SA

abbr. Sturmabteilung.

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SA, abbreviation for Sturmabteilung, the paramilitary organization of the NSDAP, founded in 1921. The storm troops (also referred to as brownshirts after the colour of their uniform, introduced in 1925) were involved in the abortive coup d'état in Munich (see Hitlerputsch) in 1923, after which the organization was forbidden for two years in Bavaria. In 1931 E. Röhm took over command; in April 1932 Brüning banned the SA for the whole of Germany, but in July the ban was lifted by Papen. The SA was notorious for its use of violence.