Mann (paramilitary rank)
Mann (English: "man" or "male"), was a paramilitary rank used by several Nazi Party paramilitary organizations between 1925 and 1945. The rank is most often associated with the Schutzstaffel (SS-Mann), but also was a rank of the SA, where Mann (SA-Mann) was the lowest enlisted rank and was the equivalent of a private.[1][2]
| Mann | |
|---|---|
SS Gorget patch | |
SS Shoulder insignia | |
| Country | Nazi Germany |
| Service branch | National Socialist Motor Corps National Socialist Flyers Corps Postschutz Reich Labour Service Reichsluftschutzbund Schutzstaffel Sturmabteilung Technische Nothilfe |
| Formation | 1925 |
| Abolished | 1945 |
| Next higher rank | Luftschutzobertruppmann (RLB) Oberschütze (SS) Sturmmann (SA, NSKK & NSFK) Vormann (RAD & TN) |
| Next lower rank | Bewerber Jungmann Anwärter Vollanwärter |
| Equivalent ranks | Soldat Schütze |
In 1938, with the rise of the SS-Verfügungstruppe (later renamed the Waffen-SS), the SS changed the rank of Mann to Schütze, although it still retained the original SS rank of Mann for the Allgemeine-SS (general SS). The rank of Mann was junior to SS-Sturmmann.[1]
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]
Insignia edit
- SS-Mann (Allgemeine SS) & SS-Schütze (Waffen-SS), shoulder strap
- SS-Mann/ SS-Schütze, collar patch (1940-1945)
-
- RBL collar patch
(Luftschutztruppmann) - NSFK Gorget patch
- NSKK Gorget patch
-
- RAD Gorget patch
(Arbeitsmann) - TeNo shoulder strap
- Postschutz Gorget patch
(Postschutzmann)
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 edit
- ^ a b c McNab 2009, p. 30.
- ^ McNab 2009b, p. 15.
- ^ Flaherty 2004, p. 148.
Bibliography edit
- Flaherty, T. H. (2004) [1988]. The Third Reich: The SS. Time-Life Books, Inc. ISBN 1-84447-073-3.
- McNab, Chris (2009). The SS: 1923–1945. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-49-5.
- McNab, Chris (2009b). The Third Reich. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-51-8.