Hitler Youth

Hitler Youth was for boys aged between 10 and 14 years. The boys had to learn semaphore, arms drill, and take part in two-day cross-country hikes. They also had to learn Nazi dogma and once they passed the necessary tests they were given a special dagger marked "Blood and Honour". The main objective of the organization was to provide Adolf Hitler with loyal supporters

Once girls reached the age of they could join the Jungmädel. At 14 they entered the German Girls' League. This included a year of farm or domestic service. They were trained by female guardians.

In 1936 membership of the HJ (Hitlerjugend) was made compulsory for all boys aged 15 and 18. At the same time all other youth organizations were banned. In 1938 there were 8,000 full-time leaders of the HJ. There were also 720,000 part-time HJ leaders, often schoolteachers, who had been trained in National Socialist principles.

When Germany ran short of soldiers members of the Hitler Youth were encouraged to join the 12th SS Panzer Division, commanded by Germany's youngest general, Kurt Meyer. In 1945 members of the HJ were armed and told to fight to the death.

Related pages: History, Mrs March, Year Ten, Year Eleven

Category: History

Author: Mrs March