30, 1939, and to SS-BrigadefUhrer on April 20, 1940, he was recalled to the A r m y as a reserve
Leutnant and served with the senior armed forces c o m m a n d e r in Belgrade until June. 1941. where he was promoted to reserve Oberleutnant
in January. 1940. He then served with the similar Wehrmacht post in the Ukraine for t w o months until returning to the SS and Police, at
H i m m l e r ' s request, in August, 1941. As S S P F " K i e w " he served f r o m October, 1941, to May, 1943, and was m a d e a G e n e r a l m a j o r der
Polizei on January 30, 1942, as well as being promoted to S S - G r u p p e n f h r e r on January 30, 1943. From M a y to September. 1943, he was
S S P F " C h a r k o w " and then S S P F " M o g i l e w " f r o m September, 1943, until the post was abolished in July, 1944. From July, 1944, to
January, 1945 he headed a special staff f o r m e d to allocate materials and build defensive positions in the General G o v e r n m e n t of Poland
against the advancing Russians. During this time he also held his H S S P F substitute assignment, substituting for George Ebrecht w h o was
ill. After briefly serving in the SS Personalhauptamt during its m o v e to Setzen, he served f r o m mid-March, 1945. to May, 1945. with the
Police President of Bremen. He died in Paderborn, West Germany, on J u n e 17, 1981.
20
Born on February 24. 1898, in Nordhausen, he served in W W I with the Army. A s a police H a u p t m a n n he was borrowed f r o m
Prussia to head the State Police in Lippe in early 1934 and j o i n e d the SS on July 1. 1935, as an SS-Hauptsturmfhrer. From July, 1935, to
December, 1944. he served with the S D Hauptamt and later the R S H A . Hellwig c o m m a n d e d the leaders school for the Sipo and S D in
Berlin-Charlottenburg f r o m July. 1935, to March, 1941. During August, 1939, he c o m m a n d e d an Einsatzgruppe under U d o von Woyrsch.
From March, 1941, to October. 1942, he was Inspector of Sipo and S D units in Stettin and also headed the G e s t a p o area office in Stettin
during March to May, 1941. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on October 9, 1941, to SS-Oberfhrer on April 20, 1942, to SS-Brigadefhrer
und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei o n J a n u a r y 3 0 , 1943, he was S S P F " S h i t o m i r " f r o m October 1941 to May 1943 and then S S P F " B i a l y s t o k "
until mid-July, 1944. In July, 1942 he received the rank of Oberst der Polizei. He b e c a m e the third substitute Hans-Adolf Prtzmann
(actually replacing Ebrecht w h o was the substitute but ill) as temporary c o m m a n d e r of Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t " f r o m December, 1944.
to the end of the w a r and was also H S S P F " N o r d o s t " after January, 1945. O n D e c e m b e r 1. 1944, he b e c a m e an S S - G r u p p e n f h r e r und
Generalleutnant der W a f f e n - S S und Polizei and was awarded both classes of the War Service Cross 1st class with Swords, the Anti-
Partisan Badge in Bronze, the Gold Party Badge, the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Silver. He
died in H a n n o v e r on August 20, 1962. All permanent H S S P F were given W a f f e n - S S rank, in addition to that held in the Allgemeine-SS,
by H i m m l e r by late 1944 to afford them protection under the Hague Convention. That agreement applied to military but not police
officials, an agreement predominately ignored previously, and allowed them authority over prisoners of war.
21
W h e n first established its formal full title was " D e r Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer beim Reichsstatthalter in Mecklenburg und
beim Oberprsidenten von Brandenburg im Wehrkreis II."

26
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Hans-Adolf Prtzmann was born on August 31, 1901, in Tollkemit, East Prussia. He worked as a farmer and entered local politics,
serving as a senator for East Prussia. On August 12, 1930, he joined the SS and first served with SS Sturm 24. Commissioned as an SS-
Sturmfuhrer on November 10, 1930, he became adjutant of the 30.SS-Standarte in late March 1931 and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer
on August 3, 1931. In August, 1931, he moved to the 19.SS-Standarte as administrative officer then took command until early September,
1932 during which time he was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on January I, 1932. From late August, 1932, to mid-December, 1933,
he commanded the 18.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on June 26, 1933, and to SS-Brigadefhrer on November 9,
1933. He was a member of the Reichstag from April, 1938, until the end of the war and also led Abschnitt X from mid-July to mid-
November, 1933. Prtzmann took command of Oberabschnitt "Sdwest" in mid-November, 1933, and left that command at the end of
February, 1937, during which he was promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on February 28, 1934. He commanded Oberabschnitt "Nordwest"
(which became "Nordsee") and was HSSPF "Nordsee" from June, 1938, to May, 1941. He was then officially HSSPF "Nordost" and
commander of the area Oberabschnitt until the end of the war but was in Russia and his duties were undertaken by substitutes. In Russia
he ser\'ed as the HSSPF "Ruland-Nord" from June to November, 1941, and then changed posts with Friedrich Jeckeln and became the
HSSPF "Ruland-Sd" until mid-March, 1944. Becoming a Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 1, 1941, and promoted to SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei on November 9, 1941, from October, 1943, to September, 1944 he was the also the HSSPF
"Ukraine." In June, 1944, he became Himmler's liaison officer with the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Armed Forces High Command)
and for all of 1945 he also was Inspector of special guerrilla units ("Wehrwolf"). He became a General der Waffen-SS on July 1. 1944,
and during the final weeks of the war served with the Dnitz government as Himmler's representative. He was awarded the Gold Party
Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1941, the Iron Cross 1st class in 1943, both classes of the War Merit Cross with Swords and the
German Cross in Gold on June 16, 1944 for leading Kampfgruppe "Prtzmann" in Russia (composed of Ordnungspolizei and foreign
units under his command). His German Cross recommendation was personally submitted by Himmler. Prtzmann was cultured, creative,
a talented organizer, and was feared by subordinates. His command in Russia was also brutal and resulted in the deaths of more than
360,000 people from August to October, 1942 alone, more than the totals for several of the Einsatzgruppen in Russia. Captured by the
British, he committed suicide on May 21, 1945. (BDC)

27
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Jakob Sporrenburg was born the son of a gardener in Dsseldorf on September 16, 1902. He lost a brother killed and one seriously
wounded in WWI. While training as a mechanic in 1919 he joined the Freikorps and served for 1 l/2years. He joined the NSDAP in 1922
and was arrested by the French for sabotage activities in the Ruhr for which he was in jail from March, 1924, to August, 1925. After his
release he worked as a telephone installer in Dsseldorf. He joined the SA on August 25, 1925, and rejoined the NSDAP on December 15,
1925. As an SA-Truppfhrer he served with SA-Standarte 39 until late September, 1930. He also joined the Hitler Youth on August 1, 1929
and was the Hitler Youth leader for Dsseldorf for the remainder of 1929. On October 1, 1930, he joined the SS and was commissioned
as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on December 15, 1930. He then took command of SS Sturm 54 until being promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on
November 21, 1931. After commanding the l./20.SS-Standarte from November, 1931 to early July, 1932, he took command of the entire
Standarte until July, 1933, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on November 9, 1932. From September, 1933 to September, 1936.
he commanded Abschnitt XX and also commanded the SS garrison in Kiel (November, 1933 to September, 1936) as well as holding a seat
in the Reichstag from April / 938 until the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on November 9, 1933, and to SS-Ilrigadefiihrer on
January 30, 1936, during tha autumn of 1935 he sewed as a reserve Leutnant in the Army with Infanterie-Regiment 26. Reassigned to the
RSHA. from the start of 1937 to September, 1 939, he was Inspector of the Sipo and SDfor Knigsberg and was head ofSD Oberabschnitt
"Nordost. " From September, 1939, to July, 1940, he led Oberabschnitt "Rhein " (see " Rhein-Westmark ") and was HSSPF "Rhein "from
October, 1939, to July, 1940. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfuhrer on January 1, 1940, he led Oberabschnitt "Nordost" and was HSSPF
"Nordost" from mid-June 1940 to the start of May, 1941. After training with the Ordnungspolizei and the RSHA he was assigned as SSPF
" Weiruthenien " during July and August 1941 then became a special assignments officer to Gauleiter Erich Koch until mid-March 1943.
Given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei on July 7, 1943, he was next with the HSSPF "Ruland-Mitte" and the anti-partisan
command until mid-August 1943 when he became SSPF "Lublin" and held that posting until November 1944. In November, 1944 he was
attached to the staff of Oberabschnitt "Ost" then held a transitional staff posting for two weeks with Oberabschnitt "Nord. " At the end
of November, / 944 he took the newly created post of SSPF "Siid-Norwegen " and held that assignment until the end of the war. He was
awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1942, the Iron Cross 2nd class (June 20, 1941) and also the first class (November 30,
1944), both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords in 1943, The NSDAP Long Service Award in Gold on January 30, 1942, the
Gold Hitler Youth Honor Badge, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. His involvement with Einsatzgruppen
operations caused him to suffer from depression and have a breakdown in 1941. Despite this fact he was active in executions throughout
1943 and won high accolades from HSSPF Curt von Gottberg and Wilhelm Koppe. He was tried in Warsaw in 1950 and hanged there on
December 6, 1952. (Phi! Nix)

28
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Hans-Adolf Prtzmann (right) with Dr. Max Thomas (commander Einsatzgruppe "C"). (Phil Nix)

Fhrer
September 2 , 1 9 3 9 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer, after July 1, 1944
also General der Waffen-SS und Polizei
August Heissmeyer 22
February 20, 1943 to May 8, 1945 (substitute) SS-Brigadefhrer, after April 20, 1943
SS-Gruppenfhrer Max Schneller 23

Der Hrere SS und Polizeifhrer "Elbe"


The command area of the HSSPF "Elbe" (Wehrkreis IV) was created in June, 1938, and included Oberabschnitt
"Elbe." The area included Sachsen and portions of Halle-Merseburg, Thringen, Niederschlesien and the
Sudetenland. In April, 1944, the inclusive areas were Sachsen and Halle-Merseburg. HSSPF headquarters
was in Dresden.

Fhrer
June 28, 1938 to April 20, 1940 SS-Gruppenfhrer Theodor Berkelmann
April 20, 1940 to February 11, 1944 SS-Obergruppenfhrer, after April 15, 1941
also General der Polizei Udo von Woyrsch
February 11, 1944 to May 8, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Ludolf von
Alvensleben

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Sdwest" (Southwest)


The HSSPF "Sdwest" was headquartered in Stuttgart and had the SSPF "Elsass" subordinated to it.24 Formed
in early September, 1939, it was the operational area of SS-Oberabschnitt "Sdwest" (Wehrkreis V). It en-
compassed the areas of Baden and Wrttemberg and the civil administration of Elsass.

22
The only H S S P F not to ever command the Oberabschnitt of his area.
23
Born in Wiltauten, East Prussia on January 15, 1886, he joined the Imperial Navy in 1904 and served sea duty in Europe as well
as with the East Asia Squadron. He left the Navy in March, 1920, as a sub-Lieutenant and joined the N S D A P in October, 1930. On
February 7, 1931. he joined the SS and served first with the4.SS-Standarte. with II. and later the III.Sturmbann. Commissioned as an SS-
Sturmfiihreron June I, 1931, he then served as a staff officer in III.Sturmbann until February, 1934. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on
February 2, 1934. he was special duties officer and counselor for Abschnitt XX from that date until May 1934 and was also promoted to
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on March 28, 1934. From May, 1934, to April, 1941, he was formation and organizational advisor to the staff
of Oberabschnitt "Ost" (later "Spree") during which he was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on July 4, 1934, and to SS-Obertuhrer on
January 1, 1936. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on April 20, 1941. he led Oberabschnitt "Spree" from February, 1943, until the end of the
war. From December, 1942 on, he was also deputy Civil Defense Commissioner for Berlin under Josef Goebbels and from April, 1943,
to the end of the war he was also HSSPF "Spree." Goebbels assigned him to c o m b out men from the N S D A P and Government for service
in the Waffen-SS and was promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer by recommendation of Sepp Dietrich on April 20, 1943. Awarded the Gold
Party Badge on January 30, 1943, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords in 1944 as well as the Olympic G a m e s decoration
1 st class and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. Schneller died on May 25. 1948.
24
The full initial title of the H S S P F was "Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer Sdwest im Zivilverwaltungsbereich Elsa, in den
Gauen Baden, Wrttemberg-Hohenzollern und im Wehrkreis V."

29
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Theodor Berkelmann was born in Matinsbann near Metz on April 17, 1894, the son of a customs official. He joined the Army in October
1913 with a Jgerbataillon and was commissioned as a reserve Leutnant in the autumn of 1914. From 1914 to 1919, he served on three
fronts, finally as adjutant to an infantry regiment, and was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross as well as the Wound Badge in Black.
He left the Army in December 1919 after serving nine months with the Freikorps. From October, 1926, to October, 1930, he taught and
organized athletics then worked as a farm laborer in Canada for six months. Berkelmann joined the NSDAP in early May, 1929, and the
SS on March 1, 1931. He formed the 23.SS-Standarte in early March 1931 and stayed on to assist Udo von Woyrsch, who was given
actual command, until mid-June, 1931. Given the rank of SA-Standartenfhrer on June 15, 1931, he taught at the Reich Leaders School
in Munich from mid-June 1931, to the start of March, 1932. He gave up SA rank and became an SS-Standartenflirer on March 1, 1932
with seniority from June 15, 1931. From early March to the beginning of October, 1932, he was Himmler's adjutant and then became
Stabsfhrer of SS Gruppe "Nord" until the start of April, 1933. /4s commander of Abschnitt VI he served from mid-December, 1933, to the
start of April, 1936. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on January 30, 1934, and to SS-Brigadefhrer on September 9, 1934, he led Oberabschnitt
"Elbe" (previously titled "Mitte") from the beginning of April, 1936, to mid-April, 1940, as well as being HSSPF "Elbe" from late June,
1938, to mid-April, 1940. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on September 13, 1936, he also served in the Reichstag from April, 1936, to late
December, 1943. He led Oberabschnitt "West" from April to July, 1940, and was HSSPF "West" from mid-April to early July, 1940.
From July, 1940, he held three different titled HSSPF posts which eventually combined to form "Rhine-Westmark." In its final designa-
tion he held the post from May to November, 1943 and was promoted to Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 10, 1941. Promoted to SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei on January 30, 1942, his final post was as leader of Oberabschnitt "Warthe" (November to
late December, 1943) and HSSPF "Warthe" from September, 1943, until his death from a brain tumor in Posen on December 27, 1943.
Well educated, he spoke English and French and adhered to officially SS policy in all cases. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge and
both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. (Phil Nix)

Fhrer
September 6, 1939 to April 21, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after May 1, 1941 also
Generalleutnant der Polizei Kurt Kaul
April 21, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after June 21, 1943 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei,
after July 1, 1944 General der Waffen-SS
Otto Hofmann

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "West"


Created in the area of SS-Oberabschnitt West (Wehrkreis VI) this HSSPF was headquartered in Dsseldorf. It
included all or parts of Essen, Dsseldorf, Kln-Aachen, Westfalen-Nord, Westfalen-Sd and Wesrer-Ems.

Fhrer
June 11, 1938 to April 20, 1940 SS-Obergruppenfhrer Fritz Weitzel
April 20, 1940 to July 9, 1940 SS-Gruppenfhrer Theodor Berkelmann
July 12, 1940 to June 29, 1941 SS-Obergruppenfhrer, after April 1, 1941
also General der Polizei Friedrich Jeckeln

30
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

May 1. 1941 25 to May 8, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer, after November 9, 1942


SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after August 1, 1944
SS-Obergruppenfhrer und
General der Polizei Karl Gutenberger

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Sd" (South)


This H S S P F command was headquartered in Munich. It operated in Wehrkreis VII in the area of Mnchen-
Oberbayern and parts of Schwaben, Franken and Bayreuth. Its area was also SS-Oberabschnitt Sd. After
April. 1940, its territory encompassed all of Schwaben and Miinchen-Oberbayem (Munich-Upper Bavaria).

Fhrer
April 12, 1938 to April, 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer, after April 8, 1941
also General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944
General der Waffen-SS Friedrich Karl
Freiherr von Eberstein
February 1, 1945 to April, 1945 (substitute) SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Waffen-SS Anton Vogler
April, 1945 to May, 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Wilhelm Koppe

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Sdost" (Southeast)


This H S S P F was headquartered in Breslau (Wehrkreis VII/SS-Oberabschnitt "Sdost"). When the post was
originally created it encompassed Oberschlesien and portions of Niederschlesien and the Sudetenland. In
April 1944 the post's administrative area was all of Oberschlesien and Niederschlesien. From the end of 1944
it controlled the SSPF post in Kattowitz.

Fhrer
June 28, 1938 to May 20, 1941 SS-Gruppenfhrer Erich von dem Bach 26
May 20, 1941 to February 20, 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944 General der
Waffen-SS Heinrich Schmauser
February 20, 194527 to March 17, 1945 (temporary) SS-Brigadefhrer der Generalmajor der
Polizei Dr. Walter Bierkamp 28
March 17, 1945 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Richard Hildebrandt

25
Deputised to Jeckeln while he prepared for a c o m m a n d in Russia and was given the post permanently on June, 29. 1941.
26
N a m e d Erich von d e m Bach-Zelewski until N o v e m b e r 1940 when he legally had the end of his n a m e removed due to its Polish
appearance. Effective M a y 1, 1941 he was reassigned to H i m m l e r ' s staff to head Anti-Partisan operations but did not surrender the post
until his replacement arrived.
27
S c h m a u s e r was reported missing as of February 15, 1945 and B i e r k a m p was appointed as temporary Fhrer five days later.
Bierkamp got the appointment permanently on February 23, 1945.
28
Born in H a m b u r g on D e c e m b e r 17, 1901, the son of an industrial buyer. He studied law and passed his state e x a m s in 1928. He
served as a lawyer with the state court in H a m b u r g until 1937, as well as serving with the Freikorps f r o m 1919 to 1921. He led Kripo
headquarters in H a m b u r g f r o m February. 1937, to mid-February, 1941. On April 1. 1939, he joined the SS as a S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r and
served with the S D Hauptamt (later R S H A ) until S e p t e m b e r that year, during which he was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20,
1939. He remained listed as an officer in the expanded R S H A until the end of the w a r between various specific assignments and was
promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on D e c e m b e r 15, 1940. He was Inspector for the Sipo and SD in Dsseldorf f r o m February 15,
1941, to June 24, 1942. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on April 20, 1941, as chief of the Sipo and S D for Belgium and Northern France
f r o m September, 1941, to April, 1942, he was headquartered in Paris. Promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on M a y 1. 1942, and to Oberst der
Polizei on May 15th, after undergoing training in anti-partisan and anti-Jewish affairs he went to Russia and b e c a m e c o m m a n d e r of
Einsatzgruppe D in June, 1942, succeeding Otto Ohlendorf. Periodic reports written by this action g r o u p show it was responsible for the
deaths of over 9 0 . 0 0 0 people during its operations. T h e unit b e c a m e K a m p f g r u p p e " B i e r k a m p " in May, 1943 and B i e r k a m p led it,
consisting of the remnants of Einsatzgruppe D, until it was dissolved on June 15, 1943. F r o m mid-June, 1943, to mid-February, 1945, he
was senior c o m m a n d e r of the Sipo and S D in Krakau and was p r o m o t e d to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1944. Bierkamp was
deputy H S S P F " S d o s t " and then b e c a m e temporary H S S P F " S d o s t " when S c h m a u s e r was captured by the Russians, later officially and
permanently received the post. His final position was the senior c o m m a n d e r of the Sipo and S D " S o u t h w e s t " headquartered in Stuttgart
f r o m January to m i d - M a r c h 1945. He w a s killed in H a m b u r g on April 16, 1945.

31
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Fulda-Werra"


This H S S P F was the only man to hold the position as well as leading SS-Oberabschnitt Fulda Werra. Head-
quartered in Kassel, it operated in the areas of Kurhessen and portions of Thringen, Halle-Merseburg,
Sdhannover-Braunschweig, Hessen-Nassau, Mainfranken and Westfalen Sd (Southern Westfalia). It was
revised to include all of Thringen and Kurhessen in 1944. Headquarters for the H S S P F was the family
ancestral home of the commander.

Fhrer
October 6, 1938 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer , after April 8, 1941
also General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944
also General der Waffen-SS Josias Erbrinz
zu Waldeck-Pyrmont

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Nordsee" (North Sea)


Created as the H S S P F "Nordwest," it was retitled on April 20, 1940, when a new H S S P F "Nordwest" was
assigned to Holland. Covering Wehrkreis X (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordsee"), it encompassed Schleswig-Hol-
stein, Hamburg and portions of Osthannover, Weser-Ems and Sdhannover-Braunschweig. After April, 1944,
it took the complete areas for those it previously controlled only parts of. The HSSPF headquarters was in
Hamburg.

Fhrer
June 28, 1938 to May 1, 1941 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 9, 1941
also Generalleutnant der Polizei
Hans-Adolf Prtzmann
April 30, 1941 to January 30, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Rudolf Querner
February 16, 1943 29 to May 8, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei, after April 20, 1943 SS-
Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Georg Graf von Bassewitz-Behr

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Mitte" (Center)


Headquartered in Braunschweig, 3 0 the H S S P F operated in the area of Wehrkreis XI and included Gau
Magdeburg-Anhalt and portions of Sdhannover-Braunschweig, Osthannover and Westfalen. In April, 1944,
it controlled all of Magdeburg-Anhalt and Sdhannover-Braunschweig.

Fhrer
June 28, 1938 to July 11, 1940 SS-Obergruppenfhrer Friedrich Jeckeln
July 11, 1940 to September 15, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 10, 1941
also Generalleutnant der Polizei, after June 21,
1943 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei Gnther Pancke
July 8, 1943 to September 15, 1943 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer und Oberst der Polizei
Wilhelm Fuchs
September 15, 1943 to October 5, 1944 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after April 20, 1944 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei,
after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-
SS Hermann Hfle 31

M
Was temporary c o m m a n d e r until April 20, 1943, due to j u n i o r rank of B r i g a d e f h r e r being considered insufficient to be officially
and permanently assigned the post. U p o n promotion to G r u p p e n f h r e r he was given the post officially and with p e r m a n e n t versus
temporary status.
30
Its headquarters were m o v e d temporarily during November, 1944, to Bad Harzburg due to air raids.
31
Born in Augsburg on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1898, the son of a postal official. He fought in W W I with the infantry and later as an observer
with the Bavarian flying corps winning both classes of the Iron Cross as well as the Wound Badge in Gold. He served in the Freikorps and

32
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

August Heissmeyer was born in Gellersen on January 11, 1897, the son of a farmer. He joined the Army in August 1914 and became a
Leutnant in the reserves on August 6, 1916. After serving with the infantry until June, 1917, he became a divisional ordnance officer and
then commanded an assault company. He transferred to the Flying Corps in March, 1918, winning the Pilot Observers Badge, both
classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. After serving in the Freikorps and studying law, he joined the NSDAP on
January 30, 1925. He commanded the SA in Gttingen from 1925 to 1928 and then became deputy Gauleiter for Siid-Hannover-
Braunschweig from October, 1928, to 1930. Joining the SS in 1930, he commanded SS Sturm 55 until the start of April, 1931, and was
commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on March 31, 1931. During August/September 1931 he commanded the III./12.SS-Standarte and
then commanded the entire 12.SS-Standartefrom mid-November, 1931, until early November, 1932, during which he was promoted to SS-
Sturmbannfiihrer on August 25, 1931, to SS-Standartenfhrer on March 18, 1932 and to SS-Oberfiihrer on October 6, 1932. From early
October, 1932, to mid-November, 1933, he was the first commander of Abschnitt XVII and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on Novem-
ber 9, 1933. A member of the Reichstag from March, 1933 to the end of the war, he was the first commander of Oberabschnitt "Mitte "
from mid-November 1933 to the end of that year and then was the first to lead Oberabschnitt "Rhein" until mid-May, 1935, (see "Rhein-
Westmark"). Promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on February 28, 1934, he was Chief of the SS-Hauptamt from May 1935 to the start of
October, 1940, and also personally headed Amt I (Leadership Office) of the SS-Hauptamt from November 1935 to the end of January
1936, being promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer on November 9, 1936. From mid-November, 1939, to mid-August, 1940, he was the
Inspector of Concentration Camps and the SS-Totenkopfstandarten though he had little influence or interest in the posting. He was
HSSPF "Spree" from early September 1939 to the end of the war but a deputy performed his duties from April 1943. In April 1938 he
became head of the Reichsbund fr Kinderreiche (Reichs Association for Child Abundant Families) to help low income groups to have
large families and assist the the education of the children. In February, 1936, he became Inspector of the Adolf Hitler Schools and NPEA
and in mid-August, 1940, he became Chief of the Hauptamt Dienstelle Heissmeyer involving those schools until the end of the war.
During ApriJ 1945, he commanded Kampfgruppe "Heissmeyer" composed of Home Guard and Hitler Youth to defend Spandau airfield
in Berlin. During the war he became a General der Waffen-SS und Polizei on July 1, 1944, and was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both
classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class. After the war he was arrested by the French
in 1948 and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Released in 1949, he worked after the war as the director of a Coca-Cola plant in West
Germany and died in Schwabish Hall on January 16, 1979. (Phil Nix)

October 5, 1944 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der


Waffen-SS und Polizei Rudolf Querner

then left the Army as a Major d.R. in July, 1934. In August. 1934, he joined the N S K K (National Socialist Motor Corps) as an N S K K -
Standartenfhrer. He led the N S K K in Munich until January, 1937, during which he was promoted to NSKK-Oberfhrer on April 20,
1935, and to NSKK-Brigadefiihrer on January 30, 1936. For the first half of 1937 he headed the N S K K Leader School and then com-
manded NSKK Brigade "Ostmark" from June to September, 1937. He commanded N S K K Motorgruppe "Niederschlesien" f r o m Sep-
tember, 1939, to December. 1941, and then Motorgruppe "Oberschlesien" until July, 1943. Joining the SS on July 1, 1943 as a SS-
Gruppenfhrer, he commanded Oberabschnitt "Mitte" from mid-September, 1943, to early October, 1944, and was also H S S P F "Mitte"
from September, 1943, to October. 1944. On July 1, 1943. he was given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei. From September, 1944,
until the end of the war he was HSSPF for Slovakia, replacing Berger who had less military experience and was needed in Berlin (in the
final month Hfle's "Mitte" posts were probably handled by the s t a f f ) . On April 20, 1944, he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer
und General der Polizei and on July 1, 1944, became a General der Waffen-SS. He joined the SS at Himmler's request but remained more
loyal to his Army contacts and had been of friend of Ernst Rhm until R h m ' s death. He was awarded Blood Order number 1491 on
November 9, 1933, a bar to his W W I Iron Cross 1 st class and the Spanish Cross in Bronze. By late October, 1944, he and his units crushed
the uprising in Slovakia. He was hanged in Yugoslavia on December 9, 1947.

33
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Udo von Woyrsch was born in Schwanowitz on July 24, 1895. After some private schooling he joined the cadet corps, attending Berlin-
Lichterfelde as a cadet and then the advanced school there until August, 1914, when he was commissioned as a Leutnant. During WWI he
served as an ordnance officer, machine gun officer, cavalry squadron and staff officer with a cavalry brigade. In February, 1919, lie
moved to a border unit in Silesia and left the Army in October, 1920, as an Oberleutnant having won both classes of the Iron Cross. He
studied estate management and when his father died in May, 1923, took over running the family estate. Joining the NSDAP on October
1, 1929, and the SS on June 10, 1930, he led the SS in Silesia until the start of March, 1931, and was made an SS-Sturmbannfhrer on
November 13, 1930followed by promotion to SS-Standartenfiihrer on March 1, 1931. He served as Gau SS Fhrer for Silesia from early
June, 1930, to the start of March, 1931. With the rapid expansion of the SS he commanded the 16., 8., and 23.SS-Standarten simulta-
neously from March to September, 1931. He then commanded Abschnitt VIfrom September, 1931 to mid-March, 1932, and was promoted
to SS-Gruppenfhrer on March 15, 1932. From mid-March, 1932, to the end of 1934 he commanded SS-Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt)
"Sdost. " Serving on Himmler's staff from January 1935 to April 1940, he commanded an Einsatzgruppe in West Prussia during Septem-
ber to November, 1939 and was promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer on January I, 1935. From April, 1940, to February, 1944, he was
HSSPF "Elbe" and commander of that area Oberabschnitt. Given the rank of General der Polizei on April 15, 1941, he spent the rest of
the war assigned to Himmler's personal staff. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Sen'ice Cross with Swords
and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. Heavily involved in the June, 1934, purge of the S/t leadership, he was the first SS commander
given orders to make arrests. Ruthless, he pushed for and obtained the dismissal of his area Gauleiter (Hellmuth Bruckner) in October,
1934. His Action Group command was to deport persons to central Poland but he exceeded his orders and mass killings took place which
resulted in protests from the Army, forcing his return to Germany. He was the only HSSPF not given Waffen-SS rank until no longer a
HSSPF. His last post was taken from him when he lost a battle with the Gauleiter for his area (Martin Mutsclimann) after von Woyrsch
implied he was a coward. He was twice arrested, tried and sentenced after the war. While living in Swabia, he died on January 14, 1983.
(Phil Nix)

34
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Rhein-Westmark"


This HSSPF post was the result of combining two existing HSSPF and was headquartered in Wiesbaden. It
controlled the area of Wehrkreis XII and in its form when established on May 21, 1943, it controlled Moselland,
Westmark and portions of Hessen-Nassau and Baden as well as the administrative areas of Lothringen and
Luxemburg. In April, 1944, it lost the portions of Baden and gained all of Hessen-Nassau. Subordinated to it
was the SSPF "Metz." It developed from the following HSSPF which existed previously:
The H S S P F "Rhein" was established in April, 1939, headquartered in Wiesbaden, and covered the
Wehrkreis area of the eventual H S S P F "Rhein-Westmark." Its final Fhrer before becoming part of the area
supervised by the HSSPF "Rhein-Westmark" was also HSSPF for the area combined to form "Rhein-Westmark."
The HSSPF "Saar-Lothringen" was headquartered in Metz when established in July, 1940, to cover
Lorraine. It was retitled "Lothringen-Saarpfalz" in October, 1940. The H S S P F headquarters moved to
Saarbrcken in February, 1941. when it was retitled again, this time to the H S S P F "Westmark." Combined
with the jurisdiction of the HSSPF "Rhein," the post became the H S S P F "Rhein-Westmark."

Fhrer
(HSSPF "Rhein")
April 1, 1939 to October 1, 1939 SS-Gruppenfhrer Richard Hildebrandt
October 1, 1939 to July 24, 1940 SS-Brigadefhrer, after January 1, 1940
SS-Gruppenfhrer Jakob Sporrenburg
July 24, 1940 to November 11, 1941 SS-Brigadefhrer, after April 15, 1941
also Generalmajor der Polizei, after
November 9, 1941 SS-Gruppenfhrer und
Generalleutnant der Polizei Erwin Rsener
December 10, 1941 to May 21, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after January 30, 1942 SS-
Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Polizei
Theodor Berkelmann

(HSSPF "Saar-Lothringen," "Lothringen-Saarpfalz," "Westmark")


July 19, 1940 to May 21, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 10, 1941
Generalleutnant der Polizei, January 30,
1942 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei Theodor Berkelmann

(HSSPF "Rhein-Westmark")
May 21, 1943 to November 11, 1943 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei Theodor Berkelmann
November 11, 1943 to May 8, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General-
leutnant derWaffen-SS Jrgen Stroop 32

32
Born on S e p t e m b e r 26, 1895 as Josef Stroop in Detmold, the son of a police official (he changed his n a m e in May 1941 to honor
his dead son). He was w o u n d e d serving in the infantry during W W I and w o n the Iron Cross 2nd class as well as the Wound Badge in
Black. Between the wars he worked with the Land Registry until 1933 in Detmold, joining the N S D A P in July, 1932, and the SS in
Detmold on July 7, 1932. From July to October, 1932, he served with the 3./IV./19.SS-Standarte and then led his Sturm f r o m October
1932 to January, 1933, being p r o m o t e d to S S - S c h a r f h r e r on October 22, 1932. As c o m m a n d e r of the II./72.SS-Standarte he led f r o m
January, 1933 to May, 1934, and was p r o m o t e d to S S - T r u p p f h r e r on February 15, 1933 then c o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on
March 8, 1934. From May, 1934. to June. 1935, he was Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt XVII and was p r o m o t e d to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April
20, 1935. He led the 28.SS-Standarte f r o m June, 1935, to November, 1938. during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r
o n A p r i l 2 0 , 1936 and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937. Between 1936 and 1938 he attended courses in c o m m a n d function,
political education and administration at the SS Main Riding School in M u n i c h , a Berlin course with the R u S H A , and a leaders class at
Dachau. He c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X X V I I I f r o m November, 1938, to March. 1940. and also led the Self Police in Posen in S e p t e m b e r /
October 1939. Promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r o n S e p t e m b e r 10, 1939, he l e d A b s c h n i t t X X X X I I f r o m March, 1940, to N o v e m b e r , 1942. He
saw c o m b a t as a c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r with SS-Infanterie-Regiment 3 ( " T o t e n k o p f ' Division) during July to S e p t e m b e r 1941 and then
spent a month as a reserve officer in the replacement battalion of the "Leibstandarte." C o m m i s s i o n e d an Oberst der Polizei on January 1,
1942, he was assigned to the H S S P F " R u l a n d - S d " and charged with the security of the main road connecting L e m b e r g . Poland with
Stalino in Southern Russia as Inspector of the Sipo and S D f r o m December, 1941, to October, 1942. From October to N o v e m b e r , 1942,
he was posted to S S P F training in Russia. A f t e r briefly c o m m a n d i n g the SS garrisons in Kiviograd and Kherson, he was recalled to head
a Vienna based staff in December. 1942, preparing to supervise SS and Police actions. He attended a R S H A ten week course for senior SS
and Police leaders. He b e c a m e S S P F " L e m b e r g " f r o m February to April, 1943. and then b e c a m e S S P F " W a r s a w " until J u n e 1943. He w a s

35
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Main"


The HSSPF post was formed on March 12, 1938, and was seated in Nuremberg. Covering Wehrkreis XIII,
"Main." It encompassed portions of Mainfranken, Franken, Bayreuth, Wiirttemberg-Hohenzollern, Baden,
Schwaben. Thringen and the Sudetenland. In April, 1944, it covered all of Mainfranken, Franken and Bayreuth.

Fhrer
March 12, 1938 to December 17, 1942 SS-Obergruppenfhrer, after April 8, 1941
also General der Polizei, Friedrich Karl
Freiherr von Eberstein 33
December 17, 1942 to May 8, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei, after April 20, 1944
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant
der Polizei, after July 1, 1944,
also General der Waffen-SS, after August 1,
1944 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Dr. Benno Martin 34

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Donau"


This HSSPF covered the area of Austria (Wehrkreis XVII) and was headquartered in Vienna. It encompassed
Gaue Wien (Vienna), Niederdonau and Oberdonau.

Fhrer
September 11, 1938 to January 31, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer, after September 11,
1938 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April
1, 1941 also Generalleutnant der Polizei
Dr. Ernst Kaltenbrunner
January 31, 1943 to October 5, 1944 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after June 21, 1943 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei,
after July 1, 1944 also General der
Waffen-SS Rudolf Querner

primarily responsible for the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto ordered by H i m m l e r and planned by von S a m m e r n - F r a n k e n e g g . Stroop
took over the operation on April 19. 1943. because von S a m m e r n was too slow with results and left Poland in September. In the Ghetto
action he c o m m a n d e d a variety of SS and Police units, including SS cavalry and Polish police elements. H e b e c a m e the H S S P F for
Greece f r o m S e p t e m b e r to October, 1943, then went on leave, having been p r o m o t e d to S S - G r u p p e n f h r e r und Generalleutnant der
Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943. From N o v e m b e r , 1943, to May, 1945, he was H S S P F " R h e i n - W e s t m a r k " and c o m m a n d e d Oberabschnitt
" R h e i n - W e s t m a r k . " He b e c a m e a W a f f e n - S S Generalleutnant on July I. 1944, and was awarded the Iron Cross 1st class on J u n e 18, 1944,
and a clasp to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd class in September, 1941. He also was awarded the Infantry Assault Badge in S e p t e m b e r 1941. the
War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords, the R e i c h ' s Sports B a d g e in Gold and in D e c e m b e r 1942 the Gau Wartheland Honor Badge.
Arrested in May, 1945, he w a s found guilty and sentenced to death by a U.S. court for killing Allied airmen. Extradited to Poland, he was
tried for his actions in Warsaw and hanged at the f o r m e r site of the Warsaw Ghetto on March 6, 1952.
33
He held the post concurrently with that of H S S P F " S d " though Martin actually p e r f o r m e d the duties during Eberstein's tenure as
senior SS officer in N u r e m b e r g despite his rank being initially too j u n i o r to have the c o m m a n d independently.
34
Born in Kaiserslautern on February 12, 1893, the son of a lawyer. A f t e r studying law at the University of Munich, he joined the
A r m y in May, 1914, and served with a Bavarian artillery regiment. Promoted to Leutnant in March, 1915, he ended W W I as a regimental
adjutant having won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound B a d g e in Silver. During April and May. 1919, he served with the
Freikorps, j o i n i n g the Schutzpolizei the f o l l o w i n g year as a Leutnant. Continuing his education, he received a doctorate in law and
education, later writing a book that b e c a m e a teaching aid for the Polizei. He left the Landespolizei as an Oberleutnant and served as a
lawyer with the Police Director of N u r e m b e r g . Joining the N S D A P on M a y 1. 1933, he later joined the SS as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on April
10, 1934, and was assigned to the 3.SS-Standarte. F r o m March, 1934, to October, 1936, he was Police Director for N u r e m b e r g and then
Police President for the s a m e city until December. 1942. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on September 9, 1934. to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r
on April 20, 1935, and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 15, 1936, he served as Special Duties O f f i c e r of the 3.SS-Standarte until
April 1936. A f t e r a month with the staff of Abschnitt IX, he transferred to the S S - H a u p t a m t until early December, 1938. Martim then
moved to the S D - H a u p t a m t (later R S H A ) until May, 1941, and was Senior C o m m a n d e r of the Sipo and S D in N u r e m b e r g f r o m October.
1936, to mid-December, 1942. Promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937, to S S - O b e r f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1938. and to
S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on April 20, 1941, he served as head of Oberabschnitt " M a i n " f r o m early May, 1941, to the end of the war. Given the
rank of G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on January 30, 1942, and promoted to S S - G r u p p e n f h r e r und Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 20,
1942, he also served as H S S P F " M a i n " f r o m mid-December, 1942, to the end of the war. Promoted to S S - O b e r g r u p p e n f h r e r August 1,
1944. he had been a General der W a f f e n - S S und Polizei since July 1, 1944. Awarded clasps to both his W W I Iron Crosses, he finally held
both senior posts after attaining sufficient rank. A m o n g the m o r e civil acting HSSPF, he was held by the Allies until 1949 and died in
1979.

36
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Emil Mazuw was born in Essen on September 21, 1900, the son of a cloth worker. After formal schooling he trained as a machinist and
mechanic. He joined the technical branch of the Imperial Navy in early April 1918 and was serving on the cruiser "Dresden " at the end
of the war. Mazuw stayed in the Navy until June 1921, after WWI serving on torpedo boats. He worked as a machinist and locksmith,
joining the NSDAP on April 1, 1928. He also served in the SA from 1928 to 1930. Joining the SS on June 7, 1930, he was commissioned
as an SS-Sturmfhrer on November 18, 1930, and from that date to early February 1932 led SS Sturm 63 in Coburg. Promoted to SS-
SturmhauptfUhrer on February 4, 1932, he next commanded the I./41 .SS-Stcmdarte until early September, 1932, and was promoted to SS-
SturmbannfUhrer on April 11, 1932. He then led the 41 .SS-Standarle as its first commander until mid-November, 1933, and was promoted
to SS-Standartenfhrer on January 30, 1933. the first commander of Abschnitt XXVIII he led from late November 1933 to the begin-
ning of September, 1934, followed by command of Abschnitt XIII until the start of April, 1936, being promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on
March 20, 1934. From the start of April, 1936, to the end of the war he was the only leader of Oberabschnitt "Nord" (in April 1940
retitled "Ostsee") and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on January 30, 1936, and to SS-Gruppenflirer on September 13, 1936. He
was also HSSPF for the area from August, 1938, to the end of the war. Commissioned as an Army Leutnant d.R. on April 12, 1937, he
trained with Infanterie-Regiment 25 during during several months in 1936/1937and also served early in the war as an SS-Hauptsturmfhrer
d.R. with the "Leibstandarte. " He held a seat in the Reichstag from May, 1936, to May, 1945 and was given the rank of Generalleutnant
der Polizei on April 15, 1941. On April 20, 1942, he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei and on July 1, 1944
became a General der Waffen-SS. Awarded the SA Sports Badge in Gold, the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, the Gold Party Badge, both
classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1940. He was given a term in prison after the war for his
actions in Pomerania and died on December 11, 1987. (Jess Lukens)

October 5, 1944 to May 8, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der


Waffen-SS und Polizei Walter Schimana

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Alpenland" (Alpine)


Headquartered in Salzburg, this position encompassed Wehrkreis XVIII (SS-Oberabschnitt "Alpenland") and
subordinated to it was the SS und Polizeifhrer "Salzburg." It covered Gaue Salzburg, Krnten, Steiermark
and Tirol-Vorarlberg. The latter Gau was transferred to the Hchster SS und Polizeifhrer "Italien" in 1943
but remained directly under the HSSPF "Alpenland."

37
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

A pre-1941 occasion shows SS leaders in full dress uniform, all of whom already held General rank with many later heading Oberabschnitte
or becoming HSSPF. From left to right are Fritz Weitzel, Erich von dem Bach, Wilhelm Rediess, Joachim von Ribbentrop (Foreign
Minister and an Ehrenfhrer or honorary SS General), Paul Moder, Friedrich-Wilhelm Krger and August Heissmeyer. Note the sleeve
insignia indicating Abschnitt (Roman numeral) or Oberabsclmitt (title). (National Archives)

Fhrer
April 25, 1939 to April 30, 1941 SS-Brigadefhrer Alfred Rodenbcher
April 30, 1941 to November 24, 1941 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Dr. Gustav-Adolf Scheel 35
November 24, 1941 to May 8, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944 General der
Waffen-SS, after August 1, 1944 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Waffen-
SS und Polizei Erwin Rsener
May 1, 1944 to May 28, 1944 36 (temporary) SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Erwin Schulz 37 and Oberst der Polizei
Walter Griep

35
Born in Rosenberg on November 22, 1907, the son of a priest. He passed his state medical exams and received a doctorate in
medicine in 1934. On October 1, 1930 he joined the N S D A P and became N S D A P student leader at Heidelberg University from 1930 to
November 1935 a s w e l l a s j o i n i n g t h e S A i n 1933. He was Gau student leader for Baden in 1934 and became an honorary senator. In 1934
he joined the SD and trained in security matters in Berlin, joining the SS as an SS-Untersturmfhrer on September 15, 1934, with the SD.
After serving in the SD Hauptamt he was head of SD Oberabschnitt "Sdwest" from 1935 to 1939, during which he was promoted to SS-
Obersturmfhrer on April 20, 1935, to SS-Hauptsturmfhrer on January 30, 1936, to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on April 20, 1936, to SS-
Obersturmbannfhrer on November 9. 1936 and to SS-Standartenfhrer on January 30, 1937. From 1937 to June. 1939 he was Inspector
of the Sipo and SD for Stuttgart and was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on April 20, 1938. He was Inspector of the Sipo and SD in Munich
from October, 1939, to May, 1941 and was senior commander of the Sipo and SD in Straburg from July, 1940, until removed from the
post in August 1941 following differences with Reinhard Heydrich. From late April. 1940. to mid-November. 1941. he was H S S P F
"Alpenland" and Fhrer of Oberabschnitt "Alpenland." Promoted to SS-Brigadefuhrer on April 20, 1941 and to SS-Gruppenfhrer und
Generalleutnant der Polizei on June 21, 1942. Appointed Reich University Lecturers Leader by Rudolf Hess, he held that post from
November, 1936, to May, 1945, and had a seat in the Reichstag from 1938 to May. 1945. In mid-November, 1941, he left the SD and then
became N S D A P Gauleiter for Salzburg until the end of the war. In Hitler's last testament he was made Minister for Culture, having been
Reich University Lecturers Leader since late June, 1944. He attempted to prevent offenses against religious beliefs or the church as well
as being against the death penalty for opposition political activity. Having been heavily involved with numerous aspects of the N S D A P
relating to students, he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei on August 1, 1944, and died in Hamburg on
March 25, 1979 after practicing medicine in the post war years until 1977. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge and both classes of the
War Service Cross with Swords.
36
Rsener was on leave and his position taken over by the Befehlshaber der Sipo und SD and the Befehlshaber der Orpo jointly.
37
Schulz controlled Sipo and SD duties during the period while Walter Griep (The senior Ordnungspolizei commander) took over
the Ordnungspolizei in the area during that time, making them actually dual substitutes.

38
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

November 1944 to May 1945 38 (substitute) SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der


Polizei Hermann Harm 39

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Bhmen und Mhren" (Bohemia and Moravia)
Covering Czechoslovakia except the Sudetenland, this post was created in September, 1939, as the " H S S P F
beim Protektorat fr Bhmen und Mhren" and had its title shortened in mid-February, 1944. It was headquar-
tered in Prague. Frank also became the German State Minister in August, 1943.

Fhrer
April 28, 1939 to April 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer, after November 9, 1939,
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after June 21, 1943
SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Karl-Hermann Frank
April 1945 to May 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Waffen-SS und Polizei
Richard Hildebrandt

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Weichsel"


This post was created on September 21, 1939, as the H S S P F "Danzig-Westpreussen" (Danzig-West Prussia)
covering Wehrkreis XX. Its title changed on November 9, 1939. Headquartered in Danzig, it encompassed
Danzig-West Prussia (Oberabschnitt "Weichsel").

Fhrer
September 21, 1939 to April 20, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after January 30, 1942
SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei Richard Hildebrandt
February 9, 1942 to March 9, 1942 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer und Oberst der Polizei
Hellmuth Willich
April 20, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944, Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Fritz Katzmann 4 "
38
Rsener was on leave starting in April and then b e c a m e ill in September. He returned to duty in October but Harm continued as
administrative head while Rsener controlled anti-partisan activities.
3
' Born on S e p t e m b e r 30, 1894, in Halle an der Saale, the son of a railway inspector. He studied electronics until July, 1914, and
joined the A r m y the following month. In W W I he served with the artillery and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant in the reserves in
September, 1915. He left the A r m y in 1919 having won both classes of the Iron Cross and took training in agriculture before running an
estate. Joining the N S D A P on February 1, 1930, and the S A on August 1, 1930, he was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S A - S t u r m f h r e r o n June 15,
1932. Transferring to the SS in m i d - D e c e m b e r 1931, he was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r o n February 1, 1932. From February to
December, 1932, he led the II./40.SS-Standarte and was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n t u h r e r on D e c e m b e r 24, 1932. He then c o m m a n d e d
the 4.SS-Standarte f r o m December. 1932, to June, 1933. As Stabsfhrer of G r u p p e (later Oberabschnitt) " N o r d " he was posted f r o m
March to D e c e m b e r 1933 (see "Ostsee"). Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on J u n e 23, 1933, and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on N o -
v e m b e r 30, 1933, he led Abschnitt XIV f r o m December, 1933, to March, 1935. He then served as Stabsfhrer in the R u S H A until the start
of April 1937 and was promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on April 20, 1934, then to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936. From April. 1937,
to June. 1938. he was deputy chief of Paul S c h a r f e ' s Gerichtsamt (Court O f f i c e ) within H i m m l e r ' s staff. In May, 1939, he also b e c a m e
Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt " N o r d " (later titled " O s t s e e " ) until July, 1942. Transferring to police duties, he was Special Duties S S P F
under the H S S P F " R u l a n d - S d " during July, 1942, then b e c a m e S S P F " D n j e p r o p e t r o w s k " f r o m August to October, 1942. A f t e r again
serving as a Special Duties SSPF, he was S S P F " L i t h a u e n " f r o m July, 1943, to April, 1944. He was then assigned to the H S S P F
" U k r a i n e " until N o v e m b e r 1944. From N o v e m b e r 1944 to the end of the war he served as standing deputy head of Oberabschnitt
" A l p e n l a n d " and p e r f o r m e d the administrative duties of the H S S P F " A l p e n l a n d . " Harm was a w a r d e d the War Service Cross with S w o r d s
1 st class on January 30. 1943, the War Service Cross 2nd class on April 20, 1942, a clasp to his W W I Iron Crosses and the N S D A P L o n g
Service Award in Silver. Married with one daughter, he died in Hartenholm on N o v e m b e r 28, 1985.
40
Born in Westphalia on M a y 6, 1906, the sixth son of a coal miner. He worked as a carpenter and decorator f r o m 1920-1924 and
was then unemployed until July 1933. He joined the S A in December, 1927, and left as an S A - S c h a r f h r e r on July 1, 1930, when he
j o i n e d the SS. He served with SS Sturm 99 in Duisburg c o m p o s e d of miners until January. 1931. and was promoted to S c h a r f h r e r on
D e c e m b e r 5, 1930 and to S S - T r u p p f h r e r on January 23, 1931. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on A u g u s t 20, 1931, he led the
5.Sturm/II.Sturmbann of the 25.SS-Standarte until December. 1932, when he took c o m m a n d of the II.Sturmbann until January 1934.
Promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r on D e c e m b e r 1, 1932, to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1933 and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on
January 30, 1934. he was special duties o f f i c e r of Oberabschnitt "West" f r o m January to April. 1934. He c o m m a n d e d the 75.SS-Standarte
f r o m April. 1934, to March, 1938. and then led Abschnitt VI until January, 1942, during which he was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r
on August 1 7 , 1 9 3 4 and to S S - O b e r f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1938. He was attached to A r m e e k o m m a n d o 14 during the Polish c a m p a i g n as
SS representative to the senior c o m m a n d e r of Ordnungspolizei units. Staying in Poland after the campaign, he was S S P F " R a d o m " f r o m
November. 1939, to April, 1942, then S S P F " L e m b e r g " until April, 1943. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on June 21. 1943, to G e n e r a l m a j o r

39
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Warthe"


Covering Wehrkreis XXI and headquarted in Posen, this HSSPF oversaw the new area of Gau "Wartheland."
This HSSPF was also the Fhrer of SS-Oberabschnitt "Warthe."

Fhrer
October 9, 1939 to November 9, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 20, 1941 also
Generalleutnant der Polizei, after January
20, 1942 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei Wilhelm Koppe
September 11, 194341 to December 27, 1943 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei Theodor Berkelmann
January 29, 194442 to December 30, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Waffen-SS und Polizei, after July 1, 1944
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Heinz Reinefarth 43
August 1944 to December 30, 1944 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Gehrhardt
December 30, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Willy Schmeicher 4 4
der Polizei on S e p t e m b e r 26, 1941 and to S S - G r u p p e n f h r e r und Generalleutnant der Polizei on January 30. 1943, he b e c a m e Fhrer of
Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" and H S S P F " W e i c h s e l " f r o m April, 1943, until May, 1945. T h o u g h considered young for a S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r
promotion, he received the promotion by virtue of his actions in Poland where he was particularly brutal against the J e w s in Galicia. He
was also promoted to W a f f e n - S S Generalleutnant on July 1, 1944. He wanted an H S S P F post and promotion but got only the former. He
was a w a r d e d the Gold Party Badge on April 15, 1940, the N S D A P L o n g Service Awards in Bronze and Silver, both classes of the War
Service Cross as well as the Olympic G a m e s decoration 2nd class. A f t e r the war he returned to his h o m e town and died on S e p t e m b e r 19,
1957.
41
During the first months of his appointment was also H S S P F " R h e i n - W e s t m a r k . "
42
Reinefarth took over f r o m Berkelmann w h o died on D e c e m b e r 27, 1943, f r o m a brain tumor. He had been in Poland training as
a H S S P F under Wilhelm Koppe ( H S S P F "Ost"). T h e Stabsfhrer would have taken the duties during the brief transition period.
43
Born on D e c e m b e r 26, 1903. in Gnesen, West Prussia, he studied law at the University of Jena and b e c a m e a lawyer. A f t e r serving
in a Freikorps he joined the N S D A P on August 1, 1932, and the SA one month later. Joining the SS in December, 1932, he was c o m m i s -
sioned as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r on April 20, 1934, and served f r o m that date until April, 1937, with Abschnitt XII. Promoted to SS-
O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 15, 1935, and to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on April 20, 1937, he then held a staff post with Abschnitt XII until
January 1942. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1939, to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1940, to SS-Standartenfhrer
on April 20, 1941, to S S - O b e r f h r e r on January 30, 1942 and to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on April 20, 1942, he served as H S S P F " W a r t h e " f r o m
late January, 1944, to late D e c e m b e r that year and also led Oberabschnitt " W a r t h e " f r o m December, 1943, to December. 1944. Before the
w a r he trained with the A r m y and served in combat with Infanterie-Regiment 337 as a platoon leader f r o m 1939 to 1942. leaving the
A r m y as a Leutnant in the reserves and transferred to the Polizei as a G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on April 20. 1942. From June, 1942, to
June, 1943, he w a s General Inspector of the civil administration in Czechoslovakia. He served in the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei as an
office group head and then trained for H S S P F duties during December, 1943/January, 1944. He replaced the deceased T h e o d o r Berkelmann
in both the H S S P F and Oberabschnitt " W a r t h e " posts but m o v e d to W a f f e n - S S duties and those tasks were taken by substitutes. Promoted
to S S - G r u p p e n f h r e r und Generalleutnant der W a f f e n - S S und Polizei on August 1, 1944. he lead a Battie G r o u p under Erich von d e m
B a c h ' s corps c o m m a n d f r o m August to November, 1944, then led the X V I I I . S S - A r m e e k o r p s f r o m December. 1944, to early February,
1945. He also c o m m a n d e d the fortress Krstin-an-der-Oder during January to March 1945. In March, 1945, he led the short lived
XIV.SS-Armeekorps. He was awarded the Knight's Cross as an A r m y N C O on J u n e 25. 1940 while with the 208.Infanterie-Division and
the Oakleaves on October 4, 1944 for the d e f e n s e against the H o m e A r m y in Warsaw. In addition he won both classes of the Iron Cross
and the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords. T h o u g h lacking the formal training to be an effective corps leader, he w a s praised for
his leadership by A r m y c o m m a n d e r s and was undoubtedly brave having won the Knight's Cross as an N C O in combat. A f t e r the war he
served for a period as mayor of Westland-Sylt and died there on M a y 7. 1979.
44
Born on October 25. 1894. as the son of a glass worker. He j o i n e d the A r m y in August 1914 and served with combat engineer
units. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant of the reserves in July 1917, he then transferred to a land mine unit. Captured by the British in 1918,
he won the Iron Cross 2nd class on January 21, 1916. the Iron Cross 1st class on March 5, 1918, and the Wound Badge in Silver. A f t e r
W W I he continued his studies in Stuttgart then worked as a construction engineer. He j o i n e d the N S D A P and SA on J u n e 2 1 . 1 9 2 8 , and
initially served as Gau SA leader for Baden until August, 1930. A m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m December. 1933, to the end of the war,
he left the S A as an S A - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on August 1. 1930, having joined the SS on J u n e 17. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on
January 30. 1931, he led the 4./II./10.SS-Standarte f r o m January, 1931, to September, 1932. Promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r on Sep-
t e m b e r 9, 1932, and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r the next day, he led the lO.SS-Standarte f r o m September. 1932, to July, 1935. Promoted to
S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on April 20, 1933, and to S S - O b e r f h r e r o n S e p t e m b e r 15, 1935, he served as Special Duties O f f i c e r on the staff of
Abschnitt X X I X f r o m July. 1935. to April, 1936. He then held staff posts with Oberabschnitt " S d w e s t " (April 1936 to January 1937) and
" R h e i n " (January. 1937 to December, 1938). During the Western campaign of 1940, he served with the A r m y as a Leutnant d.R. with
Infanterieregiment 70. Promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on S e p t e m b e r 16, 1942, and to S S - G r u p p e n f h r e r
und Generalleutnant der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943, he served with the S D H a u p t a m t (later R S H A ) f r o m December, 1938, to May,
1944. He then served on H i m m l e r ' s staff until late December, 1944, w h e n he took leadership of Oberabschnitt " W a r t h e " and b e c a m e
H S S P F "Warthe"until the end of the war. From M a r c h . 1935, to October, 1942, he was Police President of Saarbrcken and f r o m D e c e m -
ber. 1942 to October. 1943, was Police President for Metz. In 1940-1941 he headed the civil administration within the area of Armeeober-
k o m m a n d o I. Posted to police duties in N o v e m b e r 1941. he served as S S P F " T s c h e r n i g o w " f r o m November, 1941. to July, 1942. and was
also S S P F " S h i t o m i r " f r o m May to September, 1943. He also headed the T E N O office within the H a u p t a m t Ordnungspolizei to combat
air raid d a m a g e f r o m October 1943 to the end of the war. S c h m e l c h e r was awarded the Gold Party Badge, clasps to both his W W I Iron
Crosses, both classes of the War Service Cross with S w o r d s and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold. He died in Saarbrcken on February
15. 1974.
40
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Friederich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein (left) was born in Halle an der Saale on January 14, 1894, the son of a retired Army major. He
attended the Prussian Army Cadet School in Naumburg and then the main cadet school in Berlin-Lichteifelde from 1904 to 1912 but did
not enter service due to ill health. Studying agriculture and farming economics at the University of Halle an der Saale until August, 1914,
he volunteered for the Army that month. Sen'ing with the artillery in WWI, he was a battery commander and regimental adjutant.
Commissioned as a Leutnant in the reserves on November 25, 1915, he also sen'ed as a balloon observer and won both classes of the Iron
Cross. During 1920 he sen'ed as a battery commander with Artillerie Regiment 16 of the Reichswehl: A fter serving with the Freikorps
and the volunteer Protection Police in Halle, he trained and worked in banking. In 1928 he formed and ran his own company in Gotha.
He first joined the NSDAP in October, 1922, but left after the Munich Putsch, rejoining on August 17,1925. On April I, 1929, he joined
the SS as an SS-SturmfUlirer (one of the earliest officers). From April, 1929, to July, 1930, he was adjutant to SS Staffel VIII "Thringen"
and then was adjutant to the SS Oberfhrer "Thringen" in Weimar until the end of January, 1931. Keeping his SS rank he joined the SA
in July 1930 and also was adjutant to the staff of the Gausturms in Weimar from July, 1930, to the end of January, 1931. Promoted to
SA-Standartenfhrer on February 1, 1931, and to SA-Oberfhrer on September 15, 1931, he served as adjutant to the Quartermaster of
the 5/1 High Command from February to September, 1931. He then commanded a detachment within the Quartermaster's office until
mid-November, 1931. From November, 1931, to the start of July, 1932 he was Gau SA-Sturmfhrer (post versus rank) for Mnchen-
Oberbayern (Munich-Upper Bavaria). He then led S/t Gruppe "Hochland" from July, 1932, to February, 1933, and was promoted to SA-
Gruppenfhrer on September 1, 1932. Leaving the SA and returning to full time duties with the SS in February, 1933, he had meanwhile
been promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on February 1, 1931, to SS-Oberfiihrer on September 15, 1931, and to SS-Gruppenfhrer on
September 1, 1932. From February, 1933, to September, 1933, he was the first commander of Abschnitt XVIII (he held titular command
until November). From November, 1933, to May, 1934, he commanded Oberabschnitt "Mitte. " He then led Oberabschnitt "Elbe" (re-
titled as a new "Mitte" in June 1934 then again changed to "Elbe") from May, 1934, to April, 1936. Eberstein then held official
command of Oberabschnitt " Sd" from April, 1936, to April, 1945. A member of the Reichstag continuously from January, 1937, to April,
1945, he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer on January 30, 1936. From April, ! 937, to October, 1941, he was Police President for
Munich and served in the Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior from October, 1942, to April, 1945. From April, 1938, to April, 1945, he
was HSSPF "Sd, " becoming a General der Polizei on April 8, 1941, then a General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944. From May, 1938, to
December, 1942, he was also HSSPF "Main. " In April, 1945 he was dismissed from all his posts by Gauleiter Paul Geisler on orders of
Martin Bormann for defeatism (having a reality grasp of the war situation). He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the both classes of
the War Service Cross, the Social Welfare Cross 1st class and the NSDA P Long Service Award in Silver. It was Eberstein who introduced
Reinhard Heydrich to Himmler (his mother was Heydrich's godmother). Moderate politically, he was appalled by the pre-war treatment
of the Jews during "Crystal Night." He was the only officer to hold two HSSPF posts at the same time ("Sd" and "Main"). Von
Eberstein testified at the International Military Tribunal regarding the Allgemeine-SS and had an admirable SS career considering the
acts of other HSSPF. He died in Bavaria on February 10, 1979. (Jess Lukens)

41
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Friedrich Jeckeln was bom in Hamburg on February 2, 1895. Trained as an engineer, he joined the Army in 1914 and served first with
the artillery and then trained as a pilot. Jeckeln left the military as a Leutnant having won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge
in Black. Joining the NSDAP on October 1, 1929, he was a member of the Reichstag from July 1932 to the end of the war. He joined the
SS on March 15, 1930, as ail SS-Sturmbannfiihrer. From mid-March, 1930 to mid-March, 1931 he led the I./I2.SS-Standarte and was
promoted to SS-Standartenfiilirer on June 22, 1931. He was entrusted with forming and leading the 12. and I7.SS-Standarten in 1931 and
served as commander and administrative officer until September 20, 1931 when promoted to SS-Oberfhrer. Jeckeln then commanded
Abschnitt IV from September, 1931, to late January, 1933, and was promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on February 4, 1933. From late
January, 1933 to mid-July that year he led SS Gruppe "Sd" and commanded the Political Police in Braunschweig from February, 1932,
to July, 1933. He then led Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" (later retitled "Mitte") from mid-November, 1933, to early July, 1940, and was
promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer on September 13, 1936. From July, 1940, to late June, 1941, he was head of Oberabschnitt "West"
and the HSSPF "West" though a substitute held the posts when he left to prepare for duty in Russia in early May 1941. He saw active duty
in the Western campaign as commander of I./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 2 of the "Totenkopf" Division. During May, 1941, he
prepared for HSSPF duties in Russia and became HSSPF "Ruland-Sd. " In November, 1941, Iiis HSSPF command and that of Hans-
Adolf Prtzmann were switched and Jeckeln became HSSPF "Ruland-Nord," officially holding the latter post until the end of the war
(the command lost "Weiruthenien " in April, 1943). In Russia he commanded several Kampfgruppen composed of troops assigned to his
HSSPF command and was promoted to General der Polizei on April I, 1941, and also became a General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944.
He was the titular HSSPF "Belgien-Nordfrankreich "from September, 1944, to mid-January, 1945, with Christoph Diehm performing his
duties. During January and February, 1945, he was the commander of all replacement units within the area of the HSSPF "Sdost" and
commanded the V.SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Korps from mid-February to the end of the war. He was awarded the Knight's Cross on
September 5, 1944, the Oakleaves on March 8, 1945, the German Cross in Gold on December 19, 1943, the Iron Cross 1st class on May
12, 1942, (and a clasp to his WWI 2nd class), both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the Wound Badge in Silver on June 27,
1942, the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1939, and the Police Long Sen'ice Award 3rd class. An extremist, he was cruel and short
tempered with those under him. Often making rash decisions without considering the eventual results, he got along well with Theodor
Eicke as they had similar temperament and outlook. His HSSPF command was responsible for numerous massacres in Russia and Latvia,
later being more involved with anti-partisan duties. With little military knowledge and poor command abilities, his corps command
functioned on the skill of his staff and divisional commanders. Captured by the Russians, he was heavily interrogated and placed on trial
in Riga, Latvia, on February 3, 1946. He was hanged later the same day. (BDC)

42
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Ost" (East)


This was among the most powerful HSSPF posts. It began as an HSSPF command for the rear area of
Armeeoberkommando 8 and 10 on September 10, 1939, for the Polish campaign. Assigned to the area of the
General Government of Poland, it was retitled the HSSPF "Lodz" on October 1, 1939, and headquartered in
Krakau. It was retitled H S S P F "Ost" on October 31, 1939. Subordinated to it were the SSPF "Krakau,"
"Radom," "Lublin" and "Warsaw." After August, 1941, an SSPF "Lemberg" was added for that district which
was added to the General Government after the invasion of Russia. The fate of the Polish population and those
deported to that area were among the responsibilities of this H S S P F and his subordinate commands. In addi-
tion to numerous German Polizei Regimenter and Bataillone, "Ost" controlled four Galizische SS-Freiwillige-
Regimenter composed of volunteer Ukranians under German command after the invasion of Russia. Num-
bered 4 through 7, these regiments were supplemented by an additional eleven Schutzmannschaft Bataillone
by 1944. 45 In the first year and a half the command also had the two Totenkopf-Reiterstandarten (which
became the SS-Kavallerie-Brigade in 1941) until mid-1941, as well as the 8. and 11 .SS-Totenkopfstandarten
under its command until mid-1940.

Fhrer
September 10, 1939 to October 1,1939 SS-Gruppenfhrer Theodor Eicke
October 4, 1939 to November 9, 194346 SS-Obergruppenfhrer, after April 8, 1941
also General der Polizei
Friedrich-Wilhelm Krger
November 9, 1943 to April 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der
Waffen-SS Wilhelm Koppe

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Nord" (North)


Headquartered in Oslo, this post was assigned in April, 1940, and encompassed Norway. Three SSPF were
appointed in November, 1944, and subordinated to the senior position. These were the SSPF "Nordnorwegen,"
(Northern Norway) "Mittelnorwegen" (Central Norway) and "Sdnorwegen" (South Norway).

Fhrer
April 20, 1940 to June 19, 1940 SS-Obergruppenfhrer Fritz Weitzel
June 19, 1940 to May 8, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 9, 1941 also
Generalleutnant der Polizei, after November
9, 1941 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei, after July 1. 1944 also General
der Waffen-SS Wilhelm Rediess

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Nordwest" (Northwest)


Covering Holland, this post was assigned in May, 1940, as the HSSPF for the Netherlands and took the title
"Nordwest" officially on February 20, 1944, although it had been referred by that title since its creation.
Headquartered in Den Haag, an SS und Polizei Gebietsfhrer (SS and Police Area Commander) was subordi-
nated to it and covered Den Haag.

Fhrer
June 26, 1940 to May 8, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer, after April 20, 1941
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after June 21, 1943 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei
after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-
SS Hans-Albin Rauter 47
45
Tessin. "Zur Geschichte zur Ordnungspolizei 1936-1945." Teil II, page 52-53. Infantry gun or mortar c o m p a n i e s and batteries, as
well as police cavalry squadrons, were also assigned to " O s t . "
4,1
H i m m l e r ' s transfer order gives this as the last effective day of his c o m m a n d but the transition and briefing period between the t w o
c o m m a n d e r s started October 22nd.
47
Injured in a partisan attack in March 1945 and under medical care for the duration of the war.

43
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

March 10, 1945 to April 1945 (substitute) SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Dr. Eberhard Schngarth

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Ostland und Ruland-Nord" (North Russia)


This post was formed for the invasion of Russia as the rear area HSSPF for Heeresgruppe (Army Group) " A "
in June, 1941. Headquartered in Riga, Latvia, it was retitled in November, 1941, as the HSSPF "Ostland und
R u l a n d N o r d . " 4 8 It controlled the S S P F " E s t l a n d , " " L e t t l a n d , " " L i t a u e n " and, until April, 1943,
"Weiruthenien." Estonian and Latvian police troops formed into Abteilungen (detachments) supplemented
the four Ordnungspolizei Regimenter and seventeen independent Bataillone for an available armed force of of
more than 55,000 men. In 1944, more than a dozen Latvian and Estonian self police and border regiments
were also formed for subordination to the command. 4 ''

Fhrer
June 29, 1941 to November 1, 1941 SS-Gruppenfhrer Hans-Adolf Prtzmann
November 1, 1941 50 to May 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der
Polizei Friedrich Jeckeln
January 30, 1945 to May 1945 (substitute) 51 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Dr. Hermann Behrends

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Ruland-Sd" (South Russia)


Created for the rear area of Heeresgruppe " B " during the invasion of Russia, this post was headquartered in
Kiev. At a later time Prtzmann retained both the H S S P F and the HSSPF "Ukraine" posts. "Ruland-Sd"
was the most extensive control area of the eastern area HSSPF. In addition to its originally subordinated SSPF,
it absorbed the SSPF that would have been subordinated to the HSSPF "Kaukasien," which never was estab-
lished. 5 2 They were the S S P F " N o r d - K a u k a s i e n , " " A w d e j e w k a , " " K a u k a s i e n - K u b a n , " "Bergvolker-
Ordshonikidse," "Aserbeidschan in Baku" and "Kertsch-Tamanhalbinsel." During December, 1942/January,
1943, the command had ten SS-Polizei Regimenter and seventy Schutzmannschaft Bataillone totaling some
80,000 police troops under its command.

Fhrer
June 23, 1941 to December 1 1, 1941 53 SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der
Polizei Friedrich Jeckeln
December II, 1941 to March 18, 1944 SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der
Polizei Hans-Adolf Prtzmann

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Schwarzes-Meer" (Black Sea)


Headquartered in Nikolajew, this HSSPF was created in late October, 1943, as the HSSPF "Schwarzes-Meer"
(Black Sea). On October 29, 1943, control of the post was incorporated into and subordinated to the HSSPF
"Ukraine." The post was dissolved on September 13, 1944, with the staff and commander moving to the
Siebenbrgen area of Rumania on the Black Sea. Reformed as a new and distinct command, its title changed
to the HSSPF "Siebenbrgen." This later post was disbanded on September 18, 1944.

48
Ostland controlled the area of Weiruthenien (White Russia) until the area was transfered to the control of the H S S P F "Ruland-
Mitte" in 1943. From that point the post actually only covered the rear area of Northern Russia.
49
Tessin, pages 60-61.
50
Prtzmann ( H S S P F " R u l a n d - N o r d " ) and Jeckeln ( H S S P F " R u l a n d - S d " ) e x c h a n g e d their respective post assignments on this
date.
51
Jeckeln was on duty with the W a f f e n - S S during this period.
52
Gerrett K o r s e m a n n was the titular holder of the post before it was dropped and the S S P F created for it were assigned to the
H S S P F " R u l a n d - S d . " See H S S P F " U k r a i n e " S S P F section for those positions assigned to " R u l a n d - S d " and later within the H S S P F
"Ukraine."
53
W h e n Jeckeln and Prtzmann e x c h a n g e d c o m m a n d s this was the second to be taken over by the respective new HSSPF.

44
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

In the foreground from left are Heinrich Himmler, Karl Wolff, Anton Vogler and Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein. Vogler was born
in Munich, the son of a doctor, on September 5, 1882. He served in the artillery with the Bavarian Army starting in July 1901 as a battery
officer then detachment, brigade and regimental adjutant. Commissioned a Leutnant in 1908, he was promoted to Oberleutnant on
November 26, 1911. During WWI he served as a brigade adjutant and battery commander, during which he won both classes of the Iron
Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. He fought in the Freikorps during 1919 and was promoted to Major in in 1919. Leaving the Army
in 1922 he worked in the textile industry. On May I, 1933, he joined the NSDAP and the SA with I6.SA-Standarte. With the SA training
command he was an artillery instructor June, 1933, until mid-February, 1935. He joined the SS on February II, 1935, as an SS-
Hauptsturmfiihrer and instructor at SS Officer School "Bad Tlz" where he stayed until the start of March, 1937 and was promoted to
SS-Sturmbannfhrer on June 1, 1935, as well as to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on January 1, 1936. From March, 1937, to the end of
January, 1938, he taught at SS Officer School "Braunschweig" before returning to "Bad Tlz" until the start of November, 1938. During
this time he was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on January 30, 1938. Moving to the staff of Oberabschnitt "Sd, " he eventually ser\'ed
as Stabsfhrer from April, 1943, until the start of February, 1945, and was promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on November 9, 1940, as well as
to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS on January 30, 1943. He twice served as an SS garrison commander: for Dachau
from August, 1943, to the end of that year and for Munich from the start of 1944 to the end of July that year. Vogler substituted for von
Eberstein as HSSPF "Siid"'and head of Oberabschnitt "Sd" when von Eberstein was dismissed in early February, 1945 until being
replaced by Wilhelm Koppe at both posts in April, 1945. (Jess Lukens)

October 29, 1943 to December 25, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei, after November 9, 1943 SS-
Gruppenftihrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Ludolf von Alvensleben 5 4
December 25, 1943 to September 16, 1944 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei Richard Hildebrandt
September 16, 1944 to September 18, 1944 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS Artur Phleps

54
Born in Halle-an-der-Saale on March 17, 1901, the son of a Generalmajor. He joined the Prussian cadet corps in 1911 and saw
service in WWI. After brief service with the Freikorps in 1920 he ran the family estate and joined the Stahlhelm from 1923 to 1930. He
joined the N S D A P on August 1, 1929, and served in the SA from July, 1931, to February, 1932. Joining the SS on April 1. 1934. he was
commissioned as an SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on April 5, 1934, and commanded the 46.SS-Standarte from April, 1934, to the end of
September, 1935. From October, 1935, to late September, 1936, he led the 26.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-StandartenfUhrer on
April 20, 1936. He commanded Abschnitt X from September, 1936, to late January 1939, as well as leading Abschnitt XXXIII from July
to November, 1938. He became Himmler's chief adjutant in November, 1938 until after the Polish campaign. From October, 1939, to

45
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Kurt Kaul (far right, with Rudolf Lohse on the far left)) was born in Brodowo on October 5, 1890, the son of an estate owner in the
province of Posen. He studied at an agricultural high school before joining the Army in early September 1914. Serving with the artillery,
he was awarded the Wound Badge in Black and both classes of the Iron Cross. He left the Army in early April 1920 as a Leutnant and
moved to Danzig where he worked as a mechanic. After membership in several post-war political groups, he joined the NSDAP on March
1, 1930, having served in the SA since December. 1929. He joined the SS on August 29, 1930, and was commissioned as an SS-
Sturmbannfhrer on October 13, 1931. From that date until early July, 1932, he was commander of the V./6.SS-Standarte and was
promoted to SS-StandartenfUhrer on July 10, 1932. He then acted as Stabsfhrer for Abschnitt VI from July, 1932, to August, 1933, and
held the same post with SS-Gruppe "Sdost" during the same period. He then led Abschnitt IV until the beginning of March, 1934, and
was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on November 9, 1933. ,4s commander of Abschnitt XXI1 from the start of March, 1934, to the beginning
of March 1937 he underwent training with the Army in artillery and became an Army Leutnant d.R. as well as being promoted to SS-
Brigadefhrer on January 30, 1936. He led Oberabschnitt "Sdwest" from September, 1937 until becoming ill in April, 1943, and was a
member of the Reichstag from April, 1938, to late December. 1944. From May, 1940, to April, 1943, he also held a post with the RKFDV
in Wehrkreis V. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on April 20, 1937, he became a Generalleutnant der Polizei on May 1, 1941, and sen'ed
as HSSPF "Sdwest" from September, 1939, until April, 1943. He had a falling out with Gottlob Berger over recruiting in his area and
never got another high posting. After his recovery he ran two horse breeding farms and in September 22, 1944, went to the SS Artillerie
Schule II "Beneschau " as an SS-Sturmbannfhrer d.R. He then took command of the 11./Artillerie-Regiment 22 of the Waffen-SS cavalry
division "Maria Theresia " in November, 1944. Awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1939, a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd
class, the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords, the Olympic Games decoration 1st class and the German Horseman's Badge in
Silver, he was killed leading his artillery unit during the Budapest siege fighting on Christmas Day, 1944. (Phil Nix)

46
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Griechenland" (Greece)


Headquartered in Athens, this post was among the smallest (no subordinated SSPF) and covered occupied
Greece. The post was dissolved on November 18, 1944, and the staff subordinated to the H S S P F "Ungarn."

Fhrer
September 8, 1943 to October 4, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Jrgen Stroop
October 18, 1943 to September 24, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Waffen-SS und Polizei, after April 20, 1944
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS, after July 1, 1944 also
Generalleutnant der Polizei Walter Schimana 55
September 24, 1944 to November 18, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Hermann Franz

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Adriatisches-Kstenland" (Adriatic Coastland)


Headquartered in Trieste, this HSSPF (subordinated to the HSSPF "Italien") had subordinated to it SS und
Polizei Gebietskommandeur (SS and Police area commanders) "Quarnero," "Istrien," "Triest," "Grz" and
"Friaul." All these subordinated posts were created on October 27, 1944. Their operational areas covered the
Adriatic sea coastal zone.

Fhrer
September 13, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Odilio Globocnik

Der Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer "Danmark" (Denmark)


Headquartered in Copenhagen, this H S S P F controlled the Polizeigebietsfhrer (Police area leader) for
Copenhagen and North-Jutland. It was created in October, 1943, after the Danish police went on strike and
civil unrest surfaced. As a result Hitler decided a firmer occupational policy was needed. Prior to this Himmler
only had an SS representative (Paul Kanstein) on the staff of the Reichskommissar.

Fhrer
October 6, 1943 to May 5, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after April 20, 1944 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei,
after March 2 1 , 1 9 4 5 also General der
Waffen-SS Gnther Pancke

Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer "Albanien" (Albania)


This H S S P F was headquartered in Tirana and covered Albania. It was established from the existing SSPF for
the area on August 1, 1944.

December, 1940, he c o m m a n d e d the Selbstschutz in Danzig-West Prussia. Promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on January 30, 1937, and to SS-
Brigadefiihrer on August 1, 1940, he also served with Regiment " G e r m a n i a " as an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r d.R. in the s u m m e r of 1940.
After training in Polizei duties he served under the H S S P F " O s t " until b e c o m i n g S S P F " T s c h e r n i g o w " in October. 1941. In N o v e m b e r ,
1941, he left that c o m m a n d and b e c a m e S S P F "Taurien-Krim" in S i m f e r o p o l as well as area garrison c o m m a n d e r until October 1943.
Given the rank of G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on January 7, 1942. and p r o m o t e d to S S - G r u p p e n f h r e r und Generalleutnant der Polizei on
N o v e m b e r 9, 1943. he then served as S S P F " N i k o l a j e w " f r o m October, 1943, to February, 1944. F r o m October to Christmas, 1943, he
b e c a m e H S S P F " S c h w a r z e s - M e e r " and was given the rank of Generalleutnant der W a f f e n - S S on July 1, 1944. After an illness of several
months he b e c a m e the H S S P F " E l b e " and head of Oberabschnitt " E l b e " f r o m February, 1944, to the end of the war. He was a w a r d e d the
Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the Iron Cross 2nd class, the C r i m e a Shield, the Danzig Cross 1st
class, the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver, the S A Sports B a d g e in Silver and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Silver. Energetic,
practical and intelligent, he was a radical believer in the m o v e m e n t , he shot one of his o w n relatives in December, 1939, for associating
with Poles and J e w s then reported the incident to Karl Wolff. Escaping to South A m e r i c a after the war, he eventually headed the depart-
ment of fishing, hunting and yachting in the Rio area and died in Argentina on March 1 7 , 1 9 7 0 .
55
Left the Polizei in 1943 and transferred to the W a f f e n - S S as a Generalmajor, he was later further promoted in Polizei rank.

47
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Fhrer
August 1, 1944 to January 1, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei, after August 1, 1944 SS-
Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Josef Fitzthum

Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer "Ungarn" (Hungary)


This position existed from January 3, 1944, until the capital city ceased to be under German control in Febru-
ary, 1945. 56 Headquartered in Budapest, the SS und Polizei Standortkommandant "Budapest" was created for
defense of the city and subordinated to the HSSPF on August 28, 1944. The post was created after the change
in Hungarian government and that country attempted to break its alliance with Germany.

Fhrer
March 19, 194457 to February 11,1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei, after December 1, 1944 also General
der Waffen-SS Otto Winkelmann

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Belgien-Nordfrankreich"


(Belgium and Northern France)
This post was headquartered in Brussels from August, 1944 until dissolved in January, 1945. It covered the
area assigned to the military command since 1940 and the HSSPF became military commander on August 14,
1944.

Fhrer
August 1, 1944 to September 16, 1944 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Richard Jungclaus
September 22, 1944 to January 18, 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Friedrich Jeckeln 58
September 16, 1944 to January 18, 1945 (substitute) SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei, after November 9, 1944 also
Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Christoph Diehm

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Slowakien" (Slovakia)


Based in Pressburg, this post became the senior German command for the area. It was created to combat the
revolt by Slovakian Nationalists against the German controlled puppet government.

Fhrer
August 31, 1944 to September 20, 1944 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS Gottlob Berger
September 20, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Hermann Hfle

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Ruland-Mitte (Central Russia)


und Weiruthenien" (White Russia)
This post was the third created for the invasion of Russia, this one being attached to Heeresgruppe " C " and
was first headquartered in Mogilew. It was officially redesignated "Ruland-Mitte" (Central Russia) in Feb-
ruary 1942 and was headquartered in Minsk after July 24, 1943. The post expanded to its final form in April,

56
T h e post w a s created in January but the only m a n to hold the post w a s n ' t assigned until March.
51
Appointed on this date and arrived to a s s u m e the post on March 31.
58
Titular posting only, he remained in Russia with his H S S P F c o m m a n d and Diehm actually held this H S S P F post during that
period.

48
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Born in Innsbruck, Austria, on March 16, 1896, Otto Hofmann joined the Royal Bavarian Army in August, 1914. He served in the artillery
on both fronts before joining the flying service in March of 1917. Wounded in Rumania on June 31, 1917, he was captured by the Russians
but escaped and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in December, 1916, and the 1st class on November 18, 1918. In 1919 he was a
Leutnant in the reserves with Flight Detachment I and was awarded the Observers Badge in January, 1919. From April, 1919 to Septem-
ber that year he served in the artillery with the Freikorps. After a period of civilian employment with his father-in law, he joined the
NSDAP in 1929 and the SS on December 17, 1931, as a Sturmfhrer with the 3.SS-Motorstandarte. From September 9, 1932, to April 20,
1933, he served with SS-Abschnitt IX as Motoroberstaffelfhrer {motorized section leader) and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on
January 30, 1933. As Special Duties Officer he served with the staff of SS-Gruppe "Sd" from April 20, 1933, to August 10, 1933, and
then became the first Stabsfhrer of SS-Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt) "Nordwest" until mid-March, 1934. Promoted to SS-
Obersturmbannfiihrer on January 15, 1934, he commanded 21. SS-Standarte from mid-March, 1935, to mid-April, 1935. Promoted to SS-
Standartenfhrer on April 20, 1934, he next led the 28.SS-Standarte from early February, 1934, to late May, 1935. He commanded SS-
Abschnitt XVfrom May, 1935, to January, 1937, and was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on September 15, 1935. From January 1, 1937, he
served with the RuSHA and was racial officer for SS-Oberabschnitt "West" until early February, 1939. Returning to the RuSHA he
served as racial examination office head from February to August, 1939, then genealogical office head until December, 1940, during
which he was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on September 10, 1939. He then headed the RuSHA from September, 1939, to April, 1943,
and was promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on April 20, 1941. As' head of the RuSHA, he was initially a substitute for Gnther Pancke until
July, 1940, then became full Chief. He became a Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS on June 27, 1942, and commanded SS-Oberabschnitt
"Sdwest" as well as being HSSPF "Sdwest" from April 1943, to May, 1945. Promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei on June 21,1943, lie became a General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944. Twice married, he had three children. A racial expert and
doctor, he was replaced by Himmler as head of RuSHA by Richard Hildebrandl. Awarded the Gold Party Badge and both classes of the
War Sen'ice Cross with Swords, he was a defendant in the RuSHA war crimes trial (case VIII). Sentenced to 25 years, he was released in
1954 and died in Bad Mergentheirn on December 31, 1982. (Phil Nix)

1943 when it absorbed "Weiruthenien" (White Russia) from the HSSPF "Ruland-Nord." It controlled the
SSPF "Minsk," SSPF "Mogilew," SSPF "Pripet" and, from 1943 onwards, the SSPF "Weiruthenien." With
nine Ordnungspolizei Regimenter and fifteen Bataillone, the c o m m a n d also controlled a significant
Schutzmannschaft force. 59

Fhrer
May 1. 1941 to June 2 1 , 1 9 4 4 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after November 9, 1941 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei
after July 1, 1944 also General der
Waffen-SS Erich von dem Bach 60

59
Schutzmannschaft Bataillon 57 would form the cadre for the 30.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (russische Nr.2) under its
Commander SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Siegling. Awarded the German Cross in Gold on April 11,1944, as commander of the battal-
ion, Siegling led the later division until the end of the war.
60
Absent during most of his command tenure from January, 1942, onwards while assigned to the Anti-Partisan C o m m a n d and its
duties. He still signed significant papers such as the German Cross in Gold recommendation for Major der Polizei Siegfried Binz (com-
mander l./SS-Polizei-Regiment 23) dated April 18, 1943. Binz commanded the battle group his battalion was a component of for the
H S S P F "Ruland-Mitte" and his award was approved on May 26, 1943. He previously led a company in Polizei Bataillon 323 then
commanded Polizei Bataillon 307.

