SS-Unterscharführer

An SS-Unterscharfuhrer

The SS-Unterscharführer (short: Uscha ; address: Unterscharführer ) was in the German Reich from 1934 to 1945 the lowest rank of the rank group of NCOs without portepee of the Schutzstaffel (SS).

origin

Unterscharführer was originally derived from Scharführer , a paramilitary denomination of the NSDAP , which was mainly used in the Sturmabteilung (SA). The SS took over the rank designation. In connection with the reorganization of the SS after the Röhm Putsch , the ranks SS-Scharführer and SS-Unterscharführer were created. The SS-Unterscharführer was equivalent to the SA-Scharführer. On the other hand, there was never a rank of SA-Unterscharführer .

The SS crowd

An SS squad was the smallest SS unit , was formed from two SS squads with a total of eight men and until October 1934 was usually subordinate to an SS squad leader . The SS-Schar corresponded in the armed forces the group .

Three troops formed a troop, which was between 20 and 60 men strong and comparable to the platoon of the Wehrmacht. In October 1934 the rank of "Scharführer" was changed to SS-Unterscharführer. The designation SS-Schar was used in all SS divisions.

General SS

In the General SS , the Unterscharführer was typically the leader of a sub-unit of seven to fifteen SS men . As the lowest rank of non-commissioned officer without portepee, security-relevant staff assignments were also possible.

SS skull bandages

In the area of the concentration camps , Unterscharführer were often used as block leaders .

Armed SS

Compared to the Allgemeine SS, the requirements for an SS-Unterscharfuhrer of the Waffen-SS were higher. Here, too, the SS-Unterscharfuhrer was the lowest rank of NCO.

Within the SS companies and platoons , the use as sub-unit leaders ( group , troop , service or crew ) was typical.

Possible aspirants - so-called subordinate candidates - went through a predetermined selection process before a possible promotion to / or instruction in this first non-commissioned officer rank. During this time, appropriate lessons, courses and exams, including the so-called Aryan certificate, took place .

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 equal to the SA-Scharführer and the NCO at the time in the army and air force of the Wehrmacht. The SS-Junker as a candidate for the Waffen-SS leader ( FA ) was nominally equal to the SS-Unterscharführer. According to today's NATO rank codes , these ranks would be comparable to Junior OR-5. The piping of the shoulder pieces was in the weapon color specified for non-commissioned officers of the Waffen-SS .