e
PUBLISHING
The SA 1921-45:
Hitler's Stormtroopers
'h\ 2 LAP
vid Littlejohn • Illustrated by Ron Volstad
Men-at-Arms • 220
The SA 1921-45
Osprey
PUBLISHING
David Littlejohn • Illustrated by Ron Volstad
Sa- f: editor Martin Windrow
First published in (h eal Britain in 1990 by
Osprey Publishing, Finis Court, Chapel Way, IJotley,
Oxford OX2 9LP, United Kingdom,
Fin ail: i n f b@ospre y p ublisl li n g. c< >n 1
© 1990 Osprey Publishing Ltd,
Reprinted 1991, 1994 (twice), 1996, 1998, 1999,
2001
All rights reserved. Apart from any lair dealing lor the
purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as
permitted under die Copyright Designs and Patents Art,
1988. no part oJ tins publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic, electrical, chemical, mechanical,
optical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
prior permission, of the copyright owner. Enquiries should
be addressed to the Publishers.
Series Editor: MART 1 N W 1 ND ROW
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Da l a
Littlejohn, David, 11)24—
The Sturmahteihuig; Hitler’s stormtroopers
19 2 t —45. — (M e 11 - a t-arms s e ri es; 2 20).
1. Gcrmanv. Nationalsozialistische Deutsche
Ar 1 >eiter — Partci. SturmaJ>teiI ung,1921 1945
U 'Title II. Voistad, Ron III. Series
943-085
I SUN 0-85045-944-3
Acknowledgements
I he author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of:
John R. Angolia, Klaus Benseler, Josef Chari la,
A11 d 1 e\v Molio, K a r 1 () r t ma 11 n. UI ri c tA E ngla nd,
Andrew S. Walker, Stewart Wilson.
Ml: 1 he credit. 'Walker Collection* refers to the
collection of the laic Andrew Walker now in the
Imperial War Museum, London. Andrew S* Walker
(listed above) is no relation.
Artist’s Note
Readers may care to note that the original paintings
Iro 1 n whieli 111 e eoktur p 1 at.es in this book were
prepared are available for private sale. All
reproduction copyright whatsoever is retained by the
publisher. All enquiries should be addressed to:
Ronald 11. Voistad
P.O. Box 2730
Can mo re, Alberta
Canada TOL OMO
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t ii 19 i q Ad o If' Hi tier j oined 1 h e tin y German
Workers' Party (DAP) in Munich, becoming its
leader the following year and adding 'National
socialist’ to its title. Thus the NSDAP, popularly
known as the Nazi Party, was born.
All political parties had strong-arm squads to
protect their meetings from disruption by rivals,
11) e N S 1 ) AI > w as n o ex c e p t i o n, In A ug u s t i q 2 i
-naval Lieutenant Hans Ulrich Klintzsch took
mmand of the NS 1 )APL 'Defence and Propa-
< 1 a l to t) p' w 11 it :h. the f o 11 o wi n g m o n t h, w a s re -
ed the SA {Sturm able thing — Storm De Lac li¬
nt , That November the SA had its baptism of
when the Communists attempted to break up a
meeting iri the Hofbrauhaus in Munich;
ugh outnumbered, the SA gave their adver-
a bloody nose.
iq22 the NSDAP created a youth section
dbund) for males between the ages of 14 and
bears. It was sub-divided into two age groups,
elder of which, for 16 to 18-year-olds and titled
term Adolf Hitler, was in effect a junior SA. Tts
r, the Hitler Youth, remained under SA
nd until May 1932,
inallv conlined to Munich, the SA made its
important sally outside that city when, on
October 1922, it took part in a 'German Day'
rg which resulted in a pitched battle with
munists who held sway there. The 'Battle
g’ succeeded in breaking t he hold of the
t in the city, and the press coverage which
ent ac 1 1 ieved serve1 11 o 1 riake Hitler's name
10 a wider public.
t ’national' rally of the NSDAP was held
anuary 1923 when some 6,000 SA men
;vm y * :•'
..•kw.v
< i :,.y.
A;: I;,Uy
Capt. Rohm wearing first design S^afesdio/ patches; twin gold
oak leaves.
paraded before Hitler, who presented Standarien
( standards: to four recently formed SA units:
\ I s
Miinchen, Munchen II, Niirnberg and Landshut.
A 'batth 1 flag' iSturmfaline) was, at the same time,
conferred upon an SA company from Zwickau —
the first SA unit to be formed outside Bavaria,
On 1 March 1923 SA Regiment Munich was
ft jimccl. In l he same m o nth co 1 n rn a 11 d o ft he S A
passed to Hermann Goering after Klintzsch, a
3
mmi
Nuremberg, September 1923; tlic SA parade in the grey
uniform of the period, (J, R, Angolia)
member of Cap Lain Ehrhardt’s Freikorps, was
recalled by his chief following a quarrel between
Ehrhardt and Hiller over their differing reactions
L o F re 11 c h o c c u p a l i o n of t he R uhr. C»o e r i n g 1 > r o u gh 1
with him the prestige of a hero of the First World
War hut was. by nature, indolent and sell-
indulgenl. The true moving force behind the SA
was Ernst Rohm, a staff officer at Army headquar¬
ters in Munich. Ii was Rohm who persuaded the
military to supply the SA with arms, thus
transforming it into one among several Wehrver-
hande [ofiicially tolerated L armed groups 1 - witlimit
exce ption an ti- Comm u nis t).
In September 1923 Hitler succeeded in creating
a hampjbund (Fighting Union) of sonic 70,000 men,
mainly SA but also Bund Obey land (a Freiknrps unit
and Reichs-Kriegsjtagge (an armed formation unii-
mantled by Rohm). On 9 November 192 ; Hhlei
attempted to use this force to overthrow the
Munich government. The badly planned, badly
executed operation ended in humiliating defeat.
Ill e pc dice opened fi re on i he demonstrators, killing
16 and wounding many more. Hitler was arrested;
Goering, wounded, escaped to Aust ria, The SA was
banned; those of its leaders who managed to avoid
arrest fled to other (iemian states w here Bavarian
law could not touch them. Hitler was given a five-
year prison sentence but was released under an
amnesty in December 1924, Rohm, protected by
his armv masters, received nothing worse than a
4 sc:\re re re j > ri m and \
The failure of the Putsch^ far from destroying the
SA, served rather to spread it to other German
regii>n>. Refugees from Munich sen up clandestine
V\ in 1 ricr the name Fronibamt . Hitier did not
lail to draw the correc L ex me hisions iVom this
disaster. Armed insurrection against a government
wlii h co mm an els 1 1 le lo y a 11 v of the police a n d a nn y
4
is foredoomed. Henceforth he would employ only
leeal methods.
When the SA was reactivated in February 1925
Hitler categorically forbade it to bear arms or
function as any form of private army. The days of
the SA as a Wehrverband were over. Its purpose was
to clear the streets of his political enemies. Hitler's
% j c w of the SA’s r 61 e w as bo 1 1 y ex >11 tested b y R d h m,
.ho envisaged it as a citizens 1 army, part of
Germany's secret re-armament. The disagreement
«â–
between the two became so bitter that Rohm
resigned from the Party in April and in 1928 quit
Germany lor a military adviser's post in Bolivia.
The SA remained without an overall command
sis various units each being accountable to their
•a Gauleiter) until November 1926, when Hitler
imed himself Obersle SA Fuhrer ;Supreme SA
rader). The actual executive leadership was
aed in the Chief of Staff [Chefdm Staffs) Film post
en t rus Led to a p rorn in cn 1 Freikorps I eade r,
Franz Felix Pfeffer von Salomon 1 who sea about
krzanising the SA along military lines, ll was now
â– rmed into:
pm e pen [the smallest unit) Slandarten {Regiments)
\rupps (roughly platoons) Brigaden (Brigades)
Erw 1 roughly companies) Gamiurme (roughly
Divisions)
Gait sturm corresponded exactly to an NSDAP
I August 1927 die SA numbered some 30,000
1. Two years later that strength had doubled. In
Motor SA was established to give greater
ity and allow a quick mustering of strength,
pile his success in expanding the SA and
ising its efficiency, Pteller ceased to enjoy
s conlidlncc. It became apparent that
's concept of the S A differed little from that of
Hitler discovered that Pfeffer had been
v attempting to involve the Army in the
^military training of the SA. In August 1930
dismissed Pfeffer and telegraphed Rohm in
asking him to return and take charge ol the
fcolini was batik in Germany before (Ihristmas
pfficially assumed duty as Chef ties Stabes on 5
1931. He revised the structure of the SA,
â– hiding it into:
;msr Salomon sot iiuktl Jewish, he profbrrcd lobe known
Ycr or, incorrectly. [''ran/ von PibfitT.
Wilhelm Schepmaim as an Ohergruppenfuhrer, (Josef
Chari la)
Scharen : 1 he former Slandarten
Gnippen) Untergruppen (the former
Trupps Gamiurme)
Sturm e Gruppen
Stunnhanne
Under Pfeffer the highest SA formation, the
Gamturm* had been subordinate to the Parly
leadership; but the new Gruppe had no NSDAP
counterpar t as it extended o ver sevcra 1 Gaite, and its
leader {Gruppenfuhrer) was thus answerable only to
Rohm or, of course, to Hitler himself
On 17/18 October 1931 a Token mobilisation 1 of
the Nazis' forces took place in the town of
Brunswick, with around 104,000 uniformed parti¬
cipants. It was an impressive display of strength,
but ils very success alarmed the Weimar author¬
ities. In December they imposed a ban on the
wearing of all political uniforms. This proscription
remained in force until the following June, by
which lime ii had been demonstrated to have had
5
litlle practical effect. The Nazis simply adopted a
civilian uniform' of white shirt and black tie, and
carried on as before.
In July 1932 Rohm created a yet larger SA
agglomerate - the Obergruppe. of which t here were,
at this stage, five. I he SA now dominated the
streets, disrupting the meetings of its rivals, and
terrorising its opponents. Without actually chal¬
lenging the government to a head-on confronta¬
tion, 1 lit hr was able to blackmail and intimidate it
with the size and discipline of his brown-shirted
army.
On 30 January 1933, as a result of a combination
of victory at the polls and back-stairs intrigues.
Hitler was apj>0inted Chance 11â–¡ r (Priine Mi] lister)
of Germany. The burning of the Reichstag building
the following month was blamed on the Commu¬
nists and used as the pretext for pushing through an
enabling law which gave Hitler virtually dicta¬
torial powers. Goering, Minister of the Interior for
i h(M.Q c. 1937 of SA find (in black kepis) SS men. ’Note diversity
of 'uniforrat (Ulric of England)
â– ' V V
pSSIll
6
Prussia, authorised the SA to act as a polit
auxiliary and to sweep all 'enemies of the state' ini a
c o nc (‘ n t ra t i o n i :a n 1 p s.
At the Party Day oI Vietory at Nurember g tha
Sept ern b er, some 12 o, 0 00 u n i I b r m e d m e
participated.
Rohm was made a member of the Reichs cabinc
as Minister without Portfolio, The number oi SA
Obergruppen had increased to ten by January 1934
But time was running out for the SA’s mosi
celebrated Chiefof Staff. Rohm made no attempt tc
conceal his differences with Hitler over the role o:
the SA; an advocate of She second revolution’, he
wished to transform i( into an armed force tc.
supplement, even replace, the regular Army.
Hitler, on the contrary, felt that the SA had already
fulfilled its task of crushing its political opponents
a nr I now, wit 11 i is ro wd v he h a vio u r, was becomi n e
j j o
someth i ng of an em barrassmen t. He already looked
ahead to a future war of conquest lor which a fully
professional army was essential. The Army, for its
" £ â– â–
part, regarded the SA with undisguised contempt
as bn)wn sc uin , a n d was eager to cr:>-< >pcra te wIth
Hitler in expansion and re-armament.
Recklessly foolhardy, or naive to an incredible
degree, R6hm continued publicly to voice his
criticisms of his leader and to back them with
scarcely veiled threats. Matters came to a head in
the spring of 1934 when Hitler learned that Rohm
was secretly arming his Staff Guards, something he
had expressly forbidden. During June the SA was
ordered to take a month s leave. On 30June Hitler
cut down its entire leadership in a single decisive
blow. Dozens of SA men (and others; were shot
dead by SS squads working from death lists
prepared by Hitler and Goering. Rohm was
arrested and, in prison, offered the chance to shoot
himself. When he refused, he was shot through the
window of his cell he his SS miard.
if Cjl
in Rbhm’s place Hitler appointed a loyal but
colourless SA Obergruppm/uhrer^ Viktor Lutze, like
all previous incumbents of the post a former Army
officer. Lutze had to preside over the emasculation
of the SA. Or _ ! . , SS. until this time
subordinate to the SA Supreme Command, was
Vr.in 1 r(: in incm :jende:;ce. I he M« ar.>j SA was hived
off and amalga mated with its Junior partner’ the
NSKK to become a separate body. The Flu get SA
w as inv y - the German Air
' ikior Lutzcin Oslo, 1942, with officers of Quisling's Rikshird
[Norwegian counterpart of the SA). Note black collar to
p^eaicoat and long-service rings. (Josci Char it a)
k<i )ciation, the SA Fe Idjdgerko rps i n c o rp or a t c d 1 n t o
Prussian Police. The ten SA Obergruppen were
Lk hshed (although the rank 0 hergruppenfithrer was
Irtaincd), the largest SA formation now being the
jprupfie.
Despite these amputations and revisions, the
i uteri cal strength of the SA continued to grow,
â– iirtv-six new Slandarfen were created in 1935, a
ier 25 in 1936, 30 in 1937 and 42 in 1938.
chough membership was, as before, voluntary,
â– re can be little doubt that many joined out of
mortunism, since job prospects or advancement
depended on evidence of Nazi affiliation.
What now was to lie the function ol'the SA? The
lership had no dear answer. Hie most favoured
ition was that it should act as a sort of para-
itary spoils club providing both physical and
ial training although without, in the ease of the
tier, the actual use of arms, 1 hcSA might practise
ovine grenades—but onlv wooden dummies! A
ndary task was to assist in the dissemination of
:: propaganda and to lurnish—as it did
aticallv each year at Nuremberg —a physical
â– / ^
infestation of the power and authority of the
ae. The role of the SA as a preparatory school for
armed forces was established only in January
s<*3'. with the creation of the SA Wehrmannschaften.
In M ay 1943 Lutze was killed in a motor
id cut and was succeeded by Wilhelm Schep-
m. When the Volksslurm was formed in October
Schepmann was appointed its Director ol
Training, while Franz Pfeifer re-emerged
< ibseuri tv to take eomni ancl o j a l oiksslurm
Brigade on the quiet Swiss border.
