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The SS troops belonged to the SS organization; service in them was not considered state service, even if it was legally equivalent to such. The military uniform of SS soldiers is quite recognizable all over the world; most often this black uniform is associated with the organization itself. It is known that the uniforms for SS employees during the Holocaust were sewn by prisoners of the Buchenwald concentration camp.

History of the SS military uniform

Initially, soldiers of the SS troops (also “Waffen SS”) wore gray uniforms, very similar to the uniform of regular stormtroopers German army. In 1930, the same well-known black uniform was introduced, which was supposed to emphasize the difference between the troops and the rest and determine the elitism of the unit. By 1939, SS officers received a white dress uniform, and from 1934, a gray one was introduced, intended for field battles. The gray military uniform differed from the black one only in color.

Additionally, SS soldiers were entitled to a black overcoat, which, with the introduction of the gray uniform, was replaced by a double-breasted one, respectively. gray. High-ranking officers were allowed to wear their overcoat unbuttoned by the top three buttons so that the colored distinctive stripes were visible. Subsequently, holders of the Knight's Cross received the same right (in 1941), who were allowed to display the award.

The Waffen SS women's uniform consisted of a gray jacket and skirt, as well as a black cap with the SS eagle.

A black ceremonial club jacket with the symbols of the organization for officers was also developed.

It should be noted that in fact the black uniform was the uniform of the SS organization specifically, and not the troops: only SS members had the right to wear this uniform; transferred Wehrmacht soldiers were not allowed to use it. By 1944, the wearing of this black uniform was officially abolished, although in fact by 1939 it was used only on special occasions.

Distinctive features of the Nazi uniform

The SS uniform had a number of distinctive features that are easily remembered even now, after the disbandment of the organization:

• The SS emblem of two German "Sig" runes was used on uniform insignia. Only ethnic Germans - Aryans - were allowed to wear runes on their uniforms; foreign members of the Waffen SS did not have the right to use this symbolism.
• “Death's Head” - at first, a metal round cockade with the image of a skull was used on the cap of SS soldiers. Later it was used on the buttonholes of soldiers of the 3rd Tank Division.
• The red armband with a black swastika on a white background was worn by members of the SS and stood out significantly against the background of the black dress uniform.
• The image of an eagle with outstretched wings and a swastika (formerly the coat of arms of Nazi Germany) eventually replaced skulls on cap badges and began to be embroidered on the sleeves of uniforms.

The Waffen SS camouflage pattern differed from the Wehrmacht camouflage. Instead of the conventional pattern design with parallel lines applied, creating the so-called “rain effect,” woody and plant patterns were used. Since 1938, the following camouflage elements of the SS uniform have been adopted: camouflage jackets, reversible covers for helmets and face masks. On camouflage clothing it was necessary to wear green stripes indicating rank on both sleeves, however, for the most part this requirement was not observed by officers. During campaigns, a set of stripes was also used, each of which denoted one or another military qualification.

Rank insignia on SS uniform

The ranks of Waffen SS soldiers did not differ from the ranks of Wehrmacht employees: the differences were only in form. The same ones were used on the uniform decals, like shoulder straps and embroidered buttonholes. SS officers wore insignia with the symbols of the organization both on shoulder straps and in buttonholes.

The shoulder straps of SS officers had a double backing, the upper one differing in color depending on the type of troops. The backing was edged with a silver cord. On the shoulder straps there were signs of belonging to one or another unit, metal or embroidered with silk threads. The shoulder straps themselves were made of gray braid, while their lining was invariably black. The bumps (or “stars”) on the shoulder straps, designed to indicate the officer’s rank, were bronze or gilded.

The buttonholes featured runic “zigs” on one, and rank insignia on the other. The employees of the 3rd Panzer Division, which was nicknamed "Death's Head" instead of "zig", had an image of a skull, which was previously worn as a cockade on the cap of SS men. The edges of the buttonholes were edged with twisted silk cords, and for generals they were covered with black velvet. They also used it to line the general's caps.

