The Dutch SS was founded on September 11 , 1940. On November 1, 1942, the name was changed to Germanic SS in the Netherlands .

To arise
The importance of establishing an extension of Himmler's SS in the Netherlands was based on four considerations. Firstly, the SS, as a result of Himmler's expansionist drive, wanted to take up an important position in the conquered countries. Secondly, the SS considered the establishment of the Dutch SS to be of great importance for the recruitment of volunteers for the Waffen-SS. The Dutch SS could not only serve as a reservoir itself, but also had an important task in creating a base from which recruitment would take place in the future. Thirdly, the Dutch SS had to push Mussert in the desired Greater Germanic direction. Finally, the establishment of the Dutch SS had an important propaganda value.

In a meeting on 9 June 1940 between Anton Mussert , leader of the National Socialist Movement (NSB), and Gottlob Berger of the German SS-Führungshauptamt (SS-FHA), Mussert was informed of an order from Hitler ordering the recruitment of Dutchmen for the 'Wiking' division of the Waffen-SS . The Dutch volunteers would receive their own Standarte 'Westland'. Although Mussert did not cooperate and called on his members not to enlist in the SS, the establishment went ahead.

On 1 November 1942 the name was changed to Germaansche SS in Nederland . This name change emphasised that the Dutch aspect was no longer of greatest importance, but the 'Germanic'. It had a total of approximately 7000 members and was primarily a political formation and also a reservoir for the Waffen-SS . The Dutch SS were dressed in a black uniform, which was derived from the German SS. At the end of 1944 the Germaansche SS in Nederland only existed on paper due to the tide of war circumstances turning for the Germans and their followers.

Since the Dutch SS was supposed to be an elite corps, not everyone could become a member. Selections were made on the basis of race, attitude to life, personality and physical condition. In order to become a provisional member of the Dutch SS, the candidate had to meet the following conditions:

Aryan descent from 1800 (for officers: 1750), which must eventually be demonstrated. The candidate must declare on his word of honour that he is not aware of any non-Aryan descent.
No dishonorable criminal sentences.
At least 1.72 m body height.
Physically healthy, proven after examination.
Age between 18 and 30 years. Exception for proven National Socialists from before 9 May 1940.
Pledge of unconditional obedience to all superiors.
After this, the future SS-Maat (the lowest rank, a translation of the German 'SS-Mann') had to undergo a series of physical and genealogical examinations and investigations . Only after these had been successfully completed did the candidate officially become an SS-Mann.

Recruitment poster Dutch SS