4. THE STURMABTEILUNG (SA)

TheSturmabteilung, or SA, is the organization which the world remembers as the “Brown Shirts” or Storm Troops—the gangsters of the early days of Nazi terrorism. Since it was the first of the organizations created by the Nazis as instrumentsto effectuate their illegal objectives, the SA occupied a place of peculiar importance in the scheme of the conspirators. Unlike some of the other organizations, the functions of the SA were not fixed or static. The SA was an agency adapted to many designs and purposes, and its role in the conspiracy changed from time to time various phases toward the final objective—abrogation of the Versailles Treaty and acquisition of the territory of other peoples and nations. If the conspiracy is likened to a pattern, with its various parts fitting together like the pieces of a jig-saw puzzle, the piece representing the SA would be found to constitute the essential link in the pattern.

The SA participated in the conspiracy as a distinct and separate unit, having a legal character of its own. An ordinance passed in March, 1935, provided that the SA and certain other agencies were thereafter to be considered “components” of the Nazi Party (1725-PS). This ordinance further provided, in Article 5, that:

“* * * The affiliated organizations can possess their own legal character.” (1725-PS)

Similarly, the 1943 Organization Book of the Nazi Party which characterizes the SA as an “entity,” declares:

“The Fuehrer prescribes the law of conduct; he commands its use. The Chief of Staff represents the SA as a complete entity on the mandate of the Fuehrer.” (3220-PS)

While the SA was composed of many individual members, they acted as a unit. They were closely bound together by many common factors, including uniform membership standards and disciplinary regulations; a common and distinctive uniform; common aims and objectives; common activities, duties, and responsibilities; and a fanatical adherence to the ideologies conceived by the Nazis. Although membership in the SA was voluntary, the SA man was expected to withdraw if

“he can no longer agree with SA views or if he is not in a position to fulfill completely the duties imposed upon him as a member of the SA.” (2354-PS)

The SA man was well schooled in the philosophies and activities which he was required to adopt in his daily life. Uniformity of action and thought in such matters was in part obtained by the publication and distribution of a weekly periodical entitled “Der SA-Mann.” This publication was principally devoted to fostering various aspects of Nazi ideology. In addition, “Der SA-Mann” reported upon the activities of the SA and its constituent groups.

The SA developed from scattered bands of street ruffians intoa cohesive unit organized on a military basis, with military training and military functions, and with an aggressive spirit and philosophy. The organization extended throughout the entire Reich and was organized vertically into local subdivisions. Horizontally, there were special units including military, cavalry, communications, engineer, and medical units. These various groups and branches were coordinated by the SA Headquarters and operational offices, located in Munich.

The affiliation between the SA and the Nazi leaders was closely maintained, for the purpose of enabling the conspirators to employ the SA for any activity necessary in effectuating the objectives of the conspiracy. The SA was conceived and created by Hitler, in 1921, at the very inception of the conspiracy. Hitler retained the direction of the SA throughout the conspiracy, delegating responsibility for its leadership to a Chief of Staff. Goering was an early leader of the SA, and maintained close connection with it throughout the conspiracy. Hess participated in many of the early battles of the SA and was leader of an SA group in Munich. Frank, Streicher, von Schirach, and Sauckel each held the position ofObergruppenfuehrerin the SA, a position corresponding to the rank of Lieutenant General; and Bormann was a member of the Staff of the SA High Command.

The close relationship between the SA and leaders of the Nazi Party is demonstrated by the fact that theHoheitstraeger(Bearers of Sovereignty) of the Nazi Leadership Corps were authorized to call upon the SA for assistance in carrying out particular phases of the Party program. For example, at page 71 of the Organization Book of the Nazi Party (1943 edition) the following statement is made (1893-PS):

“TheHoheitstraegeris responsible for the entire political appearance of the Movement within this zone. The SA leader of that zone is tied to the directives of theHoheitstraegerin that respect.“TheHoheitstraegeris the ranking representative of the Party to include all organizations within his zone. He may requisition the SA located within his zone for the respective SA leader if they are needed for the execution of a political mission. TheHoheitstraegerwill then assign the mission to the SA * * *.“Should theHoheitstraegerneed more SA for the execution of political mission than is locally available, he then applies tothe next higher office of sovereignty which, in turn, requests the SA from the SA office in his sector.” (1893-PS)

“TheHoheitstraegeris responsible for the entire political appearance of the Movement within this zone. The SA leader of that zone is tied to the directives of theHoheitstraegerin that respect.

“TheHoheitstraegeris the ranking representative of the Party to include all organizations within his zone. He may requisition the SA located within his zone for the respective SA leader if they are needed for the execution of a political mission. TheHoheitstraegerwill then assign the mission to the SA * * *.

“Should theHoheitstraegerneed more SA for the execution of political mission than is locally available, he then applies tothe next higher office of sovereignty which, in turn, requests the SA from the SA office in his sector.” (1893-PS)

This close relationship is further shown by an ordinance for the execution of a Hitler decree (2383-PS):

“The leader of affiliated organizations, as well as the leaders of the party women’s organization, are subordinate to the sovereign bearer (Hoheitstraeger) politically, functionally, disciplinarily, and personally.”* * * * * *“The formations of the NSDAP, with exception of the SS, for whom special provisions apply, are subordinated to the sovereign bearer (Hoheitstraeger) politically and in respect to commitment. Responsibility for the leadership of the units rests in the hands of the unit leader.” (2383-PS)

* * * * * *

“The formations of the NSDAP, with exception of the SS, for whom special provisions apply, are subordinated to the sovereign bearer (Hoheitstraeger) politically and in respect to commitment. Responsibility for the leadership of the units rests in the hands of the unit leader.” (2383-PS)

It was in compliance with the authority of the Leadership Corps that the SA was used in the seizure of trade union properties.

