Chapter VII: ), was made possible by the following Cabinet laws: Law of 4 (2)

“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!”

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 6 January, 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.”

(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_)

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 the _Knollprosse_ of 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 following cases 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 115_

1. Synagogue at Darmstadt, Bleichstrasse Destroyed by fire 2. Synagogue at Darmstadt, Fuchsstrasse Destroyed by fire 3. Synagogue at Ober/Ramstadt Interior and furnishings wrecked 4. Synagogue at Graefenhausen Interior and furnishings wrecked 5. Synagogue at Griesheim Interior and furnishings wrecked 6. Synagogue at Pfungstadt Interior and furnishings wrecked 7. Synagogue at Eberstadt Destroyed by fire”

* * * * * *

“_Standarte 145_

1. Synagogue at Bensheim Destroyed by fire 2. Synagogue at Lorch in Hessen Destroyed by fire 3. Synagogue at Heppenheim Destroyed by fire 4. Prayer House Alsbach Destroyed by fire 5. Meeting room Alsbach Destroyed by fire 6. Synagogue at Rimbach Furnishings completely destroyed”

* * * * * *

“_Standarte 168_

1. Synagogue in Seligenstadt Destroyed by fire 2. Synagogue in Offenbach Destroyed by fire 3. Synagogue in Klein-Krotzenburg Destroyed by fire 4. Synagogue in Steinheim on the Main Destroyed by fire 5. Synagogue in Muehlheim on the Main Destroyed by fire 6. Synagogue in Sprendlingen Destroyed by fire 7. Synagogue in Langen Destroyed by fire 8. Synagogue in Egelsbach Destroyed by fire”

* * * * * *

“_Standarte 186_

1. Synagogue in Beerfelden Blown up 2. Synagogue in Michelstadt Furnishings wrecked 3. Synagogue in Koenig Furnishings wrecked 4. Synagogue in Hoechst i/Odenwald Furnishings wrecked 5. Synagogue in Gross-Umstadt Furnishings wrecked 6. Synagogue in Dieburg Furnishings wrecked 7. Synagogue in Babenhausen Furnishings wrecked 8. Synagogue in Gross-Bieberau Destroyed by fire 9. Synagogue in Fraenk. Crumbach Furnishings destroyed 10. Synagogue in Reichelsheim Furnishings destroyed”

* * * * * *

“_Standarte 221_

1. Synagogue and Chapel in Gross-Gerau Destroyed by fire 2. Synagogue in Ruesselsheim Torn down and furnishings destroyed 3. Synagogue in Dornheim Furnishings destroyed 4. Synagogue in Wolfskehlen Furnishings destroyed”

“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:

“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, 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: “Read _The Stuermer_ and
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:

“We suggest that the comrades especially take notice of this
series of articles and see that they are further circulated.”
(_3050-A-E-PS_)

In addition, intensive campaigns were conducted to persuade the public to purchase and read “_Der SA-Mann_,” and various issues were posted in public places so that the general public might read them. “_Der SA-Mann_” itself contained several photographs showing particular issues posted upon street bulletin boards. There are also several photographs showing advertising displays, one of which reads as follows “_Der SA-Mann_ belongs in every house, every hotel, every inn, every waiting room, and every store” (page 3 of the issue of 31 October, 1936). (_3050-A-E-PS_)

In view of such widespread publicity for the objectives and methods of the SA, it is inconceivable that volunteers for membership did not know of the criminal character of this organization.

(4) _Fostering of Militarism._ In the final phase of the SA in the conspiracy—its participation in the preparation for aggressive warfare—the SA was again employed to inculcate a particular Nazi ideology into the minds of the German people. It was the function of the SA to prepare Germany mentally for the waging of an aggressive war.

At all times, and especially during the period from 1933-39, SA leaders emphasized to SA members the duty and responsibility of creating and fostering a militaristic spirit throughout Germany. In 1933, Hitler established the so-called SA sports program and at that time, according to Sturmfuehrer Bayer in his pamphlet “The SA,”

“the SA was “commissioned to obtain an increase of and
preservation of a warlike power and a warlike spirit as the
expression of an aggressive attitude”. (_2168-PS_)

In 1937, Hitler renewed the so-called sports program and then declared the program to be a means “for the fostering of a military spirit” among the German people. (_3050-A-E-PS_)

The Organization Book of the Party is to the same effect. The function of the SA is characterized as follows:

“While the political organization of the NSDAP has carried out
the political leadership, the SA is the training and education
instrument of the Party for the realization of the
world-philosophical soldier-like attitude.

