Reply #37: Hitler Youth did fight in the war! [View All]

[IndianaGreen]

By their usual activities, one would think they were no more than a "Boy Scout" organization: their meetings were often and regular, they learned inspiring songs, went camping, had field trips and activities and met for large rallies. The "Hitlerjugend", or "Hitler Youth" Party was far more than just a wholesome young people's activities agency: it was the para-military training bed for a generation of soldiers and "True Believers" for the Third Reich.

The Hitlerjugend, or Hitler Youth grew early out of existing German boys and girls associations. In 1926, on National Party Day, before Hitler had taken office as Chancellor and President, the formal Youth Party was founded with only about 300 members. Before the War years were out, the number would grow to close to 9 million, due in large part to the compulsory membership requirement established in 1940. This requirement mandated that all children (but particularly boys) belong to the HJ, giving the Third Reich complete control over the generation to come.

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As of 1940, the Germans were training their male youth in combat and para-combat arts. A special division, the 12th Panzer Division SS was comprised of "Hitler Youth" and were nicknamed "Candy Soldiers" by the allied troops. While at first these younger soldiers often trained since 10 were put in less dangerous positions, as the war increased, their role increased also, until Hitler had even young teenagers fighting for the Reich.

The results of a generation of boys sent to battle was the subsequent semi-literacy and illiteracy of the same generation post-war. The HItlerjugend had formed the concept early of blind obedience and was perhaps even more rigourous in their adherence to "fuhrer-worship" and unquestioning obedience to authority. Brought up as sons and daughters of a cruel state, they were also cruel and anti-Semitic in their outlook: it had been trained in them since early. The effects of a generation trained in war, for war and in racial intolerance, meant that the post-war years would not see an immediate end to Anti-Semitism in Europe.

http://www.shoaheducation.com/HJ.html