History

The SA (Sturmabteilung, storm detachment) was established in 1921 as a paramilitary protection squad of the NSDAP. The members of the SA were tasked with protecting party leaders at political rallies and meetings from the paramilitary forces of the opposing political factions. The SA was first utilised on November 4, 1921 at a meeting held in Munich’s "Hofbräuhaus" beer hall. The organisation was banned after the failed putsch in 1923 and was reactivated in February 1925.

A Sturmfahne (standard) was carried in front of a marching Sturm (company-sized unit). The basic design of the flag, which had a red background with a black swastika on a white circle, was introduced in the summer of 1921. The unit number was embroidered on a coloured rectangle that was sewn to the upper inner corner. The colour of the rectangular patch denoted which SA-Gruppe the unit served with. The patch was initially surrounded by bi-colour piping, which denoted the SA-Gruppe the unit served in. The colour of the piping was later changed to either silver or gold, which depended on the button and insignia colour used by the particular SA Gruppe. Some flags are partially bordered with silver or gold fringe. The name of a deceased member of the unit, battalion, etc, may be embroidered on a black piece of fabric using gold or silver thread and sewn to the flag.