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. 

From its humble origins as a protection squad for Hitler, Himmler set about methodically creating an entirely autonomous Nazi organization within the movement, effectively ensuring he became the feared head of "a state within a state." Himmler wanted his SS to become the biological, racial, and ideological elite of the Third Reich. In terms of recruitment, people with certain physical characteristics (e.g. tall, blond hair, and blue eyes), with a demonstrably pure Germanic heritage, and with an obvious fanaticism towards Nazi ideas were given special favor.