In addition, the SA demonstrated its close affiliation to the Nazi Party by participating in various ways in election proceedings. A pamphlet entitled “The SA,” depicting the history and general activities of the SA, written by an SA Sturmfuehrer upon orders from SA Headquarters, declares that the SA stood—

“at the foremost front of election fights.” (2168-PS)

Further evidence of the close relationship between the SA and Nazi leaders is found in the distribution list of the confidential publication of the Nazi Leadership Corps, which shows that this strictly confidential magazine was distributed to Lieutenant-Generals and Major-Generals of the SA. (2660-PS)

The interest and participation of Nazi leaders in the activities of the SA is clearly shown in the issues of “Der SA-Mann” for the period from 1934 to March 1939 (3050-A-E-PS). Throughout these volumes there appear photographs of Nazi leaders participating in SA activities. The following are descriptions of a few of these photographs, together with the page numbers upon which they appear:

Photograph of Himmler, Huhnlein (Fuehrer of NSKK) and Lutze, bearing caption: “They lead the soldiers of National Socialism,” 15 June, 1935, p. 1.Photograph of Hitler at SA Ceremony, carrying SA Battle Flag. The picture bears the caption: “As in the fighting years the Fuehrer, on Party Day of Freedom, dedicates the new regiments with the Blood Banner,” 21 September, 1935, p. 4.Photograph of Lutze and Hitler, 19 September, 1936, p. 4.Photograph of Hitler and SA officers, 1 January, 1938, p. 3.Photograph of Streicher with SA men, and reviewing SA Troops, 25 November, 1938, p. 1.Photograph of Goering in SA uniform reviewing SA marching troops under the caption: “Honor Day of the SA,” 21 September, 1935, p. 3.Photographs of Goering, Hess, and Hitler in SA uniform at the ceremonies dedicated to SA men killed in the Munich Putsch, 16 November, 1935, p. 3.Photograph of Goering marching in SA uniform, 19 September, 1936, p. 3.Photographs of Goering at ceremonies held upon occasion of his being made Obergruppenfuehrer of the Feldherrnhalle Regiment of the SA, 23 January, 1937, p. 3.Photograph of Goering leading Feldherrnhalle Regiment of SA in parade, 18 September, 1937, p. 3.

Photograph of Himmler, Huhnlein (Fuehrer of NSKK) and Lutze, bearing caption: “They lead the soldiers of National Socialism,” 15 June, 1935, p. 1.

Photograph of Hitler at SA Ceremony, carrying SA Battle Flag. The picture bears the caption: “As in the fighting years the Fuehrer, on Party Day of Freedom, dedicates the new regiments with the Blood Banner,” 21 September, 1935, p. 4.

Photograph of Lutze and Hitler, 19 September, 1936, p. 4.

Photograph of Hitler and SA officers, 1 January, 1938, p. 3.

Photograph of Streicher with SA men, and reviewing SA Troops, 25 November, 1938, p. 1.

Photograph of Goering in SA uniform reviewing SA marching troops under the caption: “Honor Day of the SA,” 21 September, 1935, p. 3.

Photographs of Goering, Hess, and Hitler in SA uniform at the ceremonies dedicated to SA men killed in the Munich Putsch, 16 November, 1935, p. 3.

Photograph of Goering marching in SA uniform, 19 September, 1936, p. 3.

Photographs of Goering at ceremonies held upon occasion of his being made Obergruppenfuehrer of the Feldherrnhalle Regiment of the SA, 23 January, 1937, p. 3.

Photograph of Goering leading Feldherrnhalle Regiment of SA in parade, 18 September, 1937, p. 3.

The work of the SA did not end with the seizure of the German government by the Nazis, but affiliation between the SA and Nazi leaders continued thereafter. The importance of the SA in connection with the Nazi Government and control of Germany is shown by the law of 1 December 1933 entitled, “The Law on Securing the Unity of Party and State” (1395-PS):

“* * * The Deputy of the Fuehrer and the Chief of Staff of SA become members of the Reich Government in order to insure close cooperation of the offices of the Party and SA with the public authorities.” (1395-PS)

Similarly, a decree promulgated by Hitler providing for supervision of premilitary training by the SA declares:

“The offices of the Party and State are to support the SA in this training program and to value the possession of the certificate for the SA military insignia.” (2383-PS)

The complete control of the SA by the Nazis at all times is shown by the so-called “Roehm Purge” of June 1934 (see2407-PS). Roehm had been Chief of Staff of the SA for several years, and was responsible for the development of SA into a powerful, organization. SA members were required to take a personal oath of fidelity to Roehm. But when his policies conflicted with those of the Nazi leaders, he was removed, murdered, and replaced by Victor Lutze. This drastic action was accomplished without revolt or dissension in the ranks of the SA, and with no change in its objectives or program. The SA remained “a reliable and strong part of the National Socialist Movement * * * fullof obedience and blind discipline,” whose function was to “create and form the new German citizens.” (2407-PS)

The importance of the SA in the Nazi plan for the utilization of the people of Germany is shown in Hitler’s pronouncement “The Course for the German Person,” which appears in the issue of “Der SA-Mann” for 5 September 1936, at page 22. Hitler’s statement reads as follows:

“The boy, he will enter the Young Volk, and the lad, he will enter the Hitler Youth, the young man will go into the SA, in the SS, and in other units, and the SA and SS men will one day enter into the labor service and from there to the Army, and the soldier of the Volk will return again into the Organization of the Movement, the Party, in the SA and SS and never again will our Volk decay as it once was decayed”.

