2-376-562 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

Adolf Hitler and members of the SA at the Weimar rallies, Germany, 3rd-4th July, 1926. To the right behind Hitler (1889-1945) is the District Leader of the Ruhr and Chief of Staff, Viktor Lutze (1890-1943). The rallies were a Nazi Party conference held during the public speaking ban imposed on Hitler that was not lifted until 1927. Founded in c1919, the Sturmabteilung (SA) was the paramilitary wing of the Nazi party. Its members were known as the 'Brownshirts' because of the colour of their uniforms. The SA played an important part in Hitler's rise to power in Germany but its significance was greatly reduced after its leaders were killed in the 'Night of the Long Knives' in 1934, with the rival Schutzstaffel (SS) taking over its role.