SS – Gestapo complex

The Gestapo and SS were the two most feared sections of the

Nazi Party.

The SS were originally Hitler’s bodyguards although in time

influenced all aspects of German society, including policing

issues. The Gestapo were the German secret police, charged

with defending the state.

German policing was complex under Nazi rule.

Heinrich Himmler, as head of the SS and Chief of Police, was ultimately responsible for all

policing issues.

He oversaw a range of groups, including everyday policing (Orpo) through to security

services, (SD).

The SS were involved in policing but carried out other

roles as well.

By the time that World War Two started in 1939, there

were almost 250,000 members of the SS. By 1944

this had grown to more than 1 million members, each

working for different sections.

The SS had a role which encompassed all aspects of

German life.

They had policing powers (such as arresting suspects), they ran

the labour/death camps during World War Two and they held special courts. They also

ran Lebensborn clinics to breed the master race.

Born out of the Prussian secret police, the Gestapo

sought to control the German people through fear.

The Gestapo itself was relatively small compared to the SS (30,000 agents at its peak) and instead relied on

image as an all-knowing organisation to gain control.

Possible opponents of the Nazi regime were often stopped from doing so by a fear that

they would be informed upon and then arrested.

Most (up to 80%) of the Gestapo’s arrests came from denunciations. These were

often false, based on the desire to hurt enemies or love rivals.

Historians debate overall impact that the so-called SS-Gestapo complex had on the

Nazis’ control of Germany.

Some have claimed that in fact most Germans supported

Hitler’s government (due to backing for policy decisions)

and so there was little need to govern through fear.

However others argue that this is too simple and ignores the

genuine terror the two organisations created.

It is argued that the seemingly random powers they had to arrest, detain and even kill meant few dared challenge them. The development of

concentration camps only increased this.

Historians’ views

• E.K. Bramstedt: The SS and Gestapo are not identical but their functions are interrelated. The SS is an Elite Guard in charge of the police and the Gestapo is the elite of this elite.

• Robert Gellately: The function of the SS and Gestapo is not simply about destroying resistance but also enforcing the government’s various different policies.

• Klaus-Michael Mallmann: Denunciation and informers were the key to giving the Gestapo their power.