“Consequently, the young German in the SA is being inculcated in
the first instance from the standpoint of world philosophy and
character, and trained as the bearer of National Socialist armed
will.” (_3220-PS_)

The contents of a number of articles designed to serve as war propaganda material may be gained from their titles, which are very graphic. A number of articles relate to the Nazi _Lebensraum_ philosophy:

Article entitled: “The German Living Space,” 5 January,
1935, p. 13.

Article entitled: “Folk and Space—A Geopolitical View,”
27 April, 1935, p. 13.

Article entitled: “The Enlargement of our Living Space,”
25 April, 1936, p. 10.

Article entitled: “Our Right, Our Colonies,” 10 October,
1936, p. 15.

Article entitled: “Our Right for Colonies,” 18 December,
1937, p. 7.

Article entitled: “Space and Folk,” 14 October, 1938, p.
3.

Article entitled: “Colonies for Germany,” 2 January,
1937, p. 4. This article reads in part as follows:

“The German Ambassador in London, Herr von Ribbentrop, recently,
on occasion of a reception in the Anglo-German Fellowship * * *
has renewed, in a speech which aroused great interest, the
unretractable claim of Germany for the restitution of its
colonies which had been snatched away.

“Shortly thereafter the Reichsbank president and Reich Minister
of Economics, Dr. Schacht, published in the English magazine,
‘Foreign Affairs,’ a detailed article on the German colonial
problem. * * *

“For the rest Dr. Schacht laid out the categorical demand that
Germany must, in order to solve its raw materials problem, get
colonies, which must be administered by Germany, and in which
the German standard currency must be in circulation.”

The next group consists of articles condemning the Versailles Treaty:

Article entitled: “What is the Situation regarding our
battle for Equal Rights?” 7 April 1934, p. 4.

Article entitled: “The Dictate of Versailles,” 30 June,
1934, p. 15. This article reads in part as follows:

“* * * The dictate of Versailles established the
political, economical and financial destruction
of Germany in 440 artfully—one could also
say—devilishly devised paragraphs; this work of
ignominy is a sample of endless and partly
contradictory repetitions in constantly new
forms. Not too many have occupied themselves
with this thick book to a great extent, for one
could only do it with abomination * * *”

Article entitled: “The Unbearable Limitations of our
Fleet,” 7 July, 1934, p. 15.

Article entitled: “Versailles after 15 years,” 19
January, 1935, p. 13. This article reads in part as
follows:

“This terrible word ‘Versailles,’ since a blind
nation ratified it, has become a word of
profanity for all those who are infatuated in
the spirit of this enormous production of
hatred. The Versailles dictate is German fate in
the fullest sense of the word. Every German
stood up under the operation of this fate during
the past 15 years. Therefore, every last German
must also grasp the contents of this dictate so
that one single desire of its absolute
destruction fills the whole German Volk.”

Article entitled: “How about Germany’s fight for Equal
Rights?” 16 March, 1935, p. 1.

Article entitled: “Through Adolf Hitler’s Acts: Free
from Versailles,” 30 January, 1937, pp. 12-13.

Article entitled: “Versailles will be Liquidated,” 13
February, 1937. This article reads in part as follows,
p. 4:

“The National Socialist Movement has again
achieved a victory, for upon its flag since the
beginning of the fight stands: The liquidation
of the Versailles Treaty. For this fight the SA
marched year after year * * *.”

A third group consists of articles describing preparations for war allegedly being carried on by other nations:

Article entitled: “Military Training of the English
Youth” (showing pictures of Eton students wearing
traditional Eton dress—tall hats and frock
coats—marching with rifles), 26 January, 1935, p. 14.

Article entitled: “The Army of the Soviet Union” (with
pictures of self-propelled artillery and tanks. One
picture bears the quotation “The Artillery of the Red
Army is already extensively motorized”), 16 March, 1935,
p. 14.

Photograph of Russian Artillery bearing the notation
“Soviet Russian Heavy artillery on maneuver,” 16 March,
1935, p. 1.

Article entitled: “Armies of Tomorrow” (discussion of
anticipated developments in motorized and mechanized
warfare. One section of the article is devoted to “plans
of foreign countries with respect to motorized armies”),
30 March, 1935, p. 14.

Article entitled: “The Red Danger in the East,” 4 April,
1936, p. 13.

Article entitled: “The Red Army Today,” 4 April, 1936,
p. 13.