Formation
Military
Equivalent
Size
Schar
Squad
8-16 men
7 rupp
Platoon
3-4 Scharen
Sturm
Company
3-4 Trupps
Slur mb arm
Battalion
3-5 Slur me
Stand art e
Regiment
3- ^ Slur nib anne
Unlergruppei
Xjt 1 ‘.1 s’T .■“j si si
Brigade
3—q Standarten
ill IgCUle
Gruppe
Division
Several
Brigaden
Obergruppe
(‘ 933 - 4 )
OSAF
Army Corps
Several Gruppen
High
Command
There were ten Obergruppen (Roman numerals 1
to X). After this configuration was abolished the
high e s t to rm a t i o n w as 111 e Grufipe . In it) 3 3 t h e re
were 21 SA Gruppen (plus one for Austria). By lhe
outbreak of war this had risen to 25 and, with die
incorporation of conquered territories, to 29.
At the OSAR (Obersle SA Fiihrung) were Main
O dices for Leadershi|), Personnel. Ed ucati on,
H ea 1 t h, Ad min is t rat. ion, W ehrsport an d ' eq ues t ri a 1 \
matters (the semi-autonomous XSRI). Below the
OSAF the Gruppen had corresponding stall depart¬
ments and were responsible for running training
schools (other than those at Reich level).
s
Ranks (as from 1939)
]S : on - c0 rn m iss itmed ra nk s
SA Sturmmann
SA Qbersturmmann
SA Rottenfuhrer
SA Scharfuhrer
SA 0 her scharfuhrer
SA Truppfuhrer
SA Qbertruppjiilmr
SA Haupt truppfuhrer
Military equivalent
Private
Private 1st Class
Lance Corporal
Corporal
Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Sergeant-Major
Rem mental
Cj
Se rgean t- Major
Subalterns
SA Slurmfuhrer
S A 0 berslurmfiihrer
SA Sturmhauptfuhrer
2nd Lieutenant
t st Lieutenant
Captain
7
Middle ranking officers
S A , Stu rm b a nnjiih rer
SA 0 b e rs t u rm b a n n -
fuhrer
S A Si a n da rienjilk rer
Senior officers
SA Oberjiihrer
S A H riga defuh rer
SA (Imppenfiihrer
SA Qbergruppenfuhrer
SA Stabs chef
Major
Lt Colonel
Colonel
No equivalent
Brigadier-General
Major-General
Lt, General
Chief of Staff
At first Hitler’s men were distinguished only by
L11 ei r’ K ampfh mde- a r cd I j rassa rd w i th a b lack
swastika on a white circle - b u t gradually a species
of uniform vvas evolvei L By 1922 111 is co 11 sisted of a
grey wind jacket worn over a white shirt with grey
breeches. Headgear was a dark blue or tan ski cap
featuring some Nazi emblem or skulLand-
crossbones (there was a wide diversity in this
regard), A metal number, to indicate the unit,
could be added to the centre of the swastika on the
brassard, and a metal star below this to denote a
squad leader.
By 1923 uniform had formalised into a field grey
tunic worn closed at the neck but with white sliiri
and black tie just visible, and field grey breeches
with either puttees or top boots, 1 he tan-coloured
ski cap had two buttons in the front below the
black/white/red national cockade. Rank was
indicated by white bands around the brassard:
Gruppenju.hrer (Squad Leader): one band
Zugfukrer (Platoon Leader): two bands
IIunder Is eh af‘sj'uh rer (Company GO): three bands
Regimenlsfuhrer (Regimental CO): lour bands
After the failure of the November 1923 Putsch the
SA was banned, although It continued as the
Frantbann, reverting to the windjacket form ofdresi
and adding to the centre of the swastika (on
brassard and flags) a black steel helmet.
When the SA was rc-activatcd in February 1925
It went into brown shirts —a job lot of surplus
German army tropical garb acquired in Austria the
previous year at a bargain price! Breeches and kepi
8
vv ere like wise brow n, al bei t o f va rio us sh ades. Ra ti
was, as previously, indicated by white ban j
a t 'o u n d th e bras sard. In No ve m ber 1926, w 1 i
collar patches were introduced for the first time, t! J
bands were replaced by one, two, three or four staj
on the left collar to Indicate rank. As the $ -
expanded, bars and oak leaves were added 1
accommodate new gradings.
A major change was the adoption in 1932 of
k h a k i t u 111 e i n resp o n se to a go vernrne n taJ d e rri a 11
that the SA L should adopt a more res pec ta IN
uniform . In 1933 shoulder straps were introducer,
and coloured side panels added to the kepi, 1
November 1933 the shade of khaki worn by the SA
j
was darkened to 'olive-brownA
Details of Uniform
Collar patches
In 1926 coloured collar patches were introduced:
on the left was the rank insignia, on the right the
unit n u 1 n era I ( s ). Stan da r ten fuh rer a n d a b o v e w ore
rank on both collars. By contrasting the colour of
the patch with that of the numeral(s) an attempt
was made to reflect the Landes far ben (State colours;
of the district—thus, units in Prussia had black
patches with while numbers, those in the Hanseatic
towns white patches with red numbers, etc. This
arrangement proved difficult to sustain, and the
colour combinations underwent a number of
changes. The final arrangement is detailed below.
in August 1929 red collar patches were brought
in lor senior SA leaders.
Members of Staff of an Obergruppe had on the
right patch the Obergruppe number in Roman
numerals. Stall of a G
had the (/
abbreviation (e.g. "Sa’ for Saxony) in Latin script.
Stall of an Untergruppe had the abbreviation in
Gothic script. Staffofa Brigade had ‘Br’followed by
lhe Brigade number (Arabic). Staff of a Standard
had the Standarte number (Arabic). Staff of a
Sturmbann had the Sturmbann number i Roman': with
an oblique stroke followed by the Standarte number
(Arabic). Members of an SA Sturm had both Sturm
and Standarte numbers in Arabic separated by an
oblique stroke.
Collar patches lor officers u ere piped in silver or
gold bullion according to ‘button colour’. Since
there were not enough primary colours to go round,
it was decreed in 19^1 that r*,. v\ (happen would
..tn 1 the same colour and be distinguished by t heir
ittons—silver or gold. During the period 1933 8
dial terns had patches piped in the twin colours of
teir Gruppe. Prior to 1939 collar patches of non-
m missioned grades were un piped, b u t there afte r
patches were piped in either yellow or white
iccording to their, by this time discontinued,
ait ton colour 7 — all buttons were now
. .minium j.
The symbols or letters worn on t he collar patches
specialised SA formations (Medical, Motor,
ijnals, etc.) are detailed in the sections relating to
liar piping
July 1932 piping around the outer edge of the
n tunic/great coat collar was introduced. Tins
in the twin colours of the Gruppe for all ranks up
' -t nnhauptfuhrer. H igher ran ks th an this had gold
Ear Patches (right side)
aj Left to right): Staff of the Reichsfiihrerschule; Staff of
Marine SA Training School; Staff of the National Sports
"100I etc.
Ioh (h) Reserve Sturm of Standarte 20; Reserve Schar of
Scandarte 9a; Flieger (Flying) SA Standarte 1
Mow v) Medical Sturm 6 of Standarte 2; Ad jutant, 1929-1932;;
Sturtri 22 of Gebirg^i-Jager Standarte 11
M ’v d) Signals Training unit; Sturm 54 of the Leibstandarte;
Scinn 13 of Standarte 16 (List)
i- . (e) Pioneer Sturm of Standarte 13; Feldherrnhalle;
7 nestrian Sturm 6 of Standarte 62
; t y 3 \\
\ |Hp £
\ IN %
Mb
Goering in grey uniform with the unique brassard of SA
Leader, September 1923*
or silver piping according to button colour. In 1938
1 w< )-co I our pi pii ig w as al >o I i .shed; all com missioned
ranks had either gold or silver piping [as button
colour).
1 he two colours listed under Piping 1 were those
worn around the collar and/or collar patch as
detailed previously.
S ta fT of Grupp en : 11 right red coll a r p a Lc 11 es w i t h
silver piping. Subalterns (until 1938): bright red
w i l h red / wh i tc pi pi n g, thereafter s i 1 ver,
Stall of the GSAF: carmine patches with silver
piping. Subalterns (until 1938): carmine with
ca mi i n e/ w h i le piping, 1 h ereaf ter sil ve t.
Stabschef: bright red collar patches with gold
piping.
The SA unit in the General Government (of
Poland) wore grey collar patches piped in white
with *GG* on right side.
Personnel, up to the rank of Qherfiikrer, on service
outside Germany during the war wore brown
9
Summary of collar patches, piping, etc., as in May 1933
Gruppe
Abbr.
Collar patch
Number
Piping
Button
colour
Rank 'bars'
Os t land
Ost.
dark wine red
w
black/white
g
silver /black
i
Westfalen
Wf.
dark wine red
w
black /white
s
silver/black
1
Niedcrrhcin
N rh.
black
w
black/white
8
silver/ black
Be din - B r a n de n b 1 \ rg
B
black
w
black/white
s
silver/black
Pom mem
P
apple green
w
black .'white
1
£
silver/black
he
-^3
r_
L
Th.
apple green
vv
red / vv Id te
s
silver/red
Wes tin ark
WM
dark brown
w
black/white
s
silver/black
Niedersachsen
Ns.
dark brown
vv
black/white
g
silver/black
Sachsen
Sa.
emerald green
w
whitc/grcen
s
silver/black
Nor dinar k
Nm .
emerald green
w
black/white
£
silver /black
1
Mine
Mi.
orange yellow
b
black/white
8
silver/black
i
Slid west
SW
orange yellow
b
black/Yellow
• j
s
black /yellow
Schlesien
S
sulphur yellow
w
black/white
s
silver/black
Franken
Fr.
sulphur yellow
b
blue/'white
g
black/blue
Hoch land
Ho.
light blue
vv
blue/white
s
silver/blue
Bavr. Ostmark
r‘
BO
light blue
vv
blue/white
g
silver/blue
Oesterreich
Oc.
steel green
w
red /white
1
s
silver/red
Nordsee
No.
si eel green
w
black/white
g
silver/black
Hansa
Ha.
navy blue
w
light blue/yellow
8
silver/light blue
1 0
1 lessen
He.
navy blue
*
w
light blue/red
s
silver/light blue
1 0
Ostmar k
One
pink
b
black/white
g
siivcr/black
Kurptalz
KP
pink
w r
black/white
1
s
silver/black
Notes
w = while b = black s = silver g — gold
In die above, under Rank ‘bars’, the first mentioned colour is that of the bar, the second that of the central
stripe. Thus silver/black = silver/black/silver. The names of the Gruppen are given in their German form:
Sachsen - Saxony, Oesterreich — Austria, etc.
cues pip eel i1 i vv hite (silver 1 or o nice rs ) .
Members of Hilfsivtrk JCordwest (a unit of
Austrian Nazi exiles in Germany) wore russet collar
patches with l NW 5 in white; the piping was red/
white.
Shoulder Straps
Introduced in 1933 and, at this stage, worn on the
right only, they were as follows:
(a) Non-commissioned grades: four strands in two
colours (as per "Piping on an underlay in Gruppe
colour,
(b) Sturmfiihrer to Stunt hauptiii/irer: four strands of
silver or gold (as button colour) 011 underlay in
Gruppe colour.
(c) Sturmfiihrer to Standarlenjukrer : three strands of
intertwined silver or gold abc) on underlay in
Gruppe colour.
10
Summary of collar patches, piping, etc,
Gruppe Abhrm
Tannenberg 1
Westfalen VV f,
Ntfcderrhcin Nrh.
Berlin -Bran d en burg B
Oder
Sudmark
Pom mem
Thiiringcn
Mittehhein
Niccler sachsen
Sachsen
Nordmark
Elbe
Neckar
Schlesien
I ran ken
Hochland
Bayern w a. Id
i*
Nordsee
Kurpialz
Hansa
Hessen
Donau
All >enland
Sudeten
Weichsd
Wart he
Oberrhein
Bdhmen-Mahren
I lollemi a - M ora v i a )
B y i <)â– j 2 a 11 c o liar pa te h n u mbc * 1 r s we re w h i te,
[ 0 b e rjiih re r 1 o 0 b erg ruppenj Hit re r\ inter w o v e n t w (>
strands of cord—one silver, one gold. Underlay:
irufipe colour,
e Stabschef { Rohm): as (d) but with six-pointed
gold metal star. Underlay: bright red.
as in 1940-5
Collar patch
Piping
dark wine red
vellow
dark wine red
white
black
yellow
j
black
white
pink
yellow
pink
white
apple green
yellow
j
apple green
white
dark brown
yellow
dark brown
white
emerald green
while
emerald green
vellow
j
orange yet low
yellow
J
orange yellow
white
sulphur yellow
white
sulphur yellow
vellow
light blue
white
light blue
vellow
steel green
yellow
steel green
white
navv blue
yellow
navv blue
white
russet brown
yell ow
russet brown
white
bluish grey
yellow
bluish grey
white
cornflower blue
while
cornflower blue
yellow
unknown
(f) Stabschej' ( 1934-9): lh rec i n terw oven gold
strands. Gold metal oak leaf cluster. L nderlay:
bright red.
On 1 J une 1939 underlay colour was changed for
all ranks to the military concept of Wajjenfarhe (a
i 1
O
Sire
Sa.
N m.
E
N
S
F r.
Ho.
BW
No.
K P .
I la.
He,
Do.
Al.
Su.
W
Wa.
Orb
SA collar ranks. Worn on the left side only by ranks up to
Standarten-fukrer, thereafter on both sides.
(i) SA Mann (after 1938; SA Sturmmann) (2) Sturmman (after
1938: (Obersturmmaii), (3) Kottcnfubrer (4) Scharfuhrer
(5) Oberscharfulirer (G)Truppfulirer (7) Obertruppfiihrer
(8) Trupphauptfuhrer (this rank, introduced in 1938, is
sometimes called Haupttruppfuhrer}
(9) Sturm fii hr er
(10) Oberslurmfuhrer
colour
(it) Sturmhauptfiibrer
Two colour piping discontinued
hi 1938, thereafter silver or gold
as button colour
( ia ) Sturmbannfuhrer (13) Obersturmbannfiihrer (14)
Standartenfiibrer (13) Oberlubrer (16) Brigadefubrer (17)
GruppenHihrer (18) Obcrgruppeniulirer
(19) Brigadefiihrer
(20) (jruppenfiiihrer
(21) Obergruppcnfubrer
Second design, 1944-45
(22} Stabs chef (Rohm) (23) Stabs chef (September 1934 to
*945) ( 2 4) Stand a rtetigeldver waiter: senior officer in SA
Finance Department, 1931-1933
colour which indicated branch of the serv
ice) a
follows:
Signals units
lemon
Equestrian units
orange
Pioneer units
black
Jtiger jtichiitzen
green
Medical units
royal blue
Marine SA
navy blue
#
T oot units 1
grey
Gruppen stalls
bright red
OSAF staff
carmine
At this stage only the underlay was changed, the
rest of the strap being unaltered except in the case of
non-com missioned grades, who now had brown/
white upon an underlay as above.
m
i
a
c
Shoulder straps
Upper row 7 : 1932—1939 JLower row: period 1939“ 1945
abc — according to button colour (or former button colour)
(a) Upper: SA Mann to Obertruppfiihrer: twin colours of SA
Gruppe piping on an underlay is same colour as collar patch.
