Waffen-SS

> "Not every race has a right to exist. Inferior races spread the contagion of communism. Your nation must be exterminated. You have no right to be, and our mission will be accomplished. If not today, tomorrow."
>
> *Waffen-SS Soldier*, Unknown, from Come and See (1985)

## Waffen-SS

Official Banner of the Waffen-SS (1950)

A rifleman stands on Volgas beach, And hums silently with he.

### Headquarters

* SS-Führungshauptamt, Berlin
* Wewelsburg

## Personnel

### Conscription

* No (Volunteer Only)
* Yes (Foreign Units)

## Expenditures

### Budget

* 3.8 billion US$ or 21.66 billion ℛℳ (official, Statistical Office of the Reich, 1970)

## Military Usage

### Unit Type

* Panzer
* Panzergrenadiere
* Fallschirmjäger
* Gebirgsjäger
* Sicherungs
* Infanterie
* Kavallerie

### Unit Designation

Special Operations Forces

The ****Waffen-SS**** (Armed Schutzstaffel), also known by the Wehrmacht designation **Sondereinsatzkommandos 33** (Special Task Forces 33), is the combat branch of the Nazi Party's Schutzstaffel (SS) organization. The Waffen-SS is an official military force under its designation SEK 33, and it remains formally under the command of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht. The modern Waffen-SS serves as both special operations forces (SOF), and as foreign unit forces. The Waffen-SS is divided into the Waffen-Germanische-Schutzstaffel [Waffen-GSS], and the Waffen-Ausländer-Schutzstaffel [Waffen-AUSS]. Officially, Sondereinsatzkommandos 33 refers specifically to the military units under the Waffen-GSS. As such, the term 'Waffen-SS' is often used to refer solely to the Germanic units. This distinction is due to the fact that the foreign units are not considered part of the SS, but rather serving 'temporarily' under their command to further the goals of the organization. The distinction goes further in that national units are referred to as "SS-Division" and foreign units are referred to as "Division of the SS."

Under the Waffen-SS Reforms of 1950, the Waffen-SS (Germanic) is divided into two sub-branches, mainly the WSS-Landstreitkräfte (Land Forces), and the WSS-Luftstreitkräfte (Air Forces). Under the WSS-LaSK, are the Panzer (Armored), Panzergrenadiere (Mechanized/Motorized), Gebirgsjäger (Mountaineer), Infanterie (Infantry), Kavallerie (Cavalry), Polizei (Police), and Sicherung (Security) units. Under the WSS-LuSK, are the Fallschirmjäger (Paratrooper), and the Heeresflieger (Army Aviation) units.

The Waffen-SS (Foreigner) operates much the same way as it did during the Second World War, with very little change and reforms in the past years. These units are ultimately restricted to operating solely on Ostterritorium (East Territory) or on non-German territory. These units are often led by German commanders, with rare exceptions of native commanders among their leadership. The Waffen-AUSS are officially referred to by the Wehrmacht as SS-Hilfsarmeen (SS Auxiliary Armies) or simply as Hilfsarmeen, and many SS documents, leaders, officers, and members often use the term as well. The other non-official name, mostly by the rank-and-file, is 'Hiwiheeres' (Hiwi Army). Since 1960, all units of the Hilfsarmeen are assigned to the Ostterritorium, comprising the Reichskommissariat Moskowien (Muscovy), Reichskommissariat Kaukasus (Caucasus), Reichskommissariat Ukraine (Ukraine), and Reichskommissariat Ostland (Eastland), and their sub-territories.