Allgemeine SS

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Name origin and characteristics of the rank reaching

The designation »Allgemeine SS« was only introduced to the autumn 1934 officially into the official linguistic usage, so that the unarmed SS members to differentiate (those their service in their spare time exercised free of charge), by the armed »Tochterverbänden« (Daughter federations), Waffen-SS and SS Totenkopfverbände.

In the time of the 2nd world war spoke also frequently a »schwarze SS« (Black SS) and/or the »Heimat-SS« (Homeland SS).

The Allgemeine SS and the Waffen-SS including Totenkopfverbände used the same ranks, which by tradition those SA were. They maintained however different criteria for transports: So it could occur, which could hold a member of the Allgemeine SS of two or three SS ranks, on the one hand the reached rank within the Allgemeine SS and another in the Waffen-SS. Thus a registered member of the Allgemeine SS knew climbs a SS Brigadeführer and than soldier of the Waffen-SS the rank Rottenführer to carry for example. If this SS member were however still another engeneering graduate of the building industry, then it could as a »technischer Sonderführer« (technical special leader) in climbs of a main tower leader in »SS-Hauptämter« (SS Main Offices) to be transferred. In this case this SS member possessed then three different ranks. This described case was rare, but nevertheless possible.

1944 all Höherer SS- und Polizeiführer (higher SS and police leader), starting from the rank one Brigadeführer, appropriate military general rank were awarded off. With their capture they became also not as police officers to then separate as regular POWs regarded.

Members

The SS was created since its list (4 April 1925) and subordinated 1 November 1926 SA. It was thus a subdivision of the SA and the party. It applied both in the party and german population and national socialists as »elite organization«. It was of the so-called »Kampforganisiationen« (war organizations) the NSDAP the smaller.

Their major task was »the personal protection of the Führer« of the NSDAP, Adolf Hitler. Already in the winter 1925 the SS covered approximately 1,000 members, from whom however scarcely 200 active members were. Thus Heinrich Himmler, as more again »Reichsführer-SS«, off 1927 only the 280 active members than actual SS and educated from the inactivated members the cadre of the new »Organistion der Fördernden Mitglieder der SS« or briefly FM summarized. Himmler tried now that the direct was given up power influence of the SA on the SS and the »Oberster SA-Führer« (highest leader of the SA) or briefly OSAF now no direct influence on »Reichs-SA-Führer« (Reich SA leader) the more had. Himmler began now to develop and extend the SS systematically. Many racquets, habit-criminal, failed existences and of the democracy disappoint Germans closed now strengthens the SS on, and Himmler took up it all. In addition, joined many member of the middle class the SS and now took place also the entry many older member of the Freikorps (free corps) into the SS: Erich von dem Bach-Zelewski (he built off 1931 the SS in the province »Grenzmark Posen-Westpreussen« on), Friedrich-Karl Freiherr von Eberstein (he built the SS in Saxonia on) and Udo von Woyrsch (that the SS in Schlesien organized) joined Himmlers »black medal«.

Already in December 1929 1,000 the active member could be registered. The SS grew so fast, which Himmler on 29 January 1930 his former mentor Ernst Röhm to announce could: »The Schutzstaffel (Protection relay) grows and becomes probably end of this quarter on 2,000 comes.« (Heinz Hoehne: »Der Orden unter dem Totenkopf«, P. to 56-57) and was considered thereby as in fact of this independent. In the December of the same yearly also 2,727 the member was registered.

Himmler looked around now also for another Source for the Structure of its SS, which were actually forbidden to him: the SA. There still sat from Röhms Frontbann era numerous Freikorps members, from whom many would be gladly changed to the SS. But the OSAF Franz Pfeffer von Salomon was awake attentively over the fact that none overflowed its SA leader to Himmler. 1926 had been already specified it the fact that the SS had to absolutely subordinate itself to the SA and like that was each arbitrary action of the SS prevented. With common employments the SS members had to take shelter to the respective SA leader. But Himmler operated the Abwerbung of the SA members so remarkably that naturally the highest SA guidance became to it attentive: »It is most precarious, if the SS federations posed operate their advertisement with unfair means. And in addition to decompose the SA«, complained the east German SA leader Walter Stennes try. At this time already numerous leaders and Unterführer of the SA had gone over to Himmlers SS. Hitler help however Himmler to a first large victory in relation to the SA. It ordered on 7 November 1930: »The task of the SS is first the practice of the police service within the party. No SA leader is entitled to give instructions to the SS!«

With this order it divided both »war organizations of the NSDAP« apart and confirmed thereby de the jure independence of the SS from the SA, which was Reichsführer Himmler only de jure the OSAF von Salomon subordinated.

After the so-called »Machtergreifung« by the national socialists the SS was developed also at the same time to a mass organization: In March 1933 it already covered over 52,000 registered members. Until Decembers of the yearly 1933 the SS increased to over 204,000 members and Himmler arranged now a temporary »join stop« for the SS. Himmler ordered, »that nobody is more taken up, and by at the end of of 1933 to at the end of of 1935 of the new acquisitions again everything out-set, which is not suited for the SS.«

Until Decembers 1935 approximately 60,000 SS members were then also really excluded from this NSDAP arrangement. Under Himmlers »cleaning action« fell above all the all too remarkable opportunists, alcoholic, homosexual and all that one with a »uncertain Ariernachweis« (ariyan proof).

In addition, the old racquets of the combat time were disposed in this kind, since they did not fit now no more into the picture of a »elite medal«. The Allgemeine SS achieved their highest conditions 1938, when their 485,000 belonged men. From that at that time 13,867 SS leaders (in December 1938) 1,144 or 8.3 % did not belong the NSDAP.

The German historian Heinz Hoehne went in its Book »Der Orden unter dem Totenkopf« from completely similar numbers (1939: 400,000) out. It implements even still more exactly and designates in this book (P. 8) all agencies, which were summarized since 1942 under the generic term »SS«: Nearly invisibly were the thousand and however thousand eyes, which seemed to observe each step of the Germans. A many more armiger Police Polyp held the people comrades in breath: 45,000 officials and employee of the Gestapo registered all recognizable regime-hostile moving in 20 directing centers and 39 places of the Reich as well as in so-called antennas of approximately 300 further directing centers and 850 kommissariaten of the »Grenzpolizei«. 30 higher SS- and Police leader were awake at the point of 65,000 men state police and 2.8 million men order police over the public security. 40,000 guards terrorized hundredthousands alleged or actual regime opponents into 20 concentration camps and 160 attached labour camps. 950,000 soldiers of the Waffen-SS, of it 310,000 Volksdeutsche from south-east Europe and 200,000 foreigners, stood at the side Wehrmacht and observed the military rival. The shade army of the 100,000 informants of the security agency (SD nonstop controlled) a thinking of the citizens (...) for.

