The SA 1921-45 : Hitler's Stormtroopers (Men-At Arms Series, 220) [Paperback]

David Littlejohn (Author), Ronald Volstad (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 1990 | Series: Men-at-Arms (Book 220)

In 1919 Adolf Hitler joined the tiny German Workers' Party (DAP) in Munich, becoming its leader the following year and adding 'National Socialist' to its title. Thus the NSDAP, popularly known as the Nazi Party, was born. All political parties had strong-arm squads to protect their meetings from disruption by rivals, and the NSDAP was no exception. In August 1921 ex-naval Lieutenant Hans Ulrich Klintzsch took command of the NSDAP's 'Defence and Propaganda Troop' which, the following month, was renamed the SA (Sturmabteilung = Storm Detachment). David Littlejohn's fine text examines the history, uniforms and insignia of Hitler's stormtroopers prior to and during World War II.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Packed with specially commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams, the Men-at-Arms series is an unrivalled illustrated reference on the history, organisation, uniforms and equipment of the world's military forces, past and present.

About the Author

David Littlejohn lives in Aberdeen, Scotland. He has had a life long interest in this subject and has a particular interest in uniform and insignia. This is his first book for Osprey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (March 22, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850459443
• ISBN-13: 978-0850459449
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #403,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, July 31, 2004

By 

Michael A Dorosh (Calgary, AB, CANADA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The SA 1921-45 : Hitler's Stormtroopers (Men-At Arms Series, 220) (Paperback)

A good overall look at the SA, with a basic history of the organization and some eye-opening facts and figures (as the history of the SA is traced all the way through 1945 - far from fading into obscurity after the death of Roehm in 1934), with equal time presented to "Evolution of the SA Uniform" (which includes insignia), history, and a description of sub-organizations.

Would have benefited from full colour treatment of the insignia sections, but that would have taken away from the lovely full colour plates by Volstad.

Insignia portions of the text are well done, with physical descriptions accompanied by regulations for such things as long-service chevrons and stripes - good overall look at this very complicated subject. Many details of insignia given, another example are the summaries of collar patches and piping, which describe the abbreviations worn on the patches and which districts they correspond to.

Good look at history and organization, with special emphasis placed on uniforms.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars DATE AND COVER CONFUSION, June 18, 2011

By 

Harry Widoff "Bookateria" (Forest Hills, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The SA 1921-45 : Hitler's Stormtroopers (Men-At Arms Series, 220) (Paperback)

The Cover shown [I have and sell this book] is the newest 1999 cover not the 1990 cover. I believe the illustrator had changed as well.

TECHNICALLY THIS BOOK SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED A NEW ISBN NUMBER BY ISBN RULES

4 stars not 5 due to Publisher Obfuscation