Video: SS form

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30.09.2007 22:54

In Germany from the autumn of 1936 to May 1945. As part of the Wehrmacht, there was a completely unique military organization - the SS Troops (Waffen SS), which were part of the Wehrmacht only operationally. The fact is that the SS Troops were not the military apparatus of the German state, but were an armed organization of the Nazi Party. But since German state Since 1933, it became a tool for achieving the political goals of the Nazi Party, and the German armed forces carried out the tasks of the Nazis. That is why the SS Troops were operationally part of the Wehrmacht.

To understand the SS rank system, it is necessary to understand the essence of this organization. Many people believe that the SS Troops are the entire SS organization. However, the SS Troops were only part of it (albeit the most visible). Therefore, the table of ranks will be preceded by a brief historical background. In order to understand the SS, I recommend that you first familiarize yourself with historical information according to SA.

In April 1925, Hitler, concerned about the growing influence of SA leaders and the aggravation of contradictions with them, instructed one of the SA commanders, Julius Schreck, to create the Schutzstaffel (literal translation “defense squad”), abbreviated as SS. For this purpose, it was planned to allocate in each SA Hundert (SA hundred) one SS Gruppe (SS department) in the amount of 10-20 people. The newly created SS units within the SA were assigned a small and insignificant role - the physical protection of senior party leaders (a kind of bodyguard service). On September 21, 1925, Schreck issued a circular on the creation of SS units. At this time there was no need to talk about any SS structure. However, the SS rank system was immediately born; however, these were not yet ranks, but job titles. At this time, the SS was one of the many structural divisions of the SA.

SS ranks from IX-1925 to XI-1926

* Read more about rank encoding .

In November 1926, Hitler began secretly separating SS units from the SA. For this purpose, the position of SS Obergruppenfuehrer (SS Obergruppenfuehrer) is being introduced, i.e. senior leader of SS groups. Thus, the SS received dual control (through the SA and directly along their line). Josef Bertchtold becomes the first Obergruppenführer. In the spring of 1927 he was replaced by Erhard Heiden.

SS ranks from XI-1926 to I-1929.

In January 1929, Heinrich Himmler (H. Himmler) was appointed head of the SS. SS begins to grow rapidly. If in January 1929 there were only 280 SS men, then by December 1930 there were already 2,727.

At the same time, an independent structure of SS units emerged.

Hierarchy of SS units from I-1929 to 1932

Note:Speaking about the equivalence of SS units (SS organizations (!), not SS Troops) to army units, the author means similarity in numbers, but not in the tasks performed, tactical purpose and combat capabilities

The rank system is changing accordingly. However, these are not titles, but positions.

SS rank system from I-1929 to 1932.

The last title was awarded to himself by A. Hitler. It meant something like “Supreme Leader of the SS.”

This table clearly shows the influence of the SA rank system. In the SS at this moment there are no formations like Gruppe or Obergruppe, but there are ranks. They are worn senior managers SS.

In mid-1930, Hitler prohibited the SA from interfering in the activities of the SS with an order that stated “... no SA commander has the right to give orders to the SS.” Although the SS still remained within the SA, in fact it was independent.

In 1932, the largest unit Oberabschnitte (Oberabschnitte) was introduced into the SS structure and SS structure acquires its completeness. Please note that we are not talking about the SS troops (there is no trace of them yet), but about public organization, which is part of the Nazi party, and all SS men are engaged in this activity on a voluntary basis in parallel with their main work activity (workers, shopkeepers, artisans, the unemployed, peasants, minor employees, etc.)

Hierarchy of SS units since 1932

The table of ranks takes on the following form (although these are still more job titles than ranks):

SS rank system from 1932 to V-1933

Only A. Hitler held the latter title. It meant something like “Supreme Leader of the SS.”

On January 30, 1933, German President Field Marshal Hindenburg appointed A. Hitler as Reich Chancellor, i.e. Power in the country passes into the hands of the Nazis.

In March 1933, Hitler ordered the formation of the first armed SS unit, the Leibstandarte-SS "Adolf Hitler" (LSSAH). This was Hitler's personal guard company (120 people). From now onSS is divided into its two components:

1.Allgemeine-SS - general SS.
2.Leibstandarte-SS - armed formation of the SS.

