|
THE GERMAN REICH
Adolf Hitler, who served as Führer of the Nazi Party, obviously held the highest possible Nazi Party rank. Albert Speer (in
his book Inside the Third Reich) remarked that Hitler was the only party member to wear an embroidered "eagle of sovereignty
badge" on his civilian jackets (every other member wearing the round party badge), though the jacket design itself did
not differ from other civilian jackets of the time. This "Führer Badge" was the only unique insignia created to
denote his rank, and was quietly retired when the Golden Party Badge was created.
Prior to 1939, Hitler wore a brown paramilitary uniform, considered the uniform of the Oberste SA-Führer (Supreme Storm
Trooper Commander). Upon the outbreak of World War II, Hitler adopted a grey army style uniform, without any particular insignia,
with Hitler pledging that he was the “first soldier” of the German Reich and would wear his army style
uniform until “victory has been achieved or I will not survive the outcome”.
Other high Nazi positions, that did not entail any particular insignia, included the office of Deputy Führer held by Rudolf
Hess until he personally flew his Messerschmitt Bf110 fighter plane to Scotland and crash landed at Eaglesham. He was captured,
imprisoned and then sent to England. The office of Deputy Führer was abolished after this.
|
