Sozialistischer Schutzbund ('Socialist Protection League', abbreviated SSB) was a paramilitary formation in Saar, linked to the Social Democratic Party of Saarland (SPS).[1][2][3]
Foundation
editSSB was formed in 1933 by the Saar organization of the German Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold, following the ban of the German mother organization in Germany proper in March/April 1933.[4][5] The founding meeting was held in the Saarbrücken Workers Welfare House in on March 27, 1933.[6][7] Jakob Frank was elected as the leader of the organization.[6][7]
The name SSB was adopted on June 17, 1933.[4][5] Through the choice of name the organization manifested that the ideological compromise of the Reichsbanner had ended.[2][5]
Leadership
editFrank had gained experience as an organizer in Reichsbanner and the Iron Front. However, in the background the party chairman Max Braun acted as the de facto leader of the organization.[6][7] Braun would inspire many SSB youth activists fighting against a Nazi take-over in the Saar territory.[6] Heinz Kühn (who later became the Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia) was the leader of the youth formation of SSB.[7]
Organization
editThe set-up of the organization followed that of Reichsbanner and the Austrian Republikanischer Schutzbund.[3] SSB had its headquarters in Sulzbach.[4] There are no definitive records of the size of the organization.[8] According to one account it counted some 200-300 men in its ranks.[4]
SSB sought to circumvent the ban on uniforms imposed by the Government Commission, and its members wore green shirt, black pants and boots at public appearances.[8] SSB possessed some light handguns and some ammunition, but lacked regular weaponry.[8]
Activities
editSSB acted as security forces at mass meetings, and during election campaigns smaller teams of SSB fighters confronted the National Socialist groups.[4] SSB activists also acted as body guards for Max Braun, who faced death threats at the time.[7]
Aftermath
editA number of the Saar German fighters in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War were former SSB members.[3]
References
edit
- ^ Langkau-Alex, Ursula. Vorgeschichte und Gründung des Ausschusses zur Vorbereitung einer Deutschen Volksfront. Berlin: Akademie Verlag, 2004. p. 148. ISBN 3-05-004031-9.
- ^ a b Paul, Gerhard, and Max Braun. Max Braun: eine politische Biographie. St. Ingbert: W.J. Röhrig, 1987. p. 66.
- ^ a b c Röhr, Werner, and Brigitte Berlekamp (1997). Terror, Herrschaft und Alltag im Nationalsozialismus: Probleme einer Sozialgeschichte des deutschen Faschismus (in German). Munster: Westfälisches Dampfboot. p. 70. ISBN 3929586444.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e Paul, Gerhard, and Bernhard Schossig. Die Andere Geschichte: Geschichte von unten, Spurensicherung, ökologische Geschichte, Geschichtswerkstätten. Köln: Bund-Verlag, 1986. pp. 101-102. ISBN 3766309463.
- ^ a b c ZurMühlen, Patrik von (1979). "Schlagt Hitler an der Saar!": Abstimmungskampf, Emigration und Widerstand im Saargebiet 1933 - 1935 (in German) (German ed.). Bonn: Verl. Neue Gesellschaft. p. 85. ISBN 387831308X.
- ^ a b c d Mallmann, Klaus-Michael, Gerhard Paul, and Hans-Walter Herrmann. Widerstand und Verweigerung im Saarland 1935-1945]. [Bd 1]. Bonn: Dietz Nachfolger, 1995. p. 72. ISBN 3801250121.
- ^ a b c d e Paul, Gerhard, and Klaus-Michael Mallmann (1995). Milieus und Widerstand: eine Verhaltensgeschichte der Gesellschaft im Nationalsozialismus (in German) (German ed.). Bonn: Dietz. pp. 214, 216. ISBN 3801250121.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c ZurMühlen, Patrik von (1979). Schlagt Hitler an der Saar!": Abstimmungskampf, Emigration und Widerstand im Saargebiet 1933 - 1935 (in German) (German ed.). Bonn: Verl. Neue Gesellschaft. p. 43. ISBN 387831308X.