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Waffen-SS

Page history last edited by PBworks 16 years ago

 Propaganda of the Waffen-SS

 

The Waffen-SS ("Waffen" meaning Armed) was the combat unit of the Schutzstaffel; better known as the SS during World War Two in Nazi Germany. In comparison to the Wehrmacht (the regular German Army), the Waffen-SS was the elite combat unit with very strong commitments to the Nazi Party.

 

                                           

                              Heinrich Himmler

 

 The SS was originally formed to be Adolf Hitler's bodyguard. The Strumabteilung or SA (meaning "assault battalion") was the more prominant force in the Party (they had helped Hitler rise to power during the early 1930's), but were not as trusted with their loyalties and plans by Hitler, and the Schutzstaffel was formed. It originally consisted of around 300 men who were expected to fully dedicate themselves to Hitler and the Nazi Party. Heinrich Himmler became the head of the SS in 1929 as the Reichsfuhrer, but the force was still a very small organization. By the end of 1933, however, there were about 52,000 members in the Schutzstaffel.  Adolf Hitler now had an effective force and could get rid of the SA, headed by Ernst Rohm, who were a threat to his power. On the Night of the Long Knives, members of the SA were included in the purge, plus most of its leadership. Now, the SS was finally the elite organization under Adolf Hitler.

 

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