Gregor Strasser

Gregor Strasser was born in Geisenfeld, Germany, on May 31, 1892. When World War I broke out he joined the German army, and won the Iron Cross for bravery under fire. When the war ended Strasser joined one of the "freikorps", which were right-wing paramilitary units, many composed of ex-soldiers, that formed in Germany after the war ended and engaged in intimidation of political opponents, street brawls and political murders. He soon joined the Nazi party, and took part in the Munich "Beer Hall Putsch" of 1923, when Adolf Hitler and his Nazi followers unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow the Bavarian government. For his efforts, Strasser spent some time in prison. After being released from prison Strasser moved to northern Germany, and he soon became an important figure in the SA (Sturm Abteilung), a paramilitary force within the Nazi party that became known as the "Storm Troopers", which carried out the dirty work--including murders--ordered by the party's leaders. Although Strasser was a Nazi, he was also a committed socialist and fiercely opposed Hitler's policy (eventually successful) of trying to win the support of Germany's wealthy industrialists, which Strasser and other socialists saw as one of the main reasons Germany was in the sad shape it was in. Unfortunately for him, he had no compunctions about making those views known. Hitler--who detested those who disagreed with him and was also concerned about Strasser's growing and devoted following within the SA--bided his time. In December 1932 German Prime Minister Paul von Hindenburg asked Kurt von Schleicher to become chancellor and invited Strasser to be his deputy. Hitler and Hermann Göring came out against Strasser, claiming that it was an attempt by the government to break up the Nazi party. Not wanting to cause a schism in the party, Strasser resigned and went to work for a chemical company. Hitler never forgot a slight, though, and on June 30, 1934, he had the Gestapo and the SS move against the SA, which he believed was becoming too powerful. Although Strasser was no longer involved in the SA or in Nazi party politics, he was nevertheless arrested along with many other SA officials, such as leader Ernst Röhm. Strasser was taken to Gestapo headquarters for "interrogation", and while in his cell was shot in the back of the head by SS executioners.