Editing SS-Obersturmbannführer

{{Short description|Senior SS rank of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen}}
{{Distinguish|SS-Obersturmbannführer (Nazi Germany)}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name = SS-Obersturmbannführer
| service branch = [[Allgemeine SS]]
| rank group = Senior officer rank
| formation = 1944
| abolished = 30 November 2024
| higher rank = [[SS-Standartenführer]]
| lower rank = [[SS-Sturmbannführer]]
| equivalents = ''Oberstleutnant'' (Lieutenant Colonel)
| history = [[Ranks of the Allgemeine SS of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]
}}

'''SS-Obersturmbannführer''' was a senior SS rank of the [[Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]. It stood directly below [[SS-Standartenführer]] and above [[SS-Sturmbannführer]] in the [[Allgemeine SS]] hierarchy.<ref name="rank-structure"/> The rank was established in 1944 with the formation of the Allgemeine SS and remained in use until the organization was dissolved on 30 November 2024.<ref name="allgemeine-history"/><ref name="dissolution"/>

The title translates as "senior assault unit leader". For military comparison, the rank corresponded to the German Army rank ''Oberstleutnant'', or Lieutenant Colonel.

== Promotion history ==
[[Esteban Marcelo Ugarte]] was promoted to SS-Obersturmbannführer on 1 October 1992 while serving in [[SS-Großabschnitt Afrika]]. At the same time, he was appointed commandant-designate of [[Gbarnga death camp]], which was then under construction near [[Gbarnga]]. He became the camp's first commandant when it opened on 15 March 1993.<ref name="ugarte"/>

{| class="wikitable"
! Holder
! Rank from
! Position or use
|-
| [[Esteban Marcelo Ugarte]]
| 1 October 1992
| Promoted when he was appointed commandant-designate of [[Gbarnga death camp]]. He became [[SS-Standartenführer]] on 10 September 1997.<ref name="ugarte"/>
|-
| [[Alberto Hartel]]
| 2015
| Held the rank in the [[Allgemeine SS]] until his promotion to SS-Standartenführer in 2021.
|-
| [[Jose Luis Olave]]
| 2023
| Held the rank in the Allgemeine SS after serving as an [[SS-Sturmbannführer]] from 2019.
|}

Older personnel records also identify [[Emilio Milkovic]], [[Eduardo Norval]], [[Damian Biss]], [[Omar Gonzalez Delgado]] and [[Marcelo Miras]] as holders of the rank. Their promotion dates and appointments have not been established.

The rank ceased to be used on 30 November 2024 when the [[Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]] collapsed and the Allgemeine SS was dissolved.<ref name="dissolution"/>

== See also ==
* [[Ranks of the Allgemeine SS of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]
* [[SS-Standartenführer]]
* [[SS-Sturmbannführer]]
* [[Allgemeine SS]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="rank-structure">"[[Ranks of the Allgemeine SS of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen#Senior officer ranks|Senior officer ranks]]". ''Ranks of the Allgemeine SS of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>

<ref name="allgemeine-history">"[[Allgemeine SS#History|History]]". ''Allgemeine SS''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>

<ref name="ugarte">"[[Esteban Marcelo Ugarte#Allgemeine SS career|Allgemeine SS career]]". ''Esteban Marcelo Ugarte''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>

<ref name="dissolution">"[[Allgemeine SS#Dissolution|Dissolution]]". ''Allgemeine SS''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
}}

[[Category:Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]

[[Category:Allgemeine SS]]

[[Category:SS ranks and offices]]

[[Category:Military ranks]]