(a) Lower: brown with small silver Vs on Waffenfarbe
underlay
(b) Upper*. Sturmfuhrer to Sturmhauptfuhrer: silver or gold
(abc) cord on underlay in collar patch colour
(b) Lowen “Silver 1 " (matt aluminium) or gold (abc) on
Waffenfatrbe underlay.
(c) Upper*. Sturmbannfiihrer to Standartenfubrer: three
strands oi silver or gold (abc) interwoven cord on underlay in
collar patch colour.
(c) Lowen As above but underlay in tVa ilcnfarbe
(d) Uppers Obcrfiihrer to op Obergruppenluhrer: two strands
(one silver, one gold) of interwoven cord on underlay in collar
patch colour.
(d) Lowen Three strands (sliver/gold/silver) on bright red
underlay.
(e) Upper. Stabschef (Rohm) as above but with gold metal star,
bright red underlay. After July 1934 the star was replaced by
an oak leaf cluster.
(e) Lower: Stabschef (Lutre/Schcpmann); gold cord, gold star,
bright red underlay.
On theouLbreak of war in September 1939 there
w a sadia nge i n 111 e s 1 y I e o I s ho u 1 d e r s t ra p s b ri n gi 11 g
them (for ollicer grades) more in line with military
practice. They were now as follows:
(a) Brown decked with silver Vs (two strands up,
two strands down).
•(b) Eight strands of silver or gold according to the
former button colour ( button colour' was discon¬
tinued in 1938),
(c) Three interwoven strands in silver or gold.
' * O
(d) Three interwoven strands—two silver, one
gold.
(e) Four interwoven gold strands and gold me La
oak leaf cluster.
12
K.-K-E
. . . .
...•.
>!-i-
i'i ..V',.;.-..
r?:. v . .,
V â– . V J. ' .11 I I II *3
y‘- â– â– â–
Headgear
[ he kepi as introduced in 1925 had one (or two)
ilver button (s) on the front, otherwise no insignia.
11 was the same for all ranks until August 1929,
hen a red side panel (piped in silver) and silver
piping around the crown was authorised for
Standartenjukrer and above.
In 1929 a cap badge was created—an eagle
holding a wreathed swastika; below it only one
button was worn.
In 1931 piping in silver or gold "according to
button colour 1 (hereafter abbreviated to abc)
around the llap and crown of the kepi was
authorised for all officers.
In March 1933 side panels in the Gruppe colour
1
were addeel to aII kepis. Piping lor con1 rnissioned
grades was now revised to:
Subalterns: two-colour piping in the Gruppe
Jours around the crown only.
Middle ran king officers: piping in silver or gold
abc 1 around the crown only.
, /
| i i i Sen Io r office rs: si I ver or gold (abc) pi pin g
around the crown with the two-colour piping of the
Gruppe around the upper edge of the flap. In
addition, silver or gold (abc) Tresse braid was
added to the upper edge of the flap below the two-
colour piping* Width varied, to, 15 or 20mm with
ascending rank* After 1934 all such braid was silver
except for (a) Stabs chef: 20mm gold 'Tresse, bright
red sick 1 panel; (b) Chiefs of Staff at Gruppe
1 1 c ad q u a r t e rs: \ 01 n n 1 wi cl c go I d 7 resse interwov e 11
with red thread, bright red side panel; (c) Section
Heads ( Ahteilungschefs) at the OSAF: 101 run gold
Tresse, carmine side panel*
In 1934 the cap badge was redesigned as a larger
version of the j)receding \sharp-wi 11 ged eaglc. In
1 936 two new versions were tried out: one, with the
eagle's head facing left, was quickly discontinued,
the other was adopted for use by both SA and
Political Leaders.
In 19 38 t wo-colou r piping was d i scon t i 11 u ed. A 11
o 11 ice r g rad e s h ad si I ve r o 1' go 1 el (abc); o n e y e a r 1 a t e r
Wartime kepi of Stab&chef Lutzc: bright red top with gold
braid* (Adrian Forman)
Kepi of a subaltern of Gruppe Pomerania: light green side
panel with black/white piping, gold button and silver 1929-34
type cap badge*
silver became standard — only the Slabs chef had
gold*
In addition to the kepi the SA had a brown forage
cap. the LagermiHze (camp cap), with a single silver
or gold (abe) button on the from and, on the left
side, a triangle in the Gruppe colour upon which was
an eagle-and-swastika badge normally woven,
but also found in metal. The badge was, at first, of
the 1929 design, later replaced by (lie 1936 type.
Officers had gold or silver (abe) piping around the
upper edge of the flap. In the Marine SA the
Lagermiltze was of the same design but in navy blue
< > r w h i t e acco r d i n g to the o r d e r 0 I'd re ss,
The 'Italian * 1 type of LagermiHze worn by the SA
Wekrm.annscha.flen is described hereafter*
In SA (rruppe Hochland (High!ands) an Ecl < k I weiss
was worn on the side of the kepi or LagermiHze ^
normally in metal but rarer cotton versions exist. At
first this was the flower head only; later a swastika
was added to the centre; finally a version with
flower head, swastika and stock was created. This
was usually worn on a e.loth rhombus in the Gruppe
colour.
Cap ba dges were a 1 w a y s 'si I ver : w h i te m e t a I or
aluminium) and did not correspond to button
colour 1 . Bullion versions for officers existed, but
were rarer
Belt Buckles
Be 1 fo r e 19 3 3 s e v e r a 1 u 11a u l ho r i sed d es i g ns o 1 ' b u c k I c s
were produced and worn. Even after the institution
oi an official design — rectangular, with an eagle
and wreathed swastika upon a circle whose Lower
hall is oak leaves — minor variations were common.
In April 1934 a two-claw buckle was authorised
lor wearing with the tunic. A brocade belt with a
round buckle for senior officers was created in j r)3H;
it features the SA monogram on the chest of a
closed-wing eagle with, at the base, an oak leaf
wreath and, at the Lop, Uriser Fiihrer , wiser Clauhe
('Our Leader: our Faille).
A'..: I?*?':* :
*
â–
: ;• •- ; ;
vftiy
.. .... ... â–
,■: ; : : ■= ‘
:
Belt buckle; there are several variants, some with a ^mobile*
swastika* (Karl Ortmann)
Cuff Titles
Certain SA Standurlen were permitted to wear, on
the lower left arm 13111m above the cuff, a 30mm-
wide black band bearing the name of a fallen SA
O
man. Over 50 such cull titles exist, most to little-
known individuals; only a few names. e.t>\ Horsl
/ • Cj
7 odt an d l 7 k l0 r L u tz e (a w a id e d a 11 e r
his death to Siandarle 99), arc generally familiar.
1 he type of lettering can be Gothic, senii-Golhic or
Stiller tin (German hand-writing script) the las!
being the rarer, possibly earlier, form*
In addition to personal names there were also a
few commemorative titles of great distinction. Pre¬
eminent among these is Stosstrupp Adolf Hitler ,
awarded U> veterans of the Fiihrer' s original
bodyguard. Almost equally illustrious were SA-
Regiment Milne ken iQmp and Der Kommandeur SA -
R eg it run l Mtin ch m igs 9.
1 4
Adjutants* Insignia
At first SA adjutants wore a ‘wolf-hook' (hooked
b a r in si 1 ve r hulli on or metal on both col I ars—on
carmine pal dies for adjutants to the Stabs chef] on
bright red tor other OSAF adjutants. A gold wolf-
hook was worn only by Hitler's adjutants.
In 19331he eustomary way ofindicatirig 111e r61 e
of adjutant — an aiguillettc (looped ornamental
cord worn from the right shoulder) replaced the
wo If-ho ok collar device. Adjutants now wore
normal rank insignia on the collar. Status was
indicated by diflerent colon red aiguillcites:
Gold silk: Hitler's adjutant
(1 old cord: S A Slabs chef adj u t an t
Silver cord: other OSAF adjutants
S c a r 1 e t / go Id: Gruppen a d j u 1: an ts ([ 9 3 3 8}
Brown /si 1 ver: Gruppen ad j u tan ts (1939 4 3)
Adju t a n t s o 11 th e S t a f f o f' a B rigade , S tan da rie or
Sturmbann wore aiguillettes in the intertwined
colours of their Gruppe, c.g. red /white for Thuringia
and Austria; white/green for Saxony, etc.
f 2 mm ring
9
Veteran Service Chevrons and Stripes
In February 1934 all SA personnel who had
enlisted prior to 1 Jan nary 1933 were granted a gold
chevron with two red stripes down the centre to be
worn on the left upper arm; but in September of the
same year this was discontinued and replaced by a
scheme of rings worn around each cuff to indicate
the actual year of joining. The rings, in silver-grey
aluminium wire, were of two widths, 4mm and
12m m, a 1 icl s c rvi ce w as i nd i c a ted thus:
Year
192 b
1927 2 —
1928 1 2
1929 1 1
193° t —
193 1 — 2
1932 (to 30/1/33) - 1
1 he above was unique to the SA; other
uniformed formations continued to employ the
chevron as the symbol of an 'old fighter 5 . The rings
were worn round the cuff of all SA uniforms,
i n cl u ding th e great c o a t.
4mm ring
2
1
Daggers
The SA dagger, introduced on 13 December 1933,
On a less lofty plane were those which mereh
iiratecl function or membership of a particular
formation, c.g. Ehrensturm ('Honour Company',
/. hslandarle ('Bodyguard ’—worn by SA Rrigade
83 of (kuppe Hochland) or Slurmbannz.b. V. USturmbann
1 or special duty') followed by, for example, VjWj
No. 5 Westphalia). Members of the OSAF had a
armine cuff title with Oherste SA-Fuhnmg,
' V dagger with standard 4 All for Germany’ motto, (Andrew
Motto) '
SA Sturmffihrer with SA dagger with first type suspension,
l 933 * (J‘ R * Angolia}
is sometimes referred to as the : lloibein dagger on
account of its resemblance to a 1fith-century Swiss
dagger as shown in a painting by Hans Holbein. Its
p re sen t a tio n, o n co mp 1 e t i o n o f p ro b a tio r i a r y
service, indicated acceptance as a full SA member.
The blade was normally inscribed A lies fur
Deutschland, but those who had joined before 31
December 1931 received daggers inscribed In
herzlicher Freundschafi (Tn heart-felt friendship")
Ernst Rohm. Some 125,960 daggers so in scribed were
issued. After Rohm s murder all were either
withdrawn or had their inscriptions erased.
A rather more ornate version for senior officers
was created in 1935, with oak leaf ornamentation
on the cross-guard and pommel, gilt (instead of
silver) sheath and hilt fittings, and an oak leal’
c 1 us t e r a b o v e a n d b e 1 ow t h e w<) rd i n g o 111 h e b 1 ad t 1 .
Its overall length is 37mm, A second version, 42 mm
16
1 o ng, w as d ev i s e d i n 19 3 7. T his h an gs 1 f om a d
chain suspension of links alternately marked wi
swastika and the SA monogram.
Dasrsrers carried bv the Marine SA had
wooden grips and sheaths (all others were brov.
their metal parts being gill (all others silver), I
versions, a metal SA monogram is inset at the to
the hilt and a metal eagle-and-swastika
versions as per first and second design cap badj
inset in the middle of the liilL Pommels and cr
g u ard s were freq u c nil y i nd ivid uall y nu m be ret
lettered.
Privately presented daggers often had t
blades inscribed with a suitable dedication. On
occasion of his 47 th birthday (28 December 19
% *
High Leaders dagger (1937) with double chain suspensi
( c Old Brigade *)
rdr
â– ' > : :
:„Hv ;
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Hi sit Leaders dagger as worn by Lutze?. (J. Charita)
Lutze was presented with a specially designed
dagger by officers of the Feldhermhalle. (Later,
daggers of the same pattern were awarded to a
number of high FHH leaders.) On his 50th
birt 1 1 c 1 ay Lutze was given an ho 11 our v<:ision oi lts
dagger by the Army, a unique feature of which was
iis elaborate hanger with the YVchrmacht eagle
mbroidered upon a scarlet cloth shield.
Flags and Banners
I he Party flag was a black swastika in a white circle
on a red field, thus combining the old Imperial
lours. (The national colours under the Weimar
Republic, as today, were black, red and gold.)
The first SA Slandarten (banners) were presented
four SA Regiments on 28 January 1923,
' -mewhat reminiscent of the ancient Roman
military banner, these took the form of a pole
surmounted by a flying eagle holding a wreathed
> v\ as t i ka, be I o w w hi cli vv as m on n ted a recta n gu I a r
box’ with, on the front, ‘NSDAP', and, on the
â– verse, a place name (in September 1933 this was
versed: place name on the front, "NSDAP on the
rear). From this "box’ was suspended a red banner
ith a black swastika placed ‘square’ on a white
ci re I e and die mo 11 c > Deutschland Erwache ( L Ge r m a ny
Ii lilhrir iih.)lie dagger. (Andrew Mollo)
17
The flag of a recently formed Standarte is ‘consecrjitcd’ by contact with the ‘Slvud Flaij; 5 , 1931*
SA Standard-bearer’s gorget*
Awaken"}; the inscription on the reverse was Nat.
> r.z. Deutsche A r better par lei Sturmahleil ung. Th e
banner had a red/white/black fringe*
In Nazi usage Standarie meant both a banner and
a regiment, thus when an SA unit achieved roughly
regimental proportions ii was awarded a banner
h ich, i n a pseud o-rel i gious eeremony* was
'coust c rated 1 by cont act with the THond F kig — the
flag carried du ring the abortive Putsch of N ovem her
:u >3 and stained with the blood of its fallen bearer,
A Sturmfahne (the Hag of a Sturm) was red with a
lark swastika (often placed 'square") on a white
ircle. In the upper left corner was a Faknenspieget, a
rectangle in die Gruppe colour with the unit
numeral (s). This was originally outlined in the twin
colours of the Gruppe (as per the collar piping; but
later tills was changed to silver or gold (abe).
A single Sturm fahne could be used for several
Slur me (including Reserve ones), thus a number of
such rectangles could appear (one above the other)*
In addition, the name of a fallen comrade could be
woven into the fabric of the Hag on a level with the
Fahnenspiegd and to the right of it. Later this
practice was dropped in favour of a streamer with
the man’s name attached to the flag-pole*
Vddilional names of fallen comrades from the same
unit could be added to the flag-pole in the form of
silver ri n gs, i y m m w id e, at t a t hed b e 1 ow t11 e lev e 1 o I
the flag and bearing rank, forename and surname
in Gothic lettering. If the fallen man had been a
standard-bearer the ring was gold*
The banner of a Motor or Equestrian Standarie
differed in that it hung from a wooden bar at right
angles to the flag-pole and was without the
NSDAP/place-name ‘box, Instead the unit desig¬
nation appeared on the Fahnenspiegd.