Thus the SA was constantly available to the conspirators as an instrument to further their aims. It was natural that Victor Lutze, the former Chief of Staff of the SA, in a pamphlet entitled “The Nature and Tasks of the SA,” declared:

“The SA cannot be independent of the National Socialist Movement but can only exist as a part of it.” (2471-PS)

The principal functions performed by the SA in furtherance of the objectives of the conspiracy may be classified into four distinct phases, each of which corresponds with a particular phase in the progression of the conspiracy.

The first phase consists of the use of the SA and its members as the instrument for the dissemination of Nazi ideology throughout Germany. The employment of SA for this purpose continued throughout the entire period of the conspiracy. In the second phase, the period prior to the Nazi seizure of power, the SA was a militant group of fighters whose function was to combat all opponents of the Party. In the third phase, the period of several years following the Nazi seizure of power, the SA participated in various measures designed to consolidate the control of the Nazis, including the dissolution of the trade unions, the persecution of the church, and Jewish persecutions. During this period the SA continued to serve as a force of political soldiers whose purpose was to combat members of political parties considered hostile to the Nazi Party. The fourth aspect of SA activities consisted of its employment as an agency for the building up of an armed force in Germany in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, and for thepreparation of the youth of Germany for the waging of an aggressive war.

(1)The Propagation of Nazi Doctrine.From the very start the Nazi leaders emphasized the importance of the SA’s mission to disseminate Nazi doctrines. The responsibility of propagating National Socialist ideology remained constant throughout. This is shown in an excerpt fromMein Kampfin which Hitler declared:

“* * * As the directing idea for the inner training of theSturmabteilung, the intention was always dominant, aside from all physical education, to teach it to be the unshakeable convinced defender of the National Socialist idea.” (2760-PS)

Hitler’s pronouncement as to the function of SA in this respect became the guiding principle of SA members, forMein Kampfwas taken to express the basic philosophy of the SA. The Organization Book of the Nazi Party declares that the training of SA members should consist of—

“The training and rearing upon the basis of the teachings and aims of the Fuehrer as they are put down in ‘Mein Kampf’ and in the Party program, for all spheres of our life and our National Socialist ideology.” (2354-PS)

The Party Organization Book also declares that the SA is the

“training and rearing instrument of the Party.” (2354-PS)

Similarly, in an article which appeared in “Der SA-Mann”, at page 1 of the issue of January 1934, the functions of the SA were set forth as follows:

“First, to be the guaranty of the power of the National Socialist State against all attacks from without as well as from within.“Second, to be the high institute of education of the people for the living National Socialism.”

“First, to be the guaranty of the power of the National Socialist State against all attacks from without as well as from within.

“Second, to be the high institute of education of the people for the living National Socialism.”

The function of the SA as propagandist of the Party was more than a responsibility which SA took unto itself. It was a responsibility recognized by the law of Germany. The law for “Securing the Unity of Party and State,” promulgated by the Reich Cabinet in 1933, provided:

“The members of the National Socialistic German Labor Party and the SA (including their subordinate organizations) as the leading and driving force of the National Socialist State will bear greater responsibility toward Fuehrer, people and State.” (1395-PS)

As the principal ideology bearers of the Nazi Party SA members were “the soldiers of an idea,” to use the expression employed by Nazi writers. Examples of the use of the SA as Nazi propagandist will be seen in the description of the other functions performed by the SA. For in each case the SA combined its propagandist responsibility instrument with the other functions which it performed in furtherance of the conspiracy.

(2)Strong-Arm Terrorization of Political Opponents.In the early stages of the Nazi Movement the SA combined propaganda with violence along the lines expressed by Hitler inMein Kampf:

“The Young Movement from the first day, espoused the standpoint that its idea must be put forward spiritually but that the defense of this spiritual platform must, if necessary, be secured by strong-arm means.” (2760-PS)

So that the Nazis might better spread their philosophies, the SA was employed to gain possession and control of the streets for the Nazis. Its function was to beat up and terrorize all political opponents. The importance of this function is explained in a pamphlet written by SA Sturmfuehrer Bayer, upon orders from SA Headquarters (2168-PS):

“Possession of the streets is the key to power in the State—for this reason the SA marched and fought. The public would have never received knowledge from the agitative speeches of the little Reichstag faction and its propaganda or from the desires and aims of the Party if the martial tread and battle song of the SA Companies had not beat the measure for the truth of a relentless criticism of the state of affairs in the governmental system. They wanted the young Movement to keep silent. Nothing was to be read in the press about the labor of the National Socialists, not to mention the basic aims of its platform. They simply did not want to awake any interest in it. However, the martial tread of the SA took care that even the drowsiest citizens had to see at least the existence of a fighting troop.” (2168-PS)

And inMein KampfHitler defined the task of the SA as follows:

“We have to teach the Marxists that the master of the streets in the future is National Socialism, exactly as it will once be the Master of the State.” (2760-PS)

The importance of the work of SA in the early days of the Movement was indicated by Goebbels in a speech which appeared inDas Archivin October 1935:

“* * * The inner-political opponents did not disappear due to mysterious unknown reasons but because the Movementpossessed a strong-arm within its organization and the strongest strong-arm of the Movement is the SA * * *.” (3211-PS)

Specific evidence of the activities of the SA during the early period of the Nazi Movement (1922-31) is to be found in a series of articles appearing in “Der SA-Mann” entitled, “SA Battle Experiences Which We Will Never Forget.” Each of these articles is an account of a street or meeting-hall battle waged by the SA against a group of political opponents in the early days of the Nazi struggle for power. These articles demonstrate that during this period it was the function of SA to employ physical violence in order to destroy all forms of thought and expression which might be considered hostile to Nazi aims or philosophy.