Article entitled: “Russia prepares for World War,” 29
August, 1936, p. 10.

Article entitled: “Red Terrorism Nailed Down,” 19 June,
1937, p. 7.

Cartoon bearing title “Stalin Wants World Revolution,”
26 February, 1938, p. 13.

These lists of articles are not exhaustive. These articles are merely typical of many in similar vein which appear throughout the issues of “_Der SA-Mann_.”

(5) _The Training of German Youth for Aggressive Warfare._

The important responsibility of training the youth of Germany in the technique of war, and of preparing them physically and spiritually for the waging of aggressive warfare, was delegated to the SA. Hitler characterized this task of the SA in these words:

“Give the German Nation six million perfectly trained bodies in
sport, all fanatically inspired with the love for the Fatherland
and trained to the highest offensive spirit and a National
Socialist State will, if necessary, have created an Army out of
them in less than two years.” (_3215-PS_)

The military character of the SA is demonstrated by its organizational structure (_2168-PS)_. As appears from the SA organizational chart, (_Chart Number 8_) it was organized into units closely corresponding to those of the German army. The organizational scheme consisted of divisions, regiments, battalions, companies, platoons, and squads. In addition, there were special units and branches, including cavalry, signal corps, engineer corps, and medical corps. There were also three officer training schools (_2168-PS_). SA members wore distinctive uniforms adapted to military functions, bore arms, and engaged in training, forced marches, and other military exercises. These facts are disclosed in photographs and articles in “_Der SA-Mann_”.

SA members, moreover, were governed by general regulations which closely resemble service regulations of an armed force (_2820-PS_). According to these regulations, “discipline and obedience are the foundations as strong as steel for each military unit.” These regulations further provide for punishment for disobedience. The punishments provided demonstrate the militaristic character of the SA. They include the following:

Reprimand in private; Reprimand in presence of superiors and announcement thereof at formations; Prohibition of right to wear the service uniform; House arrest; Arrest and confinement in jail; Demotion in rank; Prohibition of right to carry weapon. (_2820-PS_)

Preparation for war through the SA training program was commenced in Germany as early as 1933, but the scope of this program was not made public because it constituted a violation of the Treaty of Versailles. The strict secrecy with which the program was surrounded is shown by an order from the Chief of Staff of the SA dated 25 July, 1933 (_D-44_):

“Further to my instruction Z II 1351/33 dated 11 July 33, I find
cause to ask all SA authorities to exercise the greatest caution
with regard to any publicity given to the SA service not only in
the press, but also in the information and news sheets of the
individual SA units.

“Only during the last few days, the Reich Ministry of the
Interior, at the request of the Foreign Office, has given strict
instructions to all Reich authorities according to which the
most severe control is to be exercised on all publications which
might give other countries an opening to construe German
infringements of the terms of the Versailles Treaty. “As is
known from the Geneva negotiations, our opponents have piled up
material collected in Germany and submitted to them, which they
use against us on every occasion during the conferences.

“From this point of view, the information sheets circulating
among the subordinate SA units cause the liveliest concern. I
hold all higher SA leaders responsible that any such internal
information sheets appearing in the district of their command
are submitted to the most stringent control _before they go into
print_, and I feel compelled to draw attention to the threat of
a prosecution for treason, pronounced by official instructions
issued in the last few days, in cases where such reports,
printed no doubt in good faith, are publicized and therefore
exposed to the danger of falling into the wrong hands.

“On principle, pictures of the technical specialized units of
the SA and SS, in particular of the signals, motorized and
possibly also of the air wings which now exist outside these
formations, are forbidden, such pictures enabling other
countries to prove the alleged formation of technical troop
units.” (_D-44_)

Secrecy was also required in the order assigning a _Wehrmacht_ officer to the SA in January, 1934, to assist in the SA Training Program (_2823-PS_). A memorandum from SA Headquarters dated 20 January, 1934 designates an officer of the _Wehrmacht_ to assist in the military training of SA members and goes on to provide:

“For the purpose of disguise, Lt. Col. Auleb will wear SA
uniform with insignia of rank according to more detailed
regulations of the Supreme SA leaders”. (_2823-PS_)

The military training program of the SA was for many years conducted under the guise of a sports program. This plan was created by Hitler as early as 1920 in founding what he called the National Socialist Sport Troop (SA). Hitler’s declaration at the time of the creation of this sports organization was as follows:

“The Sport Troop * * * is but the bearer of the military thought
of a free people.” (_3215-PS_)

