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The 1st SS-Panzer Division ''Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler'' (abbreviated as 1. SS-Pz.Div. LSSAH) began as Adolf Hitler's personal bodyguard, responsible for guarding the Führer's person, offices, and residences. Initially the size of a regiment (brigade), the LSSAH eventually grew into an elite division-sized unit. The term ''Leibstandarte'' was derived partly from ''Leibgarde'' – a somewhat archaic German translation of "Garde du Corps" or personal bodyguard of a military leader ("Leib" = lit. "body, torso") – and ''Standarte'': the ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) or ''Sturmabteilung'' (SA) term for a regiment-sized unit. The LSSAH independently participated in combat during the invasion of Poland, and was amalgamated into the ''Waffen-SS'' together with the ''SS-Verfügungstruppe'' (SS-VT) and the combat units of the ''SS-Totenkopfverbände'' (SS-TV) prior to Operation ''Barbarossa'' in 1941. By the end of World War II it had been increased in size from a regiment to a Panzer division. The ''Leibstandarte'' division's symbol was a skeleton key, in honour of its first commander, Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (''Dietrich'' is German for skeleton key or lock pick); it was retained and modified to later serve as the symbol for I SS Panzer Corps. The elite division, a component of the ''Waffen-SS'', was found guilty of war crimes in the Nuremberg Trials. Members of the LSSAH participated in numerous atrocities. They killed at least an estimated 5,000 prisoners of war in the period 1940–1945, mostly on the Eastern Front. ==Early history (1923–1933)== In the early days of the Nazi Party (NSDAP), the leadership realized that a bodyguard unit composed of reliable men was needed. Ernst Röhm formed a guard formation from the ''19.Granatwerfer-Kompanie''; from this formation the ''Sturmabteilung'' (SA) soon evolved. Adolf Hitler in early 1923, ordered the formation of a small separate bodyguard dedicated to his service rather than "a suspect mass" of the party, such as the SA. Originally the unit was composed of only eight men, commanded by Julius Schreck and Joseph Berchtold. It was designated the ''Stabswache'' (staff guard). The ''Stabswache'' were issued unique badges, but at this point was still under SA control. Schreck resurrected the use of the ''Totenkopf'' (death's head) as the unit's insignia, a symbol various elite forces had used throughout the Prussian kingdom and the later German Empire. Later that year, the unit was renamed ''Stoßtrupp'' (Shock Troop) 'Hitler' and commanded by Schreck. The unit never numbered more than 20 members. On 9 November 1923 the ''Stoßtrupp'', along with the SA and other NSDAP paramilitary units, took part in the abortive Beer Hall Putsch in Munich. In the aftermath of the putsch, Hitler was imprisoned and the NSDAP and all associated formations, including the ''Stoßtrupp'', were officially disbanded. In mid-1920s, violence remained a large part of Bavaria politics. Hitler was a potential target. In 1925, Hitler ordered the formation of a new bodyguard unit, the ''Schutzkommando'' (protection command). The unit was renamed the ''Sturmstaffel'' (assault squadron) and in November was renamed the ''Schutzstaffel'', abbreviated to SS. By 1933 the SS had grown from a small bodyguard unit to a formation of over 50,000 men. The decision was made to form a new bodyguard unit, again called the ''Stabswache'', which was mostly made up of men from the 1st SS Standarte. By 1933 this unit was under the command of Josef "Sepp" Dietrich who selected 117 men for the ''SS-Stabswache'' Berlin. Out of these initial 117, three eventually became divisional commanders, at least eight would become regimental commanders, fifteen became battalion commanders, and over thirty became company commanders, all within the ''Waffen-SS''. Eleven men from the first company of 117 went on to win the Knights Cross, and forty of them were awarded the German Cross in gold for bravery. Later in 1933, two further training units were formed: ''SS-Sonderkommando Zossen'', and a second unit, designated ''SS-Sonderkommando Jüterbog.'' In September 1933 the two ''Sonderkommando'' merged into the ''SS-Sonderkommando Berlin''. In November 1933, on the 10th anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch, the ''Sonderkommando'' took part in the rally and memorial service for the NSDAP members who had been killed during the putsch. During the ceremony, the members of the ''Sonderkommando'' swore personal allegiance to Hitler. At the conclusion the unit received a new title, "''Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler''" (LAH). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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