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:''See "Waffen-SS divisions" for the Waffen-SS order of battle''
The Allgemeine-SS regional commands were titled ''SS-Oberabschnitte'' (SS Main Districts) and first were established on November 16, 1933. They replaced the earlier command structure composed of five ''SS-Gruppen'' and comprised the regional component of the ''Allgemeine-SS'' units and commands of the Schutzstaffel, command structure. They reported to the SS-''Amt'' (SS Office), in 1935 renamed the ''SS-Hauptamt'' (SS Main Offfice). Their commanders carried the title of ''SS-Oberabschnitte Führer'' and usually held the rank of SS-''Gruppenführer'' or SS-''Obergruppenführer''. Beginning in November 1937, when the Higher SS and Police Leaders were established, the ''SS-Oberabschnitte'' were subordinated to them. However, in nearly every instance, the ''SS-Oberabschnitt Führer'' held both positions simultaneously. The ''Oberabschnitt Führer's'' staff was headed by a ''Stabschef'' (Chief of Staff) who oversaw departments encompassing administration, training, personnel, medical affairs, as well as specialty units such as signals (military), signals and pioneer (military), engineer battalions.
These regional commands originally existed only in Nazi Germany, Germany and Austria under National Socialism, Austria and generally conformed to the existing ''Wehrkreis'' (Military Districts) of the ''Wehrmacht''. During the Second World War, additional ''Oberabschnitte'' were established for six conquered areas (Baltic States & Byelorussian SSR, Byelorussia, Bohemia and Moravia, Netherlands, Norway, General Government, Poland and Ukrainian SSR, Ukraine). Other German occupied Europe, occupied territories, however, did not have ''Oberabschnitte'' established, and SS personnel there were directly under the jurisdiction of the Higher SS and Police Leader for that area. By 1944, there were a total of 23 active ''Oberabschnitte''.
These regional commands originally existed only in Nazi Germany, Germany and Austria under National Socialism, Austria and generally conformed to the existing ''Wehrkreis'' (Military Districts) of the ''Wehrmacht''. During the Second World War, additional ''Oberabschnitte'' were established for six conquered areas (Baltic States & Byelorussian SSR, Byelorussia, Bohemia and Moravia, Netherlands, Norway, General Government, Poland and Ukrainian SSR, Ukraine). Other German occupied Europe, occupied territories, however, did not have ''Oberabschnitte'' established, and SS personnel there were directly under the jurisdiction of the Higher SS and Police Leader for that area. By 1944, there were a total of 23 active ''Oberabschnitte''.
''Oberabschnitte'' Commands
The following table lists, by date of formation, the existing ''Oberabschnitte'' commands that were established from November 1933 through April 1944.Notes
References
Sources
* *Further reading
* {{SS organizations Nazi Germany Allgemeine SS