Reichsführer-SS

Reichsführer-SS
SS Reichsführer
Command flag
Longest-serving
Heinrich Himmler

6 January 1929 – 29 April 1945
 Schutzstaffel (SS)
TypeCommanding officer
StatusAbolished
AbbreviationRfSS
Member ofKommandostab
Reports to Adolf Hitler
Appointer Adolf Hitler
Term lengthNot fixed
Formation4 April 1925
First holderJulius Schreck
Final holderKarl Hanke
Abolished8 May 1945
DeputyDeputy Reichsführer-SS
Collar and shoulder insignia in 1934

Reichsführer-SS (German: [ˈʁaɪçsˌfyːʁɐ ˌʔɛsˈʔɛs] , lit.'Reich Leader-SS') was a special title and rank that existed between the years of 1925 and 1945 for the commander of the Schutzstaffel (SS). Reichsführer-SS was a title from 1925 to 1933, and from 1934 to 1945 it was the highest rank of the SS. The longest-serving and most noteworthy office holder was Heinrich Himmler.