The Waffen-SS, as fourth ‘army branch’ of the German army, is still surrounded with a certain mystical fog. Some divisions, mostly from the first levies, have general fame, like Hitler’s body guard division, the ‘Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler’, or the ‘Das Reich’ division. However, the fact that Waffen-SS grew into a significant force – 38 divisions – during the war, is largely unknown. Yet, due to the expansion, the elite status of the Waff-en-SS lessened. Leveled by its large numbers and the intake of foreigners, the Waffen-SS eventually fell in the streets of Bu-dapest, Berlin, Vienna and in the misty forests of the Ardennes.