49
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Karl Gutenberger was the son of a marine engineer and was born on April 18, 1905 in Essen. After schooling he trained in banking and
worked in that field until 1929. He joined the NSDAP and SA on December 15, 1929, serving in several units including SA Standarten 159
(Essen-Mulheim), 60 (Essen) and 138 (Duisburg) until September, 1933, and was promoted to SA-Standartenfhrer that year. Promoted
to SA-Oherfiihrer in 1934, he led SA-Brigade 74 (Wesel) from September. 1933, to April, 1934, then became first commander of SA
Brigade 173 (Duisburg) until March, 1935. From May, 1937, to November, 1939, he served as Police President of Duisburg. Gutenberger
also commanded SA Brigade 73 (Essen) from March, 1935, until mid-December, 1939, and was Police President for Essen from Novem-
ber, 1939, to late June, 1941. As special duties officer for SA Gruppe "Niederrhein " he was promoted to SA-Brigadefiihrer in 1939 and
serwd in the Reichstag from 1933 to 1945. He transferred to the SS on June 1, 1940, as an SS-Brigadefiihrer at the request of Fritz
Weitzel. After serving on the staff of Oberabschnitt "West" until the start of May, 1941, he was HSSPF "West" and from late June, 1941,
was also head of Oberabschnitt "West. " He held both posts until the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant
der Polizei on November 9, 1942, and to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei on August 1, 1944, he was the
Inspector of a guerrilla warfare organization ordered by Himmler under the command of Hans-Adolf Prtzmann from November, 1944,
to May, 1945. Highly decorated, he was awarded the Gold Party Badge on October 25, 1933, the NSDAP Long Service award in Silver
on April 20, 1940, the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1944, the NSDA P Long Service Award in Gold on January 30, 1942, the War Sen'ice Cross
1st class with Swords on June 2, 1942, and the Wound Badge in Black on May 20, 1943. Following a post-war trial, he served five years
in prison then started a wholesale business. He died in Essen on July 8, 1961. (Phil Nix)

January 2, 1942 to March 24, 1943 (substitute) SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Carl Graf von Pckler-Burghaus'' 1
March 24, 1943 to July 5, 1943 (substitute) SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Gerrett Korsemann

61
Born in Breslau on October 7, 1886, the son of a retired Major in the Prussian Army. He served with the infantry and on the
General Staff in W W I , winning both classes of the Iron Cross. After serving with Freikorps units in Silesia he returned to run his family's
estate. In 1931 he joined the N S D A P and then the SA as an SA-Brigadefhrer in 1937. In the SA he served as an office chief with SA
headquarters and rejoined the Army as a Hauptmann in 1938. From the start of April. 1938, to early January, 1940, he was IIa (adjutant)
of the 4.Leichte Division and then held the same post with the 9.Panzer Division. Promoted to Major in the General Staff in 1940. he
served as la (First Staff Officer) of the 337.Infanterie Division from January, 1941 to mid-August that year. Joining the SS as an SS-
Brigadefuhrer on July 1, 1940, he was initially listed as a staff officer with Oberabschnitte "Sdost" and "Spree" until the start of January
1942. After replacing von dem Bach as HSSPF "Ruland-Mitte" from January. 1942, to March. 1943, he served as commander of the
15.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (one of the best foreign divisions and composed of Latvians) from May. 1943. to mid-February,
1944. He was then posted as senior Waffen-SS commander in Czechoslovakia until the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer
und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS on September 1, 1944, he was awarded a clasp to both his W W I Iron Crosses and both classes of the
War Service Cross with Swords. After helping the civil German population escape from the Russians in Prague, he committed suicide in
Pilsen on May 12, 1945.

50
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

July 5, 1943 to August 7, 194462 (substitute) SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der


Polizei, after June 30, 1944 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Waffen-
SS und Polizei Curt von Gottberg

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Serbien, Sandschak und Montenegro"


Encompassing south and eastern Yugoslavia, this position was created as the HSSPF "Serbien" in January,
1942. Montenegro was added in October, 1943, and Sandschak in September 1943. Headquartered in Belgrade,
it controlled the SSPF "Montenegro" and SSPF "Sandschak." Its 1943 expansion was a result of the surrender
of Italy's army.

Fhrer
January 24, 1942 to April 1, 1944 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei August Edler von Meyszner
April 1, 1944 to October 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei, after August 1, 1944 SS-
Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Dr. Hermann Behrends 61

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Frankreich" (France)


Headquartered in Paris, this post was created on March 9, 1942, and existed until dissolved on November 28,
1944.64

Fhrer
May 5, 1942 to November 28, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei, after April 20, 1943 SS-
Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after August 1, 1944 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer, after March 10, 1945
General der Waffen-SS Carl Oberg

Der Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer "Kroatien" (Croatia)


This position covered Croatia and western Yugoslavia and was headquartered in Zagreb. It controlled the
Polizeigebietsfhrer (Police Area Commanders) for Agram, Banja-Luca, Esseg, Knin and Sarajewo. Its head-
quarters moved to Esseg on February 7, 1944, and the HSSPF also became the senior military commander for
the area on December 5, 1944.

Fhrer
March 13, 1943 65 to January 10, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei, after July 1, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer
und Generalleutnant der Polizei Konstantin
Kammerhofer

62
Substituted until June 26. 1944, when given the post permanently. T h e H S S P F post w a s disbanded in October, 1944.
63
Had previously been responsible for V O M I matters for the area.
w
O b e r g was the only holder of the post though he didn't arrive until May. Duties where undertaken by the c o m m a n d e r s of the Sipo
and S D f r o m March to May.
65
Date the post was created, it is uncertain exactly when K a m m e r h o f e r arrived.

51
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

SS und Polizeifhrer

The SS and Police Leaders (SSPF) were subordinate commands created because of the vast areas involved to
relieve the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer of some of their mounting duties. Officers holding SS und Polizeifhrer
posts are listed under the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer their command was subordinated to. Many HSSPF
served at the lower SS und Polizeifhrer positions early in their careers. Unlike the relationship between the
Fhrer des Oberabschnitts and Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer, this post was not held by an Allgemeine-SS
Abschnitt Fhrer as the position existed only in occupied territories. In some instances, as in Yugoslavia, the
title Polizeigebietsfhrer (Police Area Commander) was used though it was equivalent to a SSPF. The
Ordnungspolizei command at SSPF level was a Kommandeur, be it Ordnungspolizei, Gendarmerie and/or
Schutzpolizei. The same title applied to Sipo and SD commands.

Subordinate to the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer "Ost"

SS und Polizeifhrer "Krakau"


November 24, 1939 to October 1, 1940 SS-Gruppenfhrer Karl Zech
October 1, 1940 to August 4, 1941 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Schwedler 66
August 4, 1941 to March 1, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer Julian Schemer 6 7
March 1, 1944 to January 19, 1945 68 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Theobald Thier 69

66
Born in Berlin on O c t o b e r 17, 1878, the son of a businessman. He j o i n e d the A r m y and w a s c o m m i s s i o n e d a Leutnant in 1898.
S c h w e d l e r served in W W I as a c o m p a n y and battalion c o m m a n d e r , leaving A r m y service as a M a j o r in February 1919 having won both
classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. Schwedler joined the Stahlhelm in 1920 and the N S D A P in February 1931.
Joining the SS in November. 1932, he first served with the 2./II./34.SS-Standarte until the end of July 1933 and promoted to SS-Scharfiihrer
on March 1. 1933 and to SS-Oberscharfiihrer on M a y 15. 1933. He was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on July 31. 1933. A s
Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt I he served f r o m mid-July, 1933, to June. 1934, and was p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933,
and to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on April 20, 1934. From J u n e to December, 1934, he led the 79.SS-Standarte and then was an instructor at
the SS officer school in Bad Tlz f r o m December, 1934, to January, 1938, when he b e c a m e deputy school c o m m a n d e r . He left Tlz in
N o v e m b e r . 1938, and taught at the SS officer school in B r a u n s c h w e i g until January, 1940. From N o v e m b e r , 1939, to January, 1940, he
was also la to the Stabsfhrer of the T o t e n k o p f v e r b n d e Inspectorate and was promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on January 30, 1940. From
January to July, 1940, he returned to Bad Tlz and was also assigned to the T o t e n k o p f v e r b n d e inspectorate. He b e c a m e Inspector of the
Totenkopfstandarten f r o m July to October, 1940, w h e n he b e c a m e S S P F " K r a k a u . " Leaving Krakau in August, 1941, he b e a m e SS
garrison c o m m a n d e r in Prague until March, 1942, and was promoted to Waffen-SS Oberfhrer on August 4, 1941, and to SS-Brigadetuhrer
und G e n e r a l m a j o r der W a f f e n - S S on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942. From March, 1942, to August, 1943, he was W a f f e n - S S und Polizei supply
officer for " R u l a n d - S d " under Hans-Adolf Prtzmann. He was then assigned to the S S - F h r u n g s h a u p t a m t f r o m August, 1943, to
March, 1944, in charge of officer training and held another as yet u n k n o w n post with that main office until the end of the war. Awarded
both classes of the War Service Cross, he c o m m i t t e d suicide in Hechendorf on M a y 2, 1945.
67
Born in G e r m a n East A f r i c a on S e p t e m b e r 23, 1895, he attended the cadet schools in Karlsruhe and Berlin-Lichterfelde f r o m
1911 to 1914. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant in August, 1914, he served as a platoon leader and c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r in W W I , leaving the
A r m y in March 1920 having won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge in Black. He worked as a bank clerk and shop assistant
before becoming a partner in a merchants firm f r o m 1930 to 1934. Joining the SS on D e c e m b e r 28, 1932, he was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an SS-
S t u r m f h r e r on July 31, 1933. From the end of July. 1933, to the end of January, 1934, he led the 5./II./1.SS-Standarte and then c o m -
m a n d e d the entire Standarte f r o m January, 1934, to early January, 1935. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on D e c e m b e r 24, 1933, to SS-
H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on March I, 1934 and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on A u g u s t 12, 1934, he was assigned to the staff of Oberabschnitt
" S d o s t " in January, 1935, and the following month b e c a m e Stabsfhrer. He held that post until mid-February, 1936, when he m o v e d to
the s a m e post with Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t " until January, 1937, and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on January 1. 1935 and
to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on January 30, 1936. A f t e r leading Abschnitt X I V f r o m January to October, 1937, he c o m m a n d e d the Allgemeine-
SS Leaders School at Dachau f r o m October, 1937. to March, 1940, and was promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937. He
transferred to the SS officer school in Bad Tlz f r o m April to July, 1940, and then led the 6.SS-Totenkopfstandarte f r o m late August to
early N o v e m b e r , 1939. S c h e m e r led the recruiting regiment of the Totenkopfstandarten f r o m early November, 1939, to April, 1940. and
b e c a m e a W a f f e n - S S O b e r f h r e r d.R. on March 1. 1940. From January to August, 1941, he c o m m a n d e d S S - T r u p p e n b u n g s p l a t z (SS
Troop Training Area) " B e n e s c h a u " and was also SS garrison c o m m a n d e r for Prague. While S S P F " K r a k a u " f r o m August, 1941, to
March, 1944, he also c o m m a n d e d the staff c o m p a n y of the H S S P F " O s t " f r o m October, 1942 to N o v e m b e r , 1942. He was also special
assignment S S P F for the H S S P F " O s t " f r o m N o v e m b e r , 1943, to October, 1944. While in Krakau he set up the i n f a m o u s and corrupt
c a m p in Plaszow, Poland and was charged by an SS court with benefiting f r o m the proceeds of the c a m p (the c a m p c o m m a n d e r was sent
to prison). R e d u c e d in rank to W a f f e n - S S H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r d.R.. he was reassigned to the punishment Dirlewanger Brigade and was
killed in action on April 28, 1945. He was a w a r d e d Blood O r d e r # 1 7 5 on N o v e m b e r 30, 1933 and both classes of the War Service Cross
with Swords.
08
T h e General G o v e r n m e n t of Poland was abandoned in the face of the January/February 1945 Russian offensive.
69
Born in Stuttgart on April 12, 1897, the son of a merchant. He served in W W I with the artillery and mountain troops, b e c o m i n g
a Leutnant and c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r as well as winning both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. He joined the
N S D A P in February, 1923. M o v i n g to Chile as a farmer, he learned fluent Spanish and married, as well as starting a branch of the
NSDAP. He returned to G e r m a n y and rejoined the N S D A P and the SS in May, 1933, as an SS-Obersturmfhrer. A f t e r serving on the staff
of Abschnitt X X V I and later as Hans- Adolf Priitzmann's adjutant f r o m June to August 1935, he then moved to a staff post with Oberabschnitt
" S d w e s t " until March, 1936. From M a r c h . 1936, to May, 1937, he c o m m a n d e d I.Sturmbann of 13. SS-Standarte and w a s p r o m o t e d to
S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on April 20, 1936. On May 1, 1937, he was also m a d e an A r m y reserve Leutnant with Infanterieregiment 65.

52
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Josias Erbrinz zu Waldeck-Pyrmont was born May 13, 1896, in the family ancestral castle in Schaumburg, the son of the ruler of the
Princedom ofWaldeck-Pyrmont. He was a nephew of Dutch queen Emma and related by marriage to Britain's royal family. He joined the
Army cadet corps in 1912 and served in WWI with infantry and assault units. Promoted to Leutnant in 1917, he was wounded and
awarded both classes of the Iron Cross. During 1918-1919 he served with the Freikorps and then ran the family estate after completing
his education. Joining the NSDAP in early November, 1929, and the SS on March 2, 1930, he served with the Munich Sturm and then the
1 .SS-Standarte. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on April 6, 1930, he was adjutant to the 1 .SS-Standarte during April and May, 1930.
Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on May 11, 1930, he served from that date until mid-September, 1930, as adjutant for SS-Brigade
"Bayern " (Bavaria) and then spent two months as adjutant to SS-Oberfhrerbereich "Siid. " He was the only person to simultaneously be
both Himmler's personal adjutant and head his personal staff, holding these personal and executive posts from mid-September 1930 to
mid-June, 1933. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on September 15, 1931, and to SS-Gruppenfhrer on March 15, 1932, he sat on courts
martial proceedings that sentenced 5/1 leaders to death during the June 30, 1934 purge of the SA leadership. He ted the Gruppenstab
z.b.V. (the SS liaison office) from June I, 1934, until it was disbanded in June 1935. From June, 1935, to the end of 1936 he was head of
Oberabschnitt "Rhein" (see "Rhein-Westmark") and then led Oberabschnitt " Fulda-Werra" from the start of 1937 to the end of the war.
When the HSSPF "Fulda-Werra " was created in 1938 he also received that post until May, 1945. His HSSPF headquarters was in Kassel
and the Oberabschnitt HQ was in his family's castle. Promoted to General der Polizei on April 8, 1941, and General der Waffen-SS on
July 1, 1944, he served in the Reichstag from November, 1933, to May, 1945. Awarded the Golden Party Badge on January 30, 1939 and
a clasp to both classes of the Iron Cross in 1940, he was Himmler's first recruit from the nobility, in part to enhance the reputation of the
SS. Aside from his SS interests, he was involved with the foreign office. In addition to placing SS officers in the foreign office, he ser\>ed
as an emissary of Himmler to settle differences between Socialist factions in Austria but was recalled. He was involved heavily in the SA
purge of 1934 and selected the spot where "guilty" leaders were to he shot in Stadelheim prison. A long time friend of Sepp Dietrich, he
initiated the SS court case against concentration camp commander Karl Koch of Buchenwald which ended with Koch being shot in 1945.
He was awarded the Golden Party Badge on January 30, 1939, clasps to Iiis WWI Iron Crosses in 1940, the Infantry Assault Badge and
the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver. Tried and sentenced to life in prison after the war, he was released due to poor health in 1950.
Eventually returning to his home, which he turned over to the Red Cross for their tracing of missing persons, he died in Schloss Schaumburg
on November 30, 1967. (Jess Lukens)

53
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Erich von dem Bach was born in Lauenburg on March 1, 1899, the son of an estate owner. His full name was Bach-Zelewski until
November, 1940, when he legally removed the latter part due to its Polish sound. He served in WWI as a Leutnant in the infantry and was
awarded both classes of the Iron Cross as well as the Wound Badge in Black after being gassed. He stayed in the Army after WWI but was
dismissed for political activity in 1924. Joining the NSDAP in 1930 and the SS the following year, he organized SS units on the Austrian
frontier in early 1931. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on July 20, 1931, and promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on December 6,
1931, he served in the Reichstag from July, 1932, to the end of the war. As commander of the 27.SS-Standarte he served from December,
1931, to July, 1932, and then commanded Abschnitt VIII from December, 1932, to June, 1933. He also led Abschnitte XII (July, 1932 to
January, 1934) and VII (February-March, 1934). Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on September 10, 1932, to SS-Oberfhrer on October
6, 1932, to SS-Brigadefhrer on December 15, 1933, and to SS-Gruppenfhrer on July 11,1934, he commanded Oberabschnitt "Nordost"
from February, 1934 to February, 1936. He then commanded Oberabschnitt "Sdost" from February, 1936, to May, 1941. In addition he
was the HSSPF "Sdost" from late June, 1938, into May, 1941. Given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 10, 1941, he
served as HSSPF "Ruland-Mitte und Weiruthenien "from May to June, 1944, but others took his duties when he was involved with the
anti-partisan command ("Weiruthenien " was added to the command in April 1943). Promoted to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General
der Polizei on November 9, 1941, and made a General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944, he headed Himmler's anti-partisan command from
October, 1942, to November, 1944. From November, 1944, to early February, 1945, he commanded the X1V.SS-Armeekorps and briefly in
February, 1945, led the X.SS-Armeekorps. He ended the war in command of the Oderkorps composed of whatever troops could be found
in his command area. Von dem Bach was awarded the Knight's Cross on September 30, 1944, the German Cross in Gold on February 23,
! 943, clasps to both his WWI Iron Crosses, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. He
was brutal in Russia against Jews and partisans and suffered stomach problems, probably from guilt. Ambitious, he was admired by
Hitler but failed totally as a corps commander. He testified for the prosecution at the War Crimes Trials and was himself released in 1950.
Working as a night watchman, he was retried and sentenced to four and a half years in 1961. Tried again in 1962for killing communists,
he was sentenced to life in prison. He died in a Munich hospital on March 8, 1972. (Jess Lukens)

54
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

SS und Polizeifhrer "Lublin"


November 1939 to August 16, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer (after September 9,
1941 also Generalmajor der Polizei),
after November 9, 1942
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant
der Polizei Odilio Globocnik
August 16, 1943 to November 25, 1944 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Jakob Sporrenburg

SS und Polizeifhrer "Radom"


November 30, 1939 to August 8. 1941 SS-Oberfhrer, after June 21, 1941
SS-Brigadefhrer Fritz Katzmann
A u g u s t s . 1941 to May 12, 1942 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Carl Oberg
May 12, 1942 to January 16, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20,
1943 SS-Oberfhrer, after November
1, 1943 also Oberst der Polizei, after
November 9, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer
und Generalmajor der Polizei
Dr. Herbert Bttcher 70

SS und Polizeifhrer "Warsaw"


November 14, 1939 to August 4, 1941 SS-Gruppenfhrer Paul Moder
August 4, 1941 to April 23, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer Arpad Wigand 71

Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on M a y 1. 1937 and to SS-Standartenfhrer on N o v e m b e r 1, 1938. he c o m m a n d e d 55.SS-Standarte


f r o m May, 1937, to November, 1938, when he took c o m m a n d of Abschnitt XVII until A u g u s t . 1939 (he also retained titular c o m m a n d of
55.SS-Standarte until June 1939). From M a y to October, 1939, he also c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X V and then served on the staff of
Oberabschnitt " W e i c h s e l " f r o m December, 1939, to N o v e m b e r , 1940, where he was promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1940.
He also served as Stabsfhrer to the H S S P F DanzigAVest Prussia f r o m October, 1939. to June, 1941. and was official Stabsfhrer for
Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" f r o m November. 1940, to November. 1942. From June to December, 1941. he served with Einsatzstab "Wegener"
in Norway and then spent three months with the information office of the R S H A . Attached to the H S S P F " O s t " in April 1942. he held
several S S P F posts: " K a u k a s i e n - K u b a n , " "Kertsch-Tamanhalbinsel," " L e m b e r g " and finally " K r a k a u . " Promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r
und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942, he was awarded the clasp to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd class in 1943 and the Reich's
Sports Badge in Gold. Thier died in Krakau on July 12, 1949.
70
Born April 24, 1907 in M e m e l l a n d , the son of a local politician, he received a doctorate in law in 1931. He joined the SS as an SS-
S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on March 23, 1939, with 105.SS-Standarte. Bttcher led I.Sturmbann until August 1939 and then c o m m a n d e d the
Standarte until March 1941, during which he was p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on August 1, 1940. From March to October,
1940, he was also Police Director for the M e m e l area. For the next year he was assigned to the staff of Abschnitt X X X and w a s promoted
to SS-Standartenfhrer on October 9, 1941, to S S - O b e r f h r e r on April 20, 1943, and to SS-Brigadetuhrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1944 as well
as obtaining Polizei rank. From March to October, 1942, he served on the staff of the R S H A and after that was officially on the staff of
Oberabschnitt " O s t " for the duration. He served as Police President of Kassel f r o m October, 1940, to May, 1942. As S S P F " R a d o m " he
served f r o m May, 1942, to January, 1945. He was tried by the Poles and hanged in Warsaw on June 12. 1950.
71
Born in M a n n h e i m on January 13, 1906, he joined the SS in the early 1930s and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on
August 17, 1931. From mid-August, 1931, to the beginning of N o v e m b e r , 1932, he served as adjutant to the 20.SS-Standarte and was
promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1932. He served as Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt XI f r o m N o v e m b e r , 1932, to early July,
1934. and was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on June 11, 1933, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on M a y 14, 1934. Wigand was
c o m m a n d e r of the Political Readiness Detachment in H a m b u r g f r o m July, 1934, to mid-February, 1935, and then led the III./1.SS-
Standarte for one month. He then took c o m m a n d of the 70.SS-Standarte until the start of July, 1936, followed by c o m m a n d of the 16.SS-
Standarte until early S e p t e m b e r 1937. He then was posted within the S D - H a u p t a m t (later R S H A ) until May, 1945 and in 1937 was S D
leader for Oberabschnitt "Ost." Promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on April 20. 1938, he was Inspector of the Sipo and S D in Breslau f r o m
September, 1937, to August, 1941, when he b e c a m e S S P F "Warsaw." He originally r e c o m m e n d e d Auschwitz as a site for a concentration
c a m p due to its geography and accesibility by rail. After leaving Warsaw he joined the "Prinz E u g e n " Division and served as adjutant to
SS-Gebirgsjger-Regiment 13 f r o m February to N o v e m b e r , 1943, having been a W a f f e n - S S U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r d.R. since June 1, 1942.
Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r d.R. on February 24, 1943, he c o m m a n d e d III./SS-Gebirgsjger-Regiment 13 "Artur P h l e p s " f r o m
November, 1943, to February, 1945, and was promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r d.R. on January 30, 1944. He remained with "Prinz
E u g e n " until the end of the war. Captured by the British, he was extradited to Poland where he was tried and sentenced to 15 years in
prison and released in 1956. He was tried again in H a m b u r g and given a 12 year sentence in 1981. Wigand died on July 26. 1983 in
Monschau/Eifel.

55
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

July 22, 1942 to April 19, 1943 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer Dr. Ferdinand von
Sammern-Frankenegg 7 2
April 19, 1943 to September 13, 1943 73 SS-Brigadefhrer Jrgen Stroop
September 25, 1943 to February 1, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Franz Kutschera 74
February 1, 1944 to March 3 1 , 1 9 4 4 (temporary) SS-Oberfhrer Walter Stein 75
March 31, 1944 to February 1, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer, after October 26,
1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und
Generalmajor der Polizei Paul Otto Geibel 76

SS und Polizeifhrer "Lemberg"


April 8, 1941 to April 20, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer, after June 21, 1941
SS-Brigadefhrer, after September 21, 1941
Generalmajor der Polizei, after January 30,
1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant
der Polizei Fritz Katzmann
April 20, 1943 to July 29, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Willi Ost 77
72
Born in Grieskirchen in Upper Austria on March 17, 1897, he joined the Austrian army in July, 1915, and was a prisoner of war
of the Italians f r o m November, 1918. to August, 1919. He left the A r m y in February, 1920, as a Leutnant. After the war he studied law at
the university in Innsbruck and received a degree. He joined the Austrian Nazi Party in June, 1932, the SS in December, 1932, and the
G e r m a n N S D A P in M a r c h . 1933. F r o m December, 1932, to June, 1935, he served with the 37.SS-Standarte and was c o m m i s s i o n e d an
SS-Untersturmfiihrer on April 20, 1935. He c o m m a n d e d the 37.SS-Standarte f r o m June, 1935 to March. 1939, and was promoted to SS-
O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1936, to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on April 20, 1937, to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9. 1937 and
then directly to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on April 20, 1938. A m e m b e r of the Reichstag for the northern area of f o r m e r Austria f r o m April.
1938. to September. 1944, he c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt IX f r o m March to July, 1939, at which time he e x c h a n g e d posts with Constantin
H e l d m a n n and b e c a m e Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt " M a i n " f r o m July to September, 1939. He next c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt IX f r o m
September. 1939. to July, 1943, and he was promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on January 30, 1941. As S S P F " W a r s a w " he replaced Arpad
Wigand while he served with the Waffen-SS. He w a s H i m m l e r ' s representative to the Senior C o m m a n d e r of G e r m a n troops in Croatia
f r o m April to July. 1943. and then S S P F " E s s e g g " f r o m mid-July, 1943, to September, 1944, at which post he b e c a m e an S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r
und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on April 20, 1944. A l o n g with Jrgen Stroop he was responsible for the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto
but did not get along with H S S P F Friedrich-Wilhelm Krger and was replaced by Jrgen Stroop. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1943
and was awarded the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold. S a m m e r n - F r a n k e n e g g died f r o m w o u n d s received during an artillery barrage on
S e p t e m b e r 20. 1944, during fighting against Tito's Yugoslavian partisans and was buried with honors the next day.
73
Substitute until April 23, 1943, then full c o m m a n d . He was primarily responsible for the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto.
71
Born on February 22, 1904, in Oberwaltersdorf in Austria, he joined the Navy and served during 1918-1919. He worked as a
gardener (the trade of his father) between the wars and joined the N S D A P on D e c e m b e r 5, 1930, and the SS on N o v e m b e r 1, 1931, in
Austria, being promoted to S S - H a u p t s c h a r f h r e r in February. 1933. From July, 1935, to mid-March. 1938. he c o m m a n d e d what b e c a m e
in November, 1935, the 90.SS-Standarte and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1935. Promoted to SS-
O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1936, directly to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 17, 1937, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on
March 14. 1938, he served on the staff of Abschnitt X X X f r o m mid-March, 1938, to the start of June, 1943. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer
on July 25. 1938. and to S S - O b e r f h r e r on January 30, 1939, he also held N S D A P posts and served as Gauleiter for Krnten during
February-March. 1938 (he was previously deputy Gauleiter). A f t e r the Anschluss he was deputy Gauleiter for Karten until m i d - N o v e m -
ber. 1941, and was promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1940. During 1940, he served as an officer candidate in the reserves
with an A r m y mountain regiment and also held a seat in the Reichstag f r o m April, 1938, to February, 1934. Reassigned to Police duties
in January, 1942. he trained with Erich von d e m B a c h ' s staff and then b e c a m e S S P F " M o g i l e w " f r o m April to September, 1943, b e c o m -
ing a G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942. He then b e c a m e S S P F " W a r s a w " f r o m September. 1943, until being killed by
partisans on the way to his office on February 1. 1944. The 90.SS-Standarte was given his n a m e as its honor title. He w a s awarded the
Gold Party B a d g e on January 30, 1939, both classes of the Iron Cross and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords.
75
Born in S c h w e l m in Westphalia on N o v e m b e r 6, 1896, he served in the infantry in W W I with reserve Infantry Regiment 32 and
was awarded the Wound Badge in Silver as well as the Iron Cross 2nd class. A f t e r serving in the Freikorps he m o v e d to Berlin and worked
as a shopkeeper. He j o i n e d the N S D A P in M a y 1929 and the S A the s a m e year, serving with S A T r u p p " H u l t e n " until N o v e m b e r 1930.
His business failed in 1933 and he joined the G e r m a n Labor Front, remaining a m e m b e r until March, 1936, when he b e c a m e a full-time
paid SS leader. He left the S A and joined the SS on N o v e m b e r 1. 1930, and was c o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on D e c e m b e r 6, 1931.
Leading the 2.Sturm/I.Sturmbann/6.SS-Standarte f r o m December, 1931, to October, 1932, he was promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r on
October 1. 1932. He then led the I.Sturmbann of that Standarte until mid-June, 1933. From June to December, 1933, he was motorized
section leader of Abschnitt III and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on September 3, 1933. He then held a similar post for Oberabschnitt
" O s t " until March, 1936, during which he b e c a m e an S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on D e c e m b e r I. 1933 and an SS-Standartenfhrer on
March 22, 1934. From April. 1935, to mid-March, 1936, he also c o m m a n d e d the 3.SS-Motorstandarte and was promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r
on January I. 1936. He c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X I X f r o m mid-March, 1936, to m i d - N o v e m b e r . 1938, and then went to the staff of
Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " until August, 1941. when he moved to the staff of Abschnitt XI until October, 1942. From October, 1942, to May,
1945, he was officially assigned to the R S H A . He served as Police President for C o n s t a n c e f r o m November, 1938, to March, 1941, and
then held the s a m e post for Thorn until October, 1941. His four requests for further promotion were refused by H i m m l e r on the basis that
the Police President posts he held didn't warrant higher promotion. He was also administrative head of the Kripo detachment in T h o r n
during that period. A f t e r service in Thorn he was Police President for Danzig and Zoppot f r o m October, 1941, to May, 1945 and held the
same post for Litzmannstadt f r o m November, 1944, to January, 1945. He b e c a m e temporary S S P F " W a r s a w " when Kutschera w a s killed
until permanent replacement Paul Otto Geibel arrived. From January, 1945, to May, 1945 he replaced G e r m a n Cross in Silver holder
Wilhelm Jeppe as IVa (administration officer) on the staff of XII. S S - A r m e e k o r p s . Married with two children, he died on August 11, 1985,
in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

56
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Wilhelm Koppe (foreground as an SS-Obergruppenfiihrer with Dr. Hans Frank wearing a white coat in Poland) was born the son of a
court bailiff in Hildesheim on June 15, 1896. He joined the Army in mid-August 1914 with Engineer Battalion 9 and was commissioned
as a reserve Leutnant in December, 1916. After leaving the Army, having won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in
Black, he started his own wholesale business at the end of 1919. He joined the NSDAP on September I, 1930, and the SA the following
year. Enlisting in the SS on January 2, 1932, as an SS-Truppfhrer, he ted the 3./1II./12.SS-Standarte until commissioned as an SS-
Sturmhauptfhrer on September 1. 1932. He then commanded the 17.SS-Standarte until the start of December 1933 during which he was
promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on January 30, 1933. and to SS-Standartenfhrer on April 20, 1933. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on
April 20, 1934, Koppe commanded Abschnitt XVII from mid-November; 1933, (he still also commanded 17.SS Standarte) until August 23,
1934, when he was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer. He was a member of the Reichstag for Weser-Ems from mid-December 1933 until the
end of the war and commanded Abschnitt XXVI from October, 1934, to the start of November, 1935. From the start of November 1935
until promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on September 13, / 936, he was Stabsfiihrer of Oberabschnitt "Ost." He then served as Sipo Inspec-
tor and Fhrer of SD Oberabschnitt "Elbe" until early October, 1939 and was head of the Gestapo for Saxony. He was the senior
commander of the Sipo and SD in Dresden from mid-September, 1936, to early October, 1939. From late October, 1939, to early Novem-
ber, 1943, he officially commanded Oberabschnitt "Warthe" and was also HSSPF "Warthe," during which he was given the rank of
Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 20, 1941, and promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei on January 30, 1942. He
actually left these posts with substitutes in October to go to Poland and start command exchange with Friedrich-Wilhelm Krger. From
October, 1943, to April, 1945, he was HSSPF "Ost" and became a General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944. During the the final weeks of
the war he sen'ed as commander of Oberabschnitt "Sd" and HSSPF "Siid." He was awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30,
1943, a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Olympic Games Decoration 1st
class. During the winter of 1941 he was involved with setting up the killing center at Chelmo which came under his direct command as
HSSPF. Dedicated, he got along better with Dr. Hans Frank in the General Government than his predesessor Friedrich-Wilhelm Kriiger,
and like Krger, survived an assassination attempt in Poland (July 11, 1944). After the war he was a success in business and became
director of a chocolate factory. He was arrested in the 1960s and was to be tried for deaths at Chelmo but was released on medical
grounds in August, 1965, prior to a trial. Koppe died in Bonn on July 2, 1975. (Phi! Nix)

Born on Dortmund on June 10, 1898, the son of a school director. He enlisted in the Imperial Navy and served in WWI at sea duty
and with the artillery, finally on the armored crusier "Hindenburg" attaining the rank of Lieutenant J.G.. From 1920 to 1933 he worked for
an insurance company. He joined the N S D A P and SA in mid-December, 1931, serving with SA-Standarte 81 in its signals section and the
elite SA-Feldjgerkorps. Promoted to SA-Sturmfhrer on December. 1933, he eventually became an SA-Sturmbannfhrer. From De-
cember, 1933, to March. 1935, he was an advisor in the Feldjger command headquarters in Berlin. He joined the Gendarmerie in April
1935 as a Major serving on the staff of the Ministry of the Interior concerned wth motorized Gendarmerie units until October, 1942.
Joining the SS in December, 1938, as an SS-Sturmbannfhrer, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on July 1, 1939, to SS-
Standartenfhrer on October 1, 1942, to SS-Oberfhrer on April 20, 1943, and to Oberst der Gendarmerie on July 14. 1942. From Octo-
ber, 1942 to late March, 1944, he headed an office group in the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei. He served as S S P F "Warsaw" from March
1944 to February, 1945 and led a Battle Group formed in that area during August to October 1944, during which he was promoted to SS-
Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei on October 26, 1944. From February. 1945, until the end of the war he was senior Ordnungs-
polizei commander in Prague as well as heading the uniformed police in the Protectorate. He was listed with the SS-Hauptamt from July.
1938, to the start of October, 1941, then was listed with the SS-Fhrungshauptamt until the end of the war. Geibel was awarded both
classes of the Iron Cross in 1944. both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Olympic games decoration. Captured in
Prague, he was handed over to the Poles and served a long sentence after which he returned to Germany. He died on November 12, 1966.
77
He was the StabsfUhrer for the post.

57
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Otto Winkelmann was bom in Otterndorfon September 4, 1894, the only child of a clerk. He studied three semesters of law and joined the
Army in 1912. Commissioned as a Leutnant in December, 1913, he continued his law studies while in the military until the war started.
During WWI he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver, leaving the Army as a Oberleutnant in December 1919
after service with the Freikorps. He joined the Schutzpolizei as a Oberleutnant in November 1919 and was promoted to Hauptmann der
Schutzpolizei on May 16, 1923. Arrested for political offenses by the French in 1923, he spent a year in prison and then returned to the
Polizei and was promoted to Major der Schutzpolizei in 1933. He joined the NSDAP on November I, 1932, and was Police Director for
Grlitzfrom 1930 to 1937. Serving within the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei into the early war years and was promoted to Oberstleutant der
Schutzpolizei on June 12, 1938, he also joined the SS on September 11, 1938, as an SS-Sturmbannfhrer. From November, 1937 to
November, 1940, he held a staff post with the Ordnungspolizei in Berlin, being promoted to Oberst der Schutzpolizei on April 1, 1940, and
to Generalmajor der Polizei on December 22,1941. He was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on September 7, 1938, to SS-Standarten-
fhrer on April 1, 1940, to SS-Oberfhrer on December 9, 1941, to SS-Brigadefhrer on March 26, 1942, to SS-Gruppenjuhrer on
November 9, 1942, and to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer on March 15, 1944. He also became a General der Waffen-SS on December I, 1944.
From November / 940 to March 1944 he was Chief of Amtsgruppe Kommando I (Command Office Group) in the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei
(this became the Kommandoamt in October 1942). Promoted to Generalleutnant der Polizei on August 9, 1942, he was HSSPF " Ungarn "
from mid-March, 1944, to mid-February, 1945, and was promoted to General der Polizei on March 15, 1944. From December, 1944 to
February, 1945, he also effectively acted as Battle Commander of the besieged city of Budapest. For the rest of the war he was a senior
Orpo commander in Austria supervising operations of the HSSPF acting as deputy chief of the Orpo for the Sudetenland. He was awar-
ded the Knight's Cross of the War Service Cross with Swords on December 21, 1944for preventing the Hungarians from surrendering, the
German Cross in Silver on November 5, 1943, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Social Welfare decoration 2nd
class. A professional police officer, he did well in Hungary but was appalled by the deportations of the Jews which he could not stop. He
was president of the Association of Former Police Officers after the war and died in Bordesholm on September 24, 1977. (Phil Nix)

July 29, 1943 to February 25, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Theobald Thier
February 25. 1944 to September 16, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer, und Generalmajor
der Polizei Christoph Diehm

Subordinate to the Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer


"Ostland und Ruland-Nord"

78
SS und Polizeifhrer "Estland"
August 4. 1941 to April 1, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer, after June 11, 1943
also Oberst der Polizei, after January
30, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und
Generalmajor der Polizei Hinrich Mller 79

78
Headquartered in Reval.
7
' Born on April 20, 1906 in Gravenkop, he served two months in the Army with Pionier Bataillon 6 during 1924 and joined the
N S D A P as well as the SA on February 1, 1929. He joined the Schutzpolizei from April. 1930, to July, 1934, leaving the SA in October,
1930 when he joined the SS. He first served with the III./40.SS-Standarte and was commissioned as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r o n November 21.

58
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

April 1. 1944 to October 19, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor


der Polizei Walter Schrder

SS und Polizeifhrer "Lettland" 80


August 4, 1941 to October 19, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer, after September 27, 1941
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Walter Schrder 81
April 7, 1942 to April 26, 1942 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer Karl Schfer 82
June 1942 (substitute) 83 SS-Oberfhrer und Oberst der
Polizei Wilhelm Fuchs

SS und Polizeifhrer "Litauen" 8 4


August 11, 1941 to July 2. 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Lucian Wysocki
April 25, 1942 to May 22, 1942 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer Karl Schfer
July 2, 1943 to April 8, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Hermann Harm
April 4, 1944 to September 15, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Kurt Hintze 85

1931. C o m m a n d i n g the 5./II./40.SS-Standarte f r o m N o v e m b e r . 1931, to December, 1932, he was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer on


April 20, 1933 and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on March I, 1934. He led the II./40.SS-Standarte f r o m December. 1932. to July, 1934, and
then c o m m a n d e d the 5 0 . S S - S t a n d a r t e until S e p t e m b e r . 1942. P r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on J a n u a r y 30, 1935, to SS-
Standartenfhrer on January 1, 1936. and to SS-OberfUhrer on August 1, 1941, he was Police Director for Flensburg f r o m September,
1937, to August, 1941. He was listed with H i m m l e r ' s personal staff (September. 1942, to April, 1944) and then the staff of Oberabschnitt
" O s t l a n d " (April, 1944, to May, 1945). From September, 1940, to August, 1941. he served as a W a f f e n - S S H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r d.R.
following disciplinary action and then transferred to Police duties. He was accused and cleared of m u r d e r charges in 1941. As S S P F
"Estland" he served f r o m August, 1941, to April, 1944, and b e c a m e an Oberst der Polizei on J u n e 11.1943. Promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r
und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on January 30, 1944, he served under Carl Oberg with A r m y G r o u p "Weichsel" f r o m mid-February. 1945,
to May, 1945. In 1945 he helped with f o r m i n g the d o o m e d National Latvian g o v e r n m e n t in Kurland. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class, the
N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver as well as both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. Mller died in Kiel in 1974.
80
Headquartered in Riga, Schrder was given the post after it was refused by Alfred Rodenbcher.
81
Born in Lbeck on N o v e m b e r 26, 1902. he studied engineering and, after receiving his diploma, worked for a ship building
c o m p a n y and a machine works. He joined the SA on May 5, 1925, and the N S D A P in 1926. Promoted to S A - S t u r m f h r e r in September
1927, he led an SA Sturm in M e c k l e n b u r g - L b e c k f r o m 1927-1929 and then worked in the propaganda section for the Lbeck area f r o m
June, 1928, to 1930. He was a Kreisleiter in Gau M e c k l e n b u r g - L b e c k f r o m 1930 to 1934 and Gau Inspektor for Mecklenburg-Lbeck
f r o m 1934 to April, 1937. A m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m April, 1938, to May, 1945, he was appointed deputy for police affairs in
Lbeck f r o m March to May, 1933 and was a state senator for Lbeck f r o m May, 1933, to July, 1937. He was Police President and
administrative head of the Kripo for Lbeck f r o m April, 1937, to May, 1945. Schrder left the S A and joined the N S K K in September,
1936 as an N S K K - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r , serving with the staff of N S K K Motorobergruppe " N o r d " f r o m September, 1936, to May, 1938, and
was promoted to N S K K - O b e r f i i h r e r on January 30, 1938. He left the N S K K and joined the SS as an S S - O b e r f h r e r on April 20, 1938 and
w a s posted to the S D H a u p t a m t and later the R S H A . He was S S P F " L e t t l a n d " f r o m August, 1941, to October, 1944, and S S P F " E s t l a n d "
f r o m April to October, 1944, during which he was promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on September 27, 1941.
From October. 1944, to January, 1945, he p e r f o r m e d duties concluding the S S P F "Lettland" post and then retreated towards G e r m a n y
where he took up his Police President post again and served in reserve until the end of the war. He despised his H S S P F superior (Friedrich
Jeckeln) and did his best to help Latvians allied with the Germans, many of w h o m he kept in contact with a f t e r the war. Awarded the Gold
Party Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class as well as both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, he received the pension for a General
after the war and died in Lbeck on N o v e m b e r 3, 1973.
8:
Born in Grlitz on June 17, 1892. he worked as an interpreter in A f r i c a (German, English, French and Dutch) f r o m 1911 to 1914.
He joined the Imperial Navy in August, 1914, and won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver during W W I .
Joining the N S D A P in 1922, he left following the N o v e m b e r , 1923, Putsch and rejoined in August, 1930. He joined the SS in October.
1931 and f r o m December, 1931, to May, 1934, served with the 35.SS-Standarte. Promoted to S S - S t u r m f h r e r on D e c e m b e r 1, 1932 and
to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r n July 31, 1933, he c o m m a n d e d the 5.Sturm after December, 1932, and the II.Sturmbann after July, 1933. From
November, 1934, to April, 1936, he c o m m a n d e d the 18.SS-Standarte and then led Abschnitt XXII f r o m April, 1936, to March, 1937.
Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1934, in March, 1937, he took c o m m a n d of Abschnitt XII and officially still held
the post while serving in Russia after April, 1942. Schfer was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on September 13. 1936, and to SS-Brigadefhrer
on J u n e 21, 1943. He"was S S P F " L e t t l a n d " during April. 1942, S S P F Litauen f r o m April to May, 1942, and finally S S P F "Weiruthenien"
f r o m M a y to July, 1942. He went to the staff of Oberabschnitt Weichsel for t w o months in July. 1942. and then returned to the staff of the
H S S P F " R u l a n d - S d . " He b e c a m e S S P F " D n j e p r o p e t r o w s k - K r i v o i - R o g " in October. 1942, and was killed holding that c o m m a n d on
N o v e m b e r 2, 1943.
83
Schrder on leave during this time period.
84
Headquartered in Kauen, it was also referred to as the S S P F " K a u e n . "
85
Born the son of a w a t c h m a k e r on October 8, 1901, in Fehrbellin, he worked in a factory and on a farm after completing schooling
in 1915. He joined the N S D A P and the S A on S e p t e m b e r 1. 1928, and served in the 8.Sturm of SA Standarte VII until June 18, 1931.
when he was c o m m i s s i o n e d an S A - S t u r m f h r e r and given c o m m a n d of the Sturm until S e p t e m b e r 9. 1932, when p r o m o t e d to S A -
Sturmbannfhrer. From September, 1932 to early December. 1933 he led the V./39.SA-Standarte and then b e c a m e a detachment head at
the Reich Leader School in Munich until late September, 1934. In November, 1934, he took c o m m a n d of S A Brigade 7. which he led until

59
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
86
SS und Polizeifhrer "Weiruthenien"
July 21, 1941 to August 14, 1941 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Jakob Sporrenburg
August 14, 1941 to May 22, 1942 SS-Brigadefhrer, after September 26, 1941
also Generalmajor der Polizei Carl Zenner
May 22, 1942 to July 21, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer Karl Schfer
July 21, 1942 to September 22, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei, after July 15, 1943 SS-
Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant
der Polizei Curt von Gottberg
July 21, 1942 to July 15, 1943 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer, after November 9, 1942
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Walter Schimina
September 6, 1943 to April 1, 1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Erich Ehrlinger 87

Subordinate to the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer und Polizeifhrer


"Ruland-Sd," later the Hchster SS und Polizeifhrer "Ukraine"

88
SS und Polizeifhrer "Wolhynien-Brest-Litovsk"
September 4, 1941 to September 1, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer, after September 27, 1941
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Waldemar Wappenhans 8 9

N o v e m b e r 1936, and was promoted to S A - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1934, to S A - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on April 20, 1935, and to


S A - O b e r f h r e r o n N o v e m b e r 9, 1935. He was dismissed f r o m his brigade c o m m a n d by Hitler's order and joined the G e r m a n Labor Front
while retaining his S A rank. A m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m August, 1932, to November, 1934, he left the S A and joined the SS on July
I, 1937, as an SS-Oberfhrer. A f t e r three months in the S S - H a u p t a m t he took c o m m a n d of Abschnitt XI f r o m October. 1937. until
February, 1940. He went to Poland as SS und Selbstschutz Fhrer f r o m m i d - N o v e m b e r . 1939, to February, 1940, and then c o m m a n d e d
Abschnitt X X X X I until mid-January, 1941. Joining the W a f f e n - S S as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r d.R. on S e p t e m b e r 5, 1940, he led a supply
column in the " L e i b s t a n d a r t e " f r o m S e p t e m b e r to N o v e m b e r , 1940, and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r d.R. on N o v e m b e r I.
1940, when he left the W a f f e n - S S but retained his rank. From January. 1941. to October. 1943. he served with the RKFDV. f r o m April.
1941 as an office chief in the main staff and was promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on January 30, 1942. As a special representative of
H i m m l e r he was assigned to SS-Truppenbungsplatz (Troop Training Area) " K u r m a r k " f r o m October. 1943, to February, 1944, and was
given the honorary rank of G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on February 2 1 , 1 9 4 4 . Attached to Friedrich Jeckeln's staff in February, 1944 (for
w h o m he briefly substituted), he b e c a m e S S P F " L i t a u e n " f r o m April to September, 1944. Awarded the Gold Party Badge on March 3,
1934, the War Service Cross with S w o r d s 1st and 2nd classes, the G e r m a n Social Welfare Cross 3rd class and the S A Sports Badge in
Gold, he b e c a m e Reich C o m m i s s a r for the Fortress Staff U p p e r Silesia in Kattowitz in m i d - S e p t e m b e r 1944. He was killed during an air
raid on N o v e m b e r 13, 1944.
"Transferred to " R u l a n d - M i t t e " in 1943. T h e post was headquartered in Minsk and also referred to as the S S P F " M i n s k . "
87
Born in G i e n g e n on O c t o b e r 14, 1910. the son of the town mayor. He studied law at the universities in Kiel and Berlin. Joining the
N S D A P and SA in J u n e 1931, he led an S A Sturm in the l . S A - S t a n d a r t e until October. 1931, then a similar c o m m a n d in the 125.SA-
Standarte until N o v e m b e r 1932. He c o m m a n d e d the IV.Sturmbann in the 15.SA-Standarte f r o m December. 1932, to June. 1933, and then
the Il.Sturmbann with the 216.SA-Standarte f r o m June, 1933, to June, 1934. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S A - S t u r m f h r e r in May, 1933, he was
promoted to S A - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r in December, 1933. From March, 1934 to June, 1935, he taught an SA supervised sports schooling
class for students. Leaving the SA for the SS on June 22, 1935. he served with the S D Abschnitt IX for three months and was c o m m i s -
sioned an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r on July 1. 1935. He formally joined the S D in September. 1935, and served with the S D - H a u p t a m t / R S H A
until September, 1939, as a detachment head and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on April 20, 1936, to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on
N o v e m b e r 9 , 1936, and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on March 12, 1938. From September, 1935, to the end of the Polish campaign he headed
the desk for press relations in the S D Hauptamt. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on January 30, 1939, he led an E i n s a t z k o m m a n d o
in Prague f r o m March to September, 1939, as well as helping set up the S D offices in Vienna (1938) and Prague (1939). During the Polish
campaign he served with Einsatzgruppe 4 and was a detachment head of the Sipo and S D c o m m a n d e r for Warsaw f r o m N o v e m b e r , 1939.
to March. 1940. when he j o i n e d the Waffen-SS. H e served with the w a r correspondent c o m p a n y of the "Leibstandarte" until leaving the
W a f f e n - S S in August, 1940. From August, 1940, to February, 1941, he acted as H i m m l e r ' s representative in Norway, helping to set up the
SS organization there. Following two months as an office head in the R S H A , he c o m m a n d e d S o n d e r k o m m a n d o l b (Einsatzgruppe A)
headquartered in Riga (Latvia) f r o m May to December, 1941. As c o m m a n d e r of the Sipo and S D in Kiev he served f r o m D e c e m b e r 1941
to August, 1943, then b e c a m e adjutant to the senior Sipo and S D c o m m a n d e r for the Ukraine. He held the position as substitute c o m -
m a n d e r for the Sipo and S D in the Ukraine f r o m September, 1942, to August, 1943, while Dr. M a x T h o m a s was ill. As c o m m a n d e r of
Einsatzgruppe B, as well as senior Sipo and SD c o m m a n d e r for White Russia headquartered in Minsk, he served f r o m September, 1943,
to April, 1944, during which he was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 1, 1943. For the remainder of the w a r he w a s with the
R S H A and w a s Inspector of Sipo and S D schools, being promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1944, and was given the rank of
Oberst der Polizei on J u n e 27, 1944. During the w a r he won the Iron Cross 2nd class on July 2, 1940 and the 1st class award on August
27, 1943. He lived under his o w n n a m e after the war, w o r k i n g in a casino and running a V W agency until arrested in 1958. Ehrlinger was
tried and sentenced to 12 years in prison but was released in D e c e m b e r 1964.

60
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

From left to right are Alfred Wnnenberg, Johann Mrschel and Georg Graf von Bassewilz-Behr. von Bassewitz-Behr was born in
Ltzow, Mecklenburg, on March 21, 1900, the son of a cavalry officer. He served with the infantry in WWI then studied agriculture,
serving in the Stahlhelm during most of 1930. Joining the SS on February 1, 1931, he first served with the motorized section of the 22.SS-
Standarte and led that Staffel from August 1932 to December 1933. Promoted to SS-Scharfiihrer in September, 1932, to SS-Truppfhrer
on March 9, 1933, to SS-Obertruppfiihrer on September 2, 1933, and commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on November 9, 1933, he led
the 15.SS-Motorstandarte from December, 1933, to early April, 1934. He then served as Staffelfhrer to Oberabschnitt "Nord" until the
start of April 1936. Promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer on May 29, 1934, to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on June 17, 1934, and to SS-
Obersturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1935, he led the 4.SS-Motorstandrte from April, 1935, to August, 1936. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer
on April 20, 1936, he visited the USA and toured the motor vehicle industry in June-July, 1935. He returned to Germany and headed the
Allgemeine-SS motorized office in the SS-Hauptamt from August, 1936, to April, 1941 and was also Inspector of motorized vehicles from
August, 1936, to October, 1940. Moving to the SS-Fhrungshauptamt, he was also Inspector for motorized vehicles there from October,
1940, to April, 1941. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on September 11, 1938, and to Waffen-SS Obersturmbannfhrer on June 1, 1940, he
commanded the anti-tank detachment of 6.SS-TotenkopfStandarte during May /940 and was attached to the Einsatzstab (later Kommando-
stab " Reichsfiihrer-SS") from April to November 1941. Reassigned to the staff of the HSSPF "Ostland" from September to November,
1941, he also served as SSPF " Dnjepropetrowsk" as well as SS garrison commander for that area from'November, 1941 to the start of
August, 1942. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei on January 1, 1942, he was SSPF "Mogilew "from August,
1942, to April, 1943. As deputy HSSPF "Ruland-Mitte" from November, 1942, to March, 1943, he acted as HSSPF while Bach was on
anti-partisan operations (the assignment was to train as a HSSPF). Promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on
April 20, 1943, he led Oberabschnitt "Nordsee" from April, 1943, to May, 1945, and was HSSPF "Nordsee" from mid-February, 1943
to the end of the war. He became a Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS on July I, 1944 and was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross, both
classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the NSKK Motor Sports Badge in Silver and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. He was a
leading Allgemeine-SS officer for motorized aspects of the formations and well thought of by his superiors and a qualified motor sports-
man. Captured by the British, he was extradited to Russia and died there in captivity during January 1949. (Phil Nix)

88
The posts of SSPF"Wolhynien-Brest Livosk" and " R o w n o " were combined on January 1. 1942. The headquarters was in Rovno
with Wappenhans as initial commander of the combined posts until September 1, 1942 followed by Gnther. Its headquarters moved to
Luzk in early September, 1942, and was titled "Wolhynien-Luzk.".
89
Born in Berlin on October 2 1 . 1 8 9 3 . the son of a school director, he joined the cadet corps at age nine and was commissioned a
Leutnant in July 1914. His last military school was Berlin-Lichterfelde, later the home of the "Leibstandarte." He served in W W I with the
infantry including time as adjutant of Infanterieregiment 239 from 1914 to 1916. Transferring to the flying corps as an observer with
Flying Detachment 55, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and qualified as a pilot. As a pilot he served with Flying Detachments 300
and 305. He left the military in 1920 after serving in Silesia and Poland with border flying units. After leaving the military he attended the
university in Breslau. He was introduced to Himmler by Werner Lorenz in 1930, joining the N S D A P and SS on February 1, 1931.
Wappenhans served as Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt VII from February to November. 1931. and then stayed with the unit until returning to
Stabsfhrer duty from February until September. 1932. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on July 22, 1932, he led the 19.SS-Standarte
from September, 1932, to April, 1933, and then led the 55.SS-Standarte until December, 1933. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on
December 24. 1932, from December, 1933, to October, 1934, he led 24.SS-Standarte followed by posting as special duties officer of
Oberabschnitt "Nordost" until April, 1935. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on November 9. 1934. he led Abschnitt IX f r o m April, 1935, to
April. 1936. then commanded Abschnitt XXXII (which he formed) until May. 1938. As Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt " N o r d " he served
from May to November. 1938, and then officially commanded Abschnitt XXXIII until January. 1942. He joined the L u f t w a f f e as a
Leutnant d.R. in January, 1936 and served with aerial reconnaissance units until December, 1940, ending service as a Major d.R. He
underwent training with the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei and the R S H A before assuming his first SSPF post. He then held both the
Nikolajev and Dnjepropetrovsk positions, simultaneously through the first part of 1943. Next becoming S S P F for special assignments
under Prtzmann in October 1943. he led a Battle Group into January, 1944, and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei on September 27. 1941, and to SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on November 9, 1943. From mid-1942 on
he was ill for various periods and was listed as a reserve officer after March, 1944. He would have served on Field Marshal Walter
Model's staff in January, 1945, but illness prevented this and he was ordered to Berlin. However, he went elsewhere with his family and
discarded his uniform as well as changing his name. Awarded the Iron Cross 1st class and a clasp to his W W I 2nd class in 1940, he ran a
small business after the war and was eventually discovered but received a war pension. He later ran a coffee house in Braunschweig and
died in Hannover on December 2. 1967.

61
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Heinrich Schmauser was born in Hof-an-der-Saale on January 18, 1890, the son of a merchant. He joined the Army in October 1911 and
served first with an infantry regiment. After attending the War School in Hannover he was commissioned as a Leutnant, becoming a
platoon, company and temporary battalion commander. Twice wounded, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in
Silver. Promoted to Oberleutnant, he left the Army in February, 1919, and worked as a bank clerk. Joining the NSDAP and the SA on
March I, 1930, he led a Sturm in SA-Standarte 10 based in Zwickau from March, 1930, until joining the SS on October 14, 1930,
following a meeting with Himmler. Commissioned as an SS-Standartenfhrer on October 15, 1930, he led the early form of the eventual
7.SS-Standarte from December, 1930, to August, 1932. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on October 6, 1932, he led Abschnitt XVI from
August, 1932, to July, 1933. A member of the Reichstag from July, 1932, to the end of the war, he was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on
July 3, 1933. From July, 1933, to April, 1936, he commanded Oberabschnitt "Sud" and its earlier titled forms. During the June, 1934,
purge of the SA leadership he was Himmler's liaison officer with the Reichswehr. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on September 15, 1933,
and to SS-Obergruppenfhrer on April 20, 1937, from April, 1936, to May, 1941, he headed Oberabschnitt "Main." He trained with the
"Totenkopf" Division during March and April, 1940, and became HSSPF "Sdost" from May, 1941, to February, 1945. He also offi-
cially headed Oberabschnitt "Sdost" from June, 1941, to February, 1945 though assuming the post from Erich von dem Bach several
weeks earlier. Given the ranks of General der Polizei on April 10, 1941, and General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944, he was awarded the
Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1940, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class.
More popular (and less destructive in all ways) than von dem Bach who he replaced, Schmauser was captured by the Russians with his
Gendarmerie escort on February 10, 1945 and died in Russian captivity on December 31, 1945. (Phil Nix)

SS und Polizeifhrer "Rowno"


August 1, 1941 to January 1, 1942 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Gerrett Korsemann
September 1, 1942 to June 6, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1943
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Wilhelm Gnther 91
February 10, 1944 to September 6, 1944 (substitute) 92 SS-Oberfhrer, after August 1, 1944
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Ernst Hartmann

" Born April 2 1 , 1 8 9 9 , he served in W W I with signals units and won the Iron Cross 2nd class before leaving the Army in October
1919. After the war studied electrical engineering and spent time in prison for spying on French occupational forces. He joined the
N S D A P in May 1932 and the SS on March 14, 1933, first serving as a signals man on the staff of Abschnitt XI from March, 1933, to
April, 1935. An SS-Untersturmfiihrer after April 20. 1935. he served with SD Oberabschnitt "Rhein" until April. 1937, and was promoted
to SS-Obersturmfhrer on January 30, 1936 and to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer on April 20, 1937. He then headed SD Oberabschnitt "Sdost"
from April 1937 until November 1938 and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on January 30. 1938. to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on
September 11. 1938. and to SS-Standartenfhrer on September 10, 1939. He served with the SD during the Sudetenland takeover and was
promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on November 9, 1941. As Inspector of the Sipo and SD in Stettin he served from October, 1939 to March,
1941 then held the same post in Kassel until September, 1942. Gnther served as S S P F "Bergvolker-Ordshonikidse" f r o m May to
August. 1942. He then held his S S P F " R o w n o " post during which Prtzmann, who thought well of him, recommended him for promotion
to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei (April 20, 1943). He was senior Sipo and SD commander in Triest from May, 1944, to
mid-February. 1945, then spent the remainder of the war in a staff position with the RSHA. Awarded a clasp to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd
class, the Iron Cross 1st class and the Olympic games decoration 2nd class, he died on December 31, 1945.
92
Was official deputy to Wilhelm Gnther.

62
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

From right to left are Rudolf Querner, Karl Wolff, Heinrich Himmler and Luftwaffe General Ludwig Wolff. Rudolf Querner was born in
Lehndorf, Saxony, on June 10, 1893, the son of an estate owner. He became a cadet in 1906 in Dresden, later attending the war college
in Hannover. Commissioned as a Leutnant in February 1912, during WWI he was a French prisoner of war from August, 1914 to
December, 1918, and won the Iron Cross 2nd class. In September, 1919, he joined the Saxony Security Police as a Leutnant and later
transferred to the Gendarmerie. Promoted to Hauptmann in 1922, he served as an adjutant, section and company commander. He left the
Gendarmerie in 1935 having been a Oberstleutnant since 1933. Also a member of the Hitler Youth from 1930 to 1933, he joined the
NSDAP in early May, 1933, and transferred to the Schutzpolizei in mid-March, 1935, as a Oberstleutnant. Promoted to Oberst on
September 1, 1936, he commanded the Schutzpolizei in Hamburg from that date until the start of April, 1937. He was then Inspector of the
Schutzpolizei in Hamburg, Bremen, and Oldenburg until the end of October, 1940. Joining the SS as an SS-Standartenfhrer on May 22,
1938, he first served on the staff of Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" (later "Nordsee") until early November, 1940, and was promoted to SS-
Oberfiihrer on June 18, 1939. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on April 20, 1940, he led an Einsatzgruppe in Bohemia during early 1939
as well as being senior commander of the Ordnungspolizei in Prague from March to June, 1939. Again promoted on April 20, 1939, to
Generalmajor der Polizei and on November 9, 1940 to SS-Gruppenfhrer, he was General Inspector of the Gendarmerie and Schutzpolizei
in the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei from the start of November, 1940, to late April, 1941, and was also promoted to Generalleutnant der
Polizei on November 9, 1940. As HSSPF "Nordsee" he served from late April, 1941 to late January, 1943, and also led Oberabschnitt
"Nordsee" from April, 1941, to April, 1943. From early May, 1943 to October, 1944, he led Oberabschnitt "Donau" and was HSSPF
"Donau " from the start of February, 1943, until early October, 1944, being promoted to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Polizei
on June 21, 1943. In the later post he replaced Ernst Kaltenbrunner who left to take command of the RSHA. Given the rank of General der
Waffen-SS on July I, 1944, he was commander of Oberabsclmitt " Mitte" and HSSPF "Mitte" from early October, 1944, to the end of the
war as a replacement for Hermann Hofie who went to Slovakia. Well educated with interests in forestry and land management, he was
fluent in French and one of the least forceful of the HSSPF. Awarded both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the Olympic
Games Decoration 2nd class and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, he committed suicide in Magdeburg on May 27, 1945. (Phil Nix)

SS und Polizeifhrer "Charkow"


August 4, 1941 to May 19, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer, after June 1. 1942
also Generalmajor der Polizei Willy Tensfeld 92

92
Born on November 27, 1893, he joined the Imperial Navy in 1909 and served in W W I with U-boats. After leaving the Navy in
1923 he worked in the Kiel shipyards until 1931. He joined the SS on September 1. 1931, and the N S D A P in early December that year.
First serving with the l./III./40.SS-Standarte, he was promoted to SS-Scharfiihrer on November 19, 1931. and to SS-Truppfhrer on
November 26, 1931. From late November, 1931, to mid-August, 1932, he was adjutant of the III./40.SS-Standarte and was commissioned
as an SS-Sturmfhrer on March 14. 1932. He was StabsfUhrer of Abschnitt XIV from mid-August, 1932, to the end of November. 1933,
being promoted to SS-SturmhauptfUhrer on October 7. 1932. to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on January 30, 1933 and to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer
on September 3, 1933. As commander of the 17.SS-Standarte he served from June, 1934, to March, 1935. and then led the ^ . S S -
Standarte until April 1936. He led Abschnitt IX from April, 1936. to January, 1939, and then was StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Nordwest"
(later "Nordsee") from January, 1939, to June, 1942. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on January 30. 1941, and to Generalmajor der Polizei
on June 1. 1942, he served as SSPF " C h a r k o w " (August, 1941, to May, 1943, he also commanded the garrison there), SSPF "Stalino"
(May to September, 1943), SSPF "Shitomir" (April/May, 1943), S S P F for special assignment to the H S S P F "Italien" (September. 1943
to January, 1944) and SSPF "Oberitalien West" (January, 1944 to May, 1945). Tensfeld was awarded the N S D A P Long Service Award in
Silver, the Iron Cross 2nd class on March 31, 1943, the Iron Cross 1st class on September 25, 1943, and both classes of the War Service

63
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

October 10, 1942 to October 22, 1942 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer Bernhard Fischer-Schweder 9 3
May 19, 1943 to September 11, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Hans Haltermann
September 11, 1943 to October 18, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Dr. Gnther Merk

SS und Polizeifhrer "Dnjepropetrowsk-Krivoi-Rog"


November 11, 1941 to August 1, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer, after January 1, 1942
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Georg Graf von Bassewitz-Behr
August 1, 1942 to October 4. 1942 SS-Brigadefhrer, after September 16, 1942
also Generalmajor der Polizei Hermann Harm
October 4, 1942 to October 4, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Waldemar Wappenhans
October 4, 1943 to November 2, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Karl Schfer

SS und Polizeifhrer "Kiew"


October 1, 1941 to May 19, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer, after January 30, 1942
also Generalmajor der Polizei, after
January 30, 1943
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Hans Haltermann
May 1, 1943 to December 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Paul Hennicke
October 10, 1942 to October 22, 1942 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer Bernhard Fischer-Schweder

SS und Polizeifhrer "Nikolajew"


October 22, 1941 to September I, 1942 SS-Brigadefhrer Fritz Tittmann 94
September 1. 1942 to April 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Waldemar Wappenhans

Cross with Swords. He was also awarded the G e r m a n Cross in Gold on February 15, 1945, by r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of H S S P F Karl Wolff for
c o m m a n d i n g a force of 3,000 G e r m a n s and Italian Blackshirts in defeating 6.000 partisans in D o m o d o s s o l a during mid-October, 1944.
Tensfeld was an efficient supply administrator for Wolff in Italy. He was liaison officer with those Italian Facists still loyal to G e r m a n y
after September, 1943, until the surrender and died in H a m b u r g on S e p t e m b e r 2, 1982.
93
Born on January 12, 1904. in Berlin-Spandau, he served with the Freikorps in 1921 and joined the S A in August 1925 as well as
the N S D A P for the second time in April, 1929. In 1930 he was promoted to SA-Sturmbannfiihrer and in 1931 to SA-Standartenfhrer,
serving with S A G r u p p e "Schlesien" (Silesia) until the R h m Putsch of June, 1934. He w a s arrested and nearly executed during that time
but was found innocent by the G e s t a p o and released in September, 1934. Promoted to SA-OberfUhrer in 1935, he held S A rank until
August 1941. Joining the G e s t a p o after his release, he took Police training and then served with the espionage and intelligence detach-
ment of the G e s t a p o in Liegnitz then Breslau (where he eventually led the office) until October, 1940. He also headed a similar detach-
ment in Vienna f r o m March to August, 1938. After serving as Police Director in M e m e l f r o m October, 1 9 4 0 , t o J u n e , 1941 (he held titular
c o m m a n d until October. 1942), he served in Russia where he led a Schutzpolizei K o m m a n d o attached to Einsatzgruppe A. Joining the SS
as an S S - O b e r f h r e r in 1941. he led the Schutzpolizei attached to E i n z a t z k o m m a n d o "Tilsit" until October, 1942. A f t e r briefly serving as
the S S P F " C h a r k o w , " he went to Kiev with the Schutzpolizei unit he had led in Tilsit. After being tried and convicted for public drunkeness
he was posted to the W a f f e n - S S as an enlisted man in September, 1943. He served with training and replacement units and later with the
S S - P a n z e r - G r e n a d i e r - S c h u l e " K i e n s c h l a g . " P r o m o t e d to S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r d . R . on O c t o b e r 2 6 . 1944. a f t e r b e i n g an S S -
Standartenoberjunker, he served as a c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r with the 12.SS-Panzer-Division " H i t l e r j u g e n d " f r o m January, 1945, to May,
1945. He w a s awarded the Gold Party Badge and War Service Cross 2nd class. Arrested after the war and sentenced to 10 years in prision.
he was later released and died on N o v e m b e r 28. 1960.
94
Born in Leipzig on July 18, 1889, he served in W W I with the infantry, was w o u n d e d three times and won both classes of the Iron
Cross. He joined the N S D A P in July, 1921. and founded the first N S D A P g r o u p outside Bavaria. Tittmann was Gauleiter for Saxony f r o m
October, 1921, to early N o v e m b e r , 1923, and attended the 1922 Coburg rally. He left the N S D A P in the w a k e of the N o v e m b e r 1923
Putsch. Rejoining the N S D A P and S A in 1925, he was Gauleiter of Saxony (July/August, 1925) and Gau Inspector for Kurmark (1930-
32) then Reich Inspector for K u r m a r k , Berlin and Silesia until September, 1936, when the posts were abolished. He was originally in the
SS in the late 1920s but left in 1929, he also headed the press corps for the 1933 and 1934 N S D A P rallies. Rejoining the SS as an SS-
O b e r f h r e r on April 20, 1938, he served on H i m m l e r ' s staff as H i m m l e r ' s ethnic G e r m a n plenipotentiary for receiving SS Sudeten
e m i g r e s by the designated N S D A P organization until the autumn of 1941. Reassigned to Police duties he was S S P F " N i k o l a j e w " f r o m
October. 1941, to the start of September, 1942, and then stayed with the staff of the H S S P F " R u l a n d - S d " until September, 1944.
Reprimanded for allocating forced labor for private use, he was transferred to Italy as a district head until the end of the war. His family
w a s killed in an air raid and Tittmann burned to death in Treuenbrietzen on April 20, 1945.

64
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Richard Hildebrandt was born on March 13, 1897 in Worms am Rhein, the sixth son of a school teacher. He joined the Army in early May
1915, serving with the artillery as an observer and battery commander. Commissioned as a Leutnant in the reserves in February 1918, he
was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class and served in Russia and France. Between the wars he attended a university and worked in the
banking field. Joining the NSDAP and 4 in May, 1922, but left after the Munich Putsch. He worked in the United States from 1928 to
1930, rejoining the NSDAP and SA on June I, 1928. Leaving the SA he joined the SS in February, 1931, and was commissioned as an SS-
Sturmfiihrer on June 24, 1931. He served with Abschnitt I from June to August 1931 and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on August
14, 1931. From mid-August, 1931, to the start of October, 1932, he was the first StabsfUhrer of Abschnitt I as well as being Sepp Dietrich's
adjutant. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on October 18, 1931, and to SS-Oberfhrer on January I, 1932, he also served as StabsfUhrer
to SS Gruppe "Sd" from August, 1931, to October, 1932, after which he commanded the Gruppe until late January, 1933. Assigned to
Gruppe "West" from late January to early November, 1933, he was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on November 9, 1933. From Novem-
ber, 1933, to mid-April, 1935, he was the first commander of Abschnitt XXI and then commanded Abschnitt XI to the end of 1936.
Promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on September 13, 1936, he led Oberabschnitt "Rhein "from early January, 1937, to September, 1939. As
HSSPF "Rhein" (see "Rhein-Westmark") he served from April to October, 1939, and headed Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" from November,
1939, to April, 1943. Given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 10, 1941, and promoted to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und
General der Polizei on January 30, 1942, he was HSSPF "Schwarzes Meer" from December 1943 to September 1944 and was also SSPF
"Simferopol" during the same period. During August and September; 1944 he also held the briefly existing HSSPF "Siebenbrgen " post.
In the final months of the war he was HSSPF "Sdost" and leader of Oberabschnitt "Sdost" (March, 1945 to the end of the war),
HSSPF "Bhmen Mhren" (April-May, 1945) and head of Oberabschnitt "Sd" from February, 1945, to the end of the war. Given the
rank of General der Waffen-SS on December 1, 1944, from April, 1943, to the end of the war he headed the RuSHA with deputies
performing his duties when he was involved with his other posts. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross
and the Iron Cross 1st class in 1944, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, The NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver, the SA
Sports Badge in Gold and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. He was most effective in making the RuSHA a smoother running main office,
eliminating existing red tape. Tried by the allies after the war he was sentenced to 25 years in prison then extradited to Poland for trial.
Sentenced to death by the Poles in 1949, he was hanged on March 10, 1952. (Phil Nix)

April 1943 to October 10, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der


Polizei Paul Zimmermann 9 5
October 10, 1943 to March 21, 1944 (substitute) SS-Brigadefhrer Rudolf Weiss
October 6, 1943 to February 11. 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer, after November 9, 1943
SS-Gruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei, after July 1, 1944
Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
Ludolf von Alvensleben

95
Born in Mnster on July 2, 1895, the son of a government surveyor. He served in W W I and won both classes of the Iron Cross.
After the war got a degree in construction engineering specializing in roads and railways. Joining the N S D A P in 1931, he entered the SS
as an SS-Standartenfhrer in 1936. First serving on the staff of the SS-Hauptamt, he became StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Elbe" from
October, 1937, to the end of June, 1938, and was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on April 20, 1938. From June, 1938, to April, 1943, he was
involved with the SS interests in the "Four Year Plan" and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on August 1, 1940, and in the spring of
1943 became a Generalmajor der Polizei. After serving as SSPF "Nikolajew" he was special duties officer for the H S S P F "Ukraine"
until 1944. In 1944/1945, he was assigned to Wolff's H S S P F "Italien" staff and also was a civilian company director. Awarded a clasp
to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd class and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold, he died on May 21, 1980.

65
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Karl Hermann Frank (shown in Prague on the far right while on the left is Reinhard Heydrich) was horn in Karlsbad on January 24,
1898, the son of a school teacher. He studied law at the University of Prague for four semesters. Starting in 1920 he worked as a
bookkeeper, joining the Austrian Nazi Party and later became a bookseller specializing in Socialist propaganda until 1933. Elected to the
Czech parliment in May 1935, he became a senator that same month. He led the Sudetenland Freikorps and became deputy Gauleiter of
the area from late 1938 to the end of April, 1939, as well as being deputy commissioner. Joining the SS on November 1, 1938, he became
an SS-Brigadefuhrer effective November I, 1938, and when Constantin Freiherr von Neurath became Reichsprotector of Czechoslova-
kia, Frank became State Secretary on March 18, 1939. From April, 1939, to April, 1945, he was HSSPF "Bhmen und Mhren" and was
promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on November 9, 1939, as well as being made a Generalleutnant der Polizei. He also headed Oberabschnitt
"Bhmen und Mhren" from the start of April, 1944, to May, 1945. A member of the Reichstag for the Sudetenland from April, 1939 to
August, 1943, he became deputy Reichsprotector under Neurath and Heydrich, also becoming a Reichsminister in August, 1943 to head
the civil administration in Czechoslovakia until the area was retaken by the Allies in 1945. He was confirmed as a General der Polizei
and General der Waffen-SS in 1944. Awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Gold Hitler Youth Honor Badge, the War Sen'ice Cross 1st class
with Swords and the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver, he was ambitious and hated the Czechs. A fanatical Socialist and radical in his
beliefs, he fought for SS control within his area regarding all respects including armaments. A close confident of Heydrich, he was the
actual power behind Heydrich's successors. Very active in supressing political agitation and in deporting Czech Jews, he was married
and had three children. Tried by the Czechs in 1946, he was publicallv hanged in front of4,000 spectators on May 22, 1946. (Author's
archive)

SS und Polizeifhrer "Stanislav-Rostow" 9 6


August 4, 1941 to May 27, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer, after September 27, 1941
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Dr. Richard Wendler
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
May 27, 1942 to October 1, 1942
der Polizei , after July 1, 1942 SS-
Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant
der Polizei Gerrett Korsemann
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
October 1, 1942 to May 1, 1943
Polizei Paul Hennicke

" Retitled "Rostow-Awdejewka" on January 27, 1942.

66
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

SS und Polizeifhrer "Shitomir"


October 22, 1941 to May 20, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20,1942
SS-Oberfhrer, after January 30, 1943
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Otto Hellwig
April 19, 1943 to May 20, 1943 (substitute) 97 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Willy Tensfeld
May 5, 1943 to September 25, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Willy Schmeicher
September 25, 1943 to October 21, 1943 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Traupe
October 31, 1943 to January 25, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer Ernst Hartmann
January 25, 1944 to February 25, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Christoph Diehm

SS und Polizeifhrer "Taurien-Krim-Simferopol"


November 19, 1941 to October 6, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer, after November 9, 1943
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant
der Polizei Ludolf von Alvensleben
March 3, 1943 to December 25, 1943 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer und Oberst der
Polizei Heinz Roch
December 25, 1943 to September 5, 1944 (substitute) SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General
der Polizei Richard Hildebrandt

SS und Polizeifhrer "Stalino-Donezgebiet"


November 19, 1941 to May 19, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1942
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Hans Dring
May 19, 1943 to September 4, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Willy Tensfeld
August 1942 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer Dr. Rudolf Heuckenkamp

SS und Polizeifhrer "Tschernigow"


October 22, 1941 to November 19, 1941 SS-Brigadefhrer Ludolf von Alvensleben
November 19, 1941 to July 1, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer, after September 16, 1942
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Willy Schmeicher
July 1, 1943 to October 31, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer Ernst Hartmann

98
SS und Polizeifhrer "Nord-Kaukasien"
August 21, 1942 to October 1, 1942 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 1,
1942 SS-Standartenfhrer und Oberst der
Polizei Karl-Heinz Brger 99

97
Hellwig was on leave during this period.
98
Created for the Hhere SS und Polizeifhrer z.b.V. " K a u k a s i e n " and when the post w a s not established was subordinated to
" R u l a n d - S d . " It was f o r m e d and initially headquartered in Woroschilowsk. A s with the other five SS und Polizeifhrer for the C a u c a s u s
areas their existence w a s short-lived.
99
Born in Gstrow in M e c k l e n b u r g on February 16. 1904, the son of a teacher. He m o v e d to N u r e m b e r g in June, 1923, and joined
the SA, later m o v i n g to M u n i c h where he was a m e m b e r of the 11.Kompanie of SA Standarte 6 there beginning in June, 1923, and
participated in the N o v e m b e r , 1923 Putsch. After w o r k i n g in the aircraft industry during 1924-25, he returned to university studies in
Potsdam and b e c a m e a teacher. He joined the N S D A P on October 1 3 , 1 9 2 7 and rejoined the S A in 1928. Brger b e c a m e the S A leader for
Geusen until August, 1930. when he joined the Hitlerjugend and b e c a m e HJ GaufUhrer for M e c k l e n b u r g - L b e c k until May. 1931, as well
as being HJ O b e r f h r e r " N o r d . " Joining the SS on January 30, 1933, he served with the II./22.SS-Standarte until April, 1934. He m o v e d
to the R u S H A f r o m April. 1934, until August, 1935, and then went to the staff of Oberabschnitt " N o r d " until the end of January, 1936.
Promoted to S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r January 30, 1936, he was posted as R u S H A officer on the staff of Oberabschnitt " N o r d " until July
1936 and then held a similar post with Oberabschnitt " S d o s t " until April, 1937, during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r
on July 1, 1936, to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936, and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1937. He then returned to
Oberabschnitt " N o r d " as R u S H A representative until September, 1938, followed by three months as head of training for the Oberabschnitt.
Reassigned to the SS O f f i c e r School in Braunschweig, he served there f r o m N o v e m b e r , 1938, to M a r c h , 1940, on the school staff and
then went to the inspection staff of the T o t e n k o p f v e r b n d e for three months. Transferring to the staff of August Heissmayer, he was sent

67
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

SS und Polizeifhrer "Awdejewka" 100


October 1, 1942 to December 1, 1943 SS-Standartenfiihrer und Oberst der
Polizei Karl-Heinz Brger

101
SS und Polizeifhrer "Kaukasien-Kuban"
August 21, 1942 to November 11, 1942 SS-Brigadefhrer, after September 16, 1942
also Generalmajor der Polizei Konstantin
Kammerhofer
November 14, 1942 to May 3, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Theobald Thier

1032
SS und Polizeifhrer "Bergvolker-Ordshonikidse"
May 7, 1942 to August 23, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer Wilhelm Gnther

103
SS und Polizeifhrer "Aserbeidschan"
November 14, 1942 to April 21, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Konstantin Kammerhofer

104
SS und Polizeifhrer "Kertsch-Tamanhalbinsel"
May 3, 1943 to July 29, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Theobald Thier

Subordinate to the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer


"Ruland-Mitte und Weiruthenien"

SS und Polizeifhrer "Mogilew"


SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
August 1, 1942 to April 20, 1943 der Polizei Georg Graf von Bassewitz-Behr
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
April 20, 1943 to September 20, 1943 der Polizei Franz Kutschera
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
September 20, 1943 to July 12, 1944 Polizei Hans Haltermann

SS und Polizeifhrer "Pripet" 105


December 18, 1943 to September 6, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer, after August 1, 1944
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Ernst Hartmann

to Russia in April, 1941, after a drinking binge and shooting his pistol in public. He served with the K o m m a n d o s t a b " R F S S " and its
replacement unit Ersatz Bataillon " O s t " f r o m April. 1941. to the start of N o v e m b e r , 1942, and was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r und
Oberst der Polizei on September 1, 1942. His final three positions were as an S S P F in southern Russia and Italy, his c o m m a n d being
basically the s a m e unit (also called E i n s a t z k o m m a n d o " B r g e r " ) m o v i n g under different senior c o m m a n d e r s under w h o m he also served
in a staff o f f i c e r capacity. Promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r und Oberst der Polizei on April 20, 1944, he was awarded the Gold Party Badge on
D e c e m b e r 30, 1933, the Blood Order in December, 1934, T h e Iron Cross 2nd class in 1939. the Anti-partisan Badge in Bronze on October
30. 1944 and the Iron Cross 1st class on the latter date as well. He died in Karlsbad on D e c e m b e r 2, 1988.
100
F o r m e d f r o m portions of the SS und Polizeifhrer Rostow and created for the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer z.b.V. " K a u k a s i e n . "
It was attached to " R u l a n d - S d " when the post was not permanently established.
101
Created for the H S S P F z.b.V. " K a u k a s i e n " and then attached to " R u l a n d - S d . " It was f o r m e d and headquartered in Krasnodar.
102
Created for the H S S P F " K a u k a s i e n , " its headquarters was in Ordoshonikidse and was referred to by both names.
Headquartered in Baku.
IM
Initially created for the H S S P F " K a u k a s u s . " Also envisioned for the c o m m a n d were the S S P F " G e o r g i e n " in Tiflis and the S S P F
" A r m e n i e n " in Eriwan.
105
Headquartered in Pinsk.

68
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Alfred Rodenbcher was born in Schopfheim on September 29, 1900. He started working in a factory when he was 15 years old and lost
both parents as a child. Joining the Imperial Navy in October 1916, he served with torpedo boats until 1919. Present at Scapa Flow, he
later served on the battleship "Hannover" and the cruiser "Berlin." Transferring to land duty, he left the Navy as an NCO in September,
1930, after serving with several naval training schools, joining the NSDAP the same year. He joined the SS on as an SS-Sturmfuhrer on
June 15, 1931, and led the 1 V111./4.SS-Standarte until September 10, 1931, when he was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer. He then served
as administration officer of the 40.SS-Standarte until mid-October, 1931, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on October 18, 1931.
He next commanded 40. SS-Standarte until October 6, 1932, when he was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer and took command of Abschnitt
XIV. Leaving that post in mid-December, 1933, he took command of Abschnitt VIIIfrom June, 1933, until mid-February, 1934. (command
of Abschnitt XIV was handled by Iiis StabsfUhrer when he moved to the Linz command) and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on
December 15, 1933. From February to September, 1934, he organized and commanded Oberabschnitt "Osterreich" but actually re-
turned to Germany in May, 1934, following the death of Chancellor Dollfuss. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on September 9, 1934, he
was a member of the Reichstag for Dsseldorf from 1936 until the end of the war. Following the putsch attempt in Austria he ran an
assistance organization for SS refugees with Hans-Albin Rauter as his chief of staff. From the start of June, 1939, to late April, 1941, he
formed and commanded Oberabschnitt "Alpenland" and was also HSSPF "Alpenland" from April, 1939, to late April, 1941. He was
dismissed from both posts for conspiring with Franz Kutschern to help him add control of the Salzburg Gau to his Gait Carinthia
command. Rodenbcher was listed for the remainder of the war on Himmler's staff and with the SS-Personalhauptamt but actually
served on active duty with the Navy beginning in May, 1941. He became a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy reserves on February 16,
1942, and a Commander (Korvettenkapitn d.R.) in 1942 winning both classes of the Iron Cross. Rodenbcher was assigned as SSPF for
Latvia in June, 1941, but refused the posting. He died in Emmendingen on March 29. 1980. (Phil Nix)

69
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Above and two opposite: Three views showing a review of SS-Totenkopfstandarten in Prague. In the photo walking and inspecting the
troops from right is Constantin von Neurath (in dark coat) who was the first Foreign Minister under Hitler and initial Reichsprotektor for
Bohemia and Moravia, beside him is Karl-Hermann Frank and on the far left is the SS garrison commander in Prague, SS-OberfUhrer
d.R. Julian Schemer. In the other two photos Frank reviews a parade and gives his speech. (Phil Nix)

SS und Polizeifhrer "Bialystok"


January 18, 1942 to January 30, 1943 SS-Standartenfiihrer Werner Fromm 1 0 6
May 20, 1943 to July 18, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Otto Hellwig
July 18, 1944 to October 22, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer und Oberst der
Polizei Heinz Roch

SS und Polizeifhrer "Saratow"


September 4, 1941 to November 30, 1941 107 SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Schimana

106
Born April 9, 1905, he worked as a banker before joining the SS on June 15, 1931, and the N S D A P in December that year.
Promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer in 1932, he served with the Nachrichtensturmbann of Oberabschnitt "Nord" from February, 1934, to March.
1934. Promoted to SS-Untersturmfhrer on March 14, 1934, to SS-Obersturmfhrer on June 1, 1934, and to SS-Hauptsturmfhrer on
January 30, 1935. he led SS-Nachrichtensturmbann 6 from April, 1935, to 1936 (the unit attached to Oberabschnitt "Nord"). From
January I, 1936, to January 1, 1937. he was adjutant (Ha) of Oberabschnitt "Sdost" and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer January
13, 1936. For the next three months he led the I.Sturmbann of the 54.SS-Standarte and then became Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt VII until
March, 1938. He led the 60.SS-Standarte from March, 1938. to January, 1943. and was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on November
9, 1940. then to SS-Oberfhrer und Oberst der Polizei on January 30, 1943. From August ,1939, to November, 1940, he served with an
Army signals company. He headed the personnel bureau of the H S S P F "Ostland" from September to December, 1941. As a special duties
officer he was on the staff of the H S S P F "Ruland-Sd" from early December, 1941, to mid-January, 1942, then became SSPF "Bialystok"
until the end of January, 1943. He then served as SSPF "Sarajevo," officially holding the post until the end of the war. He joined the
Waffen-SS reserve in January, 1945, with the 16.SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Reichsfhrer-SS" and became an SS-Untersturmfhrer
d.R. on January 25, 1945. Awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1940 and the Reich and SA Sports Badges in Silver, he died in Bielefeld
on May 10. 1981.
107
The post was dissolved on this date.

