Betriebsobmann

''Betriebsobmann'' was a political position of the Nazi Party which existed between the years 1939 and 1945. The term first came into being at the start of World War II and was unique only to the local level of the Nazi Party, known as the ''Ortsgruppen''.

Duties

Translated as Shop Steward, or literally "Workers' Representative", the duties of the ''Betriebsobmann'' were generally the same as a labor union foreman and focused primary on the local level of war production as well as representing the interests of factory workers. Later, as the war progressed, the ''Betriebsobmann'' were in charge of production quotas and often would report workers who were not meeting standards. War defeatism and anti-Nazi sympathies were also immediately reported.

Seniority

''Betriebsobmann'' was divided into four levels of seniority, denoted by a letter placed after the title ranging from ''(A)'', ''(B)'', ''(C)'', and ''(D)''.

In addition to the primary rank of ''Betriebsobmann'', a junior rank of ''Betriebsblockobmann'' existed as an assistant to the local '' Blockleiter''. There was also a "Cell Operations Foreman" position, known as ''Betriebszellenobmann'' as well as a senior foreman position known as ''Hauptbetriebsobmann''. In all, the following were the various levels of seniority:

* ''Betriebsblockobmann''
* ''Betriebsobmann (A)''
* ''Betriebszellenobmann''
* ''Hauptbetriebszellenobmann''
* ''Betriebsobmann (B)''
* ''Betriebsobmann (C)''
* ''Betriebsobmann (D)''
* ''Hauptbetriebsobmann''

The position of ''Betriebsobmann'' was not an actual political rank, but rather a title. Those Nazi Party members holding the position of ''Betriebsobmann'' also would hold one of several Nazi Party paramilitary ranks. The position of ''Betriebsobmann'' would be denoted by a political armband.

Sources

* Clark, J. (2007). Uniforms of the NSDAP. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing

{{Nazi Germany Paramilitary Ranks

Nazi terminology
Nazi political ranks