The ss nazi flag is a common symbol of white supremacy and neo-Nazism, which originated from the Schutzstaffel (SS) of Nazi Germany. The SS was led by Heinrich Himmler and maintained the police state of Nazi Germany. Its members ranged from agents of the Gestapo to soldiers of the Waffen-SS, who were used to guard concentration camps and death camps. The SS also recruited from conquered and occupied territories to become combat troops.

During World War II, the SS had three separate branches, which included the Allgemeine-SS (General SS), which served a political role; the SS-Totenkopfverbande, which administered and ran Hitler’s concentration camps; and the Waffen-SS Totenkopf Division, which supplied combat troops. The SS-Totenkopfverbande was the largest branch and it became one of the most notorious of the Nazi concentration camps.

From History to Heritage: The Blood-Stained Banner and Its Legacy”

This particular SS flag was for the SS Heimwehr Danzig battalion, which was created to defend the free city of Danzig before World War II, and it existed from July until November 1939 when it was merged with the 3rd SS Division Totenkopf. This unit was known for its use of Jewish volunteers, including a large number of Jews from the occupied territories of Poland.

This flag was similar to the guidon of the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, but it was distinguished by the difference in color of the fringes (LSSAH used gold and the HG used silver). This is seen as a command flag because it was often carried, fixed to a pole, by Himmler, as he attended parades and rallies.