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Hitler's Children. |
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 This Hitler
Jugend party card was found in a dust bin in
Austria,
later purchased by a local Scot. The aim was to give it to someone
who would show it and tell of its effects, and not let it be
forgotten. On handing it over they quoted Shakespeare: from Julius Cesar. The evil that men do lives after them. When we watch old films of the Hitler regime we see large crowds. Loud stirring music rents the air, fanfares, violent speeches and responding hurrahs. An army in steel helmets in perfect line and Nazi flags displayed amidst the hysteria of German National Socialist propaganda. The youth of the country is transformed to a Landser in field grey uniform and have become an integral part of a war machine. They are from all parts of the new Reich and commonly used to taking orders. Ready to consent to a disciplinarian system, as many already have some practice in the arts of war. Equipped to follow orders, familiar with weapons and activities out doors, ready to exploit bullet proof cover. A mass of men and women reared in the illusion of an non existent past, and a dream of racial superiority.  To
be raised in this martial and cultural feeling must have had
aims and consequences that was not in the mind of the participant.
An ordinary boy in formative years would have in many case been
attracted to the Jungstrum Hitler Youth from 1922, which served
as a recruiting base for the SA Storm Troopers often seen in
brown shirts. After a disagreement with the leadership of thi s organisation Hitler ended its existence and reformed a second wave of Jungstrum Hitler Youth as ready recruits for his Nazi Party in an almost limitless supply. The girls were not immune from the party purposes and formed the Bund Deutscher Maden as a League of German Girls. (BND). For the younger they had the opportunity to join the Deutsches Jungfolk Available to boys and girls between 10 and 14 although some were much younger. The Austrians reciprocated this plan mainly after the War of Flowers. During the fore-coming conflict they were sectioned to various public utilities and organisations such as Postal Service, Fire Units. Both of which were also recruiting sources for the Gestapo. The Armed forces was the next step for the Hitler Youth and were allowed to form their own units such as the 1 2th Division Hitler Youth. Youthful soldiers set against the Allies in some cases caused considerable resistance. We have seen pictures on the fall of Berlin when the Russian Army assaulted Berlin, where part of its defence was held by the Jungstrum Hitler Youth and Deutsches Jungfolk. We should not forget many ordinary people followed the route of patriotism as in any other country and simply did what was ordinarily required. The attraction of congregating with your peers in healthy outdoor sports and ac tivates then an evening of marching through your village or town showing off, then a night of fire lit singing in similar company can be compulsive to Youth. The evil than men do lives after them. |
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