70
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Subordinate to the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer "Serbien'

SS und Polizeifhrer "Montenegro'


October 1, 1943 to October 20, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer, in 1944 also Generalmajor
der Polizei Richard Fiedler

SS und Polizeifhrer "Sandschak"


September 1943 to June 21, 1944 SS-Standartenfiihrer Karl von Krempler 1.108
June 21, 1944 to November 28, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer Richard Kaaserer

109
Subordinate to the Hchster SS und Polizeifhrer "Italien"

110
SS und Polizeifhrer "Oberitalien-West"
January 23, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Willy Tensfeld

111
SS und Polizeifhrer "Oberitalien-Mitte"
April 1944 to October 1944 SS-Oberfhrer Ernst Hildebrandt 112

113
SS und Polizeifhrer "Mitteitalien-Verona"
December 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20,1944
SS-Oberfhrer und Oberst der
Polizei Karl-Heinz Brger"1144

108
A Serb born in Pirot, he served with the Austrian army in W W I and b e c a m e a Leutnant on N o v e m b e r 1. 1918, having served with
the infantry since April 1915. In 1919-1920 he was assigned to the War Ministry. He joined the SS in March, 1942, as an SS-Obersturmfhrer
and served with the "Prinz E u g e n " Division f r o m March, 1942, to September, 1943. He was promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r d.R. on
April 20, 1943. Krempler officially left the W a f f e n - S S for Police duties and served as S S P F " S a n d s c h a k " f r o m September, 1943 to mid-
June, 1944, as well as being promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer (Allgemeine-SS) and SS-Standartenfhrer d.R. (Waffen-SS) on N o v e m b e r
9, 1944. A f t e r serving as S S P F " S a n d s c h a k , " he was involved with forming the eventual " H a n d s c h a r " Division and served on the
divisional staff as administrative o f f i c e r f r o m March. 1944, to May, 1945. He was awarded a single handed tank destruction strip, the
W o u n d Badge in Black and the Iron Cross 2nd class.
lm
All the S S P F and their staffs attached to the H S S P F "Italien" c a m e f r o m existing S S P F posts in the Caucasus.
110
Headquartered in M o n z a .
111
It was f o r m e d in Bologna and later m o v e d to Desenzano.
Born on May 31, 1895, in Offstein, the son of the town mayor and a factory director. He served in the infantry during W W I and
was a P O W f r o m 1917 to 1919. He left the A r m y as a Leutnant in 1920 after having won the Iron Cross 2nd class and Wound Badge in
Black. He then studied social and e c o n o m i c sciences for t w o semesters at the University of Frankfurt. Serving with the Freikorps in 1922-
1923, he joined the N S D A P in 1922 and left after the 1923 Putsch. He joined the SS with a signals position on February 1, 1932, and then
rejoined the N S D A P in April. 1933. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on April 2, 1932, and promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r on
N o v e m b e r 15, 1932, he served as intelligence officer for SS G r u p p e " S d " f r o m March to May, 1933, and then headed an S D detachment
in the area of G r u p p e " S d " until April, 1934 (this G r u p p e b e c a m e an Oberabschnitt in November, 1933). He was special duties officer
for the 15.SS-Standarte and the 75.SS-Standarte f r o m February, 1934. to April. 1937, and then returned to his S D position with Oberabschnitt
" S d " until August, 1937. F r o m August, 1937, to May, 1945. he was assigned to the S D Hauptamt and later R S H A . He served as Police
President in Hof an der Saale f r o m August, 1937, to July, 1940. then for Dessau f r o m July, 1940 to the end of the war, joining the W a f f e n -
SS as an S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r d.R. on June 21, 1942. He fought in Battle G r o u p " J e c k e l n " f r o m J u n e until September, 1942, and then in
SS-Gebirgsjger Regiment 1 until June of 1943. He was awarded the clasp to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd class as well as the Iron Cross 1st
class in 1943 as well as the R e i c h ' s Sports B a d g e in Gold. As adjutant (IIa) of "Prinz E u g e n " Division he served f r o m June to August 1943
and then headed the staff c o m p a n y of the H S S P F " R u l a n d - S d " until April, 1944. He served as S S P F "Oberitalien-Mitte" f r o m April to
October, 1944, and after that special duties officer for the H S S P F " S d o s t " until February, 1945. From February, 1945. until the end he
was special duties officer of the H S S P F "West." He w a s awarded the R e i c h ' s Sports B a d g e in Gold, a clasp to his W W I 2nd class Iron
Cross and the Iron Cross 1st class in 1943. Well educated, two of his three brothers also obtained senior SS positions including the head
of the R u S H A S S - O b e r g r u p p e n f h r e r Richard Hildebrandt and the c o m m a n d e r of 33.SS-Standarte, Fritz Hildebrandt. Ernst Hildebrandt
died in N u r e m b e r g on March 28, 1970.
1,3
This post was the S S P F "West E m i l i e n " f r o m December, 1943, to April, 1944, and headquartered in Verona. F r o m January to
April 1944 it was under the S S P F "Oberitalien-West."
IIJ
Promoted S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on April 20, 1945, by Karl Wolff but almost all of these promotions were not m a d e official.

72
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Walter Schimana was born in Austrian Silesia on March 12, 1898, the son of publisher Anton Schimana. He joined the Austrian cadet
corps and graduated in December, 1918, upon which he joined the Army as a corporal. He left the Army in April, 1920, having served
with the infantry and being promoted to Leutnant in the reserves. After the war he worked as a bookeeper and bank clerk before joining
the NSDAP and SA on December 7, 1926. He first served with SA Sturm 1 in Munich until promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on October 1,
1929, and being given command of a separate SA Trupp in SA-Standarte X until the start of May 1930. Commissioned as an SA-
Sturmfhrer on November 22, 1930, he led SA Sturm 80 from May, 1930, to March, 1931, and then commanded the I./2.SA-Standarte
until August 1932. Schimana then formed and led the SA school "Kleinols" from August, 1932, to May, 1933. Returning to a unit
command, he led the 1,/50.SA-Standarte as well as the lll./230.SA-Standarte from May, 1933, to mid-March, 1934, and was promoted to
SA-Sturmbannfiihrer on August 10, 1933. He attended the SA leader school at Nimptech and trained with Wehrmacht border protection
units from July, 1933, to April, 1934. Serving as a special duties officer with SA Gruppe "Donau" from March, 1934, to July ,1939, he
was promoted to SA-Obersturmbannfhrer on March 31, 1935 and to SA-Standartenfhrer in 1938. His lastSA assignment, with the elite
SA Feldjgerkorps in Waldenburg, lasted from March, 1934, to April, 1935. Schimana also joined the Schutzpolizei in 1934 as a Hauptamn
and transferred to the Gendarmerie as a Major on April 1, 1936. From April, 1936, to April, 1938, he held a staff post with the Chief of
the Ordnungspolizei and was on the staff of the Police President of Vienna from April, 1938, to mid-March, 1939. He left the SA and
joined the SS as an SS-Standartenfiihrer on August 15, 1939. Serving with administrative district 11 until mid-February, 1941, he then
went to posts in the SS-Personalhauptamt (February, 1941, to July, 1942) and Himmler's personal staff (July, 1942, to October, 1944).
Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on July 1, 1942, to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei on November 9, 1942, and became a
Waffen-SS Generalmajor on July 14. 1943. Promoted SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS on April 20, 1944, he led
Oberabschnitt "Donau "from early October, 1944, until the end of the war. For most of 1940 he commanded the Gendarmerie school in
Suhl and a similar (motorized) school in Deggingen from November, 1940, to September, 1941, during which he was promoted to
Oberstleutnant der Polizei in November, 1940. After serving as SSPF "Saratow" from early September, 1941, to late November, 1941, he
was assigned to the staff of the HSSPF "Ruland-Mitte " until July, 1942. Promoted to Oberst der Polizei on December 9, 1941, he led a
Battle Group of the 137.Infanterie-Division during December, 1941, and January, 1942. He then commanded Ordnungspolizei Polizei
Regiment "Mitte" from January to July, 1942. From July, 1942, to July, 1943, he was SS garrison commander and SSPF "Minsk" as well
as taking special assignments for the HSSPF "Ruland-Mitte." Schimana was also the battle group commander for the Ukraine and
during July, 1942 commanded Polizeiregiment 13. From mid-July, 1943 to October that year, he formed and led the SS-Freiwilligen-
Division "Galizien," then attended a divisional commanders course during September/October, 1943. Assigned as the HSSPF
"Griechenland" in October, 1943, he held the post until September, 1944 and was promoted to Generalleutnant der Polizei on July 1,
1944. From October, 1944, to the end of the war he sensed as HSSPF "Donau." Awarded the German Cross in Gold on August 7, 1943,
both classes of the Iron Cross, the Gold Party Badge, the SA and Reich's Sports Badges in Gold and the War Sen'ice Cross 2nd class with
Swords, he was a personal friend of Ernst Kaltenbrunner. Serving as military advisor to Curt von Gottberg he gained a positive reputa-
tion and had ample political finesse. He organized Greek volunteer police units to assist the Germans and had little interest in or in
helping with the "Final Solution " policies of the SS. He was to be tried but committed suicide in his cell in Salzburg during the night of
September 12, 1948. (BDC)

73
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Erwin Rsener is shown in these three photos in 1945 as an SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei and HSSPF
"Alpenland" during an inspection with Army General der Gebirgstruppen Franz Bhme (wearing Knight's Cross). Both men wear the
German Cross in Gold. Rsener was born in Westphalia on February 2, 1902, the second son of a business manager. He trained as an
electrical engineer and worked in that field prior to joining the NSDAP and SA on November 6, 1926. He served with the S/t in Aachen
until December, 1929, commanding SA Sturm 16 from 1927 to the end of 1929 and was commissioned an SA-Sturmfhrer in that year. He
applied for SS membership in October, 1929, and was accepted the following year, being appointed an SS-Truppfiihrer on November 4,
1930. Assigned to SS Sturm 73 until mid-February, 1931, he was commissioned an SS-Sturmfhrer on February 18, 1931, and took
command of the 3. /111. /5. SS-Standarte until mid-December, 1931. Promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfhrer on December 21, 1931, he took over
command of the IV./58.SS-Standarte then commanded the Standarte from mid-March, 1932, to December that year. Promoted to SS-
Sturmbannfiihrer on January 30, 1933, and to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on November 9, 1933, he led a Sturmbann again until taking
command of the 20.SS-Standarte from July, 1933, to September, 1934. From September, 1934, to mid-September, 1936, he led the 61.SS-
Standarte and was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on May 12, 1934. During the Party rallies in 1937 and 1938 he was charged with
traffic control, parking and similar functions. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on September 13,1936, he served as StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt
"Ost" from mid-September, 1936, to the end of October, 1938, followed by a similar post with Oberabschnitt "Rhein" (see "Rhein
Westmark") from the start of November, 1938, until mid-June, 1940. From February to March, 1940, he trained with the Ordnungspolizei
then from March to mid-May continued training with the Inspector of the Sipo and SDfor Wiesbaden. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on
January 24, 1940, and becoming a Generalmajor der Polizei on April 15, 1941, he took command of Oberabschnitt "Rhein" from mid-
June, 1940, to mid-December, 1941. He was promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on November 9, 1941, and
then led Oberabschnitt "Alpenland" from mid-December, 1941, until the end of the war. Given the rank of General der Waffen-SS on July
1, 1944, then promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General Polizei on August 1, 1944, he was also HSSPF "Rhein "from July, 1940,
to November, 1941, then HSSPF "Alpenland" from mid-November, 1941, to the end of the war. He was also a member of the Reichstag
from November, 1933, to the end of the war. From October, 1944, to May, 1945, he headed the leadership staff for anti-partisan warfare
in Laibach. Rsener was awarded the German Cross in Gold on January 27, 1945, the Iron Cross 1st class on December 14, 1943, the
Iron Cross 2nd class on August 15, 1942, the Anti-Partisan War Badge in Silver on August 12, 1944, both classes of the War Service Cross
with Swords in 1942, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. Well educated, he was a fully
competent leader and administrator, enjoying good relations with the Army in his command areas. Married three times, after the war he
was captured by the British and extradited to Yugoslavia for trial. He was sentenced to death and hanged in Belgrade on September 8,
1946. (Author's archive)

74
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

SS und Polizeifhrer "Bozen" 115


September 15, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Karl Brunner" 6

117
Subordinated to the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer "Nord"

SS und Polizeifhrer "Nord-Norwegen'


November 21, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Oberfhrer und Oberst der
Polizei Heinz Roch

SS und Polizeifhrer "Mitte-Norwegen'


November 28, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Richard Kaaserer" 8

SS und Polizeifhrer "Sd-Norwegen'


November 21, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Jakob Sporrenburg

115
E n c o m p a s s e d the area of the Italian Alps.
116
Born on July 26, 1900, in Passau, the eldest son of a postal Inspector, he joined the Royal Bavarian A r m y in September, 1917. He
served in the 16th Bavarian Infantry Regiment " G r o h e r z o g Ferdinand von T o s c a n a " until April 1919 then served in the Freikorps until
J u n e 1919. Brunner stayed in the Reichswehr with 44.Infanterieregiment and left the A r m y as a Leutnant in November, 1919, having won
the Iron Cross 2nd class. He studied law at the University of Munich and passed his legal e x a m s in 1927 after which he served as a lawyer
with the state service. In 1922-1923 he served with the Brigade Erhardt and then joined the S A in m i d - M a r c h . 1933. From N o v e m b e r .
1933, to June, 1934, he served with the 6.SA Standarte b e f o r e joining the SS as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r on J u n e 15, 1934. In the SS he
first served in the Reich Security Service (SD) and f r o m January, 1935, to S e p t e m b e r that year w a s posted to the Reich Security Service
Main O f f i c e ( S D - H a u p t a m t ) . He was promoted quickly and b e c a m e an S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on April 20, 1935, an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r
on April 20, 1936, an S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1937, and an S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1938. He headed the G e s t a p o
office in Munich f r o m April, 1937, to June, 1940. From June, 1939, to April, 1944, he was Inspector of the Sipo and SD in Salzburg and
also headed a desk of the personnel office (Amt la) in the R S H A after March, 1941. During this period he w a s promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r
on May 1, 1942, to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942, to Oberst der Polizei on April 19. 1941, and to G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on
O c t o b e r 21. 1942. He retained his R S H A post while assigned as S S P F " B o z e n " f r o m mid-September. 1943, to the end of the war.
Awarded the Iron Cross 1 st class on January 10, 1945, the O l y m p i c g a m e s decoration 2nd class and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold. He
also served as an S S P F for the operational area of Heeresgruppe " B " in the final months of the war. Brunner died on D e c e m b e r 7, 1980.
117
Several SS und Polizeigebietsfhrer (area leaders) were also established in N o r w a y (under the relevant S S P F ) and Denmark
(under the H S S P F ) but details of the individuals assigned to the posts are as yet u n k n o w n .
118
Born in Triest in the Austrian Tyrol on August 21, 1896, the son of a police official. He joined the A r m y in August 1916 as a
Leutnant and served in W W I as a platoon leader, battalion adjutant, c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r and technical officer until 1918. Promoted to
Oberleutnant in August, 1917, he served on the Eastern and Italian fronts. He did not see combat after being gassed in June 1918 and left
the A r m y in February, 1922, as a H a u p t m a n n . He was a m e m b e r of the Austrian Socialist "Steierischen H e i m a t s c h u t z " f r o m 1927 to 1930
and j o i n e d the N S D A P in February 1932. He j o i n e d the SS on July 15. 1932, and was c o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on September 25,
1932. A f t e r leading the I . / l l . S S - S t a n d a r t e f r o m mid-August, 1932, to December, 1932, he b e c a m e the first c o m m a n d e r of the 52.SS-
Standarte f r o m December, 1932, to July, 1933. He m o v e d to G e r m a n y in July. 1933, after the N S D A P was banned in Austria and
organized Austrian Nazis w h o fled to Germany. Promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r on D e c e m b e r 24, 1932, to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on
March 9, 1933 and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933. he served as Special Duties O f f i c e r for Oberabschnitt " S d w e s t "
and was an o f f i c e r with the Political Readiness Detachment in W r t t e m b e r g f r o m December, 1933. to July, 1934. He returned to Austria
in July, 1934, where he was arrested and imprisoned until October, 1937. Returning to G e r m a n y after his release, he headed the R u S H A
section assigned to Oberabschnitt " O s t " f r o m December, 1937, to June, 1938. A f t e r three months in the R u S H A , during which he was
p r o m o t e d to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on June 21, 1938, he returned to Austria in September, 1939. and was head of SS education for
Oberabschnitt " D o n a u " f r o m September, 1938, to January, 1939. Returning to G e r m a n y once again in January, 1939, he served as
StabsfUhrer for Abschnitt X X X I I f r o m January, 1939 to December, 1940. He next went to the R u S H A and f r o m December. 1940, to
December, 1941, w a s the last chief of the Genealogical O f f i c e (Sippenamts) within the R u S H A . He then headed the Ancestry O f f i c e
( A h n e n t a f e l a m t ) of the R u S H A until February, 1942. R e m a i n i n g with the R u S H A . he served as a staff officer until July, 1943. On June
20, 1942, he j o i n e d the W a f f e n - S S as an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r d.R. and was the first c o m m a n d e r of I./SS-Gebirgs-Jger-Regiment 2 in
"Prinz E u g e n " Division f r o m June, 1942, to February, 1943. Promoted to SS-SturmbannfUhrer d.R. on October 18, 1942, following
charges by divisional c o m m a n d e r August S c h m i d h u b e r and other officers, he w a s court martialed for brutality against recruits and
transferred f r o m the division. He then c o m m a n d e d an SS Vehicle Replacement Battalion f r o m March to May, 1943, then led SS-Panzer-
G r e n a d i e r - A u s b i l d u n g s und Ersatz Bataillon (training and replacement battalion) 10 created for the " F r u n d s b e r g " Division. Leaving the
W a f f e n - S S for Police duties c o m b a t i n g partisans, he w a s Polizeigebietsfhrer " K n i n " f r o m July. 1943. to May, 1944, covering the coast
of Bosnia. In S e p t e m b e r / O c t o b e r 1943 he conducted anti-partisan operations on behalf of Constantin K a m m e r h o f e r in A g r a m . He served
as S S P F " S a n d s c h a k " f r o m J u n e to N o v e m b e r 1944 and then S S P F " M i t t e - N o r w e g e n " (Central N o r w a y ) f r o m N o v e m b e r 1944 to M a y
1945. He was awarded the Blood O r d e r on A u g u s t 14. 1940, the Iron Cross 2nd class, the War Service Cross 2nd class with S w o r d s and
the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold. Surrendering in Norway, he was extradited to Yugoslavia where he w a s tried and executed.

76
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Subordinate to the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer "Alpenland"

SS und Polizeifhrer "Salzburg"


April 1945 to May 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Erwin Schulz" 9

Subordinate to the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer "Sdost"

SS und Polizeifhrer "Kattowitz'" 20


October 1944 to 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei, after November 9, 1944 also General-
major der Waffen-SS Christoph Diehm 121

Subordinate to the Hherer und Polizeifhrer "Frankreich"

SS und Polizeifhrer "Metz"


October 1, 1944 to November 18, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Anton Dunckern 122

SS und Polizeifhrer "Ober-Elsa"


December 1, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Friedrich Suhr' 2 3

Born in Berlin on N o v e m b e r 27, 1900. he served in W W I with the A r m y f r o m April, 1918 to February, 1919. He then returned
to studies in Cologne, later attending the University of Berlin for a year. He then worked in banking and joined the Security Police in
Bremen in 1923 and the Prussian Political Police in 1926. Joining the N S D A P on N o v e m b e r 5, 1933. he joined the SS and S D on April
20. 1935, as an SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer. He was with the S D - H a u p t a m t (later the R S H A ) f r o m April, 1935, to April, 1940, and was
promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f i i h r e r o n S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937 and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20. 1939. Serving with the G e s t a p o in
Austria and the Sudetenland during 1938, he was then posted in B r e m e n G e s t a p o headquarters until 1939. He was Police Director in
O l m t z during 1939 and headed the G e s t a p o office in Reichenberg during 1939-1940 before b e c o m i n g Inspector of the Sipo and S D in
H a m b u r g f r o m April, 1940. to March. 1941. Returning to the R S H A he led groups charged with school forming and curriculum planning.
Posted to Russia in May, 1941, he led E i n s a t z k o m m a n d o 5 (Einsatzgruppe C) until late September, 1941. Returning to Germany, he
c o m m a n d e d the Sipo and S D school in Berlin-Charlottenburg until February 1943 and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942. He next headed the personnel office of the R S H A and was also Inspector of Sipo and S D schools f r o m
September, 1942, until April. 1944. F r o m April, 1944, to mid-May, 1945, he was Inspector of the Sipo and S D in Salzburg and was senior
c o m m a n d e r for those units as well. He substituted for Rsener as H S S P F " A l p e n l a n d " in May, 1944, and assumed the S S P F post in
Salzburg when it was created to relieve Rsener of s o m e of his duties. He was awarded both classes of the War Service Cross with S w o r d s
and the Iron Cross 2nd class. Sentenced to twenty years imprisonment in the Einsatzgruppen trial (Case 9) and released in 1954, he
w o r k e d in Bremen until his death on N o v e m b e r 11. 1981.
120
Created f r o m the fortress staff " U p p e r Silesia," it used S S P F staff f r o m southern Russia.
121
He was probably only titular holder of the post while serving in his H S S P F assignment and Inspector of Volksturm post.
122
Born in Munich on J u n e 29, 1905, he was a practising lawyer and served in the Freikorps during the early 1920s. A f t e r partici-
pating in the 1923 Munich Putsch he joined the N S D A P and SS in September, 1930. He joined the Bavarian Political Police in 1933 and
the Prussian G e s t a p o in Berlin during 1934. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r o n July 12, 1933, then p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r
on March 20, 1934, to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on April 20. 1934, to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on July 4, 1934, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r
on January 1, 1939, he remained with the G e s t a p o in Berlin until early February, 1935. From early February, 1935, to March, 1936, he
headed the regional headquarters of the G e s t a p o in Breslau, then held the s a m e position in Saarbrcken until June, 1941. Promoted to SS-
Standartenfhrer on D e c e m b e r 24, 1935, he was also leader of S D Oberabschnitt " M i t t e " f r o m the beginning of February, 1939, to
September. 1939, then head of the S D in Brunswick until March, 1941. As senior Sipo and S D c o m m a n d e r for Lothringen-Saarpfalz he
was headquartered in Metz f r o m July, 1940, to July, 1944. From July to October, 1944, he was attached to XIII.SS-Korps and also led the
office of the R K F D V for Lothringen-Saarpfalz f r o m July, 1940 to the end of June, 1944. A s S S P F " M e t z " he was ordered f r o m the area
by the military c o m m a n d e r but remained due to H i m m l e r ' s orders and took charge of an assembly point for straggling troops. Awarded
Blood O r d e r n u m b e r 325 and both classes of the War Service Cross, he was captured by A m e r i c a n troops and appeared as a witness at
Nuremberg. He was later tried in France and served a period in prison b e f o r e being released in 1954.
123
Born in Lneburg on May 6, 1907, Suhr was a lawyer w h e n he joined the SS in 1933. C o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r
in the Sipo on N o v e m b e r 9, 1938, he served as a consultant to the c o m m a n d e r of the Sipo in Prague f r o m July, 1939, to May, 1940, and
w a s promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r o n S e p t e m b e r 10, 1939. He served as a temporary office head in the R S H A and after March, 1941,
was a lawyer for the R S H A . From July, 1941, he was involved with Jewish affairs outside the Reich and went to Russia in N o v e m b e r ,
1942 where he c o m m a n d e d E i n s a t z k o m m a n d o 4 b of Einsatzgruppe C until August, 1943. He next took over E i n s a t z k o m m a n d o 6 (also
part of Einsatzgruppe C) and led it until N o v e m b e r . 1943. when he returned to Germany. In December, 1943, he took c o m m a n d of the
Sipo and S D in France and was p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1944. On D e c e m b e r 11. 1944, he won the K n i g h t ' s
Cross for his actions at this post f r o m what originally was a r e c o m m e n d a t i o n by H S S P F Carl Oberg f o r the G e r m a n Cross in G o l d . On
D e c e m b e r 1, 1944 he b e c a m e S S P F " O b e r - E l s a " and held that post until the area was evacuated. Also a w a r d e d both classes of the Iron
Cross, the War Merit Cross 2nd class with Swords, the Close C o m b a t Clasp in B r o n z e and the Infantry Assault Badge, he died on M a y 31,
1946.

77
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Hans-Albin Ranter was born in Klagenfurt, Austria, on February 4, 1895. He joined the Austria-Hungarian Army in 1914 and saw
service in WWI as an adjutant, signals officer, and finally company commander in a mountain unit. Severely wounded in 1915, he ended
his service as an Oberleutnant d.R. having been promoted on July I, 1918. From 1919 to 1921 he saw service with the Freikorps, in the
end with units in the Sudetenland. Between the wars he became involved with several Austrian political movements and was a primary
leader in the Austrian Socialist organization the Steierischen Heimatschutz which dissolved in mid-1933. Joining the NSDAP in 1933,
from 1933 to 1935 he sewed with the SA and reached the rank of SA-Standartenfiihrer, serving as a deputy to Alfred Rodenbcher. He
joined the SS as an SS-Oberfiihrer on February 20, 1935, and first served as a Special Duties Officer for Himmler. In early April, 1936,
he went to a staff post with the SS-Hauptamt for two months before returning to Himmler's personal staff until November, 1938. Moving
to Oberabschnitt "Sdost" he was Stabsfhrer from November, 1938, to May, 1940, and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on December
21, 1939. From late June, 1940, to the end of the war he served in Holland as HSSPF " Nordwest" and leader of Oberabschnitt "Nordwest"
from June, 1940 to the conclusion of the war. His duties were taken by a substitute after being wounded in March, 1945. Promoted to SS-
Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 20, 1941, and to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Polizei on June 21,
1943, he was also given Waffen-SS General rank on June 1, 1944. He won both classes of the Iron Cross, the War Merit Cross with
Swords in 1942 and was also an Oberleutnant d.R. in the Army and held a seat in the Reichstag. Married with five children, he was tried
after the war for his brutal actions in his wartime HSSPF post and was hanged on March 25, 1949. (Author's archive)

78
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

Subordinate to the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer "Danmark"

124
Polizeigebietsfhrer "Copenhagen"
1944 to 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer und Major der
Polizei Jakob Grobben

Subordinate to the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer "Kroatien"

Polizeigebietsfhrer "Agram"
July 10, 1943 to December 28, 1944 125 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei Willi Brandner
December 28, 1944 to January 6, 1945126 SS-Oberfhrer (also Waffen-SS
Oberfhrer) Otto Reich

Polizeigebietsfhrer "Banja-Luca"
August 2, 1943 to April 20, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after early 1944
also Oberst der Polizei Paul Dahm

Polizeigebietsfhrer "Essegg"
July 15, 1943 to September 20, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1944
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Dr. Ferdinand von Sammern-
Frankenegg
September 20, 1944 to April 20, 1945' SS-Standartenfhrer und Oberst der
Polizei Paul Dahm

Polizeigebietsfhrer "Knin"
July 27, 1943 to May 20, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer Richard Kaaserer

Polizeigebietsfhrer "Sarajewo"
January 1, 1943 to April 26, 1944 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1943
SS-Oberfhrer und Oberst der Polizei
Werner Fromm

128
Subordinate to the Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer "Adriatisches Kurstenland"

1329
SS und Polizeigebietskommandeur "Quarnero"

October 27, 1944 to 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Traub

SS und Polizeigebietskommandeur "Istrien"


October 27, 1944 to 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer Erasmus Freiherr
von Malsen-Ponickau

SS und Polizeigebietskommandeur "Triest"


October 27, 1944 to 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Michaisen

124
T h e holder of the second area post under this HSSPF, for "Nord-Jutland," is u n k n o w n .
125
W o u n d e d on this date, he was also deputy H S S P F " K r o a t i e n " during this period.
126
T h e post dissolved on this date.
I3
' D a h m held t w o posts (Banja-Luca and Essegg) simultaneously as well as a degree of control of other S S P F posts within this
H S S P F area following the death of von S a m m e r n - F r a n k e n e g g .
T h e S S P F " G r z " and "Triest" were headquartered in those cities. T h e other headquarters were S S P F " Q u a r n e r o " in Fiume.
S S P F "Istrien" in Pola and the S S P F " F r i a u l " in Udine. A letter f r o m H i m m l e r lists the prior and current S S P F attached to this H S S P F
post and is dated October 27, 1944, the d o c u m e n t e d date used for all the posts except Taus w h o s e Dienstlaufbahn gives M a y 1. It is
probable, but not c o n f i r m e d , that the other four posts were assigned simultaneously and assumed their positions on that date as well.
129
All posts under this H S S P F are also referred to as SS und PolizeifUhrer. Kdo.g I Org/Ia (3) I Nr. 760/44 dated O c t o b e r 27, 1944
"Nachrichtenblatt des C h e f s der Ordnungspolizei."

79
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Wilhelm Rediess was born on October 10, 1900 in Heinsberg, the son of a legal official. After schooling he trained as an electrical
engineer and joined the Army in June 1918 where he served with the infantry. Leaving the Army in November 1918, he worked as an
electrical engineer and continued also studies with the agriculture industry until losing his job during the depression in 1929. He joined
the SA on May 25, 1925 and NSDAP on December 15 the same year. After serving with the SA Sturm in Dsseldorf until the end of 1926,
he was commissioned as an SA-Sturmfhrer on January 1, 1927, then commanded SA Sturm 88 until leaving the SA on April 30, 1929. He
joined the SS on July 22, 1930, and served in the Dsseldorf based Sturm, being promoted to SS-Scharfhrer on August 13, 1930, then
commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on September 18, 1930. Rediess then commanded SS Sturm 54 in Dsseldorf during mid-November,
1930, Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on January I, 1931, he became administrator for 11 .SS-Standarte until late January, 1930 (the
unit was numbered as XI. during part ofthat early period). He then became administrator for SS Brigaden 20 and 25 until early March,
1931, as well as being promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on March 8, 1931. As commander of the 20.SS-Standarte as well as administra-
tor for the 25.SS-Standarte he served from early March, 1931, to early July, 1932. He the first to commanded Abschnitt XII during July,
1932, then led Abschnitt XI until mid-March, 1934, during which he was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on October 6, 1932. From late July,
1933, to the end of March, 1934, he also served as Police President for Wiesbaden. In late March, 1934, he took command of Abschnitt
XVI and held command until the start of 1935 and was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on March 15, 1934. From the start of 1935 until
mid-February, 1936, he commanded Oberabschnitt "Sdost" and then led Oberabschnitl "Nordost" until mid-June, 1940. As HSSPF
"Nordost" he served from late June, 1938, to mid-June, 1940, having been promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on April 20, 1935. In October
and November, 1939, he organized and led two Totenkopf units in Prussia to evacuate Jews. After Fritz Weitzel was killed, Rediess led
Oberabschnitt "Nord" and was HSSPF "Nord" from mid-June, 1940 until the end of the war. Given the rank of Generalleutnant der
Polizei on April 9, 1941, he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei on November 9, 1941, and became a
General der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the War Service Cross with Swords 2nd class on January
30, 1942, the Iron Cross 2nd class on November 11,1943, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver, the War Service Cross 1st class with
Swords in 1942, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver on August 13, 1937. In Norway he created native
Norwegan SS units. His success and actions in Oslo, along with-that of the area Reichskommissar Josef Terboven, would have resulted in
a trial. Rediess and Terboven killed themselves by detonating a landmine on May 9, 1945 in Norway. (PhiI Nix)

80
Chapter 2: Higher SS and Police Leaders/SS and Police Leaders

SS und Polizeigebietskommandeur "Grz'


May I. 1944 to May 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer Karl Taus 130

SS und Polizeigebietskommandeur "Friaur'


October 27, 1944 to 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer
Ludolf von Alvensleben 131

1
B o r n in Gleisdorf. Austria on September 24. 1893. he joined the Austrian army in 1914 and served with a machine gun unit in
Gebirgs-Jger Regiment 1 where he led a platoon. Captured by the Italians, he returned h o m e in 1919. He worked as a typesetter in
Switzerland and France for two years and joined the N S D A P on October 20, 1930. On D e c e m b e r 27, 1930. he j o i n e d the SS and served
with the 38.SS-Standarte in its 1.Sturm of II.Sturmbann and was the prominent Austrian SS leader. He was promoted to SS-Unterscharfhrer
on April I. 1931, and to S S - O b e r s c h a r f h r e r on February 15. 1932. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on February 16. 1932, he then
c o m m a n d e d his Sturm until S e p t e m b e r 25. 1932, when promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r and given c o m m a n d of II.Sturmbann. Pro-
moted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r o n March 9. 1933. he also led III.Sturmbann and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r
9. 1933. He c o m m a n d e d the 38.SS-Standarte f r o m mid-June, 1934, to N o v e m b e r . 1934. F r o m November, 1934, to January, 1937. he led
Oberabschnitt "sterreich" (became " D o n a u " ) . He also c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt VIII f r o m N o v e m b e r . 1934. to June. 1935, and was
promoted directly to S S - O b e r f h r e r on September 10, 1939. The N S D A P was then illegal in Austria in this c o m m a n d period so the
c o m m a n d was honorary and he assisted Nazi r e f u g e e s along with Alfred Rodenbcher. From October. 1937, to March. 1938. he was
Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt " N o r d " (eventual "Ostsee") and then was assigned to the Inspektion of the T o t e n k o p f v e r b n d e until the start
of July, 1938. He was trained to be a c a m p c o m m a n d e r but T h e o d o r Eicke. Karl Koch and Hans Loritz considered him too soft towards
the prisoners so he never received a c a m p c o m m a n d . From July, 1938. until the end he was officially StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt " E l b e "
but served in Russia during wartime. He trained in SS and Police duties with the several S S P F ("Lettland," " D n j e p r o p e t r o w s k " and
" C h a r k o w " ) and the H S S P F " R u l a n d - S d . " Taus c o m m a n d e d the staff c o m p a n y of that latter post f r o m October, 1943, until May, 1944.
His S S P F post in G r z lasted until the end of the war. Awarded the Blood O r d e r on March 31, 1939. and fluent in English, he died in
Austria on N o v e m b e r 19, 1977.
Brother of the H S S P F of the same name.

81
oberabschnitte
(main districts)

The final designation of the largest Allgemeine-SS area command was the Oberabschnitt, commanded by
its Fhrer des Oberabschnitt. This final designation only came into being in November, 1933, developing
from several previous command designations.
Like all SS units (and ranks), the general composition of the SS command levels was copied from the
patterns initiated by the SA. When the Schutzstaffeln were first created, their numbers were small enough that
an SS Gau-Fhrer (SS Area Leader) was the commander per se and as well as the sole command echelon,
though many units reported directly to N S D A P headquarters in Munich. These SS Gau-Fhrer were often SA
or Party officials as SS ranks and commander status did not exist in the first phase of development. 1
As the number of Strme increased, higher echelons of command were emulated from those instituted by
the Sturmabteilung. The initial geographical commands were the trio of SS-Oberfhrerbereiche designated
for Eastern, Western and Southern Germany. During 1930-1931, this senior post became the expanded SS-
Gruppen (Groups) also designated by area with these in turn becoming the initial SS-Oberabschnitte begin-
ning in November, 1933. : In most cases the Fhrer des Oberabschnittes was also the HSSPF of his area within
the Reich after the latter post was created in November, 1937. Generally the Oberabschnitte were to conform
to the Military Districts (Wehrkreis) and normally encompassed more than one state or parts of several states
(provinces).
The staff for the Main Districts were headed by a Stabsfhrer (chief of staff). His primary staff officers
were a Verwaltungsfhrer (administration officer), Oberabschnittarzt (main district medical officer),
Oberabschnitt Ausbildungsfhrer (main district training officer), Oberabschnitt Personnalchef (main district
personnel officer) and Nachrichtenfhrer (signals officer). Apart from the subordinate Abschnitte (districts)
with their Standarten, the Oberabschnitt also normally had a Nachrichtensturmbann (signals battalion) and
Pionierbataillion (engineer battalion). Aside from the short-lived period of Reiterabschnitte (mounted dis-
tricts), the Oberabschnitte also had a directly attached Reiterstandarte (mounted regiment). The commanders
of these units were naturally also an integral part of the main district staff as were liaison officers for N S D A P
offices and the military. A primary function of the Oberabschnitte in the pre-war years was recruiting and
offices for this were assigned to each Oberabschnitt.
In the early years the composition of each Oberabschnitt (or equivalent earlier command) varied widely
and often as seen by the following components list for Abschnitte and Standarten assigned to "Sd" between

1
Sources vary as to when the initial ranks w e r e designated, but D A L show officers with the rank of SS-Sturmfiihrer by 1928,
possibly retroactive to that date after the rank was created.
2
In rare instances, an Oberabschnitt was f o r m e d by e x p a n d i n g an existing Abschnitt.

82
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

November, 1932 and April, 1936. 3 Roman numerals indicate districts and Arabic numbers the attached
Standarten for each:

November, 1932: Abschnitte I (1, 29, 31, 34), IX (3, 41, 56) and X (13, 32)
August, 1933: Abschnitte I (1, 29, 31, 34) and IX (3, 41, 56)
January, 1934: Abschnitte I (1, 29, 34), IX (41, 56, 73) and XXVIII (31, 68) and 3.SS-Standarte
(attached directly to the Oberabschnitt and not assigned to an Abschnitt)
June, 1934: Abschnitte I (1, 29, 34), IX (3, 41, 56, 73) and XXVIII (31, 68)
February, 1935: Abschnitte 1 (1, 29, 34), IX (3, 56, 73) and XVIII (31, 41, 68) and Reiterstandarten
15 and 17 directly attached to the Oberabschnitt 4
April, 1936: Abschnitte I (1, 31, 34) and XXXII (29, 92) and directly attached Reiterstandarte 15
which wasn't assigned to a Reiterabschnitt

The Oberabschnitte are listed with their final title designations with earlier titles and unit components for
each explained. C o m p o n e n t s shown are for the years 1938 and 1944. C o m m a n d e r s are followed by
Oberabschnitt Stabsfhrer in each case. All Oberabschnitte were titled with personnel attached to them wear-
ing a sleeve stripe or cufftitle with the name of the Oberabschnitt. 5 The Oberabschnitte were subordinated to
Himmler's existing command office, the SS-Oberstab then later the SS-Amt which finally became the SS-
Hauptamt on January 30, 1935. Himmler's offices were subordinate to the SA (and thus all his levels of
command) until June, 1934, when the SS became a self-controlled organization.

SS-Oberabschnitt "Alpenland"
This district formed on June 1, 1939, from part of Oberabschnitt "Donau." 6 Its composition and title remained
unchanged throughout its existence. The district headquarters were in Salzburg, encompassing the area of
Wehrkreis XVIII, which included Salzburg, the Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Carinthia, Styria and part of the Burgenland.

Fhrer
June 1, 1939 to May 15, 1941 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Korvettenkapitn der
Reserve Alfred Rodenbcher
May 15, 1941 to November 18, 1941 SS-Brigadefhrer Dr. Gustav-Adolf Scheel
November 18, 1941 to May 8, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944 General der
Waffen-SS, after August 1, 1944
SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Erwin Rsener
November 1, 1944 to May 1945 (substitute) 7 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Hermann Harm

Stabsfhrer
June 1, 1939 to July 8, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer Wilhelm Schrder
July 8, 1943 to June 15, 1944 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Otto Eysell
June 15, 1944 to May 8, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Waffen-SS Konrad Hornung 8

3
Diagram f r o m the Personalkanzlei history of 1938.
4
It is interesting to note the diagram does not show Reiterabschnitt V which existed at that time (attached to " S d " ) and controlled
Reiterstandarten 15 and 17. See chapter for the cavalry units "Reiterabschnitte and Reiterstandarten."
5
See Angolia. John "Cloth Insignia of the S S " for e x a m p l e s of these insignia.
6
T h e c o m p o n e n t Abschnitt of " A l p e n l a n d " were transferred f r o m the control of SS-Oberabschnitt " D o n a u " in late June. 1939.
7
W a l d e m a r W a p p e n h a n s was to have substituted for Rsener (on his r e c o m m e n d a t i o n ) during May, 1944. but ill health prevented
his accepting the assignment.
8
Born in Eggenburg. Austria, on N o v e m b e r 16, 1877, he joined the Austrian cadet program and attended the cadet school in
Vienna. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant in 1896. he served with Field Artillery Brigade 5 f r o m 1904 to 1914 and was promoted to Hauptmann
in 1911. He led an artillery detachment, then later an artillery g r o u p in W W I and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class. He remained in
the artillery branch until retiring f r o m the Austrian A r m y in mid-January. 1929, having been a G e n e r a l m a j o r since November, 1926. His
last field posting was as an artillery staff officer f r o m 1920 to 1924 and ended his career as head of a military c o m m i s s i o n . Joining the
Austrian Nazi Party in May 1932. he also joined the SS on April 20, 1939, as an SS-Standartenfhrer. He first served with the staff of
Oberabschnitt " D o n a u " f r o m April, 1939, to April, 1942, then m o v e d to the staff of Oberabschnitt " A l p e n l a n d " until the start of August

83
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Fritz Weitzel was born in Frankfurt-am-Main on April 27, 1904, the son of an Army Leutnant. He trained then worked as a locksmith and
mechanic, joining the SA in 1924 then the NSDA P in September 1925. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer in 192 7, he helped form and then
led the SS in Frankfurt/Main through 1927. In 1927, he became Gau SS-Fhrer for "Hessen-Nassau-Sd" and then held the same
position during 1928-1929for Gaue "Rheinland-Sd," "Rheinpfalz" and "Hessen-Nassau-Nord. " From May, 1928, to July, 1930, he
led the 2.SS-Standarte and then became SS Standartenfhrer II, during the brief period of Roman numeral designations, from May, 1928,
to November, 1929. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on November 18, 1929, he was Gau SS-Fhrer "Rheinland" from November, 1929,
to July, 1930. He was SS Oberfhrerbereich "West" from July 1930 into 1931, then headed Brigade "West as well as commanding
Abschnitt Vfrom July, 1930, to October, 1932. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on July 11, 1930, his command developed into SS Gruppe
"West" and finally Oberabschnitt "West" in mid-November, 1933, with Weitzel in command continously from November, 1929, to April,
1940. He was a member of the Reichstag from September, 1930, until his death. Promoted directly to SS-Gruppenfhrer on December 18,
1931, and to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer on September 9, 1934, he served as Police President for Dsseldorf from May, 1933, to June, 1940.
Weitzel was also HSSPF "West" from June 1938 to April 1940. His fined post was in Norway as head of Oberabschnitt "Nord" and
HSSPF "Nord" from April 1940 until his death in an air raid on Dsseldorf while returning home on leave on June 19, 1940. He was
awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Coburg Badge, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the
Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. A fully trained pilot, the 20.SS-Standarte was later named in his honor. (Phil Nix)

84
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Components in 1944:
Abschnitte: XXXV and XXXVI
Standarten: 38, 76, 87, 90 and 94
Pioniersturmbann 15 (Salzburg)
Kraftfahrsturm 15 (Graz/Innsbruck)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Bhmen-Mhren" (Bohemia-Moravia)


The district encompassed Bohemia and Moravia (Czechoslovakia) and was formed on April 1, 1944 by ex-
panding the existing SS-Abschnitt XXXIX. The Fhrer of the Abschnitt used as a formative basis (which was
later reconstituted) became the Stabsfhrer of the Oberabschnitt. Headquartered in Prag, there was no corre-
sponding Wehrkreis for the area as it was an occupied territory.

Fhrer
April 1. 1944 to May 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Karl Hermann Frank
February 2, 1945 to May 8, 1945 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer Emanuel Sladek 9

Stabsfhrer
March 1, 1944 to December 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer Walter Oplnder
December, 1944 to May, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinrich Neurath

Components in 1944:
Abschnitt XXXIX 1 0
Standarten: 107 and 108
Nachrichtensturmbann 19 (Prague)
Kraftfahrsturm 19 (Asch/Reichenberg/Brnn)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Donau"
Formed on February 15, 1934, in Leoben, this eventual main district based in Austria was illegal in that
country until Austria became part of the Reich in 1938." It was initially titled "sterreich" (Austria) and was
renamed "Donau" in May, 1938. Headquarters moved to Linz in January, 1937, and finally to Vienna in
March, 1938. Corresponding to the area of Wehrkreis XVII, the district headquarters was Vienna and encom-
passed Vienna, Upper and Lower Austria as well as part of the Burgenland.

Fhrer
February 15, 1934 to September 9, 1934 SS-Brigadefhrer Alfred Rodenbcher
November 18, 1934 to January 20, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after
February 15, 1935 SS-Oberfhrer Karl Taus

1943. Returning to the staff of Oberabschnitt " D o n a u " he b e c a m e Stabsfhrer for both " D o n a u " and " A l p e n l a n d " f r o m J u n e 15, 1944, to
M a y 1945. Promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on September 10, 1939, and to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r und G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on April 20, 1943,
he b e c a m e an honorary G e n e r a l m a j o r der W a f f e n - S S on April 1. 1944. F r o m 1939 to 1943 he was on the A r m y "at disposal list" as a
M a j o r General. Awarded the War Service Cross 2nd class with and without Swords, he died on June 3, 1964.
9
Born on August 16, 1902, in Iglau, Bohemia, he j o i n e d the Czechoslovakian A r m y in October, 1922, where he served with a
heavy artillery regiment and in N C O training. He was a Nazi supporter and imprisoned f r o m S e p t e m b e r 1938 until the country was
annexed in March, 1939. Joining the SS in April, 1939, he b e c a m e a S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on July 1, l 9 3 9 , f r o m which date until May,
1945. he c o m m a n d e d 107.SS-Standarte. He was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1940, and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on
S e p t e m b e r I, 1942. From August, 1943, to May, 1945, he was Police Director in Iglau, both G e r m a n and Czech units. He c o m m a n d e d
Abschnitt X X X I X f r o m August to October. 1943, and then was in reserve with the W a f f e n - S S posted to the SS Personalhauptamt until
December, 1944. In April, 1944, he again took c o m m a n d of Abschnitt X X X I X which he c o m m a n d e d to the end as well as being Fhrer
of Oberabschnitt " B h m e n - M h r e n " f r o m February, 1944, until the end as deputy to Karl-Hermann Frank. His last promotion, on Janu-
ary 30, 1945. was to SS-Obertuhrer. It is rumored that he was executed by the C z e c h s in late 1946/early 1947.
10
T h e statistical listing in the November, 1944, "Dienstalterliste" assigns SS-Abschnitte X X X V I I and X X X V I I I to SS-Oberabschnitt
"Bhmen-Mhren."
11
The Austrian Nazi Party, bolstered with the support of the N S D A P in Germany, advocated the removal of the regime in p o w e r
thus resulting in the banning of the Austrian Nazis and their affiliated organizations f r o m J u n e 19. 1933 by the g o v e r n m e n t of Engelbert
Dollfuss. T h e ban remained in effect (though violated) until Austria b e c a m e part of the Reich. M a n y Party and SS men served prison
terms for their radical actions and policies during the outlawed period, especially after D o l l f u s s was killed during the failed attempt to
overthrow the appointed Austrian g o v e r n m e n t on July 25. 1934.

85
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

January 20, 1937 to January 31, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer, after March 12, 1938
SS-Brigadefhrer, after September II, 1938
SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 1, 1941
also Generalleutnant der Polizei
Ernst Kaltenbrunner
February 1, 1943 to October 5, 1944 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after June 21, 1943 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei,
after July 1, 1944 also General der Waffen-SS
Rudolf Querner
October 5, 1944 to May 8, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Walter Schimana

Stabsfhrer
February 15, 1934 to August 15, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Schuster
January, 1937'- SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Alfred Fleischmann
January, 1937 to September, 1937 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Heinz Korb
September, 1937 to March 21, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Felix Rinner
March 21, 1938 to July 1, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer Erich Cassel 13
July 1, 1942 to June 14, 1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Bock
June 15. 1944 to May 8, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Waffen-SS Konrad Hornung 14 14

Components in 1938:
Abschnitte: VIII, XXXI, X X X V and XXXVI
Standarten: 11, 37, 38, 52, 76, 87, 89, 90, 94, 99
Reiterstandarte 18
Nachrichtensturmbann 14 (Vienna)
Pioniersturmbann 14 (Vienna)
Kraftfahrsturm 8 (Linz/Vienna)

Components in 1944:
Abschnitte: VIII and XXXI
Standarten: 11, 37, 52, 89 and 99
remainder the same as 1938

SS-Oberabschnitt "Elbe'
Created from the existing SS-Gruppe "Ost" on November 16, 1933, this district was headquartered in Dresden.
On June 15,1934, its name was changed to "Mitte" and then reverted to "Elbe" on April 4, 1936. On Novem-
ber 15, 1933, another Oberabschnitt "Mitte" was formed in Halle by expanding the independent Abschnitt
XVIII and including Abschnitt XXXVII. Commanded by Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein, on May 1,
1934, this Oberabschnitt "Mitte" and its units were absorbed by SS-Oberabschnitt "Elbe." 15 The SS-Hauptamt
(Main Office) daily report issued for April 3, 1945, stated that the SS-Oberabschnitt "Elbe" headquarters were
destroyed in an air raid.

Fhrer
November 16, 1933 to May 1. 1934 SS-Brigadefhrer, after April 28, 1934
SS-Gruppenfhrer August Heissmeyer

12
N o one was officially appointed to the post between Schuster and Fleischmann, probably due to its illegal (thus underground)
status during this period.
13
Left the position (and b e c a m e an honorary SS Leader) to head the H a u p t a m t f r Volkstums Fragen (Main O f f i c e for National
Peoples Questions) to work between the N S D A P and the RKFDV.
14
Was also StabsfUhrer of SS-Oberabschnitt " A l p e n l a n d " during the same period.
15
Abschnitte X X V I I and the c o m p o n e n t Standarten of both Abschnitte later b e c a m e part of Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra" in Janu-
ary, 1937.

86
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Dr. Eberhard Schngarth was born in Leipzig on April 22, 1903. He studied law, achieved a doctorate, and first joined the NSDAP in
1922 but left the same year. After serving in the Army during 1924 he worked as a university professor in Leibnitz. He rejoined the NSDAP
in 1933 and joined the SS on March 1, 1933, as well as the Prussian Gestapo in 1935. From November, 1935, to 1936 he was assigned to
the press section in the Berlin Gestapo office and during the first half ofthat year also acted in a capacity as a political lawyer. He headed
the Gestapo office in Arnsberg from May, 1936, through 1937 and was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmfiihrer on November 9, 1936.
He was assigned to the SD Hauptamt I later the RSHA )from November, 1936, to October, 1939, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmfiihrer
on January 30, 1938, to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer on April 20, 1938, and to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on August 1, 1938. Promoted to SS-
Obersturmbannfiihrer on Himmler's order on September 10, 1939, he headed the Gestapo office in Bielefeld during 1937-1938 and then
the Gestapo office in Dortmund in the first quarter of 1938. From March, 1938, to October, 1939, he headed the Gestapo office in
Mnster. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on January 1, 1940, and also made an Oberst der Polizei on March 1, 1941, he was Senior
Inspector of the Sipo and SD in Dresden from early October, 1939, until he went to the General Government in January, 1941 (he was
officially Senior Commander until March). In Krakau he was Senior Commander of the Sipo and SDfrom mid-March, 1941, to mid-June,
1943, and was promoted to SS-Obeifiihrer on January 30, 1941, and to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei on January 30,
1943. In July and August, 1941, he also led a special duties Einsatzgruppe in Russia. In early July, 1943, he joined the 4.SS-Polizei-
Division in Greece and served there until early July, 1944. From early July, 1944 to the end of the war he was the Senior Commander of
the Sipo and SD in Den Haag (Holland) and after Hans-Albin Rauter was wounded, served as HSSPF for the area during March and
April, 1945. He also led the area Kampfgruppe "Rauter. " Awarded the Reich s Sports Badge and both classes of the War Service Cross
with Swords, he was among the more ruthless security commanders and heavily involved with the killing of Jews within the General
Government. Arrogant towards those not in the SS and egotistical of his education, he was ruthless in Holland where he was sent to
maintain a hard line against the population. An art and porcelain collector who felt the killing in Poland was wrong but continued, he
was tried and hanged by the British in Hameln on May 15, 1946. (Phi! Nix)

87
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Friedrich-Wilhelm Kriiger (far right) in a pre-war photo inspecting a model village. Second from left is the leader of the Hitler Youth.
Baldur von Schiracli. Kriiger was born in Strassbourg on May 8, 1894, the son of a Oberst who was later killed as a regimental com-
mander in WWI. Friedrich-Wilhelm graduated as a cadet and was commissioned as a Leutnant in March, 1914. He served in WWI with
Infanterie-Regiment "von Liitzow" serving as a platoon and company commander, adjutant. In 1919 he became a staff officer with the
20.Infanterie-Division. From August, 1919, to May, 1920, he serwd in the Freikorps and won both classes of the Iron Cross and the
Wound Badge in Silver, leaving the Army in 1920 as a Oberleutnant. He joined the NSDAP in mid-November, 1920, and the SS in August.
1930. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on March 16, 1931, he served as a special duties officer with Abschnitt 111 from mid-March,
1931 to January, 1935. Joining the SA on April 3, 1931, as an SA-Gruppenfhrer, he served briefly as StabsfUhrer of SA Gruppe "Ostland"
and then commanded the Gruppe until the start of July, / 932. From July, 1932, to July, 1933, he was chief of the Special Duties Staff of
the commander of the SA. He then commanded the training section and SA border units until early August, 1934, being promoted to S-4-
Obergruppenfiihrer in 1934. From 1933 to the end of the war he was a member of the Reichstag and returned to the SS on January 25,
1935, and was immediately promoted to SS-Obergruppenfiihrei: He had no post until March, 1936. From March, 1936, to October, 1939,
he commanded the SS Border Units and was also Inspector of Allgemeine-SS mounted units from May, 1938, to October, 1939, when lie
became HSSPF "Ost." He served as HSSPF "Ost" until going to Himmler's staff in early November, 1943, and became a General der
Polizei on August 8, 1941, then later a General der Waffen-SS on May 20, 1944. He also commanded Oberabschnitt "Ost" from mid-
September, 1939, to October, 1943, as well as being deputy Reichskommissar for the General Government from April, 1942, until his
departure from Poland. After losing the power battle with Dr. Hans Frank he requested a combat assignment and trained for a divisional
command with "Prinz Eugen" from November, 1943, to April, 1944. From May to August, 1944, he led the 6.SS-Gebirgs-Division
"Nord" and then commanded the V.SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Korps until mid-February, 1945. During the remainder of the war he was
assigned to the HSSPF command area in East Prussia. He was awarded the KnightIs Cross on Himmler's recommendation on October
22, 1944for his "Nord" command, the clasp to his Iron Cross 1st class in 1944, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords in
May, 1942, the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1939, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the German Horseman's Badge in Silver. His
friendship with Ernst Rohm and high pre-war rank in the SA and SS made him controversial among other SS leaders. The power struggle
with Frank is legendary (Kriiger lost) and he appears to have been a reasonably competent divisional commander, as it was an Army
commander who recommended him as a corps commander. The actions of his HSSPF command resulted in massive suffering for both the
Poles and Germans deported to the General Government, with several assassination attempts being made during Iiis posting. He com-
mitted suicide in Libau, Courland on May 9, 1945. (Author's archive)

May 1, 1934 to April 1. 1936 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after January 30, 1936


SS-Obergruppenfhrer Friedrich Karl Freiherr
von Eberstein
April 1, 1936 to April 20, 1940 SS-Brigadefhrer, after September 13, 1936
SS-Gruppenfhrer Theodor Berkelmann
April 20, 1940 to February 11, 1944 SS-Obergruppenfhrer, after April 15, 1941
also General der Polizei Udo von Woyrsch

88
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

February 11. 1944 to May, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der


Polizei, after July 1, 1944 Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS Ludolf von Alvensleben

Stabsfhrer
November 16, 1933 to January 1, 1934 SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after January 30, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 30. 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after August 16,
1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Burghardt
January I, 1934 to March 1, 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer Walter Schmitt 16
March I. 1934 to June 15, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ulrich Greifelt
June 15, 1934 to May 6, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after August 16,
1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Burghardt 17
October 23, 1934 to March 23, 1935 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer Alfred Bigler
May 6, 1935 to January 15, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Franz Jaegy
January 15, 1937 to October 1, 1937 SS-Oberfiihrer Franz Fischer 18
October 1, 1937 to June 30, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Zimmermann
June 30, 1938 to May, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer, after September 10, 1939
SS-Brigadefhrer Karl Taus

Components in 1938 and 1944:


Abschnitte: II. XVIII and XXXVII
Standarten: 7, 26, 46, 48, 84, 91. 96, 100, 103
Reiterstandarte 16 and in 1944 also 22 19
Nachrichtensturmbann 9 (Dresden)
1./Pioniersturmbann 9 (Dresden)
1. and 2./Kraftfahrsturm 6 (Dresden/Chemnitz)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra"
"Fulda-Werra" was formed on January 1. 1937, from Abschnitt XXVII with its headquarters in Arolsen, the
ancestorial seat of its nobleman commander. Its geographical territory came from part of the existing SS-
Oberabschnitt "Rhein" and encompassed the area of Wehrkreis IX.

Fhrer
January 1, 1937 to May 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer, after April 8, 1941 also
General der Polizei, after July 7, 1944 also
General der Waffen-SS Josias Erbrinz zu
Waldeck-Pyrmont

"'As a G r u p p e n f h r e r and after April 20, 1942, S S - O b e r g r u p p e n f h r e r he was chief of the SS-Personalhauptamt f r o m June I, 1939,
to October I. 1942.
17
Was StabsfUhrer under von Eberstein for the Halle based " M i t t e " f r o m February 1, 1934 until the Obersbaschnitt was absorbed by
" E l b e . " Eberstein's original Stabsfhrer f r o m formation in Halle until February 1, 1934 was Fritz Hildebrandt.
Is
Born on January 4. 1896. in Nuremberg, the son of a policeman. He joined the A r m y in 1914 and served with a Bavarian infantry
regiment where he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant in October. 1916. he
later served in the Freikorps and the Reichswehr. Joining the N S D A P in early February, 1929. and the SS in January, 1930, he served first
with 3.SS-Standarte. Promoted to S S - T r u p p f h r e r on D e c e m b e r 15. 1930. and c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 30,
1931, he led the 4.Sturm of that Standarte f r o m late September. 1931. until mid-August, 1932. Promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r on
August 24, 1932, he next led the I.Sturmbann until m i d - N o v e m b e r . 1933, and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r
1, 1933. From m i d - N o v e m b e r , 1933, to the start of April. 1934, he c o m m a n d e d the 7 3 . S S - S t a n d a r t e and w a s p r o m o t e d to SS-
Standartenfhrer on April I. 1934. Returning to the 3.SS-Standarte as c o m m a n d e r , he led the unit f r o m the beginning of April, 1934, to
the end of September, 1936. As Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt " E l b e " he served f r o m mid-January, 1937, to the start of October that year
and held the s a m e post with Oberabschnitt " M a i n " f r o m September, 1939, to May ,1945. Between his StabsfUhrer posts he was a district
administrative Inspector for district "Mitte" and was promoted to SS-OberfUhrer on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936, and to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on
N o v e m b e r 9. 1942. Awarded the War Service Cross 1st class with S w o r d s and both classes o f t h a t decoration without Swords, he spoke
fluent English and French and died at Stein near Nuremberg on July 26, 1983.
" Dissolved at the end of October. 1936, and reformed in August, 1940.

89
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Stabsfhrer
January I, 1937 to September 31, 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Arnold Hamke
October 1, 1937 to May, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1938
SS-Standartenfiihrer Joachim Richter 20

Components in 1938 and 1944:


Abschnitte: XXVII and XXX
Standarten: 2, 14, 35, 47, 57, 67, 83
Reiterstandarte 10
Nachrichtensturmbann 3 (Arolsen)
Pioniersturmbann 3 (Arolsen)
Kraftfahrsturm 2 (Erfurt)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Main"
Headquartered in Nuremberg, this district formed on April 1. 1936, from a portion of SS-Oberabschnitt "Sd.'
Its territory corresponded to Wehrkreis XIII.

Fhrer
April I, 1936 to May 7, 1941 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Obergruppenfhrer, after April 10, 1941
also General der Polizei Heinrich Schmauser
May 7, 1941 to May, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer, after January 20, 1942
Generalmajor der Polizei, after April 20, 1942
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after August 1, 1944
SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei Dr. Benno Martin

Stabsfhrer
April I, 1936 to June, 1937 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Georg Schmidt
June, 1937 to July 31, 1937 SS-Untersturmfhrer Eduard Hirschbck
July 31. 1937 to July 1, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 11,
1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Constantin
Heldmann
July 1, 1939 to September 1, 1939 SS-Standartenfiihrer Dr. Ferdinand von
Sammern-Frankenegg
September 1. 1939 to January 20, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer, after November 9. 1942
SS-Brigadefhrer Franz Fischer
January 20. 1945 to May, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer Dr. Richard Wagner

Components in 1938 and 1944:


Abschnitte: IX, XXVIII and XXXVIII
Standarten: 3, 41, 56, 68, 73, 81, 97, 101
Reiterstandarte 17
Nachrichtensturmbann 11 (Nuremberg)
Kraftfahrsturm 12 (Magdeburg)

20
A veteran of W W I . his duties were taken by a substitute during the w a r as Richter went to a Totenkopfstandarte in October, 1939
as an SS-Hauptsturmfhrer. He m o v e d to the " W i k i n g " Division and eventually c o m m a n d e d Artillerie-Regiment 5 where he won the
K n i g h t ' s Cross (February 23, 1944) and the G e r m a n Cross in Gold ( N o v e m b e r 17, 1943). Promoted to W a f f e n - S S Standartenfhrer on
N o v e m b e r 9, 1943. in February, 1945, he took c o m m a n d of the 3 2 . S S - F r e i w i l l i g e - G r e n a d i e r - D i v i s i o n " 3 0 J a n u a r . " He died in
M e n g e r i n g h a u s e n on March 19, 1970.

90
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Gnther Pancke (left) was born in Gnesen, West Prussia, the son of an Army Hauptmann on May 1, 1889. He joined the Prussian cadet
corps in 1910 and graduated in 1917. Commissioned as a Leutnant in June 1918, he won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge
in Black. After service with an East Prussian border protection unit he left the military in 1920. Fluent in Spanish, he moved to South
America in 1920 and worked there as a farmer until 1927 when he returned to Germany to work in a technical physics laboratory in Kiel
until 1931. Joining the NSDAP on August I, 1930, he lost his job and was jailed for six weeks for his political activities. He joined the SS
on June 1, 1931, teaching at and later heading the SS school in Kreinsen until mid-June, 1932. He then served as adjutant to the 12.SS-
Standarte until Christmas eve that year and on that date was commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer. As commander of the 50.SS-Standarte
he then served until December, 1933, during which he was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfhrer on January 30, 1933, to SS-Sturmbannfhrer
on June 12, 1933, to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on September 3, 1933, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on December 15, 1933. Moving to
command an Abschnitt, he ted XXII until mid-February, 1934, and then commanded Abschnitt XIII until mid-September, 1934, during
which he was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on April 20, 1934. He then led Abschnitt XV until late May, 1935, and returned to the Army as
a Leutnant for training with reconnaissance troops. From March, 1935, to the start of July, 1936, he was Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt
"Nord" and "Nordwest" after its title changed (see "Nordsee"). Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on September 13, 1936, and to SS-
Gruppenfiihrer on September I, 1938, he was chief of the RuSHA from September, 1938 to July, 1940 (he actually took over for Darre as
his substitute in July). From October to the start of December, 1939, he was a special police commander with Armeeoberkommando 8,
transmitting orders from Hitler's HQ and Theodor Eicke to units of the Totenkopfverbnde and Einsatzgruppen of the SD. He then served
as HSSPF "Mitte " and led Oberabschnitt "Mitte "from July, 1940 to mid-September, 1943, being made a Generalleutnant der Polizei on
April 10, 1941. From October, 1943, until the end of the war he was HSSPF "Danmark" during which he was promoted to SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei on April 20, 1944, and on March 21, 1945, became a General der Waffen-SS. He was
awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. He was
sentenced to 20years in prison by a Danish court after the war and then lived in retirement until his death on August 17, 1973. (Phil Nix)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Mitte"
Formed on August 10, 1933, as SS-Gruppe "Nordwest" from part of SS-Gruppe "West" which had been
formed in August, 1932. This district had its headquarters in Braunschweig. It became SS-Oberabschnitt
"Nordwest" on November 16, 1933, and was redesignated "Mitte" on April 1, 1936. Its territory was the area
of Wehrkreis XI.

Fhrer
August 10, 1933 to July 9, 1940 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after September 13. 1936
SS-Obergruppenfhrer Friedrich Jeckeln
July 9, 1940 to September 15, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 10, 1941 also
Generalleutnant der Polizei Gnther Pancke
September 15, 1943 to October 5, 1944 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after April 20, 1944
SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Hermann Hfle
October 5, 1944 to May, 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Waffen-SS und Polizei Rudolf Querner

91
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Hermann Franz was born on August 16, 1891, in Leipzig-Sttteritz, the son of a farmer. He attended an NCO school from 1905 to 1911
when he joined the Army with an infantry regiment. During WWI he ser\>ed on the Western Front, being awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class
and the Wound Badge in Black. In early January 1920 he joined the Saxon Landespolizei and was commissioned as a Leutnant on
December 1. 1920. Serving in Plauen and Zwickau, he headed the Schutzpolizei office in Plauen during the first months of 1923. He then
taught at the police school in Plauen from July, 1923, to March, 1925, and was promoted to Oberleutnant on December 1, 1923. After
attending a higher police school, he served as adjutant to the commander of the Border Police in Dresden from January 1926 to March
1933. He joined the NSDAP on December 1, 1931 and transferred to the civil police service on March 8, 1933. A ? Police Director for
Plauen lie served from June, 1933, to mid-May, 1938, and was promoted to Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei on June 1, 1933, and to Major
der Schutzpolizei! on December 1, 1933. From May, 1933, to March, 1937, he was also a leader in the Hitler Youth. Promoted to
Oberstleutnant der Schutzpolizei on April 20, 1938, lte returned to military police service on September I, 1938. Rejoining the Hitler
Youth, he sen'ed again as a leader in the Elbe area from January, 1939, to August, 1940, and joined the SS as an SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer
on August 1, 1940. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on April 1, 1941, to SS-Obeifiihrer on December 21, 1943, and to SS-Brigadefiihrer
on November 9, 1944, he commanded Polizeiregiment "Sd" from July, 1941, to February, 1942. He then led Polizeiregiment 10 from
February to mid-May, 1942, when he took command of SS-Polizei-Gebirgsjger-Regiment 18 which lasted until August 1943. Promoted
to Generalmajor der Polizei on September 14, 1944, he became the HSSPF "Griechenland" from September 1944 until the post was
dissolved in November that year. Franz also served as Senior Commander of the Orpo in Greece from November, 1943 to February, 1945.
He won a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class, the Iron Cross 1st class, the War Service Cross 1st class with Swords, the Police Long
Service Award in Silver, the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold and the German Life Saving Medal in Gold. Hermann Franz died on February
18, 1960. (Jess Lukens)

92
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Stabsfhrer
August 10, 1933 to March 15, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 15, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Otto Hofmann
March 15, 1934 to February 24, 1937 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after July 1, 1934 SS-
Sturmbannfhrer, after January 1, 1935 SS-
Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Standartenfhrer Erich Schrge
February 24, 1937 to December 31, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Albert Steiner
December 31, 1937 to November 14, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Francis Mller
November 14, 1938 to December 1, 1940 SS-Oberfhrer Erich Schrge
October 1, 1940 to 1943 (substitute) SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Walther Curth
December 1, 1940 to October 15, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Ludwig Heusmann
October 15, 1943 to May, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1944
SS-Oberfhrer Francis Mller

Components in 1938:
Abschnitte: IV and XVI
Standarten: 12, 17, 21, 49, 51, 59
Reiterstandarte 21
Pioniersturmbann 12 (Magdeburg)
Kraftfahrsturm 11 (Magdeburg/Hannover)

1944: same as 1938 with the addition of Nachrichtensturmbann 5 (Braunschweig)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord"
The third and final designated Oberabschnitt "Nord" was formed on April 20, 1940. It was headquartered in
Oslo and, as an occupied area, did not have a corresponding Wehrkreis, and until the end of the war, did not
have any subordinated districts (only Standarte 127). Its Fhrer was the HSSPF of the area.

Fhrer
April 20, 1940 to June 19, 1940 SS-Obergruppenfhrer Fritz Weitzel
June 19, 1940 to May 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 9, 1941 also
Generalleutnant der Polizei, after November
9, 1941 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei, after July 1,1944 also General der
Waffen-SS Wilhelm Rediess

Stabsfhrer
April 1, 1941 to December 1, 1944 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1943
SS-Oberfhrer Erdmann Skudlarek
December 1, 1944 to May 1945 Lief Schjoren 21

SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost"
Headquartered in Knigsberg (Prussia), "Nordost" was formed on December 15, 1933. It originated from a
portion of the previously existing SS-Gruppe "Nord" and covered most of East Prussia. When "Nordost" was
created, it contained Abschnitt VII (based in Knigsberg since 1932 and sole Abschnitt of that geographical
area when earlier designated SS-Gruppe "Ost") and XXII (Allenstein). By the end of 1938, Abschnitt XXVI
(Zoppot) was added while Abschnitt XXXXIV (Gumbinnen) replaced SS-Abschnitt XXVI in November,
1939. Its control area corresponded to Wehrkreis I.

21
A m e m b e r of the N o r w e g e n Hird ( N o r w a y ' s equivalent of the S A ) he did not hold SS or Polizei rank. He w a s Chief of Staff
(Stabsleiter) of the G e r m a n i c (and G e r m a n supervised) SS Norge until March, 1945.

93
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Fhrer
December 15, 1933 to February 1, 1934 SS-Gruppenfhrer Werner Lorenz 22
February 1, 1934 to February 15, 1936 SS-Brigadefhrer, after July 11, 1934
SS-Gruppenfhrer Erich von dem Bach
Februray 15, 1936 to June 18, 1940 SS-Gruppenfhrer Wilhelm Rediess
June 18, 1940 to April 30, 1941 SS-Gruppenfhrer Jakob Sporrenburg
April 30, 1941 to May, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after November 9, 1941
SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der
Waffen-SS Hans-Adolf Prtzmann
December 8, 1941 to December 1, 1944 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer, after June 21, 1942
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor
der Polizei, after November 9, 1943
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei George Ebrecht 23
December 1, 1944 to May, 1945 (substitute) SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Otto Hellwig 24

Stabsfhrer
December 15, 1933 to March 12, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Johannes Zingler
March 12, 1934 to August 23, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Jahnke
August 23, 1934 to Februray 23, 1935 SS-Oberfhrer Otto Brass
Februray 23, 1935 to May 1, 1935 SS-Oberfhrer Georg Altner
May 1, 1935 to March 1, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after June 16, 1935
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Kersten
February 15, 1936 to December 31, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Julian Schemer
December 31. 1936 to October 7, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 12,
1937 SS-Oberfhrer Karl Schuster
October 7, 1939 to November 1, 1941 SS-Standartenfhrer Rudolf Bsel
November I. 1941 to August 1, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30. 1942
SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Schlums
June 10, 1943 to August 1, 1943 (substitute) SS-Standartenfhrer Heinrich Neurath
August 1, 1943 to May, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Rudolf Bsel

Components in 1938:
Abschnitte: VII, XXII and XXVI 2 5
Standarten: 18, 36, 60, 61, 64, 66 26 and 71
Reiterstandarten: 1, 2 and 3

" L o r e n z would gain m a j o r influence as a main office head leading V O M I . He took c o m m a n d of the office in January. 1937, when
it was still the " B r o Kursell" ( n a m e d for its first head Otto von Kurseil). Lorenz was selected officially by Deputy Fhrer Rudolf Hess
(on H i m m l e r ' s recommendation). Himmler later obtained authority over all affairs pertaining to ethnic G e r m a n s as R K F D V in c o m b i n a -
tion with V O M I (both of which b e c a m e main offices). Lorenz remained with V O M I , an ambitious but failed concept of e x p a n d i n g the
future G e r m a n empire. See L u m a n s , Valdis O.. " H i m m l e r ' s Auxiliaries."
21
Born 24 July 1895, in Hamburg, the son of a shop keeper. During W W I he served with a flying unit and saw combat with the
artillery where he won the Iron Cross 2nd class and b e c a m e a Leutnant in March 1918. He served with the Freikorps in Bremen f r o m
1921 to 1923. Ebrecht served in the S A f r o m December. 1931. to mid-September. 1932, b e f o r e joining the SS on April 17, 1935, as an SS-
S t u r m b a n n f h r e r . He was first assigned to the R u S H A f r o m 1935 to 1937 and was Stabsfhrer of the R u S H A genealogy office f r o m f r o m
J u n e to October, 1935. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936, to SS-Standartenfhrer on April 20, 1937, and to
S S - O b e r f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 12, 1937. he served as Stabsfhrer for the R u S H A f r o m the start of April. 1937, to the beginning of July,
1938. From October, 1939, to March, 1940, he was Self Police Leader of West Prussia. He next b e c a m e Fhrer of Abschnitte X X V I f r o m
May, 1940, to December, 1941. and then substitute H S S P F " N o r d o s t " and Fhrer Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t . " Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer
on June 21, 1942, and to S S - G r u p p e n f h r e r und Generalleutnant der Polizei on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943, he was head of Oberabschnitt
" N o r d o s t " f r o m early D e c e m b e r 1941 to the start of D e c e m b e r 1944. He was ill f r o m December, 1944. to May, 1945, and died on January
26, 1977.
24
Replaced George Ebrecht w h o had been w o u n d e d in an air raid.
25
On N o v e m b e r 9. 1939, this Abschnitt was used to f o r m SS-Oberabschnitt "Weichsel."
26
66.Standarte was added to Abschnitt XXII in M a r c h . 1936.

94
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Odilo Globocnik (shown as an SS-Standartenfiihrer and in civilian clothes) was born in Trieste on April 21, 1904, the son of an Austrian
cavalry Hauptmann. He served in the Austrian Cadet Corps in 1918 and then trained as an engineer and builder. Joining the Austrian
NSDAP in 1922, he worked for the Party in Carinthia. Moving to Klagenfurt, he joined the NSDAP in Germany on January 1, 1931 and
ser\'ed as head of propaganda in Carinthia then temporary Gauleiter for the area in January, 1933. In August, 1935, he was sentenced to
a year in prison for killing a Jewish jeweler. He joined the SS on September I, 1932, and was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmfhrer
on November 9. 1937. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on March 12, 1938, he held a staff position on Oberabschnitt "Donau "from its
creation until the end of the war. He also held a seat in the Reichstag for Vienna from March, 1938, until the end of the war. From May,
1939. to the end of January, 1939, he was Gauleiter of Vienna and resigned from the post after being involved with illegal foreign
currency speculations. He was pardoned by Himmler in November, 1939, and joined the Waffen-SS as an SS-Untersturmfhrer d.R. for
one month. Transferring to the police duties, he became SSPF "Lublin " as well as district NSDAP garrison commander from November,
1939, to mid-August, 1943. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on November 9, 1942, his command within
the General Government was especially brutal and he was violently anti-Semitic. On Himmler's orders he commanded Operation
"Reinhard" which created the death camps in Treblinka, Belzec and Sobibor. From March to October, 1943, he was business manager
for Ostindustrie GmbH, a company formed by the SS to make goods with slave labor. From mid-September, 1943, to the end of the war he
was HSSPF "Adriatisches Kstenland " under Karl Wolff's HSSPF "Italien " command. Ambitous, greedy, fanatical and power hungry,
he was among the most brutal senior SS commanders. Globocnik was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1939,
the German Cross in Gold on February 7, 1945, the German Cross in Silver on January 20, 1945, the Anti-Partisan Badge in Silver on
September 17, 1944 and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. He committed suicide on May 31, 1945 in Carinthia.

Nachrichtensturmbann 7 (Knigsberg)
Pioniersturmbann 7 (Knigsberg)
Kraftfahrsturm 7 (Knigsberg)

Components in 1944: 27
Abschnitte: VII, XXII and XXXXIV
Standarten: 18, 60, 61, 66, 105 and 115
Reiterstandarten: 1,3 and 20
Nachrichtensturmbann 7
Pioniersturmbann 7
Kraftfahrsturm 7

21
Those units removed between the 1938 and 1944 compositions went to form SS-Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" in November, 1939.

95
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

SS-Obergruppenfhrer Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein (left) in conversation with Generaloberst (later Generalfeldmarschall)
Maximilian Freiherr von Weichs. (Phil Nix)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordsee"
Formed in 1932 as SS-Gruppe "Nord," it became SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord" on November 16, 1933. On April
1, 1936 it was divided into SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord" (see Oberabschnitt "Ostsee") and SS-Oberabschnitt
"Nordwest." SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" was retitled SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordsee" on April 20, 1940 and a
new district received its old title. With headquarters in Hamburg/Altona, the area encompassed Wehrkreis X.

Fhrer
October 1, 1932 to April 19, 1933 SS-Gruppenfhrer Josef "Sepp" Dietrich
April 19, 1933 to February 12, 1934 SS-Oberfhrer, after July 3, 1933 SS-
Brigadefhrer. after September 15, 1933
SS-Gruppenfhrer Kurt Wittje
February 12, 1934 to March 1, 1937 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after November 9, 1936
SS-Obergruppenfhrer Werner Lorenz
March 1, 1937 to April 30, 1941 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 1, 1941 also
Generalleutnant der Polizei Hans-Adolf
Prtzmann
April 30, 1941 to April 20, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Rudolf Querner
April 20, 1943 to May, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Georg von Bassewitz-Behr

Stabsfhrer
February 8, 1932 to October 1, 1932 SS-Sturmfhrer Johannes Zingler
October 1, 1932 to April 1, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Theodor Berkelmann
March 20, 1933 28 to December 2, 1933 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hermann Harm
December 2, 1933 to March 15, 1934 SS-Oberfhrer Alfred Bigler

"Temporary Stabsfhrer until April 1, then held the position permanently.

96
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Josef Fitzthum was born in Loiersdorf, Austria, on September 14, 1896. He attended classes at a military school and served in WWI with
the Austrian Army from August, 1916, to November, 1918, leaving service as an Oberleutnant. He joined the SS in April, 1932, with the
11 .SS-Standarte, commanding the unit from September, 1932, to March, 1933. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmbannflirer on November
25, 1932, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on November 9, 1933, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on March 7, 1936. From May
to October, 1936, he took military training with II./Germania and commanded the 58.SS-Standarte from January to September, 1937,
after holding a staff post. From October, 1937, to March 12, 1938, when he was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer he served in the SD-
Hauptamt as well as being Police Vice-President for Vienna from 1938 to 1940. Moving to the Waffen-SS with the 9.SS-Totenkopf Standarte,
he then commanded a battalion in the 4.SS-Totenkopf Standarte from January 1941 to mid-July 1941 when he took temporary command
of SS-lnfanterie-Regiment 4. One month later he got command of l./SS-lnfanterie-Regiment 5 for two weeks before returning to his
previous unit to lead l./SS-lnfanterie-Regiment 4. He was given the rank of SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer d.R. on April 1, 1940, then promoted to
SS-Sturmbannflirer d.R. on January 30, 1941, and to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer d.R. on April 20, 1942. As commander of the Freiwilligen
Legion "Flandern " he served from April to early June, 1943 (the unit became the SS-Freiwilligen Legion "Niederlande" in September,
1942). He became an active Waffen-SS officer on September 1, 1942 to coincide with his "Niederlande" command and was promoted to
Waffen-SS Standartenfhrer on November 9, 1942. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS und Polizei on
October 30, 1943, and to SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS und Polizei on July 30, 1944, he was Himmler's repre-
sentative in Albania from October 1943 and served as HSSPF "Albanien "from August, 1944, until January, 1945. Awarded the Blood
Order on November 30, 1939, he was killed in an automobile accident in Vienna on January 10, 1945. (Author's archive)

March 1, 1934 to June 18, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Werner Ballauf


June 18, 1934 to May 25, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after August 29, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Weinert
March 25, 1935 to July 1, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer, after September 13, 1936
SS-Brigadefhrer Gnther Pancke
July 1, 1938 to January 1, 1939 SS-Oberfhrer Karl Bock
January 1, 1939 to June 1, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer, after January 30, 1941 SS-
Brigadefhrer Willy Tensfeld
June 1, 1942 to September I, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer, after April 20, 1943 also
Generalmajor der Polizei Johann Mrschel
September 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinz Liedtke

97
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Components in 1938 ("Nordwest") and 1944 ("Nordsee"):


Abschnitte: XIV, XV and XX
Standarten: 4, 24, 28, 40, 50, 55, 53 and 88
Reiterstandarten 4 and 9
Nachrichtensturmbann 6 (Hamburg)
Pioniersturmbann 5 (Hamburg/Wilhelmsburg)
Kraftfahrsturm 4 (Hamburg/Kiel/Bremen)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordwest"
The final area "Nordwest" was the second to have that title and was formed in The Hague (Holland) on May
23, 1940. As an occupied area, it had no subordinated Allgemeine-SS units or corresponding Wehrkreis and
was headquartered in Den Haag. Its title had become available when the previous "Nordwest" was retitled in
April, 1940, to allow this Oberabschnitt to be given the name "Nordwest."

Fhrer
June 12, 1940 to May, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer, after April 20, 1941
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after June 21, 1943
SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei (also in 1944 General der Waffen-SS)
Hans-Albin Rauter

Stabsfhrer
1941 to 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Montel

SS-Oberabschnitt "Ost"
This district encompassed the area and districts of the General Government of Poland, the largest area after
that country was divided and its other portions were absorbed into the Reich. SS-Sondersturmbann "Ost" was
formed on March 3, 1941, under SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Georg Rger, and this unit was the basis of the SS-
Oberabschnitt. As an occupied area it had no corresponding Wehrkreis. It became SS-Oberabschnitt "Ost" on
September 15, 1942, and was commanded by the Higher SS and Police Leader for the area (Friederich-
Wilhelm Krger until October, 1943, then Wilhelm Koppe). It had no independent units, but subordinated to
it were the Fhrer der Allgemeine-SS for the five districts of Radom, Krakau, Lublin, Warsaw and Lemberg.
Its headquarters was in Krakau, also the headquarters of the Higher SS and Police Leader, and was the final
SS-Oberabschnitt formed. During 1942/1943, Harry Specht was Stabsfhrer with later holders of the position
being unknown. Likewise, research has been unable to determine the Fhrer der Allgemeine-SS, if in fact
anyone was assigned the position.

SS-Oberabschnitt "Ostland"
With headquarters in Riga, Latvia, this SS-Oberabschnitt was formed on December 1, 1941 and encompassed
the "liberated" Soviet occupied areas after the invasion of Russia. No Allgemeine-SS units were formed or
subordinated to it. The Stabsfhrer, if one was assigned, are unknown. Its Fhrer was the H S S P F of the area.

