The Hitler Youth Movement
"I want a Youth, a cruel unflinching Youth, as hard as Steel-Krupp's Steel" Adolf Hitler in an address to the Hitler Youth, Potsdam, 1936
These, the oft quoted words of a dictator, portray in a nutshell the value of the whole-hearted support that the youth of a nation can mean to a government.
Relatively few books have been written about the activities of the German Hitler Youth movement. Before World War 2 the German press made glowing statements about the quality of the Hitler-Jugend, emphasising the beneficial results to the health and personalities of the members, their cultural achievements, high educational standards, and their unanimous and single-minded support and enthusiasm for the directives and policy of National Socialism. In post-war years, the Hitler Youth movement has been almost universally portrayed as a breed of fanatical Nazis; deprived of mind and will, cold-blooded, ruthless, and the heartless tools of a dictatorship. Such contrasting attitudes reflect the change in the popular consensus of opinion brought about by the effects of World War 2 and the demise of German Nazism.
The object of this small study, however, is not to glamorise the Hitler Youth.
The social and cultural idiosyncrasies of Third Reich Germany have no true relative comparisons today, either in Western Germany or the rest of Europe. In its time the Hitler Youth was unique, brought about by a state of affairs that has been paralleled by no other nation. Some comparisons to the status of the Hitler Youth movement might only be drawn if compared to the Young Pioneers Organisation as it was in Stalin's Russia. It is necessary however, to introduce some aspects of the Nazi kultur into the confines of this book in order to give the reader an appreciation of the significance of the structure, growth, and organisation of the Hitler Youth movement, thus permitting some understanding as to how the ideology of the movement was reflected in its uniforms, ranks and insignia.
Development of the Hitler Youth
These, the oft quoted words of a dictator, portray in a nutshell the value of the whole-hearted support that the youth of a nation can mean to a government.
Relatively few books have been written about the activities of the German Hitler Youth movement. Before World War 2 the German press made glowing statements about the quality of the Hitler-Jugend, emphasising the beneficial results to the health and personalities of the members, their cultural achievements, high educational standards, and their unanimous and single-minded support and enthusiasm for the directives and policy of National Socialism. In post-war years, the Hitler Youth movement has been almost universally portrayed as a breed of fanatical Nazis; deprived of mind and will, cold-blooded, ruthless, and the heartless tools of a dictatorship. Such contrasting attitudes reflect the change in the popular consensus of opinion brought about by the effects of World War 2 and the demise of German Nazism.
The object of this small study, however, is not to glamorise the Hitler Youth.
The social and cultural idiosyncrasies of Third Reich Germany have no true relative comparisons today, either in Western Germany or the rest of Europe. In its time the Hitler Youth was unique, brought about by a state of affairs that has been paralleled by no other nation. Some comparisons to the status of the Hitler Youth movement might only be drawn if compared to the Young Pioneers Organisation as it was in Stalin's Russia. It is necessary however, to introduce some aspects of the Nazi kultur into the confines of this book in order to give the reader an appreciation of the significance of the structure, growth, and organisation of the Hitler Youth movement, thus permitting some understanding as to how the ideology of the movement was reflected in its uniforms, ranks and insignia.
Development of the Hitler Youth
In April, 1933, a proclamation was issued stating that the Hitler-Jugend der NSDAP was recognised as an officially sponsored Government organisation. All other youth movements (such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, etc,) were to be incorporated into the HJ, or otherwise disbanded if not conforming to the ethnic regulations laid down by the new Government. All young persons between the ages of 10-18 (males) and 10-21 (females) were requested, if suitable, to join one of the Hitler Youth organisations.
The origin of the Hitler Youth goes back as early as 1923, when it was then known as the German Youth Organisation of the NSDAP. Organised on similar lines to its parent movement, the youth organisation sponsored both political and physical recreations for its member's interests. Recognising the usefulness of a prepared Youth for future years, the Nazi Party made elaborate preparations to cultivate and capture the willing support of the next generation and, in consequence, the future leadership of Germany. To achieve this ambition the ideals and policies of National Socialism were projected to the mass of German young people through numerous media, The younger members of the population were offered the patronage of 'Scouting' type activities, and in the higher age groups, particularly among the intelligentsia of the universities, contact was made through NSDAP-sponsored student's unions. It was in this latter category that the politically inspired Baldur von Schirach emerged, destined ten years later to become appointed as Reich's Youth leader of the NSDAP.
By 1928, when the factions of the NSDAP known as the SA and SS were becoming more stringently organised, and uniformed in distinct systematic style, the Hitler Youth, as the German Youth Organisation of the NSDAP had then become known, was subjected to the adoption of permissible forms of dress. Uniforms were devised, and insignia instituted, in a manner in keeping with the militaristic formation that the organisation was structured upon. Like the SA and SS, personnel in the Hitler Youth were designated forms of rank, and although stringent enforcement of styles was not totally achieved, a basic regularity became evident.
In 1933, when the NSDAP gained sufficient seats in the Reichstag to implement control, the Hitler Youth became governable under law. The financial support which the Nazis levied became available in quantity, and the development and expansion of the Party machine could be concentrated to absolute totality.
The following contemporary appraisal of the Reich's Hitler Youth Organisation has been translated from Der Reichsschulungsbrief, issue No 9, 1936. This will present to the reader a basic concept of the requirements, organisation, and activities of the HJ as seen through the eyes of National Socialism. It is accurate regarding objectives and statistics and structure only up to 1936; the events of later years created developments which implemented various changes.
