Unterscharführer

''Unterscharführer'' (, ) was a paramilitary rank of the Nazi Party used by the ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) between 1934 and 1945. The SS rank was created after the Night of the Long Knives. That event caused an SS reorganisation and the creation of new ranks to separate the SS from the ''Sturmabteilung'' (SA).

The insignia was a button pip centred on a collar patch opposite an SS unit insignia collar badge. The field grey SS uniform displayed the rank with silver collar piping and the shoulder boards of an ''Unteroffizier''. Rank comparisons list the rank of ''Unterscharführer'' as equivalent to a corporal in other services, but that the rank held responsibilities of a sergeant in some other armies.

Creation

The rank of ''Unterscharführer'' was created from the SA rank of ''Scharführer''. After 1934, an SS-''Unterscharführer'' and SA-''Scharführer'' were considered equivalent positions; the rank of SS-''Unterscharführer'' was junior to SS-''Scharführer'' and senior to the rank of SS-''Rottenführer''.

''Unterscharführer'' was the most junior and most common non-commissioned officer rank of the SS and was the equivalent of an ''Unteroffizier'' in the German ''Wehrmacht''. The range of duties performed by the rank was diverse and extensive.

Uses

Allgemeine-SS

Within the General-SS an ''Unterscharführer'' typically commanded squad sized formations of seven to fifteen SS troopers. The rank was held commonly as a non-commissioned officer staff position and could be found in all of the Nazi security agencies, including the ''Sicherheitsdienst'' and the ''Einsatzgruppen''.

''SS-Totenkopfverbände''

In the concentration camp service, ''Unterscharführer'' holders were often assigned the position of '' Blockführer'', which was a supervisory position overseeing order within a prison barracks of a concentration camp. The position of ''Blockführer'' is of note in the Holocaust, as it was typically ''Blockführer'' in charge of various '' Sonderkommandos''.

Waffen-SS

In the Waffen-SS an ''Unterscharführer'' was as a junior squad commander, one of several attached to company and platoon sized formations. The rank was considered the equivalent to the first Waffen-SS officer candidate rank of '' SS-Junker''.

Insignia

File:SS-Unterscharführer h.svg , Shoulder strap
SS-Unterscharführer
(SS-Junker)
File: SS-Unterscharführer.svg , Gorget patches
File: Uffz Uscha OR5b cam slv 1945.gif , SS smock insignia

Promotion

Requirements of a battlefield non-commissioned ''Unterscharführer'' were higher than that expected of an ''Unterscharführer'' in the General SS. In the Waffen-SS, candidates were required to undergo a selection process before being promoted. During this time the aspirant was known as an ''Unterführer-Anwärter'' () until passing the required evaluation, training and promotion board.

Notable recipients

* Oskar Gröning
*Franz Suchomel

See also

* Table of ranks and insignia of the Waffen-SS

Notes

Bibliography

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Unterscharfuhrer
SS ranks