In the early 1920s, a tiny group was formed within the SA to serve as Hitler's personal bodyguard. Originally the 'Stosstruppe Adolf Hitler', they later became known as the SS - Schutz Staffeln, or 'protection squads'. By 1945 the SS had grown to a nominal strength of 38 divisions with over 800,000 men, representing a sizeable portion of Germany's land forces. This concluding title in a four-volume series covers Waffen-SS divisions 24 to 38, and the Volunteer Legions; many of these were short-lived units, and composed of men from many different nations, cultures and backgrounds.