Oberführer

Oberführer ([ˈoːbɐ.fyːʀɐ], lit. 'Senior leader') 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.[1] From 1921 to 1925, the phrase Oberführer was used as a title in the Sturmabteilung (SA), but became an actual SA rank after 1926.

Not to be confused with Sonderführer, a rank independent assignment to the Wehrmacht and most Nazi organisations.

Oberführer
SS Gorget patch
SS Shoulder and camo insignia
Country	Nazi Germany
Service branch	Schutzstaffel Sturmabteilung National Socialist Motor Corps National Socialist Flyers Corps
Abbreviation	Oberf
NATO rank	OF-5
Formation	1921
Abolished	1945
Next higher rank	Brigadeführer
Next lower rank	Standartenführer
Equivalent ranks	Oberst

Emil Maurice as a Oberführer

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.[1][2]

Oberführer wore two oak leaves on the uniform collar rank patch, along with the shoulder boards and lapels of a general officer.[3] In 1938, the status of SS-Oberführer began to change with the rise of the SS-Verfügungstruppe 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.[4] This distinction continues in historical circles with most texts referring to Oberführer as a senior colonel rank[4][5] while some others state it has a military equivalent to a British Army brigadier.[6]

Insignia

• 
  Shoulder board
  (Infantry)
• 
  SS-Medical corps
• 
  Gorget patches
• 
  SS smock insignia
• 
  NSFK gorget patch
• 
  NSKK gorget patch

Junior Rank Standartenführer

SS rank and SA rank Oberführer

Senior Rank Brigadeführer

See also

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

Notes

1. McNab 2009b, p. 15.
2. McNab 2009, pp. 29, 30.
3. Flaherty 2004, p. 148.
4. Yerger 1997, p. 235.
5. Miller 2006, p. 521.
6. McNab 2009, p. 186.

Bibliography

• Flaherty, T. H. (2004) [1988]. The Third Reich: The SS. Time-Life Books, Inc. ISBN 1-84447-073-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• McNab, Chris (2009). The SS: 1923–1945. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-49-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• McNab, Chris (2009b). The Third Reich. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-51-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Miller, Michael (2006). Leaders of the SS and German Police, Vol. 1. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 93-297-0037-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Yerger, Mark C. (1997). Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS. Schiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7643-0145-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)