Himmler’s SS, as the most reliable Party formation which had by now attracted a relatively large proportion of nobles and the upper-middle class into its officer corps, largely bypassing the original kleinen Leute, was supported by a large number of industrialists apart from those whose contributions were extorted by protection or blackmail. Thus, although it was kept on a tight financial string by the Party treasurer and his nominal chief, Röhm, Himmler was able to expand the SS at a tremendous rate through 1932.
