The SS was originally conceived as Hitler’s personal bodyguard, but grew into a very large and somewhat complex organization. The Waffen-SS were combat troops, while the Allgemeine SS was responsible, among other things, for the concentration camps. There was jealousy, rivalry, and struggles over competence between the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS.

The SS eventually consisted of 39 divisions, some of which only had full strength on paper, while others were highly effective. One of the most capable divisions was Wiking.