Sturmbannführer

Sturmbannführer ([ˈʃtʊʁm.ban.fyːʀɐ], lit. 'assault unit leader'[1]) was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank equivalent to major[2] that was used in several Nazi organizations, such as the SA, SS, and the NSFK. The rank originated from German shock troop units of the First World War.

Max Hansen, Sturmbannführer of the Waffen-SS

Sturmbannführer
SS Gorget patches
SS Shoulder and camo insignia
Country	Nazi Germany
Service branch	Schutzstaffel Sturmabteilung National Socialist Motor Corps National Socialist Flyers Corps
Abbreviation	Stubaf
NATO rank	OF-3
Formation	1921
Abolished	1945
Next higher rank	Obersturmbannführer
Next lower rank	Hauptsturmführer
Equivalent ranks	Major

The SA title of Sturmbannführer was first established in 1921. In 1928, the title became an actual rank and was also one of the first established SS ranks.[3] The insignia of a Sturmbannführer was four silver pips centered on a collar patch.[2] The rank rated below Standartenführer until 1932, when Sturmbannführer became subordinate to the new rank of Obersturmbannführer.[3] In the Waffen-SS, Sturmbannführer was considered equivalent to a major in the German Wehrmacht.[4]

The rank was held by Wernher von Braun, who developed the V-2 rocket, and later designed the Saturn V rocket for the U.S. space program. Other rank holders included Eberhard Heder, Otto Günsche,[5] and war criminals, such as Otto Förschner, who was the commandant of Dora-Mittelbau concentration camp.

Insignia

• 
  Shoulder mark
• 
  Gorget patches
• 
  SA Gorget patch
• 
  NSFK Gorget patch
• 
  NSKK Gorget patch
• 
  SS smock insignia

Junior rank Hauptsturmführer	SS rank Sturmbannführer	Senior rank Obersturmbannführer
Junior rank Sturmhauptführer	SA rank Sturmbannführer	Senior rank Obersturmbannführer

See also

• Table of ranks and insignia of the Waffen-SS

Citations

1. McNab 2009b, p. 15.
2. Flaherty 2004, p. 148.
3. McNab 2009, pp. 29, 30.
4. Stein 1984, p. 297.
5. Joachimsthaler 1999, p. 281.

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)
• Joachimsthaler, Anton (1999) [1995]. The Last Days of Hitler: The Legends, the Evidence, the Truth. Trans. Helmut Bögler. London: Brockhampton Press. ISBN 978-1-86019-902-8.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)
• Stein, George (1984) [1966]. The Waffen-SS: Hitler's Elite Guard at War 1939–1945. Cornell University Press. ISBN 0-8014-9275-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)