Stormtroopers: A New History of Hitler's Brownshirts

by Daniel Siemens

Germany's Stormtroopers engaged in a vicious siege of violence that propelled the National Socialists to power in the 1930s. Known also as the SA or Brownshirts, these "ordinary" men waged a loosely structured campaign of intimidation and savagery across the nation from the 1920s to the "Night of the Long Knives" in 1934, when Chief of Staff Ernst Rohm and many other SA leaders were assassinated on Hitler's orders. In this deeply researched history, Daniel Siemens explores not only the roots of the SA and its swift decapitation but also its previously unrecognized transformation into a million-member Nazi organization, its activities in German-occupied territories during World War II, and its particular contributions to the Holocaust. The author provides portraits of individual members and their victims and examines their milieu, culture, and ideology. His book tells the long-overdue story of the SA and its devastating impact on German citizens and the fate of their country.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction, Politics, Germany, War, European History

504 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2017

Reviews

[Beata · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is the first one I've read on SA, and it does not disappoint. The Author explains in a very interesting and intriguing way the rise of the formation and, what's of a special interest to me, how and why Brownshirts became so influential regarding ordinary people. Mr Siemens goes beyond 1934 in his book and even gives us a deeper insight into post-war period regarding SA members, which is quite unique.The conclusion? The history is a great teacher if you are willing to look back...

[Christopher Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few English-language studies of the Sturmabteilung (SA), the Nazi Brownshirts whose street violence and ideological fervor enabled Hitler's rise to power in '20s and '30s Germany. During the Weimar era, they evolved from a fragmented group of far-right militias into a unified paramilitary squad who presented an ever-present threat to Hitler's enemies. Its early membership consisted largely of working class, urban Germans whose fanaticism bred interparty feuds, from renegade Walter Stemmens (who led an abortive SA coup to displace Hitler in the early '30s) to their leader, Ernst Rohm, who broke with Hitler over the latter's refusal to push for a "Second Revolution" after seizing power. The common narrative of the SA is that, after Hitler's rise to power, he no longer needed these fanatics' assistance, leading to the Night of the Long Knives in June 1934, where Nazi officials murdered Rohm and dozens of other Brownshirt leaders. Siemens argues this portrait is incomplete, if not misleading; while never as politically powerful after Rohm's death, the Brownshirts remained the most visible enforcers of fascist ideology in and outside of Germany. Their uniformed presence in towns and cities provided a constant reminder of the regime's beliefs and violence, whether in events like Kristallnacht or commonplace attacks on Jews, Communists and critics of the regime. Its leaders (from Viktor Lutze, the SA chief who constantly maneuvered to defend his group against Himmler's SS and other bureaucratic rivals, to Siegfried Kasche, who coordinated genocide in Croatia and other Balkan states) spearheaded Nazi plans for resettlement and Nazification of conquered territories. Brownshirts actively joined in the conquests, too, whether by enlisting in the Wehrmacht, forming separate military units of their own, or participating in the purges of Jews and Slavs behind the lines. Afterwards, SA veterans promoted an image of themselves as detached from the regime's atrocities and centers of power, allowing them to escape the scrutiny afforded the SS, or even the Wehrmacht in postwar Germany. Few historians, German or otherwise, have bothered to pushback against this myth; in doing so, Siemens provides a valuable addition to scholarship on the Third Reich.

[Pauly · Rating 5 out of 5]

At last. A full, scholarly, interesting history of the SA in English. Thank you Professor Siemens.

[James Crabtree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel Siemens has done an excellent job looking at the history of the SA, the militant wing of the Nazi Party. His book has examined the membership and role of the Stormtroopers from its inception to the end of the war, and goes beyond the two-dimensional truths taught in "routine" histories of the organization. For instance, one gets the impression that the SA was practically disbanded following the Night of the Long Knives. In fact, the Rohm Purge only effected the top leadership of the SA (as well as many who were killed in extra-judicial murders) while the organization itself was "repurposed" since Hitler cut a deal with the Reichswehr ensuring that the SA would never be a valid replacement for the traditional armed forces of Germany. After the purge the Stormtroopers provided much-needed security forces within Germany and, despite opposition by SA generals, a conscription base for the German Army and SS. Despite Hitler's penchant for keeping his subordinates in seperate power bases to prevent them from cooperating or attempting to take on the state on their own, there was never a Waffen-SA the way there was a Waffen-SS.

Other issues the author looks at include the wholesale recruitment and incorporation of opposition street-fighting organizations following the Nazi's ascent to power... both on the right and left. The dissatisfaction among individual Stormtroopers after Hitler became dictator with the division of the "loot" that was expected. The role the SA played in early concentration camps. The attempts to make SA members into armed colonial farmers in the new eastern "Living Space." All this shines a new light on the men who were the muscle behind the Nazi rise to power.

