In the spring of 1934, the
Führerschutzkommando (FSK) replaced the
SS-Begleitkommando des Führers for Hitler's overall protection throughout Germany.
[3] The small
SS-Begleitkommando des Führers unit continued to provide personal security for Hitler.
[4] The FSK was also responsible for general security measures, preventive measures, and prosecution of assassination attempts.
[5] The
Führerschutzkommando was officially renamed the
Reichssicherheitsdienst (Reich Security Service; RSD) on 1 August 1935.
[6] The FSK and the
SS-Begleitkommando cooperated with the
Ordnungspolizei (uniformed order police),
Gestapo, and other agencies to provide the inner security requirements, whereas outer protection was handled by general SS units.
Later the
SS-Begleitkommando was expanded and became known as the
Führerbegleitkommando (Escort Command of the Führer; FBK).
[7] The FBK continued under separate command and to provide the close, personal security for Hitler, alone.
[8] The additional members for the FBK were drawn from
1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH).
[9] Hitler used them for guard duty, but also as orderlies, valets, waiters, and couriers.
[9] Although the FBK was administratively under the control of the LSSAH, they received their orders directly from Hitler and in the last years from his chief adjutant,
Julius Schaub.
When on duty, the FBK members were the only ones Hitler allowed to be near him. They never had to surrender their
Walther PPK 7.65 pistols and were never searched when they were with Hitler.
[10] The FBK and RSD worked together for security and protection during trips and public events, but they operated as two groups and used separate vehicles.
Johann Rattenhuber, chief of the RSD, was in overall command and the current FBK chief acted as his deputy.
[11] By March 1938, both units wore the standard field grey uniform of the
Schutzstaffel (SS). Both units were under the control of the SS and both units were made up of SS members.
[12] The RSD uniform had the
Sicherheitsdienst (SD) diamond on the lower left sleeve.
[13]
The FBK accompanied Hitler on all his travels and was always present at the several
Führerhauptquartiere (
Führer Headquarters) located in various parts of
occupied Europe during
World War II.
[14] The FBK men continued to provide close security protection for Hitler while RSD men would patrol the grounds.
[2] By June 1941, the FBK had grown to 35 members. Later by 15 January 1943 it had expanded to 31 SS officers and 112 men.
[15] Thirty-three were used in escort duties, rotating in groups of eleven. The rest were used as guards for Hitler's residence and as drivers, orderlies, valets, waiters, couriers and for communication duties.
[15] The term
Begleit-Kommando or
Begleitkommando-SS were used at times when referring to the
Führerbegleitkommando.
[16]
The last FBK commander was SS-
Obersturmbannführer Franz Schädle, who was appointed on 5 January 1945, after the dismissal of
Bruno Gesche.
[17] Thereafter, Schädle and the FBK accompanied Hitler (and his entourage) into the
Führerbunker complex under the
Reich Chancellery garden in the central government sector of
Berlin.
[17] By 23 April 1945, Schädle commanded approximately 30 members of the unit who stood guard for Hitler until his
suicide on 30 April 1945.
[18]