The Night of Long Knives: Nazi purge of the SA
The "Night of Long Knives," which took place on June 30, 1934, was the official purge of SA leadership by the Nazi government. The major forces behind this action were the German regular army and the SS, who plotted to convince Hitler that the SA were planning a revolt against him. Hitler, needing the support of the army for his dictatorship, ordered the arrests of Ernst Rohm, Edmund Heines, and many other powerful SA members and leaders. Furthermore, he capitalized on the opportunity to rid himself of many Nazis who opposed him, though they were not members of the SA. Gregor Strasser was one of those killed for his opposition to Hitler. Over one hundred were killed this night.
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