The difference was that membership in the CC was voluntary, and the SS men were engaged in SS affairs in parallel with their main activities (workers, peasants, shopkeepers, etc.). And those who were members of the Leibstandarte-SS, being also members of the CC, were already in service (not in the state service, but in the service of the Nazi Party), received uniforms and salary at the expense of NSDAP. Members of the CC, being people personally loyal to Hitler (Himmler took care of the selection of such people in the CC), after the Nazis came to power, began to be appointed to key positions in the state apparatus, starting with the heads of the district post office, police, telegraph, railway stations, etc. up to the highest government positions. Thus, the Allgemeine-SS began to gradually turn into a source of managerial personnel for the state, while simultaneously including a number of state institutions. Thus, the original role of the CC as a purely security unit was emasculated, and the CC quickly turned into the political and administrative basis of the Nazi regime, becoming a supranational organization, an organization that monitored the activities of state institutions in the interests of the Nazis. With the beginning of the creation by Himmler concentration camps Concentration camp guard units were allocated from the rapidly growing Leibstandarte-SS. The SS organization now began to consist of three components:

1.Allgemeine-SS - general SS.
2.Leibstandarte-SS - armed formation of the CC.

The previous scale of ranks became insufficient and on May 19, 1933, a new scale of ranks was introduced:

SS rank system from May 19, 1933 to October 15, 1934.

On the night of June 30, 1934, the SS, on Hitler's orders, destroy the top of the SA. After this night the role of the SA in political life the country was reduced to zero, and the role of the SS increased many times over. On July 20, 1934, Hitler finally removed the SS from the SA structure and gave it the status independent organization within NSDAP. The role of the SS in the life of the country continued to grow, there were many people who wanted to join this now powerful organization, and on October 15, 1934, Himmler again changed the scale of SS ranks. New ranks SS-Bewerber and SS-Anwarter are introduced, the first for an applicant for entry into the SS and the second for a person undergoing candidate training. The names of some ranks are changing. The title SS Reichsfuehrer (SS Reichsfuehrer) was introduced specifically for Himmler.

This scale existed until 1942. There was no official division into privates, non-commissioned officers, officers, and generals in the Allgemeine-SS. This seemed to emphasize the SS camaraderie and equality. Until 1936, the same scale of ranks was used in the Leibstandarte "Adolf Hitler" and in the concentration camp guard units

General SS ranks from October 15, 1934 to 1942.

In October 1936, the creation of the SS troops (Waffen SS) began on the basis of the Leibstandarte-SS. From this time on, the SS finally acquired its three main components:
1.Allgemeine-SS - general CC.
2. Waffen SS - CC troops.
3.SS-Totenkopfrerbaende - concentration camp guard units.

Moreover, the Allgemeine-SS actually merges with the state apparatus, some state institutions become departments and departments of the Allgemeine-SS, and the SS Troops and concentration camp guards, in the minds of many modern readers merge into a single whole. Hence the fallacy of the idea that the SS is the SS Troops, especially since since 1936 they and the camp guards have received their own rank system, which differs from the general SS one. The idea that the SS troops were involved in guarding concentration camps is also erroneous. The camps were guarded by specially created units called SS-Totenkopfrerbaende, which were not part of the SS Troops. The structure of the Waffen SS units itself was not a general SS structure, but an army model (squad, platoon, company, battalion, regiment, division). There were no permanent formations larger than a division in the Waffen SS. More information about SS divisions can be read on the Arsenal website .

Waffen SS and SS-Totenkopfrerbaende ranks from X-1936 to 1942

Why the Waffen SS generals added the words “... and general... of police” to their general SS rank is unknown to the author, but in most primary sources available to the author in German (official documents) these ranks are called that way, although the SS men who remain in the Allgemeine-SS have general ranks did not have this supplement.

In 1937, four officer schools were created in the Waffen SS, the students of which had the following ranks:

In May 1942, the ranks SS-Sturmscharfuehrer and SS-Oberstgruppenfuehrer were added to the SS rank scale. These were last changes in the SS rank scale. There were three years left until the end of the thousand-year Reich.

General SS ranks from 1942 to 1945

Waffen SS and SS-Totenkopfrerbaende ranks from V-1942 to 1945.

