Gauleiter

A Gauleiter was the party leader of a regional branch of the Nazi Party.

The German word Leiter means leader, whilst Gau referred to a region of the Reich once ruled by a Frankish Gaugraf; it translates most closely to the English shire.

The title of Gauleiter was first established in 1925 after the Nazi Party reorganized following the failed Beer Hall Putsch. By 1928, Gauleiter had also become a Nazi paramilitary rank, and would eventually become the second highest such position, ranking only below the rank of Reichsleiter.

In theory, a Gauleiter was merely a representative of the Nazi Party who served to coordinate regional Nazi party events and also served to "advise" the local government. In practice, Gauleiters were the unquestioned rulers of their particular areas of responsibility. The legal governmental establishment merely existed as a rubber stamp for the Gauleiter.