Standard-bearers wore a metal gorget upon
which was a 'star' with, in the centre, a facsimile of
the centrepiece of the SA belt buckle (variants
exist). The SA did not follow the military practice of
having a standard-bearer’s arm badge, although,
pre-1933, unofficial arm badges were, on occasions,
worn.
Command flags in the shape of rigid pennants on
flag-poles were carried as unit ‘markers’ at large
parades or, in slightly smaller versions, flown from
the left-hand bumper of staff ears. These were
square for a Stabs chef (lour consecutive designs)
and senior leaders at the OSAF, Gruppe and
Standarie level; triangular tor Untergruppe j Brigade and
Sin rm h arm c o m in a n c 1 e rs.
(i) Flieger (Flying) SA
In i 930 the SA established a flying branch; one year
later the 8S (still under SA command) did the same.
As a sort of semi-civilian counterpart, the NSFK
(National Socialist Flying Corps) was set up in
1932, but unlike the Flieger SA/SS, it was not
regarded as a Party organisation.
Each SA Gruppe had its Flieger stajfel (flying
squ ad mi 1) su b-di vided in to Fliegersturme and
Flieger trupps* Each Fliegersiurm embodied at least
one Lehrtrupp (flying training flight).
Members of the Flieger SA wore standard SA
uniform with a winged propeller on the right collar
patch in silver or gold (a be). A combined SA/SS
pilot’s badge w as devised incorporating the SA and
SS monograms on silver 'wings with an eagle-and-
swastika in the centre. Later a more apposite (and
less odd) badge replaced this. It features a silver
wire circle with black dots (representing a propeller
boss) with, In the centre, a black swastika, on either
Combined SA/SS pilot’s badge* (Andrew Walker}
side silver bullion wings, the whole on a khaki
hackground. J h e badge 1 br other aircr e w r n enibers
h the same except that the central circle is red with
white dots.
in September 1933 the Flieger SA was absorbed
into the German Air Sport Association (DLV).
Former Flieger SA/SS members could wear on the
upper right arm of their DLV uniform a combined
SA/SS monogram within a circle—both in silver
bullion (gold for senior officers).
around the collar patch, this was royal blue/white*
The gold metal anchor on the right patch was, after
19^9? discontinued.
A single-breasted navy blue tunic was intro-
d need in r 934 on which (as on other forms of dress)
silver long-service rings might be worn—these
should not be mistaken for rank insignia which, in
1 l ie Marine SA, was exactly the same as in the rest of
the service.
A white moleskin smock with trousers was worn
(2) Marine SA
in 1930 the SA formed Mannestiinne (Naval
companies), but it was not until 1934 that these
became a separate entity.
Originally the Marine si Ur me wore the same colour
of collar patch, shoulder strap, buttons, etc., as their
parent Cruppe, but were distinguished bv:
( a ) Navy blue peaked cap in place of a kepi.
(1)) X avy b I u e. i n j) I ace of 1 >rovvn, brceches.
{ 1 j A 1 ou 1 ed a nchor i n si 1 ve 1 or go 1 d : a be) on r igh t
collar patch.
With the creation of the Marine SA in 1934 all
c o liar p a t c h es bee a m e j 1 a v y I ) l u e, all r ank insignia,
buttons, etc., gilt. Shoulder straps for ratings were
navy blue/while, those lor officers gilt, the underlay
lbr bo ill 1 )cing navy bI ue. Tn 1939 shou Ider straps of
Marine SA ratings were, as in the rest of the SA,
brown flecked with silver Vs (on a navy blue
underlay).
During the time that two-colour piping was
worn around the collar and (for subalterns) also
Ami badge worn by iormer SA/SS men incorporated into
as working dress by ratings. This was w ithout collar
patches, rank being indicated by a scheme of red
Tars’, chevrons, and stars.
1 lie working headgear for ratings was either the
normal SA Lagermutze in navy blue (white for
20
summer) or the traditional German sailor’s flat cap
- iill a tally in cornflower blue on which appeared
die unit designation in silver lettering (after 1938,
Id lettering), I11 warm weather a white top could
be worn with tills or with the peaked cap.
Swallows' nests' for Marine SA musicians were
Uuvy blue with gold 'bars'.
I here were several variants of the cap badge,
D . ring 1930-7 it was the first design eagle-and-
psastika in silver within a gilt oak leaf wreath —
d re are at least four variants of the wreath. After
1937 the gilt wreath (at least two variants)
it â– >rpo rated the SA monogram; above the wreath
lias the second design eagle-and-swastika in gilt
metal.
Ill ere were several trade badges—a red cog-
v heel for technicians, a red blitz for telegraphists
later changed to silver or gold according to level of
skill g crossed red and while signal Hags for
signallers, etc. As in the German Navy, an Officer of
ihc Watch clipped a gold metal badge, in the form
1 fa fouled anchor within an oval wreath of oak
leaves, to his left upper pocket while on duty.
The Marine SA was not restricted to Germany's
-ea coast; lakes and rivers often provided an
opportunity to Hearn the ropes’. Marine. SA units
were also formed on board ocean-going German
merchant vessels—the unit commander was not
necessarily the ship’s captain, or even one of its
â–ºdicers.
St aff, both commissioned and Petty Officers, at a
Marine SA sports school wore a double-breasted
Marine SA officer’s cap badge, final design, (Ulric o( England)
y=$
• 1 â–
Up I
Spp
y.;4 â–
xi s j •
:• • • •: :■•! !• â– â–
t". "11 ••. ■•
, Hi 1 a â– . j j. v /â– ...â– â– ! ;
.y.% .•!.<
Marine SA with first design cap badge. (Ulric of England)
jacket in the style of a kriegsmarine officer with, on
1 he right cuff, the equivalent of the rating’s cap
tally, i.e. the place-name in white upon a
cornflower blue band.
(3) Motor SA
Molortrupps and Motorstimne were created within
the SA in April 1930, although it was not until the
following year that the term Motor SA came into
use.Just as theNSFK was ei 1 visaged as a n<>n-Jbirty
back-up to the Flieger SA, so the NSKK Soz*
Kraftfaiirkorps) was conceived as a civilian auxiliary
to the Motor SA,
The fol I owin g diflerences from normal
uniform characterised the Motor SA:
(a) An M on the right collar patch,
fb: Black for navv blue) breeches.
(c) A driver's badge on the left cuff.
This last, introduced in 1931, was a driving wheel
Members of an SA Motor^turm (possibly of Gruppe
Franconia), early 1933* (Ulric of England)
upon which was an eagle-and-swastika, all on a
black rhombus*
The placing of the M on the collar indicated
whether the wearer belonged to:
(i) Molorstandarte: an M and single large numeral,
vvor ri bv ineinbei s of Si ail.
wf
(ii) Motor sturm within anon-motorised Standarte : an
M and numeral in front of the oblique stroke,
(iii} Motorsturm vvithin a A f oldrstandarte : ai \ M a 11er
the oblique stroke (he. in front of the Standarte
num her)*
On 23 August 1934 the Molar SA was amalga¬
mated with the NSKK. which was now raised to the
s ta l us o! an i n d ependen t par iy lormation.
(4) Nachrichten (Signals) SA
The first Signals units of the SA were formed in
O
1930, Every Standarte was required to have one.
1 1 raining inc 1 uded the use ol' sigi\al lamps, mo r se
e (:> d e, w i re less tel e g ra p h y, a n d m e ss e n ge r - d og
handling.
At first: members of Signals units wore, on the
right collar patch, Aa' i Naehrichleri) , but in 1933
this was replaced by a blitz (lightning flash) in the
b u 11 on colo u r. Aft e r the i n trod notion < >J Wajjenjarbe
the blitz was discontinued and membership of a
Signals unit was indicated by lemon yellow
underlay to the shoulder straps.
As from 1933 holders of a Signaller's Oenilicate
wore on the left cuff a red blitz on a brown oval, but
in September 1939 the blitz was altered to silver or
gold according to whether t he man held one, or all
t h ree q ua I i flca tion oer tifioa uts — {i; VV i r eless, (ii)
Tel egraphy, (i i 1} Messen gei -d og handling. 1 he
German army and police still employed A ieldehunde
(messe 11 ge 1 -d ogs). T hosc of the S A 1 1 a< I yello w d og-
jaekets with the SA monogram on either side.
A Signals Officer on the Staff ol'a Gruppe wore a
itz at a 45-degree angle on his right collar patch,
of the National Signals Training School had a
white-outlined black blitz on a carmine right collar
patch (also placed at a 45-degrcc angle).
1 J 11L
(5) Plainer (Pioneer) SA
Among the several specialist units formed in 1930
was a Pioneer (or Engineer) branch* Its members
were, initially, distinguished by Ti (Pionier 1 on
their right collar patches, but in 1933 this was
replaced by a crossed pick and shovel in the button
colour- With the introduction of Wqffenfarbe this
was discontinued and replaced by a black underlay
to the shoulder straps.
Every Standarle had at least one Pimierslurm, and
â– h ere were even en ti re Pionier standarle (Pio n cer
Regiments).
Holders of a Pioneer's Certificate wore a silver
pick and shovel device on a dark brown ova! on the
left cuff In March 1939 a gold class was added.
An interesting, and unique, award to a Pioneer
unit was the cuff title emsland awarded to
Pionier standarle 1 o of Gruppe .A iordsee in recognition ol
is outstanding contribution to the land reclam¬
ation scheme in that region. Emsland (around the
River Ems) is close to the border with Holland, arid
the German government copied the Dutch
xamplc and sponsored an enterprise to convert the
marshes into (arming land.
6) Reiter (Equestrian) SA
The year 1 930 also saw the setting up of equestrian
units of the SA based on riding clubs, or in
agricultural communities where riders provided
their own mounts. After 1933 the Reiter SA was
greatly expanded. It no longer relied on private
horse ownership; every Gruppe was required to set
up its own riding facilities.
Members of the Reiter SA wore, on the right
collar patch, gold or silver (abc) crossed lances.
Staff of the Reiifuhrerschule (Equestrian Leaders
School) in Berlin had gold crossed lances set at a 45-
degree angle on a black collar patch. With the
introduction of Wajfenfarbe the lances badge was
discontinued and replaced by a bright yellow
underlay to the shoulder straps.
In March 1936 a National-Socialist Riding
Corps (NSRL) was set up, theoretically separate
from the Reiter SA; though its National Leader
Reicksimpeklor) SA 0 hergruppenfiihrer L i t z mann was
directly subordinate to the SA Chief of Stalf. It may
have been that the NSRL was intended to be for
those who, for reasons of age or occupation, were
ineligible for full SA membership. Certainly the
NSRL remains a somewhat shadowy organisation
with no (known) insignia of its own.
(7) Reserve SA
Althc >u gh in semi-official existence for some two
ears previously, a Reserve SA was not formally set
up until March 1929. It was for men over 40 years of
age, or men precluded from full active membership
by the nature of their employment. Reserve duties
involved some three hours’ attendance per week
plus a fortnightly exercise.
Prior to 1933 the Reserve amounted to only
around 20 per cent of the SA's total manpower, but
after Hitler’s accession its size and composition
altered dramatically. In November 1933 it was
divided into:
S A R es e rv c l (SAR T ]: m e n b e tw e e n 35 a n d 45
vears.
SA Reserve II (SAR II): men over 45.
These two reserves absorbed die bulk of older
members of the two principal war veterans
leagues—Steel Helmet and the Kyffhauserhund.
Members of these organisations under 35 were
transferred to the active SA—a transfer in theory
voluntary, but since refusal might be construed as
unpatriotic, it was seldom resisted.
Following the 'Blood Purge 1 of June 1934 the
structure of the Reserve was again changed. The
SA was by now so vast and its services so little in
y
demand drat it was deemed expedient to remove
even some of its younger element to the Reserve.
The new structure comprised:
Active Reserve I: men between 18 and 35.
Active Reserve II: men between 35 and 45.
Inactive Reserve: men over 45.
In practice these age demarcations were not strictly
adhered to, certainly not for officers.
When SAR I was formed its ex-Steel Helmet
members continued to wear their former uniform
with the addition of an SA kepi, brassard and collar
patches. On the right collar they had a metal 'R‘
and unit numeral. A chain-stitch T< appeared on
the collar patch of all Active Reserve units. If
placed before the Sturm number this indicated a
Reserve Sturm of an active Standarle, 1 f placed before
the Standarle number, ii indicated that the entire
unit was Reserve.
I) u 1 i ] 1 g t li e e xistei 1 c e of S A R II (N o vcm be r 19 3 3
to August 1934) members wore the SA brassard
with grey edges. Staff of the Departmental Chief of
SAR II wore grey collar patches with, on the right,
T)IT (Oberlandesfuhrer) in white.
In March 1937 there was a modification to the
type ol’ R' worn by Active Reserves I and IT.
I a ry e r fo rni a t i o 11 s St ii rme , Stu rm b a n n e ., Slanda rt en)
23
had a Roman script L R', smaller ones [Settamt,
Trufips ) an ang 11 1 ar Lype o 1 ' R ),
Ac uve R cscrye T ibrmations cou I d be as 1 arge as
Brigade strength (and had "R.Brf on the right
e o 11 a r). A rtive R e se r v e I i w e re on] y u p Ue Stan da rl e
1 evel (witli an £ R 1 before the Standarte numI>er) .In
both eases the collar patch was in the Gruppe colour.
1 nac live Reserve membe rsh i p was indicated, not
by an L R\ but by silver-grey collar patches,
shoulder strap underlay and kepi side panel.
(8) Sanitats (Medical) SA
With violence frequently accompanying SA meet¬
ings, it was, from the very beginning, essential to
have medically qualilied persons on hand. Until
1932 s u ch inch v i d u als wc re i d e n ti I led b y either a 1 \
arm band or, more usually* a gornm circular cloth
badge worn above, or in place of, the brassard.
Doctors had a red cross on white; those with first-
aid or ambulance experience had a white cross on
red.
In October 1932 violet coloured collar patches
were introduced for medically qualified personnel.
Doctors with the rank of Standartenfuhrer and above
wore an Aesculapius staff (a snake around a stick)
on both collars; 0II1cers be 1 ow this rank on the rig 111
collar only. The same applied to pharmacists
except that their emblem was an A' (Apotkeker),
When coloured panels were added to the kepi die
medical colour was, as above, violet, as was the
underlay to medical shoulder straps. Late in 1933
collar patch emblems were discontinued. In their
place badges were worn on the left lower arm with
the lb 11 ow i ng sy m hols:
(a)
Doctors: an Aesculapius sta
: b) 1 3 h armacisis: a Gothic L A 1 (in sum e cases Lat in
L \ v\
J l i
(c) Dentists: a Gothic *Z' {palmar.zt ),
(d) Veterinary surgeons: a snake (without the
staff).
