An early supporter of Hitler and the NASDP, Himmler was made head of the Schutzstaffel. After "The night of long knives" Himmler's power grew rapidly. He helped Hitler subordinate the army high command in 1938 and was then made minister of the interior. He was already head of the police since 1936. By 1944 he controled all aspects of suveillance and repressions in Germany to include the Gestapo. He also commanded the Waffen-SS and it was his Einsatzkommando that carried out the mass killings in the east in 1941-43. Himmler became commander of Army group Vistula in 1945 but failed at generalship. He was captured by the British after the cease-fire and commited suicide whene his identity was discovered.
