Schnez-Truppe

Anatomy of War: Germany’s Secret Army

The Schnez-Truppe or Schnez Organization was an illegal clandestine paramilitary organization formed in West Germany in 1949 by veterans of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS under the leadership of Albert Schnez, that intended to fight against the Soviet Union in the event of an invasion. 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.

The organization was active in the US occupation zone in southern Germany, and aimed to field up to four armored 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.

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