SS is the abbreviation of Schutzstaffeln, the German for protection squads. This started life as Hitler's personal bodyguard during the early days of the Nazi party. From these small beginnings, the SS evolved into the most powerful arm of the Nazi administration, under the personal control of Heinrich Himmler. By the end of the war, the Nazis were defeated and members of the SS on the run for their involvement in the Final Solution. The Odessa was the organisation which enabled many to escape to South America. Many evaded justice but some of its most celebrated escapees were tracked down including Adolf Eichmann and Klaus Barbie.