Behind the Bastards

Part Six: How Heinrich Himmler Went From Nerdy Boy To Master of the SS

15 snips
Sep 18, 2025
Explore the bizarre world of Heinrich Himmler, from his nerdy beginnings to becoming the master of the SS. Discover the SS’s odd attempts to replace Christmas with pagan traditions. Learn how Himmler’s fascination with the occult shaped his leadership and influenced the SS’s practices. Uncover the twisted marriage rituals introduced by Himmler to de-Christianize relationships, along with his wild genealogical ambitions. Delve into the early steps towards the horrific mass deportations initiated under his regime.
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INSIGHT

Occultism Shaped SS Identity

  • Himmler turned the SS into a clearinghouse for occult and mystical figures to legitimize racial ideology.
  • That fusion gave the SS a pseudo-religious identity that supported its elitist and violent mission.
ANECDOTE

Willigut's Ice King Influence

  • Karl Maria Willigut convinced Himmler he was descended from fictional 'Ice Kings' and joined the SS under a pseudonym.
  • Willigut then led mystical site tours for Himmler and influenced SS rituals and doctrine.
INSIGHT

Aesthetics Built SS Cohesion

  • Himmler deliberately crafted SS aesthetics and rituals to present the organization as a modern knightly order.
  • Uniforms, daggers, and ritualized symbols created elite cohesion and recruitment appeal.
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