Gestapo vs. SS — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 27, 2023
The Gestapo was Nazi Germany's secret police; the SS (Schutzstaffel) was a major paramilitary organization under Hitler.
Difference Between Gestapo and SS
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Gestapo, deriving its name from "Geheime Staatspolizei," was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Its main function was to suppress and eliminate opposition to the Nazi regime. On the other hand, the SS, short for "Schutzstaffel," started as Hitler's personal bodyguards but grew into a massive paramilitary force with diverse duties.
While the Gestapo was primarily focused on intelligence and investigation, the SS took on roles ranging from guarding concentration camps to frontline combat in the Waffen-SS. The Gestapo operated mostly within Germany, ensuring internal security by arresting, torturing, and executing those deemed as enemies of the state.
Conversely, the SS not only functioned within Germany but also played a pivotal role in Nazi operations throughout occupied Europe. Both the Gestapo and the SS were integral parts of the Nazi machinery of terror and were responsible for countless atrocities during the Holocaust and World War II.
Comparison Chart
Full Name
Geheime Staatspolizei
Schutzstaffel
Primary Function
Secret Police
Paramilitary organization
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Key Activities
Intelligence, Suppression
Guarding, Combat, Administration
Main Area of Operation
Mostly within Germany
Throughout Nazi-controlled territories
Relationship to Hitler
Directly under Heinrich Himmler
Started as Hitler's personal bodyguards
Compare with Definitions
Gestapo
A unit responsible for suppressing opposition.
Anyone suspected of anti-Nazi activities was fearful of the Gestapo.
Ss
Responsible for guarding concentration and extermination camps.
Auschwitz, a notorious concentration camp, was guarded by the SS.
Gestapo
Nazi Germany's official secret police.
The Gestapo ruthlessly hunted down enemies of the Nazi regime.
Ss
Hitler's initial personal bodyguard unit.
Over time, the SS grew from a small bodyguard unit to a massive organization.
Gestapo
The investigative force ensuring Nazi internal security.
The Gestapo played a key role in the Night of the Long Knives.
Ss
A paramilitary organization in Nazi Germany.
The SS was involved in various aspects of the Nazi regime, from administration to combat.
Gestapo
Infamous for its role in the Holocaust and war crimes.
The Gestapo collaborated closely with the SS in executing the Final Solution.
Ss
Played a crucial role in implementing the "Final Solution."
The SS collaborated with the Gestapo in executing the Holocaust.
Gestapo
A primary instrument of Hitler's totalitarian state.
Under Heinrich Himmler, the Gestapo's powers of arrest were vastly expanded.
Ss
The armed branch, Waffen-SS, participated in frontline combat.
The Waffen-SS was involved in many battles on the Eastern Front.
Gestapo
The Geheime Staatspolizei (transl. Secret State Police), abbreviated Gestapo (German: [ɡəˈʃtaːpo]; ), was the official secret police of Nazi Germany and in German-occupied Europe. The force was created by Hermann Göring in 1933 by combining the various security police agencies of Prussia into one organisation.
Ss
An elite organization within the Nazi party that served as Hitler's personal guard and included police units and special forces, carrying out mass killings of civilians and overseeing concentration camps.
Gestapo
The German internal security police as organized under the Nazi regime, known for its terrorist methods directed against those suspected of treason or questionable loyalty.
Ss
Plural of s}} {{rfex
Gestapo
Gestapo pl. ge·sta·pos A police organization that employs terroristic methods to control a populace.
Ss
(internet slang) screenshot
Gestapo
Of, relating to, or characteristic of the German security police organized under the Nazi regime.
Ss
The United States intelligence agency that protects current and former presidents and vice presidents and their immediate families and protects distinguished foreign visitors; detects and apprehends counterfeiters; suppresses forgery of government securities and documents
Gestapo
Gestapo Of, relating to, or characteristic of terroristic police methods or operations
Gestapo tactics.
Ss
Special police force in Nazi Germany founded as a personal bodyguard for Adolf Hitler in 1925; the SS administered the concentration camps
Gestapo
The secret state police in Nazi Germany; known for its terrorist methods
Common Curiosities
What does SS stand for?
SS stands for "Schutzstaffel."
What were the various roles of the SS?
The SS had multiple roles, from being Hitler's personal bodyguards to a vast paramilitary force involved in guarding camps and frontline combat.
Was the Gestapo part of the SS?
While both were under the overarching control of Heinrich Himmler, the Gestapo and SS were distinct entities with different functions.
Did the Gestapo operate outside of Germany?
Primarily, the Gestapo operated within Germany, but they also had some operations in occupied territories.
How did the SS expand over time?
The SS started as Hitler's personal bodyguards and grew into a vast paramilitary organization with varied responsibilities.
What was the Gestapo?
The Gestapo was Nazi Germany's official secret police.
How did the Gestapo gather intelligence?
The Gestapo used various methods, including informants, surveillance, and torture, to gather intelligence.
Were both the Gestapo and SS disbanded after WWII?
Yes, after WWII and the fall of Nazi Germany, both the Gestapo and SS were disbanded, and their leaders were tried for war crimes.
What was the primary role of the Gestapo?
The primary role of the Gestapo was to suppress and eliminate opposition to the Nazi regime.
Who was in charge of the Gestapo and SS?
Heinrich Himmler was in charge of both the Gestapo and the SS.
Did the SS participate in combat?
Yes, the armed branch of the SS, known as the Waffen-SS, participated in frontline combat.
What was the role of the SS in concentration camps?
The SS was responsible for guarding and administering concentration and extermination camps.
Were the Gestapo and SS only male organizations?
Predominantly, the Gestapo and SS were male organizations, but some women held roles in auxiliary capacities.
Was the Gestapo involved in the Holocaust?
Yes, the Gestapo played a significant role in the Holocaust, often collaborating with the SS.
How are the Gestapo and SS viewed today?
The Gestapo and SS are widely condemned for their roles in the Holocaust and other war crimes during WWII.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