Fhrer
December 12, 1941 to March 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der
Waffen-SS Friedrich Jeckeln

98
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Gottlob Berger was born in Gerstetten on July 16, 1896, the son of a carpenter. He served in WWI and was commissioned as a Leutnant
in 1916, commanding an assault company then ser\>ing as adjutant to an infantry battalion. Wounded four times and suffering 70%
physical disability, he was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver. He trained in sports education after the
war and became a physical education teacher. Berger first joined the NSDA P in November, 1922, and was briefly held under arrest after
the Munich Putsch. Rejoining the NSDAP and the SA on January 1, 1931, he entered the SA as an SA-Sturmfhrer commanding SA Sturm
10 then SA Standarte 125 through November 1931. Promoted to SA-Standartenfhrer in 1931 and to SA-Oberfiihrer on October 15,
1932, he next commanded SA Untergruppe "Nord-Wiirttenberg" and left the SA in April 1933. Training with the Army in the pre-war
years he became a Major d.R. in 1939. Throughout his career he held a keen interest in physical training and education, holding several
posts related to sports training within the state and SS. He joined the SS at the requests of Himmler and Hans-Adolf Prtzmann on
January 30, 1936, as an SS-Oberfiihrer Berger was with Oberabschnitt "Sdwest" until the start of October, 1937, primarily as head of
sports training and as a staff officer. From August, 1938, to April, 1940, he headed the Sports Office within Himmler's staff. During 1938-
1940 he headed several different offices in the SS-Hauptamt. From April 1940 to the end of the war he was Chief of the SS-Hauptamt and
was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS on April 20, 1940. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer und Generalleutnant
der Waffen-SS on April 20, 1942, and to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer und General der Waffen-SS on June 21,1943, he also headed the political
staff of the Reich Ministry for Eastern Territories from the autumn of 1943 to early January, 1945, and was a member of the Reichstag
from January, 1943 to the end of the war. From late August, 1944, into September he was HSSPF "Slowakien " and from October, 1944,
to the end of the war headed the office responsible for POWs in the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht. His greatest contribution was in the
field of recruiting for the Waffen-SS, obtaining the manpower needed to create many of the Waffen-SS foreign volunteer units. He was
awarded the Knight's Cross to the War Service Cross with Swords on September 26, 1944, the Germern Cross in Silver on July 1, 1943,
both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1943, the Gold Hitler Youth Badge on January
30, 1944, the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class on August 16, 1936, and numerous foreign awards. Having great energy and drive as
well as being an excellent administrator, lie took special interest as head of the physical training department of the SS and head of the
German Life Saving Organization as it related to the SS and Polizei. Although wanting a front line combat command (he wished to lead
the "Hitlerjugend" Division), he was kept in Berlin where his skills were more valuable. Tried and put in prison in 1949, he was released
in 1951. He aided historians after the war and died in Gerstetten on January 5, 1975. (Pliil Nix)

99
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Richard Jungclaus was born on March 17, 1905 in Freiburg, the son of a salesman. He worked as a textile salesman and joined the
NSDAP and the SA in 1930. Leaving the SA in 1931, he joined the SS on April 29, 1931, and was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmfhrer
in command of I./I./17.SS-Standarte. He led this Sturm until early June, 1934, and was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer on October 1,
1932. Taking command of the I1./24. SS-Standarte in November 1934, he held the post until early June, 1935, and was promoted to SS-
Sturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1935. Moving to the SS-Hauptamt as adjutant to the Chief ofthat main office, he served in that capacity
from June, 1935, until the start of November, 1937, during which he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on November 9, 1936 and
to SS-Standartenfiihrer on September 12, 1937. From October, 1937, to October, 1938, he commanded the 12.SS-Standarte then led
Abschnitt IVfrom November, 1938, to the start of April, 1942. He was promoted to SS-Oberfuhrer on April 20,1941, and to SS-Brigadefiihrer
on April 20, 1942. Promoted to Generalmajor der Polizei on July 30, 1943, and to SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on
November 9, 1943, also served in the Waffen-SS from January, 1940 ,as an NCO. He was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmfhrer d.R.
in May, 1940, after five months with SS-Junkerschule "Braunschweig." Jungclaus then served with the 11. and 4.SS-Totenkopfstandarten
until April, 1941. From mid-June, 1941, to the start of October he was a reserve officer in Regiment "Westland" of the "Wiking" Division
and became an SS-Obersturmfhrer d.R. in August, 1941. From September, 1941, to April, 1942, he served as advisor to the Dutch SS
then from April, 1942, to August, 1944, was advisor and helped to form the Flemish SS. He also acted as Himmler's representative in the
latter area. During August and September, 1944, he was HSSPF " Belgien-Nordfrankreich " and senior military commander for the area
after mid-August, 1944. His command in Belgium included a strong anti-terriost movement and he had total control in the area by mid-
August, 1944. In late 1944 through April, 1945, he was again serving as an SS-Obersturmfhrer d.R., now with the "Prinz Eugen"
Division. Jungclaus won the Iron Cross 2nd class, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the War Service Cross 2nd class
without Swords and the SA Sports Badge in Gold. He was downgraded in rank in mid-September 1944for retreating and releasing 600
political prisoners. Posted to Friedrich Jeckeln i' command there was no post for him so he returned to the Waffen-SS. He was killed
fighting in Sadovice, Yugoslavia, as a member of the "Prinz Eugen" Division on April 14, 1945. (Phil Nix)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Ostsee"
Headquartered in Stettin, Pomerania, the SS-Oberabschnitt eventually titled "Ostsee" was formed on April 1,
1936 from portions of the then existing SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord" (which traced its own formation origin back
to 1932). "Ostsee" was at first titled "Nord" after being formed, while the original Oberabschnitt "Nord" had
its name changed to "Nordwest." On February 1,1940, this second "Nord" was redesignated SS-Oberabschnitt
"Ostsee" while a new (third and final) "Nord" was formed in Oslo. "Ostsee" remained headquartered in
Stettin and corresponded to Wehrkreis II.

Fhrer
April 1, 1936 to May, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 15, 1941
Generalleutnant der Polizei, after April 20,
1942 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General
der Waffen-SS Emil Mazuw 2 9

29
"Ostsee" and "Fulda-Werra" were the only Oberabschnitte to have a single commander throughout their existence.

100
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Gerrett Korsemann was born in Nebel on June 8, 1895 and ser\'ed in WWI where he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound
Badge in Black. After serving in the Freikorps during 1918-1919, he left the military and worked in the Baltic States until 1923. He joined
the NSDAP and SA in the early 1920s, leading SA Standarte VI until early September, 1927. Promoted to SA-Brigadefiihrer in 1931, he
led the SA in Hannover-Sd from 1931 to October 15, 1932, when he was promoted to SA-Gruppenfhrer. He then led SA Gruppe
"Niedersachsen" until leaving the SA in the wake of several scandals in January, 1937. Korsemann joined the Polizei on January 30,
1937, and was assigned as an administrator to the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei until April, 1939. Promoted to Major der Polizei on
January 18, 1938, and to Oberstleutnant der Polizei the following year, he commanded the police school in Frstenfeldbruck from April,
1939, to late October that year. He then went to the General Government as a police administrator until early March, 1940. Taking
command of the Ordnungspolizei in Lublin from March, 1940, to early February, 1941, he also commanded Polizei Regiment "Lublin"
in the same period and was promoted to Oberst der Polizei in March, 1941. He left police service on February I, 1941, having joined the
SS as an SS-Oberfhrer on April 20, 1939. From mid-January, 1941, to early April that year he led the 14.SS-Totenkopfstandarte and
then served in the RSHA until July, 1942. On August 1, 1941, Korsemann was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei. From August, 1941, to the start of 1942, he was SSPF "Rowno" and served with the HSSPF "Ruland-Mitte" command until
mid-August, 1942, during which he was promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on July 1, 1942. After serving a s
SSPF "Stanislav-Rostow" from late May, 1942, to the start of October that year, he returned to the HSSPF "Ruland-Mitte" command
as von dem Bach's designated deputy, taking his command duties as a substitute while Bach was with his anti-partisan command from
March, 1943, to July that year (in April the command absorbed "Weiruthenian"). In September, 1943, he was relieved of his command
for alleged cowardice during a hasty retreat in the Caucasus and was posted to the Waffen-SS as an SS-Hauptsturmfhrer d.R. He ended
the war commanding a company in the "Totenkopf' Division and was captured by the Russians. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge
and the War Service Cross with Swords 2nd class. Turned over to the Poles, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 1947 and was
released in 1949. Korsemann died in Munich on July 16, 1958. (Phil Nix)

Stabsfhrer
April 1, 1936 to October 1, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Bruno Hofbauer
October 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Karl Taus
March 21, 1938 to May 16, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Erhard Mller
May 16, 1938 to November 14, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Waldemar Wappenhans
November 14, 1938 to April 24, 1939 30 SS-Standartenfhrer Robert Wagner
April 3, 1939 to May 15, 1939 (substitute) SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Georg Riedel
May 15, 1939 to July 1, 1942 SS-Brigadefhrer Hermann Harm
July 1, 1942 to December 23, 1942 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Otto Mller
December 23, 1942 to May, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer Franz Claasen

' Wagner died on this date.

101
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Components in 1938 ("Nord") and 1944 ("Ostsee"):


Abschnitte XIII and XXXIII
Standarten: 9, 22, 39, 74 and 77
Reiterstandarten: 5 and 12
Nachrichtensturmbann 12 (Stettin)
Pioniersturmbann 6 (Stettin)
Kraftfahrsturm 13 (Schwerin/Stettin)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Rhein-Westmark"
This SS-Oberabschnitt was a combination of two main districts and, when finalized, was headquartered in
Wiesbaden (Wehrkreis XII). The first portion formed was SS-Oberabschnitt "Rhein," which was created on
January 1, 1934, in Koblenz from part of SS-Oberabschnitt "West." Its headquarters were moved to Arolsen
in December, 1936, and finally to Wiesbaden during January, 1937.
The second element was SS-Oberabschnitt "Lothringen-Saarpfalz," which formed in Saarbrcken in
August, 1940, and became SS-Oberabschnitt "Westmark" in October, 1941. Its headquarters were moved to
Neustadt and then Metz before being combined with "Rhein," and contained SS-Abschnitt XXXIV. These
two SS-Oberabschnitte combined on September 11, 1943, to form "Rhein-Westmark," from which point the
command was headquartered in Wiesbaden.

Fhrer
January 1, 1934 to May 22, 1935 SS-Brigadefhrer, after February 28, 1934
SS-Gruppenfhrer August Heissmeyer
June 20, 1935 to December 31, 1936 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Obergruppenfhrer Josias Erbrinz zu
Waldeck-Pyrmont
January 1, 1937 to September 25, 1939 SS-Gruppenfhrer Richard Hildebrandt
September 26, 1939 to June 18, 1940 SS-Brigadefhrer, after January 1, 1940
SS-Gruppenfhrer Jakob Sporrenburg
June 18, 1940 to November 18, 194131 SS-Brigadefhrer, after November 9, 1941
SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei Erwin Rsener
November 18, 1941 to November 9, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after January 30, 1942 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei
Theodor Berkelmann 3 2
November 9, 1943 to March 24, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer, und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Jrgen Stroop

Stabsfhrer
June 15, 1934 to May 1, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ulrich Greifelt
May 1, 1935 to autumn 1935 Georg Vggenaus
autumn 1935 to April 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Willi Schinke
April 1936 to December 31, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Arnold Hamke
December 31, 1936 to October 31, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1938
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Hoffmann
November 1, 1938 to June 19, 1940 SS-Oberfhrer, after January 24, 1940
SS-Brigadefhrer Erwin Rsener
September 10, 1940 to April 30, 1942 33 SS-Oberfhrer Gustav Stolle

31
Conflicting documentation with his successsor's personal records has Rsener in c o m m a n d until early December.
32
Was Fhrer of SS-Oberabschnitt " L o t h r i n g e n - S a a r p f a l z " ("Westmark") f r o m October, 1940, during its existence, chosen partly
due to the fact he was born near Metz.
33
StabsfUhrer of " L o t h r i n g e n - S a a r p f a l z " / " W e s t m a r k . " his successor is u n k n o w n . All others on the list are for " R h e i n " prior to the
t w o Oberabschnitte combining.

102
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Himmler (foreground) walks with Knight's Cross holder Jakob Fick. Behind them in black Panzer uniform is Sepp Dietrich talking with
HSSPF Carl Oberg. Oberg was born on January 27, 1897, in Hamburg, the son of a doctor of medicine. After attending private school he
joined the Army in August 1914 and was assigned to the artillery. He served as a battery officer, signals officer, orderly and detachment
adjutant. Commissioned as a Leutnant in the reserves in November, 1915, he was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross. After the war
he worked in manufacturing as a branch manager and director until becoming unemployed in 1930. He joined the NSDAP on April 1,
1931, and the SS on April 7, 1932. Meeting Reinhard Heydrich in May, 1933, he asked him for a job and joined the SD on May 15, 1933,
as Heydrich's adjutant. He held that post until mid-June, 1934, and was also StabsfUhrer of the SD (later the SD-Huuptamt) from May
1933 to October 1935. During that time he also headed the Zentralamt (Central Office) until leaving the SD after differences with
Heydrich. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on July 1, 1933, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmfulirer on September 25, 1933, to SS-
Hauptsturmfhrer on March 7, 1934, to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on June 15, 1934, to SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer on July 4, 1934, and to SS-
Standartenfhrer on April 20, 1935. He ted the 22.SS-Standarte from November, 1935, to the start of 1937, then served as StabsfUhrer of
Abschnitt IV until late December, 1938. He stayed with Abschnitt IV until mid-March, 1939, in a staff post and was promoted to SS-
Oberfiihrer on April 20, 1939. As police administrator for Hannover he served from September, 1938 to January, 1939, and then was
Police President for Zwickau until late September, 1941. Undertaking police duties, he served as SSPF "Radom "from August 1941 to
May, 1942, during which he was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on April 20, 1942, and given the rank of Generalmajor der Polizei on
March 31, 1942. He served in Paris as the HSSPF "Frankreich" from May, 1942, to November, 1944, and was promoted to SS-
Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 20, 1943, and to SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei on September
1, 1944. Oberg also became a General der Waffen-SS on March 10, 1945. He served with Heeresgruppe "Weichsel" from late November,
1944, to late January, 1945, as a staff and then operations officer in command of all Orpo, Sipo and SD units within the command. From
February to May, 1945, he was a Special Duties Officer for Himmler in Munich within the main SS and Polizei court. He was awarded
a bar to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class on November 28, 1944, the War Service Cross with Swords 2nd class in 1942 and the 1st class with
Swords on January 30, 1943. Patient, he treated his subordinates well and was considered decent of character by his colleagues. In
France he introduced the Jewish badge decree for identification and as HSSPF was involved with the deporting of over 40,000 Jews from
that country by personal orders from Reinhard Heydrich. When he arrived in France the shooting of hostages declined until armed
resistance hardened. He was arrested by U.S. military police in June, 1945, and sentenced to death by a British court the same year
before being handed over to the French. Sentenced to death by the French in October, 1954, the sentence was commuted to life in prison
in 1958 and later reduced to 20 years hard labor. He was pardoned in November, 1962, and returned to Germany where he died in
Flensburg on June 3, 1965. (Jess Lukens)

June 19, 1940 to August 1, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer Karl Schuster


August 1, 1943 to April 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Schlums
April 1945 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Ludwig Hettesheimer

Components in 1938 ("Rhein" only):


Abschnitte: XI and XXXIV
Standarten: 5, 10, 32, 33, 78, 85 and 93
Reiterstandarte 13
Nachrichtensturmbann 13 (Wiesbaden)
Pioniersturmbann 13 (Frankfurt (Main)/Ludwigshafen/Weilburg)
Kraftfahrsturm 14 (Frankfurt (Main)AViesbaden)

103
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Curt von Gottberg was an East Prussian born the son of an estate owner on February 11, 1896. He joined the Army in early August 1914
and was commissioned a Leutnant in the autumn of that year. Promoted to Oberleutnant on April 20, 1919, he was wounded in 1917 and
ended the war awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. After serving in the Freikorps he worked in
agriculture, visiting Sweden and Italy. He joined the SA on November 15, 1931 and the NSDAP on February I, 1932. Joining the SS on
January 12, 1933, he became an SS-Scharfhrer on April I, 1933. Promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on April 25, 1933, to Obertruppfiihrer on
October 20, 1933 and commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiilirer on November 6, 1933, he served as a Special Assignments Officer with SS-
Gruppe "West" then Oberabschnitt "Sdwest" until late March, 1934. Promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer December 15, 1933, andtoSS-
Sturmbannfiilirer on January 30, 1934, he led the Political Readiness Detachment "Ellwangen " within Oberabschnitt "Sdwest" until
the start of October, 1934. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on March 25, 1934, he led the lll./SS-Standarte 1 (which later became
Regiment "Deutschland"), which formed from his unit in Ellwangen. He led the III.Sturmbann until the start of June, 1935 and handed
over command after losing a leg in a motorcycle accident. A.v commander of the 49.SS-Standarte he led that unit from June, 1935 until
mid-April, 1936. After serving as an Inspector with Oberabschnitt "Mitte" until the start of October, 1937, he moved to the RuSHA as
chief of the settlement office until early November, 1939 (a deputy performed this post after April, 1939). Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer
on November 9, 1937 and to SS-Oberfhrer on January 30, 1939, he served with the Reichsprotektor of Bhmen und Mhren as an office
head from mid-April until early November, 1939, as well as being a State Minister responsible for forestry from June to November, 1939.
He also headed an SS real estate office in Prague to purchase kind on behalf of the SS in 1939 and controlled RuSHA activities with the
Einsatzgruppe operating during the Polish campaign through November, 1939. After a period without an assignment beginning in
November, 1939, he transferred to the SS-Hauptamt in late July, 1940, to its settlement office and headed it from October, 1940, to late
July, 1942. On December /, 1940, he became a Waffen-SS Obersturmbannfhrer d.R. and was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer und
Generalmajor der Polizei on April 20, 1942. From July, 1942, to September, 1943, he was SSPF "Weiruthenien" and then became
General Commissioner of White Russia until early August, 1944, during which he was promoted to SS-Gruppenfiihrer und Generalleutnant
der Polizei on July 15, 1943. From early July, 1943, until the post dissolved in early August, 1944, he was HSSPF "Ruland-Mitte und
Weiruthenien " and was promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der Waffen-SS und Polizei on June 30, 1944. Transferring to
France he commanded anti-partisan warfare in that country from early August until mid-October, 1944. During the same time he also
commanded the XII.SS-Armeekorps which he tried to refuse being aware he was unqualified. After recovering from illness in December,
1944, he became deputy commander of the Replacement Army until the end of the war as well as heading a special staff to recruit
stragglers for Army Group "Nordwest" during late April and early May, 1945. He was awarded the SA Sports Badge in Silver, the anti-
partisan Badge in Silver in 1944, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class on
December 6, 1942, the clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 1st class on February 20, 1943, the German Cross in Gold on August 7, 1943, and the
Knight's Cross on June 30, 1944, for combating partisans in White Russia. Arrogant and ambitious, he was reprimanded several times for
overstepping his authority. Domineering and crude, he also used his positions forfinancial gain to an extent that Himmler intervened. He
committed suicide on May 31, 1945 in Flensburg.

104
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Components in 1944 ("Rhein-Westmark") were the same as 1938 with the addition of :
Standarte 125
Reiterstandarte 23
Nachrichtensturmbann 23 (?)
Pioniersturmbann 23 (?)
Kraftfahrsturm 18 (?)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Spree"
"Spree" was one of the first area commands created as Oberfhrerbereich "Ost" in August, 1930. On March 1,
1932, it became SS-Gruppe "Ost" and on November 16, 1933, SS-Oberabschnitt "Ost" Its title was changed
to "Spree" on November 14, 1939. Headquartered in Berlin it encompassed Wehrkreis III.

Fhrer
mid-September, 1929 34 to December, 1930 SS-Standartenfhrer, after August 1. 1930
SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Wege
December, 1930 to September 1, 1931 SS-Oberfiihrer Kurt Daluege
September 1. 1931 to July 11. 1932 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Wege
July 11, 1932 to October 1, 1933 SS-Gruppenfhrer Kurt Daluege 35
October 1, 1933 to May, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after July 1, 1934 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer, after April 20, 1942 SS-
Oberstgruppenfhrer Josef "Sepp" Dietrich
November 1, 1938 to November 14, 1939 (substitute) SS-Gruppenfhrer Paul Moder
November 14, 1939 to May, 1945 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1941
SS-Brigadefhrer, after April 20, 1943
SS-Gruppenfhrer Max Schneller

Stabsfhrer
July 11, 1932 to late 1932 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Wege 36
late 1932 to June 12, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Annacker 3 7
June 12, 1933 to September 15, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Engel
September 15, 1933 to November 1, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 1, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after July 4, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Siegfried Taubert
November 1, 1935 to September 13, 1936 SS-Brigadefhrer Wilhelm Koppe
September 13, 1936 to October 31, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Erwin Rsener
October 31. 1938 to August 8, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer, after November 9, 1942 SS-
Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei
Bernhard Voss
August 8, 1944 to May, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Paul Leffler 3 8

34
From this time until August, 1930 he held the post of SS Brigadenfhrer " O s t " (not to be confused with the rank of Brigadefhrer),
then Oberfhrerbereich " O s t " until D e c e m b e r 1930, these being the titles at those times for the next senior c o m m a n d level above the
equivalent of Abschnitt for that geographical area.
35
Returned f r o m his Berlin Polizei duties when the Oberabschnitt b e c a m e too important for a j u n i o r ranked officer.
36
Wege b e c a m e StabsfUhrer upon D a l u e g e ' s return f r o m other Police duties.
37
Listed in the J u n e 12, 1933 SS-Befehlsblatt without (per n o r m in those earlier orders) his first name. He died in the s u m m e r of
1933.
38
Born in Braunschweig on D e c e m b e r 1, 1890, the son of an engineer. He joined the Imperial Navy for a year in 1910, then traveled
to England, A m e r i c a and Central America. Rejoining the Navy in July. 1914, he trained and served as an aerial observer. C o m m i s s i o n e d
Leutnant zur See in 1915, he was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and left the Navy in 1920 as an Oberleutnant in the reserves after
being a battalion adjutant in Braunschweig. Between the wars he studied engineering and ship construction and received an engineering
degree. He served in the Stahlhelm f r o m 1921 to 1923, then joined the N S D A P in July, 1923. Leaving the N S D A P after the Munich
Putsch, he rejoined it on J u n e 1. 1929, and also joined the SS in N o v e m b e r 1931. First serving with the motorized elements of the 12.SS-
Standarte until 1933, he was then reassigned to Abschnitt IV as OberstaffelfUhrer until mid-June, 1934. Promoted to S S - T r u p p f h r e r o n
January 10, 1932, to S S - S t u r m f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 11, 1932, and to SS-SturmhauptfUhrer on April 3, 1933, he joined the S D in May,
1932, and headed the S D headquarters for Braunschweig until the start of March, 1933. Serving as adjutant to the Chief of the S D
(Reinhard Heydrich, w h o had persuaded him initially to join the S D ) f r o m September, 1932, to May, 1933, he then served in the S D
Hauptamt until mid-June, 1934. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on January 1, 1934. to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on J u n e 15. 1934, and

J 05
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Components in 1938:
Abschnitte: III, XII and XXIII
Standarten: 4, 6, 15, 27, 42, 44, 54, 75 and 80
Reiterstandarte 7
Nachrichtensturmbann 8 (Berlin)
Pioniersturmbann 8 (Berlin)
Kraftfahrsturm 3 (Berlin/Senftenberg)

Components in 1944: same as 1938 with deletion of Standarte 4.

SS-Oberabschnitt "Sd"
This, the oldest area command, began years before the SS was an independent organization. It was created in
1929 by combining the areas of the Gau SS-Fhrer Franken, Niederbayern and Oberbayern. During 1930-
1931 it was Oberfhrerbereich "Sd" and in 1931-1932 was SS-Brigade "Sd." On July 1, 1932, it became
SS-Gruppe "Sd" and was designated SS-Oberabschnitt "Sd" on November 16, 1933. Based in Munich, it
occupied the area of Wehrkreis VII. Centered in the primary area of early N S D A P activity and influence, it
was first commanded by Hitler's designated deputy.

Fhrer
1929 to October 31, 1930 SS-Obergruppenfhrer Rudolf Hess 39
October 31, 1930 to October 1, 1932 SS-Oberfhrer, after December 18,1931
SS-Gruppenfhrer Josef "Sepp" Dietrich
October 1, 1932 to January 30, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Richard Hildebrandt
January 30, 1933 to July 15, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer und Oberst der Schutzpolizei,
after February 4, 1933 SS-Gruppenfhrer
Friedrich Jeckeln
July 15, 1933 to April 1, 1936 SS-Brigadefhrer, after September 15, 1933
SS-Gruppenfhrer Heinrich Schmauser
April 1, 1936 to April 20, 1945 40 SS-Obergruppenfhrer, after April 8, 1941
General der Polizei, after July 1, 1944
General der Waffen-SS Friedrich Karl
Freiherr von Eberstein
June 12, 1939 to July 1939 (substitute) SS-Brigadefhrer Hermann Freiherr von
Schade 41

to SS-Standartenfhrer on April 20, 1935, he c o m m a n d e d the 14.SS-Standarte f r o m m i d - M a r c h , 1936 until the end of that year. As
Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt XXXIV. he served f r o m early January, 1937, to the start of September. 1939. He then served in the newly f o r m e d
R S H A until early August, 1944, and was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on January 24, 1940. He held other posts in addition to his StabsfUhrer
of Oberabschnitt " S p r e e " post which he occupied f r o m August, 1944, to May, 1945. F r o m the end of September, 1939, to mid-June, 1944,
he was Police President for Reichenberg and administrative head of the Kripo office there, then held the s a m e police post in Cologne until
May, 1945. He was also a special assignments S S P F to the H S S P F " W e s t " f r o m October, 1944, to May, 1945. Able to speak English, he
survived the war and served as a town councillor in Wolfsburg after the war.
39
T h o u g h no doubt an SS m e m b e r (he is listed in D A L ) . Hitler's Deputy Fhrer had no SS rank or SS n u m b e r though granted the
privileges of an honorary SS-Obergruppenfhrer.
4,1
Dismissed f r o m all his posts on this date for defeatism, in actuality he had a realistic appreciation of the war situation. His
testimony at N u r e m b e r g gives good insight into the reduction of importance the A l l g e m e i n e - S S had during the war years c o m p a r e d to
other SS elements.
41
Born in M n s t e r on October 3, 1888, the son of a Oberstleutnant. H e joined the A r m y in 1907 and served in W W I , ending as a
H a u p t m a n n and battalion c o m m a n d e r in the infantry and staff officer having won both classes of the Iron Cross as well as the Wound
Badge in Black. Joining the N S D A P and S A reserve in July, 1931. Joining the SS on February 6, 1932, he w a s adjutant to Kurt Daluege
until A u g u s t 1932. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on A u g u s t 3, 1932, and promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9.
1932, then to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on January 30. 1933, he was then adjutant of H i m m l e r ' s Leadership Staff (FUhrungsstab) until March,
1933, followed by a posting as leader of H i m m l e r ' s organizational detachment until December. 1933. He then led the recruiting section
o f t h a t c o m m a n d body until January, 1934, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on March 21, 1933, and to S S - O b e r f h r e r on
January 30, 1934. Serving on H i m m l e r ' s staff f r o m January to September, 1934, he was SS special duties o f f i c e r with the SA high
c o m m a n d for central G e r m a n y f r o m M a r c h to September, 1934. From September, 1934, to March, 1936, he was temporary head of the
legal department of the S S - A m t (later S S - H a u p t a m t ) while Paul Scharfe was on leave. He c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt VII f r o m mid-March,
1936, to until the start of October, 1937, and was promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 1 3 , 1 9 3 6 . A s last head of the organizational
section in the S D - H a u p t a m t he served in that section until September, 1939 (this post in R S H A was reorganized), and and was Inspector
of the Sipo and S D in Dsseldorf f r o m May, 1939, until February ,1940, at which time he gave up full time SS service. F r o m October,
1937, to mid-June, 1936, he also headed S D Oberabschnitt " S d . " S c h a d e headed S D Oberabschnitt " W e s t " f r o m May, 1939, to Septem-

106
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Konstantin Kammerhofer was born in Austria on January 23, 1899, the son of a farmer and mill owner. He quit trade school to enter the
Austrian Army in May, 1915, at the age of sixteen. Wounded three times, he was captured by the Italians in early November 1918 and was
not released until August, 1919. He won the Wound Badge in Black and ran his own business as a wine seller after the war. From 1921 to
1924 he was a member of the Austrian Nazi Party and joined the Austrian &4 in November, 1933, leading SA Brigade "Obersteiermark"
until late June, 1934. Attaining the rank of SA-Obersturmbannfiihrer, he left Austria after the assassination of Chancellor Engelbert
Dollfuss. He went to Croatia and along with Alfred Rodenbiicher helped Nazis escaping from Austria. Leaving Croatia and arriving in
Germany by ship in December, 1934, he joined the SS on February 15, 1935, as an SS-Oberfiihrer, From April, 1936, to October, 1937,
he led the 25. SS-Standarte and then commanded Abschnitt XXV until mid-March, 1938. He then became the first commander of Abschnitt
XXXI from mid-March, 1938, to October, 1942, and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on January 30, 1941. A member of the Reichstag
from April, 1938, to the end of the war, he also was on Himmler's staff beginning in October, 1942. Joining the NSDAP at the start of May,
1938, he also served as a reservist with the Waffen-SSfrom March, 1941, to June, 1942, and led SS Abschnitt "Flandern" (Flanders) from
July, 1941, to the start of April, 1942. He trained for police duties with the Hauptamt Orpo in Berlin and with the SSPF "Dnjepropetrowsk"
from April to August, 1942. From August to November, 1942, hewas the SSPF "Kaukasien-Kuban" and then held the SSPF "Aserbeidschan"
post in Baku from November, 1942, until the post was dissolved in April 1943. Given the rank of Generalmajor der Polizei on September
16, 1942 and promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on July I, 1943, he became the only HSSPF "Kroatien"
when the post was created in mid-March, 1943. He ended the war as the Wehrmachtsbefehlshaber (Senior Armed Forces Commander) in
Croatia. Kammerhofer won both classes of the Iron Cross, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the Reich's Sports
Badge in Silver. An ardent Socialist, he was an early advocate of Austria becoming part of the Reich. He formed the Flemish SS with three
Standarten and was Himmler's representative in Croatia. Captured by the U.S. Army, he worked as a laborer in Hannover until his death
on September 29, 1958. (Phil Nix)

ber, 1939. From mid-June to July, 1939, he headed Oberabschnitt " S d " (von Eberstein was ill) and from February, 1940, to October,
1942, he was with Himmler's direct reserve but basically returned to industry for the duration of the war. He headed the Dsseldorf area
SD from September, 1939, to February, 1940. As a part time staff officer he was assigned Oberabschnitt "Elbe" from October, 1942, to
May, 1944, and then with the staff of Abschnitt XXVII until the end. His wife was a close friend of Himmler's wife, and he spoke fluent
French. Awarded the Olympic G a m e s decoration 1st class and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold, he died in Bielefeld on October 26,
1966.

107
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

August Edler von Meyszner (above left) was born in Graz, Austria, on August 3, 1886, the son of a Oberstleutnant. After attending cadet
school he served with an infantry regiment from 1906-1914 and was commissioned as a Leutnant on May 1, 1908. In May 1914 he
transferred to the Gendarmerie and commanded a police detachment in Grz in 1914. As a fortress commander in Grado after 1914 he
also commanded the Gendarmerie in the Tolmein district until 1917. He then commanded a mountain troop company and from 1917 to
1919 commanded the Gendarmerie in Graz, Austria. Promoted to Hauptmann in August, 1919, he was awarded the Wound Badge in
Black. Active in Austrian National Socialist politics (the Steirischen Heimatschutz) from 1919 to 1933, when the NSDAP was banned in
May, 1933, he was pensioned from the Gendarmerie as a Major and joined the Austrian SA, serving as deputy leader of SA Brigade
"Mittelsteiermark" from November, 1933, to July, 1934. He was in prison for three months in 1934for political offenses and escaped to
Germany in July 1934 after the attempted Austrian Putsch. Joining the Schutzpolizei in Berlin as a Major, he joined the SS on February
20, 1935, as an SS-Oberfiihrer. After serving as a Special Duties Officer for Himmler until October, 1935, he left the SSat his own request
hut rejoined as an SS-Oberfiihrer in 1937 retaining the seniority of his rank. Serving on the staff of Abschnitt 111 in 1937-1938, he held
staff posts with Oberabschnitte "Donau " and "Nord" until January, 1942. Promoted to Oberstleutnant der Polizei on April I, 1937, he
led the Schutzpolizei Abschnitt "Mitte" and the Schutzpolizei Gruppe "Ost-Berlin" from April, 1937, to April, 1938. Promoted to Oberst
der Polizei on March 18, 1938, he was a member of the Reichstag from March, 1938 to the end of the war. During March and April, 1938,
he was Inspector of the Ordnungspolizei in Vienna and was an Ordnungspolizei detachment commander in the Sudetenland from Octo-
ber, 1938, to October, 1939. From June, 1939, to September, 1940, he was the Ordnungspolizei Inspector in Kassel and was promoted to
Generalmajor der Polizei on April I, 1939, then to SS-Brigadefhrer on April 20, 1940. He took over as Senior Commander of the
Ordnungspolizei in Oslo in August, 1940, and held the post to mid-January, 1942, during which he was promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer
on January 1, 1942, and to Generalleutnant der Polizei on January 30, 1942. Moving to Yugoslavia he became the HSSPF "Serbia, " his
command eventually expanding to the HSSPF "Serbien-Sandschak-Montenegro, "from January 1942 to April 1944. For the rest of the
war he ser\'ed in the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei as General Inspector of the Gendarmerie and Schutzpolizei. Awarded both classes of the
Iron Cross as well as both classes of the War Sen'ice Cross with Swords, he was a very independent, intense and forceful personality. He
resisted military interference with Iiis Yugoslavian command and became a rival administrator to the Wehrmacht. Tried in Yugoslavia
after the war, he was hanged in Belgrade on January 24, 1947. (Jess Lukens)

February 1, 1945 to April 20, 1945 (temporary) SS-Brigedefhrer und Generalmajor der
Waffen-SS Anton Vogler
April 20, 1945 to May, 1945 (temporary) SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Wilhelm Koppe

Stabsfhrer
August 14, 1931 to October 1, 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after October 18, 1931
SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 1. 1932
SS-Oberfhrer Richard Hildebrandt
October 1, 1932 to April, 1933 SS-Sturmfhrer, after December 1, 1932
SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after March 21, 1933
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ernst Brandes

108
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

April, 1933 to June 1, 1933 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Dr. Hans Burkhardt


June 1, 1933 to September 1, 1933 SS-Untersturmfhrer Robert Braun
September 26, 1933 to May 7, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Dr. Eugen Mohr
May 7, 1934 to October 15, 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after June 30, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Robert Braun
May 7, 1934 to January, 1935 (substitute) SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Bruno Schulz
January, 1935 to January 15, 1937 SS-Oberfhrer Carl Zenner
January 15, 1937 to April 1, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Oberfhrer, after January 1, 1940
SS-Brigadefhrer Franz Jaegy
1937 to November 30, 1938 (substitute) SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1938
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Hoffmann
April 1, 1943 to February 1, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Waffen-SS Anton Vogler
February 1, 1945 to May, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer Erhard Mller

Components in 1938:
Abschnitte: I and XXXII
Standarten: 1 , 2 9 , 3 1 , 3 4 , 92
Reiterstandarte 15
Nachrichtensturmbann I (Mnchen)
Pioniersturmbann 1 (Mnchen)
Kraftfahrsturm 1 (Mnchen/Augsburg)

Components in 1944: same as 1938 with addition of Standarte 106

SS-Oberabschnitt "Sdost"
Formed in early 1930 as Oberbereich "Schlesien," this area command became SS-Gruppe "Sdost" in 1931.
Designated SS-Oberabschnitt "Sdost" on November 16, 1933, it was first headquartered in Brieg and after
January 1, 1936, in Breslau. Its area encompassed Wehrkreis VIII.

Fhrer
March 15, 1932 to January 1, 1935 SS-Gruppenfhrer Udo von Woyrsch
January 1, 1935 to February 15, 1936 SS-Brigadefhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Gruppenfhrer Wilhelm Rediess
February 15, 1936 to June 26, 1941 42 SS-Gruppenfhrer Erich von dem Bach
June 26, 1941 to February 23, 1945 43 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also General der
Waffen-SS Heinrich Schmauser
February 23, 1945 to March 17, 1945 (temporary) 44 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Walter Bierkamp
February 23, 1945 to May, 1945 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Richard Hildebrandt

Stabsfhrer
July 10, 1932 to August 10, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Kurt Kaul
August 10, 1933 to October 26, 1934 45 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after October 5, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Oberfhrer Berthold Maack
42
Held titular c o m m a n d in the latter period as he had been reassigned to head the Anti-Partisan c o m m a n d as well as being H S S P F
" R u l a n d - M i t t e " since May, 1941. His temporary substitute during those w e e k s was S c h m a u s e r w h o got the c o m m a n d officially in June.
43
Officially reported missing on this date, his patrol had been captured by the Russians on February 10.
44
Had previously been deputy HSSPF.
45
Also d o c u m e n t e d as October 16.

109
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

October 26, 1934 to February 15, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Bock


February 15, 1935 to February 15, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Julian Scherner
February 15, 1936 to September 1, 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Joachim Richter
September 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Erich Cassel
March 21, 1938 to November I, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Herbert Strauss
November 1, 1938 to September 1, 1940 SS-Oberfhrer, after December 21, 1939
SS-Brigadefhrer Hans-Albin Rauter
September 1, 1940 to November 1, 1943 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1940 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Burk
November 1, 1943 to May, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Kurt Braun

Components in 1938:
Abschnitte: VI, XXI, XXIV
Standarten: 8, 16, 23, 43, 45, 70, 95, 98, 102, 104
Reiterstandarte 11
Nachrichtensturmbann 10 (Breslau)
Pioniersturmbann 10 (Breslau)
Kraftfahrsturm 9 (Breslau)

Components in 1944: same as 1938 with addition of Standarte 124

SS-Oberabschnitt "Sdwest"
Formed on November 16, 1933, from a portion of the existing SS-Gruppe "West" which had existed since
July, 1932. This district was headquartered in Stuttgart and encompassed Wehrkreis V.

Fhrer
November 16, 1933 to February 28, 1937 SS-Gruppenfhrer Hans-Adolf Prtzmann
March 1,1937 to April 21, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Gruppenfhrer, after May 1, 1941 also
Generalleutnant der Polizei Kurt Kaul
April 21, 1943 to May, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after June 21, 1943 SS-
Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei,
after July 1, 1944 General der Waffen-SS
Otto Hofmann

Stabsfhrer
November 16, 1933 to April 5, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Ernst Brandes 46
March 15, 1934 to May 1, 1935 (temporary) SS-Standartenfhrer Willy Weidermann
April 5, 1935 to May 16, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Georg Altner
May 15, 1938 to February 1, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1938
SS-Oberfhrer, after November 9, 1943
SS-Brigadefhrer Erhard Mller
February 1, 1945 to May, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Demehl

Components in 1938:
Abschnitte: X, XIX and XXIX
Standarten: 13, 62, 63, 65, 79, 86
Reiterstandarte 14
Nachrichtensturmbann 2 (Stuttgart)

46
Left the SS and j o i n e d the A r m y in J u n e 1935.

110
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Karl Zech was born in Swinemnde, Pomerania, on February 6, 1892. He served in WWI with the infantry as a company commander
from 1915 to 1917 and was commissioned a Leutnant. For the rest of the war he served as a brigade adjutant and staff officer, ending the
war as a Hauptmann with the 4.Infanterie-Brigade having won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. After the
war he worked as a miner and mining official, joining the Stahlhelm from 1921 to 1929. He joined the NSDAP and SS in January, 1931,
and was commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on March 31, 1931. From April to July, 1931, he led the 1 ,/I./25.SS-Standarte and was
promoted to SS-SturmbannfUhrer on July 4, 1931, and to SS-Standartenfhrer on August 8, 1931. He commanded I./25.SS-Standarte
during July-August, 1931, and then led the entire Standarte until July, 1932. From October, 1932 to October, 1937, he commanded
Abschnitt V and also led the 25.SS-Standarte again from December, 1933, to January, 1934. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on January
/, 1934, he was Chief of Amt I (Leadership Office) in the SS-Hauptamt from October, 1937, to October, 1940, when it was absorbed by the
SS-Fiihrungshauptamt and was promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on January 30, 1938. He then served on Himmler's staff until mid-
November, 1942, when he officially began a staff post with Oberabschnitt "Elbe" until mid-March, 1944. From mid-July, 1933 to
October, 1937, he was also Police President for Essen and held the same post in Krakau from September, 1939, until the post was
abolished in mid-November, 1939. From October, 1937, he was also head of SD-Oberabschnitt "Ost. " As SSPF "Krakau" he served
from November, 1939, to October, 1940, when he was removed from the post for refusing to move Jews into the Crakow ghetto. He then
served as a section leader in industry and after investigation was dismissed from the SS on March 14, 1944. This partly it is assumed was
for his stand in Crakow as well as problems with the firm he was assigned to. Awarded the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords in
1941 and the Red Cross Decoration 1st class in 1939, he committed suicide on April 1, 1944 in Altenberg, Thuringia due to the disgrace
of his dismissal and to avoid a probable jail sentence. (Phil Nix)

Pioniersturmbann 2 (Stuttgart)
Kraftfahrsturm 10 (Stuttgart/Karlsruhe/Freiburg)

Components in 1944: same as 1938 with addition of Abschnitt X X X X V with Standarten 122 and 123

SS-Oberabschnitt "Ukraine"
Covering this area of Russia, "Ukraine" was formed on December 1, 1941, and dissolved on April 20, 1944.
Headquartered in Kiev, it was a command of the Higher SS and Police Leader for that area (Hans-Adolf
Priitzmann) and contained no Allgemeine-SS subordinated units and had no Wehrkreis equivalent. No
Stabsfhrer has been identified and the duties normally associated with that position may have been per-
formed by the administrative officer, Josef Spacil, who held the post from 1943 until the Oberabschnitt was
dissolved.

SS-Oberabschnitt "Warthe"
Headquartered in Posen, for which it may have briefly have been named, this SS-Oberabschnitt formed on
October 26, 1939, from parts of former Poland incorporated into the Reich and encompassed Wehrkreis XXI.

Ill
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Left: Lucian Wvsocki (shown in SA uniform as a Standartenfhrer) was a West Prussian born on January 18, 1899, the son of a priest. He
joined the Army in April 1917 and served in the infantry. Captured by the Americans in September 1918, the same month he won the Iron
Cross 2nd class, he was released in 1919. Leaving the Army as an NCO in 1919, he worked as a miner and in a quarry beginning in 1920.
He joined the SA on February 1, 1929 and the NSDAP on May 1, 1929. Promoted to SA-Scharfiihrer on May 1, 1929, to SA-Truppfhrer
in September, 1930, and commissioned as an SA-Sturmfhrer in October, 1931, he led an SA Sturmbann in the Essen area from October,
1931, to mid-August, 1933. Promoted to SA-Sturmbannfhrer in January, 1932, and to SA-Obersturmbannfhrer in August, 1933, he led
SA Standarte 138 in Duisburg from mid-August, 1933, to mid-August, 1934. He then commanded SA Standarte 171 in Wuppertal until
January, 1937, and was promoted to SA-Standartenfhrer on November 9, 1933. From January, 1937, to the end of May, 1940, he
commanded SA Brigade 73 in the Essen area and was a member of the Reichstag from July, 1932, to the end of the war. Promoted to SA-
Oberfhrer in May, 1937, and to SA-Brigadefhrer in January, 1939, he transferred to the SS as an SS-Brigadefhrer on June 21, 1940.
Wysocki was Police President in Oberhausen from September, 1937, to November, 1939, after which he was Police President for Duisburg
until August 1941. He also served as titular head of the Kripo office in Duisburg from January, 1940, to June, 1941, and was SS garrison
commander in Wilna during June to August, 1941. Given the rank of Generalmajor der Polizei on September 27, 1940, he sen'ed as SSPF
"Litauen" from August, 1941, to July, 1943. Reassigned to the HSSPF "Weiruthenien" as a Special Duties SSPF for anti-partisan
operations from July, 1943, to March, 1944, he then spent the rest of the war as Police President of Kassel. He was awarded the Gold
Party Badge and the NSDAP Long Serx'ice Award in Silver. Twice married with a total of five children, after the war he lived in retirement
in Duisburg and died in Rheinhausen on December 13, 1964. (Phil Nix)

Right: Carl Zenner was born in Oberlimburg on June 11, 1899. He served in WWI and won the Iron Cross 2nd class then served with the
Freikorps. After the war he received a diploma in merchandising and joined the NSDAP in 1925 along with the SS the following year.
Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on April 2, 1930, and promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on August 8, 1931, he also led the Rheinland
SA with the rank of SA-Standartenfhrer. He formed SS units in Aachen, Koblenz and Trier. From Januaiy to April, 1931, he led SS-
Standarte III then commanded SS Brigade V until the start of July, 1931. For the remainder of 1931 he commanded SS Gausturm
"Rhein " and was deputy leader of Abschnitt "West." From the beginning of 1932 to early April that year he commanded the 5.SS-
Standarte and commanded Abschnitt IV from May, 1934, to the start of 1935. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on April 5, 1934, Zenner served
as Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt "Sd" from January, 1935, to January, 1937. He then transferred to the RSHA and was the Police
President of Aachen from January, 1937, until January, 1943. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on June 21, 1941, and to Generalmajor der
Polizei on September 26, 1941, he sensed in Minsk as SSPF "Weiruthenien" from mid-August, 1941, tomid-May, 1942. He spent the rest
of the war with the SS-Hauptamt as head of Amt BII (Requisitioning) and held a seat in the Reichstag from 1932 to the end of the war.
Zenner was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the
Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. One of the first SS leaders posted to the Ukraine, he was arrested by the French and turned over to the
British. He was given a five year prison term and released in 1950 but was arrested again, receiving a 15 year sentence by a Koblenz
court in July, 1961. He died in Andernach on June 16, 1969. (Phil Nix)

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Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Dr. Gnther Merk was born in Miinsterberg on March 14, 1888. He was in the Army from 1908 to 1920, seeing combat in WWI, assigned
to the artillery as an officer where he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. A fter serving in the Freikorps,
he left the Army as a Hauptmann and joined the Schutzpolizei as a Hauptmann der Schutzpolizei in mid-July, 1921. He obtained a doctor-
ate in law in 1926 after attending the University of Berlin and was promoted to Major der Polizei on April 7, 1924. Merk served as an
instructor and administrator, then detachment and group commander. Posted in Wuppertal, Berlin, Frankfurt-am-Main and finally in
/ 939 in Dortmund, as commander of the Schutzpolizei, he ended Polizei service with the rank of Oberst der Polizei in 1939. He joined the
SS as an SS-Standartenfhrer on November I, 1939, and at the same time was made a Waffen-SS Standartenfhrer d.R. From November,
1939, to December, 1940, he was assigned to the staff of Abschnitt XXV and then moved to the SS-Personalhauptamt. Promoted to SS-
Oberfhrer (still also an Oberst der Polizei) on April 20, 1941, as well as becoming a Waffen-SS Oberfhrer d.R., he commanded the SS-
Artillerie-Ersatz-Regiment from April to mid-August 1941 then went to the artillery regiment of the "Reich" Division as its regimental
commander from August, 1941, to January, 1942 (replaced by Curt Brasack, Merk remained titular commander until April). Transferred
to the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei, he became SSPF "Charkow" during September and October, 1943, leading the retreating Orpo units
out of the city. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer lind Generalmajor der Polizei on August 1, 1943, he retired in 1944. Due to the war situa-
tion he was re-activated and was attached to the HSSPF "Ost" as a Special Duties Officer and an Orpo commander. He was awarded a
clasp to both his WWI Iron Crosses while serving with "Reich " and was listed as missing, later confirmed killed, on February 20, 1945.
(BDC)

Fhrer
October 26, 1939 to November 9, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after after April 20, 1941
also Generalleutnant der Polizei, after
January 30, 1942 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und
General der Polizei Wilhelm Koppe
November 9, 1943 to December 27, 1943 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei Theodor Berkelmann
December 29, 1943 to December 30, 194447 SS-Brigadefhrer, after July 1, 1944 also
Generalleutnant der Polizei, after August 1,
1944 SS-Gruppenfhrer und General der
Polizei Heinz Reinefarth
1944 to December 30, 1944 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Gehrhardt
December 30, 1944 to May, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Willy Schmeleher

47
On duty in Russia, as with his H S S P F post, this is the last day he was titular commander even though leaving for other duties prior
to this date.

113
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Stabsfhrer
October 1, 1939 to October 29, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Moreth
October 29, 1939 to January 15, 1940 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Scheider
January 15, 1940 to May, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1942
SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Gehrhardt

Components in 1944:
Abschnitte: XXXXII and XXXXIII
Standarten: 109, 110, 111, 112, 113 and 114
Reiterstandarte 22
Nachrichtensturmbann 17 (Posen)
Kraftfahrsturm 17 (Posen/Litzmannstadt)

SS-Oberabschnitt "Weichsel"
Headquartered in Danzig, SS-Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" formed on November 9, 1939. Its basis unit was SS-
Abschnitt XXVI, which had previously been a component of SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost." Its area was equal
to Wehrkreis XX.
Fhrer
November 9, 1939 to April 20, 1943 SS-Gruppenfhrer, after April 10, 1941
Generalleutnant der Polizei, after January 30,
1942 SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General
der Polizei Richard Hildebrandt
April 20, 1943 to May, 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after July 1, 1944 also Generalleutnant
der Waffen-SS Fritz Katzmann

Stabslhrer
November 9, 1939 to November 9, 1940 SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Dethof
November 9, 1940 to November 9, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer Theobald Thier
November 9, 1942 to May, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1943 SS-Standartenfiihrer Rudolf Freiherr
von Geyr

Components in 1944:
Abschnitte: XXVI, X X X X and XXXXI
Standarten: 3 6 , 6 4 , 7 1 , 116, 117, 118, 119, 120 and 121
Reiterstandarten 2 and 19
Nachrichtensturmbann 16 (Danzig)
Pioniersturmbann 16 (Danzig)
Kraftfahrsturm 16 (Danzig/Elbing)

SS-Oberabschnitt "West"
Beginning as Oberfhrerbereich "West" in 1930, this command became SS-Brigade "West" the following
year. On April 1, 1931, it was designated SS-Gruppe "West" and became SS-Oberabschnitt "West" on No-
vember 16, 1933. Controlling the area equal to Wehrkreis VI, its headquarters were in Dsseldorf.

Fhrer
November 18, 1929 48 to April 20, 1940 SS-Standartenfhrer, after July 11. 1930
SS-Oberfhrer, after December 18, 1931
SS-Gruppenfhrer, after September 9, 1934
SS-Obergruppenfhrer Fritz Weitzel
48
At this early date the term Oberabschnitt did not exist and his c o m m a n d was actually Gau SS Fhrer, then SS Oberfhrerbereich
"West", c o m m a n d e r of SS Brigade " W e s t " then Fhrer SS G r u p p e "West" b e f o r e the term Oberabschnitt was adopted in m i d - N o v e m b e r ,
1933.

114
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Ernst Hartmann was born in Barmen, Silesia on May 10, 1897, the second child of a railway official. He attended trade school to become
a locksmith and joined the Army in November, 1914. Serving in the infantry until September, 1916, and winning the Iron Cross 2nd class,
he then transferred to a military railway company until January, 1917. He then went to the Flying Corps and was captured by the British
in October, 1918. After the war he was a locksmith and engineer for an aircraft firm. From 1925 to 1928, he was a flying instructor for the
Chinese Air Force. Returning to Europe he worked as an aero engineer in four European countries before returning to Germany and
working for the Junkers firm from 1930 to 1933. He then spent two years as a flight leader for the Junkers company, earlier joining the
NSDAP and 5/4 on November 1, 1929. Hartmann transferred to the 5 5 on October 24, 1930, and served with the 21.SS-Standarte until
leaving the SS on October 1, 1932. He rejoined the 5 5 as an SS-Standartenfiihrer on April 20, 1937, and served on the staff of Abschnitt
XVI until mid-March, 1939. Transferring to Oberabschnitt "Mitte," he served on the staff until dismissed from the 5 5 for drunkenness on
August 18, 1939. He was re-admitted at his old rank on October 1, 1939, returning to the staff of Oberabschnitt "Mitte" and was
promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on January 30, 1942. As commander of the II./SS-Polizei-Regiment 2 he served from early February to late
June, 1943 and was then SSPF "Tschernigow" from July to October 1943. From October, 1943, to January, 1944, he was the SSPF
"Shitomir" as well as being the only SSPF "Pripet" from December, 1943, to September, 1944. He also served as a substitute for the
designated SSPF "Wolhynien-Luzk" (See "Rowno") from February to September, 1944, and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer und
Generalmajor der Polizei on August 1, 1944. Hartmann spent the balance of the war in reserx'e and as a Special Duties SSPF attached to
the HSSPF "Nordost." He was awarded a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class in 1943, the War Service Cross with Swords 2nd class
in 1944 and the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver. Although an alcoholic, he was undaunted as an anti-partisan commander as well
as when fighting regular Russian troops. Intelligent and occasionally egotistical, he spoke English, and was killed in Czechoslovakia on
February 3, 1945. (Phil Nix)

April 20, 1940 to July 9, 1940 SS-Gruppenfhrer Theodor Berkelmann


July 9, 1940 to June 29, 1941 SS-Obergruppenfhrer, after April 1, 1941
also General der Polizei Friedrich Jeckeln
June 29, 1941 to May 1945 SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der
Polizei, after August 1, 1944
SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der
Waffen-SS und Polizei Karl Gutenberger

Stabsfhrer
1931 to June 12, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Engel
June 12, 1933 to September 6, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Caesar 49

49
Confirmed by SS Befehlsblatt without first name, he was not in the SS by the time the first D A L was issued in 1934.

115
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Paul Hennicke was the son of an innkeeper and was born in Erfurt on January 31, 1893. After serving in the army in 1906-07 he worked
as a locksmith and engineer. He rejoined the army in 1914 as a railway technical official until June, 1915 then served with the infantry.
Commissioned a Leutnant in 1916, he transferred to the Abwehr (intelligence service) in 1917 and won both classes of the Iron Cross.
After leaving the army he served with the Freikorps in Erfurt during 1920 and worked at the locomotive works in Eifurt as an Inspector
until 1933. He met Hitler in Erfurt during April, 1922 and joined the Party that month, leaving in the wake of the Munich Putsch and
rejoined in May 1926. Joining the SS on February 24, 1929 as an SS-Sturmbannfiihrer, he was Standartenfhrer VIII (this became the
8.SS-Standarte) until mid-April, 1931. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on April 12, 1931, he was given command of the 14.SS-Standarte
from that date until mid-November, 1933. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on November 9, 1933, he became the first commander of Abschnitt
XXVII until the start of October, 1942. As Police President of Weimar he served from April, 1938, to early October, 1942, and was given
Generalleutnant der Polizei rank on September 16, 1942, when transferred to police duties in Russia. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on
April 20, 1934 and to SS-Gruppenfhrer on January 30, 1938, he served on Himmler's staff from October, 1942, to early June, 1944, then
reassigned to the SS-Hauptamt until January, 1945. He was also member of the Reichstag from December, 1933, to May, 1945. From
January to May, / 945, he was designated deputy of Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra." As SSPF " Rostow-Awdejewka " he served from early
October, 1942, till the post was dissolved in the start of May, 1943, and became a Generalleutnant der Polizei on September 16, 1942. He
next became SSPF "Kiew" from early May, to December, 1943. As a special assigments SSPF he served under Hans-Adolf Priitzmann
with the HSSPF "Ukraine" from December, 1943, to early June, 1944. Hennicke then ran a special commission in the SS-Hauptamt
until January, 1945. His final assignment was as Inspector of the Volkssturm "Mitte" until May, 1945. He was awarded the Gold Party
Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd clasp in 1944. A close friend of Karl
Wolff, he was one of the initial SS leaders in Thuringia and served his early career in Weimar. Captured and tried in 1949, he was found
not guilty and released. He died in Brunswick on July 25, 1967. (Phil Nix)

September 6, 1933 to June 20, 1935 after November 9, 1933 SS-Untersturmfhrer,


after January 30, 1934
SS-Obersturmfhrer, after March 15, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after May 12, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Richard Glcks
June 20, 1935 to March 21, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Helmut Whmann
March 21, 1938 to November 1, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Otto Heider
November I, 1938 to August 31, 1939 SS-Oberfhrer Gnther Claasen
September 1, 1939 to May, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Raddatz

Components in 1938:
Abschnitte: V, XVII and XXV
Standarten: 19, 20, 25, 30, 58, 69, 72, 82
Reiterstandarten 6 and 8
Nachrichtensturmbann 4 (Dsseldorf)
Pioniersturmbann 4 (Kln)
Kraftfahrsturm 5 (Dsseldorf)

Components in 1944: same as 1938 with Reiterstandarte 8 removed.

116
4
ss-abschnitte
(districts)

The Abschnitte (Districts) were similar to the Oberabschnitte but were at a lower level. They only existed
within the Reich and areas assimilated from Austria, Czechoslovakia, as well as postions of France and Po-
land. Their predecessors at this command level were Brigaden (Brigades) and these existed prior to 1930 and
lasted until early March, 1931, but they actually reverted at that time in most cases to a Standarte command
since the SS was then to small for so many command levels. In theory, the Brigaden were to correspond to
each of the N S D A P Gau (and titled accordingly), but in actuality the SS was insufficient in numerical strength
during its first half-decade for each Gau to have a Brigade. Personnel attached to the Abschnitte, which were
designated by Roman numerals, wore a sleeve stripe (cufftitle) with their designation. The following Abschnitte
are listed in chronological order with commanders and senior staff officer, as well as the component Standarten
as finalized during the early war years.
The first seven Abschnitte were created simultaneously in 1931 with the remainder following, most prior
to 1939. The commanders are those who would have held the actual post versus earlier periods when this
command level existed on paper only (with the exception of a few notable personalities listed as initial leaders
when the Brigade designation existed). Many Abschnitt (and Standarte) commanders were absent during
wartime and the post operated by the Stabsfhrer (for Abschnitt) or Sturmbannfhrer (a position versus the
rank of the same designation in the case of commanding a Standarte).

SS-Abschnitt I, the oldest district, was based in Munich. This was the largest of the initial Abschnitte when
formed and in mid-1931 contained Standarten 1 , 3 , 10, 13, 29, 31, 32, 34 and 37. By 1938 its control was
reduced to Standarten 1,31 and 34.

Fhrer:
July 11, 1930 to October 31, 1930 SS-Oberfhrer Josef Dietrich
November 1930 to mid-August 1932 unknown 1
August 11, 1932 to May 2, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Erasmus Freiherr von
Malsen-Ponickau

1
Dietrich may have retained titular c o m m a n d following his a d v a n c e m e n t to his next c o m m a n d position (Oberabschnitt "Sd").

117
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Heinrich Jiirs (left, wearing adjutant's cords) and Karl Wolff (far right) at a pre-war function in dress uniform.

May 2, 1933 to April 17, 1934 2 SS-Standartenfiihrer, after November 9, 1933


SS-Oberfhrer Wilhelm Starck 1
April 17, 1934 to March 15, 1936 SS-Oberfhrer Heinz Roch
March 15, 1936 to March 1, 1939 SS-Brigadefhrer Christoph Diehm
March 1, 1939 to October I, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1942 SS-
Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei
Hans Dring

2
Temporary commander until November 1933 when he became full commander.
Born in Germersheim am Rhein on May 20. 1891. the son of a finance official. He served with Bavarian Infantry Regiment 22
from 1910 to 1919. Promoted to Hauptmann in October 1918, he was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross in WWI. One of his recruits
while an Army instructor, was Heinrich Himmler. His final Army post was as an ordnance officer with an army corps. He joined the
Bavarian Landespolizei in 1920 and the N S D A P in 1923, taking part in the November, 1923, Putsch, after which he left the N S D A P and
was dismissed from the Landespolizei. In August, 1929, he rejoined the N S D A P and enlisted in the SS as an SS-Sturmbannfhrer. He was
also reactivated in the Landespolizei as a Major from April to September. 1933. As Himmler's adjutant he served from August, 1929, to
January, 1932. and was then adjutant to SA Gruppenfhrer Franz Ritter von Epp from January to July, 1932. From January, 1932. to May,
1933, he headed Himmler's Personal Detachment as Chief Adjutant. He then led Abschnitt I from early May, 1933, to mid-April, 1934.
Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on November 9, 1933, he was the first to command Abschnitt XXIX f r o m April. 1934, to January, 1935.
Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on April 20, 1934, he then led Abschnitt IX from January to April, 1935. After a year without an assign-
ment he was posted to a staff position with Abschnitt XXXII until May, 1938. From April. 1937. to May. 1941. he also headed the
Augsburg area office of the Gestapo and from mid-March. 1936 to the end of the war was Police Director (after May, 1938 Police
President) for Augsburg. He also joined the police section of the NSKK in June. 1936. From May. 1938. to January, 1943. he served with
the SD Hauptamt and then RSHA. He commanded Abschnitt XXXII from December, 1943, to May, 1945. Starck was also honorary
commander of the Augsburg Kripo from March, 1936 to the end of the war. In January. 1945. he became presiding judge for the senior
commander of the Replacement Army. Awarded Blood Order #54 on November 9. 1933, both classes of the War Service Cross with
Swords and the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver, he served a four year sentence after a 1948 trial and died in Regensburg on
November 21, 1968.

118
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Dr. Richard Wendler was horn in Oberndorf on January 22, 1898, the son of a customs official. He joined the army in October 1916.
serving with signal units and then a Freikorps before leaving the army in 1920. After the war, he attended the university in Munich and
received a doctorate in law then practiced as a lawyer. He joined the NSDAP and SA in July 1928. Leaving the SA, he joined the SS as an
SS-Sturmbannfhrer on April 1, 1933 and served in the SD Hauptamt and finally the RSHA until May 1945. /4s a civil servant he was
mayor of Hof from 1933 to 1942. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1934 and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on April 20. 1935,
he went to Poland in September, 1939, as commissar for Kielce until June, 1940, then moved to a similar post in Radom until August,
1941, during which he was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on August 1, 1941. While sen'ing as SSPF "Stanislav-Rostow" (later titled
" Rostow-Awdejewka") from early April, 1941, to late May, 1942, he was also temporary governor of the Lublin district in Poland from
mid-February to April, 1942, and then held the same post for the Krakau district from January, 1942, to May, 1943. From June, 1943, to
July, / 944, he was governor of the Lubin district and managed to effect the escape of most of his staff in the face of the Russian advance
after transporting massive quantities of confiscated goods to the Reich. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei on
September 27, 1941, then to SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant der Polizei on June 21, 1943, Wendler was awarded the Gold Party
Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross, the NSDAP Long Sen'ice Award in Silver and the Social Welfare Decoration 3rd class. He
died in Prien, Bavaria on August 24, 1972. (Phil Nix)

November 1942 to April 1943 unknown 4


April 1, 1943 to May, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer Franz Jaegy

Stabsfhrer:
August 14, 1931 to October 1. 1932 SS-Sturmfhrer, after October 18, 1931
SS-Standartenfiihrer, after January 1, 1932
SS-Oberfiihrer Richard Hildebrandt
October 1, 1932 to July 15, 1933 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1933
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Max Humps
July 15, 1933 to June 10, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Hans Schwedler
June 20, 1934 to March 20, 1935 SS-Oberscharfhrer, after August 25, 1934
SS-Untersturmfhrer Horst Bender 5
March 20, 1935 to December 1, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after January 30,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Bruno Hebron

4
Possibly Karl H o f f m a n n (Stabsfhrer) as a temporary assignment.
5
A professional lawyer, born on February 24. 1905 in East Prussia, he spent his later career in legal posts with the SS-Verfgungstruppe,
SS Hauptamt and Hauptamt SS Gericht. He ended the war as an SS-Oberfhrer (promoted January I, 1945) and head of the legal
detachment assigned to Himmler's personal staff. Awarded the Olympic Games decoration 2nd class and the War Merit Cross 1st and 2nd
classes. He died in Schonberg on November 8, 1987.

119
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

December 1, 1937 to July 1, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Hubert Erhart


July 1, 1938 to November 1, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Edmund Brey
November 1, 1938 to May 5, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Hoffmann

SS-Abschnitt II was headquartered in Chemnitz except for the period from April 1933 to May 1937 when
Dresden served as its headquarters. It controlled Standarten 7, 46 and 84.

Fhrer:
October 1, 1930 to September 15, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Schlegel 6
September 15, 1933 to May 6, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Oberfhrer Hans Dring
May 6, 1935 to September 16, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Oberfhrer Walter Burghardt
September 16, 1936 to August 1, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer Emil Popp
January 1, 1941 to April 1, 1942 (temporary) SS-Oberfhrer Willi Brandner
August 1, 1944 to May 8, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer Robert Knapp 7

Stabsfhrer:
March 31. 1931 to November 9, 1931 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Werner Lorenz
September 10, 1932 to March 1, 1933 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after June 14, 1932
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Helmut Lorenz
September 1, 1933 to October 1, 1935 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after February 16, 1934
SS-Obersturmfhrer, after June 30, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Robert Braun
October 1, 1935 to January 15, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer Rudolf Creutz
January 15, 1936 to August 17, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Gnther Leder
August 17, 1936 to March 1, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Walther von Petersen
March 1, 1937 to February 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Johannes Luther
February 1938 to June 16, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Bergrath
June 16, 1938 to December 27, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Robert Knapp
December 27, 1939 to May 8, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Arno Dressler

SS-Abschnitt III was headquartered in Berlin, and by 1938, controlled Standarten 6, 42 and 75. In mid-1931
it had been the third largest Abschnitt, controlling Standarten 6, 9, 15, 21, 22 and 27.

Fhrer
August 1, 1930 to March 1,1931 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Wege

6
Born in Aue in Saxony on March 25, 1894. he served in W W I winning both classes of the Iron Cross. A f t e r the war he worked as
an engineer and joined the SS on D e c e m b e r 27, 1926. C o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - S t u r m f h r e r o n M a y 27, 1927. he led SS Standarten IV and
XIII (they were later redesignated with Arabic numerials) f r o m M a y to September. 1927, and then all SS units in Sachsen until October.
1930. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on October 1, 1930, he b e c a m e the first c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt II until mid-September, 1933, and
then was special assignments officer for S S - G r u p p e (after November, 1933, Oberabschnitt) " S d o s t " until m i d - D e c e m b e r , 1933. Pro-
moted to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 9, 1934, he then held the s a m e post with Oberabschnitt " M i t t e " until 1936. His last posts were
with the staff of Oberabschnitt " E l b e " beginning in May, 1934, as special assignments officer and, after April, 1935, also President of the
G e s t a p o offices for Sachsen (this post was absorbed later by the Inspector of the Sipo and SD). He died of illness on S e p t e m b e r 2, 1936
and the 7.SS-Standarte was later n a m e d in his honor.
1
A B o h e m i a n born in B u d w e i s on October 1, 1885, he served in the A r m y f r o m 1904 to 1912 when placed in reserve. Recalled in
July 1914 and serving until 1918. he attained the rank of Rittmeister d.R. and was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross as well as the
Wound B a d g e in Black. He j o i n e d the Austrian Nazi Party in January, 1932, and the Austrian SS in October. 1931, serving as a Kreisleiter
in Steiermark f r o m August, 1932, to October, 1936. He served with 38.SS-Standarte as c o m m a n d e r f r o m October, 1931, to June, 1932.
H e left the SS in 1932 and after the Austrian Putsch and was sentenced to five years in prison and served more than t w o years. Rejoining
the SS in October, 1937, he was immediatly p r o m o t e d to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r and involved until January, 1938, with assimilating
Austrian Nazis w h o had fled to Germany. He then served with Oberabschnitt " E l b e " and was its la f r o m March to June, 1938. As Stabs-
fUhrer of Abschnitt II he served f r o m mid-June. 1938. to late December, 1939, and was promoted to SS-SturmbannfUhrer on April 20,
1938 and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1939. He next c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X X V I I f r o m N o v e m b e r . 1940, until August,
1941. and was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on April 20, 1940 and to S S - O b e r f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1940. From June to August
1944 he was on the staff of Oberabschnitt " E l b e " and then c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt II until the end of the war. He was awarded the Blood
O r d e r on March 3 1 , 1 9 3 9 and the War Service Cross 2nd class with and without Swords. Married with t w o sons, he died in Regensburg
on February 21, 1954.

120
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

Fritz Tittmann was born in Leipzig on July 18, 1898, and studied mechanical engineering. He joined the Army on September 21, 1914, as
a volunteer. Attaining the rank ofNCO, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black in WWI. After the war he
attended business school and worked as a locksmith. He joined the NSDAP in July, 1921, and was a founding Party member in Zwickau,
the first Party group formed outside Bavaria. He left the NSDAP after the Munich Putsch and joined the Frontbann in 1924, later joining
the reformed SA as well as the again legal NSDAP in July, 1925. During July/August, 1925, he was Gauleiter for Sachsen. He served in
the SS in the late 1920s but left in 1929. From 1930 to 1932 lie was Gau Inspector for Kurmark and was a member of the Reichstag from
November, 1933 to the end of the war. At the 1933 and 1934 NSDAP rallies he was press corps chief. After assignment as an Inspector for
Rudolf Hess in 1934-1936, he was a liaison for Himmler with NSDAP headquarters for racial matters until the end of the war. On April
20, 1938 he rejoined the SS as an SS-Oberfhrer assigned to Himmler's staff. Posted to Police duties in the Ukraine, he served as SSPF
"Nikolajew" from October, 1941, to September, 1942, and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on November 9, 1940. He was then
assigned to the HSSPF "Ruland-Sud" until September 1944 and spent the rest of the war as a district head in Italy after a reprimandfor
using forced labor for his own use. Awarded the Gold Party Badge and the Coburg Badge, his family was killed in an air raid. Tittmann
was burned to death in Irevenbrietzen on April 25, 1945. (Phil Nix)

March I. 1931 to August 7, 1932 SS-Oberfhrer, after July 1. 1932 SS-


Gruppenfhrer Kurt Daluege
August 7, 1932 8 to February 20, 1934 SS-Oberfhrer, after December 15, 1933
SS-Brigadefhrer, in 1944 also Generalmajor
der Polizei Max Henze
February 20, 1934 to November 1, 1938 SS-Brigadefhrer, after November 9, 1936
SS-Gruppenfhrer Paul Moder
November 1, 1938 to July 2, 1941 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1939
SS-Oberfhrer Hans Kersten 9
September 10, 19391" to May 8, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1940

* Also given in some documentation as July 22, possibly during the period of Daluege's transfer to his next command.
9
Born in Berlin on May 10. 1886, he served in the Army from 1907 to 1918 with artillery units and won both classes of the Iron
Cross in WWI. Leaving the Army as a Hauptmann, he joined the N S D A P in May 1932 and the SS as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on November 1,
1933. He served with Himmler's early command offices (SS-Fhrungsabteilung and later the SS-Fhrungsamt) until May, 1935, and was
promoted to SS-Obersturmfhrer on June 15, 1934, to SS-Hauptsturmfhrer on September 9, 1934 and to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on
January 30, 1935. From May, 1935, to March, 1936, he served as Oberabschnitt "Nordost" Stabsfhrer and was promoted to SS-
Obersturmbannfhrer on June 16. 1935. As commander of the 4.SS-Standarte he served from March. 1936, to November, 1938. and was
promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on September 13, 1936 and to SS-Oberfhrer on April 20, 1939. He commanded Abschnitt III from
November 1, 1938, until his death. Joining the Waffen-SS as an SS-Obersturmbannfhrer d.R. in October. 1939, he commanded III./
Artillerie Regiment of "Reich" (initially the S S - V T Division and later "Das Reich"). Awarded a clasp to both classes of the Iron Cross, he
was killed in action in the area of the Beresina river on July 2, 1941.
10
Substitute commander until July 2, 1941 (date Kersten was killed in Russia) then full commander from that date on.

121
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Heinz Roch was the son of a laborer and was born in Essen on January 17, 1905. He held several jobs after attending trade school
including work in agriculture, forestry, factory worker and as a miner. From 1928 to 1931 he worked for a car dealership and joined the
NSDAP in 1922. He was arrested by the French for political activities in Essen during March, 1923. Leaving the Party after the Munich
Putsch, he was given amnesty by the French and returned to Essen where he was in the Frontbann from September, 1925 to June, 1926.
He joined the SA in May, 1926 and rejoined the NSDAP on June 19, 1926. Leaving the SA, he joined the SS on August 1, 1930, with SS
Sturm 47 in Essen. Promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on November 18, 1930, and commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on August 20, 1931, he
led the 1 ./I./25. SS-Standarte from August to October, 1931. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on September 14, 1931, he commanded the
1./25.SS-Standarte from early October to mid-November, 1931. As commander of the 25.SS-Standarte from July, 1932 to early December
1933 he was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on November 6, 1932. From mid-December, 1933 to early April, 1934 he commanded the
46.SS-Standarte and then led the 7.SS-Standarte during April/May, 1934. He led Abschnitt I from mid-April, 1934 to mid-March, 1936.
and then served two weeks as the first commander of Abschnitt XXXII. During this first Abschnitt command period he was promoted to
SS-Oberfiihrer on May 5, 1934. Returning to a Standarte command, he led the 18.SS-Standarte from April, 1936, to March, 1937, and
then commanded Abschnitt XXII until the end of the war. During the pre-war years he served with the Army for training and became an
officer candidate in the reserves. He joined the Waffen-SS on May, 1940, and became an SS-Untersturmfhrer d.R. onJune21. 1940, with
the "Totenkopf" Division. Promoted to SS-Obersturmfhrer d.R. on September I, 1941, with the "Leibstandarte," he left the Waffen-SS
for police duties but retained his reserve rank. Assigned to the HSSPF "Ruland-Mitte" in January, 1942, he was entrusted with security
for a main supply road being built from Poland to Southern Russia until mid-November that year. Given the rank of Oberst der Polizei on
April 20, 1942, he served as Inspector of the staff concerned with building the road until early March 1943. As SSPF "Simferopol "from
early March, 1943, to late December that year he stood in for Ludolf von Alvensleben who had been promoted. After briefly serving as an
SS und Polizeigebietsfhrer in Aleschki, he took command of an office under the Sipo and SD commander for Simferopol until May, 1943,
when he beccame the Sipo and SD commander for Simferopol, holding that post until May 1944. In May 1944 he was the last SS garrison
commander in Simferopol and was then reassigned to the HSSPF "Ukraine." From July to October 1944 he was the last SSPF "Bialystok."
Charged with handling POWs in Wehrkreis I in October and November, 1944, he then became SSPF "Nord-Norwegen "from November,
1944, until the end of the war. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the Iron Cross, both classes of the War Service
Cross with Swords, the Infantry Assault Badge, the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the German Horseman's Badge in Silver. It is probable
his lack of advanced education caused his failure to be promoted after 1934 and he committed suicide in Oslo, Norway, on May 10, 1945.
(Phil Nix)

122
Chapter 3: Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)

SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1942


SS-Oberfhrer Georg Sieber"

Stabsfhrer:
March I. 1931 to August 7, 1932 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Wege
August 7, 1932 to June 12, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Dr. Hans Kolzow
June 12, 1933 to June 30, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after July 31, 1933
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after December 24, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after March 21,
1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Horst Pelz
June 30, 1935 to July 1935 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Karl Rees
July 1935 to October 1935 SS-Untersturmfiihrer Hans Schnfeldt
October 1935 to May 31, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Kennerknecht
June 1, 1936 to March 1, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Otto Feichtmayr
March 1, 1939 to June 1, 1942 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after April 20, 1940
SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1942
SS-Oberfhrer Georg Sieber
June I, 1942 to May 8. 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Horst Tffling

SS-Abschnitt IV was based in Braunschweig when formed to control Standarten 4, 12, 17, 24 and 28. In July,
1936 headquarters moved to Hannover. It contained Standarten 12, 49 and 51 by the end of 1938.

Fhrer:
July 11, 1931 to August 1, 1931 SS-Oberfhrer Josef Dietrich
August 1, 1931 to September 20, 1931 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Heyer
September 20, 1931 to January 30, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Jeckeln
January 30, 1933 to August 10, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Berthold Maack
August 10, 1933 to February 28, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Kaul
April 5, 1934 to January 1, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 5, 1934
SS-Oberfhrer Carl Zenner
January 1, 1935 to June 30, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Oberfhrer Carl Sattler
June 30, 1935 to November 30, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Benson 12
November 30, 1938 to April 1, 1942 SS-Standartenfhrer, after October 10, 1941

" Born in Koblenz on October 27, 1894, the son of an A r m y N C O . A f t e r training in administration he worked as an administrative
assistant in the m a y o r ' s office in Koblenz for t w o years beginning in October 1908. Joining the A r m y in 1913. he served with the infantry
and assault troops, where he won the Iron Cross 2nd class on February 22, 1915 and the Wound Badge in Black. Sieber left the A r m y in
1919. He worked as a wine producer in a G e r m a n colony in Russia and as an industrial supervisor between the wars. Joining the N S D A P
and SA reserve in O c t o b e r 1930, he left the SA and joined the SS on June 16, 1931, where he first served with SS Sturm 34. From July
to October, 1931, he served with 2.Sturm/II.Sturmbann/6.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on D e c e m b e r 16, 1931 and
to SS-Haupttruppfiihrer on March 18. 1932. After October, 1931, he led his Sturm in the 6.SS-Standarte until April, 1932, and then spent
two months as special duties officer in the 42.SS-Standarte. Promoted to SS-Sturmfiihrer on September 3, 1933 and to SS-Obersturmfiihrer
on January 30, 1934, he served as adjutant to the 42.SS-Standarte f r o m mid-June, 1934, to April, 1936. Reduced in rank by an SS court
in May 1934, he was again promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on July 20, 1935. From April. 1936, to March, 1939, he led the II.Sturmbann
of the 42.SS-Standarte and was promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936 and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r o n S e p t e m b e r 12.
1937. During that time he attended the first class at the SS Riding and Vehicle School "Forst" during June/July, 1936. He trained with
A r m y armored troops and was a Leutnant d.R. after January 1, 1940, after which he served as a reserve officer with Panzerregiment 5
until October, 1943. From March, 1939, to June, 1942, he was Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt II and was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r
on S e p t e m b e r 10, 1939 and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on April 20, 1940. He then led Abschnitt III f r o m September. 1939 until the end of the
war. A f t e r serving as a fulltime SS leader in Berlin throughout the war, he died on April 30, 1945. He was a w a r d e d the R e i c h ' s Sports
Badge in Gold, the War Service Cross 2nd class with S w o r d s in 1942 and the 1 st class with S w o r d s of the latter decoration on February
9. 1944.
12
Born in Knigsberg (East Prussia) on October 13. 1902, he served after W W I in the Freikorps " O b e r l a n d " and the Frontbann
(East Prussia). He served in the S A f r o m 1926 to 1929 in Knigsberg and was head of propaganda for that area in 1929-1930. Joining the
SS in August 1929, he served with the i . S S - S t u r m in Knigsberg until December. 1931, and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r o n
December 9, 1931. Next leading the 1.Sturm of the 18.SS-Standarte until April 30. 1933, he was promoted that day to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r

123
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

SS-Oberfhrer Richard Jungclaus


April 1, 1942 to February 2, 1943 (temporary) SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Bhnemann
February I, 1943 to May 8, 1945 SS-Standartenfiihrer Constantin Heldmann 1 3

Stabsfhrer:
March 21. 1932 to January 30, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after October 5, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer Berthold Maack
April 20, 1933 to April 4, 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer Herbert Otto Gille
October 12, 1933 to January 7. 1935 (substitute) SS-Obersturmfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after November 9, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Helmut Schne
January 7, 1935 to April 30, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Walter Frstenberg
April 30, 1935 to September 1, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Ernst Dressler
September 1, 1936 to January 1, 1937 after September 13, 1936
SS-Untersturmfhrer Rudolf Zopf
January 1, 1937 to December 29, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Carl Oberg
December 29, 1938 to May 8, 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Hans Paul

SS-Abschnitt V was headquartered in Essen and originally contained Standarten 2, 5, 19, 20, 25, 30, 33, and
35. Its units were reduced by 1938 to Standarten 20, 25 and 58.

Fhrer:
July 20, 1930 to October 6, 1932 SS-Oberfhrer Fritz Weitzel
October 6, 1932 to October 1, 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after August 8, 1931
SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Zech
October I, 1937 to February I, 1939 SS-Brigadefhrer Fritz Schlessmann
14
February 1, 1939 to April 5, 1941 SS-Oberfhrer Johannes Zingler.14
February 1, 1943 15 to January 1, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Ludwig
January 1, 1944 to May 8, 1945 (substitute) SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Krebs

and given c o m m a n d of the l.Sturmbann/18.SS-Standarte which he led until m i d - D e c e m b e r 1933. From m i d - D e c e m b e r . 1933, to early
May, 1934, he c o m m a n d e d the 18.SS-Standarte then took c o m m a n d of the 88.SS-Standarte until June 20, 1935. Promoted to SS-
Obersturmbannfiihrer on March 12, 1934 and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on M a y 7, 1934. he b e c a m e an S S - O b e r f h r e r on June 20, 1935. He
next c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt IV f r o m late June, 1935 to November, 1938. Officially serving on the staff of Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t " f r o m
late N o v e m b e r . 1938, he w a s called for active duty in the A r m y in 1939 and served with Infanterieregiment 46. A s a c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r
with the rank of Leutnant d.R. he was killed on S e p t e m b e r 9, 1942 at Ilmensee. He w a s awarded the Golden Party Badge and Reich's
Sports Badge in Silver.
" Born in Detmold on March 7, 1893, he joined the Imperial N a v y as a sea cadet in February, 1912, and served with the A r m y
infantry in W W I . He attained the rank of Leutnant and was captured by the French. R e m a i n i n g in the military until March, 1920, he then
worked as an export merchant. He joined the N S D A P in April. 1931 and the SS in March, 1933. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on
D e c e m b e r 24. 1933. he w a s assigned to the staff of Abschnitt XIII and then b e c a m e StabsfUhrer until S e p t e m b e r 1934. Promoted to SS-
Hauptsturmfhrer on June 17, 1934 and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1935, he led the 22.SS-Standarte f r o m October 1934 to
October 1935. After serving as Special Duties O f f i c e r of Abschnitt X V during October and N o v e m b e r , 1935, he was Stabsfhrer of
Abschnitt IX f r o m N o v e m b e r . 1935. to March, 1937, and w a s promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on January 30, 1937. He c o m -
manded the c a m p in Tutzing f r o m March to August. 1937. and then b e c a m e StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt " M a i n " until July, 1939. where
he was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 11. 1938. A s c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt IX he served f r o m July to September. 1939,
and then returned to a staff posting with Oberabschnitt " M i t t e " until February, 1943. A s last c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt IV he held the post
f r o m February, 1943, to the end. During the pre-war years he trained with the A r m y as a reserve officer and joined the W a f f e n - S S as an
S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r d.R. in N o v e m b e r , 1939, where he first served as a battery c o m m a n d e r in the SS Artillery Replacement Detach-
ment until mid-December, 1939. From mid-December, 1939, to January, 1941, he c o m m a n d e d the replacement artillery unit of the
" T o t e n k o p f ' Division and then became the first c o m m a n d e r of IV./Artillerie Regiment " W i k i n g " until June, 1941. From June. 1941, to
September. 1941, he was a detachment c o m m a n d e r in the SS artillery replacement unit which had e x p a n d e d to regimental size. He
c o m m a n d e d the artillery regiment of the " N o r d " Division f r o m October, 1941, to March, 1942, and then c o m m a n d e d the SS artillery
replacement regiment f r o m July to August, 1942. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r d.R. on April 20, 1943. he w a s assigned respon-
sibility for replacements and w e l f a r e of the Finnish SS Battalion f r o m August, 1942, to March, 1944. U n d e r the H S S P F "Italien" he was
Inspector for heavy w e a p o n s f r o m March. 1944. to May, 1945, and was la (First General Staff Officer) of the Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade
der SS (italienische Nr. 1) during the s a m e period. From November, 1944, on he c o m m a n d e d the unit (which b e c a m e a division) as deputy
to Otto J u n g k u n z w h o retained titular c o m m a n d and after February 15, 1945 H e l d m a n n b e c a m e full commander. He was awarded the
Iron Cross 1st class and was promoted to W a f f e n - S S Standartenfhrer d.R.
14
A West Prussian born on May 29, 1901, Zingler served with Infanterie Regiment 5 in W W I and ended the conflict as an N C O .
leaving the A r m y in S e p t e m b e r 1920. He then served with the Schutzpolizei in Berlin and Danzig f r o m September, 1920, until April,
1925. Joining the N S D A P and SS in March, 1931, he was Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt VII f r o m November, 1931, to February, 1932. and was

124
Chapter3:Oberabschnitte(MainDistricts)

Richard Fiedler was born to a Berlin Catholic family on April 24, 1908. He received technical training and trained to be a locksmith. A
member of the Frontbahn from 1924 to 1926, he joined the NSDAP in 1926. Commissioned an SA-Sturmfhrer in 1929, he served with SA
Standarte IV until 1933. Promoted to SA-Sturmbannfiihrer and SA-Standartenfiihrer in 1931, he ted the 1. Sturmbann from early 1931 to
mid-September that year, then commanded the entire Standarte. Promoted to SA-Oberfhrer on April 24, 1933, he commanded &4 Bri-
gade Berlin-Mitte from September, 1933, to February, 1935. He then was on the staff of SA Gruppe "Niederrhein" until August, 1936.
Promoted to SA-Brigadefhrer in 1936, from August, 1936, to early August, 1939, he was on the staff of SA Gruppe "Mitte" and com-
manded SA Brigade 38. Transferring to the SS as an SS-Brigadefiihrer on August 1, 1939, he took command of Abschnitt XVII until the
start of October, 1940. From October, 1940, to August, 1944, he was commander of Abschnitt XXXXI1I though a deputy served while
Fiedler was in Russia. He joined the Waffen-SS as an Obersturmfher d.R. in 1940 with the Polizei Division and served with " Wiking "
from 1941 to October, 1943. Promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfhrer d. R. on November 9, 1943, he had already returned to police duties and
became a Generalmajor der Polizei in 1944. He was the only man to hold the post of SSPF "Montenegro" and was hospitalized from
October, 1944, to the end of the war. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class, the War Service Cross 2nd class
and the the Wound Badge in Black. Given the rank of Generalmajor der Polizei in 1944, he died in Munich on December 14, 1974. (Phil
Nix)

Stabsfiihrer:
November 16, 1933 to March 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Helmut Schulz
March 1, 1934 to April 1, 1936 after April 20, 1934 SS-Untersturmfhrer,
after November 9, 1935 SS-Obersturmfhrer
Ernst Adolf Schmidt
April 1. 1936 to March 21, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1937 SS-Standartenluhrer Hermann Dethof
March 21, 1938 to May 8, 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September I, 1940
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Krebs

commissioned an SS-Sturmfiihrer on January 15, 1932. As Stabsfiihrer of SS-Gruppe " N o r d " he served from February to October, 1932,
and then remained in another staff position there until November 1933 during which he was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer on
December 1, 1932, to SS-Sturmbannfiihreron January 30, 1933 and to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9 , 1933. He commanded
the 40.SS-Standarte f r o m November, 1933 to September, 1934, and then led the 43.SS-Standarte from October, 1934, to June, 1936,
during which he was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on September 15, 1935. From July, 1936, to January, 1939, he commanded the
45.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on January 30, 1939. He then commanded Abschnitt V from February, 1939, to
April, 1941. He was tried and convicted before an SS court for misappropriation of funds and after several months in prison was allowed
to join the Waffen-SS. As an enlisted man, he served with the engineers from June, 1941, until the end of the war, finally posted to 4./
Pionier Bataillon 23, and was commissioned as a Waffen-SS Untersturmfhrer on January 5, 1945.
15
C o m m a n d e r between Zingler and Ludwig is as yet unknown, the post was vacant for a period.