[Lewis Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

It read more as though it was a textbook based entirely on the SA, rather than a book one would read for fun. Nevertheless, as someone who enjoys history and loves fact upon fact, this was an enjoyable read. Granted, a few times names had me wondering back to where they were first mentioned, and some dates jumped back and forth. Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t want narrative storytelling, just fact after fact.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit longer book than most I have read and it presents a very detailed look at the Nazi Stormtroopers, aka SA or Brown Shirts, from their early inception to post war prosecutions for war crimes. I found it quite interesting but sometimes a little confusing only because of all the names of actual members and mini histories of their participation in the SA. Starting as thugs during the post WWI period of high unemployment, they soon placed their support to the National Socialists Workers Party, better known by the acronym Nazis. They continued their acts of intimidation and violence against any opposition parties including shouting them down, pushing, beating, and eventually even murders. Reading this part I could not help but see their actions in the fascists of today such as so-called antifa and the anti-free speech leftist crowds on our college campuses. The difference being antifa prefers black and are usually masked. The Brown Shirts were instrumental in eliminating opposition to the National Socialist movement ending in the rise to power of Adolph Hitler. They continued to be enforcers under the Nazi regime until they essentially disbursed after the end of WWII. This is a great read for anyone interested in WWII and the rise of National Socialism in Germany with the help and support of the SA.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to read stormtroopers for awhile and then finally got around to reading it. And I started off well learning about the first years of the brown shirts but, as the book wore on I was not sure I wanted to finish reading it.

I was about to make it to about page 320 and then I just skimmed the last 18 pages. Since even if I read them I would have had no idea what I would have been reading.

I suppose some people would like stormtroopers but, I lots interest after the first 200 pages. But, I did learn things about the brownshirts that I did not know before reading the book.

There are a lot of words on each page and for me it was tough to get into the book. I mean to me it was not like a book such as Taking Berlin which was a page turner for me.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very clear and well detailed study of the SA beyond the 'Night of the Long Knives.' Siemens does go into the early history of the movement but has done a lot of research on the post 34 SA especially looking at it's social, political and military role in both the old and the new Reich. It has changed my perception of the SA as merely dwindling away after the death of Rohm, in fact it remained a major player in the Nazi state and was instrumental in the regime's plans although it was sidelined to a various extent by the SS. A good read and recommended for students of this period.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ground-breaking study that considers the entirety of the SA experience, from its founding in the wake of World War I to the impact SA men had after World War II. Siemens refutes the idea that the SA became irrelevant after the Night of the Long Knives. Instead, the SA evolved over time and while it never rivaled the SS in terms of influence on Hitler, it remained a vital Nazi party organization and the one that in many ways was most familiar to Germans.

[Belinda Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was very well researched. It contained a lot of facts which were interesting. For instance the SA made money by selling their brand of cigarettes, and by selling gear and uniforms to members.
The writing style is rather dry and analytical. It would have been more interesting if there had been more stories about what it was like for individual members in the SA.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps it only deserved 3 stars for its poor investigation of Ernst Rohm. He was the heart and soul of the SA. Still, it was a good, if a dry reading of the SA putting it in the context of German society and not simply the Nazis.

Definitely worth a read by students of the Historical Third Reich.

[Andy L Stoelting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book. Not for the casual reader but if you love reading history this is for you.
I habe never read the history of the brownshirt movement after the Night of the Long knives. This book filled in the large gap in my knowledge of the Nazi history

[Roland Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das Standardwerk zur Geschichte der Sturmabteilung überhaupt! Es gibt, glaube ich, kein besseres Buch über die SA, dass so umfassend und umfangreich berichtet. Daniel Siemens schreibt verständlich und interessant, so dass auch der historische Laie hinterher kommt.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as bad as I had expected. Most books about the anti-communist tend to be little more than liberal rants against civilized people. This has a liberal slant but the author was capable of providing details, names, and events so the work has value.

[Domenico · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meticulously well researched, although a little bit too dry in comparison to other world war 2 books on similar subjects. Didn't exactly have the almost narrative feel of something like an Antony beevor book, but still recommended if you're interested in the period of history.

[Matthew Sparling · Rating 2 out of 5]

Technically a very detailed and good book. A bit confusing at times because of jumping around in time.

[Tieraney Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history on the stormtroopers!

[Artlvns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great work on the subject!

[Mads Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The SA and the history of the Nazi party in the 1920s is an oft forgotten warning tale for future generations of authoritarianism

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great and informative read. As mentioned by other reviewers one of the view books on this topic in English. Anything you could wish to learn about the SA and its history is here.

[Brian Fung]

A niche history on an important Nazi organization.