Wehrmacht

The Wehrmacht was the military of Nazi Germany, not the army. It consisted of the Heer (army), Luftwaffe (air force), and Kriegsmarine (navy). The Waffen-SS was NOT a branch of the Wehrmacht, though SS units fought alongside the Heer and fell under Heer field commanders. Unlike the SS, the Wehrmacht was initially an apolitical military; all Nazis had to resign from the party before they could join. When it became clear that things were fucked for Germany, Nazis were allowed to join the Wehrmacht. Even children could join.

The Wehrmacht was a professional military like any other, except it was better trained and equipped in 1939. It did not stand for undying loyalty to Adolf Hitler and the vast majority of soldiers and officers had no idea that the Holocaust was occurring. In fact, most soldiers distrusted the SS.

In all respect, the Wehrmacht was the greatest military the world has seen and may ever see. They had Panzer tanks, the Stuka dive-bomber, the MP-40, Luger pistols, and were the first to use jets in combat. A good number of Allied officers like Patton and Montgomery respected some of the German leadership, like Erwin Rommel.