Editing Dinosaurier-Truppen

{{Short description|Biological research and military formation of the Allgemeine SS}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Allgemeine SS Dinosaurier-Truppen
| dates = 6 June 1952 – 30 November 2024
| country = [[Tanoa]]
| allegiance = {{flag|Tanoa Einsatzgruppen}}
| branch = [[Allgemeine SS]]
| type = Biological research and military formation
| role = Dinosaur reconstruction and military deployment
| size = 627,000 (c. 2021)
| command_structure = [[Leibstandarte SS Eef Paap]] (1981–2024)
| garrison = [[Vatu]] (2021–2024)
| colors = Beige
| battles = {{ubl
 | [[The Native Experiment]] (1963–1974)
 | [[Eef's Choice]] (2005–2006)
}}
| ceremonial_chief = [[Eef Paap]]
| notable_commanders = [[Chiche Alem]]
}}

The '''Allgemeine SS Dinosaurier-Truppen''' ('''SS-DT'''; German for "Dinosaur Troops") was a biological research and military formation of the [[Allgemeine SS]] within the [[Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]. Founded by [[Jan Paap]] and [[Jose Alem]] on 6 June 1952, it reconstructed extinct dinosaurs and developed modified variants for military use. The SS-DT deployed dinosaurs against native Tanoans during [[The Native Experiment]] and participated in [[Eef's Choice]] between 2005 and 2006.

The organization operated research and breeding facilities on [[Tanoa]], in [[Tierra del Fuego]] and on [[Vatu]]. Its reconstruction programme eventually produced hundreds of original dinosaur species alongside modified military variants. The SS-DT dissolved on 30 November 2024 following the collapse of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen.

== History ==

During the late 1940s, Jan Paap recruited scientists through his contacts in [[Argentina]] and brought them to Tanoa. Their laboratory received dinosaur fossils from [[Patagonia]], which the researchers studied to reconstruct the animals' anatomy. They compared the fossil skeletons with those of living birds and reptiles.

In 1951, the scientists approached Paap with a proposal to produce living dinosaurs. He approved the project and established the Dinosaurier-Truppen with Jose Alem on 6 June 1952. The existing laboratory staff transferred to the new formation, and Alem assigned Allgemeine SS guards to protect the facility. Additional experimental rooms were built at the original site.

The researchers began investigating nuclear transfer after Robert Briggs and Thomas King published their experiments with frog embryos in 1952. By 1955, the SS-DT had successfully reproduced the frog experiments and obtained living tadpoles. Attempts to use comparable techniques with reptile eggs were unsuccessful.

The first living dinosaur prototype, ''Tyrannosaurus-Sturm56'', hatched in 1956.<ref name="history-1950s"/> It survived for several days before dying from congenital organ abnormalities. A post-mortem examination identified defects affecting the heart. Further attempts during the late 1950s ended in developmental failure or early death.

In 1961, the researchers produced another ''Tyrannosaurus-Sturm56'' that survived beyond its first year. The animal remained under laboratory observation as it grew. The SS-DT continued its reconstruction work and began producing original dinosaur species, eventually restoring hundreds of species over the following decades.

=== Military use ===

In 1963, a native resistance network emerged in eastern Tanoa. Jan Paap ordered the SS-DT to train dinosaurs to attack native Tanoans. Training began that year, and the animals were first deployed in the summer of 1964.

The SS-DT used dinosaurs to attack resistance fighters during [[The Native Experiment]]. The campaign continued until 1974, when the organized eastern resistance network was destroyed. Opposition to Tanoan rule continued elsewhere.<ref name="native-resistance"/>

The organization also participated in [[Eef's Choice]] in 2005–2006. For the operation, SS-DT capture teams collected selected carnivorous dinosaurs roaming freely on Vatu. The animals underwent veterinary examinations before being transported to military training facilities.

== Organization ==

The Dinosaurier-Truppen belonged to the Allgemeine SS and maintained its own research personnel and military handlers. Its members wore beige helmets and caps, distinguishing them from other Allgemeine SS formations.

Following the establishment of the [[Leibstandarte SS Eef Paap]] in 1981, the SS-DT became one of its specialized formations.<ref name="allgemeine-structure"/> [[Chiche Alem]] served among its commanders, while Eef Paap held the position of ceremonial chief.

The organization maintained military personnel responsible for handling dinosaurs during training and deployment. Researchers continued producing modified variants while the breeding centres raised animals for military use.

== Facilities ==

The SS-DT's earliest laboratory operated on Tanoa before the organization's foundation. It originally housed the Patagonian fossil research programme and was expanded after 1952. A later research facility was established on Tanoa's military personnel island. Dinosaurs also roamed freely across designated areas of Tanoa.