Hoehne indicates in his book (P. 11) the highest level of the SS members for the year 1944 with 800,000. Of it 39,415 in the SS main offices, 26,000 served less than 60,000 during the so-called police reinforcement, 19,254 with the units of the state police and the SD abroad German-occupied, at the safety and order police of the inland as well as 2,000 at the KZ security guards. However up to the beginning of the war (1 September 1939) 90 % of the old SS members had separated ageconditionally (they had that 35 year with perfection) from the Allgemeine SS and belonged now »Reservestandarten« (reserve banners) to of them. The largest part of them (170,000) was called up with outbreak of war into the Wehrmacht. Only 10 % of the old members (48,500) belonged the Allgemeine SS also still 1945 actively and were, there from the military service durably exempted, predominantly in the SS main offices active. The maximum age for separating from the active service of the SS was at that time at 35 years. These inactive members of the SS were now in the so-called »SS Reservestandarten« summarized, where they were led up to the age from 45 years. Regularly the embers of the reserve banners were militarily trained and trained by member of the Totenkopfverbände in one of the German concentration camps. With the outbreak of war on 1 September 1939 the »front-usable« members of the SS were drawn in predominantly to the Wehrmacht.

The later General of the Waffen-SS Felix Steiner wrote for this in one of its books (»die Armee der Geächteten«, P. 259), »that it the SS than such since 1939 no more did not exist«. Rather by that at that time 260,000 registered SS members approximately 170,000 into the Wehrmacht and only 35,000 in armed SS federations was called up. Approximately 100,000 full-time SS leaders had been excluded from the military service and released for their further service in the SS main offices. Many old-served SS leaders, that provided their service full-time in the SS main offices, withdrew strengthened off 1938 from the SS and took influential positions in the economy: However for 1938 there was 44 (Heinz Hoehne: »Der Orden unter dem Totenkopf«, P. 148).

In addition, changes 20 SS leaders of the lower SS leader corps in the same year into the Wehrmacht and 56 became »to own request« from the SS to dismiss. 1938 dismissed Heinrich Himmler still 54 SS leaders and excluded 52 SS leaders. Furthermore there was still 24 by Himmler from the SS discharged SS leader (according to »SS-Dienstaltersliste« from 1 December 1938).

Toward end of the war (1945) the Gesamt-SS had over 840,000 members. Were from these 48,500 written members of the Allgemeine SS. To these then still the 18,000 officers and 52,000 NCOS of the Waffen-SS, 600,000 member of the Waffen-SS and 130,000 police members came. SS membership number were formally lent to the members of the Waffen-SS of all ranks, while a police officer the SS membership became automatically »lent«, as soon as a SS rank corresponded to its police rank. The crew ranks of the police should be lent a SS membership only after the war, if the »new state protection corps« of the Reich were created.

The Reiter-SS (Rider SS)

Starting from March 1933 Heinrich Himmler seized celebrations of the German national konservatism: the rural rider associations, which the elevated middle class and the German aristocracy was attached predominantly. A part of the horse and breed associations followed the SA as »Reiter-SA« (rider SA), but the bulk of them joined Himmlers SS.

As far as the summer 1933 the members of the horse and breed associations in the main breed areas East Prussia, Holstein, Oldenburg, Hanover and Westphalia carried the black uniforms of the SS. However Himmler had to acquire this voluntarily integration expensively: It had had to assure to all rider combinations that everyone of its members without consideration for the political attitude was to be taken up to the SS. That promoted naturally the measurement courage of the old SS members: »The riders remained despite their black uniform internally reactionary German national one«. (Heinz Hoehne: »Der Orden unter dem Totenkopf«, P. 129-30) Two young SS members made the organization of the Reiter-SS out Munich: Hermann Fegelein and its younger brother Waldemar. They subdivided all the SS of attached rider associations SS moderately in »Standarten« (banners), »Sturmbanne« (storm spells) and »Stürme« (storms) and 1934 their parental property with Munich the »SS Hauptreitschule« (SS main riding school) were appointed. Highest leader of this SS Hauptreitschule became Hermann Fegelein, its deputy Waldemar.

By the assumption of the horse and breed associations also, as already aforementioned, the German aristocracy came to the SS. The beginning the Erbgroßherzog (hereditary grand duke) of Mecklenburg, the Erbprinz (hereditary prince) too Waldeck and for Pyrmont, the princes Christof and Wilhelm of Hessen, the Grafen (counts) Bassewitz-Behr and of Pfeil-Burghauss, the Reichsbaron von Tüngen as well as the Freiherren (barons) von Geyr, from Reitzenstein and from Malsen-Poickau made. In addition, the father of the today's netherlands queen Beatrix was a written member of these Reiter-SS and further NS organizations.

The aristocracy ascended quite soon into influential posts in the SS: 1938 made it 18.7 for % the Obergruppenführer, 9.8 % the Gruppenführer, 14.3 % the Brigadeführer, 8.8 % the Oberführer and 8.4 % the Standartenführer out (Heinz Hoehne: »Der Orden unter dem Totenkopf«, P. 129-30).

The majority of the new SS members of the former rider associations inserted themselves into the SS, but some its own conceptions had maintained over the SS: Thus 1933 eleven members refused the SS oath on Adolf Hitler and to KZ were in-supplied in November. Another member of the Reiter-SS, the »Reiterführer« (rider leader) Anton Freiherr von Hohnberg und Buchenwald was down-shot on 2 July 1934 by members of the SS, because it had betrayed allegedly »SS internal information« to the Reich resistance. And 1944 let Heinrich Himmler under martial law shoot the SS-Sturmbannführer Hans Viktor Graf von Salviati as »Aufrührer« (Rebel) against Hitler. But already 1938 began itself to turn the German aristocracy again from the SS off and again to its traditional place in the armed Forces.

The SS-Ehrenführer (SS honour leader)

After the so-called »Machtergreifung« now influential officials, party officials, scientists and diplomats as well as numerous personalities of the public life and the culture received high »SS-Ehrendienstgrade« (so-called »SS-Ehrenführer«).

Since 1934 this honour for the sake of SS members a »SS-Standarte« (SS banner), a »Oberabschnitt« (upper section) or one »SS-Hauptämter« (SS main offices) assigned and had been led. In addition, many old fellow combatant of Hitler such as Rudolf Hess now honour for the sake of into the SS taken up... like that was entitled Hess for example since 1 January 1933 »by an order of the Führer« to wear »the Uniform of an Obergruppenführer« (according to »SS-Dienstaltersliste« of 1934). The SS-Ehrenführer needed neither into the SS, nor the NSDAP to occur and also no »SS service« provide; they had to wear only simply with public or cultural causes the Uniform of the SS. Also numerous sympathizers and promoter of the SS and its Reichsführer Himmler, which had together-found itself in the »Freundeskreis Reichsführer-SS« (friend circle Reichsführer-SS), with this »SS honorary membership« were considered: from the 32 the SS 15 SS-Ehrentitel received to not belonging members of the friend circle. Since 1938 this SS-Ehrenführer was slammed shut the »Stab RFSS« (staff of the Reichsführer-SS) and it assigned predominantly kept now from Heinrich Himmler a SS number (»SS-Dienstaltersliste« of 1938). Many the SS-Ehrenführer register then also actively into the Allgemeine SS. But most were this SS-Ehrenführer not as national socialists to regard, rather »cooked them their own thing« in the SS.