125
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Paul Dahm, son of a state official, was horn in Wuppertal on June 6, 1904. He trained as a dental assistant and ran his father's practice
until becoming a full time SS officer. During 1922-1923, he fought with the Freikorps and joined the NSDAP on March 26, 1923. He was
an SA leader in Wuppertal-Langsfeld until leaving the Party after the Munich Putsch. He rejoined the NSDAP in mid-December 1925 as
well as the SA, serving in the SA within his old area until early March, 1931. Joining the SS on March 2, 1931, he served as adjutant of
SS Brigade "West" from early March, 1931, to mid-July that year then held the same position with SS Gruppe "West" until mid-March,
1932. Promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on April 6, 1931, and commissioned an SS-Sturmfiihrer on March 21, 1932, he led the 4.Sturm/
ll.Sturmbann/20. SS-Standarte from mid-March, 1932, to early July, 1934, when he took command of II.Sturmbann. Promoted to SS-
Obersturmfiihrer on November 9, 1933, to SS-Hauptsturmfhrer on November 9, 1934, and to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on April 20, 1935, he
led II.Sturmbann of the 20.SS-Standarte until the start of April, 1936. He next commanded I.Sturmbann of the same unit until mid-
January, 1937, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on November 9, 1936. From mid-January, 1937, to the end of the war he
was commander of the 20.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on January 30, 1938. In early 1944, he was given the
rank of Oberst der Polizei to conform with his Allgemeine-SS rank. From August, 1940, to May, 1945, he served in the Reichstag, taking
the seat vacated by Fritz Weitzel. Joining the Waffen-SS in September, 1939, he served with recruiting posts until mid-April, 1942, first in
Dsseldorf and in the final year headed the Waffen-SS recruiting offices for Norway. Moving to the "Wiking " Division he served as an
anti-tank gun commander from mid-July to mid-October, 1942, then headed the staff company of the anti-tank detachment as well as
being its ordnance officer until early August, 1943. He then left active service but retained his reserve rank of SS-Sturmbannfhrer d.R.
which he received on April 20, 1941. Reassigned to Police duties in Yugoslavia, he was Polizeigebietsfhrer "Banja-Luca" from early
August, 1943, to late April, 1945, and simultaneously was Polizeigebietsfhrer "Eegg" from September, 1944, to late April, 1945. From
the start of July, 1943, to May, 1945, he was also on the staff of the SS-Personalhauptamt. Awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Reich's
Sports Badge in Silver, the Iron Cross 2nd class on October 10, 1942, the General Assault Badge on December 24, 1942, and the War
Merit Cross 1st class with Swords in 1944, he worked after the war for a dental instrument company and then restarted his dental
practice. He died after several strokes in the early 1970s. (Phil Nix)

SS-Abschnitt VI was based in Brieg from creation until June. 1934, when headquarters moved to Breslau. It
contained Standarten 16, 43 and 98.

Fhrer:
September 1, 1931 to March 15, 1932 SS-Oberfhrer Udo von Woyrsch
March 15, 1932 to December 11, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer, after October 6, 1932
SS-Oberfhrer Emil Sembach 1 6

"' Born on March 2, 1891, in Forsthaus Stifting, he served in W W I and worked in commerce between the wars. Joining the N S D A P
in 1925 and the SS in 1930. he commanded the 15.SS-Standarte from February, 1931. to July. 1932. He also commanded Abschnitt VI

126
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

December 11, 1933 to April I. 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1934
SS-Oberfhrer, after September 9. 1934
SS-Brigadefhrer Theodor Berkelmann
April I, 1936 to March 21, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Oberfhrer Otto Jungkunz
March 21, 1938 to January 1, 1942 SS-Standartenfhrer, after June 21, 1941
SS-Brigadefhrer, after September 26, 1941
Generalmajor der Polizei Fritz Katzmann
January 1, 1942 to May 5, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after June 21, 1944
SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Dernehl 17

Stabsfhrer:
September 1, 1931 to July 10, 1932 18 SS-Oberfhrer, after July 1, 1932
SS-Gruppenfhrer Kurt Daluege
July 10, 1932 to August 10, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Kurt Kaul
January 30, 1933 to May 31, 1933 (temporary) SS-Truppfhrer Dr. Arno Hermann 1 9
August 10, 1933 to March 16, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Friedrich Graf
von Pfeil-Burghauss
March 16, 1935 to April 30, 1937 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Schilling
April 30, 1937 to January 31, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Werner Pgel
January 1, 1938 to October 31, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Maximilian Brand
October 7, 1938 to July 1, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Meyer
July I, 1939 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1942 SS-Standartenfhrer Willi Ost

SS-Abschnitt VII formed in Danzig-Mariensee and on July 1, 1933 moved to Knigsberg. It contained
Standarten 18 and 60.

Fhrer:
November 9, 1931 to February 12, 1934 SS-Oberfhrer Werner Lorenz
February 12, 1934 to March 20, 1934 SS-Brigadefhrer, after July 11, 1934
SS-Gruppenftihrer Erich von dem Bach
March 20, 1934 to February 23, 193520 SS-Oberfhrer Georg Altner

f r o m March to December, 1933. From December, 1933, to February, 1934, he was with the staff of Oberabschnitt " S d o s t . " He was a
m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m November, 1933, to June, 1934. Expelled f r o m the SS in February, 1934 for e m b e z z l e m e n t , he incured the
intense wrath of U d o von Woyrsch w h o convinced H i m m l e r he should be arrested. Himmler ordered that and he be sent to Berlin, but
instead he was shot by an SS c o m m a n d o (probably on von W o y r s c h ' s orders) on July 1, 1934.
17
Born on N o v e m b e r 28, 1907, in Mecklenburg, the son of a builder. His early education was privately taught and then he attended
the technical high schools in Braunschweig and Darmstadt. He also studied university mathematics and received a d i p l o m a in October
1931. giving up further studies due to financial problems in 1932. In early May 1932 he j o i n e d the S A in Darmstadt and served with S A
Sturm 24 until early November, 1932. Transferring to the SS on N o v e m b e r 9, 1928, he served with Fritz Weitzel's staff until the begin-
ning of February, 1931. Having joined the N S D A P on March 1, 1929, he was promoted to S S - T r u p p f h r e r on January 5, 1931. After
serving with the 30.SS-Standarte f r o m February to April, 1931, he m o v e d to the I2.SS-Standarte until m i d - N o v e m b e r that year. C o m m i s -
sioned as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 26, 1931, he led the 1 .Sturm/I.Sturmbann/33.SS-Standarte until early April. 1932. Promoted
to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r on April 2, 1932, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he led the I./33.SS-Standarte f r o m early
April, 1932, until mid-May, 1935. As Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt X X I V f r o m March, 1935, to mid-January, 1936, he was promoted to SS-
Standartenfhrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1935. He c o m m a n d e d the 43.SS-Standarte f r o m July, 1937, to July, 1943, and then c o m m a n d e d the
124.SS-Standarte until May, 1945. He was also c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt VI f r o m the start of January, 1942, to May, 1945. Recalled for
active service in the A r m y in September, 1939, he served in Infantry Regiment 4 4 2 and f r o m October. 1940. to July. 1942, was adjutant
of its III.Bataillon. Promoted to Leutnant in the reserves, he next served as a c o m p a n y c o m m a n d e r with that regiment's 2nd bataillon until
w o u n d e d on September 9, 1942. P r o m o t e d to reserve H a u p t m a n n on S e p t e m b e r 1, 1943, he was a w a r d e d both classes of the Iron Cross,
the Wound Badge in Silver, the A r m y Honor Roll Clasp and the S A Sports Badge in Silver. From N o v e m b e r , 1943 to the end o f t h a t year
he was an office chief in the S S - H a u p t a m t and was also Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt " S d w e s t " f r o m February to May, 1945. In addition
to his A l l g e m e i n e - S S duties, he b e c a m e a W a f f e n - S S HauptsturmfUhrer d.R. on M a y 26, 1944, and served with several school and
replacement positions. He was promoted to W a f f e n - S S S t u r m b a n n f h r e r d.R. on January 30, 1945.
'* He was also c o m m a n d i n g Abschnitt III at that time and was the initial Stabsfhrer during creation of the staff.
19
C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r on January 30, 1934 and promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1942.
20
C o m m a n d between Altner and Brass handled most probably by the Stabsfhrer.

127
Allgemeine-SS.

Probably taken at the headquarters of the HSSPF "Italien. " shown here are (bottom row left to right) SS-Brigadefhrer Paul Zimmermann
(Himmler's representative for "Total War Action Group"), SS-Brigadefhrer Willy Tensfeld (SSPF "Oberitalien-West"), SS-
Obergruppenfiihrer Karl Wolff (HSSPF "Italien "), SS-Gruppenfhrer Erwin Rsener (HSSPF "Alpenland"), (back row left to right)
SS-Brigadefhrer Karl Brunner (SSPF "Bozen "), SS-Brigadefhrer Jrgen von Kamptz (senior Orpo commander in Italy), SS-Brigadefhrer
Dr. Wilhelm Harster (Sipo and SD commander in Verona) and SS-Standartenfiihrer Harro With (attached to Hauptamt VOMI). (Phil Nix)

February 28, 1935 to March 15, 1936 SS-Oberfhrer Otto Brass


March 15, 1936 to October 1, 1937 SS-Brigadefhrer Hermann Freiherr
von Schade
October 1, 1937 to November 14, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Erich Schrge 21
November 14, 1938 to July 1, 1942 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1939
SS-Oberfhrer Walter Gerlach 22

21
Born in Stettin on November 16, 1899, he joined the Imperial Navy in March 1916 and saw duty with several ships including the
"Rheinland" and the "Ostfriesland." He specialized in navigation and torpedoes. Commissioned a sub-Lieutenant, he was serving as an
ordnance officer on the " L w e n " when he served in the Freikorps during 1919 and left the Navy in October, 1919. He worked for serveral
German companies and spent a year in Brazil between the wars. Joining the N S D A P and SA reserve in January, 1930, he left the SA for
the SS on December 1, 1930. Promoted to SS-Scharfhrer on May 23, 1931 and to SS-Truppfhrer on June 19, 1931, he led the 1 .Sturm/
II.Sturmbann/12.SS-Standarte from June to November. 1939 and then was adjutant to the II.Sturmbann from November, 1931, to Octo-
ber. 1932. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on October 1, 1932, he led the I.Sturmbann of the 42.SS-Standarte from that date until
April, 1933. He then served as Himmler's liaison officer with SS Gruppe " N o r d " from April to October. 1933. After serving as com-
mander of the 4.SS-Motorstandarte from December. 1933, to mid-March, 1934, he was StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Nordwest" from
March, 1934, to February, 1937 (retitled "Mitte" in January, 1936). During that time he was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfhrer on April
20. 1934, and to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on July I, 1934. He then spent seven months with the SS-Hauptamt and was promoted to SS-
Oberfhrer on April 20, 1937 before commanding Abschnitt VII from the start of October, 1937, to mid-November, 1938. Serving as
Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt "Mitte" from mid-November, 1938, to December, 1940, he was at the disposal of the Navy for the last three
years of the war (he became a Lieutenant-Commander of the reserves on February 1, 1944). He remained listed as assigned as a staff
officer of Oberabschnitt "Mitte" after leaving his StabsfUhrer post until May, 1945. From mid-January, 1945. until the end of the war he
served with the SS Artillery Training and Replacement Detachment based in Prague. He was awarded the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver
and German Life Saving Badge in Silver.
22
Born on August 25, 1896. in Gunow. the son of a fisherman, he studied building before joining the Army in 1914. He served with
the artillery winning the Iron Cross 2nd class and was discharged in January 1919. Continuing his academic studies, he then worked as a
mason. He joined the N S D A P in September, 1930, and served in the SA from October, 1930, to February, 1931. Joining the SS on
February 1. 1931. he first served with the 1 ,/III./27.SS-Standarte and led his Sturm from April to late October, 1931. Commissioned as an
SS-Sturmfhrer on October 29, 1931, he led the III./27.SS-Standarte from early July to August, 1932, then commanded the entire
Standarte until August, 1934. Promoted to SS-SturmhauptfUhrer on December 1, 1932, to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on April 7, 1934, and to
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on August 17, 1934. he commanded the infamous c a m p at Columbia-Haus in Berlin from August to December,

128
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Shown in late September 1940 during a diplomatic function are (from right) Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eherstein, the Spanish Foreign
Minister and Franz Ritter von Epp.

July 1, 1942 to August 1, 1943 23 SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Schlums


June 10, 1943 to July 10, 1943 (substitute) SS-Standartenfhrer Heinrich Neurath

Stabsfhrer:
February 1931 to November 9, 1931 SS-Truppfhrer Waldemar Wappenhans 2 4
November 9, 1931 to February 8, 1932 (temporary) after January 15, 1932 SS-Sturmfhrer
Johannes Zingler
February 8, 1932 to September 6, 1932 SS-Sturmfhrer, after July 22, 1932 SS-
Sturmbannfhrer Waldemar Wappenhans
September 6, 1932 to September 10, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Fritz Jahnke
January 30, 193325 to February 1, 1934 Sturmhauptfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Johannes Zingler
February 1, 1934 to March 1, 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer Walter Frstenberg
March I, 1934 to March 20, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1935
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Bruno Hebron
March 20, 1935 to late April 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Georg Schrder
October 15, 1935 to March 1, 1936 (substitute) SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Hubert Kblinger
March 19, 1936 to May 30, 1936 (substitute) SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hubert Erhart
May 30, 1936 to October 1, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Paul Lindner
October 1, 1936 to March 1, 1937 SS-Oberfhrer Johannes Schfer
March 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1938
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Werner Fromm

1934. As special duties officer assigned to Himmler he served from August, 1934, to April, 1935, followed by posting as adjutant to the
commander of Dachau from April, 1935, to January. 1936. He also served as Stabsfiihrer to the commander of Dachau from January to
September. 1936. and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on January 30, 1936. As commander of the 64.SS-Standarte he led from
September, 1936, to November, 1938, and then commanded Abschnitt VII from November, 1938, to July, 1942, during which he was
promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on January 30, 1939. Reassigned to the R K D F V he headed the office in Knigsberg from July, 1942, to
December, 1944. and then a similar posting in Denmark. He also headed the personnel bureau of the H S S P F in Denmark from December,
1944, to May, 1945, as well as heading the R K F D V office there. Awarded both classes of the War Service Cross, after the war he was a
witness at Nuremberg and died in Bavaria on August 31, 1963.
23
Designated Fhrer after this date unknown, but Schlums may have undertaken those duties as he was Stabsfhrer of the
Oberabschnitt.
24
Served in this capacity as an NCO. he was commissioned an SS-Sturmfhrer on February 8, 1932.
25
Both Jahnke's and Zingler's position are confirmed by the SS-Befehlsblatt. with Zingler probably being a substitute until Septem-
ber 1933.
129
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

March 21, 1938 to November 30, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Otto Bttcher


November 30, 1938 to January 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hermann Jenke
January 1939 to May 1, 1939 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Waldemar Roos
May I, 1939 to July 7, 1942 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1942
SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Schlums 26

SS-Abschnitt V I I I was headquartered in Linz, Austria. Officially it was dissolved due to its illegality from
February. 1934, until being reformed in March, 1938, but it existed underground during the ban on the Aus-
trian Nazi Party and SS. When officially reformed, it contained Standarten 37 and 52.

Fhrer
June 16, 1932 to December 1, 1932 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 23,1932
SS-Oberfhrer Dr. Walter Graeschke
December 1, 1932 to June 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Dr. Ernst Bach 27
June 1933 to February 15, 1934 SS-Oberfhrer, after December 15, 1933
SS-Brigadefhrer Alfred Rodenbiicher
February 15, 1934 to November 18, 1934 Hans Hiedler 28
November 18, 1934 to June 15, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after February 15,
1935 SS-Oberfhrer Karl Taus
June 15, 1935 to March 12, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Ernst Kaltenbrunner
March 21, 1938 to May 8, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Otto Jungkunz 2 9

Stabsfhrer:
October 1931 to September 23, 1932 SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Turza 3 "
late September 1932 to August 23, 1933 SS-Sturmfhrer, after October 7, 1932
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 9, 1933
SS-Standartenfhrer Alfred Bigler

!<
' Born on January 26, 1892, in Nimptsch, he joined the army in October 1913. H e served in the infantry until July 1917 and was
c o m m i s s i o n e d a Leutnant in the reserves on February 1, 1915. From S e p t e m b e r i 915 to July 1915 he was a K o m p a n i e Chef in Infanterie
Regiment 22. Transferring to the Flying Corps, he served in a fighter unit until discharged in D e c e m b e r 1918 after having won the Iron
Cross 2nd class. During the s u m m e r of 1921 he was with the Freikorps and was a teacher f r o m August, 1922, to April. 1926. A m e m b e r
of the Stahlhelm f r o m 1922 to 1926, he j o i n e d the N S D A P in January, 1931. and the SS on May 15, 1931. Promoted to SS-TruppfUhrer
on March 1, 1933, and c o m m i s s i o n e d as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he c o m m a n d e d the 3./V./16.SS-Standarte f r o m
November, 1933, to late April, 1934, when he took c o m m a n d of the I.Sturmbann. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on April 28, 1934, to
S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on July 4, 1934, and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1935, he c o m m a n d e d the 16.SS-Standarte f r o m the start
of April to the beginning of July, 1936. He then c o m m a n d e d the 60.SS-Standarte until late March. 1938, during which he was promoted
to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9. 1936, and to SS-Standartenfhrer on January 30, 1938. As Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt VII he
served f r o m the start of May, 1939, to the beginning of July, 1942, when he took c o m m a n d of the Abschnitt and was promoted to SS-
O b e r f h r e r on January 30, 1942. A f t e r serving as Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt " N o r d o s t " f r o m November. 1941, to August, 1943, he
held the s a m e post with Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " (later " R h e i n - W e s t m a r k " ) until April. 1945. Injured in a sports accident during June,
1944, he was awarded the War Service Cross with S w o r d s 1st and 2nd class.
27
Born in Herford on N o v e m b e r 26, 1889, he was also chief of the SS A m t f r o m D e c e m b e r 24, 1932 until June 12, 1933, as well as
heading the SS Gericht (SS court) f r o m its formation until his death.
28
M e m b e r of the Austrian Nazi Party of u n k n o w n rank (if indeed a m e m b e r of the Austrian SS) during the initial period of the ban.
2
" Born in WUrzburg on July 23. 1892, the son of a businessman. He served with Bavarian infantry units in W W I f r o m July 1914 to
March 1919, and w o n the Iron Cross 2nd class, ending the war as an N C O . He served in the W r z b u r g Freikorps during 1919 and then
joined the N S D A P and SS on January 1. 1932. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he led the 4./I./56.SS-
Standarte f r o m October, 1933, to January, 1934, and then c o m m a n d e d the I./56.SS-Standarte until March. 1934. A s c o m m a n d e r of the
56.SS-Standarte he served f r o m March. 1934, to April, 1936, and was p r o m o t e d to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on June 18, 1934, to SS-
S t u r m b a n n f h r e r o n N o v e m b e r 9, 1934. to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1935, and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on April 1, 1936.
He then next led SS Abschnitt VI f r o m April. 1936, to March, 1938. during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r t u h r e r on April 20, 1937,
then c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt VIII f r o m March, 1938. until May, 1945. He left the A r m y reserve as a Leutnant d.R. and joined the W a f f e n -
SS as an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r d.R. in February, 1940. As c o m m a n d e r of the SS Vehicle Replacement Detachment he served f r o m
February. 1940, to August, 1942, and was p r o m o t e d to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r d.R. on August 1, 1940, to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r d.R. on
April 20, 1941, and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r d.R. on August 10. 1942. He b e c a m e SS garrison and area c o m m a n d e r for H e g e w a l d f r o m
September, 1942, to January, 1944 (the location of H i m m l e r ' s field headquarters in the Ukraine). A f t e r serving with the H S S P F "Italien"
during the first half of February, 1945, he c o m m a n d e d the Waffen-SS Italien Brigade (which later b e c a m e the 29.Waffen-Grenadier-
Division der SS [italienische Nr. 1]). From mid-February, 1945. to May, 1945, he was chief of the technical section of the arms office
(Amt V l l l / W a f f e n a m t ) within the S S - F h r u n g s h a u p t a m t . J u n g k u n z won a clasp to his W W I Iron Cross 2nd class on February 15, 1945,
the War Service Cross 1st class with S w o r d s on January 30, 1943 and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold. He died in Bruck on J u n e 9, 1945.
3,1
Turza j o i n e d the SS in January, 1930, and reached the rank of SS-Standartenfhrer on June 19, 1931. Dismissed f r o m the SS in
N o v e m b e r . 1932. he rejoined in September. 1937, as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r and attained the rank of S S - O b e r f u h r e r on April 20, 1944.

130
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Willi Brandner was born on August 12, 1909, in Schnbach, the son of a violin maker. He followed in his father's trade and after training
became a master violin maker. Joining the Czech army in early October 1931, he sen'ed in a motorized mountain unit until mid-January
1933 then returned to sporting activities with political overtones. He led several German-Czech sports groups and joined the NSDAP on
November I, 1938. Brandner was given charge of all sporting activities in Czechoslovakia and was a member of the Reichstag from 1939
to late December, 1944. He joined the SS as an SS-Oberfiihrer on October 8, 1938, and led Abschnitt XXXVII until the start of 1941
followed by temporary command of Abschnitt II until April, 1942. As a staff officer with Oberabschnitt "Elbe" he sen'ed from April,
1942, to the start of July, 1943, and then went to Himmler 's staff where he was assigned security duties until his death in late December,
1944. He served with the SS/VT and Waffen-SS starting in early December, 1939, and was commissioned as a Waffen-SS Untersturmfhrer
d.R. on August 1, 1940. From August, 1940, to the end of January, 1941, he was with the "Totenkopf' replacement regiment and was the
battalion adjutant from early December, 1940. He then went to the "Leibstandarte" as a reserve officer until November, 1941. Promoted
to SS-Obersturmfhrer d.R. on November 9, 1941, he was wounded in Russia and afterwards suffered partial paralysis as a result. After
his recovery he served with the replacement battalion of Regiment "Deutschland " until October 1, 1942, when he resigned his Waffen-SS
rank and was posted to security duties. Assigned to the HSSPF " Ruland-Mitte" for training in October, 1942, he actually arrived there
in mid-February, 1943, and was not considered fully recovered from his wounds until July, 1943. Given the rank of Oberst der Polizei on
October 20, 1942, he became Polizeigebietsfhrer "Agram" in Croatia from July, 1943 until wounded in a partisan attack during an
inspection on December 28, 1944. He also served as deputy to the HSSPF "Kroatien " during the same period. Brandner died from his
wounds on December 29, 1944, having been been promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei on July 10, 1943. He was
awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1939, the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1941 and the 1st class in 1944, the War Sen'ice Cross
with Swords in 1944, the Wound Badge in Black in 1941 and the 2nd class Olympic Games decoration. (Phil Nix)

August 23, 1933 to November 30, 1933 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Obersturmfhrer Franz Schwarz
specific date unknown to March 21, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Heinz K o r b "
March 21, 1938 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after April 20, 1938
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after December 12,
1941 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Stichnoth

31
He probably held the post for only a short time as there was doubtfully a Stabsfhrer assigned during the period the Party was
banned and none officially designated until after Austria became part of the Reich.

131
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Otto Reich (left) is shown here decorating foreign volunteers. Born in Waldhausen, East Prussia on December 5, 1891, he attended an
NCO school from 1907 to 1911 and was thereafter in the Army until November 1918. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound
Badge in Silver in WWI. After the Army he was unemployed until 1921 then worked in the food industry until 1930. Joining the NSDAP
in November, 1929, and the SS on January 10, 1930, he first served with the 1 ,/V./6.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-SturmfUhrer on
December 6, 1931. As adjutant to the 51.SS-Standarte he served from December, 1931, to October, 1932, then commanded the 1./II./6.SS-
Standarte until mid-March, 1933. He was an initial member of the Stabswache Berlin and SS-Sonderkommando Berlin (which became
the "Leibstandarte"). Staying with the eventual "Leibstandarte" until February, 1935, he served as StabsfUhrer after August, 1933, until
February, 1935. In February/March, 1935, he was posted to the Inspectorate of concentration camps then commanded the camp in
Lichtenburgfrom March, 1935, to April, 1936. From April, 1936, to July, 1937, he commanded a Sturmbann in a Totenkopf Standarte and
then led the 2.SS-Totenkopf Standarte "Brandenberg" until mid-May, 1938. In mid-November, 1938 he took command of the 4.SS-
TotenkopfStandarte "Ostmark" and led until December, 1940. After four months at a troop training area he took command of SS-
Freiwilligen-Standarte "Nordwest" from April, 1941, to April, 1942, training and supplying replacements for the "Niederlande" and
"Flandern " legions. Promoted to Allgemeine-SS and Waffen-SS Oberfhrer on September 1, 1941, he was supply commander for the
Waffen-SS and Police in northern Russia from April to October, 1942. After four months leave and training he did not receive another
assignment until August, 1943, when given command of a Police Regiment of the Ordnungspolizei until March, 1944. He then served with
several main offices before being assigned Ordnungspolizei commander in Agram during late July to late September, 1944, then
Polizeigebietsfhrer "Agram" from late December, 1944, to early January, 1945, when the post was dissolved. Reich was awarded a
clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class, the Iron Cross 1st class in 1942 and both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. He sen'ed
the final months of the war in the staff detachment of the SS-Personalhauptamt and died in Dsseldorf on September 20, 1955. His son
also joined the SS, attending the first class at SS Fhrerschule "Bad Tlz" in 1934. He was killed in action during June, 1944. (Phil Nix)

SS-Abschnitt IX was formed in Kulmbach on June 1, 1932, and moved to Nuremberg in April, 1933. Head-
quarters was moved to Wrzburg from September, 1933, to March, 1936, when it returned to Nuremberg. In
January, 1938, Wrzburg again became headquarters and remained for the rest of the war. It contained Standarten
56, 73 and 81.

Fhrer:
June 1, 1932 to April 19, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Wittje
April 19, 1933 to August 15, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Erasmus Freiherr von
Malsen-Ponickau
August 15, 1933 to January 7, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer, after December 24, 1933
SS-Oberfhrer Emil Popp
January 7, 1935 to April 1, 1935 SS-Brigadefhrer Wilhelm Starck
April 1, 1935 to March 31, 1936 SS-Oberfhrer Waldemar Wappenhans
April 1, 1936 to January 1, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 13,1936
SS-Oberfhrer Willy Tensfeld
January 1. 1939 to March 1, 1939 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Dring
March 1, 1939 to July 1, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Dr. Ferdinand von
Sammern-Frankenegg
July 1, 1939 to September 1, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Constantin Heldmann
September 1, 1939 to July 1, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1941
SS-Oberfhrer Dr. Ferdinand von Sammern-
Frankenegg

132
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

June 16, 194332 to May 8, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1943


SS-Oberfhrer Theodor Zittel 33

Stabsfhrer:
June 1, 1932 to January 26, 1933 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after August 24, 1932
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Herbert Rohr
January 26, 1933 to March 6, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Pflomm
April 20, 1933 to September 26, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 1, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Dr. Eugen Mohr
September 26, 1933 to February 1, 1934 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after March 16, 1934
SS-Obersturmfhrer Alfred Buchs
February 1, 1934 to March 1, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Ring
March 1, 1934 to November 1, 1935 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Obersturmfhrer Wilhelm Dyroff
November 1, 1935 to March 15, 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Constantin
Heldmann
March 15, 1937 to June 27, 1937 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Obersturmfhrer Ludwig Ebert
June 27, 1937 to January 31, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Ludwig Eschholdt
January 31, 1938 to May 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans von Uslar
May 1938 to July 1, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Erich Spaarmann
July 1, 1938 to 1942 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after September 10,
1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Martin Luther
1942 to May 8, 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ludwig Ebert

SS-Abschnitt X was based in Stuttgart. It contained Standarten 13 and 63.

Fhrer:
March 22, 1932 to July 15, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Christoph Diehm
July 15, 1933 to November 16, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Brigadefhrer Hans-Adolf Prtzmann
January 15, 1934 to September 20, 1936 SS-Brigadefhrer Erasmus Freiherr von
Malsen-Ponickau
September 20, 1936 to January 30, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Oberfhrer Ludolf von Alvensleben
July 1, 193834 to May 8, 1945 35 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1939
SS-Oberfhrer Hermann Peter 36

12
Zittel served as a substitute f r o m this date until given full c o m m a n d on S e p t e m b e r 1, 1943.
33
Born in Kolomar on October 29, 1900. the son of a senior railway official. He served with the infantry in W W I and between the
wars worked as a f a r m e r and a banker. He joined the N S D A P in July 1929 and the SS on D e c e m b e r 1, 1930 where he served with the
3.Sturm/II.Sturmbann/32.SS-Standarte until February, 1932. Promoted to S S - T r u p p f h r e r on July I, 1931. he led the 3.Sturm f r o m that
date until mid-September, 1933. M o v i n g to the 62.SS-Standarte he led its Ill.Sturmbann f r o m September. 1933, to May, 1934, and was
promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on February 13, 1934. C o m m a n d i n g the 7.SS-Standarte f r o m M a y to December, 1934 and the 79.SS-
Standarte f r o m December, 1934, to July, 1938, he w a s p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 15. 1935, and to SS-
Standartenfhrer on S e p t e m b e r 13, 1936. He led Abschnitt X X V I I f r o m July to December. 1938, and after a course at Dachau was
assigned to the staff of Oberabschnitt " M a i n " f r o m December, 1938, to January, 1939. Zittel led the 56.SS-Standarte f r o m January. 1939,
to May, 1945, in addition to his other positions. From July,1943, to May, 1945, he c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt IX and Abschnitt X X X V I I I
f r o m July, 1943, to September, 1943. Promoted S S - O b e r f h r e r o n N o v e m b e r 9, 1943, he served as a reserve W a f f e n - S S O b e r s t u r m f h r e r
with the l.SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division " R e i c h s f h r e r - S S " f r o m early December, 1944, until killed on April 15, 1945, as c o m m a n d e r
of the 8./SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 36. He was awarded the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, the S A Sports Badge in Silver. T h e War
Service Cross 2nd class with S w o r d s in 1944 and the Iron Cross 2nd class.
34
Peter took over for von Alvensleben w h o was posted to H i m m l e r ' s staff as chief adjutant. He b e c a m e full c o m m a n d e r in January,
1939.
35
George Raabe probably served as a substitute while Peter was serving with the W a f f e n - S S after N o v e m b e r 1939.
36
A West Prussian born in S i e w a k o w i t z on July 27, 1893, he served with the infantry f r o m August, 1914, to July, 1918. Wounded
four times and awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class and Wound Badge in Silver, he ended the w a r a Leutnant d.R and spoke English and
French. A f t e r serving in the Stahlhelm f r o m 1921 to 1926, he joined the N S D A P and SS in October, 1930. He served f r o m October, 1930,
to June, 1935. with the the 21.SS-Standarte. A s c o m m a n d e r of the 4.Sturm/II.Sturmbann he served f r o m March, 1932, to April, 1933. and

133
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Erasmus Freiherr von Maisen-Ponickau was born on June 5, 1895, in Munich, the son of an officer in the Royal Bavarian Army. He
attended the cadet school at Berlin-Lichterfelde and was commissioned as a Leutnant in September, 1914. Serving in the infantry, in the
final year of the war he was the ordnance officer and adjutant of the 215.Infanterie-Division, winning the Iron Cross 2nd class. After the
war he studied farming and ran his family's estate beginning in 1922, the same year he joined the NSDAP. He left after the Munich Putsch
and rejoined on March 1, 1930, later joining the SS as an SS-Truppfhrer on November 1, 1930. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on
February 1, 1931, he was the first commander of the 29.SS-Standarte from mid-January, 1931, to mid-April, 1933. Promoted to SS-
Sturmbannfiihrer on June 1, 1931, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on October 18, 1931, he led Abschnitt I from August, 1932, to early May,
1933. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on August II, 1932, he next commanded Abschnitt IX from mid-April, 1933, to mid-August that year.
After serving as a Special Duties Officer for Himmler from mid-August, 1933, to mid-January, 1934, he commanded Abschnitt X until
mid-September, 1936. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on August 15, 1933, he was also the Police President for Zwickau from September,
1936, to April, 1938, then transferred to the same post in Frankfurt an der Oder until the end of May, 1940. From June. 1940, to
September, 1943, he was the Police President for Posen as well as being titular head of the Kripo office there from June, 1940, to August,
1943. Transferring to Halle an der Saale, he was the Police President there from September to December, 1943, and headed the Kripo
office from August to December, 1943. From October, 1944, to the end of the war he was the SS and Police Area Commander "Istrien"
although he never held Polizei rank. He was cavalier in his attitude towards his duties and was reprimanded numerous times to the point
of almost being dismissed. Maisen-Ponickau preferred horses and women, divorcing his wife and marrying his mistress. He ser\>ed a term
in prison after being tried by the Poles and died on June 12, 1956. (Phil Nix)

was promoted to SS-Scharfhrer on March 15, 1932, to SS-Truppfhrer on August 20, 1932, and commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on
April 20, 1933. He then led the II.Sturmbann until June, 1935, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmfhrer on June 22, 1934, and to SS-
Hauptsturmfhrer on April 20, 1935. From June, 1935, to October, 1937, he commanded the 6.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-
Sturmbannfhrer on September 15, 1935, to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on April 20, 1936. and to SS-Standartenfhrer on April 20. 1937.
He next commanded the 19.SS-Standarte from October, 1937, to July, 1938. From July, 1938, to May, 1945, he was full commander of
Abschnitt X and was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on January 30, 1939. He joined the Waffen-SS as an SS-Obersturmbannfhrer d.R. in
mid-November. 1939, and commanded I./9.SS-Totenkopfstandarte from December, 1939, to December, 1940. in Prague. He led the
Totenkopf-Wach-Bataillon Prague until August. 1942, and then commanded the SS garrison in Prague until July. 1943. Transferred to
Hans-Adolf Prtzmann's c o m m a n d in Southern Russia, he was SS garrison commander in Kiev f r o m July, 1943, to January, 1944, and
was also SS und Police garrison commander in Rovno from November, 1943, to January, 1944. As headquarters Kommandant for
Prtzmann's battle group he served f r o m January to March. 1944, and also commanded the Waffen-SS staff company assigned to the
HSSPF "Ruland-Sd." As a battalion commander he led part of SS-Polizei-Schtzenregiment 11 during March. 1944 and was wounded
by a grenade. After his recovery he was adjutant to V.SS-Gebirgs-Korps until May, 1945, and also led SS-Gebirgs-Jger-Regiment 27
from June to September, 1944. He was awarded a bar to the Iron Cross 2nd class on March 9, 1944, the Infantry Assault Badge, the
Olympic games decoration 2nd class and both classes of the War Merit Cross with Swords.

134
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Dr. Ernst Kaltenbrunner, the son of a lawyer, was born on October 4, 1903 in Ried, Austria. Attending the University of Graz he first
studied chemistry but changed to law and received his doctorate in I926. Following that he practiced in Linz and became involved in the
political movement. He joined the Austrian Nazi Party in mid-October, 1930, and the SS on August 31, 1931. First serving on the staff of
Abschnitt VIII. he was arrested by the government and imprisoned from January to April, 1934. Promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer
effective September 25, 1932, he commanded the 37.SS-Standarte for a year beginning in mid-June, 1934. Re-arrested on suspicion of
treason in May, 1935, he was sentenced to six months for his political views and not allowed to practice law. Though the SS was outlawed
at the time in Austria, he led Abschnitt VIII from mid-June, 1935, to mid-March, 1938, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on
April, 20, 1936, as well as to SS-Oberfiihrer on April 20, 1937. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on March, 12, 1938, he then served as state
commissioner in the Ostmark until mid-August, 1938, and was a member of the Reichstag from January, 1939, to the end of the war. From
mid-March, / 937, to the end of January, 1943, he led the eventual Oberabschnitt "Donau " and its earlier forms as highest SS command
post in Austria. After Austria became a part of the Reich, Kaltenbrunner was promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on September 11,1938. He
also served as HSSPF "Donau "from mid-September, 1938, until the end of his Oberabschnitt command. He then headed the RSHA until
the end of the war, replacing Himmler who had commanded since Heydrich's death. With this post he gained considerable power but was
not the threat Heydrich had been over Himmler's position. As chief of the RSHA he was also a State Secretary in the Ministry of the
Interior. Given the rank of Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 1, 1941, and promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der Polizei
on June 21, 1943, he then became a General der Waffen-SS on December I, 1944. He was awarded the Golden Party Badge on January
30, 1939, the Blood Order on May 6, 1942, the War Service Cross 1st class with Swords on January 30, 1943, the German Cross in Silver
on October 22, 1943, and the Knight's Cross of the War Service Cross with Swords on November 15, 1944. He was an extremist and
devoted SS man as well as being a chain smoker and a heavy drinker, and was a major figure in the early Austrian SS. A capable
administrator, he presented less of a threat than Heydrich to Himmler's authority. He was involved with investigating the July 20, 1944
plot against Hitler and the harsh measures that followed. He fled to Tirol at the end of the war but was captured and tried by the Allies at
Nuremberg as the major SS respresentative. Kaltenbrunner was hanged at midnight on October 16, 1946, in Nuremberg.

135
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Stabsfhrer:
March 21, 1932 to January 26, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Pflomm
February 1, 1934 to May 7, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after March 1, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hilmar Wckerle
May 7, 1934 to January 1, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Wilhelm Mann
January 1, 1935 to April 1936 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Obersturmfhrer, after November 9, 1935
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Kurt Hoffmann
April 1936 to October 20, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans-Georg Weber
October 20, 1938 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Georg Raabe

S S - A b s c h n i t t X I was headquartered in Frankfurt/Main when formed in July, 1932, then moved to Wiesbaden
from October 1933 to the end of December 1936. Koblenz became headquarters in January 1937 and re-
mained so for the duration. It contained Standarten 5, 33, 78 and 93.

Fhrer
July 12, 1932 to March 15, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer, after October 6, 1932
SS-Oberfhrer Wilhelm Rediess
March 15, 1934 to September 19, 1934 SS-Oberfhrer Alfred Bigler
September 19, 1934 to April 15, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 25, 1934
SS-Oberfhrer Hermann Behme
April 15, 1935 to December 31, 1936 SS-Brigadefhrer, after September 13, 1936
SS-Gruppenfhrer Richard Hildebrandt
December 3 1 , 1 9 3 6 to September 22, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Curt Brasack
September 22, 1937 to February 1, 1940 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Hintze
October 1, 1940 to March 15, 1943 SS-Brigadefhrer Friedrich Hauser 17
March 15, 1943 to May 8, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer, after June 21, 1943
SS-Brigadefhrer Dr. Gerhard Mischke 38

Stabsfhrer:
November 9, 1932 to July 7, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after June 11. 1933
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after May 13, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Arpad Wigand
July 7, 1934 to April 26, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Gustav Stolle
April 26, 1935 to October 1, 1935 SS-Untersturmfhrer Rudolf Creutz
October 1, 1935 to January 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Norbert Scharfe
January 1936 to February 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer Hans Werner

37
Born in L u d w i g s h a f e n in the Rheinland on D e c e m b e r 28, 1898, the son of a cabinet maker. He joined the army in W W I and served
with the infantry until w o u n d e d in May 1918, winning the Wound Badge in Black. Between the wars he worked for I.G. Farben f r o m
1919 to 1934. He joined the SS on D e c e m b e r 22, 1930 and the N S D A P on January 1, 1931. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on
D e c e m b e r 20, 1931, he was contributions administrator for the lO.SS-Standarte f r o m December, 1931, to October. 1932, and then held a
similar position for friends of the Standarte w h o contributed f u n d s and gained a status as official contributors until May, 1934. Promoted
to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on February 28. 1934. he was administrative officer for Abschnitt X X I X f r o m May to mid-December, 1934. A s
administrative head of Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " he served f r o m April to June, 1935, and then was posted to the recruiting office in the SS-
H a u p t a m t until April, 1937. From April, 1937, to September, 1940, he headed the office for statistics in the S S - H a u p t a m t and was
promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on April 20, 1937, and to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on August 1, 1940. As c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt XI he served
f r o m October. 1940 until his death on March 1 5 . 1 9 4 3 , f r o m a lung h e m o r r h a g e following a car crash while trying to recapture an escaped
R A F officer. He was awarded both classes of the War Service Cross 2nd class.
3
* Born in Kiel on Christmas day 1898. the son of Vice-Admiral Robert Mischke. He served with the Imperial N a v y in W W I f r o m
April, 1917, until discharged in January, 1919, winning the Iron Cross 2nd class. He served with the Freikorps during March-April, 1920.
in Thuringia and w a s in the Stahlhelm f r o m 1928 to May, 1930. Well educated, he received a law degree in 1924 f r o m the University of
Bonn, studied English and Russian in Britain and Russia between 1928 and 1930 and was a m e m b e r of the Stahlhelm during that period.
A f t e r holding several civil legal commission posts as well as being Gau- Inspector for Hessen-Nassau f r o m June, 1934, to the end of
1936, he rejoined the Navy in October, 1936 as a sub-Lieutenant in the artillery. He joined the SS on N o v e m b e r 9. 1937, as an SS-
O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r assigned to the legal staff of Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " and was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on D e c e m b e r 21,
1938 and to S S - O b e r f h r e r on April 20, 1939. He led Abschnitt XI f r o m M a r c h . 1943. to May, 1945, and was awarded the War Service
Cross 1 st and 2nd class as well as the naval anti-aircraft badge. M i s c h k e died on S e p t e m b e r 4. 1987.

136
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Born in Frankfurt-am-Main on September 1, 1905, Erich Cassel worked as a bank clerk and joined the NSDAP in 1923. Leaving after the
Munich Putsch, he rejoined in 1926. He was a member of the SAfrom 1921 until joining the SS in October, 1932, as an SS-Sturmfiihrer.
Cassels first command was the 2./I11/24.SS-Standarte which he led for a month beginning in October, 1932. He then commanded the III./
24.SS-Standarte from November, 1932, to November, 1933, then took command of the 49.SS-Standarte until the start of June, 1935.
Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on January 30. 1934 and to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on April 20, 1934, he next served as a depart-
ment head in the RuSHA until the end of September, 1937. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on April 20, 1936, he was Stabsfhrer of
Oberabschnitt "Sdost" from September, 1937, toMarch, 1938, then held the same post for Oberabschnitt "Osterreich" (later "Donau")
until July, 1942. Promoted to SS-Obeifiihrer on March 12, 1938, and to SS-Brigadefiihrer on July 20, 1942, he served from July, 1942,
until May, 1945 in a Party appointment. He was posted as office head for Volkstum matters on Himmler's personal staffelnd liaison to
NSDAP headquarters representing Himmler, as well as being head of the NSDAP Main Office for the Volkstum. From July, 1942, to
September, 1943, he also held a position on the staff of Oberabschnitt "Sd. " Cassel was awarded the Gold Party Badge and the NSDAP
Long Service Award in Silver. He died in Osnabrck, Austria, on January 30, 1966. (Phi! Nix)

February 1936 to September 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer James Legau


September 1936 to December 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Kurt Hoffmann
December 1936 to December 31, 1937 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after September 12, 1937
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Dr. Hanns Rohrich
December 31, 1937 to June 1, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Heinrich Scheingraber
June 1, 1939 to ? (substitute) SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Walter Hartebrodt
June 1, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Ludwig Hettesheimer

137
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Kurt Wege was born the son of a high school teacher in Berlin on September 15, 1891. In October, 1911, he joined the army and served
with the artillery. Commissioned a Leutnant in June, 1913, he served in WWI as a battery commander, detachment adjutant and finally
detachment commander. Wounded in May, 1915, he was promoted to Oberleutnant in August, 1918 and won both classes of the Iron
Cross. After leaving the army in 1920 he served in the Stahlhelm in 1925-1926 and also the Teno from 1924-1926. He joined the SS on
July 8, 1926 and became one of the first important SS leaders as initial SS leader in Berlin. First serving as a deputy leader and senior
staff officer of the Berlin SS until August, 1928, he became an SS-Standartenfiihrer (the only SS rank at that time) on August 15, 1928.
From August, 1928, to September, 1929, he was SS-Standartenfhrer V and then SS-Brigadenfhrer "Ost" (later Oberfiihrerbereich
"Ost") until December, 1930. A.v head of the Berlin SS and in his "Ost" post he was replaced by the more aggressive Kurt Daluege.
Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on August I, 1930, he commanded Abschnitt III from August, 1930, to March, 1931, and then became Stabs-
fhrer ofthat Abschnitt. He again led Abschnitt III from August, 1932, to September, 1933, and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on
September 15, 1933. After serving as StabsfUhrer of Abschnitt III from March, 1931, to August, 1932, he led Abschnitt XIII until mid-
September, 1933. As special assignments officer he was attached to SS-Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt) "Ost" from mid-September, 1933,
to February, 1934, and then was posted to the training and formation section of the SA high command until early March, 1935. He
returned to his previous assignment with Oberabschnitt "Ost" and served there until April, 1936 when he transferred to the SS Hauptamt
until June, 1936. From March, 1933, to May, 1945, he was a member of the Reichstag and was listed with Himmler's staff from June,
1936 to the end of the war. Recalled to the Army in June, 1939 on the "at disposal" list, he got a command in early October, 1941 and
served as a supply officer in Germany and Russia for the duration of the war, ending the war as a Hauptmann d.R. He was awarded the
Gold Party Badge, the War Service Cross with Swords 2nd class and the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver. An important founding
member of the NSDAP and SS in Berlin who lacked the forceful personality needed to hold power, he died in Rothenburg on April 15,
1947. (Phil Nix)

SS-Abschnitt XII formed in Diihringhof and moved that month to Liebenow until January, 1933. It then
returned to its original seat for one month before changing headquarters to Frankfurt for the duration of its
existence. It contained Standarten 27 and 54.

Fhrer
July 4, 1932 to July 12, 1932 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Rediess
July 12, 1932 to January 31, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer, after October 6, 1932
SS-Oberfhrer, after December 15, 1933
SS-Brigadefhrer Erich von dem Bach
February 12, 1934 to January 16, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Oberfhrer Johann Harnys
January 1, 1935 to September 16, 1936 SS-Oberfhrer, after September 13, 1936
SS-Brigadefhrer Emil Popp

138
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

From right lo left in 1942 are SS-Gruppenfhrer Johannes Johst (officer in Himmler's staff), SS-Obergruppenfhrer Karl Wolff, Reichsfiihrer-
SS Heinrich Himmler, SS-Obergruppenfhrer Hans-Adolf Prtzmann, SS-Brigadefhrer Ludolf von Alvensleben and SS-Brigadefhrer
Dr. Hermann Behrends. (Phil Nix)

September 16, 1936 to March 1, 1937 SS-Standartenfiihrer Gustav Stolle 39


March 1. 1937 to November 2, 1943 40 SS-Oberfhrer, after June 21, 1943
SS-Brigadefhrer Karl Schfer
April 16, 1942 to September 1942 (substitute) SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Josef Kubitzky
September 194241 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1943
SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1945
SS-Brigadefhrer Ernst Engelhardt 42

Stabsfhrer:
August 1, 1932 to May 31, 1933 after October 1, 1932 SS-Untersturmfhrer
Erich Daluege
March 15, 1933 to January 15, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 3, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Franz Jaegy
January 15, 1934 to November 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Paul Zaremba

39
Born in Minden in Westphalia on January 14, 1899, he served in WWI. He joined the N S D A P in the 1920s and the SS on May
10, 1931 as an SS-Sturmfiihrer He first served as adjutant to the 24.SS-Standarte from May, 1931, to December, 1932, and was promoted
to SS-Sturmhauptfhrer on December 1. 1932. When promoted he took command of the I.Sturmbann of the Standarte until November,
1933 and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on June 12, 1933. From early October, 1933, to January. 1934, he was Stabsfhrer of
Abschnitt XX and then commanded the 50.SS-Standarte until July, 1934, during which he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on
March 12, 1934. As Stabsfhrer he served with Abschnitt XI from July, 1934, to April, 1935, then stayed with the c o m m a n d staff as a
special assignments officer until May when he became adjutant of the Abschnitt until June, 1936. From June. 1935, to September. 1936,
he commanded the 65.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on September 15, 1935. He commanded Abschnitt XII
from mid-September, 1936, to March, 1937, and Abschnitt XXIII from March, 1937, to September. 1940. during which he was promoted
to SS-Oberfhrer on April 20, 1937. During the Polish campaign and until February. 1940, he was Selbstschutz Fhrer attached to
Armeeoberkommando 8 and held the same post in Krakau for the General Government from February, 1940. until July, 1940, while the
post was being dissolved. As Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt "Lothringen-Saarpfalz" he served from July, 1940, to April. 1942 (this became
Oberabschnitt "Westmark" in September 1940), and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei on November 9,
1942. As special assignments officer for the HSSPF "Ruland-Sd" he served from April to November, 1942 and then was SSPF for
special duties with the H S S P F "Ukraine" from November, 1942, to the autumn of 1943. Transferring to the Waffen-SS as an NCO. he
served as a platoon leader with Flak Abteilung 505 (V.SS-Gebirgs-Korps), and was promoted to SS-Untersturmfhrer d.R. on June 21,
1944. He was killed in action on February 5, 1945.
4
" Killed in action serving in Russia on this date.
41
Served first as substitute (he was Schfer's designated deputy commander) and then full commander after November 2, 1943. It
was Engelhardt who informed Schfer's family of his death in Russia.
42
Born in Landsberg on July 31 1890, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and Wound Badge in Black in W W I . Joining the SS as
an SS-Sturmfhrer on September 3, 1933, he was promoted to SS-Obersturmfhrer on January 30, 1934. and to SS-Hauptsturmfhrer on
April 20, 1934. From 1934 to January, 1935 he led the I.Sturmbann of the 67.SS-Standarte and then commanded the 54.SS-Standarte
until mid-November. 1939, during which he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on April 20, 1936. and to SS-Standartenfhrer on
April 20, 1937. He commanded Abschnitt XXIII from early September. 1940, to early November, 1943, and also commanded Abschnitt
XII from September, 1942 until attaining full command upon the death of Karl Schfer whose family he notified of his death in Russia.
Engelhardt was reported missing in Berlin in May, 1945. Physically proficient, he was awarded the higher grade SA Sports Badge in
Silver.

139
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

November 1, 1934 to April 30, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Fridolin Glass 41


April 30, 1935 to October 1, 1937 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after September 15, 1935
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Adolf Vasel
October 1, 1937 to January 15, 1940 SS-Standartenfhrer Friedrich Gehrhardt
January 15, 1940 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Josef Kubitzky

SS-Abschnitt X I I I was headquartered in Stettin and controlled Standarten 9, 39 and 77.

August 7, 1932 to September 15, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Wege


September 15, 1933 to February 20, 1934 SS-Oberfhrer Fritz Engel 44
April 1934 to September 1934 SS-Oberfhrer Gnther Pancke
September 1, 1934 to April 1, 1936 SS-Oberfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Brigadefhrer Emil Mazuw
March 15, 1936 to July 1. 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Rudolf Weiss 45
July 1, 1938 to October 1, 1940 4 " SS-Oberfhrer Walter Langleist 47
October 1, 1940 to May 5, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer Johannes Schfer 48
October 1942 to May 1945 49 (substitute) SS-Standartenfhrer Willi Richardt

43
Being an Austrian, to protect his true identity his n a m e is given in d o c u m e n t s as S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r M e r k m a n n during this
period when the SS was illegal in Austria.
44
Listed as the first c o m m a n d e r of the Abschnitt, Wege c o m m a n d e d the administration level above Standarte prior to actual
establishment of the first eight Abschnitte.
45
A native of Berlin-Zehlendorf. born on M a y 31. 1899, he served in W W I f r o m October, 1915 to 1918 with the infantry, winning
the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1917 and the Wound Badge in Black the following year. He later fought with the Freikorps. He joined the
postal service in 1919 and b e c a m e an Inspector and then w o r k e d in the Reich and Prussian Interior Ministries as an office advisor. Joining
the N S D A P a n d SS on M a y 1, 1930, he was a m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m November, 1933, to February. 1945. In the SS he first served
with SS Sturm 34 f r o m May, 1930, to mid-October. 1931, being promoted to S S - T r u p p f h r e r on February 11, 1931, and c o m m i s s i o n e d
as an S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on October 13, 1931. From October. 1931, to August, 1932, he led the II./6.SS-Standarte and then c o m m a n d e d
the 42.SS-Standarte until August, 1934. As c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt XXIII he served f r o m August, 1934, to January, 1935, and w a s
promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on August 24. 1932. H e then led Abschnitt X X I X f r o m January, 1935, to m i d - M a r c h . 1936, and
Abschnitt XIII f r o m mid-March. 1936. to July, 1938. Training with the A r m y for periods in 1936-1937, he was also a leader in the Reichs-
luftschutzbund (Air Raid Protection or RLB). A f t e r serving as S S P F " N i k o l a j e w " f r o m October. 1943, to March, 1944. he w a s posted to
the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei. As Police President for SaarbUcken and Metz he served f r o m January, 1944, to May, 1944. and then held
the s a m e post just for Metz. He left the area prematurely as the allies approached and was punished for this by Himmler. Reduced in rank
to SS-Unterscharfhrer, he was posted to the Dirlewanger Brigade. Promoted to S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r d.R. on S e p t e m b e r 24, 1944. he
w a s killed in Lieberose on February 22, 1945. His final promotion was retroactive with seniority f r o m S e p t e m b e r 1. 1940.
Langleist w a s temporary c o m m a n d e r until April, 1939, and afterwards he b e c a m e full commander.
47
Born in Dresden on August 5, 1893, he joined the A r m y in October, 1913, and served with Artillerie Regiment 64 until w o u n d e d
in August 1916. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge in Black. Working as a mechanic after the war, he joined the
N S D A P in October 1930 and the SS in March, 1931. From May. 1931, to August, 1932, he served with the 15.Standarte. Promoted to SS-
T r u p p f h r e r o n July 1. 1931. and commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on December 6. 1931, he c o m m a n d e d the 2.Sturm in the V.Sturmbann
of the Standarte f r o m March to August. 1932. Transferring to the 44.SS-Standarte he led the II.Sturmbann until January, 1935. during
which he was promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on January 30, 1934, and to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on March I, 1934. He was then special
duties officer of the Standarte until April, 1935. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r o n April 20. 1935, he moved to the 21.SS-Standarte as
special duties officer and then c o m m a n d e d the Standarte f r o m April, 1935, to July, 1938. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on
January 30, 1937, and to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on July 1, 1938, he c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt XIII f r o m July, 1938, to October, 1940. During
the first half of the Polish c a m p a i g n he w a s the SS leader attached to the senior O r d n u n g s p o l i z e i c o m m a n d e r s u b o r d i n a t e d to
A r m e e o b e r k o m m a n d o 4. In April. 1941, he moved to the concentration c a m p system as an S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r d.R. despite a request to
be posted with Friedrich Jeckeln in Russia. After two months training under the Inspector of the c a m p system, he was posted to Buchenwald
as a c o m p a n y leader from June, 1941. to April. 1942. Promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r d. R. on April 20, 1942, he m o v e d to the Lublin
c a m p in Poland as c o m m a n d e r of its T o t e n k o p f s t u r m b a n n until August. 1943, and then went to Dachau as c o m m a n d e r of that c a m p ' s
T o t e n k o p f s t u r m b a n n until May, 1945. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r d.R. on June 21, 1944. he c o m m a n d e d Dachau prisoners and
others f r o m its outlying c a m p s for clearing b o m b d a m a g e and reconstruction. Awarded the SA Sports Badge in Gold and the R e i c h ' s
Sports Badge in Gold, he was tried by the U.S. A r m y in the Dachau trial and hanged at Landsberg in 1946.
48
Born in Leipzig on D e c e m b e r 14, 1903, the son of a senior goods Inspector. He joined the Freikorps " O b e r l a n d " f r o m 1921 until
1923. Enlisting in the A r m y in October. 1923, he served in Infanterieregiment 11 until December. 1925 following which he worked for
t w o years in c o m m e r c e . In mid-January. 1927 he joined the N S D A P and SS, serving as a Political Leader in Halle an der Saale until
February, 1929, when he j o i n e d the SA. He was promoted to SA Standartenfhrer in 1930 and to S A O b e r f h r e r in 1933, during which
he served in S A training assignments. Rejoining the SS on July 7, 1935, as an SS-Standartenfhrer, he led the 2.SS-Standarte until mid-
May, 1936, and then served with the staff of the SS-Hauptamt until October that year. As Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt VII he served f r o m
October, 1936, to M a r c h . 1937, and then led 18.SS-Standarte until M a r c h . 1938. He c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X V f r o m m i d - M a r c h to
mid-April, 1938 and then led Abschnitt X X V I until May, 1940, during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 11, 1938,
and to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on January 24, 1940. From M a y to October, 1940 he c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X X X I I I and served in general
police duties in Danzig. In June. 1939, he took c o m m a n d of all Danzig SS and Polizei troops until S e p t e m b e r that year and f r o m October.

140
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Werner Lorenz was the son of a farmer and horn on October 2, 1891, in Griinhof. He became an Army cadet in 1911 and joined an
artillery regiment the following October. Commissioned a Leutnant in 1914, he served in several units and briefly as a staff officer.
Promoted to Oberleutnant, he transferred to the flying service in 1917 and received his pilot's wings. Awarded both classes of the Iron
Cross, he commanded a border protection squadron after the war. Leaving the military in 1920 he aquired and ran an estate. He was
introduced to Himmler by Albert Forster (Gauleiter of Danzig) who convinced him to help with the SS in that area which only numbered
20 men. Lorenz joined the NSDAP on December 1, 1930, and the SS on the last day of January, 1931. Commissioned as an SS-
Sturmbannfhrer on March 31, 1931, he was Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt II from that date until early November, 1931. Promoted to SS-
Standartenfhrer on July 7, 1931, and to SS-Oberfhrer on November 9, 1931, he became the first commander of Abschnitt VII in
November, 1931 and led it until mid-February, 1934. He commanded Oberabschnitt "Nordost" from mid-December, 1933 to the begin-
ning of February, 1934, which included his Abschnitt command that had previously been independent. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on
July 3, 1933, and to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on November 1, 1933, he led Oberabschnitt "Nord" (later "Nordwest, " see "Nordsee") from
mid-February, 1934, to the start of March, 1937. Promoted to SS-Obergruppenfhrer on November 9, 1936, he was a member of the
Reichstag from December, 1933 to the end of the war. He led the Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle from the start of January, 1937, and continued
as its Chief through its expansion to the Hauptamt Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle until February, 1945. Given the rank of General der Polizei
on August 15, 1942, and General der Waffen-SS on November 9, 1944, he served with Army Group "Weichsel" until the end of the war,
maintaining order and rounding of straggling Army troops. Decent, objective and honorable according to his contemporaries, he was
awarded the Gold Party Badge on January 30, 1936, the War Service Cross 1st class with Swords on January 30, 1942 and the Reich i
Sports Badge in Gold. Tried in 1948 and sentenced to 15 years, he was released in 1955 and died in Dsseldorf on May 13, 1974. (Phil
Nix)

1939, to October, 1940, was Selbstschutz inspection leader for southern East Prussia. From May to October. 1940, he was also Police
President for Lodz (renamed Litzmannstadt after a W W I General on April 25, 1941). As a member of the Reichstag for Magdeburg from
1943 until the end of the war. He was then the official commander of Abschnitt XIII from October, 1940, until the end of the war. Joining
the Waffen-SS as a Private, he served with "Das Reich" in Russia until June, 1943, and then went to the Polizei Division with the staff
legal section during June-July, 1943. Commissioned an SS-Untersturmfhrer d. R. on June 2 1 . 1 9 4 3 . he served from July, 1943 on with
SS-Panzergrenadier Ausbildung und Ersatz-Bataillon 4. His highest command was as a platoon leader and substitute company com-
mander with that training and replacement unit and he was promoted to SS-Obersturmfhrer d. R. on April 20, 1944. Awarded the Gold
Party Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class in April. 1940. the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver and the SA Sports Badge in Gold in 1935,
he died in Bielefeld on April 28, 1993.
49
He was the Stabsfhrer at that time and substituted for Schfer who was serving with the Waffen-SS.

141
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Kurt Wittje was born in Wandsbek, on October 2, 1894, and joined the army in 1912. During WWI he served in the artillery as a battery
and detachment commander, adjutant, then finally a General Staff officer. He left the army in 1929 with the rank of Hauptmann. In June,
1931, he joined the NSDAP and the SS, serving in the Reichstag from March, 1933, to April, 1938. Commissioned an SS-Sturmfhrer on
June 26, 1931, promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on November 2, 1931, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on November 15, 1931, he formed
and led the 41 .SS-Standarte from November, 1931, to June, 1932. From June, 1932, to April, 1933, he commanded Abschnitt IX as well
as forming and leading the 57.SS-Standarte from November, 1932, to April, 1933. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on August 11, 1932, he led
SS-Gruppe "Nord" (later Oberabschnitt "Nord," see "Nordsee") from April, 1933, into February, 1934, and was promoted to SS-
Brigadefiihrer on July 3, 1933. From February, 1934, to January, 1935, he was chief of the SS Office (SSAmt) which gained importance
after Himmler dissolved the Fhrungsstab (Leadership Staff) and was promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on September 15, 1933. Wittje then
became the first Chief of the SS-Hauptamt when it formed in late January, 1935, and held the post until dismissed from the SS on May 22,
1935. The intrigue behind the sudden dismissal was aledged homosexual offenses while in the Army which were pursued by Himmler in
the wake of the SA leadership purge. Among the most capable and important early officers, he developed the SS-Hauptamt into its basic
administrative form. He was captured by the Czechs in 1945 and died as a prisoner on March 16, 1947. (Phil Nix)

Stabsfiihrer:
October 7, 1932 to June 12, 1933 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after November 9, 1932
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Horst Pelz
June 12, 1933 to September 15, 1933 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Alfred Seeger
September 15, 1933 to January 15, 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer Wilhelm Biermann
January 15, 1934 to September 19, 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after June 17, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Constantin Heldmann
September 19, 1934 to March 31, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1935
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Bruno Hofbauer
March 31, 1936 to May 28, 1938 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Kurt Gladisch
May 28, 1938 to November 14, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Robert Wagner
November 14, 1938 to March 27, 1940 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl-Franz Grimme
March 27, 1940 to February 1, 1942 SS-Standartenfhrer Willi Richardt
February 1, 1942 to November 1, 1942 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl-Franz Grimme
November 1, 1942 to May 8, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1944
SS-Oberfhrer Willi Richardt

142
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Karl Wolff (far left) and Hermann Freiherr von Schade (far right).

SS-Abschnitt X I V was centered in Bremen and had Standarten 24, 55 and 88.

Fhrer:
September 10, 1932 50 to December 15, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Alfred Rodenbcher
December 15, 1933 to March 20, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Oberfhrer Hermann Harm
March 20, 1935 to December 31, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Oberfhrer Heinrich Jrs 51
January 1, 1937 to October 1, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 12,1937
SS-Oberfhrer Julian Schemer
October 1, 1937 to February 1, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Ludwig
November I, 194352 to May 8, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Weinert 53

50
His personnel file indicates October but this date is found in SS-Personalbefehl v. 1 O.September 1932.
51
Born in Altona on January 17,1897. he trained as a machinist before joining the Army in August 1914. He served with mounted
horse squadrons of several units and ended the war with Flying Detachment 78. He left the Army in 1919 as an Unteroffizier, having won
both classes of the Iron Cross and Wound Badge in Black, and joined the Schutzpolizei. Joining the N S D A P in June, 1921, and the SS the
following month, he was commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on January 30, 1933. From late January until Christmas Eve, 1933 he led
the 5.Sturm/I.Sturmbann/28.SS-Standarte. Promoted to SS-Obersturmfhrer on September 3, 1933, and to SS-SturmhauptfUhrer on
December 24, 1933. he commanded the Ill.Sturmbann of the 29.SS-Standarte from December, 1933, to March, 1934, then led the 9.SS-
Standarte until March, 1935. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on March 20, 1935, he led SS-Abschnitt XIV from mid-March, 1935, to
the end of December. 1936, and was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on January 30, 1936. From January, 1937, to November, 1938, he
headed schooling for the R u S H A in Oberabschnitt "Sd" and was promoted to SS-Brigadefhreron January 30, 1939. As commander of
Abschnitt XXXII he served from November, 1938. to October, 1940, then headed the Personnel Office of the SS-Hauptamt until mid-
January, 1941. when the office transferred to the SS-Personalhauptamt. Given the rank of Waffen-SS Standartenfhrer on October 1,
1940, and Generalmajor der Polizei on January 30, 1942, he moved to the personnel and recruiting offices of the Waffen-SS until mid-
January. 1941. when he took command of the entire recruiting office of the SS-Hauptamt until August, 1942. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer
und Generalleutnant der Polizei on June 21. 1943, from August, 1943, to May, 1945, he led the expanded recruiting office group of the
SS-Hauptamt. He was in charge of transferring the staff of the 29th SS Division to the newly forming 30th Division under Hans Siegling.
Given the rank of Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS on July 1, 1944, he was killed in a car crash at Bach on April 28, 1945. A m o n g other
awards he received were both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the SA Sports Badge in Silver and the Finnish Cross of
Freedom with Swords 1st class.
52
The commander between Ludwig and Weinert is unknown but was probably the Stabsfhrer serving as a temporary substitute.
53
Born on January 18, 1888 in Demmin, Pommerania, he served in W W I with the infantry in Pommeranian infantry regiments and
was a Hauptmann after April, 1916. He was a POW from November, 1916, until March, 1920, and won both classes of the Iron Cross and
the Wound Badge in Black. He led a unit of the Freikorps for two months before joining the SA Feldjgerkorps from 1924-1926. Joining
the N S D A P in June, 1930, he also joined the SS on January 7, 1931. First serving with the 30.SS-Standarte, he was promoted to SS-
Truppfhrer on April 20. 1931, and to SS-Sturmfhrer on April 2, 1932. He led the 5.Sturm from April to December, 1932 then com-
manded the I.Sturmbann until December, 1933. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on December 24, 1933, he c o m m a n d e d the 72.SS-
Standarte from December, 1933, to June. 1934. From June, 1934, to May, 1935, he was StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Nord" and was
promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on August 29. 1934, and to SS-Standartenfhrer on April 20, 1935. He was District Inspector
"Nordwest" from April, 1936, to April, 1940, then had the same assignment for "Nordsee" until June, 1942, during which time he was
promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on January 30, 1939. From June, 1942, to September, 1943, he commanded Abschnitt XV and also led
Abschnitt XX from January to September, 1943 when Karl Bock was killed in action. His last command was Abschnitt XIV which he led
from November, 1943, until the end of the war.

143
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Sepp Dietrich, shown above seated with Fritz Weitzel and (opposite) during the war as a Waffen-SS commander. He was probably the
most famous SS officer, better remembered for his career with the "Leibstandarte" and Waffen-SS. A Swabian born on May 28, 1892, he
served in WWI with a variety of artillery, assault units and a tank detachment. He was awarded both Iron Crosses and the Tank Battle
Badge in Silver. After the war he joined the Bavarian Landespolizei in October, 1919, and became a Hauptmann in 1924, leaving the
police in 1927. He took part in the Munich Putsch but only became a member of the NSDAP on May I, 1928, and joined the SS four days
later. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on June I, 1928, he led SS Sturm I in Munich from May to June, 1928, and then led the 1.SS-
Standarte until mid-September, 1929. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on August 1, 1928, to SS-Standartenfiihrer on September 18,
1929, and to SS-Oberfhrer on July 11, 1930, he served as leader of SS Brigade "Bayern" (September, 1929, to July, 1930) and was Gau
SS Fhrer for Upper Bavaria durng the same period. From July to late October, 1930, he headed SS Oberfhrerbereich "Siid." He also
held a seat in the Reichstag from April, 1938, until the end of the war. As commander of Abschnitt I he led from mid-July to late October,
1930, then led SS-Gruppe "Siid" until early October, 1932. He also led Abschnitt IV during July, 1931. From October, 1932, to April,
1933, he commanded SS Gruppe "Nord" then SS Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt) "Ost" until mid-November, 1939. He was official com-
mander of Oberabschnitt "Spree" from late 1933 throughout the war though a deputy performed the command while Dietrich handled
his "Leibstandarte " command. Dietrich was never a HSSPF, the only commander of an Oberabschnitt not to hold that post a some point
also. As Hitler's bodyguard and commander of his unofficial bodyguard unit since 1929 he was a trusted and respected SS officer with
influence. During the pre-war years he was an active sportsman and qualified racing car driver. He commanded the precursor units in
1933 that developed into the "Leibstandarte" and ted the unit as a division until early June, 1943. Promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on
December 18, 1931, to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer on July 1, 1934, and to SS-Oberst-Grupenfhrer und Panzer Generaloberst der Waffen-SS
on April 20, 1942, he commanded the I.SS-Panzer-Korps from July, 1943, to October, 1944, but actually took command of the 5. Panzerarmee
in early August, 1944. He then led 7. Armee during early September, 1944, before taking command of the 6.Panzerarmee (later the 6.SS-
Panzerarmee) until the end of the war. Although not a great military strategist he was an inspiring leader to his men who adored him. He
was awarded the Knight's Cross (July 5, 1940), the Oakleaves (December 31, 1940), the Swords (March 16, 1943) and the Diamonds
(August 6, 1944). He also won clasps to both his WWI Iron Crosses in 1939, the Pilot Observers Badge in Gold with Diamonds, the Blood
Order (Nr. 10), the NSDAP Long Service Award in Gold as well as the SA and Reich's Sports Badges in Gold. After several periods in
prison for doubtful guilt in various pre-war and wartime activities, he retired in Ludwigsburg where he was involved with H1AG and
enjoyed hunting. He died of a heart attack on April 21, 1966 and his funeral was attended by hundreds of his former men with Waffen-SS
General and Swords holder Wilhelm Bittrich giving the eulogy. (Jess Lukens and Author's archive)

144
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Stabsfhrer:
August 15, 1932 to November 30, 1933 SS-Sturmfhrer, after January 30, 1933
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 3, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Willy Tensfeld
December 16, 1933 to May 15, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after August 6, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Reinhold Schulze
May 15, 1935 to March 21, 1938 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after September 15,1935
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20. 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Julius Kopp
March 21, 1938 to November 1944 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1943
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Erich Tintemann
November 1944 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Kurt Heuwer

145
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

SS-Abschnitt XV was headquartered in Altona except for July 1933 when Kiel was headquarters. It con-
tained Standarten 4 and 28. Its headquarters moved to Hamburg on May 25, 1940 and by 1944 it was seated in
Dortmund.

Fhrer:
September 10, 193254 to February 20, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer, after October 6, 1932
SS-Oberfhrer, after December 15, 1933
SS-Brigadefhrer Paul Moder
February 20, 1934 to August 25, 1934 SS-Brigadefhrer Max Henze
August 25, 1934 to August 31, 1934 SS-Oberfhrer Otto Teetzmann
August 31, 1934 to May 25, 1935 SS-Oberfhrer Gnther Pancke
May 25, 1935 to January 1, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 15, 1935
SS-Oberfhrer Otto Hofmann
January 1. 1937 to May 20, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1937
SS-Oberfhrer Wilhelm Schrder
May 20, 1939 to October 9, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Theobald Thier
October 1939 to May, 1942 unknown 5 5
May 1, 1942 to June 1, 1942 SS-Brigadefhrer Johann Mrschel 56
June 1, 1942 to September 1, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Weinert
September I. 1943 to May 8, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Johann Mrschel

Stabsfhrer:
December 1, 1932 to December 16, 1933 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after June 20. 1933
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Reinhold Schulze
December 16, 193357 to July, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 12, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Albrecht Sommer
July, 1934 to November 30, 1937 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after August 23. 1934
SS-Obersturmfhrer, after after April 20, 1935
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ernst Thiede
December 1, 1937 to May 8, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Bruno Hebron

54
SS-Personalbefehl v. 10. September 1932. As with the c o m m a n d start of R o d e n b u c h e r (SS-Abschnitt X I V ) his personnel file
gives October which may be the date he a s s u m e d c o m m a n d versus the appointment.
55
It is possible that a permanent c o m m a n d e r was unassigned during this period with the Stabsfiihrer assigned c o m m a n d duties.
5,1
Born on October 29, 1880, he joined the A r m y in 1901. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a Leutnant, he left the service in 1908 and went to
Argentina where he worked as a f a r m e r until January, 1910. He returned to G e r m a n y and re-entered the Army, serving in the artillery as
a regimental adjutant, c o m m a n d e r of the regiment's infantry c o m p a n y then c o m m a n d e r of the regimental medical company. He ended
W W I on the staff of the X X I . A r m e e k o r p s with the rank of H a u p t m a n n having won both Iron Crosses and the Wound Badge in Black.
Beginning in May, 1920, he served in the Schutzpolizei as a H a u p t m a n n , being promoted to Oberstleutnant in November, 1933, and
became an Oberst in D e c e m b e r 1934. From 1920 to 1926, he was posted in East Prussia c o m m a n d i n g a barracked Schutzpolizei unit.
With the Schutzpolizei in Kiel he was assigned to the Polizei school there f r o m 1926 to 1931. A f t e r serving as Inspector for the Kiel
Schutzpolizei during 1931 and early 1932, he then was c o m m a n d e r of the Schutzpolizei there f r o m April, 1933. to December, 1934, when
he left the Polizei. He joined the N S D A P in August, 1932, and the SS on D e c e m b e r 28, 1934. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r
on January 30, 1935, he was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on February 12, 1934, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on January 30.
1936, while assigned to Oberabschnitt " N o r d . " In April, 1936, he b e c a m e Reiterfhrer of Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " and c o m m a n d e r of
Reiterabschnitt IX until mid-June, 1936. He then taught at the SS Reiterschule " F o r s t " until the start of March, 1938. From March to
December, 1938, he c o m m a n d e d the 6.SS-Reiterstandarte and was promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 11, 1938. A f t e r
serving on the staffs of several Oberabschnitte and being promoted to S S - O b e r f u h r e r on April 20. 1941. he was c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt
X V during May/June, 1942, then Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt " N o r d s e e " f r o m June, 1942, to September, 1943. Mrschel was also
standing deputy to the H S S P F " N o r d s e e " f r o m January, 1942, to the start of September, 1943. From September, 1943, to the end of the
war he again c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X V and was m a d e a G e n e r a l m a j o r der Polizei on April 20, 1943. Mrschel was awarded both classes
of the War Service Cross with Swords, the G e r m a n Social Welfare Decoration, the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver and the G e r m a n
H o r s e m a n ' s B a d g e in Silver. He died in H a m b u r g on October 13, 1960.
57
Fully appointed f r o m this date, he had held the position as a substitute beginning in March, 1934.

146
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Bernhard Voss (shown reviewing troops and alone) was born in Elberfeld on June 26, 1892, the son of a government surveyor. He studied
construction engineering in Hannover and Aachen until joining the Army in 1914. Commissioned as a Leutnant in October, 1915, he
served with the engineers, a mine unit and finally as adjutant to a mine warfare school. Promoted to Oberleutnant in 1919, he won both
classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. He was a member of the Stahlhelm beginning in 1923 and served in the
Schutzpolizei from 1920 to 1936, leaving with the rank of Oberstleutnant der Schutzpolizei. Joining the NSDAP on March 1. 1933, he
joined the SS as an SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on April 2, 1935. After three months on Himmler's staff he became commandant of SS
Officer School "Bad Tlz" from July, 1935, to November, 1937, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on November 9, 1935. He
returned to the same school command during late January, 1938, to the start of November the same year and was promoted to SS-
Oberfiilirer on January 30, 1938. As StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Ost" (later retitled "Spree") he served from November, 1938, to
August, 1944. He commanded the 6.SS-Totenkopfstandarte from November, 1939, to June, 1941 (it became SS-Infanterie-Regiment 6 in
January 1941), and became an SS-Oberfhrer d.R. in December, 1939. After several months in reserve with the SS garrison in Berlin,
from November, 1941, to June, 1942, he was commander of SS-Truppenbungsplatz (Troop Training Area) "Beneschau." Promoted to
SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS oil November 9, 1942, from June, 1942, to September, 1944, he commanded SS-
TruppenUbungsplatz "Debica" (later renamed "Heidelager") in Poland. He spent the rest of the war in reserve with the SS-
FUhrungshauptamt. When promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS, he became a fully active Waffen-SS officer
and was awarded both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. Handed over to the Czechs in 1947, he was tried and hanged in
Prague on February 4, 1947. (Phil Nix and Author's archive)

SS-Abschnitt XVI, first headquartered in Zwickau until July, 1933, then moved to Halle until April, 1934.
From April, 1934, Magdeburg was the seat of its headquarters until March, 1939, when it moved to Dessau.
By 1944, its headquarters was based in Zoppot. It contained Standarten 17, 21 and 59.

Fhrer:
August 27, 1932 to July 31, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer, after July 3, 1933
SS-Brigadefhrer Heinrich Schmauser
July 22, 1933 to March 20, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Oberfhrer Georg Altner
March 20, 1934 to January 1, 1935 SS-Brigadefhrer Wilhelm Rediess
January 16, 1935 to January 1, 1937 SS-Oberfhrer Johann Harnys
January 1, 1937 to March 7, 1942 58 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1938
SS-Oberfhrer Hans Khtz

' No later commander is shown in wartime "Dienstalterliste" and probably Stabsfhrer Kaspar Koenig ran the district.

147
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Kurt Daluege is shown here in a Prague opera house near the camera wearing his German Cross in Silver. At the end of the same row sits
Karl-Hermann Frank. Daluege was among the most powerful early SA, SS and Police leaders. Born ill Kreuzburg in Upper Silesia on
May 15, 1897, he joined the Army in January, 1916. Badly wounded in the shoulder and head in 1918, he suffered 25% disability and was
awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class as well as the Wound Badge in Black. After the war he obtained a degree in engineering and among
other jobs worked as a technical assistant for the Prussian Agriculture Ministry. He was a section leader with the Freikorps in 1922-
1923, and joined the NSDAP in 1922 but left after the Munich Putsch. He headed the northern area Frontbann from 1924 to March 22,
1926, and rejoined the NSDAP on March 12, 1926. He also joined the SA on November 1, 1926, having led SA Gruppen "Berlin-Nord"
and "Ostmark" since March. From the start of November, 1926, until late July, 1930, he led SA Gruppe "Berlin-Brandenburg." He also
served as a sports leader in Berlin from 1926 to 1928. During November, 1926, to the start of November, 1930, he served in the Berlin
area as a deputy Gauleiter. As commander of all SS units in Berlin and North Germany from January, 1929, to August, 1930, he preser\'ed
a degree of independence from new SS commander Himmler but finally left the SA and officially joined the SS as an SS-Oberfhrer on
July 25, 1930. From December, 1930, to September, 1931, he was Oberfhrerbereich "Ost" (early form of Gruppe, later Oberabschnitt
"Spree"), and then as the SS expanded led Abschnitt 111from March, 1931, to August, 1932 (actually a larger command than his previous
one). He became the first Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt VIfrom September, 1931, to early July, 1932. During April, 1931, to July, 1932, he also
managed the property holdings of SA Gruppe "Ost" (his earlier post since retitled) after its leader was dismissed. Promoted to SS-
Gruppenfiihrer on July 1, 1932, he commanded SS Gruppe "Ost" from July, 1932, to the start of October, 1933. From October, 1933, to
April, 1936, he was a special assignment officer on Himmler's staff as well as having several posts in Prussia including a seat in the
Prussian state parliament and being special commissioner in the Prussian Ministry of the Interior. He commanded the barracked
Landspolizei from mid-September, 1933, to mid-September, 1936, and in the weeks following the "Night of the Long Knives" took
temporary command of five SA Gruppen until new commanders were appointed: "Berlin-Brandenburg, " "Pommern, " "Grenzmark, "
"Schlesien, " and "Mitte." During the Rhm purge Daluege was given overall supervision of the Gestapo and Political Police. He joined
the Landspolizei on September 13, 1933, and became a Generalleutnant der Polizei on April 20, 1935. From November, 1934, to mid-
June, 1936, he headed Abteilung 111 (Police) in the Ministry of the Interior and was promoted to General der Polizei on June 17, 1936, as
a reward for his actions during the SA purge. He was officially chief of the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei from its creation in June, 1936
until the end of the war but due to illness and other duties a standing deputy (Alfred Wnnenberg) took over the post duties from the end
of August, 1943 until the surrender in 1945. Promoted to Generaloberst der Polizei on April 20, 1942, after the death of Reinhard
Heydrich, Daluege became Reichsprotektor in Bohemia and Moravia in May, 1942, and held the post until mid-October, 1943. In
addition to his Polizei rank he was promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on July I, 1932, to SS-Obergruppenfhrer on September 9, 1934, and
on April 20, 1942, became one of only four men to hold the rank of SS-Oberst-Gruppenfhrer. A s the only Polizei officer at that rank he
also became a Generaloberst der Polizei. He was awarded the Knight's Cross of the War Service Cross with Swords on September 7,
1943, the German Cross in Gold and Silver, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the Gold Party Badge on July 15, 1943,
the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver and the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class. A good organizer, he infiltrated the Polizei with
SS men and removed many SA Police Presidents, replacing them with SS. He suggested, and later revised and brought into National
Socialist thinking, the combined German Police following the Landespolizei becoming a component of the Army. Initially an ally of
Hermann Goring to broaden his own power, he later became a loyal subordinate of Himmler in 1934. His influence in Czechoslovakia
angered HSSPF Karl-Hermann Frank since Daluege also appointed his own man (Heinz Reinefarth) as head of the civil administration
which eroded Frank's power. Daluege lived a relaxed semi-retired life in Prague and after the war was put on trial there. He was carried
to the gallows semi-conscious on a stretcher and hanged oil October 20, 1946. (Author's archive)

148
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Stabsfhrer:
September 9, 1932 to December 15, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Walter Loos
December 15, 1933 to August 31, 1934 59 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 15, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Werner Pgel
August 31. 1934 to November 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl von Pichl
November 1, 1934 to January 1, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Rudolf Bsel
January. I, 1935 to April 15, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Arno Zehring
April 15, 1936 to May 31. 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Plesch
May 31, 1937 to July I. 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 11,
1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Berndt von
Steuben
July 1, 1939 to May 8, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Kaspar Koenig

Abschnitt XVII was based in Mnster controlling Standarten 19, 72 and 82.

Fhrer:
October 6, 1932 to November 16, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer August Heissmyer
November 16, 1933 to August 23, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Koppe
August 23, 1934 to January 1, 193760 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Oberfhrer Rolf von Humann-Hainhofen 61
January 1, 1937 to November 1, 193862 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 12, 1937
SS-Oberfhrer Gnther Claasen
November 1, 1938 to August 1, 1939 (temporary) SS-Standartenfhrer Theobald Thier
August I, 1939 to October 1, 1940 SS-Brigadefhrer Richard Fiedler
October 1, 1940 to May 8, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Walther Langleist
February I, 1943 to May 8, 1945 (substitute) 63 SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1945
SS-Brigadefhrer Kurt Ludwig

Stabsfhrer:
October 10, 1932 to May 25, 1934 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after June II, 1933
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Ludwig Teichmann
May 25, 1934 to June 1, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Jrgen Stroop
June I. 1935 to January I, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Gnther Claasen
January 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Ewald Strohm
March 21, 1938 to May 8, 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1942
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Edmund Schmitz

59
He substituted until March 15, 1934 and then assumed the post permanently.
611
He served as temporary c o m m a n d e r until April 20, 1934.
61
Born in H a n n o v e r on June 15, 1885, the son of a Lieutenant-Oberst. He joined the A r m y in 1907 and served in several infantry
regiments, becoming a battalion c o m m a n d e r and finally a General Staff ordnance officer. Promoted to Lieutnant and then Rittmeister in
1918, he won both classes of the Iron Cross and left the A r m y in January, 1919. Working in the forestry and agriculture fields after W W I .
he was in the Stahlhelm f r o m 1923 to 1929. He joined the N S D A P i n January, 1932. and the SS on March 25, 1932. C o m m i s s i o n e d an SS-
Sturmfiihrer on September 15. 1932, he served with the 29.SS-Standarte and led its II.Motorsturmbann f r o m September. 1932, to July,
1933. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on July 15, 1933, he led the II./29.SS-Standarte f r o m mid-July to mid-December, 1933. From
June. 1933, to October, 1934, he headed the Municipal Police headquarters in Augsburg. He c o m m a n d e d the 29.SS-Standarte f r o m mid-
December. 1933. to August, 1934, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on June 8, 1934. From August, 1934. to January. 1937, he
led SS-Abschnitt XVII and then served within the S D - H a u p t a m t (later R S H A ) f r o m January, 1937. to May. 1945. Promoted to SS-
O b e r f h r e r on April 20, 1935, and to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 17, 1937. he was a m e m b e r of the Reichstag f r o m January. 1937.
to May, 1945. He was then president of the G e r m a n - F r e n c h and G e r m a n - B u l g a r i a n Societies (an SS diplomatic posting) f r o m January,
1937 to 1940. He rejoined the A r m y as a M a j o r in 1940 and first served as intelligence and security officer on the c o m m a n d staff of the
senior military c o m m a n d e r for Belgium-Northern France until m i d - N o v e m b e r . 1942. An A r m y Field C o m m a n d a n t in Southern France
f r o m m i d - N o v e m b e r 1942 on. he held that post until captured on August 26, 1944. He died in Augsburg on N o v e m b e r 24, 1961.
62
He was temporary c o m m a n d e r until S e p t e m b e r 13, 1937, w h e n he assumed full c o m m a n d .
63
He was deputy c o m m a n d e r at that time and Langleist was with the c a m p system after mid-1941.

