As a result of its uncompromising leader, Theodore Eicke, the SS Totenkopfdivision possessed a specia

l character and demeanor even among the other SS divisions. First, Eicke's doctrine of elitism was routed in the Nazi movement that he embraced with zeal and ferocity. This elitist mentality can be traced back to Eicke's handling of the prewar concentration camps. Eicke's conviction in the inferiority of the prisoners established the basis for his development of the standard concentration camp system as a place of forced labor, solitary confinement, and other established forms of abuse. In addition, Eicke wholeheartedly believed that the concentration camps were the only available and effective instrument for destroying these adversaries of the National Socials. These concentration camps were organized, and guarded by the militarized SS formations that Eicke himself had recruited. Since the fuhrer had given the SSTV-a racially select group of individuals-sole responsibility for guarding and running the camps, the SSTV constituted an elite within the elite structure of the SS. In other words, not only were the SSTV elite, but they were superiors to others within the elite SS structure. "Seventeen to twenty years old, at least five feet ten inches tall, in perfect health, and of 'racially pure stock'" were the stipulations placed upon volunteers desiring acceptance into the newly formed SS Totenkopfverbande (25). These core requirements demonstrate what Eicke deemed fit for the division and what he envisioned as elite. And this idea of elitism per versed the Totenkopfdivision through Eicke's orders, circulars and adamant memoranda that constantly attempted to convince the men they served the most important and finest formation in the SS. Therefore, Eicke sought to remove the stigma of the SSTV as jailor or prison guards for fear that it would damage their performance on the job.

In order to ingrain the soldiers with his doctrine of elitism, Eicke now had to properly train each soldier to be "elite." Eicke and his staff devoted almost every hour of training to making the division combat ready, especially for the expected western campaign. Eicke was very thorough about training. Every conceivable moment available for training the soldiers was utilized. For example, Eicke managed to conduct seve

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Approximate Word count = 1500
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)