Figure 1.--The first step in the Flieger-HJ was to build and fly model gliders. His uniform looks to be just like an ordinary HJ uniform. The shirt, however, may have been blue.
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Figure 1.--The first step in the Flieger-HJ was to build and fly model gliders. His uniform looks to be just like an ordinary HJ uniform. The shirt, however, may have been blue. |
One of the most popular and largest HJ divisions was the Flieger-HJ (Hitler Youth Flyers). Boys interested in airplanes and flying signed up for the Flieger-HJ. The Flieger-HJ was designed to teach boys the basic principles of flying. Building model gliders was a popular activity for younger boys for the first 2 years of the program. This helped to stimulate interest as well as to present basic principles of aeronautics. They were also instructed in the theory of flight. The younger boys would help man the catapults that launched older boys in actual glider training. After the younger boys completing the model phase of the program they proceeded to prepare to fly actual gliders. The boys worked on A, B, and the advanced C level of glider certifications. The boys that were successful with gliders would progress into the Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe supported close
relationships between its personnel and those of the Flieger-HJ.
This is understandable because the Luftwaffe wanted to
train them as pilots and other specialties. Sometimes the Luftwaffe would actually take up Flieger-HJ boys in actual aircraft, both flifgters and bombers. Boys who showed promise were made a future Fahnrich, or officer cadet in the Luftwaffe. This guaranteed that when they reached the age for military service that would join the Luftwaffe.
We have few details about the Flieger-HJ uniform. The Flieger-HJ wore destinctive Luftwaffe-blue uniforms. Other than this we know nothing about the uniform. We are not sure if this just means that they wore a blue rather than abrown shirt. We do not note any any other aspects of the uniform was similar to the Luftwaffe uniform.
A HBC reader has provided us this fascinating account of a Flieger-HJ boy. In 1946 when I was with the 1st US Infantry Division, 26th Infantry I met Hans who was living in Ludwisgburg, Germany. His
sister who became one of the first German war brides was married to my good friend and I was their best man. Hans told ne how he was not only in the Flieger-HJ, but flew the ME-163 rocket plane.
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