Hitler Youth
The Hitler Youth (German: Hitlerjugend, often abbreviated as HJ in German) was the youth organisation of the NSDAP. Its origins dated back to 1922.
Contents
History
From 1933 until 1945, the HJ was the sole official youth organisation in Germany. It's critics say the Hitler Youth was a "paramilitary" and "militaristic" organization. However it was no different to being a school military cadet or in other similar organisations across the world.
For males, there were the "German Youngfolk in the Hitler Youth" (German: Deutsches Jungvolk in der Hitler Jugend or DJ, also DJV) for those aged 10 to 14, and the "Hitler Youth" (HJ) proper for those aged 14 to 18. For females, there were the "Young Girls' League" (German: Jungmädelbund; JM) for those aged 10 to 14 and the "League of German Girls" (German: Bund Deutscher Mädel, abbreviated as BDM) for those aged 14 to 18.
In 1938, a third section was introduced, the "Faith and Beauty Society" (German: BDM-Werk Glaube und Schönheit), which was voluntary and open to those aged 17 to 21.
These age categories were not unlike the international Boy Scouts (and Girl Guides) Movement which had Wolf Cubs from age 8 until 12, when they became Boy Scouts until 15, then Senior Scouts until 18, thereafter Rover Scouts until 21. Originally this was a quasi-military organisation where uniformed boys were taught marching, survival techniques, first aid, camping, Morse code and semaphore and a host of other things. They were not, however, taught weapon skills.
WW II
During World War II both branches of the Hitler Youth, along with the rest of the nation, engaged in supportive war effort activities. In the last stages of the war HJ boys were to be found in a wide variety of quasi-military roles such as dispatch runners and riders, and, in 1945, directly supported military units in a fighting capacity. USA General Patton remarked that they were "ferocious opponents".
Post-war
Following the surrender of the Wehrmacht on 8 May 1945, the organisation ceased to function. On 10 October 1945, it was formally outlawed by the victorious occupying Allies along with other NSDAP organisations. Under German law today, the Hitler Youth is an "unconstitutional organisation" and the distribution or public use of its symbols, except for educational or research purposes, are not permitted.
Reich Youth Leader
On 30 October 1931, Hitler appointed Baldur von Schirach as the Reich Youth Leader (Reichsjugendführer) of the NSDAP. In 1933, after the transfer of state power to Hitler, all youth organizations in Germany were brought under Schirach's control and he was designated the Jugendführer des Deutschen Reiches (English: Youth Leader of the German Reich) on 17 June. When Schirach was named Gauleiter of the Reichsgau Vienna on 8 August 1940, Artur Axmann succeeded him as Reichsjugendführer. Axmann had served as Schirach's deputy since 1 May 1940.
Nuremberg show trials
Baldur von Schirach was found guilty at the International Military Tribunal, but not for his Hitler Youth involvement. Artur Axmann was sentenced to three years and three months by a "de-Nazification" court.
Ranking structure
Ranking structure of the HJ with theoretical equivalents of army, navy, and SA ranks, although these comparisons only really apply to adult members:
- Reichsjugendführer (Generalfeldmarschall / Großadmiral / Reichsführer SS / Chef des Stabes der SA)
- Staff leader (Stabsführer) of the Reichsjugendführung or Reich Youth Leadership (General der Waffengattung / Admiral / SS-Obergruppenführer / SA-Obergruppenführer)
- HJ-Obergebietsführer (Lieutenant General / Vice Admiral / SS-Gruppenführer / SA-Gruppenführer)
- HJ-Gebietsführer (Major General / Rear Admiral / SS-Brigadeführer / SA-Brigadeführer)
- HJ-Hauptbannführer (Brigadier / Kommodore / SS-Oberführer / SA-Oberführer)
- HJ-Oberbannführer (Colonel / Kapitän zur See / SS-Standartenführer / SA-Standartenführer)
- HJ-Bannführer (between Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel)
- HJ-Oberstammführer (Lieutenant Colonel / Frigate Captain / SS-Obersturmbannführer / SA-Obersturmbannführer)
- HJ-Stammführer, before 1938 HJ-Unterbannführer (Major / Corvette Captain / SS-Sturmbannführer / SA-Sturmbannführer)
- HJ-Hauptgefolgschaftsführer (Captain / Lieutenant Captain / SS-Hauptsturmführer / SA-Hauptsturmführer)
- HJ-Obergefolgschaftsführer (1st Lieutenant / 1st Lieutenant at Sea / SS-Obersturmführer / SA-Obersturmführer)
- HJ-Gefolgschaftsführer (2nd Lieutenant / 2nd Lieutenant at Sea / SS-Untersturmführer / SA-Sturmführer)
- HJ-Oberscharführer (Oberfeldwebel / Oberbootsmann / SS-Hauptscharführer / SA-Obertruppführer)
- HJ-Scharführer (Feldwebel / Bootsmann / SS-Oberscharführer / SA-Truppführer)
- HJ-Oberkameradschaftsführer (Unterfeldwebel / Obermaat / SS-Scharführer / SA-Oberscharführer)
- HJ-Kameradschaftsführer (Unteroffizier / Maat / SS-Unterscharführer / SA-Scharführer)
- HJ-Oberrottenführer (Obergefreiter, Lance Corporal / Matrosenobergefreiter / SS-Rottenführer / SA-Rottenführer)
- HJ-Rottenführer (Gefreiter, Corporal / Matrosengefreiter / SS-Sturmmann / SA-Obersturmmann)
- Hitlerjunge (Privat / Matrose / SS-Mann / SA-Sturmmann)
See also
Gallery
Hitler Youth and BDM girls in Königsberg, 1935
BDM choir singing Christmas carols in a Roman Catholic hospital
Poster encouraging Hitler Youth to join the forces when of age
"From the Hitler Youth to Officer of the Army – your path!"; poster by Wolfgang Willrich (de), 1943.
HJ teen in Volkssturm in Silesia awaiting a Soviet tank target
Four teenagers in the Waffen-SS Hitler Jugund Division, Normandy, June 1944
HJ teenagers in 1945 who had been Luftwaffe flak gun helpers in Berlin
Further reading
- Through Innocent Eyes – The Girls of the Hitler Youth by Cynthia A. Sandor, Oldsmar, Florida, 2012. ISBN 978-0-9997550-0-6