All the above were gold wire (more rarely, gill
metal) upon a violet oval piped in gold. Medical
orderlies wore, as before* a white cross on a red
circle on the upper left arm.
In 1934 there was a further change—a reversion
to collar patch emblems, but this time placed
behind both collar patches (which vvei e \\< >w n the
Grufipe colour). The symbol ism was as ah' a v • \ < 4 c
that the £ A’ and the L Z’ were Ladn script. The
eolo u r ofthc em 1 > 1 ems correspo ruled to the buttu t
colour and they were normally metal, lev
If eq uently bu I lion. Semi-q u alifiecl doctors and
denlists (students in their final year) wore 011 the lei
cull a 40mm brown circle with, in white cotton,
respectively an Aesculapius stall and a Gothic L
In November 1937 there was yet another
alteration. The Nazis had bv now decided that
their medical symbol should henceforth be the so-
called life runek Medical speciality was, as before,
indicated by a badge worn on the lower left arm.
Since all medical personnel had the'life rune 1 , their
particular skill was indicated by the shape of the
backgro u n cl as foliows:
(a) Doctors: oval.
( b) D c n t i s ts: rec t a n g u 1 ar.
(c) Veterinary surgeons: a triangle pointing
downwards.
(d) Pharmacists: a triangle pointing upwards.
All the above were in silver bullion on -brown.
Medical orderlies had a red life rune on a khaki
oval, also a metal 'life rune' in the button colour on
the right collar patch. On the march, orderlies wore
a w h i t e b r a ss a r d w i t h a re dll fe rune', cl oc t o is t h e
same but with red edges top and bottom.
With the introduction of Waffenjarbe, the
underlay of medical branch shoulder straps
became royal blue.
Staff and students at the National Medical
School at Tubingen wore, on both collars, a
carmine patch with a white-outlined black 'life
rune'; officers had this patch piped in gold.
Other Specialist
(1) Musikeinheiten (Music Units)
Every Standarte had its marching band {Mimkzug),
every Sturmbann its fife-and-dnim corps
(Spielmannzug).
Following long-established practice, bandsmen
wore a i b rm of ’ sho u Id er orn am en t a t ion k no wn as
"swallows’ nests’ Schwalbennester), These were in
the colour of the Gruppe with silver or gold (abc)
vertical braid "bars’. Ostland was an exception,
v 1 ill black TasT. m a pink background. Initially all
membt i ofa 4/ â– k had a short hinge at the end
■f’their -walk>ws' nests, but this was altered in 1933
A
1: Gruppenfukrer, 1928
2 ; Scharfiihrer, Untergruppe Hamburg, 1932
3: Oberscharfiihrer, Gruppe Nordmark, 1933
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1; Sturmfuhrer, Motor SA, Gr. Mnken, 1933
2: SA-Spielmaim, Gr. Hansa, 1934
3: Standartenfuhrer (medical), Gr. Westmark,
evening dress
1
1; Obergruppenfuhrer, SA Gruppe Staff, 1939
2: Obersturmbannfiihrer, OS AF, summer uniform
3: Haupttruppfiihrer, Gr* Sudmark, 1940
G
1: Hauptsturmfiihrer, Wehrmaimschaft, Gr* Nordsee, 1942
2: SA-Mami, Wehrmaimschaft, Gr. Niederrhein, 1944
3: SA-Mann, Wfehrmannschaft, Styria, 1945
H
a nd l h ereafte r on I y t lie d ru m m ajo r of a M usikrug or
Spielmannzug had a fringe (rather longer than
before—about 7mm), The bandmaster, or conduc¬
tor (Musikzugfuhrer) did not wear swallows 5 nests,
nor did any officer whose function was that of
director of music. Swallows' nests were detachable,
being clipped to the end of the shoulder by metal
hooks and were worn only during music-making.
In addition to their swallows' nests, SA musicians
were, in 1931, granted a collar device—a Greek
Ivre. Between 1931 and 1933 musicians' collar
patches were piped in the twin colours of their
fiuppe (a practice normally restricted to sub¬
alterns). No rank insignia were worn by non-
< im missioned grades during tliis period; in its place
a large metal lyre (in the button colour: was
displayed on the left collar and the unit number on
die right. The Mudkzugfiihrer wore the three stars of
a Sturmfuhrer (and also a small lyre). After 1933
musicians wore the lyre on the right with standard
rank insignia on the left.
n
No size for a Musikzug was laid down; a
spielmannzug usually comprised about 2 \, men.
.:_vX£v:j
2) Jager and Schiitzen Units
Jdger
1 he word Jager in (ferman means both a huntsman
md a light infantryman. It is appropriate that this
should be so, since the light infantry component of
the German and Austrian armies was traditionally
drawn from professional huntsmen and foresters.
The SA sought to maintain the Jdger tradition in
t} 1 ose parts of Cier 1 n a 11 y and Aus L ri a from w hieh 111 e
former Jdger-Regimen ten had been drawn. I he
traditional Jdger green was used for the l J' which
appeared on the right collar patch, its shade
contrasting with the Gruppe colour of the patch-
light green on dark patc hes, dark green on light
ones.
In May 1915 Mountain Light Infantry Regi¬
ments [Gebirgsjdger-Regimenten) had been created as
pan of the German Alpine Corps. I his tradition,
mo, was carried over by the SA for units raised in
-
the mountainous regions ol soul hern Germany and
Austria. Their right collar patch had a green L GJ
as above in contrasting shades). Some SA
(r t h irgsjdg e r-St a n da r ten in A u s t r i a wo re lor a ti m e a n
Ldelweiss (head and stock) on their right collar
natch before this was replaced by the L GJ' patch.
SA bandsmen, C.1931
Sdmtzen
A Rifle (or Sharpshooters) Battalion [Schiitgen-
Bataillon ) sometimes formed the third battalion of a
German infantry regiment, often functioning in a
semi-independent capacity. Again, this tradition
was adopted by the SA. On their right collar patch
SA Schutzen-Standarten had an ’S' in a shade of green,
as before contrasting with the Gruppe colour. I he
SA also raised Gehirgsschulzen-Standarlen (Mountain
Rifle Regiments) in an attempt to combine the
skills of alpinism and marksmanship. These units
had L GS' on the right collar—again in a shade of
green which contrasted with the Gruppe colour.
With the introduction of Waffmjarbe the shoulder
strap underlay tor all the above was changed to
green and, a little later, the green lettering on the
collar patch was altered to white. These 'mountain'
formations of the SA had the right to wear an
Edelweiss on the left side of their caps.
Ski-in g i n si rue lion fort n cd part of l he rn ou n tai n
training, and the SA had its own 'mountain tunic
(Bergrock) for this and rock-climbing. It: was
generally similar to the normal tunic except that
Badge warn on left upper arm, in place of brassard, by senior
SA leaders during the war: gold wire on carmine backing. (J* R.
Angolia)
the lower pockets were concealed (only the flaps
showing : and the culls were elasticated to fit closely
to l hc vv r ist, a I i owi n g gloves lobe w or n <) v er them.
I’he trousers worn with the Bergrock were tapered
a n cl c i o sc-1 i t ti n g a 11 h e a n kies, vv here the y 1 a c ed u j 3
so that heavv climbing boots could be secured over
them.
Originally some J tiger collar patches featured a
hunting horn, but this practice was lorbidden by an
o rd c rof A u g u s t \ 9 3 4 vv Inch slat ed t h at the use of a
la 2d horn as a collar device was 'unauthorised 1 and
o
that it had to be rep 1 acecI I y y a L J'.
As in the rest of the SA, no unit was actually
armed. For training purposes small-bore rifles
(us u a 11 y I 'rom existing gun cl u I is} were I lurrovv ed.
(3) Leibstandarte
In Munich an SA unit known as the Ltibsiandarte
(Bodyguard; was stationed. It was not for Hitler's
personal protection (that was the exclusive pre-
ro £>’a t i v e n f t h e S S, but a c e re rno ni a 1 fo r m a t io n
possibly intended to carry the tradition of the
former Royal Bavarian Bodyguard Regiment once
quartered in that city. On their right collar,
members wore a script X on the light blue patch of
G rupp e 11 ochla n d.
German custom, the regiment was better known bv
the name of its comm and e r, t h us i t w as po pul arl v
referred to as Infantry Regiment List. Although a
Bavarian regiment, its 4 tradition" was awarded to
Sla n da rte 16 o f ’ Gruppe Berlin - B ran dm h u rg . M e m her s
of this unit wore a block type X 1 in while on the
b I ac k c ol I ar patch of their Grupp e .
{5) Finance Department* 1931^3
No one in the SA, apart from a lew senior officers,
was paid, but that is not to say that the SA was
nconcerned with financial matters. A Financial
Administrative Branch {Geldverwaltung) was estab¬
lished in 1931 with special collar devices for its
members. Ranks were:
(i) Gruppengeldverwalter: a silver laurel leaf on a red
patch on both collars, piped in silver.
(ii) Untergruppengeldverwalter: silver or gilt (abc)
laurel leaf on left, Untergruppe abbreviation on right
coll a r, p i p e d i 1i g o I d o r si I v e r (a b c).
(iii) Standardengeldv e rw a her: fou r sil v e r 1 h re e - p oi n t e d
s t a rs o n 1 e ft si d e, o n ri gl 11 Stan da rt e n u m e r a I. C o 1 1 ar
patches in Gruppe colour, piped in silver.
(iv) Sturmbanngeldverwalter. three silver three-
pointed stars on left collar, on right Sturmbannj
Slandarte numerals. Collar patches in Gruppe colour,
piped in twin colours oi Gruppe.
(v) Sturmgeldvemâ– alter : two silver three-pointed stars
on left, on right SturmjStandarte numerals. Unpiped
patches in Gruppe colour.
(4} Standarte List
During the First World War Hitler served in the
1 (i tli : Reserve ) T nfantry Regimen L Foilo w i ng
34
(6) Administrative Officials
In May 1933 the above collar devices were
.Cv-Xv
^ tjj-X
ftig'
fA
pyi
Instructors at the SA Spurt School at Hamm wearing the
special (Jhungsa.nzug uniform. (J. R. Angolia)
discontinued and the Finance Department was
absorbed into a broader general Administrative
Branch. New ranks such as Oberverwallungsfuhrer
and Slabsrechnungsfilhrer were dreamt up, but
quickly jettisoned in favour of the more logical use
of existing SA ranks prefixed by Verwaltungs
\dministrative), thus an SA Obertruppjuhrer in this
branch became an SA Verwallungsohertruppjukrer.
Commissioned grades wore silver shoulder straps
n a light blue underlay, non-commissioned ranks
four parallel strands of light blue cord on a light
blue underlay. All collar patches were light blue
ith silver insignia. The kepi side 1 panel was
likewise light blue.
In March 1934 there was a major revision. All
collar patches, insignia, kepi side panels* etc.,
reverted to normal SA practice of Gnippe colour—
administrative function was now indicated by a
metal ‘V s (occasionally bullion) worn behind the
>11 ar patch on both sides. In 1937 the A was
dropped and the Administrative Branch had light
blue piping around all collar patches (in the case of
officers, the blue was the inner colour, gold or silver
the outer piping). In October 1941 the use of blue
piping was discon ti n tied.
(7) RZM (Reichszeugmeisterei)
Tn 1929 the SA set up a Quartermaster’s
Department to regulate uniform and provide it as
economically as possible. After Hitler’s accession to
power a National Quartermaster’s Department
f R e ich szjug fa e is tern) w as es t a b 1 i sh e t S w h i c h h ad
legal powers to control all NSDAP uniforms and
their costs. Only firms granted an RZM contract
could supply Party insignia, thus ending the flow of
unofficial or semi-official pieces. All official items
were now RZM marked or labelled.
RZM personnel had special collar ranks de¬
scribed (in an order of October 1932) thus:
(i) Reichszeugmeister a ‘ golden seal I oped lea f
(goldenes gezacktes Blati) on both collar patches*
in gold.
rstands der ^eugmeistereien (Directors of QMe
;}: a golden scalloped leal’ on left patch,
golden 7M on right, piping gold.
35
(iii) Angeslellle der gjugrneistereien (employees at QM
depots): normal SA ranks on left, gold 'ZM on
right.
The following year the 'golden scalloped leaf
was replaced by the oak leaf of a Slandarlen/uhrer, In
[ 929 the collar patch colour was blue, but in 1933
this was changed to carmine.
(8) Eisenbahneinheiten (Railway Units)
Railway units of the SA existed bi icily i 11 Austria.
Their right collar patch featured a winged railway
wheel. One unit had an E' (Eisenbahn) interwoven
with the number V 011 its right collar com¬
memorating the shoulder insignia ol a former
pro ini nen t A us t ri a n rai I way lb rmation.
(9) Reichsautozug Deutschland (RAZ)
Hitler was so impressed by the work of SA
Siurmjiihrer Schaffer with his loudspeaker vans
during the election campaign of 1933 that he
placed him in charge of a special mobile
propaganda unit known as Reichsauiozug DeuIsch¬
ia n d [ N a t i o n a I M o to r S q u a d (> e r man y). M c m b c rs
ol this small formation had, as their working
uniform, a brown boiler suit with two breast
pockets, worn open-necked with a khaki shirt and
black tie. The normal SA brassard was worn with,
below this on the culf, a black band with
Reichsauiozug Deutschland i 11 whitc. Hca d gear was a
brown beret piped in black. Dress uniform was
standard SA with red collar patches and shoulder
strap underlay. On the right collar RAZ' was
displayed in white, on the left normal rank insignia.
Both patches piped in white.
1 n \ 93 7 1 1 1 i 1 R AZ w as disband ccl.
(1) Stabswachen
One of the tasks of the SA had always been the
protec tion of Party meetings and speakers, but it
was not until 1933 that regular security units,
known as Stahsivachen (Staff Guards} were formed.
In these, service was full-time with a minimum
enlistment of 1 2 months. Members wore normal SA
â– . v
Senior* Leaders belt buckle with motto ‘Our Leader, our faith 7 ,
(J. R. Angolia)
uniform with one of’the following cull bands on the
lower left arm:
Slab sc hr/: gold Sii tterlin script on carmine with gold
cd ges (R 61 irn s personal bod y guard).
Stabswacke: white Sii tterlin script on bright red for
gu ards a t Gruppe and 0 bergruppe 1 tead cj ua ri crs ,
Stabswacke'. Gothic script in colour of collar patch
lettering on band in colour of collar patch for
guards at any headquarters below Gruppe level.
The a hove exis Led be l w een 1 e br ua ry 193 3 a n d
March 1934; thereafter and until the elimination of
Rohm in June '34, the following were used:
Slab sc kef Rohm: gold Gothic script on carmine band
with gold edging.
Adolf 'Hitler: grey Gothic script on black with grey
edges for members of SA Standarte 'Adolf'Hitler'.
Sta bs waeh e G 0 ring : s i 1 v e r Got 1 1 i c s c ri p t o n b ri g h t re cl
band with silver edging.