Thus for example numerous opponents Himmlers and its racial policy were accepted honour for the sake of into the SS, in order to bring it by their posts to the silence. Names as Joachim von Ribbentrop, Martin Bormann, Ernst Freiherr von Weizsäcker (an undersecretary of state of the state department), Albert Forster, Rudolf Diel and Konrad Henlein are the most well-known examples.

Von Ribbentrop German minister of foreign affairs was originally proud and on his black SS uniform, which was lent to him 1934. It forced to occur its untergebenen actively in the state department the SS. But starting from 1941 reacted von Ribbentrop extremely »allergisch« to the sight of SS uniforms.

1938 were used by Weizsäcker into the honour rank of a »Brigadeführer in the staff of the Reichsführer-SS« and to Henlein received its honorary membership in the SS alone by the fact, which failed it the SS security agency, to set it off as »leader of the Sudeten Germans«!

Also the SS-Ehrenführer often worked against Himmler and his SS. Thus the war administrative chief Eggert Reeder (SS-Gruppenführer) asked itself 1943 each interference Himmlers into its office business.

Rudolf Diel, founder of the Gestapo and SS Oberführer, had finally ascended to Cologne heads of the provincial government and unterband the influencing control of the Gestapo into the internal administration of its authority.

And SS-Ehrenführer Martin Bormann (rank SS Obergruppenführer) paralyzed the work of the Inland SD.

The SS-Rangführer (SS rank leader)

In the summer 1933 into the SS so-called »Politische Bereitschaften« (political readiness) were set up, which was developed and led after military guidelines. Thus that had been taken over cadres of these readiness from the existence of the Allgemeine SS, it was missing however at military leaders.

The average age of the Politischen Bereitschaften was 1933 at straight once 17 years. Thus became then of Heinrich Himmler NCOS of the Wehrmacht and Police enlist, who should lead then the readiness. Many of these Wehrmacht and police officers were members of the SS, but they did not want to occur a »uncertain federation«, which was legally seen not even permitted. Himmler assured now 1934 to these future SS leaders that they could hold their rank, which they had reached in the Wehrmacht and in the police also in the SS. They were then officially then transferred as so-called »SS-Rangführer« to the Politischen Bereitschaften and paid of the SS. The maximum duration of the »delegation to the SS« should amount to also only one year and the rank leaders was then with SS staffs and Sturmbannen assigned. At that time still nobody could suspect that with the list of the Politischen Bereitschaften cadre of a »new troop« was created, from which finally in August 1935 »SS-Verfügungstruppe« (SS combat support force) to come out should. These rank leaders were transferred to the largest part also to the later Waffen-SS.

The Organisation der Fördernden Mitglieder der SS (Organization of the Promoting Members of the SS)

Except the inactive SS members of the yearly 1929 also those Germans joined the »Organisation der Fördernden Mitglieder der SS«, which shrank from themselves to put on the SS uniform. Furthermore many German companies joined this private association Heinrich Himmlers. Each SS-Standarte possessed its own FM Organization, which made it for each SS man the obligation to recruit at least a promoting member since 1930. Thus the SS was finally financially independent of the »party cash« the NSDAP and could finance itself. Finally predominance in the FM organization those members, that felt certain sympathies for the SS and the NSDAP, these however as »full members« did not join. But even particularly the so-called »SS special account R« was furnished with the Dresdner bank. Annual minimum contribution of the FM organization amounted to 1 RM, less financially wealthy could the amount of member select itself (Heinz Hoehne: »Der Orden unter dem Totenkopf«, P. 132).

1932 deposited 13,217 promoting members 17,000 RM, 1933 was it already 162,272 promoting members, that up-brought altogether 357,000 RM. Starting from 1934 342,492 promoting members paid the proud sum of 581,000 RM on the SS special account (Heinz Hoehne: »Der Orden unter dem Totenkopf«, P. 133).

History

The »combat time« (1925-1933)

The establishment of the actual SS took place of 4 April 1925, as Adolf Hitler its bodyguard Julius Schreck instructed, again a »Saalschutz« (room pretection) of the party to develop, was subordinated to which only it (Hitler). Julius Schreck could meet 8 men around itself, which had before already belonged to 1923 the »Stoßtrupp Adolf Hitler« (combat patrol Adolf Hitler). It began to develop immediately its SS.

Already on 21 September 1925 it gave the »circular to NR. 1« outside, where it requested all groups of NS since havens to set up within its range a SS. The SS should be a small powerful troop, which is to ascend later »for the elite« of the party. Schreck subdivided the SS now into so-called »Zehner-Staffeln« (decimal relays). That is, per local's group of the NSDAP the SS should be strong only 10 men and 1 leader by a »Staffel-Führer« (relay leader). However in the German capital the SS should amount to two decimal relays.

Julius Schreck set up now strict photograph rules for the SS, which took up SS guidance only men, who the NSDAP corresponded to the »germanic force cult« and which between 23 and 35 years was old. Furthermore they could be not previously convicted and had five years at a place be with the police announced. Furthermore two defiency guarantees from numbers of the SS were to be brought, the candidate the »unconditional loyalty« to Adolf Hitler certified by the »Staffel-Anwärter« (relay candidate). »Chronic boozers, wash women and with other lastern afflicted one«, thus Schreck, »are possible for the SS not«.

Outwardly also the SS members SA-SIMILARLY were university-formed: Beside the brown shirt of the party they - to the distinction of the SA - carried black ties and riding trousers. Besides they carried black riding boots and ouple things as well as black borderd Swastika Armlets. In addition black austrian ski-caps with the Dead head Symbol were carried. The department manager Alois Rosenwink, who as an actual supervisor of the SS applies (Heinz Hoehne) and the »SS-Oberleitung« (SS overhead line = the SS Center) in Munich led, already threatened 1925 the opponents of the national socialists: »On our black caps we carry the Death heath for our enemies for warning and our Führer for the indication of the employment of our life of its idea!« (Heinz Hoehne: »Der Orden unter dem Totenkopf«, P. 28).

And already Christmas 1925 could announce the SS Oberleitung proud: »That we have one available uniformly organization of almost 1,000 men«. The number of the active members sank fast again on approximately 200 down, yet the SS had referred a firm position as the first »all-German organization« the NSDAP.