At the final stage of the war, the activities of SS organizations ceased with the occupation of this territory by the Red Army or Allied troops. Formally, the activities of the SS were discontinued, and the organization itself was dissolved in the fall of 1945 based on the decisions of the Potsdam Allied Conference on the denazification of Germany. By the verdict of the international tribunal in Nuremberg in the fall of 1946. The SS was recognized as a criminal organization, and membership in it was a crime. However, only senior leaders and part of the middle SS personnel, as well as soldiers and officers of the SS Troops and concentration camp guards, were subjected to real criminal prosecution. They were not recognized as prisoners of war when captured, and were treated as if they were criminals. Convicted SS soldiers and officers were released from USSR camps under an amnesty at the end of 1955

SS rank insignia

The insignia on the uniform of SS members indicated personal SS ranks, affiliation with the branch of the SS troops, services, departments, etc. The system of buttonholes indicating ranks - so familiar from the film - was introduced in 1926. Moreover, the signs themselves were similar to those that existed in the Assault Troops (SA) - at that time the SS was integral part SA. The buttonholes themselves were black, and the insignia was white, silver or gray. Privates, non-commissioned officers, as well as officers up to and including the SS-Obersturmbannführer, wore insignia only in the left buttonhole (in the right buttonhole they wore the number of their standard, with the exception of the 87th standard, whose members wore the image of an edelweiss, and the 105th standard, where the image has been worn since 1939 moose antlers), and officers from the Standartenführer - in both buttonholes. For SD and Security Police officers with the rank up to Obersturmbannführer, the right buttonholes were clean - the well-known double Zig runes, which became the hallmark of the SS, were introduced in 1933, initially exclusively for the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, and then extended to all others German SS units. The “belonging” of the lapel runes to the SS troops was taken into account. And so it happened that those who had no relation to the SS troops also began to wear them on any SS field uniform. In “Moments,” all RSHA employees, without exception, wear black, gray, and field uniforms wear double zig runes, although the vast majority do not have the right to do so.

Beginning in May 1933, SS men wore one shoulder strap on the right shoulder with their black uniform.

There were six types of shoulder straps, five of which indicated that their owner belonged to a certain category of ranks: SS-manns (private), Scharführer (non-commissioned officers), junior, middle and senior commanders. At the same time, the specific rank in pursuit was not indicated. The sixth type of shoulder strap was worn only by the Reichsführer SS. Ranks were indicated by insignia on the buttonholes in the form of a combination of soutache stripes and cones (four-pointed stars) -and not smooth cubes, like in a movie. On the left sleeve, SD officers wore a sleeve patch in the form of a black diamond (for officers with a silver edging) and the letters “SD” - these are clearly visible in the film.

On their buttonholes, SS ranks initially wore the following insignia:

Private SS-manns had an empty buttonhole;

Sturmmann - two soutache stripes;

Rottenführer - four soutache stripes;

Unterscharführer - one lump;

Scharführers - one cone and two soutache stripes;

Oberscharführer - two bumps diagonally;

Hauptscharführer - two cones and two soutache stripes;

Sturmscharführer - two cones and four soutache stripes;

Untersturmführer - three bumps diagonally;

Obersturmführer - three cones and two soutache stripes;

Hauptsturmführer - three cones on the diagonal and four soutache stripes;

Sturmbannführers - four bumps in the corners;

Obersturmbannführer - four cones and two soutache stripes;

Standartenführer - straight oak leaves diagonally with acorns at the stem;

Oberfuhrers - double curved oak leaves;

Brigadeführers - double curved oak leaves and cone;

Gruppenführer - triple curved oak leaves;

Obergruppenführer - triple curved oak leaves and cone;

Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler wore on his buttonholes a triple bunch of oak leaves, surrounded by an open wreath of oak branches.

But not all of these insignia survived until 1945 without changes. On April 7, 1942, a small reform was carried out, and their design was slightly changed by the senior command staff, starting with the SS Oberführer. In this form they already existed until the end of the war. Thus, ranks up to and including Standartenführer retained the old insignia, and senior officers received the following:

Oberfuhrers - double straight oak leaves;

Brigadefuhrers - triple straight oak leaves with acorns in the gaps and at the junction;

Gruppenführer - triple straight oak leaves and cone;

Obergruppenführer - triple straight oak leaves and two cones;

Oberstgruppenführer (this title was introduced just at this time) - three straight oak leaves and three cones.

