Hitler Youth Banners

Figure 1.--The basic banner of the Hitler Youth was black with a single rune. This was a contrast to the SS which used a double rune as its symbol. The HJ single rune flag was commonly carried at the front of the column when HJ units paraded. Notice the the Hitler Youth girls saluting. This photograph appears to have been taken in 1934. Notice that they did not carry the national flag. A reader writes, "I can't tell, but is the tall boy wearing long pants or long stockings?" Thats a good question. HJ leaders wore jodpurs and high boots. I at first assumed that was what he was wearing, but in looking closely I don't think they are high boots. I don't think he would be wearing shorts and long stockings, but it is a little unclear just wha he is wearing.

The basic banner of the Hitler Youth was black with a single rune. This was a contrast to the SS which used a double rune as its symbol. The HJ single rune flag was commonly carried at the front of the column when HJ units paraded. Often we see the standard bearer flanked by color guards. Notably we do not see the boys carrting the swastica flag, even adter 1935 when ikt became the official German flag. We note that often the single rune banner was the only banner or flag that the HJ units carried. We do note other banners, but we are not sure just what they represented. Hopefully HBU readers will be able to provide some insignts.