An Early Ss Promotion Recommendation Issued By Ss-Brigadeführer Paul Hausser

Measuring 21 x 19.6 cm; a pre-war SS promotion recommendation, carrying a strong signature of then SS-Brigadeführer Paul Hausser. The letter is an official form of the SS headquarters. On the top it says “Der Reichsführer der Schutzstaffeln der NSDAP”, the SS Reich Leader of the NSDAP. It is dated to Berlin on October 2, 1937.

The letter is addressed to human resources and was written by Paul Hausser, at the time holding the rank of SS-Brigadeführer. He recommends a man named Hubert Gutten (or similar) for a promotion. Gutten’s SS number is 264497. His last promotion was on September 13, 1936. He is 43 years old. In his evaluation of Gutten, Hausser states that Gutten is a diligent and impeccable worker, and that his knowledge and performance are above average. Despite his somewhat advanced age, Hausser doesn’t see any problems with a possible promotion. He states that Gutten has both sports achievement badges.

Footnote: Paul Hausser (1880–1972) first served in the Reichswehr and achieved the rank of Generalleutnant (Major General) in the inter-war period. He then joined the SS and ultimately made it to SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS (Supreme Group Leader, the highest commissioned rank of the SS, only outranked by the Reich Leader of the SS). He was instrumental in the formation of the Waffen-SS, and fought in the Second World War on the Eastern and Western Front. He was a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.