Third Reich Day by Day: September 1934

The tensions between the SA leadership and Hitler exploded in 1934. Ernst Röhm, believing that the Nazi revolution should be taken a step further, began to talk of the SA replacing the army. Hitler, however, now firmly in power, did not want to alienate the army or the conservative élites that were backing him. Egged on by other senior Nazis, the Führer decided to eradicate the SA threat. The result was the Night of the Long Knives, during which the senior leadership of the SA, including Röhm, was killed.

September

Armed Forces, High Command

General Werner Freiherr von Fritsch was appointed the commander of the Germany Army in 1934.

General Werner Freiherr von Fritsch becomes chief of the High Command of the German Army.

5-10 September

Nazi Party, Party Day

Party Rally of Unity is held in Nuremberg. It is the first rally to last for over a week. The event is recorded by the film-maker Leni Riefenstahl, who makes a three-hour film entitled Triumph of the Will.

24 September

Nazi Party, Waffen-SS

The chief of the three branches of the Wehrmacht (armed forces) are officially advised of the creation of the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS Militarized Troops) by means of a circular letter. It states that the SS-Verfügungstruppe is to be formed on a basis of three regiments modelled on infantry regiments of the army, each to contain three battalions, a mortar company and a motorcycle company, as well as being supported by a signals battalion. It also provides for three officer cadet schools. The formation will be under the personal command of the Reichsführer-SS except in time of war, when it will come under the control of the army.