When Himmler’s SS Police Division Paid for What They Did

By World History

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The 4th SS Police Panzergrenadier Division began not as a conventional Waffen-SS formation, but as a force largely composed of ordinary German policemen. Created in October 1939, shortly after the German invasion of Poland, the division was part of Heinrich Himmler’s effort to expand the military forces under SS control. Around 16,000 men were initially drawn from the Ordnungspolizei, Nazi Germany’s uniformed police, while retaining their police ranks and insignia. After security duties in occupied Poland, the division entered combat during the Battle of France in 1940. The following year it joined Operation Barbarossa, advancing with Army Group North towards Leningrad. At Luga, repeated attacks against Soviet positions brought severe losses. In February 1942, the formation was formally transferred to the Waffen-SS, transforming its policemen into SS soldiers. By late 1943 and early 1944, the rebuilt division had been transferred to the Balkans. In occupied Greece, its mission increasi

Tags: World History, 4th SS Police Panzergrenadier Division, 4 ss panzer division, 4th ss polizei panzergrenadier division, ss police division, German SS, Second World War, ss panzergrenadier division, Waffen-SS, Heinrich Himmler, Karl Pfeffer-Wildenbruch, Operation Barbarossa, Siege of Leningrad, Arthur Mülverstedt, Panzergrenadier Division, ELAS Greece, Greek People's Liberation Army, Karl Schümers, Kleisoura 1944, Fritz Lautenbach