But the SA guidance interspersed with Hitler that the SS could have only maximally 10% of the desired strength of the SA. Furthermore the structure of a SS unit has to only begin if the SA storm concerned had achieved its full desired strength. Thus the SA guidance could keep the competitive SS consciously small. Adolf Hitler agreed this and began slowly to out-pass on both »war organizations« of the party against each other.

In April 1926 the (colorless) Schreck, after which it in Relation to the SA to intersperse had been able, from the SS-Oberleitung in Munich voted out and gave its post to the returned the Stoßtrupp leader from Austria Josef Berchtold became off.

Already on 4 July 1926, which day of the »second Reich party congress« raised Adolf Hitler the SS in Weimar, publicly its elite organization and the SS became now the »Blutfahne« (blood flag) of the party transfers, which of the 1. SA Standarte »München« (SA banner »Munich« = the later »SA Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler« [SA body banner Adolf Hitler]) was regarded suspicious... it banners of the November-Putsches failed of 1923 had been finally handed over.

Hitler played now again both groups against each other out: The SS was subordinated now on 1 November of the same yearly of the highest SA guidance and »Oberleiter« (upper leader) Berchtold, were appointed directly now »Reichsführer-SS« (the exact counterpart to the »Reichs-SA-Führer« [SA leader of the German Reich], the title of the highest SA leader).

Berchtold strove to release the SS again from the guardianship of the SA. »Neither, he determined local's group nor Gau line«, has himself, »into the internal organizational tasks of the local SS to mix!«

Another time published it the instruction, in which it meant: »The Schutzstaffeln stands within the movement completely independently!«

Since the SS was bound however to the »10%-condition«, she increased only meagerly. The OSAF Franz Pfeffer von Salomon even finally forbade the SS the list of units in those cities and municipalities, from which it (of Salomon) was the opinion, which was strong the there SA not yet enough!

In addition, Berchtold could become generally accepted not against the SA leaders and stepped finally in March 1927 frustrated from its post back. New Reichsführer-SS became now Berchtolds a deputy, Erhard Heiden. Heiden got itself the »Propagandaleiter« (Propaganda leader) of the SA Leader Gregor Strasser into the SS Oberleitung: The 27 year old SS-Gauführer »Niederbayern« (SS Gau leader "lower Bavaria"), Heinrich Himmler.

The SS was seen predominantly now by the SA for low tasks: Feed of orders of the day, distribution of propaganda material and sales of party newspapers, like the »Völkischer Beobachter« (Völkischer observer).

Under the title »We work in such a way!« also a »success message« the SS in »Illustrierter Beobachter« (Pictorials the observer) (1926) was then published: »In the month Octobers were recruited by the individual protection relays in the Reich: 249 members again for the NSDAP, 54 readers again for the “Vökischer Beobachter”. 169 readers again for the “Der Stürmer”, 82 readers again for the “Der Nationalsozialist” (National socialist), 140 readers again for the “Südwestdeutschen Beobachter” (South west German observer), 475 readers again for the “Westdeutschen Beobachter” (West German observer), 189 readers again for the remaining national socialist newspapers. In addition 2,000 “Ilustrierte Beobachter” was sold.«

Only the faith in the own choosingness to be core of an elite did not let the SS go down. In it the slogan “The aristocracy applied is silent!«. Still stricter entrance regulations let it weld together now than troop: »The SA is the line, the SS the elite«, this sentence became with the SS members to the »confession of faith«.

On 13 September 1927 Heiden issued its »SS instruction NR. 1«: »The SS man and SS leader is silent and mixes in a range (political local's group guidance and SA), it nothing never concerns.«

Weapons were with the SS - whole in contrast to the SA - after the »SS instruction NR. 8« forbade. In addition a tauter military organization than with introduced heaths the SA: »Each unit has to begin before the employment in a meeting of the size after in two members and to practice suit and document of identification control. The SS man has always with itself to supply: The member book of the NSDAP, its SS document of identification and the song book of the SS.«

Above all the weapon prohibition was strictly controlled: Before each beginning of service the SS leaders had to scan their units for weapons and seize found weapons immediately! Even the political opponents were impressed of the iron self-discipline of the SS. Thus the secret report on the situation of the residents of Munich police headquarters from 7 May 1929 mentions »the taut discipline«, which is demanded by the SS peoples. »Already during the smallest misdemeanour of the arrangements, which are issued in the current SS instructions, fines or the introduction of the armlet on a certain time or service relieving are threatened.« So far this resident of Munich report on the situation.

»Each tariff of the feature is to demonstrate that the SS is an aristocracy of the party. The SS man is the ideal party member, who lets himself be imagined«, means it in an SS instruction.

On 5 January 1929 withdrew Heiden as a commander of the SS and its successor became on 6 January Heinrich Himmler.

With its appointment as the Reichsführer Himmler from Hitler had received the order to form out of the SS »in each case a reliable troop, an elite troop of the party«. Himmler began to develop and gradually from the supremacy from the SA to release its SS. It set up 1930 the demand that the »elite troop of the SS« demanded by Hitler should become more National socialist , »military medal of nordic certain men, their men unconditionally to each instruction to obey, which comes from the Führer« (Himmler). The SS should become a »combat troop«, which is to consist only of the »blood-moderately best Germans«.

On 7 November 1930 Himmler could intersperse with Hitler, which was only formally subordinated to the SA the SS. In the same year parts of the Austrian SA took shelter to the supreme command Himmlers and became now in the SS as their 89. Standarte led. (This SS banner tried 1932 in Austria a putsch and a Himmler had officially from it to dissociate itself.)

1931 Himmler tried off to pull old Freikorps members of the SA into the SS over there. That partly succeeded, but the attempt to integrate the old »Brigade Erhardt« into the SS failed however. However into Danzig by the National socialists a SS unit one developed, which took shelter the »Reichsführung-SS« Himmlers. The demand for the »blood-moderately best Germans« became off 1931 the basis of the national socialist »ethnology«, in which one stated, it would give »a high-quality nordic« and other »inferior races«. Among the latters above all the pursued Jews ranked.

Himmler published a »SS instruction« in this year also, which meant that all SS men had to please with it for a »marriage permission«. Heinrich Himmler wanted to collect in the SS not only a »male race selection«, but to develop it also by the »valuable hereditaryhealthy kinship of nordic certain kind«. But particularly by it the »SS-Rasseamt« (SS Race Office) was developed, where each and SS-Führer and their brides had to prove that under their ancestors to 1750 no Jew were. SS-Unterführer (SS NCOS) and the simple members had to furnish this proof up to the year 1800. (However this order concerned only the new SS members, that did not have to furnish old - thus before 1930 occurred - members this proof, if they were in the first world war as soldiers at the front!)

Also the internal security agency of the SS (SD) was removed through Reinhard Heydrich and developed to the feared power instrument.

