Sturmbannführer was a
Nazi Party paramilitary rank equivalent to
major that was used in several Nazi organizations, such as the
SA,
SS, and the
NSFK. Translated as "assault (or storm) unit leader" (Sturmbann being the SA and early SS equivalent to a
battalion), the rank originated from German
shock troop units of the
First World War where the title of
Sturmbannführer would occasionally be held by the battalion commander.