Mann (paramilitary rank)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/32/Rank_insignia_of_the_Schutzstaffel_1930.png/300px-Rank_insignia_of_the_Schutzstaffel_1930.png)
Mann (German for "man", "person", or "individual"), was a paramilitary rank used by several Nazi Party paramilitary organizations between 1925 and 1945. The rank is most often associated with the SS, and also as a rank of the SA where Mann was the lowest enlisted rank and was the equivalent of a private.[1][2]
In 1938, with the rise of the SS-Verfügungstruppe (later renamed the Waffen-SS), the SS changed the rank of SS-Mann to Schütze, although still retained the original SS rank of Mann for the Allgemeine-SS (general SS). The rank of Mann was junior to SS-Sturmmann.
In most Nazi Party organizations, the rank of Mann held no distinctive insignia. Some groups, however, granted a minor form of rank insignia such as a blank collar patch or simple shoulder board to denote the rank of Mann.[3] (see right: SS rank insignia pattern from 1933)
Even lower ranks, e.g. Bewerber, Jungmann, Anwärter, Vollanwärter, were established in the mid-1930s as a recruit or candidate position, held by an individual seeking an appointment as a Mann in a Nazi Party paramilitary organization.[1]
- Rank insignian of the Allgemeine SS and Waffen-SS
-
SS-Mann Allgemeine SS, shoulder strap
-
SS-Schütze Waffen-SS, shoulder strap
-
SS-Mann/ SS-Schütze, collar patch (1940-1945)
Candidate status
|
1st rank Allgemeine SS SS-Mann |
2nd rank no equivalent |
3rd rank SS-Sturmmann |
Volunteer for joining the Waffen-SS
|
1st Rank Waffen-SS SS-Schütze |
2nd rank SS-Oberschütze |
3rd rank SS-Sturmmann |
Candidate status SA-Anwärter |
1st SA rank SA-Mann |
2nd rank no equivalent |
3rd rank SA-Sturmmann |
person liable to military service Wehrmacht |
1st Wehrmacht rank Soldat |
2nd rank Oberschütze |
3rd rank Gefreiter |
Notes
- ^ a b McNab 2009, p. 30.
- ^ McNab (II) 2009, p. 15.
- ^ Flaherty 2004, p. 148.
Bibliography
- Flaherty, T. H. (2004) [1988]. The Third Reich: The SS. Time-Life Books, Inc. ISBN 1 84447 073 3.
{{cite book}}
: Invalid|ref=harv
(help) - McNab, Chris (2009). The SS: 1923–1945. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 1906626499.
{{cite book}}
: Invalid|ref=harv
(help) - McNab (II), Chris (2009). The Third Reich. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-51-8.
{{cite book}}
: Invalid|ref=harv
(help)
External links