The fact that the so-called Sports Program was in reality closely associated with and in fact a means of providing military training for German youth, is shown by the following characterization of the program by Lutze, the Chief of Staff of the SA, in an article written in 1939 (_3215-PS_):

“* * * This goal setting also served for the decrees of the
Fuehrer to the SA of 1935 regarding the renewing of, in 1936
regarding the evaluation of, in 1937 regarding the yearly
repetitive exercises of the SA sport badge. Parallel to this
decree of the Fuehrer for the physical betterment and military
training the organizational and development missions within the
SA were met. Out of the conception that the preservation and
intensification of the military power of our people must
especially be requested by military and physical exercises, the
training was especially carried out systematically in these
fields. In 25 schools of the troop and in 3 Reichsfuehrer
schools of the SA yearly 22,000 to 25,000 officers and non-coms
were trained since 1934 in special educational courses until
they possessed the education and examination certificates. In
clearly outlined training directives the training goals which
had to be achieved yearly were given and at the same time the
yearly Reich competitive contests were established. Hand in hand
the training of the Fuehrer Corps and corresponding
organizational measures and the training at the front proceeded
on the broadest basis.” (_3215-PS_)

The military nature of the Sports Program is likewise demonstrated by the tests and standards required to obtain the sports award. The Organization Book of the Party lists these tests as follows (_2354-PS_):

“The performance test includes three groups of exercises:

Body exercises,
Military sports,
Topographical (naval) services.

“Group I: Body exercises;

100-meter race,
Broad jump,
Shot-put,
Throwing of hand grenades,
3000-meter race.

“Group II: Military sports;

25-Kilometer march with pack,
Firing of small-caliber arms,
Aimed throwing of hand grenades,
200-meter cross-country race with gas masks over 4 obstacles,
Swimming or bicycle riding,
Basic knowledge of first aid in case of accidents.

“Group III: Terrain service;

Orientation,
Terrain observation,
Estimate of terrain,
Estimate of distance,
Camouflage,
Observing and reporting,
Utilization of terrain and general behavior in terrain
service.” (_2354-PS_)

In 1939, the SA Sports Program was formally recognized, in a decree issued by Hitler, as a military training program. At the same time the SA was openly declared to be an agency for pre- and post-military training, that is, military training prior to and following military service in the _Wehrmacht_ (_2383-PS_).

The decree provided in part as follows:

“Der Fuehrer. In amplification of my decree of the 15th
February, 1935, and 18th March, 1937, regarding the acquisition
of the SA sport insignia and the yearly repetitive exercises, I
lift the SA sport insignia to the SA military insignia and make
it as a basis for pre-imposed military training.

“I designate the SA as standard bearer of this training.

“These soldiers who honourably were discharged out of the active
military service and who were serviceable soldiers are to be
placed into the Army ranks for the retaining of their spiritual
and physical energy and to be attached to the SA insofar as no
other organization of the Party (the SS, NSKK, and SFK) have
received them for special training.” (_2383-PS_)

The SA military training program was not confined to its members, but extended to the entire youth of Germany. Thus the Chief of Staff of the SA, in re-establishing the sports program in 1935, declared (_2354-PS_):

“In order to give conscious expression to the fostering of a
valiant spirit in all parts of the German people, I further
decide that this SA Sport Insignia can also be earned and worn
by persons who are not members of the movement, inasfar as they
comply racially and ideologically with the National Socialist
requirements”. (_2354-PS_)

The pamphlet entitled “The SA”, shows that responsibility for conducting this nation-wide program was lodged in the operational main office of the SA (_2168-PS_). According to the pamphlet it was the duty of this office to—

“Prepare the fighting training of the bodies of all Germans
capable of bearing arms (_Wehrfahig_) and as preparation
therefore must organize the execution of corporal exercises
(basic physical training) and sports achievements, so that the
widest stratum of the population is laid hold upon and will be
kept in condition to bear arms (_Wehrtuchtig_) both physically
and spiritually, as well as ideologically in character up to
greatest old age.” (_2168-PS_)

The extent to which the SA carried the military training program into the lives of the German people may be seen from the following excerpt from “Das Archiv” (_3215-PS_):

“Next to the companies of the SA were the sport badge
associations (SAG) in which all the militaristic nationals
entered who were prepared to voluntarily answer the call of the
SA for the preservation of military proficiency. Up until now
around 800,000 nationals outside of the SA could successfully
undergo the physical betterment as well as the political
military training of the SA on the basis of the SA sport badge.

