Recruits had to be between the ages of 17 and 23, at least 1.74 metres (5 ft 9 in) tall (1.78 metres (5 ft 10 in) for the LSSAH). Concentration camp guards had to make a one-year commitment, be between the ages of 16 and 23, and at least 1.72 metres (5 ft 8 in) tall.
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What were the requirements to join the SS?
To qualify for the SS, prospective members had to prove that none of their ancestors were Jewish and agree to marry only with the consent of their superior officers. In addition to receiving military training, recruits were taught that they were the elite not only of the Nazi Party but of all humankind.
How was the SS different from the regular German army?
The Allgemeine SS was responsible for enforcing the racial policy of Nazi Germany and general policing, whereas the Waffen-SS consisted of combat units within Nazi Germany’s military.
What was the highest rank in the SS?
SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer
SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer ([ˈoːbɐstˌɡʁʊpm̩fyːʁɐ]) was (from 1942 to 1945) the highest commissioned rank in the Schutzstaffel (SS), with the exception of Reichsführer-SS, held by SS commander Heinrich Himmler.
How good was the Waffen-SS?
Although the Waffen-SS gained a reputation during the war for ferociousness and tenacity, and this reputation grew significantly during the postwar period, their actual combat success was more mixed and prosaic. Some Waffen-SS formations fought rather well, but others’ performance was not terribly impressive.
What was the training of the SS?
Training an SS officer took as much as nineteen months overall and encompassed additional things like map reading, tactics, military maneuvers, political education, weapons training, physical education, combat engineering and even automobile mechanics, all of which were provided in varying degrees at additional
What did SS mean in the German army?
The SS (Schutzstaffel, or Protection Squads) was originally established as Adolf Hitler’s personal bodyguard unit. It would later become both the elite guard of the Nazi Reich and Hitler’s executive force prepared to carry out all security-related duties, without regard for legal restraint.
What did German soldiers call each other?
Boche (pejorative)
Pronounced [boʃ], boche is a derisive term used by the Allies during World War I, often collectively (“the Boche” meaning “the Germans”).
Did the Wehrmacht ever fight the SS?
So yes, what you have heard is true. On May 5th 1945, a total of 14 Wehrmacht soldiers (and the SS defector Kurt-Siegfried Schrader) helped defend Castle Itter from an SS division. Source: Harding, Stephen.
How many Waffen SS died in ww2?
OKW figures from 9/1/1939 to 12/31/1944
| Description | Dead | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Army and Waffen SS | 1,750,000 | 3,360,000 |
| Navy | 60,000 | 160,000 |
| Air Force | 155,000 | 303,000 |
| Total Wehrmacht | 1,965,000 | 3,823,000 |
What was Hitler’s rank?
| Adolf Hitler | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | German Empire Weimar Republic |
| Branch | Imperial German Army Bavarian Army Reichswehr |
| Years of service | 1914–1920 |
| Rank | Gefreiter |
What was the lowest rank of the SS?
Table
| Title (English) | Army equivalent | Approximate equivalents during World War II |
|---|---|---|
| US | ||
| SS-Obersturmführer (SS-Senior assault leader) | Oberleutnant | First lieutenant |
| SS-Untersturmführer (SS-Second/Junior assault leader) | Leutnant | Second lieutenant |
| Non-Commissioned Officer ranks |
When did the SS stop wearing black uniforms?
The black uniform was phased-out from 1937, to be replaced by a grey uniform with, for the Allgemeine SS (and security organisations, such as the SD) exactly the same cut (with the addition of shoulder straps on both shoulders, and the SS eagle replacing the swastika brassard).
What’s the difference between SS and Gestapo?
The sole purpose supposedly of the SS is to protect personally the Nazi supreme commander Adolf Hitler. The Gestapo is a short-lived police organization that existed around 1934-1939 only while the SS is longer since they existed for sixteen years around 1929-1945 before being abolished.
What was the German army called in ww2?
the Wehrmacht
However, it is important to remember that under the Nazi Regime the German military—known as the Wehrmacht—participated in Nazi crimes, including the Holocaust.
How many soldiers were in the Waffen-SS?
The Waffen-SS grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions during World War II, and served alongside the German Army (Heer), Ordnungspolizei (uniformed police) and other security units.
| Waffen-SS | |
|---|---|
| Size | 900,000 including foreign volunteers and conscripts List of Waffen SS units |
Who trained the SS?
Himmler would make physical training one of the most important parts of the Waffen SS’ training and ensured the various sports such as boxing, running track and field, rowing, and others were integrated throughout the day, creating not only fit and healthy troops but also building the camaraderie within the Waffen SS.
How long is German Army basic training?
450 hours
In total, the Bundeswehr’s basic training covers 14 subjects over the course of 450 hours of training.
Did Hugo Boss design SS uniforms?
BERLIN — German fashion group Hugo Boss made uniforms for Hitler’s ruthless SS and SA units before switching to designer suits after World War II, according to a magazine report.
What letter is SS in English?
The German ligature (additional character): The letter ß, is also known as the “sharp S“, “eszett” or “scharfes S”, and is the only German letter that is not part of the Latin/Roman alphabet. The letter is pronounced (like the “s” in “see”).
What Colour was the SS uniform?
black
The SS uniform was all black, as opposed to the Wehrmacht’s field grey, giving it an air of crispness and power exclusive only to black dress. In addition to the same elegant effects of the Wehrmacht uniform, the SS uniform added its own ingredient of fear to the fashion of the Third Reich.