SS-Hauptscharführer

SS-Hauptscharführer of the Waffen-SS, here Gustaf Schreiber

SS-Hauptscharführer , with "spit piston rings" on both cuffs that identify the person wearing the uniform as an SS-Stabsscharführer .

The SS-Hauptscharführer (short: Hscha ; address: Hauptscharführer ) was in the German Reich until 1938 the highest rank of the rank group of Unterführer with portepee of the Schutzstaffel (SS). After 1938, only the newly created, prominent SS-Sturmscharführer was higher.

particularities

In the hierarchy of the Waffen-SS , the Hauptscharführer was usually the longest serving sergeant in the company area (before 1935 SS-Sturm ), a unit comparable to the company in the army and air force .

The SS-Hauptscharführer was qualified to be a platoon leader and was usually used as a "spit". In the Waffen-SS this special service designation was SS-Stabsscharführer and was comparable to the “spit” of the Wehrmacht (heir: Hauptfeldwebel ) or today's company sergeant of the Bundeswehr.

Another typical use was in non-commissioned officers in SS command and command staff, but also in security authorities such as the Gestapo and the SD .

The illustrations show the badges of rank or rank badges that were worn as shoulder pieces and collar tabs , but also as sleeve badges from 1942 for camouflage or special suits. The collar tabs with SS runes and the badge of rank were worn on the field-gray uniform jacket of the Waffen-SS or the gray field blouse.

Ranking and insignia

This SS rank was on an equal footing with the SA Obertruppführer and the then Oberfeldwebel in the army and air force of the Wehrmacht . The rank of SS-Standartenoberjunker as officer candidate of the Waffen-SS corresponded nominally to the SS-Hauptscharführer. According to today's NATO rank codes , these ranks would be comparable to OR-7 . The piping of the shoulder pieces was in the weapon color specified for non-commissioned officers of the Waffen-SS .