Freiwillige Schutzstaffel

Freiwillige Schutzstaffel ('Voluntary Protection Corps', abbreviated FS) was a paramilitary organization in the World War II Slovak Republic.

[9] FS members were assigned to protect infrastructure (bridges, tunnels, railway stations) and persecuted deserters from the Polish front.

[10] Along with its Slovak counterpart, the Hlinka Guard, FS conducted attacks against the Jewish communities in Slovakia.

[11] The geographic area covered by a Sturmbann corresponded to the territorial units of the German Party: Pressburg (Bratislava), Kremnitz-Deutsch Proben (Kremnica - Nemecké Pravno) and Zips.

[2] At the time of its foundation FS membership was open to ethnic German males aged 18-35, who could provide proof of Aryan lineage three generations back.

[2] In this process the German Party leadership gradually lost some of its influence over FS, as the organization became increasingly subordinated to SS.

[7][9] F. Klug, hitherto leader of the German Youth organization, was named the new FS commander.