Prior to the launch of the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, the formations under the Kommandostab included two motorized SS Infantry Brigades (1st and 2nd) and two SS Cavalry Regiments combined into the SS Cavalry Brigade, totaling about 25,000 Waffen-SS troops.[1] Its individual units were subordinated to local Higher SS and Police Leaders (HSSPFs) and used in the murder of Jews and other "undesirables", in addition to providing rear area security.