R & A No. 3113.7 / Principal Nazi Organizations Involved in the ...

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The turning point in the history of the SA came witii the so-
1
called Rßha purge of June 1934.» ^his elimination of the SA leadership
signalized the decline of the SA, which influential conservative
circles (particularly in the Wehrmacht and anions the induatrial leadership)
regarded as the spearhead of "brown bolshevism." Its terroristic
functions were taken over by the SS. The SA, nevertheless, remained
one of the most important organisations for ideological, political,
and physical training "in the spirit of National Socialism."
As a consequence of the p -rge, the SA iras subjected to a
thorough reorganization. Ernst Rohm was succeeded in the leadership
of the SA by Victor Lutze, who held this position until his death
in May 1943„ The ten highest Si (kroups (SA. Obargruppon) were dis­
solved, and many SA Group Leaders :-eplaced by new persons« The SS,
until then subordinated to the Supreme SA Command, was made an in-
p
dependent organization (the Hltlei* Youth hid been separated from the
SA in 1932-3). The SA Motor Troop was likewise separated from the
SA and incorporated into the National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK).^
Beginning in 1939, the SA gained naw importance by reason of
the fact that it was charged with rhe pre-ailitary training of the German
youtho The Hitler Decree of 19 January 19» mado the SA "the bearer
of the pre« and after- military training (vor- und nach-militariache
Wehrerziehung) i?^ The Bame decree ordered all soldiers honorably
lc See "Criminal Responsibilities in Connection with the Purga of 1934,"
R&a Report Ho. 3113»1-
2. Paten der Geschichte MflTJ^g&!> £ oc -•&£*> P- laI ff -
3. Ibid., p. 107.
4. Ibid.. p» 102.
5. Reprinted in Hnnqbuch der SA loc. cit.« frontispice,.-Heer^sverprdblatt,
vol, 21, no. Si* § m m