Gauleiter

Gauleiter
Gauleiter flag or vehicle insignia
Country Nazi Germany
Service branch Nazi Party
AbbreviationGL
RankPolitical rank
Formation27 February 1925; 99 years ago (27 February 1925)
Abolished8 May 1945; 79 years ago (8 May 1945)
Next higher rankReichsleiter
Next lower rankKreisleiter

A Gauleiter (German pronunciation: [ˈɡaʊlaɪtɐ]) was a regional leader of the Nazi Party (NSDAP) who served as the head of a Gau or Reichsgau. Gauleiter was the third-highest rank in the Nazi political leadership, subordinate only to Reichsleiter and to the Führer himself. The position was effectively abolished with the fall of the Nazi regime on 8 May 1945.