Night Of The Long Knives
Through this in depth study of the event named “night of the long knives” I will discuss 6 main topics, these being :
- When it happened
- What happened
- Why it happened
- Why Hitler got away with it
- Who was involved
- And, the significance of the event
When
The main bulk of this terrible incident occurred on the 29th June 1934, there has always been speculation to smaller less important events taking place after this time, but no-one is clear as to what exactly.
What
Under Hitler’s orders the SS were sent out on the night of the 29th June with specific orders. The SS sneaked up into a small area known as Bad Weisse, in a hotel there the SA leaders and generals were settling down for the night unaware of the danger. The SS stormed the hotel and took the dazed and unexpecting SA members from their beds dragging them into transport and taking them back to Nazi headquarters. Other raids similar to this one had also been arranged by Hitler on the same night, SA supporters or leaders like Ernest Rohm, Gregor Strasser, Gustav Von Kahr and Schleicher were also taken from their beds and bundled into vans heading for Nazi Headquarters. These comrades and associates of Hitler’s were gunned down mercilessly at his command, Ernest Rohm however was given the chance to commit suicide but after refusing this privilege he was shot at a later date.