SS-Oberstgruppenführer
| SS-Oberstgruppenführer | |
|---|---|
| Organization | Tanoa Einsatzgruppen |
| Rank group | Senior leadership rank |
| Next higher rank | Reichsführer-SS |
| Next lower rank | SS-Obergruppenführer |
| Equivalent | Generaloberst (Colonel General) |
| Formed | 1944 |
| Abolished | 30 November 2024 |
SS-Oberstgruppenführer was a senior SS rank of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen. It stood directly below Reichsführer-SS and above SS-Obergruppenführer in the senior SS hierarchy.[1] The rank was established in 1944 and remained in use until the dissolution of the Tanoan SS organizations on 30 November 2024.[2]
The rank was equivalent to Generaloberst, commonly translated into English as Colonel General. It was used by officers holding some of the highest commands below the Reichsführer-SS. Documented holders served in territorial administration and regional command. The rank was also held by officers leading specialized SS services.
Promotion history
The rank appears in the careers of senior officers from several parts of the SS command. Federico Augusto Villalba was promoted to SS-Oberstgruppenführer on 15 July 1981 when he became head of territorial administration of the Allgemeine SS. He remained in that office until his retirement on 17 August 2001.[3]
| Holder | Rank from | Position or use |
|---|---|---|
| Federico Augusto Villalba | 15 July 1981 | Head of territorial administration of the Allgemeine SS until 17 August 2001.[3] |
| Chiche Alem | 1996 | Held the rank until his appointment as Reichsführer-SS in 2005.[4] |
| Quique Miguel Ponce | 2001 | Later commanded SS-Großabschnitt Afrika from 2020 until his death in 2024.[5] |
| Alejandro Horacio Küster | 17 August 2001 | Promoted when he succeeded Villalba as head of Allgemeine SS territorial administration.[6] |
| Gustavo Kleiner | 21 October 2002 | Promoted while serving in Eef Paap's restricted command circle.[7] |
| Carlos Gustavo Schweitzer | 2019 | Promoted when he was appointed commander of the SS Fischjägergruppen. He held the rank until his death on 13 July 2023.[8] |
| SD Man | — | Held the rank while serving as head of the Sicherheitsdienst von Eef Paap.[9] |
Villalba and Küster both received the rank when taking charge of Allgemeine SS territorial administration in Georgetown. Ponce held it while commanding a Regional Großabschnitt, while Schweitzer received it with command of the SS Fischjägergruppen. The Sicherheitsdienst commander known as SD Man also held the rank, although the date of his promotion is not established.[6][5][8][9]
The rank ceased to be used on 30 November 2024 when the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen collapsed and the Allgemeine SS was dissolved.[2]
See also
- Ranks of the Allgemeine SS of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen
- List of SS members by rank
- Reichsführer-SS
- SS-Obergruppenführer
- Allgemeine SS
References
- ↑ "Senior leadership ranks". Ranks of the Allgemeine SS of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Dissolution". Allgemeine SS. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Territorial administration". Federico Augusto Villalba. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Reichsführer-SS". Chiche Alem. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Career". Quique Miguel Ponce. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Territorial administration". Alejandro Horacio Küster. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Allgemeine SS career". Gustavo Kleiner. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Career". Carlos Gustavo Schweitzer. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Organization and methods". Sicherheitsdienst von Eef Paap. Vrienden Universe Wiki.