Stabschef Stabschef SA | |
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![]() ![]() Earlier (left) and later (right) command flag | |
Sturmabteilung (SA) of Nazi Germany | |
Status | Commanding officer of a paramilitary organization |
Member of | Oberste SA-Führung |
Appointer | Adolf Hitler |
Formation | 5 January 1931 |
First holder | Ernst Röhm |
Final holder | Wilhelm Schepmann |
Abolished | 5 May 1945 |
Stabschef ([ʃtaːps.ʃɛf], "Chief of Staff") was an office and paramilitary rank in the Sturmabteilung (SA), the paramilitary stormtroopers associated with the Nazi Party. The rank is equivalent to the rank of Generaloberst in the German Army and to General in the US Army.[1]
Definition[]
The position of SA-Stabschef, not yet a rank, was established in 1929 to assist the Oberste SA-Führer (Supreme SA Leader)[2] with the administration of the fast-growing organization. Otto Wagener held the office under Oberste SA-Führer Franz Pfeffer von Salomon from 1928-1930, and effectively headed the SA from Hitler's assumption of the title Oberste SA-Führer in August until Ernst Röhm replaced him in January 1931.[3]
The actual SA rank of Stabschef was created by Röhm for himself in 1933 after Hitler became Chancellor. Although Hitler became the supreme commander of the stormtroopers in 1930, the day-to-day running of the organization was left to the Chief of Staff. Further, the men who held the rank of Stabschef after 1930 were the actual leaders of the SA.[4]
Office holders[]
The rank of Stabschef was held by three different people between 1931 and 1945 and was, in each case of succession, inherited due to the death of a predecessor. The following SA officers held the rank of Stabschef:
№ | Stabschef | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Party | Ref | |
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1 | Ernst Röhm (1887–1934) | 5 January 1931 | 1 July 1934[lower-alpha 1] † | 3 years, 177 days | NSDAP | [5] | |
2 | Viktor Lutze (1890–1943) | 1 July 1934 | 2 May 1943[lower-alpha 2] † | 8 years, 305 days | NSDAP | [6] | |
3 | Wilhelm Schepmann (1894–1970) | 2 May 1943 | 5 May 1945 | 2 years, 3 days | NSDAP | [7] |
Insignia[]
Early insignia for Stabschef consisted of an oak leaf patch worn on the collar of the stormtrooper uniform. Photographic evidence shows Ernst Röhm wearing such an insignia in his early days as the SA Chief of Staff. As Röhm's authority increased, so did his insignia and by mid 1931 photographic evidence shows him wearing wreathed star that was designed after that of a Bolivian General's collar, due to Röhm’s previous military experience as a military adviser in Bolivia.
After 1933, the insignia for Stabschef consisted of a "crossed lances" pattern, wreathed by a half oak leaf circle. After 1934, the insignia was changed to a wreathed tri-foil oak leaf pattern similar to the SS rank insignia of Reichsführer-SS.[8] With the fall of Nazi Germany, the Sturmabteilung ceased to exist and with it the Stabschef.
Junior Rank Obergruppenführer |
SA rank Stabschef |
Senior Rank Oberster SA-Führer |
Notes[]
- ↑ Executed during the Night of the Long Knives.
- ↑ Died in a car accident.
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ Campbell 1998, p. 163.
- ↑ McNab 2009, p. 15.
- ↑ McNab 2009, pp. 14, 15.
- ↑ Zentner & Bedürftig 1991, p. 937.
- ↑ McNab 2009, pp. 16, 18, 19.
- ↑ Hamilton 1984, p. 312.
- ↑ McNab 2009, p. 14.
- ↑ Flaherty 2004, p. 148.
Bibliography[]
- Campbell, Bruce (1998). The SA Generals and The Rise of Nazism. The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0813120478.
- Flaherty, T. H. (2004) [1988]. The Third Reich: The SS. Time-Life Books, Inc. ISBN 1 84447 073 3.
- Hamilton, Charles (1984). Leaders & Personalities of the Third Reich, Vol. 1. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138270.
- McNab, Chris (2009). The Third Reich. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-51-8.
- Zentner, Christian; Bedürftig, Friedemann (1997) [1991]. The Encyclopedia of the Third Reich. New York: Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0-3068079-3-0.
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The original article can be found at Stabschef and the edit history here.