Before the attempt on Hitler's life in 1944, the German army tended to salute using the traditional British naval salute (that same as the American armed forces salute) among themselves, and using the Roman (Hitler) salute only when meeting Hitler himself. The SS on the other hand preferred the Roman salute most if not all of the time. I believe after the attempt on his life, he made it compulsory for all to use that Roman salute. How many used it as the Reich fell apart, however, is anyone's guess.

There are photos of line where the army officers are employing one salute, while the SS another, at the same time.

Interestingly for Americans

> In 1892, Francis Bellamy introduced the American Pledge of Allegiance, which was to be accompanied by a visually similar [to the Nazi] saluting gesture, referred to as the Bellamy salute.