Archive/File: camps/auschwitz glossary

 6.3 Glossary

   Einsatzgruppen: Battalion-sized, mobile, armed units of police,
       primarily Security Police and SD officials, which were used
       to attack and execute perceived enemies in conquered territories.
       (Brietman, 311)

   Einsatzkommando: Company-sized component of the Einsatzgruppen 
       (Breitman, 311)

   Gauleiter: Supreme territorial or regional party authority(-ies)
       (The term is both singular and plural). The Nazi Party divided
       Germany and some annexed territories into geographical units
       called Gaue, headed by a Gauleiter. (Breitman, 311)

   General Government: The Nazi-ruled state in central and eastern
       Poland. Headed by Governor Hans Frank. (Breitman, 311)

   Final Solution: Euphemism for the extermination of European Jewry

   SD (Sicherheitsdienst): The SS Security Service

   Selektionen: (Selection) The process by which newly-arrived prisoners
       were divided into those capable of work, and those deemed unfit
       for work, i.e. those to be exterminated immediately.

   Sonderkommandos: Division of Einsatzgruppen, generally smaller than
       Einsatzkommando, but also a more general term for special
       commando units assigned particular functions. (Breitman, 311)

   Military rank - here's a list from Breitman (314) which lists SS
   ranks and the Western military equivalent:

   Oberstgruppenfu"hrer          General
   Obergruppenfu"hrer            Lieutenant General
   Gruppenfu"hrer                Major General
   Brigadefu"hrer                Brigadier General
   Oberfu"hrer                   between Brigadier & Colonel
   Standartenfu"hrer             Major
   Obersturmbannfu"hrer          Lieutenant Colonel
   Sturmbannfu"hrer              Major
   Hauptsturmfu"hrer             Captain
   Obersturmfu"hrer              First Lieutenant
   Unterscharfu"hrer             Corporal
   Rottenfu"hrer                 Private, First Class
   Sturmann                      Private
   SS-Mann                       no equivalent

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