What is an SS Sonderfuhrer?

[Wuerstenfuchs]

This is an unusual post card. It shows Himmler in East Poland. The card is addressed to "Sonderfuhrer Heinrich Hechel" (I guess) I was wondering what a "Special Leader" did? Do you know?

[KatL.]

Uniforms of the Wehrmacht

[Wuerstenfuchs]

Do you think this guy was in the Heer, and not the SS? I have seen references to SS sonderfuhrers, too, just didn't say what they did.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Bob, a "Sonderfuhrer", be them Heer or SS, would have performed special duites. These were men drafted in because of them having a particular skill or peacetime proffession which could be useful to the Armed Forces. This could be foriegn language skills, pay clerk, etc, etc.

By the way, your man was actually Heer, as Feldpost number 46444 was for:

46444

(28.2.1941-29.7.1941) Ortskommandantur (II) 357,

(8.9.1942-11.3.1943) gestrichen,

(8.9.1943-22.4.1944) 19.1.1944 Nachschub-Kompanie 1062,

(8.9.1943-22.4.1944) 9.3.1944 gestrichen,

(25.11.1944-8.5.1945) 14.4.1945 Festungs-Nachrichten-Kompanie 741.

Hope this helps?

Cheers, Ade.

[Wuerstenfuchs]

Thanks for the info guys!