The Way to Independence (1933-34)

From the 1929 party arrangement strong from only 280 men had become until January 1933 a mass organization of over 50,000 members. 15,000 SS members received an armlet with the label »Hilfspolizei« (auxiliary police) and aroused now the impression to belong to the official power organs. They began now to establish the first KZs.

In the winter 1933/34 Himmler in all German countries Chief of the »Politische Polizei« (political police) became. It subordinated these immediately »sekret office for state police« in to Berlin and combined Gestapo and the SS security agency SD, which of Reinhard Heydrich one led.

In June 1933, only five months after the »Machtübernahme« Adolf Hitlers, into Berlin from 120 particularly reliable SS men (those had to a large extent already belonged the »Stoßtrupp Adolf Hitler« of the yearly 1923) the »Stabwache Berlin« (staff guard Berlin) was created. This Stabwache was now constantly armed. From this Stabswache the »SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler« followed by September 1933, which became the basis of the other kasernierten armed SS formations (»SS-Sonderkommandos« [special commands] and »Politische Bereitschaften« [political readiness]). It is the basic of the later Waffen-SS. It was set up by the SS leader and Hitler’s bodyguard Josef Dietrich. It possessed however no legal basis for its list, it had been thus completely illegaly formed!

On 30 June 1934 the destroying impact of the SS took place against the SA, when their highest top management - above all Ernst Röhm - was switched off power extracted and partly by member of the Leibstandarte and the Totenkopfverbände (Dead head federations) murdered.

On 20 July the SS for it from Adolf Hitler for »independent organization« the NSDAP raised... Himmler was only personally responsible to Hitler.

Furthermore the SS now all in the German Reich and the commander of the Totenkopfverbände, Theodor Eicke was subordinated to concentration camps present, became now as a »Inspektor der Konzentrationslager« (supervisor of the concentration camps) and Chief of all »SS-Wachverbände« (SS awake federation aks KZ awake federation).

The Time before the War (1934-1939)

In August 1934 received Himmler from Hitler permission for forming out of the SS Sonderkommandos and the Politischen Bereitschaften a new troop which now the title »SS-Verfügungstruppe« to carry should. This should be a »standing armed troop«, which is to be available excluding Hitler. In the kriegsfall the Verfügungstruppe the supreme command of the German Wehrmacht wanted to be subordinated, in times of peace however the Reichsführer Himmler. According to the rapid structure armed SS federations (Verfügungstruppe and Wachverbände) one differentiated the SS now into three members:

1. the Allgemeine SS,
2. the SS-Verfügungstruppe and
3. the SS-Wachverbände

1935 the compulsory military service for the German Reich was again introduced, and Hitler explained: »The German Wehrmacht consist 1 division of 36 divisions, under it SS-Verfügungstruppe«.

1936 Heinrich Himmler the entire police was subordinated, its new title was now: »Reichsführer-SS und Chef der Deutschen Polizei« (Reich leader SS and Chief of the German police). Now two independent institutions were combined by Himmler by its person in Personnel union: The SS as party arrangement NSDAP and it of the police as national power organ.

The new office »Reichsführer-SS and Chief of the German police« was now into different main offices divided, whose number and organization changed several times: 1943 13 main offices existed.

By the 1936 Himmler transferred power the SS became now the most powerful organization in national socialist Germany. To their widely distributed still today not organizational structure completely transparent in all connections, belonged now its own secret service, the SD, the entire concentration camp nature with the guard, the administration and economic utilization of the KZ’s, own business enterprises, own research institutes for war-caused Zweckforschung in the context of the society »ancestor inheritance« as well as its own armed troop, the SS-Sonderkommandos an the Politischen Bereitschaften. From the latter should follow the Waffen-SS. 1936 had Heinrich Himmler the ambitious desire to develop those in August 1935 set up SS-Verfügungstruppe to a really powerful army beside the armed forces. This knew to suppress however the »Wehrmachtsführung« (armed forces guidance), since all »requests for entrance« ran for the SS-Verfügungstruppe over their military collection places: By all volunteers, who wanted to announce themselves between 1936 and 1938 to the SS-Verfügungstruppe, only something became a third certified. That is, that the remaining two thirds of the SS applicants were regularly drawn into the armed forces.

The director/conductor of the »SS-Ergänzungsamt« (SS auxiliary office) in the »SS-Führungshauptamt«, SS Obergruppenführer Gottlob Berger (an old Himmler intimus), then 1938 came on the following solution: Three Person's groups had been excluded until 1938 still from the military service in the armed forces. First of all the men of the KZ Wachverbände and secondly of them for the Kriegsfall planned reinforcement (the so-called »Polizeiverstärkung« [police reinforcement], also as »Verstärkte SS-Totenkopfstandarten« [strengthened SS-Totenkopfstandarten] well-known). Thirdly a large part Ordnungspolizei (order police). For the summoning of these Person's groups to the active military service (starting from 1939) two so-called decrees Adolf Hitlers had been at the basis put.

First intended, »that the SS for police tasks to the internal safety device of the Reich was intended« and the »Verfügungstruppe is militarily the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (supreme command of the Wehrmacht) subordinated, they however politically further part of the SS and thus the NSDAP were and an addition of the Verfügungstruppe exclusively from the reserve banners of the Totenkopfverbände to take place had.« (secret leader decree from 17 August 1938: »Demarcation of the common tasks of the SS and the Wehrmacht«).

The second decree of Hitler (from 18 May 1939) permitted it now to Himmler, which strengthened summoning of 50,000 members of the Allgemeinen SS as »Verstärkte SS-Totenkopf-Standarten«, which were subordinated to Theodor Eicke.

Berger enumerated Himmler the fact that he could in such a way set up in shortest time two to four full combat divisions if to this "strengthened kinds of Dead head restraint and" and the departure the »front-usable« KZ personnel of the Totenkopfverbände still units of the order police came. Himmler conferred now with Hitler, and this was correct then after longer hesitating too (Hitler had regarded the SS-Verfügungstruppe to 1940 not as a military mombat force but as future »police elite«!). The moved away personnel of the KZ and the police units should be filled up now according to Berger from the reserve banners of the Allgemeine SS and from deliveries of the armed forces.

Bergers calculation came up: If the SS-Verfügungstruppe had counted 18,000 in September 1939 only men, then 1940 with the integration of the SS-Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler and the list of the SS-Totenkopf Division and the SS-Police Division were now 100,000 men under weapons.

1936 Theodor Eicke had already begun to reorganize the 2,000 members of the SS-Wachverbände. It summarized the security guards in five battalions (Sturmbanne = storm spells), which were assigned to a concentration camp in each case: SS- Wachsturmbann I. »Oberbayern«, SS-Wachsturmbann II. »Elbe«, SS-Wachsturmbann III. »Sachsen«, SS- Wachsturmbann IV. »Ostfriesland« and SS-Wachsturmbann V. »Thüringen«.