149
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

SS-Abschnitt XVIII was headquartered in Weimar when formed and moved to Halle in January 1937. It
controlled Standarten 26, 48 and 91.

Fhrer:
February 21. 1933 to September 9, 1933 SS-Gruppenfhrer Friedrich Karl Freiherr
von Eberstein
November 9, 1933 to December 31, 1936 SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Brigadefhrer Karl Pflomm
January 1, 1936 to January 1, 1939 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Dring
January 1, 1939 to October 9, 1939 SS-Oberfhrer George Ebrecht
October 23, 1939 to April 1, 194464 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1940
SS-Oberfhrer Albert Steiner 65
April I, 1944 to May 5, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Egon Dalski

Stabsfhrer:
March 6, 1933 to November 9, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Pflomm
March 13, 1933 66 to February 12, 1935 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Obersturmfhrer, after March I. 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Fritz Hildenbrandt
February 12, 1935 to July, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Ferdinand Schrder
July, 1935 to April, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinz Stiebler
April 1936 to February 28, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer, after September 12,
1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Bergrath
March 1, 1938 to May 16, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Johannes Luther
May 16, 1938 to May 8, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Josef Wagner 67

SS-Abschnitt XIX (Karlsruhe) contained Standarten 62 and 86.

Fhrer:
July 15, 1933 to March 15. 1936 SS-Oberfhrer, after March 21, 1934
SS-Brigadefiihrer Christoph Diehm
March 15, 1936 to July 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 13, 1936
SS-Oberfhrer Dr. Georg Eckhardt 68

w
He w a s temporary c o m m a n d e r until February 5, 1941 when he b e c a m e full commander.
65
Born in T h e m o r on August 25, 1897. the second son of a schoolmaster. Educated as a chemist, he j o i n e d the A r m y in July, 1916.
and served in W W I as liaison between the flying corps and ground forces b e f o r e leaving the A r m y in January, 1919. Between the wars he
worked in the ceramic and porcelain industries as a chemist. Joining the N S D A P in 1922. he attended the 1922 C o b u r g and 1923
Nuremberg rallies. Leaving the N S D A P in November, 1923, f o l l o w i n g the M u n i c h Putsch and rejoining in September. 1925, he joined
the SS on D e c e m b e r 10, 1931 with the 21.SS-Standarte. With this unit he c o m m a n d e d a Sturm (V. and II.Sturmbann) until February, 1932
and was promoted to SS-Truppfiihrer on April 10, 1932. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on April 20, 1933, he was staff administra-
tion officer of the V.Sturmbann in the 21.SS-Standarte f r o m February to March, 1933, then was the V.Sturmbann adjutant until July.
1933. From July, 1933, to mid-June, 1934, he c o m m a n d e d the V.Sturmbann of the s a m e Standarte then led the II.Sturmbann until April.
1935, during which he was promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1934. He w a s head of investigations for Oberabschnitt
" N o r d w e s t " f r o m April, 1935, to April, 1936, and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1935. He then held the s a m e post
with Oberabschnitt " M i t t e " until February. 1937. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1936. he was StabsfUhrer of
Oberabschnitt " M i t t e " f r o m February, 1937, to January, 1938. Assigned to the SS H a u p t a m t f r o m January. 1938, to M a r c h . 1939. he was
posted to the office covering w e l f a r e and provision where he w a s promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r on January 30, 1939. He next c o m -
manded the 91.Standarte f r o m March, 1939, to February. 1941, and led Abschnitt XVIII f r o m October, 1939, to the start of April, 1944.
during which he was promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1940. From April. 1944, to May, 1945, he also led both Abschnitte XIX
and X X I X . He also served in State positions for B r a u n s c h w e i g and Sachsen throughout the war. He was a w a r d e d the Gold Party Badge
and in 1942 the War Service Cross 2nd class.
66
He w a s a substitute until N o v e m b e r 9. 1933.
67
An SS personnel order dated M a y 16, 1938 refers to him as an S S - S t a n d a r t e n f h r e r but he is listed in the 1938 D A L as an SS-
U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r f r o m April 20, 1934. A reference to him at this higher rank (at which he isn't confirmed by in later d o c u m e n t s ) may be
an information or typographical error in the original order.
68
Born in Kassel on J u n e 29, 1890, he served as a doctor in W W I winning both classes of the Iron Cross. He left the A r m y as a
Leutnant d.R. having served with Infanterie-Regiment 235 and Flying Detachment 40. Joining the N S D A P in August, 1929, and the S A
in 1930, he left the S A a n d joined the SS in October, 1932, where he served with the 14.SS-Standarte. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r
on June 12. 1933, he b e c a m e M o t o r s t a f f e l f h r e r of Abschnitt XVII f r o m June, 1933. to November, 1933. and was promoted to SS-

150
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

During a visit to the Senior Waffen-SS Commander for the Netherlands (Carl-Maria Demelhuher), nearest the camera in the uniform of
an SS-Obergruppenfhrer is Artur Seyss-Inquart, Reichskommissar for the Netherlands. The tall SS-Gruppenfhrer beside him is the
HSSPF "Nordwest." Hans-Albin Rauter.

July I. 1938 to December I, 1940 SS-Oberfhrer Rudolf Lohse 69


December 1, 1940 to April 20, 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1942
SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Enzner
April 20, 1944 to May 8, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Albert Steiner
1943 to May 1945 (substitute) SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Becker

Stabsfiihrer:
November 25, 1933 to April 20, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Hiller
April 20, 1935 to March I, 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ludwig Eschholdt
March 1, 1937 to May 16, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Rudi Kreuder
March 16, 1938 to July 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Josef Nagele
July I. 1938 to July 1, 1942 SS-Standartenfiihrer Alfons Graf
July I. 1942 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Franz Voss

Obersturmfhrer on N o v e m b e r 9 , 1933. As commander of the 14.SS-Standarte from November 1933 to March 1936 he was promoted to
SS-Sturmhauptfhrer on December 24, 1933, to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on March 1. 1934, to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer March 21. 1934,
and to SS-Standartenfhrer on May 5, 1934. He led Abschnitt XIX from March, 1936, to July, 1938, and then served on the staff of
Oberabschnitt "Sdwest" until November, 1938. Listed as a staff officer of Abschnitt XXVII for the duration, he also served in numerous
units and positions as a medical doctor. He joined the Waffen-SS as a SS-Sturmbannfhrer d.R. on October 10. 1939, and served at the SS
hospital in Prague from December, 1939, to January, 1941, where he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer d.R. on January 30,
1941. As regimental surgeon for the artillery regiment of "Das Reich" he served from January to March, 1941, and then was head surgeon
of the SS hospital in Berlin until May, 1942. From June to November, 1942, he was chief surgeon for the HSSPF "Serbien" where he was
promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer d.R. on November 9, 1942 followed by posting to the SS-Sanittsamt (Medical Office) in Berlin until
February. 1943. He transferred to the SS Officer School in Braunschweig from February to October, 1943 as a surgeon and then went to
Russia as Brigade Surgeon of 1 .SS-Infanterie-Brigade (mot) from October, 194,3 to January, 1944. After several months on reserve status
with Amtsgruppe D of the SS-Fhrungshauptamt he was attached to the H S S P F in Hungary as head surgeon and finally became Corps
Surgeon of the XI.SS-Armeekorps from late A u g u s t , 1944 to the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer d.R. on November 9, 1944,
he was awarded a clasp to his Iron Cross 1st class in 1943. He died in Kassel on June 14. 1958.
Born in Zwickau on February 18,1904, the son of a company owner. He worked as a bank clerk until 1926 and then joined the
family firm. He joined the N S D A P and S A in May, 1922, attending the Coburg (1922) and Munich (1923) N S D A P rallies. After the 1923
Putsch he rejoined the N S D A P and SA in June, 1925. Leaving the SA. he joined the SS on March 1, 1926, and served with the 1.Sturm/
11. Sturmbann/7. SS-Standarte. Commissioned as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r o n March 10. 1931, he served as adjutant to the II.Sturmbann March

151
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Born in Rottenacker on the Danube on March 1, 1892, Christoph Diehm was the son of a farm worker. He joined the Army in 1912,
serving in WWI with the infantry, an assault unit and then with the 478.Infanterie Regiment. Wounded four limes, he won both classes of
the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Silver. After serving with the Freikorps in Wrttemberg he joined the Reichswehr in 1919 and
served with a machine gun company in Infanterie Regiment 13. Promoted to Leutnant, he left the Army in 1925. From October, 1926, to
January, 1928, he was a member of the Stahlhelm and then joined the SA and NSDAP on March I, 1930. From March, 1928, to 1931, he
was the adjutant of S/4 Gruppe "Sdwest" and then commanded SA Untergruppe "Sdwest" until joining the SS on March 22, 1932, as
an SS-Oberfiihrer. As a member of the Reichstag representing Baden he held a seat from November, 1933 until the end of the war. From
March, 1932, to mid-July, 1933, he commanded Abschnitt X then led Abschnitt XIX to mid-March, 1936, during which he was promoted
to SS-Brigadefhrer on March 21, 1934. His final Abschnitt command was from mid-March, 1936, to the start of March, 1939, when he
commanded Abschnitt I. During that time he also sen'ed as a resen'e Leutnant with the Army, being promoted to that rank on May 1,
1936, and saw combat in the Polish campaign assigned to Infanterie Regiment 61. He then sen'ed with Oberabschnitt "West" until early
January, 1942, followed by more than a year on Himmler's staff. From March, 1942, to early November, 1944, he was with the RSHA and
then the SS-Hauptamt until the end of the war. He served as Police President for Gotenhafen from early March, 1939, to mid-October,
1941, as well as being administrative head the Kripo headquarters for the same area. Diehm then held the same Police President post for
Saarbrucken and Metz until late January, 1944. Appointed a Generalmajor der Polizei on April 1, 1942, he went to the Ukraine in April,
1943 for training in police duties under the HSSPF for the area from late April, 1943 to January, 1944, then became SSPF "Shitomir"
until late February, 1944. From late February, 1944. to mid-September that year he was SSPF "Lemberg." After serving with the
defensive fortress staff "Upper Silesia" near Kattowitz {which became an SSPF post) he was Himmler's representative with Army Group
"Springer" on the Western Front from mid-September. 1944, to late December. Appointed a Waffen-SS Generalmajor on November 9,
1944, as a divisional commander, he began the formation of the 29. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS {russische Nr.!) from tale August
to early October, 1944, but the unit never became operational and its number redesignated for an Italian volunteer unit. He also served
as HSSPF " Belgien-Nord-Frankreich" from mid-September to mid-January, 1945. Throughout 1945 until the end of the war, he was
Inspector for the Volkssturm in the southwest areas. Awarded a clasp to both his WWI Iron Crosses, both classes of the War Sen'ice Cross
with Swords, the Wound Badge in Gold and the Gold Party Badge, he died in Rottenacker on February 21,1960. {Phil Nix)

1931 to mid-September, 1932, then commanded the IV.Sturmbann of the 7.SS-Standarte from September, 1932, to March, 1934. Pro-
moted to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on April 20, 1934, and to SS-Standartenfhrer on July 4, 1934. he commanded the 16.SS-Standarte
from July. 1934, to April, 1936. As commander of Abschnitt XXXIII he led from April. 1936, to July, 1938, and was promoted to SS-
Oberfhrer on September 13, 1936. He next led Abschnitt XIX from July, 1938, to December, 1940, and then Abschnitt X X X X V from
December, 1940, to November, 1944. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on November 9, 1943, he was killed by an American combat patrol
in Strassbourg on November 23, 1944. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, Coburg Badge, War Service Cross 1 st class with Swords,
the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver and the Hitler Youth Honor Badge in Gold.

152
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

SS-Abschnitt XX , based in Kiel, contained Standarten 40, 50 and 53.

Fhrer:
September 20, 1933 to September 20, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Oberfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Brigadefhrer Jakob Sporrenburg
September 20, 1936 to December 31, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Helmut Schulz
January 1, 1939 to January 20, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer, after December 21, 1942
SS-Brigadefhrer Karl Bock 70
January 20, 1943 to September 1, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Weinert
September 1, 1943 to May 8, 1945 SS-Standartenfiihrer, after January 30, 1944
SS-Oberfhrer Georg Langosch 71

Stabsfiihrer:
October 1, 1933 to January 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Gustav Stolle
April 9, 1934 to April 30, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 12. 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1935
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Arno Dressler
April 30, 1935 to May 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Oskar Freiherr
Luchner von Huttenbach
May 1936 to September 30, 1937 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Rudolf Hegeler
September 30, 1937 to 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 11,
1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Arved Theuermann
1944 to May 8, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Alfred Scholz

SS-Abschnitt XXI was based in Liegnitz when created and moved to Grlitz in November 1933. In Septem-
ber 1936 headquarters moved to Hirschberg and it contained Standarten 8, 70 and 95.

Fhrer:
November 9, 1933 to April 15, 1935 SS-Brigadefiihrer Richard Hildebrandt
April 15, 1935 to January 24, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Hermann Behme

70
Born on N o v e m b e r 9, 1899, the son of a pastor. He served with the infantry in W W I f r o m July 1917 winning the Iron Cross 2nd
class and w a s a prisoner of the French until February, 1920. After the war he got a degree in engineering and was fluent in English and
French. He joined the N S D A P in June, 1923, and left after the N o v e m b e r 1923 Putsch. Rejoining in the s u m m e r of 1930, he also joined
the SS on N o v e m b e r 20 that year. From November, 1930, to November, 1933, he served with the 32.Standarte and was p r o m o t e d to SS-
T r u p p f h r e r on January 4, 1932, to S S - S t u r m f h r e r on M a r c h 21, 1932, to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1933, and to SS-
Obersturmbannfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933. He c o m m a n d e d the 5.Sturm (II.Sturmbann) of the 32.Standarte f r o m March. 1932, to
September, 1932, and then led the II.Sturmbann until leaving the Standarte. Bock next led the 62.Standarte f r o m N o v e m b e r . 1933, to
May, 1934, during which he was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on February 1 5 , 1 9 3 4 . From M a y to October, 1934, he served with the
Political Readiness Detachment in Wrttemburg which later evolved into a portion of the SS/VT. Transferred as Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt
" S d o s t " he served there f r o m October, 1934. to February, 1935. He then c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X V I I until July. 1938, during which he
was promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 15, 1935. Returning to a Stabsfhrer position with Oberabschnitt " N o r d w e s t " until Janu-
ary, 1939, he then next c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt XX until January 20, 1943, even though he was for most of that period serving with the
Army. Recalled to the A r m y as a Leutnant d.R. in A u g u s t , 1939, he served as a c o m p a n y and later 3rd battalion c o m m a n d e r in
Infanterieregiment 97 fighting in Poland, France and Russia. Awarded the G e r m a n Cross in Gold on March 16, 1942, and the Knight's
Cross on May 3, 1942, he was killed in action in the C a u c a s u s on January 20. 1943.
71
Born in Rostock on July 29, 1902, the son of a Catholic city official. He studied law and business and received a degree in Berlin
during May, 1932. Joining the N S D A P a n d its legal organization on May 1, 1933, he also joined the SS on June 25, 1933. He served in the
II[./4.SS-Standarte until December, 1933, and was promoted to S S - S c h a r f h r e r on February 8, 1934, to S S - T r u p p f h r e r on J u n e 19,
1934, and to ObertruppfUhrer on July 9, 1934. Langosch then assumed a legal post with Oberabschnitt " N o r d " (later " N o r d s e e " ) until
September, 1943, and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r on April 20, 1936, then promoted to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on April
20, 1937. and to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on January 30. 1939. Promoted to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 1. 1940, and to SS-
Standartenfhrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943, he led Abschnitt X X f r o m September, 1943, to May, 1945. Between May, 1936. and August.
1942, he served for periods in the A r m y as a private and N C O , seeing extensive service in the first Russian campaign with Infanterie
Regiment 76. From 1939 to the end of 1942, he was also deputy chief in the state police administration for Hamburg. A f t e r recovery f r o m
an illness contracted in Russia, he joined the W a f f e n - S S as an S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 1, 1942. He served with the SS-
Hauptamt involved with replacements and recruiting until September. 1943 when he gave up his W a f f e n - S S rank. Langosch then returned
to civil service as Police President for Kiel f r o m December, 1942, to May, 1945. He was c o m m i s s i o n e d as a W a f f e n - S S U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r
d.R. on August 1, 1944, and won the War Service Cross 1 st class with S w o r d s in 1944.

153
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

January 24, 1938 to June 15, 1939 SS-Oberfhrer Walter Oplnder


July 15, 1939 to November 28, 1941 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Hiller
November, 1941 to May, 1945 unknown 7 2

Stabsfhrer:
January 1, 1934 to July 31, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after February 28, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 19, 1935
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Heinz Sawatzki
August 1, 1935 to August 1. 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Otto Paetsch
August 1, 1936 to November 30, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Montel
November 30, 1938 to December 26, 1941 SS-Standartenfhrer Hugo Lohmann
December 26, 1941 to 1942 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Artur Preuss
1942 to 1944 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ernst Krieber
1944 to May, 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Fritz Schckel

SS-Abschnitt XXII, with headquarters in Allenstein, had Standarten 61 and 64 and added Standarte 66 after
March 1936.

Fhrer
December 15, 1933 to February 20, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Gnther Pancke
March 1, 1934 to May 6, 1935 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Kaul
May 6, 1935 to March 15, 1936 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Dring
March 15, 1936 to March 1, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 13, 1936
SS-Oberfhrer Karl Schfer
March 1, 1937 to May. 1945 SS-Oberfhrer, after January 20, 1942 also
Oberst der Polizei Heinz Roch

Stabsfhrer
December 16, 1932 to March, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Bruno Hebron
March, 1934 to December 31, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Walter Frstenberg
December 31, 1934 to March, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after June 16, 1935
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Mann
March, 1936 to July, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after September 11,
1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Kurt Eimann
July, 1938 to February 1, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Hoffmann
February 1, 1939 to April 1, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Gustav Mertsch
April 1, 1939 to 1942 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1941 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Vogt
1942 to May. 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Artur Preuss

SS-Abschnitt XXIII (Berlin) controlled Standarten 15, 44 and 80.

Fhrer
November 16, 1933 to August 23, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer, after March 18. 1934
SS-Oberfhrer Otto Brass
August 23, 1934 to January 7 , 1 9 3 5 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 9, 1934
SS-Oberfhrer Rudolf Weiss
December 3 1 , 1 9 3 4 to March 31,1935 7 3 SS-Standartenfhrer Peter Johannsen
March 3 1 . 1 9 3 5 to May 6, 1935 (temporary) 74 SS-Obersturmfhrer Erich Werner

72
Possibly the StabsfUhrer in a temporary capacity.
73
Johannsen died on this date.
74
As StabsfUhrer he served as temporary substitute c o m m a n d e r .

154
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Walter Burghardt was born in Hngeda on March 7, 1885 and joined the army in 1903. Serving with the infantry, he was commissioned
a Leutnant in and later Oberleutnant, serving as an infantry battalion adjutant from 1909-1912. He then served two years as an infantry
regiment adjutant and was promoted to Hauptmann in 1915. After service as a company commander in 1915-1916 he became divisional
adjutant to 39.Infanteriedivision. His final post was with the Prussian War Ministry and he was promoted to Major in 1919. He won both
classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. Working as a farmer after the war, he joined the NSDAP in 1923 and after the
Munich Putsch, rejoined in 1926. He joined the SS in 1933 and was commissioned an SS-Sturmfiihrer on March 9, 1933, first serving with
SS Gruppe "Ost." Promoted to SS-Obersturmfiihrer on July 31, 1933, and to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer on November 9, 1933, he served as
Stabsfiihrer of Oberabschnitt "Elbe" from mid-November, 1933, to the start of 1935. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on January 30,
1934, to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on April 30, 1934, and to SS-Standartenfhrer on August 16, 1934, he led Abschnitt II from early May,
1935, to mid-September, 1936. He then served on Himmler's staffuntil mid-August, 1938, and was a member of the Reichstag from March
3, 1936 to August 17, 1938. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on January 30, 1936, from the beginning of October, 1938, to his death on August
17, 1938, he served in the staff office of the deputy Fhrer (Rudolf Hess). (Phil Nix)

May 6, 1935 to March 1, 1937 SS-Oberfhrer, after January 30, 1936


SS-Brigadefhrer Kurt Kaul
March 1, 1937 to September 10, 1940 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Oberfhrer Gustav Stolle
September 10, 1940 to November 2, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1943
SS-Oberfhrer Ernst Engelhardt
November 2, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Kuhn

Stabsfhrer
December 20, 1933 to September 1935 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after May 10, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after August 23, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Erich Werner
September 1935 to May 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after November 9, 1936
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1939
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Heinrich Sielaff

155
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Hans Dring (left) was the son of a police official and was born in Hannover on August 31, 1901. After WWI he sen'ed with a naval
Freikorps unit. Between the wars he worked as a salesman in the Wiesbaden area until 1931. He joined the 5-4 on November 15, 1928,
and the NSDAP on December I, 1928. Sen'ing in Berlin with the SA, he transferred to the SS on January 6, 1929, and sen'ed with the SS
Sturm in Wiesbaden until mid-January, 1930. Promoted to SS-Truppfhrer on July 24, 1929, he was commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer
on January 15, 1930. From mid-January, 1930, to July that year, he commanded the SS Sturm in Wiesbaden and then moved to Hessen as
Standarte commander (Standarte II) until the end of 1931. He was also administrator for SS Brigade 2 from late January, 1931, for the
rest of the year. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on March 8, 1931, he led the 33.SS-Standarte from early January, 1932, to the start of
July that year. He then commanded the 35.SS-Standarte until mid-September, 1933. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on November 9, 1933, he
held a seat in the Reichstag for Dresden-Bautzen from 1933 to the end of the war. From mid-September, 1933, to early May, 1935, he led
Abschnitt II and then commanded Abschnitt XXII until mid-March, 1936. Following a reprimand he commanded 31 .SS-Standarte from
June. 1936, until the end of the year. From the start of January, 1937, until the end of 1938, he led Abschnitt XVIII and then led Abschnitt
IX until the start of March that year. Dring next commanded Abschnitt 1 from early March, 1939, to the start of October, 1942, and was
promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer und Generalmajor der Polizei on April 20, 1942. After sen'ing on Himmler's staff until the start of April.
1944, he also held a staff post with Oberabschnitt "Warthe" until the end of the war. As a Scharfhrer d.R. in the Waffen-SS he served with
the "Leibstandarte" in 1941 as a platoon leader, and was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmfhrer d.R. on November 9, 1941. He
undertook police duties that year after training with the Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei during October to December, 1941. As SSPF "Stalino"
from mid-November, 1941, to mid-May, 1943, he was promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei on April 20. 1942. He
returned to Waffen-SS sen'ice as a reserve officer in late September, 1943. Training and serving the anti-tank units, he was promoted to
SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer d.R. on April 20, 1944, and sen'ed with the ll./SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 36 from mid-March, 1944, until the
end of the war. He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class in August 1941, the Iron Cross 1st class in 1944, the Infantry Assault Badge in
September 1941, the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Silver and the Reich's Sports Badge in
Silver. Dring died in Nuremberg on July 2, 1970. (Phil Nix)

SS-Abschnitt XXIV was based in Neustadt when formed then moved to Kattowitz in April 1935 and finally
to Oppeln in the latter part of August, 1940. It contained Standarten 23, 45, 102 and 104. After the start of the
war, Standarte 124 was added.

Fhrer
November 16, 1933 to August 1, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer, after March 18, 1934
SS-Oberfhrer Wilhelm Werner 75
75
Born in Apolda bei Weimar on June 6, 1898. the son of a public prosecutor. He joined the Imperial Navy as a cadet in 1905 and
was commissioned a Lieutenant J.G. in August 1910. Transferring to submarine duty at the start of WWI. he served as a U-Boat com-
mander until 1918 and was awarded the Pour-Le-Merite as well as both classes of the Iron Cross. He moved to Brazil in 1920 where he
worked as an architect until 1925. Returning to Germany, he ran his wife's estate in Upper Silesia and joined the N S D A P in 1930. Joining
the SS as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on July 15, 1931, he was a member of the Reichstag from November, 1938, to May, 1945. Promoted to SS-
Standartenfhrer on March 16, 1932, he commanded the 23.SS-Standarte from September. 1931. to early July. 1932. He then served on
the staff of Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt) "Sdost" until the beginning of 1934. Taking command of Abschnitt XXIV from early mid-
November, 1933, to the start of August, 1935, he was promoted to SS-OberfUhrer on March 18. 1934. then to SS-Brigadefiihrer on
September 15. 1935. He also served on Himmler's personal staff from August, 1939. to May, 1945. In 1938-1939, he was Himmler's
liaison officer with the Gauleiter of the Sudetenland. He went on reserve duty with the army and was promoted Oberstleutnant in the
reserves in 1940. Werner was promoted to Oberst and activated in early December. 1942. He commanded a Luftwaffe field artillery
regiment and then became Arko (senior artillery commander) of XIII.SS-Armee-Korps until late January, 1945, winning a clasp to both
his W W I Iron Crosses. He died in Falkenau on May 14. 1945.

156
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

SS-Obergruppenfiihrer Hans-Adolf Priitzmann (left) in Russia during the summer of 1943 before being appointed HSSPF "Ukraine"
speaking with SS-Brigadefhrer Hermann Fegelein (commander of the SS-Kavallerie-Division). (Author's archive)

August 1, 1935 to May 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Konrad Unger 76

Stabsfiihrer
April 15, 1934 to December 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Helmut Barnstedt
December 1934 to March 20, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Karl Schilling
March 20, 1935 to January 15, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1935 Standartenfhrer Friedrich Dernehl
January 15. 1936 to February 1, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after September 12,
1937 Sturmbannfhrer Karl Burk 77
February 1, 1938 to April 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Streibel
April 1938 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1941
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Kurt Heuwer

n
Born in Hannover on July 5, 1899, he served with an East Prussian infantry regiment from October, 1918, to April, 1920, and left
the Army as an N C O in May, 1921. From May, 1921, to October, 1922, he was in the Hannover Schutzpolizei and then worked as a
civilian until 1933. He joined the N S D A P on November 17, 1928, and the SS on November 12, 1928, serving with the SS in Hannover
where he was promoted to SS-Truppfhrer on July 1. 1929. From January to April. 1930, he was attached to the S A. Commissioned as an
SS-SturmfUhrer on May 22, 1930. he led I./12.SS-Standarte from September, 1931, until October 18, 1931, and was promoted to SS-
SturmbannfUhrer on September 4, 1931. He next took command of the 12.SS-Standarte which he led until mid-February, 1933. From
February to June. 1933, he commanded the 36.SS-Standarte and next led the 54.SS-Standarte until early May, 1934. Promoted to SS-
Obersturmbannfhrer on September 3, 1933, and to SS-Standartenfhrer on November 9. 1933, he led Abschnitt X X X from May, 1934,
to August, 1935, and then commanded Abschnitt X X I V until the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on September 9, 1934, as an
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer d.R. with the Waffen-SS, he served with II./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 2 from June, 1940, to February,
1941, and then with V./"Leibstandarte" until October, 1941. From October, 1941, to March, 1943, he was assigned to the training and
replacement battalions of the "Leibstandarte." As headquarters company commander of II./SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 "Leibstandarte" he
served from May, 1943, to mid-January, 1944, and then was commandant of the headquarters of I.SS-Panzerkorps from mid-January,
1944, to January, 1945. He ended the war attached to the SS Hauptamt assigned to the Volkstum and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer
d.R. on January 30, 1944, and to SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer d.R. on April 20, 1945. Unger was highly decorated by both the N S D A P and
military while with the "Leibstandarte," being awarded the N S D A P Long Service Awards in Bronze and Silver on April 20, 1940, Reich's
Sports Badge in Silver, the Wound Badges in Black and Silver, the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords on January 30, 1944, the Iron
Cross 2nd class on July 18, 1941, the Infantry Assault Badge on April 29, 1942, the Iron Cross I st class in 1944, and the Gold Party Badge
on February 23, 1934.

157
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

SS-Abschnitt XXV, based initially in Bochum, contained Standarten 30 and 69. Its headquarters eventually
moved to Dortmund.

Fhrer
November 16, 1933 to October 1, 1937 SS-Oberfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Brigadefhrer Fritz Schlessmann
October 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Konstantin Kammerhofer
March 21, 1938 to April 15, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Johannes Schfer
April 15, 1938 to May, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer, after April 20, 1945 also
Generalmajor der Waffen-SS Berthold
Maack 78

Stabsfiihrer
December 5, 1933 to August 17, 1936 SS-Unterturmfhrer, after March 16, 1934
SS-Obersturmfhrer, after June 20, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Alfred Bauer
August 17, 1936 to February 1, 1943 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after November 9, 1936
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1938
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1941 SS-Standartenfhrer August Flasche
February 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Harald Broking

SS-Abschnitt XXVI (Danzig) controlled Standarten 36 and 71.

Fhrer
November 13, 1933 to October 19, 1934 SS-Oberfhrer Dr. Alexander Reiner 79
October 19, 1934 to November 1, 1935 SS-Brigadefhrer Wilhelm Koppe
November 1,1935 to April 15,1938 SS-Oberfhrer, after September 13, 1936
SS-Brigadefhrer Berthold Maack
April 15, 1938 to May 1, 1940 80 SS-Oberfhrer, after September I. 1939
SS-Brigadefhrer Johannes Schfer
May 1, 1940 to December 8, 1941 SS-Oberfhrer George Ebrecht
December 8, 1941 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Jenke

77
Awarded the G e r m a n Cross in Gold on N o v e m b e r 5, 1942, as c o m m a n d e r of SS-Flak Abteilung "Ost," he later c o m m a n d e d the
15.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr. 1) f r o m February 15, 1945, until the division surrendered. At that time he w a s a
W a f f e n - S S Oberfhrer.
78
T h o u g h officially holding the post, he served in the W a f f e n - S S f r o m March 1940 so it is assumed the Stabsfhrer p e r f o r m e d all
required duties during the war.
Born on March 4, 1885, in Panschwitz, he received a doctorate in dentistry f r o m the University in Leipzig at the end of D e c e m b e r
1912. He served in that capacity in W W I , ending with X V I I . A r m e e k o r p s . He served in the Freikorps in the Danzig area which was
c o m p o s e d of f o r m e r m e m b e r s of his old corps. He practiced as a dentist in Danzig f r o m 1919 and joined the N S D A P in July, 1931.
Joining the SS in February. 1932, he was assigned to the 36.SS-Standarte and b e c a m e the unit's dentist f r o m mid-June, 1932, to mid-June,
1933. C o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on January 30, 1933, and promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r on April 30, 1933, he led the
36.SS-Standarte f r o m June, 1933, to m i d - N o v e m b e r that year. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on S e p t e m b e r 3, 1933, and to SS-
O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he led Abschnitt X X V I f r o m m i d - N o v e m b e r . 1933, to mid-October. 1934. during which he
w a s promoted to S S - S t a n d a r t e n f u h r e r on N o v e m b e r 13, 1933, and to S S - O b e r f h r e r on March 12, 1934. As a concentration c a m p
c o m m a n d e r he c o m m a n d e d Dachau f r o m O c t o b e r 19, 1934, to October 22, 1934, was the first c o m m a n d e r of S a c h s e n b u r g f r o m N o v e m -
ber 2 to N o v e m b e r 30, 1934, and finally c o m m a n d e d C o l u m b i a - H a u s in Berlin f r o m D e c e m b e r 1, 1934, to April 18, 1935. Corrupt and
brutal, he w a s dismissed f r o m his Abschnitt c o m m a n d for poor leadership and financial irregularities. Later arrested by the G e s t a p o on
H i m m l e r ' s orders, he w a s tried and sentenced to death but the sentence was c o m m u t e d . Dismissed f r o m the SS and N S D A P in June.
1935, after a prison sentence, he obtained a dentistry post in the office of the Deputy Fhrer (Rudolf Hess) with the help of his friend
Gauleiter Albert Forster. His early rapid rise in SS rank was due to being a protege of Werner Lorenz w h o initially g a v e him his dentist
post with the 36.SS-Standarte.
80
He was temporary c o m m a n d e r until September, 1938 when he a s s u m e d full c o m m a n d .

158
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Paul Moder was born on October /, 1896, in Neheim and joined the Army in early August, 1914. Serving with the artillery and finally a
flying replacement unit, he was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. He was with the Freikorps from
1922 and joined the SA in January, 1924. Joining the NSDAP on July 6, 1925, he served with the SA until late August, 1931. He was a
member of the Reichstag from August, 1932, to early February, 1942. Joining the SS on September 1, 1931 as an SS-Sturmfhrer, he
sen'ed as adjutant of Abschnitt IV for three weeks before becoming administrator of 4.SS-Standarte until mid-October, 1931. Promoted
to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on September 20, 1931, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on October 18, 1931, and to SS-Oberfiihrer on October 6,
1932, he commanded the 4.SS-Standarte from mid-October, 1931, to late December, 1932, and was appointed commander of Abschnitt
XV in September, 1932. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on December 15, 1933, he next led Abschnitt III from February, 1934, to the start
of November, / 938, and was promoted to SS-Gruppenfhrer on November 9, 1936. As a substitute for Sepp Dietrich while he was with the
"Leibstandarte, " Moder led Oberabschnitt "Ost" (see "Spree")from November, 1938, to mid-November, 1939, and then was the deputy
commander of Oberabschnitt "Spree " until early February, 1942, although he sen'ed in the Waffen-SS and in Polizei duties during that
period. While SSPF "Warsaw" from mid-November, 1939, to early August, 1941, he trained briefly in the artillery field with the "Totenkopf'
Division and became an SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer d.R. on July 19, 1941. After leaving Warsaw he joined the Artillerie Regiment of "Totenkopf'
and later the Kradschtzen Bataillon. He led Kampfgruppe "Moder" consisting of an infantry battalion and an artillery battery from
"Totenkopf' as well as a battalion of Army troops with two tanks. Moder was killed leading his battle group in the Demjansk fighting
south of Lake lllmen in the village of Kalinitz on February 8, 1942. Also killed with him was Army Knight's Cross holder Leutnant Karl-
Heinz Becker. Moder was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Olympic Games Decoration 1st class, a clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd class
on June 26, 1940, and a clasp to the Iron Cross 1st class on November 9, 1941. (Phil Nix)

Stabsfhrer
January 30, 1934 to May 8, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after July 4, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Josef Nagele
May 8, 1935 to May 25, 1935 SS-Obersturmfhrer Theobald Thier
May 25, 1935 to September, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Werner Praescke
September, 1936 to May, 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Paul Exner
May, 1937 to October, 1939 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1939
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Waldemar Roos
October, 1939 to November 9, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Dethof
November 9, 1939 to 1943 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Burger
1943 to May, 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Franz Maxa

159
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Max Henze was born on September 23, 1899, in Kothen, attending school there and in Berlin. He joined the army in 1917 and served with
a machine gun unit in several infantry regiments. Gassed and wounded twice, he won the Iron Cross 2nd class and Wound Badge in
Black. He served with the Freikorps "Rossbach "from Januaiy 1923 to 1926 and joined the NSDAP on April 1, 1928. Joining the SS on
June 7, 1927, he initially served in a minor SS unit named for him until November, 1929. Promoted to SS-Truppfhrer on July 13, 1929,
and commissioned an SS-Sturmfiihrer on November 7, 1929, he led SS Sturm 6 from mid-October, 1929, to the start of September, 1930,
followed by becoming Standartenfhrer V until early February, 1931. He then served four months with SS-Brigade 6 and was promoted
to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on February 1, 1931. After serving as administrator of the 6.SS-Standarte from June to mid-October, 1931, he
then led the Standarte until July, 1932, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on October 18, 1931, to SS-Oberfhrer on July 22,
1932, and to SS-Brigadefhrer on December 15, 1933. From early August, 1932, to mid-February, 1934, he commanded Abschnitt III,
and also served with the Prussian Gestapo in 1933-1934. He commanded Abschnitt XV from mid-February, 1934, to late August, 1934,
and was also a special assignments officer for Himmler from October, 1934, to March, 1935. Next serving as special duties officer and in
other staff posts for Oberabschnitt "Ost" until early April, 1936, he moved to the staff of Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra" from mid-
January, 1937, to early November, 1938. Henze was also an officer in the SD-Hauptamt (later RSHA) from November, 1938, to May,
1945. A member of the Reichstag from May, 1936, to May, 1945, he also served as Police President for Kassel (October, 1937, to October,
1940) then the same post for Danzig until October, 1941, for Essen (June, 1941, to April, 1945 while also Kripo titular commander) and
finally the same position for Bromberg in April-May, 1945. He became an honorary Generalmajor der Polizei in 1944, and was awarded
the Gold Party Badge, as well as the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords. One of the earliest SS officers, he was instrumental in
forming units in the Berlin area. Tried and sentenced in 1949, he was hanged in Poland along with Richard Hildebrandt on March 10,
1951. (Phil Nix)

SS-Abschnitt XXVII formed in Gotha and from April, 1938, was seated in Weimar controlling Standarten
14, 47, 57 and 67. 81

Fhrer
November 15, 1933 to October 1, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Brigadefhrer, after January 30, 1938
SS-Gruppenfhrer, after September 16, 1942
also Generalleutnant der Polizei Paul
Hennicke
May 1, 1939 to November 1, 1939 (substitute) SS-Gruppenfhrer Wilhelm von Holzschuher
October 1, 1942 to May, 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer Johann Harnys
June 22, 1943 to May, 1945 (substitute) SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Schmidt

Stabsfhrer
December 6, 1933 to May, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Walter Reichert

81
Other period documents give the move to Weimar during January 1937.

160
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Wilhelm Koppe (later HSSPF "Ost") shown here (left) in a pre-war photo when commander of an Abschnitt. On the right as an SS-
Oberst-Gruppenfiilirer und Generaloberst der Polizei is Kurt Daluege. One of only four to attain the rank of Oberst-Gruppenfhrer, he
was the only one to also hold equivalent Polizei rank. (Phil Nix)

May 1934 to April 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after June 4, 1934


SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ludwig Gldener
April 1936 to May 25, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Werner Praescke
May 25, 1936 to June 30, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer August Jakober
July 1, 1938 to 1943 SS-Standartenfiihrer Horst Schmischke
1943 to May, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Paul Henning

SS-Abschnitt XXVIII formed in Regensburg and in September, 1934, moved its headquarters to Bayreuth. It
contained Standarten 3, 41 and 68.

Fhrer
November 20, 1933 to September 1, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer, after March 24, 1934
SS-Oberfhrer Emil Mazuw
September 1, 1934 to February 15, 1935 SS-Oberfhrer Otto Teetzmann 82

82
The son of a factory manager, Teetzmann was born in Berlin on July 30, 1899. He joined the army in September 1917. serving
until October, 1919, with the artillery and a cavalry division, ending the war as an NCO. After working as a bank clerk and being a
member of the Stahlhelm, he joined the N S D A P and SS on early June 1, 1930. First serving with the 6.SS-Standarte. he led the 1 .Sturm
of its I.Sturmbann from mid-March to mid-July, 1931, then commanded the I V.Sturmbann until the middle of July, 1932. Promoted to SS-
Sturmbannfhrer on October 13, 1931, he became the first commander of the 44.SS-Standarte in July, 1932, and led it until late August,
1934. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on November 9, 1932, and to SS-OberfUhrer on August 25, 1934, he commanded Abschnitt XV
during the end of August, 1934, and then led Abschnitt XXVIII until mid-February, 1935. Teetzmann also served with the Air Ministry
after 1934. Reassigned to Oberabschnitt "Ost," he was brought before an SS court for converting SS funds to personal use and dismissed
from the SS on November 29, 1935. During the war he was assigned to a post with the office for the "Four Year Plan" under Goring.

161
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

February 15, 1935 to July 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 15, 1935
SS-Oberfhrer Karl Bock
July 1, 1938 to November 14, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Theodor Zittel
November 14, 1938 to February 1, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Ring
February 1, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1942
SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1944
SS-Brigadefhrer Ludwig Eschholdt

Stabsfhrer
January 15, 1934 to July 1935 after April 20, 1935 SS-Untersturmfhrer
Lorenz Wangemann
July 1935 to March 20, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Max Wittrien
November 1, 1938 to May 16, 193883 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm von
Woikowski-Biedau
May 16, 1938 to May 28, 1938 (substitute) SS-Untersturmfhrer Josef Wagner
May 28, 1938 to October 15, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Ihle
October 15, 1938 to March 6, 1940 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Paul Hainbach
March 6, 1940 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Dr. Hans Hofmann

SS-Abschnitt X X I X formed in April, 1934, in Mannheim and moved to Konstanz in April, 1936. It con-
trolled Standarten 65 and 79.

Fhrer
April 17, 1934 to January 7, 1935 SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Brigadefhrer und (honorary)
Generalmajor der Polizei Wilhelm Starck
January 7, 1935 to March 15, 1936 SS-Oberfhrer Rudolf Weiss
March 15, 1936 to November 14, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Walter Stein
November 14, 1938 to April 1. 1944 SS-Oberfhrer, after November 9, 1943
SS-Brigadefhrer Rudolf Lohse
April 1. 1944 to May 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Albert Steiner

Stabsfhrer
April 1934 to May 1935 SS-Untersturmfhrer Dr. Eduard Betz 84
May 1935 to June 1, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Paul Nostitz
June I, 1935 to May 16, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 13,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Josef Nagele
May 16, 1938 to July 1, 1942 SS-Standartenfhrer Alfons Graf
July 1, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Heinrich von Holdt

SS-Abschnitt XXX formed in Kassel during early April, 1934. It contained Standarten 2, 35 and 83.

Fhrer
May 7, 1934 to July 31, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 9, 1934
SS-Oberfhrer Konrad Unger
August 17, 1935 to October 1, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 15,1935
SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Ludwig
October 1, 1937 to May 1945 85 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1938
SS-Oberfhrer, after January 30, 1945
8
' He served as substitute until March 20 and then b e c a m e full c o m m a n d e r .
84
An O b e r t r u p p f h r e r Heubach (first n a m e u n k n o w n ) is also referred to in the initial formation period during April. 1934. by SS-
Personalbefehl Nr. 13 dated M a y 4. 1934.
85
Titular c o m m a n d e r after joining the S S / V T (later W a f f e n - S S ) in December, 1939, his c o m m a n d would have been taken by a
substitute (most probably StabsfUhrer Josef Pfefferkorn).

162
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

SS-Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der


Waffen-SS Curt Brasack 86

Stabsfhrer
April 1, 1934 to April 1936 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Obersturmfhrer, after September 15, 1935
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Arnold Hamke
April 1936 to September 10, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after June 1, 1936
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1938
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Konrad Perwitzschky
September 10, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Josef Pfefferkorn

SS-Abschnitt XXXI was based in Vienna and contained Standarten 11, 89 and 99.

Fhrer
March 15, 1938 to October 1, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer, after January 30, 1941
SS-Brigadefhrer, after September 16, 1942
also Generalmajor der Polizei Konstantin
Kammerhofer
October 1, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Bock

Stabsfhrer
March 21, 1938 t o ? SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Julius Kopp
? to May 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Alfred Schutzenhofer

SS-Abschnitt XXXII was established in early April 1936 and headquartered in Augsburg. It contained
Standarten 29 and 92. Later Standarte 106 was added.

Fhrer
March 15, 1936 to April 1, 1936 SS-Oberfhrer Heinz Roch
April I, 1936 to May 16, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Waldemar Wappenhans
July 1, 1938 to November 14, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer George Ebrecht
November 14, 1938 to January 1, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer Heinrich Jrs
January 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Brigadefhrer und (honorary)
Generalmajor der Polizei Wilhelm Starck

86
Born in Schnebeck on April 6, 1892, the son of a businessman. He served in W W I with the artillery and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as
a Leutnant in the reserves on January 11, 1916. During W W I he served as an ordnance officer, regimental adjutant, battery c o m m a n d e r
and finally as adjutant to a replacement artillery unit. Awarded both classes of the Iron Cross, he joined the Stahlhelm f r o m May. 1921
until j o i n i n g the N S D A P on July 1. 1930. Joining the SS on March 1. 1931, he served with the II./21.SS-Standarte and was c o m m i s s i o n e d
as an SS-Sturmfhrer on October 18, 1931. From mid-October, 1931, to early March, 1932, he was administrative officer for Iiis Sturmbann
and then b e c a m e its c o m m a n d e r until April. 1934. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1933, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r
on N o v e m b e r 9. 1933, he f o r m e d then led the 91.SS-Standarte f r o m early May, 1934, to the start of 1937. From January, 1937, into
September that year, he led Abschnitt XI and was promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r o n January 30, 1938. As c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt X X X . he
held that post f r o m September, 1937, to the end of the war. He trained with the A r m y in artillery and b e c a m e a reserve Lieutenant before
j o i n i n g the W a f f e n - S S as an S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r d.R. on D e c e m b e r 1, 1939. From December, 1939. to April, 1941, he c o m m a n d e d
the I. Artillerie-Regiment " T o t e n k o p f ' and then c o m m a n d e d the I./Artillerie Regiment "Wiking." He next c o m m a n d e d the IV(s.)./Artillerie
Regiment " W i k i n g " until m o v i n g to Division " R e i c h " as artillery regimental c o m m a n d e r in January, 1942, where he remained until early
March, 1943. During July to October, 1942, he was also A r k o (Senior Artillery C o m m a n d e r ) of the SS-Panzerkorps. A f t e r serving in
reserve with " D a s R e i c h " he was supply transport c o m m a n d e r for the W a f f e n - S S and Polizei in Northern Russia. From June to N o v e m -
ber, 1943, he led the artillery regiment of the SS Brigade " N e d e r l a n d " and then b e c a m e Arko for the VII. (later absorbed by the IV.) SS-
Panzerkorps until March. 1945. Promoted to S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r und G e n e r a l m a j o r der W a f f e n - S S on January 30. 1945. he was awarded
the G e r m a n Cross in Gold on October 19, 1944, clasps to both his W W I Iron Crosses in 1939, the General Assault Badge, the Wound
Badge in Black, and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. He was a brave and capable leader and was rated by his superiors as an outstand-
ing SS leader of open character and soldierly manner. Brasack died in H a m b u r g on S e p t e m b e r 28, 1978.

163
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Stabsfiihrer
March 15, 1936 to April 1, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Julius Plaichinger
April 1, 1936 to December 31, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Ludwig
Hettesheimer
December 31, 1936 to December 19, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer, after November 9, 1937
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Gerhard Rouenhoff
January 1, 1939 to December 1, 1940 SS-Standartenfhrer, Richard Kaaserer
December 1, 1940 to 1944 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1943
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Michael Gstler
1944 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Vogt

SS-Abschnitt XXXIII (Schwerin) controlled Standarten 22 and 74.

Fhrer
April I, 1936 to April 21, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Himpe
April 22, 1936 to July 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 15, 1936
SS-Oberfhrer Rudolf Lohse
July 1, 1938 to November 14, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Ludolf von Alvensleben
November 14, 1938 to January 1, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer, after September 27, 1941
SS-Brigadefiihrer und Generalmajor der
Polizei Waldemar Wappenhans
October 1. 1941 to January 1, 1942 (substitute) SS-Standartenfhrer Francis Mller
January 1, 1942 to December 23, 1942 SS-Standartenfhrer Otto Mller
December 23, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Fritz Krger

Stabsfhrer
April I, 1936 to January 1, 1942 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after September 15,
1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after September
11, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Fritz Festerling
January 1, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Herbert Schack

SS-Abschnitt X X X I V (Neustadt) contained Standarten 10, 32 and 85. After the start of the war Standarte 125
was added.

Fhrer
January 1, 1937 to October 31, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1937
SS-Oberfhrer Dr. Adolf Katz
November 1, 1938 to February 1, 1940 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1939
SS-Oberfhrer Wilhelm Ihle 87
February 1, 1940 to January 22, 1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Wichmann
January 22, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1945
SS-Oberfiihrer Emanuel Sladek

87
Born in M e s c h e d e on October 23, 1889. he served with the A r m y in W W I . Joining the N S D A P and SA in 1926, he served with
the S A in B o c h u m until 1929. He joined the SS as an S S - S t u r m f h r e r on June 24, 1931. and served initially with the staff of the 30.SS-
Standarte until August 24, 1932, when promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfhrer. From that date to N o v e m b e r I. 1932, he led the I./30.SS-
Standarte followed by c o m m a n d of the I./l 8.SS-Standarte until early September, 1933. Promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r
9, 1932. and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on July 31, 1933, he led the 18.SS-Standarte f r o m April, 1933, to January, 1934. F r o m J a n u a r y
to March, 1934, he c o m m a n d e d 65.SS-Standarte and then led the 13.SS-Standarte until January, 1938. As Stabsfhrer for Abschnitt
XVIII he served f r o m January to March, 1938, and again f r o m M a y to October that year. From November, 1938, to February, 1940, he led
Abschnitt X X X I V followed by c o m m a n d of Abschnitt X X X until his death. He joined the W a f f e n - S S as an S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r d.R. on
February 1, 1942, and served with SS-Di vision " R e i c h " until his death on March 7, 1942. Highly thought of by SS leaders in Knigsberg.
Ihle w o n the Iron Cross 2nd class, as well as being awarded both classes of the War Service Cross 2nd class, the S A Sports Badge in Gold,
and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Gold.

164
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Stabsfhrer
January 1, 1937 to September 1, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1939
SS-Oberfhrer Paul Leffler
September 1, 1939 to May. 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Georg Rger

SS-Abschnitt X X X V was headquarters in Graz containing Standarten 38, 90 and 94.

Fhrer
March 21, 1938 to July I. 1939 SS-Oberfhrer Helmut Schne 88
July 1, 1939 to April 1, 1943 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Loritz
April 1, 1943 to May, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer, after November 9, 1943
SS-Brigadefhrer Hans Kelz 8 ''

Stabsfhrer
March 18, 1938 to May 31, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Rupert Pinter
June 1, 1938 to April 20, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Bergrath
April 20, 1939 to May, 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Fritz Suhren 90

SS-Abschnitt XXXVI (Innsbruck, Austria) controlled Standarten 76 and 87.

Fhrer
March 20, 1938 to May, 1945 SS-Oberfhrer und Waffen-SS
Standartenfhrer d.R. Johann von Feil 9 '

88
Brought before an SS court for habitual drunkeness and misuse of service transport, he was reduced in rank to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r
in July, 1939, at which rank he c o m m a n d e d 105.SS-Standarte during the war years.
89
Born in Ingolstadt on the D a n u b e on D e c e m b e r 10, 1899, the son of a fireman. He joined the A r m y in March 1917 and served
with a Bavarian reserve artillery regiment. Between the wars he worked in foundries, as a traveling engineer as well as in construction. He
joined the N S D A P and SA in June, 1925, and b e c a m e an S A - S t u r m f h r e r in 1929. From 1929 to the end of 1931. he led SA Sturm 25 and
later Sturm 40. Joining the SS on January 1, 1932, he served first with the 3./III./1.SS-Standarte until the start of October. 1932. when he
m o v e d to H i m m l e r ' s staff until late April, 1935. Promoted to S S - S c h a r f h r e r on July 20, 1932, to SS-Truppfhrer on August 30, 1933,
and to S S - O b e r t r u p p f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r on January 30, 1934. Promoted to
S S - O b e r s t u r m f h r e r on J u n e 20, 1934. and to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r on January 30, 1935, he m o v e d f r o m H i m m l e r ' s staff to the
Personalhauptamt f r o m April, 1935, to the start of June, 1939. With this Main O f f i c e he served as a detachment head and deputy leader
of the SS Personal Chancellory, during which he was promoted to S S - S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1935, to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on
January 30, 1936, and to SS-Standartenfhrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1936. He c o m m a n d e d the 11./90.SS-Standarte during May. 1939. and was
office chief for officer personnel in the SS-Personalhauptamt f r o m June, 1939. to April, 1943. During September to October, 1939, he
was the SS officer assigned to the senior Ordnungspolizei c o m m a n d e r in Posen as well as being a Selbstschutz leader. Promoted to SS-
O b e r f h r e r on January 30, 1938. he b e c a m e a W a f f e n - S S U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r d.R. on April 1, 1940. He served with the replacement
artillery detachment for the SS-Verfgungsdivision, and f r o m J u n e to mid-December, 1940, led that division's 15th artillery battery. Next
leading the 12th battery of the s a m e division until the start of October, 1941, when he b e c a m e ill in Russia, he was promoted to SS-
O b e r s t u r m f h r e r d.R. on June I. 1940, and to S S - H a u p t s t u r m f h r e r d.R. on D e c e m b e r 2 1 . 1940. He was assigned to the H S S P F "Ruland-
S d " April to October. 1942. then led the W a f f e n - S S staff c o m p a n y assigned to that H S S P F until April. 1943. Promoted to W a f f e n - S S
O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on April 20, 1942, and to Allgemeine-SS B r i g a d e f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1943, he went to the W a f f e n - S S reserves
in April. 1943. A s c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt X X X V from April, 1943, to the end of the war, he also headed the R K F D V office for
Oberabschnitt " A l p e n l a n d " f r o m July, 1944. to May. 1945. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Iron Cross 1st class, a bar to his
W W I 2nd class Iron Cross, the General Assault Badge, the N S D A P Long Service Award in Silver, and the War Service Cross 2nd class
with Swords. Kelz also held a post on H i m m l e r ' s staff f r o m January, 1939 until the end of the war. He died in Pasing near M u n i c h on
March 18, 1974.
90
He was also c o m m a n d a n t of Ravensbruck concentration c a m p f r o m August 1942 to early 1945 and was executed in 1950.
91
Born in Leonfelden. Austria, on June 13, 1896 he joined the A r m y in April 1915 and served in several storm troop units, leaving
the A r m y at the end of March 1919 as a Leutnant in the reserves. A f t e r the war he worked as an arts and crafts teacher until January 1934
and joined the N S D A P and SA in Linz on April 1, 1932. After a prison term and j o b suspension, he returned to teaching then left Austria
for C z e c h o s l o v a k i a after the Austrian Putsch, j o i n i n g the SS on July 1. 1932. He was promoted to S S - S t u r m h a u p t f h r e r personally by
H i m m l e r on September 25, 1932. Given c o m m a n d of the 37.SS-Standarte f r o m September. 1932, to June, 1934. He was promoted to SS-
S t u r m b a n n f h r e r on D e c e m b e r 24, 1932, and to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933. He led the 76.SS-Standarte f r o m mid-
June, 1934, to mid-November, 1934, first as designated deputy and after July 1 as full commander. He attended courses at Dachau and
then b e c a m e a staff officer there f r o m August. 1934, to October, 1935. From October, 1935, to March, 1938, he led the 17.SS-Standarte
and then b e c a m e the only c o m m a n d e r of Abschnitt X X X V I f r o m March. 1938, until the end of the war, during which he was promoted
to S S - O b e r f h r e r on March 20, 1938. From May, 1940, until it dissolved in mid-February, 1941, he led the 111./12.SS-Totenkopfstandarte,
and then c o m m a n d e d the SS-Totenkopf-Wachbataillon " O r a n i e n b u r g " until mid-August, 1941. He then led Abschnitt X X X X I I f r o m
August. 1942, to October. 1943, while Richard Fiedler was in Russia with the " W i k i n g " division. C o m m i s s i o n e d as a W a f f e n - S S
S t u r m b a n n f h r e r d.R.on M a y 11. 1940, and p r o m o t e d to S S - O b e r s t u r m b a n n f h r e r d.R. on April 20. 1941. he c o m m a n d e d SS-
T r u p p e n b u n g s p l a t z (Troop Training Area) " D e b i c a " f r o m August, 1941, to April. 1942, and SS-Truppenbungsplatz " B e n e s c h a u " f r o m

165
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Stabsfiihrer
March 19, 1938 to 1944 SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer, after November 9, 1938
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Eduard Koller
1944 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Fritz Mundhenke

SS-Abschnitt X X X V I I (Reichenberg) commanded Standarten 96, 100 and 103.

Fhrer
October 8, 1938 to January 1, 1941 SS-Oberfhrer Willi Brandner
December 27, 1939 to August 1. 194492 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1940
SS-Standartenfhrer, after October 1. 1943
SS-Brigadefhrer Robert Knapp
August 1, 1944 to December 1944 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Johann Burkhart
December 1944 to May 1945 unknown

Stabsfhrer
October 17, 1938 to July 1, 1939 SS-Standartenfiihrer Arno Dressler
July 1, 1939 to April 20, 1940 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl-Heinz Rusch
April 20, 1940 to May 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after November 9, 1942
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Dr. Karl Feitenhansl

SS-Abschnitt X X X V I I I (Karlsbad) controlled Standarten 97 and 101.

Fhrer
November 14, 1938 to March 6, 1940 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 10,1939
SS-Oberfhrer Jrgen Stroop
March 6, 1940 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 1, 1942
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Paul Hainbach
July I. 1943 to September 1, 1943 (substitute) 93 SS-Standartenfiihrer Theodor Zittel

Stabsfhrer
June 1, 1939 to November 9. 1941 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Georg Martin
November 9, 1941 to May 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after November 9, 1942
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Richard Rusy

SS-Abschnitt X X X I X (Prag) formed in June, 1939. It served as the basis for Oberabschnitt Bhmen-Mhren
when that Main District formed in January, 1944, with Oplnder as Oberabschnitt Stabsfhrer. Later reconsti-
tuted, it contained Standarten 107 and 108.

Fhrer
June 15, 1939 to April 1, 1944 SS-Oberfhrer, after April 20, 1943
SS-Brigadefhrer Walter Oplnder
March 2, 1941 to July 1, 1943 (temporary) SS-Standartenfhrer Emanuel Sladek
July I, 1943 to August 1, 1943 (temporary) SS-Oberfhrer Willy Weidermann
April 1, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfiihrer, after January 30, 1945
SS-Oberfhrer Emanuel Sladek

mid-July. 1942, to October 1. 1942, when he left active W a f f e n - S S service and returned to his Abschnitt c o m m a n d . He also served with
the "Prinz E u g e n " and " N o r d " Divisions as a reserve officer during April to June, 1940, as well as being SS garrison c o m m a n d e r in
Prague during June-July. 1942. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer d.R. on S e p t e m b e r 1, 1942, he lived in Argentina after the war and
returned to G e r m a n y in the mid-1950s, when for a period he lived with Konstantin K a m m e r h o f e r . He died in Innsbruck. Austria on
January 30, 1957.
92
He served as a substitute c o m m a n d e r f r o m D e c e m b e r 27. 1939 to January 1, 1941, and f r o m that date b e c a m e full commander.
93
A s deputy c o m m a n d e r he substituted for Hainbach during the latter's illness.

166
Chapter 4: SS-Abschnitte (Districts)

Stabsfhrer
July 1, 1939 to August 1. 1943 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1942
SS-Standartenfhrer Emil Schuran
August 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after November 9, 1943
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Keppel

SS-Abschnitt X X X X (Bromberg) controlled Standarten 116, 117 and 118.

Fhrer
February 1, 1940 to March 7, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer Wilhelm Ihle
March 7, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Khtz

Stabsfhrer
February 1, 1940 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1940
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Christian Haller

SS-Abschnitt X X X X I (Thorn) controlled Standarten 119, 120 and 121.

Fhrer
February I, 1940 to January 13, 1941 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Hintze
January 13, 1941 to July 1, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Khtz
July 1, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Alfons Graf

Stabsfhrer

unknown (possibly none appointed)

SS-Abschnitt X X X X I I (Gnesen) contained Standarten 109, 110 and 111.

Fhrer
March 6, 1940 to November 1, 1942 SS-Oberfhrer, after September 16, 1942 SS-
Brigadefhrer und Generalmajor der Polizei
Jrgen Stroop
November 1, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1942 SS-Standartenfhrer Harry Specht

Stabsfhrer
? to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Heinz Hecker

SS-Abschnitt X X X X I I I was headquartered Lodsch until April, 1941, then moved to Litzmannstadt (for-
merly part of Poland). It controlled contained Standarten 112. 113 and 114.

Fhrer
May 1, 1940 to October 1, 1940 SS-Brigadefhrer Johannes Schfer
October 1, 1940 to August 1, 1944 SS-Brigadefhrer, in 1944 also Generalmajor
der Polizei Richard Fiedler
August 27, 1942 to October 1. 1943 (substitute) SS-Oberfhrer Johann von Feil
August 1, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Ring 94
94
Born on O c t o b e r 31, 1898. in Worms am Rhein, the son of a Leutnant. He studied agriculture and joined the A r m y in May, 1917,
serving on the Eastern Front specializing in machine guns and mines. C o m m i s s i o n e d a Leutnant in N o v e m b e r . 1918, he won the Iron
Cross 2nd class and served in the Freikorps during 1919. He worked on estates in Saxony and Upper Bavaria f r o m 1923 to 1933. Joining
the N S D A P in January. 1931. he also joined the SS on January 1. 1931 at the request of Sepp Dietrich. From January. 1931. to N o v e m b e r .

167
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

StabsfUhrer
May 1, 1940 to 1943 SS-ObersturmbannfUhrer Werner Heinke

SS-Abschnitt X X X X I V was based in Gumbinen. It contained Standarten 105 and 115 but the Abschnitt
Fhrer and Stabsfhrer are unknown.

SS-Abschnitt X X X X Y (Straburg) controlled Standarten 122 and 123.

Fhrer
December 1, 1940 to November 23, 1944 95 SS-Oberfhrer, after November 9, 1943
SS-Brigadefhrer Rudolf Lohse

Stabsfhrer
June 1940 to 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hugo Prechter
1944 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ernst Strtz

1931, he led the 3./II./34.SS-Standarte and was c o m m i s s i o n e d as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on April 30, 1931. He then c o m m a n d e d the II./
34.SS-Standarte f r o m November, 1931, to November, 1933, and was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on February 13, 1932. Promoted
to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on N o v e m b e r 9, 1933, he was special c o m m i s s i o n e r for the N S D A P in Parsberg during March/April, 1933,
and then held the same position for Keilheim f r o m mid-April, 1933, to January, 1934. In January/February, 1934, he w a s special duties
officer for Abschnitt IX and then b e c a m e Abschnitt Stabsfhrer in January and February, 1934. He next returned to his special assign-
ments position until June, 1934. From mid-June, 1934, to m i d - N o v e m b e r , 1938, he c o m m a n d e d 56.SS-Standarte and was promoted to
SS-Standartenfhrer on S e p t e m b e r 15, 1935. Ring led Abschnitt XXVIII f r o m mid-November, 1938, to August, 1942, during which he
was promoted to S S - O b e r f h r e r on January 30, 1939. In August, 1942, he headed the office of the R K F V D attached to Oberabschnitt
"Warthe" and c o m m a n d e d Abschnitt X X X X I I I f r o m August, 1944, to May, 1945. He was a w a r d e d the War Service Cross 2nd class, the
Hitler Youth Pin in Gold, the G e r m a n H o r s e m a n ' s Badge in Silver, and the R e i c h ' s Sports Badge in Silver.
95
Killed on this date by an American patrol in Strassburg, later c o m m a n d e r ( s ) , if appointed, are u n k n o w n .

168
The Standarten were the basic units of the Allgemeine-SS. When the initial Schutzstaffeln formed they
numbered only some ten men each. As these numbers grew they were designated Strme and given a Roman,
later Arabic number, for identification. These Strme combined and formed the Standarten that were then
designated by Arabic numbers. The official formation date for 1.SS-Standarte was November 9, 1925, the
second anniversary of the 1923 Munich Putsch, though the unit was a Standarte in strength on paper only at
that time. Though Standarten finalized with Arabic designations, for a period they had Roman numerals until
that method of identification was given to the Abschnitte.
Each Standarte was sub-divided into several Sturmbanne (battalions) of which one was usually a replace-
ment unit. Each Standarte also contained a Sanittsstaffel (medical detachment). The Sturmbann were divided
into Strme (companies), normally 3 to 5 per Sturmbann. A Sturm contained 3-4 Zge or Trupps (platoons),
each of which was composed of Scharen (sections, 3 per platoon). The smallest element of an Allgemeine-SS
Standarte was a Rotte (file). Though heavily depleted during the war years, at peak strength a Sturmbann was
to have 500-800 individuals and a Sturm 120 to 180. Ergnzungs-Sturmbanne (reserve battalions) were units
undergoing primary training before transfer to the Waffen-SS in wartime. The Standarte were generally equal
in strength to a military regiment. Each Standarte had a sleeve stripe (cufftitle) with the number of the unit
except those which received an official honor title (some Strme had a sleeve stripe with that honor title).
Popular names were used for Standarten as well with those not utilizing such a name generally being referred
to by the location of the Standarte. These were not official honor titles with a designated sleeve insignia. As
seen, honor titles were normally SS or N S D A P members killed during the time of struggle prior to Hitler
assuming power, though some are named for persons killed after January 30, 1933.

l.SS-Standarte (Munich) was formed from the initial Staffel established in 1925. It was commanded by Josef
"Sepp" Dietrich and given the honor title "Julius Schreck" on August 25, 1936.' Four of its Strme also had
honor titles: 1: "Karl Ostberg," 2: "Theodor Casella," 5: "Franz Hellinger," and 10: "Carl Laforce." 2

August 1, 1928 to September 18, 1929 SS-Sturmfhrer Josef Dietrich


September 18, 1929 to February 10, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Heinrich Hflich

' Schreck was Hitler's original c h a u f f e u r and bodyguard. He died with the rank of S S - B r i g a d e f h r e r on May 16, 1936.
2
SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Ostberg served on the staff of Oberabschnitt " S d " and died on June 1, 1935. T h e o d o r Casella and Carl
L a f o r c e were killed during the failed Munich Putsch on N o v e m b e r 9, 1923.
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

February 10, 1933 to November 9, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Emil Wckerle


November 9, 1933 to January 1, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Johann Maier
January 1, 1934 to January 9, 1935 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after March I. 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after August 12, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Julian Scherner
Jan 9, 1935 to November 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Buchner
November 1936 to October 1, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Willibald
Fleichmann
October 1, 1937 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfiihrer Erich Buchmann

2.SS-Standarte was based in Frankfurt/Main. Its 4.Strm received the honor title "Josef Bleser." 1 The Standarte
was popularly known as "Hessen."

May 1, 1928 to July 11, 1930 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 18, 1929
SS-Standartenfiihrer Fritz Weitzel
January 25, 1932 to April 1, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after July 29, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer Willy Herbert
April 1, 1933 to June 12, 1933 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Dr. Eugen Mohr
June 12, 1933 to July 7, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Franz Schwarz
July 7, 1935 to May 21, 1936 SS-Oberfhrer Johannes Schfer
May 21, 1936 to August 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Tom Kirchstein
August 1936 to May 8, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Moreth

3.SS-Standarte was situated in Nuremberg.

July 1, 1930 to April 1, 1934 SS-Oberfhrer Johann Beck


April 1, 1934 to September 20, 1936 SS-Standartenfiihrer, after September 13, 1936
SS-Oberfhrer Franz Fischer
September 20, 1936 to January 1, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 12,
1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans von
Uslar
February 1, 1938 to February 1. 1942 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1938 SS-Standartenfiihrer Ludwig Eschholdt
February 1, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Willibald Faust

4.SS-Standarte was finally headquartered in Altona after forming in Wesselburen. From September, 1932, to
April, 1933, it was in Hartenholm and spent part of the pre-war period in Hamburg. Its popular title was
"Schleswig-Holstein."

May 27, 1927 to September 14, 1927 4 SS-Sturmfhrer Friedrich Schlegel


March 1931 5 to October 18, 1931 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Heyer
October 18, 1931 to December 24, 1932 SS-Standartenfhrer, after October 6, 1932
SS-Oberfhrer Paul Moder
December 24, 1932 to June 10, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hermann Harm
June 10, 1933 to February 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 3, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Fritz Jahnke

3
An N S D A P m e m b e r killed in Frankfurt/Main on February 28. 1933.
4
During this period the Standarten were designated with R o m a n numerals in keeping with the often changing SA unit designations,
Schlegel c o m m a n d e d both IV and XIII Standarten during that period.
5
C o m m a n d e r ( s ) between Schlegel and Heyer u n k n o w n at this time.

170
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Carl Sattler was born in Lippstadt on October 6, 1891 and served in WWI, where he won both classes of the Iron Cross and the Wound
Badge in Gold. After joining the NSDAP and SA in 1929, he commanded 30.SA-Standarte in 1930-1931, then joined the SS. Commis-
sioned an SS-Sturmfiihrer on April 2, 1932, he was NSDAP liaison for Lippstadt from March to June, 1933, then held a Polizei post
Lippstadt until 1934. He was also a member of the Reichstag from November, 1933, to August, 1936. Promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer
on September 15, 1932, and to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on November 9, 1933, he commanded the 30.SS-Standarte from mid-December,
1933, to January, 1935, having previously led its IV.Sturmbann. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on March 16, 1934, to SS-
Standartenfiihrer on June 3, 1934, and to SS-Oberfhrer on April 20, 1935, he commanded Abschnitt IVfrom January to June, 1935, and
then went on the "at disposal" list, serving on special duty for Himmler than Abschnitt XXV until August, 1936. He was dismissed from
the SS by Himmler in August, 1936, and re-admitted at his original rank in 1937, sen'ing in an administrative post until 1938. He served
with the RuSHA staff from 1938 until 1945. He joined the Waffen-SS as an Obersturmbannfhrer d.R. in January, 1940. From January
1940 to late April 1942 he commanded a replacement battalion of the "Totenkopf' Division and was then transferred to the l.SS-
Infanterie-Brigade (mot) until 1943. He served the rest of the war as a reserve officer attached to the SS-Personalhauptamt after being
wounded in 1943. (Phi! Nix)

February 1, 1934 to March I, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1934


SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann
Barnowski
March 1, 1936 to November 1, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 13,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Kersten
November 1, 1938 to May 10, 1940 SS-Standartenfhrer Dr. Rudolf
Heuckenkamp
May 10, 1940 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after August 13, 1943
SS-Oberfhrer Karl Petersen

5.SS-Standarte was formed in Brohl and in September, 1934, moved to Koblenz. From December, 1936, to
January, 1938, it was located in Traben, after which it was based in Trier. The Sturm which formed its basis
existed since 1926 and the Standarte popular name was "Mosel."

171
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Ernst Georg Altner was a Saxon born in Waldheim on December 4, 1901. After schooling he worked as an engineer and was a member
of the Stahlhelm from 1922 to 1925. He joined the NSDAP in April, 1926 and the SA in 1925 as an SA-Truppfiihrer. Commissioned an SA-
Sturmfiihrer in 1929, he sensed with SA Sturm 26 until joining the SS on May 10, 1 929. First serving with SS Sturm 21 until the start of
March, 1931, he then led the 1.Sturm/I.Sturmbann/26.SS-Standarte until early July, 1931. Promoted to SS-Truppfhrer on April 30, 1931,
he led I.Sturmbann of 26.SS-Standarte from early July to mid-November, 1931, and was commissioned an SS-Sturmfhrer July 1. 1931.
Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on November 15, 1931, and to SS-Standartenfhrer on December 24, 1932, he led the 26.SS-Standarte
from mid-November, 1931, to mid-July, 1933. He then commanded Abschnitt XVI until mid-March, 1934, and was promoted to SS-
Oberfhrer on November 9, 1933. He served as a Stabsfhrer for Oberabschnitt "Nordost" for two months before having the same post
with Oberabschnitt "Sdwest" until mid-May, 1938. He was then posted to Oberabschnitt "West" until early December that year.
Training with the Army (engineers) in the pre-war years, he became a reserve Leutnant and was a member of the Reichstag for Wrttemberg
from May, 1936, until the end of the war. As Police President for Plauen (later Dortmund-Plauen) he sensed from mid-May, 1938, until
April, 1945. He served with the Army in the Western campaign of 1940, and was severely wounded while commanding an engineer
company on June 15, 1940. From July, 1939, to mid-January, 1942, he also commanded the Kripo headquarters in Plauen and was chief
of the Dortmund Kripo in January, 1942. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on January I, 1942, and at the same time made an honorary
Generalmajor der Polizei, he won the Iron Cross 2nd class in 1940, the Gold Party Badge, the War Service Cross 1st class with Swords,
the Wound Badge in Black in 1940, as well as the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver. He was shot and killed in Dortmund on April 12, 1945.
(Phil Nix)

January 1, 1932 to April 5, 1934 SS-Standartenfiihrer Carl Zenner


April 5, 1934 to April 10, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Karl Otto
April 10, 1935 to December 31, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Standartenfhrer Horst Schmischke
December 31, 1936 to October 20, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after July 1, 1937
SS-Standartenfhrer Norbert Scharfe
October 20. 1938 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Kurt Kubat

6.SS-Standarte was based in Berlin and was bestowed the Standarte honor title "Eduard Felsen" in October,
1944. Its .Sturm had the honor title "Eduard Felsen," 8.Sturm "Oskar Gll" and 9.Sturm "Kurt von der
Ahe." 6 Its earlier popular Standarte title was "Charlottenburg."

6
Eduard Felsen was killed in Berlin on February 28, 1933 and Kurt von der Ahe was also killed in the same city on February 19,
1933.

172
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

October 18, 1931 to July 22, 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Max Henze


August 24, 19327 to November 16, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Otto Brass
November 16, 1933 to January 1, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Reck
January 1, 1935 to June 1, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Richard Peter
June 1, 1936 to September 30, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Peter
September 30, 1937 to May 16, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Bruno Hofbauer
May 16, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1942
SS-Oberfhrer Viktor Knapp

7.SS-Standarte was based in Plauen after initial formation in Zwickau and given the honor title "Fritz Schlegel"
on September 25, 1936.8 Its 3.Sturm was honor named "Paul Fressonke" and the 6.Sturm "Paul Teubner."

December 15, 1930 to August 27, 1932 SS-Standartenfiihrer Heinrich Schmauser


September 15, 1932 to March 15, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1933
SS-Standartenfhrer Willy Weidermann
April 5, 1934 to May 5, 1934 9 SS-Standartenfhrer, after May 5, 1934
SS-Oberfhrer Heinz Roch
May 5, 1934 to December 4, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Theodor Zittel
December 4, 1934 to November 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Karl Wichmann
November 1936 to June 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Walter Eisfeld
June 1938 to 1943 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1939
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Albert Kraschinski
1943 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Walter Reinholdt

8.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Hirschberg after forming for a month in Liegnitz. Its popular title was
"Niederschlesien."

March II, 1931 to September 1, 1931 SS-Standartenfhrer Udo von Woyrsch 10


September 1, 1931 to June 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Gnther Arndt
June 1932 to November 9, 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Himpe
February 1, 1933 to December 8, 1933 SS-Sturmhauptfhrer Alexander von Woedtke
December 8, 1933 to September 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 1, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Himpe
September I, 1934 to January 1, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Wilhelm Goecke
January 1. 1935 to January 9, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Heinrich Gerner
April 1. 1937 to October I, 1937 (substitute) SS-Sturmbannfhrer Fritz Meyer
January 9, 1939 to March I, 1941 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after November 9,
1940 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Burk
March I, 1941 to 1943 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Oscar Freiherr
Luchner von Huttenbach
1943 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Erich Moschner

7
Temporary until September when he became full commander, the initial date in August matches his promotion to SS-Standartenfiihrer.
8
F o r m e r Abschnitt c o m m a n d e r and SS-Brigadefhrer, Schlegel died on S e p t e m b e r 2, 1936 while assigned to the staff of SS-
Oberabschnitt " E l b e . "
' T h e brief periods between the initial trio of c o m m a n d e r s , the Standarte w a s probably being supervised by the adjutant between
arrivals of the replacement commander.
10
S h o w n as c o m m a n d i n g several Standarten during 1931. he was Gau SS Fhrer for Silesia f r o m June. 1930.

173
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

9.SS-Standarte was formed in Wollin (Pomerania) and after December, 1931, was based in Stettin. Its popu-
lar name was "Pommern."

June 16, 1931 to December 1931 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Dr. Werner Krug


December 1931 to September 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after July 7, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer Richard Einspnner
September 1933 to March 22, 1934 SS-Truppfhrer Fritz Scheible
March 22, 1934 to March 20, 1935 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after April 12, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfiihrer, after June 17, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Heinrich Jrs
March 20, 1935 to March 1, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Alexander von Woedtke
March 1, 1936 to March 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Hiller
March 1, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Ewald Strohm

lO.SS-Standarte was based in Kaiserslautern from 1938, after having been formed in Neustadt. Its
popular name was "Pfalz."

1929 to December 21, 1931 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after January 30, 1931


SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Berni
December 21, 1931 to April 3, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer, after October 26, 1932
SS-Oberfhrer Theodor Eicke
September 10, 1932" to July 1. 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Willy Schmeicher
July 1, 1935 to October 17, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Arno Dressier
October 17, 1938 to May 1, 1942 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Herbert Strauss
May 1, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Otto Leiner

11.SS-Standarte, based in Vienna, was given honor title "Planetta" in late 1938, and was also previously
referred to as Standarte "Burgenland." 1 2

June 11, 1931 13 to November 12, 1931 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after June 19, 1931
SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Turza
November 12, 1931 to September 9, 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Anton Ziegler
September 9, 1932 to March 30, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Josef Fitzthum
March 30, 1933 to August I, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Anton Ziegler
August 1, 1933 to August 23, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hubert Kblinger
March 23, 1933 to August 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Georg Hof
August 1, 1934 to February 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Musil
February 1935 to March 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Urban
March 1937 to July 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Max Plobner
July 1938 to October 1, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Leopold Koberl
October 1, 1938 to January 9, 1944 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1943
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Helmuth Breymann
January 9, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1944
SS-Oberfhrer Walter Turza

12.SS-Standarte was based in Hannover except for most of 1932 when Braunschweig served as its headquar-
ters. Its popular title was "Niedersachsen."

'1 Substitute c o m m a n d e r f r o m S e p t e m b e r 10. 1932, to April 3, 1933, then full commander. Eicke had been sent to Italy by Himmler.
12
Published sources give 1939 as the date but the honor title is listed in the 1938 statistical listing. Otto Planetta was killed in
Vienna on July 31, 1934, during the attack on Chancellor Dollfuss.

174
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Otto Brass was born on July 8, 1887, in Oldenburg and studed law as well as national economics. He joined the army in early October
1913 and served with the infantry until 1915. He left but rejoined in 1915 and then served with the engineers. Awarded the Iron Cross 2nd
class and the Wound Badge in Black, he served in the Freikorps after WWI until January 1923. Joining the NSDAP on March 1, 1930, and
the SS on April 6, 1930, he first served with SS Sturm 6. Promoted to SS-Truppfhrer on December 11, 1930, and commissioned as an SS-
Sturmfiihrer on February 24, 1931, he led the the 3. Sturm/1. Sturmbann/6. SS-Standarte from mid-February, 1931, to mid-October that
year. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on October 13, 1931, then to SS-Standartenfhrer on August 24, 1932, he led the I.Sturmbann of
the 6.SS-Standarte from mid-October, 1931, to mid-August, 1932, when he took command of the Standarte. Leaving his Standarte com-
mand in mid-November, 1933, he commanded Abschnitt XXI11 to mid-August, 1934, during which he was promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on
March 18, 1934. He then served as StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Nordost" until late February, 1935, and held a seal in the Reichstag
representing Berlin-West from 1933 to 1945. From the end of March, 1935, to mid-March, 1936, he commanded Abschnitt VII following
which he was assigned to the SS Hauptamt as a border unit Inspector until the end of that year. For the rest of the war he held staff
positions with several Oberabschnitte ("Ost, " "Spree," and "Sdost"). On June 18, 1940, he joined the Waffen-SS reserves as an SS-
Obersturmfhrer and was a company and reserve officer in Division "Germania " (which later became "Reich " then "Das Reich ") until
the end of 1940. Promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer d.R. on December I, 1940, he commanded 6./"Westland" for all of 1941, and then
served with the regimental replacement battalion until August, 1942. He was assigned to the reserve officer pool of the Reichsminister of
the Interior for the duration of the war and also served as a civil official in the Breslau administrative district. He won both classes of the
Iron Cross, the 2nd class being a clasp to his WWI award, as well as the Infantry Assault Badge, Wound Badge in Silver, War Sen'ice
Cross 2nd class with Swords and Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. He was recommended for promotion to SS-Brigadefiihrer by Ernst
Schmauser (who thought highly of him) but Himmler rejected the proposal. (Phil Nix)

March 31. 1931 to September 20, 1931 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after June 22, 1931
SS-Standartenfiihrer Friedrich Jeckeln
October 18, 1931 to November 16, 1931 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Konrad Unger
November 16, 1931 to November 9, 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 18, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer, after October 6, 1932
SS-Oberfhrer August Heissmeyer
November 9, 1932 to January 30, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Konrad Unger
January 30, 1933 to February 14, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after September 3, 1933
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Fritz Meyer
March 15, 1934 to October 1, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Friedrich Gehrhardt
October 1, 1937 to November 14, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Richard Jungclaus
November 14, 1938 to December I, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Erwin Tzschoppe
December I. 1938 to February 1, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Arno Zehring
February 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1944
SS-Oberfhrer Erwin Tzschoppe

175
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

13.SS-Standarte was based in Stuttgart and was known as "Wrttemberg."

May 27, 1927 to September 14, 1927 SS-Sturmfhrer Friedrich Schlegel


January 15, 1931 to March 19, 1932 SS-Sturmfhrer, after November 15, 1931
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Schuster
March 19. 1931 to March 21, 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after May 15, 1931
SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Pflomm
March 21, 1932 to July 31, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Robert Zeller
July 15, 1933 to April 22, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Max Humps
April 22, 1936 to March 15, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ernst Greulich
March 15, 1936 to January 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Ihle
January 1, 1938 to November 30, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 11,
1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans von Uslar
December I, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Kurt Hoffmann

14.SS-Standarte was based in Gotha and received the Standarte honor title "Gothaland." Previously its popu-
lar title was "Thringen."

April 12, 1931 to November 15, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Oberfhrer Paul Hennicke
November 16, 1933 to March 15, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after December 24, 1933
Sturmhauptfhrer, after March 21, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after May 5, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Dr. George Eckhardt
March 15, 1936 to December 31, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Leffler
December 31, 1936 to July 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Horst Schmischke
July 1, 1938 to late 1942 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 11,
1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hermann
Weinrich
January 194314 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ernst-August Hintze
January 1, 1943 to April 15, 1945 15 SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Florstedt

15.SS-Standarte formed in Berlin and was based in Neuruppin after November 1933. It was popularly known
as "Brandenburg."

February I, 1931 to July 1, 1932 SS-Standartenfhrer Emil Sembach


July 1. 1932 to November 18, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Reck
February 21, 1934 to August 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Kurt Krger
August I, 1938 to September 9, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans-Georg
Neumann
September 9, 1938 to August 1, 1942 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 11,
1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Paul Exner

16.SS-Standarte was based in Breslau with the popular Standarte title "Unterelbe."

March 1, 1931 to September 1, 1931 SS-Standartenfhrer Udo von Woyrsch


September 1, 1931 to July 1, 1932 SS-Sturmfhrer von Klitzing' 6

13
It existed as a Sturm in March 1931.
14
Briefly held the post, Florstedt and Hintze exchanged c o m m a n d s (see 35.SS-Standarte).
15
Executed in B u c h e n w a l d by the SS on this date.
16
N o first name given in a 1931 list of Fhrer and Stabsfhrer and the 1938 compilation does not give his rank or first name.

176
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Hermann Behme was born in Schnebeck on March 10, 1900. He trained for three years as an electrician before joining the Imperial
Navy in 1918 and served on a torpedo boat until 1919 when he left the Navy. After working as an engine fitter until 1924, he became an
electrician from 1925 to 1932. Joining the NSDAP in the 1920s, he served in the Reichstag from July, 1932, to April, 1938. Joining the SS
on February 15, 1931, as an SS-Sturmfiihrer, he served with the command office in Munich until early September, 1932, when he took
command of the 22. SS-Standarte. He led this unit until the start of October, 1934, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on August
10, 1932, then to SS-Oberfhrer on November 25, 1934. He commanded Abschnitt XI from September, 1934, to mid-April, 1935. From
mid-April, 1935, until dismissed from the SS by Himmler on January 24, 1938, he commanded Abschnitt XXI. Awarded the SA Sports
Badge in Gold, and the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, he was dismissed from the NSDAP in April, 1938. The reasons for his downfall are
unknown and after his dismissal he lived in Wismar. (Phil Nix)

July 1, 1932 to September 3, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Borchmann 1 7


September 3, 1933 to March 20, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Kulas 18
March 20, 1934 to April 22, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after July 4, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Rudolf Lohse
April 22, 1936 to July 1, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Friedrich Schlums
July 1, 1936 to September 1, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Arpad Wigand
September 1, 1937 to October 1, 1937 SS-Oberfhrer Walter Oplnder
October 1, 1937 to November 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Meyer
November 1, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans-Georg Weber

17.SS-Standarte was formed in Harburg-Wilhelmsburg and after April, 1936, was based in Celle.

