Description

Rare 1927-Dated NSDAP Membership Booklet – Heinrich Suhre Jr., Membership No. 326668 – Hannover – With Original SA Standarte 13 Document Suhre was born on 1 August 1909 and joined the NSDAP in 1930, with the surviving documentation indicating an entry into the party during August/October of that year. The membership booklet was officially issued in Munich on 24 August 1931 and features a stamped facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler. The booklet documents Suhre's NSDAP membership payments from 1931 through 1940, with the corresponding entries providing a contemporary record of his continued financial contributions to the party. Early Political Position – Zellenleiter, Hannover-Süd Of particular historical interest is the entry on page 22, which records that Suhre held the position of Zellenleiter for Hannover-Süd from January 1931 until 1 May 1932. The earlier designation Zellenwart, subsequently known as Zellenleiter, referred to a local organisational position within the NSDAP's political structure. These officials supervised party activity at the local level and served as intermediaries between the party leadership and its members. Following the establishment of the Nazi dictatorship in 1933, the position of Zellenleiter became part of the party's increasingly extensive system of political supervision and control over everyday life. Sturmabteilung (SA) – Standarte 13, Hannover Suhre was also a member of the Sturmabteilung (SA), serving with SA-Standarte 13 in Hannover. This particular Hannover SA formation has an interesting documented local history. An article concerning the former SA meeting places in the city describes the notorious Zur Kreuzklappe tavern at Kreuzkirchhof, later known as Restaurant Alt-Hannover, as a meeting place for SA-Sturm 3/13. The contemporary Social Democratic newspaper Volkswillen reportedly described the establishment as a centre for intimidation and confrontations with political opponents. Accounts from 1932 also describe violent clashes involving SA members and left-wing workers in neighbouring Calenberg-Neustadt. This provides an interesting geographical and historical context for Suhre's documented association with SA-Standarte 13. Original SA Authorization Document – Signed by August Ihle Perhaps the most interesting accompanying item is a separate, loose document issued by SA-Standarte 13, Hannover, bearing the original handwritten signature of Standartenführer August Ihle. The document authorises SA-Scharführer Suhre to wear the Ärmelstreifen für altgediente SA-Männer – a special sleeve stripe associated with long-serving SA personnel. The sleeve stripe was approximately 4 mm wide and represented a distinction within the organisation. Original authorisation paperwork of this nature is considerably less frequently encountered than the insignia itself, making this surviving document an important addition to the grouping. Its association with Suhre's original NSDAP membership booklet provides a further documentary connection to his political and paramilitary activities in Hannover. Later Life According to the available genealogical research, Suhre entered the Wehrmacht in 1941, subsequently married and was later taken prisoner by American forces. He died in February 2008 at the age of 98. His burial place is recorded as Stöckener Friedhof in Hannover. Summary An interesting, document-rich grouping comprising: Early NSDAP membership booklet, bearing membership number 326668. Issued in Munich on 24 August 1931. Stamped facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler. Membership payment entries covering 1931–1940. Recorded service as Zellenleiter for Hannover-Süd, 1931–1932. Association with SA-Standarte 13, Hannover. Separate SA authorisation document bearing the handwritten signature of Standartenführer August Ihle. Permission for Suhre to wear the Ärmelstreifen für altgediente SA-Männer. A historically interesting grouping combining early NSDAP membership documentation with a separately preserved SA authorisation document. Particularly noteworthy is the survival of the accompanying paperwork, which helps establish a documented connection between the individual, his local party position and his SA affiliation. Slight water stain to front and back as shown