Figure 1.--These German Scouts (Pathfinders) were photographed in 1932. This was a year before the Scouts were incorporated into the Hitler Youth after the NAZIs seized power.

I have little historical information on German Scouts. The first important German youth movement was Wandervogel. I have little information about German Scoits before World War I (1914-18), but I believe they existed. Scouts before the War had to compete with Wandervogel. As in many other European countries, separate Scout associations were fornmed by different groups, primarily on religious lines. Scouting does not appear to have been as popular in Germany as in other European countres. After World War I, other competing youth groups formed. Many religious groups founded youth movements or sposored Scout units. In addition, several of the political parties, not just the NAZIs with the Hittler Youth, had their own competing youth movements separate from Scouting. Scouting was probably impaired by the English image the organiztiion had among many Germans. The Communists who had many adherents in the 1920s, taking their cue from the Soviets did not approve of Scouting. After the mid 1920s the Hitler Youth movement gained in popularity. With the coming to power of the NAZIs in 1932, the Scouts and almost other competing youth groups were abolished and boys had to join the Hitler Youth. Many facilities of the Scouts and other youth groups were seized by the Hitler Youth, a practice they followed in areas with German populatiions incorporated into the Reich. An intreaguing study of Scouting in occupied countries during the War is available.