The SS: Layman's Guide sample chapter. Himmler’s Quest for Athleticism
- Scott Addington
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
A common joke in 1930s Germany suggested that the perfect Aryan superman should be as blonde as Hitler, as tall as Goebbels and as slim as Goering. It was not lost on many civilians living under Nazi rule that the leadership of the NSDAP were pretty ordinary individuals and a far cry from the god-like image of German manhood that their racial rhetoric constantly promoted.
One of those leaders who was particularly fanatical about Aryan supremacy was Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler. With poor eyesight, a vanishing jawline and more than a passing resemblance to Emperor Hirohito, he too made a mockery of the Aryan ideology he was peddling.
It was said that Germany’s most feared individual was actually deeply troubled about something which for many, was a trivial matter. But for Himmler, failure wasn't an option, as it would have caused significant personal shame and shown him up to be a hypocrite.
But what was this all-consuming obsession that ate away at the Reichsführer-SS? What was it that he craved so badly? It was a badge. A very common metal badge that adorned the tunics of virtually every SS man and officer across the Reich.
The German National Sports Badge.
Awarded for the completion of various physical and sporting tests, the badge was originally instituted back in 1913 before being subtlety updated in the mid-1930’s by the Nazis. As well as having to meet certain racial and behavioural characteristics, all SS recruits were expected to be more athletic than the average German soldier or civilian. As already discussed, the SS started life within the larger ranks of the SA, which already issued its own set of sporting badges to members. So, as a visible sign of athletic prowess, it was decreed in 1934 that all SS recruits were given a six-month probationary window within which they had to earn both badges. Failure to do so would've been frankly embarrassing, and a certain career killer for any would-be SS man.
Himmler had already earned the SA Sports badge in Bronze during the early phase of this Nazi career, but he was hardly what you would call a natural athlete. With the years ticking by, it’s easy to see why Himmler was desperate to get his hands on one of these sports badges.
To be fair, Himmler could've just awarded himself the gold version of the badge and be done with it. But he knew that by doing this he would lose much respect from within the rank and file of the SS. Not least his powerful deputy, Reinhard Heydrich, who looked every inch the Aryan ideal; tall, blonde, handsome and strong. He was a champion fencer and equestrian and was someone who many believed was on a fast-track to Nazi greatness.
On the other hand, Himmler was more the vision of geography teacher than Aryan superman, but he had no choice but to find his trainers, put them on, and earn that National Sports Badge.
The award criteria were divided between several different disciplines including swimming, sprinting, physical strength (which included pistol shooting – something Himmler was pretty good at) and endurance running / cycling / walking. In 1935 Himmler was photographed puffing his way around a cinder track wearing only baggy black shorts and plimsolls as he pushed himself to complete one of the tasks.
Obviously, the board of judges who dished out these awards were all SS members – and therefore subordinate to their Reichsführer. These men were in a tricky position. Their leader was obviously no Olympic gold medalist, but who knew what the consequences would have been if they had refused to give him a badge! So, they had a decision to make – would it be the Bronze, the Silver or the Gold grade? If they had given him the Bronze grade of Sports Badge, they would be telling the world that their Reichsführer-SS was bang average and very ordinary. Yet if they awarded him the Gold grade, everyone would have seen that as a rather large dose of brown-nosing. But the Silver grade, that was a nice compromise. By giving him this grade, Himmler was seen to be better than average and could be proud of his achievement.
And so it was decided. Himmler received the Silver grade of the National Sports Badge.
Himmler wore his badge with pride throughout the war. He didn’t have much in the way of military honours to otherwise boast about. He hadn’t seen any real action in the First World War, indeed the very first time he experienced real-world gun fire was at the Munich putsch. Therefore, he didn’t have an Iron Cross or Wound Badge with which to prove his masculinity. But his silver sports badge meant he could look Heydrich and other senior Nazi officials in the eye.
He was one of them. He had achieved what they had achieved.
This chapter is taken from The SS: A Layman's Guide. Released on 23rd July on Amazon sites worldwide for the very special Kindle launch price of 99p / 99c.
Comments