"Created during the last years of the struggle of the National Socialist Movement, and enlarged during the early part of the Third Reich, the Hitler-Jugend is an expression of the will and the shape of the future generation. In addition to the political and physical education taught to the members, they are trained to be obedient and disciplinarian, thus creating a foundation for real leadership under the close collaboration of both the parents and the schools.
The Hitler-Jugend is concerned with all matters of youth interest between the ages of 10 and 21 years of age. Membership is open to all Arayans who are of pure-bred German stock, acceptance to membership usually being on April 20 each year. (This was Hitler's birthday),
Transfer from the DJ to the HJ, when the member reaches the age of fourteen years, is also enacted about April 20 each year. At the age of eighteen years the HJ member becomes eligible for application to join the NSDAP, which if deemed acceptable is enacted on November 9 annually. (This was the Anniversary of the Munich Putsch November 9, 1923). Transfer of the HJ members to the NSDAP is conditional upon the applicant having served in the HJ for at least four years, and in that time has proved himself to be a suitable person upon whom membership of the Party may be bestowed.
Application forms for membership of the Party must be issued and passed by the Reichsleitung via the Orstgruppen. No entry fee is charged to HJ members.
Although the HJ is maintained under the constant supervision of the NSDAP, its operation and function remains completely independent of the Party.
Organisation of the HJ
The HJ consists of:
(i) The Hitler-Jugend (Males, 14-18 years);
(ii) The Deutsche Jungvolk in the HJ (Males, 10-14 years);
(iii) The Jungmadel in the HJ (Females, 10-14 years);
(iv) The Bund Deutscher Madel in the HJ (Females, 14-21 years).
'For the further education and development of the HJ membership, the organisation is provided with its own Reichsfuhrer Schools, District Schools, Hostels, and Youth Hostels."
F.J. Stevens: Hitler Youth" 1973, Almark Publications
The origin of the Hitler Youth goes back as early as 1923, when it was then known as the German Youth Organisation of the NSDAP. Organised on similar lines to its parent movement, the youth organisation sponsored both political and physical recreations for its member's interests. Recognising the usefulness of a prepared Youth for future years, the Nazi Party made elaborate preparations to cultivate and capture the willing support of the next generation and, in consequence, the future leadership of Germany. To achieve this ambition the ideals and policies of National Socialism were projected to the mass of German young people through numerous media, The younger members of the population were offered the patronage of 'Scouting' type activities, and in the higher age groups, particularly among the intelligentsia of the universities, contact was made through NSDAP-sponsored student's unions. It was in this latter category that the politically inspired Baldur von Schirach emerged, destined ten years later to become appointed as Reich's Youth leader of the NSDAP.
By 1928, when the factions of the NSDAP known as the SA and SS were becoming more stringently organised, and uniformed in distinct systematic style, the Hitler Youth, as the German Youth Organisation of the NSDAP had then become known, was subjected to the adoption of permissible forms of dress. Uniforms were devised, and insignia instituted, in a manner in keeping with the militaristic formation that the organisation was structured upon. Like the SA and SS, personnel in the Hitler Youth were designated forms of rank, and although stringent enforcement of styles was not totally achieved, a basic regularity became evident.
In 1933, when the NSDAP gained sufficient seats in the Reichstag to implement control, the Hitler Youth became governable under law. The financial support which the Nazis levied became available in quantity, and the development and expansion of the Party machine could be concentrated to absolute totality.
The following contemporary appraisal of the Reich's Hitler Youth Organisation has been translated from Der Reichsschulungsbrief, issue No 9, 1936. This will present to the reader a basic concept of the requirements, organisation, and activities of the HJ as seen through the eyes of National Socialism. It is accurate regarding objectives and statistics and structure only up to 1936; the events of later years created developments which implemented various changes.
"Created during the last years of the struggle of the National Socialist Movement, and enlarged during the early part of the Third Reich, the Hitler-Jugend is an expression of the will and the shape of the future generation. In addition to the political and physical education taught to the members, they are trained to be obedient and disciplinarian, thus creating a foundation for real leadership under the close collaboration of both the parents and the schools.
The Hitler-Jugend is concerned with all matters of youth interest between the ages of 10 and 21 years of age. Membership is open to all Arayans who are of pure-bred German stock, acceptance to membership usually being on April 20 each year. (This was Hitler's birthday),
Transfer from the DJ to the HJ, when the member reaches the age of fourteen years, is also enacted about April 20 each year. At the age of eighteen years the HJ member becomes eligible for application to join the NSDAP, which if deemed acceptable is enacted on November 9 annually. (This was the Anniversary of the Munich Putsch November 9, 1923). Transfer of the HJ members to the NSDAP is conditional upon the applicant having served in the HJ for at least four years, and in that time has proved himself to be a suitable person upon whom membership of the Party may be bestowed.
Application forms for membership of the Party must be issued and passed by the Reichsleitung via the Orstgruppen. No entry fee is charged to HJ members.
Although the HJ is maintained under the constant supervision of the NSDAP, its operation and function remains completely independent of the Party.
Organisation of the HJ
The HJ consists of:
(i) The Hitler-Jugend (Males, 14-18 years);
(ii) The Deutsche Jungvolk in the HJ (Males, 10-14 years);
(iii) The Jungmadel in the HJ (Females, 10-14 years);
(iv) The Bund Deutscher Madel in the HJ (Females, 14-21 years).
'For the further education and development of the HJ membership, the organisation is provided with its own Reichsfuhrer Schools, District Schools, Hostels, and Youth Hostels."
F.J. Stevens: Hitler Youth" 1973, Almark Publications
posted by GMC at
3:23 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home