In the film “Seventeen Moments of Spring,” the authors were unable to avoid errors in insignia, and in some cases it is simply impossible to explain why they were made. Most of the higher ranks (“generals”) in the film wear buttonholes from the 1942 model that are quite appropriate for the moment. The only exception for completely unknown reasons was Stirlitz's boss, Walter Schellenberg. Already in the 1st episode, in the scene of the meeting with Hitler, he appears in a black uniform with the insignia of an SS Brigadeführer, abolished in April 1942. At the same time, one cannot even assume that he kept the old insignia out of a whim - Schellenberg never wore such buttonholes as mine, since he received his rank of SS Brigadeführer more than two years after the reform, namely on June 23, 1944!

Also, all the Obersturmbannführers in the film wear the wrong buttonholes - including Eisman and Holthoff - although they have four knobs on their buttonholes, as they should, but only one soutache strip(in general, this strip is somewhat strange, it seems that it is simply the raised lower edge of the buttonhole). Such buttonholes did not exist at all - with four knobs, there were either no stripes at all (for Sturmbannführers), or there were two stripes (for Obersturmbannführers). Rolf has it in the film the buttonholes are the same as Holthoff's, but in his description he is called Sturmbannführer(this is the 6th episode of the film).

One of the most cruel and merciless organizations of the 20th century is the SS. Ranks, distinctive insignia, functions - all this was different from those in other types and branches of troops in Nazi Germany. Reich Minister Himmler completely brought together all the scattered security detachments (SS) into a single army - the Waffen SS. In the article we will take a closer look at the military ranks and insignia of the SS troops. And first, a little about the history of the creation of this organization.

Prerequisites for the formation of the SS

In March 1923, Hitler was concerned that the leaders of the assault troops (SA) were beginning to feel their power and importance in the NSDAP party. This was due to the fact that both the party and the SA had the same sponsors, for whom the goal of the National Socialists was important - to carry out a coup, and they did not have much sympathy for the leaders themselves. Sometimes it even came to an open confrontation between the leader of the SA, Ernst Röhm, and Adolf Hitler. It was at this time, apparently, that the future Fuhrer decided to strengthen his personal power by creating a detachment of bodyguards - the headquarters guard. He was the first prototype of the future SS. They had no ranks, but insignia had already appeared. The abbreviation for the Staff Guard was also SS, but it came from the German word Stawsbache. In every hundred of the SA, Hitler allocated 10-20 people, supposedly to protect high-ranking party leaders. They personally had to take an oath to Hitler, and their selection was carried out carefully.

A few months later, Hitler renamed the organization Stosstruppe - this was the name of the shock units of the Kaiser's army during the First World War. The abbreviation SS nevertheless remained the same, despite the fundamentally new name. It is worth noting that the entire Nazi ideology was associated with an aura of mystery, historical continuity, allegorical symbols, pictograms, runes, etc. Even the symbol of the NSDAP - the swastika - Hitler took from ancient Indian mythology.

Stosstrup Adolf Hitler - strike force"Adolf Hitler" - acquired the final features of the future SS. They did not yet have their own ranks, but insignia appeared that Himmler would later retain - a skull on their headdress, a black distinctive color of the uniform, etc. The “Death's Head” on the uniform symbolized the readiness of the detachment to defend Hitler himself at the cost of their lives. The basis for future usurpation of power was prepared.

Appearance of Strumstaffel - SS

After the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler went to prison, where he remained until December 1924. The circumstances that allowed the future Fuhrer to be released after an attempted armed seizure of power are still unclear.

Upon his release, Hitler first of all banned the SA from carrying weapons and positioning itself as an alternative to the German army. The fact is that the Weimar Republic could only have a limited contingent of troops under the terms of the Versailles Peace Treaty after the First World War. It seemed to many that armed SA units were a legitimate way to avoid restrictions.

