Oberführer

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''Oberführer'' (short: ''Oberf'', , ) was an early paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party (NSDAP) dating back to 1921. An ''Oberführer'' was typically a NSDAP member in charge of a group of paramilitary units in a particular geographical region. From 1921 to 1925, the phrase ''Oberführer'' was used as a title in the ''Sturmabteilung'' (SA), but became an actual SA rank after 1926.

''Oberführer'' was also a rank of the ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS, at that time a branch of the SA), established in 1925 as ''Gauführer'', a rank for SS officers in charge of SS personnel in the several ''Gaue'' throughout Germany; in 1928 the rank was renamed ''Oberführer'', and used of the commanders of the three regional ''SS-Oberführerbereiche''. In 1930, the SS was reorganized into ''SS-Gruppen'' and ''Brigaden'', at which time ''Oberführer'' became subordinate to the higher rank of ''Brigadeführer''. By 1932, ''Oberführer'' was an established rank of the SA, SS and NSKK.

''Oberführer'' wore two oak leaves on the uniform collar rank patch, along with the shoulder boards and lapels of a general officer. In 1938, the status of ''SS-Oberführer'' began to change with the rise of the '' SS-Verfügungstruppe'' (SS-VT), which would later become the Waffen-SS. Since ''Brigadeführer'' was rated equal to a ''Generalmajor'', and '' Standartenführer'' to an ''Oberst'', ''Oberführer'' had no military equivalent and quickly became regarded as a senior colonel rank. This distinction continues in historical circles with most texts referring to ''Oberführer'' as a senior colonel rank while some others state it was a military equivalent to a British Army brigadier.

Rank insignia

See also

*Corps colours (Waffen-SS)
*Table of ranks and insignia of the Waffen-SS

Notes

Bibliography

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SS ranks