Spearhead 20 - Patrick Hook - Hohenstaufen, 9th SS Panzer Division (2006).jpg

On New Year's Eve 1942, Hitler agreed to the formation of two new divisions for the Waffen-SS.These were the 9th and 10th SS Panzergrenadier Divisions.The 9th was later given the name Hohenstaufen, and its sister, the 10th, became Frundsberg. Formed in 1943, Hohenstaufen was given the number 9 simply because it was the ninth division to be created in theWaffen-SS.The name Hohenstaufen was a homage to one of Germany's ancient noble families, a dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire which provided several kings and emperors between the years 1138 and 1254.The earliest known head of the family was Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa, the Count of Buren, who died in 1094. His son, Friedrich II, built a castle at Staufen near Lorsch in Swabia which was called Hohen­staufen; he later changed his surname to that of his castle. Friedrich II was one of Hitler's favourite historical personalities, and it is believed this was why the family name was used for the 9th Panzer Division. Both Friedrichs are of particular importance to German history but Barbarossa — as with Arthur in British myth and legend — is said to be sleeping in the mountains awaiting Germany's direst need.
The SS or Schutzstaffel was originally formed as Hitler's personal protection unit in 1925. One of its main roles was to take care of internal German security, and in line with the Nazi political ideal, in the early days it only took true Aryan candidates. As time went on and manpower became shorter, however, this rule was relaxed. The Waffen-SS was formed by Heinrich Himmler in December 1940, when it was created out of the Leibstandarte, the SS-Verfiigungstruppe and the Totenkopf Standarten as a third branch of the SS. It represented the true military part of this large and politically complex organisation, and while it was initially intended to act as security for the homeland, it was not long before Hitler ordered his elite to the front line.