Sta bs wach e: Gothic scrip! i r 1 col o u r of c ol l a r p a tc h
lettering (with edging in same colour) on a band in
colour of collar patch, e.g. black lettering on a
yellow band with black edges: Headquarters guard
of SA Group Franconia.
The right collar patch for OS Ah stall guards was
p I a i n c a rrn i n e; th a l fo r Si a bs u mch e G bring , plain red;
others in Gruppe colour with Gruppe abbreviation.
On duty a steel helmet could be worn.
(2) Streifendienst
The SA had its own police or 'patrol' service, the
Streifendienst, under the control of a local area
< :o n 1 m a n d c r (St undo rlj iih re r ). O n d u t y m e m b c r s
wore, at first, a i iomm-wide yellow brassard with,
in black, Skindorlfiihrer Sireifendienst ; later a fix mini-
wide black cufTband with, in white or gre\ Gothic
lettering, Der Standortfuhrer, below this a place
name, e,g. Blankenburg a. H. (am Havel), Half¬
width (30mm) versions also exist, e.g.
Standortfuhrer-Grunstadl (grey on black, no edging;,
and Der Standorlfuhrer Sloe kadi (grey on black with
orev edges':.
O f '-J /
(3) Hilfspolizei/Feldpolizei of Berlin-
Brandenburg
After Hitler attained power in January 1933 he
appointed Goering Minister of the Interior of
Prussia, Since Prussia controlled some two-thirds ol
Germany, it was a post of considerable power.
Goering ordered die police to act ruthlessly against
â– all enemies of the state'. To assist them in this task
he created, in February 1933, a Police Auxiliary
Hilfipoiizei) from among the SA/SS. At first they
wore only their existing uniform with a
hiufspolizei brassard (various designs), but the
following month, now renamed Field Police of the
Bcrlin-Brandenburg Group [Feldpolizei der Gruppe
Berlin-Brandenburg ), their SA/SS uniform was
modified in the following manner;
a) On right collar patch a silver Prussian police
vtar.
b) A similar star in place of button on kepi,
c A blue police greatcoat in place of brown SA
one,
d A police gorget (worn on duty).
Collar patches were black, piped in black/white,
1 he gorget was silver with the Prussian police star
in the centre and a swastika in either corner. When
the gorget included the unit number (riot all did)
this appeared below the police star.
4) Feldjagerkorps (FJK)
In October s 933 the Feldpolizei was renamed the SA
Feldjagerkorps (roughly: Military Police) and given
a distinctive olive-brown uniform, comprising a
police-style tunic, breeches and brown top boots.
Belt and cross-strap were brown leather, the buckle
being of the SA variety—gilt with a silver
centrepiece. The greatcoat was olive-brown but
with a dark brown collar (senior ranks had also
dark brown re vers). Headgear was an SA kepi in
the same colour as the tunic with a white side panel
and, on the front, a gold police star beneath a silver
eagle-and-swastika. Collar patches were white
with, on the right, a gold police star, and were piped
in gold for senior officers, in black-and-white lor
subalterns, unpiped for others. Rank, ori the left
patch, was standard SA with gold stars and silver
‘bars’. The Fuhrer des Feldjagerkorps had a 15mm
gold Tresse around the turn-up of Ills kepi.
All ranks wore a white lanyard and, when on
duty, a gorget similar to that of the Feldpolizei which
normally featured an ‘A (Ahteilung) followed by a
Roman numeral T to 4 VI b' for one of the eight
Abteilungen (main units). Below the centrepiece star
an Arabic numeral denoted the Hereiischq.fi (or sub¬
unit of around 60 men).
Headquarters was Abkilling Ill b in Berlin. A
white cuff title with /// B Berlin in gold exists (there
may have been others). All FJK personnel wore the
standard SA brassard. ! he sports singlet emblem
was a police star with two swastikas above iL and
'FJK’ (Gothic script) below.
As ‘police 1 the FJK were allowed to carry
revolvers and a dress bayonet, officers a ceremonial
sword. On dutv a steel helmet was worn.
Goering latterly lost interest and, on 1 April
1 9351 handed the FJK over to the Prussian
Sehidzpolizei. Thereafter it ceased to have any
connection with the SA.
{5) Standarte ‘Feldherrnhalle 1
After the death of Rohm the various Stab swae hen
were disbanded and replaced by a single SA
Wachsiandarte (Guard Regiment). At first con¬
ceived simply as a ceremonial formation, it was,
after March 1935 and the re-introduction of
compulsory military service, envisaged as an elite
regular body which would provide para-military
training for the rest of the SA. Any man who had
belonged to the SA tor at least six months was
allowed, if he so wished, to do his two-year conscript
service in this unit. In September 1936 the name
was c hanged to AVI Standarle '‘Feldherrnhalle' (from
the historic building in Munich which embodied a
shrin e to I a 11 e n N a z i s o f N < >v e ni b c r 19 2 3) ♦
On i 2 Januarv 1937 n to celebrate Gocring's 441 1 1
birthdav, Lutze nominated him Honorary
Comm and er-in-Chief of the S/ Standarte
Luftwaffe as an Air-Landing Battalion (later
Parachute Regiment), into the army as a battalia:
of Infantry Regiment 271. In August 1942 Grenade r
(the new term for Infantry) Regiment 271 was!
granted the title ''Feldherrnhalle'. In June 1943 it wa-
raised to divisional strength as Panzer grenadier-
Division Feldherrnhalle. Badly mauled in the fighting
0n I lie Eastern I ront, 11 was disba 11 ded in Ju I v 194.;
A
c
script
on brown was worn by units in the Reich and, after
Sept cm 1 >e r 1942, b y Gten a diet Regun en t 271 and i r>
successor. I,, July 194 3 z il 1 Geldh errn k a 11 e fo r n 1 a t i o 11s.
home-based or Army, were granted the right t<
“Feldherrnhalle ". The SAT StabsckeJ'had intended
this to be no more than a symbolic gesture, and was
more than a little taken aback when Goering
incorporated the entire Stand arte into his newly
lo r m c d L uft w tiffed
For the following two years the Feldherrnhalle
• 7 ? ^
operated under a dual command — SA and
Luftwaffe — a fact reflected by its uniform: for
'walking out", SA brown with the Luftwaffe eagle
above the left breast pocket; for service dress,
standard Luftwaffe blue-grey, in both eases with SA
collar ranks on the left* The ri ght collar had at first a
w hi te G o 1111 e L VV' ( Wadi) o n ca r m i n e, but in 19 3 8
this was replaced by a 'wolf hook" with the SA
monogram in the centre.
Lutze's v i si o n of the Feld ken n h aide as a t r a i ni 11 g
lormation for the SA was never realised, Tt did not
function as a single entity but as seven separate
Sturm ban tie in different German cities. With the
coming of war the bulk of the Feldherrnhalle was
incorporated into the armed forces—into the
Duty gorget for Feldhcrrnhzille*
,• w y
.■' jy «: v
â– X2 V. ;'
1 • •• .. ■•
r:::a.
v v v .â– uj
s;; sy;
ttyv:
■v v •
A'i â– â–
;•••;.
â– â– â– ; ;â–
WViO
y; - y
wy/vr- v >â–
i J i ::
wear on both shoulder straps the SA monogram on
111 re e hori z on L a 1 K a mpjmn e c ros s ed b y one v e r ti ca 1
one — In brot iz e f br n 1 e 1 1 and j un ior N G O s, s i 1 ver Ib 1
senior X('Os, and gilt for oil leers.
The kepi side panels for the Wachstandarte and
Feldherrnhalle were carmine, 1 util 1939 shoulder
snaps lb r no n - c o rn m i ss i o 11 e d r an k s w e re c armin c
w r hi te on an u 11 der lay (for all ranks j t >1 white. W i t h
the introduction of Wafjenfarbe the underlay for
home-based units was changed to grey; that for
Army units was white (while Infantry) and grass
gre e n <: j n b e c ( j m i n g I *anz e rgrena dier .
A special gorget was worn when on duty, but a
standard-bearer wore the normal SA gorget.
(6) SA Wehrmannschaften
By a. decree of 19 J atm ary 1939 a new branch ol the
SA, the ft whrmannschaflen : roughly: 1 Militiamen"),
was established, ho undertake the pre- and post-
military training of all German males 1 , it was to be
responsible for the para-military education of the
older age groups of the Hitler Youth and the
reservist training of conscripts once they had
completed their military service.
S A d u t v w a s v{) l u 1 ita r v, mili t a r v sc r v i c e w as n o L:
s j j * J
thus every male would, eventually, find himself
part of a Nazi-controlled organisation. War
disrupted this grand design. There were no post-
military-service conscripts— those called to the
colours remained Tor the duration’,
and the pre-
mill t a ry t r a i n i ng of the Hi tier Yo u t h w as i ncreas-
ingly taken over by the SS. Also, of course, much ol
the regular cadre of the Wehrmannschafien was
absorbed into die lories. In consequence the
Wehrmannschafien functioned mainly as a back-up to
the regular forces, for which purpose it was sub-
divided into Army, Navy and Air F< wee ma dons, â– jt
as a general 'home front' auxiliary assigned to civil
defence, police or any other body as dictated b\ the
exigencies of war.
Only in northern Yugoslavia did it assume full
combat status. After the fall of that country in April
1941 Lower Styria, Garinthia and Upper Carniola
were incorporated into the Reich, and considerable
partisa 11 unrest Iollowed. In r942 obligatory
military service in that region raised a Wehrmann-
schaftshataillon Slid which was later expanded from
one to five battalions to become Wehrmannschqfls-
regiment Uliter steurmark (Militia Regiment Lower
Styria). It participated in several major drives
against the local partisans.
Hie Wehrmamschaften uniform was olive-brown,
and comprised a tunic which could be worn open or
dosed at the neck, breeches with top boots for
officers (trousers and army boots for others}. An
unusual feature was the ‘Italian 9 forage cap—a
unique example of a German borrowing from its
\xis partner. This had, on the front, the SA
cockade monogram and, on the left side, an eagle-
and-swastika on a triangle, correctly black
although Gruppe colour was sometimes used.
Rank was standard SA worn on collar patches in
the Gruppe colour and piped in yellow or white
according to the (former) button colour. Officers 5
shoulder straps were normal SA, but non¬
commissioned grades bad round-ended straps in
the same cloth as the tunic and piped in white for
mils serving with the Army, in navy blue for those
W ehrmannschaft belt buckle* (J. R, Angolia)
Model 43 service cap as worn by tVchnnilflflscItaii! units in
Styria— see Plate H3. (Ulric of England)
w i t h L he Kriegsm a fine , a i id y e 11 o w fo r th os e w i th the
Luftwaffe .
The Ttalkin' forage cap was often replaced by
the Mi 943 field cap. An Edelweiss cap emblem was
worn by units in the ‘highland’ Gmppen .
All ranks wore the normal SA brassard except
the Styrian SA units, which had a brassard
featuring the flame-breathing Styrian griffin on
equal white and green (the Styrian colours); on
active service, the brassard was usually discarded*
A special Wehrmannschqfien belt buckle was
designed but, in practice, the 'civilian* two-claw
type was more commonly worn.
During the closing months of the war the
Wehrmannschqfien were i n cor po r a ted i n I o t he
Volkssturm (the 'Home Guard' raised in October
*.
,,, .< \
(7) SA in the General Government (Poland)
and Danzig
After the defeat of Poland two large regions were
incorporated into the Reich—Gan Danzig in West
Prussia and Gau Posen (later renamed Gau
Wartheland); the rest of the country was styled the
‘General Government’ under a German Governor
:Hans Frank). An SA unit ‘General Government'
was raised from among the Volksdeutsche (racial
German residents). In place ol the word Sturm as
normally applied to an SA company, the earlier
term Hundertschaft was used. In 1942 the various
/iundertschaften throughout the country were re¬
named SA Wehrschulzen-Bereilschaflen (roughly:
light infantry readiness companies’). On 20 April
1942 this cumbersome title was abbreviated to -S'. I
Wehrbereiischaften, and all male Volksdeutsche be¬
tween the ages of t8 and 65 ordered to enrol in it
either for active servic e against the partisans or, for
the older men, static: home-defence.
SA units in tire General Government wore ‘GO'
on a grey right collar patch.
A special frontier defence force' was raised in the
F ree City of Danzig at the start of the war. Members
at this unit wore the SA monogram on a black right
collar patch. The rest of the uniform was Army
field-grey, [lie Army-style forage cap with an SA
cockade on the (rout.
Distribution of Standortfuhrcr Gros s -Berlin cuff bund in
November 1933.
Retired Officers/Acting Officers and Honor¬
ary Commissions
(a) Retired SA officers could, on special occasion
w ear their former unito mi. Bet ween i 9 3 3 and 1 ty:
their status was indicated by a metal A
(l 'emhschiedele = " RcUred 5 ) on both collars. In 193 J
the military term a.D. [ausser D ten si) was preferred:
f or those who had \lelt the servic e'. Cl re v collar
patches and grey side panel to the kepi was then tin
token of being retired. In 1936 the concept < f
"retired officer' was dropped.
g ranks were granted to individuals who
;.pf|
Mmi
40
although not members of the SA, carried out some
specialist function within it. Such persons were
k11 ow 11 as Rhrenhalher and wore si I ver-gre y patch es
i m less a11achcd U:> the Statt ofat huppe or theOSAF,
in which case the patches were red and carmine
respectively.
e) Officers with no current assignment but
immediately available for du.Lv were said to be zur
Verfilgung ('available for duty'). Persons on the
active reserve but subject to recall in an emergency
were zur hesonderen Verwendung kfbr special employ¬
ment'). Such persons wore, respectively, cuff titles
with zAh and z.b.V. (gold Gothic lettering on
i-' lr i,
d) Honorary Commissions were introduced in
December 1934 with the creation by the SA of
1 S 7 andarten FJirenfuhrer a la mile\ I bis title, a mixture
4 German and French, was equivalent to the
British Army's 1 Colonel-in-Chief to a particular
regiment (in the SA\s case, a particular Stand arte ).
This unique rank had a unique collar patch — the
»ak leaf of a Sla n da rtenjiik rer plus three stars with (on
the riglit patch only) the 11 umber oI the Standarte to
hich the FJirenfuhrer was accredited.
At first this was the sole honorary rank granted,
but the following year both higher and lower ranks
were awarded. The special collar patch was
iiscontinned and holders of SA honorary com-
i*
missions wore the normal insignia of the rank to
which they had been appointed plus an ivory-
> loured cuff title with Ehrenjuhrer in gold Gothic
ttering, or, for 1 o'wer grades, Rangjuhrer (a Is<> go 1 cl
m ivory). If they were gazetted to a particular
formation, its number appeared after the word
Ehrenflihrer. e.g. FJirenfuhrer Hr. R rj (Honorary
Officer of Reserve Brigade 13).
