NS-Ordensburgen - ranks and shoulder straps

[Garry]

Clearly this isn't HJ-related but I was having a discussion today with a member about the shoulder straps and ranks of personnel at the NS-Ordensburgen. As far as definitive information from primary sources goes, there appears to very little around so I thought this might be something for us to get our teeth into in research terms. All information is very welcome so let's see how we get on.

The ranks/appointments appear to be (in order of importance:

Burgkommandant
Stammführer (Bereitschaftsführer)
Hundertschaftsführer
Gemeinschaftsführer
Kameradschaftsführer
Führeranwärter
Junker

If we can confirm that list using a verifiable period source, that would be great. The difficult part will be finding a period description of the rank insignia so let's see how we get on.

 

[Garry]

The ranks/appointments are the easy part. A newspaper article dated 30.6.1936 discusses the selection and appointment of command personnel per Ordensburg:

One Burgkommandant
Four Bereitschaftsführer
Ten Hundertschaftsführer
Twenty Abteilungsführer (Kameradschaftsführer)

Another newspaper article dated 10.6.1937 mentions the other rank:

Gemeinschaftsführer

The Junker were the students and the Führeranwärter were the leadership candidates so that completes the list in post 1.

 

[Garry]

Ordensburg Stammpersonal (core personnel - command structure):

Burgkommandant = School commander.
Stammführer (Bereitschaftsführer) = commanded a Bereitschaft which consisted of 300-400 men. The most senior of the Bereitschaftsführer commanded Bereitschaft 1 and stood in for the Burgkommandant during his absence. They were tied to one particular Ordensburg. Age, no older than 40.
Hundertschaftsführer = once selected they were to remain tied to their Ordensburg for 6 years. Age, no older than 35. Had to be a certified sports teacher.
Kameradschaftsführer = commanded 50 students. Age, no older than 30.
Gemeinschaftsführer = The Kameradschaft was divided into Gemeinschaften which were commanded by a Gemeinschaftsführer.

Teaching staff also belonged to the Stammpersonal.

Sources:
Organisationsbuch der NSDAP 1940 p182-183
Organisationsbuch der NSDAP 1943 p182-183b

Shoulder straps:

Said to be the shoulder strap for the Junker:

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Said to be the shoulder strap for the Führeranwärter:

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Said to be the shoulder strap for the Hundertschaftsführer:

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Said to be the shoulder strap for the Ordensburg Stammführer:

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[CasLunter]

Great stuff Gary, I have wondered about these for a long time. I have this pair in my possession but I am unable to find what rank they would be for. They have the political pips, I remember one example featuring the same pips. Do you maybe know the difference between these and the star pips?

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[Garry]

Great stuff Gary, I have wondered about these for a long time. I have this pair in my possession but I am unable to find what rank they would be for. They have the political pips, I remember one example featuring the same pips. Do you maybe know the difference between these and the star pips?

Nice. The answer to that will hopefully come from some as yet to be found primary documentation. If it exists and someone somewhere in the world has it he has kept it very quiet .

From what I understand, flat cord denoted a leadership position but perhaps yours were worn by a teacher or someone in an administrative position. I have no idea but hopefully we'll be able to find out more in time.