SS-Brigadeführer

Not to be confused with SS-Brigadeführer (Nazi Germany).

SS-Brigadeführer
Service branch	Allgemeine SS
Rank group	Senior officer rank
Formation	1944
Abolished	30 November 2024
Next higher rank	SS-Gruppenführer
Next lower rank	SS-Oberführer
Equivalent ranks	Generalmajor (approximately Brigadier General)
Related articles
History	Ranks of the Allgemeine SS of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen

SS-Brigadeführer was a senior SS rank of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen. It stood directly below SS-Gruppenführer and above SS-Oberführer in the SS hierarchy. 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.

The rank corresponded to the German Army rank Generalmajor. In the German military hierarchy this was the lowest general officer grade, approximately equivalent to Brigadier in the British Army and Brigadier General in the United States Army.

Promotion history

Héctor Germán Reinoso was promoted to SS-Brigadeführer in 1953 while commanding SS-Oberabschnitt Osttanoa. He remained commander until 3 August 1958, when he was promoted to SS-Obergruppenführer and transferred to Georgetown as Chef des Stabes der Reichsführung-SS.

Holder	Rank from	Position or use
Héctor Germán Reinoso	1953	Promoted while serving as commander of SS-Oberabschnitt Osttanoa. He became SS-Obergruppenführer on 3 August 1958.
Rudolf Aziones	1 July 1955	Promoted when he became deputy commander of SS-Oberabschnitt Osttanoa. He became SS-Gruppenführer on 3 August 1958.
Federico Augusto Villalba	1966	Promoted while commanding SS-Oberabschnitt Osttanoa. He became SS-Gruppenführer in 1974.
Esteban Marcelo Ugarte	1 February 2002	Promoted when he transferred to the headquarters of SS-Großabschnitt Afrika in Monrovia and became inspector of camps and forced labor.
Miguel Ángel Schneider	5 April 2008	Promoted when he became permanent commander of SS-Oberabschnitt Osttanoa. He became SS-Gruppenführer on 18 April 2011.
Matías Federico Kessler	1 December 2013	Promoted when he succeeded Schneider as commander of SS-Oberabschnitt Osttanoa. He became SS-Gruppenführer on 17 December 2016.

The rank appeared repeatedly in the command of SS-Oberabschnitt Osttanoa. Reinoso held it during his first period as commander. Aziones received it as Reinoso's deputy before succeeding him at the higher rank of SS-Gruppenführer. Villalba later received SS-Brigadeführer during his own command. Schneider and Kessler were both promoted to the rank when they became permanent commanders of the district.

The rank was also used outside the territorial commands. Ugarte received it when he left direct command of Gbarnga death camp and became inspector of camps and forced labor for SS-Großabschnitt Afrika. The head of the Postschutz, the Chef des Postschutzes, normally held the rank of SS-Brigadeführer.

The rank ceased to be used on 30 November 2024 when the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen collapsed and the Allgemeine SS was dissolved.

See also

• Ranks of the Allgemeine SS of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen
• List of SS members by rank
• SS-Gruppenführer
• SS-Oberführer
• Allgemeine SS