Reichsführer-SS

Reichsführer- SS or Reichsführer SS (short RFSS or RFSS ) was since August 1934, the highest SS rank at the time of National Socialism, as was Heinrich Himmler, Adolf Hitler was appointed Reich Leader SS and assumes only that he was responsible.

Origin of the name

The title of Reichsführer- SS was officially established in 1926 in accordance with the Reichs- SA leaders and marked the formal Supreme Commander of the SS In the period 1925-1926 the title of top SS commander Oberleiter was.

From 1926 to late summer 1934, the concept was just a pure services designation within the Sturmabteilung (SA ) without real power function because the SS at that time was a small sub-organization of the SA. The respective Reichsführer was in this capacity therefore also a member of the " staff of the Supreme SA Leadership ".

After the overthrow of the SA, the (so-called Röhm - Putsch) was held in the period between 30 June and 1 July 1934 Hitler appointed SS already on July 20, 1934 " independent military organization within the NSDAP ." The SS was now on independently of the SA organization in Nazi Germany and was extended in due course to the most influential Nazi organization.

Behind closed doors, the Reichsführer- SS in the intimate circle has sometimes been dubbed with the nickname " Reichsheini " and " Anhimmler ".

People

A total of five SS members wore this item:

Chronology

From 1925

Called Julius Schreck, known as " father of the SS ," was a National Socialist of the first hour. He built in the capital of the movement to the SA. He was one of the first Hitler's bodyguard and one of the first SS men. Schreck, however, died in 1936 at the age of 38 years.

The guided by him title Oberleiter is considered the forerunner of the later track Reichsführer- SS.

From 1926

Joseph Berchtold had received the leadership of the Munich SA, and took over in 1926 the rank of fright. Under Berchtold the title on November 1, 1926, changed to Reichsführer- SS and it was the department Empire squadron leader set up at the top SA leadership in the Supreme SA Leadership. As Deputy Reichsführer- SS he sat Erhard Heiden one. (Later Berchtold was Reichsführer- SS out of service. )

1927

Berchtold resigned and Erhard Heiden was appointed RFSS Heinrich Himmler and his deputy. After Gentiles did make parts of his uniforms with a Jewish tailor, Hitler dismissed him on 5 January 1929 as commander of the SS Gentiles begged his utter dismissal from the SS and turned back to the SA. It is generally believed that he was murdered later on the express orders of Himmler by the SS security service.

1929-1945

On January 6, 1929 Himmler was used as Reichsführer- SS. This track there was to date only within the SA ( Reich squadron leader in the Supreme SA leadership ), without major significance.

On July 20, 1934 Hitler annexed from the SS from the SA and this was now in control of the early concentration camp. They became the independent organization of the NSDAP and reached by all so-called " Nazi - fighting organizations " have the greatest impact. Himmler had secured as Reichsführer- SS new career prospects.

Since August 23, 1934, Himmler was assumed as Reich Leader SS Adolf Hitler and only this responsibility. The same day the name Reichsführer- SS was now a regular ranks of the SS, since Himmler with his appointment as Deputy Chief and Chief of the Prussian Secret State Police ( Gestapo ) united all political and police powers of the kingdom in his hand, finally were able to with the following systematic planting of new concentration camps organized terror in the kingdom, and Himmler's increase power.

The later introduced ranking SS officers " Reich Physician SS " (Ernst -Robert Grawitz ) and " administrative head -SS " ( Oswald Pohl ) were subordinate to Himmler as the top SS masters. The organization subsequently introduced security Service of the Reichsführer -SS (SD) was subject, under the direction of Reinhard Heydrich, the RFSS and served among other things as intelligence service of the SS

1936 Himmler was also head of the German police, who had meanwhile been transformed from a country into a realm institution with which the organizational merger of the SS and police were formally documented. In this office he had command of the regular uniformed police, fire police and security police, but was subordinate to 1943, the Reich Interior Minister Wilhelm Frick. With Himmler's new service name The Reichsführer SS and Chief of the German Police in the Reich Ministry of the Interior expressly willed collection of ( state ) police came by the ( party 's ) SS and thus those two offices in his person to bear.

In 1939, the SS with the same switched the police system and the central offices of the Security Police - the main office of the Security Police, the Secret State Police Office ( Gestapo ) and the Reich Criminal Police Office - with the ( official party ) Security Main Office of the SS ( SD -HA) under one roof summarized. Most officials of the security and law enforcement police were transferred to the SS. Your police rank and an SS rank was now assigned.

From April 29, 1945

In his political testament of April 29, 1945 Hitler, Himmler relieved of his duties and appointed the Gauleiter Karl Hanke - also known as " butcher of Wroclaw " become known - the new and last RFSS.

Ranking and insignia

This SS - rank corresponded to the former Field Marshal of the Wehrmacht.

• Rank badges and insignia of the Reichsführer -SS

Lapels ( 1942-45 )

Camouflage battle dress

Command flag for car

Sword of honor RFSS