This to battalions exclusive for the guard of the concentration camps and were considered as a kind "SS had been set up in the SS". Starting from autumn 1936 they were called officially SS-Totenkopfverbände.

It was permitted to them to lead and be characterised by it as »special federation« the SS on the right collar mirror of its uniforms the Dead heath.

1937 Eicke formed that out of in the meantime 9,000 members of the five battalions of three independent regiments (Standarten = banners), which had their location in one the large KZs: SS-Totenkopfstandarte I. »Oberbayern« (Dachau), SS- Totenkopfstandarte II. »Brandenburg« (Oranienburg/Columbiahaus) and the SS-Totenkopfstandarte III. »Thüringen« (Weimar-Sachsenhausen).

After the »Anschluß« Austrias was set up by Eicke in Linz a fourth »Totenkopfstandarte» (Dead head banner), which carried the name »Ostmark« and which for the guard of the KZ duty living was responsible. For the legal status of its Totenkopfverbände Theodor Eicke let announce over an SS instruction (1937): »The SS-Totenkopfverbände belongs neither to the police or to the Verfügungstruppe nor to the Wehrmacht. They are armed member of the Allgemeine SS and can therefore not by officers [the officers of the police and the armed forces are meant] be led.«

In March and October 1938 troops of the Verfügungstruppe and the Totenkopfverbände took also at Occupation Austrias and the later Sudetenlandes part.

1938 consisted the armed SS formations of the following units:

a.) SS-Leibstandarte »Adolf Hitler«

b.) 1. SS-Standarte »Deutschland«

c.) 2. SS-Standarte »Germania«

d.) 3. SS-Standarte »Der Führer«

e.) SS-Nachrichtensturmbann

f.) SS-Pioniersturmbann

g.) SS-Sturmbann »Nürnberg«

h.) SS-Inspection Junkerschulen

i.) SS-Junkerschulen

j.) SS-Sanitätsabteilung

k.) SS-Totenkopfstandarte I. »Oberbayern«

l.) SS-Totenkopfstandarte II. »Brandenburg«

m.) SS-Totenkopfstandarte III. »Thüringen«

In these units 1938 approximately 23,000 served men and them was purely militarily arranged at this time already.

The Allgemeine SS during first War years (1939-1941)

In August 1939 by that at that time 40,000 members of of the Allgemeine SS approximately 370,000 was in-called to Wehrmacht and 15,000 into the later Waffen-SS. Thus 90 % of their original members were omitted. Only the full-time SS leaders in the main offices had been durably exempted from the military service in the front troops. Here the actual history of the Allgemeine SS ends, since the war was coined/shaped considerably now by their armed federations. But the main offices of the Allgemeine SS, which were originally only as »staff departments of the SS main office« (the so-called »Reichsführung-SS«) for the interests of the Allgemeine SS responsible, were officially responsible for the members of the Waffen-SS also in the war years. The organisational structure of the SS exhibited the following arrangements:

The »Reichsführung-SS«

The SS was subordinated 1926 officially to the SA. The commander of the SS, Julius Schreck, introduced the SS-Oberleitung in this year as the highest command organ of the SS.

It consisted of the actual SS-Oberleitung and covered above all the 12 SS-Standarten in Bavaria.

Until 1928 the SS-Oberleitung was continued to remove and expanded since the whole German Reich. The SS-Oberleitung was divided still in the year 1926 into so-called SS-Gaue and to the SS-Gauführer was considered as local SS representatives in its region. 1928 were divided the SS-Oberleitung into 6 SS-Gaue:

1. SS-Gau Berlin Brandenburg with 2 Standarten
2. SS-Gau Franken with 4 Standarten
3. SS-Gau Niederbayern with 3 Standarten
4. SS-Gau Oberbayern with 4 Standarten
5. SS-Rheinland-Süd with 5 Standarten
6. SS-Gau Sachsen with 4 Standarten

1929 were reorganized with the command assumption Heinrich Himmlers the SS-Oberleitung and continued to subdivide. The SS-Oberleitung was called now SS-Oberstab and the SS-Gaue in SS-Oberführerbereiche was renamed and the local SS-Standarten into Briganden combined. The SS-Oberstab been subordinate now the following SS-Oberführerbereiche:

1. Oberführerbereich Ost with the Briganden Berlin-Brandenburg, Ostpreußen and Schlesien
2. Oberführerbereich West with the Briganden Hessen-Nassau, Rheinland-Süd, Rheinland Süd, Südhannover-Braunschweig and Thüringen
3. Oberführerbereich Süd with the Briganden Baden-Würtemberg, Franken, Niederbayern, Oberbayern-Süd and Österreich

The Oberstab was divided even into different groups of office. This order applied to at the end of 1930. At the beginning of of 1931 reshuffled Himmler the SS structure after the model of the SA and reorganized the SS now after purely military model. It summarized the SS into different groups, which were divided for their part into Abschnitte (sections). For the first time also the designation Reichsführung-SS was responsible for the Oberstab of the SS in this year, which consisted of different groups of office.

The Reichsführung-SS been subordinate now the following groups:

1. SS-Gruppe Nord with that Abschnitte IV, XIV, XV, III, VII, XII, XIII and XVI,
2. SS-Gruppe Südost with the Abschnitte II and VI,
3. SS-Gruppe West with the Abschnitte V, XI, XVII and XVIII as well as
4. SS-Gruppe Südost with the Abschnitte I, VIII, IX and X.

This order applied until 1934. In July 1934 the Reichsführer-SS, now was this title an official office function, since Heinrich Himmler was subordinated now as Reichsführer-SS as Politischer Leiter (political leader) only Adolf Hitler, as follows organized.

Reichsführung-SS, that the following groups of office been subordinate:

1. Reichsführer-SS
2. Inspektion der Konzentrationslager and the SS-Wachverbände (Theodor Eicke thereby Himmlers was considered (sic!) as a "deputy")
3. SS-Führungsabteilung
4. SS Personalabteilung
5. SS-Ergänzungsamt
6. Persönlicher Stab RFSS
7. Rasse- und Siedlungshauptamt
8. Rasseamt
9. Schulungsamt
10. Sippenamt
11. Siedlungsamt
12. Reichsarzt-SS
13. Sanitätsamt
14. SD Hauptamt
15. Amt für Sicherheitsaufgaben
16. SS-Gericht
17. SS-Hauptamt
18. Verwaltungschef-SS
19. Verwaltungsamt
20. Statistik and Archiv
21. Lebensborn; 1935 were subordinated now also the association Lebensborn to the Reichsführer-SS.

