Before the War

Heinrich Himmler was born near Munich, Germany, on 7th October, 1900. The son of a Catholic schoolmaster, he was educated at the Landshut High School. During the First World War Himmler joined the 11th Bavarian Regiment and by the end of the conflict he had become an officer cadet in the German Army.

In 1928 Himmler married and became a poultry farmer. He also joined the Sturm Abteilung (SA) and was a devout follower of Adolf Hitler. Himmler believed Hitler was the Messiah that was destined to lead Germany to greatness. Hitler, who was always vulnerable to flattery, decided in January, 1929, that Himmler should become the new leader of his personal bodyguard, the Schutzstaffel (SS).  By the time of his appointment the SS had only 280 members. They wore the same uniform as the SA except for a black cap with a silver death's head badge and a black tie. It was only after 1932 that they wore an all-black uniform.

The SS became the principal instrument of internal rule in Germany. In 1936 the Gestapo also came under Himmler's control.  Himmler was also able to put SS men in all the key posts in Nazi Germany. 

Wartime Role

In December, 1940 Himmler established the Waffen SS. This new army grew rapidly and within six months grew to over 150,000 men. 

During the Second World War the SS Death's Head Units were put in charge of Germany's Concentration Camps. The SS also followed the German Army into the Soviet Union where they had the responsibility of murdering Jews, gypsies, communists and partisans. By June 1944 the SS had over 800,000 members: Hitler's Body Guard (200,000) Waffen (594,000) and Death Head Units (24,000).  These groups under Himmler’s control would be the greatest instruments of Nazi terror.  Millions would be killed by the members of Himmler’s SS.  Millions perished in the Concentration and slave labor camps within Greater Germany.  Countless others, including thousands of Polish and Russian civilians would also be murdered in cold blood in the wake of the German advances out east.  In summary, Himmler could be looked upon as Hitler’s executioner.