Sturmabteilung

The Sturmabteilung:

What was the Sturmabteilung? The Sturmabteilung (SA) was the Nazi Party's original Paramilitary organization. The SA was formed in 1921 in Munich by Adolf Hitler. From January 1931, Ernst Röhm lead the SA. Ernst Röhm wanted to make the SA into Germany's main military. In 1932 the SA's population was 400,000. But also in 1932 when Hitler was in power, the SA's population skyrocketed to 2,000,000. The SA was with Adolf Hitler ever since their grim campaign for power.

Hitler was an army information officer in Munich after WWI, which he was tasked with monitoring German political groups, which is how he met the Nazi Party. The Nazi Party had the same opinions as Adolf Hitler, which then he abandoned his work in the army and joined them. The head of the NSDAP at the time was fascinated with Hitler's speaking, or many call ranting. He formed the SA as a paramilitary wing of the NSDAP. Hitler then continued to rise through the ranks of the Nazi Party and the SA, then turning and holding onto the title of Oberster SA-Führer in 1930, which translates directly to "Supreme SA Leader", after the Stennes revolt in Berlin. Afterwards, he commanded the entire forces of the SA, using them to rise into the ranks above other political parties. After which, he appointed Ernst Röhm Stabschef-SA, which means "Staff of Chief of the SA". 

The SA was known for beating Jews and Nazi opponents in the streets, also crushing down Communist meetings, severely injuring many, which was to allow Nazi rule to dominate the streets of Germany, or the Weimar Republic. This was is how they got their name. Sturmabteilung directly translates to "Storm Division" or "Storm Troopers". They were also called "Braunhemden", which is a German phrase that translates to "Brownshirts" in English, due to their uniform color used by the party. The SA was one of the most powerful within all of the factions in the Nazi Party, but that would cause everything to come tumbling down. 

On June 30th, 1934, Hitler had Himmler's SS forces execute Ernst Röhm and other high rankings of the SA. But why did Hitler do that? This was because Hitler thought that Ernst Röhm and the SA were a threat to his leadership of the Nazi Party. So his conclusion would be to execute the SA with the Elite Guard of Germany: The SS. Ernst Röhm desired that the SA was to take the responsibilities of the German Army. This was extremely disapproved of by the soldiers in the army, because they didn't want to get replaced. Hitler knew he had to keep the support of the army on his side, or he wouldn't be able to keep power. So he executed The Night of The Long Knives, also called the Röhm Purge, which was to eliminate the SA. This led to the satisfaction of the German Army, resulting in the full allegiance to Adolf Hitler, putting him in total power.

Ernst Röhm:

Ernst Röhm was born on November 28, 1887, in Munich, Germany. Ernst Röhm fought for the German Empire in WWI. During WWI, Röhm was injured 3 times, earning the Iron Cross First Class. After he continued his career in the Reichswehr (Reich Defense), assisting in Franz Ritter von Epp's Freikorps. 

In 1919, like Hitler, he joined the German Workers' Party, the precursor of the Nazi Party, and became a very close friend of Adolf Hitler. Using his military connections, he built up several divisions, most of which were paramilitary, which developed the SA. Röhm helped Adolf Hitler achieve the support of the Bavarian Army. In February 1924, Röhm was sent to prison for his part in the Beer Hall Putsch, which was to sieze governmental power in Munich, which then gave him a suspended prison sentence, after which he fled to Bolivia.

By Hitler's request, he flew back to Germany in 1930, then was appointed Stabschef-SA. After his renewed position, he reorganized the SA, numbering over a million supporters, allowing them to continue their campaign against Nazi enemies such as Jews and Communists, and other Nazi foes. But shortly after, the publicity of Röhm's homosexuality was known by many, but he still trusted Hitler for a long time. After Hitler was appointed chancellor, Röhm was appointed as a Reichsleiter (Reich Leader), the second highest rank in the NSDAP. But from 1933 - 1934, tensions between Adolf Hitler and Ernst Röhm escalated. 

Röhm wanted the SA to be the Nazi Party's main army division, including his demands for an increase in the SA's power. Hitler did not agree with Röhm's idea, just like the German Army. Hitler needed to have the then German Army's support during his reign as leader, otherwise he wouldn't be able to keep power and stabilize Germany.  After Hitler was elected chancellor in 1933, Göring and Himmler finally persuaded Hitler to commence a blood purge on the SA, storming the SA executive buildings consisting of SA officers. On July 1, 1934. Röhm was executed via firing squad. Hitler saw Röhm as a threat to him and his leadership, as Hitler wanted the SS to reign supreme over Germany, but that backfired on him, when the SS was overwhelmed on both sides of the war.