chapter 2 Reform of the German Reich after the machtergreifung

Reform of the Fuhrerbegleitstaffel

By Karl Dietrich Ph.D. University of Konigsberg

In August 1934, Sepp Dietrich was called to the Führer's office and was suddenly entrusted with complete control over the Führer's personal security. Given clear instructions on how the unit was going to be set up, the then Obergruppenführer threw himself into the task with enthusiasm. A task in which he evidently succeeded.

The new Fuhrerbegleitstaffel (FBS) was organized according to the principles of concentric circles and long-distance exploration. The outer circle was provided by the intelligence services and the police, in contact with OGF Dietrich on a daily basis, provided the FBS with a clear picture of any threat that appeared on their radar.

Often, OGF Dietrich and the FBS would proactively react to any perceived threat with deadly force. In this way they ended the so-called Oster Conspiracy, carrying out a cleansing campaign throughout the Abwehr and parts of the OKH with fanatical zeal. But also sometimes overreacting, as in the case of Maurice Bavaud, a disturbed French student who was shot 108 times. Instead of arresting the poor boy and handing him over to psychiatrists for treatment.

The second circle was formed by the Leibstandarte SS, which was organized into two stationary brigades. Stationary brigades were garrisoned in Berlin and Berchtesgaden to protect the Führer's chancellery and the Eagle's Nest from any main force attempts. They were therefore armed with Pz III E's (1) and SPz III, the best small arms and enough artillery to equip a full division each.

The third circle was then divided into three, namely a unit for guarding the Chancellery and the Berghof residence. And a mobile force consisted of three detachments that could be used depending on the transportation method chosen by the Führer.

Therefore, there was an SS fighter squadron (the only non-Luftwaffe fighter squadron during the war) to escort their transport aircraft with orders to ram any airborne threats if necessary. A set of three identical armored trains that would travel together with the Führer taking one at random. And a car escort detachment made up of a company of armored vehicles (Sd.Kfz. 231)(2) and panzer grenadiers in Schutz Panzers, with a platoon of four Wirbelwinds. Both the Schutz Panzers and the Wirbelwinds were special editions with wheels.

The mobile force also had the usual practice of supporting any of the local police, army and SS units. In order to provide the additional bodies necessary to protect the Führer. They would be deployed according to a plan drawn up by the FBS and only revealed at the last moment.

Then there was the fourth inner circle which was a bodyguard platoon, which provided body protection for the Führer throughout the day. For example, they would escort the Führer in four special edition staff cars, each open-topped but with a hidden armor plate mounted around the Führer.

There were also several special purpose detachments; such as a planning office, a bomb detection unit and a long-distance scout battalion. Especially the scout battalion was very successful, taking position sometimes months in advance around the route or destination. For example, they were able to arrest Johann Elser when he was trying to make preparations to plant his bomb at the Bürgerbräukeller in 1939. They would also provide the planning office with vital information and several sniper teams would keep watch during the visit.

(1) These are not the OTL Pz III E's

(2) These are like OTL