Training Establishments
. \ X a tio n a I Lead ersh ip School (R eiclufilhrerschule)
was opened at Munich in March 1931. Staff wore
on their right collar a black 1 \ 1 rune' (runic 'T' j
i m tli 1 ted i n vv li i t e on a carmine (1 ale r, bright red)
patch. Shoulder straps for trainees and non-
i om missioned staff were red/while on (for all
trades) a red underlay. On their left upper arm
graduates of the School wore a white-outlined
black 1 vr rune on red.
I11 July 1933 Rohm established a Training
Kection {Ausbildunsswesens or AW) as one of the
Main Departments of the OSAF. After his fall this
was abolished, but was revived in January 1935
with the creation of the post of CheJ des Ausbil-
dungsuesms. The AW set up National (Reichs) and
Regional (Gruppen) schools for all aspects of SA
training—motor, riding, sports, etc. Trainees and
staff wore normal SA service dress, but had, for
work, a special Ubungsanzug comprising an olive-
brown tunic, trousers and kepi (this latter differed
from the normal and was without coloured panels).
The tunic had a brown collar and concealed
buttons (apart from those on the breast pocket
flaps). Shoulder straps for trainees and non¬
commissioned staff were red/white on (for all
grades) a brown under lav.
Staff at the training establishment of one of the
SA's specialist branches wore the emblem of that
branch at a 45-degree angle on their right collar,
e.g. the crossed pick and shovel of the Pionier SA.
Where no such emblem existed (as at Motor or
S po r Is S ch 00 1 s) a I a rge 1 A â– (A ush iIdling ) w as w o rn in
its place, the patch being in the Grnppe colour.
With the Ubungsanzug special collar ranks were
worn: one star (both collars; lor Gruppen full rer; two
stars (left only) for gugfuhrer\ three stars (left only)
for Letter. A cuff title chf.f aw (possibly carmine on
white) exists and may have been for Staff at AW
Headquarters,
officers the SA also ran con rses for NCOs, the length
of which varied from a single weekend for junior
grades to two weeks for senior ranks. Graduates
were supposed to receive a black chevron (to be
worn on the lower left arm) but no photographic
evidence of its existence has come to light.
During 1935 6 Training Companies [Lehr-
slurme) and T rai nin g Battal ions (Lehrs lurmbanne)
wore a 22mm If on the right collar in conjunction
with the Standarte number (i8nim) and the Sturm or
Sturmbann n u mera 1 s (ca eh 12 rnm}, or vv i th a
specialist emblem (e.g. Signals Blitz )—in this case
placed upright, not at a 45-degree angle. The I f
co uld be m e La 1 or cha in-s ti tch, ei 111 er black or w hite
(whichever contrasted better with the collar patch
colour), but due to a possible confusion with the ‘Lf
of the Leihstandarte. which it resembled, it was
{liseoni inucd in lavour of an : A ? (asdeLai 1 ed above).
One little-known aspect of SA training was its
sponsorship of a senior school for boys at Feldafing
National Sports Leader, SA Obcrgruppenfuhrcrvon Tscliam-
mer und Os ten, in summer uniform with short-lived March
1936 cap badge. (J. Charita)
on the Starnbergersee (south of Munich I. Opened
in April 1934 with 193 specially selected pupils,
known as SA jfungmannen, it was intended to train
future SA leaders. On graduation a boy could enter
the SA with the rank of Truppfuhrer. Pupils wore SA
uniform (shirt, lie, tunic, breeches, brassard, etc.)
butin place of the kepi, a brown side cap in the style
of the Hitler Youth's camp cap, and, instead of an
SA dagger, a bayonet-type side arm with blade
inscribed Ehre, Kraft , Frdheii ("Honour, Strength,
Freedom 5 ).
In February 1936 control of the school passed
from SA to Party hands, although even alter this
several SA officers continued lobe members of staff,
in cl udi n g t he head m aster, S A 0 hergruppenfiihrer
Julius Goerlilz. It was not until 1941 that all
connection with the SA was severed; thereafter
pupils were enrolled in the Hitler Youth, stall in thr
NSDAP. The full title of the establishment was, A.'
Deutsche 0 her sc hide Starnbergersee. A cuff Lille win
this wording exists and may have been worn b
pupils, staff, or both.
Welfare and Work Gamps
During the two or three years before and after
Hitler's accession to power, Germany was in th
grip of the Great Depression. The ranks of the SA
were swelled by thousands of unemployed men. I
1931 it c h a n n e 11 e c iso in.e of its li n 1 i l e d re s o u rces in t
the creation of a Welfare Section.
Once in power the Nazis were able to devot
more time and money to alleviating the plight of th
workless. Technical Training Companies ( Tech-
n ische Lehrs l iirme ) w e r e s e 1 u p i n ( ) c t o h e r 19 33 U
help trained artisans regain skills they had lost as a
result of prolonged idleness. But many ol the
unemployed were unskilled, and for these, Work
G a mp s (H ilfsw erklagern ) w e re cs tablish e 11 i n w 1 ti c 11
practical vocational training was provided.
Fhe organisation of the camps was left to the
discretion of the individual Gruppe . 1 n some Crupper
attendance was obligatory, in others voluntary,
and the duration of training could vary from six
weeks to 14 months.
The term Hilfswerklagern was later replaced by
$ehultmgslagern (School Gamps), but. by March
1936 they were wound up due to an easing ol the
trade depression, and the fact that re-introduced
compulsory military service had taken large
11 urnhers of voung men oIf Lhe streets.
J 'TO
Stall of the Technical draining Companies wore
a silver cogwheel on a light blue rhombus on the left
cuff. Otherwise their unilbrm was standard SA.
Staff of the Schulungs lager n are reported to have had
"Sell. If on their right collar patch, but no
pi lotogr a phic evi deuce of t his Is a va i I a I) 1 e,
* # ^
Miscellaneous Insignia
Ol beers and N GOs could wear a lanyard Irom the
m Id d 1 e b u t to \ 1 of t h e s h i r11 u 1 1 1 e r i g h 1 b re as t p octet,
attached to a whistle for giving commands. Until
1937 the colour of the lanyard was the same as that
of the collar patch, except for J tiger units in
Franconia and Hoc hi and who had green inter-
woven with the Gruppe colour. After 1937 .ill
1 a 11 vards w err brow 11.
«â–
Former members of 'Steel l lelmeF incorporated
into the SA wore, I or a brief time, a black chevron
on the left cuff, but this was replaced by a black
cloth rhombus bearing the 'Steel Helmet badge,
normally in silver metal, but white cotton was
occasionally used.
SA personnel who were also members of the
Auslands Organisation (Overseas Organisation of the
NSDAP) wore, on the left cuff, a white or silver
WO’ on a black rhombus, piped in silver.
A small number of senior SA leaders during the
war years wore, in place of the normal brassard, a
gold bullion cagle-and-swastika of the Army type
>n a carmine background*
. 1 /: .SVf Leader, K)2i
Uni fo r m ’ in 1921 2 w as any thi ng b u t s La nd a rd. A
grey wind jacket was popularly worn over either
civilian or part-military attire, A swastika
armband was the only constant feature. A
leathVhead was a favourite item of cap adorn¬
ment. The illustration is based on a photo oi
H. Lb Klmtzsch, the first SA leader.
[2: s^ugfUhrer, 1923
Formal uniform was introduced in January 1923,
consisting of a iield-grey tunic and breeches and
tan-coloured kepi with the national cockade. Rank
ivas signified by white bands around the brassard
here, two for a ^ugfuhrer (Platoon Leader) . The SA
Sfandarfe (Standard) also made its first appearance
in January 1923; at this stage the letters 'NSDAP'
appeared on the front.
A3: Truppfukrer, Gruppe Fran ken , November 1926
When the SA was re-activated in February 1925 it
adopted an all-brown uniform. Rank was still, as
previously, indicated on the brassard, but in
November 1926 collar patches in different colours
' d en ote cl i 0 ere n t region s w ere i n trod need; on t he
left, rank insignia, on the right, the Standard
t regimental) number. The regional colour lor
Franconia (Franken) was wbite jas iL was for ninc of
: :
*' .â– > v!
sshs sii
■. .■•
'â– i
: :■•
Knight^ Cross winner, SA Gruppcnfiihrer Bernhard Hoff¬
mann; cap badge is final design, (J, Gharita)
the other, then, 31 regions). The two stars of a
Truppfuhrer were, at this stage, placed parallel (not,
as later, at an angle). In inclement weather a grey
windjacket could be worm Various designs of belt
buckle were worn. Inset: Radge ol the Front-harm.
B1: (j mpp enjiih ret ,
As a token of their high rank, Standarknfuhrer and
above had, in 1928, bright red side panels added to
their kepis, and also silver piping around its turn-up
and crown. A Gruppenjuhrer had bright red collar
patches with twin silver oak leaves (the Chief of
Staff had the same but in gold). A cap badge was
not introduced until the following year. There were
no shoulder straps. The brown shirt was, in
reality, a brown blouse worn over a genuine shirt
(ei t her brown or w h i te).
82: Scharfuhrer, Untergruppe Hamburg, 1932
A government ban on political uniform was
43
mMMm
Prince August Wilhelm (right), son of the former Kainser, an
SA Hrigadt*{iihrt*r. Note unusual horizontal placing of unit
numeral (235) on collar of the Sturnifiihrer, (Ulric of England)
imposed in December 1931, When it was rescinded
six months later one condition was that the SA
adopt 4 a more respectable form of dress'. Its
re s p o t i sc vv a s a t u n ic w o r n o v e r a ( t r u e ) s h ir t a n d tic.
With this, brown trousers were worn (the SA
reverted to breeches and top boots a few months
later). This Sell a rj uh re r i s o 11 th e s t a tT o 1 t h c {t hen j
Uniergruppe Hamburg and wears its white collar
patches with (for staff) its Gothic £ Hg' abbrevi¬
ation. Collar patch piping, brought in at this time,
is in the white/green of this Unier gruppe, The cap
badge, i n trod need in 19 2 9, is (I rst d esi gi 1, T h e tw i n-
claw buckle usually worn with the tunic did not
make its appearance until 1934*
Bj: 0 bench a rj uh ret , G rupp e j\ 0 rdm a rk , ujg'j
Iti 1933 shoulder straps, worn on the right only,
were introduced, and side panels in the Gruppe
colour (here 'emerald green' for Nordmark) added
to the kepi. This Ob ersch a rj uh rer w ears the g o r ge 101 a
standard-bearer and carries the Slurmjaline of his
unit* The brown 'shirt ( blouse) is here worn over a
true shi r t: tli is ord er < jf d r ess was n o w design a ted t he
'traditions', or full dress, uniform 1 Grosser
Diensianzug ).
Ci: Ohertruppjukrer, Gruppe H demand, igjg
In southern Bavaria and upper Austria leath
shorts [Lederhosen) were traditional male dress 1:
summer. The SA permitted these to be worn wit:
thick white stockings ( Wadensiulren) and black <
brown shoes, but only in conjunction with th
brown 'shirt' (not with the tunic). The Grupj
colour tor Hoc hi and was light blue, and a!
members were entitled to wear an Edelweiss on th
left side of the kepi.
C2: SA Mann. Gruppe Mi lie, full marching order , igg
For route marches, IVehrsport (field exercises) and
certain ceremonial occasions full marching order
was worn, consisting of brown 'shirt' with back¬
pack, blanket, mess tin, bread sack, water batik
and d ag ge r. T his SA Ad arm b el o r igs to Gruppe M i /
(indicated by the orange-yellow side panel of lib
kepi). On his right upper arm is a red-ribbed gold
chevron denoting SA membership prior to 1933:
later this was replaced for an 'old lighter' by long-
service rings around both cutis.
Cj: Sports kil (Gruppe Oherrhein)
On the sports field no distinction was drawn
between oil leers and others, thus no rank insignia of
any sort appeared on this order of dress which
consisted of a while singlet, brown shorts and black
shoes ( without socks). I11 the centre of the singlet
was the SA logo, Initially brown on white with,
encircling the chest, a 30mm-wide band in the
Gruppe colour; later die band was discontinued and
the logo, in w hite, placed upon a background in the
Gruppe colour — here cornflower blue for Oherrhein,
At the base of the logo is the Gruppe abbreviation—
here 'OR11 . The singlet logo varied in size from
100 to 140mm. A smaller version : 75mm ; was worn
on the led breast of the brown track suit. A cloth
version of the SA Sports Badge could be worn on the
singlet.
D1: 0 h e rs l u rmjuh rer. Be I dp 0 1 ig e i , G ruppe Be rl in -
Brandenburg.
Enro 11 ed as 'lie 1 d pollce' in the wake oft! 1 e Nazi
'seizure of power', SA units in Berlin and
Brandenburg wore the dark blue greatcoat of the
Prussian Police over their brown uniforms. The
Berlin-Brandenburg Gruppe colour was black, with
black/white piping. This remained unchanged, bul
44
a police star (silver) replaced the unit numerals on
the right patch and the button on the kepi.
Subalterns had collar patches piped in black, w hite
with similar piping around the crown of the kepi.
On dot y a go r g e t \v; t s w o r n, eh a r g ed vv i t h , a police
star, two swastikas and die unit number.
1 ) 2 : Feldjdger-Rottenfuhrer, 1934
The Feld]dgerkorps uniform was of a si milar cut to
that ol the Prussian Police, but in olive-brown. The
unit colour was white (no longer, by this time, used
by any SA Gruppe). Rank insignia was as for the rest
1 j I the S A, I hi t a gok I police star lea 1 u red on t h c ri gist
o 11 ar pa tch. T here w as wI lite pi ping arou n d co 11 ar,
uils and down the front edge of the tunic (although
iliis latter was sometimes omitted 1. As police' the
I JK were allowed to carry revolvers. A gorget,
bmilar to that of the Feldpolizei , was worn on duty.
Dp: Sturmmann o f the Feldherrnhalle, tgjq
By September 1939 shoulder straps were worn on
both shoulders of the tunic and greatcoat (but still
mly on the right with brown 'skirt order), The new
lesien for those of non-commissioned rank was
Cj
j row 11 flecked wi 1 h si 1 ver. 1 win-colour piping had
seen abolished and collar patches were piped in
at her white or vellow according to the (former)
aiilon colour. The Fill I had carmine patches and
kepi side panel, a special right collar device and a
unique duty gorget. A brown cuff title with
Feldtierrnhalle in Sitllerlin scr ipt was worn on the left
2 IT. Inset: Emblem awarded in July 1943 and worn
n both shoulder straps by home-based and
military Fill! units.
