WAFFEN SS Meaning and
Definition
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The Waffen-SS, also known as the Armed SS (Schutzstaffel), was a combat branch of the Nazi Party's paramilitary organization during World War II. Founded in 1933, it evolved from a small unit originally tasked with providing security for Adolf Hitler to becoming an elite military force that played a significant role in the war.
As a military branch, the Waffen-SS consisted of volunteer soldiers from both Germany and occupied territories. Members were required to meet certain physical and ideological criteria, exhibiting loyalty to the Nazi regime and subscribing to its racist ideology. As a result, the Waffen-SS often attracted fervent Nazis and individuals willing to embrace the Nazi cause.
Its troops were involved in numerous military campaigns across Europe, engaging in combat operations alongside regular German army units. They fought fiercely in various battles, with notable involvement in the Eastern Front against the Soviet Union. The Waffen-SS was known for employing ruthless tactics and committing numerous war crimes, including massacres of civilians and prisoners of war.
Following the collapse of Nazi Germany, the Waffen-SS was deemed a criminal organization by the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg due to its involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity. Its members were prosecuted for their actions during the war. The Waffen-SS remains a significant historical subject of scrutiny, representing one of the most notorious military formations of the Nazi era.
Etymology of WAFFEN SS
The term "Waffen-SS" has its origin in German language. "Waffen" translates to "weapons" in English, while "SS" stands for "Schutzstaffel", which means "Protection Squadron" or "Security Squadron". The Waffen-SS was the armed branch of the SS, the paramilitary organization under the Nazi Party in Nazi Germany. It played a significant role as a combat force in World War II.