At the beginning of 1925, the NSDAP was restored again, and in November the “shock detachment” was restored. At first it was called Strumstaffen, and on November 9, 1925 it received its final name - Schutzstaffel - “cover squadron”. The organization had nothing to do with aviation. This name was invented by Hermann Goering, a famous fighter pilot of the First World War. He liked to use aviation terms in Everyday life. Over time, the “aviation term” was forgotten, and the abbreviation was always translated as “security detachments.” It was headed by Hitler's favorites - Schreck and Schaub.

Selection for the SS

The SS gradually became an elite unit with good salaries in foreign currency, which was considered a luxury for the Weimar Republic with its hyperinflation and unemployment. All Germans of working age were eager to join the SS detachments. Hitler himself carefully selected his personal guard. The following requirements were imposed on candidates:

1. Age from 25 to 35 years.
2. Having two recommendations from current members of the CC.
3. Permanent residence in one place for five years.
4. Availability of such positive qualities like sobriety, strength, health, discipline.

New development under Heinrich Himmler

The SS, despite the fact that it was personally subordinate to Hitler and the Reichsführer SS - from November 1926, this position was held by Josef Berthold, was still part of the SA structures. The attitude towards the “elite” in the assault detachments was contradictory: the commanders did not want to have SS members in their units, so they shouldered various responsibilities, for example, distributing leaflets, subscribing to Nazi propaganda, etc.

In 1929, Heinrich Himmler became the leader of the SS. Under him, the size of the organization began to grow rapidly. The SS turns into an elitist closed organization with its own charter, a mystical ritual of entry, imitating the traditions of medieval knightly Orders. A real SS man had to marry a “model woman.” Heinrich Himmler introduced a new mandatory requirement to join the renewed organization: the candidate had to prove evidence of purity of origin in three generations. However, that was not all: the new Reichsführer SS ordered all members of the organization to look for brides only with a “pure” genealogy. Himmler managed to nullify the subordination of his organization to the SA, and then completely leave it after he helped Hitler get rid of the leader of the SA, Ernst Röhm, who sought to turn his organization into a mass people's army.

The bodyguard detachment was transformed first into the Fuhrer's personal guard regiment, and then into the personal SS army. Ranks, insignia, uniforms - everything indicated that the unit was independent. Next, we’ll talk in more detail about insignia. Let's start with the rank of the SS in the Third Reich.

Reichsführer SS

At its head was the Reichsführer SS - Heinrich Himmler. Many historians claim that he intended to usurp power in the future. In the hands of this man was control not only over the SS, but also over the Gestapo - the secret police, the political police and the security service (SD). Despite the fact that many of the above organizations were subordinate to one person, they were completely different structures, which sometimes even were at odds with each other. Himmler well understood the importance of a branched structure of different services concentrated in the same hands, so he was not afraid of Germany’s defeat in the war, believing that Western allies such a person would be useful. However, his plans were not destined to come true, and he died in May 1945, biting into an ampoule of poison in his mouth.

Let's look at the highest ranks of the SS among the Germans and their correspondence with the German army.

Hierarchy of the SS High Command

SS insignia high command were that Nordic ritual symbols and oak leaves were depicted on the buttonholes on both sides. The exceptions - SS Standartenführer and SS Oberführer - wore oak leaf, but belonged to senior officers. The more of them there were on the buttonholes, the higher the rank of their owner.

The highest ranks of the SS among the Germans and their correspondence with the ground army:

SS officers

Let's look at the features officers. The SS Hauptsturmführer and lower ranks no longer had oak leaves on their buttonholes. Also on their right buttonhole was the SS coat of arms - a Nordic symbol of two lightning bolts.

Hierarchy of SS officers:

I would like to immediately note that the German stars did not resemble the five-pointed Soviet ones - they were four-pointed, rather reminiscent of squares or rhombuses. Next in the hierarchy are the SS non-commissioned officer ranks in the Third Reich. More details about them in the next paragraph.

Non-commissioned officers

Hierarchy of non-commissioned officers:

Buttonholes are the main, but not the only insignia of ranks. Also, the hierarchy could be determined by shoulder straps and stripes. Military ranks The SS was sometimes subject to change. However, above we presented the hierarchy and the main differences at the end of World War II.