“As pronounced proof heretofore it may be shown that alone
13,400 officers and around 30,000 non-coms in the Reserve Corps
of the Wehrmacht from its (SA) own ranks stand at the disposal
of the SA and can be employed at any time for the direction of
SA military forces * * *”. (_3215-PS_)

In 1939, the extension of the SA military program to non-SA members was officially recognized by Hitler. This occurred in the ordinance for the execution of the Hitler decree of 16 January, 1942:

“Every German man who has completed his seventeenth year and who
shows preliminary requirements for honorary service with the
weapon, has the _customary_ duty to win the SA military insignia
in preparation for military service.

“During the years in the Hitler Youth following his sixteenth
year, he is to prepare himself for the winning of the SA
military insignia.” (_2383-PS_)

The SA, in its military training program, was no mere marching and drilling society. It embraced every phase of the technique of modern warfare. This appears clearly from the articles on military training which appear throughout the issues of “_Der SA-Mann”. The titles of these articles indicate their substance. The foll_owing are a few examples:

Article entitled: “Defense Platoon and the Company in
Battle” (with diagrams), 27 January, 1934, p. 10.

Article entitled: “_Die Luftwaffe_” (with diagrams on
Aircraft Gunnery), 3 February 1934, p. 7.

Article entitled: “Pistol Shooting,” 17 February, 1934,
p. 7.

Article entitled: “Orientation in Terrain,” 10 March,
1934, p. 7.

Article entitled: “First Aid—ABC,” 17 March, 1934, p.
7.

Article entitled: “We go into the Terrain” (relating to
map study and map symbols), 24 March, 1934, p. 7.

Article entitled: “What every SA Man must know about
Aviation,” 21 April, 1934, p. 13.

Article entitled: “Expert firing in German National
Sport” (relating to small caliber firing), 12 May, 1934,
p. 7.

Article entitled: “Chemical Warfare,” 19 May, 1934, p.
13.

Article entitled: “What every SA Man should know about
Aviation,” 19 May, 1934, p. 12.

Article entitled: “Flame Throwers on the Front,” 26 May,
1934, p. 14.

Article entitled: “Modern Battle Methods in the View of
the SA Man,” 2 June, 1934, p. 14.

Article entitled: “The Significance of Tanks and Motors
in Modern War,” 4 August, 1934, p. 13.

Article entitled: “The Rifle 98,” 8 September, 1934, p.
7.

Article entitled: “The Combat Battalion” (with
description of tactical missions and maneuvers of the
battalion), 15 September, 1934, p. 7.

Article entitled: “Air Strategy and Air Tactics,” 29
September, 1934, p. 7.

Article entitled: “Gas Protection and the Gas Mask,” 6
October, 1934, p. 7.

Article entitled: “The Pistol 08” (with diagram of the
pistol, its nomenclature and field stripping), 6
October, 1934, p. 7.

Article entitled: “Training the SA in Map and Terrain
Study,” 24 November, 1934, p. 4.

Article entitled: “The Defense,” with subheading “What
does the War of Tomorrow look like?” 1 December, 1934,
p. 13.

Series of articles by a Wehrmacht officer entitled:
“Training in the Army of the Third Reich,” beginning on
12 January, 1935, p. 13.

Series of articles entitled: “Construction and
Composition of various units of the Modern Army,”
written by a Brigadier General in the
_Wehrmacht_—beginning 26 January, 1935, p. 15, and
ending 20 April, 1935, p. 16.

Article entitled: “Small caliber firing” (with sketches
of ammunition, rifles, targets, and aiming technique),
26 January, 1935, p. 19.

Article entitled: “Armies of Tomorrow” (discussion of
anticipated developments in motorized and mechanized
warfare. One section of the article is devoted to “Plans
of foreign countries with respect to motorized armies”),
30 March, 1935, p. 14.

The issues of “_Der SA-Mann_” also contain many photographs and articles demonstrating SA participation in military exercise, including forced marching, battle maneuvers, obstacle runs, small calibre firing, and the like. Among these photographs and articles are the following:

Each issue of “_Der SA-Mann_” contains advertisements
for the sale of various items of military equipment,
including uniforms, steel helmets, rifles, boots,
grenades, field glasses, ammunition, etc. (See, for
example, 20 January, 1934, p. 16; and 9 March, 1935, p.
16.)

Picture of SA men marching in military formation
executing “goose step,” 14 April, 1934, p. 8.

