Changes

The Waffen-SS (Armed SS) began as Hitler's private army. It started as the SS-Stabswache Berlin, a small bodygruard unit under Josef "Sepp" Dietrich. It was renamed the Sonderkommando Berlin until Himmler renamed it again as the Leibstandarte (Bodyguard Regiment) Adolf Hitler (LSSAH). In September 1934, Adolf Hitler authorized the formation of the military wing of the Nazi Party in the SS; it was called the SS-Verfügungstruppe (Special Use Troops) or SS-VT. There were strict recruitment standards; both physically and racially. By September 1939, there were three SS-VT regiments, along with the Leibstandarte. During the 1939 fighting in Poland, it was reported that the SS-VT units fought bravely but recklessly. The SS-VT units also fought in combat during the invasions of the Low Countries and France in 1940. The performance of the units was of marked improvement on the battlefield, however, off the battlefield several atrocities occurred.<ref>Cook and Bender, (1994) and McNab (2009)</ref>

The Waffen-SS (Armed SS) began as Hitler's private army. It started as the SS-Stabswache Berlin, a small bodygruard unit under Josef "Sepp" Dietrich. It was renamed the Sonderkommando Berlin until Himmler renamed it again as the Leibstandarte (Bodyguard Regiment) Adolf Hitler (LSSAH). In September 1934, Adolf Hitler authorized the formation of the military wing of the Nazi Party in the SS; it was called the SS-Verfügungstruppe (Special Use Troops) or SS-VT. There were strict recruitment standards; both physically and racially. By September 1939, there were three SS-VT regiments, along with the Leibstandarte. During the 1939 fighting in Poland, it was reported that the SS-VT units fought bravely but recklessly. The SS-VT units also fought in combat during the invasions of the Low Countries and France in 1940. The performance of the units was of marked improvement on the battlefield, however, off the battlefield several atrocities occurred.<ref>Cook and Bender, (1994) and McNab (2009)</ref>

In late 1940, Hitler allowed Himmler to greatly expand the forces and open the ranks to Germanic foreign recruits. Further, the branch was re-named the Waffen-SS (Armed SS). The Leibstandarte Division (LSSAH) and SS-VT units thereafter make up the Waffen-SS. Within 6 months this new SS section had over 150,000 soldiers. After the invasion of the Soviet Union in July 1941, the Germans were fighting a two-front war. The Waffen-SS became the elite infantry force of the fronts and given separate control over their communications and reports to Hitler's headquarters. By June 1944, the SS had over 800,000 men: Hitler's bodyguard 200,000, the Waffen-SS 594,000, and the SS-Totenkopfverbände (Death's Head units) or (SS-TV), 24,000. However, at the [[Nuremberg Trials]], the entire Schutzstaffel organization was declared a criminal organization and many of its leaders were executed.

In late 1940, Hitler allowed Himmler to greatly expand the forces and open the ranks to Germanic foreign recruits. Further, the branch was re-named the Waffen-SS (Armed SS). The Leibstandarte Division (LSSAH) and SS-VT units already in service were folded into, and became part of, the Waffen-SS. Within 6 months this new SS branch had over 150,000 soldiers. After the invasion of the Soviet Union in July 1941, the Germans were fighting a two-front war. The Waffen-SS became the elite infantry force of the fronts and given separate control over their communications and reports to Hitler's headquarters. By June 1944, the SS had over 800,000 men: Hitler's bodyguard 200,000, the Waffen-SS 594,000, and the SS-Totenkopfverbände (Death's Head units) or (SS-TV), 24,000. However, at the [[Nuremberg Trials]], the entire Schutzstaffel organization was declared a criminal organization and many of its leaders were executed.

===Soldiers in Waffen SS===

===Soldiers in Waffen SS===