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.

The Technical Instruction Companies (Technische Lehrstürme) of the SA were formed in late 1933. Personnel wore a sleeve insignia on the lower left sleeve in the form of a light blue diamond-shaped cloth badge with a silver-coloured metal or embroidered cogwheel. The Technical Instruction Companies were discontinued in 1934 or shortly thereafter.