I suggest you to read "Hitler's Personal Security" by Hoffman. It is a standard study about the subject. Both BK and RSD members can be counted as physical bodyguards, but RSD always had the last word in security issues. In an emergency the current nearest bodyguards (either RSD or BK) would physically protect Hitler and escort him to safety when possible, while the professional RSD men would take care of the overall situation, giving orders to other security units (all police and SS units were under RSD commander's control during Hitler's official visits).Riker1 wrote:what would happen in the case of emergency, if Hitler's life would be at risk? Would then BK command have to take orders from RSD command, or would they cooperate somehow? What was the emergency protocol and relationship between BK and RSD command?
Their duties overlapped often but generally it can be said that RSD was responsible of all security related planning, tactics and police operations while BK literally accompanied Hitler everywhere he went and was always available (adjutants, valets). BK members often had no security/protection training at all and were chosen entirely by political and personal grounds. RSD members instead always had strong professional background (such as training in personnel protection tactics and firearms), either in police or sometimes in army.
