Die SS, Hitlers Instrument der Macht.

One of the darkest chapters in German history is that of the SS, Hitler's instrument of power. Beginning with a small number of men of the imperial guard, Hitler built it into a huge organization in the course of the years, which permeated and controlled almost all areas of the Third Reich. Their task was mainly internal security, enabling the establishment and leadership of the concentration camps as well as the enforcement of the murderous racial obsessions of the National Socialists. Hitler's distrust of the Wehrmacht led to the creation of the Waffen-SS. It fought during the war on almost all theaters - heroic, almost suicidal - and only a few survived. The Waffen-SS was also responsible for numerous war crimes. Complimenting the text are 220 color and black and white photographs published for the first time for the most part, and 25 maps. Paying attention to the facts of history reminds us to defend against a similar development vigorously, so that it may never happen again. Includes full index.