The titles of these articles are sufficiently descriptive to constitute evidence of SA activities. Some of these titles, together with the page and reference of “Der SA-Mann” upon which they appear, follow:

Article entitled:“We subdue the Red Terror,” 24 February, 1934: p. 4.Article entitled:“Nightly Street Battles on the Czech Border,” 8 September, 1934: p. 12.Article entitled:“Street Battle in Chemnitz,” 6 October, 1934: p. 5.Article entitled:“Victorious SA,” 20 October, 1934: p. 7.Article entitled:“SA Against Sub-Humanity,” 20 October, 1934: p. 7.Article entitled:“For the Superiority of the Street,” 10 November, 1934: p. 10.Article entitled:“The SA Conquers Rastenburg,” 26 January, 1936[sic]: p. 7.Article entitled:“Company 88 Receives its Baptism of Fire,” 23 February, 1935: p. 5.Article entitled:“Street Battles at Pforghein,” 23 February, 1935: p. 5.Article entitled:“The SA Breaks the Red Terror,” 1 June, 1935: p. 7.Article entitled:“The Blood Sunday of Berlin,” 10 August, 1935: p. 10.Article entitled:“West Prussian SA Breaks the Red Terror in Christburg,” 24 August, 1935: p. 15.Portrait symbolizing the SA Man as the “Master of the Streets,” entitled, “Attention: Free the Streets,” 11 September, 1937: p. 1.Article entitled:“9 November, 1923, in Nurnberg,” 30 October, 1937.

As an example of the nature of these articles, the article appearing in the Franken Edition of “Der SA-Mann” for 30 October 1937, at page 3, is typical. It is entitled: “9 November 1923 in Nurnberg,” and reads in part as follows:

“We stayed overnight in the Coliseum. Then in the morning we found out what had happened in Munich. ‘Now a revolution will also be made in Nurnberg,’ we said. All of a sudden the Police came from the Maxtor Guard and told us that we should go home, that the Putsch in Munich failed. We did not believe that and we did not go home. Then came the State Police with fixed bayonets and drove us out of the hall. One of us then shouted ‘Let’s go to the Cafe Habsburg!’ By the time we arrived, however, the Police again had everything surrounded. Some shouted then: ‘The Jewish place will be stormed * * * Out with the Jews!’ Then the Police started to beat us up. Then we divided into small groups and roamed through town and wherever we caught a Red or a Jew we knew, a fist fight ensued.“Then in the evening we marched, although the Police had forbidden it, to a meeting in Furth. During the promenade again the police attempted to stop us. It was all the same to us. Already in the next moment we attacked the police in our anger so that they were forced to flee. We marched on to the Geissmann Hall. There again they tried to stop us. But the Landsturm, which was also there, attacked the protection forces like persons possessed, and drove them from the streets. After the meeting we dissolved and went to the edge of town. From there we marched in close column back to Nurnberg. In the Wall Street near the Plaerrer the Police came again. We simply shoved them aside. They did not trust themselves to attack, for what would a blood bath have meant? We decided beforehand not to take anything from anyone. Also in Furth they had already noticed that we were up to no good. A large mass of people accompanied us on the march. We marched with unrolled flags and sang so that the streets resounded: Comrade reach me your hand; we want to stand together, even though they have false impressions, the spirit must not die, Swastika on the steel helmet, black—white—red armband, we are known as Storm Troop (SA) Hitler!”

“Then in the evening we marched, although the Police had forbidden it, to a meeting in Furth. During the promenade again the police attempted to stop us. It was all the same to us. Already in the next moment we attacked the police in our anger so that they were forced to flee. We marched on to the Geissmann Hall. There again they tried to stop us. But the Landsturm, which was also there, attacked the protection forces like persons possessed, and drove them from the streets. After the meeting we dissolved and went to the edge of town. From there we marched in close column back to Nurnberg. In the Wall Street near the Plaerrer the Police came again. We simply shoved them aside. They did not trust themselves to attack, for what would a blood bath have meant? We decided beforehand not to take anything from anyone. Also in Furth they had already noticed that we were up to no good. A large mass of people accompanied us on the march. We marched with unrolled flags and sang so that the streets resounded: Comrade reach me your hand; we want to stand together, even though they have false impressions, the spirit must not die, Swastika on the steel helmet, black—white—red armband, we are known as Storm Troop (SA) Hitler!”

Through such means the SA was chiefly responsible for destroying all political elements hostile to the Nazis, including liberalism and capitalism. This is shown by an article which appeared on 6January, 1934, at page 1 of “Der SA-Mann,” entitled “The SA Man in the New State!”

