Already in 1943 the SS-TV units began to receive orders to conceal as much of the evidence of the Holocaust as possible . Himmler was most concerned about covering up Nazi crimes ever since the Polish 22,000 victims of the Soviet Katyn massacre were discovered well preserved underground near Smolensk . The cremations began shortly thereafter and continued until the camps ' official closure . Camps were meticulously destroyed , sick prisoners were shot and others were marched on death marches away from the advancing Allies . The SS-TV were also instrumental in the execution of hundreds of political prisoners to prevent their liberation
Katyn massacre
Katyn massacre
SS-Totenkopfverbände