In 1975, following the defeat of the eastern Tanoan resistance network, the organization established a breeding centre in [[Tierra del Fuego]]. The centre raised additional dinosaur populations on territory already under Tanoan military control. The animals occupied large areas where they could roam freely, with veterinary facilities available for their care.

The Vatu facility opened in 1994 and initially concentrated on small and medium-sized carnivorous dinosaurs. Unlike a conventional zoological enclosure, the island allowed its dinosaurs to roam freely. Breeding and veterinary work took place at the facility, but the animals weren't confined to individual enclosures.

In 2021, Eef Paap ordered the SS-DT to relocate its headquarters to Vatu. The organization's senior officers and headquarters staff moved to the island. Its other facilities continued operating.

== Dinosaur research ==

The SS-DT produced original dinosaur species and modified variants designed for military deployment. The restoration programme expanded over several decades until it maintained hundreds of original species. Carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs were raised at its facilities, with populations living freely across designated territories.

The organization developed three recorded military variants. Two were controlled through vocal instructions, while ''Angedraptor-08'' used a command post mounted on the animal's back with a direct connection to its brain.

{| class="wikitable"
! Variant
! First produced
! Recorded number
! Military use
! Control method
|-
| [[Tyrannosaurus-Sturm56]]
| 1956
| 20,500
| Front-line combat
| Vocal instructions
|-
| [[Rexaceratus-06]]
| 2006
| 8,000
| Suppression of native Tanoans
| Vocal instructions
|-
| [[Angedraptor-08]]
| 2008
| 37,800
| Front-line combat
| Back-mounted command post with a direct connection to the brain
|}

The three variants had a combined recorded total of 66,300 specimens. None survived the removal of the military dinosaur populations in 2025.

== Dissolution and aftermath ==

The Dinosaurier-Truppen lost its central command during the collapse of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen in November 2024. Senior officers evacuated the Vatu headquarters, leaving equipment and research records behind. Some animal-care personnel remained to look after the captive dinosaurs.

The organization ceased operating on 30 November 2024, when the Allgemeine SS was dissolved.<ref name="allgemeine-dissolution"/> Military dinosaur research stopped at the remaining facilities. Veterinarians and animal-care workers on Tanoa and in Tierra del Fuego continued feeding the animals and maintaining essential equipment.

During 2025, authorities ordered the euthanasia of carnivorous dinosaurs on Tanoa and in Tierra del Fuego. The programme was carried out, eliminating the carnivorous populations at both locations. Herbivorous dinosaurs were retained, and additional herbivorous species replaced the carnivores.

Vatu was exempt from the euthanasia programme. Its original carnivorous dinosaur species survived and continued roaming freely across the island.

=== Wildlife reserves ===

The former SS-DT territories were converted into public wildlife reserves. On Tanoa and in Tierra del Fuego, free-roaming herbivorous dinosaurs could be observed by visitors under civilian supervision.

Vatu also opened to the public, although its carnivorous dinosaur populations required stricter access restrictions. Visitors were limited to a protected coastal zone with observation points and visitor facilities. The island's interior remained closed to ordinary tourists, while authorized wildlife personnel could enter for monitoring and veterinary work.

During 2025–2026, wildlife staff documented nests and surviving hatchlings in all three reserves. The herbivorous populations on Tanoa and in Tierra del Fuego reproduced naturally. Carnivorous dinosaurs on Vatu also produced offspring without laboratory assistance.

=== Research records ===

Much of the SS-DT's scientific documentation was lost following the abandonment of its facilities. Authorities recovered laboratory notebooks and specimen registers during 2025, but substantial parts of the organization's research could no longer be reconstructed.

No successor institution continued the biological reconstruction programme. The surviving dinosaur populations were maintained through civilian wildlife management and natural reproduction.

== See also ==
* [[Allgemeine SS]]
* [[Leibstandarte SS Eef Paap]]
* [[The Native Experiment]]
* [[Resistance against the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]
* [[Departments of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]
* [[History of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="history-1950s">"[[History of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen#The 1950s|The 1950s]]". ''History of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="native-resistance">"[[Resistance against the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen#Early native resistance|Early native resistance]]". ''Resistance against the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="allgemeine-structure">"[[Allgemeine SS#Armed units and divisions|Armed units and divisions]]". ''Allgemeine SS''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="allgemeine-dissolution">"[[Allgemeine SS#Dissolution|Dissolution]]". ''Allgemeine SS''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
}}

{{SS organizations}}

[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Military organizations]]
[[Category:Biological research programs]]
[[Category:Tanoa Einsatzgruppen organizations]]
[[Category:Allgemeine SS]]
[[Category:Tanoa Einsatzgruppen]]
[[Category:Middenvader Era]]
[[Category:Vriend Era]]