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I always thought that Kessler was of a higher rank to Brandt and Reinhardt but I've just seen on Wikipedia that a Gestapo Sturmbahnfuhrer was equivalent to a Major in the Luftwaffe. In that case why did Kessler always order Brandt and Reinhardt around. Was it because the Gestapo thought themselves superior to the regular forces???

The Gestapo had the last say over the Luftwaffe, because they were more part of the 'goverment'. So in other words, whatever happened-they had the last word.

The Gestapo could pick people up without any reason-and as long as they suspected people, they didn't actually have to have any evidence, and could send people off to concentration camps under the flimsiest excuse.

The Gestapo were actually under control of the SS...so, in other words, they had ultimate power.

It's a very confusing set up, to be honest.

I think there was a heated discussion restaurant scene (in <span style='color:blue'>'Guests at Gods Table'</span> (Season 2, episode 10)) between Brandt and Kessler where Brandt expresses that he works with Kessler not for him

The reason for the confusing set up, was that in 1940 when it all started, the Luftwaffe and the Gestapo were rivals. both had its jurisdiction outlined, but the lines were rather vague, allowing for trespassing on each other's terrain. Setting the scene for a bitter power struggle.

Later when the war progressed, the SS stepped in and together with the Gestapo gradually overshadowed the rest, Luftwaffe, Army, Navy and others. Becoming almost the sole masters in the end.

<!--QuoteBegin-Ron Muny+Sep 5 2005, 07:05 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ron Muny @ Sep 5 2005, 07:05 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The reason for the confusing set up,  was that in 1940 when it all started, the Luftwaffe and the Gestapo were rivals.  both had its jurisdiction outlined, but the lines were rather vague, allowing for trespassing on each other's terrain.  Setting the scene for a bitter power struggle. 

Later when the war progressed, the SS stepped in and together with the Gestapo gradually overshadowed the rest, Luftwaffe, Army, Navy and others.  Becoming almost the sole masters in the end.
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In actual fact Kessler was an SD officer, ie Security Police, in the occupied territory the SD was responsible largbely for Internal Security and hence were promarily responsible for putting down Resistance/Terrorist Groups (suppose it depends on whos viewpoint you take). The Luftwaffe were responsible for rounding up shot down aircrew. However should a POW escape then regardless of branch of service this was then an SD matter. The SD was a very powerful organisation within the Nazi Regime but not a part of the Government. It was lead by Reinhard Heydrich who it was rumoured even kept secret files on Hitler and Himmler for "future use" (isn't that typical of Policeman the world over perhaps even today). The relationship portrayed between Kessler and Reinhard/Brandt is very good as it shows the reality of the multiple powers centres rather than one monolithic power bloc many often think of with Nazism, so yet another success for Secret Army writers.