Branches+and+Functions

** General SS //(Allegmine-SS)// **
====The Allegmine-SS was the non-combat branch that managed all the activities of the SS both in and outside of Germany. It was by far the largest branch of the SS, with twelve different offices or units within it. The general SS was comprised of reserve, honorary, or non-active SS members, ordinary volunteer members, and main SS department members. These people were often active in other branches of the German military, Nazi Party, or Waffen-SS as well.====



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Military SS //(Waffen-SS)//
====The Waffen-SS were the frontline combat troops, but they were a very separate organization from the regular Armed Forces. During the war, the Military SS grew to thirty-eight divisions. They also expanded and recruited many foreigners to create "foreign legions" in conquered territories. They recruited everyone from Slavs, Albanians, and Turks, to Belgians, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish.====



** Concentration Camp SS // (SS-Totenkopfverbände) //**
====The SS-Totenkopfverbände was the division that controlled all the concentration camps in Germany and Austria, and was nicknamed "Death's Head Units." This division was also split into three smaller divisions based on their duties within the SS-Totenkopfverbände. The first group was the staff members from German and Austrian concentration camps, and they were often part of the Waffen-SS as well. The second controlled the labor camp system in occupied territories, and the third group was guards and staff of extermination camps in Poland. The staff was rotated in and out of concentration and labor camps, so when they were later put on trial, the entire organization was liable for war crimes and crimes against humanity. ====



Einsatzgruppen
====The Einsatzgruppen was a special unit of the SS formed on an "as-needed" basis. The Einsatzgruppen was formed to enter occupied areas, seize vital records, and neutralize potential threats. They got to use these powers during the annexations of Austria and Czechoslovakia as well as to eliminate the Polish elite to prevent resistance from German occupation. At its peak, the Einsatzgruppen was also sent into Russia for extermination and geoncide of "undesirables", such as Jews, gypsies, and communists.====