March 31, 1931 to June 22, 1931 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Friederich Jeckeln


March 22, 1931 to October 1, 1932 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Klaus Sieh
September 1, 1932 to December 1, 1933 SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after January 30, 1933
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1933

11
Rank and last name listed with the official compilation, he apparently left the SS prior to the first D A L being completed (1934).
18
ibid.

177
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Wilhelm Schrder was horn in Leipzig on April 23, 1898, and first served in WWI with the infantry. Commissioned a reserve Leutnant in
1916, he transferred to the flying service in 1918 and was attached to a fighter unit, winning his pilot's badge and both classes of the Iron
Cross. Joining the NSDAP in 1923. he left after the Munich Putsch and rejoined in 1926. He was a member of the Reichstag before Hitler
assumed power and held a seal until July, 1943. Enlisting in the SA in 1932 as an SA-Sturmbannfiihrer, he was commander of SA
Standarte 139 from 1932 to mid-February, 1935, and was promoted to SA-Standartenfhrer in 1933. Transferring to the SS as an SS-
Standartenfiihrer on February 12. 1935, he commanded 20.SS-Standarte from May, 1935, to January, 1937. As commander of Abschnitt
XV he led from January, 1937, to May, 1939, and then was Stabsfhrer of Oberabschnitt "Alpenland" until his death, being promoted to
SS-Obeifhrer on November 9, 1937. He rejoined the Army as a reserve Leutnant in 1939, and the following year was promoted to
Oberleutnant. Transferring to the Waffen-SS in 1943 as an SS-Obersturmfhrer d.R., he was killed during a partisan action in Carinthia
on July 8, 1943. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. (Phil Nix)

SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Koppe


December 1, 1933 to March 16, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after June 18, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Willy Tensfeld
March 16, 1935 to October 1, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Friederich Graf
von Pfeil-Burghauss
October 1. 1935 to March 20, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Johann von Feil
March 20, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30.
1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Johann Schlechl

18.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Knigsberg. Its popular title was "Ostpreuen."

February 1, 193219 to August 31, 1932 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Heinz sterreich


August 31. I932 20 to December 12, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Brigadefhrer Hans-Adolf Prtzmann
April 20, 1933 :i to December 31, 1933 (substitute) SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after July 31, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Ihle

" A Standartenverwalter (administrative official) Ziso is listed in the Personalkanzlei history as leading the earliest group of units
that became the Standarte.
20
Also documented in early September.
21
Substitute from April 20. 1933, to December 24, 1933. then full commander.

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Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

December 16, 1933 to May 7, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 12, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Kurt Benson
May 7, 1934 to April 1, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Schfer
April I, 1936 to March 1, 1937 SS-Oberfhrer Heinz Roch
March 1, 1937 to March 21, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Johannes Schfer
April I, 1938 to May 20, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Friederich Schlums
May 20. 1939 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 10,
1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Erich Raake

19.SS-Standarte was finally based in Mnster after forming and being based in Gelsenkirchen until October
1932. The popular Standarte title was "Westfalen-Nord."

August 15, 1931 to September 6, 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 1, 1932


SS-Standartenfhrer Hans-Adolf Prtzmann
September 6, 1932 to April 1, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after December 24, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer Waldemar Wappenhans
April I, 1933 to August 16, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Brinkmann
August 16, 1933 to June 12, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Schulz
June 12, 1933 to March 8, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Friederich Gehrhardt
March 8, 1934 to December 14, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Meyer
December 14, 1934 to April 1. 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Willy Tensfeld
April I, 1936 to October I, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Schmauser
October 1, 1937 to July 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Peter
July 1, 1938 to November 12, 1940 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Asmus
November 12, 1940 to January I, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinrich Neurath
January I, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Asmus

2().SS-Standarte. headquartered in Dsseldorf, received the honor title "Fritz Weitzel" in April, 1939." Four
of its Strme also had honor titles: 1: "Karl Vobis", 3: "Kurt Hilmer", 5: "Werner Hannemann" and 11:
"Friedrich Schreiber." 23

March 8, 1931 to July 4, 1932 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Rediess


July 4, 1932 to July 20, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer Jakob Sporrenburg
July 20, 1933 to September 25, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9. 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after May 12, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Erwin Rsener
September 25, 1934 to May 6, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Franz Jaegy
May 6, 1935 to January 15, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Schrder
January 15. 1937 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1938 SS-Standartenfhrer, after early 1944
also Oberst der Polizei Paul Dahm 2 4

21.SS-Standarte was based in Magdeburg.

January 22, 1931 to August 24, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Walther Weiss

22
See photograph on page 84 for biography of Weitzel.
23
Vobis was killed in Dsseldorf on S e p t e m b e r 4. 1931. Hilmer was killed on J u n e 20. 1932 in Erkrath and Schreiber was killed on
February 5, 1933 in D o r m a g e n .
24
He was titular c o m m a n d e r during the war years when he served with the W a f f e n - S S and later in Yugoslavia as a senior SS and
Police official (see photo on page 126 for biography).

179
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

The son of an estate and factory owner, Gnther Claasen (shown here as an SS-Oberfhrer with Hermann Fegelein at the Main SS Riding
School in Munich) was born in Warsaw on December I, 1888. Claasen finished his education and worked in agriculture in East Prussia
before joining the army in 1909. Serving in the artillery he was commissioned as a Leutnant of the reserves in 1912 and promoted to
Oberleutnant in 1917. He served as an aerial observer and pilot from 1915 to 1918, winning both classes of the Iron Cross. Serving in the
Freikorps and Stahlhelm, he was a sponsoring contributor of the SS from 1931 until actually joining on April 1, 1932. Commissioned an
SS-Sturmfiihrer on July 25, 1932, he served in the SS Amt as adjutant and head of the personnel section from July, 1932, to September,
1934, during which he was promoted to SS-SturmhauptfUhrer on November 9, 1932, and to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on January 30, 1933.
Moving to Himmler's staff, he headed the SS legal office until mid-November, 1934. then held the similar post in the SS Amt and later SS-
Hauptamt until early June, 1935, during which he became an SS-Standartenfiihrer on September 4, 1934, and an SS-Oberfiihrer on
September 12, 1937. During his control of these individual legal sections Paul Scharfe was the senior SS legal officer and he led the
Hauptamt SS-Gericht when it was created from the legal office within Himmler's staff in June, 1939. Claasen then sen'ed as Abschnitt
XVII Stabsfhrer from June, 1935, until the start of January, 1937, when he became commander until the beginning of November, 1938.
He served as StabsfUhrer with Oberabschnitte "West" from November, 1938, to the end of August, 1939. For the next three years he held
staff positions with Oberabschnitte "West" and "Sdwest" until early July, 1942, when reassigned to the RSHA. Serving as Police
President for Mnster from mid-May, 1937, to early September, 1939, he then held the same post in Warsaw until mid-October, 1941. He
commanded the 7.SS-Totenkopfstandarte from September, 1940, to mid-January, 1941, and the 8.SS-Totenkopfstandarte from April to
September, 1941. His final post, as Police President for Karlsruhe, lasted from early April, 1942, to May, 1945. He also headed the SS
garrison located there. Awarded the War Service Cross 2nd class, Claasen was an industrious man of open and honorable character. He
died on July 22, 1946 in a POW camp. (Author's archive)

April 20, 1934 May 7, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Curt Brasack


March 15, 1934 to April 20, 1935 25 SS-Standartenfhrer Otto Hofmann
April 20, 1935 to July 1, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Walter Langleist
July 1, 1938 to May 20, 1939 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Hans Schmid
May 20, 1939 to March 1, 1941 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Rudolf Stweno
March 1. 1941 to September 13, 1944 26 SS-Sturmbannflihrer Walter Brey

22.SS-Standarte, based in Schwerin, was given the honor title "von der Schulenburg" on July 25, 1939.27 Its
earlier popular name was "Mecklenburg."

October 15, 1931 to September 9, 1932 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Montag

25
Substitute until May 7, 1934.
26
Brey was killed on this date with later commander(s), if assigned, being unknown.
27
Named in honor of SS-Obergruppenfhrer Friedrich von der Schulenburg, who died on May 1, 1939.

180
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Waller Oplnder is in the foreground in this winter photo at the SS Panzergrenadier school. Left of him is Karl-Hermann Frank and the
tall officer is Hans Kempin, commander of the school. Oplnder was horn in Boring, Westphalia, on February 27, 1906. He trained for
a career in business and worked for the same company from 1924 to 1931 as a traveling representative. After joining the SA in October,
1924, he served until mid-November, 1930, and joined the NSDAP on June 1, 1925. He also joined the SS on October 1. 1930, where he
sen'ed with SS Sturm 24 in Bochum until September, 1931. Promoted to SS-Schaifiihrer on March 15, 1931, and to SS-Truppfhrer on
September 10, 1931, he was commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on January 1, 1932. As adjutant of the l9.SS-Standarte he served from
January to October, 1932. From October, 1932, to mid-September, 1933, he was adjutant of the 18.SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-
Sturmbannfiihrer on April 20, 1933. Oplnder then led the 35.SS-Standarte from mid-September, 1933, to June, 1935, being promoted to
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on November 9, 1933, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on November 9, 1934. From June, 1935, to April, 1936, he
was a special duties officer to Oberabschnitt "Nordwest, " and was Befehlshaber der Sipo and SD for Berlin from October, 1936, to
October, 1937. From April, 1936, he headed SD Oberabschnitt "Ost" until October, 1937, during which he was promoted to SS-Oberfhrer
on September 13, 1936. For a year beginning in October, 1936, he was the first to hold the new post of Inspector of the Sipo and SD in
Berlin, and then he commanded the 23.SS-Standarte until mid-January, 1938. He then led Abschnitt XXI until mid-June, 1939, followed
by becoming the first commander of Abschnitt XXXIX until April, 1944, and was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on April 20, 1943. He
also served with the Waffen-SS beginning in March, 1941, with regiments "Westland" and "Nordland" until October, 1941, and was
commissioned as a Waffen-SS Untersturmfhrer d. R. on October 2, 1941. Letter he also served with the Flak Abteilung of V.SS-Freiwillige-
Gebirgs-Korps from August, 1943, to March, 1944, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmfhrer d.R. on January 30, 1945. From March to
December, 1944, he became the first Stabsfiihrer to the leader of the Oberabschnitt and HSSPF " Bhmen und Mhren " (the Oberabschnitt
was expanded from his previous Abschnitt command). He served the remainder of the war as a special duties officer to Hans-Adolf Prtz-
mann (December. 1944, to mid-January, 1945) and in a similar capacity with Friedrich Jeckeln (mid-January, 1945, until the end of the
war). Fluent in English and Spanish, he was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the NSDAP Long Service Award in Gold, the Iron Cross 2nd
class on October 13, 1941, and the War Service Cross 1st class in 1943. He died in Brilon on October 26, 1947. (Author's archive)

September 9, 1932 to October 1, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Behme


October 1, 1934 to October 1, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Constantin Heldmann
October 1, 1935 to November 1, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Erich Werner
November 1, 1935 to January 1, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Carl Oberg
January 1, 1937 to September 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Jakob Kommer
September 1, 1937 to November, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl-Franz Grimme
November 1, 1938 to November, 1942 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1942 SS-Standartenfhrer Francis Mller
November 1, 1942 to October 1, 1943 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Werner Wedde
October 1, 1943 to May, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Francis Mller

181
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

23.SS-Standarte was based in Beuthen after April, 1938. It was originally formed in Oppeln and then was in
Gleiwitz from March, 1935, to April, 1938. "Oberschlesien" was its popular Standarte title.

March 1, 1931 to June 15, 193128 Theodor Berkelmann


March 11, 1931 to September 1, 1931 SS-Standartenfhrer Udo von Woyrsch
September I. 1931 to July 10, 1932 SS-Unterturmfhrer, after March 16, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Werner
July 10, 1932 to February 12, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1933
SS-Standartenfhrer Johann Harnys
February 12, 1934 to March 16, 1935 SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after May 26, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Alfred Kagelmann
April 2. 1935 to April I, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Meyer
October 1, 1937 to January 15, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Walter Oplnder
January 15, 1938 to February I, 1942 SS-Standartenfhrer Werner Pgel
February I, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Richard Fiegler

24.SS-Standarte was seated in Oldenburg and had the Standarte honor title "Ostfriesland.'

May 10, 1931 to February 7, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Kurt Brand


April 1. 1933 to December 9, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Theodor Berkelmann
December 9, 1933 t o O c t o b e r 3 1 , 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Waldemar Wappenhans
October 31. 1934 to January 7, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Schrder
January 7, 1935 to March 21, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer, after March 20,
1938 SS-Oberfhrer Helmut Schne
March 21, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1943
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Adolf Ellenberger

25.SS-Standarte was based in Essen. Four of its Strme had honor titles: 1: "Garthe", 3: "Friedrich Karpinski",
4: "Arnold Guse" and 5: "Leopold Paffrath." 2 '' The Standarte was known popularly as "Ruhr."

August 24, 1931 to July 13, 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after August 8, 1931
SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Zech
July 13, 1932 to December 16, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer Heinz Roch
June 12, 1933 to November 9, 1933 (substitute) SS-Untersturmfhrer Martin Knellessen
December 16, 1933 to January 1, 1934 SS-Oberfhrer Karl Zech
January 10, 1934 to January 15, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Fritz Katzmann
January 15, 1934 to September 25, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after May 12, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Franz Jaegy
September 25, 1934 to November 1, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Leo Czodrowski
November 1, 1934 to April 1, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Himpe
April 1, 1936 to October 1, 1937 SS-Oberfhrer Konstantin Kammerhofer
October 1, 1937 to 1943 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1939
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Alfred Buchs
1943 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfiihrer Arnold Nhles

26.SS-Standarte had the Standarte honor title "Paul Berck," which was also accorded its 1 .Sturm, and was
headquartered in Halle.

28
Berkelmann was in the SA as well as the SS as a candidate. He was assigned to f o r m the unit and Woyrsch was given c o m m a n d
on March 11th with B e r k e l m a n n staying on to assist until June 15th when he was promoted directly to SS-Standartenfhrer, having given
up his SA rank on March 1. 1932. His seniority w a s backdated to J u n e 15, 1931.

182
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eherstein (left) with Carl Zenner. (Jess Lukens)

November 15, 1931 to July 22, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after December 24, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer Georg Altner
July 1933 to May 7, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 15, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Paul Kuhn
May 7, 1934 to September 30, 1935 SS-Standartenfiihrer Friederich Krause
October I, 1935 to September 20, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Standartenfhrer Ludolf von Alvensleben
September 20, 1936 to April 1937 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Karl Bergrath
April 1937 to January 22, 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 10,
1939 SS-Standartenfiihrer Karl Wichmann
June 1940 to June 1941 (substitute) SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1941 SS-Standartenfhrer Albert Rdiger
January 22, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Albert Rdiger

27.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Frankfurt/Oder. Its popular title was Standarte "Ostmark."

December 15, 1931 to July 12, 1932 SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Erich von dem Bach
August 7, 1932-10 to August 1. 1934 SS-Sturmfhrer, after December 1, 1932
SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after April 7, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Walter Gerlach
August 1, 1934 to May 20, 1939 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Teufel

29
Erich Garthe was killed in Essen on October 5, 1941, and Karpinski was killed in the same city on July 2, 1932. Arnold Guse was
killed on January 19, 1932, in Essen and Leopold Paffrath was killed on February 1, 1933.
30
C o m m a n d e r between these two men unknown but probably the adjutant on a temporary basis.

183
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Ludwig Eschholdt was born in Brebach on August 12, 1892. He joined the army in October, 1912, and served with a machine gun unit in
an infantry regiment. Seriously wounded four times, he was discharged in November, 1916, having won the Iron Cross 2nd class and
Wound Badge in Silver. He worked in the mining industry between the wars and joined the NSDAP in August 1931. Joining the SS with the
20.SS-Standarte on March 1, 1931, he was promoted to SS-Scharfiihrer on October 25, 1931, and to SS-Truppfhrer on December 24,
1931. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfiihrer on February 21, 1932, he commanded the 2.Sturm of the 20.SS-Standarte from February,
1932, to early November, 1933, when he took command of the 2.Sturm/IV.Sturmbann./25.SS-Standarte until the end of February, 1934.
Promoted to SS-Obersturmfhrer on November 9, 1933, he also served with the Schutzpolizei in Hamburg from April, 1933, to May,
1934, and was commissioned as a police Leutnant in 1934. From May to October, 1934, he served in Hamburg with the Gendarmerie.
Promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfhrer on June 18, 1934, he led the IV.Sturmbann of the 25.SS-Standarte from the end of February to mid-
June, 1934. He then commanded II.Sturmbann until October, 1934, followed by leadership of the 7.SS-Motorstandarte until March,
1935. During April, 1935, to the start of March, 1937, he was Stabsfhrer of Abschnitt XIX being promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on
April 20, 1935, and to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on January 30, 1936. He was ill from March to late June, 1937, then became Stabsfhrer
of Abschnitt IX until the start of February, 1938. As commander he led the 3.SS-Standarte from early February, to early February, 1942,
and was promoted SS-Standartenfiihrer on November 9,1938, and to SS-Oberfhrer on November 9, 1942. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer
on April 20, 1944, he commanded Abschnitt XXVIII from early November, 1942, to May, 1945. Welt regarded by his Oberabschnitt
superior and area Gauleiter, he spoke fluent Rumanian, and was awarded the SA Sports Badge in Silver, and the War Service Cross 1st
class on November 4, 1944. (Phil Nix)

184
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

May 20, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after June 2 1 , 1 9 4 3


SS-Standartenfhrer Emil Klein

2 8 . S S - S t a n d a r t e , based in Hamburg, had two Strme with honor titles 1: "Henry Kobert" and 9: "Hans
Cyranka."

February 23, 1931 to 1932 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Hinrich


1932 to August 7, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after July 22, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Hinsch
August 7, 1933 to March 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after December 1, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Werner Ballauf
March 1, 1934 to March 20, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer Robert Engewicht
March 20, 1934 to April 2, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Ernst Brandes
April 2, 1934 to May 25, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Otto Hofmann
March 25, 1935 to December 1, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 12,
1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Jrgen Stroop
December 1, 1938 to June 22, 1943 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30,1943
SS-Standartenfhrer Ewald Schumacher
June 22, 1943 to August 13, 1943 (substitute) SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Petersen
August 13, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Ewald Schumacher

29.SS-Standarte was formed in Niderraunau and moved to Munich in 1932. In April, 1933, the Standarte
moved to Augsburg and it was based in Lindau from October, 1934. Its popular name was "Schwaben."

January 18, 1931 to April 19, 1933 SS-Sturmfhrer, after June 1, 1931 SS-
Sturmbannfhrer, after October 18, 1931
SS-Standartenfhrer, after August 11, 1932
SS-Oberfhrer Erasmus Freiherr von Maisen-
Ponickau
April 20, 1933 to December 15, 1933 SS-Sturmfhrer, after August 23, 1932
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after July 15, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Loritz
December 15, 1933 to August 23, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 22, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after June 18, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Rolf von Humann-
Hainhofen
August 23, 1934 to December 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Thyson
December 1937 to January 1, 1943 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1941 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinrich Neurath
January 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Peter Hh

30.SS-Standarte was based in Bochum and received the Standarte honor title "Adolf Hh." Four of its Strme
were titled also: 1: "Fritz Borawski," 2 (until 1939): "Adolf Hh," 3: "August Pfaff" and 11 (after 1939)
"Adolf Hh." 3 ' Its earlier popular Standarte name was "Westfalen-Sd."

31
All three men were killed in street fighting: Borawski on J u n e 26, 1932, in Wattenscheid. Hh on D e c e m b e r 7, 1930, in D o r t m u n d
and Pfaff on October 22, 1932, in Castrop-Rauxel.

185
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

January 30. 1933 to November 16. 1933 SS-Standartenfiihrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Oberfiihrer Fritz Schlessmann 3 2
December 14, 1933 to January 1. 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 16, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after June 3, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Carl Sattler
January 1. 1935 to December 31, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Robert Radamacher
January 1, 1936 to June 1940 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after January 30,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Alfred Scholz
June 1940 to 1941 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1940 SS-Standartenfhrer Arnold Nhles
1941 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1941
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Adolf Vasel

31.SS-Standarte was formed in Landshut. It moved to Dingolfing until March, 1933, then Regensburg until
November, 1933, then Straubing until April, 1935, when it permanently returned to Landshut. Two Strme
received honor titles: 4: "Faust" and 12: "Andreas Zinkl." 33 The Standarte was popularly known as "Nieder-
bayern."

May 1, 1926 to October 28, 1934 after November 30, 1928 SS-
Sturmbannfiihrer, after February 1. 1931
SS-Standartenfhrer Heinrich Deubel
October 28, 1934 to June 1, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Emil Frels
June 1, 1936 to January 1. 1937 SS-Oberfhrer Hans Dring
January 1, 1937 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Krger

32.SS-Standarte was formed in Karlsruhe and moved to Heidelberg in August, 1933. Its popular name was
"Baden."

February 25, 1931 to July 18, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Helwig 34


July 18, 1933 to March 10, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 3, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after after
February 15, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer
Konrad Zahn
March 10, 1934 to March 15, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Ihle
March 15, 1936 to June 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ernst Nickel
June 1936 to December 31, 1937 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after September 13,
1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Johannes Kleinow
December 31, 1937 to December 6, 1943 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20. 1938
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Kurt Kleist
December 6, 1943 to October 1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Krger
October 1944 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Emil Schulz

33.SS-Standarte was based in Darmstadt, except from November, 1933, to September, 1938, when head-
quartered in Mainz. It was created from portions of the existing 30.SS-Standarte and was popularly known as
"Rhein-Hessen."

32
B e f o r e being designated a Standarte, it was a Brigade in conjunction with what b e c a m e the l9.SS-Standarte and Schlessmann
had c o m m a n d of the Brigade f r o m January to early March, 1931, when his c o m m a n d consisted of just the 30.SS-Standarte.
33
Martin Faust was killed during the Munich Putsch on N o v e m b e r 9. 1923. The date of death for Andreas Zinkl is u n k n o w n .
34
Born on S e p t e m b e r 25. 1881. he c o m m a n d e d Sachsenhausen concentration c a m p f r o m August I. 1937, to May 1, 1938.

186
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

January 1, 1932 to July I, 1932 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Dring


July 1, 1932 to April I, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after July 13, 1932
SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Brinkmann
April 1, 1933 to May 15, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Willy Herbert
May 15, 1935 to January 13, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Reinhold Schulze
January 13. 1937 to March 31, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer George Ebrecht
April I, 1937 to January I, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Walter Johst
January 1, 1939 to 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1939
SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Hildebrandt
January 1943 (substitute) SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Bodo von Gerdtell
1944 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Xavier Schnller

34.SS-Standarte was based in Mnchen (Munich) with the popular name "Oberbayern."

September 22, 1930 to February 10, 1934 SS-Sturmfhrer, after March 11. 1931
SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Dolp
February 10, 1934 to April 20, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Carl Weberpals
April 20, 1934 to June I, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Alfred Mller
June 1, 1936 to October 1, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Albrecht Schoerner
October 1, 1937 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Willibald
Fleischmann

35.SS-Standarte was based in Kassel.

December 1929 to July 1, 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Verne 35


July 1, 1932 to September 15, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Dring
September 15, 1933 to June 1, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Walter Oplnder
June 1, 1935 to December 31, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Nostitz
January 1, 1937 to January 1, 1943 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1938
SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Florstedt
January 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Ernst-August Hintze

36.SS-Standarte first formed as Standarte " D " under SS-Truppfhrer Kurt Schubert in the autumn of 1930,
with Schubert holding command in that form until April, 1932. 36 Headquartered in Danzig, it later moved to
Zoppot.

April 1932 Erich Peters 37


April 1932 to December 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Kurt Schubert
December 1932 to February 21, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Verne
February 21, 1933 to June 21. 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Konrad Unger
June 21, 1933 to November 13, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Dr. Alexander Reiner
December 16, 1933 to December 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 12, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Franz Bannach
December 1934 to May 15, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Gerhard Liebisch
May 15, 1935 to January 15, 1936 SS-Standartenfiihrer Willy Herbert
January 15, 1936 to December 1, 1936 SS-Standartenfiihrer Dr. Eugen Mohr

35
C o n f i r m e d by the pre-war compilation history and personnel orders without first name. He also later c o m m a n d e d the units in
Danzig (36.SS-Standarte) and left the SS on M a y 1, 1933.
36
Not to be c o n f u s e d with Regiment " D e u t s c h l a n d " of the S S / V T and later W a f f e n - S S .
37
Appointed leader of the local SS by the Gauleiter for the area, he held no SS rank.

187
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Johann Harnys was born in Upper Silesia on December 11, 1894. The son of a farmer, he joined the army in April 1910 and attended
three NCO schools. He joined an infantry regiment in April 1914. Wounded several times, he later served with an engineer unit and
transferred to the flying sen'ice in the spring of 1918. Awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class and Wound Badge in Black, he served with the
Freikorps border protection units in 1919-1920. Joining the Teno in 1924, he participated in civilian flying dubs from 1924-1929. He
enlisted in the SA in Oppeln during early December, / 929, and joined the NSDAP on April 1, 1931. Transferring to the SS at the request
of Udo von Woyrsch on August 15, 1930, he served with the 23,SS-Standarte and became adjutant until the start of March, 1932.
Commissioned an SS-Sturmfhrer on March 1, 1932, he led the 1.Sturm of the I.Sturmbann from early March, 1932, to July that year.
Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on July 10, 1932, he then commanded the 23.SS-Standarte until mid-February, 1934, during which he
was also promoted to SS-StandartenfUhrer on April 20, 1933. He next commanded Abschnitt Xll until mid-January, 1935, and was
promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on April 20, 1934. From mid-January, 1935, to the start of January, 1937, he commanded Abschnitt XVI.
After serving in inspection and staff assignments with Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra" until the beginning of October, 1942, he took
command of Abschnitt XXVII until May, 1945, and was promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on January 30, 1942. In the pre-war years he was
a reserve flying officer with the Luftwaffe then became a Waffen-SS Hauptsturmfhrer d.R. on July 15, 1942, serving briefly with the
HSSPF Ruland-Sd" in 1942. He died in Diemelstadt on June 4, 1981. (Phil Nix)

December 1, 1936 to February 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Max Pauly


February 1937 to December 31, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Manfred Krnich
January 1, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1943
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Kurt Eimann

37.SS-Standarte was based in Linz (Austria) and known as "Ob der Enns."

June 11, 1931 to July 1, 1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after June 19, 1931
SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Turza
July I, 1932 to September 25, 1932 Karl Hoffmann 3 8
September 25, 1932 to June 15, 1934 SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after December 24,
1932 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1933 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Johann
von Feil
,8
Held c o m m a n d as an N C O and was commissioned on September 3. 1933.

188
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Hans Loritz (on the right shaking hands with Gauleiter Adolf Wagner) was born in Augsburg on December 21, 1895, the son of a police
official. In Berlin when WWI started, he returned to Bavaria and joined the A rmy in early September, 1914. Serving in the infantry, he was
gassed and wounded three times. He transferred to the Flying Corps and served with a bomber unit until shot down over France on July
17, 1918. Mistreated badly as a prisoner by the French, he was finally released in February, 1920. He won the Iron Cross 2nd class in
1915, the Flying Badge on December 30, 1918, and the Wound Badge in Silver on February 7, 1921 (he suffered 30% disability). Having
been a baker in civilian life, returning to Germany he joined the police and served in Augsburg until late January, 1931, when he took a
civil post. Dismissed from his job, he joined the NSDAP on August I, 1930, and the SS one month later. From September, 1930, to late
December that year, he served with SS Sturm 75 and then led the 1 ./II./29.SS-Standarte until mid-December, 1931. Commissioned as an
SS-Sturmfhreron November 15, 1931, and promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfhrer on April 11, 1932, he was the first commander of II./29. SS-
Standarte from August, 1932, to April 1933. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on August 23, 1932, he led the 29.SS-Standarte from April,
1933, to mid-December that year. He then served as special duties officer to both Abschnitt VIII and Oberabschnitt "Donau" until
March, 1934, and was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer on July 15, 1933. During that time he also commanded the Austrian SS
Standarte formed at Dachau. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on March 16, 1934, he had transferred to the concentration camp system
in mid-December, 1933. From mid-December, 1933, to July, 1934, he was the only commander of the camp at Papenburg. When that
camp dosed he became the first commandant at the Esterwegen camp until the start of April, 1936. From the end of March, 1936, to the
start of July, 1939, he was commander of the camp at Dachau and was dismissed from his command by Hitler for being to harsh.
Transferring to the Sachsenhausen as commander from April, 1940, to the end of August, 1942, he was dismissed for "financial irregu-
larities" (personal labor use), but officially for being too lenient with the prisoners. From July, 1939, to April, 1943, he also commanded
Abschnitt XXXV. Moving to Norway he was put in charge of all labor and POW camps in Norway under the HSSPF "Nord" until the end
of the war. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on September 15,1935, he was also made a Waffen-SS Oberfhrer during the war years. Awarded
both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords and the 2nd class without Swords, he was among the most brutal camp commanders
at Dachau. Arrogant and personally cruel, he allowed barbaric behavior by the guards and was liked by Theodor Eicke (commander of
all the camps). It is possible his mistreatment as a prisoner in WW! added to his cruelty as a camp commander He lost his command at
Sachsenhausen when an inquiry found he was using camp labor to build himself a yacht. Fluent in French learned as a POW in WWI, he
was interned in Neumnster after the war, where he committed suicide on January 31, 1946. (Phil Nix)

June 15, 1934 to June 15, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Ernst Kaltenbrunner


June 15, 1935 to March 1, 1939 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after November 9, 1936
SS-Obersturmfhrer, after November 9, 1937
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 17, 1938
SS-Standartenfhrer Dr. Ferdinand von
Sammern-Frankenegg
March 1, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1940
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Gustav Glasewald

189
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

38.SS-Standarte was formed in Leoben and in August, 1934, moved to Bruck. It was based in Graz after
March, 1938, when the SS again became legal in Austria.

June 11, 1931 to October 1931 SS-Sturmbannfiihrer, after June 19, 1931
SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Turza
October 1931 to June 1932 SS-Sturmfhrer Robert Knapp 39
June 15, 1934 to November 18, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Taus
November 18, 1934 to January 1937 SS-Unterturmfhrer, after November 9, 1935
SS-Obersturmfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Rupert Pinter
January 1937 to December 1, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Erwin Remely
December 1, 1938 to 1943 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Werner Schmitz
1943 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Viktor Nageler

39.SS-Standarte was formed in Kolberg and moved to Lauenburg in June, 1933. After July, 1934, it was
based in Kslin. It was unofficially known as "Ostpommern."

December 15, 1930 to October 7, 1932 Hauptmann a.D. Willy Krieger 40


October 7, 1932 to May 7, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Willy Fruggel
May 7, 1934 to October 1, 1934 SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after June 17, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Elimar Schulze
October 1, 1934 to October 31, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Otto Kumm
December 4, 1934 to November 1, 1935 SS-Oberfhrer Berthold Maack
November I. 1935 to January 1, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Thumser
January 1, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Norbert Scharfe

40.SS-Standarte was based in Kiel. Two Strme received honor titles: I: "Radke" and 8: "Martens." 4 1

October 18. 1931 to October 6, 1932 SS-Standartenfhrer Alfred Rodenbcher


October 6, 1932 to November 25, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1933
SS-Standartenfhrer Ludwig Reinhardt
November 25, 1933 to September 1, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Johannes Zingler
September 1. 1934 to April 30. 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 15,
1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Werner Pgel
May 1, 1937 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinz Stiebler

41.SS-Standarte was formed in Kulmbach and moved to Hof in May, 1932. From June, 1932, to the end of
October, 1933, it was in Coburg and then moved to its final headquarters in Bayreuth. Its popular name was
"Oberfranken."

November 16, 1931 to June 1, 1932 SS-Standartenfhrer Kurt Wittje


June I, 1932 to September 9, 1932 SS-Sturmfhrer Paul Kuhn
September 10, 1932 to November 20, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1933
SS-Standartenfhrer Emil Mazuw
November 20, 1933 to August 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer,after December 24, 1933
SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after January 30, 1934

39
He j o i n e d the SS in 1931 and later left following the Austrian Putsch. W h e n he later rejoined the SS he obtained a new SS number.
40
A retired A r m y Hauptmann, he appears to have held the post without SS rank and was later c o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r
on August 22, 1934. Ernst S c h m a u s e r held the position previously f r o m October to December. 1930, but it is doubtful if the unit had
reached a n y w h e r e near regimental strength during those early months.
41
Karl Radke was killed on N o v e m b e r 9. 1931, in Eutin and Martin Martens was killed in NeumUnster on N o v e m b e r I I , 1931.

190
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Kurt Ludwig was born in Aschara in Gotha on March 28, 1902. He studied farming and agriculture, serving in the Freikorps during
1920-1923. Joining the NSDAP and SA in 1923, he left after the Munich Putsch. Joining the Frontbann until the NSDAP was again legal,
he rejoined the Party and SA in August, 1925. From 1925 to 1929, he served with S/t Standarte 5 in Gotha and was a member of the
Reichstag from December, 1933, to the end of the war. He joined the SS on April 1, 1929, and first served with the 2./1./14. SS-Standarte
until August, 1931. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on August 27, 1931, he then led the 2./I./14.SS-Stanadarte from that date until
early February, 1932. From February, 1932, to November, 1933, he led the I./14.SS-Standarte, being promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer
on February 8, 1932, and to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on September 3, 1933. As commander of the 67.SS-Standarte he sensed from
November, 1933, to March, 1935, and then commanded the 57.SS-Standarte from March to August, 1935, being promoted to SS-
StandartenfUhrer on November 9, 1933. From August, 1935, toOctober, 1937, he led Abschnitt XXX and was promoted to SS-Obeifhrer
on September 15, 1935. He led Abschnitt XIV from October, 1937, to February, 1943, and also served with the staff of the RKFDVfrom
May, 1942, to February, 1943. As Police President for Bremen he served from October, 1937, to December, 1941, but was dismissed for
excessive drinking and poor conduct. Ludwig next commanded Abschnitt V then was commander of Abschnitt XVII from February, 1943,
to January, 1944. He served on the staff of Oberabschnitt " Fulda-Werra" from January, 1944, to the end of the war and was promoted to
SS-Brigadefiihrer on April 20, 1945. Training with the Army in the pre-war years, he became a Waffen-SS reserve SS-Obersturmfiihrer on
October 1, 1940, with Regiment "Germania. " Involved in a car accident he did not return to the Waffen-SS until March, 1944, at his
previous reserve rank. Promoted to SS-Hauptsturmfiihrer d.R. on January 30, 1945, he sen'ed with Regiment "Westland" and as a staff
officer in "Wiking. " In this second Waffen-SS sen'ice period he was well thought of by divisional commander Karl Ullrich who recom-
mended him for his promotion to SS-Hauptsturmfhrer d. R. He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, the Iron Cross 2nd class, the NSDA P
Long Sen'ice Award in Silver, the SA Sports Badge in Gold, and the Reich's Sports Badge in Gold. Ludwig died in Bremen on April 2,
1989. (Phil Nix)

SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after May 25, 1934


SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Rudolf Gutenberger
August, 1934 to February 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Lorenz Eichhorn
February 1935 to May 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Otto Schubert
May 1936 to October 1, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1937
Erich Buchmann
October 1, 1937 to February 1, 1942 SS-Standartenfhrer Friedrich Stetter
February 1, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Rudolf Jger

191
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Erhard Mller was born in Nuremberg on November 17, 1906, the son of a factory worker. He worked in the insurance industry from
1922 to 1935 and joined the NSDAP in December, 1922. In April, 1923, he joined the SA and served under the command of Walter Buch
(later the senior NSDAP judge). After the Munich Putsch he left the NSDAP but remained in the SA that was disguised as the Frontbann.
He rejoined the NSDAP on September 21. 1925, and joined the SS on October 22, 1925. His first posting was with SS Sturm 3 until
promoted to SS-Truppfhrer on February 1, 1929. Midler than led SS Sturm 3 until February, 1930, when he became adjutant of 2.SS-
Standarte (then designated SS-Standarte 11) until mid-March, 1931. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on March 12, 1931, he was
adjutant of 3.SS-Standarte from that date until April, 1933, during which he was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on November 2, 1931.
From April, 1933, to mid-March, 1935, he led the 57. SS-Standarte and was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on September 3, 1933,
then to SS-Standartenfiihrer on December 24, 1933. From late March to mid-May, 1938, he was Stabsfiihrer of Oberabschnitt "Nord"
(see "Ostsee"). Beginning in January, 1937, he was a member of the Reichstag until the end of the war. He served as Stabsfhrer of
Oberabschnitt "Sdwest" from mid-May, 1938, to the start of February, 1945, being promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on November 9, 1938,
and to SS-Brigadefiihrer on November 9, 1943. From the start of February, 1945, to the end of the war, he was the Stabsfhrer of
Oberabschnitt "Siid. " He was awarded the Gold Party Badge, both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, and the NSDAP Long
Service Award in Silver. Kurt Kaul considered him an outstanding chief of staff, the stress ofthat job causing a heart attack in January
1945. Miiller died in Shrewald on June 1, 1977. (Phil Nix)

42.SS-Standarte, one of several Berlin based units, received the honor title "Fritz von Scholz" in November,
1944.42

August 24, 1932 43 to August 23, 1934 SS-Standartenfiihrer Rudolf Weiss


August 23, 1934 to May 6, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Paul Kuhn
May 6, 1935 to June 1, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 15,
1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Willi Richardt
May 20, 1939 to 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Teufel
1943 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Kurt Seliger

43.SS-Standarte was formed in Glatz and moved to Frankenstein in May, 1935.

July 10, 193244 to May 9, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Josef Fieback


May 9, 1933 to October 15, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 9,
1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Josef Makosch
October 15, 1934 to June 30, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Johannes Zingler

42
Named for the Waffen-SS Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords holder killed in action in 1944.
43
SS-Amt assignment records give early September.
44
SS-Amt assignment orders give the appointment in early September (and spell his name incorrectly).

192
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Fritz Schlessmann was born in Essen on March 11, 1899. He left school and joined the Imperial Navy in 1914, serving in U-boats until
transferring to minesweepers in 1919. Awarded the U-boat Badge, he also served in the Freikorps during 1919-1920. After leaving the
service he studied engineering and worked for Krupp in that field from 1926 to June, 1931. He joined the NSDAP in December, 1922, and
the SA the same year. Leaving the NSDAP after the Putsch, he rejoined in mid-December, 1925, and stayed in the SA until 1930. Joining
the SS on May 5, 1930, he served with the SS Sturm in Essen then Standarten 22 and 45 until late January, 1931. After three months as a
Brigade commander, he became the first commander of the 30.SS-Standarte from early March, 1931, to mid-November, 1933. Given the
rank of SS-Standartenfiihrer on March 8, 1931, he was the first commander of Abschnitt XXV from mid-November, 1933, to the start of
October, 1937, when he took command of Abschnitt V until early February, 1939. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on January 30, 1936,
and to SS-Gruppenfiihrer on January 30, 1942, he served in the Reichstag from November, 1933 to the end of the war. From late July,
1933, to August, 1938, he was Police President of Bochum and held the same post in Essen from October, 1937, to November, 1939. As
deputy Gauleiter for Essen he served from November, 1939, to the end of the war, and served as standing deputy to Gauleiter Josef
Terboven while he served as Reichskommissar in Norway. On November 9. 1944. he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenfiihrer He was
awarded the Gold Party Badge, the NSDA P Long Service Award in Gold, the SA Sports Badge in Gold, the Iron Cross 2nd class, and both
classes of the War Service Cross with Swords. Tried and briefly imprisoned after the war, he later ran a gas station and died in Essen on
March 31, 1964. (Phil Nix)

July 1, 1936 to July 1, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Friedrich Dernehl


July 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ernst Kriebler

44.SS-Standarte formed in Berlin and then was in Eberswalde after September, 1934. Its
popular title was "Uckermark."

July 23, 1932 to August 25, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer, after December 2, 1933
SS-Oberfhrer Otto Teetzmann
August 25, 1934 to November 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Alfred Rokiki
November 1935 to March 18, 1941 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 12,
1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Erich Werner
August 18, 1941 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Arnold Harms

45.SS-Standarte was based in Oppeln from April, 1935, after being formed in Neisse. Its popular title re-
mained "Neisse."

193
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

September 10, 1932 to December 24, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Werner


December 24, 1933 to March 22, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Alois Beck
March 22, 1934 to January 15, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after April 7, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after May 27, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after July 4, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Alfred Scholz
January 15, 1936 to July 1. 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Friedrich Dernehl
July 1, 1936 to January 30, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Johannes Zingler
January 30, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 10,
1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Burkhardt

46.SS-Standarte was based in Dresden.

September 1, 1932 to December 16, 1933 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after September 3, 1933


SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Fritz Schrder
December 16, 1933 to April 5, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer, after May 5, 1934
SS-Oberfhrer Heinz Roch
April 5, 1934 to September 31, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Ludolf von
Alvensleben
October 1, 1935 to November 1, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Robert Braun
November 1, 1936 to April 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Wichmann
April 1937 to May 1937 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl-Heinz Rsch
May 1937 to July 1, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after December I. 1938
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Perthen
July 1, 1939 to 1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Arno Dressler
1944 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1944
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Edwin Schaller

47.SS-Standarte was based in Gera.

April 20, 1933 to June 12, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Dr. Klipp 45


June 12, 1933 to November 9, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Pflomm
December 4, 1933 to May 7, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Otto
May 7, 1934 to September 30, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Norbert Scharfe
September 30, 1935 to January 20, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinrich Krause
January 20, 1939 to March 1, 1942 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Walter Schmidt
March 1, 194246 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfiihrer Horst Schmischke

48.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Leipzig and its 8.Sturm had the honor title "Gutsche." 4 7

September 1932 to May 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Heyer


February 18, 1934 48 to May 15, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Max Friedrich
May 15, 1935 to March 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Gunst
March 1936 to January 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Miihling

45
C o n f i r m e d by personnel orders and the pre-war compilation without first name, he left the SS prior to issue of the first D A L .
46
Also d o c u m e n t e d as the c o m m a n d starting on January I, 1943 in his personnel records indicating he may have held the post
temporarily f r o m March 1942 to the end of that year.
4
' Heinrich Gutsche was killed in C h e m n i t z on J u n e 7, 1931.
48
C o m m a n d e r between Heyer and Friedrich u n k n o w n at this time.

194
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Dr. Adolf Katz was born in Hannover on March 9, 1899, the son of a city official. He joined the Army in June 1917, serving with the
artillery where he won the Iron Cross 2nd class and the Wound Badge in Black. From 1918 to 1920 he served with the Freikorps and
border protection units. Katz also studied law at the University of Gttingen and received a Doctorate in 1923. Working for banks and
insurance companies until 1936, he joined the NSDAP on September 1, 1929. Joining the SS on June 1, 1930, he was commissioned as an
SS-Sturmfiihrer on October 1. 1930, and was promoted to SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer on April 20, 1933. From April to July, 1933, he led the I./
25.SS-Standarte then commanded the IV./58.SS-Standarte until the start February, 1934. From the end of January, 1934, through all of
1936, he commanded the 58.SS-Standarte, during which he was promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on February 28, 1934, to SS-
Obersturmbannfhrer on April 20, 1934, and to SS-Standartenfiihrer on May 12, 1934. From the start of January, 1937, to the end of
October, 1938, he was the first commander of Abschnitt XXXIV. He moved to the SS-Hauptamt in November, 1939, and acted as chief of
the personnel office within the Central Chancellery until September, 1942. Katz also served as Police President for Aachen from mid-
October, 1933, to the end of 1936. Training with the Army he became an Oberleutnant d.R. and transferred to the Waffen-SS as an SS-
Sturmbannfiihrer d.R. on March 1, 1940. From March to November, 1940, he commanded the Totenkopf-Ersatz-Abteilung (Death's Head
Replacement Detachment), and was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer d.R. on November 9, 1940. As commander of the l.( schwere )SS-
Artillerie-Ersatz-Abteilung (heavy artillery replacement detachment), he sen'ed from November, 1940, to the end of May, 1941. He then
led the SS Artillerie-Ersatz-Regiment until mid-September, 1942. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer d.R. (Waffen-SS), and SS-Oberfhrer
in the Allgemeine-SS on September 1, 1942, he returned to the Allgemeine-SS in September, 1942. For the remainder of the war he was
assigned to the SS-Personalhauptamt heading the office, then office group, responsible for the promotion of SS officers. He was placed on
the Waffen-SS active list in 1943, so Iiis last promotion, on January 30, 1944, was to SS-Brigadefiihrer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS.
Awarded a clasp to his WWI Iron Cross 2nd class, the Iron Cross 1st class, and the SA Sports Badge in Gold, he died in Rhndorf on May
7, 1980. (Phil Nix)

January 1937 to April 1, 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20. 1939


SS-Standartenfhrer Egon Dalski
April 1, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Kurt Schramm

49.SS-Standarte was formed in Braunschweig and then was based in Goslar after March, 1934. Its 1 .Sturm
received the title "Gerhard Landmann." 4 9 Its popular Standarte title was "Braunschweig."

October 8, 1932 to May 3, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Friedrich Alpers


May 3, 1933 to November 13, 1933 SS-Untersturmfhrer Josef Keppels

49
Killed on June 29, 1933, in Braunschweig.

195
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Hans Kiihtz was born in Wiessenburg on February 15, 1894. After serving in WWI, when he won the Iron Cross 2nd class he worked as
a merchant and shopkeeper. In 1923 he joined the Stahlhelm in 1923, the NSDAP in 1926 and the SS in 1930. Commissioned as an SS-
Sturmfiihrer on January 10, 1931, and promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer on December 6, 1931, he led the III./15.SS-Standarte from
October, 1932, to mid-May, 1934. Promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on November 9. 1933, he commanded the 78.SS-Standarte from
mid-May, 1934, to the end of December, 1936. He then led Abschnitt XVI from the beginning of 1937, to March, 1942, and also led
Abschnitt XXXXI from mid- January, 1941, to early March, 1942. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on January 30, 1938, for the rest of the war
he commanded Abschnitt XXXX and was a member of the Reichstag from April, 1938, to May, 1945. He was awarded the Gold Party
Badge and the War Service Cross 2nd class with Swords. (Phil Nix)

November 13, 1933 to June 1, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Erich Cassel
June 1, 1935 to April 15, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Curt von Gottberg
April 15, 1936 to December 1, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 11.
1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Arno Zehring
December 1, 1938 to February 1, 1943 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1942 SS-Standartenfhrer, Erwin Tzschoppe
February 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1942 SS-Standartenfhrer Pergalius Herz

50.SS-Standarte was based in Flensburg and popularly known as "Nordschleswig."

December 24, 1932 to December 31, 1933 SS-Sturmfhrer, after January 30, 1933
SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after June 12, 1933
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 3 , 1 9 3 3
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Gnther Pancke
January 1, 1934 to July 7, 1934 Sturmbannfhrer, after March 12, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Gustav Stolle
July 7, 1934 to September 1, 1942 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Heinrich Mller
September 1, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Hinsch

196
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

51.SS-Standarte was based in Gttingen and the popular Standarte title was "Harz."

September 15, 1932 to March 1, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after October 7, 1932


SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 3, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Albert Gnade
March 1, 1934 to April 1, 1936 SS-Sturmfhrer, after April 5, 1934
SS-Obersturmfhrer Otto Jungkunz
April 1, 1936 to late April 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Albert Gnade
late April 1936 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 12,
1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Friedrich
Steinbrinck

52.SS-Standarte was formed in Vienna and first moved to Krems in May 1934. From September 1935 to
April, 1937, it relocated to Amstetten before returning permanently to Krems. The popular Standarte title was
"Unter-Enns."

December 9, 1932 to July 26, 193 3 50 SS-Sturmfhrer, after December 24, 1932
SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Richard Kaaserer
July 26, 1933 to September 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Hiedler
September 1935 to April 30, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Potzelt
May 1, 1937 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March 12, 1938
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Sepp Dietz

5 3 . S S - S t a n d a r t e was headquartered in Heide after November, 1937. It was originally formed in Wesselburen
and had the popular name "Dithmarschen."

November 1. 1932 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 3, 1933


SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after March 1, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30, 1941
SS-Oberfhrer Karl Herwig

54.SS-Standarte was formed and based in Dhringshof until June, 1933, when its headquarters moved to
Landsberg. It received the Standarte honor title "Seidel-Dittmarsch" in December, 1934.51

July 1, 1932 to May 7, 1934 Helmut Mattke


May 7, 1934 to October 31, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Weissflog
October 31, 1934 to January 1, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Arthur Friderici
January 1, 1935 to 1943 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Standartenfhrer Ernst Engelhardt
1943 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Hirschberg

55.SS-Standarte was formed in Nienburg and moved to Minden in March, 1934. After April, 1936, it was
based in Berben. Its popular title was "Weser."

5
" Fled to G e r m a n y in July. 1933, following the w a k e of the Austrian Putsch and organized an SS legion of men w h o fled f r o m
Austria until December. He was court martialed for brutality towards recruits of the "Prinz E u g e n " division in 1942.
51
Siegfried Seidel-Dittmarsch had been H i m m l e r ' s adjutant and then Chef des Fhrungsstabs (Chief of the Leadership Staff) until
his death in 1934.

197
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

October 1. 1932 to April 1, 1933 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Dr. Eugen Mohr


April 1, 1933 to December 16, 1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Waldemar Wappenhans
December 16, 1933 to May I, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after March I, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Fritz Schrder
May 1. 1934 to April, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after July 10, 1934
SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after after November 9,
1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20,
1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm
Thiele
April 1936 to April 30. 1937 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Wilhelm Mann
April 30, 1937 to May 20, 1939 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after May 1, 1937
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1938
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Theobald Thier
May 20, 1939 to May, 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1943
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Riemer

56.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Bamberg after a month of being formed in Wrzburg. Its popular
name was "Franken."

October 1, 1932 to December 24, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1933
SS-Standartenfhrer Emil Popp
December 24, 1933 to March 1, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Helmut Schulz
March 1, 1934 to June 14, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Schulz
June 14, 1934 to January 1, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Potzelt
January 1, 1939 to May, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9, 1943
SS-Oberfhrer Theodor Zittel

57.SS-Standarte was formed in Schleusingen until April, 1935, after which it was based in Meiningen. Its
popular title was "Thringer Wald."

November I, 1932 to April 19, 1933 SS-Oberfhrer Kurt Wittje


April 19, 1933 to March 16, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 3, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after December 24,
1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Erhard Mller
March 16, 1935 to August 17, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Kurt Ludwig
August 17, 1935 to December 31, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1936
SS-Standartenfhrer Heinz Sawatzki
January 1, 1937 to August 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Julius Jacobi
August 1, 1938 to December 31, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Walter Schmidt
December 31, 1938 to January, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Gerhard Rouenhoff
January, 1939 to January, 1940 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Franz Eckhard
January, 1940 to May, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Gerhard Rouenhoff

58.SS-Standarte was based in Kln, except for January, 1934, to January, 1937, when it was headquartered in
Aachen. It took over three districts of France after the Western campaign in May, 1940, and its 2.Sturm was
honor titled "Franz Mller." 52

March 13, 1932 to December 1, 1932 53 SS-Sturmhauptfhrer Erwin Rsener


December 1. 1932 to April 1, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Heinz Mozek

52
Killed on February 15, 1933, in Sieburg.
33
Probably a temporary position when the unit w a s f o r m e d , his normal c o m m a n d was that of IV.Sturmbann.

198
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Karl Pflomm was born in Reutlingen on July 31, 1886. His family moved to the United States and he attended school in Pittsburg until
1894 when the family returned to Germany after his father died. Artistic, he trained as a glass blower and then worked in Switzerland as
a mechanic from 1904 to 1912. Returning to Germany, he worked as a glass cutter in Stuttgart from 1912 until joining the Army in
January, 1915. He served with the infantry until January, 1919, winning both classes of the Iron Cross, and the Wound Badge in Black
after being wounded twice. After the war he returned to the glass industry, setting up his own glass works in Stuttgart in April, 1923,
which he ran until June, 1929. He joined the NSDAP in November, 1922, and left after the Munich Putsch. After working in the United
States from July, 1929, to January, 1930, he returned to Germany and rejoined the NSDAP on September 1, 1930. He also joined the SS
on August 17, 1930, as an SS-Truppfiihrer and founded the SS in Stuttgart with twelve men. Commissioned as an SS-Sturmfhrer on
November 18, 1931, he then commanded SS Sturm 13 in Stuttgart until mid-January, 1931. In November, 1931, he was involved in a car
accident and received severe head injuries. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer on January 31, 1931, he led the I./13.SS-Standarte from
January to mid-March, 1931, then served as administrative officer of the Standarte until May. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on May
15, 1931, he commanded the 13.SS-Standarte from March, 1931, to March, 1932. After a car crash with severe injuries he did not obtain
another post for five months. From March, 1932, to January, 1933, he was the first Stabsfiihrer of Abschnitt X and was then Stabsfhrer
of Abschnitt IX until early March. 1933. Moving to Abschnitt XV1I1, he was the first Stabsfhrer ofthat district until early November,
1933. In April, 1933, he also formed the 47.SS-Standarte which he led until November, 1933, while remaining a Stabsfiihrer. Promoted to
SS-Oberfiihrer on November 9, 1933, he commanded Abschnitt XVIII from early November, 1933, to the end of December, 1936. From
April, 1936, to mid-April, 1937, he was also Police President for Weimar and then held the same post in Erfurt until early November,
1939. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on April 20, 1936, he was then administrator and Police President in Dresden until November,
1944. Given the honorary rank of Generalmajor der Polizei on April I, 1944, he was placed in retirement on November 25, 1944. Pflomm
was a man of open and honest character according to Friedrich Karl Freiherr von Eberstein. Twice married, his two wives had a total of
four sons and three daughters. He committed suicide in Dresden on February 15, 1945. (PhiI Nix)

April 1, 1933 to January 31, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Heinrich Marx


January 31, 1934 to January 1, 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after May 12, 1934
SS-Standartenfhrer Dr. Adolf Katz
January I, 1937 to September 30, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Josef Fitzthum
October 1, 1937 to May, 1945 54 SS-Standartenfhrer Willy Herbert

54
Edmund Schmitz is also recorded as leading the unit for an undetermined period in 1942, in all probability as a temporary
substitute.

199
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Emil Popp was born in Heidingsfeld on April 26, 1897. He studied construction, the vocation of his father, and joined the Army in mid-
September, 1914. Serving with the artillery he was commissioned as a Leutnant in the reserves in June, 1918, winning both classes of the
Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black during WWI. After the war he worked for the family firm as an architect until 1933, joining the
SA in 1930 and the NSDAP on January 1, 1931. Commissioned as an SA-SturmfUhrer in December, 1931, he joined the SS the same
month and was commissioned as an SS-Sturmhauptfiihrer on March 8, 1932. He led the III./3.SS-Standarte from mid-February, 1932, to
early October, 1932. Popp then commanded the 56.SS-Standarte from October, 1932, to December, 1933, and was promoted to SS-
Standartenfiihrer on January 30, 1933. From mid-August, 1933, to early January, 1935, he commanded Abschnitt IX then led Abschnitt
XII until mid-September, 1936. Promoted to SS-Oberfiihrer on December 24, 1933, and to SS-Brigadefhrer on September 13, 1936, he
commanded Abschnitt II from mid-September, 1936, to early August, 1944 (for a year a deputy performed his duties). From August, 1944,
to the end of the war he held a staff post with Oberabschnitt "Ostsee" and was a member of the Reichstag from March, 1936, to the end
ofthewar. Popp also held state posts of District President in Stettin. Kslin and Chemnitz from January, 1938, to the end of the war. He
was awarded both classes of the War Service Cross with Swords, the SA Sports Badge in Gold, the Reich's Sports Badge in Silver, as well
as being given a presentation pistol by Gau "Mainfranken." Popp received excellent evaluations from numerous commanders, including
Sepp Dietrich, who described him as honorable and energetic. He died in Wrzburg on March 25, 1955. (Phil Nix)

59.SS-Standarte was formed in Dessau until October, 1935, when it moved to Strassfurt. In August, 1940, it
moved to Quedling where it remained for the duration. The Standarte received the honor title "Loeper" in
November, 1935. 55

December 24, 1932 to June 21, 1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Friedrich Gehrhardt


March 1, 1934 to October 1. 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Hans Prestien
October 1, 1934 to November 1. 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer. Rudolf Bsel
November 1, 1934 to June 30, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 13,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Asmus
July 1, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinz Bock

60.SS-Standarte was based in Insterburg.

September 3, 1933 to May 7, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinrich Krause


May 7, 1934 to October 22, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Dr. Eugen Mohr

55
Named for deceased SS-Gruppenfhrer and N S D A P Gauleiter Wilhelm Loeper.

200
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

October 22, 1934 to June 1935 SS-Standartenfiihrer Josef Makosch


June 1935 to August 17, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Kennerknecht
August 17, 1935 to June 30, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Maximilian Brand
July 1, 1936 to March 21, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Friedrich Schlums
March 21, 1938 to January 1, 1943 56 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1938
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer. after November 9,
1940 SS-Standartenfhrer Werner Fromm
January 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfiihrer Heinrich Neurath

61.SS-Standarte was based in Allenstein. Its popular title was "Masuren.''

June 19, 1933 to February 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 3, 1933


SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hermann Neufeldt
February 1. 1934 to September 10, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Leo Czodrowski
September 10, 1934 to September 16, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer, after September 13, 1936
SS-Oberfhrer Erwin Rsener
September 16, 1936 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 11,
1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Martin Knellesen

62.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Karlsruhe.

November 9, 1933 to May 7, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after February 15,


1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Bock
May 7, 1934 to June 30, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Georg Heitz
July 1, 1936 to May 16, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1937 SS-Standartenfiihrer Viktor Knapp
May 16, 1938 to July 1, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Albert Lohmann
July 1, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Josef Nagele

63.SS-Standarte was formed and based in Reutlingen until May, 1938, when it moved to Tbingen. Its
popular name was "Wrttenberg Sd."

September 18, 1933 to November 11, 1933 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Wilhelm Hiller


November 25, 1933 to March 23, 1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Ludwig Reinhardt
March 23, 1937 to October 20, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 1, 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Georg Raabe
October 20, 1938 to January 1, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hans Hoffmann
January 1, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Thumser

64.SS-Standarte was based in Marienwerder when formed, moved to Zoppot in 1940, and moved again in
mid-March, 1943, to Danzig. It was popularly known as "Marienburg."

June 21, 1933 to May 7, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 3, 1933


SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1933 SS-Standartenfhrer Konrad Unger
May 7, 1934 to September 20, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Josef Fritz
September 20, 1934 to September 20, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after June 16,1935
SS-Standartenfhrer Helmut Schulz
September 20, 1936 to November 14, 1938 SS-Oberfhrer Walter Gerlach
November 14, 1938 to December 8, 1941 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Otto Bttcher

56
Titular c o m m a n d e r for part of this period when serving in Russia as an SSPF.

201
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

D e c e m b e r 8 , 1941 to 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after January 30,


1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Jenke
1944 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Emil Wodrich

65.SS-Standarte was based in Lahr/Baden when and moved to Freiburg in September, 1933. Its
popular name was "Schwarzwald."

July 15. 1933 to January 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 3, 1933


SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Georg Heitz
January 1, 1934 to March 10, 1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Ihle
March 10, 1934 to June 1, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Konrad Zahn
June 1. 1935 to September 16, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 15,
1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Gustav Stolle
September 16, 1936 to 1941 SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Gunst
1941 to May 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Karl Wieber

66.SS-Standarte was based in Elbing with the popular title "Friedland."

July 2, 1933 to January 8, 1934 Initially an NCO, after September 3, 1933


SS-Untersturmfhrer, after November 9, 1933
SS-Obersturmfhrer Ullrich Schmidt
December 16, 1934" to May 15, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Standartenfhrer Walter Gunst
May 15, 1935 to October 1, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 13,
1936 Friedrich Stetter
October 1. 1937 to February 1, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Albrecht Schoerner
February 1. 1939 to 1943 58 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 10,
1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Gtze

67.SS-Standarte was formed and based in Langensalza until June, 1935, after which Erfurt was its headquar-
ters. Its 12.Sturm had the title "Fritz Beubler." 59 The Standarte was popularly known as "Wartburg."

November 16, 1933 to March 16, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Kurt Ludwig


March 16, 1935 to December 31, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 15,
1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Julius Jacobi
December 31, 1936 to March 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Gustav-Adolf Knig
March 1937 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1939
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Julius Riepe

68.SS-Standarte was formed in Arnberg and then based in Regensburg after June, 1935. Its popular name
was "Oberpfalz."

November 16, 1933 to January 27, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after December 24, 1933
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Robert Wagner
March 20, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Max Wittrien

57
Initially a substitute and then full c o m m a n d e r , it was probably only a Sturm prior to that.
58
Later c o m m a n d e r s as yet u n k n o w n .
59
Killed on February 4, 1932, in Ngelstadt.

202
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

69.SS-Standarte. headquartered in Hgen, formed as SS Standarte "Sauerland" and was given its numerical
designation in November, 1934. It retained "Sauerland" as a popular name after receiving its numerical desig-
nation.

December 15, 1933 to November 1, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Arthur Friderici


November 1, 1934 to March 16, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Friedrich Conrau
March 16, 1935 to March 31, 1938 SS-Standartenfiihrer Erhard Mller
March 31, 1938 to May 20, 1939 SS-Standartenfiihrer Hermann Dethof
June 1939 to August 1, 1939 60 (substitute) SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Michael Lippert
August 1, 1939 to January 1, 194361 SS-Standartenfiihrer Hermann Dethof
January 1, 1943 to October 1, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Michael Lippert

70.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Glogau after initial forming for a month in Liegnitz.

November 23, 1933 to March 20, 1935 SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after March 22, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after after May 26.
1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Alexander von
Woedtke
March 20, 1935 to July 1, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Arpad Wigand
July 1, 1936 to February 1, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Maximilian Brand
February 1, 1938 to January 9, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1938
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Burk
January 9, 1939 to 1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinrich Gerner
1944 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Burger

71.SS-Standarte was formed in Zoppot then moved its headquarters to Danzig in mid-March. 1943. Its
9.Sturm had the title "Ernst Ludwig." 6 2 The Standarte was popularly known as "Weichsel."

November 16, 1933 to October 22, 1934 SS-Sturmfhrer, after December 24. 1933
SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after March II, 1934
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Emil Wodrich
October 22, 1934 to January 15, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Standartenfhrer Dr. Eugen Mohr
January 15, 1936 to November 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Harry Specht
November 1936 to February 1, 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Manfred Krnich
February 1, 1937 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after March 1,1945
SS-Standartenfhrer Max Pauly 63

72.SS-Standarte was based in Detmold after its initial month of forming in Minden. Its popular title was
"Lippe."

December 1. 1933 to June 18, 1934 SS-Sturmhauptfhrer, after December 24,


1933 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Weinert
June 18, 1934 to January 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Julius Lassak
January 1936 to February 25, 1936 SS-Standartenfiihrer Josef Makosch

611
Dates vary widely in his personnel records, as much as two years in a 1943 compilation of his career. As he b e c a m e a reserve
m e m b e r of " T o t e n k o p f ' Division the temporary position may have lasted until October, 1939. In May. 1939. his permanent c o m m a n d
was I.Sturmbann in 49.SS-Standarte. S o m e records list him as c o m m a n d e r until October. 1943, long after he had begun combat unit
c o m m a n d in the W a f f e n - S S , further showing that many Allgemeine-SS units did not have c o m m a n d e r s as the w a r progressed and their
importance (and numerical strength) diminished.
61
Killed on October 1, 1943 serving at the front with " W i k i n g " division. S o m e d o c u m e n t s s h o w c o m m a n d until his death.
62
Killed J u n e 13, 1936, in Danzig.
63
He was also c o m m a n d a n t of the Stutthof and N e u e n g a m m e concentration c a m p s and was executed in 1946.

203
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

February 25, 1936 to August 17, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Walther von Petersen
August 17, 1936 to June 1, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1937
SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Georg Martin
June 1, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannflihrer Richard Seltzmann

7 3 . S S - S t a n d a r t e was based in A n s b a c h after initial f o r m i n g in N u r e m b e r g . Its popular name was


"Mittelfranken."

November 16, 1933 to April 1, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Franz Fischer


April 1, 1934 to August 19, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hermann Florstedt
August 19, 1935 to May 16, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 13,
1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Alfons Graf
May 16, 1938 to June 30, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Horst Strathmann
June 30, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Ruth

74.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Greifswald. Its popular title was "Ostsee."

January 5, 1934 to March 8, 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer Wilhelm Biermann


March 8, 1934 to August 25, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Wilhelm Bittrich
August 25, 1934 to February 28, 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 9,
1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinz Mozek
March 1, 1935 to January 1, 1942 SS-Sturmbannfiihrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after after April 20,
1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Otto Mller
January 1, 1942 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1942
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Fritz Festerling

75.SS-Standarte was one of several Berlin based units and the Standarte was popularly known as "Tempelhof."
The Standarte eventually received the honor title was "Widukind" and its 8.Sturm had the honor title "Edmund
Behnke." 6 4

April 4. 1934 to March 21, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after August 17,


1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Katzmann
March 21, 1938 to December 1943 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 11,
1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Kuhn
December 1943 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Johannes Hildebrandt

76.SS-Standarte was based in Salzburg.

April 1934 to July 1. 1934 Heinrich Weitmner Edler von Weitenturm 65


May 1934 (substitute) SS-Oberscharfhrer Hirscher
May 1934 to June 15, 1934 (substitute) SS-Hauptscharfhrer Ludwig Sperl
June 15, 1934 66 to November 21, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Johann von Feil
November 21, 1934 to May 3 1 , 1 9 3 5 SS-Untersturmfhrer Robert Schweiger
May 1, 1935 to May 31, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ernst Wahl
May 31, 1935 to July 1935 SS-Untersturmfhrer Paul Koppenwallner
July 1935 to December 1935 SS-Untersturmfhrer Robert Schweiger

64
Behnke was killed on March 16, 1930. in Berlin.
65
An Austrian, he was later c o m m i s s i o n e d an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r on April 20, 1936.
66
Substitute until July 1, 1934, then full c o m m a n d e r .

204
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Berthold Maack was the son of a postal official and was horn on March 24, 1898, in Altona. He joined the Army in June, 1915, serving
first with the artillery and then in the infantry. Commissioned as a Leutnant in the reserves in June, 1917, he won both classes of the Iron
Cross, and the Wound Badge in Black. After the war he joined the Schutzpolizei from December, 1919, to April, 1920. He then worked as
a shopkeeper and merchant until 1931. Maack joined the NSDAP and SA on October I, 1930, and commanded X4 Sturm 179 from
November, 1930, to May, 1931. He then led the I1./31 .SA-Standarte followed by command of the l./15.SA-Standarte until the start of
November, 1931. Leaving the SA he joined the SS on October 1, 1931, and was assigned to the 4.SS-Standarte. Commissioned as an SS-
Sturmfiihrer on December 4, 1931, he then led the III./4.SS-Standarte until mid-March, 1932. After briefly being adjutant of Abschnitt IV
in March, 1932, he became the first Stabsfiihrer of the Abschnitt until late January, 1933. Promoted to SS-Standartenfiihrer on October,
5, 1932, and to SS-Oberfhrer on November 9, 1933, he commanded Abschnitt IV from late January, 1933, to August that year. From
August, 1933, to October, 1934, he was Stabsfiihrer ofSS Gruppe (later Oberabschnitt) "Sdost. " Maack commanded the concentration
camp at Dachau from October, 1934, to early December, 1934, then led the 39.SS-Standarte from December, 1934, to early November,
1935. Promoted to SS-Brigadefiihrer on September 13, 1936, he commanded Abschnitt XXVI from early November, 1935, to mid-April,
1938, then officially led Abschnitt XXV from mid-April, 1938, to the end of the war. He joined the Waffen-SS on March 8, 1940, and was
given the rank of SS-Hauptsturmfhrer d.R. on April 20. 1940, then promoted to SS-Sturmbannfiihrer d.R. on December 1, 1940. From
March, 1940, to October, 1941, he was a reserve officer with Regiment "Germania" and led a battle group named for him composed of
parts of "Wiking" during October to December, 1941. In November, 1941, he became the first commander of the anti-tank detachment of
the "Wiking" Division until late January, 1942, when he took command of Regiment "Westland" until June, 1942. After serving as a
battalion commander with the "Nord" Division, he took command of SS-Gebirgs-Jger-Regiment 6 (later numbered 11, it received the
honortitle "Reinhard Heydrich") from September, 1942, to December, 1944. Promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer d.R. oriApri!20, 1943, he
took a divisional commanders course then was in charge of forming the 26. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (Ungarische Nr.2) from
mid-January, 1945, into April at Truppenbungsplatz "Schierantz." Promoted to Generalmajor der Waffen-SS on April 20, 1945, he
commanded the 20.Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (estnische Nr. l)from March, 1945, until the end of the war while also serving as
Chief of Staff of the VIIl.SS-Armeekorps during April and May, 1945. He was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross in 1940, the War
Service Cross 2nd class with Swords, the General Assault Badge, the Police Long Service Award in Gold, the NSDAP Long Service
Award in Silver, the Olympic Games Honor Badge, the SA Sports Badge in Gold, and the German Horseman's Badge in Silver. A
participant in arresting SA leaders during the "Night of the Long Knives, " he was an excellent combat commander and took great care
in looking after the men in his commands. He died in Meran on September 26, 1981. (Jess Lukens)

205
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

December 1935 to January 1936 SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Ernst Wahl


January 1936 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 10,
1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Georg Wall

77.SS-Standarte was based in Schneidemhl.

January 26, 1934 to March 1934 SS-Untersturmfhrer Hans-Georg Neumann


March 1934 to June 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer Georg Schmidt
June 1934 to June 20, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Horst Felchner
June 20, 1935 to April 1, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Richard Glcks
April 1, 1936 to March 21, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Simon Fss
March 21, 1938 to March 1, 1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Ewald Strohm
March 1, 1939 to July 1, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Hiller
July I, 1939 to July 1, 1943 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Becker
July I, 1943 to May 1945 unknown (possibly unassigned)

78.SS-Standarte was based in Wiesbaden.

April 1, 1934 to May 15, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 5, 1934


SS-Sturmbannfhrer Franz Kersten
May 15, 1934 to December 31, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1934 SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Khtz
December 31, 1936 to 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinz Sawatzki
1943 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Emil Schulz

79.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Ulm.

1933 to May 7, 1934 SS-Untersturmfhrer Fritz Teufel


May 7, 1934 to June 10, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Wilhelm Mann
June 10, 1934 to December 4, 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Hans Schwedler
December 4, 1934 to July 1, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after September 15,
1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after
September 13, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer
Theodor Zittel
July 1, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1942
SS-Standartenfhrer Hans Enzner

80.SS-Standarte was based in Berlin. Its popular title was "Gro-Beeren.'

May 7, 1934 to October 31, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Fritz Schrder
November I. 1935 to 1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinz Mozek
1944 to May 1945 unknown

206
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Sl.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Wrzburg and its 2.Sturm had the honor title "Hans Purps."

May 7, 1934 to June 1, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Albert Wagner


June 1, 1935 to June 30, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Willy Stemmler
July 1, 1935 to August 1. 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Oskar Druschel
August 1, 1935 to March 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans-Georg Weber
March 1936 to November 30, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Hugo Lohmann
November 30, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Paul Jttner

82.SS-Standarte was based in Bielefeld.

1933 to May 7, 1934 SS-Untersturmfhrer, after March 16, 1934


SS-Obersturmfhrer Alfred Buchs
May 7, 1934 to February 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Helmut Mattke
February 1935 to June 30, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Oskar Druschel
June 30, 1935 to April 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Horst Pelz
April 1936 to August 14, 1941 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Thiele
August 14, 1941 to 1944 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Schrder

83.SS-Standarte, based in Giessen, received the Standarte honor title "Oberhessen."

May 7, 1934 to May 25, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1935
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer August Jakober
May 25, 1936 to March 1, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Georg Mller
March 1. 1939 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after June 21, 1944
SS-Oberfhrer Edmund Frosch

84.SS-Standarte was formed in Weissenfeis and remained there until January 1937, after which it was based
in Chemnitz. Three of its Strme had honor titles: 3: "Grobe", 9: "Steinbach" and 10: "Ludwig Frisch." 67 The
Standarte was unofficially known as "Saale."

May 7, 1934 to July 1935 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Heinz Stiebler


July 1935 to February 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Ferdinand Schrder
February 1936 to December 31, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Heinrich Burmann
December 3 1 , 1 9 3 6 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Kurt Hellriegel
1943 to May 1945 (substitute) Horst Muller-West

85.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Saarbrcken, and created from portions of 10.SS-Standarte.

May 7, 1934 to August 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after May 26, 1934


SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Fritz Teufel
mid-May 1935 to January 1, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Johann Burkhart
January 1, 1939 to 1942 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 10,
1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Willy Stemmler
1942 to February 19, 1943 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Friedrich Paulus
February 19, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after June 21, 1944
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Gustav Sulzer
67
Herbert G r o b e was killed in Limbach on August 15, 1931, Edgar Steinbach w a s killed on June 7, 1931, in C h e m n i t z and L u d w i g
Frisch was killed on June 13. 1936 in Danzig. Angoiia in "Cloth Insignia of the S S " page 93 shows the title G r o b e for 4. and 1 O.Strme
but this disagrees with "Mitteilungsblatt der Reichszeugmeisterei. SS Preislisten." It is probable the title was held by different units at
different periods.

207
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

86.SS-Standarte was based in Offenburg and known as "Hanauer Land."

May 7, 1934 to March 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after April 20, 1935


SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ernst Nickel
March 1936 to July 1. 1943 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 30, 1936
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Ernst Greulich
July I, 1943 to April 1, 1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Becker

87.SS-Standarte was based in Innsbruck (Austria) and popularly known as "Tirol."

1933 to April 1934 SS-Untersturmfhrer Dr. Oskar Morawek


April 1934 to March 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Dr. Erich Gatternig
March 1935 to May 1935 SS-Unterturmfhrer Josef Pfefferkorn
May 1935 to October 1936 SS-Untersturmfhrer Rosse'' 8
October 1936 to November 1937 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Robert Hartwig
November 1937 to March 1, 1939 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after March 22, 1938
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Erwin Fleiss
March 1, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Otto Feichtmayer

88.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Bremen and was popularly known as "Stedingen."

April 5, 1934 to May 7, 1934 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Robert Schulz


May 7, 1934 to June 20, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Kurt Benson
June 20, 1935 to April 1, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1936
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Alex Piorkowski
April 1, 1936 to October 20, 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Goecke

89.SS-Standarte, based in Vienna (Austria) received the honor title "Holzweber" in April 1939.6" This Standarte
(existing though illegal since June, 1933) was the primary unit involved with the July 1934 attack on the
Austrian Federal Chancellery, instigating the attempted Austrian putsch that resulted in the death of Chancel-
lor Engelbert Dollfuss.

April 1, 1934 to November 1, 1934 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Friedolin Glass


November 1, 1934 to November 1, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Josef Bauer
November 1, 1938 to November 30, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Urban
December 1, 1938 to February 15, 1943 SS-Standartenfhrer Rupert Pinter
February 15, 1943 to March 1, 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Fritz Mundhenke
March 1, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after April 20, 1944
SS-Oberfhrer Walter Turza

90.SS-Standarte, formed in Klagenfurt, relocated to Spittal during February, 1934, to April, 1936, and from
September, 1936, to March, 1938. Klagenfurt was its base for the balance of its existence and it received the
Standarte honor title "Franz Kutschera" in October, 1944. 70 Its previous popular title was "Krnten."

January 1934 to April 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer, after February 14, 1934


SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Josef Fritz
April 1934 to August 1934 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Otto Schatzmeyer

68
An Austrian, he is not listed in the D A L for 1935.
69
N a m e d for Franz Holzweber, an Austrian SS m a n killed on July 31, 1934.
70
N a m e d for the S S P F killed in Warsaw by partisans.

208
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

Franz Jaegy (left) was born in Altaussee on February 20, 1898, the son of a private secretary. He joined the Army in mid-February, 1916
and served throughout WWI with the artillery and mountain troops. Commissioned as a Leutnant in May, 1916, he won both classes of the
Iron Cross and the Wound Badge in Black. After serving with the Freikorps in 1919-1920, he studied engineering then worked in that field
until 1931. He joined the NSDAP and SA on November 1, 1930, being commissioned as an SA-Sturmfhrer on September 16, 1932.
Serving with SA Sturm 18 until the start of July, 1932, he left and then rejoined in mid-September. From then until November, 1932, he
was adjutant for 5/4 Gruppe "Hochland." He left the SA in February, 1933, having also joined the SS in July, 1932. Commissioned as an
SS-Slurmfiihrer on September 15, 1932, he served with the 1. SS-Standarte during July through September, 1932, and was promoted to SS-
SturmbannfUhrer on November 15, 1932. From mid-March, 1933, to mid-January, 1934, he was the StabsfUhrer of Abschnitt XII, during
which he was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer on September 3, 1933. He commanded the 25.SS-Standarte from mid-January, 1934,
into September that year, and was promoted to SS-Standartenfhrer on May 12, 1934. From September, 1934, to early May, 1935, he
commanded the 20.SS-Standarte. As StabsfUhrer of Oberabschnitt "Mitte" (later redesignated "Elbe") he served from early May, 1935,
to mid-January, 1937, then held the same post in Oberabschnitt "Sd" until early April, 1943. Promoted to SS-Oberfhrer on January
30, 1937, he commanded Abschnitt I from April, 1943, to the end of the war. Promoted to SS-Brigadefhrer on January I, 1940, he also
joined the Luftwaffe, serving with Flak units and becoming a Major d.R. in March, 1939. Transferring to the Waffen-SS as an SS-
Hauptsturmfhrer d.R. on November 21, 1940, he served with the I./SS-Artillerie-Ersatz-Regiment and became a battery commander
with the unit in December, 1940. Moving to the SS Flak-Ersatz-Abteilung in mid-February, 1941, he served as its commander until the
start of August, 1942. Promoted to SS-Sturmbannfhrer d.R. on April 20, 1941, from August, 1942, to July, 1943, he attended an artillery
regimental commanders course at the SS Artillery School, being promoted there to SS-Obersturmbannfhrer d.R. on August 15, 1942,
and to SS-Standartenfhrer d.R. on June 21, 1943. He then commanded the SS garrison in Prague until mid-February, 1944. For the next
year he was a reserve officer assigned to the Senior Waffen-SS Commander for Bohemia and Moravia and acted as his deputy when the
commander was absent. During mid-February to mid-March, 1945, he was assigned to the rear area of Armeeoberkommando 11 and
then spent the rest of the war assigned to the HSSPF "Italien." Fluent in Italian and French, he suffered from poor health that prevented
him becoming an active Waffen-SS commander. He died in a military hospital in Berchtesgaden on September 24, 1953. (Phil Nix)

August 1934 to November 1934 Bruno Pardatscher 7 '


November 1934 to June 1935 Kurt Pohl 72
July 1, 1935 to March 16, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after July 25, 1938
SS-Standartenfhrer Franz Kutschera
April 1936 to September 1936 (substitute) SS-Obersturmfhrer Ernst Maurer
March 16, 1938 to 1943 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 9, 1940
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Viktor Nageler
1943 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Werner Schmitz

71
A member of the Austrian SS of unknown rank.
72
ibid.

209
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

9 1 . S S - S t a n d a r t e was formed in Torgau then based in Wittenberg after November, 1934.

May 7, 1934 to December 31. 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer, after September 9,


1934 SS-Standartenfiihrer Curt Brasack
December 31, 1936 to May 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1938
SS-Standartenfhrer Heinrich Burmann
May 1938 to March 1, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Wieland
March I. 1939 to February 5, 1941 SS-Standartenfhrer, after November 9. 1940
SS-Oberfhrer Albert Steiner
February 5, 1941 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Wieland

92.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Ingolstadt and it had the popular name "Alt-Bayern."

April 15, 1936 to 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,


1937 SS-Standartenfhrer Willi Bettenhauser

93.SS-Standarte was based in Koblenz.

January 1, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,


1941 SS-Standartenfhrer Johannes Kleinow

94.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Leoben and popularly known as "Obersteiermark."

May 2, 1938 to July 1, 1938 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Rupert Pinter


July 1, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Albert Lohmann

95.SS-Standarte was based in Trantenau.

November 1, 1938 to 1940 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Erich Spaarmann


1940 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after January 30,
1944 SS-Standartenfhrer Karl Burger

96.SS-Standarte was based in Brx.

January 1, 1939 to August 1, 1944 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Johann Burkhart


August 1, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Schiechel

97.SS-Standarte was based in Eger.

November 1, 1938 to July 1, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Weibgen


July 1, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after November 9,
1941 SS-Standartenfhrer Berndt von Steuben

98.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Mhrisch-Schnberg.

November 1, 1938 to 1939 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hermann Krumey


1939 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after July 1, 1944
SS-Standartenfhrer Friedrich Dem

210
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

99.SS-Standarte was based in Znaim.

November I. 1938 to 1943 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after January 30, 1939


SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl Urban
1943 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Otto Winter

lOO.SS-Standarte was based in Reichenberg.

November 1, 1938 to ? SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Stange

101.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Saaz and then Karlsbad, after being founded in Elbogen.

November 1, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Erwin Remely

102.SS-Standarte was based in Jgerndorf.

November 1, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfiihrer Hans Butschek

103.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Aussig.

November 1, 1938 to July 1, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl-Heinz Rusch


July 1, 1939 to December 1939 SS-Sturmbannfiihrer Karl Bergrath
December 1939 to 1940 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Paul Illing
1940 to 1943 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Bergrath
1943 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Paul Illing 73

104.SS-Standarte was based in Troppau.

November 1, 1938 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Montel

105.SS-Standarte was based in Memel.

May 20, 1939 to August 1, 1939 SS-Standartenfhrer Hermann Dethof


August I. 1939 to March 15, 1941 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after August 1. 1940
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Dr. Herbert Bttcher
August 1, 1939 to July 1, 1943 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Michael Lippert"
July 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Helmut Schne

l()6.SS-Standarte was based in Augsburg.

May 1, 1939 t o ? SS-Sturmbannfhrer Andreas Aichele


1943 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Simon Fss

73
He was also on the staff of Abschnitt X X X V I I I until at least June, 1944.
7J
All Standarten beginning with l06.SS-Standarte were f o r m e d after April. 1939.
75
By the end of 1939, was assigned to a W a f f e n - S S unit but remained "official substitute" and then full c o m m a n d e r for the period
shown.

211
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

107.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Brnn.

July 1, 1939 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1940


SS-Obersturmbannfhrer, after September 1,
1942 SS-Standartenfhrer, after January 30,
1945 SS-Oberfhrer Emmanuel Sladek

108.SS-Standarte was based in Prague.

July 1, 1939 to 1944 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Weibgen


1944 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Heinrich Gerner

109.SS-Standarte was based in Posen.

1943 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Gtze

llO.SS-Standarte was based in Hohensalza.

January 1942 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Max Schulz

l l l . S S - S t a n d a r t e was headquartered in Kolmar.

May 1, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Otto-Wilhelm Lange

112.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Litzmannstadt (previously named Lodz).

March 15, 1941 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after April 20, 1941
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Willi Markus

113.SS-Standarte was based in Kalisch. Commander(s) unknown

114.SS-Standarte (Lesslau)

? to at least autumn 1944 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Fritz Leonhardt


late 1944 to May 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Martin Beckmann

115.SS-Standarte (Ziecenau)

1941 to August 8, 1944 76 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Paul Exner

ll.SS-Standarte (Bromberg) Commander(s) unknown

117.SS-Standarte (Knitz) Commander(s) unknown

76
Killed in action on this date.

212
Chapter 5: Fu-Standarten (Foot Regiments)

118.SS-Standarte was centered in Prussia Stargard.

June 1, 1940 to August 14, 1942 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Hans Modrow

119.SS-Standarte was based in Graudenz.

1941 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Otto Bttcher

120.SS-Standarte was based in Kulm. Commander(s) unknown

121.SS-Standarte was based in Straburg, West Prussia.

specific dates unknown Hans-Gnther Holzel 77

122.SS-Standarte, based in Straburg, formed in late August, 1940.

November 12, 1940 to May 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Ernst Greulich

123.SS-Standarte was based in Kolmar and formed in late August, 1940.


November 12, 1940 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Asmus

124.SS-Standarte was based in Kattowitz.

? to September 15, 1942 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Harry Specht


July 1, 1943 to May 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer, after June 21, 1944
SS-Oberfhrer Friedrich Dernehl

125.SS-Standarte was headquartered in Metz.

? to November 12, 1940 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm Hiller


November 12, 1940 to August 1944 78 SS-Standartenfhrer Willy Stemmler

126.SS-Standarte was based in Marburg-Drau. Commander(s) unknown

127.SS-Standarte was based in Oslo (Norway).

