Schnez-Truppe

Schnez-Truppe
Albert Schnez, the founder of the Schnez-Truppe. Following rearmanent, Schnez became a Generalleutnant in the Bundeswehr (1967).
Active1949
CountryWest Germany
TypeParamilitary
Size2,000 (initial)
40,000 (total)
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Albert Schnez

The Schnez-Truppe or Schnez Organisation was an illegal clandestine paramilitary organisation formed in West Germany in 1949 by veterans of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS under the leadership of Albert Schnez. The paramilitary was intended to fight against the Soviet Union in the event of an invasion or German communists in a civil war.[1][2][3] It has been reported as having been founded with a membership of some 2,000 former officers; later obtaining a total strength of up to 40,000 members.[2][3]

The organisation was active in the US occupation zone in southern Germany, and aimed to field up to four armoured divisions in case of war. It was to become active in case of an attack by East Germany in a domestic German conflict similar to the Korean War, but without outside interference.[4]

  1. ^ Klaus Wiegrefe (May 14, 2014). "Files Uncovered: Nazi Veterans Created Illegal Army". Der Spiegel.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Geheimofficers was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Zeit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kellerhoff was invoked but never defined (see the help page).