The SS-Gruppe were renamed now into Oberabschnitt as well as arranged into 10 groups and had SS-Abschitte as sub-groups:

1. SS Oberabschnitt Mitte with the Abschnitte II, XVI, XVIII and XXVII,
2. Oberabschnitt Nord with the Abschnitte XIII, XV and XX,
3. Oberabschnitt Nordost with the Abschnitte VII and XXVI,
4. Oberabschnitt Nordwest with the Abschnitte IV and XIV,
5. Oberabschnitt Ost with the Abschnitte III, XII and XXIII,
6. Oberabschnitt Rhein with the Abschnitt XI,
7. Oberabschitt Süd with the Abschnitte I, IX and XXV III,
8. Oberabschnitt Österreich with the Abschnitte VI, XXI and XXII,
9. Oberabschnitt Südwest with the Abschnitte X and XIX as well as
10. Oberabschnitt West with the Abschnitte V and XXV.

After 1938 the Oberabschnitt 8 in Oberabschnitt Südost was renamed. This arrangement applied to at the end of 1939 and starting from 1940 by the organisational structure of the SS-Hauptämter (SS main offices) was resumed.

1943 consisted the Reichsführung-SS of 13 Main Offices (Hauptämter):

1. The Hauptamt Persönlicher Stab Reichsführer-SS (main office personal staff Reichsführer-SS) was Himmlers personal staff department. It was created 1936. In war from it the so-called "Feldkommandostelle RFSS" (command post RFSS) and that the permanent staff the "Spezialzug Heinrich" (special train Heinrich) form.
2. The SS-Hauptamt (SS main office) be the important central staff department the SS. As the name already betrays, it was original the SS main office for the entire SS. Since the »Inspektion der SS-Verfügungstruppe« (inspection of the SS combat support force) was formally subordinated 1936 in this office, what led to numerous internal friction losses. It was the personnel department for the crew ranks and for the NCOS of the Waffen-SS. Due to the substantial expansion the SS main office had finally 1940 70 % of its tasks to again-created and/or to separated offices transfers. It was finally only responsible for the recruitment of new members of the SS. In addition, recruiting more foreign (germanic) volunteers in the numerous divisions of the Waffen-SS ran over the internal departments of »Kommandoamt der Germanischen SS« (office for command of the germanic SS) and the »SS-Erfassungs- und Ergänzungsamt« (auxiliary office).
3. The SS-Führungshauptamt was the actual operational headquarter of the SS. It developed as separating from the SS main office. Among his tasks ranked paying the full-time SS leaders, that were led in the »Kommandoamt der Allgemeinen SS« (office for command of the general SS), and which members of the Waffen-SS, those the »Kommandoamt der Waffen-SS« (office for command of the Waffen-SS) been subordinate. The office for command of the Waffen-SS developed 1940 from the pool of the past independent offices for command of the Verfügungstruppe and the SS-Wachverbände. This main office was responsible also for the training of the SS personnel as well as for the transport and supply nature of the Waffen-SS. All transports and honors of the SS ran over this main office. Toward end of the war 45,000 persons in this office.
4. The SS-Wirtschafts- und Verwaltungshauptamt (SS economic and administrative main office) worked developed 1942 from separating the old »SS-Verwaltungsamt« from the SS main office. It was the most important economic and administrative Unit. This main office controlled all war-important German factories, which had been assigned production by military equipment and uniforms for the SS. In addition it was responsible for the building of buildings and barracks of the Waffen-SS. In its »Amtsgruppe D« (group of office D) were now also the administration and exploitation KZ's subjected. At the beginning of of 1944 took over this main office also the tasks by allied one destroyed SS main office of the order police. 1945 was far over 500 companies in the hand of the SS, which were united in this office.
5. The SS-Hauptamt Gericht (main office SS Court) was responsible for the SS jurisdiction. On this office were incumbent the entire special court bar of SS and police, among other things the punishment of offenses against the »SS Disziplinarordnung«.
6. The SS-Personalhauptamt (SS personnel main office) was considered as general personnel department of the SS. It developed as separating from the SS main office. It cared for the SS leaders in officer rank and gave since 1934 the »SS-Dienstalterslisten«.
7. The SS-Rasse- und Siedlungshauptamt (SS race and settlement main office) 1940 from the old »SS-Rasseamt« (SS office for Race) of the SS main office had been formed out. Many of its substantial tasks had been given up until 1942. But four primary tasks were still until 1945 clearly recognizable: race, family, resettlement and administration. Each »SS-Oberabschnitt« in Germany possessed an »RuSHA-Officer«, each city had a »SS-Familienfürsorgebeamten«, which was turned off by the RuSHA. Despite all war restrictions this main office examined further the rassischen aspects of each new SS member. If the examinations were still very exact until 1940, then the detailed ancestor investigations of the SS members were examined no longer exactly. Usually was enough a written confirmation of the SS member and his future wife, who in its ancestor none Jew was. The exact investigation should take place only after the end of war. Only the higher SS leaders and their future women had to undergo an exact investigation. For germanic volunteers of the Waffen-SS applied likewise a written confirmation for the entrance into the armed SS federations. A further an important task of this office was resettlement of volksdeutsche minorities into the conquered areas in eastern Europe.
8. The Hauptamt SS-Obergruppenführer Heissmeyer (main office SS Obergruppenführer Heissmeyer) had above all effects on the training in Germany. It was considered as "control organ" the SS to »Nationalpolitische Erziehungsanstalten« (nationalpolitical educational establishments = NPEA) in Germany. It was created 1936 by Obergruppenführer August Heissmeyer, who was »general inspector of the NPEA«. These schools the later »political guidance elite« of the German Reich should consult.
9. Reichssicherheitshauptamt had probably the largest influence on the Germans. It was since 27 September 1939 also Gestapo, Kriminalpolizei and Grenzpolizei (border police) subordinates. Altogether pointed the RSHA seven main offices up. It was the most dangerous tool of the National socialists and the main instrument of their terror. To the powers of this office the feared »Schutzhaft« (protective custody) belonged. The meant: arrest and the briefing in a KZ without legal proceedings and the possibility of an appointment possibility by the victims.
10. The Hauptamt Ordnungspolizei (main office order police) were inseparably connected with the history of the SS since 1936. It cared for all German policemen and it been subordinate until 1940 also the members of the SS police division. The authority leader Kurt Daluege pushed all police officers to the entrance into the Allgemeine SS. At the beginning of of 1944 was destroyed this main office by allied bombers and dissolved by Himmler. Its departments were now in the SS economic and administrative main office accommodated.
11. The Hauptamt Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle (main office Volksdeutsche central llace) in the summer 1939 were based. Major task of this office was with priority the technical-organizational preparation and accomplishment of the resettlement of Volksdeutsche in the German Reich (password: »Back in the Reich!«). At this time that was the German minorities in Italy (South Tyrol) and the Baltic. This office co-operated closely with the main office »Reichskommissariat for strengthening the German nationality«.
12. The Hauptamt Reichsführer-SS/Reichskommissariat zur Festigung des Deutschen Volkstums (main office Reichsführer-SS/Reichskommissariat for strengthening the German nationality) was created on 7 October 1939. This main office was removed to an enormous authority apparatus, to which large powers over other SS main offices and agencies, over state institutions in the German Reich and the occupied areas were entitled. This office was responsible to Jews from that the German Reich integrated east areas for the entire out and resettlement for Poland and in the »Generalgouvernement« and the entire back and settlement of the Volksdeutsche from all parts of Europe. From 1939 to 1945 this office resettled approximately 900,000 Germans, which from South Tyrol, which the Baltic, east Poland and from the Balkans area as well as from the Ukraine originated. The German minorities were summarized in so-called »Deutsche Volkslisten« (German people lists), in which the relationship of the concerning to the »Deutschtum« (German nationality) was held: List 1 and list 2 covered all Germans, which had retained as can be prove their German nationality. In addition they became automatically German citizens and the members of the list 1 could the NSDAP and their arrangements join. Into list 3 came Persons of German origin and convicition, who had however already been received »connections to the Polentum«. Besides also the old-established slavic population (as Poland did not call themselves) was accepted to this list. They received a »provisional German nationality« and had of a strict examination by the »SS race and settlement main office« to undergo. Into the list 4 all »polonisierten Germans« were assigned. That were above all Germans, which were married with Poland and which had accepted the Polish nationality. These persons were only »candidates on the German nationality« and should in the Reich become »reeducated«. Into the lists 3 and 4 was assigned starting from 1943 also Poland, Russian, Ukrainians, Litauer and Chechs, those of the SS as »hereditarybiologically« as »race valuable population additive« were regarded to.
13. The SS-Sanitäts-Hauptamt (SS medizial main office) were responsible for the health and attendance of patients of all SS members. It been subordinate the SS field hospitals in the theaters of war.

