Memoirs of Ernst Röhm

The Nazi Party leader behind Hitler's violent rise to power offers a candid chronicle of his life and the early days of National Socialism in Germany. Ernst Röhm was one of the key architects behind the rise of the Nazi Party. From 1919 until 1923, following the defeat of Germany in the First World War, Röhm served in the Freikorps and then National Socialist German Workers' Party—the Nazi Party. He served as the party's patron, promoter, and watchdog. With Adolf Hitler, Röhm cofounded the SA, the thuggish workforce behind Nazi political activity. Many believe that Hitler's rise to power would not have happened without Röhm's organizational skill, authority, and influence. Though Röhm took part in the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, he became disillusioned with the Nazi Party and resigned in 1925. Röhm wrote his memoirs in 1928—entitled A Traitor's Story —the year he both resumed working for the Nazis and left to serve in the Bolivian army. In his candid recounting of his experiences, he wrote "Hitler and I were linked by ties of sincere friendship." Little did Röhm know that their "friendship" would end with Hitler ordering his execution during the Night of the Long Knives.