“The New Germany would not have been without the SA man and the new Germany would not exist if the SA man would now, with the feeling of having fulfilled his duty, quietly and unselfishly and modestly step aside or if the new State would send him home much like the Moors who had done his obligations.* * * * * *“What has been accomplished up until now, the taking over of the power in the State and the ejection of those elements which are responsible for the pernicious developments of the post war years as bearers of Marxist liberalism, and capitalism are only the preliminaries, the spring-board for the real aims of National Socialism.“Being conscious of the fact that the real National Socialist construction work would be building in an empty space without the usurpation of power by Adolf Hitler, the movement and the SA man as the aggressive bearer of its will primarily have directed all their efforts thereupon, to achieve the platform of continued striving and to obtain the fundamental for the realization of our desires in the State by force * * *“* * * Out of this comes the further missions of the SA for the completion of the German revolution. First: To be the guaranty of the power of the National Socialist State against all attacks from without as well as within. Second: To be the high institute of education of the people for the living National Socialism. Third: to build a bridge over which the present day German youth can march free and unhampered as first generation into the formed Third Reich.”

* * * * * *

“What has been accomplished up until now, the taking over of the power in the State and the ejection of those elements which are responsible for the pernicious developments of the post war years as bearers of Marxist liberalism, and capitalism are only the preliminaries, the spring-board for the real aims of National Socialism.

“Being conscious of the fact that the real National Socialist construction work would be building in an empty space without the usurpation of power by Adolf Hitler, the movement and the SA man as the aggressive bearer of its will primarily have directed all their efforts thereupon, to achieve the platform of continued striving and to obtain the fundamental for the realization of our desires in the State by force * * *

“* * * Out of this comes the further missions of the SA for the completion of the German revolution. First: To be the guaranty of the power of the National Socialist State against all attacks from without as well as within. Second: To be the high institute of education of the people for the living National Socialism. Third: to build a bridge over which the present day German youth can march free and unhampered as first generation into the formed Third Reich.”

(3)Consolidation of Nazi Control of Germany.The Third function of the SA was to carry out various programs designed to consolidate Nazi control of the German State, including particularly the dissolution of the trade unions and the Jewish persecutions. In the words of an SA officer, it was the function of the SA to be the “tool for strengthening the structure of the new State,” and “to clean up” all that was “worth cleaning up.” It was generally employed, says the SA man, “where communism and elements hostile to the State still insolently dared to rebel.” (2168-PS)

SA groups were employed to destroy political opposition by force and brutality where necessary. As an example, an affidavit of William F. Sollman reads as follows:

“* * * From 1919 until 1933 I was a Social Democrat and a member of the German Reichstag. Prior to March 11, 1933, I was the editor-in-chief of a chain of daily newspapers, with my office in Cologne, Germany, which led the fight against the Nazi Party.“On March 9, 1933, members of the SS and SA came to my home in Cologne and destroyed the furniture and my personal records. At that time I was taken to the Brown House in Cologne where I was tortured, being beaten and kicked for several hours. I was then taken to the regular government prison in Cologne where I was treated by two medical doctors * * * and released the next day. On March 11, 1933, I left Germany.” (3221-PS)

“On March 9, 1933, members of the SS and SA came to my home in Cologne and destroyed the furniture and my personal records. At that time I was taken to the Brown House in Cologne where I was tortured, being beaten and kicked for several hours. I was then taken to the regular government prison in Cologne where I was treated by two medical doctors * * * and released the next day. On March 11, 1933, I left Germany.” (3221-PS)

Prior to the organization of the Gestapo on a national scale local SA meeting places were designated as arrest points, and SA members took into custody Communists and other persons who were actually or supposedly hostile to the Nazi Party. This activity is described in an affidavit of Raymond H. Geist, former U. S. Consul in Berlin:

“* * * At the beginning of the Hitler regime, the only organization which had meeting places throughout the country was the SA (Storm Troopers). Until the Gestapo could be organized on a national scale the thousands of local SA meeting places became ‘arrest points.’ There were at least fifty of these in Berlin. Communists, Jews, and other known enemies of the Nazis party were taken to these points, and, if they were enemies of sufficient importance, they were immediately transferred to the Gestapo headquarters.” (1759-PS)

In addition, SA members served as guards at concentration camps during this consolidation period and participated in mistreatment of the persons there imprisoned. A report to Hitler by the public prosecutor of Dresden concerning theKnollprosseof one Vogel, who was accused of mistreatment of the persons imprisoned in a concentration camp, reads as follows (787-PS):

