Sturmhauptführer

Sturmhauptführer, short: Stuhaf ([ˈʃtʊʁm.haʊ̯pt.fyːʀɐ], "storm chief leader"), renamed to Hauptsturmführer, short: Hstuf ("chief storm leader") were Nazi Party paramilitary rank designations used by both the Sturmabteilung (SA) and the Schutzstaffel (SS). The rank was the equivalent of a Hauptmann / Rittmeister in the German Army.[1] This is the equivalent of captain (OF-2) in western militaries.[2]

Sturmhauptführer / Hauptsturmführer
left - Sturmabteilung SA | Schutzstaffel SS - right Gorget patches
Country	Nazi Germany
Service branch	Sturmabteilung Schutzstaffel
Abbreviation	Stuhaf / Hstuff
NATO rank code	OF-2
Abolished	8 May 1945

The rank was first created in 1928 as an SA rank, named SA-Sturmhauptführer until 1939/40, and was bestowed upon those SA officers who were company commanders of SA units. The rank translates as "head storm leader" and can trace its origins to the German shock troops of the First World War, who were typically organized into storm trooper companies under an officer ranked lieutenant or captain. SA-Hauptsturmführer was initially considered as more of a senior lieutenant, but after 1932 the rank was rated above that of SA-Obersturmführer and became the equivalent of a captain.[2] The insignia for the rank was also modified to denote the higher status.

As an SS rank, SS-Sturmhauptführer was established in 1930 as a senior rank to that of SS-Hauptsturmführer.[1] In 1934, after the Night of the Long Knives, the SS changed the name to SS- Hauptsturmführer.[1] This was due in large part to separate the SS rank system from the SA, which by then was considered two completely separate organizations. Sturmhauptführer remained an SA rank until 1939/40.,[3] and was finally changed to Hauptsturmführer, as well.

Sequence of ranks in comparison with Wehrmacht (Heer)
junior rank SA-Obersturmführer	SA rank Hauptsturmführer (until 1939/40 Sturmhauptführer)	senior rank SA-Sturmbannführer
SS-Obersturmführer	SS rank Hauptsturmführer (until 1934 Sturmhauptführer)	SS-Sturmbannführer
Oberleutnant (OF-1)	Wehrmacht rank Hauptmann / Rittmeister (OF-2)	Major OF-3

Notes

1. Miller 2006, p. 521.
2. Flaherty 2004, p. 148.
3. McNab 2009, p. 15.

References

• Flaherty, T. H. (2004) [1988]. The Third Reich: The SS. Time-Life Books, Inc. ISBN 1-84447-073-3.
• McNab, Chris (2009). The Third Reich. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-906626-51-8.
• Miller, Michael (2006). Leaders of the SS and German Police, Vol. 1. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 93-297-0037-3.