{{Short description|Nazi Party political rank}} {{Italic title}} [[File:Organisationsbuch der NSDAP 1938 02 Politische Leiter Ortsgruppenleiter Dienstanzug Mantel Nazi party handbook Uniforms Third Reich Germany Google books No known copyright Low res.jpg|thumb|''Ortsgruppenleiter'' in uniform (left), 1938]] '''''Ortsgruppenleiter''''' (Local Group Leader) was a [[Ranks and insignia of the Nazi Party|Nazi Party political rank]] and title which existed between 1930 and 1945. The term first came into being during the German elections of 1930, and was held by the head Nazi of a town or city, or in larger cities, of a neighbourhood, for the purposes of election district organization. After 1933, through the process of ''[[Gleichschaltung]]'', the position of ''Ortsgruppenleiter'' evolved into the Nazi leader of a large town or city or of a city district.<ref> {{cite book |author=Zentner, Christian ''Ed''|author2=Bedürftig, Friedemann ''Ed''|title=Das große Lexikon des Dritten Reiches |publisher=Südwest Verlag |location=München |year=1985 |language=de |isbn=3-517-00834-6 }}</ref>
==Role in Municipal Government==
After the founding of [[Nazi Germany]], the political rank of ''Ortsgruppenleiter'' was held by the chief Nazi in a municipal area. In many situations, town and city administration overlapped with the Nazi political system, meaning that the traditional local government was overshadowed, if not entirely replaced, by Nazi leadership. Traditional government titles did continue to exist, such as ''[[Burgomaster|Bürgermeister]]''; however, if these positions were not already held by a corresponding Nazi official, city government was little more than a [[Rubber stamp (politics)|rubber stamp]] to Nazi designs.<ref>Clark, J. (2007). Uniforms of the NSDAP. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing</ref>
During [[World War II]], the position of ''Ortsgruppenleiter'' encompassed a large amount of responsibility and power as it was these Nazi officials who typically ran the city [[civil defense]] systems as well as the allocation of war [[Rationing|ration]]s and civil relief efforts. As Germany was invaded and defeat became imminent, Nazi leaders in major towns and cities also became ''ad hoc'' military commanders in charge of mixed-unit German forces and [[Volksturm]] units.
==Insignia==
Between 1930 and 1932, the political rank of ''Ortsgruppenleiter'' was denoted by a braided shoulder cord and a white collar bar worn on a Nazi Party brown shirt. After 1933, the rank was denoted by two light yellow collar bars. The actual rank of ''Ortsgruppenleiter'' was phased out of the Nazi Party in 1939, replaced by a large number of expanded paramilitary political titles. The position of ''Ortsgruppenleiter'' was after this time typically held by a Nazi with the rank of ''[[Abschnittsleiter]]'', paired as well with a [[Ranks and insignia of the Nazi Party#Armband system|political armband]] denoting the specific position of ''Ortsgruppenleiter''.
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Nazi Germany paramilitary ranks}}
[[Category:Nazi political ranks]]