“The prosecuting authority in Dresden has indicted Oberregierungsrat Erich Vogel in Dresden (case designation 16 STA 4 107/34) on account of bodily injury while in office. The following subject matter is the basis of the process:“Vogel belongs to the Gestapo office of the province of Saxony since its foundation and is chief of Main section II, which formerly bore the title ZUB (Zentralstelle fuer Umsturzbekaempfung)(Central office for combatting overthrow). In the process of combatting efforts inimical to the State Vogel carried out several so called borderland actions in the year 1933 in which a large number of politically unreliable persons and persons who had become political prisoners in the border territories were taken into protective custody (Schutzhaft) and brought to the Hohnstein protective custody camp. In the camp serious mistreatment of the prisoners has been going on at least since summer of 1933. The prisoners were not only, as in protective custody camp Bredow near Stettin, beaten into a state of unconsciousness for no reason with whips and other tools but were also tortured in other ways, as for instance with a drip-apparatus especially constructed for the purpose, under which the prisoners had to stand so long that they came away with serious purulent wounds of the scalp. The guilty SA-leaders and SA-men were sentenced to punishment of six years to nine months of imprisonment by the main criminal court of the provincial court in Dresden of 15 May 1935 (16 STA. 3431.34). Vogel, whose duties frequently brought him to the camp, took part in this mistreatment, insofar as it happened in the reception room of the camp during completion of the reception formalities, and in the supply room, during issuing of the blankets. In this respect it should be pointed out that Vogel was generally known to the personnel of the camp—exactly because of his function as head of the ZUB—and his conduct became at least partly a standard for the above-named conduct of the SA-leaders and men.”* * * * * *“In his presence, for instance, the SA-men Mutze dealt such blows to one man, without provocation, that he turned around on himself. As already stated, Vogel not only took no steps against this treatment of the prisoners, but he even made jokes about it and stated that it amused him the way things were popping here.“In the supply room Vogel himself took a hand in the beating amid the general severe mistreatment. The SA-men there employed whips and other articles and beat the prisoners in such a manner that serious injuries were produced; the prisoners partly became unconscious and had to lie in the dispensary a long time. Vogel was often present in the supply room during the mistreatment. At least in the followingcases he personally laid violent hands upon prisoners.”* * * * * *“* * * the prisoner was laid across the counter in the usual manner, held fast by the head and arms, and then beaten for a considerable time by the SA men with whips and other articles. Along with this Vogel himself took part in the beating for a time, and after this mistreatment slapped him again, so that the prisoner appeared green and blue in the face. The prisoner is the tinsmith Hans Kuehitz, who bore the nickname Johnny. Upon his departure Vogel gave the head of the supply room, Truppenfuehrer Meier from 6 to 8 reichsmarks with the stated reason that the SA men ‘had sweated so.’ The money was then distributed by Meier to those SA-comrades who had taken part in the mistreatment.” (787-PS)

“Vogel belongs to the Gestapo office of the province of Saxony since its foundation and is chief of Main section II, which formerly bore the title ZUB (Zentralstelle fuer Umsturzbekaempfung)(Central office for combatting overthrow). In the process of combatting efforts inimical to the State Vogel carried out several so called borderland actions in the year 1933 in which a large number of politically unreliable persons and persons who had become political prisoners in the border territories were taken into protective custody (Schutzhaft) and brought to the Hohnstein protective custody camp. In the camp serious mistreatment of the prisoners has been going on at least since summer of 1933. The prisoners were not only, as in protective custody camp Bredow near Stettin, beaten into a state of unconsciousness for no reason with whips and other tools but were also tortured in other ways, as for instance with a drip-apparatus especially constructed for the purpose, under which the prisoners had to stand so long that they came away with serious purulent wounds of the scalp. The guilty SA-leaders and SA-men were sentenced to punishment of six years to nine months of imprisonment by the main criminal court of the provincial court in Dresden of 15 May 1935 (16 STA. 3431.34). Vogel, whose duties frequently brought him to the camp, took part in this mistreatment, insofar as it happened in the reception room of the camp during completion of the reception formalities, and in the supply room, during issuing of the blankets. In this respect it should be pointed out that Vogel was generally known to the personnel of the camp—exactly because of his function as head of the ZUB—and his conduct became at least partly a standard for the above-named conduct of the SA-leaders and men.”

* * * * * *

“In his presence, for instance, the SA-men Mutze dealt such blows to one man, without provocation, that he turned around on himself. As already stated, Vogel not only took no steps against this treatment of the prisoners, but he even made jokes about it and stated that it amused him the way things were popping here.

“In the supply room Vogel himself took a hand in the beating amid the general severe mistreatment. The SA-men there employed whips and other articles and beat the prisoners in such a manner that serious injuries were produced; the prisoners partly became unconscious and had to lie in the dispensary a long time. Vogel was often present in the supply room during the mistreatment. At least in the followingcases he personally laid violent hands upon prisoners.”

* * * * * *

“* * * the prisoner was laid across the counter in the usual manner, held fast by the head and arms, and then beaten for a considerable time by the SA men with whips and other articles. Along with this Vogel himself took part in the beating for a time, and after this mistreatment slapped him again, so that the prisoner appeared green and blue in the face. The prisoner is the tinsmith Hans Kuehitz, who bore the nickname Johnny. Upon his departure Vogel gave the head of the supply room, Truppenfuehrer Meier from 6 to 8 reichsmarks with the stated reason that the SA men ‘had sweated so.’ The money was then distributed by Meier to those SA-comrades who had taken part in the mistreatment.” (787-PS)

Similarly, the SA participated in the seizure and dissolution of the German trade unions in 1933, a measure taken by the Nazis under the direction of Robert Ley. An official Nazi Party circular containing an order promulgated by Robert Ley concerning the program for the seizure of the union properties read as follows:

“SA, as well as SS, are to be employed for the occupation of trade union properties and for the taking into protective custody all personalities who come into the question.” (392-PS)

The SA also participated extensively in the Jewish persecutions conducted by the Nazis. The affidavit of Mr. Geist, former U. S. Consul in Berlin (1759-PS) sets forth numerous instances of attacks upon Jewish-American citizens. Mr. Geist also declares that on the morning after the Nazis’ acquisition of power, SA groups roamed the streets of Berlin seizing and beating Jewish persons and other political opponents of the Nazi Party. Thereafter SA men participated in many attacks of physical violence upon Jews, including Jewish-American citizens. In addition, uniformed SA men were employed as a display of threatening force in order to coerce Jewish persons to dispose of their property at greatly reduced values. (1759-PS)

SA participation in the Jewish program of 10 to 11 November, 1938, is disclosed in a confidential report of an SA Brigade Fuehrer to his Group Commander, dated 29 November, 1938 (1721-PS):

