Bataillonsführer is a German paramilitary title that has existed since the First World War. Originally, the title of Bataillonsführer was held by the officer commanding an infantry battalion (most often a Major). After the close of World War I, the title became one of several paramiltiary ranks in the Freikorps. The last usage of Bataillonsführer, as a paramilitary title, was in 1945 when the position was held by battalion commanders of Volkssturm units.