On 22 April 1940 Himmler in its secret order of the day NR ordered. to 1484/41, all units of the SS standing under weapons to Waffen-SS belonged. The designations »SS Verfügungstruppe« and »SS Totenkopfverbände« used up to then were now more given up.

The following instruction NR. 2825/41 (20 Juni 1941) implement above order of the day still more exactly: It means that now more belonged to 179 agencies of the Allgemeine SS, under it all SS main offices including the concentration camps to Waffen-SS. With the transfer of the KZ guarding kinds of Dead head restraint and, which up to then the Allgemeine SS was subordinated as armed special federation, into the Waffen-SS the actual history of the Allgemeine SS stops. During the further war now the units of the Waffen-SS determined the history of the SS.

Since now also the full-time SS leaders, that remained naturally always members of the Allgemeine SS, were formally into the Waffen-SS merged, and which fought remaining members in remaining German Wehrmacht, the Allgemeine SS fell now into the political insignificant.

The SS in the Second World War (1942-1945)

On 1 September 1939 began with the German Invasion in Poland. SS Heimwehr Danzig now to the Totenkopfverbände Eickes took shelter and with this end of the monthly was already combined. It began the substantial development of the KZs by millions of above all Jewish prisoners. The SS used the KZs of also solid their business enterprises own for the development. In addition, the units SS Einsatzgruppen ranked among its feared fright federations: These pulled in the course of the armed forces advance murder-end behind these ago. Officially only to the »Banden- and Partisanenbekämfung« set up, pursued it predominantly the Jews of the areas concerned. Himmler began also »Höhere SS- und Polizeiführer« (higher SS and police leader), which exercised a true fright rule particularly in the occupied areas.

1942 planning took place Holocaust at Wannsee-Konferenz. In consequence its were transformed the concentration camps in the occupied eastern Europe too extermination camps.

The Waffen-SS placed beside the pure front federations now also the security guards KSs and large contingents of the groups of employments. From all SS arrangements the Waffen-SS were the largest: 1944 covered it approximately 950,000 persons, among them 310,000 Volksdeutsche and 200,000 foreigners.

The End (1945)

With end of war approximately 600,000 member of the Waffen-SS came into shank. The mass of the soldiers of the Waffen-SS could not however the hate understand, which against-struck them by the allied ones. They saw themselves as soldiers and not as a »member« to generic term cures »party army«. This opinion is quite justifiable since 1940. But one may not forget, which its root in the armed SS federations of the during first war years lie. And their integration into the NSDAP and its partial organization, the SS, are undisputed. Nevertheless the cadre personnel was at that time registered members of the SS. With allied war crimes trials in Nürnberg beside these also the 40,000 members of the Allgemeine SS were accused. Approximately 150,000 was accused by the members of the Waffen-SS.

The allied ones came 1946 to the conclusion that the »Gesamt-SS«, with exception of the Reiter-SS and Lebensborn, exclusively »criminal goals« served. The Lebensborn was classified officially as "children's home« and the Reiter-SS as »elitaere rider combination«.

References

1. Mark C. Yerger: Allgemeine-SS (ISBN 0-7643-0145-4)
2. Mark Yerger: The Allgemeine-SS (ISBN 0-7643-0145-4)
3. Mark Yerger: A Pictorial History of the SS, 1923-1945 (ISBN 0-8128-2174-0)
4. Robin Lumsden: The Allgemeine-SS, Vol. 266 (ISBN 1-8553-2358-3)
5. Heinz Hoehne: Der Orden unter dem Totenkopf (ISBN 3-89350-549-0)
6. Felix Steiner: die Armee der Geächteten (ISBN 3-9207-2210-8)
7. Gordon Williamson: Die Waffen-SS 1933-1945. Ein Handbuch (ISBN 3-85492-706-1)
8. Gordon Williamson: Die SS - Hitlers Instrument der Macht. Die Geschichte der SS von der Schutzstaffel bis zur Waffen-SS (ISBN 3-7043-6037-6)
9. Hilde Kammer/Elisabeth Bartsch: Jugendlexikon Nationalsozialismus. Begriffe aus der Zeit der Gewaltherrschaft 1933-1945 (ISBN 3-499-16288-1)

The organizations of the Schutzstaffel (SS) [ view] • [ talk] • [ edit]
SS branches
Allgemeine-SS | Waffen-SS
Leadership
Reichsführer-SS | Regional leaders | Personnel
Headquarters
Office of the Reichsführer-SS | Head Administrative Office | Head Operational Office | Reich Central Security Office | Police Office | Economics and Administration Office | Office of Race and Settlement | Main Office for Ethnic Germans | Office of the Reich Commissioner for Germanic Resettlement | SS Courts Office | Personnel Office | Education Office
Special services
Concentration camp guards | Death squads | Hitler's bodyguards | Intelligence service (SD)
Police units
Regular police (Orpo) | Criminal police (Kripo) | Secret police: Gestapo and Sipo
Waffen-SS units
| Waffen-SS divisions
SS publications
Das Schwarze Korps
SS-controlled businesses
Holdings: Ostindustrie | Deutsche Wirtschaftsbetriebe Art: Allach porcelain Drinking water: Apollinaris | Mattoni | Sudettenquell

 

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