“TO:SA Group Electrical Palatinate (Kurpfalz)MANNHEIM“The following order reached me at 3 o’clock on 10 November 1938.‘On the order of the Gruppenfuehrer, all the Jewish synagogues within the 50th Brigade are to be blown up or set fire immediately.‘Neighboring houses occupied by Aryans are not to be damaged. The action is to be carried out in civilian clothes. Rioting and plundering are to be prevented. Report of execution of orders to reach Brigade Fuehrer or office by 8:30.’“I immediately alerted the Standartenfuehrer and gave them the most exact instructions; the execution of the order began at once.“I hereby report that the following were destroyed in the area of * * *“Standarte 1151. Synagogue at Darmstadt, BleichstrasseDestroyed by fire2. Synagogue at Darmstadt, FuchsstrasseDestroyed by fire3. Synagogue at Ober/RamstadtInterior and furnishings wrecked4. Synagogue at GraefenhausenInterior and furnishings wrecked5. Synagogue at GriesheimInterior and furnishings wrecked6. Synagogue at PfungstadtInterior and furnishings wrecked7. Synagogue at EberstadtDestroyed by fire”* * * * * *“Standarte 1451. Synagogue at BensheimDestroyed by fire2. Synagogue at Lorch in HessenDestroyed by fire3. Synagogue at HeppenheimDestroyed by fire4. Prayer House AlsbachDestroyed by fire5. Meeting room AlsbachDestroyed by fire6. Synagogue at RimbachFurnishings completely destroyed”* * * * * *“Standarte 1681. Synagogue in SeligenstadtDestroyed by fire2. Synagogue in OffenbachDestroyed by fire3. Synagogue in Klein-KrotzenburgDestroyed by fire4. Synagogue in Steinheim on the MainDestroyed by fire5. Synagogue in Muehlheim on the MainDestroyed by fire6. Synagogue in SprendlingenDestroyed by fire7. Synagogue in LangenDestroyed by fire8. Synagogue in EgelsbachDestroyed by fire”* * * * * *“Standarte 1861. Synagogue in BeerfeldenBlown up2. Synagogue in MichelstadtFurnishings wrecked3. Synagogue in KoenigFurnishings wrecked4. Synagogue in Hoechst i/OdenwaldFurnishings wrecked5. Synagogue in Gross-UmstadtFurnishings wrecked6. Synagogue in DieburgFurnishings wrecked7. Synagogue in BabenhausenFurnishings wrecked8. Synagogue in Gross-BieberauDestroyed by fire9. Synagogue in Fraenk. CrumbachFurnishings destroyed10. Synagogue in ReichelsheimFurnishings destroyed”* * * * * *“Standarte 2211. Synagogue and Chapel in Gross-GerauDestroyed by fire2. Synagogue in RuesselsheimTorn down and furnishings destroyed3. Synagogue in DornheimFurnishings destroyed4. Synagogue in WolfskehlenFurnishings destroyed”“The Fuehrer of Brigade 50 (STARKENBURG)“/s/[Illegible]“Brigadefuehrer” (1721-PS)

“The following order reached me at 3 o’clock on 10 November 1938.

‘On the order of the Gruppenfuehrer, all the Jewish synagogues within the 50th Brigade are to be blown up or set fire immediately.

‘Neighboring houses occupied by Aryans are not to be damaged. The action is to be carried out in civilian clothes. Rioting and plundering are to be prevented. Report of execution of orders to reach Brigade Fuehrer or office by 8:30.’

“I immediately alerted the Standartenfuehrer and gave them the most exact instructions; the execution of the order began at once.

“I hereby report that the following were destroyed in the area of * * *

“Standarte 115

* * * * * *

“Standarte 145

* * * * * *

“Standarte 168

* * * * * *

“Standarte 186

* * * * * *

“Standarte 221

“The Fuehrer of Brigade 50 (STARKENBURG)

“/s/[Illegible]

“Brigadefuehrer” (1721-PS)

In connection with the persecutions of the Jews, the SA again performed its propaganda function. It was the function of the SA to create and foster among the people an anti-Jewish spirit. Evidence of this function is to be found in the issues of “Der SA-Mann”. Article after article in this publication was devoted to propaganda designed to engender hatred toward the Jewish race. The nature of these articles is apparent from some of the titles:

Article entitled: “Finish up with the Jew”, with subtitle:“We want no women to buy from Jews, and no Jewish girl friends,” 27 July, 1935, p. 4.Article entitled: “The Jewish World Danger,” 2 February, 1935, p. 5.Article entitled: “Jewish Worries,” (defending the practices of excluding Jews from certain resorts). 20 July, 1935, p. 4.Article entitled: “Jews aren’t wanted Here,” with pictures posted on outskirts of villages showing signs bearing the same message. (1 June, 1935, p. 1.) The last portion of this article reads as follows:

Article entitled: “Finish up with the Jew”, with subtitle:“We want no women to buy from Jews, and no Jewish girl friends,” 27 July, 1935, p. 4.

Article entitled: “The Jewish World Danger,” 2 February, 1935, p. 5.

Article entitled: “Jewish Worries,” (defending the practices of excluding Jews from certain resorts). 20 July, 1935, p. 4.

