Hydra (WWII)

History
Formed as a branch of the Nazi Third Reich built around both deep science and the investigation of the occult, Hydra was lead by the brutal Johann Schmidt. While Hitler had always maintained an interest in both fields, Schmidt was obsessed with them, leading to his taking of an early version of the Super Soldier serum which transformed him into the Red Skull. No longer a champion of the Aryan image, Hitler had Schmidt quietly transferred elsewhere, under the illusion that he could continue his work in private and with better funding, but the facade did not convince Schmidt.

When alien technology was located by Hydra forces in the early years of World War II, Schmidt personally saw to it that it would be used to it's full potential by Dr. Arnim Zola. Zola's outlandish designs of robotic power armor, massive vehicles and energy weapons and armor could find a functional use thanks to the alien technology, and with the most advanced technology in the World, Hydra could begin to plan their conquest — a conquest that Nazi guards would soon find out, counted Berlin amongst it's targets.

Hydra's goals would be challenged by the Allies with the aid of heroes of that era and was able to begin a massive assault on Hydra forces across the Axis lines, destroying numerous bases and capturing Arnim Zola. Eventually, Hydra was defeated though Schmidt and other hydra agents were never brought to justice. It is believed they were killed during an allied assault.