The SS

[CROONAERT]

Originally Posted by angeljoanes

. At first I thought Hitler want to keep the purity of this elite to represent the aryan superior race but why later in the war, they recruit people from another race and another country?

Basically, because it transpired that the so called ubermensch weren't quite as uber as they thought!

[angeljoanes]

I think the SS is quit versatile and effective enough because of their fanaticism. To bad their casualty was very high because of same reason. Their fanaticism cause them attacking the enemy without thinking their own life. To bad for an elite.

[Sgt.Pepper]

Originally Posted by angeljoanes

At first I thought Hitler want to keep the purity of this elite to represent the aryan superior race but why later in the war, they recruit people from another race and another country?

To simply put it they basically didnt have enough men to recruit anymore at least thats what im guessing. They took so many casualties like the leibstandarte in Poland took more casualties than any of the werchmat divisions they were attached to, Im suprised at that because they were hitlers "Bodyguards" and were unofficially bound body and soul to the Fuher, and were trained to the highest extent.

[von Poop]

It all started going downhill for me when they let people with dental fillings join.

[Slipdigit]

Originally Posted by Von Poop

It all started going downhill for me when they let people with dental fillings join.

You're killing me VP!

[Kyt]

Oh goody - I've just been to the dentist. What about height restrictions? I think I'd look quite good in black.

[von Poop]

Your hat sir?

[Kyt]

Much smarter than the motley range of headgear in the Legion Freies Indien

<table nof="LY" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="687"><tbody><tr align="left" valign="top"> <td colspan="3" width="650"> <!-- Start of Text (Text9) --> <!-- Start of Picture (Picture1) -->
</td></tr></tbody></table>

[von Poop]

The joining principles were well thought out though, No need for good education was ever specified for the Waffen or VT SS, done intentionally to attract a tougher, more agricultural recuit who was also more succeptible to political 'education'.

Some interesting criteria for joining the Early SS-VT from a leaflet called "how do I join the SS-VT' transcribed from Gordon Williamson's SS handbook:

SSVT recruitment criteria. (1935-).

Requirements:

• Age 17-22.
• Minimum height for the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler: 178cm.
• Minimum height for SS-Standarten Deutschland, Germania: 174cm.
• Minimum height for Musicians, pioneers & signallers: 172cm.
• German Nationality
• Fit, with a national socialist viewpoint.
• Able to establish antecedents back to at least 1800.
• Single & not engaged.
• Completed their labour corps service.
• Written parental permission if minimum age.
• Completed any apprenticeships or been officially released by their journeyman.
• Pay for any dental treatment required at the time of acceptance and have the work carried out before enlistment.
• Normal eyesight without glasses.
• No criminal record.

• SS Officer careers are open to any member who has served for one year.
• Minimum length of service in the SS-VT is four years.
• Volunteers who wish to follow an NCO career must sign on for at least 12 years.
• After four years service there is a possibility of transfer to policing careers.

All a far cry from the freiwillige divisions and "can you hold this gun?" Wehrmacht transfers of wartime.

[Kyt]

Bugger! Failed on almost all of them. Oh well, will have to think of something else. But I am "single & not engaged"!