Editing Schutzstaffel (section)

===Forerunner of the SS===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 119-1486, Hitler-Putsch, München, Marienplatz.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|[[Nazi Party]] supporters and stormtroopers in Munich during the [[Beer Hall Putsch]], 1923]]
By 1923, the [[Nazi Party]] led by [[Adolf Hitler]] had created a small volunteer guard unit known as the ''Saal-Schutz'' (Hall Security) to provide security at their meetings in [[Munich]].{{sfn|Evans|2003|p=228}}{{sfn|Michael|Doerr|2002|p=356}} The same year, Hitler ordered the formation of a small bodyguard unit dedicated to his personal service. He wished it to be separate from the "suspect mass" of the party, including the paramilitary ''[[Sturmabteilung]]'' ("Storm Battalion"; SA), which he did not trust.{{sfn|McNab|2009|pp=14, 16}} The new formation was designated the ''Stabswache'' (Staff Guard).{{sfn|McNab|2009|p=14}} Originally the unit was composed of eight men, commanded by [[Julius Schreck]] and [[Joseph Berchtold]], and was modelled after the [[Marinebrigade Ehrhardt|Erhardt Naval Brigade]], a ''[[Freikorps]]'' of the time. The unit was renamed [[Stoßtrupp-Hitler|''Stoßtrupp'']] (Shock Troops) in May 1923.{{sfn|Weale|2010|p=16}}{{sfn|McNab|2009|p=16}}

The ''Stoßtrupp'' was abolished after the failed 1923 [[Beer Hall Putsch]], an attempt by the Nazi Party to seize power in Munich.{{sfn|Hein|2015|p=10}} In 1925, Hitler ordered Schreck to organise a new bodyguard unit, the ''Schutzkommando'' (Protection Command).{{sfn|Weale|2010|p=26}} It was tasked with providing personal protection for Hitler at party functions and events. That same year, the ''Schutzkommando'' was expanded to a national organisation and renamed successively the ''Sturmstaffel'' (Storm Squadron), and finally the ''Schutzstaffel'' (Protection Squad; SS).{{sfn|Weale|2010|pp=26–29}} Officially, the SS marked its foundation on 9 November 1925 (the second anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch).{{sfn|Koehl|2004|p=34}} The new SS protected party leaders throughout Germany. Hitler's personal SS protection unit was later enlarged to include combat units.{{sfn|Cook|Bender|1994|pp=17, 19}}