Article entitled: “Jews aren’t wanted Here,” with pictures posted on outskirts of villages showing signs bearing the same message. (1 June, 1935, p. 1.) The last portion of this article reads as follows:

“Since the day when National Socialism unrolled its flag and the march began for the Germany for Germans, our battle also included the Jewry * * * Let the Jew continue with his methods against New Germany. We know that at the end we will remain the victor for

Snake remains a snake, andJew remains a Jew! * * *

Snake remains a snake, and

Jew remains a Jew! * * *

* * * “German women, if you buy from Jews and German girl, if you carry on with Jews, then both of you betray your German Volk and your Fuehrer, Adolf Hitler, and commit a sin against your German Volk and its future! Then, also, outside of the last German village, the sign will stand ‘Jews are not wanted here!’ and then, finally, no German citizen will again cross the threshold of a Jewish store. To achieve this goal is the mission of the SA man as political soldier of the Fuehrer. Next to his word and his explanations stands his example”.

Article entitled: “God Save the Jew,” 17 August, 1935, p. 1.Photograph showing SA men gathered around trucks upon which are posted signs reading: “ReadThe Stuermerand you will know the Jew.” 24 August, 1935, p. 3.Photograph apparently representing public SA rally showing large sign which reads: “He who knows a Jew knows a devil,” 24 August, 1935, p. 3.Article entitled: “The Face of the Jew” (with portrait of a Jew holding the hammer and sickle), 5 Oct., 1935, p. 6.Article entitled: “Jews, Blacks and Reactionaries,” 2 November, 1935, p. 2.Article entitled: “The Camouflaged Benjamin—Jewish Cultural Bolshevism in German music,” 23 November, 1935, p. 2.Article entitled: “The Jewish Assassination,” 15 February, 1936, p. 1.Article entitled: “Murder—The Jewish Slogan,” 4 April, 1936, p. 11.Series of articles entitled: “The Jewish Mirror.” Eight weekly installments beginning 22 May 1936, p. 17.Series of articles entitled: “Gravediggers of World Culture,” beginning 5 December, 1936, p. 6 and continuing weekly to 13 March 1937.Article entitled: “Rumania to the Jews?” 2 January, 1937, p. 6.Article entitled: “Bismarck’s Position on Jews,” 2 January, 1937, p. 7.Article entitled: “Jewry is a Birth Error,” 13 February 1937, p. 5.Article entitled: “The Protection of the German Blood,” 24 April, 1937, p. 1.Article entitled: “Crooked Ways to Money and Power,” 24 April, 1937, p. 1.Article entitled: “The Camouflage of Jewry—Beginning or End?” 22 May, 1937, p. 14.Article entitled: “How come still German Jews?” 18 June, 1938, p. 2.Article entitled: “Westheimer Jew Servants,” 22 January, 1938, p. 2.Article entitled: “The Poor Jew—Well, Well!!” 19 March, 1938, p. 15.Article entitled: “Jewish Methods, Churchly Parallel,” 9 September, 1938, p. 4.Article entitled: “Jews and Free Masons,” 13 January, 1939, p. 15.Article entitled: “Friends of the World Jewry—Roosevelt and Ickes,” 3 February, 1939, p. 14.

Article entitled: “God Save the Jew,” 17 August, 1935, p. 1.

Photograph showing SA men gathered around trucks upon which are posted signs reading: “ReadThe Stuermerand you will know the Jew.” 24 August, 1935, p. 3.

Photograph apparently representing public SA rally showing large sign which reads: “He who knows a Jew knows a devil,” 24 August, 1935, p. 3.

Article entitled: “The Face of the Jew” (with portrait of a Jew holding the hammer and sickle), 5 Oct., 1935, p. 6.

Article entitled: “Jews, Blacks and Reactionaries,” 2 November, 1935, p. 2.

Article entitled: “The Camouflaged Benjamin—Jewish Cultural Bolshevism in German music,” 23 November, 1935, p. 2.

Article entitled: “The Jewish Assassination,” 15 February, 1936, p. 1.

Article entitled: “Murder—The Jewish Slogan,” 4 April, 1936, p. 11.

Series of articles entitled: “The Jewish Mirror.” Eight weekly installments beginning 22 May 1936, p. 17.

Series of articles entitled: “Gravediggers of World Culture,” beginning 5 December, 1936, p. 6 and continuing weekly to 13 March 1937.

Article entitled: “Rumania to the Jews?” 2 January, 1937, p. 6.

Article entitled: “Bismarck’s Position on Jews,” 2 January, 1937, p. 7.

Article entitled: “Jewry is a Birth Error,” 13 February 1937, p. 5.

Article entitled: “The Protection of the German Blood,” 24 April, 1937, p. 1.

Article entitled: “Crooked Ways to Money and Power,” 24 April, 1937, p. 1.

Article entitled: “The Camouflage of Jewry—Beginning or End?” 22 May, 1937, p. 14.

Article entitled: “How come still German Jews?” 18 June, 1938, p. 2.

Article entitled: “Westheimer Jew Servants,” 22 January, 1938, p. 2.

Article entitled: “The Poor Jew—Well, Well!!” 19 March, 1938, p. 15.

Article entitled: “Jewish Methods, Churchly Parallel,” 9 September, 1938, p. 4.

Article entitled: “Jews and Free Masons,” 13 January, 1939, p. 15.

Article entitled: “Friends of the World Jewry—Roosevelt and Ickes,” 3 February, 1939, p. 14.

The circulation of these articles was not intended to be confined to members of the SA. On the contrary, the plan was to educate the members of the SA with this philosophy, and for the SA in turn to disseminate it into the minds of the German people. This fact is demonstrated in the introduction to a series of anti-Jewish articles entitled “Gravediggers of World Culture,” which began in the issue of 5 December, 1936, at page 6. This introduction stated in part as follows:

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