Group of pictures showing SA Troops marching in military
formations and in full pack and bearing flags being
reviewed by Hitler. Title of page is “SA Marches into
the New Year,” 12 January, 1935, p. 3.

Photographs of uniformed SA Troops marching in streets
of Saarbrucken with caption: “In the streets of free
Saarbrucken thuds the marching steps of the SA,” 9
March, 1935, p. 3.

Group of photographs entitled: “SA Brigade 6 marches for
the German Danzig,” 4 May, 1935, p. 3.

Article entitled: “Who fights against us we will defeat,
who provokes us we shall attack” (with picture of SA men
in military formation bearing caption: “We are a
political ideological troop”), 13 July, 1935, p. 1.

Article entitled: “The SA is and remains the Shock Troop
of the Third Reich” (with picture of _Gruppenfuehrer_
reviewing SA men marching in uniform and in full pack,
in military formation), 24 August, 1935, p. 2.

Article entitled: “SA Men at the heavy machine gun,” 3
July, 1936, p. 14.

Photograph of SA men in uniform and full pack on
obstacle run, 29 August, 1936, p. 7.

Article entitled: “Fight, Fight, Fight” with subtitles:

“Preparation of Francken Division for the NS War Games”
(with picture of SA men bearing arms), 26 June, 1937, p.
4.

Photograph of SA men bearing weapons, bearing caption:

“Austria’s SA: through battle, distress and persecution,
to victory.”

Photograph bearing caption: “German-Austrian SA was
armed in the hour of decision,” 2 April, 1938, p. 1.

Photograph of SA men bearing arms on battle maneuvers,
19 August, 1938, p. 8., bearing the caption: “The way to
victory.”

Article entitled: “SA and the _Wehrmacht_” (with
pictures of SA men on field maneuvers throwing hand
grenades), 2 September, 1938, p. 1.

Photograph of SA men on field maneuvers, 9 September,
1938, p. 18.

Photograph of SA men bearing arms in trenches,
apparently on field maneuvers, 16 September, 1938, p. 1.
(Frankens-SA).

Photographs of SA men marching under arms, and on the
rifle range, 30 September, 1938, p. 4. (Frankens-SA).

Photograph of SA Regiment _Feldherrnhalle_ marching in
goose-step with rifles and steel helmets and with the
Luftwaffe insignia of sovereignty on their uniform and
helmets, 11 November, 1938, p. 4.

Photograph entitled “Regiment _Feldherrnhalle_ was
there”, (referring to the incorporation of the
Sudetenland), 14 October, 1938, p. 6.

Photograph bearing the caption: “Training with the KK
Rifle. Something entirely new for the Sudeten German.
Every SA man must be outstanding in marksmanship,” 6
January, 1939, p. 3.

Article entitled: “The SA—the forger of military
power,” with the subheading: “The SA as Bearer of the
Pre-military Training,” 27 January, 1939, p. 1.

Photograph of Von Brauchitsch (_Wehrmacht_) and Lutze
reviewing the SA, 3 February, 1939, p. 3.

Photograph of SA on march with full pack and rifles.
(Frankens-SA), 3 February, 1939, p. 1.

C. _Cooperation with the Wehrmacht in Preparation for Aggression._

Evidence of the SA’s participation in the conspiracy is found in the care which was taken at all times to coordinate the military training program of the SA with the requirements of the _Wehrmacht_. As early as 1934, an SA memorandum provided that the SA chief of training and his subordinates should remain—

“* * * in direct touch with the respective offices and sections
of the Reich Defense Ministry.” (_2823-PS_)

The same memorandum recites that a Lieutenant-Colonel of the _Wehrmacht_ was assigned to the SA with the duty of participating—

“* * * in all questions regarding training and organization * *
*.” (_2823-PS_)

Another SA memorandum declared that:

“* * * permanent liaison between the Reich Defense Ministry and
the Supreme Commander of the SA * * * has been assured.”
(_2821-PS_)

Hitler’s words regarding cooperation between _Wehrmacht_ and SA were as follows:

“The requirements of the _Wehrmacht_ are to be taken into
consideration in organization and training.

