Which special police force in Nazi Germany was founded as a personal bodyguard for Adolf Hitler?

The SS, or Schutzstaffel, was initially established as a personal bodyguard for Adolf Hitler, evolving over time into a powerful paramilitary organization that played a crucial role in the atrocities committed during the Nazi regime. Initially formed in the early 1920s, its primary function was to protect Hitler and other leading Nazis. Its responsibilities expanded significantly, encompassing various roles including intelligence gathering, enforcing Nazi laws, and overseeing concentration camps.

The SS became a central institution in the implementation of the Holocaust and held significant influence within the Nazi state. This distinctive identity and the shift towards a broader policing and military function is what sets the SS apart from other options presented.

In contrast, the Gestapo was the secret police but focused primarily on state security and the suppression of opposition. The Wehrmacht served as the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany, while the Luftwaffe was specifically the aerial warfare branch. Each of these entities had specific roles within the military and government structure but did not function as Hitler's personal guard in the manner that the SS originally did.