What was the relationship between the Wehrmacht and the SS in WWII?

Mondo Military Updated on 2024-01-28

During World War II, tensions often arose between Wehrmacht soldiers and the notorious SS. While the personal experiences and perspectives of the soldiers varied, there was a real situation of hostility and disgust between the two groups. Put on your gold-rimmed glasses and let's have a good time.

The relationship between the Wehrmacht and the SS was complex and influenced by a number of factors. The Wehrmacht was made up of regular troops, while the SS was called the "Guards", and initially, it could be said to be Hitler's personal bodyguards, but later developed into a paramilitary organization. The SS had its own military formations, such as the Waffen-SS, which fought alongside the Wehrmacht on several fronts.

An important reason for the tension between the two groups is their different origins. The Wehrmacht represents the traditional German army, with a long history and a sense of pride. On the other hand, in relation to the ideology of the SS, many Wehrmacht soldiers did not fully embrace the ideology of the Nazi Party and the SS. This ideological disagreement, combined with the usual brutality of the SS, led some Wehrmacht soldiers to develop distrust and disgust at it.

There is also a cause of friction stemming from the war crimes committed by the SS during the war. The SS was responsible for administering concentration camps, carrying out mass executions, and enforcing Hitler's genocidal policies. These actions not only shocked the international community, but also caused discontent within the IDF. Some Wehrmacht felt that the SS had tarnished Germany's reputation and were disgusted by their approach.

In addition, competition for resources and prestige further aggravated relations between the Wehrmacht and the SS. The SS was treated better than the Wehrmacht, including access to the latest ** equipment and supplies, etc., which created a sense of inequality. At the same time, the Wehrmacht, which often faced many shocks from fighting on the front, became increasingly dissatisfied with this inequality, believing that the SS enjoyed privilege and elitism.

But not all Wehrmacht hated the SS. There is still cooperation and camaraderie between the two groups, especially at the individual level. The Wehrmacht was responsible for Nazi military operations, and the SS was responsible for the internal security and administration of the country. While both organizations were loyal to the Nazi Party and its leader, Hitler, tensions did exist between them.

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