December 1, 1944 to May 1945 SS-Oberfhrer Erdmann Skudlarek

77
Rank u n k n o w n , he has no surviving personnel records.
78
Until withdrawal of G e r m a n forces f r o m the area.

213
reiterabschnitte u n d
reiterstandarten
(riding districts a n d
riding regiments)
The mounted SS began in the beginning of 1931 with the formation of a Berittene SS-Abteilung (mounted
SS detachment) which, later the same year, became the initial SS-Reitersturm (mounted platoon) based in
Munich. Unlike the normal SS-Fu-Standarten the SS-Reiterstandarten were, for most of their existence,
directly subordinated to the SS-Oberabschnitt controlling their operational area. Each SS-Reiterstandarte con-
tained five or more Reiterstrme (cavalry troops or platoons and designated by Roman numerals) a Sanitts-
Staffel (medical detachment) and a Trompeterkorps (bugler section) with the various components spread
throughout the area assigned the Reiterstandarte. They are normally abbreviated in documents (example: R. 1
equaled SS-Reiterstandarte 1). As with the Fu-Standarten, cities given for the units listed are the Reiterstandarte
headquarters area (Standort).
Some SS-Oberabschnitte had an attached Reiterabschnitt (Riding District) level command combining
one or more Reiterstandarten beginning in September, 1933, though this command level was short-lived and
by the end of October, 1936, the cavalry regiments were directly subordinated to each SS-Oberabschnitt. 1 In
addition, a Chef Reiterfhrer was attached to each Oberabschnitt, in some cases (such as Johann Mrschel)
also being commander of the attached Reiterabschnitt.

Reiterabschnitt I (Oberabschnitt "Nordwest") was formed in Hamburg on December 1, 1934, to control


Reiterstandarten 4 and 9.

December 1934 to October 31. 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Wilhelm von


Woikowski-Biedau

Reiterabschnitt II (Oberabschnitt "Nordost") was formed on April 1, 1935, to control Reiterstandarten 1, 2


and 3.

Formation to October 31, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Josef Fritz

1
From the Reich Chancellory history, not all Reiterstandarten were assigned to a Reiterabschnitt. N o data is within the history for
Reiterabschnitte III or IV which may have been envisioned for those Reiterstandarten, which remained directly subordinate to their
respective Oberabschnitt.

214
Chapter 6: Reiterabschnitte and Reiterstandarten

SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Paul Brantenaar (left) with his adjutant SS-Untersturmfhrer Wolfgang Crass. Both wear the crossed lances
insignia of the Allgemeine-SS cavalry for ranks under SS-Standartenfhrer. (Phil Nix)

Reiterabschnitt V (Oberabschnitt "Sd") formed on April 1, 1935, in Munich and controlled Reiterstandarten
15 and 17.

Formation to October 31, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Hermann Fegelein

Reiberabschnitt VI (Oberabschnitt "Sdwest") was formed on July 9, 1934, in Dresden and controlled
Reiterstandarte 14.

Formation to August, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Dr. Fritz Hausamen


August, 1935 to March, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hermann Florstedt
March, 1936 to October 31, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Kaspar Knig

Reiterabschnitt V I I (Oberabschnitt "West") formed in Dsseldorf during September, 1933, and controlled
Reiterstandarten 6 and 8.

September, 1933 to October 31, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Ewald Zapp

Reiterabschnitt VIII (Oberabschnitt "Elbe") was formed on April 1, 1935, in Karlsruhe and controlled
Reiterstandarten 16 and 22.

Formation to July, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Carl Deinhard


July, 1936 to October, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Arthur Mller

R e i t e r a b s c h n i t t IX (Oberabschnitt " R h e i n " ) is c o n f i r m e d without c o n f i r m a t i o n of its s u b o r d i n a t e


Reiterstandarten.

215
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

April 1, 1936 to June 15, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Johann Mrschel

Reiterstandarten

S S - R e i t e r s t a n d a r t e 1 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost") formed on January 15, 1934, in Insterburg (East Prussia).

Formation to September, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer Horst von Skepsgardh


September, 1936 to September, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Philipp Hahn
September, 1939 to May, 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after January 30, 1943
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hubert Haars

SS-Reiterstandarte 2 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost") formed on January 1, 1934, in Marienburg (West Prussia)


then moved to Danzig on April 25, 1941.

Formation to May, 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer Dr. Albert Sack


May, 1934 to June, 1935 SS-Standartenfhrer Dr. Helmut Kluck
June, 1935 to January, 1936 SS-Untersturmfhrer Klaus Lessing
January, 1936 to April, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Karl Kasch
April, 1938 to May, 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Rudolf Osterroth

SS-Reiterstandarte 3 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost") formed on January 1, 1934, in Lyck (East Prussia) and
moved to Treuburg in February 1935.

Formation to August, 1934 SS-Oberscharfhrer Wilhelm von Kulesza


August, 1934 to March, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Fritz Jahnke
March, 1936 to November, 1936 SS-Untersturmfhrer Philipp Hoffmann
November, 1936 to August, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Pelagius Herz
August, 1938 to May, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Erdmann Skudlarek
May, 1939 to November, 1942 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Otto Hampel
November, 1942 to 1943 2 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Rudolf Freiherr von Geyr

SS-Reiterstandarte 4 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordwest") formed on February 1, 1934, and headquartered in


Hamburg until August, 1934, then moved to Rhena until October 1935. Headquarters moved to Lbeck until
April, 1936, when it returned to Hamburg.

Formation to August, 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer Wilhelm Jahn


August, 1934 to March, 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Fritz Krger
March, 1936 to March, 1937 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Hellmuth Otte
April, 1937 to May, 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Reinhold Kleemann

SS-Reiterstandarte 5 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord") formed on March 1, 1934, in Pyritz and moved to Stetten
in August 1936. It was not assigned to a Reiterabschnitt.

March, 1934 to April, 1934 SS-Scharfhrer von Heyden-Linden


April, 1934 to November, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Wilhelm Messner
November, 1936 to February, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Karl Struve
March, 1938 to 1943 SS-Obersturmfhrer Walter Schadendorf
1943 to May, 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Willi Plank

:
Later c o m m a n d e r ( s ) , if assigned, are u n k n o w n .

216
Chapter 6: Reiterabschnitte and Reiterstandarten

Hermann Fegelein during his sen'ice with the Allgemeine-SS cavalry. He ended the war as an SS-Gruppenfhrer und Generalleutnant
der Waffen-SS. winning the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords as a brigade then divisional commander. (BDC)

SS-Reiterstandarte 6 (SS-Oberabschnitt "West") formed on April 9, 1934, in Dsseldorf.

April, 1934 to October, 1934 SS-Sturmfhrer Hermann Mller


October, 1934 to January, 1935 SS-Obersturmfhrer Peter Wexel
January, 1935 to September, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Ewald Zapp
September, 1935 to August, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer Dr. Gnther von Wolff
September, 1935 to August, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer Heinz Offermann
March, 1938 to December, 1938 SS-Standartenfhrer Johann Mrschel
December, 1938 to May, 1945 SS-Obersturmfhrer Willi Plank

SS-Reiterstandarte 7 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Ost") formed on April 23, 1934, in Berlin. It was not assigned to a
Reiterabschnitt and was considered, due to its noticeable location, to be among the most elite units.

April, 1934 to March, 1936 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Brantenaar


March, 1936 to October, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer Dr. August Schwedler
November, 1936 to January, 1942 SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Brantenaar

217
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

SS-Reiterstandarte 8 3 (SS-Oberabschnitt West) formed on April 26, 1934, in Mnster and in October, 1936,
moved to Paderborn.

April, 1934 to February, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer Carl von Bock und


Polach
February, 1936 to October, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Otto Dorne
October, 1936 to October, 1938 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Dr. Otto Fritzel
October, 1938 to May, 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Baumgardt

SS-Reiterstandarte 9 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordwest") formed on May 1, 1934, in Oldenburg and moved to


Bremen in December 1936.

May, 1934 to September, 1934 SS-Oberscharfhrer Robert Hartwig


September, 1934 to January, 1935 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after November 9, 1934
SS-Sturmbannfhrer Josef Fritz
January, 1935 to April, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Carl Deinhard
April, 1935 to October, 1936 SS-Untersturmfhrer Rudolf Osterroth
October, 1936 to February, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans von Salviati
February, 1938 to July, 1938 SS-Obersturmfhrer Bernhard Massury
July, 1938 to May, 1945 SS-Standartenfhrer Wilhelm von
Woikowski-Biedau

SS-Reiterstandarte 10 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Fulda-Werra") formed on March 15,1935, in Koblenz and moved


to Arolsen in February, 1936. It was directly subordinated to its Oberabschnitt and not assigned to a
Reiterabschnitt.

May, 1934 to mid-March, 1935 Dotharbus von Weyhe 4


mid-March, 1935 to March, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Kaspar Knig
March, 1936 to April, 1937 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl von Pichl
April, 1937 to December, 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ludwig Land
December, 1937 to May, 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Rolf Becher

SS-Reiterstandarte 11 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Sdost") formed on April 1,1934, and Breslau, moved to Trebnitz
in September, 1935, and returned to Breslau in November, 1935. It was subordinated directly to "Sdost" and
never assigned to a Reiterabschnitt.

April, 1934 to September, 1934 SS-Untersturmfhrer Wilhelm von


Woikowski-Biedau
September, 1934 to early 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Walter Moreth
early 1935 to August, 1935 SS-Untersturmfhrer Karl von Fircks
August, 1935 to September, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer Rudolf Bsel
September, 1936 to December, 1936 SS-Untersturmfhrer Wilhelm Gervers
December, 1936 to May, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Josef Fritz

SS-Reiterstandarte 12 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nord") formed on June 1, 1935, in Schwerin. It was not assigned
to a Reiterabschnitt.

June, 1934 to July, 1935 Oswald Herde 5

'Absorbed the Strme of 23.SS-Reiterstandarte in S e p t e m b e r 1936 when this Standarte was dissolved.
J
Held the post as an N C O and c o m m i s s i o n e d as an S S - U n t e r s t u r m f h r e r on June 1, 1936.
5
Held the post as an N C O .

218
Chapter 6: Reiterabschnitte and Reiterstandarten

July, 1935 to October, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Krger


November, 1936 to September, 1938 SS-Obersturmfiihrer Jakob Wein
September, 1938 to December, 1942 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer, after September 10,
1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Herbert Gilhofer
1942 to 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer, after November 11,1942
SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Fritz Krger

SS-Reiterstandarte 13 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Rhein") formed on July 1, 1934, in Mannheim and moved to


Heidelberg in February 1937 before returning to Mannheim. It was not assigned to a Reiterabschnitt but
remained directly under "Rhein."

July, 1934 to January, 1935 SS-Untersturmfhrer Karl Schnerr


January, 1935 to April, 1935 SS-Scharfhrer Dr. Otto Fritzel''
April, 1935 to September, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Floto
September, 1936 to November, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Kaspar Knig
November, 1936 to June, 1938 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Floto
July, 1938 to November, 19427 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Rudolf Freiherr von Geyr

SS-Reiterstandarte 14 s (SS-Oberabschnitt "Sdwest") formed on July 9, 1934, in Karlsruhe and moved to


Stuttgart in February, 1937.

July, 1934 to September, 1934 SS-Anwrter Freiherr von Rosen


September, 1934 to May, 1935 SS-Anwrter Klaus Lessing
May, 1935 to March, 1936 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Hermann Florstedt
March, 1936 to October, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Phillip Hahn
October, 1936 to July, 1939 9 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Kaspar Knig

SS-Reiterstandarte 15 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Sd") formed on July 15, 1934, in Regensburg, moved in May,
1936, to Landshut, and finally to Mnchen (Munich) in November, 1936.

July, 1934 to September, 1934 SS-Obersturmfhrer Hermann Fegelein


September, 1934 to April, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer Eberhard von Kunsberg
April. 1936 to October, 1936 SS-Obersturmfiihrer Max Linbrunner
October, 1936 to May, 1937 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Franz Lang
June, 1937 to May, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Karl von Pichl

SS-Reiterstandarte 16 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Elbe") formed on August 28, 1934, in Dresden.

August, 1934 to August, 1935 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hans Floto


August, 1935 to July, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Carl Deinhard
July, 1936 to May, 1945 SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Arthur Mller

SS-Reiterstandarte 17 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Sd" and SS-Oberabschnitt "Main") formed on September 1.


1934, in Oberstdorf and moved to Bad Wrishofen in March, 1935. During this time it was assigned to SS-
Oberabschnitt "Siid." It dissolved at the end of October, 1936, and its personnel were absorbed by SS-
Reiterstandarte 15. SS-Reiterstandarte 24 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Main") was formed in April, 1936, and existed

'' C o m i s s i o n e d S e p t e m b e r 15. 1935. See SS-Reiterstandarte 8.


7
Later c o m m a n d e r ( s ) u n k n o w n .
8
C o m b i n e d with 13.Reiterstandarte during N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r , 1936, and then again a separate unit.
' C o m m a n d e r s u n k n o w n after this date.

219
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

until October 1936, then obtaining the numerical designation 17 in November that year. It was not assigned to
any of the Reiterabschnitte.

September, 1934 to October 1936 (dissolved) SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ludwig Lang


November, 1936 (R.24 renumbered) to May 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Franz Klebl

SS-Reiterstandarte 18 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Donau" when reformed) formed in 1935, and dissolved in late
1936. It was reformed in Vienna in 1938, at which time it became a component of SS-Oberabschnitt "Donau."
Its pre-war commander(s) in Vienna are unknown.

1935 to November 1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Hans von Treichel


November, 1936 to ? Franz Rinner (rank unknown)

SS-Reiterstandarte 19 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Weichsel" when reformed) first formed in 1935, and dissolved in
October 1936. It reformed in Graudenz after start of the war.

1935/1936 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Anton Stebani


1936 to October, 1936 10 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Franz Lang

SS-Reiterstandarte 20 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Nordost") formed during March, 1939, in Tilsit.

April, 1939 to June, 1939 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Gustav Mertsch


June, 1939 to 1942 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Ernst Rademacher
1942 to 1945 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Karl Struve

SS-Reiterstandarte 21 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Mitte") formed on April 11, 1935, in Braunschweig and moved
December 1938 to Hannover. It was never subordinated to a Reiterabschnitt, only directly to Oberabschnitt
"Mitte."

April, 1935 to October, 1936 Koch (first name and rank unknown)"
October, 1936 to May, 1939 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Hubert von Wuthenau
May, 1939 to February, 1943 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Pelagius Herz
February, 1943 to May, 1945 SS-Hauptsturmfhrer Rudolf Stoweno

SS-Reiterstandarte 22 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Elbe") formed on April 1, 1935, in Halle. The unit was dissolved
at the end of October, 1936, and its units incorporated into SS-Reiterstandarte 16. It reformed in Posen during
late August, 1940.

April, 1935 to February, 1936 SS-Sturmbannfhrer Peter Wexel


February, 1936 to October, 1936 SS-Untersturmfhrer Friedrich Prager
August, 1940 to May, 1945 (Posen) SS-Standartenfhrer Paul Brantenaar

SS-Reiterstandarte 23 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Rhein") formed in March, 1935, in Freiburg and dissolved in


September, 1936. It was reformed in late 1939 in Pirmasens and assigned to SS-Oberabschnitt "Sdwest." Its
commander(s) after reformation are unknown.

March, 1935 to September, 1936 SS-Obersturmfhrer Dr. Otto Fritzel


10
Its c o m m a n d e r ( s ) after reformation are u n k n o w n .
11
Last n a m e and c o m m a n d c o n f i r m e d by the SS-Personalkanzlei, but no o f f i c e r with that last n a m e is listed in the July, 1935,
Dienstalterliste.

220
Chapter 6: Reiterabschnitte and Reiterstandarten

SS-Reiterstandarte 24 (SS-Oberabschnitt "Main") formed in April, 1936, and was redesignated SS-
Reiterstandarte 17 in November, 1936 (see SS-Reiterstandarte 17). Its commander (when designated R.24)
was SS-Obersturmbannfhrer Josef Fritz.

221
222
NSDAP Gaue 1929

EP

HNB
GB
APS
HSB

HM
HNN
Th FS
RS
HNS
NOB
APS Anhalt Provinz Sachsen Ml. Mecklenburg Lbeck
B Brandenburg NIB Niederbayem
Ba Baden NOB Nordbayern
W
NIB D Danzig OBS Oberbayern Schwaben
EP East Prussia P Pommern
Ba OBS FS Freistaat Sachsen Pa Palitinate
GB Gross Berlin RN Rheinland Nord
H Hamburg RS Rheinland Sd
HM Halle-Merseburg RW Ruhr Westfalen
HNB Hannover Nord Bremen S Schlesien
HNN Hessen Nassau Nord SH Schlesien Holstein
HNS Hessen Nassau Slid TH Thuringia
HSB Hannover Sd Braunschweig W Wrtemburg
LS Lneberg Stade
SS Gruppen and Abschnitte - 1932

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SS Oberabschnitte and Abschnitte - 1933
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
Austria before the Rnschluss, 1938
226
SS Oberabschnitte and Standarten - 1938
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS
!>5
SS Oberabschnitte and Standarten 81 to 127 - 1941
228
SS Oberabschnitte and Wehrkreise - 1941
bibliography
Institutions:
Berlin Document Center, US Mission Berlin
Bundesarchiv, Koblenz
Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford, CA
Imperial War Museum, London
National Archives, Washington D.C.

Private archives of original material and collections of:


George Lepre
James Lucas
Jess Lukens
John Moore
George Nipe
Phil A. Nix
Lennart Westberg
Mark C. Yerger

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Angolia, John R.: For Fhrer and Fatherland, the Political and Civil Awards of the Third Reich, R. James
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Berben, Paul: Dachau, The Official History, Norfolk, 1968.

Bim, Ruth Bettina, Die Hheren SS-und Polizeifhrer, Himmlers Vetreter im Reich und in den besetzen Gebieten,
Droste, 1986.

Black, Peter R.: Ernst Kaltenbrunner, Ideological Soldier of the Third Reich, Princeton, 1984.

230
Bibliography

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Butler, Rupert: An Illustrated History of the Gestapo, Motorbooks, 1993.

Bytwerk, Randall: Julius Streicher, The Man who Persuaded a Nation to Hate Jews, Dorset, 1983.

Crankshaw, Edward: Gestapo, Instrument of Tyranny, Greenhill, 1956.

Delarue, Jacques: The Gestapo, A History of Horror, Morrow, 1964.

Deschner, Gnther: Heydrich, The Pursuit of Total Power, Orbis, 1981.

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as of:
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1.12.1937 Berlin 1937
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20.4.1942 Berlin 1942
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15.5.1943 Berlin 1943
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9.11.1944 Berlin 1944

Dienstalterliste der Waffen-SS, 1.7.1944, SS-Personalhauptamt Berlin 1944

Dornberg, John: Munich 1923, The Story of Hitler's First Power Grab, Harper and Row, 1982.

Gallo, Max: The Night of the Long Knives, June 29-30, 1934-Hitler's Purge of the SA, Harper and Row, 1972.

Gordon, Harold J.: Hitler and the Beer Hall Putsch, Princeton, 1972.

Grill, Johnpeter Horst: The Nazi Party in Baden 1920-1945, University of Michigan PhD. thesis, 1975.

Hausser, Paul: Soldaten wie andre auch, Munin Verlag, 1966.

Halcomb, Jill: The SA, A Historical Perspective, Crown/Agincourt, 1985.

Hedland, Ronald, Messages of Murder, A Study of the Reports of the Einsatzgruppen of the Security Police
and Security Service 1941-1943, Fairleigh Dickinson, 1992.

Hffkes, Karl: Hitlers politische Generale, Grabert, 1986.

Hhne, Heinz: The Order of the Death's Head, The Story of Hitler's SS, Coward-McCann, 1970.

International Military Tribunal: Trial of the Major War Criminals Before the International Military Tribunal,
42 volumes, Nuremberg, 1947-1949.

Jurs, August: Estonian Freedomfighters in World War Two, Voitleja Relief Foundation, undated.

Kahn, David: Hitler's Spies, Macmillan, 1978.

231
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Kersten, Felix: The Kersten Memoirs, Macmillan, 1957.

Kleitmann, K.G.: Die Wajfen-SS, Eine Dokumentation, Osnabrck, 1965.

Koehl, Robert Lewis: The Black Corps, University of Wisconsin, 1983.

Koehl, Robert Lewis: RKFDV: German Resettlement Policy, Harvard, 1957.

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1993.

Krausnick (Helmut), Bucheim (Hans), Broszat (Martin) and Jackobson (Hans-Adolf) [compilation]: Anatomy
of the SS State, Walker, 1968.

Lehmann, Rudolf: Die Leibstandarte, volume 1, J.J. Fedorowicz, 1987.

Littlejohn, David: Foreign Legions of the Third Reich Volume 1, Norway, Denmark, France, R. James Bender,
1979.

Littlejohn, David: The Hitler Youth, Agincourt, 1988.

Lumans, Valdis O.: Himmler's Auxiliaries, The Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle and the German National Minori-
ties of Europe, 1939-1945, Chapel Hill, 1993.

Luza, Radomir: Austro-German Relations in the Anschluss Era, Princeton, 1975.

Macdonald, Callum, The Killing of SS-Obergruppenfhrer Reinhard Heydrich, Free Press, 1989.

Messenger, Charles: Hitler's Gladiator, The Life and Times of SS-Oberstgruppenfhrer und Panzergeneral-
Oberst der Waffen-SS Sepp Dietrich, Brassey's, 1988.

Mollo, Andrew: Uniforms of the SS-Volume 1- Allgemeine-SS 1923-1945, Historical Research Unit, 1969.

Mollo, Andrew: Uniforms of the SS-Volume 5- Sicherheitsdienst und Sicherheitzpolizei 1931-1945, Historical
Research Unit, 1970.

Padfield, Peter: Himmler, Henry Holt, 1990.

Reitlinger, Gerald: The SS, Alibi of a Nation 1922-1945, Prentice Hall, 1981.

Rckerl, Adalbert: The Investigation of Nazi Crimes 1945-1978, Archon, 1980.

Rrup, Reinhard: Topographie des Terrors, Gestapo, SS und Reichssicherheitshauptamt auf dem Prinz-Albreclit-
Gelnde Eine Dokumentation, Arenhvel, 1987.

Scheibert, Horst: Die Trger des Deutschen Kreuzes in Gold und Silber, Band 2, Podzun Pallas, undated.

Schellenberg, Walter: The Labyrinth, Harper. 1956.

Seemen, Gerhard von: Die Ritterkreuztrger, Podzun Pallas, 1976.

Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force Evaluation and Dissemination Section, G-2 (Counter In-
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232
Bibliography

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Thompson, Larry V: Nazi Administrative Conflict: The Struggle for Power in the General Government of
Poland, 1939-1943, University of Wisconsin Ph.D. thesis, 1967.

United States Office of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality: Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, 10
volumes, Government Printing Office, 1946-1948.

Wagner, Dieter and Tomkowitz, Gerhard: Anschluss, The Week Hitler Siezed Vienna, St. Martin's Press, 1971.

Wegner, Bernd: The Waffen-SS, Blackwell, 1990.

Yerger, Mark C.: Riding East, The SS Cavalry Brigade in Poland and Russia 1939-1942, Schiffer Publishing,
1996.

Periodicals and Newspapers:


Das Schwarze Korps
Der Freiwillige
Die Deutsche Polizei
Wiking Ruf

233
glossary

Abschnitt district Designation for an SA or SS district


Abteilung branch, section or detachment
Allgemeine-SS General SS The civil section of the SS which
was its largest component in the
pre-war years
Amt office
Amtsgruppe office group the largest sub-section of a
Main Office
Bahnschutzpolizei Railway Protection Police
Bataillon battalion
Befehlshaber Senior Commander for an area be it an official of
the Army, Waffen-SS, Polizei,
Sipo/SD
Brigadefhrer Major General for police: Generalmajor
der Reserve (d.R.) reserve Suffix to ranks for reserve
officers of the Waffen-SS
Ehrenfhrer an honorary SS general
Einsatzgruppe action group
Einsatzkommando action command (component of an action group)
Ersatz replacement
Feldjgerkorps an elite armed SA formation absorbed
by the Polizei in 1935
Feldpolizei Field Police
Feuerschutzpolizei Fire Fighting Police
Freikorps Free Corps Para-military groups formed during
1919-1920 from former troops after
WWI to combat potential commu-
nist unrest, they had the nominal
support of the government and were
most often named for their indi-
vidual commanders

234
Glossary

Frontbann early para-military group headed by Ernst Rhm until


May 1925
Fhrer leader
Gau area Party designation for its largest
territorial command area, they
eventaully numbered 43
Gauleiter area leader Senior Party official within an
N S D A P area (Gau)
Geheimes Staatspolizei (Gestapo)Secret State Police
Gemeindepolizei Municipal Police
Gendarmerie Rural Police
Generalbezirk N S D A P district in an occupied area
Generalleutnant Lieutenant General Army or police rank
Generalmajor Major General Army or police rank
Grenzpolizei Border or Frontier Police
Gruppe Group largest SA or SS area designation,
for the SS they later became
Oberabschnitte (Main Districts)
Gruppenfhrer Lieutenant General for police:Generalleutnant
Hauptamann Captain Army or police rank
Hauptscharfhrer Master Sergeant
Hauptamt Main Office
Hauptamt SS Gericht SS Legal Department Main Office
Hauptbezirk N S D A P sub-district in an occupied area
Hauptsturmfhrer Captain SS and SA rank
Hitlerjugend (HJ) Hitler Youth
Hherer SS und Polizeifhrer
(HSSPF) Higher SS and Police Leader
Inspektor senior representative for the Polizei,
Inspector Sipo/SD and in many cases the post
became that of Befehlshaber
Junkerschule officer school SS leader training schools, the two
primary being located in
Braunschweis and Bad Tlz
Korps corps
Kreis province or administrative district
Kreisleiter third highest N S D A P rank and in charge of a district
Kriminalpolizei (Kripo) Criminal Police
Land state The 15 territorial divisions of
Republican Germany
Landespolizei Land Police police authority within each
German State
Leutnant 2nd Leutnant Army or police rank
Luftschutzpolizei Air Raid Protection Police
Nachrichten signals or communications
Nationalsozialistische Deutsche National Socialist German Nazi Party
Arbeiter Partei (NSDAP) Workers Party
Nationalpolitische Erziehungsanstalten (NPEA) National Political Education Institutes
Nationalsozialistische Kraftfahr-Korps (NSKK) National Socialist Motor Corps
Oberfhrer Senior Colonel SS and SA rank
Oberfhrerbereiche regional command area
Obergruppenfhrer General
Oberleutnant 1st Lieutenant Army or police rank
Oberscharfhrer Technical Sergeant
Oberst colonel Army or police rank

235
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Oberste SA Fhrung High Command of the SA


Oberste SA Fhrer Supreme SA Commander
Oberstleutnant Lieutenant Colonel Army or police rank
Obersturmbannfhrer Lieutenant Colonel SS and SA rank
Oberst-Gruppenfhrer Colonel General for police:Generaloberst
Obersturmfhrer 1st Lieutenant SS and SA rank
Ordnungspolizei Order Police regular uniformed police
Persnlicher Stab RFSS Himmler's Personal Staff later became a Main Office
Pionier engineer
Polizei police
Polizeidirektor Police Director The head of the municipal police
headquarters in a medium sized
town, also titular Kripo commander
Polizeigebeitsfhrer Police Area Commander
Polizeiprsident Police President The head of the municipal police
headquarters in a large city, also
titular Kripo commander
Polizeiregiment Police Regiment
Reichsfhrer-SS Reich Leader of the SS Himmler's rank as commander of
the SS
Reichsfhrung-SS SS High Command
Reichskommissar fr die Festigung Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation
des deutschen Volkstums of German Nationhood (Himmler)
Reichsleiter the highest rank for an N S D A P official
Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA) Reich Central Security Main Office
Reichstag Parliament
Reiter Mounted (cavalry)
Rittmeister Captain (cavalry) Army rank
Scharfhrer Staff Sergeant later became Unterscharfhrer
Schutzmannschaft Auxiliary Police
Schutzpolizei Protection Police
Schutzstaffel (SS) protection detachment
Selbstchutz Self Police volunteer units composed primarily
of ethnic Germans
Sicherheitsdienst (SD) Security Service
Sicherheitshauptamt Central Security Office also known as the SD-Hauptamt
Sicherheitspolizei (Sipo) Security Police
SS-Fhrungshauptamt SS Main Operational Office
SS-Hauptamt SS Main Office
SS-Personalhauptamt SS Personnel Main Office
SS-Rasse und Siedlungshauptamt SS Race and Resettlement Main Office
(RuSHA)
SS und Polizeifhrer (SSPF) SS and Police Leader
SS-Wirtschafts- und SS Economic and Administrative Main Office
Verwaltungs-Hauptamt
(WVHA)
Stabschef Chief of Staff of the SA
Stabsfhrer Chief of Staff
Stabswache the original N S D A P guard detachment

Stahlhelm Steel Helmet veterans group formed in 1918 and


a cover for the SA during the period
after November 1923 when the
N S D A P and SA were outlawed,
absorbed by the SA in 1933

236
Glossary

Standarte regiment Para-military term equivalent to a


regiment in the SA and SS
Standartenfhrer Colonel SS and SA rank
Standortkonimandant garrison commander
Steirischer Heimatbund Styrian Home Defense League (Austria)
Sturm platoon Term used primarily in the
Allgemeine-SS and the early SS/
VT, designated by an Arabic
numerial. In the Waffen-SS it
became a Zug or Truppe
Sturmabteilung (SA) Storm Troops Brownshirts, the first formed para-
military muscle group of the
NSDAP
Sturmbann battalion unit designation for both SA and
SS, for the latter mostly with the
Allgemeine-SS
Sturmbannfhrer Major SS and SA rank
Sturmfhrer 2nd Lieutenant lowest commissioned rank
for both the SA and later the SS, it
was later redesignated as Unter-
sturmfhrer

Sturmhauptfhrer Captain rank for both the SA and SS, it was


later redesignated as Haupt-
sturmfhrer
Technische Nothilfe (Teno) Technical Emergency Corps
Totenkopfstandarten Death's Head Regiments
Totenkopfverbnde Death's Head Units camp guard units
Truppfhrer Technical Sergeant
Unterscharfhrer Sergeant later redesignated Oberscharfhrer
Untersturmfhrer 2nd Lieutenant
Volksdeutsche ethnic Germans for police: Leutnant
Verfgungstruppe (SS/VT) Special Purpose Troops
Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle Racial German Assistance Office became the Waffen-SS
Waffen-SS Armed SS The military component of the SS
which fought beside the Army,
composed of 38 divisions and
numerous separate smaller units
Wehrkreis Military District
Zollgrenzschutz Border Customs Protection Police

237
INDEX

Abschnitte (Districts): 117 XXVII: 89-90, 107, 116, 133, 151, 153. 160,
I: 83, 109, 117-118, 144 188
II: 89, 120, 123, 1 4 1 , 2 0 0 XXVIII: 37, 8 3 , 9 0 , 161, 168, 184
III: 88, 106, 120, 123, 127, 138, 148, 155, 160 XXIX: 40, 110, 118, 136, 140, 150, 162
IV: 46, 93, 100, 103, 105, 112, 123-124, 144, XXX: 5 5 , 9 0 , 157, 162-164, 191
171,205 XXXI: 86, 107, 163
V: 111, 116, 124-125, 191, 193 XXXII: 2 5 , 6 1 , 7 6 , 83, 109, 118, 122, 143, 163
VI: 30, 34, 3 9 , 4 6 , 110, 126-127, 130 XXXIII: 61, 102, 152, 164
VII: 54, 70, 93-95, 106, 127, 129, 141, 148, XXXIV: 102-103, 106, 164, 195
175 XXXV: 85-86, 165, 189
VIII: 54, 69, 86, 130, 135, 189 XXXVI: 85-86, 165
IX: 36, 60-61, 63, 83, 90, 118, 124, 132-134, XXXVII: 85-86, 89, 120, 131, 166
142, 168, 184, 199-200 XXXVIII: 35, 85-86, 90, 133, 166, 211
X: 27, 83, 110, 133-134, 152, 199 XXXIX: 85, 166, 181
XI: 60, 62, 80, 103, 136, 163, 177 XXXX: 114, 167, 196
XII: 40, 54, 59, 80, 91, 138, 200, 209 XXXXI: 60, 114, 167, 196
XIII: 3 7 , 9 1 , 102, 138-141 XXXXII: 35, 114, 167
XIV: 26, 39, 6 3 , 6 9 , 98, 143, 191 XXXXIII: 114, 125, 167-168
XV: 55, 91, 98, 124, 143, 146, 159-161, 178 XXXXIV: 93, 95, 168
XVI: 62, 80, 93, 115, 147, 172, 188, 196 XXXXV: 111, 152, 168
XVII: 25, 33, 35, 55, 57, 116, 125, 149-150,
180, 191 Ahe, Kurt von der: 172
XVIII: 83, 86, 89, 150, 156, 199 Aichele, Andreas: 211
XIX: 110, 150-152, 184 Alpers, Friedrich: 195
XX: 28-29, 98, 143, 153 Altner, Georg: 94, 110, 127, 147, 172, 183
XXI: 65, 110, 153, 177, 181 Alvensleben, Ludolf von: 29. 45, 65, 67, 81, 89,
XXII: 46, 59, 93-95, 122, 139, 154, 156 133, 139, 164, 183, 194
XXIII: 106, 139-140, 154, 175 Annacker: 105
XXIV: 110, 127, 157 Arndt, Gnther: 173
XXV: 107, 116, 140, 158, 171, 193,205 Asmus, Wilhelm: 179, 200, 213
XXVI: 25, 52, 57, 93-94, 114, 140, 158

238
Index

Bach, Erich von dem: 24, 31, 49, 54, 94, 109, 127, Brey, Edmund: 120
130, 138, 183 Brey, Walter: 180
Bach, Dr. Ernst: 13 Breymann, Helmuth: 174
Ballauf, Werner: 97, 185
Bannach, Franz: 187 Brigaden (brigades): 117
Barnowski, Hermann: 171 Bayern: 53, 144
Barnstedt, Helmut: 157 Mittelsteiermark: 108
Bassewitz-Behr, Georg Graf von: 32, 61, 64, 68, 96 Obersteiermark: 107
Bauer, Alfred: 158 West: 114
Bauer, Josef: 208 2: 156
Baumgardt, Hans: 218 6: 160
Becher, Rolf: 218 73: 50, 112
Beck, Alois: 194 74: 50
Beck, Johann: 170 173: 50
Becker, Paul: 151, 206, 208
Beckmann, Martin: 212 Brinkmann, Paul: 179, 187
Behme, Hermann: 136, 153, 177, 181 Broking, Harald: 158
Behnke, Edmund: 204 Brunner, Karl: 76, 128
Behrends, Dr. Hermann: 44, 51, 139 Buchmann, Erich: 170, 191
Bender, Horst: 119 Buchner, Hans: 170
Benson, Kurt: 123, 179, 208 Buchs, Alfred: 133, 182,207
Berchtold, Joseph: 12 Bhnemann, Karl: 124
Berger, Gottlob: 15, 48, 99 Burger, Karl: 159, 203, 210
Bergrath, Karl: 120, 150, 165, 183,211 Brger, Karl-Heinz: 67-68, 72
Berkelmann, Theodor: 29-30, 35, 40, 88, 96, 102, Burghardt. Dr. Hans: 109
113, 115, 127, 182 Burghardt, Walter: 89, 120, 155
Berni, Fritz: 174 Burk, Karl: 110, 157-158, 173,203
Bettenhauser, Willi: 210 Burkhardt, Karl: 194
Betz, Dr. Eduard: 162 Burkhart, Johann: 1 6 6 , 2 0 7 , 2 1 0
Bierkamp, Dr. Walter: 31, 109 Burmann, Heinrich: 207, 210
Biermann, Wilhelm: 142, 204 Butschek, Hans: 211
Bigler, Alfred: 89, 96, 130. 136
Binz. Siegfried: 49 Caesar: 115
Bittrich, Wilhelm: 204 Cassel, Erich: 85, 110, 137, 196
Bleser, Josef: 170 Claasen, Franz: 101
Bock, Fritz: 85, 163 Claasen, Gnther: 116, 149, 180
Bock, Heinz: 200 Conrau, Friedrich: 203
Bock, Karl: 97. 110, 153, 162, 201 Casella, Theodor: 169
Bock und Polack, Carl von: 218 Craas, Wolfgang: 215
Bhme, Franz: 74 Creutz, Rudolf: 120, 136
Borawski, Fritz: 185 Curth, Walther: 93
Borchmann: 177
Cyranka, Hans: 185
Bsel, Rudolf: 94, 149, 200, 218
Czodrowski, Leo: 182, 201
Bttcher, Dr. Herbert: 55, 211
Bttcher, Otto: 130, 201, 213
Dahm, Paul: 79, 126, 179
Brand, Kurt: 182
Dalski, Egon: 195
Brand, Maximilian: 127, 201, 203 Daluege, Kurt: 16-17, 19, 21, 105, 121, 127, 139,
Brandes, Ernst: 108, 110, 185 148, 161
Brandner, Willi: 79, 120, 131, 166 Darre, Richard: 14-15
Brantenaar, Paul: 215, 217, 220 Deinhard, Carl: 2 1 5 , 2 1 8 - 2 1 9
Brasack, Curt: 136, 163, 180, 210 Demelhuber, Carl-Maria: 151
Brass, Otto: 94, 128, 154, 173, 175 Dem, Friedrich: 210
Braun, Robert: 110 Dernehl, Friedrich: 110, 127, 157, 193-194,213
Braun. Robert: 109, 120, 194 Dethof, Hermann: 114, 125, 159, 203, 211
Breithaupt, Franz: 18 Deubel: Heinrich: 186

239
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Diehm, Christoph: 48, 58, 67, 77, 118, 133, 150, Flasche, August: 158
152 Fleichmann, Willibald: 170, 187
Dietrich, Joseph: 96. 103, 105-106, 117, 123, 144- Fleischmann, Alfred: 85
145, 169 Fleiss, Erwin: 208
Dietz, Sepp: 197 Florstedt, Hermann: 187, 204, 215, 219
Dolp, Hermann: 187 Floto, Hans: 219
Dring, Hans: 67, 118, 120, 132, 154, 156, 186-187 Fortenbacher, Willy: 14
Dorne, Otto: 218 Frank, August: 20
Dressler, Arno: 120, 124, 153, 166, 174, 194 Frank, Dr. Hans: 22, 57
Druschel, Oskar: 207 Frank: Karl-Hermann: 39, 66, 70, 85, 148
Dunckern, Anton: 77 Franz, Hermann: 47, 92
Dyroff, Wilhelm: 133 Friderici, Arthur: 197,203
Fritz, Josef: 214, 218
Eberstein, Friedrich Karl Freiherr von: 23, 31, 36, Freikorps: 8, 24
4 1 , 4 5 , 8 6 , 88-89,96, 106-107, 129, 150, 183, Frels, Emil: 186
199 Fressonke, Paul: 173
Ebert, Ludwig: 133 Frick, Wilhelm: 21
Ebrecht, George: 25-26, 94, 158, 163, 187 Friedrich, Max: 194
Eckhardt, Franz: 198 Frisch, Ludwig: 207
Eckhardt, Dr. Georg: 150, 176 Fritz, Josef: 200, 2 0 8 , 2 1 8
Ehrlinger, Erich: 60 Fritzel, Dr. Otto: 218-220
Eichhorn, Lorenz: 191 Fromm, Werner: 70, 79, 129, 201
Eicke, Theodor: 43, 174 Frosch, Edmund: 207
Eimann, Kurt: 154, 188 Fruggel, Willy: 190
Einsatzgruppe: 15-16, 23, 30, 60, 63-64, 77 Fuchs, Wilhelm: 32, 59
Einspnner. Richard: 174 Fhrungsamt: 121
Eisfeld, Walter: 173 Fhrungstab: 106, 142, 197
El lenberger, Adolf: 182 Frstenberg, Walter: 124, 129, 154
Engel, Fritz: 105, 115, 140 Fss, Simon: 2 0 6 , 2 1 1
Engelhardt, Ernst: 139, 155, 197
Engewicht, Robert: 185 Garth, Erich: 182-183
Enzner, Hans: 151, 206 Gatternig, Dr. Erich: 208
Epp, Franz Ritter von: 24, 129 Gehrhardt, Friedrich: 40, 113-114, 140, 175, 179,
Erhart, Hubert: 120, 129 200
Eschholdt, Ludwig: 133, 151, 162, 170, 184 Geibel, Paul Otto: 56
Exner, Paul: 159, 176, 212 Gerdteil. Bodo von: 187
Eysell, Otto: 83 Gerlach, Walter: 128, 183,201
Gerner, Heinrich: 173, 203, 212
Faust, Martin: 186 Gervers, Wilhelm: 218
Faust, Willibald: 170 Geyr, Rudolf Freiherr von: 114, 216, 219
Fegelein, Hermann: 24, 157, 180, 215, 217, 219 Giesler, Paul: 12
Feichtmayer, Otto: 123,208 Gilhofer, Herbert: 219
Feil, Johann von: 165, 167, 178, 188,204 Gille, Herbert Otto: 124
Feitenhansl, Dr. Karl: 166 Gladisch, Kurt: 142
Felchner, Horst: 206 Glasewald, Gustav: 189
Felsen, Eduard: 172 Glass, Fridolin: 140,208
Festerling, Fritz: 164,204 Globocnik, Odilio: 47, 55, 95
Fick, Jakob: 103 Glcks, Richard: 20, 116, 206
Fieback, Josef: 192 Gnade, Albert: 196
Fiedler, Richard: 72, 125, 149, 167 Goecke, Wilhelm: 173,208
Fiegler, Richard: 182 Gll, Oskar: 172
Fircks, Karl von: 218 Gring, Hermann: 11-12, 15
Fischer, Franz: 89-90, 170, 204 Gstler, Michael: 164
Fischer-Schweder, Bernhard: 64 Gottberg, Curt von: 28, 51, 60, 104, 196
Fitzthum, Josef: 48, 97, 174, 199 Gtze, Wilhelm: 2 0 2 , 2 1 2

240
Index

Graeschke. Dr. Walter: 130 Hartwig, Robert: 208, 218


Graf, Alfons: 151, 162, 167, 204
Greifelt, Ullrich: 19, 89, 102 Hauptmter (Main Offices)
Greulich, Ernst: 176, 208, 213 Dienstelle SS-Obergruppenfhrer Heissmeyer:
Griep, Walter: 38 20, 33
Grimme, Karl-Franz: 142, 181 Fhrungshauptamt: 14, 1 8 - 1 9 , 5 2 , 5 7 , 6 1 , 130,
Grobben, Jakob: 79 151
Grobe, Herbert: 207 Hauptamt: 13, 15-16, 33, 57, 65, 83, 86, 99-
100, 106, 111, 119, 128, 136, 138, 142-
Gruppen (Groups): 82 143, 180
Berlin-Brandenburg: 26, 148 Hauptamt Haushalt und Bauten: 20
Berlin-Mitte: 125 Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei: 16, 21, 58, 61, 63,
Berlin-Nord: 148 140, 148
Donau: 73 Hauptamt Persnlicher Stab "Reichsfhrer-
Grenzmark: 148 SS": 16, 138, 165
Hochland: 41 Hauptamt Reichskommissar fr die Festigung
Mitte: 148 Deutschen Volkstums (RKFDV): 19, 46,
Niederrhein: 50, 125 6 0 , 7 7 , 86, 129, 165, 168. 191
Niedersachsen: 101 Hauptamt Sicherheitspolizei: 15
Nord: 30, 39, 93, 96, 125, 128, 142, 144 Hauptamt SS-Gericht: 18, 119
Nordsee: 26 Hauptamt Verwaltung und Wirtschaft: 20
Nordwest: 49 Hauptamt Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle (VOMI):
Ost: 86, 93, 105, 138, 144, 148, 155 2 0 , 5 1 , 9 4 , 128, 141
Ostland: 88 Personalhauptamt: 18, 69, 143, 165, 195
Ostmark: 148 Rasse-und Siedlungshauptamt (RuSHA): 14-
Pommern: 148 15, 25, 28, 35-36, 49, 65, 67, 72, 76-77,
Schlesien: 64, 148 94, 104, 143, 171
Sd: 4 2 , 4 9 , 6 5 , 7 2 , 106, 144 Reichssicherheitsamt (RSHA): 15, 17, 23, 26,
Sdost: 34, 46, 109, 120, 156, 205 40, 55,60-62, 8 7 , 9 1 , 101, 106, 112, 118-
Sdwest: 152 119, 135, 149, 152, 160, 180
West: 8 4 , 9 1 , 104, 110, 114, 126 Sicherheitsdienst (SD) Hauptamt: 15, 26, 36,
38, 40, 60, 72, 77, 87, 97, 103, 105, 119,
Gruppenstab z.b.V: 53 149, 160
Gldener, Ludwig: 161 Wirtschaft- und Verwaltungshauptamt: 19-20
Gunst, Walter: 194,202
Gnther, Wilhelm: 62, 68 Hassell, Ulrich von: 17
Guse, Arnold: 182-183 Hausamaen, Dr. Fritz: 215
Gutenberger, Karl: 31, 50, 115, 191 Hauser, Friedrich: 136
Gutsche, Heinrich: 194 Hebron, Bruno: 119, 129, 146, 154
Hecker, Heinz: 167
Haars, Hubert: 216 Hegeler, Rudolf: 153
Hainbach, Paul: 162, 166 Heiden, Erhard: 12
Hahn, Philipp: 216, 219 Heider, Otto: 116
Haller, Christian: 167 Heinke, Werner: 168
Haltermann, Hans: 26, 64, 68 Heissmeyer, August: 15, 29, 33, 38, 86, 102, 149,
Hamke, Arnold: 90, 102, 163 175
Hampel, Otto: 216 Heitz, Georg: 200, 202
Hanke, Karl: 12 Heldmann, Constantin: 90, 124, 132-133, 142, 181
Hannemann, Werner: 179 Helwig, Hans: 186
Harm, Hermann: 39, 59, 64, 83, 96, 101, 143, 170 Hellinger, Franz: 169
Harms, Arnold: 193 Hellriegel, Kurt: 207
Harnys, Johann: 138, 147, 160, 182, 188 Hellwig, Otto: 26, 67, 70, 94
Harster, Dr. Wilhelm: 128 Hennicke, Paul: 64, 66, 116, 160, 176
Hartebrodt, Walter: 137 Henning, Paul: 161
Hartmann, Ernst: 62, 67-68, 115 Henze, Max: 121, 146, 160, 173

241
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Herbert, Willy: 170, 187, 199 Slowakian: 23, 48, 99


Herde, Oswald: 218 Spree: 26, 33
Herff, Maximilian von: 16, 18 Sd: 23, 3 1 , 3 6 , 4 1 , 4 5 , 5 7
Hermann, Dr. Arno: 127 Sdost: 3 1 , 4 2 , 62, 6 5 , 7 2 , 77
Herwig, Karl: 197 Sdwest: 29, 46, 49
Herz, Pergalius: 196, 216, 220 Tschernigow: 29
Hess, Rudolf: 19, 38, 106 Ungarn: 47-48, 58, 151
Hettesheimer, Ludwig: 103, 137, 164 Warthe: 30, 40, 57
Heubach: 162 Weichsel: 39-40
Heukenkamp, Dr. Rudolf: 67, 171 Weiruthenien: 28, 48, 68, 104, 112
Heusemann, Ludwig: 93 West: 30, 42, 50, 54, 72, 84, 106
Heuwer, Kurt: 145, 157
Heydrich, Reinhard: 15, 17-18, 23, 66, 205 Hildebrandt, Ernst: 72
Heyden-Linden: 216 Hildebrandt, Fritz: 72, 89, 150, 187
Heyer, Wilhelm: 123, 170, 194 Hildebrandt, Johannes: 204
Hiedler, Hans: 130, 197 Hildebrandt, Richard: 15, 25, 31, 35, 39, 45, 49, 65,
6 7 , 7 2 , 102, 106, 108-109, 114, 119, 136, 153,
Higher SS and Police Leaders (HSSPF): 22-23 160
Adriatisches Kstenland: 23, 47, 79, 95 Hiller, Wilhelm: 151, 154, 174, 2 0 1 , 2 0 6 , 2 1 3
Albanien: 39, 47, 97 Hilmer, Kurt: 179
Alpenland: 23, 37-38, 69, 74, 77, 128 Himmler, Heinrich: 12, 15-22, 24, 43, 45, 99, 103,
Belgien-Nordfrankreich: 42, 48, 100, 152 139
Bhmen und Mhren: 39, 65-66, 181 Himpe, Hans: 164, 173, 182
Danmark: 47, 79, 91, 129 Hinrich, Karl: 185
Danzig-Westpreussen: 39 Hinsch, Hans: 185, 196
Donau: 3 6 , 6 1 , 7 3 , 135 Hirscher: 204
Elbe: 29-30, 34, 46 Hintze, Ernst-August: 176, 187
Frankreich: 51, 77, 103 Hintze, Kurt: 59, 136, 167
Fulda-Werra: 32, 53 Hirschberg, Paul: 197
Greichenland: 36, 47, 73, 92 Hirschbck, Eduard: 90
Kaukasien: 25, 44, 68 Hof, Georg: 174
Kroatien: 51, 79, 107, 131 Hofbauer, Bruno: 101, 142, 173
Lodz: 43 Hoffmann, Hans: 102, 109, 201
Lothringen-Saarpfalz: 35 Hoffmann, Karl: 120, 154, 188
Main: 2 3 , 3 6 , 4 1 Hoffmann, Kurt: 136-137, 176
Mitte: 32-33, 6 3 , 9 1 , Hoffmann, Philip: 216
Nord: 26, 4 3 , 7 6 , 80, 84, 189 Hofmann, Dr. Hans: 162
Nordost: 25-26, 28, 80, 94, 115 Hofmann, Otto: 15, 30, 49, 93, 110, 146, 180, 185
Nordsee: 3 2 , 6 1 , 6 3 , 146 Hfle, Hermann: 32, 48, 63, 91
Nordwest: 32, 4 3 , 7 8 , 151 Hflich, Heinrich: 169
Oberitalien West: 23, 24 Hh, Adolf: 185
Ost: 29, 40, 43, 47, 52, 55, 88, 113, 161 Hh, Peter: 185
Ostland: 44, 58, 6 1 , 7 0 Holdt, Heinrich von: 162
Ostsee: 26, 37 Holzel, Hans-Gnther: 213
Rhein: 28, 35, 65 Holzschuher, Wilhelm von: 160
Rhein-Westmark: 30, 35-36, 40, 65 Hornung, Konrad: 83, 86
Ruland-Mitte: 28, 48-50, 54, 60-61, 68, 73, Humann-Hainhofen, Rolf von: 149, 185
101, 104, 109, 122, 131 Humps, Max: 119, 176
Ruland-Nord: 27, 42, 44, 58 Huttenbach, Oscar Freiherr Luchner von: 153, 173
Ruland-Sd: 25, 27, 35, 42, 44, 59-60, 64, 67-
6 8 , 7 0 , 8 1 , 121, 139, 165, 188 Ihle, Wilhelm: 162, 164, 167, 176, 178, 186,202
Saar-Lothringen: 35 Illing, Paul: 211
Schwarzes Meer: 25, 44, 46, 65
Serbien: 51, 72, 108, 151 Jacobi, Julius: 198,202
Siebenbrgen: 25, 44, 65 Jaegy, Franz: 89, 109, 119, 139, 179, 182, 209

242
Index

Jger, Rudolf: 191 Kolzow, Dr. Hans: 123


Jahn, Wilhelm: 216 Kommando der Waffen-SS: 18
Jahnke, Fritz: 94, 129, 170, 216 Kommandostab "Reichsfhrer-SS": 16, 1 8 , 6 1 , 6 8
Jakober, August: 161, 207 Kommer, Jakob: 181
Jeckeln, Friedrich: 30, 42, 44, 48, 91, 98, 106, 115, Knig, Gustav-Adolf: 200
123, 175, 177 Koenig, Kaspar: 218-219
Jenke, Hermann: 130, 158,202 Kopp, Julius: 145, 163
Johannsen, Peter: 154 Koppe, Wilhelm: 28, 31, 40, 43, 45, 57, 98, 105,
Johst, Johannes: 139 108, 113, 149, 158, 161, 178
Johst, Walter: 187 Koppenwallner, Paul: 204
Jungclaus, Richard: 48, 100, 124, 175 Korb, Heinz: 86, 131
Jungkunz, Otto: 127, 130, 197 Krnich, Manfred: 188, 203
Jrs, Heinrich: 143, 163, 174 Korsemann, Gerrett: 50, 62, 101
Jttner, Hans: 14, 19
Jttner, Paul: 207 Kraftfahrstrme (car platoons)
1: 109
Kaaserer, Richard: 72, 76, 79, 164, 197 2: 90
Kagelmann, Alfred: 182 3: 106
Kaltenbrunner, Ernst: 16, 18, 24, 36, 63, 86, 130, 4: 98
135, 189 5: 116
Kammerhofer, Konstantin: 51, 68, 107, 158, 163, 6: 89
182 7: 95
Kammler, Dr. Hans: 20 8: 86
Kamptz, Jrgen von: 128 9: 89, 110
Kamstein, Paul: 47 11: 93, 111
Karpinski, Friedrich: 182-183 12: 90
Kasch, Karl: 216 13: 103
Katz, Dr. Adolf: 164, 195, 199 14: 102
Katzmann, Fritz: 39, 55-56, 114, 127, 182, 204 15: 83
Kaul, Kurt: 30, 46, 109-110, 123, 127, 154-155 16: 114
Kavallerie-Brigade: 43 17: 114
Kelz, Hans: 165 18: 105
Kennerknecht, Karl: 123, 201 19: 85
Keppel, Karl: 167
Keppels, Josef: 195 Kraschinski, Albert: 173
Kersten, Franz: 206 Krause, Friedrich: 183
Kersten, Hans: 94, 121, 171 Krause, Heinrich: 194,200
Kirchstein, Tom: 170 Krebs, Hans: 124-125
Klebl, Franz: 220 Kreuder, Rudi: 151
Kleemann, Reinhold: 216 Kriebler, Ernst: 154, 192
Klein, Emil: 185 Krieger, Willy: 190
Kleinow, Johannes: 186,210 Krger, Paul: 186
Kleist, Kurt: 186 Krug, Dr. Werner: 174
Klipp, Dr.: 194 Krger, Friedrich-Wilhelm: 22, 38, 43, 57, 88, 98
Klitzing: 176 Krger, Fritz: 216, 219
Kluck, Dr. Helmut: 216 Krger, Hans: 219
Knapp, Robert: 120, 166, 190 Krger, Kurt: 176
Knapp, Viktor: 173, 201 Krger, Otto: 164
Knellesen, Martin: 182, 201 Krumy, Hermann: 210
Koberl, Leopold, 174 Kubat, Kurt: 172
Kobert, Henry: 185 Kubitzky, Josef: 139-140
Kblinger, Hubert: 129, 174 Kuhn, Paul: 155, 183, 190, 192, 204
Koch: 220 Khtz, Hans: 147, 167, 196, 206
Koenig, Kaspar: 147, 149, 215 Kulas: 177
Koller, Eduard: 166 Kulesza, Wilhelm von: 216

243
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Kumm, Otto: 190 Mazuw, Emil: 26, 37, 100, 140, 161, 190
Kunsberg, Eberhard von: 219 Messner, Wilhelm: 216
Kursell, Otto von: 20, 94 Merk, Dr. Gnther: 64, 113
Kutschera, Franz: 56, 68, 208-209 Mertsch, Gustav: 154,220
Meyer, Fritz: 127, 173, 175, 177, 179, 182
Laforce, Karl: 169 Meyszner, August Edler von: 51, 108
Land, Ludwig: 218, 220 Michaelsen, Wilhelm: 79
Lang, Franz: 220 Mischke, Dr. Gerhard: 136
Lang, Fritz: 218 Model, Walter: 61
Lange, Otto-Wilhelm: 212 Moder, Paul: 3 8 , 5 5 , 105, 121, 146, 159, 170
Langleist, Walter: 140, 149, 180 Modrow, Hans: 213
Langosch, Georg: 153 Mohr, Dr. Eugen: 109, 133, 170, 187, 198, 200, 203
Lassak, Julius: 203 Mller, Heinrich: 58, 196
Leder, Gnther: 120 Montel, Wilhelm: 98, 154,211
Leffler, Paul: 105, 165, 176 Montag, Fritz: 180
Legau, James: 137 Morawek, Dr. Oskar: 208
Leiner, Otto: 174 Moreth, Walter: 114, 170, 218
Leonhardt, Fritz: 212 Mrschel, Johann: 60, 97, 146, 214, 216-217
Lessing, Klaus: 216, 219 Moschner, Erich: 173
Liebisch, Gerhard: 187 Mozek, Heinz: 198, 204, 206
Liedtke, Heinz: 97 Mhling, Wilhelm: 194
Linbrunner, Max: 219 Mller, Alfred: 187
Lindner, Paul: 129 Mller, Arthur: 215, 219
Lippert, Michael, 203, 211 Mller, Erhard: 101, 109-110, 192, 198,203
Loeper, Wilhelm: 200 Mller, Francis: 93, 164, 181
Lohmann, Albert: 201, 210 Muller, Franz: 197
Lohmann, Hugo: 154, 207 Mller, Georg: 207
Lohse, Rudolf: 46, 151, 162, 164, 168, 177 Mller, Hermann: 217
Loos, Walter: 149 Mller, Otto: 101,204
Lorenz, Helmut: 120 Mller-West, Horst: 207
Lorenz, Werner: 20, 94, 96, 120, 127, 141 Mundhenke, Fritz: 166,208
Loritz, Hans: 165, 185, 189 Musil, Hans: 174
Lrner, Georg: 20 Mutschmann, Martin: 34
Ludwig, Ernst: 203
Ludwig, Kurt: 124, 143, 149, 162, 191, 198,202 Nachrichtensturmbanne (signals battalions)
Luther, Johannes: 120, 150 1: 109
Luther, Martin: 133 2: 110
Lutze, Viktor: 12 3: 90
4: 116
Maack, Berthold: 109, 123-124, 158, 190,205 5: 93
Maier, Johann: 170 7: 95
Makosch, Josef: 192, 201, 203 8: 106
Malsen-Ponickau, Erasmus Freiherr von: 79, 117, 9: 89
132-134, 185 10: 98, 110
Mann, Wilhelm: 136, 154, 198, 206 11: 90
Markus, Willi: 212 12: 102
Martin, Dr. Benno: 23, 36, 90 13: 103
Martin, Georg: 166, 204 14: 86
Martins, Martin: 190 16: 114
Marx, Heinrich: 199 19: 85
Massury, Bernhard: 218 23: 105
Mattke, Helmut: 197, 207
Maurer, Ernst: 209 Nagele, Josef: 151, 159, 162, 201
Maurice, Emil: 11 Nageler, Viktor: 190, 209
Maxa, Franz: 159 Nationalpolitische Erziehungsanstalten (NPEA): 20

244
Index

Neufeldt, Hermann: 201 Oberg, Carl: 51, 55, 77, 103, 124, 181
Neumann, Hans-Georg: 176, 206 Oberstab: 13, 83
Neurath, Constantine von: 70 Offermann, Heinz: 217
Neurath, Heinrich: 85, 94, 129, 179, 185, 201 Ohlendorf, Otto: 31
Nickel, Ernst: 186, 208 Oplnder, Walter: 85, 154, 166, 177, 181-182, 187
Nositz, Paul: 162, 187 Ost, Willi: 56, 127
Nhles, Arnold: 182, 186 Ostberg, Karl: 169
sterreich, Heinz: 178
Oberabschnitte: 82-83 Osterroth, Rudolf: 216, 218
Alpenland: 37-39, 69, 74, 83, 85-86, 165, 178 Otte, Hellmuth: 216
Bhmen und Mhren: 66, 85 Otto, Karl: 172, 194
Donau: 63, 73, 76, 81, 83, 85, 95, 108, 135,
137, 1 8 9 , 2 2 0 Paetsch, Otto: 154
Elbe: 2 9 - 3 0 , 4 1 , 4 6 , 5 7 , 6 5 , 86, 89, 107, 111, Paffrath, Leopold: 182-183
120, 131, 155, 1 7 3 , 2 0 9 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 - 2 2 0 Pancke, Gnther: 15, 32, 47, 91, 97, 140, 146, 154,
Fulda-Werra: 32, 53, 86, 89. 100, 116, 160, 196
188, 191 Pardatscher, Bruno: 209
Lothringen-Saarpfalz: 102, 139 Paul, Hans: 124
Main: 36, 62, 86, 90, 124, 219, 221 Paulus, Friedrich: 207
Mitte: 33,41-42, 6 3 , 8 9 , 9 1 , 115, 120, 124, Pauly, Max: 188,203
128, 150, 209, 220 Pelz, Horst: 123, 142, 207
Nord: 37, 39, 61, 67, 70, 80-81, 84, 91, 93, 96, Perthen, Karl: 194
100, 102, 108. 141-143, 146, 153, 192,216 Perwitzschky, Konrad: 163
Nordost: 25-28, 52, 54, 80, 93-94, 114, 121, Peter, Hermann: 133, 173, 179
124, 130, 1 7 2 , 2 1 4 , 2 1 6 , 220 Peter, Richard: 173
Nordsee: 27, 32, 63, 94, 98, 141-143, 146, 153 Peters, Kurt: 187
Nordwest: 42, 49, 63, 78, 91, 96, 98, 100, 128, Petersen, Karl: 171, 185
141, 150, 153, 1 8 0 , 2 1 4 , 2 1 6 Petersen, Walther von: 120, 204
Ost: 29, 55, 57, 76, 88, 98, 105, 138, 144, 147, Pfaff, August: 185
159-161, 175,217 Pfeil-Burghauss, Friedrich Graf von: 127, 178
sterreich: 69, 85, 137 Pffefferkorn, Josef: 162-163,208
Ostland: 59, 98 Pflomm, Karl: 133, 136, 150, 176, 194, 199
Ostsee: 37, 39, 81, 96, 100, 102, 192, 200 Phleps, Artur: 45
Rhein: 28, 33, 40, 53, 65, 74, 102-103, 130, Pichl, Karl von: 149, 218-219
136, 1 4 6 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 - 2 2 0 Pinter, Rupert: 165, 190, 208, 210
Rhein-Westmark: 33, 36, 65, 102, 105, 130 Piokowski, Alex: 208
Spree: 26, 29, 50, 105-106, 144, 147-148, 159, Pioniersturmbann (engineer battalions)
175 1: 109
Sd: 3 1 , 4 1 , 4 5 , 5 7 , 6 5 , 9 0 , 106-107, 112, 117, 2: 1 1 1
137, 1 4 3 , 2 0 9 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 3: 90
Sdost: 31, 33, 50, 52, 54, 62, 65, 67, 70, 78, 4: 116
80, 109, 120, 127, 156, 175,205 5: 98
Sdwest: 27, 29, 40, 46, 49, 52, 76, 99, 104, 6: 102
110, 127, 172, 180, 1 9 2 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 7: 95
Ukraine: 111 8: 106
Warthe: 30, 4 0 , 5 7 , 111, 156, 168 9: 89
Weichsel: 39-40, 55, 59, 65, 94-95, 114, 220 10: 110
West: 30, 42, 49-50, 84, 102, 114, 152, 172, 12: 93
180,215,217 13: 103
Westmark: 139 14: 86
15: 85
Oberfhrerbereich: 82 16: 114
Ost: 105, 138, 148 17: 114
Sd: 53, 106, 144 23: 105
West: 84

245
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Plaichinger, Julius: 164 2: 94, 1 1 4 , 2 1 4 , 2 1 6


Plank, Willi: 216-217 3:94-95,214,216
Plesch, Hans: 149 4:214,216
Plobner, Max: 174 5: 83, 1 0 2 , 2 1 6
Pgel, Werner: 127, 149, 190 6: 116, 1 4 6 , 2 1 5 . 2 1 7
Pohl, Kurt: 209 7: 1 0 6 , 2 1 7
Pohl, Oswald: 1 6 , 2 0 - 2 1 8: 1 1 6 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 8 - 2 1 9 , 2 1 9
Popp, Emil: 120, 132, 138, 198, 200 9: 9 8 , 2 1 4 , 2 1 8
Potzelt, Walter: 197-198 10: 90, 9 8 , 2 1 8
Prechter, Hugo: 168 11: 1 1 0 , 2 1 8
Praescke, Werner: 159, 161 12: 102,218
Prager, Friedrich: 220 13: 1 0 3 , 2 1 9
Prestien, Hans: 200 14: 1 1 0 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9
Preuss, Artur: 154 15: 83, 1 0 9 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9
Prtzmann, Hans-Adolf: 25-27, 29, 32, 44, 52, 61, 16: 8 9 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9
94, 96, 99, 110-111, 133-134, 139, 157, 178- 17: 8 3 , 9 0 , 2 1 5 , 2 1 9 , 221
179 18: 86, 220
Piickler-Burghaus, Carl Graf von: 50 19: 114, 220
20: 95, 220
Querner, Rudolf: 32-33, 36, 63, 86, 91, 96 21:93,220
22: 89, 1 1 4 , 2 1 5 , 2 2 0
Raabe, Georg: 136, 201 23: 1 0 5 , 2 1 8
Raake, Erich: 179 24: 221
Radamacher, Robert: 186 Ribbentrop, Joachim von: 21, 38
Raddatz, Karl: 116 Richardt, Willi: 140, 142, 192
Rademacher, Ernst: 220 Richter, Joachim: 90, 110
Radke, Karl: 190 Riemer, Hans: 198
Rasse und Siedlungsamt: 13 Riepe, Julius: 202
Rauter, Hans-Albin: 43, 78, 8 7 , 9 8 , 110, 151 Ring, Hans: 133, 162, 167
Reck, Wilhelm: 173, 176 Rinner, Felix: 86
Rediess, Wilhelm: 22, 25, 38, 43, 80, 93-94, 109, Rinner, Franz: 220
136, 138, 147, 179 Roch, Heinz: 6 7 , 7 0 , 76, 118, 122, 154, 163, 173,
Rees, Karl: 123 179, 182, 194
Reich, Otto: 79, 132 Rodenbcher, Alfred: 38, 69, 78, 83, 85, 130, 143,
Reichert, Walter: 160 190
R e i c h s f h r u n g SS: 11 R h m , Ernst: 8, 11-12
Reichssicherheitsdienst: 15 Roos, Waldemar: 130, 159
Reidel, Georg: 101 Rohr, Herbert: 133
Remely, Erwin: 190, 211 Rohrich, Dr. Hanns: 137
Reinecke, Dr. Gnther: 18 Rokiki, Alfred: 193
Reinefarth, Heinz: 40, 113, 148 Rosen, Freiherr von: 219
Reiner, Dr. Alexander: 158, 187 Rsener, Erwin: 35, 38-39, 74-75, 83, 102, 105,
Reinhardt, Ludwig: 190, 201 128, 179, 1 9 8 , 2 0 1
Reinholdt, Walter: 173 Rosse: 208
Rouenhoff, Gerhard: 164, 198
Reiterabschnitte (Riding Districts): 214 Rdiger, Albert: 183
I: 214 Rger, Georg: 98, 165
II: 214 Rusch, Karl-Heinz: 166, 194, 211
V: 8 3 , 2 1 5 Rusy, Richard: 166
VI: 215 Ruth, Paul: 2 0 3
VII: 215
VIII: 215 Sack, Dr. Albert: 216
IX: 1 4 6 , 2 1 5 Salomon, Franz Felix P f e f f e r von Salomon: 11
Reiterstandarten (Riding Regiments): 214 Salviati, Hans von: 218
1:94-95,214,216 Sammern-Frankenegg, Dr. Ferdinand von: 56, 79,
90, 132, 189

246
Index

Sattler, Carl: 123, 171, 186 Schreiber, Friedrich: 179


Sawatzki, Heinz: 154, 198, 206 Schrder, Ferdinand: 150, 207
Schack, Herbert: 164 Schrder, Fritz: 194, 198, 206
Schade, Hermann Freiherr von: 106. 128, 143 Schrder, Georg: 129
Schadendorf, Walter: 216 Schrder, Karl: 207
Schfer, Karl: 59-60, 64, 179 Schrder, Walter: 59
Schfer, Johannes: 129, 140, 158, 167, 170, 179 Schrder, Wilhelm: 83, 146, 178-179, 182
Schaller, Edwin: 194 Schubert, Kurt: 187
Schfer, Karl: 139. 154 Schubert, Otto: 191
Scharfe, Norbert: 136, 172, 190, 194 Schulenburg, Friedrich von: 180
Scharfe, Paul: 13, 18, 180 Schulz, Bruno: 109
Schatzmeyer, Otto: 208 Schulz, Emil: 186,206
Scheel. Dr. Gustav-Adolf: 38, 83 Schulz, Erwin: 38, 77
Scheibe, Fritz: 174 Schulz, Helmut: 125, 153, 198,201
Scheider, Hans: 114 Schulz, Karl: 179, 198
Scheingruber, Heinrich: 137 Schulz, Max: 211
Schepmann, Wilhelm: 12 Schulz, Robert: 208
Scherner, Julian: 52, 70, 94, 110, 143, 170 Schulze, Elimar: 190
Schiechel: 210 Schulze, Reinhold: 145-146, 187
Schilling, Karl: 127, 157 Schumacher, Ewald: 185
Schinke, Willi: 102 Schuran, Emil: 167
Schimana, Walter: 37, 47, 60, 70, 73, 86 Schuster, Karl: 85, 94, 103, 176
Schirach, Baidur von: 88 Schutzenhofer, Alfred: 163
Schjoren, Lief: 93 Schwarz, Franz: 131, 170
Schlechl, Johann: 178 Schwedler, Dr. August: 217
Schlegel, Friedrich: 120, 170, 173, 176 Schwedler, Hans: 52, 119, 206
Schlessmann, Fritz: 124, 158, 186, 193 Schweiger, Robert: 204
Schlums, Friedrich: 94, 103, 129, 177, 179, 201 Seeger, Alfred: 142
Schmauser, Ernst: 190 Seidel-Dittmarsch, Siegfried: 13, 197
Schmauser, Heinrich: 31, 62, 90, 106, 109, 147, 173 Seliger, Kurt: 192
Schmauser, Hermann: 179 Seltzmann, Richard: 204
Schmeicher, Willy: 40, 67, 113, 174 Sembach, Emil: 126, 176
Schmid, Hans: 180 Seyss-Inquart, Artur: 150
Schmidt, Ernst Adolf: 125 Sieber, Georg: 123, 123
Schmidt, Georg: 90. 206 Siegling, Hans: 49
Schmidt, Ullrich: 202 Sieh, Klaus: 177
Schmidt, Walter: 160, 198 Sielaff, Heinrich: 155
Schmischke, Horst: 161, 172, 1 7 6 , 194 Skepsgarth, Horst von: 216
Schmitt, Walter: 18, 89, 197 Skudlarek, Erdmann: 93, 213, 216
Schmitz, Edmund: 149, 199 Sladek, Emanuel: 85, 164, 166, 212
Schmitz, Hans: 25 Sommer, Albrecht: 146
Schmitz, Werner: 190, 209 Spaarmann, Erich: 133, 210
Schneller, Max: 29, 105 Specht, Harry: 98, 167, 203, 213
Schnerr, Karl: 219 Sperl, Ludwig: 204
Schnller, Xavier: 187 Sporrenburg, Jakob: 25, 28, 35, 55, 60, 76. 94, 102,
Schckel, Fritz: 154 153, 179
Schoerner, Albrecht: 187, 202 SS Amt: 180
Scholz, Alfred: 153, 186, 194
Scholz, Fritz von: 192 SS and Police Area Commanders
Schne, Helmut: 165, 182, 211 Agram: 5 1 , 7 9 , 131
Schnfeldt, Hans: 123 Banja-Luca: 51, 79, 126
Schngarth: Dr. Eberhard: 44, 86, 87 Copenhagen: 47, 79
Schrge, Erich: 93, 128 Esseg: 5 1 , 7 9 , 126
Schramm, Kurt: 195 Friaul: 47, 81
Schreck, Julius: 12, 169 Grz: 47, 81

247
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Istrien: 47, 79, 134 Taurien: 47, 67


Knin: 5 1 , 7 6 , 79 Tschernigow: 25, 40, 47, 67, 115
Nord-Jutland: 47 Ungarn: 47
Quarnero: 47, 79 Warsaw: 23, 35, 43, 55, 57, 159
Sarajewo: 51, 79 Weiruthenien: 44, 48, 54, 59-60, 101, 104, 112
Triest: 47, 79 West Emilien: 72
Wolhynien-Brest-Litvosk: 60-61
SS and Police Leaders (SSPF): 52
Albanien: 47 Stahlhelm: 8
Armenien: 68 Standarten (Regiments): 169
Aserbeidschan: 44, 68, 107 1:24, 26, 5 5 , 6 0 , 83, 109, 117, 144, 165, 169,
Awdejewka: 44, 68 209
Bergvolker-Ordshonikidse: 44, 62, 68 2: 7 3 , 9 0 , 140, 162, 170
Bialystok: 25-26, 70, 122 3 : 3 6 , 83,89-90, 112, 117, 161, 170, 184, 200
Bozen: 23, 76, 128 4: 29, 39, 106, 120-121, 123, 146, 153, 159,
Charkow: 25-26, 63-64, 8 1 , 1 1 3 170, 205
Dnjepropetrowsk: 25, 39, 59, 61, 64, 81, 107 5: 74, 103, 112, 136, 143, 171
Elsass: 29 6: 3 4 , 4 6 , 7 6 , 101, 106, 120, 123, 132, 134,
Estland: 44, 58-59 140, 160-161, 172, 175
Georgien: 68 7: 62, 89, 120, 122, 133, 151, 173
Greichenland: 47 8: 34, 110, 116, 153, 173
Kattowitz: 31, 77 9: 102, 120, 140, 143, 174
Kaukasien-Kuban: 44, 55, 68, 107 10: 40, 62, 73, 103, 117, 136, 164, 174
Kertsch-Tammanhalbinsel: 44, 55, 68 11: 76, 80, 86, 163, 174
Kiew: 25-26,64, 116 12: 33, 42, 57, 91, 93, 100, 105, 123, 127-128,
Krakau: 43, 52, 55, 111 157, 174
Lemberg: 35, 39, 43, 55-56, 152
13: 52, 83, 110, 117, 120, 164, 176, 199
Lettland: 59, 81
14: 90, 116, 150, 160, 176, 191
Litauen: 39, 4 4 , 5 9 - 6 0 , 112
15: 60, 106, 120, 126, 176, 196, 205
Lublin: 28, 43, 55, 95
16: 4 5 , 5 5 , 110, 126, 130, 152, 176
Metz: 77
17: 42, 57, 63, 93, 123, 147, 165, 177
Minsk: 48, 60, 73
18: 2 7 , 5 9 , 94-95, 122-124, 140, 164, 178, 180
Mittelitalien-Verona: 23, 72
19: 27, 3 5 , 6 1 , 116, 134, 149, 179, 180, 186
Mitte-Norwegen: 43, 76
20: 28, 74, 80, 116, 126, 178, 179, 184, 209
Mogilew: 28, 4 8 , 6 1 , 6 8
2 1 : 4 9 , 93, 115, 120, 133, 140, 147, 150, 179
Montenegro: 51, 72, 125
22: 61, 67, 102-103, 120, 124, 164, 177, 180,
Nikolajew: 25, 29, 47, 64-65, 121, 140
193
Nord-Kaukasien: 44, 67
23: 34, 110, 156, 181, 182, 188
Nordnorwegen: 43, 76, 122
24: 100, 123, 137, 139, 143, 150, 182
Ober-Elsa: 77
25: 39, 111, 116, 122, 182, 184, 195,209
Oberitalien-Mitte: 23, 72
26: 89, 150, 172, 182
Oberitalien-West: 23, 63, 72, 128
Pripet: 4 8 , 6 8 , 115 27: 54, 106, 120, 128, 138, 183
Radom: 39, 4 3 , 5 5 , 103 2 8 : 4 9 , 123, 146, 185
Rostow: 25, 29: 83, 109, 117, 134, 143, 149, 163, 185, 189
30: 27, 116, 127, 158, 164, 171, 185-186, 193
Rostow-Awdejewka: 66, 116, 119 31: 83, 109, 117, 156, 186, 205
Rowno: 61-62, 115 32: 83, 103, 117, 127, 133, 153, 164, 186
Salzburg: 37, 77 33: 2 5 , 7 2 , 103, 136, 156, 186
Sandschak: 5 1 , 7 2 , 7 6 34: 52, 83, 109, 117, 168, 187
Saratow: 70, 73 35: 59, 90, 156, 162, 176, 180, 187
Shitomir: 25-26, 40, 63, 67, 115, 152 36: 94, 114, 157-158, 187
Simferopol: 25, 122 37: 86, 117, 130, 165, 188
Stalino: 2 5 , 6 3 , 6 7 , 156 38: 81,85-86, 165, 190
Stanislav-Rostow: 66, 101, 119 39: 2 8 , 5 9 , 102, 140, 190, 205
Sdnorwegen: 28, 43, 76 40: 39,58-59, 6 3 , 6 9 , 153, 190

248
Index

41: 37, 83, 90, 142, 161, 190 96: 89, 166, 210
42: 106, 120, 123, 128, 140, 192 97: 90, 166, 210
43: 110, 125-127, 192 98: 110, 126,210
44: 106. 140, 161, 193 99: 86, 163,211
45: 110, 125, 156, 193 100: 89, 166,211
46: 89, 120-122, 194 101:90, 166,211
47: 90, 160, 194, 199 102: 110, 156,211
48: 89, 150, 194 103:89, 166,211
49: 93, 104, 123,203 104: 110, 156, 211
50: 5 9 , 9 1 , 139, 153, 196 1 0 5 : 5 5 , 9 5 , 168,211
51: 93, 123, 132, 197 106: 109, 163,211
52: 76, 86, 130, 197 107: 85, 166, 212
53: 98, 153, 197 108: 85, 166, 212
54: 106, 138-139, 157, 197 109: 114, 167,212
5 5 : 5 2 , 5 5 , 6 1 , 143, 197 110: 114, 1 6 7 , 2 1 2
56: 8 3 , 9 0 , 130, 132-133, 198,200 111: 114, 167,212
57: 90, 160. 191-192, 198 112: 114, 167, 212
58: 74, 97, 116, 195, 198 113: 114, 1 6 7 , 2 1 2
59: 93, 147, 200 114: 114, 1 6 7 , 2 1 2
60: 94-95, 130, 200 115:95, 168,212
6 1 : 7 4 , 94-95, 154, 201 116: 114, 167,212
62: 110, 150, 201 117: 114,212
118: 114, 167,213
63: 110, 153,201
119: 114, 167,213
64: 94, 129, 154,201
120: 114, 167,213
65: 110, 164,202
121: 114, 167,213
66: 94, 114, 154, 202
122: 111, 168,213
6 7 : 9 0 , 139, 160, 191,202
123: 111, 168,213
68: 8 3 , 9 0 , 161,202
124: 110, 127,213
69: 116, 158, 203
125: 105,213
70: 55, 110, 153, 203
126: 213
7 1 : 9 4 , 114, 158, 203
127: 213
72: 116, 143, 149, 203
138: 112
7 3 : 8 3 , 89-90, 132, 204
171: 112
74: 102, 164, 204
216: 60
75: 39, 106, 120, 204
230: 73
76: 85-86, 165,204
77: 102, 139,206
78: 103, 136, 196,206 Stange, Hans: 211
79: 52, 110, 133,206 Starck, Wilhelm: 118, 132, 162-163
80: 106, 154,206 Stebani, Anton: 220
81: 90, 132, 207 Steibler, Heinz: 190, 207
82: 116, 149,207 Stein, Walter: 56, 162
83: 90, 162, 207 Steinbrinck, Friedrich: 197
84: 89, 120, 207 Steiner, Albert: 93, 151, 162, 210
85: 103, 164,207 Stemmler, Willy: 207, 213
86: 110, 150, 208 Stetter, Friedrich: 191, 202
87: 85, 165, 208 Steuben. Berndt von: 149, 210
88: 98, 143,208 Stichnoth, Wilhelm: 131
89: 86, 163,208 Stiebler, Heinz: 150
90: 85-86, 165,208 Stolle, Gustav: 102, 136, 139, 153, 155, 196,202
91:86,150,163,210 Stweno, Rudolf: 180, 220
92: 83, 109, 163,210 Strathmann, Horst: 203
93: 103, 136,210 Strauss, Herbert: 110, 174, 198
94: 85-86, 165,210 Streibel, Karl: 157
95: 110, 152,210 Strohm, Ewald: 149, 174,206

249
Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS

Stroop, Jrgen: 3 5 , 4 7 , 5 6 , 102, 149. 166-167, 185 Wagner. Robert: 101. 142,202
Struve, Karl: 216, 220 Wahl, Ernst: 204, 206
StUrtz, Ernst: 168 Whmann, Helmut: 116
Suhr, Friedrich: 77 Waldeck-Pyrmont, Josias Erbrinz zu: 32, 53, 89,
Suhren, Fritz: 165 102
Sulzer, Gustav: 207 Wall, Georg: 206
Supreme SS and Police Leader (HSSPF): 22-25, Wangemann, Lorenz: 162
27, 37, 39, 44, 47, 60, 63-65, 72, 95. 116, 122, Wappenhans, Waldemar: 60, 64, 83, 101, 129, 132,
124, 128, 130, 139, 157,209 163-164, 179, 182, 198
Wedde. Werner: 181
Taubert, Siegfried: 105 Weber, Hans-Georg: 136, 177, 207
Taus, Karl: 81. 85, 89, 101. 130, 190 Weberpais, Carl: 187
Teetzmann, Otto: 146, 161, 193 Wege, Kurt: 105, 120, 123, 138, 140
Teichmann, Ludwig: 149 Weibgen, Hans: 210, 212
Tensfeld, Willy: 63, 67, 72, 97, 128, 132, 145. 178- Weichs, Maximilian Freiherr von: 96
179 Weidermann, Willy: 110, 166, 173
Terboven. Josef: 22, 80 Wein, Jakob: 219
Teubner, Paul: 173 Weinert, Hans: 97, 143, 146, 153, 203
Teufel, Fritz: 183, 192, 206-207 Weinrich, Hermann: 176
Theide, Ernst: 146 Weiss, Rudolf: 65, 140, 154, 162, 192
Theuermann, Arved: 153 Weiss, Walther: 179
Thiele, Wilhelm: 198,207 Weissflog, Wilhelm: 197
Thier, Theobald: 52, 55, 58, 68, 114, 146, 149, 159, Weitenturm, Heinrich Weitnmer Edler von: 204
198 Weitzel, Fritz: 30, 38, 43, 50, 84, 93, 114, 124, 127,
Thomas, Dr. Max: 29 144, 170
Thumser, Hans: 190, 201 Wendler, Dr. Richard: 66, 119
Thy son, Wilhelm: 185 Werner, Erich: 154-155, 181, 193
Tintemann, Erich: 145 Werner. Hans: 136
Tittmann, Fritz: 64, 121 Werner, Wilhelm: 156, 182, 194
Tffling, Horst: 123 Wexel, Peter: 217, 220
Traub, Wilhelm: 79 Weyhe, Dotharbus von: 218
Treichel, Hans von: 220 Wichmann, Karl: 164, 173, 183, 194
Turza, Walter: 130. 174, 188, 190, 208 Wieber, Karl: 202
Tzschoppe, Erwin: 175, 196 Wieland, Hans: 210
Wigand, Arpad: 55, 136, 177, 203
Ulrich, Hans: 11 Willich, Hellmuth: 39
Ungar, Konrad: 157, 162, 175, 187, 201 Winkelmann, Otto: 48
Urban, Karl: 174,208,211 Winter, Otto: 211
Uslar, Hans von: 133, 170, 176 With, Dr. Harro: 128
Wittje, Kurt: 13, 15, 96, 132, 142, 190, 198
Verne: 187 Wittrien, Max: 162, 202
Vasel, Adolf: 140, 186 Wodrich, Emil: 202, 203
Verwaltungsamt: 20 Woedtke, Alexander von: 173-174, 203
Vobis, Karl: 179 Woikowski-Biedau, Wilhelm von: 162, 214, 218
Voggenaus, Georg: 102 Wolff, Dr. Gnther von: 217
Vogler, Anton: 31, 45, 108-109 Wolff, Karl: 16-17, 23-24, 45, 64, 128, 139, 143
Vogt, Fritz: 154, 164 Woyrsch, Udo von: 29, 34, 88, 109, 126-127, 173,
Voss, Bernhard: 105, 147 176, 182
Voss, Franz: 151 Wnnenberg, Alfred: 16, 21, 61
Wuthenau, Hubert von: 220
Wckerle, Hilmar: 136. 170 Wysocki, Lucian: 59, 112
Wagner, Adolf: 189
Wagner, Albert: 207 Zahn, Konrad: 186, 202
Wagner, Josef: 150, 162 Zapp, Ewald: 215, 217
Wagner, Dr. Richard: 90 Zaremba, Paul: 139

250
Index

Zech, Karl: 52, 111, 124, 182 Zimmermann, Paul: 65, 89, 128
Zehring, Arno: 149, 196 Zingler, Johannes: 9 4 , 9 6 , 124, 129, 190, 192, 197
Zeller, Robert: 176 Zinkl, Andreas: 186
Zenner, Carl: 60, 109, 112, 123, 172, 183 Zittel, Theodor: 133, 162, 166, 173. 198, 206
Ziegler, Anton: 174 Zopf, Rudolf: 123

251

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