2-490-863 - Historisk Bildbyrå/Mustang media/Heritage Images

Viktor Lutze, commander of the SA, Berlin Airport, Germany, 1934. 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, including Ernst Röhm, were killed in the 'Night of the Long Knives' in 1934, with the rival Schutzstaffel (SS) taking over its role. Lutze (1890-1943) succeeded Röhm as head of the SA. He had been instrumental in bringing about his predecessor's downfall, informing Hitler of his anti-regime plotting.