“The Chief of Staff of the SA releases the required executionary
directives in agreement with the Commander in Chief of the
_Wehrmacht_ units. He alone is responsible for the fulfillment.”
(_2383-PS_)

A speech by the Chief of Staff of the SA relating to the technical and specialized branches of the SA revealed that this opportunity for collaboration with the _Wehrmacht_ in specialized military training was utilized to the utmost:

“In the course of this development also special missions for
military betterment (program) were placed on the SA. The Fuehrer
gave the SA the cavalry and motor training and called SA
Obergruppenfuehrer Littmann as Reich Inspector with the mission
to secure the * * * recruits and requirements for the German
Wehrmacht through the SA. In close cooperation with parts of the
Wehrmacht special certificates were created for the
communication, engineer and medical units which, like the
cavalry certificate of the SA, are valued as statement of
preference for employment in said units.” (_3215-PS_)

The specialized training given SA members, in accordance with the requirements of technical branches of the _Wehrmacht_, is described by SA Sturmfuehrer Bayer as follows (_2168-PS_):

“* * * On one side the young SA man who enters the armed forces
(_Wehrmacht_) from his branch, comes prepared with a multitude
of prerequisites which facilitate and speed up training in
technical respects; while on the other side those very soldiers,
having served, who return out of the armed forces into the SA
keep themselves, by constant practice, in a trained condition
physically and mentally and impart their knowledge to their
fellows.

“Thus they contribute a considerable portion to the enhancement
of armed strength (_Wehrkraft_) and armed spirit (_Wehrgeist_)
of the German people.” (_2168-PS_)

And, with respect to the mounted or cavalry SA—

“* * * the SA each year is able to furnish many thousands of
young trained cavalrymen to our _Wehrmacht_. * * * At present
the SA cavalry has at its disposal 101 cavalry units in whose
schools, year in and year out, young Germans who are obligated
for military service receive the training which fits him for
entrance into a section of troops which is of their own
choosing.” (_2168-PS_)

The close relationship between the SA and the _Wehrmacht_ is shown throughout the issues of “_Der SA-Mann_”, which contain a number of articles on military training written by _Wehrmacht_ officers. The same relationship is shown in many photographs. For example, in the issue of 1 May, 1937, at page 4, there is a picture of a _Wehrmacht_ formation drawn up in front of an SA building with SA officers and men in the background. The picture is entitled—

“Day after day the closed formations of the _Wehrmacht_ march in
Wurzburg to the subscription places of the SA for thanksgiving
to the nation in order to announce its close relation with the
SA, and to express thanks to the Fuehrer for making the Reich
capable of defense.”

Page 2 of the issue of 27 January, 1939, contains a photograph of the SA Chief of Staff, Lutze, addressing a group of SA men. The photograph bears the caption, “We will be the bridge between the Party and the _Wehrmacht_.” Page 3 of the issue of 3 February, 1939, reproduces a photograph of General von Brauchitsch and Chief of Staff Lutze reviewing an SA unit.

The close cooperation between the _Wehrmacht_ and the SA, and the significance of the SA military training program is shown by the fact that service in the SA was considered as military service under the Conscription Law of 1935. The Organization Book of the Party declared that—

“Equally significant is a suitable education and training which
the SA has accomplished within the yearly classes, and which
have satisfied their arms obligation.” (_3220-PS_)

And an article in “Das Archiv” declared—

“It was announced that conscripted SA men and Hitler Youths can
fulfill their military conscription in the SA Regiment
_Feldherrnhalle_ whose Commander is General Field Marshall SA
Obergruppenfuehrer Goering. The Regiment for the first time was
employed as Regiment of the Luftwaffe in the occupation of the
Sudetenland under its Fuehrer and Regimental Commander SA
Gruppenfuehrer Reimann.” (_3214-PS_)

There was never any misunderstanding among SA men as to the reasons which lay behind their military training program. They were preparing for war and knew it. The purpose of the so-called “Sports Program” was announced time after time in articles in “_Der SA-Mann_.” For example, the introduction to an article entitled, “The War of Tomorrow,” which appeared in the issue of 6 July, 1937, at page 12, declared:

“By decree of the Fuehrer of 18th March, 1937, the SA Sport
Badge was declared as a means for the aggressive training of the
body, for the fostering of a military spirit, for the retaining
of military efficiency and thereby as a basis for German
military power. * * *

“* * * In the following article an attempt is made to occupy
every SA Fuehrer, who does not have the opportunity due to their
profession or many-sided SA services, with questions concerning
military policy and modern war direction, to give him an overall
view of facts, teachings, opinions and beliefs which today are
not without decisive influence upon the military policy, upon
the character of the coming war and upon the modern national
defense.”