E1 :Ob ers l u rmfuh re r, AI a rin e SA , / 9 $4
ill dress uniform in the Marine SA. as in the rest of
the service, was the brown 'shirt/ (blouse) and
breeches (navy blue) with top boots (black), A
1 .:vv blue tunic with a true brown shirt and tic was
t c undress uniform ' F 7 riner Diensfan ~ ug). f n place
o 1 a kepi a peaked cap with a gold a nd si I ver cap
badge (here, the first version) was worm Collar
p i pi ng was royal blue / whi te, s u bal te rush a vi ng thi s
also around their collar patches. Buttons, rank
stars, etc., were gold,
E2: Sturmbannfiihrer, Marine SA Sea Sport School* 1934
1 lie tunic worn with undress uniform by the Marine
SA was single-breasted, but stall, both tom mis¬
sioned and otherwise, at a Marine SA sea sport
school had the more traditional double-breasted
jacket as worn by naval officers. With this, navy
b 1 ue t rouse r s were worn—in 1 he r est of the Manne
SA trousers belonged only to 'office dress , or
‘evening dress'. As at all SA training establish-
merits, a branch-of-service emblem (here an
anchor) was placed at a 45-degree angle on the
right collar patch. On the right cuff a light blue
band with the name of the school (here: ' 5/1
Seesporlschule Seemoos*) was worn. The cap badge
here is a variant of the first design with a wreath
similar to that of the Kriegsmarine. The badge on the
left upper breast pocket is that of an Officer of the
Watch.
Eg: Rottmfiihrer 3 Marine SA , while working uniform
D u n n g s e a -goi n g e x c rc i s es Ma rin e. S A rati n gs w o re,
like their counterparts in the Kriegsmarine, a white
moleskin smock and trousers; headgear was the
Lager mutze in navy blue. Rank was indicated by a
scheme of red bars, chevrons and/or stars on the
j 1
lower left cu If—here the two red bars of a
••4 11
* “ * * * * ^ * * * 1 * 4 * ■* * * * * « * * * * * * * * 9 * « « i » * ■* * * « & * * * ****** &£*-ri v W* **
Rottenfuhrer,
Fi: Sturmjuhrer > Motor SA.. Gruppe Franken, igpj
The Motor SA was distinguished by its black
breeches and top boots (in place of brown) and by
the special crash helmet worn while driving. Here a
Sturmfuhrer of Gruppe Franken (Franconia) wears
Cuff title of an Ehrenfiihrer of Reserve Brigade 13. (Walker
Collection)
â– â– \ . ......
■■■r: ■- ■' ' - ■■••
* rvf }( E f ■* i. i. • . • ■■■v vk. ■-i, * Ui u
V Sf fPKft V C
-C â– -- - -— â–
•s s-
fi#
â– â– â– â– .â– -S - . ..
. .rt. :■£ :■•: S- . .
•; \ i- iU ' â–
k p- yc & â– â– â–
.. 'tfspts';. Sfc.•;
•• ^ - ^ r
::hv.'.; •.
45
tha t G ro u p's 4 su i p h u r y c 1 I ow " coll a r pa tubes (whic h
re p I a c e d 1 li e lb r m e r w h i te on es in i 9 3 2} w i th ro y a 1
b I uej w hite co 11 a r, a ncl collar pate h, pi pin g, ( ) n h is
left cuffis the Qualified Driver's badge, on his left
b re as t po cket the c o m m c 1 n o r a t i v e b act ge of t h c S A
rally at Brunswick in 1931,
F2: SV 1 Spielmann, Gruppe Hans a, igy.
This drummer wears the "swallows' nests' of a
musician in the navy blue of Gruppe Hama, with
collar patches and kepi side panel in the same
co 1 o u r * Hi s co Haris p i p e d 1 n ro y a 1 b t u e a n d y el I o w,
and his single shoulder strap is likewise royal blue
and yellow on a navv blue underlav. He wears
â– d f
leather equipment which includes an apron to
protect his breeches from friction while marching*
Fg: Slandartenfuhrer (Medical Branch )> Gruppe West-
mark, evening dress
The SA, unlike the armed forces or SS, had no
specially devised evening dress* Instead it wop 3
version of its of lice dress' (introduced in Ap
1 933) comprising a brown tunic, shirt and tie w:
black trousers piped narrowly in red down t
outer seams* Evening dress' differed from "offi
dress' only in that the shirt was white* not kha
and neither belt nor headgear was worn with
Here a medical Slandartenfuhrer (his fundi'
indicated by a silver life rune' on his cull 1 wears t
chocolate brown patches and shoulder stra
u nd e r I ay of Grupp e Weslm a rk . His single s ho u 1 cl
strap is twisted silver bullion*
G /; Qbergruppenfuhrer on Staff of an SVJ Gruppe , iqg .
As a member ofstaifofan SA Gruppe * this officer h.
bright red collar patches arid kepi side panel. H
senior rank entitles him to broad silver Tresse am
silver piping around the turn-up of the kepi am:
silver piping around its crown* Around both cull-
he has two silver-grey rings, respectively 4mm am
1 2mm wide* denoting service in the SA since 1929
l ire colour ol SA uniform has bv this time beei
altered to a slightly darker shade referred to a>
4 olive-brown'*
Gs: Obersturmhannjuhrer at OSAF, while summet
uniform.
In warm weather senior officers could wear a
lightweight white tunic, normally without a belt
but for ceremonial occasions the d ress bell could (as
here} be worn. The suspension chain of the dagger
passed through the flap oft he pocket to be attached
to a button inside the tunic. The illustration shows
an officer with the carmine collar patches and kepi
side panel of a member of the OSAF* On his right
cull he has a carmine band with £ Obersle SA -
Fit lining' in gold. He has the "Tyr rune' of a graduate
of the National Leadership School. On his left
breast pocket lie wears the SA Wehrahzeichen and
German Expert Horseman's Badge. The right
collar patch lor members of the OSAF below the
r a ilk of Sta n da rlen'full re r w a s b I a n k *
Gg: 11 a up l / ruppj ilh rer, Gruppe SlJ.dm.ark, lygo
This lla uptl ruppfiih rer (a r a n k c r ea te din 19 3 o ) vv e a r s
the pink collar patches and kepi side panel of Gruppe
4b
Tunic of a Scharfiihrer of Standarte FeJdherrnhaJle* (Walker
Collection)
Sudmark. The collar pale lies are piped in while,
reflecting the former silver button colour; the
second style shoulder straps are worn on both sides*
H e 11 as t h e c u if title ' E l illib aid . Stro m b ergef a w a ret e c I
to Standarte i ofhis Gruppe. Dressed in a greatcoat, he
collects lor the Winter Relief fWKIW) charity a
dutv which even the most senior members of the
Nazi party were required to perform.
Hi: Hauplsturmjuhrer oj ike Wekrmannschafi as
Adjutant to Gruppe Nordsee, 1Q42
Hi is officer wears t he 4 olive-brown' uniform and
hstinclive 'Italian' forage cap of die Wehrmann-
fkajt , with the 'steel green: collar patches of Gruppe
Yordsee to which lie is accredited as an adjutant
signified by his aiguilleltes). His collar patches are
aped in yellow (the former button colour having
been gold). He has the special Wehrmannsciia.fi belt,
buckle,
Hj: SA Mann of Wehrmannschqft in Gruppe .Meder-
rkein, ?<)44
a member of Gruppe Niederrhein the man has black
collar patches piped in yellow (former button
‘Italian’ forage cap as worn by Wehrmannsclmft, (Walker
Collection}
colour: gold). In place of the 'Italian' cap he wears
the M t 943 cap, by this period in the war the almost
universal headgear of die German forces. He has a
t w i n - c I a w 1 >e I l h u c k I e (n 1 o re c o t n m on 1 y u s e cl 1 h a n
the official Wehrmannsdiajt type). His ski trousers
are tucked into black shoes. ()n his left cuff is a black
band with' Sturmbann z.b.V: (zur imonderen Verwen-
dung = 'for special duty'} plus a place name. This
type of cull’tide indicated a unit available for active
duty in an emergency.
H j: SA Mann of Wehrmannschqft in Slyria , 1345
The collar patch colour of the Styrian Wekrmann-
schqft is described as 'raspberry red'. Collar patches
and shoulder straps are piped in white. A special
white and green brassard with the black griffin of
Styria within a white circle was authorised,
although often discarded on active service. The
g r iffin, pj us a sword, also featured on the left side ol
the brown steel helmet. Mountain hoots were worn
with thick white ankle socks.
47
INDEX
(Rtrfei't’iices Lo iilusLraliom are shown in bold. Plales are prefixed 'pi." with rommeniary locators in brackets, e.g. 'pi. FI (45-1 1
adjuLaiiLn: pJ. Ill (47); 15
August Wilhelm, Entire 44
daggers; pi. C2 (46); 15. IB—I V„ 16, 17
Danzig 40
flags & banners; pi. A2 (43), H3 (44): 3,17-19, 18
Fmnthnmi m . pi. A (’ mwt) (43); 4, 8
Goeririg. Nermann ""p—-4, 6 , [■Mi, 47, 38
Hitler, Adolf 3,4-5,6, 15, 18, 34, 36
Hoffmann, Rem hard 43
Klini/.sch, Hans [ lridi 3-4. 43 (Al)
l.uize, Viktoi 6, 7 : 7, 12, 13 16-17, 17,38
Munich f*ulsch 4, 8, 18. 15, 38
N t) i vvirgiai l Rsk&hird 7
N8DAT; pi. A2 (43); 3,5, 17, 13, 35, 42
organisation 5-6, 7, 12. 13, 34
Gntppen 5, 6, 7. 8, % ID, II, 12, 13, 15,
ill. pi. A3-H2 (43-47) passim.
OSAF 7. 3, 12,13, 15, 13, 36, 46 (G2)
s]xxial fi.»1 j y liot is 13-39
adiminis I ra Jion 34 - 35
equestrian units 12, 13, 23
living units 6-7. 13-20, 23
jdgrr units 12, 33, 34, 42-43
Leibstandwte 34
Msmtu- 3A: pi. El-3 {15); 12,14, 16,
20 -21, 21
medical units; pi, F3 (46); 12, 24
motor units: pi. FI (45-46); 5, 6. 10,
21-22. 22, 36
musicians; pi. F2 (46); 24 -33, 33
pioneeis 12.22-23
pirlice 4’ para-miHiai'v units 36—33
Ffidh/rniJmEf' pL D3 / inset (451;
17. 17, 37-38, 38. 46
Fktdjrignrkofp',: pi. D2 (45); 7.. 37
FddpSket pi. D1 (44-45), 37
StubsuHttiwi 36, 37
Strmffiidmisi patrols 36-37, 40
Wehvammeh&fieri\ pi. 111-3 (47);
7, 38-39, 59, 47
[ I uaitemlasicis 35-36
reservists 23-2-1, 41,45
Srhii&■•!< units 12, 33—34
signals units 12, 22
training units 35, 41 —42
Pfeifer, Fran/ 5. 7
Poland 39-40
ranks 7-12,1.2, 34-35. 40-41
Brigfidefitfiw 8. II, 12 44
tlhmifuhw 41„ 45
Gmppaififain pi. BI (43); 8, 11.12, 43
Haupttmppjuhrfr. pi. G3 (46-47); 7, 12
leader; pi Al (43); 9. 16, 17
Obeifthm-R, II, 12
ObergmppenjuJtj pt. pi, G1 (4(4); 6, 7. 8.
11 , 12
OfMn^cJimfiiJtjrr. pi. B3 (44); 7, 12
( }fxfi x lurtfiltan ftj ti hrer. pE. G2 (46); 8.
10 r 32
Obet s [{irvifuhrer. pI, Dl (14—45), El (45);
7, 10,12
Obersturmtnsinn 7, 12
ObertiUpfifuftirr. pi. Cl (44); 7, 12
Iitiiffwjiihh'i: pi. D2 (45), E3 (45); 7, 12
SA-Mtmm pi. C2 (44) f H2/3 (47); 12
Srhaif iibrn p|. B2 (43-44); 7, 12,46
Stah^kafX 8.9. 11,12. 13. 13, 14, 15,
43 (111)
St/mdartmjvhnT, pt. F3 (46); 8, 10, 12,
43 (HI)
SfurfdMnfifvJmr. pt. E2 (45); 8. 10, 12
5 iurmfuhrer. pi. FI (45-16); 7 : 10, 12.
18, 44
5il wmhauptfiihiw : pi. 141 (47); 7, 10, 12
Sfurmmami: pi. D3 (45); 7, 12
Truppfiih-reK |>l. A3 (43); 7. 12
Zugfuforr, pi. A2 (43); 8
retired ol I keis 40
Rohm, Ernst 3, 4,5, 6, I 1. 12, 36. 4 I
Schepmann, Wilhelm 5, 7. 12
sport: pi. C3 (44), E2 (45); 7, 35, 42
88 : 6, 6, 19-22, 20, 34. 37, 38, 46 (F3)
fkdiLtmmer nnd Ostcn, von 42
unilbmis: pi. A-H (4.3-17); 4, 6, 8-19. 3. 10-0
passim, 35
Ixrlt buckles; pi. A3 (431, B 2 (44), Hl/2
(47); 14, 14,36.39
hoots: pi. El (45). FI (45), H3 (47)
bleedtes; pi. A2 (43) f El (45),
FI (45);8
4 mown shirts’; pi. Rl (13). B3 (44),
Cl n (44). El (45); (x 8. 45 (D3j
greatcoats: pt. Dl (44), 03 (47)
headgear 8, 13—14
i rash helmet: pi. Pi (45); 22
forage cap; pi. E3 (45); l 1
Italian'SLvle; pi. HI (47): 39, 47
kepi: pi. A2 (43); 8, 13, 13-14
side panels; pi. Bl G3 (43-47}
passim; 13, 14
M 1943 cap: pi. H2 (47); 39 30
peaked cap; pi. El (45); 21
insignia 8-15, 12-13
see organisation; special formations
badges: pi. At (43), B2 (44). El/2
(45) ; 8, 13, 14, 14, 21, U 42, 43
bra^ards: pi. Al/2 (43); 8
rank bauds; pi. A2 (43); 8, 9
collar patches: pi. A3-H3 (43-47)
passim; 3,8-0, 9, 10, lh 15, 44
c:iill titles, pi. D3 (45), E2 (45), G2
(46) . G3 (47), 112 (47); 14-15.
37, 40, 45
Edelweiss: pi. C l (44); 14, 33. 30
gorgets: pi. B3 (44), M/3 (45); 19,
10 , 38, 45 (D2)
piping; pi. 1U-H3 (43-47) passim; 8,
(M0. 10, 11,12, 13-14, 3 4
shoulder straps; pi. B3 (Id). D3 (45),
F2/3 (46), C3 (47), 113 (47); 8,
10-12, 12. 43 (Rl)
veteran insignia; pi. C2 (44), G3 (46); 15
shoes: pi. Cl, 3 (44), H2 (47)
shorts: pi. 0/3 (44)
summer uni.form: pi. Cl (44),
G2 (46); 42
trousers; pi. B2 (44 :-, E2 (45), F3 (46),
142 (17)
uinks; i>l. A2 (48). B2 (14), E2 (45), F3
(46), G2 (46); 8.45 (El), 46
weliarr and work camps 42
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