D. _Participation of the SA in Warfare._

It would be natural in view of the above quotation, to expect the SA to have been used as a striking force in the first steps of the aggressive warfare launched by Germany, and as a basis for so-called Commando Groups. Such was the case. SA units were among the first of the Nazi military machine to invade Austria in the spring of 1938. This fact was proudly announced in an article appearing in “_Der SA-Mann_” for 19 March, 1938, at p. 10, entitled, “We were the First!” Similarly, the SA participated in the occupation of the Sudetenland (_3214-PS_). It was announced that conscripted SA men and Hitler Youths could fulfill their military conscription duty in the SA Regiment _Feldherrnhalle_, commanded by General Field Marshall SA Obergruppenfuehrer Goering. The regiment was employed for the first time as Regiment of the Luftwaffe in the occupation of the Sudetenland, under its Fuehrer and Regimental commander SA Gruppenfuehrer Reimann.

SA participation in the occupation of the Sudetenland is also shown by an affidavit of Gottlob Berger, a former officer in the SS who was assigned to the Sudeten-German Free Corps (_3036-PS_). Berger declares—

“* * * 1. In the fall of 1938 I held the rank and title of
Oberfuehrer in the SS. In mid-September I was assigned as SS
Liaison Officer with Konrad Henlein’s Sudeten German Free Corps
at their headquarters in the castle at Dondorf outside Bayreuth.
In this position I was responsible for all liaison between the
Reichsfuehrer SS Himmler and Henlein and, in particular, I was
delegated to select from the Sudeten Germans those who appeared
to be eligible for membership in the SS or VT (_Verfuegungs
Truppe_). In addition to myself, Liaison Officers stationed with
Henlein included an Obergruppenfuehrer from the NSKK, whose name
I have forgotten, and Obergruppenfuehrer Max Juettner, from the
SA. In addition, Admiral Canaris, who was head of the OKW
Abwehr, appeared at Dondorf nearly every two days and conferred
with Henlein.

“2. In the course of my official duties at Henlein’s
Headquarters I became familiar with the composition and
activities of the Free Corps. Three groups were being formed
under Henlein’s direction: One in the Eisenstein area, Bavaria,
one in the Bayreuth area; one in the Dresden area, and possibly
a fourth group in Silesia. These groups were supposedly composed
of refugees from the Sudetenland who had crossed the border into
Germany, but they actually contained Germans with previous
service in the SA and NSKK [Nazi Motor Corps] as well. These
Germans formed the skeleton of the Free Corps. On paper the Free
Corps had a strength of 40,000 men. Part of the equipment
furnished to Henlein, mostly haversacks, cooking utensils and
blankets, were supplied by the SA.” (_3036-PS_)

The adaptability of the SA to whatever purpose was required of it is demonstrated by its activities subsequent to the outbreak of the war. During the war the SA continued to carry out its military training program, but it also engaged in various other functions:

“The General of the SA, Wilhelm Schepmann, gave further orders
to increase the employment of the SA in the homeland war
territories because of the requirements of total war employment.
This was done in numerous business conferences with Fuehrers of
the SA-Divisions.

“As a result of these conferences, as well as of measures
already carried out earlier for the totalization of the war
employment, the SA now has placed 86 per cent of its main
professional Fuehrer Corps at disposal at the Front even though
the war missions of the SA have increased in the fields of
pre-military training, the SA penetration into new territorial
parts of the Reich, the air war employment, the State and
national guard etc., during war time.

“The SA as a whole has given at present an even 70% of its
nearly million members to the Wehrmacht.” (_3219-PS_)

The SA even extended its activities into Poland:

“By command of the General of the SA, the ‘SA-Unit General
Government’ was established, the command of which was taken over
by Governor-General SA Obergruppenfuehrer Dr. Frank.”
(_3216-PS_)

An affidavit of Walter Schellenberg, bureau chief in the RSHA, reads as follows:

“* * * From the beginning of 1944 on the SA also participated in
many of the functions which had previously been entrusted only
to the SS, SIPO and Army, for instance the guarding of
concentration camps, the guarding of prisoner of war camps, the
supervision over forced laborers in Germany and occupied areas.
This cooperation of the SA was planned and arranged for by high
officials in Berlin as early as the middle of 1943 * * *.”
(_3232-PS_)

E. _Special Responsibility of Goering for the SA Program._

Hermann Goering participated in the conspiracy in his capacity as an SA member and leader. In 1923, Goering became Commander of the entire SA. A few months later Goering participated in the so-called Munich Putsch. SA troops participated with him in this action.